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* I tried, I really did (OK, not that hard), but I just don’t get Snapchat…
As disgraced former governor Rod Blagojevich, federal inmate 40892-424, has his request for retrial considered by the Supreme Court today, the Rauner campaign launched a Snapchat filter to commemorate the occasion.
The filter allows users to take a selfie posing as Blagojevich and features his confidante JB Pritzker, the man caught on FBI wiretaps discussing potential appointments and donations surrouding the vacant Illinois U.S. Senate seat in 2008.
Pritzker has remained silent on the potential for his wiretap partner to receive another day in court.
* Here it is…
* Meanwhile, The Hill ran an interesting op-ed about the case…
So how did we get to this point? It’s because federal courts around the country are interpreting two Supreme Court decisions differently. In some areas, courts hearing corruption cases treat a campaign contribution like a gift to a lawmaker of a winter trip to a Florida beach. That’s both absurd and dangerous to free speech.
In the first of these two cases, the Supreme Court said that to find guilt for extorting a campaign contribution, the law requires “an explicit promise or undertaking by the official to perform or not to perform an official act.” But a year later another Supreme Court ruling in another corruption case created confusion.
Some courts read the second decision as watering down the “explicit promise” requirement. These courts, including the one that hosted the Blagojevich trial, allow conviction under a looser standard. A jury can convict if it infers an implied promise from the candidate’s awareness that the donor expects something in return for a campaign contribution.
*** UPDATE *** Interesting development…
Governor Rauner-@BruceRauner Please take down that disgusting Snap Chat filter using my husband's name, number and likeness. You know I have daughters who are of the age of most Snap Chat users. It is so callous of you to so casually inflict this emotional distress upon them.
— Patti Blagojevich (@pblagojevich) April 13, 2018
* Related…
* SCOTUS reviewing Blagojevich’s appeal today: In their court filing last fall, Rod Blagojevich’s lawyers argued blurry lines between lawful and unlawful fundraising leave politicians vulnerable. A letter signed by nineteen Illinois lawmakers asks justices to review Blagojevich’s case– calling it an issue of national importance.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 2:56 pm
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To be honest I don’t get snapchat either. Although the Blago filter is cool so well done.
Comment by Levois Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 2:58 pm
Meh.
This is the same Crew that had volunteers, on social media, playing Uno…
… not surprising that a campaign polling at 26/60, and can’t keep volunteers busy with Uno would have a Snapchat filter for Blago.
Makes total sense.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:02 pm
Looks like Rauner has a new set of kids working from the dorm room.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:04 pm
I don;t know who the 19 members of the GA are that signed the letter, but that is really not that important. We all knew that this case would rise through the Federal Courts.
But, given the gravity and consequences of other cases SCOTUS has agreed to hear I doubt that this is really “an issue of national importance”.
Comment by illini Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:05 pm
Rauner and friends have successfully transitioned from insignificant to pathetic.
Snapchat could be the perfect platform for him to learn how to get in control since the “chats” disappear in a “snap” just like much of his staff.
Comment by former southerner Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:10 pm
Black should be out unlike Virginia governor he got nothing all Blago has is a big mouth and an ability to tick off people and the judge
Of course Blago gets lucky again and has his appeal heard on Friday the 13th
Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:15 pm
Insert Steve Buscemi “how do you do fellow kids” meme
Comment by Anonish Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:17 pm
Perhaps the J.B. campaign can design a filter where you ride a Harley in a flannel shirt while veterans keel over in the background.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:22 pm
Rod for Mayor 2019
Comment by Just Me Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:30 pm
===Rod for Mayor===
Nope. Lifetime ban on running for state and local office. He can run for Congress and US Senate, tho.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:32 pm
=Nope. Lifetime ban on running for state and local office. He can run for Congress and US Senate, tho.=
Ravenswood Manor neighborhood improvement association president?
Comment by m Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:38 pm
==Ravenswood Manor neighborhood improvement association president?==
I’m guessing that doesn’t count, however, if he does consider hopefully they’d run him out of their meetings. Or they just might allow it because of his infamy after all!
Comment by Levois Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:40 pm
They did not get my approval for this filter.
Comment by Blago's Hare Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 3:44 pm
Did Rauner take the Snap Chat down?
Comment by Flynn's Mom Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 4:21 pm
I am ashamed I did not think of that. Patti is right. Her husband is not running for anything. Sometimes everyone is too callous. He screwed up big time is serving his time doubt he is going to run for anything anytime.
Why kick him when down and why hurt kids?
Comment by DuPage Saint Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 4:22 pm
Can we make a “not in charge” filter with Bruce’s likeness?
Comment by Ike Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 4:22 pm
Patti, please: the Governor is taking political advantage of your hubby’s plight, but any “emotional distress” falls squarely on Rod’s shoulders - “Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”, including the scorn that accompanies the time. IMHO, he got off light, I hope the SC denies the appeal hands-down.
Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 4:32 pm
Rauner actually made me feel sorry for Patty Blagojevich. That’s almost impossible to do, and yet…
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 4:32 pm
-Why kick him when down and why hurt kids? -
He has yet to admit he was wrong. The only one that hurt his kids is him.
Comment by ste_with a v_en Friday, Apr 13, 18 @ 4:36 pm