Illinois Gov. Charged With Trying To Sell President-Elect Obama's Former Senate Seat

[QuasiMondo]

Governor Is Held In Inquiry Into Filling Obama's Seat   click to show 

Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois was arrested by federal authorities on Tuesday morning and charged with corruption, including an allegation that he conspired to profit from his authority to appoint President-elect Barack Obama’s successor in the United States Senate, prosecutors said.

As Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat, mulled the Senate appointment, prosecutors say, he discussed gaining “a substantial salary” at a nonprofit foundation or organization connected to labor unions, placing his wife on corporate boards where she might earn as much as $150,000 a year and trying to gain promises of campaign money, or even a cabinet post or ambassadorship, for himself.

A 76-page affidavit from the United States Attorney’s office in the Northern District of Illinois says Mr. Blagojevich (pronounced bluh-GOY-uh-vich) was heard on wiretaps over the last month planning to “sell or trade Illinois’ United States Senate seat vacated by Pres-elect Barack Obama for financial and personal benefits for himself and his wife.”

The charges are part of a five-year investigation into public corruption and allegations of “pay to play” deals in the clubby world of Illinois politics. Federal authorities said Mr. Blagojevich’s chief of staff, John Harris, was also indicted on Tuesday. Both men are expected to appear in federal court for the first time later Tuesday.

Mr. Blagojevich, a Democrat in his second term who came into office in 2002, portrayed himself as a reformer after the one-term of the former governor, George Ryan, who was convicted of racketeering and fraud in 2006.

For more than a year, members of Mr. Blagojevich’s administration have been under investigation. But few here have imagined that the decision on replacing Mr. Obama might have resulted in criminal charges.

In addition to the charges related to Mr. Obama’s Senate seat, Mr. Blagojevich is accused of crimes related to past behavior. As part of the charges, he is accused, prosecutors say, of working to gain benefits for himself, his family and his campaign fund in exchange for appointments to state boards and commissions.

Under Illinois law, Mr. Blagojevich has sole authority to fill the seat being vacated by Mr. Obama, who was elected to the Senate in 2004.

According to the indictment, while talking on the telephone about the Senate seat replacement with his chief of staff and an adviser, Mr. Blagojevich said he needed to consider his family and their financial struggles. “I want to make money,” he said, according to prosecutors. He then added, they allege, that he wanted to make $250,000 to $300,000 a year.

In a release, Patrick Fitzgerald, the prosecutor, said Mr. Blagojevich “put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States Senator.”

Mr. Blagojevich even contemplated stepping into the Senate himself, prosecutors said.

“I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain,” Mr. Blagojevich said in a recorded conversation with an adviser, according to the affidavit. “You hear what I’m saying. And if I don’t get what I want and I’m not satisfied with it, then I’ll just take the Senate seat myself.”

According to the affidavit from prosecutors, Mr. Blagojevich told an adviser last week that he might “get some (money) upfront, maybe” from one of the candidates hoping to replace Mr. Obama. That person was identified only as “Candidate 5.”

In an earlier recorded conversation, prosecutors say, Mr. Blagojevich said he was approached by an associate of “Candidate 5” with an offer of $500,000 in exchange for the Senate seat.

The authorities also say Mr. Blagojevich threatened to withhold state assistance from the Tribune Company, the publisher of the Chicago Tribune and Los Angeles Times, which filed for bankruptcy on Monday. According to the authorities, Mr. Blagojevich wanted members of the Tribune’s editorial board, who had criticized him, to be fired before he extended any state assistance.

An official at the governor’s office had no immediate comment on Tuesday. A telephone message left at Mr. Obama’s transition office was not immediately returned.

Jack Healy contributed from New York.

If the Feds' allegations correct, then what he did was breathtaking in both its audacity to try this, as well as his stupidity to try this.

