Obama Show me the money !!!

Change we didn't need !!!

CHICAGO (AP) - Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday on charges that he brazenly conspired to sell or trade the Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder.
Blagojevich also was charged with illegally threatening to withhold state assistance to Tribune Co., the owner of the Chicago Tribune, in the sale of Wrigley Field, according to a federal criminal complaint. In return for state assistance, Blagojevich allegedly wanted members of the paper's editorial board who had been critical of him fired.

A 76-page FBI affidavit said the 51-year-old Democratic governor was intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the last month conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti.

Otherwise, Blagojevich considered appointing himself. The affidavit said that as late as Nov. 3, he told his deputy governor that if "they're not going to offer me anything of value I might as well take it."

"I'm going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain," Blagojevich allegedly said later that day, according to the affidavit, which also quoted him as saying in a remark punctuated by profanity that the seat was "a valuable thing—you just don't give it away for nothing."

The affidavit said Blagojevich also discussed getting a substantial salary for himself at a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions.

It said Blagojevich also talked about getting his wife placed on corporate boards where she might get $150,000 a year in director's fees.

He also allegedly discussed getting campaign funds for himself or possibly a post in the president's cabinet or an ambassadorship once he left the governor's office. He noted becoming a U.S. senator might remake his image for a possible presidential run in 2016, according to the affidavit. And he allegedly said a Senate seat would also provide him with corporate contacts if he needed a job and present an opportunity for his wife to work as a lobbyist.

"I want to make money," the affidavit quotes him as saying in one conversation.

The affidavit said Blagojevich expressed frustration at being "stuck" as governor and that he would have access to greater resources if he were indicted while in the U.S. Senate than while sitting as governor.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald said in a statement that "the breadth of corruption laid out in these charges is staggering."

"They allege that Blagojevich put a for sale sign on the naming of a United States senator," Fitzgerald said."

Among those being considered for the post include U.S. Reps. Danny Davis and Jesse Jackson Jr.

Blagojevich also was charged with using his authority as governor in an attempt to squeeze out campaign contributions.

His chief of staff, John Harris, also was arrested.

Corruption in the Blagojevich administration has been the focus of a federal investigation involving an alleged $7 million scheme aimed at squeezing kickbacks out of companies seeking business from the state. Federal prosecutors have acknowledged they're also investigating "serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" under Blagojevich.

Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges. Blagojevich's chief fundraiser, Christopher G. Kelly, is due to stand trial early next year on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.

According to Tuesday's complaint, Blagojevich schemed with Rezko, millionaire-fundraiser turned federal witness Stuart Levine and others to get financial benefits for himself and his campaign committee.

Federal prosecutors said Blagojevich and the chairman of his campaign committee have been speeding up corrupt fundraising activities in the last month to get as much money as possible before the end of the year when a new law would curtail his ability to raise contributions from companies with state contracts worth more than $50,000.

According to the affidavit, agents learned Blagojevich was seeking $2.5 million in campaign contributions by the end of the year, with a large part allegedly to come from companies and individuals who have gotten state contracts or appointments.

Blagojevich took the chief executive's office in 2003 as a reformer promising to clean up former Gov. George Ryan's mess.

Ryan, a Republican, is serving a 6-year prison sentence after being convicted on racketeering and fraud charges. A decade-long investigation began with the sale of driver's licenses for bribes and led to the conviction of dozens of people who worked for Ryan when he was secretary of state and governor.

FBI spokesman Frank Bochte said federal agents arrested the governor and Harris simultaneously at their homes at 6:15 a.m. and took them to the Chicago FBI headquarters.

Bochte said he did not know if either man was handcuffed or if the governor's family was their North Side home at the time of his arrest. He did say Blagojevich and Harris both were given time to get dressed before being taken to the headquarters.

He also did not have any details about Blagojevich's arrest, only that he was cooperative with federal agents.

"It was a very calm setting," he said.

The governor was to appear later Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nan Nolan to answer the charges. The time was not immediately set.

___

Associated Press Writer Don Babwin contributed to this report.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Pre

"F Obama" !!!

