Some things to remember out of this whole mess that Governor Blagojevich (and in the best spirit of a US Attorney Document, herein and thereafter referred to as “Excedrin Headache 1”) has created:
FACT: The only person to be charged with anything SO FAR has been Governor Blagojevich; anything else is pure supposition and/or wishful thinking (depending on your political point of view). FACT: Patrick Fitzgerald is probably the most competent US Attorney in the country. If there is injustice, this man will seek it out and destroy it. He will utterly prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, and will almost always get a conviction (See Libby, Scooter). If there is something more than what the public has been told, rest assured he is already on the case (no pun intended) and will follow it through to its natural conclusion, no matter where it leads. This guy is an incredible example of what a US Attorney is supposed to do and could very well be this generation’s Elliot Ness. This man is about as non-partisan as they get. FACT: If there is more to this story than meets the eye, the one person in the Press who is probably all over this right now and whose credentials are unquestionable is Michael Isikoff of Newsweek. Trust me, that guy is one hell of an investigative reporter who can smell a fire on the other side of the planet. He’s the one who broke the story last night (before anyone else) that Jesse Jackson Jr. was “Candidate Number 5”. FACT: Barack Obama needs to be clearer on any knowledge (IF ANY) he has regarding the Governor’s actions. He also needs to clarify if anyone from his transition team or staff was in contact with the Governor regarding the next appointment to the Senate seat he vacated, and if there was contact, the extent of that contact. He owes the American people at least a formal statement from himself (and not through a spokesperson) regarding this situation above and beyond the public comments he has issued so far. The only way that any kind of effective transition to his Administration can occur, and the only way he can effectively propose the legislation needed to bring this country out of the mess it’s in, and effectively govern…is to clarify EVERYTHING. Now.
It is unrealistic for anyone to think that there weren’t any preferences regarding candidates for the Senate made on behalf of Senator Obama behind the scenes. If you think politics doesn’t work this way, let alone politics in Illinois; you’re a fool. It is also unrealistic to think that this level of corruption (and incompetent corruption, if there is such a thing) extends to the President Elect. It IS realistic to expect doubts in the minds of people, that is natural. This is why it is so important that this issue be put to rest now, before the fire spreads and guilt by association tactics extend all the way to the Head Janitor in the Illinois State Capital. This is why the Rush Limbaughs and Bill O’Reillys of the world need to have their traps shut by truth and transparency so clear that even they cannot manage to make a steaming pile of dung out of it. It is also realistic to expect the GOP to be all over this like white on rice, because you know damned well if the tables were reversed, the same thing would happen and there would be guys on Conservative blogs calling for the same thing I am right now (only they would substitute Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow where appropriate).
What I need to see, and what the American People deserve (outside of what I just outlined) is for the usual political gridlock and spite that accompany scandals of this nature to not be allowed to come to fruition. The country is on the verge of another Great Depression. People are out of work, and are losing their homes…and more will be coming. The focus needs to be on THE AMERICAN PEOPLE and NOT a CHEAP HEADLINE. The House and The Senate on BOTH sides of the aisle need to realize that.
To do anything less is not only bullshit…it’s downright criminal.
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of the facts and evidence” – John Adams
Intersections In Real Time 