Blagojevich gets 14 years in prison

[Kutnupe14]

Well, a different democrat, but solid prediction.

I thought so, it seemed plausible. But nope, Obama let him rot.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

My personal opinion, is that he cut Blago a break because...

Or keep an eye on the history of Apprentice cast members for more pardons!

 

[Kutnupe14]

Or keep an eye on the history of Apprentice cast members for more pardons!

Ah-Ha!

 

[T.Lex]

Pardoned Kerik, who was dirty - and had already served his time. And DeBartolo, who I'm not sure really did much wrong, and of all of them probably deserved the pardon.

 

[Birds Away]

So keeping in line with the tread, from earlier participants:

-Blago is convicted
-Previous opinion, before today, was that he got less than he deserved; not a peek about it being excessive
-It is believed the Obama would pardon him at some point; which he did not do.
-Trump commutes Blago's sentence, and now it was the right thing to do because it was excessive?

The man didn't had no respect for rule of law, and sought to benefit for his own selfish reasons... and got caught. He deserved to do his time. I have no idea why people think this is acceptable; well other than the fact that Trump did it, and he doesn't do anything wrong.

My personal opinion, is that he cut Blago a break because he has some other pardons coming down the pipe, and doesn't want it to look as if its only his allies that benefit from such privileges. We shall see.

My thoughts are this is
a) Pardoning a Democrat who he felt had an "excessive" sentence to somehow normalize his interference in the Stone sentencing.
b) A swipe at Comey who was involved to some degree in the Blago case. This has to be a big plus in Trump's book.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

b) A swipe at Comey who was involved to some degree in the Blago case. This has to be a big plus in Trump's book.

Trump called it a "tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence," and claiming "it was a prosecution by the same people, Comey, Fitzpatrick, the same group."

 

[Kutnupe14]

Pardoned Kerik, who was dirty - and had already served his time. And DeBartolo, who I'm not sure really did much wrong, and of all of them probably deserved the pardon.

A quick look indicates that he paid $400K to Louisiana Gov Edwin Edwards to get a casino license. That seem like "wrong" to me. He ended up paying a $1M fine and getting 2 year probation. Why the pardon? I just don't understand it.

Edit: and Kerik, is a friend and former business partner of Rudy, and helped with the Gallagher SEAL case.
....something stinks in the WH.

 

[spec4]

Blago is a sleaze ball, but in the overall picture, I go along with cutting him some slack. I believe Obama didn't pardon him because his masters in Chicago told him not to.

 

[T.Lex]

A quick look indicates that he paid $400K to Louisiana Gov Edwin Edwards to get a casino license. That seem like "wrong" to me. He ended up paying a $1M fine and getting 2 year probation. Why the pardon? I just don't understand it.

I thought he was convicted for not disclosing bribery that he was aware of - not that he'd paid it. But, if he did, then yeah - that's more like Blago.

 

[Kutnupe14]

I thought he was convicted for not disclosing bribery that he was aware of - not that he'd paid it. But, if he did, then yeah - that's more like Blago.

I just looked at one source, so there may be other details:
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/wh...ormer-49ers-owner-eddie-debartolo-jr-n1138041

 

[Kutnupe14]

Blago is a sleaze ball, but in the overall picture, I go along with cutting him some slack. I believe Obama didn't pardon him because his masters in Chicago told him not to.

So, Obama did the right thing because some people in Chicago told him not to pardon Blago?

 

[nonobaddog]

It seems to me blago has never shown one bit of remorse for his actions. He should have to finish his time. Even on his way to prison he was waving and acting more like he was still on the campaign trail.

 

[Birds Away]

It seems to me blago has never shown one bit of remorse for his actions. He should have to finish his time. Even on his way to prison he was waving and acting more like he was still on the campaign trail.

He probably still doesn't understand what went wrong. He was just doing it the Chicago way. It's been done that way for a very long time.

 

[ArcadiaGP]

Heh.

Rod Blagojevich Trying To Sell Presidential Commutation To Cellmate For $2.8 Million

 

[HoughMade]

Trump has the unchecked power to commute sentences. He did. Now some like it, some don't and it's an interesting mix of people who have varying opinions about it including some who thought they hated trump who still do....but feel dirty about liking something he did. That's the only thing I care about, the head games. Let me be clear, I am not saying this is a genius move by Trump, but it does screw with some people's minds.

I certainly don't care that Blago is getting out.

 

[T.Lex]

As with so many parts of Trump's administration, it is less about whether he has the power to do something, and more about whether he's wielding that power properly.

The mind games grow tiresome, but reveal the lack of substance to his character.

 

[nonobaddog]

Now there is a stretch.

 

[Kutnupe14]

As with so many parts of Trump's administration, it is less about whether he has the power to do something, and more about whether he's wielding that power properly.

The mind games grow tiresome, but reveal the lack of substance to his character.

Preach!

 

[Birds Away]

Say what you want about him but you have to admire his ability to keep his enemies' panties in a perpetual state of twist.

 

[HoughMade]

As with so many parts of Trump's administration, it is less about whether he has the power to do something, and more about whether he's wielding that power properly.

The mind games grow tiresome, but reveal the lack of substance to his character.

I didn't say I liked it. I have no opinion. I'm just a spectator.