Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

[Huggie Smiles]

for corruption.
The illinois-chicago tradition lives on!

cnn

[88Mariner]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:

A substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;

Placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year;

Promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and

A cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

Blagojevich said: "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain." He added later that the seat "is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."

this guy is toast, if not legally, definitely in the elections.

[toasty]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

wow. that's all I can say. wow.

[superdave]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

wow. that's all I can say. wow.

Ditto on the Wow. Watching the press conference now and can't believe all of the stuff this guy is being accused of. I heard Obama's seat for sale to highest bidder, fire the entire newspaper staff of editors at the Tribune, etc.

[runningman]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

hmmm.. labor unions.

[Miroslav]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

I'm sure this never happens and goes unnoticed with other greedy, powerful politicians.

[toasty]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

I remember when he first got into office, he was doing some pretty progressive things, like dealing with Canada re Rx drugs, etc. and I was pretty excited to see what he'd do. There's been a lot of smoke circling him for a while now so I can't say I'm completely surprised, but I am blown away at how brazen he apparently was. Again, wow.

[thesightless]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

if there is one place u dont fuck around with its the post vacated by the presidential elect...

jackass

[Huggie Smiles]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

free public transport for the over 65's !! nicely done IMO

but there has been smoke for a long time as toasty said.

There is some room in ex Govenor Ryans cell I think!

[88Mariner]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

my 'surprise-o-meter' didn't budge.

Corruption is in the goddamn job description.

[shosh]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

I remember when he first got into office, he was doing some pretty progressive things, like dealing with Canada re Rx drugs, etc. and I was pretty excited to see what he'd do. There's been a lot of smoke circling him for a while now so I can't say I'm completely surprised, but I am blown away at how brazen he apparently was. Again, wow.

if you ever expected this douche to do anything good, then you werent familiar at all with the chicago political machine... but then again you expect good things from obama too... how long have i been saying shit about the corruption in il and you kept dismissing me as a right-wingnut... gtfo

if there is one place u dont fuck around with its the post vacated by the presidential elect...

jackass

welcome to illinois... home of our pres elect

[88Mariner]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

^betting he's going to pull a hillary and move his family to another state.

that is too goddamn close for comfort

[88Mariner]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

It would be REALLY REFRESHING to see someone in Barack Obama's camp tipped off the FBI or Fitzgerald about the attempts that G-Rod made to buy a cabinet post!!!


That's just me.

[toasty]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

if you ever expected this douche to do anything good, then you werent familiar at all with the chicago political machine... but then again you expect good things from obama too... how long have i been saying shit about the corruption in il and you kept dismissing me as a right-wingnut... gtfo

welcome to illinois... home of our pres elect

dude, I can see Illinois from my house and do more work in Illinois than I do in Missouri. I am very familiar with the Illinois political machine. I do not, however, see Obama as being cut from that cloth. Hope I'm right.

They actually just read excerpts from Blago's taped phone calls on CNN a bit ago where he is complaining that Obama won't return his calls and that "all I'm gonna get from him is appreciation", not cash, following that up with "Fuck him." Sounds like they were tight...

[88Mariner]

Re: Illinois Governor Blagojevich in federal custody

This is bad news for Obama dude. G-rod aside, Obama is going to be embroiled in this for at least his first year in office. We're talking depositions, potential for perjury, and so forth.

And Obama DID, as it is now being reported, have several conversations w/ Blago regarding who to put into office, according to Axlerod.