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Master of delusion: IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich thought he might run for president in 2016

Submitted by Chad on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 12:45pm.

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
by Chad Rubel

Given that we are in Illinois and extensively follow state politics, you would think BuzzFlash would have a good grasp of how Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich thinks. But as we have seen from the release from the Justice Department, Blagojevich isn't of his rational mind when it comes to his own political future.

BuzzFlash has speculated quite a bit in the last year or so that Blagojevich would appoint himself to replace Barack Obama, should Obama be the presidential nominee and win in November. Turns out we were right.

From the Justice Department:

"Throughout the intercepted conversations, Blagojevich also allegedly spent significant time weighing the option of appointing himself to the open Senate seat and expressed a variety of reasons for doing so, including: frustration at being "stuck" as governor; a belief that he will be able to obtain greater resources if he is indicted as a sitting Senator as opposed to a sitting governor; a desire to remake his image in consideration of a possible run for President in 2016; avoiding impeachment by the Illinois legislature; making corporate contacts that would be of value to him after leaving public office; facilitating his wife's employment as a lobbyist; and generating speaking fees should he decide to leave public office.

"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."
There was also a conversation from Blagojevich on his chances of a cabinet position, such as Health and Human Services and Energy, or an ambassadorship.

When we first speculated about Blagojevich picking himself, the idea of getting him out of Springfield was a win-win-win-win situation. Even without the arrest, allegations, and potential indictments, Blagojevich was not loved in the capital by Democrats, Republicans, and probably Independents.

And the Senate was his only shot of escape, and that was only because as long as he had the power of the governorship, he could pick himself. There were no illusions of a Cabinet post or ambassadorship outside of Blagojevich's head. And as for president, Blagojevich wouldn't even have won Illinois in a primary if there were no one else on the ballot.

As for the belief that "he will be able to obtain greater resources if he is indicted as a sitting Senator as opposed to a sitting governor," that would be cynical but perhaps true. But it certainly wouldn't have put the Democratic Party or the U.S. Senate in a good light. The power of the governor is absolute -- that person can pick anyone that is qualified for the Senate (at least 30 years of age, a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and a resident of that state). Blagojevich fits the requirement.

When we were asked who Blagojevich would pick, our collective shoulders shrugged. And now with good reason, according to the Justice Department. The allegations of trying to sell off the Senate seat to a high bidder completely distort the process that normally is a peaceful one, picking a Senatorial successor.

We also wondered why Blagojevich said the process would take a considerable timeframe, closer to Christmas. After all, Obama has been the nominee since June, and been president-elect for five weeks now. Delaware Governor Ruth Ann Minner already named Joe Biden's replacement, and she has had only since August to consider the decision. If the allegations against Blagojevich are true, they would explain the long timeframe needed to select a replacement.

And if the allegations are true, states will have to come up with a way to ensure that governors don't sell off this constitutional right to the highest bidder.

Related Coverage:

Illinois Dem Governor Rod Blagojevich Arrested on Multiple Federal Felony Charges, As Chicago-Based BuzzFlash Has Predicted for Months -- The BuzzFlash Editor's Blog

Blagojevich Plotted To Trade Senate Appointment for a Job of His Own -- And Even May Have Soon Named Himself Senator -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

BuzzFlash Summary of Criminal Complaints Against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich: Just Staggering Greed -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

Master of delusion: IL Gov. Rod Blagojevich thought he might run for president in 2016 -- A BuzzFlash News Analysis

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky Calls for Immediate Resignation or Impeachment of Blagojevich -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

Fitzgerald: 'He attempted to sell the Senate seat' -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

To thwart Blagojevich, Dick Durbin wants a special election for Obama's Senate seat -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

Meet Pat Quinn: the man who might pick Barack Obama's Senate replacement -- A BuzzFlash News Alert

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ANALYSIS
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We may not have to worry about him much longer

Submitted by SWelker (not verified) on Tue, 01/13/2009 - 6:19pm.
Gov.Blagojevich may not have much longer left in office. He DID get impeached, but his lack of response is puzzling. He really doesn't think that he did anything wrong, and it seems clear that something isn't right. Once an official gets impeached, historically speaking, the odds aren't in their favor. Impeached federal officials fare better than state officials - using the historical record, his odds are as follows: 59% chance of being removed (10 of 17) 17.6% chance of acquittal (3 of 17) 11.7% chance of resignation (2 of 17) 5.8% chance of suspension from office (1 of 17) 5.8% chance of charges being dropped (1 of 17; same case) 5.8% chance of only getting censured (1 of 17) Still, that means that there is 76.5% chance that he will be leaving office one way or another. (13 of 17 left office.) I think it's in the people of Illinois' best interest that he does, as his credibility is severely compromised.
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Was he already acquitted of

Submitted by Maximillian on Fri, 01/09/2009 - 3:19am.
Was he already acquitted of the charge against on him? I think he must solve first his issue before making a plot to his political ambition. The country is facing lots of problem and he must think of a solurion rather than creating a problem. Nowadays, most of America struggles with debt in one fashion or another and the amount of it that each American carries has only increased over the last thirty years. Payday loans, credit cards, mortgages, new cars every three or four years, there are so many ways for a person to rack up all kinds of debt easily. The thing is that we've accepted the idea of buying more and more things on credit to get what we want right when we want it – not exactly the greatest thinking strategy when it comes to financial planning. Consumer credit debt, regardless of how unpleasant it may be, has to be dealt with eventually. Interest rates are on the down slope right now, so if you want to get into debt consolidation, whether through getting some payday loans to take care of it or a home equity loan; this is the time to do it. There are good points to any option you look at, but make sure you weigh your options before you take action. You can read more in the article posted on the payday loans blog at personalmoneystore.com. However, there are still politicians who want to get rid of the financial option of the people. And they are merely violating our financial freedom. Politicians must think of a solution to our problem rather than creating another one and they must think first of the things of the welfare of the country. But sad to say that as time goes by politics is getting dirtier and dirtier.
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Delusional ?

Submitted by pursang on Tue, 12/09/2008 - 2:31pm.
Delusional ? Blagojevich has nothing in that regard relative to our Guv Palin. She's at least his equal but beings I'm Alaskan, so therefore biased, I give her the title hands down !! LOL
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