* So, who is “Senate Candidate 5″? Let’s go to the federal complaint…
Later on November 10, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A discussed the open Senate seat. Among other things, ROD BLAGOJEVICH raised the issue of whether the President-elect could help get ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife on “paid corporate boards right now.” Advisor A responded that he “think[s] they could” and that a “President- elect . . . can do almost anything he sets his mind to.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states that he will appoint “[Senate Candidate 1] . . . but if they feel like they can do this and not f___ing give me anything . . . then I’ll f___ing go [Senate Candidate 5].” (Senate Candidate 5 is publicly reported to be interested in the open Senate seat). […]
Later on November 10, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A again discussed the open Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A discussed leaking to the same particular Chicago Sun-Times columnist that ROD BLAGOJEVICH is seriously considering Senate Candidate 5 for the open Senate seat, in order to send a message to the President-elect that there are options for the Senate seat beyond Senate Candidate 1. At the end of the conversation Advisor A agreed to call the Sun Times columnist to leak the story (believed, based on other intercepted conversations, to be untrue), that ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a “long, productive discussion” with Senate Candidate 5 regarding the open Senate seat.
Since the “long, productive discussion” statement is believed to be untrue, that person could be Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Congressman Jackson didn’t talk to the governor about the vacant seat until just recently.
* But here’s what Michael Sneed at the Sun-Times (she is apparently the columnist referenced above) reported on November 14th…
Sneed hears Gov. Blago, who will choose Obama’s replacement in the U.S. Senate, privately feels there may be only one choice that makes sense: His buddy, outgoing Senate President Emil Jones.
• • To wit: Jones is this/close to Blago, who may pay his pal back for being such a staunch ally. Jones would also be a strong ally in the Senate for his political godson — Obama.
* So, is SC5 Emil Jones? He has a ton of money in his personal campaign account that would be useless to him as a US Senator.
And check this out…
On December 4, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke to Advisor B and
informed Advisor B that he was giving Senate Candidate 5 greater consideration for the Senate seat because, among other reasons, if ROD BLAGOJEVICH ran for re-election Senate Candidate 5 would “raise[] money” for ROD BLAGOJEVICH, although ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he might “get some (money) up front, maybe” from Senate Candidate 5 to insure Senate Candidate 5 kept his promise about raising money for ROD BLAGOJEVICH. (In a recorded conversation on October 31, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH described an earlier approach by an associate of Senate Candidate Five as follows: “We were approached ‘pay to play.’ That, you know, he’d raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator.”)
* One more bit…
Later on December 4, 2008… ROD BLAGOJEVICH noted he was going to meet with Senate Candidate 5 in the next few days…
ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Fundraiser A to tell Individual D that Senate Candidate 5 was very much a realistic candidate for the open Senate seat, but that ROD BLAGOJEVICH was getting “a lot of pressure” not to appoint Senate Candidate 5. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Fundraiser A to tell Individual D that ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a problem with Senate Candidate 5 just promising to help ROD BLAGOJEVICH because ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a prior bad experience with Senate Candidate 5 not keeping his word.
As Ambinder reported earlier, that dateline matches up with Jackson’s planned meeting with the governor. Also, I’m not aware of any instances of the governor complaining that Emil Jones had broken his word. It’s time for somebody to come clean. So far, there’s still no response from Congressman Jackson’s office.
* Meanwhile, Blagojevich apparently publicly floated Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s name for the US Senate in order to try to cut his best deal with Obama…
On November 6, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Spokesman. ROD BLAGOJEVICH told Spokesman to leak to a particular columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, that Senate Candidate 2 is in the running for the vacant Senate seat. According to ROD BLAGOJEVICH, by doing this, he wanted “to send a message to the [President-elect’s] people,” but did not want it known that the message was from ROD BLAGOJEVICH.
