Blago: "But I'm telling you: I did nothing wrong."
Our friend with the cool hair, former Illinois Governor Milorad "Rod" Blagojevich, was tossed out of office yesterday afternoon by the Illinois State Senate. The vote was close: 59 in favour of removing the governor from office, zero against. Apparently no state senator was swayed by Blagojevich's brazen 47-minute speech in his own defense.
The new governor, Pat Quinn - undoubtedly not the same Pat Quinn who coached these guys - was installed last night after Blago's exit was made official. From the State of Illinois' website:
SPRINGFIELD – January 29, 2009. Former Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn has become the 41st Governor of the State of Illinois, having taken the Oath of Office at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, January 29, 2009. The Oath of Office was administered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Anne Burke in a brief ceremony in the Chamber of the Illinois House of Representatives.
"I pledge an open and fair state government worthy of being called the Land of Lincoln," Quinn said. "The people of Illinois have the right to expect integrity and diligence from their elected officials.”
On Thursday, the Illinois Senate convicted Governor Blagojevich on Articles of Impeachment the House passed earlier this month. Therefore, under Article V, Section 6 ( c ) of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, the Lt. Governor assumes all duties and powers of Governor.
"In the coming days, we will face some tough choices. I am confident that by working together we will meet these challenges to emerge a much stronger and vibrant state.”
Governor Quinn reminds Illinois citizens of President Abraham Lincoln’s immortal words: "Government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from this earth.”
Well, Governor Quinn, that all sounds very good. I wish you much success and hopefully you can provide a positive example that will make people less likely to spit when they hear the words "Chicago" and "politics" in the same sentence.
But I cannot stop thinking about Blago. He is amazing. In the face of what should ordinarily be considered an episode of gargantuan personal embarrassment, he just keeps going. Earlier this week he did the talk show circuit. In front of the State Senate before yesterday's vote, he continued to trump the positive aspects of his record and charge that removing him from office would hurt all the people he's tried to help. Even after losing his office, and being barred from ever running again in Illinois, he was still pleading his innocence and pledging his love to all.
And do you know what? I hope he beats the criminal proceedings brewing against him. I hope he avoids indictment, but if not, I hope he finds a way to win an acquittal. I cannot explain what it is that makes me feel sympathy for the fellow, but it is real. It might be the fact that I think U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is a little too zealous for his own good, and enjoys publicity a little too much. It might be that I believe sentences in federal court are excessive. I'm not sure what it is. It is probably because I believe being publicly and notoriously embarrassed beyond your worst nightmares and then losing your governorship is punishment enough. No doubt I'm in the minority on this issue, as I am on most political questions, but there it is.
Go get 'em, Blago. Fight 'em all the way to the wall.
15 comments:
He is amazing, in an Amazing Colossal Douchebag kind of way.
I'll admit to knowing very little about the actual case and the alleged malfeasance, but in interviews the guy comes across as a wanker of epic proportions.
That said, you know my longstanding policy toward politics: I want my politicians to be interesting, even entertaining. This is especially true the lower you go in the political food chain: city councillors, for instance, need to be particularly entertaining or else I have no use for them.
And before anyone criticises me for a shallow, possibly immoral and dangerous political philosophy, bear in mind that I have my fingers in my ears and nya-nya-nya-I-can't-hear-you.
I'll admit to knowing very little about the actual case and the alleged malfeasance, but in interviews the guy comes across as a wanker of epic proportions.
I totally agree that he comes across as a wanker of epic proportions. I still want him to beat the rap. It's silly, but I think this dude can stick it to the Man, and I'd love to see him try.
I heard he wanted to try to sell the seat on Ebay. But he didn't have a paypal account.
Well someone had to step up to fill the huge void left when Bush got on the chopper. As hard as he has tried, he will never fill those shoes.
I don't care one way or the other whether he goes down in a criminal trial. You can bet though, if he doesn't, lips will be flapping all over the Neocon blogoshere. If he gets off, it will be the result of a left wing cover up. Special prosecutors will be hired and eventually Blago will have to lie about a blow job. Uh, nevermind.
This guy is high comedy. Guys like Jon Stewart don't have anything to riff off of -- Blago is a punch line onto himself.
