The news that Rod Blagojevich was ousted by the Illinois State Senate causes me to look back on a photograph I had posted previously. It depicts the former Governor enjoying a light moment with Barack Obama and Mayor Daley:
There is one unfortunate aspect of the Blagojevich situation. All those old alliances now have to be ended-- indeed, they have to be dropped like a hot potato, and renounced.
One of the great under-reported stories of the Obama presidency is that, right around the time of the inauguration, it was announced U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald had issued subpoenaes involving three members of Obama's staff, including Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett. If it had been a Republican president, we would have known about it. Indeed, we scarcely would have been able to avoid it.
And John Kass weighs in regarding what lies ahead for Blagojevich:
It is the federal building, where U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald works.
It's time to cut a deal, Rod, if they'll let you. You'll do prison time, sure, and you'll have to testify against Cellini and many others. But don't think others aren't lining up to bury you with their own testimony to save themselves.
Consider the silence. The silence in the state Senate after you stopped speaking on Thursday. The silence of friends. The silence in your body as you run. The silence of federal prison.
There's one thing to do, former governor. Start talking.
I now will return once again to my local/state reporting. Sorry folks, I couldn't resist.:)
Good for you!!!!! The leadership in this city is so weak we need more people who will devote their time to getting to the truth...This mess did not start with David Wray...Start with Project Homestead and determine who the major players were and are now sitting on the Council....
Posted by: ROBE | January 30, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Blago needs to be careful here. There are worse things that spending a few years in Joliet....like trying to swim in Lake Michigan with cement shoes. I suspect that he knows a lot of "stuff" on many thugs in Chicago that do not want him singing like a bird. I suspect that he also knows some "stuff" on some people now residing in D.C., but will he be able to convert that "stuff" into something of value to Blago and Mrs. Potty Mouth.
Posted by: Stormy | January 30, 2009 at 07:34 PM
Stormy, you are right. Blagojevich does need to be careful. And the picture is fairly multidimensional, with numerous characters involved-- some of whom are currently working in our nation's capital, as you suggest.
Posted by: Joe Guarino | January 30, 2009 at 08:50 PM
Blago fights back after being ousted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XdIQCFTyPM&eurl=http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/weblog.php&feature=player_embedded
Posted by: Fred Gregory | February 05, 2009 at 12:41 PM