Yes, Presidents are held to higher standards or, why Rahm Emanuel’s dealings with Rod Blogojevich matter
By Heidi Li on December 23, 2008 at 12:30 PM in Barack Obama, Chicago politics, Current Affairs
I have just one question about this. Did Rahm Emanuel mention all of his connections to Rod Blagojevich on the famous vetting questionnaire that the Obama team supposedly required all prospective staff to answer? Given the broad wording of the questionnaire and the fact that Blagojevich has been under investigation for years for all sorts of crimes and shenanigans, I would have thought the Obama administration would want to know the full extent of overlapping ties, even if Emanuel has not done one improper or illegal thing in connection with the Senate vacancy created by President-Elect Obama’s resignation.
The issue that President-Elect Obama seems to have is one that cost him some people’s trust back in the primary season. The change many of us have been waiting for is not us. It is a change from the hypocrisy, corruption, and absurdity that have riddled the last eight years of this country’s political leadership.
If the Obama questionnaire was meant to do more than provide protection for President Obama, that is, if the questions it asked were asked in good faith, seeking full disclosure up front in the name of creating a culture of transparency and truthfulness, then Mr. Emanuel should have revealed all of his overlaps and ties to Gov. Blagojevich.
If you deal with dirty politicians, however much out of necessity, disclose your dealings; and, if need be, put them in context so as to show why you should not be seen to be cut from the same cloth.
If Mr. Emanuel only now explains himself – or rather if an explanation is supplied only on December 22, when the Obama-Biden transition team releases its “internal investigation (the one that it has already told us clears its members of any wrongdoing), that is a post-hoc effort at rationalization, which is not going to cut it with people who thought that President-elect Obama was coming to the Presidency to stop that sort of thing.
Since the inception of the office the President of the United States of America has merited a great deal of public scrutiny. No, this did not just start with Bill Clinton. In his own time, President Ulysses S. Grant’s drinking habits were subject of much speculation; whether he was or was not an alcoholic and how that affected his ability to serve his country remains a topic of historical study and debate. The question of whether Thomas Jefferson fathered children with Sally Hemmings came up during his first term as president. I have no view as to whether Grant’s drinking or Jefferson’s relationship with Hemmings mattered during their own eras or whether and how they should matter now. But I do have a view about Presidents who expect not to come under scrutiny. In anything like an egalitarian democracy, it is the right of citizens to question their public servants, especially those who enjoy great public power. It is their right to care about the precise relationship and connections between their President’s chief of staff and an apparently crooked Governor from the President’s home state. It is their right to care about who their President chooses to write the words he speaks; or who he chooses to bless his inauguration.
It is not only unrealistic to bleat about how unfair it is for the public to care about these things. It is to forget that the American public has always cared about these sort of things, even if at times the press has been more selective and inconsistent with what they report on certain on Presidents and presidential candidates than others.
Certainly, part of why people care is that they care about sensationalistic matters or matters that may have nothing to with a person’s actual qualifications or ability to be a good President. But people also care because they want to decide for themselves whether what a President reads or who she or he puts into a kitchen cabinet relates to a President’s qualifications and abilities.
So, people care about how Rahm Emanuel answered question 63: “Please provide any other information, including information about other members of your family, that could suggest a conflict of interest or be a possible source of embarrassment to you, your family, or the president-elect.” They care whether he had to answer the question; they care whether he discusses any of his dealings with Gov. Blagojevich. And they care not only because they voted for a change in our nation’s political culture; they care because many of them voted for the candidate they did because they took his discussions of change to mean a change from low standards when it comes to corruption or even questionable dealings. People want to trust Barack Obama. Many react badly to people who criticize his integrity or trustworthiness. But again, to expect any President to be forever unscrutinized by the public is naive. And if a a candidate makes people believe he offers more integrity and truthfulness than any of his rivals, it is naive to suppose that President will not be watched closely to see if that President lives up to the standards he himself set.
(Release: November 13)
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Can you imagine Barky undergoing the Ken Starr treatment? $70,000,000 can by a lot of dirt. And I’m sure there are plenty of people under the Greyhound with us who would be thrilled to make a little extra income, the times being what they are.
You couldn’t even ask if he still smoked, nor print the photos of him smoking in college (turns out he didn’t quit), you couldn’t ask about the ’staffer’ that had to go to the Island until after the election, you couldn’t ask any questions really…
We won’t know what went on during the campaign nor the Obama presidency until 2020, but then everyone knows that joke!
