RSS Feed for This PostCurrent Article

Obama or Someone Close to Him Spoke with Blagojevich About Senate Appointment

Why is the Obama team turning an opportunity for making the case that they did the right thing in rejecting Blagojevich’s effort to shake them down into a story that will dog them and may blow up? Sometime between 7 November and 10 November, someone on the Obama team spoke with Illinois Rod Blagojevich and would only promise the greedy Governor “appreciation.” If you look at p. 66 of the criminal complaint you can read that Blago is telling his indicted co-conspirator, John Harris on 11 November about that conversation:

Later in the conversation, ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. Fuck them.”

How does Blagojevich know what the President-elect wants unless he has spoken to Barack or Axelrod or Emmanuel?

I do not understand why Barack is digging a hole for himself. As presented in last night’s story by Uppity Woman, Obama and Axelrod were telling different stories–Barack claimed he had not talked with Blago but Axelrod said yes.

The A.P. told the story this way:

Obama told reporters he was “saddened and sobered.”

“I had no contact with the governor or his office and 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 to comment,” he said.

Obama senior adviser David Axelrod had said on November 23 in an interview with Fox News Chicago that Obama had “talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”

Axelrod issued a brief written statement on Tuesday saying he had been wrong.

“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,” Axelrod said.

Either Barack or one of his senior aides talked to Blagojevich about possible replacements and it is on tape. You can be sure of that. And, unless Fitzgerald is sitting on some tape more damning, it appears that the Obama team wisely resisted the Blagojevich shake down. Why can’t Obama admit that? Very curious.

  • pm317

    You can be sure of that. And, unless Fitzgerald is sitting on some tape more damning, it appears that the Obama team wisely resisted the Blagojevich shake down. Why can’t Obama admit that? Very curious.

    Perhaps because Obama team DID NOT wisely resist that?

    • lorac

      Hillbuzz has two screenshots of press releases that stated they met on Nov. 5. I can’t decide if Obama is that dumb or that arrogant to lie and say they have never met and discussed the seat replacement.

      • RebelCarol

        is that dumb or that arrogant

        Unfortunately for us, he is both dumb and arrogant and that’s the scarey thing, we will have an arrogant dumby as President of the United States.

        It is very interesting that BO was raised up in the very corrupt Chicago political machinery, knew Rezko, Ayers, Rev. Wright, Father Pfliger, and now Blagojevich, but never talked to any of them. Oh yes, Axelrod says he did talk to Blagojevich, but just misspoke. Does anyone see a pattern here?

        If Obama didn’t speak with Blagojevich, how come Blago is on tape saying that all he got from him was appreciation. Someone from Obama’s team must have said “thanks”

      • Papoose

        I think he’s dumb…

        uhm, we, uhm, ah ahhh ah I didn’t know…

      • Ani

        Arrogant is the answer. He contradicted himself dozens of times in interviews and on the campaign trail and was NEVER called on it. He told outright lies and was never called on them by the media.

        Why should this time be any different?

        Double triple supercalifragilisticexpialidocously thick TEFLON, ladies and gents. That’s what we have here.

      • susan

        He’s a compulsive liar and he seems to get away with it every time. This is just the preview of the “Chicago Way Washington Roadshow”. I can hardly wait for the finale. Hopefully, it takes place before the inauguration.

    • Nellie

      Yesterday was a Twofer – Arrest of Blago and his aide Harris.

      AND….Supoena’s on Obama’s Mansion purchase:

      Breaking News: Grand Jury Supoenas Issued for Rezko/Obama Land Deal

      http://wizbangblog.com/content/2008/12/09/breaking-news-grand-jury-supeonas-issued-for-rezkoobama-land-deal.php

      • d2d

        shweeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        appreciate the link.

        12/9 was indeed a wicked day for Barry and team.

      • elliewyatt

        It is NOT ‘Breaking News’. It is from October 18.

    • jangles

      Excuse me but if the President Elect of the US has knowledge of political graft at any level and chooses not to report it, isn’t there something wrong as in illegal. Not reporting an overt overture seeking something of value for the political act of naming a US Senator would seem to fall in that category. I think some people might go so far as to say that failure to speak up about such is in fact a cover-up.

      • http://truthisgold.blogspot.com truthisgold

        Uh–YEAH!

    • TeakWoodKite

      pm317, I believe you are correct.

      @LJ, The only way BO gets out of this is to co-operate with the US Attorney’s Office. He knows what he knows and you can be darn sure that he is on tape with Resko and “Hot Rod” among other people, considering this investigation has been going on for a decade.

      I also believe, based on the Criminal complaint, that Obama spoke to the Gov, on October 6 2008 regarding his senate seat.

  • sowsear

    Scrubbed article on Obama/Blago meeting

    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2146307/posts

    • Judy L. NC

      So, this proves meeting with Blago was PEBO’s #1 priority on the day after the election and he denies it. Fer crissakes! WAKE UP, PEOPLE!

  • Kal

    Great point, Larry. Something still feels off.

    I vaguely recall that at some point just before the election, BO went to a meeting at the FBI office in Chg — anybody notice that? date? would he have been warned off by anything he heard in that meeting?

    • Benjamin

      Good point. Perhaps this is why Obama also resigned his Senate seat so early – because he knew Blago would hang himself with pay-to-play negotiations. Was this a convenient way for Obama to distance himself from Blago and throw him under the bus?

      • FranSC

        I think it is a good possibility that BO planned to distance himself from not only Blago, but most everybody else, including JJJr. It is amazing to me that all the pundits are assuming Blago’s negative comments about BO prove Obama’s lack of involvement in the replacement for his seat. This is how he has managed to continue his teflon-man status – to throw everybody off the trail.

        Obama perceives himself as a powerful figure these days. Obama doesn’t get a lot of things about his new job, but he is a ‘natural’ when it comes to Chicago and it’s unique brand of politics. So if anyone thought he would not be involved in the selection process of his senate-seat successor, they have koolaid poinsoning.

  • AF catfish

    “And, unless Fitzgerald is sitting on some tape more damning, it appears that the Obama team wisely resisted the Blagojevich shake down.”

    My theory: Fitz IS sitting on a tape, but isn’t using it because it would a constitutional crisis. He’s letting Obama off with a warning, and Blago is the warning.

    • lark

      I go for that.

    • http://deleted Buzz Latte

      Fitzgerald certainly would hold out more damaging evidence to be used in a trial. A complaint doesn’t lay out the whole case.

      The fact that the feds felt they had more than enough to bring forward, arrest Blagojevich and Harris, and issue a complaint before the courts is assurance that there is indeed much more evidence we don’t at this point know about.

      Whether that evidence will implicate Obama through discovery has yet to be played out.

      Generally, Obama is in deep shyt until proven otherwise because the discovery process is bound to bring up some connections. No, it’s not the same as innocent until proven guilty.

    • FranSC

      I don’t think the Obama team “wisely” did anything. They were simply covering their #%@. With all that BO, David Axelrod, Rham Emanuel and all the other Chicago political mafia have done, it would never occur to them to simply “resist” paying up for what they wanted or suddenly start doing the “right” thing. These players have the mind of gangsters.

  • MOmule

    But how can we be sure that team Obama resisted the shakedown? Maybe someone more persuasive was recruited to approach one of Blago’s staff? If neither of those persons were being taped there will never be any way to prove it – unless someone else was present at the meeting.

