Governor Rod Blagojevich, defending himself in a speech at his impeachment trial:
"The Democratic governor acknowledged the truth about his conduct is "maybe not flattering in some cases," referring to several secretly recorded conversations played earlier in the trial."
Showing posts with label Democratic Party; corruption; Rod Blagojevich. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Democratic Party; corruption; Rod Blagojevich. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Blagojevich impeached
So the Illinois House voted to impeach Governor Rod Blagojevich today.
Next up: a trial in the state senate.
One thing to remember concerning this is: it doesn't happen very often.
If you go here, you see that only 11 state governors in the whole history of the United States have ever been impeached. The last one, Evan Meacham of Arizona, occurred in 1988. So this is quite an historical event we have going here; it doesn't happen very often. Not to mention the spectacle of it--don't you think Blagojevich will put on quite a show in attempting to defend himself? I do.
Next up: a trial in the state senate.
One thing to remember concerning this is: it doesn't happen very often.
If you go here, you see that only 11 state governors in the whole history of the United States have ever been impeached. The last one, Evan Meacham of Arizona, occurred in 1988. So this is quite an historical event we have going here; it doesn't happen very often. Not to mention the spectacle of it--don't you think Blagojevich will put on quite a show in attempting to defend himself? I do.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Wow--big Blago news
Apparently still-Illinois-Governor Rod Blagojevich is about to name long-time Illinois politico Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat--and, furthermore, already Democrats in the Senate have announced publicly that they won't seat Burris.
Senate Democrats of course had to go that route--they came out publicly 3 weeks ago and said they wouldn't seat any Blagojevich appointee. Still, it's now incumbent on conservatives and Republicans to watch closely for any Dem backsliding on this, and to point out any weakening in their position. Any Blagojevich appointee would be horribly tainted at this point, and cannot be seated. Let's see what happens...
UPDATE: African-American Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush, meanwhile, backed Burris as Blagojevich's appointment, and basically is telling Democrats in the senate that they'd better not block it, or they'll be labeled racists--note he used the "lynch" word.
Democrats better get used to this, I fear--some of its more radical African-American members are feeling their oats right now, and obviously won't be afraid to pull out the race card. I'm not sure the American people will enjoy the spectacle. Republicans might benefit from it, though.
Senate Democrats of course had to go that route--they came out publicly 3 weeks ago and said they wouldn't seat any Blagojevich appointee. Still, it's now incumbent on conservatives and Republicans to watch closely for any Dem backsliding on this, and to point out any weakening in their position. Any Blagojevich appointee would be horribly tainted at this point, and cannot be seated. Let's see what happens...
UPDATE: African-American Illinois Congressman Bobby Rush, meanwhile, backed Burris as Blagojevich's appointment, and basically is telling Democrats in the senate that they'd better not block it, or they'll be labeled racists--note he used the "lynch" word.
Democrats better get used to this, I fear--some of its more radical African-American members are feeling their oats right now, and obviously won't be afraid to pull out the race card. I'm not sure the American people will enjoy the spectacle. Republicans might benefit from it, though.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Starting to feel the pressure
Governor Blagojevich loosens his grip on Obama's senate seat, specifically does not rule out calling a special election to fill the slot.
Republicans in Illinois are doing what they should do--pressuring the majority Democrats to move to impeach Blago.
Republicans in Illinois are doing what they should do--pressuring the majority Democrats to move to impeach Blago.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
A case study in stubbornness?
So by the end of this week, everybody and his brother will be demanding that Rod Blagojevich resign. President-elect Obama today added his voice to the chorus.
Question: how long will it take Blago to actually do so?
My guess: it'll be at least another week. Have you seen summaries of what he was saying on those wiretaps? This guy, with an approval rating as Illinois governor below 20%, was scheming to run for president in 2016.
With that kind of low-wattage brainpower, you can expect him to think that he can hold tight, get into a bunker, and ride this out. Don't look for him to resign right away...
Question: how long will it take Blago to actually do so?
My guess: it'll be at least another week. Have you seen summaries of what he was saying on those wiretaps? This guy, with an approval rating as Illinois governor below 20%, was scheming to run for president in 2016.
With that kind of low-wattage brainpower, you can expect him to think that he can hold tight, get into a bunker, and ride this out. Don't look for him to resign right away...
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
"I want to make money"
A p.s. on the Gov. Blagojevich story today--yes, he's quoted on the wiretaps as saying the above quote.
But remember--that's what he said; but it's not what he meant.
He wasn't trying to sell his influence and/or the open Illinois senate seat in hopes of being able to "make money."
Instead, he wanted money, he wanted cushy jobs, handed to him.
He's not some runaway capitalist.
Instead, Rod Blagojevich is a guy who's worked in government for a long time and now wanted to use it, underhandedly, to get rich quick.
But remember--that's what he said; but it's not what he meant.
He wasn't trying to sell his influence and/or the open Illinois senate seat in hopes of being able to "make money."
Instead, he wanted money, he wanted cushy jobs, handed to him.
He's not some runaway capitalist.
Instead, Rod Blagojevich is a guy who's worked in government for a long time and now wanted to use it, underhandedly, to get rich quick.
The party of corruption
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is arrested today:
"Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired."
By the way, it took the AP until the third paragraph to give us Mr. Blagojevich's party identification. In case you wondered, he is, of course, a Democrat.
Goodness--William Jefferson, Eliot Spitzer, Charlie Rangel, now Blagojevich--the number of Democrats committing ethical lapses is starting to pile up.
"Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired."
By the way, it took the AP until the third paragraph to give us Mr. Blagojevich's party identification. In case you wondered, he is, of course, a Democrat.
Goodness--William Jefferson, Eliot Spitzer, Charlie Rangel, now Blagojevich--the number of Democrats committing ethical lapses is starting to pile up.
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