Debbie Schlussel: Guess Who's Back in the News?: Blagojevich Indictment Watch Countdown (Bonus: Obama Cushion Included); UPDATE: Blago Indicted
**** UPDATE: Blago Indicted along with 5 "associates" ****
How soon we forget the fallen mighty. Rod Blagojevich--remember him?--has been out of the news for several weeks.
But guess what? You know who's supposed to be indicted as early as today?
Yup, him. It sounds like the indictment is going to be handed down later this afternoon, with a big press conference to announce it.
Today is the last day for a Grand Jury hearing the Blago case to indict him before the Tuesday deadline to replace the original complaint and accompanying FBI affidavit, which U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald filed against the Illinois then-Governor.
Fitzgerald could ask the federal district court's chief judge for an extension, but reports say the indictment is imminent and there will be an announcement about a "significant criminal matter," later today.
One wonders how much Fitzgerald massaged the indictment to shield Barack Obama operatives like Rahm Emanuel.
Remember, Fitzgerald has a clear conflict of interest here. He wants to keep his job as U.S. Attorney, but Barack Obama is the one who nominates U.S. Attorneys, including Patrick Fitzgerald, a holdover from the Bush days.
Plan for the indictment to protect the Obamaniks accordingly.
But that doesn't mean that Blago won't try to dirty up the Obama gang as much as possible in order to defend himself. Plan on hearing a lot more about Tony Rezko and Michelle Hussein Obama when this trial starts in a year or so (unless Blago gets and takes a generous plea deal, both of which I don't foresee).
Can't wait. It's gonna be a bumpy ride. But not nearly bumpy enough.
Posted by Debbie on April 2, 2009 01:43 PM to Debbie Schlussel