Obama: I had ‘no contact’ with Blagojevich about Senate seat.
By on Dec 9th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
Obama: I had ‘no contact’ with Blagojevich about Senate seat.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is currently under investigation for allegedly trying to sell the open Senate seat vacated by President-elect Obama. Today, Obama said that he had “no contact” with Blagojevich and was not aware of what was transpiring:
OBAMA: I had no contact with the governor or his office so I was not aware of what was happening. As I said it is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to comment.
Watch it:
Jake Tapper notes that, two weeks ago, David Axelrod told a local Chicago station that Obama had spoken with the governor. An Obama transition team aide says that Axelrod misspoke.
Update Change To Win released this statement:
No one connected with Change to Win ever considered, discussed or promised any position at Change to Win to Governor Blagojevich, his staff or his advisers. In the affidavit released by the United States Attorney, a position at Change to Win is discussed only in conversations between the governor and his advisers. The first time Change to Win learned of any of the matters raised in the criminal complaint was with today’s public release of the affidavit.
Update SEIU offered this statement:
We have no reason to believe that SEIU or any SEIU official was involved in any wrongdoing. In keeping with the U.S. Attorney's request, we are not sharing information with the media at this time.
Update When asked if Blagojevich had plans to resign, his attorney Sheldon Sorosky told reporters today, "Not that I know of, no." "He didn't do anything wrong," Sorosky said. A lot of this is just politics."
Update David Axelrod released this statement tonight: "I was mistaken when I told an interviewer last month that the President-elect has spoken directly to Governor Blagojevich about the Senate vacancy. They did not then or at any time discuss the subject."
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Do you think Fuchs News will still try to link Obama to this?
Hmmmm, what are the odds?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:22 pmOBAMA: “I had no contact with the governor..
..although I would LOVE to have my fists contact his face for what he has done to my state” said the President-elect.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:23 pmSo which neoclown will try to connect Obama to this corrupt idiot and get this in-front of SCOTUS?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:30 pmNow this sounds encouraging for us Illinoisans – we may end up with a more liberal US Senator now:
>>..Lieutenant governor Pat Quinn would take over if Blagojevich was forced to step down. He’s from the progressive wing of the state Democratic party, and is very close with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.)
Schakowsky was not considered a frontrunner in the appointment process, but could get newfound consideration if Quinn becomes governor.<<
Word is Quinn is already calling for Blagojevich to resign immediately. RESIGN BLAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081209/pl_politico/26975
December 9th, 2008 at 4:31 pmJohn Kerry Says:
You are a liar. You dont think. You dont have the capability. YOu have never thought in your life since you are far to stoopid to perform the function. You are a mindless moronic, racist piece of garbage and THOSE are your good qualities.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:32 pmChristmas came early for you this year, didn’t it Johnny?
December 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pmEnjoy the little side show, by Friday everyone may be able to pronounce the Governors name, by New Years Day he will have been forgotten just like that other Governor what’s his name… you know, the one with the call girl….
Kinda looks like maybe Plugs Biden may be zi President as Brotha Obama Clinton may be tied up in a legal battle with possible conspiracy with Blago AND the upcoming Rezko conspiracy!!
Only someone who’s insecure about his own appearance, makes fun of others.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:34 pmWe have a Christmyth present for you, little Johnny Kwazy, it’s a George W. Botch blow-up doll, with firecracker sized receptacles in all the right places.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:39 pmSpeaking of the “culture of corruption,” CREW’s current list of the 20 most corrupt members of Congress is completely dominated–as it always–by Republicans. This time round, the Repubs have 14 of the top 20 baddies, though they usually do much better.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:42 pmhttp://www.crewsmostcorrupt.org/
I will bet the hate America crowd are in a mad frenzy searching the docs/press for ANY pics or articles with Obama in communication with this governor. And if they find one photo, we will repeatedly see it for 8 years.
December 9th, 2008 at 4:57 pmScandal already for Obama and he hasn’t even been sworn in yet. This must be some kind of record. (snark)
December 9th, 2008 at 4:59 pmCome on now people, you are not connecting the dots…
“OBAMA: I had no contact with the governor or his office so we were not…ahh ahhh ahhh… I ..was not aware of what was happening.”
He made the change, because in the indictment, there is evidence that SOMEONE from the Obama camp was in contact with Blago ‘the corrupt” about this issue…
“The charges also state that in a conversation with Harris on November 11, Blagojevich said he knew that President-elect Obama wanted a specific candidate for the open Senate seat but added “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them ”
So, the truth be told, Rahm got pissed that Blago “the corrupt” didn’t play ball, and he unleashed their new FISA immune Wiretap weapon on him.
Back in the day, when Rove politicized the Justice Department, we USED to call it a crime (and demand Congressional investigations)… now what do we call it, guys?
http://willyloman.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/you-had-better-play-ball-a-seasonal-greeting-from-the-white-house-to-be/
December 9th, 2008 at 5:05 pm#3 John Kerry
only in you w.. dreams.
Get over it.. your complaints are old news and it is time to repair what your hate America crowd has done to our country.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:06 pmJK is a mindless cowardly punk. He deserves only scorn for his ignorance and cowardice. The world will be a better place when the inevitable day comes he realizes how pathetic he is and curls up in fetal position sucking his thumb and never again insinuates his putrid presence on decent people
December 9th, 2008 at 5:08 pmwillyloman Says:
It is not politicizing the justice dept to tell them about a crime in the process of being comitted which is what the brokering of a Senate seat IS. Your attempted smear is ludicrous on the face of it. Blago said directly that Obama wouldnt play ball that is join in on the corruption.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:10 pmwrong. I am not trying to “smear”… this is the facts of the case.
