Feds Charge Blagojevich Tried To Sell Obama's Senate Seat

[babylonsister]

How stoopid is this man? :crazy:


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/illinois_governor_arrested.php

Illinois Governor Arrested
By Zachary Roth - December 9, 2008, 9:51AM


Beleaguered Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was taken into custody by law enforcement authorities at his home this morning, reports the Tribune Company, sourcing a US Attorney's office spokesman. The governor's chief of staff, John Harris, was also arrested.

Hours earlier, the Chicago Tribune reported that the federal probe of pay-to-play politics in the Blagojevich administration had expanded to include the question whether the process of filling Barack Obama's US Senate seat -- for which the governor is responsible -- had become tainted.

Earlier this week, the same (also beleaguered!) paper reported that the feds had secretly taped Blagojevich as part of their investigation.

Yesterday, the governor told reporters: "I don't believe there's any cloud that hangs over me. I think there's nothing but sunshine hanging over me".

Late Update: Prosecutors have filed a criminal complaint.

[seemslikeadream]

1. They went to his home, handcuffed him and arrested him

no surrending to authorities :wow:

[babylonsister]

3. He's been under investigation for 3 years, yet tried to pull this?

He didn't have a clue that he might have wires around taping his every word? The ignorance is staggering. I guess he does belong in jail.

[TexasObserver]

86. and they did it because they're BUSHIES!

Does one need to know more than that to know this was politically driven?

They wanted to imply guilt strongly, and to make him look guilty, whether he is or not.

I take this presumption: Any Democratic politician the Bush admin has targeted for political prosecution is a target for political reasons.

[Raskolnik]

93. Knee-jerk, lazy thinking.

You continue to post rather than actually find anything out about this case. Why?

[johnfunk]

94. No, they did it because Blago's crooked enough to BE a Bushie

1) Blagojevich is a CONSERVATIVE.
2) Blagojevich is alleged to be a pay-to-play CROOK.
3) Fitz's indictment indicates that Obama wounl NOT have anything to do with Blago's "pay to play" scheming (Blago; Obama "show us only appreciation. F$#@ them.")
4) A little speculation: I'd bet you a dollar that Rahm Emanuel himself dropped the dime the fitz on Blago's phone call!

It's Fitzmas for Democrats when the prosecutor takes down one of the few truly egregious crooks in power with a "D" after their name.

[Vinca]

2. So now what? Who chooses Obama's successor? nt

[babylonsister]

5. I have no idea; maybe his replacement? I wouldn't trust him with any

decisions now.

[Vinca]

15. Just checked and - thank heavens - the Lt. Gov. is a Democrat. nt

[Sebass1271]

35. pheeeew.. thanks.. i was panicky thinking a repub will

be appointed.. and therefore appoint a repub in PE Obama's seat.

[KharmaTrain]

20. Good Question...Blago's A Black Hole

If he were given a report card, it would say "Doesn't Get Along Well With Others". Protocol would say he would consult with President Obama and Senator Durbin, but I've heard reports that say there's been almost no communications. I saw Blago at the Governor's conference last week and hoped Obama got a word in, but Blago is a blank slate most times, no one knows what to expect from the dude.

[Chisox08]

70. Lt. gov Pat Quinn makes the chioce if G Rod is convicted

[rurallib]

4. Good lord - but I can't say I am surprised

We get Illinois TV here in Iowa. Nearly every day brings yet more stories and accusations on Blogo.
And corruption in Illinois politics seems the norm for both parties. Former governor Ryan is trying to get a pardon from Bush to get out of prison.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. It's Pretty Embarassing

The last governor, a repub, was a crook. The one before that was certainly tainted. The two before that were crooks. And the one about 3 before them was a crook.

It's getting embarassing around here. (Yeah, i'm from IL.)
GAC

[Sebass1271]

6. Is this the guy that just won the election or what?

[babylonsister]

10. No. Here's wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich

[Sebass1271]

27. THANKS. but didnt' someone else won that seat and will

be taking oath of office in January? i am confused.

[babylonsister]

28. No. He is/was the sitting governor. That's why he was supposed to

be selecting the senator to replace PE Obama.

[Sebass1271]

32. ohhh ok.. maybe i am confusing it with DE new Governor..

is the atty general of Illinois a Democrat?

