My Governor is a total Rod...

[Devastatin Dave]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/12/...nor/index.html

Man, I can't wait for Obama's response to this. It will probably be something like this, "This is not the Rod Blagojevich I knew"....

Anyway, I have a feeling this is the tip of the iceberg. Please read the PDF on the conversations that they've taped on this guy. Classic stuff!!! What's your opinion?

[Hosakawa Tito]

We know this kind of wheeling/dealing happens sometimes, but even corrupt politicians generally have more class & panache than this. Maybe he can be the grand pooba of the Jail-House Lawyers Club when he goes to prison.

[Mangudai]

Good riddance to the governor of Chicago.

Downstate everybody dislikes him even the hardcore democrats.

[Yoyoma1910]

Sometimes Illinois makes even Louisiana look good. Thanks guys!




Now why did I put my Edwin Edwards statuette... Oh yeah, next to the William Jefferson poster.

[Devastatin Dave]

LOL, maybe he can get a room with former IL governor Ryan!!!!

I think this is the tip of the iceberg. Looks like Rezko is gonna spill the beans on everyone and the underbelly of Chicago politics where Obama sucked on the teet of these characters will FINALLY come out. I'm glad the media might actually have to cover this story instead searching the Alaska tundra for whatever dirt they can did on Palin before the 2012 election...

[Goofball]

LOL, maybe he can get a room with former IL governor Ryan!!!!

I think this is the tip of the iceberg. Looks like Rezko is gonna spill the beans on everyone and the underbelly of Chicago politics where Obama sucked on the teet of these characters will FINALLY come out. I'm glad the media might actually have to cover this story instead searching the Alaska tundra for whatever dirt they can did on Palin before the 2012 election...

Just wondering: has there ever been shred of evidence (or even credible allegations) that Obama is as dirty as you hope he is?

[Seamus Fermanagh]

Nope: There's evidence he knew/worked with some political scumbags -- but that can be said of a good chunk of Illinois. Unless you believe in guilt by association it says nothing of Obama himself.


I was having a nice chuckle about having to get 2/3 of the way through the piece before I found out Blag-boy was a Dem. The cynic in me says that if he'd been GOP we'd have seen a (R) after his name in every sentence except the headline -- but perhaps I'm just spitballing.

[Devastatin Dave]

Just wondering: has there ever been shred of evidence (or even credible allegations) that Obama is as dirty as you hope he is?

Here's a better question: even though evidence that Obama is a total Chicago scum politician has been posted thousands of times in the backroom, would you ever allow yourelf to believe it? Let me put it to you this way... go to the projects that Mr Obama was "organising" and see how much they've "change" since the time he "organised" them till the time he left them. You guys have been so busy praying to the Obama alter to even really look at where this guy and his associates come from. To say he's clean is about the most niave thing to believe. Look at how he got his original state senate seat. Tony Rezco, William Ayers, Blogojevich, Rohm Emanuel, Rev Wright, Mayor Daley, and the list goes on and on. Come on Goofball, even you can't be that smitten to not see that this guy is neck deep in the Chicago machine.

The Governor will roll over and this is going to get interesting.

[CountArach]

He is still the Governor, so he is still able to appoint Obama's successor. Now ask yourself - would you want to be the guy he chooses?

[Devastatin Dave]

He is still the Governor, so he is still able to appoint Obama's successor. Now ask yourself - would you want to be the guy he chooses?

LOL, talk about the kiss of death.

[Xiahou]

I was having a nice chuckle about having to get 2/3 of the way through the piece before I found out Blag-boy was a Dem. The cynic in me says that if he'd been GOP we'd have seen a (R) after his name in every sentence except the headline -- but perhaps I'm just spitballing.

I'll do you even one better. This investigation has been going on for 5 years- if he was a Republican, I bet it would've broke in October, not December.

[Crazed Rabbit]

My Governor is a total Rod...

And he got the shaft.

I hope they get Daley next.

CR

[ICantSpellDawg]

He is still the Governor, so he is still able to appoint Obama's successor. Now ask yourself - would you want to be the guy he chooses?

Durbin is pushing for a special election because he knows what the appointment would mean for whoever was appointed. Blagojevich has made a Senate seat toxic.

