Early arrest.

Pat Buchannon, a man I am sure I've almost never agreed with in my life, writes an interesting article here.

Why, if Fitzgerald was listening to the wiretaps and laying his trap for the governor and corrupt politicians interested in buying a U.S. Senate seat, did he abort the operation with his 6 a.m. arrests of Blagojevich and his chief of staff? Why spring the trap when the mouse is just outside, mulling over whether to go for the cheese?

Personally, I think Fitzgerald saved Obama's ass by arresting Blag. early. The indicators are that Obama's office was in deeper than they are admitting but not Obama himself. Fitz has more than enough to treat the wound that is Blag., cauterize, and insure that no infection spreads.

Or BHO indicated he would not wait until he was in office for Blag to go down and Fitz had little choice. Obama knew full well he had a bleeder on his hands in Blag. If JJJ goes down now - so be it. It is not as if he won't have company under the Obama bus.

OR Fitz wanted to get something for his trouble and allowing the investigation to stretch past January 20 leaves him open to being fired. If he was not to be fired, then Fitz is, at least, avoiding a constitutional crisis. So enough evidence on the tapes to cook Blag. before Obama was sucked in completely - will have to do.

Why? Simple enough. This scandal is appalling. It could easily overrun the first months of the Obama Administration if allowed to fester. Did Fitz. save Obama's transition?

He may have.