December 09, 2008

Christmas Miracles do happen!

Upon my arrival at work today I was greated with the news Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested. To be honest, this couldn't have happened to a better man. The guy was runing ruining the state. Between his wasteful spending plans, inability to balance the budget, selling off state assets and just being incompetent overall. The man was killing the state by driving off businesses and trying to keep new industries away.

There were corruption accusations being thrown around for over a year involving him, so I wasn't too surprised when he was arrested. I was surprised that the man was stupid enough to try to sell a senate seat!

""The Senate seat, as recently as days ago, seemed to be on the verge of being auctioned off," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said. "The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave."

Federal investigators bugged the governor's campaign offices and tapped his home phone, capturing conversations laced with profanity and tough-guy talk from the governor. Chicago FBI chief Robert Grant said even seasoned investigators were stunned by what they heard, particularly since the governor had known for at least three years he was under investigation for alleged hiring fraud and clearly realized agents might be listening in.

The FBI said in court papers that the governor was overheard conspiring to sell the Senate seat for campaign cash or lucrative jobs for himself or his wife, Patti, a real estate agent. He spoke of using the Senate appointment to land a job with a nonprofit foundation or a union-affiliated group, and even held out hope of getting appointed as Obama's secretary of health and human services or an ambassador.

According to court papers, the governor tried to make it known through emissaries, including union officials and fundraisers, that the seat could be had for the right price. Blagojevich allegedly had a salary in mind — $250,000 to $300,00 a year — and also spoke of collecting half-million and million-dollar political contributions."


emphasis mine

Hell, why not just put the seat up on Ebay (funny link). Well if there is any doubt that Illinois has not improved it's politics, this is it. Hell he even went stereotypical and involved unions. I couldn't believe it when I read that.

Now every politician in the state has issued a statement calling for Blagojevich's resignation or impeachment. Well all except for one, Chuck Jefferson. I heard a radio interview with him on WNTA where he made statements that almost sounded like he was defending Blago. That doesn't mean he is, yet I haven't found a statement from him calling for his resignation. Then again, it looks like Blago isn't about to resign: Attorney: Blagojevich has no plans of resigning. That doesn't surprise me either. I mean c'mon look at what he did, and what he's done. He's a narcissistic egotist that is out for himself. He wouldn't get ANYTHING if he resigned.

However, I think that's a moot point. Most likely this will be the catalyst that is needed for their to be an impeachment. I'm just wondering what outlandish thing he might do until then... like appoint himself to the Senate.

Posted by Contagion in Politics at December 9, 2008 08:20 PM | TrackBack
Comments

The only saving grace about him appointing himself to the Senate, is that the U.S. Senate is under no obligation to actually seat him.

Posted by: Petey at December 9, 2008 10:25 PM

Yea!!!! When I saw this all I could think of was that the people of Ill got an early Chistmas present. I think that the state senate has to ratafiy any appointment. And mabey when Pat Quin becomes Govener he'll reopen the state parks and historic sites. After all his office was the one spearheading the revolt against the closing.
HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN!!!!! Come on you know the words!!!!

Posted by: wil at December 10, 2008 06:41 PM