As far back as 1871, Chicago has been reputed as a city with a shady political scene. In fact, Chicago’s reputation has earned it a statement from the head of the FBI Office in Chicago, in which he said “If Illinois isn’t the most corrupt state in the United States, it’s a strong competitor.”
Which just makes this event, which was held between December 7 and December 10 this year, absolutely hilarious. Yes, you read that right, Chicago hosted the 30th Annual Governmental Ethics Conference.
So when the Democratic Governor of Illinois got arrested in the three day window for this Governmental Ethics Conference, my sides ached. I’m not going to speculate on the guilt or innocence of Governor Rod Blagojevich, although it appears based on media reports that there is good reason for the FBI to be investigating the Governor.
Even more intriguing is the question of whether President-elect Barack Obama knew anything about Gov. Blagojevich’s actions. As many know, Obama was born as a political figure in the Chicago Democratic Machine. But whether he knew that people in the Democratic Party would sell his Senate seat to the highest bidder? I highly doubt it. However, I wouldn’t rule out that he may have suspected that such business may go on after he became President-elect.
There are a couple of links between the President-elect and Governor Blagojevich, although they’re far from conclusive. They were both members of the same party in the same city, and would almost certainly have met at social Party events and all kinds of varied events in Illinois.
Another point of interest is that the son of David Axelrod, Obama’s chief astroturfer advisor, allegedly once worked in Gov. Blagojevich’s office. I can accept that there are all kinds of networks in any given city, but something about this makes Obama’s uninvolvement look a touch suspect. After all, Axelrod was the chief driving force behind both getting Barack Obama nominated as a Presidential candidate, and if Axelrod’s son worked for Governor Blagojevich, then Axelrod and Blagojevich at the least knew each other in a social setting.
The social networks and intertwined links involved in both the offices of Governor and State Senator make Obama’s calls for Blagojevich’s resignation look incredibly hollow.
UPDATE: I’m so glad that I’m not the only person who finds this funny!
The Tizona Group 
December 12, 2008, 8:28 am at 8:28 am
Excellent Ash, I was hoping you’d take up this story 🙂
December 12, 2008, 7:54 pm at 7:54 pm
I once resided in the awesome state of Illinois. It’s awesome because what one may find surprising in politics happens there, especially in Chicago. It seems that Blagojevich will be second governor in a row heading for prison. The previous governor, George Ryan (who became popular worldwide when he put a moratorium on the death penalty) was convicted for corruption and fraud. Ryan’s downfall also put to an end 26 years of gubernatorial rule by the Republican Party. Maybe this will turn into the short lived rule of the Democratic Party.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g5D1Znp4c8RKNtipcVG3BrCiECQQD94VFUJO0
December 12, 2008, 9:15 pm at 9:15 pm
Gee, one more gov and it”ll be like the mayors of this city. The last three are in jail.
December 16, 2008, 2:37 am at 2:37 am
If convicted, Gov. Blagojevich will be the 4th Illinois governor in the last 35 years to go to prison. Three of the four are Democrats and the lone Republican was more of a Democrat than a Republican.
Obama didn’t come out of the Chicago machine. He came out of the south side of Chicago politics. The Chicago machine is more of an old boys club. So the African American politicians operate on the outside or the fringe of the Chicago machine. Also, David Axelrod himself was an advisor to Blagojevich.
This is info was gleaned from Foxnews and having lived in Illinois for some 28 years.
December 16, 2008, 4:37 am at 4:37 am
So, RW&B ;). back Obama or what? Or throw shoes at him?