I don't know why everyone is so surprised about the state of Illinois, which is the known capital of the Mafia!
If The governor of Illinos is corrupt, then what about the sitting president?

Everyone has had tiws with people that may not be on the up and up, but does that mean that you are responsible for their actions?
It appears that everyone is making money on Obama, but because this man, the Govenor is a public servant was busted, how can you blame Obama? After all, this man was a governor, so it is not unusual for him to have dealt with him. The governor, like others wanted to capitalize on Obama's name.
The sitiing president is corrupt as anyone,yet noone cares that thousands of lives were lost based on lies. You people are sick!

Palin did nothing wrong. Zero. Period. Live with it.

As for the Ill governor, this is what happens when you elect crooks and no one watches over them. This is just the beginning.

CROOKS YOU CAN BELIEVE IN!!

We may have to march on Washington to get these weasels out of there.

April, take off the foil helmut and get some medication.

We need to start electing politicians who don't want to be career politicians.

Pat December 9th, 2008 8:09 pm ET
Your comment is awaiting moderation.
And — YES — he's a DEMOCRAT! Inconvenient truth, CNN? Is that why you won't mention his party affiliation, CNN????????????? Of course it is!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND, YES, OF COURSE THIS WILL NOT BE POSTED BY THE CHILDREN AT CNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pocket change bail amount in exchange to gain freedom from corruption and crime.Theft has a higher bail out amount than this.

Can anyone be from Illinois politics, Chicago politics without rot?

The bigger question should be HOW OFTEN DOES THIS HAPPEN WITHOUT SOMEONE BEING CAUGHT?

All of you anti-Obama people might be surprised if/when it turns out that members of his transition team just may have been the whistle-blowers on this 'buy a senate seat' scam that Blago was attempting.

Just more stuff for the right wingers to foam over. That is what they do.

The Governor is no fan of Obama because Obama did not want to play ball. Does that make Obama "angelic". Of course not, this is national politics. The dirt needed to make it at that stage would probably scare most of us to death.

However, Obama was the best candidate to be President. He will clearly do the best job. And after all of the dirt of the last 8 years, what exactly are you right wingers bleating about?

I wonder how much the Kennedys have offered up for Clinton's seat for Caroline.

I'm sorry. I like Obama, but we don't need another Kennedy. Let's be done with them.

She may be a nice person, but she doesn't have the first clue what it's like to be an average American.

20 years ago, my bail for getting caught with a small amount of marijuana was $5,000. How is it this clown is out for attempting to sell what hundreds of thousand of Americans have died for for only $4,500. This is wrong…, Very wrong!
I think the judge should be arrested too.

I don't care what any of you say! Obama is up to his "Rezko's" in this mess and you all voted him in as our President! Chicago-style politics is a negative connotation for nothin' people and your guy is right in the middle! Good going America! I said all along he's as sneaky as they come and is probably sweating it out right now hoping his own paper trail has been destroyed!

To Eloise,,,,

This is nothing compared what W and Chen ' ey has done. Have you seen their lists?

This was the candidate that Obama backed. So much for Obama's judgement. Seems like it is a little lacking – just like his experience. Oh well, no big deal.

You poor republicans are grasping at straws. Same state, give me a break. I am from the same country as Bush, that doesn't make me a criminal.

He should get 20 years for that haircut.

i cant believe how shocked everyone seems to be, about politics. the gov. is the norm, they just arent dumb enough to get caught. obama
was oblivious to everything. we are going to be in trouble if he is really unaware of every thing that goes on. god bless us all !!!

Corruption within the District really needs to be investigated. Obama, please, start to conduct REAL investigations across party lines into everyone. I am amazed we saw hundreds of comments on any Republican, but when a fellow Democrat gets tagged…all I see is more hateful bile "its the Republicans, trying to frame us Democrats!"

HELLO, WAKE UP! Corruption crosses party lines. Let's take action for our nation, and insist that corrpution is stopped in DC, regardless of party of affiliation.

OBAMA ANOTHER CROOK FRIENDS. LOL!

First there was Wright, then Ayers, then Rezko and now Blago. Obama sure has some interesting allies. Of course this is all a coincidence, isn't it? Nothing worth investigating here. I'm sure O'Bama knew nothing about Blago's corrupt tendencies just as he knew nothing of Ayers' terrorist past or Wright's anti American racist sermons or Rezko's corrupt business practices. So all you Obama haters, don't draw any conclusions from all this. Obama is the paragon of virtue. Really.

Kathy S. Cloughn

Yet as Democrats, if one Republican commits a crime, you blame all Republicans? So why can't we blame all Democrats if one Democrat breaks the law? Such a double standard among liberal democrats.

