The Chicago way

Rod Blagojevich has the hair of a Kennedy and the tongue of a Soprano.

Rod Blagojevich has the hair of a Kennedy and the tongue of a Soprano. When he first arrived on the political scene in Illinois, many thought he was a rising star. Some even murmured that he might climb as high as the White House. Young and handsome, Mr Blagojevich was elected as a Democratic congressman in 1996 and then governor in 2002. He took office vowing to bring ethics reform to Illinois. This week, at about 6 am on December 9th, an FBI agent called the governor at his home on Chicago8217;s North Side to say that he was about to be arrested as part of a corruption investigation. Mr Blagojevich wanted to know if the call was a joke.

The arrest may have been a surprise to the governor, but many were expecting it. Investigations into his administration8217;s hiring, contracting and fund-raising stretch back to 2003. Thirteen people have been indicted or convicted in the debacle, including Tony Rezko, a Chicago developer and fund-raiser whose dealings with Barack Obama proved an embarrassment to the presidential candidate earlier this year. Patrick Fitzgerald, the tireless federal prosecutor for Illinois8217;s northern district, put Mr Blagojevich8217;s predecessor in jail in 2006 and shows no signs of slowing down.

Few expected the 76-page complaint against Mr Blagojevich to present such a feast of bad behaviour. 8220;Fire those f,8221; he said of those who wrote critical editorials about him at the Chicago Tribune, and threatened to hurt the paper financially if it did not oblige. 8220;If they don8217;t perform, f 8216;em8221;, he said of an effort to squeeze contributions from a state contractor. But the most stunning charge is that Mr Blagojevich, who can appoint a nominee to hold Mr Obama8217;s seat in the Senate until the scheduled election is held in 2010, wanted to sell the seat to the highest bidder. The governor called the seat 8220;a f valuable thing, you don8217;t just give it away for nothing8221; and is alleged to have sought to get a big job in return for it.

The investigation does not implicate Mr Obama in any of this, but it has raised some questions. Republicans are now asking whether discussions were held between them and the governor8217;s office about the Senate appointment. Back in November David Axelrod, Mr Obama8217;s chief adviser, said that Mr Obama had discussed 8220;a whole range8221; of possible candidates with the governor: he now says he was 8220;mistaken8221; and that Mr Obama did not talk to Mr Blagojevich about the matter.

The complaint also alleges that Mr Blagojevich knew whom Mr Obama wanted to see in the seat, apparently his close adviser, Valerie Jarrett, and was less than happy 8220;f them8221; that all he would get in return for giving her the seat would be 8220;appreciation8221;. That could reflect well on Mr Obama, since Ms Jarrett in fact withdrew herself from consideration. Seeking more concrete reward, Mr Blagojevich spoke with an emissary for 8220;Candidate 58221;, Jesse Jackson junior, about a deal for his seat. Mr Jackson, a congressman, fervently denies any wrongdoing. The leaders of the state Senate and House say they will vote soon to strip the governor of his powers of appointment, and that a special election should be held to fill the Senate seat.

Beyond Illinois, Democrats have reason to be worried. William Jefferson, an indicted Louisiana congressman, lost a special election on December 6th. In New York Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is dogged by a string of scandals. Democrats have seized power from the Republicans. They are in danger of seizing the mantle of corruption, too.

copy; The Economist Newspaper Limited 2008