*** UPDATE 1 - 11:34 am *** From Illinois Statehouse News…
Federal Judge James Zagel on Thursday ruled the jury in former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s corruption trial will remain anonymous, despite a last minute petition by a group of news organizations.
The group attempted to reverse Zagel’s previous decision to seal the jurors’ identities, but the judge said the objection was “untimely” with the trial less than two hours away. […]
During the trial of now imprisoned former Gov. George Ryan the trial interrupted after the Chicago Tribune revealed two members of the case’s jury had criminal records, which they did not disclose during the selection process.
The trial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevitch has been pushed back to 11 a.m.
“I feel great,” Blagojevich said before walking over & shaking hands with several supporters. “The truth shall set you free,” he told one well-wisher as he shook the man’s hand. […]
Outside court, one woman carried a placard saying, “Rod’s not cuckoo. Rod’s not guilty.”
“We like him and he’s innocent,” said May Farley, 78, of Elmhurst.
And if you have the stomach for it, click here to see the grotesque clown in action.
* Keep in mind as the Blagojevich trial gears up that the media has focused almost solely on the alleged US Senate seat auction. While this is important, it’s not the be-all, end-all of the federal government’s case. The Sun-Times makes this mistake today in its piece about how to keep score during the trial…
Blagojevich’s strategy will be to explain away his comments as typical political horse-trading. He’ll invite jurors to interpret his remarks as pursuing political IOUs for the best interests of Illinois.
He’ll certainly try to do that on the US Senate seat stuff, but he won’t succeed. The truth is, Blagojevich was trying to cut the best deal for himself, not the state. There’s a big difference there. Logrolling is usually legal, if somewhat distasteful to the public at large. Using your government office to pad your pockets is not legal.
But one of the least reported aspects of this case will probably be the one that shocks the jurors the most and will be the thing that he can’t explain away…
On October 8, Blagojevich told a person described only as “Individual A” that he was willing to make $8 million available for Children’s Memorial Hospital, but “I want to get [Hospital Executive 1] for 50.”
Individual A felt that Blagojevich was talking about a $50,000 campaign contribution from the hospital’s chief executive officer and that the $8 million referred to a recent commitment by Blagojevich to secure state funds via “some type of pediatric care reimbursement.”
“Intercepted phone conversations between Rod Blagojevich and others indicate that Rod Blagojevich is contemplating rescinding his commitment of state funds to benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital because Hospital Executive 1 has not made a recent campaign contribution,” the affidavit says.
In other words, the governor tried to shake down Children’s Memorial Hospital CEO Patrick Magoon for 50 large. And there is ample evidence that Blagojevich tried to put a hold on that hospital money until he got what he wanted. In fact, the state money wasn’t disbursed until the day Blagojevich was removed from office. The man is despicable and deserves whatever he gets. And he’s gonna get it.
* Again, most of what you’ve read in the mainstream media lately is just smoke and mirrors from Team Blagojevich. Rahm Emanuel, we learned this week, has been subpoenaed. Blagojevich will try to get Emanuel to say the then-governor did nothing illegal during the US Senate escapade. It won’t be enough.
Just days before the trial was set to begin the state GOP compiled an assemblage of photographs of current political candidates buddying up to the disgraced former Democratic governor. There’s Quinn, a former running mate, standing with Blagojevich at a political rally, Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic U.S. Senate nominee, posing with Blagojevich in tuxedos at an event, and other photos with Blagojevich and Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her father, Michael Madigan.
“The Blagojevich Trial. Starting June 3rd. Check Your Local Listings for Details,” the state GOP noted in an e-mail to supporters that included the photos.
A strategist with one Republican statewide campaign said they expect the trial will provide “opportunities” to tag the current crop of Democratic candidates with problems that go back to the Blagojevich administration, from the state’s mountain of unpaid bills to Blagojevich hires still on the public payroll.
“It may not be a focal point of the trial, but it does shine a spotlight on the problems of the Democratic Party and the excesses of one party rule with Blagojevich at the top of it,” said the GOP strategist, who was not authorized to speak publicly about the campaigns.
Of course, Blagojevich also allegedly did some crooked deals with Republicans, but the GOP won’t be mentioning that. The state party has, however, set up a new website to “help” voters follow the trial. TheBlagoFiles.com also includes a big “Donate” button so readers can give to the state party.
* Speaking of the Illinois GOP, the party sent out an e-mail this morning attempting to make a connection between Blagojevich and Alexi Giannoulias…
On the day Rod Blagojevich goes on trial for pay-to-play corruption, will Alexi Giannoulias cancel his planned Messina fundraiser?
Deputy White House Chief of Staff allegedly offered Andrew Romanoff a job to get out of Colorado Senate race;
Messina due in Chicago for Giannoulias fundraiser on June 19th
Illinois Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias recently announced that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina would be coming to Illinois on June 19 to help him raise money for his Senate bid.
Last night, Politico reported that Democratic Senate candidate Andrew Romanoff publicly confirmed long-standing reports (and provided emails as proof) that Messina attempted to dissuade him from challenging incumbent Senator Michael Bennett in the Colorado Democratic Senate Primary by offering him a paid government position.
