Fitzgerald On Blagojevich’s ‘Political Corruption Crime Spree’: It Would ‘Make Lincoln Roll Over In His Grave’
Fitzgerald On Blagojevich’s ‘Political Corruption Crime Spree’: It Would ‘Make Lincoln Roll Over In His Grave’
In a press conference explaining the arrest and the corruption charges filed against Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL), U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald — who successfully prosecuted Scooter Libby — declared the current case as a “new low.” Fitzgerald described the charges as a “political corruption crime spree.”
Noting that Blagojevich has been under investigation for years for pay-to-play corruption charges, Fitzgerald expressed his amazement that the activity would continue. “You might have thought in that environment, pay-to-play would have slowed down. The opposite happened. It sped up,” he said.
The “most cynical behavior” by Blagojevich pertained to his attempt to sell the open Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama, Fitzgerald said:
The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave. The governor’s own words describing the Senate seat: “It’s a [bleeping] valuable thing. You just don’t give it away for nothing.” Another quote: “I’ve got this thing and it’s [bleeping] golden. I’m just not giving it up for [bleeping] nothing. I’m not going to do it. I can always use it — I can parachute me there.”
Fitzgerald emphasized: “I should make clear that the complaint makes no allegations about the President-elect whatsoever, his conduct.” Watch a portion of the press conference:
In his private conversations, Blagojevich indignantly referred to Barack Obama as a “motherf*cker” and repeatedly cussed him out because Obama refused to engage in the pay-to-play scheme. Blagojevich complained about giving this “motherf*cker [Obama] his senator. F*ck him. For nothing? F*ck him.”
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35 Responses to “Fitzgerald On Blagojevich’s ‘Political Corruption Crime Spree’: It Would ‘Make Lincoln Roll Over In His Grave’”
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Watch the wingers try to weave a path between Blago and Obama. Why? The assumption being "we're filty dirty so he must be, too."
PEACE
December 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pmGreed and stupidity - not a good combination.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pm- - Been reading the front page at TPM. If this stuff is accurate, Blagojevich, and his wife, are real scum buckets.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:57 pmSounds a lot like the old days of Chicago's first Mayor Daley.
December 9th, 2008 at 12:58 pm#1: Watch the wingers try to weave a path between Blago and Obama
- - Obama wouldn't "play ball." A key tidbit from the DOJ statement on Gov. Blagojevich's attempt "to sell or trade" Obama's vacant senate seat: Blago thought the Obama team was "not willing to give me anything except appreciation" for tapping their preferred candidate. "[Expletive] them," Blago is reported to have said.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:00 pmAt a minimum I hope Barack decides to re-appoint Fitzgerald as the US Attorney for that district of Illinois. More appropriately I hope he appoints Fitz as the Deputy AG. Talk about bringing dignity back to the DOJ!
December 9th, 2008 at 1:02 pmIf the allegations are true, Make-An-Example-Of-Him and any accomplices. The American public is so f#cking sick and tired of people like this destroying the principles behind the Constitution. After 8 years of the bush mafia, there should be advanced a just, but ZERO TOLERANCE policy on this crap.
Long overdue for Change: Arrogant, self-serving b@stard liar representatives need not apply, that's what the GOP is for...
December 9th, 2008 at 1:03 pmBlajogevich? CHECK YOUR SPELLING TP
December 9th, 2008 at 1:06 pmI wonder if the MSM will report that President-Elect Obama was not named in this indictment, refused to play along with Blago, and that Blago said "f*** Obama".
Probably not.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:08 pm“they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them.”
“It’s a [bleeping] valuable thing. You just don’t give it away for nothing.” Another quote: “I’ve got this thing and it’s [bleeping] golden. I’m just not giving it up for [bleeping] nothing. I’m not going to do it. I can always use it — I can parachute me there.”
This, unfortunately, is how business is done in our government now, and it is not a partizan issue. Most of them handle these matters with a bit more discretion, but this IS how too many handle their public service offices. We have some honesty out there, but the last 8 years helped weed out a lot of that. Now we have to hope that integrity can return, not just to the white house, but to the entire political field.
Every single politician in an elected position who wields abuseable authority should be examined, and any and all wrongdoings prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This includes everyone in the outgoing administration, particularly in light of our nation's horrible situation. (although I suspect that neither of these things will occur to any appreciable degree -- but time will tell).
December 9th, 2008 at 1:10 pmJaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin Says:
I wonder if the MSM will report that President-Elect Obama was not named in this indictment, refused to play along with Blago, and that Blago said “f*** Obama”.
Probably not.
Fox has already mentioned Fitz's emphasis that Obama is not involved. By that, I assume the others have too and will continue to do so.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pmNot to make any excuses for this crook, but repugs still hold the czar of corruption title.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:11 pmNFS. When I first started visiting antique shops, I was puzzled by the little NFS signs sitting in various places. Eventually I asked someone what the abbreviation, NFS, stood for. I was informed that NFS stood for Not For Sale. Apparently, there were no NFS signs anywhere in the office of the Illinois Governor.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pm8. rastaman Says:
Blajogevich? CHECK YOUR SPELLING TP
I like how one commenter termed them on TPM: "Governor and Mrs. Expletive."
December 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pmI think Blagojevich thought he was playing a caricature of a corrupt governor in a movie.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:12 pmPat has been working on this for years and just collecting evidence along the way. Don't think Pat has forgotten about Cheney with the cloud over his head either. Obama/Biden and AG Eric Holder would be wise to put Fitz in a job that would scare criminals away or at lease make them think twice about breaking the Law. Don't bother to ask Randall Samborn for information as he will always say " No Comment".
