Patterico's Pontifications

12/23/2008

Obama’s Blagojevich Report (Updated)

Filed under: Obama — DRJ @ 1:29 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Obama’s report on his staffs’ contacts with Gov. Rod Blagojevich regarding the Illinois Senate seat should be released in minutes. The New York Times reports it will reveal limited contacts by (or regarding) 3 staffers:

“Rahm Emanuel, the Illinois congressman selected by Mr. Obama as his White House chief of staff, had a handful of contacts with the governor’s office. At least two other names also are expected to be mentioned in the review, including Michael Strautmanis, a longtime aide to Mr. Obama who once worked for Mr. Blagojevich.

Valerie Jarrett, a close friend to the Obama family who is a co-chairwoman of the transition effort, could also be referred to in the report. Her name was raised as a possible candidate for the Senate seat, but she withdrew from consideration last month and took a position in the White House.”

Whether or not this report is correct, the Obama report won’t be the final word on the subject. The FBI tapes are still unreleased but could be at some point. In addition, there will be more questions if it turns out there were 3 Obama associates involved in Blagojevich talks rather than just Rahm Emanuel as originally thought.

It will also be interesting to see how forthcoming Obama will be during this transition period.

UPDATE 1: The AP’s first summary of the report says “no one close to Obama suspected that the governor might be trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat as prosecutors allege.” It also states that Emanuel and Jarrett have been interviewed in connection with the investigation.

“We were clueless” is not what I was hoping to hear.

UPDATE 2: Here is a New York Timeslink to the memo released today by the Obama transition staff. The memo is also posted at Obama’s Change.gov website.

H/T Maybee and Pablo.

— DRJ

99 Responses to “Obama’s Blagojevich Report (Updated)”

  1. The FBI tapes are still unreleased but could be at some point.

    Here’s a possibility.

    Fitzgerald may share tapes, transcripts with impeachment panel

    Pablo (99243e)

  2. DRJ, its the classic “we’re too stupid to be corrupt” line.

    SPQR (72771e)

  3. I’ve updated the post with the first brief report on the Obama team’s statement. If anyone finds a link to the actual statement, please leave it in the comments. I have to do something else for awhile.

    DRJ (be6fb0)

  4. “We had no idea whatsoever that someone named Blagojevich, a name which we can’t even pronounce, was the governor of Illinois, a state which we’ve never heard of, either.”

    Official Internet Data Office (8aa339)

  5. DRJ- the report. H/T allah.

    MayBee (b04cd2)

  6. The memo is here. That list of Obama approved candidates we were told about? Never happened, according to this. In fact, He had no input at all. Odd, that.

    Pablo (99243e)

  7. That bus must have a very sophisticated suspension system to accomodate such large objects being thrown under it and still maintaining control.

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  8. “We were clueless” is not what I was hoping to hear.

    It’s going to be a very disappointing four years for you.

    Karl (537cef)

  9. The report is oddly lacking dates around the whole Valerie Jarrett situation.
    They talked about Jarrett, but then they didn’t want her in the Senate, then they gave a list of names, but then Jarrett’s name was already in there, and already removed, and we talked about Jesse Jackson Jr (but Blago thought he didn’t want him), and then SEIU and Jarrett.

    MayBee (b04cd2)

  10. Why would Fitzgerald have included the SEIU guy in the criminal complaint if none of that happened (according to Obama)?

    MayBee (b04cd2)

  11. It is very nice to see that they have come to grips with the fact that they are clueless. Maybe they just wanted to get elected so they could sleep in the White House and will go away quietly once they have the chance.

    Two Dogs (01bb03)

  12. Discovery will be a wonderful, fun time.

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  13. It wouldint me!

    Mossberg500 (9fd170)

  14. Obama could have avoided much of this by simply telling the truth, as he knew it, at the time he was first asked. He seems to instinctively lie when the truth would better serve. Eventually, this may begin to wear on newspaper and media people, even those in the tank, as long as they haven’t submerged in the BS.

    Mike K (531ff4)

  15. Historically we’ve had the evil party and the stupid party.

    Now one’s trying to switch sides.

    Al (93703e)

  16. Get use to “We were clueless…”
    …about Iran.
    …about Hamas
    …about Cuba.
    …about tax policy.
    …about Hezbollah.
    …about the Taliban.
    …about international trade.
    …about unions.
    …about oil policy.
    …about immigration.
    …about fund raising.

