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“If I get convicted of this, every politician in America should!”

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Blagojevich Trial

“If I get convicted of this, every politician in America should!” That’s what former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich told me during a courthouse lunch break in the midst of closing arguments.

Yeah, because every politician in America has tried to shake down a children’s hospital executive for a huge campaign contribution in exchange for releasing state funds. Right. By the way, I saw this and almost had a stroke…

TV talk shows for Aug. 9…

10 a.m. The Bonnie Hunt Show: …former Gov. Rod Blagojevich

Turns out, it’s a rerun. Whew. I thought he’d finally entered straight-jacket and electro shock territory.

* CBS News Radio’s chief legal analyst and legal editor Andrew Cohen Tweets…

No #Blagojevich verdict this week. Betcha US attorney #Fitzgerald and Co are beginning to sweat things just a wee bit.

I’ll betcha that the defense attorneys are sweating more. The Daily Herald talked to Richard Leng, a former federal prosecutor and defense attorney…

“The chances of a not-guilty verdict in any federal criminal case are slim and none — and slim left town,” Leng said. “Getting an acquittal in federal court on a criminal case, particularly a case of that magnitude, is just enormously difficult.”

Assistant U.S. attorneys are famously methodical, and the strict rules of law in federal cases play to their strengths, Leng noted. Prosecutors also typically plead out anything in doubt - something never apparently contemplated in the Blagojevich case.

There is conventional wisdom that the longer the jury is out, the better the indication that is for the defense, but Leng says, “That is an old saw; I don’t know how accurate it is.”

Another old saw, he added, is a day of deliberation for every week of the trial, which puts the jury only just over that ratio so far, having received the case after eight weeks and beginning their ninth day on Monday.

“I don’t think it’s gotten to the range where anybody is sitting around saying, ‘This has been going on a long time,’” Leng said.

* Roundup…

* Marin: Waiting for Blagojevich at Camp Dirksen

* Blagojevich jurors end 8th day of deliberations

* Blagojevich jurors enter 9th day of deliberations

* Blagojevich portrait is a bust

* Ryan jurors know what Blagojevich jury is facing

* Verdict could cast light or shadow on Patrick Fitzgerald

* Goudie: Rod’s on hold, but there’s plenty of distractions out there

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:04 am

Comments

“If I get convicted of this, every politician in America should!”

Well he does have a point that there’s a LOT of pay-to-play out there. In fact what ISN’T in Illinois.

Well unless you’re someone like Bill Brady with your own seat on the floor of the senate. Then you can just vote on the bills your own family business wants directly. No need for pay-to-play once you’ve vertically integrated and eliminated the middle man.

Comment by just sayin' Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 9:21 am
Yeah, they all do it, but only a fool asks for contributions while he has the bill on his desk for signature, and says I’ll hold off a week or so after you give me money so it doesn’t look like there is a connection between the two. Blago has many character flaws, but the two that caused his undoing are he’s unethical and stupid.

Comment by Stooges Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 10:03 am
As I duck for cover, I want to say this:

I hate Blago and all he stands for, his behavior is despicable, he is a buffoon and should be in the position he now finds himelf.

But for a moment, toss out the person who said, “If I get convicted of this, every politician in America should!” and consider for a moment the content of the statement. On its face, the statement has a strong ring of truth. Would that the Blago trial provide a “teachable moment” and lead to some significant reforms in governance and campaign financing.

Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:02 am
Carol Marin’s column has been a welcome addition to the political dialogue, but I wish she would have spiked the one on Camp Dirksen. It’s a dreary exercise in navel-gazing.

I also take great exception to this:

–My pal, WMAQ-Channel 5 reporter Phil Rogers, compared the sameness of our days to Bill Murray in “Groundhog Day.” We immediately Googled it. Murray spent 38 days reliving the same day–

Anyone who’s seen the movie could not possibly believe the “Phil” character could undergo such a life transformation — or learn to play the piano like a virtuoso — in 38 days.

Carol and crew might want to use their downtime to sharpen their reporting skills. If they had gone beyond the first google entry, they would have discovered that my pal, the learned professor and director Harold Ramis, is quoted on the DVD commentary as saying that the character “Phil” relived the same day for 10 years. They could confirm it on IMDB.com.

Like the man said, if your mother says she loves you, check it out.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:20 am
Two points.

First, Blago is nuts. While I realize there is a lot of pay-to-play and back-scratching in both Springfield and D.C. and every other state capitol and/or political hotspot, what Blago did in the presence of others (who all wound up testifying against him) and said on tape (for the FBI and Fitz to hear) is clearly much worse than the normal rub. There’s a reason why people like Duke Cunningham and Maxine Waters and Mark Foley and Eric Massa get caught: not only are the bad public servants but they did reprehensible things which were eventually made public.

