Ethics Issues May Be Critical for Illinois Races

The big news this morning is, of course, that Governor Blagojevich is indeed "Public Official A" as named in the Tony Rezko indictments and other related allegations from U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Blago has repeatedly denied being Public Official A, but in Blago's world, who knows if he was simply hoping against hope to put off judgment day (for as long as possible), or maybe he really believes he's innocent. For more on this, head over to Capitol Fax Blog, where I'm sure the discussion will be hot and heavy all day.

In any event, as the Rezko trial proceeds, there are all sorts of interesting repercussions for Illinois politicians. First off, it comes at a bad time for Barack Obama. (See Backyard Conservative for some more Obama-Rezko connections) But, Obama's problems stem not only from his association with Rezko, but also his position as junior senator from one of the most politically corrupt states (at lease by reputation) in the U.S. If Obama wins the Dem primary, you can be sure that McCain's credentials as a campaign reformer, war hero, and straight-shooter are going to be juxtaposed with Obama, who has done essentially nothing to investigate and reform Illinois politics. Heck, the man had to go to Kenya to talk about ethics reform.

On his Kenya trip, Obama urged people to reject “the insulting idea that corruption is somehow part of Kenyan culture” and “to stand up and speak out against injustices.” Substitute Illinois for Kenya, and you'd have a great speech to rail against the "business as usual" politics that Governor Bag-O-Chips promised to end, and instead only refined to a new level (or depth?).

Any ideas why Obama did not start on ethics reform in his own backyard? Well, I think you know the reasons as well as I do, and you can count on Team McCain to raise these questions.

I think Hillary really blew it by not asking this very question and making it a centerpiece of her campaign. Her ham-handed attempts to tie Obama to Rezko and raise questions about Obama's ethics (as opposed to simply his judgment) have gotten only minimal traction, because she missed the larger part of the story.

In any event, while I am personally critical of those GOPers who say a little prayer every night to Patrick Fitzgerald to indict Blago (we can't wait for Fitzgerald to be the deus ex machina for the Illinois GOP--didn't help Judy Baar Topinka, that's for sure), it'll be very interesting if Obama is a Dem presidential candidate from a state where the governor is under federal indictment. The question will be, if all that can happen under Obama's nose in Illinois, what possible good can he be at instituting "change" and watchdogging the Congress and other federal politicians?

I also think the fallout will be bad for local Illinois pols that can be easily tied to Blago, which includes folks like State Senator Terry Link and State Rep. Kathy Ryg. You can talk all you want about how the General Assembly is more or less at open war with Blago on many issues, but the man/woman in the street simply needs to hear about the mess the state is in, with the Dems in solid control of the General Assembly and all statewide offices. Add a governor under indictment, and you have a great atmosphere for a "throw the bums out" campaign message for local GOPers to campaign on all summer and into the fall election.