Illinois

[Patrick]

I live in IL, so this is of particular interest to me.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...09081rod1.html

I will admit that despite him being a Cubs fan, I never liked the guy, and I am not surprised. This is certainly not a partisan issue as our previous governor (a Republican) is currently in jail. However, the hubris of Rod is somewhat astounding.

Just wondering what people think.

[Reinart der Fuchs]

I was just speaking with a co-worker on this. The audacity is hilarious!

[Patrick]

A lawyer friend of mine (who is a Democrat) actually worked with Rod many years ago at the same firm. He never found Blagojevic to be too terribly impressive. I'm listening to the news, and the more that comes out, the more ignorant he appears. He knew he was under investigation and he still was trying to sell the Senate seat?

[Kevin McCabe]

Well, it was Chicago after all. Still and all, only the Irish can properly practice Ward Politics. In the old days, a person this indiscreet would have never made the first cut, let alone wind up Governor. Seriously, though, this will be a real test for Obama.

[Reinart der Fuchs]

Well, it was Chicago after all. Still and all, only the Irish can properly practice Ward Politics. In the old days, a person this indiscreet would have never made the first cut, let alone wind up Governor. Seriously, though, this will be a real test for Obama.

I am a little naive when it comes to things like these. Could you suggest how this is a test for Obama? Thank you!

[Kevin McCabe]

Well, my friend, Obama ran as an ethical politician who would not brook the old way of doing things, particularly patronage. Now this fellow, though presumed innocent, was a friend and ally of his. I don't think it will be enough for Obama to "distance himself," so to speak. I think he will have to take some affirmative steps and condemn this type of activity, specifically citing the case and name. Its a tough balance because he can't say the guy did it, but still has to firmly criticize the activity. It can be done, though. JFK did it as an elect with his "City on the Hill" speech (given in Massachusetts, naturally). There's no doubt Obama is smart enough and eloquent enough to pull it off. But, its a hard thing to kick a man you know when he's down, even when he has it coming.

[Patrick]

I am not sure that it is is true that Blagojevich and Obama were friends and allies. From what I am hearing, they did not like each other.

The issue will end up being whether the two had any discussions regarding patronage with filling the seat. I heard the first rumblings this morning that there might have been some discussion between the two camps, but nothing specific.

[Kevin McCabe]

Oh, I think they were probably pretty tight:

"And, it should be pointed out, Mr. Obama has a relationship with Mr. Blagojevich, having not only endorsed Blagojevich in 2002 and 2006, but having served as a top adviser to the Illinois governor in his first 2002 run for the state house.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary that year, then-state sen. Obama endorsed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris. But after Blagojevich won, Obama came around enthusiastically. At the same time, meanwhile, Axelrod had such serious concerns about whether Blagojevich was ready for governing he refused to work for his one-time client.

According to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Mr. Obama's incoming White House chief of staff, Emanuel, then-state senator Obama, a third Blagojevich aide, and Blagojevich's campaign co-chair, David Wilhelm, were the top strategists of Blagojevich's 2002 gubernatorial victory.

Emanuel told the New Yorker earlier this year that he and Obama "participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor. We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two."

Source = CBS

On the other hand, Obama did call for the guy's resignation today. I would have preferred something that deplored him, if the allegations are true, but indicated a willingness to await a jury's verdict (even if Blagojevich is a former prosecutor who never would have dreamed according that respect to the accused).

[J-Sun]

I also live in Illinois, and can't say that I am at all surprised. Honestly, the last election we had was a joke. Talk about having to try to decide between TWO dirty crooks... it's no wonder the Green Party got such a huge vote.

Rod is a prodcut of the Daly machine. Chicago politics goes back to the times of Al Capone, and honestly not much has changed. Blagoyavich has claimed that he has done nothing wrong, and I think he could honestly pass a lie detector test on that. I bet he really sees notghing wrong. It's what his predecessor would have done, and what so many other Chicago politicians are world-reknown for.

I agree that this will be a bit of a challenge for Barack. He has proudly declared himself as a native of Chicago. I'm not saying that he is corrupt, but I agree that he really needs to speak out against this like he did against the dumb stuff reverend Wright said, or he will simply be guilty by association. Although I have to ask... it's his senate seat. Did he really not know that his own senate seat was up for auction? Either he was in on it or just plain clueless. I guess clueless is the better thing to be in this instance, but it stretches credulity, imho.

[Patrick]

I completely agree.

[Michael Moorcock]

I'm beginning to worry that Obama is going to be a fence sitter on too many issues. I suppose we only have a couple more weeks to wait.

[Patrick]

I didn't vote for him, but I have been generally pleased with what I have heard from him so far.

[J-Sun]

I didn't vote for him, but I have been generally pleased with what I have heard from him so far.

Surprisingly I find myself in the same position. I was afraid he was going to be so left-wing that he would eschew common sense to be crazy liberal, and I'm pleased to see that he has a lot more common sense than I gave him credit for. I didn't support him in the election, but no one will be happier than me, 4 years from now, to say that I was wrong and he was the right guy for the job. He seems to have a plan, and thus far he is inspiring confidence.

Fence sitter? As you say, Mike, the real test will come in the second half of the month. I pray you are wrong.

[Michael Moorcock]

Today's Radio Four programme on his background, especially the conservative Chicago law school, is very revealing and shows him as a pragmatist most of us can easily support in these times. I'd recommend listening to the programme, broadcast today, since I suspect it's reassuring to conservatives and liberals alike.

[buttertup]

i don't know how folks in the other states are doing, but things in n.c. are lookin grim. i am not in a panic, but i have now become a keen observer of whats going on around here, no longer able to hide away in the holler. i think this is a big thing happening, perhaps bigger than the very best of leaders. so i have decided to pull my head of my arse and do what i need to do, and not to expect miracles from one mortal man. sheesh, i hope i don't sound too ignorant, i just wanted to have a say.