For Sale: U.S. Senate Seat in Illinois

Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich, was taken into custody early this morning on federal charges of corruption. Though most of the rest of the country was surprised by today's developments, Illinoisans likely were not considering the fact that the highly unpopular Blagojevich has been under investigation for three solid years. Among the jaw dropping charges against Blagojevich are attempting to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, trading jobs and favors for campaign contributions, and attempting to pressure the Tribune Company to fire editors hostile to the Governor.

According to the AP: "Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on charges he brazenly conspired to sell or trade President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder as part of what federal prosecutors called a 'political corruption crime spree'....Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in an attempt to strong-arm the newspaper into firing editorial writers who had criticized him. The 51-year-old Democrat was also accused of engaging in pay-to-play politics - that is, doling out jobs, contracts and appointments in return for campaign contributions....Federal investigators bugged the governor's campaign offices and tapped his home phone, capturing conversations laced with profanity and tough-guy talk from the governor. Chicago FBI chief Robert Grant said even seasoned investigators were stunned by what they heard, particularly since the governor had known for three years was under investigation for alleged hiring fraud."

The Blagojevich, William Jefferson, and Ted Stevens scandals demonstrate that corruption is a bipartisan affair. It's a shame that the great majority of public servants are tainted by the brazenly arrogant, morally challenged, parasitic narcissists who work among them. I am just glad that Blagojevich proved that his IQ is smaller than his shoe size, thus ensuring his arrest and public flogging before he could appoint someone in Obama's place. How can a guy that knows he is under investigation, and has been for three years, act in such a blatantly self-destructive and arrogant manner? If the charges are true (and it looks like it has all been recorded), Blagojevich will be heading to the Federal penitentiary. Perhaps he could room with Duke Cunningham. Considering the circumstances, pressure will mount to call a special election to fill the seat rather than have Blagojevich appoint someone. One question that will be worth watching in the next several weeks: did any of the prospective Senate candidates talk with Blagojevich and agree to bribe him for or bid on the seat. Stay tuned...I have a feeling this is all just the tip of the iceberg.

Voters Defrost Freezer King

The voters of Louisiana's 2nd Congressional District have spoken--indicted Democratic Congressman William Jefferson has been turned out. Challenger Republican Anh"Joseph" Cao will become the first Vietnamese American ever to serve in Congress when sworn in next month. A lawyer and community organizer, Cao edged Jefferson 50%-47% in the district that Jefferson has represented since 1991.

Freezer King Primed for Reelection...Before Ending up in the Big House

Democratic Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana's 2nd District is primed to win reelection to a 10th term in the U.S. House. Due to the destructive hurricane season, the general election was put off until December 6. The Louisiana Second is a heavily leaning Democratic district composed of a majority of African American voters. Jefferson will likely beat Republican lawyer Anh “Joseph” Cao after surviving a crowded Democratic primary on October 4.

So, who cares? Well, Jefferson has been indicted 16 counts of assorted criminal charges and is infamous for the $90,000 Justice Department officials discovered wrapped in foil in his freezer as part of a bribery and corruption investigation. Jefferson is also known for commandeering National Guard troops to bring him to his Hurricane Katrina-damaged house to gather belongings while survivors waited on their sweltering rooftops hoping to be rescued.

According to CQ: "The 61-year-old Jefferson is awaiting trial on federal bribery and corruption charges. Even before his indictment in June 2007, the House Democratic leadership removed him from the prestigious Ways and Means Committee — prompted by the Justice Department investigation into his activities, which included a highly publicized allegation that Jefferson had foil-wrapped $90,000 in bribe money and stored it in a freezer. The 16 counts on which Jefferson stands indicted include soliciting bribes, corruption, money laundering, obstruction of justice, wire fraud and racketeering. The case centers on an accusation that he sought and accepted bribes to be paid to a family member in return for his official assistance in promoting business deals in Africa." Jefferson's brother, sister, and niece have also been indicted in the case.

Even if Jefferson wins reelection, he may not survive the 111th Congress if he is found guilty of any of the charges pending against him. As I said before in the Ted Stevens (R-AK) situation, it's hard to cast votes from a jail cell.