Politics

Blago's Lowball

By Matt Cooper

Among the crazier things about the Rod Blogojevich scandal is the penny ante quality of it.

After all, all the cursing and alleged bribing and carrying on was about trying to get a job that pays $250,000 a year or more. I'm sorry, but did I miss something? I thought the outgoing governor of a major state, one who had served in Congress, could make that without even trying. Has the recession gotten that bad?

At times, according to the indictment, Blagojevich was seeking a slew of arrangements for himself and his wife that could have added up to much more than that -- maybe more on the order of half a million a year. But that still seems eminently doable without resorting to selling the president-elect's senate seat.

I know we're in a recession and lots of outgoing pols will find themselves looking for work. But a Democrat like Blagojevich, even one under an ethical cloud, should have been able to find something more lucrative, yes?

Bernie Kerik has work, after having to bail out of the Homeland Security nomination and even while he awaits trial. Other sullied pols have found work. Mark Foley's in Palm Beach in the real estate business. Surely someone in Chicago would have found something for the departing gov and if not there than in D.C. where his reputation was less sullied.

There are so many questions about this case but one will surely be why Blagojevich allegedly aimed so low. Speaking of which, how do you get charged with these kinds of crimes and get off on less than $5,000 bail?

Full post as published by Portfolio.com: Capital on December 11, 2008 (boomark / email).