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Wishful thinking?
Friday, Jul 7, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Here’s your quote of the day. Ronald Safer, who is representing the Blagojevich administration in the current state hiring investigation, said last week there was another forum to handle the allegations. And here’s your prediction of the day. Repeating a theme made by defense lawyers during the trial, Ettinger said there was not a shred of evidence that any of the men demanded a payoff or accepted a bribe. “This verdict just gives the federal government a green light to forge ahead anywhere,” he said.
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- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 9:45 am:
What Safer is really suggesting is that while the facts might convict this governor, the governor’s BS, massive campaign funds, and promises are more real than any courtroom.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 10:12 am:
No, what Safer is suggesting is that Blagojevich should be tried by the voters, not by a jury. Safer seems to think that elected officials and their minions are above the law when it comes to public corruption charges, and they can only be hanged by public opinion. He apparently has forgotten that we are a nation of laws, and no one is above them.
It is wishful thinking; Fitzgerald has shown time-and-time again that he is not going to abdicate what he views as his responsibility to uphold the law.
As for Ettinger, his quote reminds me of the play “Hizzoner,” and Daley’s famous quip about public life that “You can have money, or power, but not both.” The problem with that theory is that if your using your office to accumulate power for personal gain, it’s no different than using your office to accumulate money for personal gain. It’s more subtle, but it’s no less of a crime.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 10:30 am:
This has been an unbelievably bad week for Chicago Democrats. Voters are being subjected to continued stories of governmental corruption at the state level for their governor. They are being exposed to news of convictions of governmental corruption at the City level for their mayor. They are witnessing infighting, nepotism and ugly politics at the County level for their board president. Chicago is vital to Democrats and with news like this, they are being politically roughed up and bloodied.
What saves them is their dominance at the city and county level. However this news makes it even more difficult for their governor’s reelection. Blagojevich needs support outside Cook County. He needs and will probably get 80% of the vote here. But this is not enough to win statewide.
The 2006 election will be decided in the collar counties around Cook. These counties get their news from Chicago and are Chicago-focused. They exist as a counter to city life and single living. Blagojevich needs these counties. However, the voters here have been getting bombarded by Chicago/Cook/Illinois corruption news.
If Illinois were more like Ohio, with seperate distinct cities, city corruption in Cincinnati wouldn’t impact voters in Columbus or Cleveland. But Illinois’s megalopolis hinges on Chicago. So, corruption news there has an impact.
The Chicago convictions are impacting Blagojevich’s reelection. He is known as Chicago’s governor. He is known as an offspring of Chicago Alderman politics. The longer voters are exposed to Chicago/Cook/Illinois corruption news, the harder it is for him.
- One Man Can Make A Difference - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 11:54 am:
How does Ron Safer know what the federal gov’t has in their possession to make that comment. Usually attorneys for the defendant wait until the indictments are announced to make such comments. This one is jumping the gun and he could soon eat his words.
Presumptuousness is not a good strategy for defense attorneys.
Wait till you see the evidence. Terrible lawyering!
- BigBob - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 12:37 pm:
A Tribune article included a step-by-step guide to how the City of Chicago hiring process worked under Sorich. Everyone needs to read it.
Scratch out “Chicago” and “Sorich” and insert “Illinois” and “Cini”. See anything familiar? Truely unbelievable.
I frequently say if I had only months to live I would take a world cruise and enjoy my final days of life. Accordingly, I think Mr. Cini should schedule a cruise to enjoy his last months of freedom. That is of course unless he decides to negotiate a deal to give up an even bigger bad apple.
Note to Mr. Safer: Nice try, but you sir are full of smelly food byproduct. That same approach was used very unsuccessfully by the Sorich defense team. Elections are for the public to decide who should govern them LEGALLY. The Courts exist to deal with those who decide they are above the law. Ryan found that out. Daley is finding that out. And, it looks like Blago will soon take his turn in line.
What a shame for Illinois.
- The G - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 1:04 pm:
VanillaMan: You are correct. And to me, Blag’s downfal is appropriate. Not becuase I want to see JBT as Guv, but because Blag and his administartion are slime. They never reached the lofty goals and paltitudes that they spouted. They never came close.
It’s hollow mockery of Ryan. Time to dance on Blag’s grave.
Repub. joyousness will be tempered by the Ryan conviction and the indictment of Lee Daniels. Ryan conviction, Sorich conviction, Stroger embarrassment, pending indictments of Reyes, Daniels, Blagojevich. Everybody in state and local politics loses — except Mayor Daley. He’ll get re-elected. And Speaker Madigan. He’s shing like a rose.
- state worker #1 - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 7:30 pm:
Safer is doing what defense lawyers do; he is trying to put out a ‘curtain of innocence’ on his client. Unfortunately, that curtain is cloudy and it is not hard to see the BS through it.
- Little Egypt - Friday, Jul 7, 06 @ 9:03 pm:
Vanilla Man, I get your point about the collar counties but don’t count out central and southern Illinois to swing this election over to the GOP, especially southern Illinois. Blogo’s little visit to dedicate the Sparta shooting range didn’t get him any votes, especially with his snide remark about “y’all use guns down here” (paraphrasing his comment). Those people attending that dedication know he is THE most anti-gun governor we have ever had. I’m not making a statement here about firearms - just stating facts. He has totally lost southern Illinois and can probably kiss off central Illinois, especially the counties around Springfield. The rest of the state doesn’t take kindly to the State Capitol being moved to Chicago.