Wednesday February 15, 2012

Obama, 2 aides met with Blagojevich investigators

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  • 0

    adaydream

    Who was it the other day that tried to connect the Blagojevich troubles with Obama. Tried to put a direct connection and inuendo of criminality between Blagojevich and Obama.

    This isn't the bush administration. This is the president-elect Obama administration we're talking about. < :-)

  • 0

    Taka313

    Inside of 25 posts.

    Taka

  • 0

    skipthesong

    only 2 posts. This reinforces my point about Obama's admin having carteblanche.

  • 0

    Taka313

    Skip,

    Who's giving President-elect Obama cart blanche?

    Taka

  • 0

    skipthesong

    Who's giving President-elect Obama cart blanche?" everyone!

  • 0

    Taka313

    Skip,

    I'm sorry, but you'll need to be a little more specific. Who is "everyone" (and I'm having a really hard time buying that one) and what exactly is the carte blanche in regards to?

    Taka

  • 0

    adaydream

    skipthesong is only upset that none of Obama's folks were locked up last week. Because he or his staff did nothing wrong, they have cart blanche. < :-)

  • 0

    urufuls

    Every administration has a scandal, and the new one hasn't even begun yet and there's a scandal.

    So let's cut through all the cat and mouse.

    Did Blagojevich have talks with Obama?

    Probably, Obama was the Senator of the state.

    Second question:

    Does anybody care that Obama or his staff is guilty of corruption?

    The short answer is no.

    Should the Americans be concerned?

    Of course. If someone who is in a position of respect is being dishonest, the Americans have a right to know. The majority, after all, chose Obama. The minority will of course always find issue.

  • 0

    Rickyrab

    Blago is a moron, Obama's trying to start his presidency, and the sooner Blago is out of the way, the better.

  • 0

    Rickyrab

    note: Blago is a moron because he broke the law, and he broke a code of ethics that he swore to uphold. Moreover, he did that very blatantly, and thus wound up embarrassing himself all the more because of that.

  • 0

    skipthesong

    I'm not upset that Obama and his crew are not in jail. I'm upset because no matter what comes down about him any dealings, what ever, everyone has his back.

    Had Blago been a repub or non-dem, this board would have been flying Some repub taps a guys shoe while taking a leak and this board averaged how many hits in one day, Yet Blago does something that is against the rules cut and dry as did another dem who was buying votes in the North East.
    The boards are silent. Obama doesn't need a secrete service, he's got yous guys to jump in front of him.

  • 0

    smithinjapan

    skip: How long have you been on this board? That's a rhetorical question intended to point out that before Obama was even given approval to run for President of the United States against McCain, he had plenty of 'enemies'. Once McCain rightly lost, Obama gained even MORE enemies, and on a scale closer to lunacy than pre-election. On this board alone there are more than a few sore losers who can find nothing better than to try and tie Obama to terrorists, Islam, Arabs, and what not, as well as accusing him of being non-American in citizenship, etc.

    True, a lot of people are defending him in regards to the people who aren't trying to sully the man's rep., but if you think EVERYONE has his back, or that he has 'carte blanche' for something, you're being foolish. Nah, this just sounds like some misdirected anger, skip... sorry.

  • 0

    JoeBigs

    The only folks yelling foul over the Blagojevich case is the Republican leadership. Obama does not have carte blanche, it is that no one believes the Republicans anymore. The more the Republicans yell foul the more and more they will have egg on their faces.

    skipthesong at 05:47 PM JST - 24th December I'm not upset that Obama and his crew are not in jail. I'm upset because no matter what comes down about him any dealings, what ever, everyone has his back.

    With the rank and file Republicans thinking like this will only strengthen the Democratic party. The further the hardcore Republicans go with their conspiracy theories the more the common people will convert to Obama's side.

  • 0

    likeitis

    One speck of dirt a mile away from Obama and people are trying to connect it to him?

    File this somewhere and if and when you get a few more specks of dirt THEN you can play connect the dots.