He had contacted Obama’s team and they told him who they wanted, they just weren’t prepared to pony up a price tag is all. But they wanted their choice, and it seems now they are going to get it.
Had he payed ball, we would never have heard about this, no matter how many deals he had been on tape making.
You see my point? This is punishment, not justice.
Rove wanted “prosecutions” of people who wouldn’t “play ball” too, remember?
December 9th, 2008 at 5:17 pmYou can’t really argue it, because Obama is definately staying out of the fray. Not because of “spin” but because it is potentially a crime. So he is staying well out of it, like he should.
maybe this gets rid of Rahm and Blago… i got no problem with that. If they can toss a Rove prosecution in there as well, I would be just happy as a clam.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:19 pmThe right is completely obsessed with poking political holes in e v e r y t h i n g. Here’s a hint, righties: People are onto your penchant for tugging onto every syllable for desperate political gain; it’s time to cut out the act.
As of today, I’ve not read one post defending this guy outright. Accountability is off to the best start; Gov. Buttermybread is getting what’s coming to him.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pmAfter the nasty names that Blagojevich called Barack Obama, I would hardly call them friends. Of course, Obama had to meet the Governor at some point. They’re both politicians from Illinois and they would attend some of the same Democratic Party banquets and fund raisers. That doesn’t mean that there is a connection in these crimes between the two. Besides, Barack Obama is too busy developing plans to save our economy and repair all the other breakage caused by the boy Bush to get involved with Blagojevich’s problems.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:33 pmMcWars;
Hey, I’m one of those “far left” guys who still believes in the myth of presidential impeachment for presidents that commit war crimes, ok? Get your discrediting sweeping generalizations right, would you?
And are the “syllables” that you are talking about the ones that Axelrod uttered when he said that Blago and Obama were talking about this issue two weeks ago? Are those the syllables that I am making too much of, or are you talking about the ones in the actual indictment that say there was communication between this guy and the Obama Team?
Cus, that’ a lot of syllables pilling up there.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:40 pmJohn Kerry
Springfield is a ways from Chicago.
Then again, with geography being a science I wouldn’t understand you to put any trust in it.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:41 pmwillyloman Says:
wrong. I am not trying to “smear”… this is the facts of the case.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
YES you are smearing and NO those arent facts those are YOUR interpretations and they dont even make sense.
He had contacted Obama’s team and they told him who they wanted, they just weren’t prepared to pony up a price tag is all. But they wanted their choice, and it seems now they are going to get it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Of COURSE they wanted their choice. Any president would. They werent however willing to commit to a CRIME to get it. I WANT several thousand dollars, I am not willing to rob a bank to get it.
Had he payed ball, we would never have heard about this, no matter how many deals he had been on tape making.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
HAD he played ball he WOULD have comitted a crime he DIDNT. Blago said that directly so you arent making any sense you just want to SEE wrongdoing where there was none.
You see my point? This is punishment, not justice.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NO it IS justice. Blago was TRYING to commit a crime, Rahm didnt want a crime comitted, he STOPPED THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME BY TURNING HIM IN. This is simple, blindness on this is pure stubborness.
Rove wanted “prosecutions” of people who wouldn’t “play ball” too, remember?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Yeah the difference is he wanted to prosecute people who did nothing wrong and Rahm wanted prosecution of someone FOR COMITTING A CRIME. That is a pretty simple and obvious distinction.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:42 pm“I did not have sexual relations with that woman”
/what does Rahm know?
December 9th, 2008 at 5:43 pmHi Cats;
“They’re both politicians from Illinois and they would attend some of the same Democratic Party banquets…”
Yeah, unfortunately Rahm tells a little different story.
See, he talks about “history” and the history here, according to Rahm, is;
Yeah see it goes a little deeper than just bumping into one another at a fund raiser; Obama worked on his staff to get him elected in 2002.
of course, that was before the fact that everyone “misspoke” before when they said things that didn’t support this new story…
That “misspeaking” causes all kinds of trouble doesn’t it?
December 9th, 2008 at 5:45 pm“what did he know and when did he know it”
Good questions that were posed to Bush and Cheney and Rove and ….. What happened there LI?
December 9th, 2008 at 5:49 pmThat “misspeaking” causes all kinds of trouble doesn’t it?
I don’t know about that. Bush “misspoke” countless times yet he is still the president!
December 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pmYou’re missing the point here, Debs. Rahm turned this thing over the to the Feds, not because he loves “justice” but because he wasn’t going to get what the Obama Team Wanted.
That’s not justice, that is a political prosecution disguised as “justice”.
And that is why they are being very careful to seperate Obama from this. as they should. Don’t get me wrong.
I just believe if something is illegal for the Goose it is the same for the Gander. Now matter what party they belong to. Rahm ain’t about justice, boys and girls. Don’t fool yourselves.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:50 pmyou’re right about that. 935 times and a couple of them at the State of the Union Address. One would tend to think they would frown on that kind of thing.
December 9th, 2008 at 5:52 pmwillyloman Says:
You’re missing the point here, Debs. Rahm turned this thing over the to the Feds, not because he loves “justice” but because he wasn’t going to get what the Obama Team Wanted.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And your evidence of this is WHAT? See I dont believe in your amazing mind reading powers and I think you just pulled that directly out of your rectal database to smear Obama. You cant divine motives and just assigning a venal motive is stupid. Its an easy and worthless argument. I could just SAY that YOUR motive to do this is your homosexual love of Blagojevich and have every bit as much evidence. Or maybe your motive is you are a racist and just want to attack Obama for any reason. See the point is no one can KNOW motives and just SAYING this was their motive is stupid. What we KNOW is that Rahm stopped a CRIME.
