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You can have a head of hair like Hot Rod Blagojevich, too funny..

The arrest of Governor Rod Blagojevich in December cast a shadowy light on the relationships among four leading players in the Illinois Democratic Party—Blagojevich, Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, and David Axelrod. The new president and his two aides would like to minimize their dealings with the disgraced ex-governor. But the record tells a more complex story By David Bernstein (page 1 of 4) In the days following his arrest on corruption charges last December 9th, Governor Rod Blagojevich did his best to appear busy. He visited his 16th-floor suite at the Thompson Center, once even showing up in a jogging...

... I formed Republicans For Fair Media (now RFFM.org) nearly 20 years ago, in an effort to encourage fairness and objectivity in the dominant press. Originally hailing from Chicago, this was a daunting task. That city, located in the nation's heartland, illustrated perfectly how one-Party rule left many individuals who held differing political and social views from those in power disenfranchised. Unfortunately, the mainstream media in Chicago left many stories regarding the moral and legal function of government unaddressed. This is a natural process which, in part, is due to human failings. In some cases, a journalist had little chance...

Congressman Jesee Jackson Jr. made his first public appearance in a month since former governor Rod Blagojevich was indicted. "I offered the former governor nothing and the former governor of Illinois offered me nothing." Said Jackson, Saturday afternoon at an immigration forum on the city's southeast side. Jackson admits he lobbied for the vacant senate seat now held by Roland Burris. But says he did not engage in "pay-to-play" in that quest. While Jackson faces no criminal charges, the House of Representatives is investigating possible ethical violations. Jackson says he is co-operating fully and handing over key documents. "The exact...

With the recent impeachment of Governer Rod Blagojevich, we thought it only fitting to take a look at politicians we found to be the most corrupt of all time. There could easily be a Top 100 most corrupt politicians list, but we chose to narrow our focus to 10. One of the people you won’t find here is Richard Nixon. Despite his well known transgressions, Nixon didn’t line his own pockets. Defining political corruption as the use of power for personal gain, this list includes only those public servants who used their office for financial profit. William Marcy "Boss" Tweed...

Blagojevich fundraiser linked to Richardson Lobbyist was employed by CDR, gave to governor's campaigns By Steve Terrell | The New Mexican 4/24/2009 Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's chief fundraiser worked for the California investment company that's at the center of the grand jury investigation that sidetracked New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's political career, Bloomberg.com reported Friday. That fundraiser, Springfield, Ill., lobbyist Milan Petrovic, also contributed about $20,000 to Richardson political campaigns, according to campaign finance records. The New York-based financial publication said Petrovic clients and other associates also contributed more than $50,000 to Richardson's campaign for re-election as governor. Petrovic's...

Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich has a new favorite governor. "You know when I was governor of Illinois my second-favorite governor in American was Arnold Schwarzenegger," Blagojevich said at a promotional event Friday in Pasadena. "Now that I'm not governor, he's my favorite governor."

So what happened? The democrats were able to smear the reputation of a great Governor, with nothing but lies. And at least one of them, Senator Kim Elton benefited from pay-for-play with Obama. And as always, the Republicans proved to be worthless at protecting their own.

On Tuesday, a federal judge rejected a request by Mr. Blagojevich, who is awaiting trial in a corruption case, that he be allowed to travel to a Costa Rican jungle to take part in the taping of a “Survivor”-type reality television show, “I’m a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here!” Mr. Blagojevich, who once had national political aspirations, said outside court that to support his family, he needed the television work, which would have brought him $123,000 had he survived 12 episodes and been dubbed “king of the jungle” over other contestants like Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag of...

CHICAGO – A federal judge dashed indicted former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's reality TV dream Tuesday, refusing to give the ousted Democrat permission to travel to Costa Rica to tape a show in the jungle. U.S. District Judge James Zagel refused to modify terms of Blagojevich's bail to allow him to leave the United States, saying he needs to remain in the country to help his attorneys formulate a strategy for his defense. The judge said that would give Blagojevich a better sense of the gravity of the legal problems he faces — including allegations he tried to auction off President...

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s camp was told last year that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.) would raise up to $5 million in campaign cash for the ex-governor if he was appointed to President Obama’s U.S. Senate seat, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. The overture came from at least two members of the local Indian community who approached the Blagojevich fund-raising team last fall, sources say. Besides the $5 million to be raised by Jackson, the proposal also included another $1 million for Blagojevich’s campaign fund that would come from Indian donors, sources say. This is the first revelation that...