Second, I’m not surprised the jury has taken this long. Though I initially thought it would be a half-day deliberation - I also picked the Twins to win the World Series, so what do I know?! - the information the jury must sift through and the depth of the charges are an enormous burden. The most damaging jury decision drop would either by this Thursday before the Twilight Parade or next Wednesday. Both would sting.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:21 am
Cincy: I agree with your post( I am also diving under the table)

Blago is no saint, either is anyone in the GA.

I remember the day Blago was impeached by the IL Senate and thinking to myself that he truly was being judged by ajury of his peers.

I ask my self why Fitz didn’t wait until money was transacted for the seat, then swoop in and haul Blago and the purchaser off to the Federal pen. The purchaser could have pleas and sold Blago up the river…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:24 am
===I ask my self why Fitz didn’t wait until money was transacted for the seat===

Because, silly, he knew he was being bugged. It was in the Tribune, remember? The guy was busily concocting an alibi and undoing deals. They moved in because the gig was up.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:27 am
“If I get convicted of this, every politician in America should!”

Well, that’s one way to clean house, only trouble is whomever replaces a corrupt politician usually takes up where their predecessor left off, at least in this state. Blago is the perfect example of that. At least he takes the reward for ‘the most stupid’ when it comes to clandestine activities, they should all be this easy to bust.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:28 am
“If I get convicted of this, every politician in America should!”

Doesn’t that statement almost admit that Rod is guilty as hell?

Comment by White Coats Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:44 am
I’m checking my hound’s teeth as we speak.

Comment by techboy Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:55 am
Rich, I have a hard time thinking that Rod gave a damn whether or not anyone was listening. If he was concerned, he sure as hell could have used an intermediary to run his “transaction”…he was running wild and wanted cash in on his effing golden thing…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 11:56 am
1) Groundhog day, as a screenplay, was to take place over a decade or so. In fleshing out the shooting script, transforming the decade or more Phil was living, while simulaneously repeating the same day Phil was playing out, AND not confusing anyone, was too much for Harold Ramis and Co. to reconcile, so they just let it play out, without actually going through how much actual time took place for Phil … just a tidbit.

2) What is so ironic about the Blago quote, wasn’t Rod suppose to be the “change Illinois needs” or something to that effect, all the while “doing what everyone else did”, via his quote is his defense???? There is no doubt, Rod was/is/coninues to be delusional.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:00 pm
LL, then you didn’t read the transcripts or listen to the tapes.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:02 pm
it seems a beter ratio would be on tied to the number of charges the jury has to work through and discuss.

I have yet to see an IL federal jury who spent a long time on a criminal case aquit on all charges.

What is interesting to me is that some people portray the fed rules as bad, but somehow think justice is served by State criminal cases allowing a dog and pony show (or the chewbacha(sp) defense).

the State system needs better policing so that trials are based on pertinent evidence and conduct.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:04 pm
I’m gonna go out on a limb here. Verdict will be delivered Friday, August 13, 2010.

http://www.steelydan.com/lyrkaty.html

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Comment by Northside Bunker Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:09 pm
I think the best we can hope for is that politicians learn from this and stop engaging in behavior like this. One can hope.

Comment by Naive Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:11 pm
Naive, you mean like the Ryan conviction stopped the next guy?

On the plus side, IL could move into the record books as the first to have back to back Governors from different political parties convicted for corruption.

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:47 pm
The Camp Blagojevich story made me think of Bill Murray in “Meatballs”… and then I came up with this:

Here at Camp Blagojevich, we understand that you child deserves a summer vacation experience that is not only fun, but that equips them for life. REAL life.

Other camps are content to offer sailing, canoeing, horseback riding, golf, making wallets, tennis and woodcraft skills. But only Camp Blagojevich will offer your child these elite experiences:

Airplane shuttle service to and from your home to the camp, daily.

Black Escalade or similar SUV for ground transportation, with escorts.

All the free rubber chicken they can eat.

More changes of clothes than Barbie and Ken combined.

Instead of Native American languages, they will learn how to say: “I am descended from immigrants” in six languages.

$1500 birthday cakes

Wallet-stuffing class offers fine gifts to take home to parents and relatives.

Instead of a smoky sweat lodge ceremony, your child gets a smoke-filled room ceremony of leadership selection.

Golden seats at the commissary.

You child can elect to stay home and watch TV and get full credit for camp attendance.

All ethics tests are taken for your child by councillors; perfect scores guaranteed.

Personal coach to do your web surfing and email for you.

Personal grooming and hair care sessions daily.

Campfire rallies will be attended by at least 500 unemployed city people brought in by bus, who will chant your child’s name and laugh at all their stories and sing along with them.

