Rod Blagojevich officially facing federal corruption charges

[mr_genius]

Blogo Appointee Gave Blogo $$$

 

This is probably a LITTLE over critical, but worth noting.

 

actually it is more like 20k in bribes from what i'm hearing. the plot thickens

Edited December 30, 2008 by mr_genius

[lostfan]

I don't care about fundraising in and of itself, that's a pretty normal political activity.

[NorthSideSox72]

Blago's crony Pat Quinn should appoint the senator? just as bad IMO. The senate should refuse to accept any appointment that comes from the Blagojevich crimal orgainzation

Quinn was blocked out of Blago's work early on, and has been a critic. They are anything but cronies.

 

[NorthSideSox72]

I don't care about fundraising in and of itself, that's a pretty normal political activity.

Yeah, if that's all it is, then its normal and expected.

 

[mr_genius]

Quinn was blocked out of Blago's work early on, and has been a critic. They are anything but cronies.

 

he knew about this corrupt organization and is a major player in it. there is no excuse for his lack of ethics. he is completely unacceptable to name anyone to the senate.

Edited December 30, 2008 by mr_genius

[mr_genius]

I don't care about fundraising in and of itself, that's a pretty normal political activity.

 

Blago was selling the senate seat for fundraising money. It's a common bribe scheme in the Blagojevich administration. It's how the money is handed over, through fundraisers. A type of money laundering scheme, as to not seem like a direct bribe. In gerneral, yes fundraising can be considered common, but when dealing with the Blago crew it's not that innocent.

[lostfan]

Blago was selling the senate seat for fundraising money. It's a common bribe scheme in the Blagojevich administration. It's how the money is handed over, through fundraisers. A type of money laundering scheme, as to not seem like a direct bribe. In gerneral, yes fundraising can be considered common, but when dealing with the Blago crew it's not that innocent.

All true statements, but I mean a lot of people gave Blagojevich campaign money for various reasons so we can't just look at everyone who did and think "oh, they must be as corrupt as he is." All of us already knew Blagojevich was corrupt, and I can't just look Burris making donations and jump to conclusions. It's a pretty inaccurate gauge of corruption just by itself which is why I put the caveat "in and of itself."

Edited December 30, 2008 by lostfan

[Balta1701]

A special election is the only reasonable solution to the empty senate seat

While I agree, you also have to consider that holding a special election for that seat would almost certainly require an amendment to the Illinois State Constitution making it allowable. Given the time that would take, combined with the time for primaries, an actual campaign, etc., you'd probably be looking at the seat being vacant for at least a year, in which case you'd almost have to appoint someone as a tentative holder of the position anyway.

[mr_genius]

All true statements, but I mean a lot of people gave Blagojevich campaign money for various reasons so we can't just look at everyone who did and think "oh, they must be as corrupt as he is." All of us already knew Blagojevich was corrupt, and I can't just look Burris making donations and jump to conclusions. It's a pretty inaccurate gauge of corruption just by itself which is why I put the caveat "in and of itself."

 

I'm sure there were 'non-bribe' fundraisers put on for Blago; but with the current revelations regarding the activities of the office, all fiscal benefits given to the governor are going to be suspect.

[lostfan]

I'm sure there were 'non-bribe' fundraisers put on for Blago; but with the current revelations regarding the activities of the office, all fiscal benefits given to the governor are going to be suspect.

Well, I wouldn't call them current revelations, since everybody who follows IL politics has known this was going on for about 3 years now but nothing was proven.

[mr_genius]

Well, I wouldn't call them current revelations, since everybody who follows IL politics has known this was going on for about 3 years now but nothing was proven.

 

I suppose the new revelations being that what many of us have known for a while is now on tape. I believe it changes things for much of the states population when there is concrete evidence and national media coverage.

[lostfan]

I suppose the new revelations being that what many of us have known for a while is now on tape. I believe it changes things for much of the states population when there is concrete evidence and national media coverage.

Ok, I can buy that then.

 

It's funny to me how many people ask me questions about this when they find out I'm from IL. All of this stuff seems like common knowledge to me.

[mr_genius]

While I agree, you also have to consider that holding a special election for that seat would almost certainly require an amendment to the Illinois State Constitution making it allowable. Given the time that would take, combined with the time for primaries, an actual campaign, etc., you'd probably be looking at the seat being vacant for at least a year, in which case you'd almost have to appoint someone as a tentative holder of the position anyway.

 

From what I've heard a special election could realistically take place in conjunction with February primary elections.

[Balta1701]

2 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (Congressmen, not Senators, the only African American senator is on his way to the white house) have spoken out in favor of the nomination. Davis (D-IL) and Rush (D-IL).

