It’s no secret that I hated Bob McDonnell’s “blame the wife because I was clueless” defense.
Why wasn’t the defense focusing on the prosecutors star witness, conman Jonnie Williams? Why was the defense all about Maureen McDonnell? It seems I am not the only one to ask these questions. I am not the only person to question McDonnell’s terrible defense team. It’s rare (never) that I link to a article by a democrat, much less a former democrat party chair, but Paul Goldman covered the McDonnell trial daily and has written an excellent summation here. He believes the McDonnell defense team should serve half of any sentence the McDonnells receive because they presented such a terrible defense.
Bob McDonnell’s Terrible Defense Team
20 comments
I agree with this. At times, when McD was on the stand, it sounded as though his wife ran the governor’s mansion while he went from one place to another in the car. And the 18 trips in 22 months was crushing. Those of us who know the Va Governor’s position involves a more ceremonial role than many other states, and genuinely does require a lot of schmoozing may have found that rather straight forward, but I bet non political junkies thought it was either a dodge or not that hard a job. Explaining what he did and how Williams was just a small part and illustrating how he helped people with requests who had given him nothing would have been a much better defense than “my wife had a crush and might be crazy.”
an even better defense would have been “I did not take anything from the schmuck.” Bob and his wife are quite guilty and now have to live with the consequences of their actions.
Guilty of what? Accepting gifts? That’s not illegal in Virginia.
Jeanine, they were tried on federal charges which, put simply, involved “pay to play”. personal gifts for official access. the jury found them guilty. unanimously. I realize this upsets many people, but this is our justice system. Gov McD & his wife may fare better on appeal.
She keeps repeating this so I’m not really sure she understands that the charges were brought and prosecuted by the Justice Department’s public integrity section, a watchdog unit of DOJ under Federal circuit court jurisdiction. They were not charged under any Virginia statutes as far as I understand.
“Justice Department’s public integrity section, a watchdog unit of DOJ under Federal circuit court jurisdiction.”
http://www.mainjustice.com/2014/08/06/justice-department-stonewalling-its-inspector-general-letter-says/
Yes they are the same group that mangled the John Edwards case but they hold the jurisdiction here.
Lawrence they’ve done a lot worse than mangle the Edwards’ case.
Where was ‘the play’ part? What did Williams get for the gifts?
Jeanine, i will have to go back & re-read the charges, the law & the instructions. Many of the charges are intent-based. Lawyers, help me out here. Didn’t you read any of this during the past 5 weeks?
Yes, I know and I know they were federal charges, but I think the prosecutors were heavy handed particularly in light of the fact that Governors in Virginia have always taken gifts.
also Gretchen, there is the whole other argument of “we WANT the governor to try to attract more business to Virginia”.
Perhaps the blame should go to the governor and his wife, not the lawyers. I am confused why you are defending the guy. He was a paid gov’t leader and he took money from another bad guy.
He should have had better judgment about accepting the gifts, but he didn’t do anything that merits a felony conviction. Had he been asked to (or had he acted to) influence legislation, hand out perks or jobs, direct road contracts (a la TMac’s conception of the job of Governor), make appointments or perform other official acts, the story would be different.
Not according to the jury. The guy is guilty
In my opinion your attitude about the severity of either what McDonnell admitted to doing, or what he was convicted of doing, are one of the main reasons that Republicans cannot seem to win statewide or nationwide office.
You and your Party are so out of touch with the voters you need to win elections. Oh, you may steal an election every now and then, but win an election? Not likely.
Apparently the majority of voters in 2012, 2013, and 12 jurors agree with me.
Is Bob McDonnell really just an ordinary Republican type?
What is really funny is your opinion that Bob McDonnell should have basically received a traffic ticket for what he did. That about says it all.
How is it our fault if the majority of voters are not familiar with the laws of the Commowealth?
Seems like the jury and the majority of Virginia voters are more familiar with laws written by a higher power?
Kudos to Eric Holder and the Justice Dept. for getting it right on this one!
One can go to jail for violating God’s laws? Who knew?
Well if the prosecution was complicite in structuring the counts or the judge delinquent in jury instruction the appeal process is available to correct any dereliction of justice served. But there is a large gulf between a judgement issue (do I like the blue car or the red one) and understanding and engaging in ethical behavior (do I accept large cash gifts when in a position of public trust or NOT). What some other party may or may not have done is really not germane to the question. Anyone holding elected public office better be crystal clear on the difference.