Is Illinois Poised to Get a GOP Senator?

Illinois use to be known as the "Land of Lincoln," but in recent years may be better described as the "Land of Corruption." After a series of governors who spend their retirement years in jail and a new one (Blagojevich) seemingly not far behind, I think many citizens of Illinois are ready for change, especially when we consider how its latest Senator was appointed.

Roland Burris was chosen a US Senator by then Governor Blagojevich after a scandal broke out that the latter was being accused of actually trying to sell Obama's seat. It was concluded that Burris was some how above the scandal following an impeachment committee hearing that the Senate appointee testified. During that hearing he indicated that he had only spoken with Blagojevich Chief of Staff Lon Monk and there was no discussion for "pay to play." However, it appears the Feds may have recorded conversations that indicate that Burris had several other discussions with those connected to Blagojevich. The question is, did such recordings lead to Burris modifying his list of contacts?

USA Today reports that "Sen. Roland Burris, D-Ill., said Monday that it is "positively not true" that the reason he filed an affidavit revealing new contacts with ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich's associates was because federal authorities had told him conversations had been secretly recorded." Republican legislators are using this modification of this list as grounds for an investigation and GOP leaders around the country are wetting their lips at the prospects of getting that seat on the GOP side. With barely sixty votes and the power of the filibuster, the Democrats can hardly afford losing such an important seat, but Burris is extremely vulnerable.

The next election for Burris is 2010 and with the exception of one short six year term (of Senator Peter Fitzgerald), Illinois has been represented exclusively by Democrats for decades. This is clearly a Democratic state. But how much more can this poor state sustain when it comes to the quality of government? It is poised for a serious house cleaning like Washington, DC saw following Watergate.

Following two years of absorbing the costs and trauma of Barack Obama's "stimulus package" I think many more House and Senate seats will be found off the Democrat's column. 2010 should be an interesting year.

Kevin Price is a syndicated columnist whose articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media. Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at PriceofBusiness.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Get Ready for Chicago Style Politics

Barack Obama has yet to be inaugurated as the new President of the United States and his Administration is already mired in controversy. First, there were the concerns over how his campaign was financed at a sum well over $600 million (the most ever in any US Campaign) with extremely weak accounting on the part of the campaign and concerns that he received monies from foreign countries. Then there were questions regarding whether Barack Obama was a naturally born US Citizen, which remains unanswered. Next there was Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich allegedly trying to sell a US Senate seat and Barack Obama denying there were any communications between the governor and the President-Elect's office, followed by the then jaw dropping discovery that Obama's Chief of Staff did, in fact, have conversations and they were on FBI recordings. Finally, the President's choice for Commerce Secretary, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, has had to withdraw his name from consideration because of on going corruption charges.

Richardson shocked the political world by endorsing then Senator Obama during the Presidential race, while slighting the Clintons who gave him much of his impressive resume. Obama rewarded Richardson with the very high level Commerce position. Unfortunately, scandal has followed Richardson and MSNBC reports that a "federal grand jury is investigating how a California company that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a New Mexico state contract worth more than $1 billion. Richardson said in a statement issued by the Obama transition office that the investigation could take weeks or months but expressed confidence it will show he and his administration acted properly." The story goes on to point out the extent of the alleged link between the California company (CDR Financial Products) and Richardson: "The largest donation, $75,000, was made by CDR in June 2004 — a couple of months after the transportation financing arrangement won state approval — to a political committee that Richardson established before the Democratic National Convention that year. "

The media has yet to mention the fact that this Obama Administrated has already faced more concerns of corruption than many Presidents face in four or more years. Americans can expect to see much more of this in the next several years. Obama cut his political teeth in Chicago and that city is the most politically corrupt city, in the most politically corrupt state, in the Union. Eventually I am afraid we will all be in awe of what we witness from the Obama Administration. I eventually believe that Obama will bombard us with so many examples of corruption that we will become desensitized to it.

The state of Illinois has become notorious for its political corruption. The FBI in charge of the Blagojevich case has said that if Illinois is not the nation's "most corrupt state," it certainly is a major contender for the title. Three former Illinois governors since the 1960s have gone to prison, including the governor before Blagojevich, George Ryan. It is not uncommon for dead people to vote in Chicago elections and charges of "pay to play" for contracts are common place. Again, this is where Obama learned politics. Washington politics are corrupt enough without the hardball style that is known in Chicago. Because of the media and its love of a good scandal, I believe Obama's effectiveness will be continuously plagued and weakened with charges of corruption.

