Professor Elam

Wed June 25, 2011

In case you missed it Former IL Governor Rob Blagojevich was convicted of attempting to sell an appointment to Barack Obama's vacated Senate Seat. He  got a hung jury on the first trial except for one count. Then he did not take the stand, this time he did. 

As the article says, this usually only happens in movies rarely in real life. Defendants believe they can work the same magic on juries that they did on voters. But let's cut to the chase

The Defense

This is the kind of political wheeling and dealing that is common in Illinois and around the country. 

The Prosecution

Selling a Senate seat and shaking down a children's hospital (for a campaign contribution) is not a gray area, it's a crime. 

Blago

I frankly am stunned. That kind of stuff was a crime?  Since when?

Comment

As the President likes to brag, I'm from Chicago!  Though I must admit I have not heard him say that lately…Blago is the second IL governor in a row to go to jail though the sentencing is not done yet.