Sporko: This kind of reminds me when Jim Bakker, the disgraced former televangelist, was on trial back around 1989/90. Sam Kinison was on Johnny Carson and said something along the lines of this: "You know, I consider myself a pretty good comedy writer. But there's no way I could ever come up with anything as good as Jim Bakker on trial!! Man, this material is just sensational!" Etc. Sam added a great quip about the judge, who had a unique nickname given his ways when sentencing. "You know you're in trouble when the judge at your trial is nicknamed 'Maximum Bob'!"
If Blago goes to trial, I hope it's funny at least. And it probably will be.
Macrum: Tell a friend: here is one right-winger that is pulling for whatever it takes for Blago to beat this thing. Bring on the left wing conspiracy and cover-up! Anything, but anything would be worth it just to see the dejected look on Patrick Fitzgerald's face when he comes out to mug for the camera after the trial. Plus you just know Blago would milk it for all it's worth.
Just wondering what sparks this animosity towards Fitzgerald? It must be his handling of the previous governor of Illinois that irritates you.
Does he irritate you as much as Kenneth "I'll turn over any rock I can to nail Clinton for anything" Starr?
Macrum, you devil, you're onto me! Yes, it's all about how Fitz sent the former governor - a Republican, don'cha know - up the river. < /sarcasm > :-D
No, that's not it. And actually, Ken Starr's endless chasing of Clinton was, I thought, much more irritating than Fitzmas. (Give the Justice Department of the day an assist on that one, though.)
But I'm up to the proverbial arse in year-end work today, and this topic probably deserves its own post, because of all the tangential issues that I want to cover - so I'm going to have leave you hanging for a day or two.
sorry bro, i accidently left this comment under the wrong post somehow.
i honestly think the likeability factor comes from the conan o´brianesque pompadour he wears. how can you not relate that to feel good comedy?
comparing blago to jim baker; worthy (as was the comedy of kinison)
comparing fitz to starr; ok. two upstanding guys with a record of integrity and throrough investigations.
comparing blago to bush? fail.
blago blatantly broke laws and codes of ethics and was caught red-handed in the process (likeability factor aside - and he would be hilarious in a courtroom, presumably defending himself - he is clearly guilty)
bush, on the other hand, is continually being justified in the actions he is most criticized for (iraq, warrantless wiretapping, fannie and freddie, even his tax cuts helped forestall the recession)
seems to me blago was an unwitting apprentice to clinton-style politics (w/o morals and criminally inclined). he just doesn´t have ol' slick willie´s charm ;-)
Actually I'm a big admirer of Blago's helmet hair...and why should he go down in flames while the rest of the rotting fish that is Illinois politics gets away with their crap?
On other fronts, ECI, I have started my own political blog called Three Ball Dead: http://threeballdead.blogspot.com/
Midst The Hum is still up and running but is dedicated primarily to southern culture, etc. I needed a place to take the gloves off politcally speaking, hence TBD. I've got you blog rolled there. The first posts will appear this afternoon. Thanks for you past patronage at MTH. I hope to see you over at TBD where I fully intend to nuke liberalism with much glee.
You, my blogging friend, and I have a lot in common. You are known to the police whereas I am not. You are Catholic and I am Jewish. So....yeah we have NOTHING in common. But I like your blog. So you got that goin for you!
Anyway I would like to link to your blog on my site.
Interested in a link exchange?
Hit me up at http://scottstipoftheday.blogspot.com
Thanks
Scott:
I have linked to your blog on my sidebar. You know, it would have been enough for you to be a Jewish attorney from New York. I mean, I could go around telling people, "Hey! A Jewish lawyer from New York left a comment on my blog!" And no one would even believe me.
But your blog is a crack-up to boot: edgy, funny, and filled with advice given from what has to be an altruistic heart. (You're an attorney, after all.) So the link is there, and for my benefit and the hordes of stalkers and lurkers that visit my site.
Very best,
Ignatius F. Pig
Youve been added to the blogroll, thanks!
Thanks for pointing out the error in my most recent blog post. It's my fault for being lazy and not checking the numbers. It was one of numerous email alerts from various sources and I just copied it over onto my blog. As far as the total of 48 states, well who really counts Alaska and Hawaii anyway? Contiguousness rules! ;-)
Something he definately DID do wrong is that hair style!
As far as the total of 48 states, well who really counts Alaska and Hawaii anyway? Contiguousness rules! ;-)
(Abe Simpson, writing a letter): Dear Mr. President, There are too many states nowadays. Please eliminate three.
P.S. I am not a crackpot.
And this great exchange:
Marge: Grandpa, this flag only has 49 stars on it.
Grandpa: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missourah!
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