He's going to get impeached if he doesn't resign, and i doubt Bush will pardon him….he's toast.

He should step aside while the investigation and trial continues–or the legislature should immediately declare no confidence in him and begin impeachment procedures. That he is free on pocket change is an unspeakable outrage–but we all know there is no justice in America, for justice means you have the money and injustice means you're poor. This guy is clearly an amateur, however, for such things probably are done every day–think of the lobbyists who do favors for Congress in exchange for favorable legislation–and only a few get caught, usually because they are amateurs and not subtle enough.

I'm hoping that there is no honor among thieves and the Gov.will name names of all the other people that are, and have been involved with him.

Oh come on, everybody has a Rezko in their league. Have you check under the hood of GW and Chen ey?

If I was the part of the Illinois DNC, I would immediately distance myself from the governor and begin the impeachment process personally. Before this becomes a major backeye for the democrats, I would file the paperwork and explain that he doesn't respresent democrats (or anyone for that matter) and hang him out to dry. I hope they don't make the mistake of standing up for him until the bitter end and lose everything they have gained.

April, the nurse is calling, she has your meds and you need to take them.

I think voters would like to know the identity of this judge if they felt justice was lacking to vote out of office come next election.

Also, read the 76 page indictment – Obama refused to go along with Blago's scheme, which angeres the Governor (who called Obama a bunch of explitives). The US Attorney (Fitzgerald) even made a point in the press conference today to point out that the President-elect was in now ways implicated of any wrong doing.

Now now,
Let's all remember, innocent until proven guilty.

Isn't that what the "Rethuglicans" were saying about Sarah Palin, when she was being investigated for Abuse of Power; while running for VP.

As bad as these allegations are against Blagojevich,
they pail in comparison to what the Bush administration has done for the past 8 years……

People, Rod is no "friend" of Obamas! To give you a clue every Dem who holds statewide office in IL spoke at the DNC in Denver EXCEPT Blago. Obama is from Chicago, but hs is NOT part of the Chicago Democratic maching; he got elected by being an outsider of the machine.

And to try to link Blago and Obamathrough Rezko is the same as saying they're from IL, bcz Rezko contributed to EVERY elected official in the Chicago area – from both parties!

Trust me, if the President-elect had done anything even remotely unethical, US Atty Fitzgerald would have uncovered it by now. He is bringing down all the corrupt officials – again in both parties.

I'm just curious,
How did the Judge determine that bail would be set at a modest $4,500.

There have been first time offenders of petty crimes. that have had a much higher bail limits.

Read on, wingnuts. Blagojevich was taped using some choice words about Obama, words similar to those that Dick Cheney used to Pat Leahy. They're not very friendly words…

I encourage everyone to read the full document of criminal charges available here at cnn via a pdf doc. It is fascinating stuff! Don't you know that this guy is both a slime bucket and a stupid one at that…they had him wired every place he went. Those FBI people are laughing out loud…don't you know it! Chalk one up for the good guys and thanks to our brave FBI agents…way to catch the bad guy, now get back to work…there are many more where this one came from…but don't you think they may think twice tonight before talking on the phone! HA!

Something in very rotten in Denmark – erm, I mean Chicago and now in DC…

Let's put this into prospective. A Chicago, Illinois governor, the state that Obama "the clown", was a "minute" made senator. NOW IS THIS A SURPRISE? HOW DID OBAMA WIN THE WHITEHOUSE AGAIN? OFCOURSE, EVERYONE WOULD SAY, HE DID NOT KNOW. THE SAME PEOPLE WHO WHO TOLD US OBAMA LOAN GOVERNMENT MONEY AND THEN THOSE DEBTORS PAY BACK THE LOAN EXCEPT THE MARKUP WAS PAID TO OBAMA. OFCOURSE, THEY WILL SAY OBAMA IS INNOCENT. WHAT A CROCK. YOU ALL HAVE EYES BUT STILL YOU CANNOT SEE. NOW WHO SAID THAT AGAIN? METHINKS, IT WAS OUR SAVIOR. OH! THE GREATEST EVENT THAT OPRAH DID NOT BELIEVE IT HAPPEN? THAT IS THE SAVIOR WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOT OPRAH'S VERSION OF THE "GREATEST EVENT ON THE PLANET EARTH." NOW THAT WAS "THE GREATEST EVENT ON THE PLANET EARTH" AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE EVEN THOUGH OPRAH THINKS IT IS NOT. OH! BY THE WAY, WE DO NOT BUY ANYONE WITH MONEY IN OUR KINGDOM.

what goes around always comes around,, this goes to show us all that there are many polititions that arent true in their roles,, to make a buck,, they have to cheat,, and im sure this guys not the only one,, just one that got caught,, and im sure theres more to come,, watch!!!!!

