So . . . McCauliffe is in and McDonnell is out. Will McDonnell be prosecuted?

[Stinky The Clown]

There has been pretty widespread agreement that Bob McDonnell and his wife committed actual crimes. There is also agreement, but less solid, that Cooch also committed crimes.

What do people here think? Will there be any actual prosecutions of these actual crimes?

Or will the political old boys club prevail like it did for Cheney and Boosh?

[Drew Richards]

1. His ego will force him to double down and run for president thinking that will end all prosecutions

[onehandle]

2. No. Tom Delay proved that crimes are dissolved after leaving office for Republicans.

Bachmann is flying the coop to avoid prosecution as well.

[William769]

3. His inauguration speech was outstanding!

I reserve the right to hold judgment at this time.

[Historic NY]

4. Soon I"ll bet they delayed until he was out of office.

Federal prosecutors told Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell last week that he and his wife would be charged in connection with a gift scandal, but senior Justice Department officials delayed the decision after the McDonnells’ attorneys made a face-to-face appeal in Washington, according to people familiar with the case.

Dana J. Boente, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, told the McDonnells’ legal teams that he planned to ask a grand jury to return an indictment no later than this past Monday, people familiar with the conversations said.

<snip>
But privately, as prosecutors signaled their intent to file charges, McDonnell’s attorneys have been pressing Justice Department officials to reconsider or delay — at least long enough for McDonnell to complete his four-year term and avoid becoming the first sitting governor in state history to face criminal charges.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/prosecutors-were-ready-to-charge-va-gov-mcdonnell-but-final-decision-delayed-by-justice-officials/2013/12/18/32260fa6-67fa-11e3-a0b9-249bbb34602c_story.html

[spanone]

5. i think politicians watch out for each other. i say he walks.

[frazzled]

6. I believe it would be the state's AG or the US attorney

who would initiate prosecution, not a governor (or other executive). And there should be a bright line between the executive branch and prosecutors.

Politicians should not be in the business of asking for the prosecution of other politicians. That could be dangerous. It's why we have separation of powers.

(Chris Christie would be the type to get a prosecution going; it should be left to the appropriate prosecutors.)

[blkmusclmachine]

8. No. Too Big To Fail has its perks.

[obxhead]

9. No. McCauliffe is just as corrupt, if not more so.

He's got a "D" after his name, but I expect very little change here in VA.

[William769]

10. Theres already been one change for the better

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1014695590

But then again I guess it would depend on what side of the fence you are on this one.

[obxhead]

11. Yes, that is positive.

I've lived through "Dem" leadership in VA though and I guess I'm just skeptical of lasting positive change.