Heidi,
Thank you for yet another superbly written and reasoned piece. Yes, espcially in today’s world is is more important than ever that we be able to hold accountable and trust our leaders. Some examples:
1. Despite what any of us think of Putin’s, heart as cold as the Siberian Tundra in winter, or his machevillian strategic plans honed by KGB training. Putin now poses a great danger. Putin above all is VERY intelligent and pragmatic. This raises the question as to WHY NOW is Putin in Nicaragua, Veneuela and Cuba? What is with the sudden Military partnerships being revitilized in the Carribean?
2. Biden is another who likes to be fortified with his Irish Whiskey as numerous reports and You Tubes show. Given that Biden will have access to classified security info, doesn’t it become a national security issue to have someone with a drinking habit possibly talking way too much while under the influence?
3. There have been several mentions on the web regarding Kerry’s philandering. Since Kerry will be head of the Foreign Relations Committee, doesn’t this pose a national security danger of him saying the worng thing to one of his overnight “guests?”
It seems only common sense that our leaders will have to walk the straight and narrow, given the incipient dangers in our world today. This speaks of the absolute neccessity for leaders with a strong and trustworthy character.
Perhaps the standards are now hiugher, but given the realities, this becomes necessary for American safety.
“it is naive to suppose that President will not be watched closely to see if that President lives up to the standards he himself set.”
Take THAT Obots!
lol
“it is naive to suppose that President will not be watched closely to see if that President lives up to the standards he himself set.”
Ah, but Obots demand a double standard…it defies all reason and sensibility.
I fully expect Obama to continue to be shielded by the MSM, who have been in the tank for him since day one.
Do I think this is fair? Hell no.
Do I think we, the people, will be continued to be left in the dark about his shameless and outrageous connections? Absolutely.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. Rezko and Jarrett are at the center of this, with Emaunel running interference.
I hate to admit this, but we Americans are getting exactly what we deserve. This guy was voted in by a majority of voters (albeit a slim margin), Most voters stayed home, either because McCain was too liberal for the Republican base or they just gave up.
I guess it’s going to be four more years of Presidential antics bordering on being illegal,,,,,
Maybe this is a test, prior to him taking office to see if the ‘cheerleaders’ oops the PRESS/MEDIA loves him and how far they will go to protect him.
Remember what Biden said:Joe Biden: Obama will be tested by a generated crisis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWXOC45IW30
Yes, and he related it to Kennedy and the missile crisis. Well, that region has Chinese and Russian influence buying it all up – and joe joe is wetting his pants – because the CONGRESS has ignored their responsibilities for so long that hemisphere is burning. (that’s ok – these progressives love the whole Che and burning sulphur at the podium man)
Joe was spewing his “7 presidents of experience” and “making his bona fides” as far as “foreign policy” Veep goes.
So Joe is blabbering about his own bragging ego and trying to claim he is worthy of being picked.
It means nothing – other than Camelot worship – and a call for “unity”.
JOE ” I forgot more about foreign policy than most people know “. LOL
JOE ” We haven’t had the military capacity in 20 years to win a war ” (when the truth is – the crybaby tree huggers make sure no war is ever won – because they are in fact psychotic losers bent on defeating the USA because it is WRONG ALWAYS to be in any conflict).
It’s amazing to me – and it means ZERO.
The USA is being SLAMMED with the help of half our citizens worldwide – so when fattyhead bloviator joe spews his spam speech – it means probably he got some heads up he never got as a mere senator – and then he crapped his pants – and wet them all over the audience.
Thanks joe – cleo and nostradamus thank you.
Only this time, as you say, the press will give him a pass and the legal system a few get out of jail free cards…a little frightening, to say the least.
This post is going to look pretty dumb when the report comes out later today.
Bad Blood:
Pretty dumb only to those who drank the Kool-Aid and actually believe that a self-investigation and a self-report by a campaign organization that has been repeatedly caught in lies, is anything other than self-serving garbage. The final “report” will be issued eventually by the U.S. Attorney’s Office (Patrick Fitzgerald), and anything that is reported before the U.S. Attorney closes the file on the matter and issues is premature and speculative self-serving rumor, at best.
If Fitzgerald thought Obama had any involvement in Blago’s selling of the Senate seat, he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to point out that there wasn’t any involvement. I’m just not very concerned. Worst case scenario is that Emanuel talked w/Blago about the seat.
Fitzgerald NEVER SAID Obama had no involvement. Fitz chose his words very carefully.
He said that this specific report does not accuse Obama of anything. Then he says
“That’s all I can say right now.” That’s very different from clearing Obie from any wrong-doing.
He clearly does NOT say Obama was not involved.
Just that he’s not being accused in this report.
To me that leaves the door wide open.
BTW, when will Obama’s report be released.
First, it was a few days. Then next week. Then tomorrow.
Is it out yet? And if not, why not. And why is it
taking so long?
