Is Rod Blagojevich out Twittering today to tell his side of the story? Or is an impostor posting tweets like "How about joining me for a keg party in my office later?" Given a ribald remark such as this it may seem obvious to people living outside Illinois that it must be a fake. But for those of us who have observed this politician for years, this could be quintessential Blago. After all, he has defied explicit demands that he not appoint a senator. He has cavalierly waved away calls for his resignation. His reputation in tatters, he's like the guy driving an old beater, if he slams into your vehicle he has very little to lose. Consider also that it is rumored among political insiders that the Governor's judgment is off kilter--a little wacky, even.
And what if it is an impostor? In that case, it's open season on Blagojevich's already ragged reputation. His nothing-to-lose situation is being further amplified across Twitter, one of the world's most viral social network tools, inviting a flurry of comments. The irony is that
Blagojevich has been tough on this kind of fraud, signing into law a bill in 2006 that made impersonating a public official, law enforcement officer, or fire fighter a Class 2 felony.
This is a wake up call to all politicians hoping to protect their identities. This is a first-hand example of the wild, wild Web where identity theft is common. An unscrupulous person can craft an account in your name, start a conversation with millions and hijack your brand. In the business world, it could be considered a form of "ambush marketing."
Either way, for Blago, it's hard to see it as anything other than more of the same: Bad decisions, bad news, bad karma.