In a sequence of events that neatly captures the contradictions of Barack Obama’s rise through Illinois politics, a phone call he made three months ago to urge passage of a state ethics bill indirectly contributed to the downfall of a fellow Democrat he twice supported, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.Guh? Obama calls to urge the support of an ethics bill Blagojevich hates because it cuts into his racket. The Illinois Senate passes it over a veto and Blagojevich goes crazy trying to hoover up money before the law goes into effect, sealing his indictment and eventual prison rape. Obama supporting this bill was bad...how? It's contradictory...how? The fact that it helped nail a crook and there's no evidence that Obama was entangled in anything throws him deep into the murky world of Chicago graft...how?
...
But after the call from Mr. Obama, the Senate overrode the veto, prompting the governor to press state contractors for campaign contributions before the law’s restrictions could take effect on Jan. 1, prosecutors say.
...
Beyond the irony of its outcome, Mr. Obama’s unusual decision to inject himself into a statewide issue during the height of his presidential campaign was a reminder that despite his historic ascendancy to the White House, he has never quite escaped the murky and insular world of Illinois politics.
I know talking about Chicago politics and indictments turns every hack journalist into a warmed over Dashiell Hammett, with fast talking dames and scarfaced baddies, but Obama did a good thing and it had a good result. Is it that hard to write that? Can we not rehash the Maltese Falcon?
No comments:
Post a Comment