A congressional ethics panel has opened a preliminary inquiry into Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s role in the scandal surrounding the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama, the Democratic lawmaker said Wednesday. Mr. Jackson said he is cooperating with the review by the Office of Congressional Ethics. The panel is looking into his communications with former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was indicted last week on charges of widespread corruption, including allegations that Mr. Blagojevich tried to sell Mr. Obama's former Senate seat to the highest bidder. "I was notified last week about the inquiry and am eager...

In the initial weeks after Gov. Blagojevich's arrest, one of the goofier theories making the rounds among his defenders (yes, he has some) was that the delay in bringing an indictment against him was an indication of weakness in the U.S. attorney's case. The thinking seemed to be that if prosecutors had a real case against Blagojevich they have should been able to indict him right on the spot instead of using the device of a criminal complaint to effect his arrest while they tidied up their investigation.

A congressional ethics board has launched a preliminary inquiry into U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill), related to President Obama’s vacant Senate seat and the corruption investigation of ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. The Office of Congressional Ethics, formed just last year, voted in late March to conduct a “preliminary review,” of actions surrounding Jackson’s bid to be appointed to the Senate seat, according to documents released by the office. The committee launched the action Thursday — the same day Blagojevich was indicted on corruption charges. The panel has asked parties in the Blagojevich case —...

Federal authorities have asked U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson (D.-Ill) why former Gov. Rod Blagojevich believed he would get campaign cash in exchange for appointing Jackson to President Obama's vacant Senate seat, sources told the Sun-Times. More than a week ago, Jackson and his criminal defense lawyer sat down for an interview with investigators in connection with the ongoing corruption probe of the now-indicted Blagojevich. Among the areas of interest, sources say, was what Jackson told his representatives to convey to the Blagojevich camp on his behalf last year -- a time Jackson sought the Senate seat appointment. And, in a...

Rahm, Rove, Rezko and the Blagojevich TrialBy Michael Isikoff | NEWSWEEK Published Apr 4, 2009 From the magazine issue dated Apr 13, 2009 **SNIP** Democrats won't be the only ones discomforted by the trial. Another accused co-conspirator is William Cellini, a powerful GOP power broker, who has denied wrongdoing. Blagojevich is also accused of directing lucrative state bond business to an unidentified lobbyist as part of a deal to funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to Rezko, who in turn allegedly agreed to split the money with the governor and two associates. The unnamed lobbyist, according to a...

Attorneys: Rahm Emanuel was alleged extortion victimBy Mike Robinson Associated Press CHICAGO -- President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, was the congressman targeted by an alleged extortion plan described in the indictment against former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, according to attorneys familiar with the case. At the time, in 2006, Emanuel was the congressman from the 5th District on Chicago’s North Side. The attorneys spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday because the congressman isn’t named and the information is secret grand jury material. The indictment says the congressman sought a $2 million grant for a school. But Blagojevich allegedly...

CHICAGO (AP) — Rod Blagojevich's schemes and corruption stretch back beyond trying to sell a Senate seat, beyond handing out jobs to political donors and even beyond his first day in the Illinois governor's office, federal prosecutors say. While he campaigned on a promise to clean up after the scandals of the previous governor, Blagojevich and a handful of political pals already were planning to line their pockets and split the money after Blagojevich left office, according to a 19-count indictment. If true, the allegations show Blagojevich blew past the actions that put ex-Gov. George Ryan in prison and took...

The New York Times is once again filtering content to protect its Chosen One. Their Friday report on the indictment of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich covers up the document's many allegations against Barack Obama's "political patron" and longtime friend and fund-raiser, Tony Rezko... Fund-raising and real estate. The two areas in which Rezko has been identified with Obama are the same two areas which the indictment now portrays Rezko as being involved with Blagojevich... And those "others known and unknown to the Grand Jury" to whom the Blagojevich indictment refers? (Can anyone say, unindicted co-conspirator?) Don't expect to read...

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Legal Newsline)-Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich could be unable to make money off his newly-inked book deal if state lawmakers have their way. Legislation handily approved Friday by the state House would allow the state attorney general to sue convicted state officials for money they make by selling their story for books, movies or in broadcast deals. The proposal, which now moves to the state Senate, appears to be aimed at Blagojevich, 52, who was ousted from office and subsequently indicted for, among other things, trying to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, his brother Rob and Christopher Kelly, a former top fundraiser for Blagojevich, were all indicted today on corruption charges, the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago announced. Also charged in the indictment were Lon Monk, a lobbyist and former Blagojevich chief of staff; John Harris, also a former chief of staff to Blagojevich; and William Cellini, a Springfield insider for decades. The indictment comes four months after Blagojevich was arrested and charged with engaging in pay-to-play politics in a sweeping federal complaint that accused him of trading state jobs, contracts and regulatory favors for campaign contributions. The...

