Oh Brother... Obama Already Caught Lying About His Contact With Blagojevich
Gateway Pundit — Jake Tapper at Political Punch already caught distancing himself from his indicted governor friend: "Obviously like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney's office today," said President-elect Obama this afternoon in Chicago, speaking of the criminal complaint against Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich for corruption. "But as this is a ongoing investigation involving the governor I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this ...

Obama vs. Axelrod on Talks With Blagojevich
Weekly Standard Blog — The supreme nuance of Team Obama reared its quisling little head again today, at a press conference: Asked what contact he'd had with the governor's office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite ...

Did Obama Talk to Blagojevich?
Taegan Goddard's Political Wire — ... with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich or his office regarding his replacement in the U.S. Senate, David Axelrod said something very different in a television interview, according to ABC News. ...

Obama: I never talked to Blagojevich about the Senate seat; Axelrod: Yes, he did; Update: Blago won’t resign
Hot Air » Top Picks — Obama: I never talked to Blagojevich about the Senate seat; Axelrod: Yes, he did; Update: Blago won’t resign posted at 4:18 pm on December 9, 2008 by Allahpundit Send to a Friend | Share on Facebook | printer-friendly Sweet catch by Tapper, showing why he got that promotion . Obama today … “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening, ” Obama told reporters today in Chicago. “It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”…versus Axelrod on ...

Axelrod: "I Know He Has Talked To The Governor"
The Atlantic Politics Channel — This might be a nit to pick, but on November 23, Obama senior adviser David Axelrod said on Fox News that Obama had indeed spoken with Gov. Blagojevich about his successor: I know he has talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them." (Jake Tapper has more context). Transition officials did not have immediate comment. Again -- it'd be more unusual if Obama hadn't talked to Blagojevich. Was Axelrod mistaken? Was he ...

Blagojevich, Obama and the fleas of Chicago
Roger L. Simon — ... And just when I was starting to like Obama, or at least tolerate him, the stink of Lake Michigan is starting to ooze up through his pores. As the old saying goes, when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas. And Obama lay down with a lot of dogs in his day. They may come back to haunt him, even before he is inaugurated. As Jake Tapper ...

Talking to Blago?
Ben Smith's Blog — Tapper notices an Axelrod comment that seems to contradict what Obama said today. "I know he's talked to the governor," Axelrod said November 23. "I had no contact with the governor or his office," Obama said today. Axelrod and a transition spokesman didn't immediately respond to a request for an explanation. Patrick Fitzgerald, however, presumably knows the answer. If Obama spoke to Blagojevich in the last month or two, it's on tape.

Obama Caught Lying About His Contact With Blagojevich Over Senate Replacement
Say Anything — Uh oh... Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a ...

Will Media Cover Obama/Rod Blagojevich Connection?
NewsBusters.org - Exposing Liberal Media Bias — ... ABC Senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper [see file photo above] outlined the connections in a post on Political Punch. It seems that in addition to then-state senator Obama endorsing the Illinois governor in 2002 (Blagojevich returned the favor in 2004), Tapper noted that Obama's insistence on Tuesday afternoon that he "had no contact" with the governor's office on his replacement doesn't match previous comments from the incoming administration. According to senior advisor David Axelrod on November 23, 2008, "I know he's talked to the governor and there ...

Obama and the Governor - A Tale That Needs To Be Told
The Sundries Shack — I think our President-Elect has some serious ’splainin’ to do . Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a “kingmaker,” Axelrod said, “I ...

Appoint a Special Prosecutor in Blagojevitch-Obama Corruption Probe
Flopping Aces — A federal prosecutor concerned about keeping his job in the Obama Administration should not be in charge of determining what ties Obama may have had to Blagojevitch corruption! Either President Elect Obama or his chief strategist David Axelrod is lying! Jake Tapper writing at ABC’s Political Punch has the story: Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship Political Punch December 09, 2008 3:37 PM “Obviously like the rest of the people of ...

I Did Not Have Contact WIth That Governor, Ray Bag-O-Juice
Riehl World View — ... Not even in office, yet and he's being testedon just how Clintonesque he can be. There's another important test coming up for Obama, as well. ...

