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Illinois Governor

ABC's "The Note" Embarrasses Itself on Behalf of Beltway Journalism

Eric Boehlert | Posted 01.24.2009 | Media

Read More: The Note, Obama, ABC News, Rod Blagojevich, Rick Klein, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Media, Illinois Governor, Barack Obama, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Patrick Fitzgerald, Media News
Eric Boehlert

Doing its best to prop up the beyond soggy Blago/Obama "scandal," The Note worked feverishly to convince fellow journalists that they didn't make fools of themselves hyping the non-story for weeks.

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Blago and Me

Neil McCarthy | Posted 01.23.2009 | Politics

Read More: Corruption, Chuck Schumer, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Illinois Governor, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, Campaign Finance Reform, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich Corruption, Politics News
Neil McCarthy

In electoral politics we want to avoid the rich and famous in favor of the modest but qualified. But we make it impossible for anyone but the rich and famous to get the jobs and then keep them.

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Blago Should Still Appoint Diane Nash

Stephen C. Rose | Posted 01.20.2009 | Politics

Read More: Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Illinois Governor, Diane Nash, Patrick Fitzgerald, Politics News
Stephen C. Rose

Diane Nash is a pillar of the civil rights movement who happens to be a blue ribbon Chicago citizen and is certainly more qualified than Caroline Kennedy to be a US Senator.

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Welcome to the Blagosphere

Thomas Frank | Posted 01.17.2009 | Politics

Read More: Friends of Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Illinois Governor, Patrick Fitzgerald, Gov. Blagojevich, Politics News
Thomas Frank

The Blagojevich scandal is widely seen as a heavy blow for the incoming administration, but in fact it's good for Mr. Obama that it happened early on.

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Sunday Roundup

Arianna Huffington | Posted 01.13.2009 | Politics

Read More: Rod Blagojevich, Axelrod Blagojevich, Obama Blagojevich, Rahm Emanuel, Blagojevich Obama, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, David Axelrod, Blagojevich Indictment, Rahm Emanuel Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Blago, Politics News
Arianna Huffington

It's been amusing watching the media try to turn a scandal affecting the governor of Illinois into a scandal affecting the president-elect. Every detail was milked for maximum ominousness: a recent handshake between Obama and Blagojevich, a list of favored replacement candidates delivered by Rahm Emanuel, Rahm's "beet-red" face, David Axelrod's work for Blago in the 90s. All inflated to fill a sparse news cycle. But wouldn't it have been weird if Obama hadn't shaken Blago's hand, and weirder still if he'd shown no interest in who his successor would be? Trying to turn any of this into a suspicion of pay-to-play carries about as much weight as the Obama citizenship case. Sorry, guys, but Blagojevich said it all: the Obama people were "not willing to give me anything except appreciation."

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Blagojevich PDA Moments (SLIDESHOW)

Huffington Post | Anya Strzemien | Posted 01.11.2009 | Style

Read More: Slideshow, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Slideshow, Illinois Governor, Illinois First Lady, Patricia Blagojevich, Blagojevich PDA, Patti Blagojevich, Blagojevich Macbeth, Patricia Blagojevich Pics, Style News

It's been a rough week for the Blagojeviches. First, the governor was arrested on Tuesday, then potty-mouthed wife Patricia was depicted as "a modern-...

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Clout Gate

Mike Doyle | Posted 01.11.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois Governor, Illinois Politics, Clout, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Corruption, Chicago News
Mike Doyle

As long as clout remains unchallenged, it will also remain the reason for the sudden waning of Chicago's equally sudden waxing of credibility on the national stage.

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Handcuffs and Shoulder Shrugs

Toby Greenwalt | Posted 01.11.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, George Ryan, Friends of Blagojevich, Patti Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Chicago News
Toby Greenwalt

The conversation has moved on to how far this investigation will lead. Whether it's a political newcomer like Tammy Duckworth or a political institution like Richard Daley, a lot of people are hoping Fitzmas only hits once this year.