Small beans in comparison to Blagojevich, who wanted a job for himself and/or his wife, and/or a whole lot of campaign money in exchange for appointing the “right” US Senator.
* As I told subscribersthis morning, we will have Blagojevich trial coverage right here at the blog. From the Better Government Association’s Andy Shaw…
The Better Government Association has a permanent seat in the courtroom for the Blagojevich trial, and one of our investigative contributors, Chicago attorney and former news producer Darrow Abrahams, will be covering the trial for us on a day-to-day basis. He will be providing me with details of the testimony, the legal maneuvering and the courtroom activities of the participants, and I’ll be contributing regular reports and debriefs on at least two Chicago radio stations and, as needed, on local and national radio, television, print and internet outlets.
Darrow will also be recapping the trial highlights on a daily basis for the BGA website www.bettergov.org. And we’re pleased to be linking those recaps to the CAPITOL FAX Blog so your readers can follow the trial through our eyes. They can also link back to our site for additional trial material, and I hope to offer additional trial insights to your readers via written and video blogs.
The BGA is planning to have a high profile during the trial because the details of the case cut to the very core of our mission: How public officials run our government. In fact, state government itself is on trial right alongside the former governor because the federal indictment alleges that he and his cohorts subverted and perverted government, turning Illinois into an ATM for Blagojevich’s campaign fund and the personal enrichment of his friends and family. Blagojevich denies the charges—calling the case a “persecution,” not a prosecution—so the evidence, the testimony and the crosss-examinations will provide the citizens of Illinois with a rare and priceless “teaching moment” during which we can actually see how government was run during the seven Blagojevich years. The former governor is, of course, presumed innocent until a jury says otherwise, and that presumption will underscore everything we say about the trial. But regardless of the verdict, we should learn some valuable lessons along the way about how government should and should not be run. Those lessons will hopefully result in concrete proposals to clean up any mess we find along the way, end any corrupting practices that are proven, and increase the likelihood that future governors will serve out their terms without the bright lights of a federal investigation blinding all of us.
The fabric of democracy has been tattered and torn over decades of abuse and neglect in the Land of Lincoln. It’s the mission of the BGA to join other groups and individuals who are committed to repairing it. The mission also includes a vigorous debate over the issues raised in the trial, in front of as large an audience as possible, so we appreciate the chance to join the vibrant discussion that CAPITOL FAX already stimulates every day.
We’re hoping to get our first installment today, the first day of jury selection. I’m really looking forward to this.
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of the trial is that Rod will have to sit and be quiet in court, hour after hour, day after day. It is not his show.
Regardless of the trial’s outcome, I hope that all governments and politicians in Illinois stop their shameful behavior.
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:32 am:
Very true Word, very true.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:36 am:
What polling I’ve seen shows that trying to link current elected officials to Blago is pretty pointless.
Rod’s stink rises to such a high level thatvoters are unwilling to believe the association merely on the GOP’s say-so.
And third party times — the press, reform groups — aren’t going to provide that argument with credibility because Rod’s feuds with his fellow Democrats were so highly publicized. Blago may have run as a Democrat officially, but he was a one-man show.
I am disgusted with Blago as much as anyone but my gut tells me a conviction is not a foregone conclusion. He only needs to convince one juror to prevail.
Quinn’s history of being something of an outsider could certainly help him here. All Democratic leaders will be busy portraying our Blago as an outlier. But Quinn can credibly claim to be something of an outlier in the other direction of honesty and ethics and so on.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Quinn has the skills to run state government. I don’t believe he does. But no matter how many Blago trial websites the Repubs put up, they can’t fully compensate for their exceptionally weak gubernatorial candidate. So this could all work out for Quinn in November. And he’ll be raiding our pocketbooks in December.
Speaking of programs, Redeye, the free paper in news boxes on corners in Chicago, has an excellent two-page spread that thoroughly (in small print) describes the background, the players, the process and the 24 counts and their victims.
As a side comment, to me the BGA combination of news reporitng and blogging, through related established blogg sites, represents the future of news reporting. The major media outlets have commentaries to many of their stories. But to me those are more pseudo blogs whith little policing or interaction from the host.
YDD,
I think you are being naive to suggest that voters will look at Blago’s trial through the prism of George Ryan.
The number of State Democrats that knew Blago the best, were the ones that encoruaged us to vote for him so many times. As Blago has failed so miserably, we have to question the wisdom of those that recommended him to us.
If Topinka was criticized for merely dancing with Ryan, then statewide Democrats must be held accountable for having married us to Blago.
Against this backdrop is the poor condition of the state. We’ve been “business unfriendly” and an “entitlement nirvana” as per the Democrats direction. Voters aren’t satisfied, any longer, with that direction.
Blago was no one-man show. His approach to “kids care”, veterans care, Medicaid spending, etc. were supported by the Democratic Legislative leaders. His budgets were passed, bills were unpaid, and the Democrats did nothing.
Blago’s trial simply extends the outrage that tax payers are feeling. And they are ready for someone else to pay.
