What's the big deal? Isn't this just how business is done in Chicago politics?
It seems a little surprising that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested for doing what lots of corrupt politicians--especially from Chicago--have been doing for a long time.
Maybe Blagojevich was just a little too candid about the whole thing...
"llinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that they and others are engaging in ongoing criminal activity: conspiring to obtain personal financial benefits for Blagojevich by leveraging his sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Tribune Company in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field to induce the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members sharply critical of Blagojevich; and to obtain campaign contributions in exchange for official actions – both historically and now in a push before a new state ethics law takes effect January 1, 2009."
2 comments:
Having lived most of my life in Illinois (downstate, mercifully) I know a little bit about politics in the Land of Lincoln. All politics in Illinois are ultimately controlled by the Chicago Machine. This news about the arrest of Illinois' governor is a surprise to me only in the fact that he got caught. This is Chicago politics at its finest. This is the way it is done and has ben for over a century. This is the politics upon which our President-elect cut his eye teeth. But the players are usually clever enough to not get themselves caught.
I wonder if there is a story behind the headlines. Chicago politicians and the Congressional Black Caucus have been considering this situation since Obama became the official candidate for the presidency. Among rightful heirs to Obama's Senate seat include U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. of Chicago, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, or state Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville, any of whom would maintain Illinois' position as home to the nation's only black senator. Could it be that the governor was considering passing over the black contenders for another who could pay-off in a big way? Did the blacks in Illinois and in Washington turn on Blagojevich because he was about to dis the brothers and sell the seat to a none-black with deep pockets?
Just a thought.
Dr. Theo, Yes, very intriguing. I can see them throwing Blago under the bus if he wouldn't go with the program. This is big time. Makes me wonder about Fitzpatrick. Is he a part of it or was he fed the info he needed. He sure is moving fast with this.
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