    Are we a little impatient to tear down Obama here or what? Bush got off to a bad start because the election count went so badly and he narrowly won thanks to his BROTHER's state of Florida, which seriously disenfranchised Democrat voters. Clearly there was something in it for W. Then the people around him fell in scandal or incompetence and others got real rich.

    What is in this for Obama? A little cash for him if he is connected? Come on! That is either stupid or too small time to care about. Get a few more things then you will get caring. A presidential pardon for Blago come inauguration day might do it. Don't hold your breath.

  • 0

    likeitis

    "Carte blanche" sounds a lot like "mandate" in French. Who was the word "mandate" being applied to at the start of his presidency? It sure was not the left applying it. What comes around goes around. History repeats itself. Two truisms the right forget as easily as they reflexively yell "Attack! Attack! Attack!"

  • 0

    Betzee

    Had Blago been a repub or non-dem, this board would have been flying Some repub taps a guys shoe while taking a leak and this board averaged how many hits in one day, Yet Blago does something that is against the rules cut and dry as did another dem who was buying votes in the North East.

    Well, I have a friend who had a novel take on the situation, denouncing Blagojevich as "a typical Serb." She's Croatian, incidentally.

  • 0

    sailwind

    Well, I have a friend who had a novel take on the situation, denouncing Blagojevich as "a typical Serb." She's Croatian, incidentally.

    I thought his title was Governor..Did I miss something here?

  • 0

    adaydream

    Damn if only Barack Obama had been arrested. Talk about happy republicans. < :-)

  • 0

    SuperLib

    I don't think the left will have the stomach to endure their Bush tactics being used against Obama for the next 8 years. They're already crying foul and the man hasn't even taken office yet.

    Guys, I can promise you that it's going to get a lot worse. You can't polarize the world then expect it to "unpolarize" by snapping your fingers. It's going to take time...probably a long time....and we moderates have you to thank for that.

  • 0

    adaydream

    First thing,the left isn't worried. If Barack Obama screws up, not this petty crap with Blagojevich where there is nothing at all, then he deserves it. If Barack does the stupid crap george bush did, then I hope everybody nails him. I would be more upset than the republicans like SuperLib out here.

    But, it's Christmas.

    Barack isn't in office yet. He hasn't screwed up.

    george bush still has 26 days, 9 hours and 14 minutes to crap on the middle class one more time.

    Merry Christmas to the posters out here and also to the Moderators. < :-)

  • 0

    adamantine

    More silly hagiography from the Obama sycophants at the Associated Press:

    "Prosecutors have said Obama is not implicated in the case against Blagojevich, accused of trying to sell Obama's Senate seat to the highest bidder. But the corruption scandal has drained precious energy from Obama's preparations to take over the White House."

  • 0

    Altria

    But the corruption scandal has drained precious energy from Obama's preparations to take over the White House

    What, running the country isn't important now?

  • 0

    likeitis

    You can't polarize the world then expect it to "unpolarize" by snapping your fingers.

    Do you think the little guy on the left was the only one who polarized the situation?

    Guys, I can promise you that it's going to get a lot worse.

    I fear you are right. Americans on both sides have developed a deep dislike for the taste of humble pie.

    Tit-for-tat tactics against Obama just reek. He is not the little guy on the left to be vengeful against, and he certainly is not George Bush. There is nothing to equate them at this point, so using the same tactics in reverse is highly inappropriate. Wait for a real scandal or even a real reason for suspicion, then attack. This just isn't it.

  • 0

    Taka313

    More silly hagiography from the Obama sycophants at the Associated Press:

    YES! YES! I called it! Look at my earlier post. I said, "inside of 25 post."

    I KNEW there was no way we could have a thread about President-elect Obama without someone screaming, "The press isn't reporting what I want to see, no matter how little factual evidence there is to support my deepest desires. I'm not getting my way so...it MUST be a conspiracy!"

    And my boy came through in the clutch.

    To quote lunchmeat, "Can I call 'em or what?"

    Taka

  • 0

    Betzee

    Americans on both sides have developed a deep dislike for the taste of humble pie.

    And for accepting personal responsibility. If you've questioned the patriotism of those with whom you disagreed, a slimey tactic which harks back to the era of Joseph McCarthy, you really can't foist the blame solely on others for creating a toxic "public sphere" where it's impossible for reasonable people to disagree.

