Chicago Columnist Illinois Review · Political Strategist Analyst · Expert Advisor Institute for Truth in Accounting

SEIFFE:  Rootin' For Rod

Monday, January 12, 2009

By Ralf Seiffe

When in the course of political events it becomes necessary for one branch of government to embarrass another by dissolving the powers that have heretofore been symbiotic and venal, a decent respect for its appearance in the opinion columns and with the U.S. Attorney requires that it should declare the causes which impel them to invent the articles of Impeachment...

In a break with prevailing Conservative opinion, including respected advertisers on this page, this recommends that Republican senators vote to acquit the Governor when the trial occurs.  There are several reasons for this including the Governor’s own behavior, the House of Representatives’ disregard for the Constitution and laws of Illinois, and to establish an identity for Illinois Republicans and, finally, considerations that relate to the good of the State. To prove this, let these facts be submitted to a weary populace:

With regard to the Governor’s behavior, his continued tenure reminds us that Illinois’ political landscape is a dismal swamp;

On taxes he’s more of a Republican than many Republicans having resisted any increase in the income or sales tax rates.  In that sense, he’s getting things done for this “people”;

If the Governor is guilty on the alleged sale of the Obama seat, why wasn’t he indicted as was required?  After all, if the government can indict a ham sandwich, why not a coiffure?  If, in three months, he is indicted, it will be all the more interesting if Governor Blagojevich is a sitting governor.

His continued tenure reminds us of Lisa Madigan’s shortcoming as a lawyer and diminishes her chances to become governor.

On the General Assembly and its nauseating rationalizations for impeachment, their first action should be “Legislators, Heal Thyself.”

To impeach--or convict--any governor without some pre-existing behavioral standard may be legal but it reduces the Assembly to a court of kangaroos.

The utter hypocrisy of these stalwart Democrats and some Republicans who actively campaigned for the Governor even though they knew he was and is a corrupt politician.  Live with it. 

House members told us over and over that Rod is impeachable for “losing the trust” of the people.  The House is the serial author of unconstitutional budgets and violations of the Truth in Budgeting Act.  They have looted the Illinois fisc in the amount of $110 Billion over the last generation for their own political profit.  Citizens no longer trust the General Assembly and it has, therefore, lost its moral authority to accuse.

For the members of the House of Representatives to accuse the Governor of “political hiring” shows them so corrupt that they no longer recognize their own transgressions.

From the Republican point-of-view, a clean break with the Democrats on this issue would show the party has a backbone. Properly positioned, this could energize the base.

Republicans are the party of true justice and the rule of law.  They should insist on a high standard of fault as a matter of good public policy.

Impeachment creates so much publicity that it will probably be impossible for the Governor to get a fair trial in Illinois while conviction may poison potential juries anywhere in the nation.  On appeal, this may keep the Governor out of jail forever or permit him to make a very good deal.

On the other hand, a senate acquittal would provide the Governor a concrete presumption of innocence to which he is absolutely entitled in any future criminal matter.  One presumes the feds will get him anyway. 

The Democrats and Obama, particularly, want this problem over.  Republicans voting to acquit keeps the Governor in office and the issue in front of the national press with the collateral attenuation of the Obama Momentum.

It’s convenient for the Democrats to impeach the Governor.  From a political point of view, would they be so accommodating to us if the shoe was on the other foot?   Isn’t it more likely that future Democrat Assemblies will use the low standard of impeachment as a political weapon to harass future Republican governors?

Loudly support Roland Burris as a legal senate designee who should be seated.  Use this to build bridges to the black community because they see Blago as a victim--an opportunity to open a dialog.  This is a rare example of where the right thing is also the advantageous thing.

Wait until an indictment is issued.  It promises to be a good read according to a criminal lawyer in a position to know.   He likens the situation at 219 S Dearborn to a line of ants making their way to the prosecutor’s office to discuss the Governor and his cronies.  As long as he’s in the news, this will continue and when it breaks, it could be big enough to actually permeate ossified brains of voters who regularly vote Democrat.

For the good of the State, we should remember Mark Twain’s observation that our liberties are at risk whenever the legislature is in session.  This issue, unresolved, should keep the General assembly in a state of confusion and unable to claim any more of our rights.
 
As a general public policy, everyone should insist on a fair trial for the Governor and we have already heard one of the senator-jurors proclaiming the Governor guilty and hearing the “hammering on the gallows.” 

Anything the Governor says in a senate trial can be used in any upcoming criminal trial.  To hold the impeachment trial before the criminal trial keeps the Governor from offering a spirited defense, especially in light of the elasticity with which federal prosecutors define crimes.

The Governor’s continued tenure keeps Mike Madigan from passing a massive income tax increase.  This alone may save the State from entering the black hole that Michigan and California are spiraling into.

Reports say junior Senator Burris will not be seated until the Governor’s senate trial occurs.  The continuing kerfuffle continues to illustrate the political incompetence and managerial inadequacy of the Senators Reid and Durbin.  They assume conviction would put an end to their problems but what would happen if the Governor were to be acquitted?

Governor Pat Quinn?  As the Lieutenant Governor himself has advised, not unless there’s a special election!

Ralf Seiffe advises business start-ups and product launches from Chicago, Illinois, and is a political analyst and columnist for the Illinois Review. Mr. Seiffe is also an Expert Advisor with The Institute for Truth in Accounting.

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