Corruptocrat alert: Blagojevich taken into custody by FBI; conspired to sell/trade Senate seat, HHS position, stifle newspaper; Team Obama contradicts itself

By Michelle Malkin  •  December 9, 2008 10:05 AM

Scroll down for updates…

All that grandstanding yesterday by Illinois Dem. Gov. Rod Blagojevich over the Republic Windows and Doors plant closure was smoke and mirrors to distract from his corruption scandal.

The FBI was keeping its eye on the ball.

Blagojevich was taken into custody today by federal agents, the Chicago Tribune reports. The dirtbag details, which prosecutors call “staggering:”

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges.

Blagojevich and Harris were accused of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy that included Blagojevich conspiring to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife. The governor was also accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for other official actions.

Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning.

On the issue of the U.S. Senate selection, federal prosecutors alleged Blagojevich sought appointment as Secretary of Health and Human Services in the new Obama administration, or a lucrative job with a union in exchange for appointing a union-preferred candidate.

Blagojevich and Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.

Blagojevich and Harris, along with others, obtained and sought to gain financial benefits for the governor, members of his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state jobs and state contracts.

“The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering,” U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement.

“They allege that Blagojevich put a ‘for sale’ sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism.”

***

Time to play: Name that party!

***

The 12-page USDOJ release is here. The intro:

A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois’ U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining: a substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions; placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year; promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

Just last week, on December 4, Blagojevich allegedly told an advisor that he might “get some (money) up front, maybe” from Senate Candidate 5, if he named Senate Candidate 5 to the Senate seat, to insure that Senate Candidate 5 kept a promise about raising money for Blagojevich if he ran for re-election. In a recorded conversation on October 31, Blagojevich claimed he was approached by an associate of Senate Candidate 5 as follows: “We were approached ‘pay to play.’ That, you know, he’d raise 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator.”

On November 7, while talking on the phone about the Senate seat with Harris and an advisor, Blagojevich said he needed to consider his family and that he is “financially” hurting, the affidavit states. Harris allegedly said that they were considering what would help the “financial security” of the Blagojevich family and what will keep Blagojevich “politically viable.” Blagojevich stated, “I want to make money,” adding later that he is interested in making $250,000 to $300,000 a year, the complaint alleges.

On November 10, in a lengthy telephone call with numerous advisors that included discussion about Blagojevich obtaining a lucrative job with a union-affiliated organization in exchange for appointing a particular Senate Candidate whom he believed was favored by the President-elect and which is described in more detail below, Blagojevich and others discussed various ways Blagojevich could “monetize” the relationships he has made as governor to make money after leaving that office.

Some details of Blago’s pay-to-play schemes:

The charges include historical allegations that Blagojevich and Harris schemed with others – including previously convicted defendants Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others – since becoming governor in 2002 to obtain and attempt to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and third parties, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich, in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions, state employment, state contracts and access to state funds. A portion of the affidavit recounts the testimony of various witnesses at Rezko’s trial earlier this year.

The charges focus, however, on events since October when the Government obtained information that Blagojevich and Fundraiser A, who is chairman of Friends of Blagojevich, were accelerating Blagojevich’s allegedly corrupt fund-raising activities to accumulate as much money as possible this year before a new state ethics law would severely curtail Blagojevich’s ability to raise money from individuals and entities that have existing contracts worth more than $50,000 with the State of Illinois. Agents learned that Blagojevich was seeking approximately $2.5 million in campaign contributions by the end of the year, principally from or through individuals or entities – many of which have received state contacts or appointments – identified on a list maintained by Friends of Blagojevich, which the FBI has obtained.

The affidavit details multiple incidents involving efforts by Blagojevich to obtain campaign contributions in connection with his official actions as governor, including these three in early October:

After an October 6 meeting with Harris and Individuals A and B, during which Individual B sought state help with a business venture, Blagojevich told Individual A to approach Individual B about raising $100,000 for Friends of Blagojevich this year.

Individual A said he later learned that Blagojevich reached out directly to Individual B to ask about holding a fund-raiser;

Also on October 6, Blagojevich told Individual A that he expected Highway Contractor 1 to raise $500,000 in contributions and that he was willing to commit additional state money to a Tollway project – beyond $1.8 billion that Blagojevich announced on October15 – but was waiting to see how much money the contractor raised for Friends of Blagojevich; and

On October 8, Blagojevich told Individual A that he wanted to obtain a $50,000 contribution from Hospital Executive 1, the chief executive officer of Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, which had recently received a commitment of $8 million in state funds.

When the contribution was not forthcoming, Blagojevich discussed with Deputy Governor A the feasibility of rescinding the funding.