Evidently it’s not that easy to get it to say what they want it to.
Skinny,
Reading comprehension skills! Fitzgerald clearly stated that Obama is not mentioned in THIS complaint. That is not exoneration – just a fact in one very small piece of the whole stinking pie.
As a teacher I have to ask, How on earth do you guys make it from one grade to the next with such dismal comprehension and critical thinking skills? I sure would have not let you pass – it would be degrading to the accreditation of the college and would lower standards to the point of unbearable.
You have made this point before. You have no idea what The Us Attorney’s office has or does not have regarding BO.
Rob G in Chicago is correct. US Attorney Fitzgerald did not go out of his way when responding to a reporters question. He stated simply that the focus of “the complaint” makes no mention of BO. In fact after reading the complaint it is clear that they made great effort to edit out an mention of BO.
Yes, this will all be cleared up after Obama investigates himself … LOL Good one!!!
Yeah….the phrase used by another NQ poster “virgin in a whorehouse” keeps running through my mind. LOL!
“the report”
Oh yeah, that totally impartial report by objective 3rd parties, right? Laugh out LOUD!
I have no idea what the report will say. But I’ve lived long enough to notice one thing. Internal investigations always clear the parties involved.
An independent investigation by a truly disinterested party? Fine.
But only the naive believe anyone who investigates themselves and their co-workers or subordinates are going to incriminate themselves.
Please.
BBBREAKING NEWS:
THE FOX REPORTS NO CHICKENS, WE REPEAT NO CHICKEN WERE MISSING FROM THE CHICKEN COOP!
We now return you to your normal indoctrination…ooops Programming!
LOL–I need a lineup of talking heads to verify this report. I’m sure they will, but it’s comforting, just the same!
Comment by The Robot | 2008-12-23 13:08:38
Yes, this will all be cleared up after Obama investigates himself … LOL Good one!!!
***********
It will be interesting to see what “weasel” words they use….they don’t know the full extent of what Fitz has on tape. Their other problem is that if they go too far out on a limb with denials, Blago can use their lies for more leverage. It has also come out that Fitz has had people wearing “wires” and possible “taps” for more than five years.
Fitz is in the thick of things in Chicagoland and I highly doubt he will rat Obama out. He would have done it before the election if he was going to do it at all, to save all the aggravation of going after an elected Pres. Who knows, he may have been promised a really good upward move by his friend OB. Don’t they play bball together or something? Obama escapes the heat every time and this will be no different imo. There has to be something very irrefutable with all kinds of evidence in order to snare OB and even then he still might escape. 4 years is a long time to have to deal with this but it was willed on us with seemingly no way to stop it. What happened to Hillary and the DNC’s lack of vetting and qualifying OB should have been the big red flag for all of us. They totally thumbed their noses at all the rules and they got away with it. Too late now, we are stuck in the muck of Obamaland.
“There has to be something very irrefutable with all kinds of evidence in order to snare OB and even then he still might escape.”
Get out of jail free cards – mark my words. If Reagan was the teflon pres, this guy ‘walks on water’ and we’re afraid ‘the one’ will hit us with a lightening bolt…lol.
Anyone who thinks that the internal investigation will report even the slightest wrongdoing by Obama or HIS disciples needs to change what he, or she, is smoking or drinking. Heck, that is almost like my doing a self investigation of the grades I received on the three degrees I received and me assuring you that I easily passed every subject at the highest level. I am sure there are some instructors and professors out there who more than likely would argue that I was a good student, maybe some would say I was above average, but some would assuredly say that a some of the grades they gave me were certainly not the “highest possible passing” grade.
Amazes me that so many are willing to buy off on everything that Obama says. Guess I grew up in a different age where if you ran with the gang, you more than likely would be tainted with its image whether you were involved in the actual activities or just a member of the gang.
Probably will not live long enough to read what history after about 2020 has to say about Obama and HIS administration.
I use “HIS” because until Obama proves, or it is proven, that he is a “natural born” citizen of the U.S., he will only remain the President of the United States, not “MY” president.
I always get excited when I see a headline about Rahm Emanuel being implicated in the Blago scandal. So far, however, it always turns out that he did want Blago to appoint Jarrett, but he refused to offer Rod anything for the appointment. Don’t see how it has legs, unless something else comes to light.
I really doubt there will be anything much here. For one thing, Jesse Jackson Junior has been supposedly informing on Blago for years. I find it hard to believe Obama would have had no clue about this, and hence, would have protected himself.
If Obama protected himself against Blago, why did he help run his campaign and then re-endorse in 2006. Obama should be held to account for all the shady characters he runs with and endorses, et al. We’ll see if anyone has any backbone left in this nation, and whether integrity ever matters again..