That’s not justice, that is a political prosecution disguised as “justice”.
And that is why they are being very careful to seperate Obama from this. as they should. Don’t get me wrong.
I just believe if something is illegal for the Goose it is the same for the Gander. Now matter what party they belong to. Rahm ain’t about justice, boys and girls. Don’t fool yourselves.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Again with the baseless assertions. What ROVE did and this are completely different because Rove was trying to prosecute people who comitted NO CRIME and push political prosecutions that involved no criminal wrongdoing. NO ONE ANYWHERE IS EVEN CLAIMING WHAT BLAGO WAS DOING DOESNT CONSTITUTE A CRIME. You just pulling the accusation that Rahm had ulterior and venal motives out of your ass is far from a compelling argument.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pmwillyloman
Willy, I was referring only to the posts of John Kerry. I do not know of you as a right-winger and I favor a varied, vigorous debate. I do not like to come after fellow progressives who choose to leave no rock unturned.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:01 pmMcWars Says:
I am with you on that one
December 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pmLushInterior Says:
No they just tried to sell a WAR with lies. The Hague tends to frown on THAT war of aggression thing.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pmMcWars;
my bad. Thought you were going at me. I don’t even read the JK guys stuff. He seems like a troll. Sorry for the misunderstanding.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:07 pmdebs;
You keep forgeting that in the indictment is the claim that Balgo and the Obama Team were in contact about someone they wanted to fill the spot.
Blago said “expletive” them” unquote.
Axelrod said that Obama had been talking to Blago about it two weeks ago…
And I said, when the transcript of the wiretap comes out, we’ll know EXACTLY who was cutting what deal with Blago from the Obama team…
Then, the report comes out today, that it was Rahm who blew the whistle…
But if you can’t put that together, I can’t help you. It’s pretty clear.
And I am sorry, but yes, if Rahm only blew the whistle on Blago because he wasn’t doing what Rahm and the rest of Team Obama (or Obama himself?) wanted, then YEAH… that is called a political prosecution.
Sorry, but it is… you might not like it, but there it is.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pmDo any of you think that Obama rose high in Chicago/Illinois politics all while never playing this type of game? Do you think he and Rahm Emanuel were on Blagojevich’s advisory team all while strictly avoiding any and all “reciprocation”? Do you think he rose to meteoric fame to win the presidency without back scratching and promises, some of which might not be entirely legal?
“I had no contact with the governor”
Suuuuuuure.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:14 pmLies lies lies… oh, my bad …
misspeaks misspeaks misspeaks… everyone of them misspeaks. DLC, DNC, RNC, NeoCons, NeoLibs, Senators, Congressmen, Gov. and presidents alike.
Seems like we should just start over rather than arguing about which ones are bigger.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:17 pmExactly, willy.
There is dirt on damned near every politician on the national stage. You PO the wrong people who have more power than you and your number is called. Maybe we can call it the Spitzer Principle. Blago PO’d the wrong people. Spitz PO’d the wrong people. Their number got called up and they were sent packing.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:19 pmI saw that conference and thought Obama was saying he hadn’t spoken to the Governor today and so he didn’t know what was going on with the arrest. Check out the video TP, I think you’re interpreting it the way you want to.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:19 pmBlagojevich starting pissing off people years ago when he got into a huge battle with his powerful alderman father inlaw. He has been under investigation for years. Suggesting that Obama has wiretap powers and started hunting him down is absurd. Of course if he tried to sell the senate seat to Obama’s people for money then they should have turned him in. The state deserves to have a qualified senator.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:21 pmLet’s just get it over with and make the Walton family or the Rockefeller family the Royal Family and be done with it. What do you say? We already have the economy of a fiefdom, so lets go with that. Feudalism! Let’s cut out the pretense and call them Lord and Lady Clinton. Why not? Then we haven’t got to worry about all that diminished expectation stuff. We’re poor serfs, we live as poor serfs and we die as poor serfs. No more bickering back and forth between the nobodies! We can watch our Dancing With the Stars and just be happy!
hell, I like it.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:24 pmwillyloman Says:
debs;
You keep forgeting that in the indictment is the claim that Balgo and the Obama Team were in contact about someone they wanted to fill the spot.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
OF COURSE HE WAS. Any President Elect in this situation WOULD BE that isnt illegal its political reality the difference IS THE CRIME. Obama and Rahm werent willing to COMMIT A CRIME. THAT is the distinction and a very important one that YOU keep dancing around.
Blago said “expletive” them” unquote.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
BECAUSE HE WOULDNT JOIN HIM IN COMMITTING A CRIME.
Axelrod said that Obama had been talking to Blago about it two weeks ago…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Politics as usual NOT A CRIME.
And I said, when the transcript of the wiretap comes out, we’ll know EXACTLY who was cutting what deal with Blago from the Obama team…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Blago said directly they wouldnt play along that is join him in COMMITTING A CRIME.
Then, the report comes out today, that it was Rahm who blew the whistle…
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
And STOPPED THE COMISSION OF A CRIME.
But if you can’t put that together, I can’t help you. It’s pretty clear.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I COULD. I can make things up out of thin air with the best of them. I COULD put together that YOU cant get over your crush on Rahm and unrequited love is making you bitter. Of course it would be reasonable of you, IF I MADE THAT ACCUSATION of asking me to cough up some evidence it is true. Got evidence? NO? Imagine my suprise. Your conjecture, whatever you pulled directly out of your ass or your I Ching or Ouiji board or whatever ISNT EVIDENCE ITS TRUE.
