President Elect Obama's Senate Seat for Sale by Governor Blagojevich

Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder...Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired...Il. Gov. Arrested in Obama successor probe, Yahoo news, 12/9/2008

Notice they didn't say "Democrat Governor of Illinois". Well, he is. And the story is true. Liberals buying political office is not new, of course. Look at Democrat Governor Corzine of New Jersey, or "Independent," former Democrat, Mayor Bloomberg of New York. But their purchases were in the form of a political advertising flood that overwhelmed opponents. Illinois Democrat Governor Blagojevich offered cash up front, which is new, as far as this writer is aware.

The affidavit said Blagojevich expressed frustration at being "stuck" as governor and that he would have access to greater resources if he were indicted while in the U.S. Senate than while sitting as governor...U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that 'the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering'...'They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Fitzgerald said.'...(Il. Governor Arrested...cont'd)

Evidently US Attorney Fitzgerald hasn't spent much time in New Orleans.

Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer promising to clean up former Gov. George Ryan's mess...Ryan, a Republican, is serving a 6-year prison sentence after being convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long investigation began with the sale of driver's licenses for bribes and led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for Ryan when he was secretary
of state and governor...(Il. Governor arrested...cont'd)

Chicago! Chicago! It's a hell of a town...

According to Tuesday's complaint, Blagojevich schemed with Rezko, millionaire-fundraiser turned federal witness Stuart Levine and others to get financial benefits for himself and his campaign committee...(Il. Governor arrested...cont'd)

Rezko, now there's a familiar name, one long associated with President-elect Obama's Senate seat.

Among those being considered for the post include U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.(Il. Governor Arrested...cont'd)

There's a surprise. Just think, Jesse, Jr., could arrange to bring Busch Beer to the Senate floor.

Luther