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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    In American Politics, Is Corruption Business as Usual?

    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. We talk about what constitutes corruption in a political system based on trading favors. Also, the latest on the Big Three bailout, and Bush, Obama and closing Guantánamo Bay.

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    By Warren Olney • Dec 12, 2008 • 1h 0m Listen

    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. We talk about what constitutes corruption in a political system based on trading favors. Also, the White House may tap TARP to bailout the auto industry. On Reporter's notebook, will new trials before "military commissions" make it harder for Barack Obama to close Guantánamo Bay?

    Banner image: Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich leaves his home on December 11, 2008 in Chicago. Photo: Brian Kersey/Getty Images

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 1:45

      White House May Tap TARP to Bailout Auto Industry

      Republicans in the Senate killed the Big Three bailout last night. Now the Bush White House may be ready to do what it has said it would not -- help Ford, Chrysler and General Motors with some of the $700 billion originally appropriated for Wall Street.

      Read the story
      6 min
    2. 7:47

      Illinois Governor Blagojevich and the Politics of Corruption

      On Monday of this week, 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 yesterday between what he called two separate traditions: public service and "what's in it for me."

      Read the story
      35 min
    3. 43:08

      Closing 'Gitmo,' Easier Said that Done?

      Even President Bush has said he'd like to close the prison at Guantánamo Bay.  In his presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised he'd do the job. But despite doubts about so-called "military commissions," the top prosecutor at "Gitmo" is starting new trials for suspected terrorists.

      Read the story
      7 min
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

      NewsNationalPolitics

    In this episode

    3 stories
    1. 1:456 min

      White House May Tap TARP to Bailout Auto Industry

    2. 7:4735 min

      Illinois Governor Blagojevich and the Politics of Corruption

    3. 43:087 min

      Closing 'Gitmo,' Easier Said that Done?

    Back to To the Point