Feds take [Illinois] Gov. Blagojevich into custody

[bluejeangirl76]

The jobless claims would rival the population of Coloarad

Where's that? I think it's a city in Spain, but I can check for you.

[Rockindeano]

But Joe is starting to show a little bittnerness since the election .

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy, but that woman who sits along side with him is as about smart as Neal's asscheeks. She says the dumbest shit and smiles...and she isn't hot enough to do that shit.

And by the way, where in the fuck did Paula Zahn? I know she left CNN for Campbell Brown, but I am shocked nobody picked her up, especially MSNBC. I think she is hot as Hell, especially when she wears the teacher/secretary glasses.

[Onestepper]

Who cares. I was merely making the point that the person who steps up to the liberal agenda on the show thought Mathews comments were out of bounds. Nothing more or less.

Giggling like a twit and twirling her hair at every mention of "Obama" is not implementing a "liberal agenda."
Rachel Maddow steps up to the liberal agenda.
Mika, on the other hand, is just an telemprompter reader in Obama's big tent personality cult.

I will say that the one thing I can't stand about her is her constant interrupting or just flat out blurting out stuff when other people are talking. It's like she's having a conversation with herself on tv at times. I laughed at the time when Joe literally took her Blackberry from her live on the air..and said 'who the hell are you talking to..we are on the air in middle of a discussion'. These days he justs drops the F bomb.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy.

Any thoughts on the dead intern found in his office?
I"ve always noticed Joe's cavalier misogynist streak, but after reading about that, I really notice it.

[Rockindeano]

The jobless claims would rival the population of Coloarad

Where's that? I think it's a city in Spain, but I can check for you.

At least this proves you actually read my post. You are welcome for the lesson, dumbass.

[Onestepper]

But Joe is starting to show a little bittnerness since the election .

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy, but that woman who sits along side with him is as about smart as Neal's asscheeks. She says the dumbest shit and smiles...and she isn't hot enough to do that shit.

And by the way, where in the fuck did Paula Zahn? I know she left CNN for Campbell Brown, but I am shocked nobody picked her up, especially MSNBC. I think she is hot as Hell, especially when she wears the teacher/secretary glasses.

Nobody picked her up. She was a ratings killer. She got let go (or contract not renewed) from three different networks. Not sure what she is doing now.

[Rockindeano]

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy.

Any thoughts on the dead intern found in his office?
I"ve always noticed Joe's cavalier misogynist streak, but after reading about that, I really notice it.

Well, he was a republican Congressman. From Florida

[Ehwmatt]

Ok look. I know it stings, but what is the Gov't supposed to do? Let them fail? You have any idea of the major ramifications we would experience? The jobless claims would rival the population of Colorado, the image of America would be seriously injured and mocked and that is a big deal by the way. People out of work don't behave very nice. They tend to get chippy, and get hungry as well. They tend to commit crimes in order to feed themselves and their families. So the Big 2(Chrysler sucks), has proven they have NO vision. They let Honda and Toyota keep rolling right along, and now Nissan is a big power again. The three assholes, Waggoner, Nardelli and the Ford clown, are now asking for a loan, not free money. Those dolts arrived at the Capitol in domestic cars this last time, rather than three separate private jets, and maybe they get the message. If the government turns their backs on the Auto industry, who knows what next industry will fail. You pick, could be anyone. This Bush economy has hurt a lot of people. Manufacturing is down, and as a result, so are sales. So in this one little example, When Toro stopped making their new 2009 lawnmowers and weedeaters, Home Depot stopped ordering them, and Union Pacific stopped delivering them, thus Toro and Home Depot laid off workers..and so on and so on. This economy is a result of a failed Bush presidency, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Trickle down failed-again. I do know this economy and the auto situation is different caused by different variables, but we as a people are all in this together. And for those asshole Senators in the South, fuck you. Next time a hurricane buries your sorry states, how would you like it if people of Michigan and Indiana and NY said, "deal with it" ??

You know whta people don't think of? Things like the impact on professional sports if the big 3 went under. There's no way they could go on like they do. A huge chunk of our commercial/entertainment economy would go right out the window, making things unfathomably worse. This is a non-partisan issue, as far as I'm concerned. And even denying that, the precedent's already been set by both sides. Yes, the CEOs are dicks and they've had a shitty business model for decades, but you can't punish everyone else for their mistakes.

