A box of rocks

That beleaguered Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich is in trouble is no surprise, that he is dumb as a box of rocks might be. He was swept into office in the back draft of Republican George Ryan's spectacular flame out. Ryan, you may recall, won re-election even though he was being investigated for the illegal sale of government licenses, contracts, and leased--and for which he is now doing time. Blagojevich, the first Democratic governor in 30 years, promised he was different, honest, and ethical, which really annoyed his father-in-law, Chicago Alderman Dick Mell, who incorrectly assumed that with a relative in the Governor's office, Mell's own questionable dealings would remain untouched. And when they were touched, Mell took the "moral high ground," claiming that his son-in-law was engaged in that great Chicago tradition of "pay-to-play." The family argument died down, but the Feds were listening. Reminds me of those long ago Nixon days, when the president believed that he could do what he wanted because he was president.

Fast forward to 2008, when Blagojevich KNEW he was being scrutinized by the Feds, knew that someone on his staff had turned on him, and went ahead and tried to sell President-Elect Obama's senatorial seat. He may be little, but Blagojevich has enough nerve to light the city of Chicago for eons. Meanwhile, although he is estranged from his wife's family, Dick Mell is considering entering the fray to defend his daughter who is apparently as unethical as her husband--and, if the truth be told, as unethical as dear old dad.

It's difficult to predict what will happen now. Blago, as he is known here in the city of the big shoulders and bigger hubris, is as combative as he is short. The man has made enemies everywhere and can only count on Emil Jones, the kingmaker who is behind Obama. And why is Jones so loyal? Does he admire Blago's political acumen? Are they buds from the hood? Do they share the same political vision? Hell no, Jones wants to be senator, and would follow Blago into hell if it meant Jones would become the next senator representing  the great state of Illinois.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., who learned political blackmail at his father's knee, is shocked--shocked, I tell you, AND appalled, because he would never, ever offer to pay Blago for the right to be called Senator Jackson. Jackson has PR problems of his own, with foes in the House and at home. Clearly, Jackson believes that he deserves the vacant Obama seat and now we will see if he made financial promises to see that he gets bumped from House to Senate.

Ahh, Chicago politics--the days when Dick Daley would shut off the mic of any alderman with whom he disagreed--nice to know it's alive and well in Springfield. The problem with a cheap Chicago pol is that sometimes they don't know when to shut up--even when the feds are listening in.