Breaking: Blago chief of staff resigns
posted at 1:36 pm on December 12, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John Harris, chief of staff for Governor Rod Blagojevich and arrested with him on Tuesday, resigned from his position today. He dropped off the resignation and won’t return to the capital:
John Harris resigned this morning as Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s chief of staff, his lawyer said.
Harris dropped off his letter of resignation today in person and will not be going back to the office, according to his lawyer, Terry Ekl.
How significant is this? It may signal that Harris wants to cut a deal, which he can’t do while serving Blagojevich. Any deal Harris would cut would require him to plead guilty on some charges, and he’d necessarily need to give up his position (and Blagojevich’s successor would have his own CoS anyway). Also, the fact that he’s already resigning may indicate that the deal has already been made, as that would be a bargaining chip for any deal negotiations.
It also puts pressure on Blagojevich to step aside. What will he do for a chief of staff now? People will hardly be lining up around the block to fill that role. I suspect that everyone in the governor’s office is busy updating their resumes this week, anyway. Harris’ departure will likely touch off an exodus in the next few days.
More shoes look ready to drop. Stay tuned.
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Didn’t the deputy governor resign as well? I sense an oncoming storm…
Vashta.Nerada on December 12, 2008 at 1:39 PM
The rats are leaving the sinking ship…good thing Rahm has his kids concert to go to, or he would have to answer some questions.
Do you think Hillary is having a great time?
right2bright on December 12, 2008 at 1:40 PM
Is it of any import that the Illinois Attorney General (yes, the same one who called on the courts to strip Blago of power) appears to be Candidate #2?
Troika37 on December 12, 2008 at 1:41 PM
A better person would not be enjoying this as much as I am.
sheesh on December 12, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Great news. I wonder how many politicians are wondering if their phones are tapped? Keep up the good work. Fun times are a coming.
L
letget on December 12, 2008 at 1:41 PM
Hell hath no fury like that of the guy that has to wipe a megalomaniacs ass.
Who knows everything about Blago? Harris. Stick a fork in Democratic Illinois politics….it’s done.
BobMbx on December 12, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Or he’s already cut one.
Can you spell Immunity?
fogw on December 12, 2008 at 1:42 PM
They’re desperately trying to paint this as the actions of one man. I think they’ll succeed to an extent with the
PravdaMSM covering for them.darwin on December 12, 2008 at 1:42 PM
CYA, folks. Save Teh Machine at all costs.
Blago and Harris will be the fall guys for this mess.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 12, 2008 at 1:44 PM
Hillary is saying “I told you so..”
Biden “He isn’t that clean after all”
Firebird on December 12, 2008 at 1:45 PM
Oh, the webs they weave.
It started, at the bottom. Sit back, as this spider moves toward the top of its nest.
It’s going to be a stinger.
Entelechy on December 12, 2008 at 1:45 PM
More like a poisonous scorpion.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 12, 2008 at 1:46 PM
“Hon, if only the American people would have listened to
meus, and watched my wagging finger. Aaa knew, aaa knew” ~ ~ Bill ClintonEntelechy on December 12, 2008 at 1:47 PM
Heeheehee. Spill those beans, Harris.
Gilda on December 12, 2008 at 1:48 PM
The donks are trying to find a way to allow the Lt Gov make the selection rather than let it go to a special election as dictated by the legislature. That may be part of Harris’s motive for resignation. If they can force Hot Rod out, they are home free.
a capella on December 12, 2008 at 1:48 PM
“Don’t go into town, Tonto!”
“Look under your car/invest in a remote starter!”
“Hire a food-taster!”
hoosiermama on December 12, 2008 at 1:49 PM
We all have our faults and succumb to one guilty pleasure or another; say 2 Gettysburg Addresses, drink a shot of Jack Daniels, make a contribution to the Fisher House and your sins will be absolved my son/daughter.
Alden Pyle on December 12, 2008 at 1:54 PM
Would it be strange to see a President-Elect in handcuffs, taking the oath of office?
right2bright on December 12, 2008 at 1:58 PM
I think a bunch of people have more to worry about than who’s going to select the next senator.
forest on December 12, 2008 at 1:58 PM
And now, the Music Duo Sensation!
REZKO AND HARRIS!!!
Singing “BYE BYE GUV!”
pilamaye on December 12, 2008 at 1:59 PM
Some photoshop expert, here is your cue.
Vashta.Nerada on December 12, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Happy days are her again!!!!!!
I can’t stop LMAO!!!!!!!
Merry Fitzmas everyone!!!!
