Posted on 07/02/2014 6:12:27 AM PDT by GIdget2004
Any day now, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals is due to put out its ruling that could answer the most fundamental of questions: Were Blagojevich’s actions in fact criminal?
During appellate arguments, which I watched in December, U.S. Appeals Judge Frank Easterbrook, formerly the chief judge of the panel, grilled government attorneys on some of the basics of the case. It was almost jarring to watch justices question the very essence of charges that had been under a public microscope for five years.
Easterbrook appeared incredulous after asking if prosecutors could cite “any criminal conviction in U.S. history” other than Blagojevich’s in which a politician was convicted for trying to trade one job for another.
“I’m aware of none,” responded prosecutor Debra Bonamici.
“Where is the line that differentiates legal horse-trading from a federal offense that puts you in prison?” another appeals judge, Illana Rovner, asked.
It wasn’t that cut and dried, Bonamici said. The jury concluded Blagojevich was trying to obtain more than a job. Still, it was clear the appeals judges had issues with fundamental aspects of the case.
Easterbrook recalled the 1952 presidential election, when Earl Warren offered to use his position as California governor to “deliver California” for Republican candidate Dwight Eisenhower in return for a seat on the Supreme Court. “If I understand your position, Earl Warren should have gone to prison, Dwight Eisenhower should have gone to prison,” Easterbrook told the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “Can that possibly be right?”
Easterbrook was adamant: “It would be an act of shysterism to try to say that was OK and what Blagojevich did … was not OK.”
(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...
Lets flip this scenario...they toss out the conviction...Blago leaves prison. What happens next? Will Blago run for the Senate seat? Will Blago run for mayor of Chicago? I’d personally like to see the guy standing as mayor of Chicago....and see if he can clean up the mess.
“I’d personally like to see the guy standing as mayor of Chicago....and see if he can clean up the mess.”
Yeah, that’s the ticket! And for vice mayor, spring Jesse Jackson Jr. from the slammer. A fitting pair to run Chicago! Oh, but I forgot, JJJr. has to go home as soon as he gets out and care for his children so his wife can do her stint in stony lonesome.
In the words of Mrs Blag “F the Cubs”. That being said his conviction always brought to mind the famous scene in Casablanca; “This place is closed. I’m shocked, shocked to find there’s gambling going on here. Your winnings sir. Oh thank you.” He did what they’re all doing.
Well no matter what you can prolly count on Blam to pardon Blog on his way out in 2017.
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