Laughter Obscures Need for Introspection

Everyone has just had a ball teeing off on the corrupt Rod Blagojevich and crooked state of Illinois over the last week or so. Intelligent bloggers and bombastic blowhards came together to share a laugh.

How could he be so stupid?
In this day and age?
Hasn't he ever seen a movie or television show before?
Which state is the most corrupt?

Hardee har har.

I enjoyed it too, but at this point, I'm totally over it.

And no, it's not because I think Louisiana isn't getting enough credit for it's foibles.

It's because I think there is some wisdom to take away from the situation that is obscured when we marginalize Blagojevich or Illinois as anomalies.

Blogojevich is a thug and he should be put away for a good long while but I think it's useful to actually think about the different ways pay-to-play works instead of just laughing at Legojevich.


Everyone was just so appalled, not so much by the corruption but by Blagojevich's stupidity in getting caught. One of the things that I noticed some cable talking heads doing when discussing the Blagojevich scandal was a sort of half-hearted line drawing when it came to what was crime and what was just plain old politics. Some amount of political horse-trading is normal and sometimes necessary even, whereas trading a political horse for a personal money cow is a crime, or so the talking heads said on Hardball or whatever show I was watching.

But perhaps it's worth parsing this out a little bit.

I've noticed a pattern about the way some crooked or ineffectual politicians ultimately get taken down by the FBI. Guys like Edwin Edwards in Louisiana, Kwame Kilpatrick in Detroit, Vince Fumo in Philadelphia, or Rod Blagojevich in Illinois don't just get caught up in corruption indictments out of the blue. Rather, these politicians develop grand reputations for thuggery and graft far in advance of any kind of criminal investigation. That reputation coincides with a certain celebrity-centered political lifestyle. Power provides, reputation develops, power erodes and then lifestyle become unsustainable. This leads to increasingly desperate and risky shake-downs that often occur in earshot of federal investigators that have by this time found an actionable complaint from someone no longer intimidated or dependent upon the boss' political power.

This helps explain why politicians that develop vast public reputations for crookedness, even if they never end up getting accused of anything by a prosecutor become so defensive or walled off as time elapses. Ray Nagin might be demonstrating this kind of bunker mentality. Other good examples are former Mayor John Street in Philadelphia or, I dunno, President Bush and all of his lackeys. They exercise their right to remain silent, taking that route over the desperate 0-60 cliff dive demonstrated by Governor Blagojevich, or by former State Senator Shepherd, who had his own unique style.

Allegedly, one of things Blagojevich tried to do by leveraging this Senate appointment was to obtain a plum foundation board salary for he or his wife.

The governor, already dogged by allegations of crookedness and low approval ratings, was likely becoming quite concerned with his prospects for income after his term. Forget his delusions about running for President in 2016, I think the desperation for six figure cash is a way more telling indicator of where he really knew he stood deep down.

This allegation was for some reason treated as among the most shocking in Fitzgerald complaint. That's not to say the behavior isn't deplorable, because it is. But it isn't entirely out of the ordinary.

Or at least, it is treated as regular political behavior in some parts of the country.

Like in Louisiana.

I think back to District Attorney Eddie Jordan's resignation in October of 2007. The writing had been on the wall for quite some time at that point but he remained in office, determined to stay on the job even as veteran prosecutors quit and accused murderers were released on 701s.

Do you remember how his resignation was finally arranged?

Remember this headline:

Jordan's new job part of resignation

Jordan resigned from his post two weeks ago, saying he hoped his absence would allow people to work out some way for the judgment to be paid, forestalling a crippling shutdown of the office he led for almost five years. Though the settlement still looms over the office, Jordan's resignation assured him a private sector job arranged by business leaders.

"It is part of the package that was developed," said Robert Stellingworth, executive director of the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, a nonprofit group. The business community will pay for Jordan's consultancy, Stellingworth said.

The consulting gig, cemented through a contract signed last week, is not a full-time job, said Stellingworth, who declined to give the amount Jordan will be paid.

"We believe he can add some perspective" to the foundation's work, Stellingworth said. The business community has remained in talks about the legal settlement but committed no private money to pay it. Lapeyre, who described himself as an "adviser" to the city on the issue, last week sat in on a meeting between Mayor Ray Nagin and Landrum-Johnson.

Quite literally, the former District Attorney Eddie Jordan nearly forced a total shut down of the criminal justice system, relenting only when he was able obtain a well-paying foundation job for himself.