Thereafter, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Spokesman discussed specific language that should be used in the Sun Times column and arguments as to why Senate Candidate 2 made sense for the vacant Senate seat. A review of this particular Sun Times column on November 7, 2008, indicates references to the specific language and arguments regarding Senate Candidate 2 as a potential candidate for the Senate seat, as discussed by ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Spokesman.
On November 7, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Advisor A about
the Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he is willing to “trade” the Senate seat to Senate Candidate 1 in exchange for the position of Secretary of Health and Human Services in the President-elect’s cabinet.
* This is from Michael Sneed’s column of November 7th…
The latest from Blagoville: Is Gov. Rod Blagojevich toying with tossing Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat to Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who wants Blago’s job?
- It’s his pick . . . and it would get rid of a rival.
- It may endear him to powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan, Lisa’s dad, who is Blago’s political foe.
- It would enable Gov. Blago to choose a new Illinois attorney general.
- Hmmm: Even though this sounds like looneyville . . . stay tuned.
* “Senate Candidate 1″ is most likely Valerie Jarrett. This is what Greg Hinz wrote way back in early November…
If I read the smoke correctly, Ms. Jarrett backed out of the Senate derby at least in part because G-Rod overplayed his hand, insisting that Mr. Obama more or less publicly request the favor of a Jarrett appointment. Mr. Obama, who’s not about to seek favors from a governor who is under investigation in a federal corruption probe, ended the boomlet.
* From the tapes…
ROD BLAGOJEVICH said that the consultants (Advisor B and another
consultant are believed to be on the call at that time) are telling him that he has to “suck it up” for two years and do nothing and give this “motherf___r [the President-elect] his senator. F___ him. For nothing? F___ him.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states that he will put “[Senate Candidate 4]” in the Senate “before I just give f___ing [Senate Candidate 1] a f___ing Senate seat and I don’t get anything.” (Senate Candidate 4 is a Deputy Governor of the State of Illinois). ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he needs to find a way to take the “financial stress” off of his family and that his wife is as qualified or more qualified than another specifically named individual to sit on corporate boards. According to ROD BLAGOJEVICH, “the immediate challenge [is] how do we take some of the financial pressure off of our family.”
Later in the phone call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that absent getting something back, ROD BLAGOJEVICH will not pick Senate Candidate 1. […]
Thereafter, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and others on the phone call discussed various ways ROD BLAGOJEVICH can “monetize” the relationships he is making as Governor to make money after ROD BLAGOJEVICH is no longer Governor.
What a guy, eh?
LIVE session coverage...
- Gregor - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:51 pm:
It sure smells like three-jay, based on the recent history of his exceptionally hard campaigning, using some methods Rich has pointed out are questionable. The ripples will continue to spread outward from the huge boulder Rod dropped.
- GOP'er - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:53 pm:
Is Dennis Hastert “Individual C” - i.e. the former U.S. Congressman who was working to try and pass the capital bill?
Not sure who else it could be. Glenn Poshard I suppose would fit that also.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:54 pm:
You know, I always thought the guy was a tool, but this stuff blows my mind…
It’s like he was seriously coo-coo for cocopuffs.
However I may try to record a version of what was released about the tapes and send them to folks as a Christmas gift…
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:56 pm:
thesmokinggun posits that Senate Candidate #6 is JB Pritzker. Complaint refers to SC6 as a wealthy Illinoisan.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 12:57 pm:
PJQ is making sure not to mention the word “impeach”…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:00 pm:
Someone should tell Rep. Cross and his legal advisor(s) that there have not been any “indictments.” Blago and his CoS have been criminally charged…NOT indicted. A distinction but a significant one, and one that a trained attorney and his staff ought to have picked up on.
- ilrino - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:01 pm:
And Senate Candidate 4 would be Louanner Peters?
Pingback ArchPundit | Rich Thinks Emil is SC 5 and He’s Probably Right - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:02 pm:
[…] Much better case to be made now that he lays it out. […]
- Rob_N - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:02 pm:
I here Bill had $182,000 in unmarked 20s stuff in a Jewel bag, ready to go when he got the call.