Now that he's been charged, does he have to vacate his seat as Governor?
Does he still have the authority to appoint a senate replacement for Pres.-Elect Obama?
Does this give Jesse Jackson, Jr. a shot at being appointed, or does this change anything at all?

[Derwood]

Yeah, Blago is a creep.

[SecretMethod70]

We here in Illinois knew Blago was going to go down soon for something...but I must admit I'm pretty shocked and incensed that this bastard had the audacity to try and sell Obama's senate seat after he had been brought up in Tony Rezko's trial and was put on the Feds radar. Hopefully they find enough evidence for the other things he's suspected of as well.

As for what this means with regards to the senate seat, it's hard to say. Hopefully Blago will step down sooner rather than later so that Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn can name the appointment. Who that will be is anyone's guess now.

[Derwood]

Step One: Sell Obama's Seat
Step Two: If Step One fails, take seat yourself.
Step Three: Run for President in 2016
Step Four: PROFIT?

[The_Jazz]

Blagoevich is no Ray Blanton. I'm sitting at O'Hare, so I can't link to wikipedia, but that's my personal high water mark for corruption.

Honestly, I wouldn't have had a problem if he were just trying to get an ambassadorship for himself. That sort of horse-trading is ok so far as I'm concerned since its still public service and he couldn't do much harm. ALL the other allegations, though, bother me a lot.

I read the indictment, and there are NO allegations that Obama knew anything about this, and its hard to see how he would given the way Illinois law works on replacing a senator.

[QuasiMondo]

Originally Posted by Derwood

Step One: Sell Obama's Seat
Step Two: If Step One fails, take seat yourself.
Step Three: Run for President in 2016
Step Four: PROFIT?

You missed a step.

Step One: Sell Obama's Seat
Step Two: If Step One fails, take seat yourself.
Step Three: Run for President in 2016
Step Four: ??????
Step Five: PROFIT!!!!

Originally Posted by The Jazz

Honestly, I wouldn't have had a problem if he were just trying to get an ambassadorship for himself. That sort of horse-trading is ok so far as I'm concerned since its still public service and he couldn't do much harm. ALL the other allegations, though, bother me a lot.

Oh, you can do plenty harm as an ambassador. Look at what John Bolten did for us at the UN.

[The_Jazz]

Yeah, but how much bad could he have done as ambassador to Lichtenstein, Liberia or Mongolia?

UN ambassador is something completely different, as I think you're seeing with Obama raising back to Cabinet-level.

How long until Blago resigns? Does he last the week? Wait to be impeached? This is going to be nuts!

[dksuddeth]

one can only hope that somehow this comes with some backlash against daley as well.

[QuasiMondo]

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

Yeah, but how much bad could he have done as ambassador to Lichtenstein, Liberia or Mongolia?

UN ambassador is something completely different, as I think you're seeing with Obama raising back to Cabinet-level.

How long until Blago resigns? Does he last the week? Wait to be impeached? This is going to be nuts!

Grease the right palms, he probably would've had them in the WTO with favored nation trade status.

[SecretMethod70]

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

Yeah, but how much bad could he have done as ambassador to Lichtenstein, Liberia or Mongolia?

UN ambassador is something completely different, as I think you're seeing with Obama raising back to Cabinet-level.

How long until Blago resigns? Does he last the week? Wait to be impeached? This is going to be nuts!

Blago is a class A douchebag, and I fully expect to see him hang on as long as he can.

It's looking more and more likely that we'll end up having a special election for senate. This should be interesting!

[Rekna]

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

Blago is a class A douchebag, and I fully expect to see him hang on as long as he can.

It's looking more and more likely that we'll end up having a special election for senate. This should be interesting!

Why would they have a special election? From what I have read the Lt Gov will become governor and he will make the appointment.

[SecretMethod70]

The Lt Gov will only become Gov if Blago is removed or resigns. It's very unlikely he will resign, and it's very questionable whether or not he will be removed before a replacement is needed. Senator Durbin has called for the state legislature to pass a law creating a special election, considering the circumstances now surrounding this appointment. The indications are that the legislature may do just that.