Mayor Nagin needed to call in "the business community" to do him this favor, to find a job for Eddie Jordan. And "the business community" came through for the Mayor, placing him under Richard Stellingsworth at the Police and Justice foundation. His salary would be paid, not by the foundation, but by "the business community," all as arranged by "adviser" Jay Lapeyre, President of the New Orleans Business Council.

Isn't this exactly what Mr. Blagojevich was trying to arrange for himself in Illinois in exchange for the Senate seat?

Here in New Orleans, we allowed the same exact thing to occur out in the open. It was reported right there in the paper and nobody really batted an eye.

We never did learn if Mr. Lapeyre or "the business community" asked for or received anything in return.

Lucky for us Mayor Nagin doesn't get to pick Senators. He only gets to decide municipal policy.

Vitter Maintains Friendships

There have been rumblings about the possibility of a tough primary challenge for Senator Vitter in 2010. It appears, however, that he's not having much trouble retaining support among other high profile Louisiana officials.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9TH, 6:00 ‐ 8:00 PM
101 Constitution NW, 9th Floor Balcony, Washington, DC

General Admission- $1000 Pac /Individual

VIP- $5000 Pac / $4600 Individual, (Includes Private Reception and Photo with Governor Jindal and Senator Vitter from 6:00 ‐ 6:30 PM)

==

CO‐HOSTS:

Senator J. Bennett Johnston
Congressman Jim McCrery
Congressman Rodney Alexander
Congressman Charles Boustany
Congressman Steve Scalise
Congressman Bob Livingston
Congressman Billy Tauzin
Congressman Jimmy Hayes
Congressman John Cooksey
Congressman Henson Moore
Congressman Clyde Holloway
Congressman‐Elect Bill Cassidy

Billed "Mardi Gras in December," this private fundraiser is NOT to be confused with the annual D.C. Mardi Gras ball that occurs each January sponsored by the Mystic Krewe of Louisiana. In 2007, David Vitter, after months of reeling from a sex scandal, emerged to organize the ball and choose that year's king, his close ally Boysie Bollinger.

Again, it's important to make this difference clear. The Mardi Gras in December ball is a private fundraiser where David Vitter will appeal for campaign donations from an elite collection of businessmen and socialites. The Washington Mardi Gras ball is a private event where Louisiana politicians mingle with an elite collection of lobbyists, businessmen, and socialites.

The T-P once wrote about the ground rules for that event:

Sponsors pay $7,500 each and receive private booths on the raised perimeter of the oval ballroom underneath large banners bearing their names. They also get 40 tickets to hand out as they wish.

The extremely different private Vitter fundraiser is considerably more expensive as a singular GA ticket costs $1000 by itself.

State Senator Shepherd Bows to the Shellfish

He has plead guilty to conspiracy and resigned. Oyster thinks he'll need to get to talking since he has no friends anyway.

Shepherd's Next Step...

...should be to quit while he's behind.

I'm so glad all this was such a big game to him. Now it's over.

Nasty guy.

Now he's canceled his previously scheduled public apology.

He doesn't have to apologize to me if he's too damn proud so long as he resigns from his damn office.

Thriller Movie Script or Legit Allegations: This is Why You Keep Documents

Wow.

In a sensational legal filing, a former partner at Adams and Reese who is awaiting trial on charges that he stole $30 million from the firm claims that the firm has had a hand in scandals ranging from the WorldCom stock fraud to the abuse of Louisiana film tax credits.

The lawsuit also claims the New Orleans firm has made a practice of hiring former public officials, including former Jefferson Parish President Tim Coulon and former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, and improperly using them to land clients with whom they had dealt as public officials. Coulon and Morial deny the claim.

The 73-page civil racketeering lawsuit reads more like a legal thriller than a court filing. It portrays accused thief Jamie Perdigao as a hard worker who was trying to stay within ethical boundaries while senior members of the firm pressured him into bending the rules to make money.

The suit does not make clear whether Perdigao has evidence to support his allegations.

-

Perdigao claimed he provided a series of explosive leads to U.S. Attorney Jim Letten's office that were not pursued because the leads implicated certain prosecutors and shed unflattering light on the conviction of former Gov. Edwin Edwards.

Sure hope Perdiagao has evidence because this other indictment charging that he stole $30 million from the same firm he's accusing might lead people to believe that he's "disgruntled."

What is with Edwin Edwards? Is there something "unflattering" about his conviction? Is he the highlander?

No Kidding. Didn't See It Coming.