    Perfect Sense (9d1b08)

  17. Dr. K., you have taught medical students, and I teach undergraduates. You and I both know that, nowadays, the default state is to avoid admitting any wrongdoing, period.

    No sense of ownership, for good or for ill.

    You are right: Obama should have gotten out in front of the story. His actions look guilty and oleaginous, even if there is no blame to be had!

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  18. Hussein O makes history as the first person to investigate himself, declare himself not guilty, and it is all accepted, no questions asked, by the Lame Stream Media.

    Scrapiron (ce69ff)

  19. I think that most of this was poor old Bill Clinton’s fault: never to admit to anything, to play silly parsing games, to wait out the objections.

    It depends on the meaning of the word “is” after all.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  20. I blame all of this on BushHitlerChimpyMcSmirktonBloodOilHaliburton.

    Dmac (e30284)

  21. Obama is guilty as hell. Blank him!

    love2008 (1b037c)

  22. Obama is guilty as hell. Blank him, free as a bird!

    Mossberg500 (9fd170)

  23. Obama is guilty as hell. Blank him, free as a bird!

    WTF with the formatting?

    Mossberg500 (9fd170)

  24. Hussein O makes history as the first person to investigate himself, declare himself not guilty, and it is all accepted, no questions asked, by the Lame Stream Media.

    Funny how that works, innit? The press has no problem resurrecting lies about Bush, despite them being rebutted over and over, but can’t seem to show any concern for facts that aren’t flattering to the O!

    Rob Crawford (b5d1c2)

  25. WTF with the formatting?

    Comment by Mossberg500 — 12/23/2008 @ 3:38 pm
    B)

    love2008 (1b037c)

  26. I am waiting for that big bang. The biggest scandal ever. Obama convicted and implicated with Blago. Hey, Obama, blank you, motherblanker!

    love2008 (1b037c)

  27. Talking to a wall here love2008, they conveniently forget certain facts.

    I got you though 🙂

    Oiram (983921)

  28. mario bass-ackwards & lovesick4obamafuehrer- many true words are spoken in jest. feel much guilt about your O! man-love sexual fantasies? Wer letzt laechelt, laechelt am Besten

    madmax333 (0c6cfc)

  29. This dude is surely clueless about a whole host of issues. I wonder if Bush coulda used the excuse “i didnt know there werent stockpiles of WMD’s in Iraq” you think that woulda went over good? Why didnt he think of that…

    slizzle (4c3b4d)

  30. #28 Cretino di grande classe.

    Oiram (983921)

  31. Comment by madmax333 — 12/23/2008 @ 4:03 pm
    Coherence is not one of your gifts, eh maxie?
    Hi, Oiram. 🙂

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  32. Does anyone think this will be a serious report. The junta has spoken. Report don’t make me laugh.

    Jeffersonranch (5c4465)

  33. Comment by madmax333 — 12/23/2008 @ 4:03 pm

    #31
    Nor sanity!

    Hey love2008

    Oiram (983921)

  34. Comment by Oiram — 12/23/2008 @ 4:25 pm

    Thought I was the only one having a hard time deciphering his meaningless drivels.
    What do you think? Concerning this Blago-Obama issue, is there any there, there?

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  35. #34

    I don’t think there’s anything to it.

    Having said that, how would we react to this if the shoe was on the other proverbial foot?

    Oiram (983921)

  36. Boiling it down:

    Any man that a democrat ever shakes hands with, either at a fundraiser, in someone’s front yard, or at an airport had better be clean as a whistle in all facets of their lives at all times until they die fighting for their country.

    Any man a republican shakes hands with becomes clean as a whistle, and has only been sabotaged by the MSM in their lame attempt to destroy The Party of God (after all, no democrat actually is a Christian, right?).

    truthnjustice (d99227)

  37. Go go wingnuts! Keep chasing non-existent scandals! It always works out so well for you!

    Festivus (86f13d)

  38. Gosh, I wonder who “Festivus” might be?

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  39. Why don’t you check his IP address, spanky.

    truthnjustice (d99227)

  40. Gee, Eric, that’s a tough one …

    SPQR (26be8b)

  41. Gee, Eric, that’s a tough one …

    Comment by SPQR — 12/23/2008 @ 5:10 pm

    You actually have no idea, do you? Tain’t me.

    truthnjustice (d99227)

  42. “…His actions look guilty and oleaginous…”
    Comment by Eric Blair — 12/23/2008 @ 2:26 pm

    oleaginous
    Come on Eric….you know that’s too big of a word for the trolls.
    That’s just down-right mean!