The Smoking Gun has an excerpt of the criminal complaint. The entire brief is here.

***

More: Meet Patty “F’ing” Blagojevich.

Fun fact from Tom Elia: “This makes for the fourth out of the last seven elected Illinois governors to be indicted since 1960 (Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan, and Rod Blagojevich) … since 1972, 28 Chicago alderman have been convicted of crimes. If this number was extrapolated to the US House, it would be as if over 240 congressman had been indicted in the same period.”

Update 3:41pm Eastern. Blago is free on his own recognizance.

Update 4:25pm Eastern. Obama and his team contradict each other on who knew what when.

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Comments


  1. #101
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:27 am, Marie said:

    Remember Rostenkowski? This makes Rosty look like a choirboy!

    Too funny!

  2. #102
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:29 am, Kevin K. said:

    chapoutier said (#56)

    Or do you need me to delve into some speculation somehow connecting this to Blagojech’s impending appointment of William Ayers to the seat to keep Ayers quiet about his knowledge that Sasha Obama’s father is actually Reverend Wright?

    (sound of loud laughter)
    Thanks. I needed that laugh! Well said.

  3. #103
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:30 am, happyscrapper said:

    Question…If Obama, for any reason, is unable to serve as President before he is innaugurated, who would get the Presidency? Biden? Or would McCain/Palin win the election by default? Maybe that is a dumb question, but I really don’t know!

  4. #104
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am, DBNinKY said:

    On October 8, Blagojevich told Individual A that he wanted to obtain a

    $50,000 contribution from Hospital Executive 1…which had recently received a commitment of $8 million in state funds.

    When the contribution was not forthcoming, Blagojevich discussed with Deputy Governor A the feasibility of rescinding the funding.

    WOW! If Gov Blagojevich survives this, then Illinois is lost!

    BTW, where’s the investigative arm of the MSM been while all this was going down in Illinois – Alaska, perhaps, trying manufacture a scandal to pin on Governor Palin?!

  5. #105
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am, granite said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am, Last Massachusetts Conservative said:

    Rogue Cheddar – Nice to meet another Massachusetts Conservative.

    One more here.

    Sometimes I still can’t believe that this New Hampshire boy moved into Massataxes (for a job) from God’s country to the north.

    Although, from the number of Mass. and other blue state liberal clowns that have moved into NH, it seems that they are striving mightily to ruin my beloved home state, too.

    …*sigh*…

  6. #106
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am, RTater said:

    Blag-Rezko-Obama/Soetoro = Schadenfreudilicious

  7. #107
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    I wish you all would get a clue. If this was a Republican, the (R) would have been in every article written – every time the name was mentioned. No (R) = (D). There is no need to research his name. The (lack of)work is already done by the MSM. ;)

    There is no fun in “Name that Party” anymore. :roll:

  8. #108
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am, Ilovemycountry said:

    Yeah, this guy is history – looks like Democrats can be corrupt.

    With Republicans you get the gay old guy in the bathroom or the gay (ex male prostitute) reporter.

  9. #109
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:38 am, Pat said:

    Typical politics in Chicago. I wonder how much Obama paid to get where he is?

    BTW it looks like Tom Cruise could play Blago in the movie!

  10. #110
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am, b-cat said:

    With Republicans you get the gay old guy in the bathroom or the gay (ex male prostitute) reporter.

    What? You’re gay bashing? Wait till the Prop 8 crowd gets a hold of this. You’ll lose your Liberal Sycophant card.

  11. #111
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:42 am, happyscrapper said:

    BTW it looks like Tom Cruise could play Blago in the movie!

    Wow…there really is a striking resemblance! But you know, they will never make a movie about a corrupt democrat! Only corrupt republicans, of which there are few.

  12. #112
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:43 am, txvet2 said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:12 am, chapoutier said:

    You misunderstand Chappie. He doesn’t care how corrupt they are. He only wants them prosecuted because they get caught and give his more adroit comrades a bad name.

    No, you misunderstand me, txvet. I only want Blag prosecuted because he apparently found a higher bid for the seat than what I was willing to offer him.

    The possibilities for “pithy” rejoinders border on infinite. But at least you cheerfully admit to your personal corruption. Blagowhat’shisname will probably fight this out in court for years, and end up with a suspended $20 fine, while being re-elected three times. You gotta love Chicago politics. Even better than N’Orleans. The amazing thing is that so many people blissfully assume that Obama has been untouched by it all, even though he is a direct product of the system.

  13. #113
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:45 am, Radiojoe1470 said:

    I think the real motto for the Dem’s is

    “Change you can buy into.”