Law not clear on takeover of DA's office

I expected this to go so smoothly. I didn't expect Louisiana's archaic and incomplete system of governance to slow this thing up at all.

Is there any issue in this state in which the law is clear?

They do this on purpose to keep the people down!!!!!

I work for a living. Peace.

Endorsments

Election Day is when?

Oh. I better make some decisions about which candidates I like best and which candidates I don't like.... it's about the future of our city and state. Voting is the most important civic responsibi....

Sham sham sham.

And a shame.

So I'll give my endorsement for governor based on the "facts"

The Governor's Race - Who Will be the State's Next Top Crook?

I don't think there's been a governor's race in the history of the country with a slate of candidates less qualified to stage a nice looking photo op.

Just look at these ugly people. We'll never be famous until we can become totally hot.

Walter Boasso - Retarded Puppy

John Georges - Collapsed Mouth Disease

Bobby Jindal - Dr. Octopus

Foster Campbell - Cross-eyed and Crazy-eyed

What are voters supposed to do? These guys worked so hard to ensure that this election would not be bogged down in discussions of their records, their policies, their visions for Louisiana, or their plans to aid New Orleans. But the only logical alternative standards, whether or not someone is totally hot or famous or good at applying makeup also do not apply to this group of dawgs.

Foster Campbell looks angriest so I'll endorse him by default. He also is not a Republican. He also never used to be a Republican. He hasn't given money to Dubya.
I do not want to see Jindal especially. I am voting strategically for Campbell to try and force Jindal into a runoff. I don't know if it matters though. I'm not convinced that Jindal would be worse than Boasso or Georges.

I may write-in for myself. I encourage everyone else that wants a candidate that embodies the standards for physical appearance of the citizens of Louisiana to also look in the mirror vote for themselves. Humble types can also vote for me if they're too shy.

State Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner - pfffffffff

I'm at a loss. The candidates in each of these races seem to be equally qualified to incompetently manage their offices and steal from voting taxpayers. I can't even make a clothespin choice here. They're all that bad.

So, I'm looking deep into the mirror and voting for: My own Sexy Self. I deserve your support for both Attorney General and Insurance Commissioner. My platform is that I want to be famous. And we need to make up for the fact that an ugly governor is inevitable.

Those that don't trust my own self-evaluation should trust their own self-evaluation and vote for their sexy selves. I understand that Kimberly Marshall is a blond.

State Senate District Six - The Anyone But Ballot

I endorse Cheryl Gray because she is qualified, informed, articulate, and not related to William Jefferson Jefferson. She has posters all about and seems to be trying hard to win. I like her.

Shitty Council - Whooooo Are You? Who Who Who Who?

A lot of my blogleagues out there are fed up with the candidates in this race. There seems to be a lot of support for Quentin Brown. The man speaks from the heart and is hilarious. I like him. But he's not to be taken seriously. He does not raise money and seems mostly concerned with getting laughs and venting frustration. He has no plan to win and no plans as a potential councilperson. This is for an at-large seat. This person will be city council president.

Those voting for Quentin Brown are casting a ballot in protest of the municipal political establishment, which is a cause I can fully support. However, I argue that the candidate best capable of legitimizing anger with the political cabal is Malcolm Suber. He's a professor and community activist. He actually has a campaign staff, posters, supporters, and radio ads. He's bothered to raise money for the race. He's put forth proposals for his agenda once in council. He's brilliant, articulate, and outraged without being vulgar or silly.

I endorse Malcolm Suber.

The criticisms of him that I've read on the blogs do not seem to be particularly substantive. I urge you, if you've written him off, to take another look at voting for him. A vote for him makes a more coherent statement than one for Quentin Brown.

Another part of me is considering a vote for Virginia Boulet. Of the supposed front-runners, Bajoie, Boulet, Clarkson, Vassal and Willard-Lewis, Virginia Boulet is the least objectionable. She seems to be a reasonable person to me and she seems smart. I would like to see her make the runoff so that she can match up against some of these other jerkfaces. Vassal doesn't violently offend me but he seems like he's not primed to make the runoff anyway.

At the moment, I am still leaning toward a Suber vote because, I kind of like him actually and won't be gagging when I pull the lever. He's been advertising and I'm hoping he can pull of a surprise showing and hop over some of the known entities. (Though he has NO chance of making the runoff, I'm afraid)

So, to recap::::

Governor: Foster Campbell

State Senate District 6: Cheryl Gray

City Council: Malcolm Suber

Attorney General: My own self

Insurance Commissioner: My own self

Thank You and God Bless America

UPDATE: Jeffrey's got the best rundown of what other bloggers are thinking about the elections tomorrow. Check it out. I still say vote for me whenever possible.