FBI: Illinois Governor Sought To "Sell" Obama's Senate Seat
Wanted President-Elect to "Put Something Together . . . Something Big"
By BRIAN ROSS
December 9, 2008 Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich wanted President-elect Barack Obama "to put something together…something big" in exchange for going along with Obama's choice to fill his vacant US Senate seat, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed following the Governor's stunning arrest.

In this file photo, Ilinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) during a news...
In this file photo, Ilinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich with U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) during a news conference following their apperance before the Base Realignment and Closure commission during their hearings at Saint Louis University, St. Louis. Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich wanted President-elect Barack Obama "to put something together…something big" in exchange for going along with Obama's choice to fill his vacant US Senate seat, according to an FBI affidavit unsealed following the Governor's stunning arrest.
(James A. Finley/AP Photo)"I've got this thing and it's f***ing golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for f***in' nothing. I'm not gonna do it. And I can always use it. I can parachute me there," Blagojevich said in a phone call secretly recorded by the FBI on November 5, the day after the election, according to the affidavit.

Click here to read the full affidavit.

It is conduct that would make Lincoln roll over in his grave," said U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in announcing the charges today in Chicago.

He said the Governor's efforts to "sell" the Senate seat was the "most sinister and appalling" of a range of alleged corrupt acts detailed in today's case. The FBI says Blagojevich wanted an appointment to the Obama cabinet as Secretary of Health and Human Services, a well-paying job or huge campaign contributions as the price for naming Obama's successor.

Related
Verdict Brings Unwanted Friend to Obama Victory PartyRezko Locked Up Until Trial Starts Feb. 25More from Brian Ross and the Investigative TeamBlagojevich was overheard by the FBI saying "I want to make money," complaining he was "financially hurting."

"If Illinois isn't the most corrupt state in the United States, it sure is one hell of a the competitors," said the head of the FBI's Chicago office, Robert Grant.

He said veteran FBI agents were "disgusted, sick" as they listened to the intercepted conversations of the Illinois Governor.

Blagojevich also sought a high paying job for his wife, according to the FBI. "Is there a play here, with these guys, with her" to work for a firm in Washington or New York, he reportedly said.


The FBI affidavit said Blagojevich had been told by an adviser "the President-elect can get ROD BLAGOJEVICH's wife on paid corporate boards in exchange for naming the President-elect's pick to the Senate."

Told by two other advisers he has to "**** it up" for two years, the FBI says it heard Blagojevich complain he has to give this "motherf***er [the President-elect] his Senator. F*** him. For nothing? F*** him."

The Governor is heard saying he will pick another candidate "before I just give f***ing [Senate Candidate l] a f***ing Senate seat and I don't get anything."

According to the affidavit, one candidate for the Senate seat, identified as Senate Candidate 5 promised to "raise money" for Blagojevich. The Governor described, in a recorded call, an earlier approach by an associate of Senate Candidate Five. "We were approached 'pay to play.' That, you know he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I mad him (Senate Candidate 5) a Senator."

OBAMA IS UNDER INVESTIGATION !!!! IMPEACH PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA !!

OBAMA UNDER INVESTIGATION

Complaint hits Rezko land deal
Fired official says appraisal replaced
Jerry Seper Saturday, October 18, 2008

A former Illinois bank official, now claiming whistleblower status, says bank officials replaced a loan reappraisal that he prepared for a Chicago property that was purchased by the wife of now-convicted felon Tony Rezko, part of which was later sold to next-door neighbor Barack Obama.

In a complaint filed Thursday in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Kenneth J. Connor said that his reappraisal of Rita Rezko's property was replaced with a higher one and that he was fired when he questioned the document.

Mr. Connor, a real estate and commercial credit analyst at the Mutual Bank Corp. in Chicago, also noted in the complaint that the bank received a grand jury subpoena in October 2006 requiring it to produce information concerning Mrs. Rezko's purchase, including the bank's files on the property.

The complaint also said that the grand jury wanted information on Mrs. Rezko's checking account and loan file and that the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC) had audited the Rezko file - although Mr. Connor's lower reappraisal had been replaced with a higher amount.

