Rod Blagojevich was arrested by the FBI and has had a criminal complaint lodged against him by the cognizant U.S. Attorney. Subsequent to both of those developments, the Illinois General Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against him. Doggedly proclaiming his innocence, despite a mountain of fairly immutable and unimpeachable evidence against him and contained within the aforementioned criminal complaint, Blagojevich continues to pretend that nothing is wrong and that he is entitled to all the perquisites and privileges of his position. He has repeatedly refused to step down, even temporarily, despite pressure for him to do so from politicians in both parties at all levels of the political hierarchy--from our president-elect on downward.
Bill Richardson, on the other hand, has neither been arrested nor charged with anything. A New Mexico grand jury is allegedly looking into allegations that there may have been an improper connection between contributions made by a California company to two political committees Richardson ran (neither of which was to benefit him personally, in distinct contrast to the Blagojevich mess) and the awarding of a state contract. Faced with that investigation, the merest suggestion that something might be amiss, Richardson graciously withdrew his name from consideration as Obama's secretary of commerce, despite some pressure from the transition team to stay the course.
That, Mr. Blagojevich, is what a public servant (as opposed to a politician or a political hack) does when there is even a suggestion of wrongdoing attached to his/her name. The contrast between Richardson's decision and yours is palpable. What a pity you wouldn't do the same favor for the voters of Illinois (and the Obama transition team). But of course your galactic-sized ego would never permit that.
One can only hope that the General Assembly will decide to impeach you post-haste, and that the Senate will convict with the same celerity. Unfortunately, I'm not holding my breath on either count, given the petty pace at which the GA has historically crept whenever there were serious or timely issues demanding their attention. On the other hand, the one good thing you've done for us is in managing to unite both Democrats and Republicans in the state legislature in a desire to do the same thing--get rid of you.
'Twere best done quickly.
Is it what Bill Clinton ought to have done?
Posted by: Andrea | Tuesday, 06 January 2009 at 10:24