(no subject)

Used to be that Illinois governors waited until they left office to get themselves arrested.

According to the story, the Feds had to speed things up because all indications were that Blago was bartering Prez-Elect Obama's Senate seat for personal gain. He also tried to get Tribune editorial board members fired in exchange for state help in the sale of Wrigley Field.

Pat Fitzgerald's leading the investigation, so odds are this isn't a put-up job. They've been investigating Blago for months years, and according to Fitz, "The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

Politics in Illinois. Whether this serves to strengthen the Republicans, who've been on life support since Ryan was arrested, is anyone's guess.

Update: Hah--Lt Gov Pat Quinn's Wiki page has already been updated to include the Gov's arrest.

(no subject)

Used to be that Illinois governors waited until they left office to get themselves arrested.

According to the story, the Feds had to speed things up because all indications were that Blago was bartering Prez-Elect Obama's Senate seat for personal gain. He also tried to get Tribune editorial board members fired in exchange for state help in the sale of Wrigley Field.

Pat Fitzgerald's leading the investigation, so odds are this isn't a put-up job. They've been investigating Blago for months years, and according to Fitz, "The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

Politics in Illinois. Whether this serves to strengthen the Republicans, who've been on life support since Ryan was arrested, is anyone's guess.

Update: Hah--Lt Gov Pat Quinn's Wiki page has already been updated to include the Gov's arrest.

(no subject)

And during a discussion of Blago's arrest, a co-worker, in speaking to me, referred to him as "your governor." S/he doesn't live in Wisconsin or Indiana, so I assume s/he is referring to the fact that he is a Dem. I assume from this that s/he is a Republican.

Wish I'd had the wit to retort that if the wheels of justice grind as one expects they will, My Guv will join His/Her Guv as a guest of the Feds, but I never think fast enough.

(no subject)

And during a discussion of Blago's arrest, a co-worker, in speaking to me, referred to him as "your governor." S/he doesn't live in Wisconsin or Indiana, so I assume s/he is referring to the fact that he is a Dem. I assume from this that s/he is a Republican.

Wish I'd had the wit to retort that if the wheels of justice grind as one expects they will, My Guv will join His/Her Guv as a guest of the Feds, but I never think fast enough.

I was wondering about this

When reporters were talking about the staggering chutzpah shown by Blago, given that he continued to behave badly even as former Gov Ryan was being found guilty of corruption and even though he knew he was under investigation himself, it was mentioned that it was common knowledge within political circles that he was, well, stupid. But another word to describe his reckless behavior came to my mind, and I read it earlier in a blog piece by Tribune staffer Eric Zorn: sociopath.

In a profile of Blagojevich in last February's Chicago Magazine, writer David Bernstein reported:

Privately, a few people who know the governor describe him as a "sociopath," and they insist they're not using hyperbole. State representative Joe Lyons, a fellow Democrat from Chicago, told reporters that Blagojevich was a "madman" and "insane."

That struck me at the time, as over the top. Today it strikes me as brave and prescient.

Interesting character study. Too bad the son of a bitch is apparently taking the state with him.

Yes, I know--innocent until proven. But if you read the indictment...this stuff is bad.

I was wondering about this

When reporters were talking about the staggering chutzpah shown by Blago, given that he continued to behave badly even as former Gov Ryan was being found guilty of corruption and even though he knew he was under investigation himself, it was mentioned that it was common knowledge within political circles that he was, well, stupid. But another word to describe his reckless behavior came to my mind, and I read it earlier in a blog piece by Tribune staffer Eric Zorn: sociopath.

In a profile of Blagojevich in last February's Chicago Magazine, writer David Bernstein reported:

Privately, a few people who know the governor describe him as a "sociopath," and they insist they're not using hyperbole. State representative Joe Lyons, a fellow Democrat from Chicago, told reporters that Blagojevich was a "madman" and "insane."

That struck me at the time, as over the top. Today it strikes me as brave and prescient.

Interesting character study. Too bad the son of a bitch is apparently taking the state with him.

Yes, I know--innocent until proven. But if you read the indictment...this stuff is bad.