    • sowsear

      Maybe someone else has a blackberry besides BO

    • RebelCarol

      unless someone else was present at the meeting.

      Or maybe Blago will roll over and start talking. I don’t think he will go down quietly.

  • http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ sarainitaly

    Q: Have you ever spoken to [Illinois] Gov. [Rod R.] Blagojevich about the Senate seat?

    Obama: I have not discussed the Senate seat with the governor at any time. My strong belief is that it needed to be filled by somebody who is going to represent the people of Illinois and fight for them. And beyond that, I was focused on the transition.

    Q: And that was before and after the election?

    Obama: Yes.

    Q: Are you aware of any conversations between Blagojevich or [chief of staff] John Harris and any of your top aides, including Rahm [Emanuel]?

    Obama: Let me stop you there because . . . it’s an ongoing…. investigation. I think it would be inappropriate for me to, you know, remark on the situation beyond the facts that I know. And that’s the fact that I didn’t discuss this issue with the governor at all.

    So…in other words, yes.

    http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/12/obama-transcrip.html

    • Fancy

      To whom did Obama’s first aide offer the board position to, Blago’s wife? (Blaggo making the comment his wife was at least qualified for her board position, as opposed to MO…)

      Wasn’t that the first offer discussed, in relation to Jarrett, Blago saying “they want me to sit tight for two years?

      Was Jarrett Obama’s first choice?

      Remember she backed out right before being appointed White House aide?

      (So, one way or another, she made it to Washington…)

  • sowsear

    And would this have made a difference? Some one sent this to me in an e-mail. Don’t know source…

    The interesting fact I found was that The FBI office investigating
    Blago and the Obama transition team are both in the exact same office.
    Obviously the transition team would know to tell Obama not to fall
    into the trap. So Obama was warned that is why Blago was so upset that
    Obama was playing it cold. Obama was one of the boys playing pay as
    you go and all of a sudden he is out of the action.

    Maybe that is also the reason why Valerie took her name out of
    contention for the Senate and BO gave her another job-for the timem being.

    • AF catfish

      I think Emanuel warned Obama. Emanuel may be Chicago, Emanuel may be a jerk, but Emanuel worked int he Clinton administration, he is not a wimp, and he has a brain.

      Emanuel knows the difference of what will fly in Chicago and what will fly in Washington (I repeat: he worked in the Clinton administration. He knows popular presidents can be investigated.)

      One reasoned I was encouraged Emanuel became chief of staff. I seriously believe Obama is naive about what is corruption and what isn’t (and I also believe Obama is very corrupt.)

      • http://firefox AnnieCollier

        I seriously believe Obama is naive about what is corruption and what isn’t (and I also believe Obama is very corrupt.)

        Is that the same as not knowing S**t from Shinola? And that Barry is S**t?

      • Fancy

        I see him as highly corrupt, particularly given his run for Congress in 2002, from IL.

        John Kass, of the Chicago Tribune, has an excellent take on Rham, from his eyes, (IMO, anyway), Rham ain’t much, same old, same old Chicago sleaze, and I agree.

        A guy like Podesta, though, might be cleaner.

        • AF catfish

          But Podesta is a yesman, and that would be dangerous for the nation to put a yesman in charge of Barry.

          Emanuel is not a yesman. Emanuel is a jerk and doesn’t care who knows it. Emanuel didn’t even endorse Barry until the primaries were over.

        • AF catfish

          Wish I could find the video, but: at an Obama roast, even before the primaries were over and Emanuel was understood to be on Hillary’s side, Emanuel delivered this routine “Obama’s so soft, that” … (mathing rhythm: yo mamma’s so fat.)

          Roasted him for being such a wimpy, rolling-over instead of standing-up-to creep.

      • http://truthisgold.blogspot.com truthisgold

        AF, absolutely. About the only sensible thing BO has done is try to hire as much of Clinton’s staff as he can because in DC he is WAY out of his bush league Chicago mob style. Heck, he only served 146 days in the Senate and most of that he was out of town campaigning, so how in god’s name would he know anything about Washington’s Ways?

        Hopefully, however, even Clinton’s old staff won’t be able to protect him from himself. That will be like using a tennis net to stop a tsunami.

    • lark

      The FBI office investigating
      Blago and the Obama transition team are both in the exact same office.

      Shots. That changes everything.

  • stodgie

    if someone spoke for obama at his instigation, then yes he did speak to the gov. just through someone representing him. the buck stops with barrack.

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    Team Obama doesn’t know what the feds have on the recordings. They are on uber panic mode most likely because there IS incriminating evidence. If Obama were held harmless, why did he abruptly cancel every appointment today? Why did he need the time to ‘do other things.’

    Obama is not quick on his feet or particularly brilliant. It shows when the only lie he can cone up with is he didn’t speak with the governor. This has proven to be another obfuscation on Obama’s part. Because:

    The implication outlined in the complaint against Blagojevich/Harris is simple: There was a conversation at some point regarding who Obama wanted to replace him. There also had to be a conveyance of terms for that appointment and an apparent first round refusal by Obama. What it doesn’t point out is if there were any more bargaining conversations regarding the matter. Whether Obama himself of some aide spoke to Blagojevich is less important than the understanding that some sort of transaction was being discussed.

    The feds have hundreds of hours of wiretapping. We’ve only been treated to a few minutes of alleged conversations.

    To say Obama and Blagojevich weren’t ever on the same page at some point is shortsighted. Obama had to know what they were refusing even in general terms. So is the argument that Obama is corrupt at this point or is the argument that Obama is a liar?

    • wodiej

      I think he’s corrupt and a liar. He either discussed this w the Governor or directed someone on his staff to. Then Axelrod said Obama discussed it w the Governor and now simply says no, he didn’t. Why would he say Obama did if he didn’t?? Misspoke my ASS. They’re both friggin’ lying sacks of shit.

      • http://tojo toni

        If I were Obama, I would be scared as hell. He was playing with the big boys to get in the clique and now he is double crossing them to distant himself from the clique. I would follow Obama’s money all the way back to 2004 for starters.

      • http://truthisgold.blogspot.com truthisgold

        wodiej, You THINK??! lol I agree on all counts!

        Luv that Misspoke My Ass. Sounds like another good name for a website!

    • sowsear

      One of BO’s advisors said that BO wanted more space between Blago and himself. That was why the SEIU job was substituted for the other job that Blago wanted (Some 401???group with Buffet or other financing to the tune of 15,000,000)

    • AF catfish

      “Obama is not quick on his feet or particularly brilliant.”

      We’ve known this for a while, but even the lefties noticed this last week when Barry announced spending plans for “roads and bridges and computers in classrooms.” He mentioned nothing about transit, light rail. And “computers in classrooms” is such a dated myth, what people know now is: we need good teachers, computers be damned.

      He is incurious and it appears “maybe Barack Obama just doesn’t read his hometown papers“, to quote the RNC’s Rezko ad.

    • PKJayne

      Buzz I think we can argue he is a corrupt liar.

      • http://deleted Buzz Latte

        Perfect!

  • stodgie

    i would love to be a fly on the wall in fitz’s office close to the cd where i could hear it all. hehehe

  • galt

    Great start to the new administration, and it hasn’t even officially started yet. :shock:

    • AF catfish

      Frick I was giving him a honeymoon, but: I am already so sick of this guy. He hasn’t even been sworn in yet.

