Rahm Brought Down Blagojevich! Team Obama Wouldn't Play Ball

[kpete]

Rahm Brought Down Blagojevich! Team Obama Wouldn't Play Ball
by Hope Reborn
Tue Dec 09, 2008 at 10:20:06 AM PST

Today's developments are breath taking.... only more breath taking is the role the Obama Transition team may have had in the situation.

The governor, accused of seeking cash for the political appointment of Obama's Senate replacement, is not a close associate of the President-elect. Indeed, in the affidavit, Blagojevich called Obama a "motherfucker" for wanting him to appoint an official that the governor either did not like or wouldn't receive money from. Local news reports, meanwhile, suggest that it was Obama chief-of-staff Rahm Emanuel who blew the whistle on the governor.

Blago wanted payment for Jarrett in Obama's seat... Team Obama would NOT PLAY BALLhttp://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/feds_obama_wouldnt_play_ball_w.php

In a conversation with Harris on November 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew that the President-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. (Expletive) them."

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/12/9/13126/0244/125/671113

[bdamomma]

1. oh boy just reading Blagojevich last comment there

he is money hungry.

In a conversation with Harris on November 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew that the President-elect wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. (Expletive) them."

[Donald Ian Rankin]

36. Aha! So there *is* a link between Obama and this scandal!

Oh, wait...

Still, you can bet that Free Republic will be desperately trying to find evidence that this is Obama's fault, and that even when they fail to do so they will still believe that it is.

[Gman]

2. Of course there are those here who will still trash Rahm

Of course, nothing makes them happy except misery.

[Orsino]

15. There are other reasons to trash Rahm.

We can hope, though, that he and Team Obama gave Blagojevich the finger.

[EFerrari]

16. And one of those reasons is his habit of taking credit for the work of others

which is the inverse of good teamwork.

[lisa58]

3. wow - Obama just gets better and better...

...Now we know why he said he had enough to deal with, with Illinois politics on Meet the Press when asked about Caroline Kennedy getting Hillary's seat.

[malaise]

7. Very good point

I heard that but wasn't sure what he meant.

[Fla Dem]

4. Good and I hope they rat out any other Dems who are corrupt.

I want this to be a squeaky clean next four and hopefully eight years. Let the Repugs do their dirty deeds. After the Clinton years we do not need any clouds of suspicion and accusations mucking up what this administration needs to get done.

[jberryhill]

6. Amen /nt

[emilyg]

9. One can hope.

[malaise]

5. Sweet

That should scare the shite out of all the other crooks. Bravo!!

[NNN0LHI]

8. Wouldn't surprise me if Obama blew him in to the Feds

It was the right thing to do if this is true.

Don

[Jack Rabbit]

10. If Blago were a Republican and this were for the benefit of the Bush White House

The White House would be denying it, calling Fitz a Democratic hack (actually, "Demomcrat hack") and Bush would be giving Blago the medal of freedom for doing it.

I'm look forward to the administration replacing the junta.

[smiley_glad_hands]

32. So true. eom

[Nite Owl]

11. I hope so, this looked like

Rahm's fingerprints on this. It sends quite a message and the R's and D's now know he means business so don't even try anything.

[mzmolly]

12. Let the corruption cleansing

begin! :toast:

And :wow:

[The Backlash Cometh]

14. I'm right there with you.

For the first time in a long time, I feel very optimistic.

[mzmolly]

17. Glad to hear it BC.

:hi:

[goodhue]

13. Yes but Blago was already under surveillance

[Qutzupalotl]

18. It's okay when *I* do it.

Blagojevich called Obama a "motherfucker"

[annabanana]

19. With all this information out there about this guy... What is

our old pal CorpoMedia trying to pull out of their ass today? Every Lead in is "How will this effect The Obama Team".. nudge nudge wink wink

[Lex]

20. SNL's Andy Samberg's portrayal of Rahm Emmanuel must've been spot on.

link here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/23/snl-rahm-emanuel-bill-cli_n_145798.html

[Cabcere]

35. Heh...

that was $%#&ing awesome. :D :hi:

[FrenchieCat]

21. What I found interesting....

When Obama was asked that last question at the Obama/Gore Photo OP, Obama specifically corrected himself at the end when he was asked if he knew anything about it. His last sentence...."We...I didn't know anything about this"......

I think he corrected himself, because although he may not have been aware, Rhambo may have been.....therefore using "we" would not have been appropriate.

[Juche]

22. I support the rule of law

So this is bittersweet. I think anyone who abuses power should be arrested and frogmarched but I am fairly sure Obama will let BushCO off without even a warning. All the ignored subpoenas, violations of the constitution, human rights and civil rights abuses, etc. Just ignored in the name of bipartisanship.

Again, fully support the rule of law to everyone. But if Obama is going to go hard after dems who break the law and make excuses and apologies for republicans who break the law that doesn't fill me with confidence. He needs to hold everyone accountable.

Accountability seems to stop with the president. Ted Stevens was charged with getting work done on his home and not reporting it. Palin was accused of abusing her powers by trying to fire someone. These are important crimes, but compared to things like political persecutions of your enemies (Siegelman), corrupting the DoJ to turn it into a political force to intimidate enemies and undermine democracy, torture, lying about war, etc. And nothing.

I don't know. I want trasparency and accountability for everyone in power.

[Thickasabrick]

23. Rahm is saying this is false according to the latest updates nt

[philly_bob]

24. So far, quotes from Blagjevich don't mention money.

Until there's proof he's talking about money, I'm being cautious.

Any governor faced suddenly with the need to replace a senator is going to talk tough and quid pro quo and give me something.

If it's not money, it's just politics.

Let's not accept another Spitzer.

WAIT FOR THE MONEY.

[nemo137]

30. Look at numer 95 in the gov't complaint

where Blago asks about private foundations he could get in at in exchange for an appointment, and their pay rates, for starters. Wonkette has a wrap-up of the Blago case, and thesmokinggun.com has at least parts of the complaint.

[philly_bob]

37. I am no longer cautious. Blago is not Spitzer. Probably corrupt Chicago pol.

I'm convinced. Two sources:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/1209081rod5.html (thanks Nemo)

and the other is the Chicago market guys over at TickerForum, who all assume RB is a crook.

[woo me with science]

25. Look at the name of the journalist who wrote this. nt

[sufrommich]

28. Who is he? nt

[Laelth]

26. Obama did the right thing.

This sends a clear message to those who expect to get "paid" for going along with the President-Elect's plans. I am ecstatic.

The United States is a LIBERAL Country.

:dem:

-Laelth

[spanone]

27. good for rahm.....blagojevich appears to be scum

[kikiek]

29. I said yesterday when I heard of it the one who turned him in was a Democrat.

[LaydeeBug]

31. rahm emmanuel has already denied this. nt

[smiley_glad_hands]

33. Why would you want to try and shake down the incoming President? eom

[LynneSin]

34. Because you're Blagojevich and you're a fucking asshole who thinks he can do anything

that's why