Top Items:
Chicago Breaking News:
Blagojevich arrested on federal charges — Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a “staggering” level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.
Discussion:
Think Progress, Crooks and Liars, Talking Points Memo, WBBM-TV, The Next Right, The Swamp, MSNBC, Ben Smith's Blogs, Michelle Malkin, driftglass, Firedoglake, Commentary, Power Line, Gateway Pundit, NewsBusters.org, Wonkette, PoliBlog (TM), TigerHawk, First Draft, BloggingStocks, Political Machine, The Reaction, BuzzFlash.org, The Strata-Sphere, Lost in Transition, Scorecard's Blogs, Hotline On Call, Don Surber and Taegan Goddard's …
RELATED:
Chicago Tribune:
Blagojevich's Senate selection process investigated — Federal probe widens to Obama's vacant seat — UPDATE: Source: Feds take Gov. Blagojevich into custody — A source said today that Gov. Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning.
Discussion:
TalkLeft, The Moderate Voice, Think Progress, The Swamp, MoJoBlog, MyDD, Washington Post, AlterNet.org, Atlas Shrugs, Flopping Aces, The Raw Story, The Anonymous Liberal, RedState, Wizbang, Right Wing News, The New Editor, Washington Monthly, Don Surber, Minnesota Independent, The Note, No More Mister Nice Blog and Below The Beltway
New York Times:
Illinois Governor in Corruption Scandal — CHICAGO — Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois was arrested by federal authorities on Tuesday morning on corruption charges, including an allegation that he conspired to effectively sell President-elect Barack Obama's seat in the United States Senate to the highest bidder.
WBBM-TV:
Details Of Complaint Against Blagojevich — CHICAGO (CBS) ― Full release from U.S. Attorney's Office: — Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges alleging that they and others are engaging …
Discussion:
NewsBusters.org, Michelle Malkin, CANNONFIRE, Wizbang, Shakesville, The New Republic, GINA COBB, RIGHTWINGSPARKLE, Gawker, 24Ahead, Riehl World View, Blogs of War and Pajamas Media
Marc Ambinder:
Blago Indictment: Who Is Senate Candidate 5? — Gov. Blagojevich's own words make it clear that he did not believe that Barack Obama wanted a person called “Senate Candidate 5” to be appointed to the Senate. … In other words — if Blago doesn't get what he wanted, then he'd stiff the PEOTUS …
Chicago Tribune:
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich arrested — Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris were arrested today by FBI agents on federal corruption charges. — Tribune staff report — Gov. Rod Blagojevich arrives at the Tribune Tower for an interview with CNN in Chicago.
Discussion:
Right Wing Nut House, Reason, Democracy in America, DCist, Brian Beutler, Alas, a blog, Associated Press and Pajamas Media
Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blogs:
What the transition knew — The transition hasn't yet responded to questions about Rod Blagojevich's indictment, but the key question is whether the transition was talking to prosecutors, whether Obama and Valerie Jarrett knew that Blagojevich had offered her the Senate seat in exchange for a labor job …
Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:
AMAZING — Even setting aside the primordial level of corruption of trying to sell the senate seat of the President-elect of the United States, I never fail to be amazed at the brazenness and stupidity of some political crooks. I mean, I think everyone involved in politics or interested …
Mike Robinson / Associated Press:
Ill. Gov. charged in Obama successor probe — CHICAGO - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested on Tuesday on charges he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder in what a federal prosecutor called a “corruption crime spree.”
CNN:
Feds: Blagojevich put ‘for sale’ sign on Obama replacement — (CNN) — Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is in federal custody on corruption charges, a law enforcement official said Tuesday. — Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, are charged with conspiracy to commit mail …
Associated Press:
US Atty: Not alleging Obama knew of Ill. gov. plan … CHICAGO (AP) - The U.S. Attorney in Chicago says his office is making “no allegations” that President-elect Barack Obama was aware of any alleged scheming by arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (bluh-GOY'-uh-vich).
The Smoking Gun:
Obama Senate Seat For Sale? — Feds: Blagojevich saw Obama's vacated job as a “valuable thing” — The criminal complaint filed today against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich contains a remarkable section detailing the Democratic politician's alleged attempt to cash in on his ability …
Discussion:
The Volokh Conspiracy
Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Feds arrest Illinois Gov. Blagojevich for trying to sell Obama's vacant Senate seat; Update: Wanted cash to appoint Obama crony? — “Staggering.” … Fitzmas arrives early this year. I haven't followed the Blago saga, but it's as old as Hot Air is: The investigation's been active …
New York Times:
Justice Department Briefing on Blagojevich Investigation
Justice Department Briefing on Blagojevich Investigation
Discussion:
The Capitol Fax Blog
Bloomberg:
Illinois Threat to Bank of America Is Dangerous, Critics Say
Illinois Threat to Bank of America Is Dangerous, Critics Say
Discussion:
PointOfLaw Forum
David Kurtz / Talking Points Memo:
CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR — This is Gov. Blagojevich yesterday …
CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR — This is Gov. Blagojevich yesterday …
Discussion:
Washington Monthly
Christy Hardin Smith / Firedoglake:
Blagojevich And Chief Of Staff Indicted For Attempting To Sell Obama's Senate Seat
Blagojevich And Chief Of Staff Indicted For Attempting To Sell Obama's Senate Seat
Josh Kraushaar / Scorecard's Blogs:
Impeachment hearings likely against Blagojevich
Impeachment hearings likely against Blagojevich
Discussion:
Washington Monthly
Matthew Lee / Associated Press:
Cracks appear in Obama foreign policy team … WASHINGTON (AP) - The first sign of cracks in President-elect Barack Obama's foreign policy team of rivals emerged on Monday as his choices for secretary of state and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations visited the State Department.