Rod Blagojevich

[thebestkylever]

So they pulled my governor out of his bed and arrested him this morning for conspiring to sell Obama's senate seat (among other things). Discuss.

here's a copy of the formal fbi complaint-- it gets hilarious around page 45.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-12/43789434.pdf

on select chicago tribune writers
"our recommendation is fire all
those fucking people, get ‘em the fuck out of there and get us some editorial support."

on obama's open senate seat
“unless I get something
real good for [Senate Candidate 1], shit, I’ll just send myself, you know what I’m saying.”

“I’ve got this thing and it’s fucking
golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for fuckin’ nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And,
and I can always use it. I can parachute me there.”

ROD BLAGOJEVICH said that the consultants (Advisor B and another
consultant are believed to be on the call at that time) are telling him that he has to “suck it
up” for two years and do nothing and give this “motherfucker [the President-elect] his
senator. Fuck him. For nothing? Fuck him.”

[loveisdead]

General Politics Thread.

[open mind]

keep it up illinois and someday you might be as corrupt as alaska.

i love that fox news went with showing all the pictures of this dude and obama together....totally didn't see that coming.

[saysmydoctor]

BLAGO IS CORRUPT SO THE TRANSITIVE PROPERTY OF CORRUPTION MEANS OBAMA IS CORRUPT.

/Fox Noise Rabble Rabble

[thebestkylever]

General Politics Thread.

eh, i thought this was big enough (and it's only going to get bigger) to warrant its own. if more people think otherwise though-- i'll delete.

[sdbrown]

Even though my day sort of sucked with finals and all, I had to laugh when I saw this. Just the things he said...so ridiculous (and slightly humorous).

Think he'll share a cell with Edgar?

[sdbrown]

My friend just made a good point that this will probably fuck up Chicago's chances at getting the Olympics

[thebestkylever]

here's a copy of the formal fbi complaint-- it gets hilarious around page 45.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-12/43789434.pdf

[TJ Wells]

My friend just made a good point that this will probably fuck up Chicago's chances at getting the Olympics
Goddamit. I didn't even think about that...

[MyWorldEntire]

My friend just made a good point that this will probably fuck up Chicago's chances at getting the Olympics

Chicago is essentially a lock no matter what; the rest of the cities in the field are far too weak.

[Machu505]

My friend just made a good point that this will probably fuck up Chicago's chances at getting the Olympics

lol the last Olympics were in China. They don't give a fuck.

[convergejd]

I'm sick of this shit. And they wanted to have a constitutional convention. So we could recall governors? Then we'd just elect another crook.

We need to start getting our crap together in this state.

[sodamnclever]

My friend just made a good point that this will probably fuck up Chicago's chances at getting the Olympics
I hope it doesn't.

[PatMarquez13]

keep it up illinois and someday you might be as corrupt as alaska.

i love that fox news went with showing all the pictures of this dude and obama together....totally didn't see that coming.
I live in Chicago, you have no idea, this is an extremely corrupt city, and I would go as far to say that this has to be one of the most corrupt cities in America. Look up the Daley family, look up the Stroger family... There is unbelievable amounts of corruption all over the place, and it "pays to play" ... Big families run this city, and they run it way into the ground. Our taxes are through the motherfucking roof, and they everything feels like it is collapsing right around us.

You wanna know why?

Because these assholes put their family members on their payroll making $125K / year doing JACK shit for this city.

I am a Democrat, this city is run by Democrats. These city needs Republicans. Chicago is a prime example of WHAT HAPPENS when there is ONE party running the city. It's bad news.

[PatMarquez13]

Even though my day sort of sucked with finals and all, I had to laugh when I saw this. Just the things he said...so ridiculous (and slightly humorous).

Think he'll share a cell with Edgar?
Naw, probably share a cell with Ryan, who was the Governor before Blago, who is in jail right now.

[dancetony]

blago has made a huge ass out of himself and pretty much got caught smearing poop on all political figures with a shit eating grinned face. and i hope what John Stewart just said a bit ago...."it looks like he might be hanging out in jail longer than O.J."....and i can only hope so. what a fuck.

[PatMarquez13]

Man, I'm still reading this affidavit. Unbelievable.

[open mind]

I live in Chicago, you have no idea, this is an extremely corrupt city, and I would go as far to say that this has to be one of the most corrupt cities in America. Look up the Daley family, look up the Stroger family... There is unbelievable amounts of corruption all over the place, and it "pays to play" ... Big families run this city, and they run it way into the ground. Our taxes are through the motherfucking roof, and they everything feels like it is collapsing right around us.