And I am sorry, but yes, if Rahm only blew the whistle on Blago because he wasn’t doing what Rahm and the rest of Team Obama (or Obama himself?) wanted, then YEAH… that is called a political prosecution.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
IF A CRIME WAS BEING COMITTED ITS A CRIMINAL NOT POLITICAL PROSECUTION. This is really very simple if you cant put that together I cant help you its BEYOND OBVIOUS.
Sorry, but it is… you might not like it, but there it is.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Sorry but you are just full of it and pulling accusations you have zero evidence of directly out of your ASS. THERE it is.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:25 pmAlejandro says;
Bingo! They sent a message, early and harsh. Too bad for the Blago kids though, huh.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pmDebs;
ok, whatever you say. just keep watching when those transcripts are released, ok? I’ll get back to you then.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:27 pmwillyloman Says:
Then, the report comes out today, that it was Rahm who blew the whistle…
There was no “report”, which is why your entire castle is built on air. There was one reporter for a local Fox affiliate who “got a tip”. And yet you’re hanging a “political prosecution” rap on the entire Obama team based on that “tip.”
And the Chicago Tribune reports that the Feds got permission for the bugs before the election.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:29 pmWell, no. I am talking about the article I read about the press conference and “Fitz” saying that “the tip” led to that wiretap that started the whole thing off. I am also apparently as “mislead” as the guy who posted that story here… what was his name? oh yeah, Faiz.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:34 pmYeah, that was this Faiz Shakir guy, you heard of him? Pretty “rightwing” guy, is he?
Oh, what? He’s a progressive? Oh lordy, what is happening? I feel dizzy… my whole world view is just “shook up”…
http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/09/rahm-blago/
December 9th, 2008 at 6:37 pmIf it was Rahm that give the “tip” then it was Rahm that was “in contact” with Blagojevich. Or if it was someone on the Obama squad that gave the tip, then someone in the Obama squad was in contact.
And of course, Obama or the DNC would have absolutely no interest in who replaced him in the Senate. Uh huh.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:38 pmThe chicago Trib, huh?
“And the Chicago Tribune reports that the Feds got permission for the bugs before the election.”
You mean the same company that Blago was under investigation for trying to shake-down on the stadium deal?
That Chicago Tribune? They weighed in on the story? Good for them. They have to be objective. They’re the media, right?
December 9th, 2008 at 6:39 pmThese are how rumors are made. And the masses/ecoho chamber repeat is as fact. Read the context of Pre elect Obama’s response. Obama’s response was in regard to what was happening TODAY. We all know that after the election Obama had spoken to Gov Blago about his senate seat. He did not answer as never speaking to Blago, just not speaking to him about what was happening today (which could be interpreted as a dodge, but definitely not a lie)
December 9th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Oh, yeah, lol….
that’s pretty good…
“When asked about what contact he’d had with the gov. office about his replacement in the Senate, Pres. Elect Obama said…”
Of course the questioner meant to ask;
thank you fls for helping to clear that up.
That makes so much sense now. How could I have misread that so badly.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:54 pmYes, now that I reread that quote, tat seems to make so much more sense. Obama may have been trying to set up a deal with the Gov. on a tapped landline in the Police Office, while the Gov. was being booked for trying to set up a deal about the Senate seat. yeah. That is clearly what the interviewer was asking. That’s not hard to believe or to uh, uh, no that spin is good. Good real good. That’s work. Just don’t tell anyone that uh, the question came uh at noonish and uh, the Gov. was arrested the same morning. Then that will work. Just hope no one can read or anything…
December 9th, 2008 at 6:58 pmHi Faiz, miss me? Why don’t offer me a job man, cus, I mean, I can do better than that. come on. No one to bounce that one off of huh? either that or you got a bunch of yes men over there. Offer me a job… i need the money.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:02 pmUh-oh…Alejandro is here. Watch where you step everyone, the cow and pig dung is flying fierce from the source!
I’m just waiting for a rant on how money is the ultimate debtor. Please have more links, Big Al!!!!
December 9th, 2008 at 7:10 pmI see what you are saying fls, I’m just teasing.
At first it was that Axelrod misspoke about Obama and Blago talking about his replacement in the Senate.
Then it was Rahm who misspoke about how much time Obama really worked on the Blago campaign of 2002…
Now, I get it now, Now it’s Obama who also misspoke about the questioner thinking he meant “today, during the booking, did he talk to Blago about his replacement”.
I got it now, thanks.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pmwillyloman Says:
Debs;
ok, whatever you say. just keep watching when those transcripts are released, ok? I’ll get back to you then.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
WHEN that happens IF your pure conjecture is true THEN you will have some evidence as of now all you are doing is pulling accusations out of your ass based on your amazing mind reading powers that dont exist and the weak tactic of baselessly assigning venal motives for STOPPING THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:46 pmWilly- are you seriously arguing that the Obama team pressured Patrick Fitzgerald to prosecute the Democratic Gov. of Illinois as political ‘payback’ for not picking their candidate?
And that this is equivalent to the politicization of the Justice Dept. that occurred under George W.’s tenure?
Really?
Aren’t there any more birth certificates for you to examine?
December 9th, 2008 at 7:56 pmwillyloman Says:
Well, no. I am talking about the article I read about the press conference and “Fitz” saying that “the tip” led to that wiretap that started the whole thing off. I am also apparently as “mislead” as the guy who posted that story here… what was his name? oh yeah, Faiz.
