Me thinks Obama is in trouble!!

[jmichna]

I don't even like Trib writer Steve Johnson, but this is good:

5 shocking revelations from the criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich
Steve Johnson
Dec 10, 2008

The most shocking revelations in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich (after, that is, the specific criminal charges):

1. Blagojevich actually continued to think he could run for president in 2016. The second-to-last paragraph of the criminal complaint says that Blagojevich spent "significant time" in November considering appointing himself to the Senate seat Barack Obama has vacated, for reasons including "a desire to remake his image in consideration of a possible run for President in 2016."

2. David Mamet apparently wrote the dialogue. Blagojevich says the "F word" or other vulgarities that include the word 16 times in the complaint, and his wife, Patti, overheard in the background of a wiretapped telephone conversation, says it twice.

3. The governor, although his administration has been under investigation since 2003, wasn't more careful in what he said and where he said it. Much of the criminal behavior alleged in the complaint takes place from October onward, well after so many former Blagojevich associates had been sent to jail for corruption.

4. Governors really do worry, even in the digital age, about newspaper editorials. The complaint charges that Blagojevich tried to use state taxing leverage over Tribune Co. in its attempted sale of Wrigley Field to try to get the Chicago Tribune to change the makeup of what he sees as an overly critical editorial board. "Fire all those [expletive] people, get 'em the [expletive] out of there and get us some editorial support," he allegedly said.

5. But they don't necessarily read the editorials themselves. Page 43 states that "ROD BLAGOJEVICH asked Deputy Governor A to check to see if the Tribune has recently 'advocate[d]' that he be impeached."

Related links

• Rod Blagojevich: His years in public office Photos
• Patricia Blagojevich: First Lady, wife, mother
  
• Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrested on federal charges
  
• Pressure on Blagojevich
• U.S.: Senate pick was for sale
• Chicago Tribune withheld publishing at U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald's request
• Governor's wife supported his pay-to-play Senate scheme, complaint alleges
• FBI moves in with pre-dawn call to Blagojevich
• Statement from Gerould Kern, editor of the Chicago Tribune
• Tribune Co., State of Illinois in Wrigley Field sale talks
• Some Illinois lawmakers call for Blagojevich to resign
• Quotes from Gov. Rod Blagojevich
• Patrick Fitzgerald profile (March 2007)
• 'Mr. Un-Popularity': Chicago Magazine profile of Gov. Blagojevich (February 2008 )
• U.S. Attorney's Press Release
• Criminal Complaint
• Trouble in office
• Timeline of the Blagojevich investigation
• Graphic: An investigation timeline
• Corruption timeline Multimedia
• Gov. Blagojevich arrested
• Blagojevich coverage

[jmichna]

Behind every "successful" man stands a strong woman:

Governor's wife supported his pay-to-play Senate scheme, complaint alleges
By Stacy St. Clair
Tribune Reporter
December 10, 2008
An unflattering portrait depicting Illinois First Lady Patricia Blagojevich as a modern-day Lady Macbeth who plotted against her husband's perceived enemies and backed his corrupt schemes emerged in court documents connected to the governor's arrest Tuesday.

Her alleged ambitions and brashness are outlined in a 76-page federal criminal complaint: She helped her husband hatch a plan to sell President-elect Barack Obama's old U.S. Senate seat. She angled to trade her husband's power for lucrative spots on corporate boards. And she unleashed an obscenity-filled tirade suggesting Tribune Co. ownership should "just fire" Chicago Tribune editorial writers if the company wanted the state to help it unload Wrigley Field to ease its crushing debt.

"Hold up that [expletive] Cubs [expletive]," she is quoted as saying in the background as her husband talked on the phone, authorities alleged. "[Expletive] them."

Patricia Blagojevich, 43, has not been charged with wrongdoing.

The affidavit also alleges she participated in a two-hour conference call last month in which she, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his aides discussed selling Obama's seat in exchange for her placement on paid corporate boards. Patricia Blagojevich suggested she would be qualified for such positions because she has a background in real estate and appraisals, while the governor stated that he hoped she would pull in at least $150,000 annually to alleviate the family's "financial stress," according to the complaint.

When the governor mulled appointing himself to the Senate seat, one of the arguments in favor was that it would be easier for his wife to become a lobbyist, authorities alleged.

The first lady, who did not attend her husband's bail hearing Tuesday, is no stranger to rough-and-tumble politics. She grew up the oldest daughter of longtime ward boss Ald. Richard Mell (33rd), bearing witness to the ways of the Chicago Machine since grade school.

Patricia Blagojevich famously feuded with her father after Mell accused the governor of pay-to-play politics in 2005, though they briefly reconciled after her mother's death two years ago. Despite their chilly relationship in recent years, Mell expressed concern for his daughter Tuesday—but not for his son-in-law.

"It's a terrible day, terrible," he said. "My main concern right now is for my daughter and my grandchildren. That's all I want to say right now."

The Blagojeviches never moved to Springfield, opting instead to raise their two young daughters in their Ravenswood Manor home. While championing such causes as literacy, children's health care and public breast feeding, the first lady, who has a degree in economics from the University of Illinois, continued to work as a real-estate agent until a federal investigation heated up.

