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Dear Gov. Blagojevich
Dear Governor Blagojevich:
I know you've had a long day.
Apparently, federal agents showed up at your house to arrest you at 6 a.m. for trying to sell Barack Obama's senate seat to the highest bidder.
You're probably wondering what to do. I have some advice.
Back in 2004, I had a rather infamous run-in with Patrick Fitzgerald, the U.S. Attorney in Chicago who has taken such a keen interest in you. He was also, of course, appointed special prosecutor in the CIA leak case. I remember well because I was in his sights once, too.
I had written an article for Time.com called, "A War on Wilson?" in which I tried to point out the scurrilous rumors that Bush administration officials were putting out about former Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson. Fitzgerald wanted to know who leaked the identity of Wilson's wife, a CIA agent, and he subpoenaed me to testify. I refused and so did my employer, Time Inc.
A court battle ensued that went all the way to the Supreme Court. After one of my sources, Karl Rove, released me from the bonds of confidentiality, I testified, narrowly escaping jail for contempt of court.
Being from Chicago you know that Fitzy, as his friends like to call him, is notoriously tough and single-minded. He's married now but I'm sure the son of Irish immigrants is still a workaholic, and having convicted what seems like half of Chicago (along with the likes of Scooter Libby and Conrad Black), I don't think he's slacking off just because a new president is coming in. I'm sure you know about how tough he is.
I don't think Fitzgerald is a cruel man. He could have put my big white butt in jail as soon as the first federal judge laughed my case out of court. But he didn't. He waited for me to make all my appeals to the Supreme Court, which meant putting his incredibly high-profile case on hold for a year. A vengeful prosecutor wouldn't have done that.
(I think a wiser one wouldn't have gone after me to be a witness in what was essentially a perjury case in the first place, but that's another matter.)
The point here is I don't think you're dealing with a modern-day Javert or some loon. He's a hard ass, but a reasonable one and I think, if you believe you are guilty and are going to lose at trial, you might get a decent deal out of this. Sure, you'll have to do time but you're a relatively young guy. Fitz will deal.
You're definitely better off dealing now. Whoever inherits the case from Fitzgerald can't afford to be seen as going light on you. It's bad enough you (allegedly) tried to sell a Senate seat but it's the president's seat, for gosh sakes. Obama's Justice Department is gonna be even tougher on you. It can't afford not to be.
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I know what this is about! Given the inevitability of two months of the current president's low ratings being the main topic of comment on the outgoing administration, Cheney and Mukasey told Fitzgerald to find a Democrat with lower approval ratings and indict him. So what if no crime had been committed yet -- it's red meat for the msm.
It's fun to watch the pileon of crooks, thieves and traitors join hands and howl that Blago -- who is innocent until he is proven guilty -- should resign. Fifty Senators, many of whom participated in an ovation for convicted felon Ted Stevens just a couple of weeks ago, have screamed at Blago to quit. Admittedly their ovation for thieving Stevens occurred before they refused to force the Republicans to filibuster the bailout of auto makers because Republicans wanted to negotiate the UAW wages, pensions and health care down. Blago knows the reason the Senators gave an ovation to Stevens is they all know that "there but for fortune go I", as they are all stealing in order to run for office.
Then there's a host of other people who refused to impeach and remove the criminals in the White House and in the Administration who have committed massive high crimes and misdemeanors leading to the deaths and maimings of tens of thousands of people and sanctioned illegal torture who are screaming at Blago to quit.
And don't forget old "Mister Integrity", Pat Fitzgerald who couldn't find grounds to prosecute those who outed an undercover CIA agent, but is now being touted as someone who Obama must keep.
With all that integrity going around, why doesn't Blago just yield to their never-ending howl and quit, even if he is innocent until proven guilty?
Gov. Blago is just liable to say to himself, "I'll show you guys, and you can tell that m.f. that this is my way of getting back at him, I hereby appoint Reverend Jeremiah Wright to be the new Senator from Illinois to take the place of President-Elect," the former senator. Or..........some such appointment to further rile up the kit and kaboodle.
It is not realistic to attempt to have the Illinois Supreme Court declare him "unfit" and oust him on that basis. Because the minute he hears this movement is in operation he may do whatever he sees fit to do in the appointment, and would be beyond what is certainly a non-starter of a legal movement. Even the movement to have the legislature impeach him has big questions as to its success. BLAGO holds the cards, folks, and, like it or not, he can ride this out by simply appointing someone, without tainting the act with reception of money, and everything said about him (as to what he has been said up to this p;oint) is MOOT.
