# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/21 "2008-12-09T16:36:50Z")
> [@spifflog](#): > > Only took 6 replies for someone to take a back handed crack at Republicans over this. Longer than I thought, actually. And only 8 posts for that post to be vindicated. ---
**Author:** ![Burton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/22 "2008-12-09T16:38:43Z")
"…It seems from the linked story like the Democrats are washing their hands of Blagojevich and leaving him out to dry. " That would be my best guess. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/23 "2008-12-09T16:42:38Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > [You don’t have to wait.](http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2145475/posts) The Freepers are in ecstasy. They’re convinced that Blago is now going to “rat out” Obama. For what, I have no idea. I’m going to enjoy their disappointment when they finally figure out that Obama has nothing to do with these allegations. Fox News is coming all over itself too, but they haven’t strated trying to slime obama over it yet (just trying to milk whatever insinuations they can’t about Blago trying to sell “Obama’s Senate seat”). Of course, Hannity hasn’t taken to the airwaves yet. I’m sure he’ll have an elaborate, Obama-centric conspiracy to peddle by the time he gets fed all his taking points tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Burton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Burton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Burton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/24 "2008-12-09T17:04:29Z")
The investigation’s been ongoing for 5 years if they had anything on Obama I think it would have probably come to light when it would have tanked him. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/25 "2008-12-09T17:12:43Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > The Freepers are in ecstasy. They’re convinced that Blago is now going to “rat out” Obama. For what, I have no idea. I’m going to enjoy their disappointment when they finally figure out that Obama has nothing to do with these allegations. According to the Feds’ [news release](http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-12/43789468.pdf) (PDF), Blagojevich’s opinion on the President-Elect and his personal choice for the seat was > [@](#): > > In a conversation with Harris on November 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew that the President-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them.” Doesn’t sound as though Obama was playing along with what Blagojevich wanted. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/26 "2008-12-09T17:16:50Z")
With what little information has been reported so far, the Obama camp comes out looking good. They have Blagojevich complaining on tape that the only thing Obama was offering in exchange for Blagojevich appointing his preferred replacement was “appreciation”. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/27 "2008-12-09T17:29:22Z")
The real problem isn’t corruption in Illinois politics. The real problem is why do Illinois voters keep electing corrupt politicians? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/28 "2008-12-09T17:33:11Z")
> [@Pochacco](#): > > With what little information has been reported so far, the Obama camp comes out looking good. They have Blagojevich complaining on tape that the only thing Obama was offering in exchange for Blagojevich appointing his preferred replacement was “appreciation”. Well, what did you expect. It boogles my mind to think how the constitution would deal with a president elect arrested for criminal involvement in choosing a senator. And, how can Illinois now come up with a new Senator? ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/29 "2008-12-09T17:36:52Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > The real problem isn’t corruption in Illinois politics. > > The real problem is why do Illinois voters keep electing corrupt politicians? Because the only alternatives on the ballot are Republicans? Tough choice. Do you want the pol who’s gonna line his pockets or the pol who’s gonna fuck you over? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/30 "2008-12-09T17:39:28Z")
> [@Duckster](#): > > The real problem isn’t corruption in Illinois politics. > > The real problem is why do Illinois voters keep electing corrupt politicians? “So it’s a society of lizards?” “No, the lizards rule the people and the people hate the lizards.” “But I thought you said it was a democracy. Why do people vote for the lizards?” “Because otherwise, the wrong lizard might get in.” (Ford Prefect and Arthur Dent, from SO LONG AND THANKS FOR ALL THE FISH, from memory). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/31 "2008-12-09T17:40:03Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > And, how can Illinois now come up with a new Senator? If Blagojevich quits in the next few weeks, Quinn appoints a replacement and there is probably no issue. If not, whoever gets chosen will get very heavy scrutiny as the press and public and even the Senate try to make sure that person didn’t become Blago’s choice by trading favors. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/32 "2008-12-09T17:44:21Z")
I recently [blogged](http://nonbovine-ruminations.blogspot.com/2008/12/replacing-governor.html) on the process required to get rid of Blago. Basically, either we convince him to resign, we get a judge to declare him incompetent, or we convince Emil Jones and Michael Madigan to convene a special session to impeach him. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/33 "2008-12-09T17:47:11Z")
In the press conference Fiztgerald is giving right now, he’s said multiple times that there are no allegations Obama was involved or knew anything about any of this. I think it’s great that they have Blago on tape actually bitching that the President-elect hadn’t offered him anything but “appreciation.” That’s got to be frustrating to the wingnuts. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/34 "2008-12-09T17:48:11Z")
Also, I’m very curious who Senate Candidate 1 is; the press release says “Senate Candidate 1 eventually removed herself from consideration for the open seat.” So what female candidate removed herself from consideration? Duckworth? Schakowsky? I’ve lost track of all the names that have been floated. The really interesting thing that could happen is that Blago appoints someone in the time between now and whenever he’s kicked out of office. Then we have the possibility of the Senate rejecting the appointment (which they can do, although I think it requires a two-thirds vote). Quinn has done a good job of keeping himself distant from Blago and I think can take over without too much of the miasma settling on him. From where I sit Emil Jones is the weak link to getting this resolved quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/35 "2008-12-09T17:52:44Z")
I think Duckworth or Schakowsky are both still in consideration, publicly. What they may have said to the governor’s people, and whether they meant it or not, are different issues. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/36 "2008-12-09T17:56:38Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > That’s got to be frustrating to the wingnuts. Not really. they’ll insinuate that appreciation came with a wink. I mean how can Obama show appreciation to the governor? ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/37 "2008-12-09T18:00:14Z")
> [@KellyM](#): > > Also, I’m very curious who Senate Candidate 1 is; the press release says “Senate Candidate 1 eventually removed herself from consideration for the open seat.” So what female candidate removed herself from consideration? Duckworth? Schakowsky? I’ve lost track of all the names that have been floated. Don’t forget Lisa Madigan, the Illinois Attorney General, who happens to be Michael Madigan’s daughter. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/38 "2008-12-09T18:02:34Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > Not really. they’ll insinuate that appreciation came with a wink. I mean how can Obama show appreciation to the governor? “Appreciation” with winks doesn’t lead one to say “Fuck them”. Of course, if someone is just looking for a reason to slime Obama then, yeah, you can always make up anything. Last election, it was Blagojevich vs Judy Barr Topinka who was herself tied to convicted former governor George Ryan. There wasn’t really a “clean” choice. No wonder the Green Party got something like 15% of the vote that election. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/39 "2008-12-09T18:14:33Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > Don’t forget Lisa Madigan, the Illinois Attorney General, who happens to be Michael Madigan’s daughter. I don’t think she’d want it. She’s in line to be gov at this point. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2008, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396/40 "2008-12-09T18:15:11Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > Because the only alternatives on the ballot are Republicans? Tough choice. **Do you want the pol who’s gonna line his pockets or the pol who’s gonna fuck you over**? Aren’t those two things one and the same? They are both violations of ethics and public trust. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/governor-blagojevich-arrested-what-now/476396.md?page=3)