Blago Had Sights Set On Presidential Run

[babylonsister]

Blago 2008: What Could Have Been
Rachel Slajda | June 10, 2010, 10:13AM


Oh, what could have been.

During former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's corruption trial yesterday, his former chief of staff testified that in 2003, Blago's closest advisers had their eyes set on higher office for Blago -- the highest office, in fact -- thinking a presidential run for the gov might be possible in 2008.

The former COS, Lon Monk, said that two members of Blago's inner circle, Tony Rezko and Chris Kelly, wanted to make sure the new governor wasn't worried about his finances.

"They didn't want Rod and Patti to really be worried about finances, because they didn't want finances to be the reason why he may not run for re-election or run for higher office," Monk said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Which office?

"At one point, president of the United States," he said.

We already knew that Blago envisioned himself in the Oval Office. The criminal complaint against him alleged that the governor toyed with appointing himself to Barack Obama's Senate seat, in part to position himself for a presidential run in 2016.

more...:crazy:

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/06/blago_2008_what_could_have_been.php?ref=fpb

[Taverner]

1. This guy's life is going to make one helluva movie someday

[Brother Buzz]

3. A 'Made for television' movie at best

Perhaps Trump has already purchased the property.

[Taverner]

4. Oh if done right, it could be the comedy event of the decade

[SomeGuyInEagan]

5. The story certianly has potential to be better than most of the movies ... er, remakes and sequels .

... coming out over the past several years.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

9. Great! Another role for Leonardo DiCaprio - nt

[Enrique]

2. he'd be better than Sarah Palin

and better than John McCain for that matter.

[Dont TS Me Brah]

6. Blago? Potus? lol!! nt

[murielm99]

8. He was quite open about that ambition at one time.

He stated his ambitions at more than one public event. While he was popular, people did not laugh at the notion.

And, appointing himself to the Senate seat is not that far-fetched. It is not illegal, and certainly would not involve any money changing hands.

This is going to be an interesting trial. If you watch it with an open mind, you might just learn something about politics, not just Illinois politics, but politics in general. You might learn something about human nature, too. Is Blago guilty of all sorts of corruption, or is he just guilty of being a politician? Is he a scapegoat, or is he guilty?

I grew up with one of the people who will be a witness against Blago. OTOH, I have been involved in Illinois politics for awhile. People here certainly know how to blur the line between right and wrong. That goes for both parties. And Rezko? He's not someone with an 'R' or 'D' behind his name. His identifying sign is $. He deals with republicans as well as Democrats, as long as the dollar sign is there.

It's a good thing I am not on that jury. I would not be able to decide.

[gratuitous]

7. Switch parties, and he's good to go

I don't see any impediments in his career that would disqualify him from running as a Republican. Hell, they'd welcome him with open arms if only for his bullet-proof head of hair.