Pay-to-play politics refers to the offering of money in exchange for the opportunity to participate in certain political activity. This is the system often used by large campaign contributers who want to have access and/or influence over policymakers.
Pay-to-play politics is a term being used to describe Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich alleged soliciting of both the vacant seat in the Senate, left by President-elect Barack Obama and a high-ranking position in Obama's cabinet.WSJ.com: Illinois Governor Arrested Amid... (December 9, 2008)
Rod Blagojevich Arrested
- Blagojevich and his chief of staff were arrested on December 9, 2008ChicagoTribune.com: Illinois Gov. Blagojevich...arrested
- Charges: Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and solicitation of briberyChicagoTribune.com: Illinois Gov. Blagojevich...arrested
- Arrest was made after a three-year investigation by federal authoritiesChicagoTribune.com: Illinois Gov. Blagojevich...arrested
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Tom Delay allegedly implemented pay-to-play tactics during his K Street ProjectOurFuture.org: Pay-to-play Politics
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Fact:
Duke Cunningham took bribes from defense contractors in return for rewarding the contractors no-bid contractsOurFuture.org: Pay-to-play Politics
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Fact:
Blagojevich's arrest is a result of attempting to sell a vacant seat in the Senate to the highest bidderWSJ.com: Illinois Governor Arrested Amid... (December 9, 2008)
