The Ultimate Conflict of Interest
The Illinois GOP is in desperate need of a senatorial candidate to face Barack Obama in the November election. We've heard the list of primary losers, Steve Rauschenberger and Jim Oberweis, and even popular former Governor Jim Edgar. But the most intriguing alternate is U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
Patrick Fitzgerald, not to be confused with the current US Senator Peter Fitzgerald from IL, has made a name for himself indicting former IL Governor George Ryan on corruption and kickback charges and currently is investigating who in the Bush Administration leaked the identity of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson.
Talk about a way to scuttle an investigation: "Hey, Pat, why don't you go run for the senate spot in Illinois? You'd be a perfect fit. There's nothing in Washington for you to see. Plame leaked her own identity to that nimrod Novak. She was sick of the lies. You're wasting your time. Seize the day, young man."
I respect Patrick Fitzgerald a lot. He's been the consummate professional. Appointed to his USAO post by a GOP that hoped the George Ryan allegations would just go away, Fitzgerald forged ahead with indictment after indictment leaving the IL GOP writhing in his wake. Now he's on the Plame matter.
Even if it's proven that Pat Fitzgerald is a Republican after all he's done to viscerate the party, this isn't his time. It wouldn't look too kosher if the man appointed to investigate one of the most egregious abuses of power of this Administration, publicly exposing an undercover agent, is now annointed the new poster child for the GOP. Accepting the nod would be like accepting his own bribe. Hasn't the IL GOP had enough scandal?
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