The first lady's once-lucrative real estate career suffered after her most famous client, Antoin "Tony" Rezko, was convicted on political corruption charges. A Tribune investigation revealed she earned more than $700,000 in commissions on other deals after her husband began raising money in 2000 for his first gubernatorial campaign.

Of those commissions, the Tribune found more than three-quarters came from clients with connections.

As her commissions faded, she briefly took a job as an investment banker. She touted her ability to land state business upon her hiring with a local banking house, but those deals never materialized and she soon left.

In September, she began working as a full-time fundraiser for the Chicago Christian Industrial League—a job she obtained after a longtime political ally of the governor talked to the director of the non-profit homeless agency.

A spokeswoman for the agency said Tuesday that Patricia Blagojevich still worked at the agency, but declined further comment.

The first lady's office also declined comment, referring inquiries to the governor's spokesman.

sstclair@tribune.com

[Etta Place]

I have changed my mind about Obama or someone from his team being behind the tip-off to the FBI. It could still be true, but I'm thinking it's probably someone in Chicago - closer to the governor.

The most powerful person in Illinois politics is not David Axelrod. Not Valerie Jarrett. Not either the Daleys. Not either of the Madigans. Not Patrick Fitzgerald. It's the person who dropped a dime on Rod Blagojevich, and it's all the people who have information that Fitzgerald might be interested in. Someone dropped a dime on the Senate seat matter. Someone got fed up with the pettiness and went to the U.S. Attorney

This picture is priceless. Note the sign on the post.


Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves his home on Chicago's Northwest Side through the back alley Wednesday morning. (John H. White/Sun-Times)

Obama to Blago: Resign

President-elect Barack Obama called for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to resign on Wednesday, hours after the embattled governor reported for work amid charges he plotted to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat. Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said the president-elect thinks that "under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois."

Chicago Sun-Times

[Brickboy240]

I really don't know alot about Blogo...but just by what we have seen of him in the past 48 hours...he seems like a real ass. Typical of the IL/Chicago political machine.

...and what the hell is up with this guy's hair? Its absolutely awful! Does he really think that huge Elvis pomp looks good? Man...does he need a "***** eye" makeover!

You Obamanistas got your "change" ...didn't you!

LOL

- Brickboy240

[billbrasky]

Originally Posted by jmichna

Behind every "successful" man stands a strong woman:

hee hee more similarities to italian crime families, he married the daughter of a known ward boss. Its just like marrying a capo's daughter, get a sweet gig at the teamsters union, no show construction job etc. He married into chicago political crime family. This is exactly what blago wanted. HE didnt want to be caught of course, but of all the girls in the world to marry, he picks the daughter of a well known ward boss. The future he has now, thats the future he wanted. There is no other reason. He was no swept up in a moment of power, or something. This was his passion, this is what he probably dreamed of since he was a young teen.

[billbrasky]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

I really don't know alot about Blogo...but just by what we have seen of him in the past 48 hours...he seems like a real ass. Typical of the IL/Chicago political machine.

...and what the hell is up with this guy's hair? Its absolutely awful! Does he really think that huge Elvis pomp looks good? Man...does he need a "***** eye" makeover!

You Obamanistas got your "change" ...didn't you!

LOL

- Brickboy240

no joke, for a second in that picture etta posted up him by the telephone pole with the rat poster, i thought he was wearing a russian fur hat, then i was like ohh thats his hair. Odd hair for sure.

I think the same guy that does trumps hair must also do blagos.

[lance22]

Looks like Chicago is already a gulag.

[Brickboy240]

Did you see the photos of Blogo's house? Pretty big house...must use quite a big carbon footprint to heat in that chilly Chicago winter, eh?

Did you also notice the two large SUVs in the driveway? I bet neither were hybrids!

I thought these leftys were big environmentalists...hmmm...seems as if Blogo and Al Gore are cut from the same "do as i say" green cloth...right?

Man...I am sooo sick of these guys.

What is wrong with Illinois?

- Brickboy240

[billbrasky]

Originally Posted by Brickboy240

Did you see the photos of Blogo's house? Pretty big house...must use quite a big carbon footprint to heat in that chilly Chicago winter, eh?

Did you also notice the two large SUVs in the driveway? I bet neither were hybrids!

I thought these leftys were big environmentalists...hmmm...seems as if Blogo and Al Gore are cut from the same "do as i say" green cloth...right?

Man...I am sooo sick of these guys.

What is wrong with Illinois?

- Brickboy240

it barely made the underground news, but a few months ago, i think sept gore purchases a 100 ft boat, i think it was 105-110 ft.

No 22 footer for the goracle. He is a god among men.

What environmentalist, and socialist can even rationalize a sail boat, i mean sure it runs on wind, but that $300,000 -couple million boat could feed many crack heads. I just dont get how these do as i say, not as i live folks remain in high regard to the leftist kool aide drinkers.

100 ft boat, what a flipping jerk.

[Captain Jack]

Jessie Jackson Jr is covering his arse with his "I thought, mistakenly..." speech. Barf city. He's so full of it.