  14. #114
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:46 am, happyscrapper said:

    By the way…remember how the dems completely go ballistic over any transgression by a republican (Maccaca, Trent Lott’s comment, the gay stuff, etc.) These are all so trivial compared to this horrible corruption. But you can bet the MSM will drag it all out like it is just as bad.

  15. #115
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:47 am, Atlanta Media Guy said:

    If I was Obama and his transition team I would pack the bags, load up the trucks and get the hell out of Illinois and move the office to DC before Fitz and the Feds start investigating the Obamaites!

  16. #116
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:48 am, happyscrapper said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:45 am, Radiojoe1470 said:
    I think the real motto for the Dem’s is

    “Change you can buy into.”

    Priceless!!

  17. #117
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am, jbjm said:

    Obama’s list of future pardons grows: Tony Rezko, OJ Simpson, the Illinois Governor…who will be next?

  18. #118
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am, chicagojedi said:

    I’m from Chicago and I couldn’t be happier to see this slime go. Another crooked Chicago democrat. Now let Fitzgerald off his leash to go after Daley and Obama – the two most corrupt Chicago dirt bag politicians.

  19. #119
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:49 am, frostrt said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am, RTater said:

    Schadenfreudilicious

    ————————————

    Great word! :)

  20. #120
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am, Fat Jolly Penguin said:

    Hehe. Good riddance, ya creep.

  21. #121
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:51 am, brianod1 said:

    Unfortunately the Illinois GOP is so dysfunctional that there is almost zero chance that they can capitalize on this and reclaim the governorship in 2010.

  22. #122
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:53 am, RedDog said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am, granite said:

    Although, from the number of Mass. and other blue state liberal clowns that have moved into NH, it seems that they are striving mightily to ruin my beloved home state, too.

    …*sigh*…

    Don’t feel alone granite, they did the same to North Carolina, Virginia and now Florida. The fungus spreads.

  23. #123
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:54 am, frostrt said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 10:28 am, wighttrasch said:
    I thought I smelled something over here in Missouri…

    ————————————

    A-ha, a fellow Missourian!

    Yes, that smell do travel, don’t it. I just hope this could be a step in shutting down the “Chicago Machine”.

  24. #124
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:55 am, DBNinKY said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:36 am, On-my-soap-box said:

    If this was a Republican, the (R) would have been in every article written – every time the name was mentioned.

    My opinion exactly!

    If the MSM had paid any attention to what was going on in Illinois with corrupt Democrat Governor Blagojevich instead of running a witch-hunt against Governor Palin (R) in Alaska, then maybe the media could have begun to repair some the self-inflicted damage they sustained to their credibility during Obama’s presidential election.

    The MSM is rabid for Democrats and clueless on objectivity.

  25. #125
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:58 am, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am, granite said:
    On December 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am, Last Massachusetts Conservative said:

    Rogue Cheddar – Nice to meet another Massachusetts Conservative.
    One more here.

    Sometimes I still can’t believe that this New Hampshire boy moved into Massataxes (for a job) from God’s country to the north.

    Although, from the number of Mass. and other blue state liberal clowns that have moved into NH, it seems that they are striving mightily to ruin my beloved home state, too.

    …*sigh*…

    Yep. I work with some NH people, and it seems they like taxes just fine. They’ll be coming for your guns next.

    You’ll have to change your plates to “Live Free Or Don’t!”
    The carpetbaggers are ruining your state.

  26. #126
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:59 am, lgm said:

    Corruption is bipartisan, with an emphasis on Republicans. The previous Governor of Illinois also went to jail for corruption, put away by the same prosecutor, Republican appointee Patrick Fitzgerald.

    On the other hand, it’s looking like former Alabama Governor Siegelman is about to be exonerated.

  27. #127
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm, Rogue Cheddar said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:53 am, RedDog said:
    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:33 am, granite said:

    Although, from the number of Mass. and other blue state liberal clowns that have moved into NH, it seems that they are striving mightily to ruin my beloved home state, too.

    …*sigh*…
    Don’t feel alone granite, they did the same to North Carolina, Virginia and now Florida. The fungus spreads.

    More like “The Zombie Apocolypse!”

  28. #128
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm, Misscheryl said:

    If anyone believes that Obama, as a Illinois senator is not neck deep in the corruption there, I have a wonderful time share for sale on ocean front property in Oklahoma.

  29. #129
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm, On-my-soap-box said:

    idoiot, they name is lgm (with and emphasis on IDIOT).

  30. #130
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:01 pm, granite said:

    I’m waiting to see if and when today’s socialist thug politicians and bureaucrats can match the style of past corrupt politicians (I know, I know…that term is soooo ofetn redundant), like this, for example:

    AUTHOR: Edwin W Edwards, Governor of Louisiana
    QUOTATION: [I could not lose unless I was] caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy.
    ATTRIBUTION: On 1983 race against David C Treen, recalled on his grand jury indictment for racketeering and fraud, Time 11 Mar 85

    Here’ the link:

    http://www.bartleby.com/63/35/635.html

    What’s that?
    To which party did Edwards belong, did you ask?

