Blago to Rachel: 'Golden' Chance May Not Be What We Thought
I just saw Rachel Maddow's interview of Rod Blagojevich - I thought it was by far the best of the many I've seen on television the past few days.
The crux of at least one of the major issues was finally addressed in this interview. Rachel asked Blago what he meant when he said the chance to appoint a U.S. Senator was "fucking golden" (Rachel used the word "bleeping" - I try to avoid the use of the word "bleeping," whenever possible).
The inference that Federal Prosecutor Fitzpatrick and most people are making is that this was a golden opportunity for Blago to line his pocket.
But, in response to the question from Rachel, Blagojevich said it was a golden opportunity for him to get political leverage to pass legislation and get things done - such as health care - for the people of Illinois. That's way politics is played, Blagojevich said.
After the interview, Rachel smiled and said she thought she might have gotten Blago to admit some guilt on this point on the interview. Her next guest, former Federal Prosecutor Scott Mendeloff, thought not (though he clearly thinks Blago is culpable on other issues).
I was glad to hear Mendeloff say this, because it's pretty much what I was thinking when I saw the interview. If I were a governor, wouldn't I want to do everything I could on behalf of the people in my state? If groups of supporters came to me and said, please appoint this or that person, would I be wrong to ask them what their views were on various issues which I thought were important for the state? I would still, in the end, appoint the person I thought would make the best Senator, but I would do all I could in the political process to get the best results for my state. Maybe that's a good reason for me never to run for governor.
As for Blago, there are many charges facing him, and I would like to hear the complete tapes, in full context, before making a judgment.
But on the question of whether it is right to get something good for your state, in conversations about whom you might appoint for the Senate, I can't see what's wrong in Blago's explanation.
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Great post.
Anyway, yes, hopefully the impeachment hearing and even more any trial (a less political process) will bring out more accurate information than the press, out for sensationalism.
But the fashion crime of his hair is indisputable!
Let the law held this case and leave the public out of it.
And, yes, that's how I really feel!
Blagojevich is not charged with trying “to get something good for [his] state, in conversations about whom [he] might appoint for the Senate.” No one claims that there is anything wrong – or illegal – about governors doing “something good” for their states in making senate appointments.
But that isn’t the question.
The question (and the charge) is whether he participated in a scheme to defraud the people of Illinois by soliciting kickbacks for himself and/or his family members in return for Obama’s seat.
What does it matter how Blagojevich spins his taped conversations on television interviews?
It certainly won’t matter to the members of the Illinois legislature – the only people who will decide whether Blagojevich is removed as governor.
And it won’t matter to the members of the federal jury – the only people who will decide whether Blagojevich committed the crimes that Fitzpatrick has alleged.
Since impeachment is essentially a political and not a juridical process, it makes some sense for Blagojevich to gives these interviews in an attempt to get Illinois voters to side with him and put political pressure on the legislature to acquit him.
But Blagojevich’s public relations campaign is too little and far too late to change the outcome of his impeachment trial.
It is even more unlikely to change the effect of his criminal trial.
And since Paul Levinson is not a citizen of Illinois, a member of the state legislature, or a member of the federal crininal jury, I don't see why he thinks it is significant whether he "hear[s] the complete tapes, in full context, before making a judgment" or not.
As sleazey as this guy is, I came away thinking that he is, in fact, a skilled politician. Unfortunately, I believe his actions. although blatantly stupid, are actions taken my politicians everyday...
I think Blago pissed off of the wrong person (s) and as a result he's being portrayed as a political anomaly.
I think posting is a way to think out loud and share ideas and opinions.
Be nice...
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8759869/Blagojevich-Complaint
Any reasonable person who reads this complaint will, IMHO, come away with the conclusion that the governor was planning some serious criminal activity. He did not have the good people of IL on his mind. What Maddow says or thinks is meaningless. Patrick Fitgerald is a brilliant prosecutor who always gets his man.
He is innocent in the sense that if there were a prosecution for the actions of Blago that are laid ou in the indictment, then everyone in politics would be in jail.
The whole indictment on the Obama affair is silly. So Blago wants a job with a foundation or an ambassadorship or to be Secretary of Health and Human Services. So what? That is how politics works. Blago was just unwise enough to lay it out more openly.
How about Hilary? Did she not agree to call of the dogs in "consideration" of her personal interest of being Secretary of State?
How about Cheney? Did he not run the selection team for Vice President in "consideration of his own interests." Really.
How about you? Do you not run your life in "consideration of your own interests." I am unimpressed on the Obama part of the indictment.
You want less "corruption" in government, have less government, because then the government has less leverage. But then there is private nepotism, because it is a corrupt world because it is a fallen world, imperfect at best.
The real problem I have with Blago is why is he continuing to be allowed to attract so much media attention? He wants this whole thing, and that is what people really ought to ask is why. Serbia and Russia.
Blagojevich could have done the same thing, and he wouldn't be taking the same pounding. But, by parading himself all over the tube, well, he's inviting it. It's like the kid who people tape a kick me sign on to.
In this case, though, Blagojevich taped the kick me sign on himself.
Narcissistic personality disorder
Lack of empathy is a hallmark of narcissistic disorders, and sufferers find it extremely difficult to understand others' (and their own) emotional states and impact. This makes maintaining close or intimate relationships significantly harder. They may find it difficult to perceive or admit this, or may interpret it as a virtue.
It is also worth noting that the individual expressions of grandiosity or arrogance vary with the person's value system. A person will generally attempt to display superiority as they define it.
* Overreacts to criticism, becoming angry or humiliated
* Uses others to reach goals
* Exaggerates own importance
* Entertains unrealistic fantasies about achievements, power, beauty, intelligence or romance
* Has unreasonable expectations of favorable treatment
* Seeks constant attention and positive reinforcement from others
* Is easily jealous
* Has a sense of extreme entitlement
* Is exploitative of others
* Lacks empathy
* Displays arrogant, haughty and proud behaviour.
* Uses denial mechanism to downplay own inadequacies or failings
* Uses rationalization mechanism to justify self-centered behavior
He has convinced himself that he is innocent and was only trying to help his state...I think the reason or impetus behind such self-convincing is his children, his "legacy" to his children...they will have this interview on tape, they will hear him say "listen to the tapes! I WANT all of the tapes listened to! I am NOT like Nixon..etc.etc." He will be considered by his children as misunderstood, abused and tragic but good and decent....let's hope they always see their Daddy that way...I don't begrudge him that...