“[Blagojevich] tried to shake down Children’s Memorial Hospital CEO Patrick Magoon for 50 large. And there is ample evidence that Blagojevich tried to put a hold on that [$8 million for Children’s Memorial Hospital] until he got what he wanted. In fact, the state money wasn’t disbursed until the day Blagojevich was removed from office.”
I don’t think that Republican or Democrat likely voters will be influenced by Rod’s trial. However, this is the year of the Independent voter who will make or break any close race. I hope some non-partisan organization or the MSM crafts a carefully constructed poll question, in a poll of LIKELY VOTERS to see if there is any influence of this trial. The poll needs at least one repeat as we head into the election.
I think Blagojevich stands a good chance of acquittal on the charge about the U.S. Senate appointment.
The charge about Childrens Memorial Hospital is one that I see no way out. When Blago didn’t get the money he was expecting from the head of the hospital Blago tried to cancel the payment to the hospital.
And the hospital’s name is “Childrens Memorial”.
The “it was just talk” defense is killed by trying to talk the money back.
And there’s a sympathetic victim in the extortion scheme.
What option does Team Blago have on this?
Attacking the credibility and impartiality of the prosecution while contending this is just how politics is done?
George Ryan had a stronger defense of “this is just how politics is done” and Ryan was a more likable guy. There were people who genuinely felt admiration and affection for Ryan based on the death penalty moratorium.
Blago’s defense is weaker than Ryan’s was. And Blago is a less sympathetic character.
YDD. Blago was no one man show. Quinn ran with him twice and had no qualms cashing his checks while helping run the state off a cliff. I also remember Emil Jones as a friend and helper. The same Emil Jones standing on the podium with Quinn when he won the nomination. The more things change the more they stay the same.
Do you really think RB can stay quiet for the entire trial? That would be a feat comparable to Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants. What are the odds he doesn’t testify but tries to do the summation? Like the impeachment trial. I wonder if Judge Zagel would even allow it?
“That would be a feat comparable to Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants.”
Or Hannibal Lector going vegan?
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:51 am:
I have some quick observations.
As long as I live, I won’t forget the John Stewart bit about Blago’s scheme to get money out of Children’s Memorial Hospital. He called it Blago’s “Take a wish foundation”.
I don’t understand people who say Blago will walk. Even if there is one or two idiot jurors who don’t convict, all that happens is a another trial, not an acquittal, which means he will be retried until he goes down.
If Blago walks, it won’t be Rod it will be Rob.
With 32 seats available to the public, what are the chances of getting into this circus?
been there… I also noticed RedEye had an insert today promoting the upcoming Just for Laughs comedy festival. It’s a shame Rod’s trial couldn’t score a mention there as well.
1. If Rod does take the stand, I firmly believe in my gut that the cross examination by the prosecution will be relentless and force Rod to lose his cool and show his true nature; and
2. Once the jury hears the line “and it’s ****’n golden” over and over in the full context of the issue — it’s game, set and match.
If only one juror refuses to vote for conviction, then that only prolongs the inevitable. That’s only a mistrial and they could attempt to try him again. Would he be lucky in that instance?
Thank you Mr. Whoopie. That’s been bugging me too. If the jury doesn’t unanimously convict it’s a “hung jury” and a mistrial and they can try it as many times as needed till there is a unanimous verdict one way or the other. Not a happy prospect but let’s put to rest the notion that he’ll “walk” if there is one holdout juror.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:10 pm:
Levois,
I suppose it may be possible for one scatter brained individual to sneak onto a jury and be snowed by Blago & his boys but that’s about it. The reasonable man priciple can only be stretched so far, as Blago is about to find out.
As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I have to protest the news helicopter hovering overhead waiting for Rod and Patty to leave their house this morning. Is this going to go on through the entire trial? Someone of us are still sleeping at that hour.
A mother-and-daughter duo standing outside the courthouse demonstrated their support for Blagojevich. Holding a sign that reads “If a man can’t talk crap in his own home, take my husband please!” Patty Farley of Chicago said the ex-governor is a victim of Illinois politics.
I’m not sure these ladies understand the finer points of the law, but it’s a pretty funny sign.
Otter: Point of parliamentary procedure!
Hoover: Don’t screw around, they’re serious this time!
Otter: Take it easy, I’m pre-law.
Boon: I thought you were pre-med.
Otter: What’s the difference?
[Addressing the room]
Otter: Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll be brief. The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests - we did.
[winks at Dean Wormer]
Otter: But you can’t hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn’t we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!
[Leads the Deltas out of the hearing, all humming the Star-Spangled Banner]
You know he doesn’t deserve all of this spewing. He didn’t get rich, Children’s Memorial Hospital asks for money constantly so it’s not like the hospital was in dire need this was politics at its worst, but maybe not as criminal as you all make it out to be. No one died because he wanted to make a deal with the Senate seat, no one got rich, and no one’s worse for ware other than CK, and god only knows what that is all about. Rich just relax a bit.
DD, Rod may take an opportunity to speak, but for months of the trial, he will have to sit still and be quiet while his old colleagues and his own words reveal what a stupid, vulgar crook he really is.
He knew the feds were on him from the get go. Yet he never really slowed down until his arrest.
