Ill. Gov. arrested in Obama successor probe

[Yonivore]

As someone who leans to the right on most issues, I am naturally inclined to vote Republican in any election. But there's a great deal about the Republican Party that I dislike: its provincialism, its anti-choice hysteria, its pandering to the Christian right . . . you know, the Palin wing.

Having said that, I do think the media was unfair to Palin. Scratch that. The media was right to be hard on Palin because she was asking to be one (weak) heartbeat away from the presidency. But the media was downright negligent in its coverage of Obama and Biden. Obama is just as inexperienced as Palin. Biden is a reckless moron 90% of the time. But the media just refused to do its job with them because, frankly, the media was voting for them.

Anyway, back to the main subject of this thread. Obviously, Blagojevich is a complete jackass. He's not an anomaly of Illinois politics, however. Illinois politics is a stank cesspool of corruption and dishonesty. I doubt there's any evidence that Obama personally did anything wrong, so I think that's a losing argument to make. It looks like this whole thing will turn on the involvement of Rahm Emanuel.

This story is interesting to me, though, because it sheds further light on the environment in which Obama started his political rise. Forget all the empty pla udes about change and hope, this guy is just a damn dirty politician. I'm willing to acknowledge that he may end up being a very good president. I just think people should readjust their expectations and realize that, as a political figure, he's nothing special. He's evasive, he triangulates, he's had questionable associations throughout his career . . . like I said, he's a damn dirty politician. No more, no less.

I disagree...he could end up being much worse than "a damn dirty politician."

[ChumpDumper]

I disagree...he could end up being much worse than "a damn dirty politician."

Of what are you accusing Obama?

[Oh, Gee!!]

Of what are you accusing Obama?

clearly not conspiracy

[ChumpDumper]

clearly not conspiracy

Right. Yoni -- rather, whoever Yoni is pretending to be (this guy)-- said Blagojevich is innocent, so what could Obama have possibly done?

[clambake]

thank you chumpdumper for providing us with the most thorough autopsy ever performed on the interwebs.

did you meet the family when they came in to identifly yoni?

[Yonivore]

clearly not conspiracy

Unless Rahm Emmanuel or Blagojevich committed an overt act in furtherance of some conspiracy they may have discussed in one of the over 21 taped phone conversations...

[ChumpDumper]

I noticed you didn't mention Obama at all.

[Yonivore]

[ChumpDumper]

Ok, that's a photo.

What are you accusing Obama of doing?

[Oh, Gee!!]

Yoni has officially lost his mind

[Yonivore]

Yoni has officially lost his mind

Official implies some do entation...care to share it?

[Oh, Gee!!]

Official implies some do entation...care to share it?

[Yonivore]

[Yonivore]

Emanuel talked directly to gov: source
DEEPER ROLE? | Pushed Jarrett for Senate seat

[Winehole23]

Wouldn't it be more surprising if Emanuel hadn't discussed the Senate appointment with Blagojevich after the election?

[Yonivore]

Wouldn't it be more surprising if Emanuel hadn't discussed the Senate appointment with Blagojevich after the election?

Yeah, which is why Obama's initial denial, and Emanuel's subsequent disappearance, were such su ious acts.

[ChumpDumper]

What are you accusing Obama of doing?

[Winehole23]

What are you accusing Obama of doing?

Yoni prefers to stir the pot. He won't ever say.

[Yonivore]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...5NRUQD956LK881

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is legendary in Illinois political circles for not picking up the phone or returning calls, even from important figures like the state's senior senator, Durbin.

But there was always one call Blagojevich regularly took, say his aides, and that was from Rahm Emanuel — his congressman, his one-time campaign adviser and, more recently — and troubling for Emanuel — one of his contacts with President-elect Barack Obama's transition staff.

The friendly rapport Blagojevich and Emanuel shared over the years has suddenly become a troubling liability for Emanuel and the new president he will serve as chief of staff.

Emanuel and Obama have remained silent about what, if anything, Emanuel knew of the governor's alleged efforts to peddle Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder.

Emanuel did contact the governor's office about the appointment, and left Blagojevich with the impression that he was pushing Valerie Jarrett, a close Obama friend, so he wouldn't have to compete with her in the White House for Obama's attention, said a person close to Blagojevich. The person was not authorized to talk about the governor's discussions regarding the vacancy and requested anonymity.

It was not clear whether Blagojevich inferred Emanuel's motive for advocating Jarrett, or whether Emanuel discussed the appointment with Blagojevich directly or with John Harris, the governor's then-chief of staff who also is charged in the case, according to the source.

Emanuel's refusal to discuss the matter publicly, and the few comments offered by Obama to date, have prompted questions about Emanuel's ties to Blagojevich and what fallout he'll face as the criminal case unfolds, although sources have said he is not a target of prosecutors. Even so, any hint of scandal for Emanuel threatens to tarnish Obama's promise of new political leadership free of scandal and corruption.

Obama has said he will release a full accounting of his transition staff's interaction with Blagojevich and his aides over his Senate replacement once he receives the OK from prosecutors sometime this week. Until then, Obama has said it would be inappropriate for him or his aides to comment further.

I wonder when the press will ask Obama how he could be so oblivious about his Chief of Staff's involvement?

Yeah, yeah, I know, "This is not the Rahm Emanuel I knew." Seriously, how many more times can he pull that one off?

[mouse]

Yonivore if you insist on trying to salvage what little life you have left after finding out McCain will not be President by posting every time Obama doesn't come to a complete stop when driving, then at least keep a scoreboard.

Every time one of Obama's crew s up then check off a Republican under Bush that ed ups. Like if you find out Obama's financial adviser was in the mens room with a wide stance then you scratch off Sen. Larry Craig from the list and so on....let's see how long it takes to break even.

[mouse]

at least be fair and keep it real.

[Oh, Gee!!]

nice double-quote-yourself-double-post-action there, mousie. I'm sure it made a heartless bas like yoni weep like a little girl.

[ChumpDumper]

Why is it such a mystery that Obama and company aren't talking about it?

Fitzgerald requested that they not talk about it.

[Yonivore]

Larry Craig isn't a Bush advisor. Rahm Emanuel is slated to be the White House Chief of Staff.

Strike one.

[George Gervin's Afro]

Larry Craig isn't a Bush advisor. Rahm Emanuel is slated to be the White House Chief of Staff.

Strike one.

The yoni we can expect to hear from for the next 8 yrs.