Faiz posted only that a reporter had a tip that Rahm “may have” tipped off the Feds, but he neither claimed that the reporter’s tip was accurate, nor did he begin to spin an entire story based on that tip with no other information or evidence.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pmHow about this “accusation” pulled out of my a___ boys and girls?
“Dec. 8th 2008. Blago announced that the State of Illinois was suspending all transactions with Bank of America due to the fact that the Chicago company strike was taking place, and Bank of America had taken all that bailout money with the stated purpose of making loans, and they were refusing to make a loan to that company so they could pay their workers.”
Then this? Guy who is going after the same big bank that congress bent over backward for with the bailout, gets nailed the next day?
Curious?
Where is the national coverage on this little tidbit of information? No wonder Faux News killed their story; Big Banking is involved…
lordy lordy lordy.
Go to my site and watch the press conference that killed Blago’s career…
I don’t know WHAT happened here folks, but it’s damn sure, very interesting isn’t it?
And by the way, are ANY of you “progressives” concerned about how many stories about “misspeaking” is coming from the Obama camp now? Are ANY of you bothered by all of that?
I’m going to go read the entire 70 some page indictment, and see what is REALLY behind this. You should too. You future and your kids future may damn well depend on it.
I for one am sick as hell of living under a regime that lies to us constantly. I damn sure want CHANGE people.
That is why I get worried when this new group starts explaining things with the word ‘misspoke”.
If you don’t, that’s just fine with me. I tend to err on the side of the people who don’t “misspeak”.
You might also want to ask Faiz here why they haven’t mentioned this Bank of America thing that happened THE DAY BEFORE THIS STORY ABOUT BLAGO BROKE. You would think someone might think that is important enough to point out to you, huh?
December 9th, 2008 at 8:17 pmgummy;
the “other information” I “didn’t” include, was just the indictment and Blago’s supposed statements from it about dealing with the Obama team; then of course, Axelrods comment about Obama and Blago talking about his replacement. And then of course, knowing the Clinton administration from living under their rule for 8 years and not being blinded by party loyalty the whole time.
if you need more evidence, like I told the other one up there, lets wait and see what happens with the transcripts.
That’s not “spinning”… Faiz saying that Obama’s comment “(which could be interpreted as a dodge, but definitely not a lie)”… now that is the definition of “spinning” as opposed to lying.
got it?
December 9th, 2008 at 8:22 pmgood
belac;
nope. if you read the transcript of the interview with Fitz, the reporter reports that he mentions a “tip” that led to the wiretap…
From what I could gather it happened that night, or the day before? Still fuzzy about that, but,
what I am saying is it is POSSIBLE that people unknown in the obama Team were unhappy about not getting the person they wanted in the Senate seat from illinois, so they got the FBI to “wiretap” and then, hit Justice with the ‘tip”.
No pressure on Justice… just a ‘tip”.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:26 pmShayne Says:
I saw that conference and thought Obama was saying he hadn’t spoken to the Governor today and so he didn’t know what was going on with the arrest. Check out the video TP, I think you’re interpreting it the way you want to.
You know Shane, I think you are right. He did not say “I haven’t had any contact with Blagojevich about this matter”, and he didn’t say “I have never had any contact with Blagojevich”. He just said “I haven’t had contact with the Governor or his office so I don’t know what is going on”. That pretty much tells me he was speaking about today, not in the past.
Leave it to the biosphere to blow a statement into something it is not.
Of course Obama would have contact with Blagojevich. I’m sure that Blagojevich called him and asked him who he would like to see in the position. It wouldn’t make sense if he didn’t. But I think that Blagojevich’s FU statemet about Obama and saying that all Obama was willing to give him was praise pretty much says that Obama wasn’t going to play ball with Blagojevich and get into a “tit for tat”. What I think happened is that the Obama team got wind of Blagojevich trying to sell the seat and they turned him in. Good for them!
December 9th, 2008 at 8:27 pmFor reall John Kerry, why do I scare you so?
December 9th, 2008 at 8:28 pmwillyloman Says:
what I am saying is it is POSSIBLE that people unknown in the obama Team were unhappy about not getting the person they wanted in the Senate seat from illinois, so they got the FBI to “wiretap” and then, hit Justice with the ‘tip”.
And it is just as likely that the Obama team got wind of the fact that Blagojevich was trying to sell the seat and since that is against the law, they turned him in.
Actually, I think that is more likely than your scenario.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:29 pmI would like to know when TP is going to ban John Kerry. He posts very racist comments and all they do is to remove the racist comment, but they let him stay. He doesn’t contribute to the discourse on this site, mostly just does a daily “hit and run”, and yet TP allows him to stay.
Are you all hitting the Report Abuse link when this jerk posts? If not, let’s start doing it until TP gets off their a$$es and bans him.
December 9th, 2008 at 8:30 pmWell Bilbo, that is fair enough. And I can understand that opinion.
But now, we have to keep in mind that on Dec. 8th he stands up for the people at the window factory and says Illinois will cancel contracts with Bank of America because they won’t make loans like they said they would to get the 25 billion tax-payer dollars…
then on Dec. 9th, he is arrested… for a case that several people are now back-tracking all over the place and words like “misspoke” are being used.
Do you understand my reluctance to just jump on the old “string him up” band wagon? Not that you are… just, it seems a little “fishy” shall we say…
December 9th, 2008 at 8:52 pmJK Hey you cowardly PUNK. Why are you such an ignorant troll? Why do you even waste the oxygen that a higher lifeform could be using? Why doesnt TP ban this stupid worthless waste of life troll?