[tritsofme]

37. All statewide officeholders in IL are Democrats. nt

[dysfunctional press]

63. dick durbin just won RE-election to HIS senate seat in november...

he's the senior senator from illinois...obama was the jr. senator- his (now former) senate seat isn't up for re-election until 2010.

[tritsofme]

7. He's a real scum bag.

[demokatgurrl]

8. I just saw the story in the NY Times

and it told me just about nothing, so I came here to find out more.
All it says is that the investigation "extended" into the efforts to fill Obama's seat but didnt' say more. It almost seems like a smear article because they just HAD to mention Rezko:

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges of conspiring to get financial benefits through his authority to appoint a U.S. senator to fill the vacancy left by Barack Obama's election as president.

According to a federal criminal complaint, 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. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions, prosecutors said.

...
The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday morning that the federal investigation had spread to Blagojevich's efforts to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy left by the election of Barack Obama as president.

Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges. Blagojevich's chief fundraiser, Christopher G. Kelly, is due to stand trial early next year on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/ap-blago.html?hp

[babylonsister]

11. He was just arrested this a.m. nt

[TexasObserver]

9. We're talking about the Bush administration, and the GOP, running Justice.

I don't know if this guy is guilty of anything or not, but we're talking about the same Justice department that put Don Seigelman away. This smells a lot like that. This could be all about derailing one more Democrat being appointed to the senate, and is directed at casting aspersions upon the new Democratic congress, and Illinois politics in general.

These "prosecutors" are part of an evil empire that runs those prosecutors.

[babylonsister]

12. Thanks for that dose of reality. I guess we'll see as this unfolds. nt

[TexasObserver]

49. He may turn out to be guilty, but this is the Bush admin that is trying to game the legal system.

The Bushies are doing all they can to throw a monkey wrench into the works as Democrats take power. He's been signing all sorts of exec orders to do that, things that Obama will have to undo.

The Bushies are completely unprincipled, and they choose which politicians to go after. It's not as if they simply investigate suspected crime. They pick a target, like the former governor of NY, they illegally spy on him and track him. Then they find a reason to pursue him.

How anyone can see what they have done to the Seigelman and Spitzer, and still believe anything the Bush Justice dept says, is beyond me.

[ProfessorGAC]

22. Don't Know About That, T.O.

There are some sound reasons to suspect dirt here in Illinois. People pretty darn close to Blago have been sent to jail, and for good reasons.

I'm pretty sure this might be really bad, and really valid.
GAC

[TexasObserver]

51. Were Seigelman and Spitzer targeted and prosecuted for political reasons?

Precedence suggests the Bushies are not to be trusted.

This is the most corrupt Justice dept ever. Anything that involves their attacking high level Democrats must be considered poltically motivated, until it is proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Justice is not abusing its power for political purpose.

The governor may be guilty, but there's absolutely no reason to believe the government attorneys at this point, because Bush's US attorneys must be presumed to be corrupt or politically motivated, as are the FBI agents who likely pushed this charging.

[ProfessorGAC]

54. I Don't Have The Same Sense Of Omnipotence About. . .

. . .the Bush Mob that you do. Sometimes dirty politicians get caught and sometimes the timing of the arrest is inconvenient to those politically aligned with the arrestee.

No, i don't think Spitzer's deal was political. The exposure of his sexual peccadilloes was political, sure. I can't even begin to argue against you on that point.

Siegleman, no question about the political nature of that, but that prosecutor was already known to be a political hack. Pat Fitzgerald is not.

So, you may be drawing on existing data about apples and comparing it to this orange.
GAC

[TexasObserver]

58. Let's address Spitzer. Do you really think they investigated him over $5000 cash?!

That was the most ludricrous cover story for engaging in illegal spying on a sitting governor I've ever heard. There is no question that Spitzer was targeted for prosecution, that after they had illegally gathered evidence against him, they figured out a charge they could use.

Spitzer was hated by Wall Street, and recall that no one had gone after Wall Street misconduct the preceding several years more than Spitzer.

Spitzer was a hit job by the Bushies, from start to finish. He was targeted, he was followed and spied on extensively, and he was pursued for something that had no real basis in fact or law.