Rob Blagojevich, you made a terrible choice late in life. Four months on the job, and here you are. Very sad.
I think Zagel will run a very tight ship. I doubt very much he will be dazzled by the likes of the Adam family. Snap, snap.
By the way, Patti had her game face on at the Dirksen Building, based on her comments to the TV. They’re going all in — the defense is, “we’re not corrupt, everyone else is.”
The last thing his lawyers will want is a narcissist on the stand. The narcissist will find the temptation irresistable, because all he has to do to assure acquittal is let the golden honey of his words fall into the ears of the jurors.
All the jurors will get out of that is sticky ears.
It’s a shame that Law and Order is going off the air. They could have fun with this one.
“It’s a shame that Law and Order is going off the air. They could have fun with this one.”
If I’m not mistaken L&O did have an episode last year that revolved around a Blago-like corrupt governor engaging in some funny business involving a vacant Senate seat and a job for his wife… with a murder thrown in, of course.
- Jake from Elwood - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:29 pm:
What, no jogging suit?
The grotesque clown reference made me chuckle…
I agree completely, Word. How he will remain seated/quiet for the entire trial given his vocal proclivities is the question here. I wish there were cameras and we could have a live RB face feed just to watch his expressions. Better than cable!
Zagel has made clear in previous cases and in pretrial stuff that he is in charge. The Adam team will not be allowed to hijack the courtroom as they have in state court. Federal court is a different animal.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:45 pm:
Blago will be quiet in the court but all that bottled up virility will be spewing out to reporters everyday at adjournment. And right when people are trying to eat.
I’m glad the judge stuck with his guns and denied the media access to the names of the jurors. The media does not need to know that right now, nor should they ever know the identities of jurors during a case (in my opinion).
Sometimes it seems like the prosecutors are following the lead of the local media. In the George Ryan trial they worked hand-in-hand to kick a favorable juror off the jury. Getting a person charged with a potential prison sentence is enough. You should, out of decency and American values, let him have a fair trial. Even if you forgo a story that sounds pleasing to the readers. Your story about childrens memorial is a hit piece. Just hope no one ever does that to you.
why do these rear kissing reporters keep caling him governor? “Governor…Governor!! Just one more question Governor.” Wasn’t he impeached and convicted and thrown from office and stripped of his title? Didn’t he perpetrate a massive fraud on the public?
Quit showing him that kind of respect! Call him Rod for now, and inmate # whatever it is when the time comes.
What are the chances Rod pulled a Scott Lee Cohen and paid off his supporters? If not, I’m a little disturbed people would actually go because they like him.
Rich, as a matter of fact I read the entire indictment, every last word-full text, and I stand by my point that yes this is politics exposed and at its most lowest value, however to wish 415 yrs on a family that at most was cynical, uninterested and frankly painfully narcissistic- this isn’t OJ, this isn’t even as bad as what R. Kelly is accused of- and besides- where is the big pile of money? 40K from Rezko maybe which is not part of the indictment? Come on, and a little more than Caruthers. John Harris too, come on people what did he really do? What the indictment skims on facts that nothing was executed, where is the personal gain for any of them in the indictment? Horse trading- that is Illinois, he was hoping for quid pro quo, did anyone get it? Not sure. Is it illegal to try, maybe, 415 years in prison? absolutely not.
===where is the personal gain for any of them in the indictment? ===
I don’t care what you say, you didn’t read the indictment.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:02 pm:
Wow. Taking info from BGA …..that should be a step down ….will the blog include the BGA constant fundraiser asks. It is hard to take them seriously anymore
Rich, I read it, word for word- you could quiz me on it. If you noticed I didn’t defend Lon Monk, that is very clear- crystal. I get what it says, but I still don’t think the time doesn’t fit the crime. A crime syndicate? A bunch of jack asses is more like it, they couldn’t even get ‘er done. This isn’t Joey the Clown, he didn’t murder innocent people- he just got them to vote for him.
From the Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0603/Will-Rod-Blagojevich-trial-be-a-circus-The-ex-governor-hopes-so):
“Blagojevich’s defense team will be counting on their client’s shoot-from-the-hip charm. It is how they are expected to try to dissuade jurors from taking seriously the 100 hours of telephone wiretaps the prosecution plans to play in court. The argument: Blagojevich was just a foul-mouthed politician engaged in verbal sparring in a world of pay-to-play politics.
“They’re going to say what he was saying on those tapes was a verbal, stream-of-conscious thinking, and that he never did pull the trigger [on the schemes],” says Chicago securities attorney Andrew Stoltmann. “That’s where the publicity tour … helps him. He’s seen as a loose cannon, as a guy who says what’s on his mind. There are going to be some jurors who say that doesn’t rise to the level of a criminal offense.”
This guy is wily as a fox. If this turned into a hung jury, especially one that has 3 or 4 NOT GUILTY votes, how many million dollar bites at the apple would the Feds take to convict him?
“What is it with conservatives who cheer this guy on?”
My guess is 1) they are convinced he has “the goods” on Obama and other Democrats, and that this trial will do for Obama what the trial of the Watergate burglars did for Nixon; 2) they still carry a grudge against Fitz for what he did to Scooter Libby, or 3) both.