Winebabe on December 12, 2008 at 2:01 PM
Ew! Does anyone else here think that this jackass and Janet Reno were separated at birth?
ErinF on December 12, 2008 at 2:01 PM
BTW…the posts from hot air readers are hilarious!
Winebabe on December 12, 2008 at 2:03 PM
The ‘good’ gentleman looks troubled.
Entelechy on December 12, 2008 at 2:06 PM
this is such a freakin’ nice silver lining to the election…
hahah hahah hahahaha… way too funny…
slow.train.wreck
gatorboy on December 12, 2008 at 2:12 PM
you are the hands down winner of the “fractured metaphor’ of the week award. hilarious.
DrW on December 12, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Obama could have his mug-shot taken at the same time
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 2:12 PM
It’s too late for any of them to un do what they’ve already said; here’s hping there’s been lots of wiretapping and lots of new information that the AG hasn’t released yet.
Red State State of Mind on December 12, 2008 at 2:17 PM
True, but for Reid and Durbin, it’s business as usual. Losing one Senate seat inches them a bit further away from their agenda.
a capella on December 12, 2008 at 2:20 PM
They said there is over 300 hours of tape, Fitz said the agents never heard so much corruption from so many people.
Firebird on December 12, 2008 at 2:20 PM
I’m sure Hillary and Bill just figured out their version of the fistbump.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 12, 2008 at 2:21 PM
OT:
Could Bill Ayers have his citizenship stripped
From his manifesto
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 2:23 PM
Get the popcorn ready boys.
Mercy4Me on December 12, 2008 at 2:26 PM
The MSM wakes up everyday with a general theme.
Today’s them in two words: SAVE OBAMA.
Watch: the ends will justify the means. Not even Rahmbo will survive this if he’s busted on the tape. Teh One must be saved at all costs. The muthah of all affirmative actions.
ex-Democrat on December 12, 2008 at 2:30 PM
Rush just said that he’s on the tapes 6 times.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 12, 2008 at 2:31 PM
These resignations are going to be dropping like Hanukkah gifts…1 day at a time for 8 days.
Happy Hanukkah Rahm Emmanuel!! Will his resignation be the 8th day gift finale?
portlandon on December 12, 2008 at 2:32 PM
personally, i don’t think blago will take the fall. yes, he is in big trouble, but he’s going to name names to get a deal. just my opinion.
where are the chicago people when we need their knowledge?
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 2:33 PM
and i don’t think rahm will resign.
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 2:34 PM
When you are facing 20 years, clears the mind.
tarpon on December 12, 2008 at 2:35 PM
So this is why all the Klintoon appointments. Barry is just preparing things for Hilllary to take over at the top. Maybe Jhon Kerry will be SecState after all.
ex-Democrat on December 12, 2008 at 2:36 PM
No wonder the hot-headed dwarf has been so testy lol.
ex-Democrat on December 12, 2008 at 2:37 PM
My hunch (and hope) is that the erudite, big-city corrupt democrats surrounding bLEGO/BarryO are not as loyal as the Arkansas banjo-plucking corrupt democrats that were willing to fall on the sword for the Clintons.
They’re going to be leapfrogging over each other to get the best chance to burn their erstwhile friends and save their own skins.
innominatus on December 12, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Times Online….
Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson Jr face new revelations in Governor Rod Blagojevich scandal
Rahm under the double decker bus?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 12, 2008 at 2:41 PM
He’s gonna cut a deal with Fitz and rat out a whole host of other politicos
modern-day Eliot Ness is gonna bring down every politician in Chicago
lodge on December 12, 2008 at 2:42 PM
yall need to be more specific when you say “he” will cut a deal. Harris? yes, i believe he’s already done so. Blago? You betcha. Rahm? nope. they’ll never touch him & he won’t resign. my humble opinion.
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I wonder if Obama has mailed Rahm a rotten fish this week.
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Blago, Harris, Rahm, et al must be wondering who’s going to go for a ride and end up here.
Alden Pyle on December 12, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Rat #1: It’s time to leave. The ship is sinking.
Rat #2: But I can’t swim. Is there anyone who might rescue us quickly?
Rat #1: I don’t know, but we don’t have much time to get off.
Rat #3: Do we have enough time to make one more deal?
Yoop on December 12, 2008 at 2:48 PM
I’m happy that I don’t live in Chi any more, although California has proven to be a tradeoff of sanity for weather. I did live in ChiTown for 3 years in my 20s, however, and I can tell you I’ve never seen a town where the whole culture revolved around patronage to that extent.