Robot,
Do you have links. I have read that JJ Jr only informed on the $25,000 campaign request because Blago refused to put his wife on the board.
I also read JJ Jr did not go to the feds in person, he just “phoned it in”.
Do you have any more concrete info and links?
Thank you for your well-written article.
The first person to complete the “questionnaire” should be PEBO, the second person, Michelle Obama. Their responses to the questionnaires should be published in every major newspaper (as was required the list of donors to the Clinton Foundation and Bush-Clinton Katrina fund). Their responses to the questionnaires should be scrutinized as to truthfulness and accuracy. Why aren’t we Americans demanding this now? Absolutely Americans care about all matters concerning the President, including what he/she reads, but who among us has the nerve, the courage, to demand that PEBO give us full disclosure, by responding to this same questionnaire required of those to serve in his administration? Sadly, I know the answer to that question. No one will ever hold to account this most powerful celebrity.
Do you think PEBO could at least answer the obvious questions regarding his travel to Pakistan?
Yes, but when you come down from heaven, it’s tough to answer mere mortal questions…nay, impossible…rotfl…
Blago has been under investigation for a few years yet BO’s people, Axelrod and Emmanuel thought it was no biggie that they keep talking to him, that BO endorsed him in 2006, etc. So the point is in the world of politics and Chicago politics in particular all corruption in insidious, you can’t escape it, it’s the norm. And just because you’re running for President doesn’t mean you can suddenly become clean and innocent. Theses guys let the power go to their heads, they really, really think that they can do and act any way they want. BO is as corrupt as Blago, probably a thousand times more and probably has many more skeletons in his closet than Blago. People like this don’t care about anything Fitzgerald included. They’re ALL dirty.
” Axelrod and Emmanuel thought it was no biggie that they keep talking to him, that BO endorsed him in 2006, etc. ”
Oh, gee, didn’t know that.
Why is it that I have to get my news from fellow citizens who find out the important stuff from some obscure media report that spews out from one of the 24 hour sacks of crud or some local playa ?
Obama endorsed him in 2006.
LOL
Oliar ” I never knew he ever, ever did anything wrong, and I investigated me and my staff then and none of us knew either. ”
It was absolutely golden stupidity on Meet the Press, with jawbone as the new cult newshead, and the little 20 year news old lady from Chicago blabbed out on the air ” It’s really our fault we dropped the ball – while we were talking about Obama’s dog we should have been checking into this “.
I mean it showed the stark raving lunacy of the press. It was a Chicago Trib 20 year investigative reporter I believe.
There she was admitting they hadn’t a clue – 20 years she “worked for them”. Not clue one – then way after the fact, still not a clue – but at least she can admit it on public national television.
You’re right lady, go back to reporting on politicians pets. We all know you already have, it’s hard to break a 20 year habit of love.
This same 20 year Chicago Trib investigative reporter then said ” I find it very strange that Jesse Jackson Jr. wasn’t on the Emmanuel shortlist. I mean why wasn’t he on it ? ”
There she was – on naitonal TV – 20 year city reporter in the #1 1st amendment newspaper – and she had a question for her audience.
Think about that – 20 years of possibly working Chicago connections for information flows and “staying on top of things for the public” (pols pets), and (it just aired the other day) she still came on national TV then asked the public a question – because she hadn’t clue one concerning the answer as to why Jesse Jackson Jr. wasn’t on the shortlist.
Golly lady – maybe he was an informant and Rahm knew it ? Gee, could that be it ? Do you wnt to do your job, EVER ? If that was your burning (as a black minority) question, WHY DIDN’T YOU FIND OUT THEN TELL AMERICA ON YOUR NATIONAL TV EXPOSE ON MEET THE PRESS? !! ?? !!
I see … keep us all as stupid as possible – because you don’t have a single investigative bone in your body… just a big fat ” perhaps there was opression” question mark and a blank mind and reporters pad…
Relying on you lady, is like relying on a blank piece of paper for the news.
I thank you at least I know JJ Jr. wasn’t on the shortlist- and that means ZERO to me anyway – since the reason why is still a mystery – even to you.
(Sense any anger or frustration from me ? Believe me I’m holding most of it back)
That is the question for the entire, sorry US press corps.
The obots endless stupidity is highly entertaining, isn’t it?
A self-conducted internal investigation will hold any sway with the feds? BWAAAHAAAA!
Obama will clear himself of any wrong doing. He’s a typical politician. He’s not gonna fall on his sword for justice OR the american way. He’ll let someone else do that. Newsflash: Obama ain’t the messiah his devoted groupies dream of.
The “big” report on Friday is just damage control and more kool-aid for the Obots to keeping swilling.
