Slick Jonny Husted: How the Hell Did I Miss This Gem?
So, I asked a friend tonight, “Whatever happened to Jon Husted’s residency question over there in Montgomery County? Is he still in office?”
“Yeah, he’s still in office, but I don’t know how — the guy doesn’t even show any water usage wherever the hell it is he says he lives,” they answered.
“Huh?” I thought. “How’s that work?”
Roll Tape! Courtesy of Progress Ohio … at least someone in Columbus is watching.
Newsclips – Blagojevich Impeached – January 9
- Guide to the impeachement process – MSNBC
- Blago Impeached, Blago goes jogging – CBS2 Chicago
- Court rebuffs Burris on signature – Chicago Tribune
- Senate won’t seat Burris without signature – Chicago Tribune
- Objections to prosecutors – Chicago Tribune
- Impeachment “No Surprise” – Chicago Sun-Times
- Lone ‘no’ in vote – Chicago Sun-Times
- What’s Next? – Chicago Sun-Times
- Blago impeached – Washington Post
- IL House impeaches Gov – New York Times
Bill Richardson a Single Example of Democratic Party Core Off the Beam
N.M. Governor Withdraws Name from Commerce Secretary Consideration
This is what happens when we finance all of our political activities the way that we do. Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico is under investigation for allegedly pressuring N.M. state authorities to steer financial services business to a firm which donated money to his political organizations.
Since the Clinton Administration – of which Richardson was a high-profile member – our Democratic Party has been owned by hedge funds, limousine liberals and other interests who make their money through market manipulation and investing rather than by adding to the economy in a manner which creates tangible value and employs people. When these big donors come calling, the doors to Congressional suites and governors’ offices come flying open.
Maybe Super Prosecutor Fitzgerald Screwed Up
Lots of hand-wringing going on today about whether or not Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s senate appointment has “standing” or whether the Illinois Secretary of State or Senate Majority Leader will derail the appointment.
The only dispassionate view to be heard was former Illinois Gov. Jim Thompson on NPR’s All Things Considered. He points out that the Governor is still governor, he’s not been impeached and Illinois law states that he has the authority and duty to make the appointment. Thompson also points out that the Secretary of State’s duty to certify the governor’s appointment is only administrative under law – Jesse White, the official in question, doesn’t have discretionary authority. He’s just a pass through. Finally, Thompson – who is an attorney – said that the U.S. Supreme Court decided decades ago that senators may only contest the seating of a new senator under questions of age, citizenship or residency. Any attorneys or jailhouse lawyers out there can comment.
Thompson also made another point. This January will see the 111th Congress considering legislation of greater than usual importance. The country is in two wars and a recession. The financial system is still in intensive care and what’s left of our manufacturing sector is a ship dead in the water. Illinois deserves its full complement in Congress.
Unfortunately, the only way to get there is for the governor of Illinois to make the appointment.
This all got me thinking about what’s made Blago a household name outside of Oak Park and Evansville. Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has been investigating the governor by some accounts since 2003. Fitzgerald gets some juicy stuff on tape and makes the arrest, holds the press conference. My question is, did Fitzgerald move too soon?
There’s a lot of unnecessary drama unfolding in Springfield and Chicago if the Illinois governor tried to sell a senate seat. Or, does the Illinois governor just have a big, foul mouth? Should Fitzgerald have waited for a deal to be made? If this was a better movie, the good guys would’ve had the money exchange hands on tape and then G-Men would’ve burst through doors and swung in through the windows on ropes.
But, instead, we’ve got f-bombs on tape and one big-mouth, preening politician being himself – a douche bag. If there was more to Fitzgerald’s case, perhaps the governor would’ve resigned by now or there would be more for the Illinois legislature to work with in impeachment proceedings.
If what they say about Roland Burris is true – that he’s an upstanding public servant not tainted by Chicago’s political cesspool – perhaps the wise thing to do is let the man take his seat unencumbered in the Senate. Just forget that Captain Hairbrush appointed him, put it out of your mind. The people of Illinois do deserve both of their votes in the Senate, don’t they?
Transcript: Rod Blagojevich appoints Roland Burris to U.S. Senate | With Bobby Rush | December 30, 2008
(Source: CNN)
GOV. ROD BLAGOJEVICH (D), ILLINOIS: Thank you very much.
Merry Christmas. Happy holidays. Happy new year. Feliz navidad y prospero ano nuevo.
The people of Illinois are entitled to have two United States senators represent them in Washington, D.C.
As governor, I am required to make this appointment. If I don’t make this appointment, then the people of Illinois will be deprived of their appropriate voice and vote in the United States Senate.
Therefore, I am here to announce my intention to appoint an individual who has unquestioned integrity, extensive experience, and is a wise and distinguished senior statesman of Illinois. This man actually once was an opponent of mine for governor.
