# Governor Blagojevich Arrested, What Now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 9, 2008, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396 "2008-12-09T15:36:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/261 "2008-12-17T16:54:17Z")
[This ought to be amusing:](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor) "Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday he is ready to tell his side of the scandal to the people of Illinois and that he would do so no later than Thursday. “I can’t wait to begin to tell my side of the story and to address you guys and, most importantly, the people of Illinois. That’s who I’m dying to talk to,” he said as he left his home Wednesday morning for a jog." ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/262 "2008-12-17T17:00:50Z")
> [@KellyM](#): > > I’m opposed to any attempt to remove the governor through a judicial process without a showing that he’s been hit in the head by a truck or the like. Blagojevich is, to me, clearly a bad governor, but being “bad” isn’t a disability, it’s just bad. We have a process for that: impeachment. The idea of an state supreme court removing the governor on the motion of one person seems too much like a judicially sanctioned coup/ > > I don’t understand why they think impeachment will take months. I would think the Legislature is capable of moving on this pretty quickly if there really is a need for urgency – and if there is, it is to that body, and not the Supreme Court, that people should be making their cases. I agree with you completely. I get very irritated at the idea of the courts just making things happen. My husband and I were talking about this very thing…no one hates Blagojevich more than him, but he was saying, look, the guy hasn’t been convicted of anything! The courts can’t just decide he’s guilty and remove him. And your point is equally well taken…we have a process for this, and there’s no reason not to use it. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/263 "2008-12-17T17:21:06Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > [This ought to be amusing:](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081217/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor) > > "Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday he is ready to tell his side of the scandal to the people of Illinois and that he would do so no later than Thursday. I originally read that sentence as “…ready to **sell** his side of the scandal…” I wonder why I might have been inclined to do that? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/264 "2008-12-17T17:41:22Z")
Well, we get a new Christmas Carol out of it (my mom just sent this to me…no idea where she got it for a proper cite). Sung to the tune of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen: Get packin’, Rod Blagojevich. The state’s in disarray The Tribune wants you unemployed At least by Christmas Day. The TV pundits want your head Could there be pay to play? Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. Save Illinois! Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. Good riddance Rod Blagojevich. Your Elvis look’s inane, The Senate’s mad, so’s Lisa’s dad. You drive us all insane. Our transit’s broke, the state’s a joke, The Tollway’s one big pain. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. Save Illinois! Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. Good luck old Rod Blagojevich. The feds have quite a place. Fitzgerald’s poked his nose around and if he has a case, George Ryan’s moving stuff around Creating extra space. Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. Save Illinois! Oh, tidings of comfort and joy. ---
**Author:** ![Sarahfeena](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sarahfeena/32/519_2.png) [@Sarahfeena](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sarahfeena)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/265 "2008-12-17T17:46:00Z")
**Whack-a-Mole** , that was beautiful. Thanks for the laugh! ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/266 "2008-12-17T20:26:36Z")
> [@Sarahfeena](#): > > I agree with you completely. I get very irritated at the idea of the courts just making things happen. My husband and I were talking about this very thing…no one hates Blagojevich more than him, but he was saying, look, the guy hasn’t been convicted of anything! The courts can’t just decide he’s guilty and remove him. And your point is equally well taken…we have a process for this, and there’s no reason not to use it. Agreed and good news [here](http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2008/12/blagos-attorney.html). > [@](#): > > the Illinois Supreme Court rejected Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s attempt to oust Blagojevich from office, announcing that it had refused to hear a motion that deemed the governor “unfit to serve.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/267 "2008-12-17T20:31:37Z")
I remember back before this all exploded hearing Lisa Madigan’s name as a possible appointee to the seat, because it would basically “kick her upstairs” and get her out of Blago’s hair, as she was apparently a rival for the governor’s chair next election. Does Illinois see this attempt to have Blago declared unfit as a power play on Madigan’s part, to “make her name” before she starts the run for governor? If there is that perception, is it harming or helping her on that count? ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/268 "2008-12-17T20:55:43Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Does Illinois see this attempt to have Blago declared unfit as a power play on Madigan’s part, to “make her name” before she starts the run for governor? If there is that perception, is it harming or helping her on that count? Well this is opinion and not fact, but I think some people will see her request as being politically motivated. But I don’t think it will work against her for three reasons: 1) most people want Blago out, so her request doesn’t stick-out that much, 2) the request was denied, so no harm done, 3) the governor’s race is two years away. If he has some success, Quinn could be in a really good position to run for election. Lisa might be better off trying to get the senate seat. Maybe Quinn will give it to her for that reason (ironic, huh?). ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/269 "2008-12-17T21:06:53Z")