"Connor's internal whistle-blowing activity at Mutual Bank implicates Mutual Bank and the potentially guilty officers thereof to prosecution under federal and Illinois statutes," said the complaint, filed by attorney Glenn R. Gaffney.

The complaint said Mutual Bank officials could be guilty of making false statements, willfully overvaluing property, bank fraud, witness retaliation, willful violation of a lawful subpoena, FDIC violations, and state banking regulations.

Mr. Gaffney, contacted at his office, declined to elaborate but confirmed that the complaint had been filed.

"It says what it says," said Mr. Gaffney of Glendale Heights, Ill.

According to the complaint, Mr. Connor reviewed the appraisal of the Rezko property by another firm, Adams Appraisal, which had set the value at $625,000. Mr. Connor's complaint said that he told his bosses in a report that the property had been overvalued by at least $125,000 and that a "reasonable and fair evaluation" should have been no greater than $500,000.

Later, the complaint states, Mr. Connor observed that his lower appraisal was not in the Rezko file and that he notified his supervisors that it had been replaced. He said, according to the complaint, the new file had been reviewed by the FBI and "if the FBI were to ask me about such matters, I would tell them the truth. I never rescinded my original findings."

Critics of Mr. Obama's dealings with Rezko charge that the senator may have gotten a deal on his property purchase, noting that Mrs. Rezko paid the full asking price for her property on an adjacent lot. Both of which were sold by a single seller. Mr. Obama bought his house for $1.65 million - $300,000 below the asking price.

When the property was sold, Mr. Obama knew Rezko was under investigation on fraud charges.

The complaint said the Rezko loan was approved by Mutual Bank President and CEO Amrish Mahajan and others so that Mrs. Rezko could buy a 9,090-square-foot vacant parcel of real estate. It said that in January 2006, Mrs. Rezko and Mr. Obama, along with his wife Michelle, signed an agreement to sell a 10-foot strip of the property to the Obamas. At that point, according to the complaint, Mr. Connor's firm asked him to conduct the reappraisal.

The complaint said Mr. Connor is seeking $4.2 million for compensatory damages, plus unspecified punitive damages.

Rezko was a key supporter and donor throughout Mr. Obama's political career, with the Illinois Democrat estimating that Rezko raised $250,000 for his various political campaigns, though not for his presidential bid. The two were friends who talked frequently about politics and occasionally dined out together with their wives.

Rezko was convicted this summer on federal charges of using his clout with state government to squeeze kickbacks out of firms wanting to do business with the state. The charges did not involve Mr. Obama. Rezko is now cooperating with federal prosecutors in a continuing probe of corruption in Illinois government.

Mr. Obama consulted Rezko, a real estate developer, before buying his home in 2005.

As a state senator, Mr. Obama wrote letters endorsing government support of a Rezko housing project for senior citizens. Obama aides say he was simply supporting a project that would help residents of his district, not doing a favor for a friend.

Jennifer Haberkorn contributed to this article.

One correction. Obama is not the President elect. That title isn't given constitutionally until December 15 when the electoral college meets. Right now he is just OhNo Bama. Waiting for his indictment to come in the mail.

Obama says he had nothing to do with the Senate for Sale Scandal and is pretending he is not involved ! Does anyone believe this ? From terrorists to political scammers, Obama gets the support of criminals and then claims he had nothing to do with them !!! Its just a coincidence that all his supporters are criminals !! It is time to end the Obama circus and he resign !


Obama Must Resign !


Obama works to distance himself from Ill. governor

Dec 9, 6:35 PM (ET)

WASHINGTON (AP) - Though Barack Obama isn't accused of anything, the charges against his home-state governor - concerning Obama's own Senate seat no less - are an unwelcome distraction. And the ultimate fallout is unclear.

As Obama works to set up his new administration and deal with a national economic crisis, suddenly he also is spending time and attention trying to distance himself from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and charges that the governor was trying to sell the now-vacant Senate post.

The president-elect was blunt and brief in addressing the case on Tuesday: "I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening" concerning any possible dealing about Blagojevich's appointment of a successor.

It's Obama's first big headache since his election last month, and Republicans were anything but eager to let it go away.