[Jana]

But Joe is starting to show a little bittnerness since the election .

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy, but that woman who sits along side with him is as about smart as Neal's asscheeks. She says the dumbest shit and smiles...and she isn't hot enough to do that shit.

And by the way, where in the fuck did Paula Zahn? I know she left CNN for Campbell Brown, but I am shocked nobody picked her up, especially MSNBC. I think she is hot as Hell, especially when she wears the teacher/secretary glasses.

Yeah, Dean, we're talking about Joe. I enjoyed his show, especially during primaries. He was actually very fair to Hillary. Mika is okay in very small doses. Zahn was having an affair and her marriage broke up and the show ended due to poor ratings. I don't know where she is.

[Rockindeano]

Ok look. I know it stings, but what is the Gov't supposed to do? Let them fail? You have any idea of the major ramifications we would experience? The jobless claims would rival the population of Colorado, the image of America would be seriously injured and mocked and that is a big deal by the way. People out of work don't behave very nice. They tend to get chippy, and get hungry as well. They tend to commit crimes in order to feed themselves and their families. So the Big 2(Chrysler sucks), has proven they have NO vision. They let Honda and Toyota keep rolling right along, and now Nissan is a big power again. The three assholes, Waggoner, Nardelli and the Ford clown, are now asking for a loan, not free money. Those dolts arrived at the Capitol in domestic cars this last time, rather than three separate private jets, and maybe they get the message. If the government turns their backs on the Auto industry, who knows what next industry will fail. You pick, could be anyone. This Bush economy has hurt a lot of people. Manufacturing is down, and as a result, so are sales. So in this one little example, When Toro stopped making their new 2009 lawnmowers and weedeaters, Home Depot stopped ordering them, and Union Pacific stopped delivering them, thus Toro and Home Depot laid off workers..and so on and so on. This economy is a result of a failed Bush presidency, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Trickle down failed-again. I do know this economy and the auto situation is different caused by different variables, but we as a people are all in this together. And for those asshole Senators in the South, fuck you. Next time a hurricane buries your sorry states, how would you like it if people of Michigan and Indiana and NY said, "deal with it" ??

You know whta people don't think of? Things like the impact on professional sports if the big 3 went under. There's no way they could go on like they do. A huge chunk of our commercial/entertainment economy would go right out the window, making things unfathomably worse. This is a non-partisan issue, as far as I'm concerned. And even denying that, the precedent's already been set by both sides. Yes, the CEOs are dicks and they've had a shitty business model for decades, but you can't punish everyone else for their mistakes.

Fuck! Are you agreeing with me here? I think so, but want confirmation.

[Ehwmatt]

Ok look. I know it stings, but what is the Gov't supposed to do? Let them fail? You have any idea of the major ramifications we would experience? The jobless claims would rival the population of Colorado, the image of America would be seriously injured and mocked and that is a big deal by the way. People out of work don't behave very nice. They tend to get chippy, and get hungry as well. They tend to commit crimes in order to feed themselves and their families. So the Big 2(Chrysler sucks), has proven they have NO vision. They let Honda and Toyota keep rolling right along, and now Nissan is a big power again. The three assholes, Waggoner, Nardelli and the Ford clown, are now asking for a loan, not free money. Those dolts arrived at the Capitol in domestic cars this last time, rather than three separate private jets, and maybe they get the message. If the government turns their backs on the Auto industry, who knows what next industry will fail. You pick, could be anyone. This Bush economy has hurt a lot of people. Manufacturing is down, and as a result, so are sales. So in this one little example, When Toro stopped making their new 2009 lawnmowers and weedeaters, Home Depot stopped ordering them, and Union Pacific stopped delivering them, thus Toro and Home Depot laid off workers..and so on and so on. This economy is a result of a failed Bush presidency, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Trickle down failed-again. I do know this economy and the auto situation is different caused by different variables, but we as a people are all in this together. And for those asshole Senators in the South, fuck you. Next time a hurricane buries your sorry states, how would you like it if people of Michigan and Indiana and NY said, "deal with it" ??