[CountArach]

Durbin is pushing for a special election because he knows what the appointment would mean for whoever was appointed. Blagojevich has made a Senate seat toxic.

Yeah a Special Election is the best bet... I honestly don't know why it isn't like that anyway. An interesting theory for how Blagojevich could get out of it from here:

"Probably the only thing he could do now to make sure the new senator gets a clean start is to ask Obama himself to make a suggestion and then follow it, but that is unlikely, especially since Blagojevich has not admitted to any wrongdoing."

[ICantSpellDawg]

Yeah a Special Election is the best bet... I honestly don't know why it isn't like that anyway. An interesting theory for how Blagojevich could get out of it from here:

"Probably the only thing he could do now to make sure the new senator gets a clean start is to ask Obama himself to make a suggestion and then follow it, but that is unlikely, especially since Blagojevich has not admitted to any wrongdoing."

I don't believe that Obama will come out of this as clean as you expect. Blagojevich was his very good buddy. I hope that there is a fast honeymoon.

Let the decay of the Democratic party begin.

Special elections are a fine ideas. Runoffs should be more common.

[CountArach]

I don't believe that Obama will come out of this as clean as you expect. Blagojevich was his very good buddy. I hope that there is a fast honeymoon.

I'm willing to bet that there is a very long honeymoon. 79% approve of the way he is handling the transition - that is going to take a long time to fade. At even the faintest hint of economic recovery his approval ratings will soar.

[drone]

Instead of putting such power and temptation in the hands of one man, why not do it the old fashioned way and have the state legislature select the new senator?

[Ice]

Instead of putting such power and temptation in the hands of one man, why not do it the old fashioned way and have the state legislature select the new senator?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article...e_4:_Vacancies

As originally established, Senators were elected by the Legislature of the State they represented in the Senate. If a senator died, resigned, or was expelled, the legislature of the state would appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of the senator's term. If the State Legislature was not in session, its Governor could appoint a temporary replacement to serve until the legislature could elect a permanent replacement. This was superseded by the Seventeenth Amendment, which provided for the Popular Election of Senators, instead of their appointment by the State Legislature. In a nod to the less populist nature of the Senate, the Amendment tracks the vacancy procedures for the House of Representatives in requiring that the Governor call a special election to fill the vacancy, but (unlike in the House) it vests in the State Legislature the authority to allow the Governor to appoint a temporary replacement until the special election is held. Note, however, that under the original Constitution, the Governors of the states were expressly allowed by the Constitution to make temporary appointments. The current system, under the Seventeenth Amendment, allows Governors to appoint a replacement only if their state legislature has previously decided to allow the Governor to do so; otherwise, the seat must remain vacant until the special election is held to fill the seat, as in the case of a vacancy in the House.

Well, the state legislature has to approve the governor's request for an appointment, so in a sense there is a check.

Besides, legislatures would tend to squabble over an issue like this. With their consent, it's best left up to an individual. Let the people pick a permanent replacement.

[Lemur]

Actually, from what little I've read, Obama's people are hilariously unwilling to play ball with Blageoimadinnerjacket (D).

[Blagojevich] also appears to think little of the president-elect, whom he calls a "" at one point.
“ him,” Blagjoveich says of Obama during a lengthy call with top aides and his wife recorded on November 10th, “For nothing? him.”
In another section of the complaint, Blagojevich expresses exasperation that Obama and his team aren't willing to offer him an inducement in exchange for appointing an aide, apparently Valerie Jarrett, to the Senate.

Blagojevich "said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but 'they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. them,'" says the complaint.

[ICantSpellDawg]

Actually, from what little I've read, Obama's people are hilariously unwilling to play ball with Blageoimadinnerjacket (D).

[Blagojevich] also appears to think little of the president-elect, whom he calls a "" at one point.
“ him,” Blagjoveich says of Obama during a lengthy call with top aides and his wife recorded on November 10th, “For nothing? him.”
In another section of the complaint, Blagojevich expresses exasperation that Obama and his team aren't willing to offer him an inducement in exchange for appointing an aide, apparently Valerie Jarrett, to the Senate.