Why It Matters If Obama Talked to Blagojevich
Politics Daily — Filed under: Barack Obama, Scandal, InvestigationsJake Tapper has it: While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a "kingmaker," Axelrod said, "I know he's talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them." ... Axelrod this evening issued a statement saying. "I was mistaken when I told an interviewer last month that the President-elect has spoken directly ...

What is the Obama-Blagojevich Relationship?; Update: Obama Aide Says Axelrod Misspoke
FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog — ... There is MORE of a relationship than President-elect Obama lead ANYONE to believe in his statements regarding the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges. ...

What is the Obama-Blagojevich Relationship?
FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog — ... There is MORE of a relationship than President-elect Obama lead ANYONE to believe in his statements regarding the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges. ...

Obama Throws Axelrod Under the Bus in Record Time
JammieWearingFool — ... . Anyway, the latest I've been keeping tabs on is the claim made by Obama today whether he'd discussed his Senate seat with his disgraced pal. Asked what contact he'd had with the governor's office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace ...

Can We Question Obama’s Judgment Yet?
Say Anything — ... interested in giving him anything for the appointment.  Democrats had better hope, then, that it was a member of the Obama camp that reported Blago to the feds, because there is now no denying that they knew he was looking to cash in on some illegal quid pro quo. But even if it turns out that Obama did the right thing and turned Blago in, isn’t it about time for us to start questioning Obama’s judgment? According to Jack Tapper, Obama was instrumental in getting Blagojevich elected: ...it ...

BlagoGate Notes: Did Axelrod lie, and is Dick Durban a fool?
TigerHawk — A couple of quick links for those of you who cannot get enough Blago. Gum-flapping is bad for everybody : Asked what contact he'd had with the governor's office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid ...

Apparently, Axelrod “misspoke.”
RedState: Conservative News and Community — As Jake Tapper noted, Obama claim to not be involved in Blagojevich’s search for a replacement Senator: Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” …was a direct contradiction of what David Axelrod said earlier: “I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which ...

Axelrod: Obama Had Talked To Blago About Replacement
The Jawa Report — December 09, 2008 Axelrod: Obama Had Talked To Blago About Replacement Obama denies meeting with Blago. Is Axelrod next to go under the ...

Team Barry begins to throw the Chicago machine under the bus
Sister Toldjah — And in the process, they contradict themselves … twice. Jake Tapper reports: “Obviously like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney’s office today,” said President-elect Obama this afternoon in Chicago, speaking of the criminal complaint against Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich for corruption. “But as this is a ongoing investigation involving the governor I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue ...

Not The Rod Blagojevich I Knew
Six Meat Buffet — ... Rod who?  Even though I actively campaigned to get him elected in 2002,  I ain’t even talked to that cracker ...

How Deep Is This Muck?
Blue Crab Boulevard — ... Jake Tapper of ABC News has probably just gotten himself uninvited from any future trips on Air Obama. Tapper has been sifting through the muck of the Rod Blagojevich corruption mess with not a rake, but a backhoe. And some ugly facts are emerging from the sewage . Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News ...

Gov. Rod Blagojevich Arrested on Corruption Charges: “Just another day in Illinois”
Comments from Left Field — ... of bored beltway Villagers previously sleepwalking their way through a relatively uneventful transition and now gleefully squawking ZOMG OBAMA SCANDAL!!1one, please keep this in mind (courtesy Jake Tapper): ...

JAKE TAPPER, ABC NEWS: Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship. UPDATE: Action…
Instapundit — JAKE TAPPER, ABC NEWS: Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship. UPDATE: Action in Illinois: “In separate statements, House Speaker Michael Madigan and Senate President Emil Jones said they will call a special legislative session next week to repeal the state law that now gives the governor the power to fill Mr. Obama’s seat. Both said they will press instead for a special election to fill the remaining two years of Mr. Obama’s term.” MORE: How Deep Is This Muck? Plus, What happens next? ...

JAKE TAPPER, ABC NEWS: Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship….
Instapundit — JAKE TAPPER, ABC NEWS: Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship.

Hope and Change: Questions Come Up on Obama Blagojevich Relationship
Stop The ACLU — ... Just when you thought we couldn’t handle any more hope and change, we get more mixed messages from the Obama camp! Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination ...