You know whta people don't think of? Things like the impact on professional sports if the big 3 went under. There's no way they could go on like they do. A huge chunk of our commercial/entertainment economy would go right out the window, making things unfathomably worse. This is a non-partisan issue, as far as I'm concerned. And even denying that, the precedent's already been set by both sides. Yes, the CEOs are dicks and they've had a shitty business model for decades, but you can't punish everyone else for their mistakes.

Fuck! Are you agreeing with me here? I think so, but want confirmation.

Yeah

[Rockindeano]

Ok, so how long til Fact Finder comes in here and states we have successfully derailed his smear Obama thread?

[Onestepper]

But Joe is starting to show a little bittnerness since the election .

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy, but that woman who sits along side with him is as about smart as Neal's asscheeks. She says the dumbest shit and smiles...and she isn't hot enough to do that shit.

And by the way, where in the fuck did Paula Zahn? I know she left CNN for Campbell Brown, but I am shocked nobody picked her up, especially MSNBC. I think she is hot as Hell, especially when she wears the teacher/secretary glasses.

Yeah, Dean, we're talking about Joe. I enjoyed his show, especially during primaries. He was actually very fair to Hillary. Mika is okay in very small doses. Zahn was having an affair and her marriage broke up and the show ended due to poor ratings. I don't know where she is.

Just read her Wiki and it says she is the new host of SundayArts (whatever that is) which is on PBS and Bloomberg TV.

[Rhiannon]

The jobless claims would rival the population of Coloarad

Where's that? I think it's a city in Spain, but I can check for you.

At least this proves you actually read my post. You are welcome for the lesson, dumbass.

You're spelling like Andrew lately.

S l o w d o w n.

[strangegrey]

Ok look. I know it stings, but what is the Gov't supposed to do? Let them fail? You have any idea of the major ramifications we would experience? The jobless claims would rival the population of Colorado, the image of America would be seriously injured and mocked and that is a big deal by the way. People out of work don't behave very nice. They tend to get chippy, and get hungry as well. They tend to commit crimes in order to feed themselves and their families. So the Big 2(Chrysler sucks), has proven they have NO vision. They let Honda and Toyota keep rolling right along, and now Nissan is a big power again. The three assholes, Waggoner, Nardelli and the Ford clown, are now asking for a loan, not free money. Those dolts arrived at the Capitol in domestic cars this last time, rather than three separate private jets, and maybe they get the message. If the government turns their backs on the Auto industry, who knows what next industry will fail. You pick, could be anyone. This Bush economy has hurt a lot of people. Manufacturing is down, and as a result, so are sales. So in this one little example, When Toro stopped making their new 2009 lawnmowers and weedeaters, Home Depot stopped ordering them, and Union Pacific stopped delivering them, thus Toro and Home Depot laid off workers..and so on and so on. This economy is a result of a failed Bush presidency, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Trickle down failed-again. I do know this economy and the auto situation is different caused by different variables, but we as a people are all in this together. And for those asshole Senators in the South, fuck you. Next time a hurricane buries your sorry states, how would you like it if people of Michigan and Indiana and NY said, "deal with it" ??

Im not advocating letting them burn.

I'm questioning the wisdom of throwing money at a problem that hasn't been fixed yet. This is very similar to pouring water into a fish tank that has holes in the bottom of it. You keep pouring in the water, thinking that's going to solve the problem of not having enough water in the tank....but no one stops to consider whether or not theres a reason the water level has dropped. Not kosher...

Back during the bailout arguments, Dennis Kucinich (d) raised a great point in opposition of the bailout....Instead of throwing money at the banks...FIX the mortages. Force banks to adjust interest rates, change arms to fixed loans, support people in default or forclosure....

When that happens, the riskier instruments of CDOs and CDSs would not devalue (or at least, not as much). With this mindset, you're stopping the bleeding before you give the body a transfusion. Instead, Hayseed, his village idiot Paulson, Ben Bernake and hundreds of lemming representatives....simply threw not-yet printed money at the banks....


