| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: Politix |
| Obama Senate Seat For Sale? |
| 2008-12-09 |
| The criminal complaint filed today against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich contains a remarkable section detailing the Democratic politician's alleged attempt to cash in on his ability to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. Attached to the U.S. District Court complaint is an FBI affidavit, excerpted below, alleging that Blagojevich was caught on wiretaps noting that the Senate seat "is a fucking valuable thing, you just don't give it away for nothing." He was also recorded saying that 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." According to the surreptitiously recorded conversations, Blagojevich spoke with associates about the possibility of trading the Senate post for either an ambassadorship or a Cabinet post. The Democratic politician, according to the affidavit sworn by FBI Agent Daniel Cain, "analogized his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to various teams." Blagojevich, 51, and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested this morning on political corruption charges. |
| Posted by:tipper |
| #11 np :-) |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-12-09 20:21 |
| #10 Sorry! |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2008-12-09 19:44 |
| #9 Or buy me a video card with that 3200x1600 resolution. |
| Posted by: Nimble Spemble 2008-12-09 18:18 |
| #8 BP - use the linky tool (the little globe icon) on the comment script. please |
| Posted by: Frank G 2008-12-09 17:38 |
| #7 ROFL, BP. Great find. "*Note Senate Seat not Actually for Sale" Oh, yes it is. Just not by you, eBay seller. >:-( |
| Posted by: Barbara Skolaut 2008-12-09 17:32 |
| #6 Yep, looks like the store is still open for business... Illinois law allows Blagojevich to make an appointment while in jail. While the decision would be a disaster for Democrats politically, no one is ruling out that prospect. Any candidate appointed by the jailed governor would be immediately tainted, and would face immense hurdles winning on their own in 2010. Blagojevich could also appoint a caretaker to the seat, but that also would not bode well for Democrats politically. Having a sitting Democratic senator from Illinois appointed by a jailed governor would hurt the partyÂ’s chances of holding the seat in 2010. Lieutenant governor Pat Quinn would take over if Blagojevich was forced to step down. HeÂ’s from the progressive wing of the state Democratic party, and is very close with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) Schakowsky was not considered a frontrunner in the appointment process, but could get newfound consideration if Quinn becomes governor. |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-12-09 14:33 |
| #5 |
| Posted by: GolfBravoUSMC 2008-12-09 13:46 |
| #4 Apparently, at this point, he can appoint from jail! Haste is being made to impeach him to stop this appointment. |
| Posted by: Sherry 2008-12-09 13:40 |
| #3 So with Blago apparently out of the picture, who makes the appointment now? And what will his price be? |
| Posted by: tu3031 2008-12-09 13:19 |
| #2 Less than what was spent on the Presidency. Unless the owners get into a bidding war like they do with their other hobby, professional sports teams. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-12-09 13:06 |
| #1 So, how much is a seat in the Senate worth these days? |
| Posted by: Richard of Oregon 2008-12-09 13:04 |