[Balta1701]

All true statements, but I mean a lot of people gave Blagojevich campaign money for various reasons so we can't just look at everyone who did and think "oh, they must be as corrupt as he is." All of us already knew Blagojevich was corrupt, and I can't just look Burris making donations and jump to conclusions. It's a pretty inaccurate gauge of corruption just by itself which is why I put the caveat "in and of itself."

Not speaking about the corruption part...but you know what I think the best argument is for why Burris is an unacceptable choice for this seat? Because he accepted the nomination from Blago. Knowing everything else that is public already, knowing about the Dems statement already, knowing about the impeachment procedure, etc., he still accepted the nomination. That alone makes him an unacceptable choice IMO.

[lostfan]

Not speaking about the corruption part...but you know what I think the best argument is for why Burris is an unacceptable choice for this seat? Because he accepted the nomination from Blago. Knowing everything else that is public already, knowing about the Dems statement already, knowing about the impeachment procedure, etc., he still accepted the nomination. That alone makes him an unacceptable choice IMO.

Well, I mean, if you were a politician and got nominated for the Senate, what would you say? The windows for opportunity there don't happen often. The only higher position in government is to either get electeed President, or get appointed as a SCOTUS justice.

[southsideirish71]

Amazing. Everyone is running away from Blago like he is a bomb. And the minute he decides to appoint a African-American Mr. Black Panther comes out of the woodwork to cross the party unity and defy his party. I wonder if the entire black caucus will rally behind this and force the issue and seat Roland. What a joke this process has become.

 

 

Rush's stark denouncement of the plan to deny Burris his seat stunned Senate staffers and their bosses and ignited a major internal fight among Democrats just as the party was preparing to celebrate Obama's election as the nation's first black commander in chief.

 

"There are no African-Americans in the Senate," Rush said. "And I don't think that anyone — any U.S. senator who's sitting in the Senate right now — wants to go on record to deny one African-American for being seated in the U.S. Senate."

 

Race Debate with Blago Pic

 

Does Obama's successor have to be African-American.

[Rex Kickass]

The reason Burris accepted this? It's the only way he'd ever get there.

 

If he isn't implicated by name in the indictment or investigation, he should be seated. There is some legal question whether the Senate can deny seating a member on any reason other than constitutional qualification for the seat.

[HuskyCaucasian]

The Illinois Secretary of State is also saying he'll try to block the nomination by refusing to accept the paperwork. May not work, but guaranteed to result in a multi-month court challenge that if nothing else will hang everything up until the impeachment moves along.

When Lisa Madigan said Blogo should step down, she said it was because on some of her paper work, she has to certify she does not know of any on going investigation or conflicts of interest... or something like that. And because of that, she chould not release some money or green light projects.

 

I wonder if the SoS has some similar language in his paper work.

[Kyyle23]

Blago's life campaign slogan should be "Went ahead and did it anyway"

[Buehrle>Wood]

Today has been the single funniest day in political talk radio history. Thanks, Blago.

[Balta1701]

FWIW, here's the statement from the closest thing this country currently has to a President.

Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy.

[NorthSideSox72]

Amazing. Everyone is running away from Blago like he is a bomb. And the minute he decides to appoint a African-American Mr. Black Panther comes out of the woodwork to cross the party unity and defy his party. I wonder if the entire black caucus will rally behind this and force the issue and seat Roland. What a joke this process has become.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Race Debate with Blago Pic

 

Does Obama's successor have to be African-American.

Even if the entire black caucus supports him, they'd still be up against the rest of the Dems and the entire GOP. No way they get it done.

 

I think this thing will end up stalling and bouncing around for months, and then an election will fill the seat.

 

[Steff]

While I agree, you also have to consider that holding a special election for that seat would almost certainly require an amendment to the Illinois State Constitution making it allowable. Given the time that would take, combined with the time for primaries, an actual campaign, etc., you'd probably be looking at the seat being vacant for at least a year, in which case you'd almost have to appoint someone as a tentative holder of the position anyway.

 

 

By far the greatest concern is the cost. This state is already in a financial hole the size of a Florida sinkhole after a month of rain.

 

As for Quinn, he's been very vocal bashing Blago pretty much immediately after the election and I don't agree he knew about the crooked stuff. IMO, most of it was kept out of the office anyway and soon Rod's wife will be on the hot seat. I won't be surprised to see she's the "brains" behind the crimes.

[southsider2k5]

FWIW, here's the statement from the closest thing this country currently has to a President.

 

So Obama has time to break from his Hawaiian vacation for talking about Burris, but won't say a word about Israel and Gaza? Interesting priorities.