The governor can’t really give this money back because it would set a precedent for Rezko’s millions.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Wednesday that he would not return campaign contributions raised by an Arab-American organization even though an internal investigation determined the state employee who heads the group organized a Blagojevich fundraiser on state time. […]

“Because one individual’s wrongful action, that individual needs to be held responsible for his or her wrongful actions,” the governor said, declining to answer any more questions on the matter.

Later, Blagojevich spokesman Doug Scofield said the organization, the Arab American Democratic Club, is made up of “long-standing contributors” and “they give without regard to any specific individual and shouldn’t be penalized for the inappropriate actions of one person.”

The group has given Blagojevich $10,500 since 2002. The campaign said it would detail how much money it received from the Sept. 12 fundraiser next week as part of state election law requirements.

Like I said, if Blagojevich returned these tainted contributions the media and Topinka would demand that he return all the money raised by the indicted Tony Rezko.

This situation [more info here] is a microcosm of much of what is wrong with the Blagojevich administration. Allegations of illegal fundraising, mixing campaign money and government, getting around veterans preference rules in the hiring of the guy in the first place. If he had gotten a state contract or put somebody on a state board it would just about complete the circle.

Meanwhile, Esquire Magazine is endorsing candidates this year, but they don’t seem to know what they’re doing. From Bernie Schoenburg’s column:

Perhaps indicating Esquire’s level of knowledge of Illinois politics, the magazine lists the Republican candidate as Jody Baar Topinka. […]

Anyway, here’s the explanation of Esquire’s endorsement of Blagojevich in the November issue:

“Blagojevich was elected in 2002 on a platform of breaking Illinois’ - and especially Chicago’s - political-patronage machine. He’s done well in that regard, and in his defense of women’s and the elderly’s health-care rights.”

Looks as if the governor’s news releases might just be getting through to New York.

Morons.