WAKE UP AMERICA! This was another Chicago FRIEND of Obama's! More anti-American CRIMINALS in our government!!!

Well what do you think under a Bush administration. This guy is no better than the Wall Street guys and the CEO's of the auto industry. I get Blagojevich said why should Cheney and Bush reap all the benifits. There had to be something in it for him.

He's getting what he deserves–prison time. I wish the same could be said for George W. Bush.

Hmmm…very interesting. Obama hasn't even been sworn in and his connections are coming back to haunt him again. How many times was the president elect mentioned in the 76 pages??? Now Obama says he has had NO contact with the governor of Illinois and yet David Axlerod said that the president Elect actually talked to him on November 23rd. Who was right??? When asked about this, the Obama camp said the Axlerod misspoke. Who do you believe??? I think I know who to believe…The governor will be singing soon…

i hope they roast this punk!

Get use to things like this happening under the Obama administration. Chicago politics makes Washington look like a church choir.

The Key factor between the Governor of Illinois and Obama is not the Senate seat, its thir connection with Tony Rezko.

This is what happens when you elect a person to a position and you give them the benefit of the doubt.

TYPICAL OF POLITICIANS. WHAT WE ARE WONDERING IS WHEN THESE SAME FEDERAL PROSECUTORS GOING TO SERVE MR. BUSH AND HIS GANG OF CROOKS PAPERS. TO SELL A SENATE SEAT IS ONE THING, BUT TO SELL OUR COUNTRY IS AS LOW AS ANYONE CAN GO WHEN DOING THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS. WE ACROSS THE COUNTRY KNOW ALL ABOUT ILL.'S POLITICS. THE SHAME IS THAT THESE PROSECUTORS GET IN FRONT THE MICROPHONE KNOWING THAT THE BIGGEST CROOKS THEY WORK FOR IS NOT THE PEOPLE. IT WON'T BE LONG THAT POLITICS WILL BE THEIR LINE OF WORK.

He probably knows the judge and kicked in some mula.

Jeez Louise, what does it take to keep crooks behind bars?

This is terrible if these allegations are true.

But let's get real. Corrupt politicians just don't come from Chicago.
They reside on both sides of the aisle, and are prevelant throughout the country.

To put it in perspective. , Blagojevich would not be the first Governor to break laws while in office. Just this year alone, let's all remember Sarah Palin, and Elliot Spitzer.

Not to mention mayors and Senators such as Kwame Kilpatrick and Ted Stevens respectively.

This would have been over if Jesse Jackson Jr was appointed as we all expected . This is all about Greed, however lets all hear from both sides .

Some of you bloggers have some real deep-seated issues! I think they go beyond the present subject matters. Hatred is a debilitating sickness. Please seek help!

I SEE A PRESIDENT./IAL PARDON COMING ON THIS ONE FOLKS….

ONE HAND WASHING THE OTHER. OBAMA WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GRANT A PARDON TO THIS GUY FROM ILLINIOS.

YOU SCRATCH MY BACK I'LL SCRATCH YOURS …. ONE CROOK WATCHING OUT FOR THE OTHER CROOK

What a MORON! Yes, a man is innocent until proven guilty, however one can still be a MORON for putting themselves in a position to have all those law enforcement agenies investigating you that deeply. Where there is smoke, there is fire. Maybe a small one, maybe a huge one.

I've been looking at several reports and there is very specific information about what he said. Does the FBI always do this in an ongoing investigation?

$4500 bail?? Are you kidding me?!?!

impeach him and show that finally dems will be serious about ethics reform,,,,toss em all away if they break the rules

I had thought that the prosecutor in New Jersey that locked up all those corrupt democratic politicians would be the first to get the axe on January 21st, but he already announced his "resignation"

Now I think that a certain prosecutor in Chicago will be the first one axed, and his replacement will decide to forego prosecuting some of the indictments.

That's the Chicago Way!

Yeah send him to join Ted Stephens in prison along with Duke Cunningham. Getting crowded with all the criminals

YEAH…….YEAH…….. AS SOON AS I HEARD THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS WAS ARRESTED…….. I KNEW THAT THE FAR-RIGHT-CRAZIES WOULD ………BLAME PRESIDENT-ELECT OBAMA!

IDIOTS!

This is a very short article so why can't some of you people be bothered to read it before commenting on it.
He was let out on his own recognizance people. I know that is a big word but it means he did not pay anything. He got out for FREE
So Mary @ 3:57 there are none of our tax dollars involved and BJ @ 3:56 there were no Obama coins used either.
Please remember all this man shares with PE Obama is a home state. They are two different people.