(LAUGHTER)
So I’m here today to announce that I am appointing Roland Burris as the next United States senator from the Illinois.
Obama Transition Team Investigates Themselves: Surprise! Everything’s Cool
- Obama Report: No improper contact with Governor – New York Times
- Obama team releases report on Blago contacts – Washington Post
- Obama review clears staff - Reuters
Full Text: Obama Transition Office Report on Contacts with Blagojevich
Click Here for PDF of the Obama Transition Team’s Report
Full Text: Ohio Inspector General Report on former Atty General Marc Dann | December 21
Filed under: Marc Dann, State of Ohio Govt, ohio politics
Click Here for PDF of Dann Report Part I
Click Here for Dann Report Part 2 (PDF)
Transcript: IL Atty General News Conference | Blago ‘Unfit to Serve’ | December 12
Lisa Madigan Newser on Blagojevich Court Filing
(Source: Chicago Sun-Times)
MS. MADIGAN: Good afternoon.
This morning, my office filed pleadings with the Illinois Supreme Court, requesting that Governor Blagojevich be temporarily removed from office. In the alternative, we have asked that the Illinois Supreme Court declare that he is prevented from filling the U.S. Senate vacancy, acting on legislation, directing contracts, directing the activities of the Illinois State Finance Authority, directing the activities of the Toll Highway Authority, and directing the disbursement of state funds. Read more
Saturday Morning Clips – Auto Industry, Blagojevich Dominates the News
Filed under: Big Three Automakers, Recession, State Governments, U.S. Economy
Automobile Industry Update
- Automakers, workers, Michigan pin hopes on White House – Detroit Free Press
- Chrysler’s supplier issues expand – Detroit Free Press
- GM to slash production – Detroit Free Press
- GM moves closer to bailout; Wagoner in talks with Bolten – Bloomberg
- White House ready to aid auto industry - New York Times
Blagojevich Not Bleeping Going Bleeping Anywhere
- Blago could decide future by Monday – Chicago Sun-Times
- Rahm Emanuel talked to Blago’s office about senate seat – Chicago Tribune
- IL AG: Blago unfit to serve, goes to court – Chicago Tribune
- IL AG: Petitions court to remove Blago – New York Times
BEAM ME UP! Traficant’s on His Way Back to Youngstown
One the same day when a prominent Illinois politician is arrested and charged with crimes that could land him in jail for 20 - 30 years, another former pol stepped closer to the end of his incarceration.
That’s right, the “Old Sheriff” Jimbo ‘Beam Me Up’ Traficant is on his way from a federal pen in Minnesota to a halfway house in Youngstown, reports the Youngstown Vindicator.
According to the Vindicator this is what Traficant’s been up to recently:
Traficant is incarcerated at the Federal Medical Center in Rochester, Minn., but why has not been made public. The prison houses inmates with health or psychological problems. He took up painting to pass the time, crafting mostly horses and barns.
If you look closely at the Old Sheriff’s paintings, you’ll notice legislative assistants and district representatives painting the barns and mucking the horse’s stalls.
Blagojevich News Roundup
- Blagojevich Arrested – Chicago Tribune
- Op-Ed, John Kass: Governor has one choice left: Sing? – Chicago Tribune
- Ill. Governor from reformer to defendant – Chicago Tribune
- Details of the arrest – Chicago Tribune
- Blago’s Lawyer: He’s sad, surprised and innocent – Chicago Tribune
- Obama says no discussions with Blagojevich – Chicago Sun-Times
- Blago calls Obama a ‘mother-fucker’ – Chicago Sun-Times
- Ill Governor in corruption scandal – New York Times
Full Text: Unsealed Blagojevich Criminal Complaint – United States District Court, Northern Illinois
Blago Affidavit Click Here
Ted Stevens Guilty on All Counts in Ethics Trial – News Coverage
6 p.m.
- Alaska Senator is Convicted of Ethics Laws Violations – New York Times
- Sen. Stevens Guilty on all Counts - Washington Post
- Stevens conviction enhances Dems’ chances - Washington Post
- U.S. Senator Stevens found guilty – BBC
- Stevens guilty in corruption case - Associated Press
- Stevens guilty of concealing $250,000 in gifts - Bloomberg
- Stevens found guilty on all seven corruption counts – CQ Politics
Cuyahoga County Employees Sent Home
A C&C source reports that at least some Cuyahoga County employees who showed up for work today were questioned briefly, then sent home.
According to the source, employees were asked questions such as: “Have you ever committed a crime while working for the county?”
Glad to see the Feds getting right down to it. I would’ve thought a little water boarding would’ve been the way to go before popping that one.
I’m not making this next one up. At least one county employee was asked their birthday. Apparently, the G-Man, upon hearing that today was in fact the employees birthday, broke into: “It’s your birthday, it’s your birthday …” and did a little dance.
Developing …
