Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Illinois Governor Blagojevich, And The Total Mind-Blow
This article is completely staggering. Staggeringly stunning.
Today, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said “the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering.”
(I totally copied Fitzgerald with my adjectives. Sorry, Pat.)
Here are some highlights:
--He was unapologetically asking for money up front from potential candidates to take Barack Obama's now-vacant Senate seat.
--Was considering taking the seat himself, to--somehow--simultaneously set himself up for a Presidential run in 2016, while avoiding impeachment (!) from the Illinois Congress.
--Was threatening the Chicago Tribune editorial board to change their tone of criticism towards him and his office, or else he would not approve the sale of Wrigley Field to the State of Illinois.
--On top of asking for significant campaign donations, was trying to also package a plush lobbying job for his wife in exchange for a Senate appointment.
--Trying to exchange significant increases to already enormous state government contracts for campaign contributions.
--Intimidation tactics to get donations through before legislation passed, in order for it not to appear that there was a conflict of interest.
--Trying to get an executive position with a Union board in exchange for a nomination of someone in the Union's pocket for the open Senate seat.
That's just the summary.
And you people wonder why I'm a libertarian. Power doesn't just corrupt Republicans, it turns out.
This story sends chills up my spine, and I don't even live in Illinois. It should you, too, because I PROMISE you that this happens everywhere.
Somewhere along the lines, the "power of the people" got shot in some dark alley and left for dead. It is incredibly depressing.
Today, Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said “the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering.”
(I totally copied Fitzgerald with my adjectives. Sorry, Pat.)
Here are some highlights:
--He was unapologetically asking for money up front from potential candidates to take Barack Obama's now-vacant Senate seat.
--Was considering taking the seat himself, to--somehow--simultaneously set himself up for a Presidential run in 2016, while avoiding impeachment (!) from the Illinois Congress.
--Was threatening the Chicago Tribune editorial board to change their tone of criticism towards him and his office, or else he would not approve the sale of Wrigley Field to the State of Illinois.
--On top of asking for significant campaign donations, was trying to also package a plush lobbying job for his wife in exchange for a Senate appointment.
--Trying to exchange significant increases to already enormous state government contracts for campaign contributions.
--Intimidation tactics to get donations through before legislation passed, in order for it not to appear that there was a conflict of interest.
--Trying to get an executive position with a Union board in exchange for a nomination of someone in the Union's pocket for the open Senate seat.
That's just the summary.
And you people wonder why I'm a libertarian. Power doesn't just corrupt Republicans, it turns out.
This story sends chills up my spine, and I don't even live in Illinois. It should you, too, because I PROMISE you that this happens everywhere.
Somewhere along the lines, the "power of the people" got shot in some dark alley and left for dead. It is incredibly depressing.
Labels: Corruption, Illinois Politics, Politics, Rod Blagojevich
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Nebraska's 2nd Congressional
Here's some interesting news from the world of politics. My mom actually pointed this out to me. Who knew The Mangler was such a newshound?
Labels: Marcia The Mangler, Nebraska, Politics
Friday, January 04, 2008
Caucus Results/Analysis
After inundating myself with at least four hours of caucus coverage last night both on CNN and local TV, all while winning a wager on the Kansas Jayhawks, here is my breakdown of what happened last night in Iowa:
Democrats:
Theme: Hope > experience. Clearly the caucusers (?) chose the more optimistic, inspiring tone of the Obama campaign over the experience-themed Hillary campaign. Once I saw the turnout, I pretty much figured it is going this way. Obama is really getting young people and independents out in droves, and it showed last night. Clinton better hope this is a fluke, but with New Hampshire only 5 days away, I'm not sure that she can turn it around.
Loser: Clinton. I still think she can win New Hampshire, but with a gun to my head I would put my money on Obama at this point. If she loses that and then loses South Carolina (which would theoretically be her worst state) it's probably over. She spent a lot in Iowa and to get third is a kick to the groin (yes, I know, it was intentional).