    Why,…:

    The Cajun Prince” Edwin Edwards
    Lousiana’s four-term Democratic governor, Edwin “The Cajun Prince” Edwards, was convicted in 2000 of racketeering over extorting payoffs for casino riverboat licenses.

    And, here’s that link:

    http://www.predictify.com/q/the-cajun-prince-gets-get-out-of-jail-card-from

    Hope this is not a double post.
    I posted it a few minutes ago, and it went pffftttt…to…where??!?

  31. #131
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm, hatfield said:

    Please, can’t we just move on? /sarc

  32. #132
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:02 pm, Salt said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:59 am, lgm said:

    Corruption is bipartisan, with an emphasis on Republicans. The previous Governor of Illinois also went to jail for corruption, put away by the same prosecutor, Republican appointee Patrick Fitzgerald.

    On the other hand, it’s looking like former Alabama Governor Siegelman is about to be exonerated.

    Your daily moral equivalency was brought to you by the letters l, g, and m.

    Remember folks, when it comes to avoiding any conversation about a corrupt democrat to attempt to reinforce an image of Republicans being worse, look no further than lgm. Serving the MM.com community for years.

  33. #133
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm, frostrt said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm, Misscheryl said:
    If anyone believes that Obama, as a Illinois senator is not neck deep in the corruption there, I have a wonderful time share for sale on ocean front property in Oklahoma.

    ————————————–

    Barbara Streisand called; she wants to make you an offer! :)

  34. #134
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm, Ralph Gizzip said:

    Blogo probably tried to put the squeeze on Jesse Jackson Jr. for the Senate seat. Jesse Sr. said, “If there’s gonna be any political extortion goin’ on I’m gonna be the one gettin’ paid!”

  35. #135
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm, b-cat said:

    One can always count on an ineffectual smoke screen from lgm.

  36. #136
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:05 pm, Send_Me said:

    Yep, that’s my Illinois leading the way.
    We have a long, distinguished list of corrupt politicians. Let’s see, we have:
    Gov. Blagojevich (D): For the above.
    Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D): “[S]ubject of a 1993 Federal Elections Commission investigation over $249,000 in unaccounted campaign funds. The agency found several violations, but took no action against Moseley Braun, citing a lack of resources.”
    Gov. George Ryan (R): “[I]llegal sale of government licenses, contracts and leases by state employees during his prior service as Secretary of State.”
    Rep. Jerry Weller (R): “[R]epeated failure to report assets he bought and sold in Nicaragua, the misuse of his position to sell some of his foreign land holdings, his acceptance of campaign contributions from Puerto
    Rican interests in apparent exchange for supporting legislation that benefitted Puerto Rico and his acceptance of campaign contributions from Jeffrey Prosser in apparent exchange for assisting Mr. Prosser in his legal battle with the government of Belize.”
    Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D): “[E}thics issues stem[ming] from the outside employment of a top Washington D.C. congressional aide.”
    Rep. Dennis Hastert (R): numerous campaign finance issues
    President-elect Obama (D): Do we really need to retread this old ground?
    http://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/

  37. #137
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:06 pm, rowsdower said:

    Hey Rethuglicans: Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate! Troopergate!
    Hey, doing troll impressions is fun!

  38. #138
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:06 pm, Paul-Cincy said:

    Can you imagine Jesse Jackson Jr as a US Senator? We know he has the requisite skin color. He’s fake, so he’ll fit right in with the other Democratic Senators. And he’s inexperienced, which makes him a logical Obama replacement.

    Too bad the current lieutenant governor is a Democrat. That would be sweet if he was a Repub.

  39. #139
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:07 pm, granite said:

    ???

    My post was blocked twice.

    All I did was wonder when today’s socialist thug politicans and bureaucrats are going to display something approaching the style of Lousiana’s former Democrat governor Edwin Edwards, who famously said (possible paraphrase) that the only way he could lose an upcoming election would be if he were to be found in bed with a dead girl or a live boy.

    I used indirect discourse this time, because in my previous two attempts, I used direct quotations from the internet and posted the links (very easy to find). Perhaps that is why my first two attempts “disappeared”?

    Here goes; third time is a charm…?

  40. #140
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:10 pm, shooter said:

    B Hussein might be involved.

    The FBI affidavit said Blagojevich had been told by an adviser “the President-elect can get ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife on paid corporate boards in exchange for naming the President-elect’s pick to the Senate.”

    then

    Told by two other advisers he has to “suck it up” for two years, the FBI says it heard Blagojevich complain he has to give this “motherf***er [the President-elect] his Senator. F*** him. For nothing? F*** him.”