Bill is referenced in the documents as “Senate Candidate/Blogger Zed”.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:03 pm:
Where can I buy 500 Shares of Cap Fax - I want in on the ground floor here?
- Carl Nyberg - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:05 pm:
Doesn’t it seem likely that someone from team Obama dropped dime on Blagojevich? One theory has Rahm Emanuel as being the tipster. Someone else? Who?
Or did the feds find the U.S. Senate stuff by accident while working on the Trib, Children’s Hospital or other investigation?
- Keep Smiling - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:09 pm:
SC5 is clearly JJJ and “the other guy” is likely dad. Remember too that the south suburban mayors and managers association just rallied behind JJJ for Senator as a visible show of support.
GOP’er, Individual C would be pretty clear if the complaint didn’t say “believed to be attempting to help” - because Hastert was working openly on the capital bill. But Big Lipinski may fit a “believed to be” situation. Let’s hope both come out clean.
- JI - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:15 pm:
This is absolutely huge - I’m about giddy over it.
- Confused 2B - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:15 pm:
When do they think they will call a special session to handle this situation? I don’t think they should wait-we need to move forward and get someone appointed for Obama and start moving on issues that needed to be done and have NOT because our governor was too busy worrying about himself!
We should all hope that his girls will be alright-they are innocent in all of this and it’s a shame that they have to go through this!
Soon he will be in court and put up his bail and be back home making decisions-ONLY for HIM and NOT the state!
There is NO way that he can focus on State issues with all of this-he didn’t before-why would he now?
All of this talk about he has to be insane to do this-that’s what he wants people to say-then he will plead INSANITY! We already knew that! But he can’t get away from what he did with that plead!
- Gadfly - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:16 pm:
A couple of notes and a couple of thoughts.
Emil Jones Jr is still the Senate President. Cullerton has no ability to call the Senate in at this point.
I think there’s no way in hell the Governor resigns at this point, his office is really the only leverage he has left and he’s not going to give up any leverage at this point. The only way I see that happening is if the USA dangles a carrot for him to do so and something tells me they’re disinclinced to do that.
I think the racetracks still get their money. If Blago doesn’t act on the bill, it becomes law. Besides, donors to a legal defense fund don’t have to be disclosed and the racetrack folks would be awfully appreciative if that bill became law given its prominence in today’s events.
MJM can call the House back at any time for any reason without the Senate. Best guess is that he will do so, but when? Who knows. If he does and the House impeaches, then it goes to the Senate. Emil may not want to convene the Senate for that, but the very public pressure will be overwhelming. Madigan then gets the best of both worlds — he gets his impeachment and he gets to tweak Emil one last time before he leaves office.
Quinn hasn’t specifically called for the Gov to “resign” only to “step aside.” Will this hurt him politically? Will it hurt him politically that he’s run with the man twice? I seriously question whether Quinn can win a contested gubernatorial primary. My prediction, once he becomes Governor, he will appoint himself to the Senate, making Lisa Madigan our new governor.
I think it’s more likely Emil is SC5 rather than JJJ, but that’s just a hunch.
- Ken in Aurora - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:18 pm:
Maybe SC5 is Oberweis making a Hail Mary last attempt at Washington.
(I kid, I kid…)
- Unclear - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:21 pm:
Does anyone care to theorize on the meaning on this line: (Senate Candidate 4 is a Deputy Governor of the State of Illinois) Is the Senate President a Deputy Governor?
- vole - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:22 pm:
Can someone explain Blago’s “financial stress”? Is he referring to the future stress that he anticipated should he be indicted? Or was he already having ongoing financial stress?
How much of all this corruption in IL is related to government officials and their aids living well beyond their means?
- True Observer - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:29 pm:
1. So who are the Dems angling for gov so they get to make the appointments come 2010?
2. He’ll never be convicted. All he has to do is reach one juror. In the Ryan trial over half the jurors had some kind of criminal record.
