Don't worry Rod, you won't be "stuck at Governor" for long

Well it looks like Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich will be moving from a position in state government to one with the federal government, but I don't think it's the kind of move he thought he had in store. In an astounding example of arrogance and stupidity, it seems the Democrat thought he'd make some lifestyle improvements for his family by attempting to sell President-Elect Obama's seat in the US Senate. Needless to say, the putz is now with the federal government, being held as a guest on charges of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and a count of solicitation of bribery.

In a 76-page affidavit, federal authorities say wiretaps caught Blagojevich conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat in exchange for financial benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

At times, he discussed obtaining a substantial salary for himself at a non-profit organization or an organization affiliated with labor unions, as well as placing his wife on paid corporate boards where she might make as much as $150,000 a year, the government said.

During one recorded conversation, Blagojevich said he needed to consider his family and said he was "financially" hurting, the affidavit said.

"I want to make money," Blagojevich said, according to the affidavit.

The governor also often weighed the option of appointing himself to the Senate seat, saying he was "stuck" at governor and might have access to more resources as a senator than as a governor, the affidavit says. A Senate seat could also help him remake his image ahead of a possible presidential run in 2016. "If ... they're not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it," he said in one conversation. CNN

The most disturbing part of the story is CNN legal analyst, Jeffrey Toobin, noting that it's not clear whether Blagojevich's current status will actually impede his ability to choose Obama's successor.

The greed, arrogance and stupidity of politicians never ceases to amaze me.

Tags: Rod Blagojevich corruption Illinois

Sphere: Related Content