“What is it with conservatives who cheer this guy on?”
If they have the goods on Rod, it’s time to expand the George Ryan wing of the pen.
Why do liberals want to hang Rod out to dry when they supported him to the hilt when he was a traditional Democrat during his election and reelection, and only when he deviated from the party line did they turn on him? Do you believe cutting Rod off at the knees will really clean things up, or is Rod just a deflection from the deep-rooted problems in this state that Democrats are using for convenience.
Rod is only the the green leafy shoots of the corruption in this state. There are strong roots with Daley, Rahm, Obama, Stroger, Madigan and the rest. Even the Ryan times weren’t this deeply corrupt.
===Rod is only the the green leafy shoots of the corruption in this state.===
Here’s what you misunderstand about our former governor: He’s a totally different plant. Maybe a different field. Running his organization through the federal mill only gets you him and his organization. It was pretty much self-contained.
Cincin, Rich Miller is correct. Rod was in it only for Rod. Rod even sucked his own brother into the vortex of his downward spiral.
Did you notice how youthful Blago appears? From Jungian psychology (I was on the Editorial Board of the Jung Institute) we used the term “puer aeternus” Latin for “eternal youth” to describe the boy who would never grow up. In pop-psychology, Peter Pan.
I hope there’s someone with a background in psychology an analysis of the flawed character of a career-politician, Rod Blagojevich, out of control.
We don’t chose our families of origin. We have to do the best we can with our blood relatives. I have a bit of sympathy for Rod’s brother. I don’t think Robert’s completely innocent, but I do think he wasn’t aware of the **-it he was stepping into. Even if he clears himself, there will be (for awhile) a lingering odor, the odor of being Rod’s brother.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:13 am:
Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of the trial is that Rod will have to sit and be quiet in court, hour after hour, day after day. It is not his show.
- PFK - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:15 am:
The GOP won’t benefit from the Blagojevich case in the same way that the Dems benefitted from George Ryan. Namely because of George Ryan.
- Scooby - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:16 am:
“teaching moment”
There’s a phrase that can’t go out of style soon enough.
- anon - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:19 am:
this is like a trip to the dentist. you dread it because it will be painful, but you will be better off for it.
- Bman - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:31 am:
Regardless of the trial’s outcome, I hope that all governments and politicians in Illinois stop their shameful behavior.
- Way Way Down Here - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:32 am:
Very true Word, very true.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:36 am:
What polling I’ve seen shows that trying to link current elected officials to Blago is pretty pointless.
Rod’s stink rises to such a high level thatvoters are unwilling to believe the association merely on the GOP’s say-so.
And third party times — the press, reform groups — aren’t going to provide that argument with credibility because Rod’s feuds with his fellow Democrats were so highly publicized. Blago may have run as a Democrat officially, but he was a one-man show.
Ryan, by contrast, was the leader of the band.
- Stones - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:36 am:
I am disgusted with Blago as much as anyone but my gut tells me a conviction is not a foregone conclusion. He only needs to convince one juror to prevail.
- MrJM - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:48 am:
And we cut to the final day of the trial:
“… by the neck until you are dead, dead, dead. And may God have mercy on your soul.”
– MrJM
- cassandra - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:50 am:
Quinn’s history of being something of an outsider could certainly help him here. All Democratic leaders will be busy portraying our Blago as an outlier. But Quinn can credibly claim to be something of an outlier in the other direction of honesty and ethics and so on.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that Quinn has the skills to run state government. I don’t believe he does. But no matter how many Blago trial websites the Repubs put up, they can’t fully compensate for their exceptionally weak gubernatorial candidate. So this could all work out for Quinn in November. And he’ll be raiding our pocketbooks in December.
- Captain Flume - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:56 am:
“…dead, dead, dead…” WAY over the top! even for snark.
- been there - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:57 am:
Speaking of programs, Redeye, the free paper in news boxes on corners in Chicago, has an excellent two-page spread that thoroughly (in small print) describes the background, the players, the process and the 24 counts and their victims.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 10:58 am:
As a side comment, to me the BGA combination of news reporitng and blogging, through related established blogg sites, represents the future of news reporting. The major media outlets have commentaries to many of their stories. But to me those are more pseudo blogs whith little policing or interaction from the host.
This should be fun.
- Downstater - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:04 am:
YDD,
I think you are being naive to suggest that voters will look at Blago’s trial through the prism of George Ryan.
The number of State Democrats that knew Blago the best, were the ones that encoruaged us to vote for him so many times. As Blago has failed so miserably, we have to question the wisdom of those that recommended him to us.
If Topinka was criticized for merely dancing with Ryan, then statewide Democrats must be held accountable for having married us to Blago.
Against this backdrop is the poor condition of the state. We’ve been “business unfriendly” and an “entitlement nirvana” as per the Democrats direction. Voters aren’t satisfied, any longer, with that direction.
Blago was no one-man show. His approach to “kids care”, veterans care, Medicaid spending, etc. were supported by the Democratic Legislative leaders. His budgets were passed, bills were unpaid, and the Democrats did nothing.
