Hope and Change: Obama Ally, Illinois Governor Blagojevich Arrested... On UN International Anti-Corruption Day

The Chicago Way - Think of a State being run by the Mob and you are just begining to get the picture

In what is described by US Attorney's as a "corruption crime spree", Illinois Governor and close Obama ally was arrested this morning in Chicago. Three areas of extreme corruption are alleged: He tried to sell Obama's open Senate seat for money; used "pay to play" strong-arm tactics on contracts for government funded projects; and tried to get newspaper columnists at the Chicago Tribune who were critical of him fired in exchange for government funding. Some Republicans are now demanding that Obama release all communications between his transition team and Governor Blagojevich. Also, as it turns out, today is 'UN International Anti-Corruption Day'. (h/t: Gateway Pundit). You cannot make this stuff up!

In a related story, a former Illinois banker says bank officials replaced a loan reappraisal that he prepared for a Chicago property that was purchased by the wife of now-convicted felon and Obama ally Tony Rezko, part of which was later sold to next-door neighbor Barack Obama. A Grand Jury investigation has now subpoenaed all documents related to the transaction.

UPDATE: Obama Says He Had No Contact With Blagojevich on Senate Seat

Update/Flashback: On November 23rd, Obama's senior advisor David Axelrod mentions in interview that Obama spoke with Governor Blagojevich about possible candidates for his replacement in the Senate. Who's lying? Obama or Axelrod? I'm going with Obama because Axelrod at the time had no reason to lie. Here's the inconvenient video clip:

Update: Obama throws Axelrod under the bus, says he "misspoke".