No question, with a scandal of this magnitude there will be many many more questions in coming weeks….like who was “Candidate 5” mentioned in the charging papers? Inquiring minds want to know.
By Ben Protess
ProPublica
The FBI’s arrest today of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has brought a new figure into our political lexicon: “Senate Candidate 5.”
The FBI recorded Blagojevich last week saying to an adviser that “Candidate 5” might raise money for Blagojevich and even give him “some (money) up front, maybe” in exchange for being appointed to replace Obama, according to today’s criminal complaint (PDF) filed by the United States Attorney’s office in Chicago.
Blagojevich has the sole power to appoint Obama’s replacement under the state constitution. Blagojevich allegedly analogized this power to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to the highest bidder, telling an adviser, “I’ve got this thing and it’s [expletive] golden…I’m just not giving it up for [expletive] nothing.”
For Full Story
Read U.S. Attorney’s Press Release
Excerpt From Charges: Gov. Calls Obama a MotherF–
Brazen Words Left Agents Shocked (Washington Post)
Morning Arrest: Government Asks is This a Joke? (Chicago Tribune)
Union Officials Allegedly Acted as Go-Between (Washington Post)