CHICAGO (AP) — An indictment is expected as early as Thursday charging ousted Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich with presiding over state government awash in political corruption. The indictment U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald is expected to produce would replace a complaint charging Blagojevich with plotting to trade or sell President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat and a host of other corruption. While timing of grand jury meetings is never disclosed, Thursday is believed to be the last before a Tuesday deadline for the complaint to be replaced. Fitzgerald could ask U.S. District Court Chief Judge James F. Holderman for...

If you want to understand the political environment out of which President Obama emerged (unscathed, as his supporters would suggest), today's piece from the Associated Press provides a nice summary of many ways in which crooked Illinois politicians rob that state blind. One researcher, a former Chicago alderman and political scientist, has pegged the "corruption tax" at roughly $300 million annually, but that only includes the Chicago area. A few samples: Someone put in a government job because he knows the right people isn’t likely to work hard for his paycheck. In extreme cases, he might not show up for...

Federal prosecutors have only a week left to indict former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. When authorities arrested Blagojevich back in December, it was based on a criminal complaint. Prosecutors didn't have the case all tied up in a bow, but U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald rushed to bring charges because he said Blagojevich was in the middle of a crime spree. FITZGERALD: Sometimes when there's ongoing criminal conduct, and this is a very different case than what we often see, we will expose the criminal conduct and bring charges to let people know we're on to it, and to hopefully, to...

4 FOR OBAMA'S SEAT | Document shows ex-gov targeted about 150 people for campaign cash Four potential candidates for President Obama's vacant Senate seat were each to be targeted for contributions by ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign as part of an aggressive, $2.3 million race for cash late last year, an internal campaign document obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows. The four were among about 150 people targeted for contributions by the Friends of Blagojevich campaign organization by the end of 2008, when a new Illinois law took effect that bans taking money from state contractors and appointees, the document shows....

Yeah, perhaps it was theater of the weird, but it was pretty entertaining. Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich appeared on WLS radio today in Chicago. No big deal, right? The only person who gets more media time is that other guy from Chicago. Morning Drive Here’s the difference. Blago was the host. For two hours this morning, the ex-gov did all the things that morning drive air personalities do. He took calls from listeners, bantered with high profile guests, joked with the news and weather staff, and kept welcoming Chicagoans to the show. ~snip~ Hair Sadly, there was only one...

In an unusual step, the Senate's top leaders were interviewed yesterday by the chamber's ethics committee in its ongoing investigation of Sen. Roland W. Burris's campaign to win appointment to the seat vacated by President Obama. Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) met with the committee, in separate 30-minute discussions, to recount their interactions with Burris (D) during his effort to be seated after he was appointed by then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D).

Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, announced today that it obtained documents from the office of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich as result of an Illinois Freedom of Information Act lawsuit related to federal investigations of Blagojevich, who was removed from office in January for attempting to "sell" President Obama's Senate seat, among other charges. The documents include federal subpoenas issued to Governor Blagojevich's office related to a number of individuals connected to President Obama and the national Democratic party, including: -- Valerie Jarrett: Once labeled "the other side of Barack Obama's brain" by...

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich today blasted his successor Pat Quinn's tax plans as "predictable", part of what he alleges was a scheme cooked up with legislative leaders before he was "hijacked from office." The appearance on WLS radio's "Don Wade and Roma Show" marked Blagojevich's first foray into the world of political commentary, since he was ousted in disgrace in January. "He doesn't have to raise taxes, and he can cut taxes," Blagojevich declared, saying there are enough savings to be found in state spending to balance the budget without going directly to taxpayers for more money.

......a new book paints ousted Gov Blago as an ego-driven liar...... In "Pay to Play" a former senior adviser says Blago fumed when quizzed for taking a state plane daily at $5,800 per round trip, "[Bleep] it, [bleep] them. It comes with the job" .........he arrived so late for a state funeral that then-Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn had to step in to present the flag draped over the coffin to the grieving widow.....People began to realize that Blago was not someone who could be trusted. He was not building a political organization.....It was a complete quid pro quo - "....give...

