Ill. Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe

[Yonivore]

Illinois governor ignores Obama's call to resign

I can certainly envision a scenario where this guy goes kicking and screaming and naming names. He strikes me as a scorched-earth type of guy.

[Yonivore]

This may be my all-time favorite political video. The day before he’s hauled off in cuffs, Governor Blago is asked about the “cloud hanging over” his administration. His answer — among other gems in this 2 1/2 minute laugh out loud clip — is: “There’s no cloud over me. We’ve got nothing but sunshine.”

Ranks up there with Gary Hart's taunt for the media to follow him.

[Creepn]

Geez your ing annoying Yoni.

I read that other thread where people were giving you forum "props", but after reading your threads I just don't see how they could do that.

[Yonivore]

Geez your ing annoying Yoni.

I read that other thread where people were giving you forum "props", but after reading your threads I just don't see how they could do that.

Thanks for the feedback.

[ChumpDumper]

So nothing at all about Obama's involvement.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Create a Transparent and Connected Democracy

• Open Up Government to its Citizens: The Bush Administration has been one of the most secretive, closed administrations in American history. Our nation’s progress has been stifled by a system corrupted by millions of lobbying dollars contributed to political campaigns, the revolving door between government and industry, and privileged access to inside information-all of which have led to policies that favor the few against the public interest. An Obama presidency will use cutting-edge technologies to reverse this dynamic, creating a new level of transparency, accountability and participation for America's citizens.

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/te...rent-democracy

[MannyIsGod]

Yup, Obama failed on that part. He should never have put the IL gov into power.

[Yonivore]

Is Mic e Obama the "Specifically Named Individual" in the Affidavit? And, if so, what does it mean?

Inquiring minds want to know...

[Yonivore]

Tuesday, December 9, 2008:

"I had no contact with the governor or his office"

Tuesday, December 2, 2008:

Obama and Blagojevich at the National Governors Association meeting last Tuesday

Tuesday, December 16, 2008:

"That depends on what the meaning of 'contact' is..."

[Yonivore]

like this?

Nope. Not like that at all. Rumsfeld never denied that meeting.

[Yonivore]

Well, I’ll be damned…maybe the NYTimes has realized it’s their incredible bias that has caused their circulation to evaporate. It’s taken awhile but, apparently, the mainstream media has decided to start asking the Church of Obama a few relevant questions…

After all, they can’t let a scandal as juicy as Blogogate go uncovered, can they? It appears the NYTimes is a bit miffed at Team Obama over their reluctance to talk about the scandal:

”Mr. Obama said Tuesday that he had never spoken with the governor about the seat, and prosecutors have not implicated Mr. Obama or his advisers. At the same time, Mr. Obama’s team has declined for two days to answer questions about what discussions they had about the seat and whether intermediaries had any contacts with Mr. Blagojevich’s advisers.

Republicans have raised questions about Mr. Obama’s refusal to say more and about his past ties with the main characters. Even if Mr. Obama remains untouched by the investigation, it shines a light on the corrupt politics of the state he emerged from and takes attention away from the agenda of change he would rather emphasize.

“This is a huge distraction at the worst possible moment,” said Lanny J. Davis, a former White House special counsel who did damage control for President Bill Clinton.

And it can grow if not handled properly. “It’s like the whirlwind,” said Chris Lehane, another veteran of the Clinton teams. “You get pulled into the vortex more and more.”

But the money shot (yes, I know what that is) is a few paragraphs down:

Mr. Emanuel was among the few people in Mr. Obama’s circle who occasionally spoke to Mr. Blagojevich. He declined to answer questions on Wednesday, waving off a reporter who approached him as he walked across Capitol Hill.

A Democrat familiar with Illinois politics and the Obama transition, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there probably were calls between the Blagojevich and Obama camps about the Senate seat. It was not clear if any calls were recorded by federal agents, who had tapped the governor’s phones.

Okay, maybe I give the NYTimes a bit too much credit. If this were a Republican scandal there would be a two-inch headline : “NEW CHIEF OF STAFF TALKED WITH BLAGO – SCANDAL GROWS.” But even in its milder form, this is fairly troubling information. The “we didn’t” vs. “I didn’t” talk to Blago distinction that the President-elect stammered out when first pressed on Blago’s contacts with the transition team does seem to have been a key one.

If in fact Emanuel had conversations with Blago that were taped, the Obama team better get all the facts out. Fast. Otherwise, Emanuel and the Obama administration will be in for a tough ride.

So, is it over? (The honeymoon, of course.) Let’s just say the press is finding something more tantalizing than Obama-promotion: a fascinating scandal that potentially touches a key member of the new administration…or…dare I say, Obama himself!!! OMG!!! Not the anointed one…or, as Oprah calls him “The One.”

I’m proud of the NYTimes. For once, they’re not on their knees sucking Obama’s .

[MannyIsGod]

It gets even funnier.

[DarkReign]

So, how is this Obama's fault?

The governor is trying to sell Obama's now-vacant seat. He is quoted as saying, in reference to Obama...

"...all they will give me is gra ude. them."

Sooo, it looks like Obama was playing by the rules while the governor is trying to sell to the highest bidder.

Exactly how does this reflect on Obama in any way but a positive one?

[Yonivore]

So, how is this Obama's fault?

The governor is trying to sell Obama's now-vacant seat. He is quoted as saying, in reference to Obama...

"...all they will give me is gra ude. them."

Sooo, it looks like Obama was playing by the rules while the governor is trying to sell to the highest bidder.

Exactly how does this reflect on Obama in any way but a positive one?

Did he report the attempted bribe? Or, was he merely refusing to play -- this time with the "pay to play" politics of Illinois.