While certainly I am a fan of Mr. Fitzgerald, I think that he always has a PAT hand, and no it's not because of the stellar investigations done by the FBI or even the superior litigating skills of the U.S. Attorney's office, it's that end run around the constitution known as 18 USC Section 1001. I call it the extra constitutional tar pit. During the investigation of any "potential" crime, where the government can assert jurisdiction over the person (witness), any misstatements can land you in Leavenworth. Now the constitution gives a person the right against self incrimination but only if you are an actual suspect! But if you are not a suspect and you just so happen to be Jesse. Going in to talk to the US Attorneys is going to be a walk down a narrow strip of space in the middle of the tar pit. Make a misstatement and you now have tar on you over which you can be prosecuted. So now the US Attorney can use that as leverage to get information out of you about other activities such as, maybe... (a sale of a senate seat).... Refuse to give up that information, and you will find yourself in the unenviable position that Martha Stewart, Scotter Libby, Marion Jones, and yes Barry Bonds got caught. Going to trial for not trying to buy a senate seat, or for insider trading, using steriods, or outiing Valerie Plame, but for lying to a federal agent!
After listening to the tapes there is no doubt that this guy is guilty. However, if the FBI investigated every Senator or Representative from every state our political system would be in chaos. Although Blogie was more blatant and coarse than most, they are all selling their influence. Start with Diane Feinsteins husband making billions off of contracts with the government for the war in Iraq, is that just a coincidence that his wife is a leading Senator? How many politicians sold their AIG stock before the market hit the tank?
If you think that these people spend such phenomenal amounts of money to get elected just so they can "serve the public" you may want to think again. It's all about greed, glory and, I'm trying to think of the third "g", help me out here.
And, with the demise of investigative journalism in our country the problem is only going to get worse. Also, increasing bipartisanship does little to help in the way of reform.
I'm not buying the line that Fitz is the most honest prosecutor ever. He could have nailed Rove for perjury, as he did Libby, but he allowed Rove to change his testimony. How often does that happen in a criminal trial. And how did Cheney escape indictment when it was he who pulled the trigger on outing Plame? I think Fitz made a deal with Bushco. Anyone have any facts that would disprove my theory?
do you have any facts to PROVE your theory?
As I understand it, Fitz hasn't yet closed that case . . .
Fitzgerald appears to be that rare animal: an honest attorney. I say keep him in his job.
Why did all those other Republican attorneys get fired from the justice department? Because they refused to follow orders to misuse their position to pursue the political aims of the white house. Patrick Fitzgerald did not get fired. Indeed, he was given the plum assignment of taking on the CIA leak and made the unremarkable but I am certain popular decision with the white house that he would not charge Cheney, instead just sticking with the low-level towel boy.
And now we have this ridiculous gossipy smarmy outing of a small-time Democratic politician talking trash to his aides. The press conference by itself is evidence of how weak the charges are: the fireworks, the carnival, the cast of thousands, the over-stating of the claims (Lincoln would roll over) all are designed to create a sensation in the media and in the public. And it's worked. And ripping up the Governor's wife by publicly disclosing that she uses the Bleep Word -- gutter tactics.
If you peel away Mr. Fitzgerald's trash talk, he's got nothing. The governor may be a jerk, may even be a crook. But talking trash with his aides does not constitute a crime. So what's the real reason for filing this pathetic relatively barren complaint at this time? Possibly to smear Obama and lots of other Democrats to provide cover while Bush pardons the top Republicans criminals in the country -- all 2 million of them. More at http://NABNYC.blogspot.com
This is good analysis. So far, Blagojevich is all but convicted except for the matter of the trial. There is more at work. How do I know? One thing is I am unusually close to this matter. Not only is the Governor a neighbor of mine, I have had dealings with him. I can't vouch for his character. Unfortunately, I also can't say all of what I know. But I will say that pay backs are sometimes rough things. The Governor has earned enmity during his time in office; some of it is entirely justifiable. However, as I wake every morning now to helicopters outside my window trying to vacuum up fodder for the news cycle, I know firsthand that the feds have not done everything on the up and up. How they have gotten the dirt on Gov. Blagojevich and how they have obtained the voyeuristic wiretaps we all take so much sinful pleasure in is another story. One day, more of this story will be told.
Yeah, wouldn't it be interesting to read the warrant for those wire taps?