[ProfessorGAC]

65. We Agree On Parts. Just Not On The Whole

And, still think that despite your reasonable arguments, i don't think it applies to Blago.
GAC

[TexasObserver]

68. As I've said, he may be guilty. But I'll believe it when Obama's Justice pursues it.

[Sebass1271]

25. this SMELLS like a RAT!

[ProfessorGAC]

26. The Rats Might Just Live In The Governor's Mansion

It's uncomfortably common in Illinois for the governor to be dirty. And, i think those rats might have permanent resident status. Dem or Repub in that chair, it seems we can't get away from dirty governors.
GAC

[TexasObserver]

52. It does. He may be a rat, but until there's a trial, I'll believe he's innocent.

[truebrit71]

59. Theyhave him on tape. Innocence is not something that applies here...

...he's a crooked scumbag...

[TexasObserver]

71. That's wrong. Innocence is presumed, with or without tape.

Unless they have a tape where he clearly says "I will appoint you to the senate if you pay me X dollars," that's a far cry from "what's in it for me?"

Time will tell if he's guilty.

All your statement proves is how quickly you conform to what any prosecutor claims. I'll write you down as a prosecution juror.

[Dreamer Tatum]

82. Innocence until proven guilty is a constraint placed on the state, not you and me

The motherfucker is as guilty as the day is long. He's on tape saying that about as clearly
as it needs to be to hang him.

If this is clearly a Bush stunt, then where is Barack Obama right now? Why isn't he stomping
mudholes in the people who are railroading the Governor of his state?

[Raskolnik]

39. No, this doesn't "smell a lot like that."

Blagojevich is as corrupt as they come, the Lt. Governor is a Democrat, and suggesting that Patrick Fitzgerald is corrupt is fairly laughable.

[TexasObserver]

53. Yes it does.

Perhaps this is your chance to cure your ignorance.

[Raskolnik]

57. Ah, *my* ignorance is the problem here?

Perhaps you could explain how the timing of Blago's arrest "smells" like the Siegelman indictment, how it prevents a Democrat from being appointed to Obama's seat, or how it indicates pressure from Bush/Cheney?

I'd appreciate it.

[TexasObserver]

60. some things speak for themselves

I have already explained it in other posts. Find them if you really want to know.

[Raskolnik]

62. Bullshit. You are talking out of your ass.

Sorry to be so blunt, but pretending to be knowledgeable about something while not bothering to educate yourself about the basics of the situation is not terribly admirable.

[TexasObserver]

67. I'll speak to the intelligent posters, as that is my intent, anyway.

As for which of us is knowledgeable, I'm licensed in federal court, and have been three decades. You clearly are not, and don't have the foggiest idea of which you speak.

[Raskolnik]

73. You are talking out of your ass about Blago's arrest.

You want to talk about Sptizer and Speigelman, but its clear you don't know anything about Blagojevich or Illinois politics beyond what you've read this morning. This investigation was common knowledge for the last couple of years, it was absolutely justified, and the timing of the arrest actually works in Democrats favor.

And, you may want to reconsider whether you're the only one that's licensed in federal court. One of us will be in the same federal courthouse that Blagojevich was in later today, but I doubt it's going to be you.

[TexasObserver]

77. I don't talk to the grossly uninformed more than a few times.

I'll have to miss your further comments, as I simply don't have time to read the comments of those I've determined lack anything intelligent, or insightful, or informed to say.

Hope you get that GED!!

[Raskolnik]

79. You clearly haven't bothered to find out the facts of this case, and now you're running away.

I hope you take some time to actually look at the facts of this case before spouting off any more.

[Dreamer Tatum]

84. Read BEFORE you post, not after, or even during.

Your credibility, currently in exile, will thank you.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

91. How Embarrassing For You.

[FormerDittoHead]

13. BRAKING NEWS!!! (see clip)

I had to make a screen cap of this typo:

[stuntcat]

74. tehe BUSTED

[johnfunk]

96. Is that a picture of Brak Obama?

:evilgrin:

[stuntcat]

97. !!!

:headbang: I LAFT! :rofl: :rofl:

[maddezmom]

14. MSNBC;The Department of Justice alleges that in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich dis

The Department of Justice alleges that in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:

a substantial salary for himself at 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;
a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. "They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States Senator. The citizens of Illinois deserve public officials who act solely in the public's interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions."