[dc_dux]

A special election makes alot of sense, but will Republicans in the legislature go along?

The person appointed by Blago and having to run in 2010 as the Senator appointed by the state's sleaziest governor would be a bitch of a burden to carry in a campaign.

[Rekna]

I'd say just impeach him and let the successor make the pick...

[SecretMethod70]

The U.S. Senate will not seat a Blago appointment, even if he makes it.

Impeachment proceedings take time, and no one is interested in waiting months until all of that is done for Lt. Gov. Quinn to take over and make the appointment.

A special election makes a lot of sense. As for the Republicans, a special election wouldn't be terrible for them either because they can ride on the wave of disgust over Blago, who is a Democratic governor.

Rekna: I find your opposition to a special election interesting. Why not have a special election? As a Democratic-leaning resident of Illinois, I think a special election is the best way to go, and I say this knowing full well that it could lead to a Republican senator taking over when the seat was otherwise guaranteed to be held by a Democrat.

[guy44]

Ah, Blago. You know, just when I felt like my home state wasn't quite measuring up in the corruption category, our dear governor steps up to the plate and really hit one out of the park.

Everyone - EVERYONE - in Illinois has seen this day coming for three years. Honestly, the only part I'm surprised by is selling the Senate seat.

Incidentally, the people I really feel bad for are his kids. Blago lives a couple of blocks from my parents' house, and the only time I met the man was when I gave his kids candy on Holloween. It looks like both Blago and his wife might go to jail, and his kids are going to suffer because of it. I was talking to my dad as he drove home from work, and he said that there were 15 news vans parked outside his house. Poor kids.

[guyy]

Originally Posted by The_Jazz

Yeah, but how much bad could he have done as ambassador to Lichtenstein, Liberia or Mongolia?

I had to deal with the ambassador to Luxemburg once. It could have been a much more unpleasant experience had the ambassador been someone like Blagojevich.

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by QuasiMondo

[hide=Governor Is Held In Inquiry Into Filling Obama's Seat]
If the Feds' allegations correct, then what he did was breathtaking in both its audacity to try this, as well as his stupidity to try this.

First, I generally don't like "sting type" operations by government. I think they should act on real crimes. Certainly conspiracy to do illegal activity can be a crime, but in this specific issue regarding the IL Senate seat, I think we really need to see the case being made by the government before making judgment. On the surface a senate seat does have value and it is not uncommon for political favors to be exchanged between politicians. Even at the Presidential level candidates negotiate what they may be willing to do, for example, in exchange for an endorsement. Usually it happens in a manner that is implied rather than expressed. If the only thing the governor is guilty of is saying the appointment has value and that he expects something in return but never made any expressed demands, I am not sure there is a good case against him on that specific issue. From what I have read they do have enough on some other issues to make a good case of corruption against the governor.

[Rekna]

Originally Posted by SecretMethod70

Rekna: I find your opposition to a special election interesting. Why not have a special election? As a Democratic-leaning resident of Illinois, I think a special election is the best way to go, and I say this knowing full well that it could lead to a Republican senator taking over when the seat was otherwise guaranteed to be held by a Democrat.

Two reasons: 1) its the current law and 2) it would save lots of money.

[SecretMethod70]

Reading today that my current jerk of a congressman is considering running if there's a special election, I'm inclined to agree

Actually, I'm kidding, it just means I'll vote against him a second time within one year. It's true that it would be expensive, but I can't think of a better way to ensure that our new senator is cleanly picked and unencumbered by the idiocy of Blago.

Lt. Gov. Quinn has come out in support of a special election as well, so it doesn't seem he has much interest in making the pick.

[QuasiMondo]

Goddamnit, say it ain't so.

