In a tour de force midday press conference in Chicago, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald (yes, that Patrick Fitzgerald), who has been pursuing public corruption cases in Illinois for more than seven years, laid out the stunning new charges against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff. Everything, it seems, had a price, including Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. “If [Illinois] isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, it’s certainly one hell of a competitor,” the lead FBI agent on the case declared:
Full-size video at TPMtv.com.
First the Governor of Illinois tries to sell Obama’s senate seat. Now Joe the Plumber is turning on John McCain!
TPM Reader WO cuts to the heart of the story …
I think you guys should do a Most Corrupt State smackdown. Maybe get CREW, POGO, ProPublica, and whoever else wants to help to cooperate. I think it’s pretty clear that the only three serious contenders are Illinois, Louisiana, and Alaska. My money would be on the young upstart, Alaska, over the grizzled corruption veterans of Illinois and Louisiana, but who knows. Statistics should play a part in the contest, but style points are important, too. Cash in the freezer is pretty impressive, as is trying to shake down the President-Elect.
Late Update: Outrage from TPM Reader JP: “Who could leave Rhode Island off the list of most corrupt states!! This is defamatory!! Ocean Staters will NOT be insulted in this way!! Don’t make me go ALL CAPS on this thing!!! A very dark day for TPM….” I don’t know. I’m a former Rhode Islander. I used to live about a half dozen blocks from the official Gov’s mansion on Benefit Street when Buddy Cianci was mayor. But I’m not sure the Ocean State can really stand up to these three state’s recent record. I’d need to see more evidence.
Tony Soprano … or Rod Blagojevich?
TPM alum Benjy Sarlin does the honors.
I think Blagojevich’s best defense is probably going to be an insanity defense based on the evidence of his idea that he was setting himself up to run for president by appointing himself to serve out Obama’s senate term.
Shorter New York Times: By lobbying for ethics reform, Obama showed he could not escape the murky world of corrupt Chicago pols.