[Aliska]

I don't mean to be imflammatory and this probably sounds naive or downright dumb, but from what I've read Blago was trying to get quid pro quo or favors in exchange for the favored appointee to the senate seat which could result in a more lucrative position for him, something for his wife, but not exactly doing it for an outright cash payment.

I don't see a whole lot of difference between what he was attempting to do with the senate seat and political favors that are exchanged for donations all the time, not they are exactly comparable.

There's a whole laundry list of pols who seem to exchange favors for contributions or contracts and got what they wanted. Obama seems up to his neck in it, too, can't remember the exact details about the house deal and his wife's job and subsequent grant to the hospital (?).

I don't know where the actual bribery or lawbreaking kicks in, seems like a fine line. I'm not saying that any of this comes across as ethical, but hasn't our side done it, too, trading favoors, quid pro quo, like it's business as usual in the world of politics?

Maybe the difference is that you don't actually cut a deal specifically for a political contribution in receiving a favor but it just happens without soliciting it.

I read a lot of the complaint, multiple issues there.

[STARWISE]

This is such a blatant ‘pay for play’ routine and
so unscrupulous and harmful to the citizens of
IL .. it’s totally criminal.

Blago deserved to be arrested .. have you ever
seen such sheer unadulterated stupidity?