campaign contributions exchanged for state business

I'm shocked, truly shocked!

Part of me wants to defend Blagojevich on these allegations. If we have a system that necessitates fundraising and government awards lucractive contracts it seems naive that one half of the equation is going to operate independently of the other.

In the Chicago Trib piece Blago's spokeswoman is quoted saying:

"There shouldn't be anyone financially benefiting from their relationship with the governor, and no one is financially benefiting from their relationship with the governor."

If G-Rod wants to be held to this standard it sorta undermines my defense of him.

Rich Miller has a column in the Daily Southtown on the same subject.