      • galt

        I was going to back off on the criticism like you and also like you am tired of him already. Well, we knew who this guy was so no surprise at all.

        • AF catfish

          From a commenter on Lynn Sweet’s blog:

          By Jennifer on December 10, 2008 8:31 AM

          For having just won a presidential election against all odds, running a cutting edge campaign and setting the standard for modern election communications’ operations, I am completely GOT that they left themselves open to this. Wow.

          Earth to Jennifer: Obama makes lots of sloppy mistakes. High technology does not clean up corruption. See also: touch-screen voting machines.

    • sandi78

      The Electoral College hasn’t voted yet. Bambi isn’t even the official president-elect yet.

  • chin333

    Barack Obama appears to have personally benefited from funds originating in Saddam Hussein’s regime. It’s a complicated connection, but one that deserves the consideration of Americans voters.

    Nadhmi Auchi (left) with Illinois’ governor, Rod Blagojevich, in 2004.

    Two similar figures, Nadhmi Auchi and Antoin S. “Tony” Rezko, served as the intermediaries. Both are Middle Eastern males of Catholic Christian heritage who left Baathist dictatorships for Western cities (Auchi from Iraq to London, Rezko from Syria to Chicago). Both became successful businessmen who hobnobbed with politicians and promoted Arab interests. Both have been convicted of taking kickbacks and both stand accused of other shady dealings.

    ….

    In three steps, these corrupt businessmen tie the Democratic Party presidential candidate to the executed Iraqi tyrant:

    Saddam Hussein made use of Auchi: Auchi’s fortune largely grew through his Iraq government connection, much of it sub rosa. In the 1980s, he procured Italian military ships. By 1993, the Italian banker Pierfrancesco Pacini Battaglia testified about Auchi bribing Iraqi officials for an Italian engineering company and called Auchi “one of the most important intermediaries in the affairs of Middle Eastern countries.” Auchi is also a major shareholder in BNP Paribas, the French bank deeply implicated in the U.N.’s corrupt Iraq oil-for-food program.

    Auchi made use of Rezko: Rezko lobbied for Auchi to be allowed into the United States. A wholly-owned GMHSA subsidiary, Fintrade Services Inc., transferred a loan of $3.5 million on May 23, 2005 to Rezko.

    Rezko cultivated Obama: Rezko offered Barack Obama a job in 1990, which Obama declined. Still, Rezko persisted, hiring him for legal work and hosting in 2003 an early fundraiser that, writes David Mendell in Obama: From Promise to Power, proved “instrumental in providing Obama with seed money” for his nascent U.S. Senate campaign. Then, on June 15, 2005, just twenty-three days after receiving Auchi’s $3.5 million, Rezko partnered with Obama in a real estate deal: while Rezko’s wife paid the full asking price, $625,000, for an empty adjoining lot which they then improved, subdivided, and partially sold to Obama, Obama acquired a mansion for $1.65 million, $300,000 under the asking price.

    Read the full story in here:

    http://www.danielpipes.org/article/5996

    • Fancy

      Auchi has his withered tentacles in the British Parliment, too, in many governments, world wide.

      I wonder if any of the more astute see the writing on the wall, yet?

      • AF catfish

        This incident opened a few more sets of eyes, others dug down further to maintain their denial.

        Last night I overheard a conversation in Starbucks “you know, maybe Obama, his biggest achievement will be his election. It broke some barriers.”

        Barry’s honeymoon is shorter than Dubya’s was.

        • http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

          I’ve been overhearing similar remarks — or deliberate remarks from AAs — THEY didn’t vote for 0zero. Evidently a lot of white folk are going up to AAs saying “aren’t you so thrilled” or some such bs — and many AAs are not thrilled — they could see what he was — just as we can see with a little research that he is a phony WHITE guy posing as someone of color. [To me it is the height of stupidity to rush up to an unknown individual to blabber on about Obama -- just because that individual happens to be AA. Apparently this is happening frequently to AA store clerks.]

          I don’t assume just because of skin color the person is stupid and has fallen for the snake oil salesman. The strongest remark I will make (in public place like a store etc.) is that I am NOT a member of any party and I think all politicians are crooks. That remarks seems to be enough to trigger the “Obama” resentment emotion.

          Yesterday for the first time I heard someone mention (in public) the birth certificate — and lots of people agreed with the clerk who mentioned this tiny 0zero problem. I have a feeling that this is getting aired in company lunch rooms.

          • AF catfish

            Wow! (The birth certificate goes mainstream.)

            What part of the country are you in?

            And yes, I definitely believe elitist liberals approach AAs and say “aren’t you thrilled”? Oy very how insulting.

            • http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

              I’m in Washington State — semi rural to rural.

              I was surprised as hell to hear the BC brought up – there was nothing that I said to have triggered the clerk’s remark.

              None of the other employees were shocked or even surprised at the BC remark. Which tells me that 0zero’s refusal to show what WE all must show many times in our lives is getting the attention of working Americans.

              • TeakWoodKite

                My Daughter just yesterday had to show her BC at DMV, why the F%^& can’t BO show his and move on…(or Not)

                The reason is the same as the current BS from BO. He never talked to “Hot Rod” (BO used this term) about the Senate seat is BIG BS , a lie and a violation of the law. Same as his BC.

                Filed under “Bamboozled”

        • http://deleted Buzz Latte

          And Barry ain’t even in the WH yet.

    • Lyn

      of course this has nothing do do with why barky would be against the war now would it?

      • Lyn

        this reply(above) was about Obama/Rezko/Auchi

  • lark

    Why can’t Obama admit that?

    Because it was Obama himself who spoke to Blago. These people have kids and kids have cell phones and there are more than one way to get a room to shut-down taping by using oversound or even a good shower running. Please.

    Obama and Axelrod were telling different stories

    Obama always tells a different story. That’s his nature. He can always say ‘that’s not the story I knew.’ Presidential privilege.

    • Fancy

      These people have kids and kids have cell phones and there are more than one way to get a room to shut-down taping by using oversound or even a good shower running. Please.
      ——–
      What do you think US technical capabilities are, at this point in time?

      (Gosh, I bet they can literally read Balgo’s, or Obama’s, thoughts…

      Not that it’s admissible in a court of law).

      My greater point being even background noise can be filtered out, or accounted for, given today’s technology.

      If I understood your comment correctly ~~

      • lark

        True. I was just listening to Fox and they said that they picked up in Pakistan the number one and number two master minds of the bombings in India. It seems to me from what they said that they pinpointed the rooms and the place where the cell phones they were using were located. OMG, IBM computers can store gillions and gillions of information for future investigations such as this one.

    • http://deleted Buzz Latte

      More like psychopathic privilege…

      • Ferd Berfle

        and pathological.

  • galt

    General question: If someone tries to shake you down for cash don’t you have the legal obligation to report this? I’m not sure if or how this applies to the current controversy.

    • mimi

      galt,

      Bingo!

      My thoughts exactly. If 0bama is turning down the opportunity to make the case that he did the right thing, this may very well be the reason why.

      If Blago did try to shake him down, then he should have reported it.

      • http://deleted Buzz Latte

        Unless he (Obama in this case) only saw it as the way business is done in Chicago.

        Perception is personal and morals are largely situational in this case//

      • galt

        If Blago did try to shake him down, then he should have reported it.