(AP) President-elect Barack Obama is seen after speaking about Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich during his...
Full Image


Said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the new GOP House whip: "The serious nature of the crimes listed by federal prosecutors raises questions about the interaction with Gov. Blagojevich, President-elect Obama and other high ranking officials who will be working for the future president."

Added Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee: "Americans expect strong leadership, but President-elect Barack Obama's comments on the matter are insufficient at best."

In Chicago, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said prosecutors were making "no allegations" that Obama was aware of any scheming.

And Blagojevich himself, in taped conversations cited by prosecutors, suggested that Obama wouldn't be helpful to him. Even if the governor was to appoint a candidate favored by the Obama team, Blagojevich said, "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation."

The two Illinois politicians have never been especially close and have largely operated in different Democratic Party camps in the state. Blagojevich's disdain for Obama was clear in court documents; he is quoted as calling the president-elect a vulgar term in one phone conversation recorded by the FBI.

Still, at the very least, the episode amounts to a distraction for Obama at an inopportune time just six weeks before he's sworn into office. It also raises the specter of notorious Chicago politics, an image Obama has tried to distance himself from during his career.

There were signs the continuing investigation could still involve him.

His statement that he didn't have contact with Blagojevich about the Senate seat seems to conflict with that of top adviser David Axelrod, who told Fox News Chicago on Nov. 23: "I know he's 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."

Obama transition officials say Axelrod misspoke.

It also appears that Obama friend Valerie Jarrett, an incoming senior White House adviser, is the person referred to repeatedly in court documents as "Candidate 1." That individual is described as a female who is "an adviser to the president-elect" and as the person Obama wanted appointed to the Senate seat. Court papers say that "Candidate 1" eventually removed "herself" from consideration for the Senate seat.

In a Nov. 11 phone conversation with an aide, Blagojevich talked at length about "Candidate 1" and said he knew that Obama wanted her for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. (Expletive) them."

One day later, Jarrett, a Chicago businesswoman who is one of three co-chairmen of Obama's transition team and was a high-level adviser to his presidential campaign, made it known that she was not interested in the seat. And, on Nov. 15, Obama announced that Jarrett would be a senior White House adviser and assistant for intergovernmental relations.

Obama has maintained a cordial but distant relationship with Blagojevich during the governor's tenure. He supported his fellow Democrat for re-election in 2006, even though the governor backed someone else over Obama in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary race in 2004. Obama has said little about the many misconduct allegations that have piled up against Blagojevich, and he has complimented Blagojevich for running "a sound administration" with "the right priorities."

Obama's circle of major Illinois political allies and supporters is largely separate from Blagojevich's, with two major exceptions. Both Obama and Blagojevich got extensive money and support from Chicago businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who is now under federal indictment. And Obama is close to Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who has been the governor's staunchest legislative ally.

At least one top aide to Obama, Michael Strautmanis, previously worked for Blagojevich. Obama has appointed Strautmanis to serve as White House chief of staff to the presidential assistant for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. The Chicago native was legislative director and counsel to Blagojevich when the governor was a member of Congress and then helped Blagojevich win the governorship in 2002. There is no indication that Strautmanis is involved in the case.

More details on the case could be forthcoming.

Court documents say they don't include all calls dealing with the governor's efforts regarding the Senate seat appointment. And many people in the documents are referred to by aliases; there's little doubt their identities will eventually surface.

In Chicago, Obama largely kept a low profile as word of Blagojevich's arrest spread.

He went to a gym to work out as he does most mornings but canceled a previously scheduled FBI briefing and, instead, headed to his transition office next door to the federal courthouse. He stayed there and mostly out of sight until a midday meeting with former Vice President Al Gore on environmental and energy issues. That was supposed to be the news of the day out of the Obama office but the president-elect found himself peppered with questions about Blagojevich when reporters entered the Gore meeting for a photo op.

"Like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the U.S. attorney's office today. But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time," Obama said - and then he said he wasn't aware of Blagojevich's maneuvering.

Robert Gibbs, an Obama spokesman, said: "We did not know about this recent part of the investigation until today."