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The Other Blago-Sphere Takes a Hit

Robert J. Elisberg | Posted 01.11.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, George Ryan, Friends of Blagojevich, Patti Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blago, Politics News
Robert J. Elisberg

It's not just Lincoln turning in his grave, as U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald suggested, this would make even the first Mayor Daley turn in his grave, a man who could peddle boodle in his sleep without a scratch.

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Blago Should Appoint Diane Nash Today

Stephen C. Rose | Posted 01.11.2009 | Politics

Read More: Illinois Governor, Barack Blagojevich Indictment, U.S. Senate, Nashville, Vincent Harding, John Lewis, Gov. Blagojevich, Blagojevich Arrested, Illinois Politics, Senate Appointment, Diane Nash, Barack Obama, Blagojevich Corruption, Blago, Politics News
Stephen C. Rose

Barack Obama and others should relax and let Governor Blagojevich appoint a Senator. I have a suggestion too. That is Blago's job. The Senate's call ...

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The Right Way to Sell a Senate Seat

Jonathan Handel | Posted 01.11.2009 | Politics

Read More: Rod Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Blago, Politics News
Jonathan Handel

Blago is actually the Governor's nickname, and please don't confuse it with "blogger," which is what I am. I'm not the governor of anything, and I left Chicago at age 6, with my morals more or less intact.

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America's New Political Capital: Don't Judge Chicago by Its Crooks

Brett Ashley McKenzie | Posted 01.10.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, Barack Obama, Chicago, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, George Ryan, Patti Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Chicago News
Brett Ashley McKenzie

As names are named, and Blagojevich becomes the fourth Illinois governor since the '70s to be charged with white collar crime, you may find yourself asking, "What's going on with Illinois?"

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My Take on Blagojevich

David Mamet | Posted 01.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Celebrities Talk Politics, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, David Mamet Blagojevich, Mamet Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, George Ryan, Friends of Blagojevich, Patti Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, David Mamet, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich Mamet, Politics News
David Mamet

I am from Chicago, and, so, having been disillusioned with politics at an early age I do not become involved. The only reason I vote is because they pay me.

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Obama Unfairly Tainted by Crimes He Didn't Commit

Bob Cesca | Posted 01.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Msnbc, Patrick Fitzgerald, Taint, Chicago, Sean Hannity, Barack Obama, Blagojevich Corruption, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, George Ryan, Patti Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Politics News
Bob Cesca

We've seen this before: specious attempts to connect Obama with corrupt or controversial figures in Chicago. This is what we can expect for the next four years. The crazy has only just begun.

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Well At Least New York's Senate Seat isn't on eBay

Keli Goff | Posted 01.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Governor Paterson, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Nydia Velazquez, David Paterson, Hillary Clinton Senate Seat, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, New York Senate Seat, Illinois Governor, Gov. Blagojevich, Carolyn Maloney, Kirsten Gillibrand, Politics News
Keli Goff

We New Yorkers luckily have the governor we now do, and a good slate of candidates to choose from. Not a single scandal-plagued, prostitute-patronizing, tax-evading, child-porn loving, wacko in the bunch...as far as we know.

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Blagojevich Back In Black Clothes After Arrest (PHOTOS)

Huffington Post | Anya Strzemien | Posted 01.10.2009 | Style

Read More: Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Black Clothes, Blagovich Arrest, Illinois Governor Arrest, Blago Leather Jacket, Blagojevich Leather Jacket, Style News

If Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich wants to prove he's innocent, he might consider dressing like it. On Monday, one day before his arrest, the gover...

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Blagojevich Proves Obama is Clean

Cenk Uygur | Posted 01.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Newsweek, Blago, Media, Barack Obama, Associated Press, Scandal, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, George Ryan, Patti Blagojevich, Obama Blagojevich, Obama Blagojevich Ties, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Blagojevich and Obama, Politics News
Cenk Uygur

The headline shouldn't be about how this is a problem for Obama. The headline should be, "Blagojevich Case Proves Obama Can't Be Bought." He is indisputably clean.

