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Rezko, the Illinois Governor and Obama's Senate Replacement

Submitted by mark karlin on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 2:30pm.

EditorBlog

THE BUZZFLASH EDITOR'S BLOG: The View from Chicago
by Mark Karlin

Since the presidential campaign was decided on November 4, the name Tony Rezko has largely vanished from the national news. That is because, as BuzzFlash repeatedly reported from our perch in the Windy City, the Rezko case (overseen by Patrick Fitzgerald) is not about Barack Obama, but rather the Feds in hot pursuit of the allegedly "pay to play" Democratic Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich.

On December 5th, the Chicago Tribune announced that the Feds had taped Blagojevich recently as he spoke about the Rezko investigation with his former Congressional Chief of Staff, John Wyma (now a lobbyist with big connections; i.e, Blagojevich). Wyma, according to the Tribune (and likely leaked by the Feds as an effort to break loose information from Rezko and other "witnesses") was, as they say, "wired." On December 6th, the Chicago Sun-Times ran a story in which Wyma's attorney appeared to refute the Tribune story, but left enough "parsing of words maneuvering room" to leave one wondering if he was just technically taking issue with the Tribune leak.

In any case, the Tribune steamrolled ahead on Saturday with its potentially explosive break in the Fitzgerald effort to nail Blagojevich (and his wife, we might add, in regards to her real estate practice and state business). It noted that whoever is appointed by Blagojevich to replace Obama in the Senate might be tainted by having to cozy up to "Blago," and then immediately distance him/herself from the toxic governor.

After all Blagojevich has an approval rating lower than the temperature in Chicago right now -- and it is freezing! In addition, the Feds are circling the wagons with stories like this one breaking: "FBI searches stores owned by Blagojevich fundraiser."

After months and months of the U.S. Attorney's office investigation and indictments, Fitzgerald seems to be signaling that it's time to reel in the big fish, "Blago" himself. And he is letting those who have been hesitant to offer information that could help indict Blagojevich know that they better come in with their lawyers and cut a deal now because the train is about to pull out of the station.

As BuzzFlash has said for months, the Republican (and earlier Hillary Clinton campaign) efforts to tarnish Obama with Rezko were groundless. Obama never gave anything of the public purse in return for Rezko's fundraising; Blagojevich, it would seem, did. But that is for a court to decide, when the anticipated indictments come down.

"Blago" is making the pick of an individual to replace Obama a big guessing game and being his usual rock headed inscrutable self. But, as the Tribune points, out, whoever is picked better shake the Governor's hand and run like Hell. No one running for office in two years (as Obama's replacement will need to do) wants to be caught anywhere near the Illinois Governor right now. And Dick Durbin has cautioned the Governor about appointing a "caretaker" who won't run in two years. That could hurt the Democratic chances of holding the seat in 2010, even if Illinois is pretty much a blue state.

But "Blago" better make his decision soon. It would be kind of unseemly to make the Obama replacement announcement just before our "Rod" gets arraigned.

THE BUZZFLASH EDITOR'S BLOG: The View from Chicago

Welllll......geeez

Submitted by Michael Lowery on Wed, 12/10/2008 - 10:28am.

Well, in light of the events over the last day, I have to concede that I was wrong. Fitz DID have evidence that was not public about Blago until December 9, that is.

Impeachment is needed asap

Submitted by Neva Stoltz on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 9:17am.

Agree with you totally, the scared is as corrupt as they come. Just another Illinois corrupt politician. Hopefully Daley will be next and his combine of crooks.

Obama

Submitted by jrysk on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 5:11pm.

"That is because, as BuzzFlash repeatedly reported from our perch in the Windy City, the Rezko case (overseen by Patrick Fitzgerald) is not about Barack Obama, but rather the Feds in hot pursuit of the allegedly "pay to play" Democratic Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich." Yes, and you have been REPEATEDLY wrong. The prosecution pulled Obama's name from the Rezko trial precisely BECAUSE there is so much evidence against him. In particular his criminal activity involved in the 2003 board legislation. If you weren't so blinded by your idiotic political philosophy, you would pay more attention to the facts. For readers of this blog, in order to find out what Obama's criminal role is in connection with Rezko, General Med, Auchi et al., just read Evelyn Pringle's online "Curtain Time" articles. And ignore this utterly ridiculous BuzzFlash website. It is run by idiots.