        If that turns out to be true, why was it not reported? One possibility is in my hypothetical below, reporting the current alleged crime opens up a can of worms on prior illegal dealings, if such dealings ever occurred.

        I know I am dancing around this, but its for good reason: As much as I dislike BO, I do believe in innocent until proven guilty.

        • AF catfish

          Fitz said multiple times in the presser yesterday: hopefully this case will give others an opportunity to come forward, and share what they know.

          • galt

            When Rezko was indicted and then convicted and now Blago is indicted, this should make it clear this is ongoing. Who is next? Is this the end of it? I don’t know too much about this, but my gut tells me this is far from over.

      • TeakWoodKite

        But you may not report it if the downside is Blago ratting you out and you DID pay to play.

    • galt

      I believe in innocent until proven guilty but let’s assume for the sake of argument the following hypothetical:

      Person A has something to offer, but it would be illegal for person A to ask for money for this. Person B has had illegal dealings with Person A in the past. Person A speaks with person B and person B declines fearing person A might be currently under investigation. Person B does not report this to the authorities because in the past persons A & B have made illegal deals and reporting the current attempt at a deal would open up person B to the older dealings.

      This is what I was trying to say above. I hope it is more clear.

      • http://firefox AnnieCollier

        Perhaps Person B is taking the day off for some shredding activity.

        Then…well, you can always stonewall until it’s time to vacation in Hawaii. Guessing those three big houses they leased for Team Obama are still on…

    • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter

      THE LAWYER AS AN OFFICER OF THE COURT.

      The lawyer is both theoretically and actually an officer of the court. This has been recognized in principle throughout the history of the profession. In ancient Rome the advocatus, when called upon by the prator to assist in the cause of a client, was solemnly admonished “to avoid artifice and circumlocution.”

      The principle was recognized also among practically all of the European nations of the Middle Ages. In 1221 Frederick the Second, of Germany, prescribed the following oath for advocates:…
      http://www.jstor.org/pss/1064517

      &

      §806. Attorney’s oath

      Upon admission to the bar, every applicant shall, in open court, take and subscribe an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this State, and take the following oath, or, in the case of an applicant conscientiously scrupulous of taking an oath, such applicant shall make appropriate affirmations to the same effect: [1975, c. 66, §5 (AMD).]

      “You solemnly swear that you will do no falsehood nor consent to the doing of any in court, and that if you know of an intention to commit any, you will give knowledge thereof to the justices of the court or some of them that it may be prevented; you will not wittingly or willingly promote or sue any false, groundless or unlawful suit nor give aid or consent to the same; that you will delay no man for lucre or malice, but will conduct yourself in the office of an attorney within the courts according to the best of your knowledge and discretion, and with all good fidelity, as well as to the courts, as to your clients. So help you God.”
      SECTION HISTORY
      1975, c. 66, §5 (AMD).
      http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/4/title4sec806.html
      ………………………………..

      I couldn’t find the one for Illinois, but it should be about the same.

      Good Point as he is an ‘Officer of the Court’ besides PE(all lawyers are considered that, even in Illinois).

      You know someone is scrubbing the internet, even more since this started.

      • bemused

        He and MO both have inactive licenses now so they don’t have to worry about these details. ;)

        • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter

          Blagojevich and his advisers only thought of this as a possibility, for they know Obama has already played the game. Again, these are smart men who know the rules of the game. Why else would they think Obama would participate in a “pay to play” scheme? Michelle was paid for someone to play, they thought. What about Mrs. Blagojevich? Besides, Mrs. Blagojevich has a Series 7 license. All Michelle has is a license to practice law that was revoked as a result of a court order in 1993.

          http://www.iardc.org/ldetail.asp?id=971423506
          ………………………

          It has been scrubbed clean and says she was admitted 12-6-1899…she looks darn good for her age.

          This is all that is there now:

          The law practice of this lawyer is or has been the subject of an order appointing a receiver. A receivership is not a disciplinary proceeding, but rather is a proceeding undertaken when it appears that a lawyer is unable to discharge his responsibilities to his clients due to disability, disappearance or death. Under those circumstances, a court may appoint a receiver whose duties include taking custody of the files of the lawyer’s clients and notifying the clients that they may retrieve their files and may wish to consult another lawyer. Contact ARDC at (312) 565-2600 or, within Illinois, at (800) 826-8625 for more information about the receivership and to learn about the disposition of records related to the lawyer’s practice.)
          Public Record of Discipline and Pending Proceedings:

          Case(s) below are identified by caption and Commission case number. If there is more than one case, the cases are listed in an order from most recent to oldest. A case may have more than one disposition or more than one component to a disposition, in which situation each disposition and component is also listed separately within that case record, again in an order from most recent to oldest.

          Click on R & D to access any documents regarding this lawyer that are in Rules and Decisions. R & D contains all disciplinary opinions of the Supreme Court and most other Court orders and board reports issued since 1990. If R & D does not contain the decision that you are seeking, contact the Commission’s Clerk’s office for assistance. Contact information for the Clerk’s office is available at Office Hours.

          Check carefully to be sure that you have selected the correct lawyer. At times, lawyers have similar names. The disciplinary results displayed above include information related to any and all public discipline, court-ordered disability inactive status, reinstatement and restoration dispositions, and pending public proceedings. Investigations are confidential and information related to the existence or status of any investigation is not available. For additional information regarding data on this website, contact ARDC at (312) 565-2600 or, within Illinois, at (800) 826-8625.

          ARDC makes every effort to maintain the currency and accuracy of Lawyer Search. If you find any typographical errors in the Lawyer Search information, please email lawyersearch@iardc.org. For substantive changes to registration information, including status, address, telephone or employer information, we require that the attorney submit a Change of Registration to insure the validity of the registration process. Consult our Change of Attorney’s Registration page for details. Name changes require the filing of a motion with the Supreme Court. Consult our Attorney’s Request for Name Change page for details.

          • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter
            • galt

              Scrubbing: information, news stories, etc. are removed from the internet.

              • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter

                I mean the fact that it is happening right before our little eyes. This granny is wondering if we are moving towards some restrictive form of governance?!?

                That was my question, and or concern. :-(

                • PKJayne

                  Woman I would say yes, we saw how Barry sent out the truth squads in Missouri.

                  • lark

                    A prelude, no?

              • rw

                but isn’t there a way to get back info, or does scrubbing remove that too?

                • JustMe

                  and they did say the information was mind blowing I am sure there is more there than any of us know about at this time

      • cookiegramma

        I could be wrong, but I think I remember reading months ago that Obama had given up his license to practice law.

        • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhXA3fXpCFk Woman Voter

          IF YOU FIND SOMETHING TAKE A SCREEN SHOT, BECAUSE IT IS ALL BEING SCRUBBED CLEAN FROM THE NET.

          FREE SPEECH, TRANSPARENCY? WHAT IS THAT! :SHOCK:

        • PKJayne

          mechelle did too I read.

          • Mandelay

            Why would they both give up their licenses to practice law? Why not keep ‘em current? Is that normal?

  • cathnealon

    It seems Fitz probably does have a tape directly incriminating BO or his rep talking to Blago. However,”these things must be done delicately.” After all, he is the first AA president and of course Fitz probably doesn’t want to be responsible for bringing down the Messiah.

    • AF catfish

      Exactly. Fitz knows that. Even rock solid evidence could not bring down the messiah before he’s sworn in.

