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Boiling down Blagogate and how it applies to Obama
QandO —
OK, so now we know with a modicum of certainty that Rahm Emanuel spoke with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his administration about acceptable replacements for Barack Obama’s Senate seat. As Bob Secter says: ...
The Obama Lies
Flopping Aces —
... Oh sure, its political doublespeak….but no matter, it’s clear that Obama gave the list to Emmanuel who then delivered it. He may not have spoken with Blago directly, but through his Chief of Staff he most certainly communicated with him. Hell, according to this article it appears he had veto power over who would get the seat: ...
OOPS: Rahm Emanuel, Blagojevich staff talked.
Meanwhile, Jim Lindgren offers a defense of Obama,…
Instapundit —
OOPS: Rahm Emanuel, Blagojevich staff talked.
Meanwhile, Jim Lindgren offers a defense of Obama, Emanuel, et al.
...
Talking Points
A Blog For All —
After days of claiming that people from the Obama camp had no discussions with Gov. Rod Blagojevich, all of a sudden we get a report where Rahm Emanuel admits he talked with staffers from his fellow Democrat about what would happen to Obama's Illinois Senate seat. Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be White House chief of staff, had conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration about who would replace Obama in the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Tribune has learned. The revelation does not suggest Obama's new gatekeeper was involved in any talk of ...
Rahm Emanuel, Blagojevich staff talked
The New Editor —
From the Chicago Tribune's Bob Sector writes at the Trib's political blog The Swamp:
Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be White House chief of staff, had conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration about who would replace Obama in the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Tribune has learned.
The revelation does not suggest Obama's new gatekeeper was involved in any talk of dealmaking involving the seat. But it does help fill in the gaps surrounding a question that Obama was unable or unwilling to answer this ...
Blagojevich and the O-Team: One Question Answered
Stubborn Facts —
Rahm Emanuel, Blagojevich staff talked
Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Barack Obama's pick to be White House chief of staff, had conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich's administration about who would replace Obama in the U.S. Senate...
The revelation does not suggest Obama's new gatekeeper was involved in any talk of dealmaking involving the seat. But it does help fill in the gaps surrounding a question that Obama was unable or unwilling to answer this week: Did anyone on his staff have contact with Blagojevich about his choice ...
Chicago Tribune: Rahm and Blagojevich Staff Talked
Political Punch —
... Chicago Tribune: Rahm and Blagojevich Staff Talked December 13, 2008 4:20 PM ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: As the silence from the Obama camp continues regarding contact between transition officials and the Illinois governor's office, the Chicago Tribune reports that incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel has been captured on tape discussing Obama's Senate successor with the staff of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. While no one in the U.S. attorney’s office is alleging the Obama team had any involvement in any deal-making, it was previously unknown who on the Obama ...
So There Were Conversations After All
A Chequer-Board of Nights and Days —
See here . There remains no indication whatsoever that any of the conversations were illegal or unethical but one remains perplexed as to why Team Obama would claim that no one spoke to Rod Blagojevich when it is indeed clear that Rahm Emanuel did. Curiouser and curiouser. I suppose now that we need to wait for the following questions to be answered: (1) Does the Obama campaign confirm that there were talks between Emanuel and Blagojevich? And (2) why did it initially claim that there were no such talks?
The Blago Indictment in Plain English... and a likely explanation for Rahm Emanuel's bizarre behavior
Doug Ross @ Journal —
... of employing Blago in 501(c)(4) -- non-profit Leftist front groups like Americans Coming Together -- in exchange for Blago naming a candidate on Obama's desired list of Senate candidates. There may, in fact, be nothing technically illegal about that sort of negotiation, but it stinks to high heaven. Furthermore, it defies Obama's claims that would engage in a new, transparent type of politics. There's been nothing transparent about Obama and his associates in this affair. In fact, Swamp Politics put it bluntly: ...
Writing Is Speech/Speech Is Writing: Obama Communicated with Blagojevich (with Comments on “Pay to Play”)
Flopping Aces —
... It is a lie because now we know Obama’s Chief of Staff provided Blagojevich Obama’s list of candidates he thought should fill his seat. The news broke last night: ...
Shocker: Rahm Emanuel and Hot Rod Blogojevich Staff Discussed Obama’s Senate Seat
FullosseousFlap's Dental Blog —
... Is it shocking? No, not really.
Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick to be White House chief of staff, had conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration about who would replace Obama in the U.S. Senate, the Chicago Tribune has learned.
The revelation does not suggest Obama’s new gatekeeper was involved in any talk of dealmaking involving the seat. But it does help fill in the gaps surrounding a question that Obama was unable or unwilling to answer this week: Did anyone on his staff have contact with Blagojevich ...
Was Rahm Emanuel "Advisor B" from the Blaggojevich Wiretaps?
The Discerning Texan —
... ... but given his evasive--if not openly hostile--behavior to the media over the last few days it is safe to say that he is prominently on the list; and then there is this little ditty that came over the wires today. And, ...
Pressure builds on Obama to release his Blagojevich contacts
Top of the Ticket —
... The Illinois legislature meets this week to begin preparations for impeachment of Blagojevich and a costly special statewide election to fill Obama's ex-seat. The Tribune story is here. (See video below.) ...
So There Were Conversations After All
RedState: Conservative News and Community —
... See here. There remains no indication whatsoever that any of the conversations were illegal or unethical but one remains perplexed as to why Team Obama would claim that no one spoke to Rod Blagojevich when it is indeed clear that Rahm Emanuel did. ...
Investigating The Investigator
Classical Values —
... . So where would be the best place in the Federal Government for a mobbed-up attorney to cover for his friends? Attorney General. Sounds like the height of chutzpah. Which is passing strange. I never once heard Obama claim to be Jewish. But I have heard that some of his best friends are. Rahm Emanuel rings a bell. And was Rahm close to Blago (as he is fondly called in Illinois)? Yes he was . You have to wonder how Obama found so many bent nominees for his cabinet. Chicago? Oh yeah. Cross Posted at ...