“Color War” will be fought for your child by a proxy appointed by Emil Jones.

Instead of tedious woodcraft skills, your child will learn how to light a fire under staffers by indiscriminately firing them for not agreeing to anything your child says. He will practice making tax shelters and squirreling money into hidden accounts using small businesses as cover. For scary story night, they will have the option of walking as far as the entrance of the cave that has a picture of Mike Madigan inside. Instead of Bloody Mary, they will chant “Mike Madigan” 20 times to make him appear in the mirror. Plenty of hiding bathrooms for individual use on the grounds.

Your child will also be trained to use their memory skills to master the Camp Blago oath and song:

Born of low, immigrants
destined to be presidents
we will pledge, anything
If you donate cash you bring

Blagojevich, our camp is called:
we learn to lie with faces bald
clean as teeth are, of the hound;
our slush funds never will be found

In our camp, life is golden
to our in-laws we’re beholden
we will pledge, great reform,
but bribery is still the norm

When we are, old and gray
we’ll remember camp today
friendships lasting thru all time,
sharing cells right next to mine

Blagojevich, Blagojevich,
the camp for kids who will be rich,
every birthday, get a card
in exchange, jobs, not too hard

We will live our lives like Rod
with perfect hair and slacker jobs!

Camp Blago is a unique facility and membership is limited to those who can pay before January. Regular camp cost is 13 billion or so, depending on Federal offsets.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:56 pm
Rod likes drama, “Friday the 13th is a good day for a verdict”.

Comment by Wacker Drive Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:01 pm
==the State system needs better policing so that trials are based on pertinent evidence and conduct==
So do the feds. Any advocate of merit selection just has to watch a federal trial once or twice to realize that the judges in Cook County are far superior to the bozos on the fed bench who can’t keep their own personal biases and ideology out of their rulings.

Comment by Bill Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:10 pm
Feeling a bit bitter, Bill? I’m noticing a trend in your comments of late.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:15 pm
Bill, when you make these mirror-universe statements, do you wear a VanDyke beard, so we know you come from the Evil universe?

Comment by Newsclown Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:16 pm
Re: Merit Selection of Judges

A non-partisan committee in Illinois? Really? That hands out judgeships? I don’t know what kind of drugs people are on who think this is a good idea, but Bill certainly could use a lift right now.

Comment by John Bambenek Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:20 pm
Yeah, I’m a little disillusioned with all components of the federal justice system.
…no beard, newsie, but I heard Rod is going to grow one if he gets railroaded up the river.

Comment by Bill Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:24 pm
Thanks, John. I can always count on you.

Comment by Bill Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:26 pm
About the Tribune’s disclosure of the wire-tap surveillance, I had been wondering what exactly the journalistic ethics of this was. Sure, there’s freedom of the press, but there’s also obstruction of justice.

Comment by Liz Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:27 pm
Rod is not being railroaded; he laid his own shinkansen tracks to the federal pen, and cracked the throttle wide open.

Comment by Newsclown Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:37 pm
Bill lets not forget all the individuals Rod Blagojevich railroaded.
But seeing your comments the the last six years, you’ll never get it.

Comment by Wacker Drive Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:37 pm
Had to look that one up. Good one, Newsclown.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:37 pm
- Ghost - Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 12:47 pm:

Naive, you mean like the Ryan conviction stopped the next guy?

“On the plus side, IL could move into the record books as the first to have back to back Governors from different political parties convicted for corruption.”

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/register/login.aspx

Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:47 pm
The only bad thing about Blago’s conviction is the validation it will give to Fitzgerald and the Feds.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 1:58 pm
The best thing about Blago’s conviction is the validation it will give to Fitzgerald and the Feds.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 2:23 pm
Sam Adams Jr. will be on Chicago Tonight, tonight. Should be interesting.

Comment by Lincoln Parker Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 4:19 pm
I am thinking the jury has made a decision on most counts against the two but ironing out a few charges that have less solid evidence. In the end there can be a hung jury on a few counts but Rod can be convicted on a majority of the counts .. can’t he? I would hate to think they find him guilty on 20 counts and he won’t serve time because they can’t decide the other 4 counts for certain.

Likewise with Rob … can’t he be convicted of 2 counts and be undecided on 2 counts?

Attorneys??? What happens when only a handful of counts are undecided?

Comment by springpatchproud Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 5:06 pm
Berkeley Bear, lawyergirl and other members of
the Bar, can you guys explain what several pundits have said in recent days. That if Rod is found guilty of one count it is as good as being found guilty of all of them. Because of sentencing guidelines. And time in prison. I’ve seen this thrown out there but don’t know the basis of the claim.

Comment by And I Approved This Message Monday, Aug 9, 10 @ 6:02 pm