What Didn’t He Know and When Didn’t He Know It?
The Glittering Eye — I do not for a moment believe that President-Elect Barack Obama was directly involved in the corrupt behavior for which Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested this morning. I even think it’s possible that he didn’t have first-hand knowledge of Gov. Blagojevich’s corrupt behavior. I find it very difficult to believe that he hadn’t heard of it from people who had reason to know. Jake Tapper outlines a timeline of Obama support for Blagojevich (and vice versa): According to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Mr. ...

Today's Bombshell
Power Line — ... Today, Obama answered just one question, in his trademark stammer. He managed to get out these words: "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." ...

Appoint A Special Counsel, President Bush!
Daily Pundit — Political Punch Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship This thing stinks so badly that even George W. Bush may not be able to cover it up for Obama.

Listen To His Voice
Classical Values — ... Start the clip and then close your eyes while you listen to Obama's voice. Obama sounds shaky. In fact he sounds to me like a guy waiting for the other shoe to drop. Jake Tapper at his ABC News blog has a few words about Obama's relationship with "Hot Rod" Blagojevich. ...there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the "pay to play" way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only "gratitude" if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor's chagrin. But there remain questions ...

Did He or Didn’t He? (Only the U.S. Attorney May Know For Sure)
Deceiver.com — ... It turns out that the future President and the future inmate are old buddies with a long history of mutual political back-scratching. Anyone really believe they talked about something besides the Senate pick? Deep-dish pizza recipes, perhaps? ...

Blagojevich: Jesse Jackson Jr. "Very Strong Candidate" for Obama Senate Seat
Tennessee Guerilla Women — ... Clinton cried because of her appearance, met with Gov. Blagojevich and interviewed for Obama's senate seat that very same day. I wonder if that had anything to do with the timing of the arrest. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. said he was confident in the process the governor is using to make his choice for a Senate successor to President-elect Barack Obama. Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship Blago calls Obama ...

Disgusting Corruption Scandals In Illinois, Mass Have Dems Running For Cover
The Radio Equalizer: Brian Maloney — ... Unfortunately for Barack, however, not all of his mainstream friends are playing defense. At ABC News, for example, Jake Tapper has raised questions about the ties between Obama and his Chicago thug friends, resulting in frantic denials from Dem Central: ...

The Blagojevich Timeline: Everything Fits Easily Except Obama's Monday Denial.
The Volokh Conspiracy — ... Jarrett tells CNN contributor Roland Martin that President-elect Barack Obama offered and she accepted a position in the Obama administration – she will be the Senior Adviser to the President and Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Liaison. 10. Nov. 14 to early December: After regularly feeding speculation about who might fill Obama’s seat, the Obama transition team suddenly goes remarkably silent. 11. On Nov. 23, Obama’s “senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago ,” answering a question about the Senate seat. While insisting ...

Chicago Tugs on Obama's Sleeve
The American Spectator — ... But soon after his statement, ABC's Jake Tapper posted video of a November 23 interview in which senior adviser David Axelrod said of Obama's involvement that "I know he's talked to the governor." ...

"[Obama] can get Blagojevich's wife on paid corporate boards in exchange for naming [a] pick to the Senate"
Doug Ross @ Journal — ... Of course, there's always the tiny, trivial discrepency in stories between David Axelrod and President-Elect Obama. Namely, that Obama and Governor "Toast" Blagojevich discussed the Senate seat. Here's David Axelrod on 11/23 : While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a "kingmaker," Axelrod said, "I know he's talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them." Here's ...

Obama Met With Blagojevich in Chicago On Nov. 5 To Discuss Senate Seat
Gateway Pundit — CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN--- "Obviously like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney's office today... I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." Barack Obama After the Arrest of his close friend Governor Blagojevich December 9, 2008 Of course, David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago on November 23, 2008and ...

Obama Has Absolutely Not Spoken With Blagojevich ... Except When They Were Speaking
The Corner on National Review Online — ... (all emphasis in original): Today, Obama answered just one question, in his trademark stammer. He managed to get out these words: " I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." But, as Jake Tapper points out, Obama's claim to have kept aloof from the Senate selection process was contradicted two weeks ago by his spokesman David Axelrod, who said: I know he's talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them. ...

What Did They Know and When Did They Know It
A Blog For All — ... stepped in it as well, claiming that Blagojevich and Obama talked about who would replace Obama in the Senate, but the Obama campaign now says that Axelrod misspoke. Where did Axelrod get the idea that the two talked? That's going to require subpoenas and phone records to see who talked to whom and what was said. There's also questions about just how close Obama and Blagojevich are . I'd say that the two Democrats are pretty close, and to believe that the two men didn't discuss who would be appointed to Obama's seat even in passing must believe in pixie dust and unicorns. ...

