“The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave. The governor’s own words describing the senate seat, quote, “It’s a bleeping valuable thing, a thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.”
That was U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald as he broke the news Tuesday that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been arrested for trying to sell Obama’s empty Illinois Senate seat. While Blagojevich was released on bail and returned to work, Deputy Governor Bob Greenlee resigned Wednesday.
We’re tracking continuing reaction to these developments from FOX News, MSNBC, The Chicago Tribune and CNN. Andrea Tantaros, on Fox and Friends, questions how this will affect the President-elect and the government as a whole.
“When corruption happens in big business, they go out of business. When corruption happens in government, what happens? It just seems that all these governors, people have lost total faith in the political system. It’s shameful and sad and the question today for all of us needs to be, who else is affected? Anyone that Barack Obama’s named, there’s got to be some. This is the Chicago machine. I guarantee more is coming out.” (FOX News)
Fox and Friends also commented on Obama’s immediate response to the situation, calling the brief comments he made “insufficient.”
But MSNBC Political Director Chuck Todd brushed off the Fox and Friends speculation that Obama’s team is in some way involved in the situation, taking the perspective that the President-elect is just being careful.
“Yesterday there were some folks who were surprised that it was a passive statement. This was very much in Obama’s demeanor. He’s always very cautious in his initial reactions to things like this, I imagine we might see a stronger statement today.” (MSNBC)
And that was the case as President-elect Barack Obama held a press conference today, calling for the governor to resign. But Blagojevich bailed out and was back in the office this morning. Technically he still has the power to fill Obama’s senate seat, although CNN Senior Legal Analyst Jeffrey Toobin doesn’t think this will happen.
“Who would accept an appointment from Blagojevich at this point? And, under the rules of the US Senate, the Senate has control over it’s own membership, so I am certain that the senate would not seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich.” (CNN)
To take a closer look at Blagojevich and Obama’s hometown coverage of the scandal, the Chicago Tribune columnists called for the governor to resign, while questioning Illinois’ ability to learn from this situation.
“Perhaps the charges against Blagojevich will finally prompt a housecleaning. But the next election is almost two years away, and memories are, sadly, short.” (Chicago Tribune)
Should Blagojevich hold on to his title while he is under investigation? Does this have greater consequences for the U.S. government?
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