  41. #141
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm, chicagojedi said:

    LGM -

    Bribery charges for corrupt work contracts pale in comparison to taking bribes for a US SENATOR. If you can’t tell the difference than you have serious, serious problems. Both bums should be in jail, no doubt, but the seriousness of electing a US Senator based on how much loot you can score is about the pinnacle of corruption. Boss Tweed at Tammany Hall couldn’t have dreamed of such grandiose villainy. And trust me when I say this rabbit hole goes deep. Chicago is a cesspool of corruption and if you don’t think Obama is highly involved you need to buy a clue.

  42. #142
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:12 pm, ChicagoRobb said:

    Governor “Hair Helmet” is a special kind of stupid. He knows he was under investigation for previous dealings and then does this. His arrogance is what brought him down.
    As for Obama, it does cause some problems. It makes it very difficult to get rid of Patrick Fitzgerald without appearing uber-partisan (see Alberto Gonzalez). It puts him up to scrutiny just by association, even though his links to Blagojevich are not probably strong. It puts the Tony Rezko issue back on the front page. And finally, it makes it difficult to appoint any more staff with Chicago connections. I would not be suprised if Obama turns up the heat on Blagojevich just to get this behind him.

  43. #143
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm, Misscheryl said:

    Chicago is a cesspool of corruption and if you don’t think Obama is highly involved you need to buy a clue.

    My sentiments exactly.

  44. #144
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm, b-cat said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 10:07 am, Jeddite said:
    but but but Republicans do it too wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

    On December 9th, 2008 at 11:59 am, lgm said:
    Corruption is bipartisan, with an emphasis on Republicans. The previous Governor of Illinois also went to jail for corruption, put away by the same prosecutor, Republican appointee Patrick Fitzgerald.

    There ya go. Predictable.

  45. #145
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, Mister P said:

    Corruption is bipartisan

    lgm, this implies that the two parties get together to be corrupt. Are you sure this is what you mean?

  46. #146
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:05 pm, Send_Me said:
    Yep, that’s my Illinois leading the way.

    It does put a new spin on the term “traditional values” doesn’t it? ;)

  47. #147
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:17 pm, Bob in Myrtle Beach said:

    Looks like Tony Resco might get a bunkbuddy after all.

  48. #148
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:21 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm, Misscheryl said:

    Chicago is a cesspool of corruption and if you don’t think Obama is highly involved you need to buy a clue.

    My sentiments exactly.

    You don’t get to dance in Chicago politics without “paying the fiddler.”

    Example? Attendance in Rev. Wright’s church for 20+ years. Gotta get that punch on the ticket. How do you suppose he got the other punches?

  49. #149
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:21 pm, hawkeye54 said:

    they did the same to North Carolina, Virginia and now Florida. The fungus spreads.

    Their mission – the Left Red intend that no state left red : (

  50. #150
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:22 pm, brad_sk said:

    Wow..Isn’t today a good day for USA? I mean in addition to this corrupt rascal being arrested, I see the news that restroom jerk Larry Craig loses his appeal. Awesome…. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iM7VsmCI91xXDASkhgtGf3_zk__gD94V9JQ00

  51. #151
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm, Misscheryl said:

    I also believe if Obama’s involvment in all of this is discovered, it would be kept out of the public domain, as is his birth certificate. However, you think he is a house ni*&%r now, wait until Pelosi gets the goods on this guy.

  52. #152
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:25 pm, kwyoung said:

    I think the real motto for the Dem’s is

    “Change you can buy into.”

    How about: “what you can buy with ‘change’”.

    I’m starting to see a pattern here… first, the honorable (Ha!) Gov. of New York, then the (Un)respectable Mayor of Detroit, now the Goverupt of Illinois. Who’s next? We seem to be moving westward.

  53. #153
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:26 pm, JHSII said:

    Remember, according to one local troll, Illinois Democrat Governor Rod Blagojevich wouldn’t even have been governor if Conservatives hadn’t supported him!! :roll:

    Obama’s going to have a lot of pardons for Day 1, even for himself for not being a natural born citizen.

  54. #154
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:27 pm, Misscheryl said:

    brad_sk said:
    Wow..Isn’t today a good day for USA? I mean in addition to this corrupt rascal being arrested, I see the news that restroom jerk Larry Craig loses his appeal. Awesome….

    it does give me hope but not the kind Obama meant.

  55. #155
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:29 pm, tre said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:00 pm, Misscheryl said:
    If anyone believes that Obama, as a Illinois senator is not neck deep in the corruption there, I have a wonderful time share for sale on ocean front property in Oklahoma.