      But this is a chip. Chip away, it’s better to chip steadily over time than to use all the bad stuff at once.

      It takes time, and reinforcement, for followers to overcome their own denial.

  • I’m a Linda too

    Because he is hiding something and not being truthful, which is a signature of Obama.

    The Obama motto:
    Everything old is new again.
    What once was politics of the past
    is now change for the future.

    • I’m a Linda too

      For any clearer insight in these dirty politicians denials and empty rhetoric, just look at Triple J’s comments now. The typical “I’m not part of this investigation.” NO, no sh!t. Just like Blagojevich wasn’t part of Rezko’s investigation. One at a time my friend.

      And now, as we hear time and time again from these politicans, Duke said it, Larry Craig said it, Ney said it, “I am not…..I never have….I did not play for pay”…..until of course they demand the proof and then they break down in to tears for being caught of criminal actions and lying.

      NEXT….

  • mel

    Certain points are being completely missed here:

    #1- Rezko has apparently been singing since his conviction months ago.

    #2- Rezko had no idea about the “Pay to Play” Senate seat goings on.

    #3- In early Nov, after Obama became PEBO, Rezko seeks out a sentencing date, since you cannot be pardonned without being sentenced.

    #4- Fitz begins wiretaping Blago Oct 26th when it was apparent Obama was going to likely win the elections. Likely Rezko clammed up.

    #5- Fitz unites in a distant way without implications Blago and Obama visa vie Obama’s Senate Seat.

    Fitz had plenty of linking of wrong doings between Rezko and Blago, one simple one that comes to mind is the work Rezko did on Blago’s house. But this is not the fish Fitz wants obviously or else Blago would have been arrested months ago.

    Fitz wants Obama and the entire Chicago Combine, that is obvious and exposing the “pay to play” on page 64 of the affidavit, exposing Michelle Obama’s perks from the “pay to play” is the tip of the iceburg of what is waiting in the wings for the guy who stole the elections.

    The list of charges will increase as is Fitz’s choice over the coming weeks, but doing so this way keeps his cards held close to his vest. When Obama is charged from the graff he went to Rezko’s office to obtain and his “pay to play” rewards his wife obtained and the host of other things facing him, Obama made one slip up which crooks always manage to do, he set out the rally cry today for Blago to step down, so when Obama is charged, what recourse will he have except to do as he stated Blago should do?

    • Five Thirty

      Mel – people were talking the same way when Fitzgerald was investigating the White House Iraq Group and you see how that led to nothing but an obstruction conviction.

      • Fancy

        I don’t assume that’s the end of it.

        Really, if one wanted to take the long view, one could go back to Fitz’s handling of the first WTC bombing.

        For fun, I mean, see who keeps showing up, the six degrees of seperation.

    • TeakWoodKite

      Fitz begins wiretaping Blago Oct 26th when it was apparent Obama was going to likely win the elections.

      Hey Mel, The govenor has been recorded by the FBI as far back as 2004-5.

  • ipotter

    Seems like bo is not telling the truth as the scrubbed article and the govenor’s press release from that same day both say the two of them talked. If you have nothing to hide, why lie?

    Interesting link on what gop is saying about bo’s link to blag:
    http://www.gop.com/news/NewsRead.aspx?Guid=04daa0fb-75f7-4d4f-9f01-fc1cc365b092

    • Nellie

      Thanks for the link. That is very interesting.

  • ipotter

    Oh, apparently Rezko was helping blag with hiring:

    http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/10/obamas_pal_eric_whitaker_his_t.html

    • AF catfish

      BHO: “I played basketball with him at Harvard Law and thought he was excellent” so I recommended him to run the public health department.

      That article and the comments are worth the read. Whitaker’s precedessor, a woman, implemented some program that Whitaker got credit for. Now Whitaker sits on the same Chicago Hospital board as Michelle. Oy vey.

  • http://americanpumainitaly.blogspot.com/ American Girl in Italy

    I also think it hilarious that Obama’s buddy, and pick for the seat had absolutely No idea that Blago was corrupt? Please.

    http://newsbusters.org/blogs/mark-finkelstein/2008/12/10/jesse-jr-shocked-blago-not-simon-pure

    “I was shocked and saddened to learn that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested yesterday.
    If these allegations are proved to be true, I’m appalled by the pay-to-play schemes hatched at the highest levels of Illinois state government.
    Sadly, yesterday’s criminal complaint casts another dark cloud over a state already beleaguered by corruption and scandal.”

    According to Morning Joe today, EVERYONE knew Blago was corrupt, for the last four years. But Obama and his buddy JJJ didn’t have a *clue*? Even Axelrod knew…

    This also looks bad for Obama, in my opinion.

    • http://firefox AnnieCollier

      Shocked, shocked I tell you…

      • lark

        Shocked that the investigation popped the day after his meeting. That my friends need to be simply ‘shocking.’

        • Lyn

          When JJ Jr got choked up today, did anyone else want to ask IF he cried for Katrina?

          • lark

            What a theater.

      • mimi

        And the winner of the Annual Claude Raines I’m Shocked Award goes to….

        It’s a tie…..

    • HARP

      I`m gonna need more popcorn for this one.

      • Anon

        I just bought a 25 pound bag at Sam’s Club.

        • WildChild

          I hear Popcorn is the only crop the great state of Indiana will be growing this summer.

          • galt

            I got plenty of that and cold tall ones to serve to my friends on NQ. ;)

            • PKJayne

              I’d like a bag of popcorn and a tall cold one please.

              • Galt’s Pizza Parlor

                Coming right up! :shock:

        • Ani

          Water spew!

          25 lb. bag of popcorn, indeed.

          Truthfully, this whole year has been so painful, sitting back with a bag of popcorn may be the only solace.

    • AF catfish

      He’s always sad. Give the guy some Prozac before he makes our country appear hopelessly weak.

    • TeakWoodKite

      Candidate # 5 Jessie JR, knows very well the Pay to Play. In the Complaint it is alleged amounts of 500k and 1 million were to be paid, if he was selected.

      To watch him up there lying is nothing but comedy.

  • http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/ Not Your sweetie

    I am sure Blago just “misspoke” /sarcasm
    A view of NYC tabloids
    http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/ny-tabloids-on-blagobamarama/

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    At the very least, it portrays Obama as an out of touch loser. No matter what, this has knocked the messiah down a flight of stairs in credibility.

    • AF catfish

      It makes him look weak! HE makes our country look weak!

      • JustMe

        what a shambles… my word what a damn shambles is this all just a set up to get them all and we will wake up to find Hillay gets the nod….

        I hope they throw them all in jail and throw away the keys.
        I hear Guantanamo will be available…

        From the collaspe of the country into the hands of people who are liers…

    • Ani

      Who in the heck wants to have someone for President who walks around saying “I didn’t know I didn’t know, I am shocked and saddened, this is not the so and so I knew” all the time.

      Or, someone we always have to protect?

      Don’t we want a president who IS aware and IS a good judge of character and DOES know what is going on around him?

      Just a thought.

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    Yup, I thought it sounded like an open invitation to bring forth any pertinent information about anyone or anything – INCLUDING both Obamas.

    Good for Fitzgerald. He’s a class act and a true patriot.

