Not fit for service
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/10/blagojevich.jpg caption="Gov. Rod Blagojevich is facing federal corruption charges."]
Editor’s Note: You can read more Jami Floyd blogs on “In Session”
Jami Floyd
AC360° Contributor
In Session Anchor
As a criminal defense attorney and journalist I pretty much thought I’d seen it all. Until yesterday and the news out of Chicago that Governor Rod Blagojevich was actually trying to sell the senate seat vacated by our president-elect. That’s right, sell it.
The governor before this one is already in prison and two others before that. Add to that Dan Rostenkowski and convicted businessman Antoin “Tony” Rezko. But none of it could have prepared me, or dare I say the vast majority of my other fellow cynics at the intersection of journalism and politics, for the downright bold nature of what’s alleged here.
And it’s got me struggling to think like a criminal defense attorney too because if you are poor and hungry and you steal a loaf of bread, well I can defend that. But if you are given the keys to the governor’s mansion and you violate the public trust, well then it’s a whole lot harder to feel sorry for you.
Whatever crimes he may or may not have committed, the audio tapes of his wheeling and dealing reveal a man who is vengeful, profane, and even disconnected from reality. In short, a person not fit for service.
But, I will say it in this case, as I say it in every other case, as a matter of law, Governor Blagojevich is presumed innocent until proven guilty as charged.
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Filed under: Jami Floyd • Raw Politics • Rod Blagojevich |
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Morning Jami...do you see our major focus shifting away from Mr. Obama's cabinet posts....there are important selections being made, some of the brightest minds in the country have been brought to bear the brunt of this economic crisis...I believe we as humans have been trained to see all the bad before we can see any good...this is a bad trait...let's keep our focus and let this Blago-dude self destruct....
I have one word to say "Allegedly". Almost unique to America when dealing with crimes even as ridiculous as this.
One point to ponder – Blagojevich regards Richard M. Nixon as one of his political heroes. Vengeful, profane and out of touch with reality. I think the biggest difference will be that the governor will see the inside of a courtroom.
The John Gotti of Chicago. Does his wife get arrested???
Why is the news media paying so much attention to Blagojevich and an attempt to connect him to our President-elect. Obama has more important things to concentrate on rather than having to take even a single minute to address the actions of this governor and any connection with Blagojevich!
Enough is enough!
The only grounds I see that the Governor can plead for his actions is idiocy. It was stupid to engage in such unethical and dishonest behavior; it was really stupid to do it when he knew he was being investigated. He needs to grow a brain and find a few morals – he is sadly lacking in both areas.
I think the Gov. scandle is only a cover up for the big wiz in the Gov. to clean up or cut their ties to what wrong doing they have got themself into. All they are doing is frying a little guy while they get clean.
And Bush wonders why some care less about the great Western Civilization!
The guy is a scumbag and a thug. He is not worthy of being a politician. He makes Larry Craig look like a boy scout. No offense to boy scounts.
Jami, I totally agree with you, Blago is a bit touched. I've alluded to his delusional mental state on a few other blogs (Huffington Post, Cafferty File, CNN Political Ticker, etc) and have been waitng for someone to be bold enough to pose such a sttement.
Eh, I'm not too surprised. It's typical politician BS.
At least one British news service is reporting that the "emmissary" who approached Blago on Candidate 5s behalf and offered the bribe(s) is his father, Jesse Sr. Any rumble about this going on - which given the father's ego could certainly have been done without the knowledge of the son.
Anderson...,
Please ask the question no one is asking:
"Why was his bail only $4,500?
THAT'S ABSURD!
Jami, I was not aware that it was necessary for an attorney to feel sorry for a client in order to undertake a defense.
If the media has already heard these "tapes," when does the public get to hear them (and why haven't we, yet)? And, what about the involvement of Mr. B's wife and father-in-law?
I love your show and insight, Jami. However, I am a bit surprised that you're surprised at this type of behavior in a politician. It takes a certain kind of whackjob to climb the political ladder. But, I must admit, he is on the deep end of whackjob.
I truly think most politicians are disconnected from reality. Public trust? Thems just words with no meaning.
'innocent until proven guilty'? Tell that to the tens of millions of people who still say OJ was a murderer. Tell that to the Goldman family.