American politics and corruption

Is politics for public service or personal gain? That’s one of the many questions raised when a US Senate seat is put up for sale.

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested and charged with offering Barack Obama’s senate seat for sale to the highest bidder.

The President-elect, himself a product of Chicago politics, made a distinction between what he called two separate traditions: public service and "what’s in it for me." But, in a political system that’s based on wheeling and dealing, what constitutes breaking the law? Just how did Blagojevich step over the line? Does the incident reveal anything about Obama? With the US preaching democracy, how does it look to the rest of the world?

Guests:
– Daniel Lowenstein: Professor of Law, UCLA
– Lawrence O’Donnell: former Chief of State, US Senate Finance Committee
– Dick Simpson: former Chicago Alderman
– Nancy Boswell: President and CEO, US Chapter of Transparency International

Hosted by award-winning journalist Warren Olney, "To the Point" presents informative and thought-provoking discussion of major news stories — front-page issues that attract a savvy and serious news audience.

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