    • Nellie

      Buzz,

      A guy from Bangledesh, who works at a local convenient store, said to me the day AFTER the election:

      Now you have a weak President and corrupt government just like we do. I do not think you will like it

  • foxx

    Because Obama should have reported the attempted shakedown. The fact that he didn’t shows he considered it business as usual.

  • hadenough

    blago must be insane. The Chi papers were printing “blago to go to jail” a year ago. Yet the crazy nut was still committing crimes just weeks ago. Insane.

    And how much did rezko have to do with this? Seems to me nobody is gonna bug a governors office and home unless they have very solid evidence of crimes being committed. Right? Hey lets bug the fucking gov! Yeah sounds great! No that’s not gonna happen. rezko sentencing is still on hold. Hopefully they can squeeze some obama goodness out of him.

    Also bloga was “dead man walking.” Everybody knew that. He has been toxic for a year. axelrove and obama would have to be just plain insane along with their criminally insanity to talk out loud about anything but the weather with blago. Don’t hold out much hope of that.

    • http://donnadarko.wordpress.com donna darko

      Just arrogant and delusional. Like Obama.

    • http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Basic-Parenting-Styles&id=744499 Northwest rain

      Just like everyone in Chicago know that Rezko was under investigation — and yet 0zero still asked his good buddy Rezko for help in buying Mrs. Obama’s mansion. 0zero knew that Rezko could make the mansion deal happen.

      And this is the other shoe — that mansion.

    • mimi

      Corrupt people are essentially delusional and always believe themselves to be smarter than everyone else. They’re also pumped up on mega-doses of ego.

      It’s entirely possible, in the immediate euphoric aftermath of the election, with all the attention on 0bama, his transition, his potential Cabinet picks, the hysterical reaction of the AA community and around the world, as well as the remaining focus on tearing Sarah Palin down, it’s quite possible that they took a chance during a limited window of opportunity, figuring no one was looking.

      You never know with people when they are bumped up on their own hype. As I said, corrupt people are delusional and delusional people always make mistakes.

  • Fancy

    IN addition to Rezko, Robert Cellini, an IL republican fundraiser also conencted to the combine, was indicted by Fitz (I believe) the week of Thanksgiving.

    He would know quite a bit, and at 74, might be willing to talk to stay out of prison.

    Same for fast Eddie Vrydoliak.

    And Rezko has another trial coming up, I think he faces at least two more, counting this one…

  • Benjamin

    Obama is a pathological liar, which means he will lie when it is easier, or even beneficial, to tell the truth.

    • AF catfish

      I think that’s a compulsive, or impulsive, liar. Yesterday’s lie was impulsive.

      This teenage kid we tutor has a great personality, but we’re starting to notice his little lies, just for convenience. Like “we’re on our way there, we’re in a taxi right now” when the adult he was with would NEVER take a taxi. We’re trying to figure out how to confront him over this. Lying becomes a habit.

      My friend Kristen does the convenience lie all the time, like calling a restaurant “we’ll be late for our reservation because we got lost” I said just tell them we’re running late. She insists on adding on that it’s because we got lost. This is a successful, educated women who does this, went to a good school. But I never know when to trust her.

      • lark

        Sympathy 360 degrees may do the trick. They need to understand what sympathy is. If one has no clue of what sympathy is one may attach to pseudo-sympathy – finding sympathy through lying.

        • AF catfish

          I don’t get it. They’re both empathetic people, they just lie about harmless things for convenience. It just bugs the crap outta me, and is wrong.

  • WildChild

    I love how we voted for BOBO so we could avoid a replay of the scandal plagued nineties.

    • Ferd Berfle

      They sure flogged that horse to death. It is going to be good to rub the bots’ little metal noses in that one.

      • galt

        Hey ferd I hope you took my suggestion and got into popcorn futures. ;)

        • Ferd Berfle

          Drat–I knew I forgot to do something today. And I just ran out, too, watching the MSM start their slow descent into insanity.

  • bob

    Obama is a black, white, militant, pacifist, Christian, Muslim, marxist, socialist, fascist, liberal, dual citizenship, fake birth certificate having, Kenyan, British, American, Arab, African, Indonesian, Hawaiian, corrupt Chicago mobster, terrorist loving, spreading the wealth, center-right, pay-to-play, pro-choice, anti-gay marriage, community organizing, lefty, politician, lawyer.

    Do you see how the center won’t hold here? You give Obama the advantage when you label him too much. Too many labels negate each other and cease to have any meaning.

    • http://deleted Buzz Latte

      Scared much?

      Two more may be the most important labels of Obama’s life.

      felon

      and prisoner

      • PKJayne

        OOooooOOOoooOOOo Buzz I like that……felon and prisoner

    • stodgie

      oh bob, you are so boring! yawn!

      • lark

        Bob may be boring but as he said, Obama is not. He can keep 100 psychiatrist busy the rest of their professional life.

        • stodgie

          well lark what you said is true about obama. i find people i can’t trust and who are shallow like obama boring and frankly they give me headaches. i run away as soon as i can. what shame america can’t.

    • Ferd Berfle

      Keep up the good work. Yesiree, Bob, you’re only making your idol look even more foolish by coming here with your constant whining. Had I the inclination, I’d offer you some cheese but that might be bad on your irritable bowel.

      Christ, Bob, there are many, many, many websites where you can go be with your own kind, worship at the clay feet of the polyethylene prevaricator, and maybe get a botlife of your own. It won’t be a real life but you won’t care because they’ll provide you with all the Kool-Aidehogwash you could ever want.

    • Karma

      Oh my….there are ‘too many labels’/opinions from too many people they ‘negate each other’….lol

      Not enough groupthink here…huh?

      Hope, change, hope, change, hope, change….is that better?

  • Tricia Spiegel

    I think by now Obama knows he can get away with saying and doing anything he pleases.
    Scares me a lot.

    • Ani

      Absolutely. I have yet to see the press or anyone else call him on anything — and if they do, it is softball, he gives another b.s. answer and they say ok and let it go.

      TEFLON.

  • Ferd Berfle

    And, unless Fitzgerald is sitting on some tape more damning, it appears that the Obama team wisely resisted the Blagojevich shake down. Why can’t Obama admit that? Very curious.

    Because this, presumably, is only the tip of the iceberg upon which That One’s Ship of State may founder.

    • galt

      I don’t see the ship sinking because of the race-riot card, even if there was enough evidence to indict uncovered. I think justice should be pursued of course. But this teflon coating is pretty darn thick. We may have to settle for Karma in the future on this one.

      • Ferd Berfle

        I don’t know-That One seems to lie out of some pathological need. Lies do at some point catch up with a person. Remember the old Star Trek episode where the Kirk tells the android that everything he says is a lie. But if that’s the truth, then he’s lying, etc. But if he always lies, then he’s telling the truth….

        • galt

          Oh god I wish popo head or pebo or whatever his name is was an android! :shock:

          • Ferd Berfle

            PEBO the cardboard cut-out commander-in-chief.
            CCCIC. But he looks good placed at a really big table.

        • lark

          The end of a pathological liar is usually bankruptcy. They loose one by one the people to talk to and people who would listen. How a President gets there is a mystery to me. This one will be one historical pathological paradox.

      • mimi

        No, there will be no sinking ship.

        Like it or not, he will get to govern. But he will be dogged throughout his administration.