Want a job for your kid for the summer? If you’ve voted the straight ticket, go to your local ward heeler (Precinct Committeman), and he’ll know a guy who knows a guy. Need help getting your house insured? Same strategy. I never met anybody over the age of 5 that didn’t take all this for granted. If it doesn’t come to them from their mother’s milk, the old man wises them up while they’re learning to walk.
It is absolutely inconceivable that 0bama isn’t forever indebted to these guys. For those that haven’t considered this (very few here, I imagine), this is the route that Billy Ayers’ dad took to get him (a) free from the Penitentiary and (b) into the University racket.
Trust me, anybody who hasn’t lived in Chi is a babe in the woods when it comes to corruption.
God how I miss Mike Royko.
warbaby on December 12, 2008 at 2:53 PM
I just know Batman won’t let us down.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 12, 2008 at 2:58 PM
It is refreshing to see that the corruption in Chicago/Illinois is multi-racial & cultural. equal opportunity all the way.
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 3:01 PM
He’ll never receive it because he’ll never be around to do so.
Rahm’s reminding me of that character from Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. I think it is Major Major. Whoever it is, it’s the officer who tells his subordinate to tell anyone who comes to his (the major’s) office that the major is in (when the major is actually out) and that the major is out (when the major is actually in).
I’m better Rahm bites the dust for not blowing the whistle publicly and sooner. And unless the Illinois rats have some significant dirt on Obama, he’ll be allowed to skate with just some egg on his face for having chosen Rahm.
Now, JJ Jr. is another matter. I don’t care how many denials he issues; he’s got some ’splaining to do. I could easily see JJ Jr. pulling this kind of nonsense because I doubt he’d have a snowball’s chance to get a U.S. Senate seat otherwise. This was his only shot. And he needed to bid big to step over Obama’s favorite, Valerie Jarrett.
What a bunch of losers.
BuckeyeSam on December 12, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Interrigration
the_nile on December 12, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Has anyone noticed that Rahm’s last name is a variation of “Immanuel”, which means “God with us”? A fitting title for the chief of staff of The One.
Buford Gooch on December 12, 2008 at 3:08 PM
so buckeyesam, you’re saying that rahm will take the fall for bambi? when rahm already had a terrific career & a bright future of his own? i just think rahm does nothing, absolutely nothing, until the “transition” can weigh in on another issue.
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Wow! It’s a spectacle of light and sound!
Such fun to watch the guardians of all that is progressive to race one another toward the lynching of Blagoywhatabitch, all the while tripping over themselves trying to save their sorry Senate seat.
BTW, Ed, another mention today from El Rushbo. Cool.
hillbillyjim on December 12, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Will all this be getting more and more about limiting damage/connections to Obama?
Obama chief of staff Emanuel took/got/was elected to the job that Blagojevich vacated to become governor of Illinois….so who is the guy behind all these guys?
Who is the “godfather” power broker in Chicago that connects with all three: Blagojevich, Emanuel and Obama?
albill on December 12, 2008 at 3:10 PM
why doesn’t the AG resign? she is candidate #what, right? but she’s maneuvering to get the lt. gov. to appoint the US Senator, then she’ll run for governor next time making like she’s so anti-corruption.
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Boy, that Fitzgerald, who knows how many/how much goods are in his hands. He could set out to be one of the most powerful perosons in US. Same as those FBI files by the HRC.
Can anybody smell an MAD?
Sir Napsalot on December 12, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Too bad Barry’s not sworn in yet. He could bomb an aspirin factory.
fogw on December 12, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Daley? Rezko? Johnny Sack and Phil Leotardo?
Nat Hound on December 12, 2008 at 3:19 PM
I can think of a better 8th-day gift! BHO.
Oink on December 12, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Money
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Yeah, but there has to be some ONE that calls the shots.
Oink on December 12, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Buford,
Another (unfortunate) translation of Emanuel is “Gott mit Uns.”
warbaby on December 12, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Is this guy set up to be used as ’sacrafice’? As in:
When Blago spells the beans, we now have this guy contradicts everything ‘juicy’ to protect The One?
Sir Napsalot on December 12, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Sacrifice, sheesh.
Sir Napsalot on December 12, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Probably Daley (son of Richard J.), who became the longest continuous-serving Mayor (Da Mare) in the country as of his last inauguration.
warbaby on December 12, 2008 at 3:30 PM
..that last post should actually be “in history.” Check it out.
warbaby on December 12, 2008 at 3:32 PM
Ask JJ-Jr. He’ll probably take it.
petefrt on December 12, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Why did that give me the shivers.
right2bright on December 12, 2008 at 3:53 PM
He needs to get that puppy for his daughters to distract from this distraction. Wag the dog!
