Read More of the Same Day's Blog

Gov Rod Blagojevich, Democrat of Illinois, was the Story of the Day. All three newscasts led with his federal indictment on corruption charges. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald held a detailed press conference to blacken the governor's name: "The conduct would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," he imagined, accusing Blagojevich of trying to enrich himself in exchange for granting an appointment to the United States Senate, a seat that is in his gift as a replacement for Barack Obama. The President-elect had been cursed out by the governor because he failed to exchange such favors, according to the prosecutor. Quoting from a wiretap, Fitzgerald claims Blagojevich blasted Obama: "They are not willing to give me anything but appreciation. Bleep them."

Blagojevich is presumed innocent of all charges--although that would be hard to discern from the accusatory coverage of the network correspondents. They granted disproportionate time to Fitzgerald's charges and cursory mentions of Blagojevich's rebuttals. "Only yesterday he laughed off news of wiretaps, arguing whatever he might be caught saying is perfectly legal," noted NBC's Lee Cowan. "Governor Blagojevich remains just that, the Governor of Illinois, with all his rights and privileges." ABC's Brian Ross quoted Blagojevich's soundbite on Monday in his own defense: "If anybody wants to tape my conversations go right ahead. Feel free to do it." CBS' Dean Reynolds cited the governor's reported reaction of astonishment upon learning of his arrest: "Is this a joke?" Both Cowan and Reynolds replayed Blagojevich's declaration of an untroubled conscience: "I feel like there is nothing but sunshine hanging over me."

CBS' Reynolds explained why the investigation of Blagojevich had recently expanded to include a wiretap. The reason was not the vacant Senate seat but a looming change at New Year: "He and a fellow conspirator allegedly shifted corrupt fundraising into high gear ahead of new ethics laws." Charges unrelated to the Senate seat include an alleged threat against the Chicago Cubs to withhold a $100m tax break because of newspaper editorials in Chicago Tribune, which is part of the same bankrupt media conglomerate. Reynolds also mentioned a $50,000 campaign contribution promised to the governor by the chief executive of Children's Memorial Hospital. When the hospital boss changed his mind, prosecutors say Blagojevich threatened to rescind $8m in state healthcare funding.

But it was Obama's now-vacant Senate seat that made the case grab headlines. NBC's Cowan quoted the prosecution's wiretap of the governor calling the seat "a very valuable thing." ABC's Ross reported the prosecutor's allegation that the "value," as told to potential appointee Valerie Jarrett, a close advisor to Barack Obama, amounted to a seat in his Cabinet; to a fifth aspirant it was between $500,000 and $1m in campaign contributions.

NBC political director Chuck Todd and George Stephanopoulos, anchor of ABC's This Week, both looked at the fallout of the Illinois case inside the Beltway. Todd reckoned that the wiretap evidence will help Barack Obama: "If anything the quotes from Blagojevich in that amazing indictment are the most exculpatory thing there for the President-elect." Stephanopoulos was certain that no pick of Blagojevich would end up in the Senate, even though "he still has the formal power" to appoint: there will either be a special election…or the Secretary of State of Illinois will not certify such an nomination…or the Senate itself will refuse to confirm the appointee.


Andrew Tyndall 12/11/08 12:55:03 am

© 2010 Tyndall Report