That's the same problem here with the auto industry. Why would we give any money to three companies that have been mismanaged since the 70s, to survive another few weeks....when we have zero assurances that they will come out of the other end. If GM needs to file for bankruptcy, even WITH this 'so-called' loan....once they enter ch11 protection...are they even responsible for it anymore? Get my drift?

This 15-30 billion bailout is a bailout...not a loan...because I dont ever see these three companies actually paying us back. When you borrow money from the bank, you need to prove and show you have the income to meet the debt convenants. Why on earth is the government not completely insuring this 'loan' against default by forcing the american car companies to adhere to massive changes in their business model and far more importantly, their pension liabilities...? It just doesn't make sense.

Until the money is paid back, it's a friggin bailout...because i dont think GM will ever be in a position to payback this money.


I do agree with you that the failing of these three auto companies will have resonant effects in the rest of the economy. But frankly, detroit's been a depressed economy for a long fucking time...a long time. Simply throwing money at an industry that has been a drain on the economy...just so that it can continue to be a drain on the economy...isn't the answer.

I really think the best thing that can happen here, is for all 3 companies to go bankrupt, shed as much of their union obligations as they can from underneath bankruptcy, and for a massive merger to happen...where one or, max, two car companies emerge from the other end....healthy, strong, free of UAW influence and control....and able to compete globally.

Granted, that's not going to happen....because nothing ever happens the right way, when the govt steps in...but hell, it's worth at least saying....

[Jana]

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy.

Any thoughts on the dead intern found in his office?
I"ve always noticed Joe's cavalier misogynist streak, but after reading about that, I really notice it.

Well, he was a republican Congressman. From Florida

We here in Florida like our scandals too. He resigned a few months after being reelected to, QUOTE , spend time with his family. Never could figure what was going on after reading that. But no dirt came out. Well, I think he got divorced. That was probably his first wife then. I don't know the timeline on all of that. I never really followed it.

[Rockindeano]

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy.

Any thoughts on the dead intern found in his office?
I"ve always noticed Joe's cavalier misogynist streak, but after reading about that, I really notice it.

Well, he was a republican Congressman. From Florida

We here in Florida like our scandals too. He resigned a few months after being reelected to, QUOTE , spend time with his family. Never could figure what was going on after reading that. But no dirt came out. Well, I think he got divorced. That was probably his first wife then. I don't know the timeline on all of that. I never really followed it.

Florida has to be the most fucked up place in the nation, bar none.

[Ehwmatt]

Very good arguments, as well, strangegrey. The shitty business models, pensions, and upper management need a huge kick in the ass regardless of what path we go down to help them out.

[Jana]

Are you talking about Joe Scarborough? I dig that guy.

Any thoughts on the dead intern found in his office?
I"ve always noticed Joe's cavalier misogynist streak, but after reading about that, I really notice it.

Well, he was a republican Congressman. From Florida

We here in Florida like our scandals too. He resigned a few months after being reelected to, QUOTE , spend time with his family. Never could figure what was going on after reading that. But no dirt came out. Well, I think he got divorced. That was probably his first wife then. I don't know the timeline on all of that. I never really followed it.

Florida has to be the most fucked up place in the nation, bar none.

Hey . No way. I was raised in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. Orlando is a great city. West coast has beautiful beaches. Governor Crist has a few identity issues, but nothing a beard -- I mean, wife won't cure.

[Tito]

[Tito]

TRIBUNE EXCLUSIVE
Blagojevich fundraiser held by Jackson allies Saturday

By David Kidwell, John Chase and Dan Mihalopoulos | Tribune reporters
December 12, 2008

Talking to the media

U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. speaks with members of the press on Friday morning in response to the continued investigation surrounding his involvement with the political corruption allegations made against Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich. (Tribune photo by Christopher Booker / December 12, 2008)

As Gov. Rod Blagojevich was trying to pick Illinois' next U.S. senator, businessmen with ties to both the governor and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. discussed raising at least $1 million for Blagojevich's campaign as a way to encourage him to pick Jackson for the job, the Tribune has learned.

Blagojevich made an appearance at an Oct. 31 luncheon meeting at the India House restaurant in Schaumburg sponsored by Oak Brook businessman Raghuveer Nayak, a major Blagojevich supporter who also has fundraising and business ties to the Jackson family, according to several attendees and public records.

