Rod Blagojevich found guilty on 17 charges, Twitter says goodbye

Rod Blagojevich, the bushy haired former governor of Illinois, was found guilty Monday on 17 of 20 federal corruption counts, including attempting to sell Barack Obama’s vacated U.S. Senate seat.

After the verdicts were announced Monday, Blagojevich said he and his wife, Patti, were shocked.

"I frankly am stunned," he said. "There's not much left to say other than we want to get home to our little girls and talk to them and explain things to them and then try to sort things out."

Blagojevich, who could be sentenced to 20 years in prison, will be the fourth Illinois governor thrown in the pokey. Democrats Otto Kerner, Dan Walker and Republican George Ryan all found their way behind bars. Ryan is still serving time in federal prison.

This is the second time the Democrat has been in court for the Senate seat corruption charges. Last August Blagojevich, 54, dodged a bullet when the jury deadlocked on 23 of 24 counts, convicting the boisterous politician on only a single charge of lying to federal agents.

The 2011 trial lasted only three weeks because prosecutors decided not to charge Blagojevich with racketeering, instead focusing primarily on the allegation that the former governor was serious when he said on a tapped phone line that Obama's seat was a "valuable thing" and that "If I don't get what I want ... I'll just take the Senate seat myself."

Although the governor may have been shocked, those on Twitter were not very stunned at all. Nor were they sad to see him go. A selection of the mostly jovial reactions after the jump.

John Phillips: How Chris Christie will be drafted to run for president (The Secret Plan like one before it)

It's now official, the only body with a higher dropout rate than the Los Angeles Unified School District is the 2012 Republican presidential field.

Just this weekend we learned that two first-tier GOP contenders decided to take a pass on making a run at the White House. One of them is a hokey entertainer who hosts a boring television show featuring washed-up celebrities –- and the other is Donald Trump.

Polls consistently showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and multimillionaire businessman Trump at the top of the GOP heap. Huckabee's support, specifically among Southerners and Evangelical Christians, was real...while any vote for Donald Trump was a vote for 'none of the above' – if 'none of the above' had clownish hair and Tourette's syndrome.

Despite what many political observers may think, the departure of Huck and Trump is a good thing for the Republican Party. It gives the GOP a chance to hit the reset button.

Let's face it, to say the GOP field is 'problematic' is the understatement of the year -– this....

Obama warns White House party crowd: 'You do not want to be between Michelle and a tamale'

El president Obama meant it as a joke for his latest White House party tonight, one to mark Cinco de Mayo.

The crowd laughed.

But Mr. Obama may pay for this public quip later tonight up in their private quarters. Since Primera Esposa Michelle Obama has been talking healthy eating and combating obesity for muchos meses, Even as her husband continues to be photographed downing junk food at most any opportunity..

No 'Cinco de Cuatro' gaffe this year. Obama learned his lesson two years ago; you can read this year's version in full by scrolling down. Americans politicians and many of their constituents mark May 5 as a celebration of Mexican-Americans and their heritage, especially the year before an election. In parts of Mexico the fest actually has more to do with a thumping they gave French soldiers 149 years ago (and not in soccer).

The president was clearly in a jolly mood despite a somber day of 9/11 wreath-laying at New York's ground zero. He promised the crowd a short speech and sort of delivered (11 minutes), unless you were hungry.

He thanked the usual long list of attendees, who can never get enough POTUS shoutouts. And he also thanked "my band," although the musicians on hand actually belong to the United States Marine Corps.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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President Obama's Cinco de Mayo remarks, as provided by the White House

THE PRESIDENT:  Gracias, gracias. (Applause.)

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you. Gracias. Buenas noches. (Applause.) Bienvenidos. Welcome to the Cinco de Mayo at the White House.  (Applause.)   

Nothing ruins a good fiesta like a long speech from a politician. (Laughter.) So I'm going to keep it short.

MRS. OBAMA: Keep it short.(Laughter.) 

