I was wondering about this

[ksmith]

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.

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

An awful lot of that in power. Nixon comes to mind, sure that he _was_ the law.

[chris-gerrib.livejournal.com]

Well, Blago may be presumed innocent, but when you get a guy on tape...

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

Here in New York, nobody ever called Spitzer stupid. Or a sociopath. But he was a narcissist. Likie most politicians.

[(Anonymous)]

If you wrote him into a novel, would anyone believe it?

A - glad they caught him before he chose your next senator.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

I've read more than once that some/many leaders of industry/politics show indications of prosocial sociopathy--they can control their baser impulses to get where they want to go, and thrive in areas where their lack of empathy serves them well. The CEO who takes over a company, breaks it apart, throws thousands out of work and makes millions for himself, frex. But the lack of impulse control is difficult to rein in, and that's where it things often go off the rails. The idea that they can get away with anything and not get caught.

[kristine-smith.livejournal.com]

A - glad they caught him before he chose your next senator.

We hope. Springfield is trying to push through impeachment proceedings and also calling for Blagojevich to resign. As long as he retains the governorship, he could conceivably appoint someone from a prison cell. It would be a mess, but I don't get the impression that he cares. He's hanging on by his fingernails and it's going to be hard to make him let go.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

"The idea that they can get away with anything and not get caught."

That's it in a nutshell. Something we should remember when writing powerful, successful characters.

[scbutler.livejournal.com]

It's all about leverage with the prosecuter. Cut me some slack on the charges, or I'll be a really bad boy.