Another Corrupt Chicago Politician? You Don't Say...

Notoriously corrupt Illinois politics got another notch in the scummy politician belt today. Democratic Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested this morning after allegedly attempting to sell the U. S. Senate seat that will be left vacant once Barack Obama is sworn in as the U. S. President.

Blagojevich was caught via wiretaps stating, "[the Senate seat]is a fucking valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing." He was also recorded saying that unless "I get something real good," he would appoint himself to the vacancy. "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain. You hear what I'm saying. And if I don't get what I want and I'm not satisfied with it, then I'll just take the Senate seat myself." According to surreptitiously recorded conversations, Blagojevich spoke with associates about the possibility of trading the Senate post for either an ambassadorship or a Cabinet post.

Of course Obama responded to the situation with his predictable and expected, "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening...It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”

Interesting. Especially since less than a month ago, on November 23, top Obama advisor David Axelrod told Fox News in an interview, "I know he's talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."

Axelrod responded to the revelation uncovered by conservative pundits with his predictable and expected, "I was mistaken when I told an interviewer last month that the President-elect has spoken directly to Governor Blagojevich about the Senate vacancy." Obviously. *insert eye roll here*

It's well known that Obama owes a lot of people a lot of favors. You don't go from being a National Nobody to President within four years without a lot of help. I'm sure that Governor Blagojevich was one of those people. I don't know whether whatever political boost he gave to Obama's warp speed rise to the top was legit or corrupt, and frankly, at this point it probably doesn't matter. But something was revealed today, if you were watching closely...Many of us have been watching and waiting to see how Obama would attempt to pay back those favors, or if he would even try. I think that we now have our answer. Attempt to call in your favor from the new Prez, and you will be sorry.


I am currently undecided on whether this makes me like Obama more or less.