The obots’ endless stupidity is highly entertaining, isn’t it?
A self-conducted internal investigation will hold any sway with the feds? BWAAAHAAAA!
Obama will clear himself of any wrong doing. He’s a typical politician. He’s not gonna fall on his sword for justice OR the american way. He’ll let someone else do that. Newsflash: Obama ain’t the messiah his devoted groupies dream of.
The “big” report on Friday is just damage control and more kool-aid for the Obots to keeping swilling.
BO cannot pass the vetting process that he has set up for his own administration. Rezko, Pay for Play, the Illinois Teacher’s Fund, Acorn were only looked into superficially by the media cultists.
BO endorsed, worked, and supported the reelection of Governor Blago despite the fact that he was under investigation and scrutiny by the Feds. They all share the same fundraisers, moneymen and women, cushy jobs for their wives, and so on.
BO is clueless. He tells the country that we are headed for hard economic times. Yet, he’s galavanting around Hawaii in a million dollar mansion playing golf. How does he afford this vacation? Is it with illegal campaign contributions or lobbyist money? He’s setting a horrible example for the rest of the country when people are losing their jobs, health benefits, and homes. To me, he really looks like he’s “acting” presidential but deep down BO is a cold fish.
Yes and he won’t comment to the American people about Blago because he’s on vacation in Hawaii (Sound like someone we know)?
Thank you for pointing out the 30 million dollar beach rentals obama family and friends yanked for the holidays…
I must say it certainly shows how the elite have no sense of anything anymore.
I read about it, saw the video on the inside of the place, watched the seller give his spiel about how happy the Obama’s looked – how “pleased” they were.
I guess they didn’t invite Obama’s half brother living in squalor and poverty in Kenya on a dollar a day or month- whatever it is.
Just think how nice it would have been if Obama gave his half brother and that family of his he kept visiting secretly a few years ago (except for his terrorist cousin now co-killing spree-coup-president Odingo) – how nice it would have been for him to show compassion for the “least of my brothers”.
NOPE – not a chance.
I’m sure the anwer was “those people smell” like Harry Reid decided.
It’s like the o family is a bunch of spoiled brats without a care in the world.
I’m sure it’s a good place to “fall off the wagon” again and enjoy some smokes, too.
“Stop bothering us press- this is our vacation”.
So if you’re a god, you quit your day job representing a state – then flee that state(your 4th homeland) for your 3rd homeland Hawaii – and leave out your 1st homeland brother in starving, and forget about your second homeland Indonesia as well it appears.
Whatever – it’s so beyond “for the little people” we might as well forget it – and forget anything.
The stench of elitism is so thick it has permeated everyone already.
No Obama, you do not care about the least of your brothers, literally. You’re a big fat lying fraudster – who shat on his own flesh and blood in front of the world. Now you pretend it never happened, and that it doesn’t continue to happen.
No suffering for the O – 30 million dollar enjoyment extravaganza…
I guess when Bush gave up golf it was a joke, but it looks like this next one will live as large as possible – maybe we need an O Taj Bamal glittering golden pooled sanctuary estate built in DC so the worshippers can come forth to it and glory in it’s outer grounds within several hundreds yards of their perhaps present leader.
Yes, why not use some of the hundreds of trillions to build an ode sanctuary to the one ?
The O Taj Bamal
NINE million dollars.
I also visit a cooking forum where another poster (a U.S. Marine’s wife) was irate this morning because “a high profile person” wanted to use the base gym in Kilea (sp?). The Secret Service would not let her drive her car home so she had to walk. She is sure that a $9 million rental comes with it’s own gym and that he’s just wanting to “be seen”.
Way to reach out to your armed forces, PEBO!
I just read the “report” issued by the Obama team. I found absolutely nothing in there suggesting anything improper, even from Blago’s side. So this is a nice whitewash, and how does Fitz’s take on things differ? There is nothing in there to indicate any offers or deals were made, suggested or otherwise. So dying to hear the tapes to see how far they are from the truth.
And we get a nice glimpse into Obama’s world. He will always be several layers removed from anything controversial.
Oh, and for comic relief, check out Mechelle in her vacation garb.
There must be some integrity to the report. If the report does not match what Fitz and BO know then the Obama would open themselves up to critizism in the future from Fitz and BO. I do not think they would be that stupid to write a report that is different than what Fitz and BO know. The check and balance to their report is Fitz and BO. So chances are if they are saying there are no issues, then there are no issues…..
“There must be some integrity to the report.”
There “must”?
“I do not think they would be that stupid to write a report that is different than what Fitz and BO know.”
