Pay to Play: How Rod Blagojevich Turned Political Corruption Into a National SideshowWeeks after President Barack Obama's remarkable victory, the nation was shocked to learn that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich had been arrested at his home by the FBI. There are allegations that Blago had tried to sell Obama's soon-to-be-vacant Senate seat for cash. This effort appeared to be only the latest in a cascade of corruption that prompted U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to charge the governor with actions that would make Lincoln roll over in his grave. In Pay to Play, Elizabeth Brackett, award-winning correspondent in the political realm for PBS's The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, uncovers new details as she goes behind the story of the first governor to be impeached by the Illinois legislature. All the time tracing the background of corruption in Illinois politics and its implications for state government executive branches across the country, she tells precisely how Blagojevich's personal biography and his political upbringing paved the way for his reckless fall; what the dilemma of selecting replacement senators means for other states; what secrets the federal trial of the governor is likely to produce; why Roland Burris was selected for the U.S. Senate seat for Illinois; and how a man named Obama could emerge with integrity from the swill of this same political environment. |
Common terms and phrases
African American alderman appointment arrest Article of Impeachment asked Barack Obama began Blagojevich administration Blagojevich told called candidate Cari charges Chicago Chris Kelly committee Congressman court criminal complaint Daley Daley's deal Democratic Dick Mell downstate election Elvis Emil Jones ernor father federal fucking fund-raiser Genson George Ryan going Governor Blagojevich governor of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich governor's office Guerrero Harris health-care Illinois House impeachment trial indictment investigation Jackson Jesse Jesse White knew later legislators Lisa Madigan Madigan mayor Mell's Meyer Davis Michael Madigan million neighborhood never Patrick Fitzgerald patronage Patti Blagojevich pay to play political corruption politicians president prosecutor reporters Republican Robert Rod Blagojevich Roland Burris says Senate seat Serbian Springfield state's Stuart Levine talk tapes tion Tony Rezko Topinka Tribune U.S. Attorney U.S. Attorney Patrick U.S. Senate Valerie Jarrett vote Vrdolyak wanted Ward