Politics: OBAMA LINKED TO BLAGO SENATE-SEAT-FOR-SALE SCANDAL!!
And by “linked to,” I mean that the man Obama has picked to be his chief of staff gave to Blagojevich a short list of people he wouln’t object to being picked to be Obama’s replacement in the Senate. Of course, in the language of the lazy, sloppy-thinking mass media, “linked to” means the exact same thing as “guilty of.”
Rahm Emanuel doesn’t need me to defend him. Â But I’d be shocked if if someone from the Obama camp wasn’t talking to Blagojevich about his appointment.
And according to The Hill, Rahm Emmanuel and Obama may come out of this looking like goody-goodies:
Many believe Emanuel makes his own appearance in the criminal complaint, showing up as an unnamed adviser to Obama. Blagojevich curses the unnamed adviser in conversations with aides because, he says, the adviser seems unwilling to meet the governor’s demands.
In other words, Obama was unwilling to help Blago line his pockets.
But it doesn’t matter. Obama and Amanuel are “linked to” Blagojevich. Ooga booga booga. Whatever.
And Rich MIller (hat tip) makes the following observation:
Unless Rahm was wheeling and dealing with Governor Blagojevich on that Senate seat, promising favors like jobs and campaign cash, then this has absolutely zero real impact on Emanuel or Obama, especially since the feds are saying he’s not a target.
And I remain continually astounded at how willfully ignorant many commenters seem to be about Illinois politics. I caught five minutes of Michael Savage last night. In addition to pronouncing “Blago” line “Blaggo,” he kept insisting that Obama was a member of the Chicago Machine. This is true, because he is from Chicago.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:31 am
I know it’s annoying! THIS ” guilt by association ” tactic by the political conservatives and other enemies of Barack Obama is an, old, strategy…. ” If You tell a lie often enough, people will eventually believe it. It won’t work, however, because most people suspect ALL politicians are corrupt AND are far more concerned with the crumbling U.S. economy than the controversy regarding the Illinois governor! ”
Even the national media has begun to move onto the next sensational story… Brittney Spears, O.J. Simpson, Sarah Palin, Etc.
December 14th, 2008 at 1:14 am
Billy, this line is pretty humorous: “I remain continually astounded at how willfully ignorant many commenters seem to be about Illinois politics”.
Really, now how can you write that when it appears you didn’t even read the entire article you commented about:
“One alleged scheme outlined in the charges against Blagojevich involves the special election for Emanuel’s seat. The government affidavit said Blagojevich and others were recorded talking about an unnamed “president-elect adviser” concerned about the election for Emanuel’s congressional seat who might help the governor land a new job at a non-profit organization.”
Who is the most likely “president-elect adviser” to be concerned about Rahm’s seat, hmm that’s a tough one. As for the supposed ignorance of some commenters and Illinois politics… Billy you mean to tell me that Obama’s mentor just happens to be Blagojevich’s best friend in the General Assembly and you don’t think there is any crossover what so ever? I think someone else maybe out of touch with Illinois politics.
And you’re crazy if you think Rahm gives a list of suggested senate candidates to the governor and lets it go at that. He’s got too much of a reputation for anyone to be naive enough to believe that. I am not saying Obama is going down, but someone close to him will by the time this is all over with. There is just too much crossover for it not to happen.
December 14th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I’d be feeling a whole lot more secure if either Rahm or Barack had blown the whistle on Blago.
If they kept quiet about the whole sordid affair, even after they possibly found out that the seat was up for sale to the highest bidder, that makes them a bit complicit in the mess.
Don’t you think?
December 14th, 2008 at 2:46 am
The consequences of the Supreme Court declining to address the US Constitution’s “natural born citizen†clause on the morning of Monday 12/15/08 — thereafter enabling the College of Electors to transform the crisis from “law†to “political and Congressionalâ€, leading to the ‘inauguration’ of Mr. Obama, are nothing less than catastrophic. Lawsuits by members of the military challenging his ‘commander in chief’ status are INEVITABLE. And a military takeover to oust the “usurper†may be inevitable as well. Where is the media? This is no “tin foil hat†joke.
December 14th, 2008 at 7:35 am
[...] (hat tip: Peoria Pundit). [...]
December 14th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Wow, Ted. Did you forget to take your Haldol* today?
* For those who don’t know what Haldol does, it’s anti-psychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia, a mental illness characterized by delusions and paranoia.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Yeah, I have to agree with KOD. I think your accusations of a military challenge to his C-in-C status are a fabrication. No one in uniform in their right mind would even consider it. As to his “natural born citizen” status whether you believe he was born in Hawaii or not his mother was an American so thus he is. Besides either way the election could have turned it someone would be able to make the same cooky psycho accusation you just did because McCain was born in the canal zone in Panama when his dad was stationed there.
A military takeover? Seriously, I know I have said this a lot during this election season but THAT has to be one of the dumbest things I’ve ever heard. I didn’t swear an oath to a political party I swore it to the constitution and the POTUS and so did everyone else who serves.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Sorry I meant KiD.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Billy, yours is the only headline I’ve seen making such a statement. If you really intend to criticize such baseless scandal-mongering, I have to wonder what you thought it would accomplish to broadcast such a statement. You have to actually read your article to get the irony, and I think a lot of folks out there don’t bother to go much past the headline of any news source. Peppering the blogosphere and the twitterverse with this allegation will actually accomplish just what you purport to be criticizing.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:39 am
No wrongdoing in the contact itself. Depends what was said. Stay tuned.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:30 am
My favorite “ignorance” from non-Illinois commentators so far was either the BBC or the NYTimes — forget which — talking about how “Blago left his Chicago home in an unmarked black vehicle via the back alley” and then played on the alley thing to make it seem really ominous.
I wasn’t sure whether the reporter was deliberately going for atmosphere, or whether he truly had no concept that Chicago has more alleys than any other city in the world and ALL THE GARAGES LIVE IN THE ALLEYS.
Or maybe he was just bitter that all the Illinois press were out back in the alley to get the photo and he was hanging around the front door like a putz.
December 14th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
There is an ongoing Federal investigation. Likely there are plea negotiations going on and thus, Emanuel and Obama are probably restricted by a “gag order” so as not to compromise the investigation. Giving a list of people that the President – Elect feels would be a good fit for his or Emanuel’s seats is logical, not criminal. What would be “criminal” would be saying if Gov. Rod nominated their picks, they would in turn give him……I haven’t heard that this has happened. Let the investigation continue and chips fall where they may. I certainly hope Emanuel and Obama come out without a stain (personally, I think they will).