Why shouldn’t they be that “stupid”?
what Fitz and BO know….
or… what Fitz knows BO knows.
or …what Fitz knows BO knows Fitz knows…
If ever there was a document that lawyered up faster than than it takes the ink to dry, it will be this “report”.
I admit I have not read it yet. OOPS!Will it be just another episode of “Vanishing Words”; The Sequel?
…then the Obama would open themselves up
Funny; you made a funny.
Ha! O endorsed Blago when he was under a huge cloud in 2006. Don’t you think that that opened him up to what’s happening now? Besides, O thinks he can continue to enjoy a total pass from the US Pass Corps and the Kool-aid drinkers.
Exactly, I’m sure Rahm has been talking with the fancy lawyers and telling ‘em all is OK. You know high level political conversations. Then whatever Fitz comes out with – they’ll try to spin it back to the ‘but, but, but…this doesn’t fit the Messiah narrative’ and hope the heck the press looks the other way.
Oh, Obama has shown he’s not shy to dip his hand DEEP into his plethora of cookie jars.
Blah! Blah! Blah!
You guys must get a lot of enjoyment out of scrutinizing the meaningless.
Your level of paranoia, distrust and knit-picking is hilarious.
Have you held all your politicians up the the same level of scrutiny you are giving Obama. Have you dug deep into the actions and background of Hiliary, McCain, Bush, etc. etc.? I don’t think so.
Splitting hairs over garbage.
Most believe that Obama is off to a good start. Appointing people even Republicans think have been good, taking the economy by the horns, by preparing a stimulus package for day one, that even many Republicans think makes sense, etc. etc. etc.
Read this article in the NYT today, although many of you I am sure will think you are above the NYT.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/24/us/politics/24web-nagourney.html?_r=1
It is amazing that guys are going to continue to whine about whether you think that there is some kind of unethical and illegal activity between Rahm Emanuel and BO, when BO himself admits he got no where with Obama. What exactly are you looking for? and why does it matter? McCain himself said the whole trying to tie Obama to BO is BS and a waste of time.
You can ask your knit-picking questions and make your assumptions that all politicians from Chicago are corrupt, but it is a waste of time. But if it amuses you then continue on, but if that is all you got then Obama is in very good shape.
There are many of us who did not vote for GW, either time, and who wanted impeach proceedings to be taken against he and Cheney. We certainly were not the ones who took impeachment off the table! So some of us did dig into Bush’s background (non-service in the Texas Air Guard, connections to big money,etc.) so don’t give us that crap about us only “knit-picking” on Obama.
As far as “knit-picking” on GW or Obama, GW is an open book compared to Obama. Maybe if Obama, or his handlers, were a little more willing to let us see who Obama really is (i.e., actual birth certificate, college transcrips, passport showing how he traveled to Pakistan, etc., etc., etc.)there would not be the knit-picking you accuse us of. We know that there was little transparency regarding many of the actions that transpired in the GW administration and the public will never be made know the truth about them. As for the Obama administration, it starts off being quite opaque in that we only know who he is by what he tells us. Some of us do have inquiring minds and want to know and apparently unlike you are not simply willing to follow the leader simply because he says we should.
actual birth certificate, college transcrips, passport showing how he traveled to Pakistan… you got to be kidding… what a joke!
Christ, Obama even wrote a pretty open and revealling book, where he even admitted cocaine use…. a far cry from Bush or what McCain have ever admitted.
Obama has gone under more intense scrutiny over two years than any other presidential candidate that ever came before….
you guys have questions his patriotism, whether he is american, whether he is black or white, whether he is a communist, a marxist, a racist, a woman hater… whether he is wears blue sockets or brown… does he whip his ass from the front or the back…
nobody is simply following any leader, but it is also important to be fair and to focus on the really important stuff, especially at this time in our country’s history….
this is the only time I have ever agreed with Newt, but I do on this one… i would just replace the Republican National Committee with “No Quarter”.
“I was saddened to learn that at a time of national trial, when a president-elect is preparing to take office in the midst of the worst financial crisis in over seventy years, that the Republican National Committee is engaged in the sort of negative, attack politics that the voters rejected in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles,” Mr. Gingrich wrote in a letter to Mr. Duncan.
Barky’s in the limelight now, little one. He’s about to get the Bill Clinton treatment from the press…you wanted him, you got him. Nasty connections and all. Blago is just the beginning. If more of his dirtbag past comes to light, he’ll be a lame duck president with his own party in power. I’m going to enjoy watching his lying sexist ass squirm. Happy Holidays!
your comments are as nasty as they always are.. you certainly live up to your name. you really have nothing of value to add….
Thank you! I’m proud to offend your delicate nature. Becareful in your reply, you might break a nail. Poor Dear.