THE PRESIDENT:  Keep it short. I just want to acknowledge a few proud Latinos and friends of Latinos who are here with us tonight:  A great friend to me and to the United States, Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan is here, from Mexico, with his lovely wife Verónica.  (Applause.)  Interior....

Joe Biden update: If it's Thursday, this must be Iraq

Vice President Joe Biden -- remember him? -- has fled the non-political violence of the United States to visit the distant lands of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iraq not yet wracked by the violence of civilian peace times.

The ex-senator is putting on a lot of frequent-flier miles this week. He first showed up in Afghanistan unannounced. Well, actually, he wasn't unannounced. For security concerns, Americans back home had no idea where their vice president was.

But, it turns out, Afghan President Hamid Karzai and probably one or two others in that troubled land knew all about it last week.

And all the heavily-armed Afghan soldiers lined up for the foreigner's brief photo-op may have had a hint that someone important would soon be smiling around -- even if not everyone standing there holding a gun as they were told knew that the grey-haired grinning guy entered the U.S. Senate, whatever that is, when President Obama was a sixth-grader, whatever that is.

In all three countries Biden met with political and military leaders. Everyone was smiling and jokey for the 60 seconds that the traveling media pool was allowed to witness. Much of the usual talk about working together and increasing security and turning things over to whomever is left standing. And how the U.S. is only helping out and isn't interested in staying anywhere.

In Afghanistan, Biden chatted up some U.S. troops at breakfast, and when he discovered a bunch from somewhere called Delaware, he hung around to commiserate over football losses by the Eagles and the Delaware whatevers in the Div. II NCAA Championship game.

This morning in Iraq, as bombs exploded in the distance, the VP told reporters, "I'm here to help the Iraqis celebrate the progress they made. They formed a government. And that's a good thing. They have a long way to go."

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Pool via Getty Images (Biden smiles at Afghan Army trainees).

Federal appeals court signals skepticism over some objections to Arizona's illegal immigration law

There are persistent rumors floating around of elections allegedly occurring all across the country Tuesday. So we interrupt Susan Sarandon's robo-calls on behalf of legalizing marijuana in California, to bring you this court update on the controversial Arizona illegal-immigration law's legal status.

A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals heard the case today in San Francisco. Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer was on hand as the most staunch defender of the state law, SB 1070, and one whose chances of reelection tomorrow have soared as a result.

The court's actual ruling on Arizona's appeal of a partial lower court injunction might not come for weeks. And, whatever it is, the losers will no doubt appeal the decision, likely all the way up to the Supreme Court, which could take years. So there's no Sig Alert on illegal desert border crossings quite yet.

The case is being watched extremely closely across the country. That's because 37 governor's chairs are....

Ominous new Gallup findings for Democrats: Blacks still love Obama, others not so much

The good news for President Obama is his popular support among blacks is holding steady at 91%.

The bad news is no other group of potential voters likes him that much.

In fact, 29 days before his first midterm elections, the Democrat's approval ratings remain mired below 50%.

A new Gallup Poll this morning finds his approval rating for September was 45%, almost the same as August's 44%. Obama's not exceeded the crucial 50% level in a single month so far this year.

Since Obama's name is not on any ballot Nov. 2, the proportions of Americans who like or dislike the fellow on Oct. 1 of a midterm election year shouldn't matter, in theory. However, history indicates otherwise.

Presidents with approval ratings below 50% at midterm time see their party suffer substantial losses in its congressional membership, regardless of how much explaining and blaming the president attempts in the campaign leading up to what becomes, in effect, a referendum on the president.

And since Democrats currently hold substantial majorities in both the Senate and House of Representatives, they have substantially more seats to lose. A switch of 39 House and 10 Senate seats would give control of both houses to the Republicans for the first time since they lost it in 2007.

Democrats (79%) and liberals (75%) still like Obama a lot.

But after that, his approval percentage goes to the deep south. Support among even young people is down: 57%. Hispanics: 55%. Moderates: 54%. Unmarrieds: 53%. Easterners: 52%. Women: 47%. Midwesterners and Westerners: 45%.