December 9th, 2008 at 9:38 pmwillyloman Says:
Stuff your blogwhoring. Yes you are pulling accusation DIRECTLY OUT OF OUR ASS. NO ONE ANYWHERE IS DENYING BLAGO WAS COMITTING A CRIME BROKERING A SENATE APPOINTMENT. The indictment STOPPED THE COMISSION OF A CRIME. Everything you conjecture about the MOTIVES, that you cant possibly know, you do understand that you DONT have amazing mind reading powers right, doesnt obviate that they STOPPED THE COMISSION OF A CRIME. You are being bitter and silly. When evidence actually appears that these reasons YOU are pretending are the only possible ones for arresting Blago ARE the reasons get back to us. As of now ya got nothin but your imagination. THEY STOPPED THE COMMISSION OF A CRIME. IT is blatant stupidity to pretend they had to have a venal motive to do that or that it was somehow WRONG to do that.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:45 pmwillyloman Says:
He is on tape trying to sell a Senate seat. I dont know how much more you need. Apparantly what you need is someway to smear the Obama administration even without the slightest evidence they did anything other than STOP THE COMISSION OF A CRIME.
December 9th, 2008 at 9:49 pmAs to #73
I can not remember John Kerry being that overtly racist in the past and I am sort of offended by it but I think it may be more of a cry for help than anything else. I think that John Kerry should continue to be encouraged to join the discussion. To ban him may put him at risk. You need to understand that John Kerry is reaching out. We need just open our arms to him…
Hey JK:
December 9th, 2008 at 9:58 pmI am doing countnecks and chorizo…
willyloman Says:
——————————————————————————–
I see what you are saying fls, I’m just teasing.
At first it was that Axelrod misspoke about Obama and Blago talking about his replacement in the Senate.
Then it was Rahm who misspoke about how much time Obama really worked on the Blago campaign of 2002…
Now, I get it now, Now it’s Obama who also misspoke about the questioner thinking he meant “today, during the booking, did he talk to Blago about his replacement”.
I got it now, thanks.
December 9th, 2008 at 7:14 pm Recommend (0) | Report Abuse
That’s what happens when the damage control begins.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:20 pmwell, all…
since you don’t seem to concerned about this guy calling for a massive profit loss for Bank of America on Dec. 8th and then getting busted on Dec. 9th…
maybe you will find this interesting…
the first 3 witnesses listed in the criminal complaint against him, are all cutting deals to get less time… and they have been convicted or plead guilty to…
money laundering
mail and wire fraud
bribery
extortion
defrauding a medical school and a charitable organization
tax fraud
election fraud
agreeing to accept kickbacks worth millions of dollars
repeated and regular use of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, and ketamine
and my personal favorite “making false statements to the FBI”
one was a junkie millionaire playboy, and one was “national finance chair for Vice President Al Gore’s 2000 presidential campaign.”
it was filed on Dec. 7th 2008, this past Sunday. They apparently knew that Blago was going to make his press conference on Mon. Dec. 8th, yesterday.
These are the FACTS of the case. I will get back to you with more.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:22 pmSomeone seems to think themselves important….
December 9th, 2008 at 10:27 pmAn “indictment” wasnt’ even issued today. A “complaint” was filed. And IF a member of Obama’s team was propositioned by the governor and went along with it THEN they would be an accessory although it’s not clear any of them will be found guilty on that because money was not given and so nobody benefited and so the crime wasn’t technically carried out on the senator race as yet.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:39 pmAs a resident of Illinois who voted for Obama for the senate I do not want that seat going to the highest bidder which sounds like that would probably be Jesse Jackson III.
I would hope that EVERYBODY that was coerced by the governor contacted Fitzgerald and let him know.
Our last governor, a Republican, got elected and finished his second term before he was indicted. While it does seem that Fitzgerald raced to get this complaint issued I don’t think we can be sure it was because of Bank of America which agreed to give a loan to the company it had pulled the line of credit from. The Justice Dept. and Fitzgerald still work for Bush so maybe the bankers complained but since they paid anyway who knows. Perhaps Justice was really pissed about the governor trying to sell a Senate seat. Blagojevich like his predecessor is a bum and has been under investigation for a very long time.
Bank of America is the largest American bank second only to a bank in China. And it was never a bank in Illinois until last year when it bought out LaSalle Bank. I hardly think the state of Illinois threatening to stop doing business with them would be threatening to their solvency. And Obama also spoke out against this corporation and the bank cutting off their line of credit.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:42 pmIn addition, Blagojevich had a favorable rating of 14% among Illinois resident before today when he was indicted. He’s been trying to cut deals for jobs and looking for money to cover his defense for years because he knew there would be no way to get reelected and he knew charges would eventually be filed.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:52 pmas you can see, I am quoting the “complaint” up there.
Here is something interesting, he didn’t ask for “money” from the Obama “team”, he was asking for uh, political favors in the form of appointments. Sec health and human Services, or an ambasadorship…
ready for the horrible part?
seems like I remember Bill Clinton having the same kind of chat with Obama before he endorsed his candidacy. In fact, don’t they kinda ALWAYS do that?
how about Rahm? you think he was just the best person qualified? Is that how you think this works?
Do I remember a scene or two or 50 in The West Wing about that kind of behind the scenes wheeling and dealing?
and this guy is a monster?
You should look up his record. He has been pretty pro-education and workers rights. In fact, he hasn’t been very, uh, “pro-free-trade” his whole career as Gov. In fact, that kinda makes sense that he would want health and human services.
Anyway, he got pushy and he got greedy.
But you guys demonizing him, without really knowing what going on, isn’t doing anyone any good. unless of course this was all just a set up to keep him from writing out bank of America…
…and then in that case, you guys are doing Bank of america a lot of good.