In court documents, FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain detailed several phone calls between Blagojevich and his aides that were intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the past month. Blagojevich is accused of conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti. Among his alleged desires: a Cabinet post, placement at a private foundation in a significant position, campaign contributions or an ambassadorship.

---

Associated Press Writers Jennifer Loven and Jim Kuhnhenn in Washington, Philip Elliott in Chicago, Christopher Wills in Springfield, Ill., and Rita Beamish in San Mateo, Calif., contributed to this report.

Even Pravda is calling the US a Socialist State !

TRUTH


Black House of the United Socialist States of America
10.12.2008 Source: Pravda.Ru

The day when Barack Obama won the election has been ironically dubbed as ‘Black Tuesday.’ It brings up the idea that the White House in Washington might be renamed soon too. As a matter of fact, red is the best color that fits America today. If things continue to develop like that, the country’s new name will the USSA – the United Socialist States of America.
Americans have reached the highest point of hypocrisy in their self-complacency and confidence. It may at times be very close to absurdity. Just imagine that Governor Schwarzenegger bans words ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ from California schools just because of the fact that the words supposedly discriminates *** families. In America, feeding children with junk food, which is obviously made only for profit, is considered politically correct. It is considered politically correct to bomb Iraqi children for seven years after Colin Powell showed a test-tube with detergent at the UN and said that it was a weapon of mass destruction. ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ prove to be politically incorrect. Schwarzenegger might want to have a closer look into the origin of his last name, for it seems to an extremely incorrect name.

The story of a US congressman suing God made numerous headlines not so long ago. The politician decided to defend the rights of his electors against the background of earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes and other disasters. The claim has been noted, the Lord has been provided with lawyers but the hearing never took places because it was impossible to find out the defendant’s address.

Stupid rules can be a lot more important that common sense at times. Will Obama be able to wake America up? It is not likely that Obama will become an object of sarcasm and countless jokes, like it happened with outgoing President Bush (e.g. Bush has lost his entire library in a fire – all the three books are gone).

Every nation deserves its leader, and this saying matches America completely. Many Americans were sincerely surprised when they were told that one of their states – Georgia – exists across the ocean. Some of them were concerned about Russia attacking the Georgian governor. It seems symbolic that the name ‘George’ sounds very much like the name of the country – ‘Georgia.’

Join Pravda.ru forum to experience freedom of speech

Obama will soon have a contest for US Socialist flag !!!

A FrIeNd iS NoThInG BuT An uNkOwN EnEmY.

EvEn cAsTlEs mAdE Of sAnD, fAlL InTo tHe sEa, EvEnTuAlLy.

WhIlSt sHaMe kEePs iTs wAtCh, ViRtUe iS NoT WhOlLy eXtInGuIsHeD In tHe hEaRt; NoR WiLl mOdErAtIoN Be uTtErLy eXiLeD FrOm tHe mInDs oF TyRaNtS.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich to implicate Obama and other Democrats in a vacant Senate Seat scandal. Watch for secrets to spill and several big heads to roll!!!

quote:

SonofMichael

Is there a way to impeach SonofMichael from this board? His negativity is too much!

You can only impeach elected representatives. I am the King of ILW and therefore can not be impeached. I am the most positive and optimistic person on this board.

Change we can believe in

I thought most of us agreed to put the election behind us. Why is it still an issue? Best to move on - nothing we can do about it now. Accept it and move beyond it.

quote:

Originally posted by ProudUSC:
I thought most of us agreed to put the election behind us. Why is it still an issue? Best to move on - nothing we can do about it now. Accept it and move beyond it.

The election is behind us. The impeachment is in process.

Obama’s Choice of Pastor Warren a ‘Mistake,’ Barney Frank Says
Email | Print | A A A

By Justin Blum

Dec. 21 (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Barack Obama shouldn’t have selected Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation because the evangelical pastor has made offensive comments about ***s, said Representative Barney Frank.

“Giving that kind of mark of approval and honor to someone who has frankly spoken in ways I and many others have found personally very offensive, I thought that was a mistake for the president-elect to do,” said Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat, today on CNN’s “Late Edition.”