  • bob

    I think I’ll keep that list and add to it as y’all keep coming up with stuff to speculate on. I wonder how big it’ll get…

    • wodiej

      bob, do us all a favor….stick your head in a tub of water to grab some apples and don’t come back up. Your contributions here certainly aren’t worthy of oxygen.

  • cathnealon

    Compulsive lying starts very early–and as children imitate their adult role models, BO must have been lied to alot.(Read his memoir–it’s worse than James Frey in separating fact from fiction).

    • AF catfish

      I went to a competitive upper-middle class high school and the cheating was rampant. I didn’t cheat, was too wimpy to cheat for fear I’d get caught and fear I’d not learn ANYTHING.

      But the cheaters got better grades and many got into really good schools.

      • wodiej

        they only think they got away w it. It will catch up to them eventually. It always pays to do the right thing….ALWAYS.

      • oowawa

        Yes Catfish, but you got a good education, and now you get to hang out with the interesting folks on NQ! (no snark intended). Bet you wouldn’t want to trade places with superstars like Blago for anything!

        • AF catfish

          No regrets oowawa.

          You see it on Barry’s face every day: he wonders when people will figure out he’s the fraud he knows he is.

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    If Obama needs to go down, then he should go the way of Rezko and whom ever else gets convicted.

    This notion that somehow Obama is different is ridiculous and as run it’s course.

    Obama will bring himself down and karma has a way of showing up at unexpected times.

    Cosmic timing hasn’t been on Obama’s side this week. Let’s hope it’s a trend that will continue.

  • foxx

    Obama will have to fire Fitzgerald. The fallout from that will be far less than letting him stay at work.

    • lark

      Transfer him maybe to a WH administrative job. Something in Homeland Security.

    • AF catfish

      The RNC demanded today that Obama say he wants Fitz to stay on, and Barry complied.

      • oowawa

        I have seen it cited more than once on NQ: keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. He does not want Fitz out in the wide world writing his memoirs. Promote him and keep him close.

      • PKJayne

        You know if the RNC can start making demands something is fishy……and Barry complied…….ROFL!!!!!!!!

    • TeakWoodKite
  • JS Ruby

    Well I guess we can look forward to BO as POTUS pardoning the entire city of Chicago. In case he missed someone by mistake. God what a joke.

    • http://deleted Buzz Latte

      LOL!

    • The Robot

      It’s not the City of Chicago Obama knew.

  • Nobama4me

    I would say the MSM is in panic mode; they know they willingly failed at doing their job in vetting O and they are panicked that something will come up that will expose them widely.Today, for instance, MSNBO came up with a new WSJ/NBC poll that said the American people are very happy with BO e that they don’t believe for a moment that he is at all involved in this latest scandal and so on and so on…It remainded me of the campaign: every time Mac was ahead in the polls MSNBO or Newsweek would come up with a different poll that said something outrageous like O was ahead 67% or so. Not to mention that Sarah Palin bashing/ridiculing is back on KO show…O must really be in trouble…lol

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    Discussed just tonight on CNN. The political soothsayers say Fitzgerald stays right where he is. Obama removing Fitz is as good as an admission of complicity and possible guilt.

    Fitzgerald has Obama right where he wants him… under the gun, under suspicion, and under the spotlight.

    The Court of Public Opinion is finally open to hearing the other side of the Obama story.

    • AF catfish

      Fitz played his hand deftly. I admit I’m impressed.

  • http://deleted Buzz Latte

    Just listening to Fitz speak and then listening to Obama evade, the difference is stunning.

    No wonder Obama gave up his law license. He isn’t even close to being in someone like Atty. Fitzgerald’s league.

    • lark

      Interesting observation.

    • lark

      Why then did this happened to us? Are we under a curse? Is this what we get for bringing in the sarcophagus with the mummy of King Tutankhamen from Egypt? What the hell happened? I think I am going into a sudden depressed spasm.

      • http://truthisgold.blogspot.com truthisgold

        Lark this has nothing to do with a mummy’s curse. It has everything to do with a nation of uneducated fools who were never taught a thing about civics, our history, our Constitution, Bill of Rights or our voting process; it has everything to do with the fact that these are the people who are working in msm now; they know nothing and care even less about any of these things, and appeal to the lowest common denominator of our society. It has everything to do with too many people having missed the opportunity to be taught simple things like values, ethics, integrity and honesty, and too many people wanting to “BE On TV” with no reason to recommend them.

        Don’t get depressed–get mad and help us do something about it! You’re HERE, which is a good thing, and half the battle right there!

        Keep the PUMA Pride and Spirit going!

        • lark

          :)

  • honora

    Maybe if Fitzgerald agrees not to indict Obama, Obama will give Fitzgerald Obama’s old job at University of Chicago and Mrs. Fitzgerald can sit on some boards and take over Michelle’s job at the University of Chicago’s hospital. Why is it that no one but us ever questioned the Obamas before they were bound for the WH? Thank God for Fitzgerald.

    • Chicago Joe

      There is no Mrs. Fitzgerald. This guy lives and breathes his work. One profile of him said he never turned on his stove.

      • http://truthisgold.blogspot.com truthisgold

        Bless him for his commitment. He is an American hero. I pray for his safety.

  • http://uppitywoman08.wordpress.com Uppity Woman

    Larry, there was November 5 news coverage that obama was talking to Governor Blecky and making his replacement a “priority”. It has since “disappeared” from the net. I have a full pdf copy of it and sent it to Susan. Have fun.

    • Chicago Joe

      The station that had that story has pulled it and issued the following clarification:

      KHQA TV wishes to offer clarification regarding a story that appeared last month on our website ConnectTristates.com. The story, which discussed the appointment of a replacement for President Elect Obama’in the U.S. Senate, became the subject of much discussion on talk radio and on blog sites Wednesday.

      The story housed in our website archive was on the morning of November 5, 2008. It suggested that a meeting was scheduled later that day between President Elect Obama and Illinois Governor Blagojevich. KHQA has no knowledge that any meeting ever took place. Governor Blagojevich did appear at a news conference in Chicago on that date.

  • Lyn

    http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1208/Blagojevich_questions_censored_on_Transition_site.html?
    Blagojevich questions censored on Transition site

    President-elect Barack Obama’s Transition today launched “Open for Questions,” a Digg-style feature allowing citizens to submit questions, and to vote on one another’s questions, bringing favored inquiries to the top of the list.

    It was suggested when it launched that the tool would bring uncomfortable questions to the fore, but the results so far are the opposite: Obama’s supporters appear to be using — and abusing — a tool allowing them to “flag” questions as “inappropriate” to remove all questions mentioning Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich from the main pages of Obama’s website.

    The Blagojevich questions — many of them polite and reasonable — can be found only by searching words in them, like “Blagojevich,” which produces 35 questions missing from the main page of the site.

  • Chicago Joe

    This is interesting. We can hope.

    The conservative Web site Powerline writes:

    “Obama has been a loyal soldier in the Democrats’ corrupt Cook County machine. Obama’s first statewide campaign was as an adviser to Blagojevich. He endorsed Blagojevich for re-election and offered to campaign for him. In August 2006, the Associated Press quoted Obama saying, “We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois.”

    No doubt Obama would now say that the Rod Blagojevich who tried to sell his vacant Senate seat “isn’t the Rod Blagojevich I knew.” Maybe it’s time to take notice of the fact that Barack Obama is either 1) an astonishingly poor judge of character, or 2) a politician who swims comfortably and successfully in what must be America’s most corrupt pond. This is, apparently, the “change” that millions of Americans voted for.”

    s

  • IndieDogg

    Burning question since I heard this break. Larry, any ideas?

