But how do you measure "most theatrically corrupt?"

Weisberg recognized that the "unmasking" of our governor "as a kleptocrat of Paraguayan proportion" finally gave Illinois "a real chance —its first in more than a generation — to defeat Louisiana in the NCAA finals of American political corruption."

Weisberg allowed that the Corporate Crime Reporter put Louisiana first in the nation for the period from 1997 to 2006 with 7.67 federal corruption convictions per 100,000 residents. Illinois, though its absolute numbers were bigger, managed only a 4.68 convictions ratio to finish "an embarrassing sixth. . ."

Over the past decade:

Sheer number of public officials convicted in federal courts of corruption -- Florida first with 824; Illinois seventh with 502.

Convictions per capita: the District of Columbia first with 66.9 per million residents per year. If you don't count DC (and the Virgin Islands and Guam), North Dakota first with 8.3; Illinois 22nd with 4.0.

A survey of journalists!!! Rhode Island first, Louisiana second, Illinois tenth. . .
~

Blago phokked with the wrong guy?

According to the Rachel Maddow show, Fox News Chicago is reporting on who may have informed Fitzgerald of Blago's attempts to sell Obama's senate seat. That person is said to have gone to Fitzgerald after Blago reached out to him. That person is Rahm Emmanuel. Uh, Rod did you really think it was a good idea to talk to one of the toughest most cut throat politicians in the country about something that by simply having knowledge of it could have destroyed the man he works for?