I suspect the Attorney General wants to implicate Obama on the issue. Otherwise why would he arrest this guy a day after Supreme Court refused to hear the case on Obama's legitimacy to lead this country? The Attorney General tried prior to the election to implicate Obama and was unsuccessful. Agaian he thought he could succeed in the challenge of Obama's birth certifcate after desprately trying during the Rezko trial to implicate Obama and he couldn't. There are people who are not happy that Obama is the President of this great country.

Kathy—————————————-Just like the unjust blame Bush took the last 8 years. It comes with the position.

I suspect the Attorney General wants to implicate Obama on the issue. He tried unsuccessfully prior to the election to implicate Obama and thought he could succeed in the challenge of Obama's birth certifcate. Otherwise why would he arrest this guy a day after Supreme Court refused to hear the case on Obama's legitimacy to lead this country? More so, the A.G. desprately tried during the Rezko trial to implicate Obama and he couldn't. There are people who are not happy that Obama is the President of this great country.

Blagojevich get's out of jail for $4500??! That's not very punitive at all! That's like a slap on the wrist for this guy. I guess they do not take corruption very seriously in Illinois.

If this was a Republican the article would have surely included that bit of info but "Blaggie" is a Democrat so it wasn't to be mentioned.

This Governor need not worry. If he goes to prison Obama will pardon him one day. Good buddies.

CHICAGO continues to show us that they are the melting pot of DIRTY POLITICIANS.

This Governor was not concerned about being caught because he is surrounded by dirty Chicago politicians and business people.

He's not doing anything that the Obama's haven't done. Only they got caught!

Why is this a shock to anyone? Chicago politics has always been corrupt. Does anybody believe that Obama wasn't in on this? Does anybody actually believe that he wasn't a friend of Bill Ayers? Add this to Wright's sermon comparing Obama's election to Christ's birth and blaming the US for bombing Japan on December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day), and you'd have a great movie script. The only problem is deciding whether to make it a comedy or a horror flick. It's going to be an interesting 4 years.

and all the rest of the politician crooks that have made the papers this year

@ Marshall

Duh. Did you not read the Rule Book? Rule No. 1 is "If you are rich, famous or were born to parents that were either of the above, please burn your copy of this book immediately."

@ Marshall

Did you not read the Rule Book?

$4,500 bail?

Well that says a lot. Smells bad too.

If these charges are true, then Blagojevich is a complete idiot!!! How did he think he would get away with trying to "sell" Obama's senate seat. It is just plain ridiculous. If he is guilty of these charges, then I say lock him up and move on with the nation's more pressing matters. I sick-and-tired of idiots like Blagojevich distracting this nation from serious issues.

To everybody who's complaining about the bail:

The purpose of bail is not a punishment, it's to make sure that the accused returns to court. When he does, he gets the bail back. Since the odds of Blagojevich making a run for it and becoming a fugitive are next to none, there's no need for a high bail.

This bail is low – especially for the alleged crime. It's basically a good faith symbolic measure by IL to insure that he attend court, but the dollar amount should have been higher. The symbolism matters in this case. As others have and will point out, on a daily basis lots of little people are busted with small amounts of pot and harder stuff like cocaine, etc.. but their bails are set in the tens and/or hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is not fair. The drug users that I cited for this example are committing local crimes that affect themselves and their immediate neighbors (maybe), but this IL governor was attempting to orchestrate a crime of national significance. The bail should be commensurate with the alleged criminal act.

Bottom line is that he sounds like a jerk. How self-centered can you be to engage in these types of acts for money, when as a governor – he's already riding the gravy train.

Oh well… the people of IL will be better off without him. He obviously does not have their best interests at heart.

"This is not the Governor Blagojevich I know or knew." I'm sure mister Obama will be saying this soon enough.

Gov. Blagojevich is the one who got caught, it's naive to believe American politics is pure, it's not.

Please read the article, folks. He was released on his own recognizance. That mean he didn't pay a dime of the bail. Also, someone said earlier that bail is intended to ensure that the defendant appears for future hearings/trial. The Governor was apparently not deemed a flight risk by the Judge. That's all folks. No big deal, don't get your panties in a wad!

No matter how hard you idiots wish, Obama is not involved in this. They have it right in Blagojevich's own words.

As for his bail, where is he going ? He is being watched like a hawk by EVERYBODY.

BTW—Although not my favorite person, Sarah Palin's name should not be mentioned whenever ANYTHING happens. Give it up. She had nothing to do with this.

Was his Bail covered by the Obama transition?

I have heard some of the tapes. Belive me he has hung himself.

One question Isaac– were you saying "innocent until proven guilty" when all the liberal morons had already made up their minds that Palin was guilty of scandal involving the firing of a state trooper? Or did you just join the chorus like the typical leftist sheep?