    I find it interesting that GWB, in a limited way, has become somewhat introspective in the waning days of his administration. He now laments not improving "the tone" in Washington. Yet he settled on a strategy of making everything a wedge issue. And he's going to have to take responsibility for that rather than casting himself as some sort of hapless moderate.

    Obama's decisions will not please everyone. (I certainly didn't think much of his initial reaction to the Blagojevich revelations, "I can't comment on an ongoing investigation" because it reminded me of you-know-who and the long drawn out Scooter Libby affair also overseen by Patrick Fitzgerald. But he quickly stepped up to the plate.)

    Obama Derangement Syndrome, already evident on this site, is more amusing than an affront precisely because he has not questioned the patriotism of those who disagree with him.

    Sorry, Taka, to have exceeded the number of posts you predicted, but it merely proves your point!

  • 0

    sailwind

    Emanuel left for a long-planned family vacation in Africa on Tuesday and was not available for comment.

    The report was released in Washington while Obama was vacationing in Hawaii. The president-elect did not make himself available for questions.

    Interesting Betzee, Taka and the rest of the left just all of the sudden have no problem with the above part at all.........Strange.

  • 0

    Betzee

    Sailwind,

    Sorry if this isn't what you want to read:

    Eighty-two percent of those questioned in a new CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released Wednesday morning approve of the way the Obama is handling his presidential transition. That's up 3 points from when we asked this question at the beginning of December. Fifteen percent of those surveyed disapprove of the way Obama's handling his transition, down 3 points from our last poll.

    Must be doing something right.

  • 0

    Betzee

    Newt Gingrich, no dummy, understands why Obama is riding high in the polls:

    “I think the country is so tired right now of a style of Republican attack politics that has become a caricature of itself, they instinctively go, ‘I’m tired of that,’ ” said Newt Gingrich, a Republican and former speaker of the House. “It’s ineffective against Barack Obama right now. The country is faced with serious problems and is about to have a brand new president. You’d have to be irrational not to want the new president to succeed.”

  • 0

    sailwind

    Betzee,

    I think he's handling his transition just fine. The story is about his relationship and his staff's relationship with Blago. You avoided as usual my post, that you seem to have no problem with the way he is handling it. No questions, Chief of Staff scoots out of town (my how convenient) and your just cool with that.

    My, My things sure have changed. If it was a Republican you'd be screaming through the electrons about this. Nice tie in with getting Bush mentioned on this thread by the way.

  • 0

    sailwind

    Oh and Gingrich also....They have so much to do with this Blago deal.

  • 0

    Taka313

    Sail,

    The only ones with a problem are the radical right.

    http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/12/23/1724034.aspx

    Here's the key passage from the report: "These accounts were communicated to the Office of the United States Attorney in interviews that were conducted last week. At the request of the Office, we delayed the release of this report until such time as the interviews could be completed. The interviews took place over a period of three days: Thursday, December 18, 2008 (the President-Elect); December 19, 2008 (Valerie Jarrett); and December 20, 2008 (Rahm Emanuel)."

    The rest of the report confirms what had been leaked in previous days: that incoming chief of staff Rahm Emanuel had one or two conversations about the Senate seat with Blagojevich; that Emanuel had about four conversations about the seat with Blagojevich chief of staff John Harris; and that in these conversations, there was never a discussion about any quid-pro-quo for the seat.

    THERE WAS NEVER A DISCUSSION ABOUT ANY QUID-PRO-QUO FOR THE SEAT.

    Can it be spelled out any clearer?

    You see, there's nothing to answer. You can stomp your feet and hold your breath and throw yourself down on the carpet wail until you cry yourself to sleep. It doesn't change the fact that you are chasing a dream.

    You aren't interested in justice. You wanted a lynching in your Christmas stocking. I have zero sympathy that Santa didn't bring you one.

    Have some reality instead. You may find you like it. ;-)

    Taka

  • 0

    sailwind

    You see, there's nothing to answer. You can stomp your feet and hold your breath and throw yourself down on the carpet wail until you cry yourself to sleep. It doesn't change the fact that you are chasing a dream.