Two businessmen who attended the meeting and spoke to the Tribune on the condition of anonymity said that Nayak and Blagojevich aide Rajinder Bedi privately told many of the more than two dozen attendees the fundraising effort was aimed at supporting Jackson's bid for the Senate.

Among the attendees was a Blagojevich fundraiser already under scrutiny by federal investigators, Joliet pharmacist Harish Bhatt.

That meeting led to a Blagojevich fundraiser Saturday in Elmhurst, co-sponsored by Nayak and attended by Jesse Jackson Jr.'s brother, Jonathan, as well as Blagojevich, according to several people who were there. Nayak and Jonathan Jackson go back years and the two even went into business together years ago as part of a land purchase on the South Side.

Blagojevich and the congressman met to discuss the Senate seat on Monday, one day before federal prosecutors arrested Blagojevich and charged him with trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. As part of the charges, prosecutors alleged that Blagojevich was considering awarding the seat to a politician identified as "Senate Candidate 5" because emissaries for that candidate were promising to raise as much as $1.5 million for Blagojevich's campaign fund.

The Tribune has identified Jesse Jackson Jr. as "Senate Candidate 5." Jackson has denied knowing anything about efforts by emissaries or anybody close to him promising to raise money for Blagojevich in exchange for being appointed to the Senate. He has been contacted by federal prosecutors as part of the probe and has agreed to meet with them.

Jackson's congressional spokesman Rick Bryant said Thursday that Nayak is a "family friend and supporter" of the congressman as well as his well-known father, Rev. Jesse Jackson. The congressman and Nayak have spoken about Jackson's desire to succeed Obama.

"He has talked to [Nayak] about the Senate seat and he has mentioned his interest," Bryant said of his boss. "But he never asked him to do anything."

Jackson's newly retained attorney, James Montgomery, said Wednesday he could not rule out that such possibilities were discussed with Blagojevich by people who did not have his client's blessing.

Despite the parallels, it could not be determined if the actions outlined by the Tribune were the same as those discussed in the FBI affidavit that accompanied the pay-to-play charges against Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris. But the details, gathered from more than a dozen interviews, make clear that some political operatives were connecting support for Blagojevich to his choice for the Senate seat.

Iftekhar Shareef, past president of the influential Federation of Indian Associations, said he attended the Saturday fundraiser for the governor at the invitation of Bedi and Nayak. Shareef said the congressman's brother Jonathan also attended.

"Raghu [Nayak] is always talking about how we need to appoint Jesse to the Senate," Shareef said. "They are very close. Raghu is close with all the Jacksons. He even asked me to write a letter to the governor supporting Jesse Jackson for the Senate." Shareef said he wrote the letter.

A half-dozen other attendees at the two events said they never heard talk about trying to get Jackson placed into the Senate. Bedi's brother, Jatinder, who is an editor at the Indian Reporter newspaper, acknowledged being at the India House event but said "there was no discussion of the Senate seat."

Rajinder Bedi couldn't be reached for comment.

Reached by telephone at his home, Nayak declined to comment.

Nayak, 54, is a political and community leader in Chicago's Indian community who has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Blagojevich, including more than $200,000 from Nayak, his wife and his various corporations. Nayak and his wife have donated more than $22,000 to Jackson, federal records show, and raised more for the congressman.

Nayak owns a series of surgery centers on Chicago's North Side. He also founded and until recently retained an ownership stake in a drug testing laboratory with millions of dollars in Illinois public aid contracts.

Satish "Sonny" Gabhawala, owner of the Chicago Park Hotel in Harvey, said he was at the Oct. 31 meeting and saw Nayak and Rajinder Bedi approach another Blagojevich fundraiser, Babu Patel.

"They were trying to convince Babu to use his influence to get the governor to appoint Jesse Jackson to the Senate," Gabhawala said.

Patel, contacted Thursday evening, acknowledged the conversation but said he never spoke with Blagojevich about the Senate appointment.

Bedi is the managing director for the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity's Office of Trade and Investment, overseeing nine foreign trade offices around the world from China to Israel. He has also been a key fundraiser for Blagojevich.

