Happy Days Are Here Again

Happy days are here again
Blago's impeached by the IL House
Soon he'll be the ex-governor
Happy days are here again!

By a vote of 114-1 (with 1 person voting Present -- probably in honor of President-elect Barack H. Obama), the Illinois House approved the impeachment of Gov. Rod. Blagojevich (D-IL). The one person who voted "No" said he didn't have any first-hand knowledge of the evidence.

That probably means he failed to get his "pay" for play. Bummer!

The Democrats effectively control the IL General Assembly and have for over 6 years enabled Blago to practice the venerable political art of "pay for play." If anyone thinks for a moment that this art form is particular to Illinois, let me assure you nothing is further from the truth. Just look at the current examples from NY and NM which hit the news.

Pay for play in politics is everywhere. Usually, it's not uncovered, not discussed, and not prosecuted. Because that's how politics works in America. And how it works in IL.

So what makes this case so different? Gov. Blago violated the cardinal rule of pay for play: When you pay for play in IL (or any state for that matter), it STAYS in the state.

You don't go trying to expand your little fiefdom outside the borders of the state, especially not at the federal level. That was Rod's big mistake -- he got too greedy. He thought he could score the "Big One" -- the pay for play of all time: a Senate seat.

Greed got him caught. And now he's going to pay. Finally.

Sadly, those who've enabled him and participated in other pay for play schemes are -- so far -- untouched. It remains to be seen what Blago will say in the coming months to save his sorry posterior. So far he's kept quiet, but now the heat is being turned up. Blago may be greedy, but it is also a cunning politician.

On January 14th, Blago will perform one more duty as governor of IL: he will convene the IL State Senate into session -- the same session that will conduct his impeachment trial.

There is speculation that Rod might run that day, just like he did this morning as the IL House voted to impeach him. By refusing to convene the IL Senate, he might hope to delay his inevitable trial and removal from office.

Democrat leaders in IL are prepared to order the IL State Police to arrest Blago and bring him, under arrest, to the state senate chambers if necessary.

If you think this scenario is not probable, you probably don't live in Illinois. I am not sure what the over/under is on this scenario, but I'd be willing to wager that he will pull something next Wednesday.

The trial is expected to last 3 weeks. Yes, it will run through Jan. 20th and sadly will cast a shadow over that momentous day. Sadly that cannot be helped.

Hopefully, however, IL will be rid of Blago as governor before February 12, Lincoln's 200th birthday.

If that happens, I imagine old Abe would smile.