Josh Kalven reports that Jan Schakowsky and Lisa Madigan have both called on Rod Blagojevich to resign. Here's my question: Why hasn't Barack Obama done the same thing? The Feds have Blago dead to rights, he was attempting to strong-arm the next president of the United States into buying a Senate appointment with a favor, and he's accused of several other ethics violations that are abhorrent to the level of comic absurdity. Even if Obama was beholden to Blagojevich in some way, I'd say trying to embroil the president-elect in corrupt behavior qualifies as a betrayal of trust, even between friends.
Whatever Obama's relationship has been with Blagojevich in the past, it seems really unwise for Obama to offer meager Bush-like statements about "ongoing investigations" when it's quite clear from the report that Blagojevich engaged in some pretty disreputable behavior, and as of now Blagojevich simply lacks the legitimate moral authority to be the chief executive of the state of Illinois. The complaint suggests Obama refused to curry favor with Blagojevich, so it doesn't make sense for Obama not to call for his resignation. Under what circumstances can Blagojevich remain the governor of Illinois?
-- A. Serwer