Offiicials Say Jackson, Jr. Was 'Candidate 5' In Case   click to show 

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities on Wednesday identified Democratic Representative Jesse Jackson Jr. of Illinois as the potential United States Senate candidate who was portrayed in court papers made public Tuesday as being the most deeply enmeshed in the alleged scheme by Gov. Rod Blagojevich to benefit from his appointment of a new senator to the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

A lawyer for Mr. Jackson acknowledged that Mr. Jackson was the person identified as "Candidate 5" in the criminal complaint, but said that Mr. Jackson denied any wrongdoing and was not aware of anyone cutting deals on his behalf.

“Congressman Jackson has never authorized anyone to seek the governor’s support in return of money, fundraising, or other things of value,” the lawyer, James D. Montgomery Sr., said at a news conference in Chicago. "Secondly, the congressman is not aware of any alleged associate having made such a proposal.”

A short time later, Mr. Jackson appeared at a news conference here in which he angrily denounced Mr. Blagojevich, called for the governor’s resignation and asserted that he had done nothing wrong.

“I never sent a message or an emissary to the governor to make offers plead my case or propose a deal about a United States Senate seat, period,” Mr. Jackson said. “I thought mistakenly that the governor was evaluating me and other Senate hopefuls based on our credentials and qualifications.”

“I did not know the process had been corrupted,” he added.

Mr. Jackson said that he would meet with federal authorities and cooperate “fully and completely” with the investigation. He did not take questions to address his role as the anonymous Candidate 5 identified in the affidavit against Mr. Blagojevich.

Mr. Jackson said in an earlier interview with ABC News that he did not know whether he was Candidate 5 but added that the prosecutors in Chicago told him earlier this week that he was not a target of the criminal inquiry. Mr. Jackson and his representatives campaigned for the appointment publicly and visibly throughout November, trying to make the case that he was the favored candidate. An official in Mr. Jackson’s office, Kenneth Edmonds, provided the New York Times with a poll that commissioned before Election Day showing Mr. Jackson to be the most popular choice among Illinois residents.

In the news conference, Mr. Jackson said he met with Mr. Blagojevich for 90 minutes on Monday to discuss the job after not having spoken with him for more than four years. Mr. Jackson, the son of the civil rights leader, said he never authorized anyone to offer anything in return for the appointment.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Jackson said in comments broadcast by ABC News: “It is impossible for someone on my behalf to have a conversation that would suggest any type of quid pro quo or any payments or offers. An impossibility to an absolute certainty.”

Federal prosecutors in Chicago would not discuss the identity of Candidate 5 and would not comment on whether Mr. Jackson would be interviewed in the case.

The identity of Candidate 5 has been a mystery since the filing of a legal complaint on Tuesday accusing Mr. Blagojevich and an aide of engaging in corruption and conspiracy, stemming in part from an alleged effort by the Governor to sell off Mr. Obama’s seat in return for campaign contributions and lucrative jobs for Mr. Blagojevich and his family.

Of the six candidates for the senate seat who are identified by number in the complaint, but not named, only Candidate 5 is said to have engaged in possible wrongdoing by engaging in discussions through an emissary about a possible quid pro quo with Mr. Blagovich’s camp. The emissary was also not identified by name.

According to the compliant, Mr. Blagojevich threatened to appoint Candidate 5 to the vacant post, rather than another candidate he thought Mr. Obama would prefer, if Mr. Obama would not help place Mr. Blagojevich’s wife “on paid corporate boards right now.”

The complaint also said that in a wiretapped conversation on Oct. 31, Mr. Blagojevich told an associate about an approach by the emissary from Candidate 5: “We were approached ‘pay to play.’ That you know, he’d raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him [Senate Candidate 5] a senator.”

Susan Saulny contributed reporting from Chicago.

[SecretMethod70]

Remember, all we have is what Blago said. Fitzgerald made it very clear that Jackson and the others are not targets of the investigation. That said, we'll see how this all plays out. For now, I see no reason not to give Jackson the benefit of the doubt.