I don’t think Madigan herself had any illusions about the likelihood of the motion succeeding. It’s just theater: she has to look like she was trying something, anything, pursuing any options available to her however unlikely. Political showmanship, essentially. Note that it isn’t necessarily supposed to give her a boost (aka the “go get 'em, Lisa!” effect), but to _prevent_ a _negative_ hit (aka giving the appearance of sitting on her hands instead of trying something, anything, etc). In other words, it’s a dog-and-pony pageant, done to preserve her future political viability in the eyes of the simple-minded majority, and doesn’t represent any sort of legitimate practice of governance. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/270 "2008-12-17T21:20:47Z")
I was wondering also if it was a ploy to try to get Blago to take the “step-aside” option. Meanwhile yeah good point about Quinn being in Governor as changing her calculus some. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2008, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/271 "2008-12-17T21:37:05Z")
Anyone else think that Jan Schakowsky, who at one point was being mentioned as a possible choice for Obama’s seat, has been awfully quiet lately? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/272 "2008-12-18T03:50:38Z")
> [@Eva\_Luna](#): > > Anyone else think that Jan Schakowsky, who at one point was being mentioned as a possible choice for Obama’s seat, has been awfully quiet lately? I’m not too sure how you mean that as I don’t recall seeing her being one to draw alot of media attention to herself in the past. She’s alway done a good job in Congress and representing here constituents but I haven’t noticed her ever putting herself in the spotlight. Do you think she’s up to something? ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/273 "2008-12-18T09:04:27Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > I’m not too sure how you mean that as I don’t recall seeing her being one to draw alot of media attention to herself in the past. She’s alway done a good job in Congress and representing here constituents but I haven’t noticed her ever putting herself in the spotlight. Do you think she’s up to something? No, I don’t mean that she’s stopped drawing attention to herself as a candidate for Obama’s Senate seat - I don’t think she was ever doing that. But it seems like although she would be a perfectly logical choice, _everyone else_ has stopped mentioning her as a possibility. I wonder whether she has been doing some work behind the scenes to take herself out of the running, and if so, why? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/274 "2008-12-18T14:21:49Z")
Well, [he ain’t gonna do the only decent thing left to him and go quietly.](http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blago-genson-18dec18,0,7491918.story) :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/275 "2008-12-18T16:16:28Z")
Blago’s lawyer now says the governor won’t appoint anyone to fill Obama’s Senate seat. Hmmm. We’ll see. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/276 "2008-12-18T16:17:32Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Blago’s lawyer now says the governor won’t appoint anyone to fill Obama’s Senate seat. Hmmm. We’ll see. But if the legislature passes a bill to fill the seat by special election (as Obama has urged), will Blago veto it? ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/277 "2008-12-18T16:26:57Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > But if the legislature passes a bill to fill the seat by special election (as Obama has urged), will Blago veto it? I don’t think that bill will happen. The Dems don’t want to give up the seat (and there is a good chance they would lose it). Last I heard, Quinn said that he intended to appoint someone. When Blago was first arrested, it seemed that everyone was suggesting a general election as the only truly fair way to fill the seat. And while it would be the most fair way, I think reality has sunk in and no one wants to give up the power. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/278 "2008-12-18T17:23:39Z")
Just a hilarious possibility… ABC7 in Chicago reports that Robert Cooley, an attorney and former undercover informant for the FBI, alleges that in the Eighties Blagojevich was a bookie on the North Side of Chicago who regularly paid tribute to the Mob. Read the rest at [http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/blagos-bookie-past/blagosphere/](http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheat-sheet/item/blagos-bookie-past/blagosphere/) It’s very short. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/279 "2008-12-18T20:56:55Z")
For a Serb, Blago sure is the [embodiment of chutzpah:](http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081218/ap_on_re_us/illinois_governor) A lawyer for Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich told state lawmakers Thursday that the federal wiretaps at the heart of the pay-to-play allegations against his client were illegally obtained, and therefore should be kept out of any impeachment proceedings…“[Blagoevich] is telling [his lawyer] that he’s not guilty, he’s telling [his lawyer] that he wants to fight.” Never a dull moment around here. My boss just took me to lunch, and we were sitting across the aisle from Rahm Emmanuel in the restaurant; sadly, my eavesdropping skills are just not up to par. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2008, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/280 "2008-12-19T23:12:11Z")
[I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath.](http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/12/blagojevich-to-hold-2-pm-press-conference.html) And no matter what his lawyers say, I still think he may very well appoint himself to the Senate. This guy does not back down no matter what. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396.md?page=15)