You wanna know why?

Because these assholes put their family members on their payroll making $125K / year doing JACK shit for this city.

I am a Democrat, this city is run by Democrats. These city needs Republicans. Chicago is a prime example of WHAT HAPPENS when there is ONE party running the city. It's bad news.

are you really pat? if so......holy shit dude, glad to see you're still breathing and have come back.....if not then change your fucking username.

i've heard the statistics on illinois and they are really bad.....but in the past couple years we've had at least 4 elected officials indicted on assorted corruption charges and gave our governor a free pass on troopergate....i'm sure we'll see more where that came from to because i can think of 2 ongoing investigations off the top of my head, so i think i can argue that alaska's corruption (that i know of) has surpassed illinois in recent years....seriously sucks about your city/state though.

[boykosaurus]

News networks need to let this go. Just this morning FOX was doing endless reports and were actually following this guy via helicopter. Just let the fucker go through his trial then let us know how fucked he is.

[saysmydoctor]

My friend just made a good point that this will probably fuck up Chicago's chances at getting the Olympics
This is possible.
Chicago is essentially a lock no matter what; the rest of the cities in the field are far too weak.
Rio de Janiero? Tokyo? I'll give you Madrid, but no way. It's competitive as hell.

Edit: Actually, looking into it, Tokyo and Madrid scored higher than both Rio and Chicago.
News networks need to let this go. Just this morning FOX was doing endless reports and were actually following this guy via helicopter. Just let the fucker go through his trial then let us know how fucked he is.
Discovery.

[Machu505]

Edit: Actually, looking into it, Tokyo and Madrid scored higher than both Rio and Chicago.


You got a problem with Madrid?

[Jake's got woe]

This guy brings arrogance to a whole new level. He was practically begging to get arrested.

[MyWorldEntire]

Rio de Janiero? Tokyo? I'll give you Madrid, but no way. It's competitive as hell.

Edit: Actually, looking into it, Tokyo and Madrid scored higher than both Rio and Chicago.



Rio has a terrible crime rate, especially related to drugs. Rio will get it sometime in the future, but right now it's a difficult sell. Athletes/Tourists don't want to be in a city will that much risk.

Tokyo will not get it after having 2 Olympics within the past 8 years (Beijing and Soche).

And there is no way they will have 2 straight Olympics in Europe.

That scoring system has never been an reliable indicator of who will receive the bid. Also the fact that the United States television rights won't be bid on until after the host city is chosen greatly helps the Chicago candidacy. The United State viewing audience brings in the most ratings, so that's going to greatly impact the IOC's decision. Don't forget that by 2016, it will have been 14 years since an Olympics occurred in the United States.

[Jake's got woe]

I actually lived in Rio de Janeiro for a little while, and I would be shocked, SHOCKED, if it actually got the Olympics. Underneath all that beautiful beach scenery is a teeming mass of poverty, crime, and corruption.

I'm sure you could say that about a lot of cities, but seriously, Rio is ridiculous.

[bladerdude360]

yay illinois! we're just on a roll right now...anybody think that other recent political scandals (NY governor or the guy who was soliciting gay sex in the airport) might be worse? or does illinois get worst rep in the country right now?

[Machu505]

yay illinois! we're just on a roll right now...anybody think that other recent political scandals (NY governor or the guy who was soliciting gay sex in the airport) might be worse? or does illinois get worst rep in the country right now?

Maybe Ted Stevens becoming a convicted felon.

[GuitarR0cker1]

I live in Chicago, you have no idea, this is an extremely corrupt city, and I would go as far to say that this has to be one of the most corrupt cities in America. Look up the Daley family, look up the Stroger family... There is unbelievable amounts of corruption all over the place, and it "pays to play" ... Big families run this city, and they run it way into the ground. Our taxes are through the motherfucking roof, and they everything feels like it is collapsing right around us.

You wanna know why?

Because these assholes put their family members on their payroll making $125K / year doing JACK shit for this city.

I am a Democrat, this city is run by Democrats. These city needs Republicans. Chicago is a prime example of WHAT HAPPENS when there is ONE party running the city. It's bad news.
Or you could just elect less corrupt Democrats, of course that isn't easy considering the Democratic political establishment in Chicago is still extremely corrupt.

[xshady121]

Or you could just elect less corrupt Democrats, of course that isn't easy considering the Democratic political establishment in Chicago is still extremely corrupt.

