...but if its an aide to a Democratic governor? Different story:

SPRINGFIELD -- A high-ranking official in Gov. Blagojevich's office spent nearly two years in a federal prison for refusing to aid a government terrorism probe into a series of bombings in Chicago and New York City.

Steven Guerra, Blagojevich's $120,000-a-year deputy chief of staff for community services, was identified by federal prosecutors as a member of the Puerto Rican separatist group, FALN, which was behind a wave of violence and killings in the 1970s and early 1980s.

In 1983, Guerra, now 53, was among five people convicted in New York of contempt of court for refusing to testify before a federal grand jury investigating the group. The felony conviction resulted in a three-year prison sentence for Guerra, who was released in 1986 after serving 23 months.

Federal prosecutors labeled Guerra and his four co-defendants "a danger to the community," and said they advocated armed violence, kidnappings, hijackings and prison breaks in the name of a "free" Puerto Rico.

The lead prosecutor in Guerra's case, James D. Harmon Jr., said it is clear to him that the man he helped convict has no business working for state government. "He had his opportunity to help the government. Someone who refused to help the government, in my opinion, forfeits his right to earn a living from any government at any time," the former prosecutor said.

As an aside: You'll note that there's no mention here of party affiliation...of course, in this case it could simply be a matter of the MSM figuring that everyone knows if a politician is employed in government after having terrorist connections, he's almost certain to be a Democrat...

Now, back to the case at hand:

Governor Blagojevich says he's standing by his man - and that is all too typical of Democrats, as Matt and I have long noted that Democrats simply will not cut lose from a tainted party member UNLESS that party member puts a Democrat-held seat at risk. Now, who recommended Guerra to the Governor for employment? Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) who was a lobbyist on behalf of those Puerto Rican terrorists pardoned by President Clinton in 1999. You know, the time period when our leftwing friends assure us that President Clinton was hot on the trail of the terrorists and fervently protecting us against that scourge.

There is a slight chance that this terrorist-connected Democrat will be forced out - Governor Blagojevich's Administration is hopelessly mired in typical Democrat corruption, and this might be more than he can sustain. But that would be the only reason Guerra would be forced out - if Democrats figure that Guerra is an electoral liability. Other than that, his connections with murderers and his advocacy of violent action against the United States government is completely forgivable among Democrats.

UPDATE: As another aside, just what the heck do you do as a "deputy chief of staff for community services" which merits 120 grand a year?

This content was used with the permission of Blogs For Bush.