One thing is loud and clear just 24 hours after the story broke of Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff being charged with political corruption: editorial pages say he must resign.
Chicago Tribune: Governor Blagojevich, Resign
It has been clear for more than a year that Gov. Rod Blagojevich is not capable of governing. As we said in October 2007, he is "an intentionally divisive governor and a profoundly unhelpful influence." He has tried to circumvent the authority of the legislature and spend money this state doesn't have. He has been plagued by growing investigations of cronyism and corruption.
Chicago Sun-Times: Gov. Blagojevich Must Go -- Right Now
If Gov. Blagojevich does not resign immediately, impeach him.
This is the inescapable conclusion that comes after reading Tuesday’s 76-page criminal complaint against the governor alleging a runaway crime spree of political corruption.
New York Times: The Strange Tale of Gov. Blagojevich
We have seen a lot of political hubris, scratch-my-back politics and sheer stupidity over the years. But nothing could prepare us for the charges brought Tuesday against Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois.
The Washington Post: Mr. Blagojevich's Arrest
After the governor of Illinois is accused of trying to sell a Senate seat, the state needs to find a way to fill it honestly.
Chicago Sun-Times: Another Reason Ryan Must Serve Full Sentence
In charging yet another Illinois governor, the U.S. attorney’s office delivered one more powerful argument for keeping former Gov. George Ryan in prison.
State Journal-Register: Our Opinion: Blagojevich Must Resign Now
If five-plus years of utterly inept governance have not made it obvious enough, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald’s criminal complaint Tuesday did: It is time for Rod Blagojevich to step down as governor of Illinois.
Rockford Register Star: He Let Us Down: Blagojevich Should Resign
The culture of corruption that Rod Blagojevich vowed to do away with when he first campaigned for governor in 2002 has grown to such grotesque proportions that prosecutors say, even by Illinois’ standards, he has brought the state to a "truly new low."
The (Bloomington) Pantagraph: Blagojevich Should Resign Immediately as Governor
Thank you, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Thank you for helping Illinois do what it seems incapable of doing on its own - cleaning up corruption in Illinois government.
In charging yet another governor, the U.S. attorney’s office delivered one more powerful argument for keeping former Gov. George Ryan in prison. If five-plus years of utterly inept governance have not made it obvious enough, ’s criminal complaint Tuesday did: It is time for Rod Blagojevich to step down as governor of Illinois. The culture of corruption that Rod Blagojevich vowed to do away with when he first campaigned for governor in 2002 has grown to such grotesque proportions that prosecutors say, even by Illinois’ standards, he has brought the state to a "truly new low." Thank you, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Thank you for helping Illinois do what it seems incapable of doing on its own - cleaning up corruption in Illinois government.
