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Blago's Blackmail by John M. Curtis Copyright
December 11, 2008 Ignoring calls for his resignation, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pretended it was business as usual at his downtown Chicago office, despite his arrest Dec. 9 for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitations of bribes, trying to sell the vacant senate seat of President-elect Barack Obama. Calling his behavior “staggering” corruption, U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald was appalled. Even President George W. Bush weighed in, calling Blagojevich’s his actions “astonishing.” Blagojevich’s spokesman Lucio Guerrero said it was a “return to normal,” going back to his office to work on state business. Illinois state legislators watched with horror as the 52-year-old governor ignored calls for his resignation, despite the outrage felt in Springfield and around the country. “There’s a sense of trying to return to normalcy,” said Guerrero, ignoring growing cries for resignation. Playing dumb, Blagojevich hopes to get a plea deal before he vacates the governor’s office. There’s no way any Chicago legislators would accept any appointment after getting caught red handed trying to sell Barack’s senate seat to the highest bidder. While Barack called for Rod to get out, he remains stubbornly parked in his office, unwilling to budge. Illinois Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn called for Blagojeich to resign or face either impeachment or a request to the Illinois Supreme Court to declare him unfit to serve. “Illinois is in crisis,” said Quinn in the capitol, urging the governor to stop playing games and clean out his desk. Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan also threatened to go to proceed with impeachment or go the Supreme Court. While Blagojevich plays hardball, the people of Illinois suffer without a real governor in Springfield, too busy saving his hide. Blagojevich knows his days are numbered but continues to play games to negotiate a better plea deal. “Obviously right now in the best of all possible worlds the governor would do what’s right for the people of the state of Illinois—he would resign,” said Madigan, a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2010. If lawmakers choose, they don’t have to negotiate with the governor, only vote out articles of impeachment needed to remove him from office. Legislators plan a special session Monday to strip Blagojevich of picking a replacement for Barack. If Blagojevich doesn’t resign by Sunday, they should go to the Supreme Court to declare him unfit fir office. Allowing a plea bargain would be a disgraceful manipulation of the judicial system crying out for justice. Illinois must not allow the governor to blackmail his way out of his destiny with Club Fed. In a 76-page affidavit revealed Dec. 9 by the U.S. attorney, Blagojevich displays some of the most vulgar, contemptible language toward the Presdient-elect Obama. His vile speech mirrors a broken down public servant, unfit to serve and crying out for help. He needs the local Psychiatric Emergency Team to hospitalize him for observation. No one in his right mind would have engaged in such egregious behavior, so destructive to himself, his family and the state of Illinois. No amount of financial desperation could account for how an otherwise intelligent lawyer could cross the line into psychosis. “The legislature should focus on the source of the problem,” said Quinn, seeking the governor’s urgent resignation: The governor is in office. A recent Illinois poll taken by Glengarif Group of 600 residents indicated that 73% favor impeachment and 70% resignation. Instead of playing games, Atty. Gen. Madigan should file an immediate brief with the Illinois Supreme Court asking that the governor be declared unfit for office. Instead of meeting in special session Monday to strip Blagojevich of his authority to pick a replacement for Obama, they should vote out articles of impeachment. Both actions should help push the governor to resign, without a distasteful plea bargain likely to insult Illinois residents unwilling to tolerate a backroom deal, letting Blagojevich off the hook. Elected officials that commit high crimes and misdemeanors should not call the shots. U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald should continue to prosecute his case to the fullest extent of the law. Senate Democrats warned Blagojevich to step down and not appoint anyone to Barack’s office. While they have no authority, they want this distraction to end as soon as possible. President-elect Barack Obama has called for Blagojevich’s immediate resignation. He concurs with Illinois elected officials that the two-term governor must step down and face charges of conspiracy and bribery. Blagojevich’s should stop pretending it’s business as usual and get out. “Despite our best efforts, the governor could play hide the ball. That is an inescapable reality,” said Steve Brown, a spokesman Illinois House speaker Michael J. Madigan, seeing problems with mobilizing quick articles of impeachment. Lt. Gov. Quinn and Atty. Gen. Madigan should proceed immediately with their brief to declare Blagojevich unfit for duty with the Illinois Supreme Court. Meanwhile, both should contact Blagojevich’s attorney Sheldon Sorosky and try to reason with his client. Blagojevich can’t be allowed to hold the state of Illinois hostage. John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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