They should not let him out. Not even for any $$$. They should get to the bottom of this and find out all details. First of all so that it will make clear for everybody that Obama and Emanuel were not in this even a little bit. I am absolutely confident in this, but republicans (guilty in much grander crimes) may want to make rumors.
We must get all details of this crime.

Next… what is the relationship with Obama …. you get what you wish for… is the koolaid wearing off yet?

What a crook. And good job by Fitzgerald of nailing this slimeball to the wall. If Fitzgerald says Blago did what he's accused of, Blago did it.

Republicans should be careful how much they use this as an example of Democrat corruption in Illinois politics… the previous governor, Republican George Ryan, is still doing time in jail on his own federal corruption charges.

When you look back through the years, the retirement home for Illinois governors seems, pretty consistently, to be the Big House.

im sure the god obama knows nothing about this,,,,,,,, giggles to my self……….. darn chicago politics,, let the sleeping dogs awake……..

$4,500 bail is a joke. Is that really the going rate? Let's just hope he isn't suicidal and rob the people of Illinois the justice they deserve.

Wow a lot of Obama haters out there, and he isn't even in office yet. Being from IL I can tell that Obama and Blago didn't get along. Blago really doesn't along with anyone. So for everyone to say that Obama is connected is pretty crazy.

$4500!!!! Seriously???

A corrupt Illinois demoratic politician not there is a suprise. Good thing we didn't elect one president. Ohhh wait we did. As much as Obama is going to want to throw this guy under the bus like all the rest and say he didn't know or this is the first time he has heard of this. It's another of his lies. Obama is lock and step with this fool.

This is abhorrable behaviour the guy needs to take moral responsibility and step down…..

Anything Other than this confirms that what the FBI have uncovered. How can someone be financialy hurting when he makes so much money already….. That what I call greed… The guy played straight into the trap of one of the deadly sins that state office people face

Good Luck and Good Riddance BlagoSoliciteVich.

To Rob … sure there's corruption in IL, but there's corruption everywhere. The only way to stop corruption is to have term-limits. This way, they will serve America and not their special interests.

just fyi, Rezko was once his advisor.

What a dope!

Is that all? For what he did, he should be a cell mate with OJ.. He's a greety little pig!

Equal Treatment Under the Law.

Blagojevich, Kennedy, Byrd, and Clinton being the exceptions.

Chicago and Illinois Democratic Party Hacks are quite the dirty bunch of players…

No Doubt in approximately 45 days the calls for the investigation of President Barrack Obama via special prosecutor will begin.

And Not a Moment Too Soon!!

The investigation of Chicago Style Democratic Street Thug Curb Stomp Politics and President Elect Obamas role in them will make Whitewater or MonicaLewinskygate look like a picnic….

Hey Isaac, you obviously do not live near or have been to Illinois. This gov. has made his position is own get rich scheme. Every toll booth has a big sign with his name on it (at 65,000 dollars a pop). As recently as yesterday he was telling the press that he welcomed anyone who wanted to wiretap him. He thought he was above the law. He drove businesses out of Illinois, and even splintered off some in his own party.

Here's the thing, he's from the same Chicago political machine that produced Enlightened One, his right holy Obama. Of course one does have to wonder if part of the reason things happened so quickly was because he dissed Barry.

It's the new era of politics in America come January 19th. "Me, me, me" shall be heard through the streets of DC, and everyone will be watching their backs.

How interesting this will be if Obama is involved….

@Robert…

Obama won the nomination and election fair and square…You must have things mixed up when the present President Bush stole the election…..You people are a trip..just waiting for something bad on Obama!!! It ain't gonna happen cause if it was it would have come out way before he got elected….so lets not get your hopes up!!! Plese do you know how many people dug deep to fin something on Obama.. and they did not suceed!!!

cnn please post…thank you.

Doesn't the average American finally get it? There are two justice systems–one for the rich and powerful and one for the rest of us. Verdicts, bail amounts, and sentences throughout history easily prove this fact.

FreeNLovlt. Are you for real? Palin didn't do anything illegal, and certainly didn't try to sell a Senate seat.

$4,500 …. wow ….

This sure illustrates how warped the American legal system is.

Just read a story about how they worked to get OJ Simpson behind bars but let the actual gun totting thugs loose in that case.

Michael Vick does years for being the money man behind an illegal dogfighting ring. His bail was in the hundreds-of-thousands

Plaxico Burress has to post $100,000 bond for accidentially shooting himself in the thigh with his own gun … albeit one he was carrying without a concealed weapon permit. He faces a 3.5 year manditory sentence.

The Illinois Governor's actions are WORSE than what these 3 have done and yet we see how uneven the treatment is.

Until this ends, no fair minded American can respect the legal system.