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28139155/

[babylonsister]

17. His chutpah is astounding. He actually thought he wouldn't get caught?! nt

[Peace Patriot]

29. A little re-write...

"'The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," said Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. 'They allege that Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and co-conspirators put a 'for sale' sign on the United States military and all of its government agencies. The citizens of the United States deserve public officials who act solely in the public's interest, without putting a price tag on government appointments, contracts and decisions."

End of dream.

Sigh.

[Blue_Tires]

69. if only.... n/t

[KharmaTrain]

16. Yes, He's Not Only Stupid, He's Arrogant

I've watched the Blago show for over 20 years and I'm firmly convinced this guy has the spine of a jellyfish and not only is easily bought, but manuevered. His late father-in-law, Dick Mel taught him the ropes in machine politics and Blago learned the lessons well.

I'm embarassed to say I voted for this maroon for his first term (I punted in '06)...his tenure has been a disaster and my hopes this latest cloud hastens his demise...either resignation or conviction and it can't happen fast enough. He's a complete embarassment.

At least this story came out before he nominated someone like Alan Keyes or Todd Stroger.

[MiniMe]

19. I smell a Mukasey charge ala Siegelman

Not that the guy isn't crooked, to be honest I haven't been following it enough to know. But is this an attempt to taint whoever gets appointed to the seat?

[ProfessorGAC]

23. Don't

I've got a very strong feeling that our governor is just a dirty as the other notorious governors we've had in the past 30+ years.
GAC

[Raskolnik]

46. Your sense of smell isn't accurate in this case.

If someone wanted to taint the replacement senator, they would have waited until just *after* Blago appointed him/her. Now the appointment will likely be made by Pat Quinn and relatively free of Blago's stink.

[TexasObserver]

72. Yes, of course.

Fifty governors. Three gone after by the Bushies, the most corrupt Justice department ever, all Democrats in key states.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

21. Total dumbass.

Had a feeling this might happen when it took him so long to name a replacement. I just knew he was trying to milk it.

[Are_grits_groceries]

24. There would have to be other STUPID people.

I'm not saying he isn't dirty. However, who would try to bribe him?

Even I knew the Feds were watching him. Who else would have the nerve

to try and deal on the Senate seat? I smell a rat on that charge.

Something to drag Obama's name in?

[Jennicut]

30. There is no rat, Blagojevich seems to be thoroughly corrupt and Fitzgerald is a a good guy

I doubt he would bring charges unless they meant something. Sometimes Dems are just as corrupt as Repubs, politicians are politicians.

[Are_grits_groceries]

31. As I said, I don't doubt he deserves it.

I just find the timing to be convenient.

[Raskolnik]

43. How is this timing "convenient?"

If it had happened before the election, it would have been far more embarrassing for Obama (even though he and Blago have little to do with each other) and it it had happened after he appointed a Senator, the replacement would be politically crippled.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

55. It's convenient in our favor

Let the Democratic Lt. Guv appoint Obama's replacement. This would be a disaster if that crook Blag appointed a guy who may have used political pull and dirty money to buy the Senate seat.

[petronius]

78. My initial thought was that it's convenient for B of A, not the Bushies

Isn't this the governor who was pressing to end state business with the bank? However, even that's a bit tinfoil-hattish - based on the comments from IL residents here, I'll take this investigation at face value until there's evidence to the contrary.

I expect corruption from the Rs, but I'm not so naive as to think that the Ds are universally pure...

[TexasObserver]

83. Yes, as you note, the timing is key for the political implications.

You'd think after 8 years of nonstop corruption of the Bush administration, reaching far into the Justice department and the FBI, there would be more Democrats who didn't swallow whole the stories put out by the Bushies.

[Raskolnik]

88. And the timing of this particular indictment is actually beneficial for Democrats.

If it had been right before the election, it would have been embarrassing for Obama even though his hands are clean, if it had happened right after the senate appointment, the new senator would be politically crippled.

But I'm sure you understand that.

[BlooInBloo]

33. Thank GAWD!

Something to get everybody's mind off of stupid shit!

[zorahopkins]

34. A FEDERAL Charge?

*ait a minute here.

I'm not from Illinois, but this story seems to smell.

If the charges are Federal charges, then they must have been brought by a Federal attorney -- someone *ho *orks for the US Department of Justice.

Did Ashcroft or Gonzalez appoint the attorney that brought charges?

I bet if you go searching, you *ill find Bush/Cheney behind these charges.