Didn't Blago run as a "reformer".

The average voter isn't a mind reader and can't tell the future. Someone says they are going to "reform" and "clean up the corruption" can either be taken for their word or not. You can't get mad at someone for saying "enough is enough, we've given these 'reformers' enough tries, time to switch it up". If anything, Blago ruined it for democratic politicians who are truly good intentioned...

[more heart]

BLAGO IS CORRUPT SO THE TRANSITIVE PROPERTY OF CORRUPTION MEANS OBAMA IS CORRUPT.

/Fox Noise Rabble Rabble

:lol:

[GuitarR0cker1]

Didn't Blago run as a "reformer".

The average voter isn't a mind reader and can't tell the future. Someone says they are going to "reform" and "clean up the corruption" can either be taken for their word or not. You can't get mad at someone for saying "enough is enough, we've given these 'reformers' enough tries, time to switch it up". If anything, Blago ruined it for democratic politicians who are truly good intentioned...
He was elected to two terms and in 2006 Blago had approval ratings in the 20's but still won by 50-40-10 against the Republican(Topinka I think) with a Green running. The Republican Party of Illinois also is extremely corrupt, ever hear of Governor Ryan? My point is that almost all of Illinois' politics is messed up to a degree and it seems that you are just attacking Democrats here, when both parties in Illinois are pretty fucked up.

When did I get mad anyways?

[MyWorldEntire]

Yeah a Republican has no chance of winning the governship if there is a vote. Look for Lisa Madigan or Pat Quinn to take the position.

[xshady121]

Yeah a Republican has no chance of winning the governship if there is a vote. Look for Lisa Madigan or Pat Quinn to take the position.

Good thing the deputy governor becomes governor. Haven''t you ever taken a civics class?

[MyWorldEntire]

Good thing the deputy governor becomes governor. Haven''t you ever taken a civics class?

Those are the people I believe would win if there was a special election. And yes I know the Lieutenant Governor becomes Governor if the Governor is unable to fulfill his/her duties or resigns.

[boykosaurus]

Discovery.

Ugh, I'm listening to Hannity run his yap right now...there is no justice in this world.

[loveisdead]

Ugh, I'm listening to Hannity run his yap right now...there is no justice in this world.
He called for Obama to have his emails and the Governors emails released. He didn't say shit like that when Palin was being investigated for Troopergate. I hate him.

[splitsecond]

Did someone actually say this guy should just be left alone? Wow. I don't care what party it is (and from what I understand all of Chicago is corrupt), this sort of thing needs to be carefully watched and evaluated.

As far as Obama goes, he would be wise to be as forthcoming and transparent as possible around this. The prosecutor's have stated he is not involved (which I believe) but he did come from the area, and rose through what is going to be exposed as a very corrupt political scene in Chicago. EVERYONE connected should be investigated (which includes Obama) and everyone who has nothing to to hide should cooperate fully with any questions asked. It is not about bias, party, or anything along those lines.

[splitsecond]

He called for Obama to have his emails and the Governors emails released. He didn't say shit like that when Palin was being investigated for Troopergate. I hate him.

Let's be realistic here man, possibly using influence to get someone fired and SELLING a senate seat and other political positions are not exactly on the same level.

[Wildness774]

o yea craig ferguson was talking about this guy
he does have a shitload of hair. lol
http://www.topnews.in/usa/files/gov.jpg

[sdbrown]

o yea craig ferguson was talking about this guy
he does have a shitload of hair. lol
http://www.topnews.in/usa/files/gov.jpg
"He has nothing to hide, other than whatever might be written on his forehead"

or something like that

[boykosaurus]

Let's be realistic here man, possibly using influence to get someone fired and SELLING a senate seat and other political positions are not exactly on the same level.

I don't know where privacy comes in, but isn't evidence evidence?

[MyWorldEntire]

"He has nothing to hide, other than whatever might be written on his forehead"

or something like that

He stole that joke from Jon Stewart!

[Adeniz19]

Did someone actually say this guy should just be left alone? Wow. I don't care what party it is (and from what I understand all of Chicago is corrupt), this sort of thing needs to be carefully watched and evaluated.

As far as Obama goes, he would be wise to be as forthcoming and transparent as possible around this. The prosecutor's have stated he is not involved (which I believe) but he did come from the area, and rose through what is going to be exposed as a very corrupt political scene in Chicago. EVERYONE connected should be investigated (which includes Obama) and everyone who has nothing to to hide should cooperate fully with any questions asked. It is not about bias, party, or anything along those lines.Did you see today's press conference? Looks like Obama is going to cooperate fully and gather all information his team had with the governor's office.

