Rezko case puts question mark on Illinois politics
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By Kevin McDermott | Sunday, May 18, 2008 |
SPRINGFIELD — In August 2001, then-Illinois Gov. George Ryan, buffeted by a federal corruption probe of his associates and facing escalating rumors that he would be indicted himself, announced he wouldn’t seek re-election the following year.
“The governorship should not become mired in the political divisions of a campaign year,” he told a large gathering in his hometown of Kankakee, Ill.
Ryan, a Republican, is now sitting in a federal prison for using his elective office to enrich himself and his friends.
And Democrat Rod Blagojevich is now the embattled incumbent governor, watching as associates plead guilty or are put on trial for corruption allegations.
As Illinois’ possible rerun of history plays out this year, one big question in the state’s political system is whether Blagojevich will echo Ryan and forgo a 2010 re-election bid.
Many believe that decision could hinge on the verdict in the federal corruption trial of Blagojevich campaign fundraiser, Antoin “Tony” Rezko, who is accused of using his clout to squeeze state contractors for bribes and political contributions.
The case went to the jury Thursday, and the verdict could come down within days.
Blagojevich hasn’t been charged, but there has been testimony linking him to the case and speculation about what Rezko might tell prosecutors if faced with a prison sentence and offered a deal. That’s ultimately how the feds got to Ryan after he left office: The string of convictions of his associates eventually led them to testify against him.
“Obviously, the outcome may have a very significant impact if Rezko is convicted and there is something (else) out there,” said state Sen. James Clayborne, D-Belleville. “The issue is ... whether Rezko will have anything to say about the governor. That will obviously weigh on any decisions the governor will make” about re-election.
Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson, R-Greenville, said Blagojevich doesn’t act like a man under siege. “He has a Teflon coating about him,” said Watson. “He’s a very outgoing individual and it doesn’t seem to be bothering him. I wouldn’t sleep at night if it was me.”
Blagojevich isn’t saying one way or the other whether he is going to run for a third term. But those around him say he seems to still be committed to his own political viability, regardless of the verdict in the Chicago trial.
“The conventional wisdom is that he is politically dead and it certainly seems like it, but in politics, you never know,” said Chris Mooney, political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
The most damaging development for Blagojevich so far was the testimony last month of former Blagojevich administration official Ali Ata, who tied Blagojevich directly to the case. Ata, testifying for the government against Rezko, told jurors of a 2002 meeting in Rezko’s Chicago office in which he handed Blagojevich a $25,000 campaign contribution. Ata said Blagojevich then discussed what job they might find Ata within the administration.
“The government laid it right out there” with Ata’s testimony, said Mooney. Many took it as a hint from prosecutors of where the case might go next, should Rezko be convicted. “If he’s convicted, it ups the ante for everyone.”
If Blagojevich does decide to run again, he almost certainly would face a challenge from his own party. State Comptroller Dan Hynes, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and even Blagojevich’s own lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn — all Democrats — have been sharply at odds with Blagojevich and are often mentioned as possible challengers.
“My advice to him is not to run ... He’s been an ineffective governor, he’s lost the trust of the people ... and it would divide a party that
doesn’t need dividing,” said state Rep. Lou Lang, D-Skokie, who has run for governor before and didn’t rule out his own challenge to Blagojevich.
“Having said that, Gov. Blagojevich is a man who believes in what he’s doing,” Lang added. “I don’t think whether Mr. Rezko is guilty or not guilty will have much impact on the governor’s final decision.”
Blagojevich’s approval rating these days is in the low 20s.
But the in-party fighting could work in his favor. If several Democrats challenge him. it could split the vote enough to let him slip back in.
Republicans would like to run against someone they privately call “the Democratic George Ryan.”
“I think he will (run), if he’s unindicted — or maybe even indicted. I’m told that he’s told people he’ll run,” state Sen. Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said. Brady has run for governor before and admits he is “laying the groundwork” to possibly run again. “In that four-way mix (for the Democratic nomination), Gov. Blagojevich could win, and he knows that.”
Blagojevich’s office didn’t respond to requests for comment Friday.
Blagojevich was more talkative seven years ago, on the day Ryan announced he wouldn’t run for re-election.
The Post-Dispatch report of Ryan’s announcement that day quoted one of the many candidates seeking Ryan’s job: then-U.S. Rep. Blagojevich of Chicago. “It’s almost a Greek tragedy,” Blagojevich said. “His strengths as a politician have led to him being able to pass his legislative initiatives. But ... his political skills didn’t help him see the need for reform.”
(The St. Louis Post-Dispatch is a Lee Enterprises newspaper.)
Is History repeating itself?
Ex-Gov. George Ryan now sits in a federal prison for using his elective office to enrich himself and friends.
Gov. Rod Blagojevich watches as associates plead guilty or are put on trial for corruption allegations.
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