Blago survives, Illinois waits

It just made sense, didn't it?

And I don't mean in a good way.

It just felt fitting that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich was only convicted on one of the 24 charges brought against him.

In a state with a rich tradition of corruption the decision seemed fitting, even if jaws dropped and eyes popped out of heads when it was revealed.

Why would we expect Blago to go down hard? Granted, he still may with a retrial imminent, but seeing him on morning talk shows and struggling through interviews with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show instead of awaiting a significant jail sentence is, well, disappointing.

Although Blago won, at least for now, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has to be awfully embarrassed. For some reason, he decided to try to ramp up the charge count against Blagojevich with 24 different charges, likely confusing jurors.

If he cut that number in half the jury would have reached more verdicts.

Instead, Fitzgerald pulled a vintage John Kerry, snatching defeat (yes, this is a loss for him) from the jaws of victory, just like the former Democratic nominee for president blew a prime chance to beat George W. Bush in 2004.

Now, the state of Illinois waits again, wondering if Blagojevich will join his predecessor, George Ryan, behind bars.

At least we caught a break last week, when Blago's brother, Rob, saw all charges against him dropped.

Some experts think that could pave the way toward Rod being found guilty when his second trial starts, which won't be any time before January.

Until then, the state of Illinois waits, head in hands, jaw up from the floor, numb to anything that its politics could bring them.