Frank, who is openly ***, made the comments after Obama stood by his selection of Warren for the Jan. 20 inauguration. Obama, speaking at a Dec. 18 news conference, said he doesn’t share Warren’s views on *** rights and wants to create an atmosphere “where we can disagree without being disagreeable and then focus on those things that we hold in common as Americans.”

Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life” and founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, has drawn criticism from *** rights groups for his opposition to same-*** marriage.

Warren didn’t return a message left on his voice mail at the church. He has defended himself by saying he loves “***s and straights,” according to the Associated Press.

Obama Review Clears Staff on Blagojevich Contacts
By Joe Sobczyk

Dec. 15 (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team said a review of staff contacts with embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and his aides turned up no evidence of “inappropriate discussions” about the appointment of Obama’s successor in the U.S. Senate.

The full results of the review won’t be released until next week at the request of federal prosecutors, Dan Pfeiffer, communications director for the transition, said in a statement.

The U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago, which has accused Blagojevich of trying to trade the Senate appointment for financial gain, has been kept apprised of the review, the statement said.

“The U.S. attorney’s office requested the public release of the transition review be deferred until the week of Dec. 22 in order not to impede their investigation of the governor,” Pfeiffer said.

Blagojevich’s Dec. 9 arrest and release of a criminal complaint that quoted the governor’s discussion about trying to sell the Senate appointment has clouded Obama’s attempt to focus on filling his Cabinet and other high-level White House jobs.

Obama today plans to announce his choices to lead the Energy Department and the Environmental Protection Agency in a news conference that may be more likely to focus on the scandal in his home state.

Impeachment of Governor

Earlier today, the Illinois House of Representatives took the first step toward considering impeaching Blagojevich. Last week state Attorney General Lisa Madigan asked the Illinois Supreme Court to declare the governor incapable of fulfilling his duties and be temporarily removed from office.

“As long as Blagojevich is still in office, this becomes a louder and louder distraction for Obama and his team,” said Rogan Kersh, associate dean of New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

Obama on Dec. 11 promised to “gather all the facts about any staff contacts” with Blagojevich or his aides and release them quickly. There has been no indication either from federal prosecutors or the criminal complaint against Blagojevich that Obama’s staff engaged in any wrongdoing.

Still, the Chicago Tribune reported on Dec. 13 that Obama’s designate as White House chief of staff, Representative Rahm Emanuel, had contacts with the Blagojevich administration about the appointment to fill the Senate seat Obama vacated after being elected president. Blagojevich, as governor, has sole authority to select someone to serve the remaining two years in the term.

Criminal Complaint

The criminal complaint against Blagojevich cites recorded conversations in which he tells his chief of staff he wants to tell a person identified only as a president-elect adviser about his interest in creating a nonprofit political advocacy group without directly connecting it to the appointment of Obama’s successor.

Blagojevich is heard saying that when “he asks me for the Fifth CD thing I want it to be in his head,” according to the complaint. The document says that likely is a reference to the fifth congressional district, which Emanuel represents.

To contact the reporter on this story: Joe Sobczyk in Washington at jsobczyk@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: December 15, 2008 15:49 EST

Will Media Cover Obama/Rod Blagojevich Connection?
By Scott Whitlock (Bio | Archive)
December 9, 2008 - 16:42 ET

The mainstream media aggressively covered the controversies surrounding Republicans such as Mark Foley and Jack Abramoff and speculated about their connections to President Bush and other high profile members of the GOP. So, it will be interesting to see how tenaciously journalists investigate any linkage between President-elect Barack Obama and scandal ridden Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, now under arrest for allegedly trying to sell the selection of Obama's replacement to the Senate.

ABC Senior White House correspondent Jake Tapper [see file photo above] outlined the connections in a post on Political Punch. It seems that in addition to then-state senator Obama endorsing the Illinois governor in 2002 (Blagojevich returned the favor in 2004), Tapper noted that Obama's insistence on Tuesday afternoon that he "had no contact" with the governor's office on his replacement doesn't match previous comments from the incoming administration. According to senior advisor David Axelrod on November 23, 2008, "I know he's 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."

