One thing I'd like to put out there RE: Blago

[nemo137]

This wasn't the normal, sleazy quid pro quo where one party supports another and gets something in return. This was Blago 1.) flat out extorting campaign contributions from Children's Memorial 2.) Pressuring a newspaper to fire editors and 3.) seeking to enrich himself and his family by asking for jobs in exchange for supporting a specific candidate.

According to the gov't complaint, this wasn't a politician doing what politicians do and being targeted because he was a Dem, this was a politician flagrantly abusing the public trust for personal gain. I think that's getting obscured here with all the yelling about BoA and Fitz.

[kentuck]

1. Why did they not wait until the crime was actually committed?

And money had actually changed hands? Wouldn't that be a better case against him? Or perhaps they thought they had to do it now or if they waited until there was a new Justice Dept and perhaps a new US Attorney, they might slip through the noose??

[nemo137]

2. Or, maybe they could have waited until he appointed a new Senator

And then brought the house down, and tainted that senator and delivered an Illinois Senate seat for the Republicans in 2010? I mean, if it was a conspiracy, wouldn't that make more sense?

[robinlynne]

4. You got it. Right on the ball!

[robinlynne]

3. Because the entire Democratic party and Obama would have been at risk of collapse.

Duh. And letting that large of a crime happen is god damn serious. I don't know if you actually can let that happen. The man actually said I control Obama'
s senate seat ad it is for sale for one million dollars. The arrest was made at this exact moment BECAUSE they needed to do it before he named a Senator, according to NPR news. He still has the legal right to choose the Senator even under indictment, but now he will be forced to resign by the D Party. Dick Durbin has stepped in and requested a special election. The WHOLE POINT is not to let him choose a Senator.

[pnwmom]

5. I think we're better off than we would have been if they had let this go

farther.

The longer Blago went on, the more innocent people might have been smeared by association.

[AngryAmish]

10. The crime was committed

It is a crime to discuss doing this or scheme to sell the seat. It is called conspiracy.

[blondeatlast]

11. A crime WAS committed; soliciting a bribe is a Federal crime. In Arizona AZScam nearly

eviscerated our own state legislature.

I'm more supect of BLAGO's timing of the "Mission Accomplished" er--republic Windows moment.

[nemo137]

13. AZScam? Can you post or PM me a definition, plz?

[Shiver]

15. Blago came out in "support" of Republic Windows and Doors...

...because Obama did. And Blago was still hoping he could get something from the President-elect. Either that, or he knew he was close to being taken down and wanted to make ne last attempt to look like a populist - despite having never stood up for labor in his etire career.

[nemo137]

19. Like Ryan and the moritorium

Good idea, but saccharine delivery.

[Shiver]

14. A crime WAS committed

Conspiracy to commit is a felony. Extortion, even if the money isn't received, is a felony.

[LostinVA]

6. Exactly -- I actually don't mind corrupt politicians

Most ARE corrupt, and in some states you expect it -- NJ, IL, LA. However, there's corrupt and then there's NASTY AND MEAN CORRUPT. Extorting money from sick kids??? That would never fly here in NJ.

[nemo137]

8. You forgot venal, arrogant and poorly coiffed.

Also, there was the assholery surrounding closing state parks and leaving up in the air which prison was to be closed. I swear, if Illinois had a Westminster system, he'd have been out on his ass years ago.

[LostinVA]

12. Agree with all of those

At least the last corrupt, imprisoned IL Gov put a moratorium on the death penalty until the system got improved.

[terrya]

16. Not to mention him dicking around funding the CTA.

I know, the CTA has been poorly managed. But a lot of people...me included...depend on the CTA to get to work everyday. And the fact that the people of this city was faced with fare increases and draconian service cuts until the state stepped in was of serious concern to a lot of us. And Blagojevich stalled and stalled and stalled on this.

[mitchleary]

7. i know

a lot of kids that went to Children's mem for cancer treatments.

Blago is a disgusting person cut from the same cloth as Cheney and W.

[nemo137]

9. My little sister went there for medical treatment for years

and still goes in every so often for check ups. I'm expecting an angry phone call from my mom at about 5 or 6 pm today.

[peacetalksforall]

17. If enough people keep reading these posts, it will sink in that soliciting is the crime. There

is no need to wait for a money or job transfer, the crime case can be made now.

[nemo137]

18. One can only hope.

Personally, I'd be happy if the Blago martyrdom threads died down a bit.

[Shiver]

20. Extortion too, in the case of the children's hospital. n/t