    I’ll throw in my deep-sea fishing business, too.

  56. #156
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:33 pm, MrScribbler said:

    Memo to Osama Obama from Satchel Paige: “Don’t look back…something may be gaining on you!”

  57. #157
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:37 pm, Lindsay said:

    This is not helping Michelle’s children or Obama quit smoking.

  58. #158
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:38 pm, William Amos said:

    I hope Obama isnt involved’

    Can you say “President Joe Biden” ?

    Ugh

  59. #159
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, cheapseat said:

    the highway repair process in illinois will tell you all you need to know about how corrupt the state government is. they proceed with a lowball contract, dig up large stretches of interstate, then go back to the government to up the bid or they won’t complete the highway. at any time, huge hunks of illinois highway are down to one lane while politicians wrangle with thugs over the split of the new contract to complete the road. as a young man i sold equipment in chicago area, and it is the only place in over 30 years of selling equipment where i had not one, but 3 people call me up in the span of a year and tell me that if i wanted to sell the equipment to the customer i was going to have to pay a bribe to someone. crook county for sure.

  60. #160
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, BayStateRepublican said:

    This scandal needs a catchy name that can be hung on Democrats for decades to come.

  61. #161
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:43 pm, brad_sk said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:33 pm, MrScribbler said: at 156

    Memo to Osama Obama from Satchel Paige: “Don’t look back…something may be gaining on you!”

    Obama has many other failures and negative qualities to be attacked upon…You don’t have to be so cheap
    and immature and attack him by linking Osama on his name just because he has a strange name. Such low class tactics will only hurt GOP.

  62. #162
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, clevergael said:

    Let’s play spot-the-coincidence:
    Blago gets busted the same day the Trib files for bankruptcy.
    Blago tries to get wife peachy-plum-paid-big-money positions on boards in exchange for political favors. You know, those high-paid boards like Michelle Obama sat on?

    (best church-lady imitation) What else do you think happened here, HMMMMM????(/end imitation)

    Just sayin’.

  63. #163
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, prendad said:

    I retired from military intelligence many years ago having spent 27 years involved in espionage and counter-espionage activities. Because of my training and experience, I am good at accurately sizing up a person based on a few observations. The first time I saw this guy on TV and heard him speak, alarms started going off in my head. One thing that my training and experience never taught me is WHY people do things like this, WHY people like Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris are NEVER SATISFIED. Why do they risk everything, reputation, honor, dignity, just for money?? I guess that now, after the jail doors slam shut, they will have lots of time to think about it.

  64. #164
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:44 pm, William Amos said:

    This scandal needs a catchy name that can be hung on Democrats for decades to come

    Blagogate ?
    BuyObamaSeatCheap ?
    TheRevengeofJessieJackson

  65. #165
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:47 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, BayStateRepublican said:

    This scandal needs a catchy name that can be hung on Democrats for decades to come.

    New thread for Michelle?

  66. #166
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm, wighttrasch said:

    frostrt….well, we have our own problems here in MO

    Gotta keep The Lou’ at the top of the ‘most dangerous city’ list!

  67. #167
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:53 pm, rowsdower said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:16 pm, Mister P said:lgm, this implies that the two parties get together to be corrupt. Are you sure this is what you mean?

    Hey, this is a guy that thinks Gloria Steinem is a hottie-hard to tell.

  68. #168
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:55 pm, PhredE said:

    Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald (overseeing Federal Prosecutor) is saying in the current press conference that the scheme by Blago also involved Change To Win/SEIU union. …[roll eyes...]

  69. #169
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, Misscheryl said:

    It should be called “Obama’s senate seat scandal.”

  70. #170
    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:58 pm, ChicagoRobb said:

    Blagojevich got elected because the “Ship of Fools” IL Republican party ran a guy with the same last name as the Governor who was about to be indicted (George Ryan former Governor,current inmate vs. Jim Ryan 2002 Gubernatorial candidate). Blagojevich ran as a reformer (cough,cough) and won.
    In 2006, the IL GOP Titanic party ran a “moderate”, Judy Baar Topinka. She was a social liberal and her “endearing” quality was a very raspy voice from chain-smoking. At one time, State Senator Rev. James Meeks, almost threw his hat in the ring as a third party candidate, but pulled out when Blago promised him more school funding.
    Unless the IL Republican party pulls its head from a place it does not belong, it probably will not take advantage of this.

  71. #171
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:01 pm, tonyinmaine said:

    I’ve noticed that the AP stories, as well as the coverage on most of the networks refuse to identify Blog as a “Democrat”, but they didn’t fail to identify former Governor Ryan as a “Republican”. Anyone else notice that?