December 9th, 2008 at 10:56 pmYou should ask them for a check. or maybe an appointment…
Shayne Says:
I see. Obama ’spoke out against it” after calling the members of the Black Caucus in secret and getting them to sign on for the Paulson Banking Bailout Bill of 700 billion dollars.
Obama “spoke out against it” meaning Bank of America refusing to make loans like they were supposed to with the Paulson Banking Bailout Bill that Obama helped them get.
He “spoke out”… but Blago went on the news yesterday and said the State of Illinois was going to halt all transactions with the Bank of America because they weren’t living up to the Paulson Banking Bailout Bill that Obama helped them get…
Do you see a slight difference there, or are you completely blinded by Party affiliation? Do you understand the difference? You see it? do you?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:03 pmI live in Illinois. He’s been demonized for years. He’s the first Democratic governor since the seventies and since his predecessor was a bum I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Pro labor. One of the main complaints against him is that he raised corporate income taxes so high that corporations were fleeing the state. The only reason he was reelected was that he was running against a Republican crony of the last governor who is in prison. He’s been under investigation since he got in a major battle with his father inlaw who no doubt ratted him out.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:04 pmI’m blinded by party affiliation. Blagojevich is a Democrat. I believe the bailout was necessary to stop a complete halt in corporate lending. But I think the oversight that Paulson was supposed to be watching has been less than satisfactory. And I give credit to Blagojevich for speaking out against the BoA but I’m not happy about him trying to sell MY senate seat. I have to pay corporate income taxes to Illinois even when I haven’t made enough profit to pay federal taxes. And my state unemployment payment in the last 5 years has gone up from $100 a quarter to $2,000 a quarter. Not exactly pro business/pro labor is it.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pmYeah, I guess you would ‘em Shayne; one of them is was Al Gore finance chair for his campaign in 2000. Didn’t you like Gore to make a run this go round? Wasn’t there some kind of “Draft Gore ‘08″ thingy? I can’t remember. But, to his credit, he wasn’t uh, the tweeker or the junkie, he was one of the fraud and embezzling I think.
Yeah, see, that guy actually took money, where, now watch how this works, Blago hadn’t done anything yet… he just talked about it…
you see how that works? When drug dealers (like the guy testifying against him) get busted, they got to make the deal at least, trade moeny, stuff like that.
Same with insider trading, and murder, and conspiracy to commit murder (got to make a payment at least)….
…but here, you guys want to hang this dude, and as of yet, all he did was talk.
What did Bill Clinton actually give up, for Hillary to get that gig, you think? Do go that far do you?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:09 pmwell, how did he win that primary? and don’t forget who helped him win… The good Sen. from Illinois, right? B. Obama.
I’m not saying he is an angle Shayne,
hell, I agree with you for the most part. But what has he actually done THIS time?
I don’t think it was Rahm so much anymore. Clearly i am now looking at this Bank of America thing more than I am Rahm not getting who he wanted in the position.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:11 pmI don’t care it the guy goes to jail or not. I just don’t want him selling the senate seat. They supposedly have him on tape trying to sell it but we’ll have to see won’t we. I really don’t understand why you’re blaming Gore for something some other guy did. But no I wasn’t trying to draft Gore I was a John Edwards supporter.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pmAbsolutely Shayne! That’s what I am saying. no he is not “pro-business” or “pro-free trade” but if you look at his record, for unions and teachers unions and trade unions… yeah, I think he is pretty pro-labor.
Monday’s press conference proved that. And if I am right, he sacrificed his career doing it, because he thought, right now with this appointment, they couldn’t touch him.
guess anyway
December 9th, 2008 at 11:14 pmSo what you’re saying is that an Illinois Democratic politician supported another Democrat rather than his Republican opposition with ties to the governor in jail. We haven’t had a decent candidate for governor in like 40 years, maybe that’s the problem.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:16 pm“I just don’t want him selling the senate seat.”
we are in agreement on that.
I am not “blaming” Gore, I am just pointing out that this “probably” goes on more than we even want to know… in many different campaigns and transition teams.
I am not even really saying anything bad about Rahm and Hillary, were they to have had a hand in it. It’s a power struggle right now. However, if its got more to do with the Bank… thats different
now I remember, that’s right, you were an Edwards supporter. I liked him too after Kucinich got pushed out…
December 9th, 2008 at 11:17 pmWhat about Blago’s father? Wasn’t he in politics and wasn’t he like loaded?
I know. Illinois… what do have like 3 prior govs in federal pen right now? Jebus
December 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pmYou are not pro labor when you send business fleeing the state. He also increased taxes on the river boats so much that they had to cut their work force in half. Chicago is a pro-labor city and that has more to do with the strength of the unions and the members than it has anything to do with the governor. All Chicago politicians are pro union and he started in Chicago. You think he sacrificed his career? You don’t know anything about him. It is no sacrifice in Chicago to be pro labor.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:20 pmWell, if this is about the Bank of America thing, and the timing sure makes that possible, then uh he’s got a 70 page criminal complaint that might disagree with you.
Hows the employment/unemployment numbers in Illinois? Where does your state rank?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:24 pmWilly, why don’t you go read his Wiki entry, and it’s his father inlaw that was powerful.
