Rod Blagojevich Arrest Leads To Split Reactions On Prosecutor Fitzgerald

If you're looking to shorthand today's arrest of Rod Blagojevich, which will certainly expand the "Illinois Governor Wing" of the Federal Correctional Institution in Terre Haute, Indiana, here you go! Rod Blagojevich was taken into custody today because he'd been trying to leverage the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama for cash or favor. Blagojevich swears like it's his job. His wife also swears, like crazy! In the released recordings, "Candidate 1" is probably Valerie Jarrett. "Candidate 5" is probably Jesse Jackson, Jr. Ben Smith does pretty good when he's not reporting on boring things, like church attendance! The President-Elect and his transition team weren't mixed up in any of this double-dealing, and his old seat is currently available on eBay, where it will probably be bought by Alan Keyes.

Anyway, that's the short version for anyone who's in a hurry. But, for those of you who want to take some time, and luxuriate in some nostalgia, let's cast our minds back just a few years, to a time when the aspens were turning and our ears were burning of news of Scooter Libby. Yes, the Blagojevich arrest features the return to prominence of straight-laced, baseball metaphor-ready prosecutorial hero Patrick Fitzgerald, and the case serves nicely as a fitting sequel to those events: FITZMAS 2: THE BLAGOJEVITCHING HOUR! So, how do people feel about PFitz this time out?

Well, over at The Corner, Victor Davis Hanson appears to be in the spirit, titling his entry "That Was Then, This is Now - II," but his mood is actually cynical and desultory:

With the indictment of the Democratic Governor and his purported interest in Mr. Rezko, I think Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is just about on the verge on losing his near mythic status among the Washington-New York media. He gained it when he once indicted a staff aide for the VP for supposedly not explaining adequately -- or indeed doing so in illegal fashion -- how he had supposedly leaked the covert status of a CIA agent, who was not covert, and if she had ever been covert, was already first exposed by someone else known at the outset to the investigation.

Aww! Incorrect retelling of Plame's covert status aside, it's just sad to see Hanson not full up of the Fitzmas Spirit! Isn't there anyone who knows the true meaning of Fitzmas?

Oh, hey! Michael Tomasky!

And finally, by the way: The US attorney who brought these charges against this Democratic governor? Patrick Fitzgerald. The man who indicted Scooter Libby back when in the Valerie Plame case. You know, the one who was said by some Bush defenders at the time to be a cat's paw of the Democratic Party. It just goes to show how actual prosecutors, not Karl Rove's notion of prosecutors, do their jobs.

Merry Fitzmas, Rod Blagojevitch!

Comments

[Newmember]

I loved the line about expanding the Illinois Governor Wing of the Federal Prison!

[getoffmedz]

We do not need "partisan prosecutors" who ignore or soft-peddle Republican treason and then land on non-Republicans with both feet.

There is more to this story.

And btw - Scooter will be pardoned. Cheney will avoid prosecution entirely thanks to Fitzgerald.

[AllenD]

Thank God for Patrick Fitzgerald. We need all federal prosecutors to be like him.

[meko]

I'm an Illinois Democrat and I've been thrilled with Fitzgerald since the days when he went after Ryan, those Daley aids and the Hired Truck Program. During the Scooter Libby trial I was amazed that anyone could have thought his interests were partisan. It seems as if he just likes going after corruption. If only he could have a press conference about Todd Stroger before the year ends.

[sixx]

I like Fitz, no matter who he indicts. Fitzgerald for AJ.

[poomplet]

EXACTLY....except for your mis-acronymity (it's AG or DoJ) ;-)

Obama missed a golden political opportunity when he did the right thing & didn't take Fitzy away from Chicago(yet...he still can re-assign/fire him...but he won't DARE).

Chicago/Illinois Dems (well.every pol) would be THRILLED to have Fitzy go bye-bye.

[LewDan]

In these tough economic times why would Fitz want to move? He's in a truly recession-proof industry -- taking down corrupt Illinois politicians. He seems to be having fun and we love him.

[KOB1]

Speaking as one native Illinoisan, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is to many of us an unqualified hero. A principled, disciplined public servant whose only agenda is upholding the law and acting in the best interests of the citizens of Illinois. His moving today to arrest Gov. Blagojevich seems to have been primarily due to his revulsion not merely at the ongoing "pay-to-play" allegations that would be contained in an indictment that was universally expected sometime in the near future, but the alleged criminal activity regarding the alleged shakedowns of the Chicago Tribune and the current CEO of Children's Memorial Hospital, which is a revered institution in this state, and, most important, to prevent the alleged "selling" of the president-elect's Senate senate, which could have been imminent. This is truly an example of a U.S. Attorney acting in the best interests of all of us in Illinois, and he deserves our thanks.

[Kache]

What I like about Fitz is he really enjoys his job. Being a curruption buster looks like a lot of FUN for him. It isn't just a job, or even a mission. He looks like he gets the same charge out of it that Michael Jordan got out of air dancing to the net.

Why would he want to move to Washington as AG? He's a cat, cats don't like snakes, Chicago is full of rats.

Fitz is an inspiration!

[mogelsberg]

Personally, I believe that ALL prosecutors, Federal, State, County, whatever, should be apolitical. I believe that of judges, also. We need to keep politics out of the justice system and the judicial system. Only then can we trust that true justice is being done to our Constitution, much less our citizens.

[jorge4u]

Can someone tell this guy Hanson that Valerie Plame was indeed a covert operative for the CIA? My god! That has been proven time after time.

[thepoliticalcat]

It's fun to hear the rightwingnuts whine about how Dems will now have a big ol' hate on Patrick Fitzgerald. I've always worshipped the man for his obvious nonpartisan attitude. Wrongdoing is wrongdoing in his book, and he doesn't care what or who you are. Mess with the law and he's gonna getchu. Yay, Pat.

[roshni]

I'm a democrat and I have no problem with what Fitzgerald is doing. This behavior from the governor is a disgrace.

[SurrealPumpkin]

Wait 'til they figure out that there isn't going to be a cover up.

[BSERIUS]

Pat Fitz is really one of the untouchables.. Barack has even said so ...Senator Peter Fitzgerald appointed him from outside the Illinois Combine (which includes obama )

[Canuck4Obama]

I'm getting the scent of a HUGE movie...

[BethinIllinois]

Patrick Fitzgerald is a Boy Scout, and I mean that in terms of a very, very huge compliment.

He doesn't care what party you are, he doesn't care what position you hold; you break the law, you're going down.

He was careful in his press conference to offer no personal opinion, to offer no guidance as to what Illinois lawmakers should do. He's fabulous.

[mater]

I agree with this person! When we see just how above reproach Fitzgerald and his posse are--there is no "number" which could cause him to become corrupt it's proof that our democracy still exists. Thanks for all you and your team do to preserve justice in Illinois and where ever there is a threat to our Constitutional protections.

[Grunty1]

I wish Fitzgerald would have done a better job against "Scooter", but it appears that he is only doing his job in this case.

[GeorgeKaplan]

Huh? He convicted him. Bush commuted his sentence.

[JDJase]

I guess he can be butt buddies with George Ryan