3. Regardless of what the pundit class thinks, most voters know this is just standard practice. If he is not convicted, it is just possible that he can still squeak the nomination in 2010. If the Greeks, the Irish and the Blacks split the vote, he just might do it.
- Keep Smiling - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:29 pm:
Gadfly -
*Later in the conversation, ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that if he appoints Senate Candidate 4 to the Senate seat and, thereafter, it appears that ROD BLAGOJEVICH might get impeached, he could “count on [Senate Candidate 4], if things got hot, to give [the Senate seat] up and let me parachute over there.” HARRIS said, “you can count on [Senate Candidate 4] to do that.”*
- GOP'er - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:33 pm:
Oh come on Keep Smiling, let’s hope they DON’T all come out clean. Let’s take out all the trash at once.
They can form an Illinois Bi-Partisan Combine basketball league at Marion or whatever federal lock-up and play R’s vs. D’s.
- Gadfly - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:34 pm:
- Keep Smiling -
SC4 is a Deputy Governor. Emil Jones is NOT a Deputy Governor. So, Emil Jones is not SC4
- PIA - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:46 pm:
How many Deputy Governors are there?
Does that mean every reference to a “Deputy Governor” is a direct reference to Pat Quinn?
- Bruno Behrend - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 1:47 pm:
Around the time that Blago and Madigan started their feud, I started playing around with the idea that the enmity was based upon bringing Illinois’ brazen, naked, pay-to-play, institutionally corrupt government to the surface.
It’s like everyone in the political class was saying “SHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, you’ll blow it for us!!”
Maybe he did and maybe he didn’t. Only time will tell. Regardless, Blago made obvious to all what only the insiders (both parties) knew all along, that everything in IL is for sale.
This is how people are slated. This is how you get appointed precinct committeeman. This is how Hospitals do or don’t get approved. This is how the revolving door of musical Superintendents get to hire the same law firms to draw up their obscene contracts.
Everyone who reads Cap fax can come up with their own examples. (again, on both sides of the aisle)
Many don’t hate Blago because he’s corrupt. They hate Blago because he might have “blown it” for them. You read those transcripts above, and everyone reading this know that the same conversation took place all over Illinois for decades.
____
Overstatement?
Thereafter, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and others on the phone call discussed various ways ROD BLAGOJEVICH can “monetize” the relationships he is making as Governor to make money after ROD BLAGOJEVICH is no longer Governor.
What did Hastert do? He “monetized” is experience. When a Suburban District Superintendent leaves with their bloated pension, what do they do? [”Consult” for just few enough days to keep their pension, but ream Taxpayers for $10-20K “Headhunting fees” to keep the Musical Superintendents circulating.] Again, “monetized.”
Illinois is a banana republic. Everything is “monetized.” Blago merely proved it. His best defense would be to ROLL on everyone and everything he’s learned in his political career. That would be justice.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 2:09 pm:
I like Gadfly’s assessment, but I wonder, can Madigan take the risk that Quinn doesn’t get governor’s fever once in office following an impeachment. Would it be better for Lisa if our Blago just stayed on. Or does that risk strengthening the Republicans.
Interesting dilemma for the legislators too should impeachment come to a vote. Does Madigan really want them to vote yes? Finally, they’ll be earning their not inconsiderable pay as they attempt to
puzzle all this out.
- Gadfly - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 2:24 pm:
Cassandra –
Blago in office might be better for LM, but there’s no way Blago makes it 2010 with a trial, there’d just be too much public uproar. MJM knows this. If he waited on impeachment like that, it could hurt LM. That’s why I think impeachment is likely. If Quinn would happen to get Gov fever, Lisa could challenge him in the primary (I’d give her the win on that one) or she could opt for the Senate.
To others –
Deputy Governor is a staff position in the governor’s office, generally below Chief of Staff but above agency directors. I don’t know how many there are at any one time, but I think it’s probable that SC4 is Louanner Peters, who is Dep. Gov. for Human Services or something like that.