Oh and PS, your message about coming together for the good of the country sounds very much like Bushbots telling us we should support Bush on Iraq and the war on terror for the good of the country and for our soldiers, blah, blah, blah.
there is a big difference between trying to solve an economic mess and being sold to go to war….
The “books” Obama authored are calculated and have been shown to be less than honest, e.g. his impoverished background. However, for the credulous, those susceptible to demagoguery and easily duped, they must make for an “inspiring” read.
Yeah, right. Would you care for some brie to go with the your whine?
Happy Holidays to you and yours Ferd.
Just think! I never knew BO’s books were so “open and revealing”.
Cocaine use? ..”Not the Smack!”
He’s no lie.
The link the O supporter gave to the NYT is HILARIOUS – right at the top is the two ladies with their legs crossed , mcshame and oliar, sitting on their YELLOW striped elitist puffy cushion den chairs.
It’s nice to know the NYT is so clueless they think that shows something good.
We get New York magazine here, and it’s just like mcshame and oliar on the front cover in their beach trunks on their strapped lounge chairs kicking back in a slump with their crotches facing forward and their shirts off – sucking their daquiris and smiling at eachother.
mcshame has been a rino traitor for decades now, and msm has embraced him for it – endlessly – for spreading his hate of the republicans – and of course they picked him – because they believed in the msm name prop recognition and paid operatives and “polls” (conducted by progressive fruit loop liars) that told them mcshame had wide independent support.
LOL
This nation is gone –
I’m glad the 2 ladies can scrunch their team vaginas together with cross legs and little puffy pillows for their achy sore backs on their yellow barky elite chairs for the NYT’s glorious praise.
As for the republican loons praising team b – they have to since they screamed everyone must rally aropund the president for 8 years, now they have top prove to themselves “they aren’t like their traitorous opposition”.
Expect the insane neocon fruitcakes to spew glory and praise toward the O – proving they aren’t “a traitorous piece of crap like BDS’ers” (so they claim).
This of course is O support to the true barak worshippers. They’re too braindead to figure it out. barky, brainless, clueless, drooling morons.
One of our Obot friends said yesterday that he thought once the new Congress convened (before the inauguration) maybe they will impeach Bush! Bwahahah!!! Still hasn’t figured out the Dems don’t want to get rid of Bush, he’s manna from heaven.
Droll, bot. I don’t care a tinker’s cuss about That One. It is the country I’m worried about. In very good shape, indeed. Thanks so much for being a part of the goose-stepping, Kool-Aide-sipping, naive-beyond-words sycophants who brought us yet another arrogant poser to the WH. I do hope you’ll like your Chicago-version of Shrub.
Fred I’m hoping I see a coming president in my lifetime that clearly has his or her given name at birth as his or her current name.
I suspect however we will get more people with question marks beside what their real name even is.
I also suspect having a Father and a Mother and not a broken family and childhood is out of the question.
Presidential litmus paper test:
1. What is your real name ?
a. I don’t really know
2. Who is your real Father ?
b. I don’t really know him. I can’t say for sure.
3. What is your country ?
c. It’s complicated, I’m a world citizen.
4. What about the flag ?
d. I haven’t burned it recently.
5. What about your Mother ?
e. She couldn’t raise me either.
6. Do you have any personal history papers ?
f. They are all sealed by the courts.
7. Have you ever talked to anyone ?
g. I can’t comment on that.
8. What is your platform ?
h. America is a crime, hated, it needs me.
9. Have you lived elsewhere?
i. More here than overseas, barely.
10. You’re perfect, aren’t you ! ?
h. Yes, thank you for your vote.
Score by handlers, the press, and the “overwhelming majority” of the “mandating” (barely above 50%) voters.
110% !
It’s almost the twilight zone or orwell’s 1984 already, and it’s heading toward area51 at quite a high rate of speed.
Good luck.
Uh, the press has done it’s job with the others, and then just stopped in its tracks with Obama. We’re incredulous and saddened about what that mean for accountability in this country – not paranoid. We employ them, it’s legit for us to ask questions about integrity and to hold them to a higher standard.
Amazing? Amazing that we would expect to have a high level of integrity and accountability at the highest levels of power – when the candidate promised EXACTLY that? You call this whining? “Whining” about unethical and illegal activites? You’d better expect that and more if there are illegal, or even unethical activities going on. We’ll see how forthcoming Team Barack (TB) actually was when Fitz’ case comes out. If you were so confident in the ethical purity of TB then why do you feel the need to call us whiners? Naw, if you were so confident in their efficacy, you’d let this play on out and have the last laugh at all of us. Afraid that won’t happen for some reason Funny?