To Hold on to Your Hats…. There are more dangerous men than Obama. Let's impeach W first before we start talking about the rest of our politicians, until then, all is forgiven.

McCain lost. Get over it. This has nothing to do with Obama other than the guy had the power to pick his replacement.

$4,500? unreal….

To Rob… all our politicians are tainted. Some worst than others. Are you telling me that W (current Prez) is perfect? You do know that he's corrupted in some fashions too? As for Palin, I doubted she's PERFECT. She's got her own CLOTHING CORRUPTIONS. It's very very sad.

ask for amnesty for both Gov. Ryan and Gov. Blagojevich at the same time. Afterall how can Durbin show favoritism?

Once again, people – NOT Chicago. SPRINGFIELD. Look at a map.

$4,500.00? Unbelieveable.

all the people taking the moral high ground now were talking out of the other side of their face a few months ago when Stevens was found guity of 9 counts or corruption, corruption is not left or right it is just wrong

When will the Democrats clean up their own party instead of worrying about the GOP.

Hold on to your hats,

I guess you have inside information.

This is fact: Newsweek (DEC. 15th issue). Page 10, under Conventional Wisdom: Governor Sarah Palin billed the RNC $110,000 for hair and make-up.
I am sure you are okay with this because she is a right wing conservative and you folks do no wrong!

SOUNDS LIKE ABUSE OF POWER JUST LIKE SARAH PALIN.

I would just like to say that as a citizen of Illinois – today is a very happy day for me! I'm ecstatic at the fact that justice may come to this fool! It's been incredibly frustrating to have him as a Governor. My mom just lost her job with the state after 24 years because he cut the funding of State Parks while he sits in the office bribing money for the empty Senate Chair! It's absolutely ridiculous and I'll repeat that I'm thrilled that they caught up with him! I too am interested in what is going to come about from this!!

This guy must belong in the "MOB"

To Rob

What happened with Palin? Please tell me the story. Did she or did she not , use her influence through her husband and staff to pressure the guy that was fired?

Ok – this might not be pertinent to the indictment, but it caught my eye.

Did i read that the Lt Gov of Illinois had not spoken "at length" to the Governor since the summer of 2007? Here's what it says in the front page story: "Quinn said he had not spoken to Blagojevich at length since summer 2007."

Geez – what kind of state government is THAT? Never a dull moment in the world of politics – regardless of party, state or level.

He just got caught, they are all dirty all across the USA. He made someone mad, so the powers that be went after him. 4500 dollars bail. What did he really do? Look at the mess this country is in.
Corruption all across the board.

First George Ryan, now Blagoevich. Why don't these guys learn the lessons of history. If your extort money, somebody is going to tell and YOU will go to jail. Stupid and shameful

Illinois politics needs to burn down and start over. That simple.

J S Ragman, great point….the system is so screwed up…i'm from IL and this guy has always given me the creeps

$4,500 … that's it??

He was let out on bond for $4,500? For all the money he is making(squeezing people) and not to mention his state salary of 155,000 he paid a bond of $4,500. GIVE ME A BREAK! The guy tried to sell a U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder.

I can see the Republicans blaming the Democrats and the party for this. He acted on his own, for his own benefit and shouldn't be allowed to spread the blame over innocent people.

I hope they lock him up with Ted Stevens and a Reality Show is created about it."Who wants to be a corrupt politician?"

This is going to go deep !
Obama is from chicago politics this could get very interesting!
The Gov and Obama do have rezco in common there could be more.

*sigh* Im from Illinois and Im ashamed of my Governor….Its going to be tough for Dems to win in 2010 in Illinois.

Just in this week alone we have Charlie Wrangle…tax cheat, fraud and corrupt liar.
William Jefferson……thief, tax cheat and corrupt liar.
Rod Blogojevich…….corrupt liar, thief, blackmailer.

What do they all have in common? Hmmm, let me see….oh yeah, they are all democrats, the party of zero ethics.

let him stay with o j in prison …….

I'm confused. I thought Democrats were all pure as the driven snow. I thought these kinds of crimes were only committed by evil, corrupt greedy Republicans. I am so confused….

Please realease me, let me go…………..comments at 3:35pm

$4500 – what a joke. This man is greedy and a disgrace to the state of Illinois and to honest politicans. I say set bail equal to the total amount he collected or tried to collect in his "pay for play" schemes.

Hey Jan- are you sure you're from Illinois? I moved away from there 12 years ago, and as I remember it, the Governor was down in Springfield. I don't remember mostly Democrat Chicago and mostly Republican Springfield being on the same page all that much.

What the heck did Palin have to do with this "FreeNLovit"? OMG – How stupid………….

Only $4,500? You've got to be kidding!

