Blago Wants Out

The Reverend Jesse Jackson and his son, Jesse Jr., have asked on the president of the United States to show mercy on Rob Blagojevich… They are seeking clemency for the former Governor of Illinois, currently halfway through his 14-year prison sentence for trying to auction off Barack Obama’s Senate seat. 

I find it curious that Jesse Junior---a disgraced former congressman--- is a part of this effort. You might recall, he was in the bidding war, offering Blago five million dollars for his campaign fund in exchange for the Obama senate seat. Jesse Jr. and his wife were the consummate Chicago power couple before they both were convicted of spending hundreds of thousands of campaign funds on things like travel and clothes and jewelry. They didn’t claim the campaign money on their taxes. Both have served their time and are no longer a couple.

If I was Blago, I’d want some other folks out front trying to negotiate my clemency. The Jackson's seem to carry considerable baggage in this matter.

Predictably, Illinois Republicans in Congress have asked the president to ignore the Jackson’s appeal. I tend to agree. There was a line crossed….even if we don’t seem to know where the line is in Illinois…at least former governors can’t find it.

Blagojevich—speaking for himself-- last year asked President Trump for clemency. You might recall that he was on the president’s television show back in the day. The request was met with some hope. Trump said Blagojevich was convicted for--- and I’m quoting now----“being stupid.”

For me, there is a distinction between stupidity….and criminal stupidity. One is convictable and has consequence.