Burris turns up on Blago list of potential fund-raisers SENATE SEAT | Entry calls for $5K-$10K 3 weeks before he got appointment fund-raisers | Entry calls for $5K-$10K 3 weeks before he got appointment March 14, 2009 BY Staff Reporters Sen. Roland Burris appeared to have a possible unmet fund-raising commitment with then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich's campaign three weeks before landing a controversial appointment to the U.S. Senate, an internal Blagojevich fund-raising document obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times shows. The list of potential donors, dated Dec. 3, contains an entry targeting Burris for up to $10,000 and indicates Burris intended to...

Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) is drawing single digits in a primary with two other candidates, according to a new poll. The Zogby poll, conducted for the Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois, suggests the question of whether or not Burris seeks a full term in the Senate in 2010 is largely inconsequential, because he stands almost no chance of winning it. The poll matched him with two statewide officeholders – Treasurer Alex Giannoulias and Comptroller Dan Hynes. Giannoulias led Hynes narrowly, 28-27, with Burris at just 5 percent. Giannoulias is the only Democrat officially in the race. Former Commerce Secretary William...

The potential field of candidates for President Obama's Senate seat -- for which Roland Burris may or may not be running -- keeps on growing. The Hill reports that Bill Daley, former Commerce Secretary under Bill Clinton, is on the verge of entering the race for President Obama's former Senate seat. Daley is the brother of Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, and son of the late Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley. Daley was also a co-chairman of Obama's presidential campaign, and has reportedly spoken to top political talent including Larry Grisolano -- who works for David Axelrod and David Plouffe's...

A judge for the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois [official website] on Friday rejected an attempt by former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich [JURIST news archive] to have US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald of the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois [official website] removed from his federal corruption case. The ruling by Judge James Holderman denied [Bloomberg report] Blagojevich's request to disqualify Fitzgerald from the case. Blagojevich had argued that Fitzgerald should be removed from the case for making biased and inflammatory remarks during a January press conference. In January, the Illinois State Senate voted...

The recent appointments of several U.S. senators are prompting a move to amend the Constitution. The proposed amendment would require a special election anytime a Senate seat is vacant and would prohibit governors from appointing senators. The House and Senate Judiciary committees hold a joint hearing this week. Senator Russ Feingold says the recent controversies surrounding gubernatorial appointments to the Senate make clear they are an anachronism that must end.

My great "Name That Blago Book" contest, to select a catchy title for former Gov. Rod "Dead Meat" Blagojevich's steamy, tell-all book about sleazy Illinois politics, is over. Kevin Floyd, 30, a Notre Dame graduate, Lakeview resident and die-hard Cubs fan, is the victor in a contest among a top 10 culled from thousands of e-mailed suggestions. Floyd's title entry, "Rod and the Giant Impeach," won after more than 10,000 online votes were cast in Tribune Web voting Thursday. Lagging behind all day, Floyd mysteriously surged ahead in the final minutes to win, the Chicago Way. Floyd, who works for...

SPRINGFIELD---Over Republican objections, Democrats who run the Illinois Senate defeated legislation today that would have allowed for a special election to replace appointed Democratic U.S. Sen. Roland Burris before his term ends in January 2011. The 3-2 party-line vote at a Senate committee represented another setback for Republicans who have been pushing for a special election since then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich made the appointment weeks after his Dec. 9 arrest on political corruption charges. Among the federal accusations is that Blagojevich tried to sell the very Senate seat he later gave to Burris.

His publicist says the impeached Illinois governor plans to "expose the dark side of politics".........Blagojevich's six-figure deal and will detail how he selected Obama's Senate successor. Blagojevich was ousted following his arrest on federal charges that include allegations included he tried to sell the Senate seat. Blagojevich's book will tell the truth about what happened and will reveal information "that will at times be embarrassing to himself as well as to others" ........

Greta just broke the news that Blago will be writing a tell all book about the "Dark Side" of politics. Should Obama, Rahm, et al be worried? The book will be ready by this Christmas.

Sen. Dick Durbin, who advised Sen. Roland Burris last week to step down from the Senate, acknowledged today that racial considerations were at play in the decision by majority Democrats to seat Burris. Durbin, a fellow Democrat and Illinois' senior senator, noted that Rep. Bobby Rush, a Chicago Democrat, appeared at Gov. Rod Blagojevich's announcement of his appointment of Burris and used racially charged language to defend the appointment. "My colleague from Illinois, Congressman Bobby Rush, made strong statements along those (racial) lines," Durbin said on WGN-AM (720). "They were painful and hurtful, and it became part of this calculation."