Blagojevich has referred to Bedi, who wears a turban, as "My Sikh warrior."

The two businessmen who spoke to the Tribune on the condition of anonymity said they did so because they were afraid of repercussions in the close-knit and politically active Indian business community.

One said Nayak and Bedi told him and others of their plan to help Jackson.

The second said he overheard Nayak and Bedi discussing plans with Bhatt, the Joliet pharmacist..

"Raghu said he needed to raise a million for Rod to make sure Jesse got the seat," the second businessman said. "He said, 'I can raise half of it, $500,000.' The idea was that the other two would help raise the rest."

Bhatt, whose two Basinger's Pharmacy outlets were searched by the FBI last week, has been the focus of a state and federal investigations into whether campaign donations were made in exchange for regulatory favors.

Bhatt is a prominent Indian businessman who helped the state's top pharmacy regulator win his job. The Tribune reported last year that state pharmacy auditors probing allegations of Medicaid fraud at Basinger's complained that their bosses thwarted the investigation, allegations Bhatt has adamantly denied in interviews with the Tribune.

Tribune reporter Ray Gibson contributed to this report.

[Tito]

Tito...is it just me, or do we have here the makings of a real life Chi-Town turf war going on...Blago and Friends -v- Obama and Friends.

Sure seems like it. Who would send death threats to Emanuel and why? Or is he making it up for sympathy.

Is Obama going to fiddle while Rahm burns?

Oh and BTW, Blagos Chief of Staff John Harris, who was arrested with Blago the other day, has resigned as well.

I hate Rahm but he's a nasty mofo. IF someone is sending him death threats, they're the dumb motherfucker. He will find them and make them pay. Rahm will survive this, believe me.

[Rockindeano]

Look at FF trying, albeit a hopeless cause, to keep this thread alive.

Dude, no one is arguing with you except---Pat Buchanon. He seems to think it is non criminal! I say throw his ass in Lake Michigan tied to a Laker and send him to Ottawa.

Newbies, look up "Laker" to see what I mean. Dumbshits

[Voyager]

This may give the thread another half day of life. It says that Jesse Jackson Jr. has been a snitch for several years now. Who would have guessed it?

CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) -- Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who was cited in a criminal complaint against Rod Blagojevich, went to the U.S. Attorney's office about alleged wrongdoers, including the Illinois governor, a Jackson spokesman said Tuesday.

Jesse Jackson Jr. reported in 2006 what he believed was a shakedown by the Illinois governor.

Spokesman Kenneth Edmonds described Jackson's interaction with federal authorities this way: "As a responsible citizen and elected official, Congressman Jackson has in the past provided information to federal authorities regarding his personal knowledge of perceived corruption and governmental misconduct.

"This was completely unrelated to the current investigation regarding the U.S. Senate appointment. And it is absolutely inaccurate to describe the congressman as an informant," Edmonds said in a written statement.

Jackson, a Democrat, has given information regarding the embattled Democratic governor of Illinois, though not in the case currently under investigation, Edmonds said.

In addition, two sources close to Jackson told CNN that, in 2002, Blagojevich -- then running for governor of Illinois -- solicited a $25,000 campaign donation from Jackson, which he did not get.

At the time, Jackson's wife, Sandi, was a candidate for the job of director of the state's Lottery Commission, a post she did not win, the sources said.

After Blagojevich took office, in early 2003, he told Jackson something to the effect of, "You see what $25,000 would have done?" the sources said.

In 2006, Jackson reported the incident, which he believed to have been an attempt at a shakedown, the sources said.

The report, the sources said, came three three years later because Jackson's memory was jogged by another case -- that of developer Tony Rezko, whose fraud and corruption trial included testimony about $25,000 donations to Blagojevich.

Jackson did not endorse Blagojevich in his initial campaign and tried to stay on the sidelines during the governor's re-election bid, one of the sources said.

Blagojevich's office did not return calls seeking comment.

The comments by Jackson's spokesman come on the same day members of an Illinois House of Representatives panel met to determine whether there is a basis to impeach Blagojevich.

Federal prosecutors accuse Blagojevich of trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

The governor was arrested December 9 on federal corruption charges and has since ignored calls to resign.