Kevin Price is a syndicated columnist whose articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media. Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at PriceofBusiness.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Obama and Emmanuel: What Did You Know and When Did You Know It?

For some, discussions about Rahm Emmanuel -- President Elect Obama's choice for White House Chief of Staff -- resigning seems a tad premature. I'm surprised it hasn't already happened.

Rahm Emmanuel, who is one of the most fierce partisans in American politics today has long been a lightning rod of controversy. When word broke of the political scandals that have rocked Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Obama was quick to declare that he and his team had nothing to do with any of the alleged criminal activities being raised. It was similar to walking into a kitchen and the cookie jar being broke on the floor and some declaring "I didn't do it." Those quick to declare their innocence without questioning are the ones I find suspect most. The biggest concern was the apparent effort by the Governor to sale Barack Obama's Senate seat.

At first, most in the media seemed willing to take Obama at face value. Closer scrutiny from FBI investigators and the media indicate that some in Blagojevich's office had in fact been visiting with Obama's people, or at least a person. The person in question was Emmanuel, who was captured on tape discussing the replacement with the Governor's staff after Obama decalred no such discussions took place with his people. When questioned about his involvement, Emmanuel did nothing to help his cause by stating to reporters "I'm not going to say a word to you," ... "I'm going to do this with my children (go to a school play). Don't do that. I'm a father. I have two kids. I'm not going to do it" I understand the sentiment. Every father wants to protect his children. But the lack of denial of involvement is being interpreted in the worse possible way.

What makes matters worse, in my opinion, is that ABC is reporting that "it is unknown who on the Obama transition team had communicated to the governor's office that they wouldn’t engage in any 'pay to play' scheme to pick the Senate replacement." Why does this make matters worse? No where has it been reported that the Obama campaign exposed the Governor's actions to authorities. For not taking the knowledge of such to authorities could be interpreted as "aiding and abetting" a crime. It goes back to the question that besieged those stuck in the Watergate scandal: "What did you know and when did you know it?" The last thing a President who has marketed himself as an agent of change, but has cut his teeth in the most politically corrupt city in the country, wants is this type of cloud to follow him to his inauguration.

I am almost certain that the series of events that have happen will lead to a resignation and maybe more (even criminal charges) in the Obama team. But will they choose a low or mid level staffer as a scapegoat? If Emmanuel was forced to go it would send a message that Obama is serious about providing a truly different Administration.

Kevin Price is a syndicated columnist whose articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media. Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at PriceofBusiness.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.

Blagojevich Epitomizes Obama's Plight

Barack Obama is making it clear when it comes to Rod Blagojevich and his efforts to sell a Senate seat: "I was as appalled and disappointed as anybody by the revelations earlier this week," Obama said. "I have never spoken with the governor on this subject. I am confident that no representative of mine would have any part in any deals related to this seat." However, we have video from a senior Obama staffer that indicated that the President Elect and his staff had been communicating with the Governor. Before Obama even takes the oath of office he is in the middle of a huge scandal in which people have no idea how far reaching the investigation might be.

When Bill Clinton was elected President he declared that he was going to have the most ethical Administration ever. That wasn't the case and is laughable in retrospect. In spite of promises of conducting government differently, Obama knows that both the culture of Washington and of the Chicago political machine he comes from mandates that he should stay away from outrageous claims of excellence in ethics. This Administration will be continuously dogged by ethics issues because he rose to power in one of the least ethical political environments in the country.

The state of Illinois has become notorious in producing criminal politicians. The FBI in charge of the Blagojevich case has said that if Illinois isn't the nation's "most corrupt state," it certainly is a major competitor for the title. Three former Illinois governors since the early 1960s have gone to prison. Who knows, maybe Blagojevich can become roommates to the governor who proceeded him, George Ryan.

I am afraid that the Chicago political machine is going to continuously haunt Obama. The media may currently love him, but they love a good scandal even more. Individuals often become known for the people that surrounds them. That does not bode well for the President Elect from Chicago.

Kevin Price is a syndicated columnist whose articles frequently appear at ChicagoSunTimes.com, Reuters.com, USAToday.com, and other national media. Kevin Price is Host of the Price of Business (M-F at 11 AM on CNN 650) and Publisher of the Houston Business Review. Hear the show live and online at PriceofBusiness.com. Visit the archive of past shows here.