I have grown up in Chicago and know first hand of the corruption and ineptitude of Chicago/Illinois politics. Now the arrest of Rod B. just confirms the systemic breakdown of morals. Apparently, Blogojevich conspired to sell President Elect Barack Obama's open Senate seat.
CHICAGO – Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired. A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.SOURCE
Blagojevich, a democrat, is just another victim of the corruptible power of the Illinois state governorship. His predecessor, Governor George Ryan currently sits in Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) at Terre Haute, Indiana.SOURCE
The highlight of Ryan's governorship is the moratorium on executions he instated in 2000 after evidence surfaced that many men, mostly African American, were being killed and later proven innocent through DNA evidence. It ended in scandal.
Ironically, it was Ryan's conviction that hurt the Republican Party's brand that led to Blagojevich's election and possibly Barack Obama's as senator.
The 76-page affidavit does not show that Barack Obama had anything to do with or had any knowledge of Blagojevich's antics.
I didn’t know that about George Ryan until now. What in the world is up with Chicago politicians?!
Hey Taula I am inclined to believe that corruption comes with the job. I am hoping beyond hope that Obama will remain relatively scandal free. It’s me btw I decided to let my alter ego go.
This was the most crazy thing I have ever read about in modern time. How did he think he was going to get away with that. Did he not know that O.J. was on trial for “trying to get back what was his”, and getting caught on tape.
I am like Judge Glass, of Las Vegas; he is both arrogant and stupid.
I am sure they are going to throw the book at him, and I am sure when Obama’s term is up; that he will not be pardoned.
It’s the nature of the game. Absolute power corrupts, absolutely!
Welcome Kristin. I treat alter egos with the same respect as regular egos..
I am not sure about the pardoning part. I did read that the Gov. is on tape saying, F*** Obama, because Obma would not promise him anything in exchange for the seat.
Yeah, Blago can pretty much forget about getting a pardon now that he’s on record talking slick about Obama. Not only was it inappropriate, it was unwarranted.
I thought about saying that Illinois deserves better but it’s apparent to me that it doesn’t. It can’t be coincidence that it’s home to so many corrupt politicians. Thank goodness for Fitzgerald.
Ol’ Fitz is being penned the Elliot Ness of Illinois. I agree that corruption is systemic there. I remember when Obama was running for Senate, the one quality that I liked most about him was his reputation for being outside of the Chicago machine.
Heard the funniest thing regarding good ole Blago…Lady said that his hair looked crooked…..Said that he has all types of bribery money stashed in there.
AHHHH!!!!!! I am dying here. That was funny. Is that his real hair, if so, why?
Wait a minute, y’all. Guess what. Now all the anti-Obama Looney Tunes are saying that Barack had a hand in all of this. Hey all of you anti-Obama nutjobs out there, here’s a rumor I heard and I thought I’d share it with you… I heard that the Pope is Catholic!
A caller on the TJMS said that Govenor Blagojevich looked like “Tattoo” from Fantacy Island with that big swoop as a hair style
I am not sure what this guy was thinking. They have reports that he was wanting to run for President here in the near future.
This will be one Political book, that I can’t wait to read.
Ya’ll are killing me this morning with the jokes.
His hair put too much weight on his brain. IDK. This is truly sad for Illinois. We voted for Roddy B. due to Gov. Ryan’s corruption and he goes an takes the cake.