Let's take Attorney General Holder up on his advice. No cowards needed in discussing race. Got it. So. The Democrats' Illinois Senator Dick Durbin refused to vote to oust a white president from office when, as the whole world knew, said president had lied about his role in the federal crime of sexual harassment. Yet when a black U.S. Senator, Durbin's Illinois colleague Roland Burris, is accused -- with as yet unproven allegations -- of lying to the Illinois House of Representatives, Durbin wants said black Senator's resignation post-haste. Well now. Isn't that white of him. And where, pray tell,...

The son of embattled Sen. Roland Burris is a federal tax deadbeat who landed a $75,000-a-year state job under former Gov. Rod Blagojevich five months ago, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned. Blagojevich's administration hired Roland W. Burris II as a senior counsel for the state's housing authority Sept. 10 -- about six weeks after the Internal Revenue Service slapped a $34,163 tax lien on Burris II and three weeks after a mortgage company filed a foreclosure suit on his South Side house.

WASHINGTON – Sen. Roland Burris refused to resign on Tuesday, rebuffing a call from the Senate's No. 2 Democrat who made it clear that the embattled Illinois lawmaker has little hope next year of winning the seat vacated by President Barack Obama. "I told him that under the circumstances, I would resign," fellow Illinois Sen. Richard Durbin told reporters after an hour-long meeting with Burris. "He said, 'I'm not going to resign.'""I can't force him," Durbin added.Burris was appointed by disgraced former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and driven from office after he was accused of trying to sell...

Never let it be said that I cannot occasionally be misled, fooled or outright wrong about the subjects on which I write. Indeed, my batting average might be more akin to baseball when it comes to politics. A good hitter can fail seven out of ten times he comes to the plate and still be considered a decent player. Everything must be put into perspective. On Dec. 31, 2008 I wrote a column (* link below) in which I said Roland Burris, the former Illinois Comptroller and Attorney General was basically a man of integrity. Burris was chosen by then-Governor...

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris was interviewed by federal authorities for several hours Saturday as part of the ongoing corruption investigation into charges that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell a Senate seat for personal or political profit, sources familiar with the talks said. Burris' interview, which had been delayed for weeks, took place at his attorney's offices in downtown Chicago. He has been informed he is not a target of the probe, the sources said. Burris acknowledged a week ago that federal investigators wanted to talk to him about the circumstances surrounding his appointment by Blagojevich, which occurred three...

U.S. Sen. Roland Burris was interviewed by federal authorities for several hours Saturday as part of the ongoing corruption investigation into charges that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich tried to sell a Senate seat for personal or political profit, sources familiar with the talks said. Burris' interview, which had been delayed for weeks, took place at his attorney's offices in downtown Chicago. He has been informed he is not a target of the probe, the sources said. Burris acknowledged a week ago that federal investigators wanted to talk to him about the circumstances surrounding his appointment by Blagojevich, which occurred three...

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and other Democratic officials Friday called on Sen. Roland Burris to resign from the Senate, which is investigating him for possible perjury. The White House added pressure on the embattled lawmaker to explain his actions leading up to his appointment. "To step aside and resign is, I think, a heroic act, and I ask Roland to do that," Mr. Quinn said at a news conference in Chicago. The governor said that if the senator does not resign from President Obama´s former seat, state lawmakers should enact legislation to fill the Senate seat by a special election...

If Sen. Roland Burris misled an Illinois House impeachment panel with a false account of his appointment, he did the same thing with the Illinois Supreme Court last month. In a lawsuit to force Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment to the Senate, Burris submitted the same Jan. 5 affidavit to the state high court that he had earlier sent to the House panel. The truthfulness of the affidavit has since been called into question.

Embattled Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) took another blow on Friday--his chief of staff, Darrell Thompson quit. Thompson was detailed to the Burris operation from the staff of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) in order to give Burris top notch experienced Senate help to get his office up and running. Thompson was a top staffer in President Obama's 2004 Illinois Senate campaign. As Burris resists calls for him to step down, Thompson pulled the plug on is short tenure. "Three weeks ago I was temporarily detailed to serve as Chief of Staff to Senator Roland W. Burris. Though my tenure...

Illinois Governor Asks Burris to Resign, Calls for Special Election Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said it was a "mistake" for Burris to accept a Senate appointment from his predecessor who was impeached and ousted last month by Illinois lawmakers. FOXNews.com Friday, February 20, 2009 Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn called on fellow Democrat Roland Burris to resign his U.S. Senate seat Friday, joining a growing chorus of politicians and newspapers. The Democratic governor said it was a "mistake" for Burris to accept a Senate appointment from his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, who was impeached and ousted last month by Illinois lawmakers. The...