Blago Hangs On to Job as Bargaining Chip

Blagojevich holding onto job as bargaining chip

By Gabriel Winant, Newser User

Posted Dec 16, 2008 11:55 AM CST

(Newser) – For Rod Blagojevich, everything is a shakedown. For now, writes Carrie Budoff Brown in Politico, he’s staying in office because it gives him some leverage over his own fate. Though he’s facing near-certain impeachment, that’s a long process. In the meantime, he could trade his resignation for leniency. “He’s in a much better position to make a deal if he was a sitting governor,” says a law professor. “In his position, I would not resign."

Blagojevich could bargain for a shorter sentence or protection for his wife, Budoff Brown notes. There’s technically nothing keeping Blagojevich from holding on to his office until forced out, but it could mean presiding over the legislature voting to impeach him. He could also temporarily hand off power to his lieutenant, but keep his position—and his salary. Says a law professor, “He knows he is going to get voted off the island. It’s just a question of how long he can hold out.”

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Attorney Ed Genson is seen outside his downtown office building Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Chicago. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has retained Genson after Blagojevich was arrested last week on federal... (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich leaves a downtown office building Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Members of the Illinois House of Representatives meet to discuss the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, in Springfield, Ill. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

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It is the only bargaining chip he has and since everyone wants him out of there, it is not an inconsequential bargaining chip. - Dawn Clark Netsch, former state comptroller

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Blago Hangs On to Job as Bargaining Chip