Senate Candidate No. 5- what next?

[npincus]

It looks like Senate-aspirant No. 5 is in deep doo-doo; whether the commission of an actual crime or the appearance of doing so, allegedly engaging in negotiations w/Blago. What is the future of this person and depending on who it is, what might be the larger political impact? I imagine the best choice for this person is to tell-all to Fitz, if he/she hasn't already. Either way, No. 5 has a lot of 'splaining to do.


http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washingtonpostinvestigations/2008/12/the_blagojevich_indictment_unn.html?nav=rss_blog

The real mystery lies with "Senate Candidate No. 5." In wiretaps from Dec. 4, Blagojevich is said to be giving the candidate "greater consideration" for the seat because the candidate would "raise money" for the governor if he ran for re-election.

Most notably, Blagojevich recounts an incident where an "emissary" to No. 5 approached him sometime before Oct. 31 and offered to "pay to play," according to a federal wiretap.

"That, you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (the candidate) a senator," Blagojevich is quoted as saying.

On Dec. 4, Blagojevich said he was "elevating" No. 5 on his list of prospective candidates and arranging a meeting "in the next few days."

[jefferson_dem]

1. Who the hell is No. 5? Some speculate it's JJJ.

Here's what we know. Candidate 5 is:

-"publicly reported to be interested in the open Senate seat"

- not who Blagojevich thought Obama wanted

- not someone with whom, by November 10, Blagojevich had a "long, productive discussion"

- someone with fundraising wherewithal who could produce something "tangible up front"

- someone Blago was "getting a lot of pressure" not to appoint

- someone with whom Blago had "a prior bad experience...not keeping his word"

For more - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/09/senate-candidate-5-in-bla_n_149682.html

[Clio the Leo]

2. I dont understand why.....

.... those in the running who know the AREN'T number 5 haven't come out to say so?

Maybe it's better for everyone to just keep quiet for now?

[Jennicut]

3. Apparently # 4 is worse off, as they are on tape talking about firings at the Chicago Tribune

# 5 is all hearsay on Blago's part

[Renew Deal]

4. I don't think there's anything particularly scandalous about the bolded statement.

Raising campaign cash is perfectly legal and fair.

[Pab Sungenis]

5. But not as a condition for appointment.

No quid pro pro. No pay for play.

[npincus]

6. ABC says it's Jesse Jackson, Jr.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/ConductUnbecoming/story?id=6431739&page=1

[WeDidIt]

7. It doesn't sound like Senate Candidate #% is on any taped coversations

So Blago may have been blowing steam out his ass.