Welcome to Louisiana

This is my fifth year of living on-and-off here in New Orleans, Louisiana. I have tried so hard to understand how this state functions politically, but it is so difficult to read between the lines to figure out how business actually gets done.

Sometimes, though, you can just look at the lines themselves and get a pretty good taste.

There just doesn't seem to be enough space in the New Orleans Times-Picayune this week.

Let's start with the race for Louisiana Attorney General.

First, the incumbent, Democrat Charles Foti Jr. faces a nasty reelection fight in part because of his failed and questionable indictment of Dr. Anna Pou on second-degree murder charges stemming from the deaths of several patients during Hurricane Katrina.

His chief rival in this October's runoff reelection (Louisiana is weird), is a Republican named Royal Alexander. Yesterday's Times-Picayune obtained emails that flat-out prove that Alexander has coerced campaign donations in exchange for favors from his current position as chief of staff to Congressman Rodney Alexander of Quitman (no relation).

This is directly from the an email between Alexander and members of the Louisiana Association of Ambulatory Healthcare, which sought to fight cuts to providers that serve Medicare and Medicaid patients:

"...So, in return for the precious time I am going to take awqay from my campaign for Attorney General to assist you, I am going to ask you to make a substantial financial contribution to my campaign."

And as if this wasn't a direct enough solicitation of quid pro quo, here is some text from a follow-up email sent by Alexander:

"Lansing, you have hemmed and hawed for several months about helping me. No more excuses. Paul, you are also aware of the help I personally, after hours and on my own time, provided your industry... Please consider making a $5,000 contribution... If you don't help me as I help you (now for the second time) it is going to make me think that you are not very serious about reducing or eliminating these drastic rate cuts... I don't have time to waste on projects for people who don't care about helping me..." [emphasis mine]

To me, this is a slam-dunk scandal that ought to make a candidate unelectable, if not prison-bound. Public officials are supposed to represent all members of the public, not just those that are able and willing to make campaign donations of thousands of dollars. Not to mention the fact that Alexander's actions are in direct violation of Louisiana campaign finance law.

That law states that:

"No person shall knowingly coerce or attempt to coerce another person to give or withhold a contribution."

However, according to the Times-Picayune article, the penalty for a violation of this law only demands that he candidate turn over to the state any funds obtained via coercive tactics. Thus, again according to the Times-Picayune, the state ethics administrator, Kathleen Allen, "said she can find no criminal penalty for coercion by a candidate."

So what really prevents candidates from forcing wealthy individuals and industries to make campaign donations by threatening inattentiveness or retaliatory policies for noncompliance?

Nothing.

Nothing at all.

Because in a worst-case scenario, where you are caught red-handed by one of the larger media outlets in the state, you can just do as Alexander did in the article:

"There's not a lot of nuance in the e-mails, but I certainly didn't mean anything by it... All of this is part of the persuasion to build votes and build support, because unfortunately campaigns are so expensive... You have to exhort people and persuade them."

Oops, I didn't mean to sound coercive, I was being an aggressive fund-raiser. I did nothing criminal, campaign finance laws are confusing and I'll turn the money over to the state if that is recommended by the ethics board. And if you don't mind, I'll just continue on with my business of selling political favors in exchange for campaign donations and try not to get caught so red-handed next time.

Royal Alexander will probably be the state's next Attorney General.

Do those of you in other states have campaign finance laws that ban this type of behavior? What are the penalties from violating these laws? I suspect that if something like this were to occur in another state, a criminal indictment would be possible.

And without going into too much more detail, here are some more examples of the Louisiana mess that have been in the papers over the last two days alone:

1. A New Orleans prostitute accuses Senator David Vitter of being a loyal customer, contradicting his assertion that while he did patronize a Washington D.C. escort service, any allegations out of New Orleans are untrue.

2. The case against Congressman William Jefferson of New Orleans, a Democrat, is progressing nicely, with the Justice Department naming 11 co-conspirators including the Congressman's wife, brother, and the former VP of Nigeria. FBI agents, of course, found $90,000 in bribery sting money in the Congressman's freezer.

3. New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin and City Councilwoman Stacy Head are heading toward a major political showdown over Head's subpoena of a Nagin staffer to testify on a matter related to an air-conditioner repair at a police station in Head's district.