[Rekna]

The news coverage of this is making me sick. The right wing is trying desperately to link this to Obama though there is no evidence nor even suggestion from anyone involved in the investigation that Obama was involved. They have even tried to coin the phrase blagogate.... give me a friggen break...

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by Rekna

The news coverage of this is making me sick. The right wing is trying desperately to link this to Obama though there is no evidence nor even suggestion from anyone involved in the investigation that Obama was involved. They have even tried to coin the phrase blagogate.... give me a friggen break...

Obama is linked to this. There is no evidence that Obama did anything wrong, but it was his seat, his state, his party, a governor he knows from his state, people he knows interested in his seat, a group of people involved from his city, etc,etc,etc.

So, why don't liberals take the "advice" given to Bush during his "scandals"? Let's put everybody under oath, ask them very detailed questions, and if they get it wrong charge them with perjury. Worked on Libby.

[Tully Mars]

Yeah it worked so well on Libby Bush pardoned him.

Using the six degrees of separation game like this you can connect almost anyone in politics to this scandal. The question isn't whether he's connected to this- it's whether he or any one in his staff have engaged in inappropriate actions.

[dc_dux]

Originally Posted by aceventura3

Obama is linked to this. There is no evidence that Obama did anything wrong, but it was his seat, his state, his party, a governor he knows from his state, people he knows interested in his seat, a group of people involved from his city, etc,etc,etc.

So, why don't liberals take the "advice" given to Bush during his "scandals"? Let's put everybody under oath, ask them very detailed questions, and if they get it wrong charge them with perjury. Worked on Libby.

ace...the difference is Fitzgerald said repeatedly that Obama was in no way part of the investigation and those around him were cooperating....unlike the Bush WH crowd.

Libby was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice because the jury determined that he lied and impeded the FBI investigation! But you know better than the jury.

[Rekna]

How many times has Bush gone under oath since he was elected President?

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by Rekna

How many times has Bush gone under oath since he was elected President?

Zero. I would expect Obama to go under oath zero times as well. You will find my opinion on Executive Power won't change based on who is in the WH.
-----Added 15/12/2008 at 11 : 29 : 36-----

Originally Posted by dc_dux

ace...the difference is Fitzgerald said repeatedly that Obama was in no way part of the investigation and those around him were cooperating....unlike the Bush WH crowd.

Libby was charged with perjury and obstruction of justice because the jury determined that he lied and impeded the FBI investigation! But you know better than the jury.

We know what happened and we know Fitzgerald knew who leaked the information at the time he had Libby under oath and knew it was not Libby.

Do you support Emanuel being placed under oath and possibly being set up for a perjury charge?

Do you acknowledge the fact that Fitzgerald could easily set Emanuel up for perjury?

Is that acceptable to you?
-----Added 15/12/2008 at 11 : 35 : 26-----

Originally Posted by Tully Mars

Yeah it worked so well on Libby Bush pardoned him.

Using the six degrees of separation game like this you can connect almost anyone in politics to this scandal. The question isn't whether he's connected to this- it's whether he or any one in his staff have engaged in inappropriate actions.

We certainly don't need six degrees of separation in this case. I think there has been direct contacts between all the parties, they know each other pretty well.

One thing I am not clear on. I lived near Chicago an I am familiar with Chicago politics, but I am not really familiar with inside the beltway politics.

So, is Obama bringing Chicago big league cronyism/corruption style politics to Washington or is Obama going to the big leagues of Washington cronyism/corruption style politics from Chicago?

[dc_dux]

Originally Posted by aceventura3

We know what happened and we know Fitzgerald knew who leaked the information at the time he had Libby under oath and knew it was not Libby.

We dont know the extent of the WH participationg because Libby lied unmder oath and impeded the investigation....and the WH destroyed e-mails related to the WH actions.

Do you support Emanuel being placed under oath and possibly being set up for a perjury charge?

Do you acknowledge the fact that Fitzgerald could easily set Emanuel up for perjury?

