Make my Day......GOV Blagojevich arrested.

[KrazyHorse]

The Senate seat thing which Blago will defend as horse-trading (like Hill holding out for her campaign debt help).

If they can catch him in direct quid pro quo then he has obviously violated the law.

Horse trading is fine as long as nobody catches you on tape. When they can prove it it's illegal.

[Swissy]

Originally posted by TCO
While this is a glorious kerfuffle in terms of PR, I can't help but think that the whole indictment seems light.

It seems light because much of it is based on eight weeks of having a wiretap on Blogo's home phone and a bug in his Chicago campaign HQ. Also, the US Attorney stated at his press conference, he went forward with this to stop the Senate appointment selling scheme. The most damning part of the complaint involves the witholding of state funds promised to a Chicago children's hospital because the chairman of the hospital's board hadn't made a $50K contribution. This is just a teaser as to what they have in store for Blogo once they finish squeezing a number of Blogo cronies they already have the goods on.

[TCO]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

The Senate seat thing which Blago will defend as horse-trading (like Hill holding out for her campaign debt help).

If they can catch him in direct quid pro quo then he has obviously violated the law.

Horse trading is fine as long as nobody catches you on tape. When they can prove it it's illegal.

Of course this is technically true. also I WANT standards to be enforced. My point wasmeant more in terms of winnability as a case is defnded. Prosecutor needs to consider that.

[TCO]

Originally posted by Swissy


It seems light because much of it is based on eight weeks of having a wiretap on Blogo's home phone and a bug in his Chicago campaign HQ. Also, the US Attorney stated at his press conference, he went forward with this to stop the Senate appointment selling scheme. The most damning part of the complaint involves the witholding of state funds promised to a Chicago children's hospital because the chairman of the hospital's board hadn't made a $50K contribution. This is just a teaser as to what they have in store for Blogo once they finish squeezing a number of Blogo cronies they already have the goods on.

Sounds like we agree.

[-Jrabbit]

Blago has been under investigation for pay-for-play for quite some time. The importance of preventing a bogus Senate appointment forced Fitzgerald's hand. I believe he'll be fine with just forcing him out of office, conviction or no.

[rah]

What is the upside to ROD for him to resign. Somehow I think the little weasel will fight it to the bitter end.

[-Jrabbit]

If he doesn't go quietly, he'll either be successfully impeached, or declared "unfit for high office" by the IL Supreme Court.

He's in his bunker right now, huddling with his weasely lawyers to figure out WTF to do. His next public appearance will be very interesting.

Hilarious bit on the Daily Show last night. Jon Stewart advises kids not to want to be guv of Illinois, noting that 50% of our governors -- but only 48% of murderers -- end up in jail. "So kids, make the right choice..."

[rah]

But those other options will take time. Time that he can remain gov. I still see no benefit to him to resign. UNLESS they cut him a deal. Not likely in my book.

We are talking about the same guy who was quite recently confidently assessing his chances of winning re-election while his approval rating were quickly approaching NADA.
The same guy who challanged the FBI to investigate him.
Talk about total denial.

[snoopy369]

Conan had a good bit last night. Well, it was mostly stupid, but I appreciated this part.

Glass half empty: Rod puts up a senate seat for sale.

Glass half full: Sarah Palin is no longer the stupidest governor in the US!

[Darius871]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Axelrod said he was mistaken. That was word on baltimore NPR station this morning at 8 am.

Thanks, I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Like you said, there's not much incentive for either to lie at least.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by rah
What is the upside to ROD for him to resign. Somehow I think the little weasel will fight it to the bitter end.

There really is none, as he has zero concern with integrity, obviously. While he fights it, he will continue to draw the Governor's salary, which he apparently needs since he's hurting financially.

[snoopy369]

Can't they suspend him without pay or something

[Naked Gents Rut]

Just buy out his contract.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by TCO


Of course this is technically true. also I WANT standards to be enforced. My point wasmeant more in terms of winnability as a case is defnded. Prosecutor needs to consider that.

I think that from what I heard they have enough to prove his intent, and have the phone calls to show that he took action. So that shows solicitation, as I understand it.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Darius871


Thanks, I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Like you said, there's not much incentive for either to lie at least.

There's a lot of incentive for Axelrod to lie IF we assume that Obama's lying.

It's just that when it didn't seem so important a few weeks ago I can easily see Axelrod not getting his facts straight before saying something...