Note: In protest of the continuing occupation of OUR *hite House by the illegal and totally corrupt Bush/Cheney regime of thugs and cronies, I REFUSE to use the letter bet*een "V" and "X".

[Raskolnik]

40. "I bet if you go searching, you *ill find Bush/Cheney behind these charges."

You need to familiarize yourself with Blogojevich before you post about this case.

[Chisox08]

75. I'm from Illinois

G Rod was being investigated for over three years.
Yes it is true the Fed. Attorney Fritzgerld is a Repuke and was appointed by the Bushies but he did brin Scooter Libby to trail and the Bushies was trying to get rid of him before the fired Fed. Attorney firing scandle broke.
I just hope this don't do to the Democratic party what George Ryan did to the Repukes.

[neverforget]

36. If he is proven guilty, which I expect, I hope he spends a lot of time

in prison. Corruption by politicians destroys trust in government and the ability to govern effectively because of that loss of trust. Fucking crooks.

[oldbolshevik]

38. Another FALSE Progressive Enemy of the Worker

Bourgeois scum nomenklatura like Blagojevich should be seized by the workers and treated the same as we should treat the class-enemy Republicans.

This sort of corrupt scum hides behind a mask of ideological commitment to the workers and migrants struggle to create true socialism, then uses the their power for personal profit.

Why do we Progressives allow these criminals, especially the bloated fat cat wealthy, positions of leadership in the struggle? Why aren't our leaders in this front chosen from the ranks of the workers and miners, rather than the rich and corrupt?

How can our struggle bring true social justice and the redistribution of the People's wealth to the People if we select, vote for and elect class criminals like Blagojevich and his pack of jackals - like Daley?

[leftofthedial]

41. Where is the line?

If he used the appointment for political bargaining, I don't see a problem with that. If he used it for personal financial gain (as I heard on MSRNC, but haven't read), lock him up and get him the hell out of our party.

If he did this, the hubris and stupidity are stupendous.


(Of course, this pales in comparison to any random ten minutes of the corruption that has flowed from the bush-cheney White House like a sewer of tainted money.)

[Robbien]

44. There is no doubt in any person's mind here in Illinois that Blago did it

Blago is as corrupt as his predecessor, Ryan. And yes, hubris is an apt word for him.

[Raskolnik]

45. About fifty steps behind Blago, that's where.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-12/43789434.pdf

[malaise]

42. So Contessa Brewer actually asked if this investigation taints

Obama. Fuck you bimbo!

[babylonsister]

47. Grasping at straws? Why would she even think that? nt

[Cha]

56. Exactly! In her sweetest

dreams.

[truebrit71]

61. She obviously hadn't read the part where Team Obama told him in effect to go pound sand...

...Nice try though Contessa you silly, silly presstitute...:eyes:

[B Calm]

48. This is dumb as the charges that Obama wasn't born in the USA

Don't fall for these right-wing filthy politics as usual tricks!

[Raskolnik]

64. Are you serious?

Please tell me you're not.

[dysfunctional press]

66. ???? Blago is a complete and utter scumbag.

no tricks involved here.

[babylonsister]

80. The guy is guilty; Patrick Fitzgerald is up explaining it now. It's not the same. nt

[TexasObserver]

81. Well, it's certainly run by the same people.

[prolesunited]

87. And all the tapes they have with Blago

were fabricated. :eyes:

[TexasObserver]

89. So, you've heard the tapes, authenticated them, determined context, etc. ?!

Do tell.

Please, give us all this information, so we can believe "the tapes" as you do.

Or are you merely believing the comments alleged by the prosecutors as true?

[prolesunited]

90. Believe what you want

This is not a court of law.

[TexasObserver]

92. I believe what the evidence reveals, not what some prosecutor says.

[Raskolnik]

95. Yet you know nothing about this case, and haven't bothered to even learn.

You don't know anything about the evidence, the investigation, or the charges.

[lonestarnot]

50. LOL, if it ain't nailed down, I guess it's for sale.

:rofl:

[Chisox08]

76. G Rod was trying to give our struggling economy a boost

See he was going to use the money from the sale of the senate seat to make up for our budget shortfalls. :sarcasm:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

85. Was it a pre-Xmas sale? We're well-heeled lobbyists part of the deal?

Did he try EBay?