    WHY, if the feds had this guy on tape and he was in the midst of a political crime spree, did they spring the trap NOW, before all the prey was in the trap?

    Why in the world blow this thing open when it’s still in mid-play. Nobody’s actually had a meeting yet. Nothing has changed hands.

    Wouldn’t you rather have #5 (aka JJ, Jr.) go through with the pay-off, or have Blogo on the phone with Axelrod asking what the Big Man wanted him to do, or doing whatever else Blobo was poised to do in furtherance of this criminal enterprise?

    I’ve been on Fitz’ side of this and the timing of this makes no (obvious) sense. Unless he was only trying to prevent an appointment from being made which then could not be undone.

    However, if the B had gone ahead and appointed someone for the right reasons, because nobody came up with the cash and/or position he wanted, what’s the harm? But, if he played it out and another fly got caught in the web, don’t you have a much more significant case, as well as a tighter case? The feds like to pop it and go conspiracy as soon as somebody agrees to do the bad thing. But, what about the rest of the bad people who were about to do the bad thing with him?

    Does no one other than me find the timing of this arrest the least bit curious? As in WAY too early.

    • Kal

      I find it strange too, but I am wondering if that meeting BO had at the FBI in Chg at some point in Oct. may have been a deal to send some bait in, and Fitz’s way of making sure that if BO won the national election, he would at least have received a huge warning ahead of time that any bad acts would be caught redhanded.

      A close friend who is a high-level criminal conspiracy defense lawyer does not agree; says that a BO investigation could well be continuing re old bad acts even while this one gets pounced on now. This person feels that it makes sense to grab Blag before he made a corrupt appointment while continuing to work the sources and follow the leads. Which are multiplying with every pol who turns.

      But we shall see, I guess.

      • TeakWoodKite

        Kal,
        Fitzgerald needs to Squeeze the “Hot Rod”. I agree with your buddy that these investigations are brought when they can be independent of each other. The discovery is a lot cleaner and reveals not as much to the defense and the rest of the world.

        One thing is for sure, BO OWES some people and he will be made to pay, and we to suffer for it.

  • jeremy

    obama and jackass jr are so fricken stupid to throw blago under the bus so soon! blago and his aide will squeal to high heaven all the dirt cuz they turned on him!! and no one will be able to supress it now. no matter who is prosecuting him cuz blagos attorneys will say all on behalf of him. im from the southside and these dirtballs will roll all over each other to save themselvs. i think obama is in a world of trouble. its just a matter of when sooner if fitzys on the up and up or later when blagos spills the beans

  • stodgie

    i have to come to dislike colmes on faux very much. i am glad to see him get booted from the hannity/colmes show. he irritates me no end. he was spineless during the bush saga and now he supports obama no matter what he does. tonight on faux i turned him off.

  • Clara Barton

    I have a question about the wire taps. I thought I heard they were on phones in Blago’s home and his campaign office. Then, at least a couple of his confidants ended up wearing one on occasion. I didn’t recall see that the actual office was bugged, but just the phone. If O came to meet Blago in his office, wouldn’t the room have to be bugged in order to catch the conversation and get Zero on tape?

  • Patrick Henry

    Amazing how many “First generation” Americans are popping up in Chicago ..and part of Team Obama..

    Obama..First generation ..Father from Kenya

    Rahm Emanuel..Father from Israel

    Blagojevich…Father from Serbia…

    Then you got Rezko..

    Anyone else in this International Ring Linking and Stinking up Our Political system and Illinois..??

    • Papoose

      Howboutit?

      Uneffin beievable.

      btw: Does anyone know when PeaBO is going to attend to his beloved Toot’s final and last respects?

      ~ maybe Mrs. Dunham didn’t know a soul in this world herself. Just an Eleanor Rigby, I guess.

  • Vidsweet

    Because it is Obama’s PATTERN! He did this during the election and got a free pass. His first instinct is always to deny, deny, knowing few will investigate. And he knows when facts surface, all he has to do is explain it and then his media cheerleaders will drown out any protests or further questions.

    Well, good, reap what you sow. I so hope that Obama unwisely used his pattern of behavior at the most uncalled for time and it ends up being his downfall. That would make all those lies that never got uncovered worthwhile! To get busted for a lie that didn’t have to be made! Hah!

    Right now, Obama followed his own worhship script and distanced himself using the strongest of languages. NEVER! Theoretically, the media is supposed to follow the script and take it as gospel. Then whoops, the wheels are starting to derail! Come on, wannabe journalists! Who wants to be the next Woodward and Bernstein and make a name for themselves? Aspiring journalists, just go do your JOBS! There may be a pulitzer in it for ya.

  • Pingback: Blago’s Bar Codes « Quipster

  • Pingback: Obama or Someone Close to Him Spoke with Blagojevich About Senate Appointment

  • why lie

    from what I am seeing there have been close to a or more than a dozen news stories that are now being white washed or making statements that they mispoke during the last year.
    Hey guys this is getting really ridculous.
    Its pretty much so what if Obama was friends or talk to this guy. But now that he is denying it all it is making him look guilty of something.

  • Pingback: Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » EXHAUSTIVE ANALYSIS: More Questions about Obama and Blagojevich in the Wake of Obama’s Latest Gambit at Transparency

  • Pingback: EXHAUSTIVE ANALYSIS: More Questions about Obama and Blagojevich in the Wake of Obama’s Latest Gambit at Transparency : NO QUARTER

  • cynic

    Either Barack or one of his senior aides talked to Blagojevich about possible replacements and it is on tape. You can be sure of that. And, unless Fitzgerald is sitting on some tape more damning, it appears that the Obama team wisely resisted the Blagojevich shake down. Why can’t Obama admit that? Very curious.

    So when did Obama state that one of his aids didn’t talk to Blagojevich about the vacant senate seat? All he has stated is that he didn’t.

    Why is it so difficult to believe that David Axelrod’s earlier comment to a reporter wasn’t simply incorrect, as he now says?

    Now that Blagojevich is the center of controversy and now that it’s known there are tapes of unknown content, why would Axelrod risk being caught in a lie that could come back on him in the form of a transcript?

  • Papoose

    btw: Does anyone know when PeaBO is going to attend to his beloved Toot’s final and last respects?

    ~ maybe Mrs. Dunham didn’t know a soul in this world herself. Just an Eleanor Rigby, I guess.

    • lark

      He attended her funeral via close circuit tv/video just like Bush used to visit with the troops in iraq once in a while. Is just like being there, except you are not that far from your fridge. The question is, did Michelle ran errands during the ceremony or did she took to the yard to do some weeding and pruning?

      • lark

        BTW, the flowers were placed on the grave by the FedEx driver. With the savings they purchased a couple of massage recliners. They came in handy when doing the remote video service.

  • AF catfish

    Don’t feed this lying troll.

  • hadenough

    I’m guessing you are new to this whole blog thing. Here is a tip for ya: That’s an opinion. Take or leave it.

    That’s usually what blogs are about.

    In this case it’s an opinion from someone that has been following obarry for a long time. You being new to this whole blog thing wouldn’t know that. Glad I could help you out. Oh and thanks for stopping bye.