"It is run by idiots."

Submitted by mcartri on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 12:16am.

Ksyrj, Me thinks you have something backwards. Write "Idiot" backwards on the rear of an ambulance, then park in front of the ambulance and tilt your rearview mirror down to see yourself. Can you see "Ambulance" written on your forehead? Keep looking if you don't. See it yet? If you don't, find another ambulance and do all this over again. When you finally find one it works on, come back on a site obviously visited by aliens and idiots on occasion...

Eye rolling...

Submitted by Inspired1 on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 11:19pm.

Yes, yes...I read all about Obama in the Weekly World News and World Net Daily.... Why are you here? You know how little kids clap and laugh when an adult says or does something silly..... ....you make funny...

Sorry but...

Submitted by Michael Lowery on Sat, 12/06/2008 - 5:59pm.

Sorry but YOU are the one who is wrong and laden with an "idiotic political philosophy". You are the one who needs to pay more attention to the facts. Obama's record is as clean and uncluttered with scandal as anybody in politics today. Evelyn Pringle wrote several essays in support of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic candidate for president. Her articles were so biased that they spew nothing but blind and inaccurate prattle and distorted facts. Your stated reason the prosecution dropped the case, "BECAUSE there is so much evidence against him" is absolutely absurd. I predict that Fitzgerald will indict neither Obama nor Blagojevich.

I would say "patently"

Submitted by Gregory Lynn Kruse on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 9:46am.

Absurd. I don't slap my cat "precisely BECAUSE" he chews on so many electrical cords, especially at Christmas time. My intelligence doesn't penetrate very far beyond my own house and local stores and schools, but I think I know that you have to start out making deals with criminals if you want to be a politician. The rationale for running is that only a small portion of criminals get caught and even fewer get punished. Blago has been able to eat all the best food for quite a few years and he hasn't been punished yet. Obama has so much charm that he somehow blew right past most of the worst stuff on his way to the Presidency. That doesn't mean he won't be a politician in high office, If he ever thought he could be the president of the US without eventually getting his hands covered in blood, he doesn't deserve the privilege.

Pretty Dismal outlook

Submitted by Michael Lowery on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 12:30pm.

I have been involved in politics enough to have a realistic perception of what goes on in this country in this field - and it ain't always pretty. However, there are many very decent, moral and ethical people working for the good of our country who are involved in politics, at least at the grassroots level. I know that Obama is not a saint and, like the rest of us, has his own imperfections. Having the privilege of running for a local county office at the same time he ran for US senate, our paths crossed, and I found him to be an unusually thoughtful and gracious person for some one who was 'in politics'. In fact, one of my first memories of him was musing "this guy should be a social worker, not a politician." I stand on my original comment. This is NOT saying he is perfect, but merely stating that he "... is as clean and uncluttered with scandal as anybody in politics today. Give him time and you too will hold this opinion - unless you look with a viewpoint based in partisan bias. There's a lot more out there beyond your home and local stores

Yes and No

Submitted by wizardofohm on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 2:06am.

I agree that the previous argument stating that prosecution would drop the case because they have too much evidence is pure short bus material. But why wouldn't they indict Blago? It would be nothing short of a blessing for the entire Illinois democratic party. With Blagojevich's approval rating as dismal as Bush's, allowing him to remain in power would have the same effect Bush had on the republican ticket nation wide. Illinois Dems can't afford not to prosecute Blago.

Beyond Blago

Submitted by Michael Lowery on Sun, 12/07/2008 - 12:51pm.

It is my understanding that the evidence against Governor Blagojevich is meager - having only verbal testimony from a questionable character. Fitzgerald will need more to make an indictment and he may well have it. However, it has not been made public if it exists. I have a feeling that this could very likely be a 'witch hunt' by the Republican party in an effort to turn Illinois red. Furthermore, the troubles in Illinois do not emanate from the governor's office alone. Others with their eye on the governor's job contribute to many impasses that have occurred in the last few years. To blame Blagojevich solely, overlooks the political ambitions and motives from other politicians involved in state government. That being said, I agree the head butting between two prominent Democrats here in Illinois is hurting all of us and may damage the Democratic party in the long run.

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