Selling Senate Seats

I heard of politicians trying to sell the influence of their offices, but the influences of other offices? But, apparently, that's exactly what Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich tried to do with the U.S. Senate seat that was vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama had nothing to do with Blagojevich, as evidenced by the fact that the governor didn't appear with Obama anywhere during the presidential campaign and the added revelation that Blagojevich was angry with the incoming President for not offering anything for him. But Republicans are bound to use this to discredit Obama and possibly his whole agenda.

Except that Illinois politicians in general and Chicago politicians in particular have a history of being corrupt, and on both sides of the aisle. The list includes George Ryan, Blagojevich's Republican predecessor, currently serving time in prison fora scandal involving the sale of government licenses, contracts and leases by state employees. along with former congressman Dan Rostenkowski.

There are already yahoos on the Internet trying to nail Obama on this one.

Dude, he just lives in Illinois . . .