Blago’s trial simply extends the outrage that tax payers are feeling. And they are ready for someone else to pay.
- MrJM - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:09 am:
“[Blagojevich] tried to shake down Children’s Memorial Hospital CEO Patrick Magoon for 50 large. And there is ample evidence that Blagojevich tried to put a hold on that [$8 million for Children’s Memorial Hospital] until he got what he wanted. In fact, the state money wasn’t disbursed until the day Blagojevich was removed from office.”
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:10 am:
Yellow Dog Democrat,
I don’t think that Republican or Democrat likely voters will be influenced by Rod’s trial. However, this is the year of the Independent voter who will make or break any close race. I hope some non-partisan organization or the MSM crafts a carefully constructed poll question, in a poll of LIKELY VOTERS to see if there is any influence of this trial. The poll needs at least one repeat as we head into the election.
- Carl Nyberg - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:20 am:
I think Blagojevich stands a good chance of acquittal on the charge about the U.S. Senate appointment.
The charge about Childrens Memorial Hospital is one that I see no way out. When Blago didn’t get the money he was expecting from the head of the hospital Blago tried to cancel the payment to the hospital.
And the hospital’s name is “Childrens Memorial”.
The “it was just talk” defense is killed by trying to talk the money back.
And there’s a sympathetic victim in the extortion scheme.
What option does Team Blago have on this?
Attacking the credibility and impartiality of the prosecution while contending this is just how politics is done?
George Ryan had a stronger defense of “this is just how politics is done” and Ryan was a more likable guy. There were people who genuinely felt admiration and affection for Ryan based on the death penalty moratorium.
Blago’s defense is weaker than Ryan’s was. And Blago is a less sympathetic character.
- George - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:21 am:
Who’s Rod Blagojevich?
- Fed up - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:25 am:
YDD. Blago was no one man show. Quinn ran with him twice and had no qualms cashing his checks while helping run the state off a cliff. I also remember Emil Jones as a friend and helper. The same Emil Jones standing on the podium with Quinn when he won the nomination. The more things change the more they stay the same.
- Leroy - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:37 am:
I see no reason to hold Blagojevich to a higher standard than we hold other Illinois politicians to.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:43 am:
Leroy,
What the heck are you talking about?
Word,
Do you really think RB can stay quiet for the entire trial? That would be a feat comparable to Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants. What are the odds he doesn’t testify but tries to do the summation? Like the impeachment trial. I wonder if Judge Zagel would even allow it?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:48 am:
DD, that’s a good point about him doing the summation. OJ Simpson did a similar thing. Another circus trial.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:50 am:
dupage dan said,
“That would be a feat comparable to Hannibal crossing the Alps with his elephants.”
Or Hannibal Lector going vegan?
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:51 am:
I have some quick observations.
As long as I live, I won’t forget the John Stewart bit about Blago’s scheme to get money out of Children’s Memorial Hospital. He called it Blago’s “Take a wish foundation”.
I don’t understand people who say Blago will walk. Even if there is one or two idiot jurors who don’t convict, all that happens is a another trial, not an acquittal, which means he will be retried until he goes down.
If Blago walks, it won’t be Rod it will be Rob.
With 32 seats available to the public, what are the chances of getting into this circus?
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:52 am:
been there… I also noticed RedEye had an insert today promoting the upcoming Just for Laughs comedy festival. It’s a shame Rod’s trial couldn’t score a mention there as well.
- unclesam - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:57 am:
Two things:
1. If Rod does take the stand, I firmly believe in my gut that the cross examination by the prosecution will be relentless and force Rod to lose his cool and show his true nature; and
2. Once the jury hears the line “and it’s ****’n golden” over and over in the full context of the issue — it’s game, set and match.
- Levois - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 11:59 am:
If only one juror refuses to vote for conviction, then that only prolongs the inevitable. That’s only a mistrial and they could attempt to try him again. Would he be lucky in that instance?
- Ghost - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:04 pm:
There is now way Rod can ever be allowed to take the stand. Rod on the stand is the prosecutions greatest fantasy.
- girllawyer - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:07 pm:
Thank you Mr. Whoopie. That’s been bugging me too. If the jury doesn’t unanimously convict it’s a “hung jury” and a mistrial and they can try it as many times as needed till there is a unanimous verdict one way or the other. Not a happy prospect but let’s put to rest the notion that he’ll “walk” if there is one holdout juror.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:10 pm:
Levois,
I suppose it may be possible for one scatter brained individual to sneak onto a jury and be snowed by Blago & his boys but that’s about it. The reasonable man priciple can only be stretched so far, as Blago is about to find out.
- unclesam - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:18 pm:
In the immortal words of the Joker (very appropriate, I think) from the movie Dark Knight: “…and here we go!”
- LINK - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:37 pm:
I couldn’t tell but was that placard a former Cohen campaign sign…. ; )
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:44 pm:
As someone who lives in the neighborhood, I have to protest the news helicopter hovering overhead waiting for Rod and Patty to leave their house this morning. Is this going to go on through the entire trial? Someone of us are still sleeping at that hour.
- Scooby - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:47 pm:
Rich you missed the funniest part:
I’m not sure these ladies understand the finer points of the law, but it’s a pretty funny sign.