This investigation has been ongoing since 2003 and the FBI Special Agent has already stated he only included fact in his affidavit that were relevant to securing the arrest warrants for Blogojevich and Harris.

Obama has been immersed in Chicago politics since his political career began. Blogojevich has been suspected of illegality since his first term yet, Obama supported him for re-election in 2006.

At best, Obama has remained willfully ignorant of the culture of corruption in Chicago. At worst, he's been involved and just plays it better than most.

[Yonivore]

John Fund, in the Wall Street Journal touches on Obama's problem here:

What remains to be seen is whether this episode will put an end to what Chicago Tribune political columnist John Kass calls the national media's "almost willful" fantasy that Mr. Obama and Chicago's political culture have little to do with each other. Mr. Kass notes that the media devoted a lot more time and energy to investigating the inner workings of Sarah Palin's Wasilla, Alaska, than it has looking at Mr. Obama's Chicago connections.

To date, Mr. Obama's approach to Illinois corruption has been to congratulate himself for dodging association with it. "I think I have done a good job in rising politically in this environment without being entangled in some of the traditional problems of Chicago politics," he told the Chicago Tribune last spring. At the time, Mr. Obama was being grilled over news that he bought his house through a land deal involving Tony Rezko, a political fixer who was later convicted on 16 corruption counts. Rezko is mentioned dozens of times in the 76-page criminal complaint against Mr. Blagojevich.

Mr. Obama has an ambiguous reputation among those trying to clean up Illinois politics. "We have a sick political culture, and that's the environment Barack Obama came from," Jay Stewart, executive director of the Chicago Better Government Association, told ABC News months ago. Though Mr. Obama did support ethics reforms as a state senator, Mr. Stewart noted that he's "been noticeably silent on the issue of corruption here in his home state including, at this point, mostly Democratic politicians."

[doobs]

So, how is this Obama's fault?

The governor is trying to sell Obama's now-vacant seat. He is quoted as saying, in reference to Obama...

"...all they will give me is gra ude. them."

Sooo, it looks like Obama was playing by the rules while the governor is trying to sell to the highest bidder.

Exactly how does this reflect on Obama in any way but a positive one?

Wait a minute. Didn't Obama say that he had never spoken to the Governor? How would the Governor know that "all they will give me is gra ude"? Oh, right, I nearly forgot. Obama personally never spoke to the Governor. That's not at all misleading.

If there was contact between Obama's people and the Governor's people, and if the Governor asked them for money or for favors, it would be very interesting to know who knew what and when. If, for instance, Rahm knew all about this, but said nothing to the authorities . . . well, that's pretty ty. Hopefully, Obama's people were "playing by the rules" and providing help in advancing the investigation against this idiot.

Illinois has been among the dirtiest political states for decades, at least since the Daley machine rigged the 1960 election. This scandal doesn't surprise me a bit. And I actually hope Obama and his people are innocent. Even though I didn't vote for him, I don't want a cloud hanging over him, for the good of the country.

[Wild Cobra]

Illinois has been among the dirtiest political states for decades, at least since the Daley machine rigged the 1960 election. This scandal doesn't surprise me a bit. And I actually hope Obama and his people are innocent. Even though I didn't vote for him, I don't want a cloud hanging over him, for the good of the country.

I agree. I've avoided posting my opinion here because it is mixed. I suspect Obama is involved somehow, but I hope he isn't. Now that he will be the POTUS, I do my best not to wish harm on the presidency, and hope like I'm wrong about the man. I hope he becomes a good president.

[2centsworth]

so far I like what Obama has done. I see the potential for a great presidency, so I hope nothing befalls this guy. However, I see the Rezko deal being a problem.

[Oh, Gee!!]

(Obama) declared that he "had no contact with the governor's office" and "did not speak to the governor" about the process of who should replace him as Senator. (from a press conference on 12-11-08)


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/1..._n_150248.html

[Viva Las Espuelas]

(Obama) declared that he "had no contact with the governor's office" and "did not speak to the governor" about the process of who should replace him as Senator. (from a press conference on 12-11-08)


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/1..._n_150248.html

that's not what axelrod said.

[Oh, Gee!!]

that's not what axelrod said.

okay? Today (12-11-08) Obama is saying no contact was made to discuss the empty senate seat. Either there was or there wasn't.

[Yonivore]

okay? Today (12-11-08) Obama is saying no contact was made to discuss the empty senate seat. Either there was or there wasn't.

You are correct, sir. Either there was or there wasn't.

[Yonivore]

Case Confirms Rezko Is Talking With Prosecutors

What'd I say in an earlier post?

And, considering a) this Special Agent only included fact related to the Blogojevich arrest warrant and b) the investigation has been ongoing since 2003; I'd say there's a chance that if Obama is dirty, it's going to be revealed.

Let's all stay tuned.

Oh yeah, I also think Blogojevich is probably going to go scorched earth before he resigns peacefully...

But, we'll see.

[Oh, Gee!!]

Case Confirms Rezko Is Talking With Prosecutors

What'd I say in an earlier post?



Let's all stay tuned.

Oh yeah, I also think Blogojevich is probably going to go scorched earth before he resigns peacefully...

But, we'll see.

did you read the article cited? you probably should. I'll wait:

[Viva Las Espuelas]

okay? Today (12-11-08) Obama is saying no contact was made to discuss the empty senate seat. Either there was or there wasn't.

why did it change from what axelrod said before. surely, axelrod should know for a fact. shadows always seem to follow obama. seems to be the common denominator. the supposed most intelligent man to secure the presidency in quite a while doesn't know what's brewing in his backyard? must not be all that intelligent, but i digress. do as i say not as i do. change is on the way. repeat.