WOW (what else can you say) WOW

What a joke when it comes to the bail amount!

I understand that he was involved with Rezko, just as Obama was. I wonder what kind of relationship he and Obama had?

I think that he should be put behind bars and the key thrown away.

I never liked Blagojevic but I must come to his defense.
what happened to innocent till proven guilty. Maybe he was set up.
Let's let the law take care of this.
What good would it be for him to get a big fine?
If he is guilty he will be in jail in due time.

HE MIGHT MAKE A RUN FOR IT TO BELGRADE.

How about saving the taxpayers money and have his and ex-senator Stevens trial at the same time….

I'm wondering if there are any politicians from Illinois who isn't a thief or liar

he didnt pay the bail people he was let out on his own recognizance. FREE

So the rules are different for the powerful and famous.

An Illinois politician who is dirty, what a shocking surprise!!!!!!!!!!!

$4500? Was the judge part of this corruption scandal. Really if this were a poor kid who got pulled over for an offense, the judge would probably set bail at $25,000.

I hope CNN looks into why the bail was so low!

Wow has Illinois had change over the years we've gone from shoeboxes full of money to checks out on the desk….Don't worry this isn't all bad for Blagojevich just think of the movie and book deal he'll get from this..wonder who will get the role? Maybe they will have to pay him for it.

How disgusting!! The more these people have the more they want. Greed is going to kill them. He should be put in jail and the keys should be thrown away. He should not have been bailed out and for only $4,500.00. How ridiculous.

should have been a lot more than $4500.

How much of my tax dollars went to his bail?

I wonder if he paid his bail with Obama Presidential Commerative Coins?

Why not Palin?! She extorts money to build her home in exchange for a convention center in her hometown while mayor and we are told "that's Alaska politics"!

It's a shame that the bail was set so low. Remember that a 4,500 bail is really just $450 out of pocket to free his butt. He got release with $450 bucks!!!!

$4,500 WHAT A JOKE!!!

folks, bail is not supposed to be punitive… it is only supposed to insure that one return to court for future hearings etc… it is based on flight risk and, apparently, the judge doesn't deem blagoyaretard to be a flight risk. seriously, where's he gonna go?

The man is innocent until he is proven guilty my pepo

Well, this itme I have to agree, $4500 is all????? Must be nice to know people in high places!!! No, never mind, it will catch up with them one of these days.

It all depends on what is on those tapes. If guilty he should serve time, if this is the beginning of a witch hunt for Obama, like they did to Clinton, then it needs to stop now.

Release the sting tapes. Durbin's call for a special election is absolutely what needs to happen after these accusations.

Hey FreenLovIt – that's because Palin didn't do anything nearly as bad as Blago. But seeing as you're probably a lib koolaid drinker, you wouldn't see that truth if it was standing right in front of your face

FreeNLovIt…..what a moron. When did Palin allegedly commit these acts that the Governor is accused of? Get a grip. Oh, and should we also wait for the Governor to sing the song regarding Obama and his dirty politics? Heard Resko's name mentioned today in connection with Obama and the Governor. It is Chicago and it is Illinois. Corruption runs deep – just look at how Obama got the nomination!

Reports that I've read are saying that watch-dog Rahm Emanuel was the one that tipped the FBI when this low life contacted him, trying to get leverage with the Obama Administration.

I guess Rahmbo is having none of that. Look out you unethical SOB's, Rahmbo is on watch. Great pick Mr. Obama.

$4500???? Obama must have made a phone call.

Chicago politics, taking the national stage after January 19th.

I never knew a governor could be this stupid !! Somehow he thought
he was smarter than George Ryan.

The Fox Affiliate in Chicago is reporting that it appears that Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel tipped the Feds off to Blagojevich's backroom dealing.

What is sad is that this gov could still appoint who ever he wants until he is impeached (which will take time)

Posts on the blogs a year ago:
the GOP = crooks
republicans are all corrupt, etc.

Please people. Wake up! Both of these parties have corruption. Power corrupts. These people start seving their masters in the military-industrial-banking complex and care about the money, not the country or their constituents. The two-party system is a scam.

Think his bail should have been much higher. Ethics, ethics, ethics….dont' any of our politicans have ethics anymore? From those running for office (like Palin) to those already in office (like Stevens, etc.), they are all unethical and should be reprimanded.

Who does this guy think he is? Al Capone? lol I have never seen that much political corruption from someone on the state level. Wow! This makes Sarah Palin's corruption charges look like an after school special. Oh well, I'm sure Illinois will still pick a great successor to President Obama's senate seat!

So, do you think this guy is going to get reamed out by Jay Leno tonight like Leno has done to every Republican that he felt like destroying? A monologue didn't get by during the election without Leno destroying in some fashion or another, McCain and Palin. What are the odds…we will be sitting up to watch and see if all is fair in the liberal media.