NYT: Canny Illinois Politician “Delusional” [Dan Collins]
protein wisdom — “Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Illinois has voted for change ,” [Blagojevich] told a crowd at his victory party on election night in 2002. Jake Tapper : On the Chicago TV show “Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz” on June 27, 2002, state Sen. Obama said, “Right now, my main focus is to make sure that we elect Rod Blagojevich as Governor, we…” “You working hard for Rod?” interrupted Berkowitz.“You betcha,” said Obama.“Hot Rod?” asked the host.“That’s exactly right,” Obama said. In 2004, then-Gov. Blagojevich enthusiastically endorsed Obama for the Senate seat ...

Blago: Morning Shows Dance Around D-Word
NewsBusters.org - Exposing Liberal Media Bias — ... to use the D-word, speaking only of "Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich."  Dean Reynolds, reporting from Chicago, was similarly well-behaved.  In the following segment, Chip Reid did say "Barack Obama and Rod Blagojevich have both been leaders in Illinois Democratic politics for years."  But the CBS correspondent hastened to add "long-time observers say that's about as far as the connection goes." Oh really?  At ABC's Political Punch, Jake Tapper writes [emphasis added]: According to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Mr. Obama's ...

Second City Shows Up Beantown
Jules Crittenden — ...  on how everyone’s shocked, shocked by the allegations that Blago’s a foul-mouthed crook. Must be crazy, “not playing with a full deck anymore,” also touches on Rezko without bringing up you know who. ABC’s Jake Tapper  with some awkward questions and Obama-Blago history: There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed. In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating, ...

SOS Obama: this is not the Blago I thought I never, ever knew
Cold Fury — Is he lying? Well, I dunno; are his lips moving ? Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a “kingmaker,” Axelrod said, “I know he’s talked ...

Obama's Endorsement
blonde sagacity — ... In January 2007, Blagojevich's office reserved the Old State Capitol for Mr. Obama's presidential announcement at Obama's request..." (source) ...

Some Obama-Blago Blogging
JustOneMinute — Jake Tapper provides the must-read summary of the Obama-Blagojevich relationship, with this highlight: And, it should be pointed out, Mr. Obama has a relationship with Mr. Blagojevich, having not only endorsed Blagojevich in 2002 and 2006, but having served as a top adviser to the Illinois governor in his first 2002 run for the state house. That ties nicely to this account of the 2002 Blagojevich victory, offered today without apparent irony by ...

You did realize my “is he lying” question was purely sarcastic, right?
Cold Fury — Like I said earlier: are his lips moving? Now , after his close friend and associate’s arrest:“Obviously like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney’s office today…I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” Then — meaning ...

Obama Caught in Lie? Did He Meet With Blagojevich?
Stop The ACLU — Obama says he never met with Blgojevich, yet Axlerod said he did. Then Axelrod says he mispoke. Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a ...

No discussions between Blago and Obama? Maybe
Hot Air » Top Picks — ... from Governor Rod Blagojevich after his arrest on corruption charges related to his pending appointment to Obama’s now-vacant Senate seat.  Obama himself said that he had had no contact with Blagojevich about the open seat and had no awareness of Blagojevich’s attempts to sell it to the highest bidder.  Even after Jake Tapper pointed out that Obama’s right-hand man, David Axelrod, claimed that Obama and Blagojevich had been in contact, Team Obama ...

“Blagojevich Arrest Shakes Obama Presidency to Its Core”
Flopping Aces — ... ….basically his utterly horrible judge of character. I mean the guy endorsed Blagojevich in 2002 and 2006. He was the top adviser for him during his first 2002 run for the state house. ...

12/10: The Blagojevich Fallout
Blogometer — ... 's words to wife Betty [Ford] as she went on and on about the decorations of the newly acquired VP's residence where the Fords were scheduled to move from their longtime home in Alexandria? 'Honey, we're never going to move in.' Buckle in!" OBAMA III: Something Smells Fishy... Conservative bloggers are buzzing about the fact that Obama adviser David Axelrod said during a November interview that Obama had "talked to [Blagojevich]" about filling the vacant IL Senate seat, which contradicts Obama's claim that he "had no contact with [Blagojevich] or his office." An Obama ...