[Jake's got woe]

I don't know where privacy comes in, but isn't evidence evidence?

Um, no. Evidence comes in all sorts of varying degrees of importance and validity.

[splitsecond]

Did you see today's press conference? Looks like Obama is going to cooperate fully and gather all information his team had with the governor's office.

I figured he would, which makes it more amusing that people were getting offended at the notion that he should cooperate with all requests.

[splitsecond]

hahahahahahaha I hope I am not the only watching this insanity unfold.

[Adeniz19]

i wanted to see the press conference, what happened?

[sdbrown]

He is SUCH an asshat. He still acts as if he did nothing wrong.

[TranslateTheNam]

why wont they just give him his trial already. I find it suspicious that only snippets of the phone tap records have been released and they have pushed him out of office. Just weird. I bet they're begging him to resign so the tapes dont have to be released. Anyone know why? I Havent followed this as closely as possible, I dont like his jogging attire.

[1Roth4]

Can someone post some of the media he did yesterday. Ie. Good Morning America, and the View.

[Mercy Medical]

This guy is ridiculous comparing himself to Ghandi and this experience to Pearl Harbor...what the fuck? Get over yourself and get off my TV screen with your constant pity party interviews.

[Justin_stacy]

His interview on the Maddow show two nights ago was priceless. The man could be standing over a dead body, with a gun in his hand and blood on his face, and still say he was framed. I would be shocked if this man isn't in some way related to the Kennedy's. He fits that corrupt clan perfectly.

[Mitch]

Maybe I just don't understand this whole situation, but how is he defending himself at all? Don't they have tapes with him blatantly offering the seat and whatever else?

[Justin_stacy]

After a four-day trial, the Illinois Senate voted 59-0 to convict him of abuse of power, automatically removing the second-term Democrat. Democratic Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn, one of his critics, immediately became governor.

In a second 59-0 vote, the Senate further barred Blagojevich from ever holding public office in Illinois again.


http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090129/D9613M9O0.html

[tambam]

Oh snap.

[thebestkylever]

Can someone post some of the media he did yesterday. Ie. Good Morning America, and the View.

here he is on the view.

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andddd good morning america...

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[anthonydarko]

Serves him right to kicked out.

[INhopewefail]

I'm glad he got kicked out, he deserved atleast that. But did he really do anything to get himself time in jail? I mean, it's one thing to talk about selling the senate seat, but it's a completely different thing to actually sell the seat (which he didn't do). Don't get me wrong, the dude is scum, and deserves everything that comes to him.

[chronomic]

Maybe I just don't understand this whole situation, but how is he defending himself at all? Don't they have tapes with him blatantly offering the seat and whatever else?

I think the main shit they got him on was threatening the race tracks if they stopped funding him or whatever kind of crook bullshit you can pull from that situation.

this dude makes me cringe.

[sodamnclever]

I just watched him on Letterman, I have never gotten so annoyed with someone before.

[INhopewefail]

I just watched him on Letterman, I have never gotten so annoyed with someone before.

Why were you annoyed?

[sodamnclever]

Why were you annoyed?
I don't know what it is, but something about him--I understand he is going to try and prove that he isn't guilty but he just bugs me.

And he really needs to do something with his hair.

[INhopewefail]

I don't know what it is, but something about him--I understand he is going to try and prove that he isn't guilty but he just bugs me.

And he really needs to do something with his hair.

I understand. I'm actually surprised he went on Letterman to plead his case, that must have taken a hell of a lot of guts. Did you see the part where Dave asked him about shampoo and conditioner??? Haha, so funny.

[Justin_stacy]

CHICAGO — Senator Roland W. Burris of Illinois acknowledged in documents made public Saturday that the brother of former Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich sought campaign fund-raising help from him in the weeks and months before his appointment to succeed Barack Obama as the state’s junior senator.

Mr. Burris said he provided no money to Governor Blagojevich’s campaign in response to the brother’s request.

The disclosure was different from Mr. Burris’s earlier descriptions, including one under oath, of his conversations with those closest to the former governor. It raised new questions about events that preceded Mr. Burris’s unusual appointment in late December and prompted some Republican lawmakers in Illinois to immediately demand an inquiry into whether Mr. Burris committed perjury.

....nice timing. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/15/us/15burris.html?_r=1)