  72. #172
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:02 pm, RThomasETC said:

    See, I don’t know why but … this stuff always shocks me. One shouldn’t be an criminal to begin with but a stupid criminal who would not only do this but … do it stupidly? … as a Governor?

    ::: sigh ::: It says something that a sitting “Governor” could be so criminal and dumb.

  73. #173
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:08 pm, Flyoverman said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm, Misscheryl said:
    It should be called “Obama’s senate seat scandal.”

    Misscheryl, you may have gotten your wish. Check it out…. It’s creeping closer…

    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/oct/18/whistleblower-hits-obama-friends-appraisal/

  74. #174
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:08 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:41 pm, BayStateRepublican said:
    This scandal needs a catchy name that can be hung on Democrats for decades to come.

    The Blagojevich Caper(s).

  75. #175
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pm, Flyoverman said:

    OBTW, The New York Times will give the Blagojevich scan one paragraph coverage on page G-27 tomorrow.

  76. #176
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm, MarcoPolo said:
  77. #177
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:13 pm, sclawstudent said:

    I totally didn’t see this coming, after 30 some odd dead people voted for him in 2006. Big shocker: Illinois Democratic policians are corrupt? Say it ain’t so! Oh wait, even that phrase about corruption comes from Chicago. Hey, doesn’t some recently-elected national policitican come from Chicago?

  78. #178
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:14 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Kwame, meet Rod…

  79. #179
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:19 pm, blacktygrrrr said:

    Bloggo could have brought the 1960s full circle by appointing one of the dead people that voted for JFK.

    Does anybody in Illinois obey the law?

    I should stop asking rhetorical questions.

    Respectfully,

    eric aka the Tygrrrr Express

  80. #180
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:20 pm, oldcollegeguy1980 said:

    Ladies and Gentleman today is just a singular example of what a Chicago politician means when he says he wants to bring change to Washington.

    He is not upset by the corruption in Washington. Rather he is upset that there is not more corruption in Washington.

    And being from Chicago who knows more about corruption than their favorite son.

    Welcome to hell.

  81. #181
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:21 pm, Misscheryl said:

    Flyoverman said:
    OBTW, The New York Times will give the Blagojevich scan one paragraph coverage on page G-27 tomorrow.

    Pathetic! Doesn’t matter anymore. No one reads that rag. They remind me of the Pig3 auto execs. Perpetually have their heads up their, well, a place that is vewy, vewy dark.

  82. #182
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:23 pm, rambler said:

    Yeeeehaaaaa! and one Dean scream!!!!!!! It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. I wonder why it took so long. Let the political cleanup begin. 2 IL govs in a row to go the jail. How many other elected officials have done this same sort of thing but didn’t get caught? And now …..The White House ….brought to you by The Chicago Political Machine!

  83. #183
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:24 pm, Lucifer Jones said:

    Funny the article never said the gov was a dem.

  84. #184
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:25 pm, tpitman said:

    BTW, where’s the investigative arm of the MSM been while all this was going down in Illinois – Alaska, perhaps, trying manufacture a scandal to pin on Governor Palin?!

    How can you possibly expect the MSM to devote thinly stretched resources to this blip of a news story when they were tied up covering the “poultry genocide” being committed right under Sarah Palin’s nose while she coldly gave a press conference “pardoning” a token turkey? The gravity of the event was such that the editorial board of the New York Times was brought to bear upon it.

  85. #185
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:27 pm, jt3151 said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 10:19 am, Flyoverman said:
    How many republicans do you know in Illinois Chicago?
    Not many.

    I used to do landscaping work for the head of the Cook County Republican party- not a big account.

  86. #186
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:28 pm, LibertarianRepublican said:

    I’m so sick of the Chicago political machine. I live in Dixon, Illinois, the hometown of president Ronald Reagan. The majority of the people of this state, “outside Chicago” are good and decent conservatives, but their are so many liberal moonbats in the city that they make all of our decisions for us. What’s particularly sad is that now these wackos are running the office of the president and the rest of you are going to find out what it’s like because this is the political machine that CREATED Barack Obama and if you think he isn’t a part of all of this corruption then you’re blind.

  87. #187
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:37 pm, frostrt said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 12:50 pm, wighttrasch said:
    frostrt….well, we have our own problems here in MO

    Gotta keep The Lou’ at the top of the ‘most dangerous city’ list!

    —————————————

    Indeed. What a source of civic pride!

    Sarc/

    I grew up in High Ridge, lived in Fenton for almost 10 yrs, and am currently in Pilot Knob. Of course, I’m no stranger to the ‘Lou.

  88. #188
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:38 pm, MrVIBEMAN said:

    Does anybody in Illinois obey the law?

    I should stop asking rhetorical questions.

