In the wake of the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on charges that, at least tangentially, involve Barack Hussein Obama and his US Senate seat, Obama staffers are said to be bracing for the inevitable subpoenas. As the investigation surrounding the sitting Governor of Obama's home state spreads, most observers are waiting to see how it will impact the newly elected president. Reportedly his staff are being proactive, with some lawyering up and preparing for the public scrutiny into a wildly corrupt state (Illinois) run by a largely uninterested party (Democrats).
"The breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering," U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said in a statement to
"They allege that Blagojevich put a 'for sale' sign on the naming of a United States senator; involved himself personally in pay-to-play schemes with the urgency of a salesman meeting his annual sales target; and corruptly used his office in an effort to trample editorial voices of criticism."
The arrest of the Governor and his Chief of Staff at their homes this morning put at least a temporary halt a white-collar crime spree whose highlights included trying to sell a US Senate seat, getting his wife a no-show job on a corporate board, and trying to force the dismissal of the editorial board of the Chicago Tribune. Area businesses and residents are concerned that he made bail this afternoon.
Defending himself to reporters, Blagojevich called rumors he had tried to sell Obama's seat on ebay total lies and said, "I should say if anybody wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead, feel free to do it. I appreciate anybody who wants to tape me openly and notoriously, and those who feel like they want to sneakily, and wear taping devices, I would remind them that it kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate."
Presumably these comments were made before the incredibly entertaining transcripts of his conversations were made public. Highlights are his reference to Obama's US Senate seat as "a fucking valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing," and proving himself a class act he also said 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."
All of this has led to some quick footwork today by the Obama camp, with Obama stopping just short of denying he ever heard of Blagojevich, saying he "has not spoken with" the Governor who was selling his seat. Unfortunately just a few days before, Obammunist and Politburo Chief David Axelrod stated in no uncertain terms that Obama had "spoken to him (the Governor) about his replacement." Fortunately for Obama Axelrod said he had been mistaken, and apologized for his crimes against the people. He also stated that he has now hired a food taster and car starter, at least until his story and Obama's jibe again.
All fun aside, the proximity of this scandal to Barack Hussein Obama has to leave many of us wondering if this is just an appetizer of what our republic will have to endure over the next four years.
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