When I heard that FBI agents were camped outside Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s house, ready to place him under arrest, I wasn’t surprised. Though I have been a resident of Illinois fewer than two years, I was almost immediately apprised of Blagojevic
When I heard that FBI agents were camped outside Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s house, ready to place him under arrest, I wasn’t surprised. Though I have been a resident of Illinois fewer than two years, I was almost immediately apprised of Blagojevich’s imminent felon status. The governor was under investigation since before his second swearing in, and the only question was when, not if, the feds would reel him in.
Still, the depth of Blagojevich’s alleged transgressions, revealed in the criminal complaint filed by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, was a bit surprising. Blagojevich was allegedly actively trading on his constitutional responsibility to name a U.S. Senator to replace President-elect Barack Obama. He called it “gold” and a “parachute.” He mused about getting a Cabinet post, or an ambassadorship, or a hefty paycheck (and one for his wife, Patti) in exchange for naming someone to the position.
He did all this speculating on the senate seat while his phone was bugged and one of his close advisors was wearing a wire. He did all of this knowing full well that the feds were watching his butt and listening in. He did all of this knowing that impeachment or a federal trial was coming. In fact, he did it because he knew they were coming, and he needed money to pay his legal fees and take care of his family.
What has been most surprising, however, is the shameless, naked ambition being exhibited as Blagojevich’s career twists in the wind. The ink on the criminal complaint was hardly dry when Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn stepped up to call for his former running mate, and former friend, to step down. It is a self-serving call, one that directly benefits him. Quinn seems to be supporting every possible scenario being offered up to rid the state of Blagojevich. He wants to be governor. He wants to appoint a senator and have a special election, and he wants Blagojevich to step down, and he supports impeachment and doesn’t mind that Attorney General Lisa Madigan wants to get the state Supreme Court to rule Blagojevich “disabled.”
Madigan, herself, is oblivious to the tastelessness of her push for this extraordinary step, while she has not hidden her desire to be governor. Here she is, standing in front of the cameras, talking about Blagojevich being unfit for the job, while she uses her office to campaign for the position. Meanwhile, her father, Mike Madigan, the Speaker of the House, begins impeachment proceedings to oust Blagojevich.
Conflict of interest? Obviously, it doesn’t exist in Illinois.
Everyone smells the blood in the water, and they are circling. Unfortunately, the feeding frenzy tends to suck in everyone, and soon, everyone will be bleeding.
That’s why the operative word is “taint.” Everyone who ever spent any time near Blagojevich, anyone who ever talked to him on the phone, anyone who showed up on his infamous list of senate candidates, now is soiled by the experience. Two months ago, everyone was currying the governor’s favor. Everyone is “tainted.” The senate seat is “tainted.” Even Barack Obama may be “tainted,” if you listen to Republicans. Now they are sprinting away from him, denying him four or five times before the cock crows.
But I’ve lived in Chicago long enough to know that the real operative word in Chicago politics, in Illinois politics, is “clout.” That’s why the biggest surprise about this Blagojevich scandal is that he was so stupid about playing the game. It is, after all, how the game is played in Illinois. You exchange your political clout for whatever it is you want, whether it is more political clout or money. You get your kids a $1,500 gift. You get your wife a cushy job. You get your children elected.
It is funny hearing Lisa Madigan ranting about Blagojevich’s unfitness for office because he tried to trade clout for money, or a government job, while she knows she has her position in large part because her father traded on his clout.
Meanwhile, Illinois will go without its full complement of U.S. Senators, and the state is held up to national ridicule because of this, the latest in a sordid string of criminal behavior involving the state’s chief executive. The surprise is that there is surprise.
Lou Ransom is Executive Editor of the Chicago Defender. He can be reached via email at lransom@chicagodefender.com
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