Although Blagojevich, 52, has not commented publicly on the charges, his lawyer Ed Genson said the governor had done nothing wrong and does not intend to step down.

"We're going to fight this case," Genson said.

The 21-member panel is "not a committee to impeach the governor, but rather to investigate whether or not there exists a basis for the drafting and consideration of an impeachment motion by the full House," said Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, the majority leader and chairwoman of the committee. Watch as panel begins its work »

The proceedings will be fair, Currie said.

"Many Illinoisans today, including some of the lawmakers chosen to sit on this committee, have strong feelings about the governor and the crimes of which he's been accused," she said. "But let us remember that we are not 'Alice in Wonderland.' We're not the Red Queen; we do not sentence first and then do the verdict." Watch as panelists debate governor's capacity to serve »

The committee, which includes a dozen Democrats and nine Republicans, was meeting to discuss its investigation and procedures.

Currie said she met Monday with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, the lead prosecutor in the case, to ask for help and information as well as "to make sure our investigation doesn't trample on his."

Fitzgerald had asked the committee put its request in writing, and Currie said the committee planned to do that.

Currie adjourned the hearing until Wednesday so Genson could attend. She said she had also written a letter to Blagojevich, inviting him to participate in the proceedings.

She said that on Wednesday, members will probably examine the 76-page federal criminal complaint, which includes transcripts of several expletive-laced taped phone conversations the governor had, in which he allegedly tried to personally benefit from the Senate vacancy.

Many members said Tuesday they regretted having to call impeachment proceedings but said it was necessary.

"It's unfortunate we're here," said Republican Rep. Jim Durkin, "but we have responsibilities."

Democratic Rep. Frank Mautino added, "No one takes any joy in watching someone stumble, but in the course of going forward, we all have a job to do."

On Monday, Obama said a review of his transition team's activities showed that he and his staff had no inappropriate discussions with either Blagojevich or Blagojevich's staff about filling the vacant Senate seat.

"There is nothing in the review that was presented to me that in any way contradicted my earlier statements that this appalling set of circumstances that we've seen arise had nothing to do with my office," Obama said.

Obama noted that Fitzgerald has requested a week's delay of the public release of the review so that it would not "interfere with an ongoing investigation" of the governor.

On Sunday, the governor spoke briefly to reporters.

"There will be an appropriate time to talk about this, but let me just wish everybody happy holidays," he said. "Things will work out just fine."

Blagojevich and his former chief of staff, John Harris, 46, were each charged with a count of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and a count of solicitation of bribery, authorities said. iReport.com: Do you trust your leaders?

Harris has since resigned but has not commented on the charges.

On Friday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan petitioned the state Supreme Court to temporarily remove Blagojevich from office or, at least, strip him of some of his authority. Madigan says that Blagojevich is "disabled" and cannot carry out the functions of his office.

"We are not looking to try to convict him criminally with the pleadings that we brought to the Illinois Supreme Court," she said Sunday. "We're simply recognizing that these are extraordinary, unprecedented circumstances and that we need to have a governor who can actually use the powers of that office and govern our state, or else our state becomes paralyzed."

"There is also this serious concern that absolutely everything that he does from here on out is going to be tainted," she said. "It's going to be illegitimate. And so we think it is absolutely obvious that he is incapable of governing, and the best thing to do is to move aside."

[DrFU]

Blagogate? Chiblago? Hairnet?
Slate readers name the Blagojevich scandal.
By Christopher Beam

Last week, we solicited nominations for a Rod Blagojevich scandal-naming contest. The results are in, and suggestions fall into a few distinct categories:

The ever-popular "-gate" suffix. Readers suggested "Blagogate," "Blagojegate," and, for those who suspect we don't know the full extent of the bribery, "Blo-gate." "BidderGate" is smart but risks confusion with the "guns and religion" fuss. Sadly, these and all other "-gates" were automatically eliminated. Per order of the National Political Scandal Nomenclature Task Force, the suffix has been retired.

Random word merging. "Chicagovich" is a little clunky. "Illiseat" is clever, but maybe too much so. "Chiblago" is oddly inspired but seems better suited to the Broadway musical about the scandal than the scandal itself.