Funny
Take your cultist message somewhere else. BO is a poor leader. In a time of economic uncertainty and two wars, this country deserves better than a showboating President. Get lost!
Obama is not a leader — he only plays one on tv.
Even the words he speaks using the teleprompters aren’t his own — he speaks the words of a 27 yr old groper.
Amazing the stuff this two-bit con man is hiding — seems like that questionnaire is a great place to start — each item on that list of questions probably relates to something Obama is hiding about himself.
Hey All
I just got through reading the five page “report” from Greg Craig on the contacts between Obama’s staff, and Blagojevich’s staff.
Funny thing is, it reports that Rahm Emanuel was the only individual from Obama’s staff that had any contact with Blagojevich’s office concerning who would replace Obama. As far as how many times Emanuel actually talked to the Govenor, they can’t figure out whether it was once or twice. I suppose the FBI will have to let them listen to the tapes. The report states that Emanuel had “about four” conversations with someone named Harris also. Boy that really nails it down, doesn’t it? “About four”, just exactly how many is “about four”?
“One or two” telephone conversations with the Govenor, and “about four” telephone conversations with this Harris guy. That’s six. I will not be surprised when it turns out to be 10 or 12, because this Craig dude has left it open. This isn’t a report, but an estimate.
I have a funny felling that the next four years are going to be pretty much like this.
Funny,
You can call our questions “knit picking” all you want.
They are relevant questions on important issues. Except of course to those who think Obama can do no wrong.
Also, twice in your post, you comment “when BO himself admits he got no where with Obama” and then “McCain himself said the whole trying to tie Obama to BO is BS”. I am confused with these two statements.
Are you suggesting that Obama doesn’t know himself? or did you mistype? Who is this other BO?
I think Funny thinks BO is Blago (if I may read between the lines). Perhaps we should ask Barack’s lawyers to clarify this for us though? They can do an internal investigation to find out who is who and who knew what and who did what to whom – only completely in acronyms – so no one will really know what the heck they’re saying.
Then the press will just say – ‘See! We told you Barack was the savior of the Universe! Back off!’ (BO)
I think Fitgerald is a closet gay, and secretly hates the republicans because of that fact. We know he has no GF – EVER – and he lisps funny like a mini Barney…
Then we have his fraud run in the 16 word scotus flame matter. ” Libby was the first government official to leak the name outside the government” press conference, which turned out to be a gigantic LIE – one of the deep throat masters exposing that lie. Uncle Fester (Armitage) still runs free in the family basement. Powell kissed the O’s bottom.
We sit here in utter non-knowledge. Expect TWO FULL YEARS before the false Fitzgerald lie to the press and public.(oh wait 3 have already gone by in this investigation) – well expect that everything that you hear leaked or assumed is 100% INCORRECT.
But expect it all to fly 100%, and anyone not buying it 100% will be burned at the stake by the pitchfork wielding torch bearers.
FITGERALD stepped in before the criminals could make their move – and he is probably protecting the O , just like he protected Armitage and Powell, and anyone versed knows where those two stood and stand.
We’ve got a crusader there in Fitzy that is a FRAUDSTER – a massive lying sack – he fits right in with those he fails to brings to justice.
( like Armitage ) I’ll neve forget though, Armitage at the 911C hearings yapping aloud how many times he went to congress requesting money to combat the coming attack and congress spit in his face.
I guess there’s so many O-shady’s in the mix, I find it hard to figure it all out – especially with the insane “we have an investigation going on so we can talk”…
Then the courtroom is made private so we can’t know anyway – grand juries and everything is sealed – it’s all a big secret even until the day we all die.
So basically I’d prefer them all to go to jail, until we can get what they all claim we need ” transparency”.
They got us so discombobulated in this matter – like the rest – that for years they can make up whatever they want… and sell it – and 15 other stories about too…
I guess their best excuse ever – DEEP THROAT – has been one of the great “satanic living spirit destroyers” of the USA. now they’re all DEEP THROAT- and it’s all secret – all the time, 24.7.365 – except whatever political lie they need to tell – to get the foam rolling -
Don’t worry the insane public will burn whomever they declare a witch at the stake – and I’m no better, they all need to – Cook county.
Don’t worry the insane public will burn whomever they declare a witch at the stake – and I’m no better, they all need to – Cook county.
Larry and Susan, allow me to present your reader base, in all its glory. This isn’t commentary, it’s pathology.
Sad Christmas news from Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court has ruled there cannot be a Nativity Scene in the US Capital this Christmas season.
This isn’t for any religious reason, they simply have not been able to find Three Wise Men in Washington, D.C.,nor could they find a virgin.
P.S. There was no problem, however, locating enough asses to fill the stable.
Great read Hiedi Li.