Is that acceptable to you?[/

There is nothing to suggest that Emaual is a suject of the investigation or even a material witness. If so, he should cooperate

And stop with the bullshit the Lbby was set up for perjury. Its simple to avoid perjury......TELL THE TRUTH!!!!

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by dc_dux

And stop with the bullshit the Lbby was set up for perjury. Its simple to avoid perjury......TELL THE TRUTH!!!!

I remember a statement from the Obama camp that they had no contact with the governor regarding the Senate seat, then I heard there was. Which was the lie?

[dc_dux]

The Obama camp is fully cooperating with any request from Fitzgerald.

You just wont accept that.

[Rekna]

The extreme right wants Obama to be corrupt so badly that they can't even take a fair look anything he does or doesn't do. Fortunately something like 80% of the population currently approve of Obama so it seems to me that the extreme right has been very limited in their influence.

[Jinn]

BLAGOJEVICH: They are unwilling to give me anything but appreciation. Fuck them! I’ve got this thing and it’s fucking golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for fuckin’ nothing. I’m not gonna do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there, motherfucker Obama… Fuck him. For nothing? Fuck him.

That, said in a conversation he wasn't aware was being recorded, was all I needed to vindicate Obama. I don't think this can be lumped in the Hannity-esque "I'm questioning his character judgment" attack - I don't see these two being terribly close.

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by dc_dux

The Obama camp is fully cooperating with any request from Fitzgerald.

You just wont accept that.

I accept what has happened so far and I see no reason why Obama and his team won't cooperate in the future. In fact, I am not even sure there has been a crime regarding the Senate seat. I think Fitzgerald was force to make the arrest because of an article being released by the Chicago Tribune. I am sure his preference would have been to capture the actual payoff agreement on tape if it was going to happen. And if it was not going to happen what is the point of all of this?

However, you simply choose not to respond to my question(s).
-----Added 15/12/2008 at 01 : 51 : 52-----

Originally Posted by Rekna

The extreme right wants Obama to be corrupt so badly that they can't even take a fair look anything he does or doesn't do. Fortunately something like 80% of the population currently approve of Obama so it seems to me that the extreme right has been very limited in their influence.

Obama is a politician, and a good one. Nothing political happens in Chicago without favors being exchanged. I am not saying he broke any laws, but there is no doubt he plays the game and played the game in a machine geared for cronyism and corruption.

[Rekna]

Originally Posted by aceventura3

I accept what has happened so far and I see no reason why Obama and his team won't cooperate in the future. In fact, I am not even sure there has been a crime regarding the Senate seat. I think Fitzgerald was force to make the arrest because of an article being released by the Chicago Tribune. I am sure his preference would have been to capture the actual payoff agreement on tape if it was going to happen. And if it was not going to happen what is the point of all of this?

However, you simply choose not to respond to my question(s).
-----Added 15/12/2008 at 01 : 51 : 52-----


Obama is a politician, and a good one. Nothing political happens in Chicago without favors being exchanged. I am not saying he broke any laws, but there is no doubt he plays the game and played the game in a machine geared for cronyism and corruption.

So Obama is corrupt because he is from Chicago... Good to know there is no prejudice here at all.... Might as well say he is corrupt because he is black (after all its the same type of logic).

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by Rekna

So Obama is corrupt because he is from Chicago... Good to know there is no prejudice here at all.... Might as well say he is corrupt because he is black (after all its the same type of logic).

I thought I made it clear that I was not saying he broke any laws, most Chicago politicians stay within the law. However, I grew up about 30 miles outside of Chicago, I saw Chicago news on TV daily, I listened to Chicago Radio, I read Chicago Newspapers, and read books written by Chicago insiders (One of the best was Mike Royco, a columnist for the Trib before he died, he wrote opinion pieces and books, a true insider with a good use of humor, he won a Pulitzer Prize) and in my experience and based on what I know a Chicago politician can not be a true independent, he can not exist without being beholden to someone. In order to get in the game you have to play the game, your connections and exchanging favors is everything. You have to have a toughness and be willing to do what needs to be done to win.