    You aren't interested in justice. You wanted a lynching in your Christmas stocking. I have zero sympathy that Santa didn't bring you one.

    Taka

    Whoa.....On the assumptions! I think there is really nothing here as far a any illegality on Obama or his staff's part. I also think it is pretty dumb on Obama's part to take the position that he had no interaction with Blago what so ever, that is his position. Sorry if I find that a little disconcerting and a tad bit unbelievable.

    You have to suspend belief on that one which you are more than happy to do. Also, if the comparisions as to how you treated Republicans in the past with any wiff of scandal to the way your giving Obama a free pass and not wanting the press to dig further to see if there is in fact nothing there.....Well that is on you and for all to see.

    Merry Christmas to you....Taka

  • 0

    Taka313

    Sail,

    My Christmas present to you is to point out my Grandfather once told me:

    Whenever you point fingers at others, you have 3 pointed back at yourself.

    As a bonus: a little sugar will make your grapes less sour.

    Taka

  • 0

    sailwind

    Taka

    As a bonus: a little sugar will make your grapes less sour.

    Assumption again on your part. I have no sour grapes at all, I wish you could see that but alas you've made up your mind that I do.

    On this thread I've said this about Obama

    I think he's handling his transition just fine.

    I think there is really nothing here as far a any illegality on Obama or his staff's part.

    You missed that part.

  • 0

    adamantine

    Greg Craig, Obama's future White House Counsel, has personally looked into the matter of his boss and the Illinois governor and in a report aimed at the rump of Hope and Change skeptics and the intolerant, sour finger-pointers and of course all 'the haters', declared his client innocent.

    The media, scrupulously impartial here, got the message out as quickly as possible and has reassured 'folks', as The Chosen One likes to call Americans, that the whole thing is resolved.

    Team Obama has investigated Team Obama and found no wrongdoing. None. Whatsoever.

  • 0

    Taka313

    You conveniently forgot the part where Patrick Fitzgerald says there was no connection either.

    Or wait...is he in on the conspiracy?!?!? Where does it stop?!! I think before this is done, we'll find that it goes all the way to the corporate headquarters at Reynolds Wrap!

    Taka

  • 0

    Betzee

    People seem to forget Fitzgerald went public with an ongoing investigation of Governor Blagojevich after hearing him discuss plans to "sell" Obama's vacant seat. Had he not done so, whoever was appointed to fill the seat would have been tainted when it did become public. Initially, it looked like Jesse Jackson Junior might have been implicated until it was revealed he had been an informant for the feds ever since the Governor had tried to shake him down in exchange for a state job for his wife.

    Though it certainly doesn't present a flattering picture, if Blago was just full of hot air that isn't illegal either. Fitzgerald will go public when the time is right. He has proved himself to be a consummate professional.

  • 0

    Nessie

    I think there is really nothing here as far a any illegality on Obama or his staff's part.

    And speaks highly of him to have come from a cesspool of corruption without it having rubbed off on him. He comes off looking even better by contrast.

  • 0

    adamantine

    The "I personally never actually heard him say anything reprehensible" defence served President-elect Obama so well in dispensing with his racist, segregationalist former pastor and spiritual guide - a man he said he could never forsake - that apparently his handlers have concluded the mainstream media would buy it again, if given sufficient wriggle room.

    So his transition team conducts their own investigation, pronounces the Chosen One clean, releases the self-serving report during the holidays (making corroboration or refutation during the year-end news cycle impossible) and thereby gives the media the leeway they want.

    Slick.

  • 0

    Taka313

    releases the self-serving report during the holidays (making corroboration or refutation during the year-end news cycle impossible) and thereby gives the media the leeway they want.

    Slick

    I"ll say. Obama's team new EXACTLY when to plan Christmas. Sooper Genius!!!

    I bet the media helped them.

    Again, you seem to leave out the part where U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stated that there was no evidence to connect Obama. Funny you should always miss the part that doesn't quite fit into your conspiracy.

    Taka

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