Sad to say, Illinoisians could have told you that about Obama’s taste in associates long ago… the three politicians he gave the most support to over the years were Impeachment Boy himself, Rod Blagojevich; John Stroger, the ultimate Chicago machine hack, who at the time of Obama’s crucial show of support over a reformer, was literally brain-dead of a stroke; and Alexi Giannoulias, scion to a mob-connected bank. Needless to say, far better candidates existed on the scene, and Obama’s support was crucial to ensuring they didn’t get into power.