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  43. In the memo under the Sub Head: Rahm Emanual:

    “Mr. Emanuel had one or two telephone calls with Governor Blagojevich. Those conversations
    occurred between November 6 and November 8, 2008.”

    Is Greg Craig the assistant janitor for the Office of The President Elect?

    My nine year-old son has better sense than to write such an absurd sentence.

    Lurker (710dbc)

  44. AD, I guess I couldn’t just say “oily” and “used car salesman-like.”

    Hey, TMJ: time to tone it down. Don’t you think? Or you could be like your pal and go insult Patterico or DRJ personally.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  45. TMJ, I am pretty certain that both Eric and I know who it was.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  46. And Patterico, and DRJ, and the list goes on….

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  47. So insults are just a one way street here, eh?

    truthnjustice (d99227)

  48. Comment by Eric Blair — 12/23/2008 @ 5:17 pm
    Now you’re insulting used-car salesmen???

    Did someone kick your dog, that’s put you in this wonderful mood?

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  49. It all depends on the kinds of things one posts. But who gets banned or moderated (or has their ISPs checked) is not up to me.

    Patterico has been pretty tolerant. Your “friend” went over the top.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  50. It’s my essentially racist nature, AD. I will preemptively denounce myself, even before JD does.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  51. Actually, AD, you have a point. I think that “oleaginous” would be better exemplified by Mr. Haney from the excellent 60s television series, “Green Acres.”

    The first time Bill Clinton spoke, I thought of Mr. Haney instantly.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  52. You know, when Sinatra sang “…My Kind of Town, Chicago is...”, I don’t think he was thinking of anything quite so joyless and sinister as what we are seeing today.
    It is as if they had lowered a TV camera into the sewer system and have revealed the dark underbelly of 80 years of corruption.
    We certainly do live in interesting times.

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  53. Maybe we are moving toward the society in the old Star Trek series “A Piece of the Action.”

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  54. The first time Bill Clinton spoke, I thought of Mr. Haney instantly.
    Comment by Eric Blair — 12/23/2008 @ 5:28 pm

    I thought of every lounge-lizard I had ever had to deal with as a bartender.

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  55. In the spirit of the season, the whole red nose thing gives it away!

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  56. If they ever need someone to portray W.C.Fields in a bio-pic, we know who to call.

    Another Drew (031c0f)

  57. Obama and his thugs disabled credit card codes, after lying about using public funds, to stockpile countless millions in ILLEGAL overseas donations.

    And your question again, please, regarding his transparency? Oh yeah, he also originally sponsored Blago when even Axelrod wouldn’t. And there’s also Barrry’s true-blue support for the corruptStrogers. Our little angel has a past to run from. No wonder he was so jealous of Palin, a true government reformer.

    Personally, most of us would like a president with more brains and less braun ( just too narcissistic, too self-absorbed). So far, Bush 43 and Clinton have more wits about ’em far from a teleprompter than you-know-who!

    Vermont Neighbor (ceab4f)

  58. It all depends on the kinds of things one posts. But who gets banned or moderated (or has their ISPs checked) is not up to me.

    Patterico has been pretty tolerant. Your “friend” went over the top.

    Comment by Eric Blair — 12/23/2008 @ 5:24 pm

    I actually do not know to what you are referring, or this ‘friend’ is that was banned.

    truthnjustice (d99227)

  59. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

    Pablo (99243e)

  60. Ouch, Pablo. But I tip my hat.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  61. It was the guy who doesn’t believe in haunted hotels but finds them creepy regardless. Something to do with Indian burials. H L , Horatio Leftist.

    Vermont Neighbor (ceab4f)

  62. Who may be going by other names as well….

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  63. Oiran, Lovey, and tnj – Your long national nightmare is over! The most transparent Presidential Administration EVAH! flees the press before the release of a self-serving internal review of its contacts with Governor Whatshisname regarding the appointment of a new Illinois Senator.

