On Wed, 10 Jun 2009 21:26:24 -0700, jps wrote:



I usually agree with you. We've parted company on Blago.

If he's convicted, so be it. But I like his moxie.

You say Jesse Jr. is going down but assume that shouldn't cause a
trickle up effect?

Blago can't be sullied any more than he has been.
JJ can be. Note how he fell into oblivion after Blago's indictment.
Keeping a very low profile.

Blago's brother was a proxy, working on his behalf. You can sell a
seat but if you get caught, you're screwed.

But there is NOTHING to say that happened.
In fact, if they get Blago on anything, it'll have nothing to so with
the Senate appointment. Some minor influence peddling maybe.
And only because the feds tapped him. I'd wager 100% of the pols do
the same thing. That's the definition of politics.

Evidently, those that are better connected have more sophisticated
methods of selling influence. If you try to play any game, business
or otherwise, and lack the resources, you're gonna be left open to
risk.

That was Blago's downfall. He wasn't well enough connected and didn't
have the intelligence behind him to be so aggressively corrupt.

My feeling is he's not corrupt with greed, but maybe with vanity.

On Caroline Kennedy, the reason she was going to get the seat is
because of name cache and her ability to raise money for the Dems. Did
you hear that money changed hands for the appointment?

She didn't get appointed. And her phone wasn't tapped.
Dollars to donuts there was discussion about paying off Hillary's pres
campaign debt. Why not?
One hand washes the other, and you can't get away from that.

Hastert and Murtha are both scum. Porkin' mother****ers who only
care(d) for their own.

Murtha was a Marine hero. DI at Parris. Decorated 'nam vet.
He gets the job done for the folks he represents.
That's why he gets re-elected.
They never pinned anything on him yet, and he's got long teeth.
Marines get the job done.
Maybe you can tell I grew up in Chicago, but hey.
Unless the pol suddenly starts rolling in dough and French chalets, or
selling off public assets I cut him some slack.
Otherwise I need a conviction.
Hastert is a different story. If the **** on him had come out before
he retired he wouldn't have been re-elected.

--Vic