Standard Illinois politics in Chicago. A rising political star recently navigated this network of 'friends' and has done quite well on the national stage…at least that's what I hear.

Hope they nail him, and then go after Bush and Cheney for war crimes!

democrat

Now he can go about the business of selecting a new senator!!

$4,500!!??!!

Where is the outrage?

Gee… $4,500 bail. Kinda low, yeah?

He's out! Impeach him now!

From Huffpost:

"Republicans are already attempting to tie the arrest of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to President-elect Barack Obama. But local reports suggest that it was Obama's Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel who tipped feds off to Blagojevich's corrupt dealings:

CONATY: We did receive a tip this morning that perhaps all of this came together so quickly because the Governor may have reached out to Rahm Emanuel, the president-elect's chief of staff, in attempting to leverage filling the Senate seat. And it may have been Rahm Emanuel who tipped the scale and made this move as quickly as it did."

That's it? $4,500….Might as well have said $1.

And he will be allowed to "govern" the state? Can he do pardons? Stays of executions? This is not good.

Ok, a drug dealer who sells a couple of marijuana cigs to an adult would get hit with $25,000 bond, minimum, but a Governor of a state accused of trying to sell the office of Senator walks for $4,500? That is a slap in the face justice! Pitiful, Illinois, pitiful!

Very anxious to see just how far and how high up this will go. I believe that he will sing a very interesting tune and very soon. Remember that this is Chicago politics and it's always dirty, every time.

He is one greedy SOB, he should not get any bail. It seems to have nothing to do with what your party affiliation is, greed is a bi-partisan sickness, look to both sides for corruption and now is the time to clean it up and go forward, I just feel sorry for his family.

I smell Watergate. Let the real newshounds do their job and they'll find the trail back to the 'messiah'.

What's with Chicago and it's Governors? Didn't this one replaced another corrupt one?
I just read the whole story. It's disgusting how this man tried to milk his position.
I say they hold a special election for Obama's post. That'll be the logical and right thing to do.

$4,500 bail is a joke. Is that really the going rate? Let's just hope he isn't suicidal and rob the people of Illinois the justice they deserve.

Let's see now, some young (or old) person is caught selling an ounce of marijuana and his bond is set at $100,000 and this piece of crap (Blagojevich) is caught trying to extort what might be hundreds of thousands of dollars, and his bond is $4500? Give me a break!

Bail was set at $4,500…that's it?

As a democratic supporter, I am apalled. He should be in prison. Zero tolerance for corruption. PERIOD.

In reading the blogs, I'm constantly dismayed to see the comments using the phrase "to all intensive purposes" – folks, the phrase is "to all inTENTS and purposes". So when you start winding up with "interesting" comments, keep that in mind.

That's it? An episode of Law and Order recently had Det. Lupo being released on a $20,000 bond.

Yes, I get my criminal law knowledge from Law and Order.

Out of jail for $450 bucks. When I go to jail I can't even get a bond. I guess politicians get special treatment. I wonder if Plaxico Burress will receive a cheap bond like that.

4500 bail??? that is crazy how abou5t 700 billion dollar bail

I have never heard such "d-rt-y " talk from one mouth in my life.
What is wrong with this Governor. and he was re-elected?
I was born & raised in Chicago, IL so I have some notion of what its like to see corruption unleashed but it appears he has gone round the bend. No connection with the former Senator either as far as we can determine.

Boy, the 13% of Illinois citizens that approve of Blago are going to be upset today…

You're kidding? $4,500? Maybe I need to start believing when people say that the justice system in Chicago is completely corrupt… They charge more than that here in the backwoods of GA when someone is DUI…

$4500? That's it?

Thats it! if that were me I wouldnt get Bail! If I did it would probably be a million dollars!

This whole story has to be a mistake. Everyone on this blog knows that only Republican are crooks, never Democrats! Like when Karl Rove was thought to be the one who outed Valerie Plame, it was a capital offense. When it was found to be Richard Armitage, it was a non-story. When Ted Stevens was convicted, it was "HANG HIM HIGH"! When William Jefferson was convicted, it was "who doesn't have thousands of dollars in their freezer?"

YES, WE CAN buy a senate seat from a Democrat!!

Pride goes before the fall.

Great! Now he still has time to get in there and cause some more trouble before the end of the year!
-Danville, IL

what a snake!!

This is so stupid. How come they didnt do this to Palin when she was running around for VP?

I guess he can't go all that far then… I do have to say that little money for bail is disturbing really. Corruption is something that should have more of a sting to it.

Illinois has replaced New York and New Jersey as Americas' favorite corruption State…