Blagojevich - Thinking ahead, perhaps?

According to Rick Pearson at Clout Street, man-of-compassion Blagojevich wants commutation for Ryan:

"Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who rode into state office pledging to clean up the corruption of his predecessor, said today that President George W. Bush should commute the federal prison sentence of former Gov. George Ryan to time served as an act of compassion.

Blagojevich, making a Thanksgiving Day appearance at the Chicago Christian Industrial League, contended Ryan had paid 'a significant price' for what he termed 'mistakes.'"

Getting caught is a mistake, no doubt about it. There, but for a little word from Rezko, goeth Blago. We should point out, as Pearson did: "He has not been charged with any wrongdoing." (Yet.)

Rick Pearson also tells us that Durbin considered "asking Bush to commute Ryan's sentence."

But a trio of former federal prosecutors who prosecuted Ryan's case have opposed a commutation, saying it would increase cynicism toward public officials convicted of public corruption and be a disservice to citizens.

Ya' think? (That is, for Illinois in general it might increase cynicism. I don't think that's possible in Chicago.) Not only that, it would be a disservice to Republicans, which in my opinion just might be the reason Durbin wants the commutation. It would be seen as an example of Republican cronyism - a win-win for both Blagojevich and Durbin, who can appear to be compassionate while managing to set up a future smear for the opposition.

We'll see.