FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested by Federal authorities this morning on corruption charges. A 76-page complaint spells out numerous allegations against the Governor including trying to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat.
The evidence seems clear: conversations caught on tape thanks to wiretaps of the Governor's home and campaign office.
The depth of the corruption alleged in the complaint is breathtaking - even for Illinois. It includes Blagojevich allegedly instructing his chief of staff to tell the Tribune Company to fire members of the Chicago Tribune editorial board in exchange for assitance from the Illinois Finance Authority to sell the Cubs and the financing or sale of Wrigley Field.
Illinois political corruption is not new... Governor George Ryan is serving a six-year sentence for fraud and racketeering.
And former Governor Dan Walker was convicted, after leaving office, for bank fraud.
But this could be a new low. Under Illinois law it is up to the governor to name a replacement to fill Barack Obama's senate seat, but whether Blagojevich will still get to do that remains to be seen. The prosecutor in the case, Patrick Fitzgerald, says the governor retains that right despite today's arrest.
Here’s my question to you: Do you believe that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was trying to sell Barack Obama's senate seat?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Michael writes:
It is simply time to say enough. This guy, if convicted, should spend the next 25 years in prison and forfeit all his assets for his betrayal of the public trust. We sorely need a huge dose of transparency, accountability and consequence in both the public and private sectors. Relying on people in power to behave well solely based on their good character and reasonable moral values clearly does not work.
Matt writes:
Blagojevich was absolutely trying to sell President-elect Obama's seat. Coming from Chicago myself, I can tell you that this man is hated in this state, and everyone knows how shady he is. I'm actually shocked (and of course pleasantly surprised) that he got caught. Throw the bum out.
Gus from California writes:
Sure I believe it, but is that so much different from Marc Rich's pardon? Ambassadorships have been for sale for years. Business as usual, I would say.
Janice from Illinois writes:
Jack, I’m from Illinois. We are broke, no money for anything that matters to the citizens. This governor refused to live in our capitol and flew everyday to his office at a huge cost to us. He is junk and must be thrown out.
Will writes:
Aren't we innocent until proven guilty and/or we confess to the alleged crime(s)?
Donna from Arcola, Illinois writes:
Oh you bet, he was trying to sell the senate seat, he would sell anything that isn't nailed down. I am ashamed to say I voted for that jerk. His language just shows what he thinks of the people of this state.