- Tom Mannis - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 3:42 pm:
Two words: Jan Schakowsy. Two more words: Heather Steans. Follow the money, Rich.
- Dekalbian - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 3:51 pm:
Bob Beckle(sp) former Mondale/Ferrero Consultant alluded SC5 might be a wealthy business person….I don’t think that would be Oberweis, but what about Dan Seals?
- Keep Smiling - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 4:12 pm:
According to the Macomb Journal, Blago added a 3rd Deputy Governor, Dean Martinez, about one week ago.T he new Deputy Gov was previously - get this - the state secretary of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Ha!Ha!Ha! Very nice.
The other two are apparently Bob Greenlee and Louanner Peters.
http://www.macombjournal.com/state_news/x415859509/Blagojevich-selects-third-deputy-governor
Pingback Shoot the Messinger » I don’t think it’s Jesse, Jr. - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 5:23 pm:
[…] Marc Ambinder has some thoughts on who “Senate Candidate 5″ is, as does Capitol Fax. The main link here to Jesse Jackson, Jr. comes from his meeting with Blago, shortly after Blago said he would meet with #5. […]
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 8:26 pm:
After all the investigations, all the corruptions, Rod got tripped up by the unbelievably heavy handed way he tried to sell the Senate. Laugh or cry.
I’m sure Valerie Jarrett went to Emanuel and told her what was going on. And I’m sure he went to Fitz. Why wouldn’t he?
I think I know who Senate Candidate 5 and his “emissary” are. I hope they go down hard. That would be another step forward in the maturity of the Illinois electorate.
I’m pretty honked right now and am repeating myself, but again: No special election. Impeachment now and let Quinn do it. There’s nothing wrong with having A governor appoint a replacemtn, just this governor.
If impeachment is delayed a moment, it’s political calculation and given the mood of the electorate people will pay.
Why in the world is the power in the Constitution if you won’t use it now?
- Dominic - Tuesday, Dec 9, 08 @ 11:01 pm:
Rich I think you are being a little naive that this is so terrible (which it is) but that no other politicians do this. What do you think you would hear if you taped Richard Daley’s phone? or put a bug in his campaign office? What if Tim Degnan or Jerry Joyce or Victor Reye’s offices were bugged?
Rahm Emmanuel made a career on raising money for Daley than Clinton and tearing up checks and saying f-ck and swearing and threatening and sending dead fish. Rahm Emmanuel helped people get business–do you really think there was no quid pro qou? What Rod did is wrong and he should go to jail and he is stupider than most politicians but it is not different and it is done everyday and was done by Rahm Emmanuel.
Pingback Blagojevich Coverage (Dec. 9, 2008) | The Black Diamond Populist - Wednesday, Dec 17, 08 @ 11:13 pm:
[…] HTML clipboard .style1 { font-size: small; } A New Low & A Challenge For the Future (Dec. 9, 2008)(Illinois Issues) A Real Class Dame (Dec. 9, 2008)(An Embarrassment of Riches) Attorney: Blagojevich Has No Plans of Retiring (Dec. 9, 2008)(Politico) Blago Arrest & Allegations (Dec. 9, 2008)(ADD Radio) Blagojevich Arrested (Dec. 9, 2008)(11th Hour) Blagojevich Arrested in Probe (Dec. 9, 2008)(Black Diamond Populist) Blagojevich Criminal Complaint (Dec. 9,2008)(Capitol Fax Blog) How Blagojevich Fits into Illinois History (Dec. 9, 2008)(IllinoisIssues) Madigan: House to Convene Monday; Prepared to Discuss Impeachment(Dec. 9, 2008)(Capitol Fax Blog) Selling the Senate Seat (Dec. 9, 2008)(Capitol Fax Blog) Shaking Down the Hospital (Dec. 9, 2008)(Capitol Fax Blog) Wrong Reasons (Dec. 9, 2008)(11th Hour) […]