    Respectfully,

    eric aka the Tygrrrr Express

    As far as law abiding in Illinois goes:

    No Democrats and few Republicans.
    (I say ‘few’ because I just joined the Illinois Republicans this summer and I am law abiding.)

  89. #189
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:45 pm, rocketman said:

    Call it SENATORGATE!
    ***
    John Bibb

  90. #190
    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:47 pm, happyscrapper said:

    I am still wondering who would be the President-Elect if Obama was disqualified. Biden by default? I mean, before the inauguration. Anyone?

  91. #191
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pm, jdsbc98 said:

    My fav. part of this story is how CNN.com and Boston(Globe).com have never turned on their comment boards for this story. hmmmm

  92. #192
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:15 pm, MagnumOpus said:

    BHO’s presser: “I’m sorry, but this is not the Gov. Blagojevich I knew…
    just like my auntie, or my grandma, or my Muslim outreach director, or my phony presidential seal, or, well you get the point.”

  93. #193
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:30 pm, MarcoPolo said:

    Unfortunately the Illinois GOP is so dysfunctional that there is almost zero chance that they can capitalize on this and reclaim the governorship in 2010.

    That’s the truth. The Illinois GOP is merely an extension of the Illinois DNC. They never have an action plan – their newsletters only mock the Democrats, never present any alternative plans.

  94. #194
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:33 pm, frostrt said:

    On December 9th, 2008 at 1:47 pm, happyscrapper said:
    I am still wondering who would be the President-Elect if Obama was disqualified. Biden by default? I mean, before the inauguration. Anyone?

    ————————————-

    I would love to know that myself.

    As I’ve said on other threads, my worst nightmare is that it would be Biden; unfortunately, I think that’s the most likely possibility.

  95. #195
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pm, MrVIBEMAN said:

    “This makes for the fourth out of the last seven elected Illinois governors to be indicted since 1960 (Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan, and Rod Blagojevich) … since 1972, 28 Chicago alderman have been convicted of crimes. If this number was extrapolated to the US House, it would be as if over 240 congressman had been indicted in the same period.”

    Considering the ethics of Congress in this day and age…..I think the number 240 is exceedingly low.

  96. #196
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm, RabbidSquirrel said:

    Billy Bob is just laughing his hillbilly butt off right now. He knows that all of the people he associated with (we know them (48?) as FOB’s or Friends Of Bill) all managed to die or commit ‘suicide’ before they could turn States Witness or go into the Witness Protection program.

    Obama bought into his own press. So he better grow some nads and start off’ing people by proxy before the stories get toooo close to him. This one is inside the circle and is dangerously near to his contacts.

  97. #197
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pm, MrVIBEMAN said:

    The Illinois GOP is merely an extension of the Illinois DNC. They never have an action plan – their newsletters only mock the Democrats, never present any alternative plans

    That’s the very reason I joined. To try and help change that philosophy. I’ve found that it’s like skiing uphill with no snow.

  98. #198
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:37 pm, right_on said:

    Roddy says:
    “I been f***ing Watergated! The “Perfect Negro” f***ing sold me out!”

    Or;

    The One says:

    “I have always said, um-m-m-m, uh-h, uh-h, uh-h, that it is my position that, uh-h, uh-h, uh-h, corruption cannot, must not, uh-h, uh-h, go unchallenged, and my administration, will, uh-h, uh-h, will NOT, um-m, uh-h, be uncommitted to being against alleged activities such as is being disclose-um, uh-h, described here.” “The Governor is not, and er, um, has not been, uh-h-h, um-m, uh-h, as far as I am aware, the kind of person, outlined in the complaint, that uh-h, I am familiar with. And this is news to me!”

  99. #199
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:40 pm, LuxEternam said:

    Name one LIBERAL Democrat – currently serving – who isn’t standing accused of being a co-conspirator (or at least a witness), isn’t facing probable indictment or isn’t about to be prosecuted all as a result of his/her direct involvement in some scandal.

    Chaps answer: Kusinich.

    That’s just because the brainwaves associated with “Democrat Congenital Crookedness” could not penetrate the tin foil hat that Kusinich wears on his head at all times to keep the little green men piloting the UFO’s he keeps seeing from scanning his brain.

    GREAT example. He’s not crooked, he’s just unbalanced.

  100. #200
    On December 9th, 2008 at 2:44 pm, Bogtrotter said:

    All I can say is WOW! My TV has been disconnected as I am having new carpet installed today (right now actually). I have been so busy I have not been on the computer and have not even turned on a radio. To say this story came as a shock is a understatement. A quick look at a few websites reveals that many of them do seem to be avoiding the use of the part identifier “D” in front of his name. Just as I would expect the media to do.

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