Brat on December 12, 2008 at 3:54 PM
It’ll never happen, he will end up dead first. He knows he needs to figuratively fall on his sword or The Machine in Chicago will literally use that sword on him – slowly.
Exit question, would you rather be in prison(where you can be pardoned), or dead.
Corsair on December 12, 2008 at 4:06 PM
corsair: who is “he” that will fall on his sword? blago?
kelley in virginia on December 12, 2008 at 4:09 PM
Is it me or does this guy kinda look like a younger version of Robert Blake?
sayabule1 on December 12, 2008 at 4:26 PM
It gets cold in Chicago. You betcha he’s got mittens.
Kristopher on December 12, 2008 at 4:28 PM
Because you are a sick, sick human being.
Nah. Just kidding. That’s funny, I don’t care who you are…
hillbillyjim on December 12, 2008 at 4:29 PM
That’s how decent people react to unholy images.
Or, it’s the cold feeling that Obama’s pieces are being slowly and surely collected on the other side of a chess board, by an even shadier opponent armed with many more pieces to begin with.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 12, 2008 at 4:31 PM
Am I the only one who finds the handle “LibertyBoyNYC” a little bit disturbing?
C’mon, y’all know you were a little bit curious.
hillbillyjim on December 12, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I smell a ‘crat.
hillbillyjim on December 12, 2008 at 4:34 PM
Rahm refuses to go to work
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Well it hasnt happened yet, but I’ll lay money someone gets mysteriously killed before this is all over. Who where and when I don;t know but the ingredients are sure there.
johnnyU on December 12, 2008 at 4:49 PM
Bwaahaahaaahaaaa…
Now they act indignant? Where was that towards Karl Rove?
Sir Napsalot on December 12, 2008 at 4:51 PM
As Alice Cooper would say:
Welcome To My Nightmare.
hillbillyjim on December 12, 2008 at 4:57 PM
And that’s just from Obama
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Sweet, sweet, sweet
Schadenfreude on December 12, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Obama inauguration donor list include a couple of Lansky mafia folks – at least $100k.
Chicago payback.
faraway on December 12, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Rahm’s afraid to go down to transition headquarters?
Come on, how easy would it be to sneak him out of the house in a shoebox?
Vince Foster from the grave says, “How do you like it?”
fogw on December 12, 2008 at 5:03 PM
Hill Billy Jim, I was a big fan of you in the WWF. I always thought you were more authentic than Hulkster, who ultimately went from Real American to Hollywood. I don’t like Hollywood because every 6 months they dream up a new way to destroy my home on film.
So, with all due respect, let me give you something to smell.
I love New York City. I live here. Why shouldn’t I be proud of it? Why should I surrender it, like many others on the Right have? Fuck you. Fuck you. I’d say that a third time, but I normally don’t repeat myself three times. I am no less ashamed of where I live as you purport to be. What hills do you claim again?
I’ve gotten bounced of more public news sites for staying Right, arguing Right, fighting Right, staying Right than I’d care to count. I find a modicum of solace from the insanity of this city in getting my news from / reading Hot Air and occasionally commenting. Are you trying to threaten that? Deface that? What are your affiliations and your credentials, besides claiming hyper-olfactory powers and assuming a image-worthy handle, and typing “y’all”?
Whoever smelt it, dealt it.
I love my city. Fuck you.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 12, 2008 at 5:03 PM
BTW I happen to enjoy, on occasion, the playing of Ricky Skaggs. I have nothing against a country brother. You mind yourself.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 12, 2008 at 5:06 PM
You really are a piece of work, aren’t you?
Liberty Oh Boy?
There is a nice selection of cheese, I hear.
hillbillyjim on December 12, 2008 at 5:11 PM
The Smoking Gun has part of the FBI Affidavit.
I’ve seen some quotes from it at Atlas Shrugs and the Smoking Gun link was at Free Republic.
Here’s something from paragraph 102 (p. 65 of the affadavit, p. 12 of the Smoking Gun):
It’s worth skimming. I haven’t had time to read the entire thing.
INC on December 12, 2008 at 5:12 PM
And further, it’s bad enough that one has to fight outnumbered:
1] carpetbagger/muncher Hillary
2] Harlem pit boss who names ghettos after himself
3] Billionaire mayors convinced the world needs them ever-so-much
4] France. Boston. Chicago.
5] French/Bostoners/Chicagoans moving in.
6] Hollywood.
7] Guys like you.
LibertyBoyNYC on December 12, 2008 at 5:12 PM
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