Obama's first test - not to stay "loyal" to Emanuel if the guy

[marylanddem]

was in any way shape or form involved in deal-making. The guy's attitude appears to suck. Obama owes him nothing. If Emanuel had ANYTHING CLOSE to a deal-making meeting with that Illinois rat governor he needs to step aside. Or be let go. This is worsening.

[marmar]

1. per the MSP Star-Trib:

Sources say Obama's chief of staff is not a target in the Illinois corruption investigation
By NEDRA PICKLER and LARA JAKES JORDAN , Associated Press

Last update: December 12, 2008 - 4:08 PM

WASHINGTON - People who have been briefed on the Illinois governor corruption investigation say Barack Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is not a target of the probe. Emanuel, a Chicago congressman who would have been a likely contact between the Obama transition office and Gov. Rod Blagojevich, has been a focus of media attention since Obama said Thursday he has asked for an internal review of contacts between his staff and Blagojevich.

Emanuel has been refusing to answer questions about whether he's the "president-elect adviser" referred to in the criminal complaint that accuses Blagojevich of putting Obama's Senate seat up for sale. The complaint does not say that Blagojevich ever spoke to the unidentified Obama adviser about the Senate seat. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.startribune.com/politics/36067274.html

[KharmaTrain]

2. "Deal Making"...

There have been reports around Chicago media that it was Rahm who dropped the dime on Blago when he caught wind of the "deal making"...and then contacted Fitzgerald. Now you'd think that if Emanuel were either playing the game why would he call the DA of all people?

Emmanuel's job included contact with Blago's office...not only about the Senate seat but also his own vacancy as well as to stay clear of any selection that may also be on Obama's list for an administrative position. It'd sure be embarassing if the same name came out for different jobs. Also, as COS, Emmanuel needs to know who he's dealing with on Capitol Hill and a vested interest that the Illinois Senate vacancy be filled quickly. Blago was dragging his feet...we now are starting to find out why.

People need to differentiate a bribe from other considerations that are played by politicians all the time. It's shoveling money from one's campaign fund to another or political interest group or charity...while many here will think it's wrong, it is legal and is how the power game is played. Blago kept hinting he was looking to run again in 2010 and would face a tough primary...the money game is not unusual under those circumstances...not just in Illinois, but virtually everywhere.

So if Emmanuel is soooo stupid to get involved in selling a Senate seat or even trying to cover it up, then he needs to go. But this man is anything but stupid...as opposed to Blago...and may even appear to be the one who helped bring this fraud to light. Wow...a public official actually turning in a political lawbreaker? I know it's a rare occurance...

[Jennicut]

3. Rahm has had nothing to do with it per Fitzgerald. Why the jumping to conclusions

not based on any real evidence???

[Overseas]

4. How very Republican your thread title is !

If Rahm had been willing to make any deals then Blagojevich wouldn't have cussed out Obama in those tapes.

Rahm would have known that Obama didn't need to disregard his own principles to make deals with a governor who had already given Illinois so much grief.

Republican pundits, broadcast media and the RNC are desperately trying to find any evidence of Obama being involved with such deal-making and you are ready to go along their track.

Obama is not that stupid. He would not have selected a Chief of Staff who was stupid enough to make deals with such a disgusting governor.