- Gregor - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:53 pm:
Preview of Rod/ Adam opening argument:
Otter: Point of parliamentary procedure!
Hoover: Don’t screw around, they’re serious this time!
Otter: Take it easy, I’m pre-law.
Boon: I thought you were pre-med.
Otter: What’s the difference?
[Addressing the room]
Otter: Ladies and gentlemen, I’ll be brief. The issue here is not whether we broke a few rules, or took a few liberties with our female party guests - we did.
[winks at Dean Wormer]
Otter: But you can’t hold a whole fraternity responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn’t we blame the whole fraternity system? And if the whole fraternity system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our educational institutions in general? I put it to you, Greg - isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!
[Leads the Deltas out of the hearing, all humming the Star-Spangled Banner]
- HYPOCRITE - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:54 pm:
You know he doesn’t deserve all of this spewing. He didn’t get rich, Children’s Memorial Hospital asks for money constantly so it’s not like the hospital was in dire need this was politics at its worst, but maybe not as criminal as you all make it out to be. No one died because he wanted to make a deal with the Senate seat, no one got rich, and no one’s worse for ware other than CK, and god only knows what that is all about. Rich just relax a bit.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 12:56 pm:
A “fraternity”, Gregor. Noooooooooooooo!
Really?!!!
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:01 pm:
HYPOCRITE, after reading your thoughts a line from another great American film comes to mind…
Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop drinking…
- OneMan - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:03 pm:
perhaps we can have a CapFax day where we show up with signs…
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:06 pm:
Hypocrite, you didn’t read the arrest report and subsequent indictments, did you?
He deserves all this and more. With “more” meaning “prison.”
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:06 pm:
DD, Rod may take an opportunity to speak, but for months of the trial, he will have to sit still and be quiet while his old colleagues and his own words reveal what a stupid, vulgar crook he really is.
He knew the feds were on him from the get go. Yet he never really slowed down until his arrest.
Rob Blagojevich, you made a terrible choice late in life. Four months on the job, and here you are. Very sad.
I think Zagel will run a very tight ship. I doubt very much he will be dazzled by the likes of the Adam family. Snap, snap.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:08 pm:
By the way, Patti had her game face on at the Dirksen Building, based on her comments to the TV. They’re going all in — the defense is, “we’re not corrupt, everyone else is.”
She’s standing by her man.
- Aldyth - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:15 pm:
The last thing his lawyers will want is a narcissist on the stand. The narcissist will find the temptation irresistable, because all he has to do to assure acquittal is let the golden honey of his words fall into the ears of the jurors.
All the jurors will get out of that is sticky ears.
It’s a shame that Law and Order is going off the air. They could have fun with this one.
- unclesam - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:19 pm:
Rich,
Do you know if they’re selling Cracker Jack during the trial — or just forced to watch the Cracker Jack during the trial?
- Secret Square - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:26 pm:
“It’s a shame that Law and Order is going off the air. They could have fun with this one.”
If I’m not mistaken L&O did have an episode last year that revolved around a Blago-like corrupt governor engaging in some funny business involving a vacant Senate seat and a job for his wife… with a murder thrown in, of course.
- Jake from Elwood - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:29 pm:
What, no jogging suit?
The grotesque clown reference made me chuckle…
- dupage dan - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:29 pm:
I agree completely, Word. How he will remain seated/quiet for the entire trial given his vocal proclivities is the question here. I wish there were cameras and we could have a live RB face feed just to watch his expressions. Better than cable!
Zagel has made clear in previous cases and in pretrial stuff that he is in charge. The Adam team will not be allowed to hijack the courtroom as they have in state court. Federal court is a different animal.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:45 pm:
Blago will be quiet in the court but all that bottled up virility will be spewing out to reporters everyday at adjournment. And right when people are trying to eat.
- RJW - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:46 pm:
I’m glad the judge stuck with his guns and denied the media access to the names of the jurors. The media does not need to know that right now, nor should they ever know the identities of jurors during a case (in my opinion).
- Choco - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:48 pm:
Sometimes it seems like the prosecutors are following the lead of the local media. In the George Ryan trial they worked hand-in-hand to kick a favorable juror off the jury. Getting a person charged with a potential prison sentence is enough. You should, out of decency and American values, let him have a fair trial. Even if you forgo a story that sounds pleasing to the readers. Your story about childrens memorial is a hit piece. Just hope no one ever does that to you.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:50 pm:
Choco, it’s just fact. You can choose not to believe it, but it’s a fact.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 1:50 pm:
PJW, I’ll bet before we’re too far along Zagel will slap a gag order on them, so Rod will babble at his own peril.
- unclesam - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 2:03 pm:
Word,
Hasn’t Blago already “babbled at his own peril” — with the only difference is that, this time, he knows he is being recorded?
- heet101 - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 2:48 pm:
why do these rear kissing reporters keep caling him governor? “Governor…Governor!! Just one more question Governor.” Wasn’t he impeached and convicted and thrown from office and stripped of his title? Didn’t he perpetrate a massive fraud on the public?