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Blagojevich's Magnificent Downfall

James Warren | Posted 01.10.2009 | Politics

Read More: Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, George Ryan, Friends of Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Politics News
James Warren

At the heart of it all, is money -- as is the case in about 49 other states, regardless of all the television chatter Tuesday about a peculiarly "Chicago" brand of corruption.

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Blagojevich Deserves the Chicago Tribune's Thanks

Jacob Heilbrunn | Posted 01.09.2009 | Media

Read More: Tribune Company, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, George Ryan, Patti Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Chicago Tribune, Rob Blagojevich, Sam Zell, Patrick Fitzgerald, Media News
Jacob Heilbrunn

Blagojevich should have just exercised a little more patience in demanding that Zell fire writers since Zell, who has just had the Tribune declare bankruptcy, seems to be taking down the entire place anyway.

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Chorus of Illinois Elected Officials Call for Governor's Resignation

Brett Ashley McKenzie | Posted 01.09.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Corruption, Friends of Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Rob Blagojevich, Gov. Blagojevich, Impeachment, Chicago News
Brett Ashley McKenzie

"If Governor Blagojevich has any regard for the State of Illinois and its residents, he will immediately resign from office," said Congressman Shimkus.

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Blago Could've Been Somebody

Beau Friedlander | Posted 01.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Republic Windows and Doors Lay Offs, Rod Blagojevich, Global Economic Crisis, Blagojevich Corruption, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Politics News
Beau Friedlander

He could have been a hero in his home town -- now he's a disgrace. It seems to be a common narrative these days.

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My Governor Got Led Away in Handcuffs, and All I Got Was This Lousy Newspaper

Daniel Sinker | Posted 01.09.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Blagojevich Democrat, Friends of Blagojevich, George Ryan, Patti Blagojevich, Governor Arrested, Patrick Fitzgerald, Illinois Governor, Gov. Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Blagojevich Handcuffs, Blagojevich Handcuff, Chicago News
Daniel Sinker

Be glad you're not Rod Blagojevich. In addition to having a terrible haircut, he's going to go down in history as the worst politician in the history of Illinois politics--a high bar to pass, but one he's passed handily.

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Dear Gov. Blagojevich

Matt Cooper | Posted 01.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Patrick Fitzgerald, Rahm Emanuel, Rod Blagojevich, Scooter Libby, CIA Leak Case, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Complaint, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Indictment, Rob Blagojevich, Matt Cooper Blagojevich, Matt Cooper, Politics News
Matt Cooper

You're probably wondering what to do. I have some advice. Back in 2004, I had a rather infamous run-in with Pat Fitzgerald, the U.S. Attorney who has taken such a keen interest in you.

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Nice work, Gov. Blagojevich. Really.

Phil Bronstein | Posted 01.09.2009 | Politics

Read More: Phil Bronstein, Chicago Tribune, Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Corruption, Media, Eliot Spitzer Prostitution Scandal, Blagojevich, Illinois Governor, Eliot Spitzer, Gov. Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Blagojevich Complaint, John Edwards, Blagojevich Indictment, Blagojevich Arrested, Rob Blagojevich, Blagojevich Spitzer, Politics News
Phil Bronstein

You have to hand it to the governor: there's something to be said for brazen self-destruction -- a "teachable moment" in the Gavin Newsom meaning -- in a culture always looking for new heights of chutzpah.

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Now, Finally, We Can Clean Up This State

Edwin Eisendrath | Posted 01.09.2009 | Chicago

Read More: Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Eisendrath, Blagojevich Arrested, Blagojevich Corruption, Blagojevich, Chicago Governor, Patricia Blagojevich, Edwin Eisendrath, Illinois Politics, Illinois Governor, Blagojevich Democrat, Gov. Blagojevich, Friends of Blagojevich, George Ryan, Patti Blagojevich, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Blagojevich Obama, Governor Arrested, Blagojevich Complaint, Blagojevich Indictment, Illinois, Rob Blagojevich, Patrick Fitzgerald, Chicago News
Edwin Eisendrath

Two years ago I took on Mr. Blagojevich in the Democratic Primary. It was already clear back then that he was deeply involved in the kind of pay-to-play politics that have tainted Illinois for too long.

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