Throughout the intercepted conversations, Blagojevich also allegedly spent significant time weighing the option of appointing himself to the open Senate seat and expressed a variety of reasons for doing so, including: frustration at being "stuck" as governor; a belief that he will be able to obtain greater resources if he is indicted as a sitting Senator as opposed to a sitting governor; a desire to remake his image in consideration of a possible run for President in 2016; avoiding impeachment by the Illinois legislature; making corporate contacts that would be of value to him after leaving public office; facilitating his wife's employment as a lobbyist; and generating speaking fees should he decide to leave public office. (link)
I can see it now: Rod Blagojevich, standing on stage, flanked by his family and his vice presidential pick, Mobutu Sese Seko, declaring victory and then diving into a pool of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck.
thank you, at least, for looking so sleazy that we all should have seen this coming since day 1. but, you say, thank goodness that none of the upstanding politicians in squeaky-clean Illinois encouraged him in this behavior! cue daily show-style incriminating clip.
sigh.According to the statement from prosecutors, Mr. Blagojevich told an adviser last week that he might “get some (money) upfront, maybe” from one of the candidates hoping to replace Mr. Obama. That person was identified only as “Candidate 5.”
In an earlier recorded conversation, prosecutors say, Mr. Blagojevich said he was approached by an associate of “Candidate 5” with an offer of $500,000 in exchange for the Senate seat. (link)
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