Quit showing him that kind of respect! Call him Rod for now, and inmate # whatever it is when the time comes.
- Rollin' - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 2:49 pm:
What are the chances Rod pulled a Scott Lee Cohen and paid off his supporters? If not, I’m a little disturbed people would actually go because they like him.
- HYPOCRITE - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:00 pm:
Rich, as a matter of fact I read the entire indictment, every last word-full text, and I stand by my point that yes this is politics exposed and at its most lowest value, however to wish 415 yrs on a family that at most was cynical, uninterested and frankly painfully narcissistic- this isn’t OJ, this isn’t even as bad as what R. Kelly is accused of- and besides- where is the big pile of money? 40K from Rezko maybe which is not part of the indictment? Come on, and a little more than Caruthers. John Harris too, come on people what did he really do? What the indictment skims on facts that nothing was executed, where is the personal gain for any of them in the indictment? Horse trading- that is Illinois, he was hoping for quid pro quo, did anyone get it? Not sure. Is it illegal to try, maybe, 415 years in prison? absolutely not.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:01 pm:
===where is the personal gain for any of them in the indictment? ===
I don’t care what you say, you didn’t read the indictment.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:02 pm:
Wow. Taking info from BGA …..that should be a step down ….will the blog include the BGA constant fundraiser asks. It is hard to take them seriously anymore
- HYPOCRITE - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:16 pm:
Rich, I read it, word for word- you could quiz me on it. If you noticed I didn’t defend Lon Monk, that is very clear- crystal. I get what it says, but I still don’t think the time doesn’t fit the crime. A crime syndicate? A bunch of jack asses is more like it, they couldn’t even get ‘er done. This isn’t Joey the Clown, he didn’t murder innocent people- he just got them to vote for him.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:22 pm:
From the Christian Science Monitor (http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2010/0603/Will-Rod-Blagojevich-trial-be-a-circus-The-ex-governor-hopes-so):
“Blagojevich’s defense team will be counting on their client’s shoot-from-the-hip charm. It is how they are expected to try to dissuade jurors from taking seriously the 100 hours of telephone wiretaps the prosecution plans to play in court. The argument: Blagojevich was just a foul-mouthed politician engaged in verbal sparring in a world of pay-to-play politics.
“They’re going to say what he was saying on those tapes was a verbal, stream-of-conscious thinking, and that he never did pull the trigger [on the schemes],” says Chicago securities attorney Andrew Stoltmann. “That’s where the publicity tour … helps him. He’s seen as a loose cannon, as a guy who says what’s on his mind. There are going to be some jurors who say that doesn’t rise to the level of a criminal offense.”
This guy is wily as a fox. If this turned into a hung jury, especially one that has 3 or 4 NOT GUILTY votes, how many million dollar bites at the apple would the Feds take to convict him?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:22 pm:
What is it with conservatives who cheer this guy on?
- Secret Square - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:38 pm:
“What is it with conservatives who cheer this guy on?”
My guess is 1) they are convinced he has “the goods” on Obama and other Democrats, and that this trial will do for Obama what the trial of the Watergate burglars did for Nixon; 2) they still carry a grudge against Fitz for what he did to Scooter Libby, or 3) both.
- sal-says - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:43 pm:
Does Patti think the X’s on her jacket are checkmarks for ‘guilty-as-charged’?
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:54 pm:
Rich Miller said,
“What is it with conservatives who cheer this guy on?”
If they have the goods on Rod, it’s time to expand the George Ryan wing of the pen.
Why do liberals want to hang Rod out to dry when they supported him to the hilt when he was a traditional Democrat during his election and reelection, and only when he deviated from the party line did they turn on him? Do you believe cutting Rod off at the knees will really clean things up, or is Rod just a deflection from the deep-rooted problems in this state that Democrats are using for convenience.
Rod is only the the green leafy shoots of the corruption in this state. There are strong roots with Daley, Rahm, Obama, Stroger, Madigan and the rest. Even the Ryan times weren’t this deeply corrupt.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 3, 10 @ 3:57 pm:
===Rod is only the the green leafy shoots of the corruption in this state.===
Here’s what you misunderstand about our former governor: He’s a totally different plant. Maybe a different field. Running his organization through the federal mill only gets you him and his organization. It was pretty much self-contained.
- HatShopGirl - Friday, Jun 4, 10 @ 12:24 am:
Cincin, Rich Miller is correct. Rod was in it only for Rod. Rod even sucked his own brother into the vortex of his downward spiral.
Did you notice how youthful Blago appears? From Jungian psychology (I was on the Editorial Board of the Jung Institute) we used the term “puer aeternus” Latin for “eternal youth” to describe the boy who would never grow up. In pop-psychology, Peter Pan.
I hope there’s someone with a background in psychology an analysis of the flawed character of a career-politician, Rod Blagojevich, out of control.
We don’t chose our families of origin. We have to do the best we can with our blood relatives. I have a bit of sympathy for Rod’s brother. I don’t think Robert’s completely innocent, but I do think he wasn’t aware of the **-it he was stepping into. Even if he clears himself, there will be (for awhile) a lingering odor, the odor of being Rod’s brother.
Much love and respect boys!