[Rekna]

So you think Obama is in the pocket of someone else? That is funny because what I have read has said Obama owes less favors than any of our recent presidents because he raised his money primarily from individuals instead of lobbyists.

So tell me if Obama has done nothing wrong then why are you trying to stain him with Blagovich's sins?

[aceventura3]

Originally Posted by Rekna

So you think Obama is in the pocket of someone else?

Obama owes Rev. Wright but I would not say he is in Wright's pocket. I think Obama owes Emil Jones but I would not say Obama is in Jone's pocket. That just two. Here is a quote regarding Jones and Obama:

“You have the power to elect a US senator,” Obama told Emil Jones, Democratic leader of the Illinois state senate. Jones looked at the ambitious young man smiling before him and asked, teasingly: “Do you know anybody I could make a US senator?”

According to Jones, Obama replied: “Me.” It was his first, audacious step in a spectacular rise from the murky political backwaters of Springfield, the Illinois capital.
Related Links

The exchange also sealed an intimate personal and political relationship that is likely to attract intense scrutiny amid the furore over Obama’s links to some of Chicago’s most controversial political and religious power brokers.

Barack Obama: toxic mentors start to corrode pristine campaign - Times Online

You can pretend Chicago politics is something it is not, but I don't. I was not in the Chicago area when Obama rose to power, but I know a bit about Chicago politics. the politics in Chicago has not changed over the years.

So tell me if Obama has done nothing wrong then why are you trying to stain him with Blagovich's sins?

I am not too concerned about this issue and think it will blow over fast. I am not even sure if the Il gov. committed a crime regarding the Senate seat. I just find it interesting that some say without a doubt Obama was not involved or aware and that he is cooperating, and is being transparent at a higher level than other administrations would be. I think Obama has been slow to disclose information.

At the direction of the President-elect, a review of Transition staff contacts with Governor Blagojevich and his office has been conducted and completed and is ready for release. That review affirmed the public statements of the President-elect that he had no contact with the governor or his staff, and that the President-elect’s staff was not involved in inappropriate discussions with the governor or his staff over the selection of his successor as US Senator.

Also at the President-elect’s direction, Gregory Craig, counsel to the Transition, has kept the US Attorney’s office informed of this fact-gathering process in order to ensure our full cooperation with the investigation.

In the course of those discussions, the US Attorney’s office requested the public release of the Transition review be deferred until the week of December 22, in order not to impede their investigation of the governor. The Transition has agreed to this revised timetable for release.

Washington Wire - WSJ.com : Obama Team's Statement on Blagojevich Contacts

What do they know today that they did not know last week? If they can go far enough to say nothing happened illegally why can't they say what they know now? I guess we will findout, perhaps on X-mas eve (slow news day with most focusing on the holiday).

[Rekna]

Originally Posted by aceventura3

What do they know today that they did not know last week? If they can go far enough to say nothing happened illegally why can't they say what they know now? I guess we will findout, perhaps on X-mas eve (slow news day with most focusing on the holiday).

Because the US Attorney has asked them not to... Do you think they should interfere with the requests of the US Attorney? I know that interfering with investigations is par for the course when it comes to this last administration but that doesn't make it right.

[Jinn]

You really should read Audacity of Hope, ace. I know it might be nothing more than opposition research to you, but I think it'd be worth it. The first chapter discusses the very thing you're talking about, from the politics of the 60s to the politics of Chicago. He isn't ignorant of his roots, nor his city's history.

It's awfully pie-in-the-sky for someone so jaded (realistic, depending on how you look at it) to believe that someone could rise to power outside of the power-brokering you rightfully believe exists, but keep in mind that there are still plenty of people who rightfully have the audacity to hope for something abnormal in our world of politics (like intellectual honesty).