Curse words. "Bleepgate" was a popular one and almost caused a reconsideration of the rule against -gates. Variations include "Motherbleepergate" and "(expletive deleted)gate"—a mouthful that would give us typists carpal tunnel.

Finalists:

Honorable mentions: "Blagerloo" captures the dramatic finality of it all. "Blaghorea" doubles as a commentary on the commentary. "Blago-smear" goes out to all the Blagojevich sympathizers in the house. And "Hairnet" immortalizes the only thing people will remember about the governor a decade from now: his pompadour.

Second runner-up: "Pay-Rod." Good merge of form and function. Doesn't require prior knowledge other than a passing familiarity with the New York Yankees.

First runner-up: "Coiffuror." A tribute to the man who has nothing to hide except, as Jon Stewart noted, "whatever is written on his forehead." (Context warning: Also sounds like a Frenchman's response to an inaudible verbal request from Hitler.)

And the winner is … "Blagola." Payola is synonymous with pay-to-play radio deals. Blagojevich is synonymous with pay-to-play Senate seat deals. Spread the word! (Submitted by William C. Spruiell)

[Voyager]

Blago-biotch appoints Roland Burris to fill Obama's vacant Senate seat:

(CNN) -- Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday named former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate.



Burris' appointment would fill President-elect Barack Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich is to announce his choice at a news conference at 3 p.m. ET.

Burris, 71, is African-American. Earlier this month, he said that despite the scandal associated with the seat, he wanted the job.

Blagojevich was arrested this month on federal corruption charges and has since ignored calls to resign.

Burris does not have to be formally approved by the Senate to be appointed by Blagojevich. But the Senate could refuse to seat Burris, or it could seat him and investigate the manner in which he was appointed, and unseat him if senators discover any wrongdoing.

Two Democratic officials tell CNN that Senate Democratic leaders are planning to block Blagojevich's appointment of Burris.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has threatened not to seat anyone the governor appoints and has called for Blagojevich, a Democrat, to step down.

In a statement released Tuesday, Reid said it was "truly regrettable that ... Gov. Blagojevich would take the imprudent step of appointing someone to the United States Senate who would serve under a shadow and be plagued by questions of impropriety."

"We again urge Gov. Blagojevich to not make this appointment. It is unfair to Mr. Burris, it is unfair to the people of Illinois and it will ultimately not stand," Reid said. "The governor must put the interests of the people of Illinois and all Americans first by stepping aside now and letting his successor appoint someone who we will seat."

Although Blagojevich, 52, has not commented publicly on the charges, his lawyer Ed Genson said the governor has done nothing wrong and does not intend to step down.

FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9 after federal prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he had tried to "sell" Obama's former Senate seat. It is the sole authority of the Illinois governor to name a successor who would serve the remaining two years of Obama's term.

During the news conference, Blago-biotch said "I have enjoyed being in the limelight for the past few weeks." What a narcissist! He is headed for prison, and he enjoys being in the limelight? I simply cannot fathom how the mind of a psychopath works.

[Jana]

Wow, Lt Governor Pat Quinn is on TV right now in a news conference slamming Blag for picking a successor to Obama's senate seat and calling him a crook and calling him a disgrace to the people of Illinois and that the replacement he picked shouldn't be accepting it from him. Go Lt. Governor Quinn.

[stevew2]

You all know thats Titos uncle

[Don]

Wow, Lt Governor Pat Quinn is on TV right now in a news conference slamming Blag for picking a successor to Obama's senate seat and calling him a crook and calling him a disgrace to the people of Illinois and that the replacement he picked shouldn't be accepting it from him. Go Lt. Governor Quinn.

Quinn better watch out or he'll be sleeping with the fishes. One phone call to Jon Cain and it's going to be lights out.

Friga lets you live

[sadie65]

Wow, Lt Governor Pat Quinn is on TV right now in a news conference slamming Blag for picking a successor to Obama's senate seat and calling him a crook and calling him a disgrace to the people of Illinois and that the replacement he picked shouldn't be accepting it from him. Go Lt. Governor Quinn.

Yes, our Lt. Gov. has been very vocal in his displeasure over Blago. I will be very happy when Blago is out of office. Pompous %^*