“Polling completed on October 13, 2008 put Blagojevich’s approval rating among Illinois voters at 4%.[43] Blagojevich ranks as “Least Popular Governor” in the nation according to Rasmussen Reports By the Numbers.[5
On December 30, 2005, it was reported that a leasing deal reached for occupants of the remodeled Illinois Tollway oasis had come under investigation by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Those who signed the fast food contracts were reported to be connected to Blagojevich campaign fundraising.[3] This is in addition to other investigations in the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children and Family Services.[3]
The governor’s wife, Patricia Blagojevich, was a business partner of Rezko’s for at least a decade. In 2004, she received over $38,000 in real estate commissions from him.[57]
In October 2006, it was revealed that Patricia Blagojevich, a licensed real estate broker, earned $113,700 in commissions from Anita and Amrish Mahajan. These were the only commissions earned by Patricia Blagojevich that year. Anita Mahajan owns a urinalysis company that holds a no-bid contract with the state Department of Children and Family Services. Amrish Mahajan is president of a bank that has two requests pending before state regulators to acquire two out-of-state banks”
December 9th, 2008 at 11:25 pmThe Chicagoland area is booming and so the surrounding suburbs are doing fine. But Mayor Daley and the governor have been fighting for years and the mayor has really high favorability ratings.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pmif you get a chance, read that criminal complaint against him. I’m reading it now. Unbelievable. These guys flying to fund raisers in new York, California, passing back and forth Chairmanships of “Foundations” in private jets. What was he, 48 at the time? One guy in the jet was the crystal meth freak, so you know that guy had to be getting high on something.
I don’t know. It’s all just a big-ass scam if you ask me. I still say we name a king and queen and be done with it.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:28 pmYeah? And the new Secretary of State had a board of directors seat created for her at WalMart when her husband was Gov. of Ark.
She ended up selling giving up her seat, keeping her huge pile of WalMart stock, and then secretly pressing for NAFTA that made the Waltons the wealthiest family in America and put millions of people out of work with outsourcing caused by NAFTA.
She sold that stock for 15-20 million when she ran for president and was kinda hinting at the assignation of the other candidate for the post, while her husband made derogatory remarks about that guy’s race while selling his speeches for 100k a pop (even to the Boy Scouts of America)…
you see my point?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:34 pmIsn’t a Daley one of the ones in the federal pen right now?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:35 pmand that is just the leading dems right now…
don’t get me started on the Bush Clan. Oh God…
December 9th, 2008 at 11:36 pmNo Mayor Daley is the guy bringing the Olympics to Chicago. And I’m no Hillary Clinton fan.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:39 pm“[T]he Seemingly Endless Revelations Of Wrongdoing At City Hall Have Been Accompanied By A Lengthy List Of City Tax And Fee Increases, Belt-Tightening Prompted By The Lackluster Economy And Growing Hostility From Organized Labor As Daley Seeks Contract Concessions And Pursues Increasing Privatization Of City Services.” Chicago Tribune 2005
“Daley Said He Sat For Questions At The Request Of U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald’s Office, Which Recently Alleged That Mayoral Aides Directed ‘Massive Fraud’ In City Hall Hiring And Promotions.” Chicago Tribune 2005
“Sorich Was The Daley Administration’s Go-To Patronage Guy In The Highly Influential Mayor’s Office Of Intergovernmental Affairs, An Office The Court Described As ‘The Beating Heart Of This Fraudulent Scheme.’ On July 6, 2006, A Jury Found Sorich Guilty Of Systematically Rigging City Hiring For The Political Benefit Of Mayor Daley And His Favored Politicians.” Chicago Sun Times 2008
You mean the guy involved in the Chicago Mob, Hired Truck program that cost millions of tax-payer dollars and supposedly got him kickbacks? That Mayor Daley?
December 9th, 2008 at 11:50 pmThe point I am making, is they all seem to dip their beaks a bit. Being from Illinois you should understand that.
you have to look at why this guy got singled out, at this time, for this “crime”.
my guess is, Bank of America didn’t want to lose any cash flow from the state of Illinois.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:52 pmanyway, i gotta run and read some more of that complaint. nice seeing you again Shayne.
December 9th, 2008 at 11:53 pmwillyloman:
December 9th, 2008 at 11:54 pmI’m obviously coming to this thread late and haven’t read much, but your comments about drug dealers (89) and “all he did was talk” arguments aren’t very strong. Drug dealers can be busted for intent to sell based on quantity (even relatively small quantities) or the number of “bags” the drugs are in. As the name implies, the cops infer intent based on something other than the act of selling. In addition, people solicit sex from undercover police officers without an exchange of money. It is a crime to stand in line at an airport and talk about bombs. There are many examples of talking about crimes (i.e. conspiracy) that are illegal.
intent does go along way tbone. i will give you that. I don’t know what the specific laws are here, but I would guess that perhaps, one way or the other (whether it is about the Senate appointment or the Bank of America accounts) just the accusation and the political pressure, in and of itself, might be all they needed, rather than a solid conviction in court.
How much juice has Blago got now? He won’t even be making the decision about the Senate seat now, the Illinois state Legislature will be doing it now.
So yeah, maybe that is enough in a conspiracy case, or maybe not. But the effect was certainly the same. In the court of public opinion.
December 10th, 2008 at 12:14 amwillyloman Says:
Spin all you want but you are full of it. He DID ask for money. He asked to get his wife a job on a board that would pay 150,000$, THAT is classic bribery, he asked for cash up front for his re-election. You are spinning so hard that if you arent careful you will screw yourself into the ground. The GUY WAS COMMITTING A CRIME and ITS ON TAPE. What a wanker.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:34 amJohn Kerry Says:
You ARE a racist and an ignorant cowardly PUNK TROLL. Everyone that reads your posts or is ever in your presence is a little dirtier for the experience you worthless piece of garbage.
December 10th, 2008 at 2:38 am