Blagojevich Obama Connection Exposed
By MCCAIN


vote nowBuzz up!

As the staggering corruption allegations unfold against Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, a curious event occurred during the Obama press conference on December 9th. See the video below. President-elect Barack Obama claimed to have had no contact with Blagojevich about the upcoming Senate appointment that the governor is accused of selling to the highest bidder.



“I have had no contact with the governor or his office, so I was unaware of what was happening.”
–Barack Obama on Rod Blagojevich Senate Appointment, December 9th, 2008

But with a little research, ABCNews exposed the Obama-Blagojevich senate seat discussions. Appearing on Fox News Chicago on November 23rd, senior adviser David Axelrod made what was a non-controversial statement at the time which now directly refutes Obama:

“I know he’s [Obama] talked to the governor [about the Senate vacancy] 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.”

And that makes sense. Given that Blagojevich was (allegedly) tape recorded admitting that he attempted to trade the appointment for an Obama cabinet position (reportedly Secretary of Health and Human Services), Obama’s denial cannot possibly be true. And it would be irresponsible for Obama not to make his opinion known. In fact, Obama insider Valerie Jarrett is thought to be one of the leading candidates.

One might think that Obama is making a Clintonesque statement in an attempt to mislead the public. Oh you know, Obama himself may not have talked with Blagojevich but his surrogates did. But Axelrod tells us that Obama did hold conversations with Blagojevich, and not indirectly but directly.

Anything less would be irresponsible for the president-elect, whose wishes would provide valuable council to the governor and serve the public interest. Why would Obama deny attempting to influence Blagojevich’s choice?

That is the million dollar question that will be answered when the dust settles. Obama’s press conference statement appears to be an early attempt at damage control, but what damage if any is there to control in a Blagojevich Obama connection?

Meanwhile a Chicago television station reported contemporaneously on Obama meeting with Blagojevich on November 5th. Just one week later, Obama inexplicably resigned his Senate seat early, a move which flummoxed his Senate colleagues since it meant he could not lead on the economic bailout bills. Why did Obama resign early?

Illinois governor meeting with Obama today.



In the face of a growing political problem, Obama is keeping a low profile. He has canceled an FBI briefing and his office has been mute on the issue so far other than to belatedly call for the governor’s resignation.

Obama video below. The denial of any contact with Blagojevich occurs at the 3:15 mark.



Obama Blagojevich Video (Press Conference)



Axelrod on Obama-Blagojevich (Video)



More Political News:
Tony Rezko Verdict: Guilty on 16 of 24 Counts
Obama-Blagojevich Republican National Committee Ad: Unanswered Questions
Deb Mell is Blagojevich Sister in Law
SNL Blagojevich (Videos)
Rod Blagojevich Nude Painting
Tony Rezko: Talking to Prosecutors?



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15 Responses to “Blagojevich Obama Connection Exposed”
1 Deb Mell is Blagojevich Sister in Law » Right Pundits says:

December 9th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
[…] Tree Network Join the Liberty Tree! Prev/Next Posts « Blagojevich Obama Connection Denied | Home Tuesday, December 9th, 2008 at 2:42 […]

2 micky says:

December 9th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Its starting to look like the next four years with all these dems in power the U.S. Attorney and gang are going to have their hands full.

When you have such a large majority being in power theres going to be very little opposition to most anything the dems want to do for at least the next two if not four years.
Trust me, theres plenty of leeway for corruption in the present atmosphere.

Seeing as how Obama has brought in many Clinton cronies and loyals it seems almost inevitable with the old Clinton cabinets record.

The only president ever impeached on grounds of personal malfeasance
- Most number of convictions and guilty pleas by friends and associates*
- Most number of cabinet officials to come under criminal investigation
- Most number of witnesses to flee country or refuse to testify
- Most number of witnesses to die suddenly
- First president sued for sexual harassment.
- Second president accused of rape**
- First first lady to come under criminal investigation
- Largest criminal plea agreement in an illegal campaign contribution case
- First president to establish a legal defense fund.
- First president to be held in contempt of court
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions
- Greatest amount of illegal campaign contributions from abroad
- First president disbarred from the US Supreme Court and a state court