The Illinois Governor tried to sell President Elect Barack Obama's seat in the senate. What do you think about this?
 

Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested for planning to sell President Elect Barack Obama's seat in the senate. They have evidence obtained through wiretaps to back it up.

The news article.

Now I know I'm not the only one who might think this, but does anyone think that Barack Obama might've bought his seat in the senate? Personally I don't believe he did (I actually voted for Obama), but the thought did cross my mind.

What do you all think of this? Do you think this actually happens often? What do you think about the behavior of the governor of Illinois? Do you think Obama bought his way into the senate? Did the possibility of Obama buying his place in the senate even cross your mind?

Rules!
- Literate replies only. Use proper capitalization, punctuation, paragraphs, spelling, no chatspeak.
- Please be mature in your replies.
- Don't Obama bash in this thread. I'm not super crazy about him, but that doesn't mean I'll allow you to immaturely bash him.

Alright, discuss!

Illinois has been a nice little central hub of corruption for a very long time. The mostly being run by the Daley Machine out of Chicago.

Obama did not buy his seat in the US Senate; though he had a very easy election. Obama faced off against Allen Keyes, so they might as well just have given him the spot. As for his presidency to be, Blagojevich had no baring on it. The Daley Machine has little power outside of Illinois.

As for Blagojevich; I don't know if he is guilty or innocent. From what Fitzgearld is saying that they found on the tapes is very ambiguous, a good defense attorney will have no trouble turning it all around and making it sound like he was looking for Political Favors vs. Actual Money.

It's still "Innocent till proven Guilty". But based off his behavior in the tapes it obvious that he does need to step down as our Governor.

Whether or not he was trading for political favors or actual money, I believe it's completely wrong and he should not only be removed from office, but he should in fact serve prison time. And not just get a little slap on the wrist like a lot of politicians get.

Do you think such corruption is as common in other states?