Men: 43%. Southerners: 41%. Independents: 40%. Marrieds: 39%. Seniors: 38%. Whites: 36%. Conservatives: 23%.

Amazingly, among Republicans Obama still manages to hold the support of 12%.

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Jim Lo Scalzo / EPA

Social media wrap: Bloomberg, Murdoch, mayors and business leaders call for immigration reform

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch joined fellow media tycoon Michael Bloomberg in calling for immigration reform Thursday before a congressional subcommittee.

Perhaps an unlikely alliance given Murdoch’s ownership of the New York Post and the tab’s frequent criticism of New York Mayor Bloomberg’s administration, the two were a cozy coalition in front of the same House Judiciary panel that last week hosted comedian Steven Colbert (who also testified on immigration issues, but a bit less seriously).

The media barons also announced a new joint initiative called Partnership for a New American Economy and website RenewOurEconomy.org that seeks to promote a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants currently in the U.S. alongside the securing of American borders and restrictions on business hiring of illegal workers. 

Bloomberg tweeted repeatedly on issues he raised before the committee, largely spelling out the ...

Social media wrap: Brewer, Issa, Thompson and others react to Arizona immigration law [updated]

 

[Updated at 5:27 p.m.:

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.): my reaction to the court ruling on the #Arizona #immigration law http://tinyurl.com/2vs7q4g

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: According to the Supremacy Clause of our constitution, immigration is a federal issue. Today’s decision is the right one ... The court decision to enjoin the worst parts of AZ’s SB 1070 reaffirms Americans' most basic constitutional rights.

Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.): Disappointed in this ruling today – our immigration laws need to be strengthened, not weakened. http://fb.me/uclMVqAp

Michigan Atty. Gen. Mike Cox: Today a fed judge enjoined AZ immigration law from taking effect. We will assist Gov Brewer's appeal to allow AZ to protects its citizens

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee: This is no longer a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It's a government of the government, by the government and for the government.
 

 

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer: The fight is far from over. Arizona will prevail in its right to protect our citizens. Read my statement: http://bit.ly/btFPFS]

 

Sunday shows: Geithner, Christie, Holbrooke, Gingrich and Dean

ABC: "This Week" with Jake Tapper: Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner, Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.).

CBS: "Face the Nation": Abigail Thernstrom, Michael Eric Dyson, Cornel West.

CNN: "GPS" with Fareed Zakaria: U.S. special representative to Afghanistan Richard C. Holbrooke; Richard N. Haass of the Council on Foreign Relations.

CNN: "State of the Union" with Candy Crowley: Christopher Edley, UC Berkeley Law School; John McWhorter; Mort Zuckerman; Steve Forbes.

Fox: "Fox News Sunday" with Chris Wallace: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), former Gov. Howard Dean (D-Vt.), Rev. Jesse Jackson.

NBC: "Meet the Press" with David Gregory: Geithner, Anita Dunn and Marc Morial of the National Urban League.

-- Steve Padilla

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Photo: Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner. Credit: EPA

Social media wrap: The Great (polling) Divide: Arizona immigration vs politicians' approval ratings

 

A gulf wider than any border-protection measure has emerged between low approval ratings for our nation’s political ruling class and rising support for Arizona’s response to illegal immigration.

A new poll tweeted by Rasmussen Reports on Wednesday finds that while 26% of respondents said they are embarrassed by Arizona and its behavior, about 62% said they are not. But 59% said they are embarrassed by the nation’s “political class” and its behavior, while 23% said they are not.

By a 3-to-1 margin, the poll results conclude, respondents see the political class as a greater threat to the nation than laws such as the one passed recently in Arizona. Just 31% said the U.S. is heading in the right direction, Rasmussen tweeted later. 

That’s a tough poll to swallow for the Democratic Party and, in particular, the current administration, which has sued to prevent – or delay significantly -- Arizona from enacting legislation that many see as....