Blagojevich "said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but 'they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. them,'" says the complaint.

Yea. I heard about the "N" bomb and "MF" bomb last night. That will cushion the blow quite a bit for Obama.

My point is that maybe Obama's words are just that - words. The praise that he has heaped on a man who is obviously some sort of deranged ego maniac is totally undeserved. Over time people might just think Obama speaks gold irrespective of the issue or reality. It kind of slays the credibility of his words.

This is not the only issue. He has already contradicted reality more than any candidate that I can remember in such a short period of time. I really love it when he is asked about Clinton having Zero foreign policy experience and then nominating her for Secretary of State. Then, when he is called on the flip at the announcement he says that the reporter is having fun with him and that it isn't fair to hold him to account for things said during the campaign (not in as many words).

[drone]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Article...e_4:_Vacancies



Well, the state legislature has to approve the governor's request for an appointment, so in a sense there is a check.

Besides, legislatures would tend to squabble over an issue like this. With their consent, it's best left up to an individual. Let the people pick a permanent replacement.

Your link is to the replacement of the House seats.

Of course, I would prefer the 17th repealed, so my view is already skewed on this matter. As originally laid out, the House of Representatives is for the people, the Senate is for the states. If states want to squabble of filling the seats, they pay the price of not being represented. Giving the replacement power to an individual means less money needs to be spent on the bribe.

[Devastatin Dave]

Candidate 5 appears to be Jesse Jackson Jr according to ABC. Candidate 5 said he would raise a million bucks for Blago's campaign in exchange for Obama's senate seat...

Obama was one of Blago's main advisors for his governor's campaign in 02 and Obama endorsed Blago in 05 for his second term. maybe if folks would take a crowbar and pry their mandables off Obama's groin for 5 minutes, maybe they can start connecting the dots a little better... Present company excluded of course...

[Crazed Rabbit]

The Daily Show's Take.

Hilarious. Especially the quote of blagojerk the day before he was arrested.

CR

[Goofball]

Just wondering: has there ever been shred of evidence (or even credible allegations) that Obama is as dirty as you hope he is?

Here's a better question: even though evidence that Obama is a total Chicago scum politician has been posted thousands of times in the backroom, would you ever allow yourelf to believe it? Let me put it to you this way... go to the projects that Mr Obama was "organising" and see how much they've "change" since the time he "organised" them till the time he left them. You guys have been so busy praying to the Obama alter to even really look at where this guy and his associates come from. To say he's clean is about the most niave thing to believe. Look at how he got his original state senate seat. Tony Rezco, William Ayers, Blogojevich, Rohm Emanuel, Rev Wright, Mayor Daley, and the list goes on and on. Come on Goofball, even you can't be that smitten to not see that this guy is neck deep in the Chicago machine.

The Governor will roll over and this is going to get interesting.

Okay. So, your answer to my question is "no" then...

For the record: I'm really not a big fan of Obama. I just think he was a better choice than McCain. Which really is not that much of a ringing endorsement.

[CountArach]

The Daily Show's Take.

Hilarious. Especially the quote of blagojerk the day before he was arrested.

CR

Yeah I saw that, it was great

[ICantSpellDawg]

For the record: I'm really not a big fan of Obama. I just think he was a better choice than McCain. Which really is not that much of a ringing endorsement.

I agree with you. Obama was a better choice than McCain for America this year. That said, it would have been even better for America if he were pro-life.

[Alexanderofmacedon]

Let's be honest, this stuff happens everyday in a less blunt sort of way.

[Devastatin Dave]

Let's be honest, this stuff happens everyday in a less blunt sort of way.

And not recorded...

He just got caught doing what probably 80% of all politicos do.

[Seamus Fermanagh]

And not recorded...

He just got caught doing what probably 80% of all politicos do.

And does anybody here care to bet that Nixon was the only one who taped stuff in the White House?

[Lemur]

Let's be honest, this stuff happens everyday in a less blunt sort of way.

And to what extent is that sort of sentiment a self-fulfilling feedback loop?

Blagevodinnerjacket (D) is a scumbag who is going to prison. Let's not extrapolate him onto all politicos just because we feel like casting lazy aspersions.