Obama/Blagojevich or Podcasts?
The Anchoress — ... I have to admit, if you want more politics and less prayer, I’ll be sad, only because - as I told Friend Jeanette today - Advent, coming on the heels of this exhausting two-year election, has been a true balm to my soul, and brought much healing to me, personally. But I’ll understand if you’re getting tired of my submersion in it, and if you really want me to, I’ll stick my head out and breathe in the Obama/Blagojevich scandal, but it does seem to me that the ...

Obama Busted on His 'No Contact' Statement? Oh, I Think So
NewsBusters.org - Exposing Liberal Media Bias — ... But if so, why did David Axelrod feel the need to back off his assertion of November 23 that "I know he’s [Obama] talked to the governor [about the Senate vacancy] and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them." ...

Obama Flat-Out Lied About Not Meeting Blagojevich Over Senate Appointment
Say Anything — ... I noted that Obama had been caught in a bit of a mistruth when he said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” According to Jack Tapper at ABC, Obama’s campaign manager David Axelrod told Fox News in Chicago on November 23rd that Obama had met with Blagojevich. ...

Obama again denies discussing Senate successor with Blagojevich.
Think Progress — ... with Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D-IL) who should fill his recently-vacated U.S. Senate seat. However, bloggers quickly noted two different news ...

Obama: Do Not Believe Your Lying Eyes
Ace of Spades HQ — Obama: Do Not Believe Your Lying Eyes Obama this Tuesday : "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." Obama and Blagojevich at the National Governors Association meeting last Tuesday: [image] Obama at grand jury proceedings next Tuesday: "Define 'contact'?"

Jim's Possible Error in What Obama Said:
The Volokh Conspiracy — ... so I don't have to admit it to you? . . . As with Clinton, should we presume that Obama is saying something that is technically not a lie, but that the full truth is closer to the opposite of what he is trying to make us think? I suppose "It depends on what the meaning of the word [‘contact’] is" and "what the meaning of the word [‘aware’] is." I'm not sure, but I think Jim may be making a simple error. If you follow Jim's links to the source for what Obama said, you end up back at this ABCNews post which puts the matter this way: Asked what contact he'd had with the ...

Dissecting Leftism — ... Questions about the Obama/Blagojevich relationship: "Asked what contact he'd had with the governor's office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening." But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different. While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a "kingmaker," Axelrod said, "I know he's ...

Look What Missed the Memory Hole
Moonbattery — ... Here's what Obama had to say this Tuesday, the last time anything could be extracted from him regarding his dealings with fellow Illinois machine politician Rod Blagojevich, who was caught trying to sell BHO's Senate seat to the highest bidder: ...

Depends on how you define “contact”
Hot Air » Top Picks — ... has this picture from the December 2nd meeting with the National Governors Association: [image] That image belies Obama’s statement from Tuesday, following the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich:“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” Is this anything like parsing the meaning of the word “is”?  Obviously, Obama made contact with Blagojevich a week before the statement at the December 2nd NGA conference.  Did they discuss the Senate succession?  Probably not, but it’s not necessarily out of the ...

Open Thread
Moonbattery — ... BHO and a guy with whom he had no contact. Via Verum Serum; on a tip from forest.

Oh look, kittens! [Darleen Click]
protein wisdom — [image] Let’s review, shall we? David Axelrod, November 23: “I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.” PE Obama The Infallible on ...

Blagorahma: Does Judicial Watch have the goods on Obama’s denials?
Hot Air » Top Picks — ... e-mails me to say he’s 99.9% sure that the meeting referenced was at the governors conference in Philadelphia — and that Sarah Palin probably got the same letter as Blagojevich. Barack Obama did say that he had “no contact” with Blagojevich, and the letter obviously negates that in a literal sense.  However, the context for “no contact” was in regards to specific discussions about replacing Obama in the Senate, not “no contact” ever, at least between Obama himself and Blagojevich.  Jake Tapper had a better argument a month ago when he pointed out David Axelrod’s statement in ...

Documents Released Through FOIA Request Indicate Obama Lied About Meeting With Blagojevich
Say Anything — ... On December 9th, as the Blago scandal was heating up, Obama said the following: “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” Obama has stated on other occasions that he has had ...