December 9th, 2008 at 1:13 pmbigeugene Says: I think Blagojevich thought he was playing a caricature of a corrupt governor in a movie.
- - Blago puts Huey Long to shame.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pmJackie at 16:
An excellent idea. It would also be a declaration to the world that no matter how rotten Illinois politics may be, Obama is innocent of the taint. Killing two birds with one stone.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:17 pmMmmm, maybe we do really have an HONEST President Elect, sure can't say that about the present one.
glad to hear that Obama wasn't going to be a sell out.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:30 pmWhat's Fitz doing next? Lehman and Tenet Health could stand some investigation.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:31 pmSomeone needs to give Fitz a promotion. Good job man.
December 9th, 2008 at 1:40 pmConsidering that this was standard operating procedure under Bush, is it any surprise that other scumbags would want to dip their beaks as well?
December 9th, 2008 at 2:14 pmAccording to the affadavit, there was one person (Senate Candidate #5) who was willing to go along with the "pay to play" thing. That person isn't named (yet), but will be fairly soon I suspect. There are currently 5 top contenders, and an additional 3 outsiders on the list. These are:
Lisa Madigan, Il State Attorney General
December 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pmRep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., U.S. rep
Tammy Duckworth, Il Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, U.S. rep
Emil Jones, Il Senate President
Alex Giannoulis, Il State Treasurer
Rep. Danny Davis, U.S. rep
Rep. Luis Gutierez, U.S. rep
I'm wondering what Scooter Libby's, Karl Rove's, Dick Cheney's and George Bush's crimes would make Lincoln do?
Any thoughts Fitz?
December 9th, 2008 at 2:34 pmThis is a great, "shoe on the other foot" situation. If this had been a reich-wing Repuke that got caught, we would be hearing nothing but excuses, complete denials and/or finger pointing in other directions. Without doubt there would be some "liberal witch hunt" alegations. Maybe even some blame for Clinton, too. I hope it was the Obama team that turned him in- now that would be real change!
December 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pmMy bet is that Senate Candidate #5 if Emil Jones. Guy definitely has some dirt in his backyard.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:35 pmFitz for AG...
Duckworth for Senator.
December 9th, 2008 at 2:52 pmAnyone notice that the Abramoff 13 didn't get this kind of coverage. There is media saturation for Blagojavich, but that kind of coverage was lacking for current Cal. Gov. Arnolds involvement with Ken Lay and Enron in 2001. Or Bobby Jindal's exorcism. Or Jeb Bush's obvious conflict of interest in the 2000 election. How come we haven't heard quotes of wiretaps on Republicans?
December 9th, 2008 at 3:19 pmLooks like the "bleeping" governor is a "bleeping" crook.
Such language!!
December 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pmBlagojevich even tried to drag a kid into this.
Unbelievable!
December 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pmI wonder who's next. Consider the following article from today's Florida newspapers:
TAMPA, FL -- Governor Charlie Crist took a 12-day trip to Europe this summer that was supposed to cost taxpayers $255,000. Instead, the bill was more than $430,000.
"It's absurd. I'm here filling out job applications now trying to find a job and he's spending $450,000 to go to another country. He could spend that money elsewhere here, to help people here try to find jobs or try and better the community here in Florida," said Tampa resident Aubrey Pierce.
"That's ridiculous. That's a lot of money," said Tampa resident Maycoll Gonzales.
St. Pete resident John Dadswell agreed. "Seeing that kind of money blown, it's really hard to comprehend," he said.
Governor Charlie Crist's Office released a statement that says, "Governor Crist's goal and purpose of this mission was to make immediate and long-term sales, create investment leads, promote Florida goods and services in foreign markets and learn from international leaders in the development of their high-tech products so that we may strengthen our economy at home."
The trip included stops in London, Paris, St. Petersburg and Madrid.
"I actually heard it from my grandma, who told me about it, and she used to be good friends with him and she's like, 'I can't believe somebody would do something like that,'" said John Dadswell.
Crist's entourage had more than two dozen people, including nine bodyguards.
Methinks all politicians need to be on a short leash with a lot more oversight. This is ridiculous.
December 9th, 2008 at 3:47 pmKeltoi at Night Says:
JaneaneTheAcerbicGoblin Says:
I wonder if the MSM will report that President-Elect Obama was not named in this indictment, refused to play along with Blago, and that Blago said “f*** Obama”.
Probably not.
Fox has already mentioned Fitz’s emphasis that Obama is not involved. By that, I assume the others have too and will continue to do so.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I hope you are right K on the other hand rationality isnt what I see from the wingnut contingent. For many of them facts and reality are pretty much irrelvant and charges dont have to make any sense at all for them to be made. As much as I disagree with you I havent seen YOU as one of the partisan nutbag crowd. I cant really judge what THEY will do by your rationality on a subject.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:16 pmWe need someone with scruples similiar to to Fitzgerald to handly the prosecution of what really happened on September 11, 200l, and who really did it. No AlQeada or Taliban wired those buildings.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:36 pmBlogo's real mistake seems to be that he didn't have a grasp on how politics is played. Don't put a monetary value on the favor, but see what concessions you can get in other terms. Money is so crass (and traceable.)
December 9th, 2008 at 7:25 pmI want to know why this fool is not up on treason charges! This kind of "public service" is far more effective an attack on America than all the terrorists in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran put together could accomplish. This conduct demoralizes the voters and substantiates the claims that democracy is broken in this nation.
Public officials who betray their constituents should have a life sentence in Leavenworth to look forward to.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:50 pm