The Selling Of The Senate

The Rod Blagojevich saga has been going on for years, but right at the time when he wields tremendous power, empowered to choose a successor to Barack Obama for the US Senate, he has been taken into federal custody in a widening corruption probe, one that includes the Senate selection process itself:

A three-year federal corruption investigation of pay-to-play politics in Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration has expanded to include his impending selection of a new U.S. senator to succeed President-elect Barack Obama, the Tribune has learned.

Federal authorities got approval from a judge before the November general election to secretly record the governor, sources told the Tribune, and among their concerns was whether the selection process might be tainted. That possibility has become a focus in an intensifying investigation that has included recordings of the governor and the cooperation of one of his closest friends.

A 76-page FBI affidavit alleges that Blagojevich was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps during the last month conspiring to sell or trade Illinois' U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife. At various times, in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining:

• a substantial salary for himself at a either a non-profit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions;
• placing his wife on paid corporate boards where he speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year;
• promises of campaign funds – including cash up front; and
• a cabinet post or ambassadorship for himself.

It is expected that the seat will be filled by the end of the month. Would Blagojevich be dismissed in time for him not to choose the next Senator from Illinois? Or will that Senator be chosen by somebody from a jail cell. This is bizarre.

Here's the criminal complaint. Blagojevich is a true scumbag. Political corruption does not have a partisan face. I don't think you'll see one liberal blogger defending Blagojevich today.

...This is incredible. From a statement released by the Office of the US Attorney, Patrick Fitzgerald:

In the earliest intercepted conversation about the Senate seat described in the affidavit, Blagojevich told Deputy Governor A on November 3 that if he is not going to get anything of value for the open seat, then he will take it for himself: "if . . . they're not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it." Later that day, speaking to Advisor A, Blagojevich said: "I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain." He added later that the seat "is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing."

The election was on November 4.