Treading water: John Edwards. His 2nd place was respectable, and I don't think anyone would have thought he could beat Hillary a month ago, but this was the basket containing all of his eggs, and I think he only goes down from here.
Out: Biden and Dodd. The loss of Biden hurts because he is so ideologically solid on the issues and makes people bring it in debates. Dodd had the firefighters, and I enjoy the show Rescue Me.
Republicans
Theme: Populism dominates. Clearly Huckabee rocked Iowa with a combination of wacko evangelicalism and liberal economics. While this was clearly a huge win and will give his campaign some much needed money, he gets his ass-kicked in New Hampshire because the Republicans there tend to be more libertarian than evangelical, and they won't be having it.
Loser: Romney and Thompson. Thompson is the laziest politician in the history of the United States, even ahead of the 350lb William Howard Taft. He's mailing it in and it shows. I can't stand this guy's sense of entitlement and I just hope he gets his ass kicked everywhere. Romney has literally been in Iowa for about a year, and he had to think he would win or only lose by 3-5% at worst. Well, he got his ass kicked. If McCain beats him in New Hampshire, he could join Edwards.
Treading Water: McCain. He really needs New Hampshire but he has to be happy that Romney isn't taking any momentum from Iowa back east.
Out: For all practical purposes, Ron Paul and Giuliani are done, taking much needed comedy from the Republican race with them.
(Stay tuned for my Wild Card NFL picks this afternoon)
Democrats:
Theme: Hope > experience. Clearly the caucusers (?) chose the more optimistic, inspiring tone of the Obama campaign over the experience-themed Hillary campaign. Once I saw the turnout, I pretty much figured it is going this way. Obama is really getting young people and independents out in droves, and it showed last night. Clinton better hope this is a fluke, but with New Hampshire only 5 days away, I'm not sure that she can turn it around.
Loser: Clinton. I still think she can win New Hampshire, but with a gun to my head I would put my money on Obama at this point. If she loses that and then loses South Carolina (which would theoretically be her worst state) it's probably over. She spent a lot in Iowa and to get third is a kick to the groin (yes, I know, it was intentional).
Treading water: John Edwards. His 2nd place was respectable, and I don't think anyone would have thought he could beat Hillary a month ago, but this was the basket containing all of his eggs, and I think he only goes down from here.
Out: Biden and Dodd. The loss of Biden hurts because he is so ideologically solid on the issues and makes people bring it in debates. Dodd had the firefighters, and I enjoy the show Rescue Me.
Republicans
Theme: Populism dominates. Clearly Huckabee rocked Iowa with a combination of wacko evangelicalism and liberal economics. While this was clearly a huge win and will give his campaign some much needed money, he gets his ass-kicked in New Hampshire because the Republicans there tend to be more libertarian than evangelical, and they won't be having it.
Loser: Romney and Thompson. Thompson is the laziest politician in the history of the United States, even ahead of the 350lb William Howard Taft. He's mailing it in and it shows. I can't stand this guy's sense of entitlement and I just hope he gets his ass kicked everywhere. Romney has literally been in Iowa for about a year, and he had to think he would win or only lose by 3-5% at worst. Well, he got his ass kicked. If McCain beats him in New Hampshire, he could join Edwards.
Treading Water: McCain. He really needs New Hampshire but he has to be happy that Romney isn't taking any momentum from Iowa back east.
Out: For all practical purposes, Ron Paul and Giuliani are done, taking much needed comedy from the Republican race with them.
(Stay tuned for my Wild Card NFL picks this afternoon)
Labels: Caucuses, Politics, Reasons Why Iowa Sucks, Sports Wagering
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Nebraska Political Blogging On Leavenworth...
Just wanted to pass along a link for a great Nebraska/Omaha politics site called Leavenworth Street. It is very well written, and I found it because it got some nice national publicity in MSNBC.com's report on political donations from members of the press.
Anyways, check it out.
Anyways, check it out.
Labels: Leavenworth Street, Nebraska, Omaha, Politics
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