I'd like Obama to get in front of this thing:
1. He should say it's not for him to judge, but if the accusations are accurate then...
2. He should say it's unforgivable--dare I say unpardonable--to abuse public office and public trust this way.
3. He should say he approves of Fitzpatrick's work to the point where he's sorry about his resignation, so...
4. He should reappoint Fitzpatrick to the same job.
He's the only source of constructive change accidentally appointed by Dubya. Not his fault that Dubya abused his power of commutation in a non-prosecutable fashion.
I reacll hearing reports that Fitzy might be tapped for an Obama cabinet post but then again there was the feeling that he is doing a great job where he is, so I think he will be retained where he currently is.
Why does Chicago and Illinois get all the attention? We here in Ohio are used to pay to play after eight years of a corrupt Taft administration and a legislature only interested in self preservation. The U.S. Attorney offices in Ohio were not interested in pursuing fellow Republicans. Times are a changing however. The current governor is an honest politician and the legislature has been somewhat purged by the voters. A corrupt state attorney general (a democrat) was forced out by his own party. Fitzgerald could of had a field day in Ohio. U.S. Attorneys should be civil service protected.
unfortunately Obama is not from Ohio, so you don't get an investigation. sorry, this is all about bringing down anything that can pull down the cred of the incoming administration. Do we honestly believe that Blago is doing something that no other gov. is doing? C.aroline K.ennedy being a contender for the Senate has everything to do with favors, but you won't seen anyone "exposing" that.
Caroline Kennedy has been teaching in NY public schools for years. A K3ennedy issue is education. And she is certainly qualified.
Now, who else will you be smearing with the unevidenced trash-talk?
Great piece on The Daily Beast reports it was Obama himself who started the process to bring Blegojevich down, by evidently calling the head of the Ill. State Senate and urging him to override Blego's veto on ethics reform (remember that from Barack's campaign?). Soon after this call and the subsequent override of the veto, Blegojevich went into overdrive mode to try and solicit money and favor, thereby sparking the FBI's interest in the Governor, and eventually bringing about this corrupt Gov.'s indictment. While Obama's too cool to ever say anything, you know that the man brought this corruption down, or at least was the catalyst. Very subtle. Formidable is Barack.
excellent point! i'm feeling just a little better about that state of the world. still waiting for daley & stroger go down.
Blago may have cohones the size of the Liberty Bell but he won't want a deal with the Feds. He's just too arrogant and probably believes he'll do better at trial. When you've been rousted from your bed, put in handcuffs and led away by the Feds, you do NOT show up for work the next day as the most infamous Governor of the fifty states. I agree with Stephen Colbert on his show last night. This guy set the bar - for stupidity! Knowing he was under investigation by the the Feds, he still used his home phone to discuss the crimes he's charged with. His chutzpah knows no bounds!
They have to leave Fitz in Chicago. Replacing him would only take on the look of politicizing the position. I think Obama, since he has proven again how squeaky clean he really is, should publicly tell Fitz to round up all the Chicago political crooks and open up a special holding area in Gitmo.
Chicago has far less corruption than places like Texass. The difference is that we prosecute our criminals, while red states make them into Gods and send them to Washinton as their elected representatives.
BINGO!!
Bingo, and bravo! Your statement is also an appropriate response to 5weight above who asks why Ohio doesn't get Chicago degree attention for its corruption. Same party pretty much, and just as ridiculously conservative.
This is one federal prosecutor's resignation that I think the Obama administration would be wise to not accept. He has been blind to political issues and has gone after the Bush administration as hard as anyone could possibly demand. I would not like to see the right wing media bash away if Fitzy is replaced and the trial of the Gov. fails for what ever reason. Also it would go a long way to strengthen the case against Rove et. el .that dismissed the case against their meddling in the Justice department as everyone does it.
Fitzgerald for Attorney General!
We could do far, far worse that Fitzgerald as AG. Sure he is sort Republican,... but the man works by the book, and he works his arse off. Seems to have a good deal of respect for the rule of law and that 'quaint' document we call the Constitution as weill.
@Superfelo, while Blagojevich's support of the striking Republic workers is noble, his arrogance got the best of him while there when he dared anyone to bug his conversations and the very next morning he's arrested for, you guessed it, bugged conversations. I just got through reading the suit against him and what he was attempting, buying a US senatorial chair, just drowns any good will he garnered by standing up for the Republic people.
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