The Power of Jeff Gerth Compels You!

You can tell a Democrat is coming to power, because the New York Times is revisiting the era when money-losing land deals were a tell-tale sign of corruption.

Mr. Obama placed the call to his political mentor, Emil Jones Jr., president of the Illinois Senate. Mr. Jones was a critic of the legislation, which sought to curb the influence of money in politics, as was Mr. Blagojevich, who had vetoed it. But after the call from Mr. Obama, the Senate overrode the veto, prompting the governor to press state contractors for campaign contributions before the law’s restrictions could take effect on Jan. 1, prosecutors say.

Which naturally leads the Times to say this:

Beyond the irony of its outcome, Mr. Obama’s unusual decision to inject himself into a statewide issue during the height of his presidential campaign was a reminder that despite his historic ascendancy to the White House, he has never quite escaped the murky and insular world of Illinois politics.

Okay, first of all, as Will Bunch notes, getting elected President sort of qualifies as an escape from Illinois politics. Second of all, making an effort at reform in your home state equals corruption?

[cross-posted at Firedoglake]