    As prophesied by Baracky before the review commenced, the review “indicated” no wrongdoing was committed on the part of the transition team (what does the choice of the “indicated” indicate?). Questions remain as to why Baracky lied about the matter in his initial answers to the media and whether transcripts of recorded conversations will contradict the findings of the review.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  64. I have often thought that this expression:

    “…The most transparent Presidential Administration EVAH!…”

    Might mean something different than the BO supporters intend? I always come back to Inigo Montoya’s analysis.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  65. Along with the Most Ethical Congress Ever, I think you might be on to something, Eric. Perhaps “most” or “ever” has some opposite meaning of which I’m unaware.

    Pablo (99243e)

  66. Or maybe they are being unintentionally ironic.

    Eric Blair (e906af)

  67. “Along with the Most Ethical Congress Ever”

    Pablo – That Democrat Congress just slopped back into single digit approval rating territory.

    Thanks Nancy!

    Thanks Harry!

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  68. Hugh Hewitt, this afternoon, pointed out the most significant item in this love note to Obama by his staff. Obama was interviewed by the Fitz people and he was interviewed first. That make him an unlikely target but suggests a perjury trap is being set. The lefties may end up as unhappy with Fitz as we were a year ago. Somebody is a target.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  69. Pablo – That Democrat Congress just slopped back into single digit approval rating territory.

    What, are they in a race with Blago to see who hits negative numbers first?

    Scott Jacobs (90ff96)

  70. The new lexicon of floating words: words whose definitions are interchangeable, relative and on a need-to-change basis. Just like Is was Clinton’s, Obama will be adding Transparency to the what will no doubt after 4 years, end up a tome. Throw Ethical in there, too.

    Dana (79a78b)

  71. “we were clueless”

    Not only is this an incredibly apt description, but it also buries the idea that Rahmbo or Baracky contacted the FBI to report this. Another meme bites the dust …

    JD (e96920)

  72. Dana – The Leftist dictionary is fluid, living if you will, like the Constitution.

    JD (e96920)

  73. The Headline That Says It All from the LA Times blog (h/t LGF): Obama team probe of Obama team finds no Obama team impropriety.

    Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (ed9791)

  74. Not only is this an incredibly apt description, but it also buries the idea that Rahmbo or Baracky contacted the FBI to report this. Another meme bites the dust …

    JD, as I wrote in the Emanuel-Blago thread, Horrible Leftist sure got quiet after Team Obama put out that defense.

    Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (ed9791)

  75. Having said that, how would we react to this if the shoe was on the other proverbial foot?

    Comment by Oiram — 12/23/2008 @ 4:46 pm
    You mean if indeed there was some truth to the possibility of a scandal? Or if Blago was a Rep and trying to sell a Republican senate seat? Then folks here would be so forgiving and whining about the intense and unfair media coverage it was getting. They are very predictable, these folks.

    love2008 (1b037c)

  76. It’s so nice to see how Mr. Walks-on-water is bringing everyone together. Witness the unity here! It’s astounding!

    To the fluid word list, please add the phrase “one or two”… I think we are going to see those evolve into some kind of higher math calcuation over time.

    Scarlet (2a5b0c)

  77. I think Republicans are far more likely to criticize their own. Witness the origin of at least half the criticism of Lott in the flap about his comments at the birthday party for Thurmond. The Clinton sex scandals would have doomed any Republican’s chances, for example. There is something going on with Caroline Kennedy and Sulzberger, I suspect, and no one will touch it. Edwards comes to mind.

    The Republican Congressional Campaign Committee violated their own standards with Foley in 2004 by asking him to run again when he wanted to retire but the scandal quotient of Republicans is quite different most of the time. Can anyone imagine Barney Franks as a Republican ?.

    Mike K (2cf494)

  78. Merry Fitzmas! Especially for the trolls.

    Old Coot (a8acc7)

  79. Our fierce and incorruptible media, wisely nodding and bowing to the the Obamists self-absolution.

    I hear Richard Nixon rolling over in his grave laughing.

    Insufficiently Sensitive (673620)

  80. I usually imagine Barney Franks as a cartoon character. He’s easier to tolerate that way.

    He is a superhero, of course. His superpower is taking down the U.S. housing economy and managing not to feel any blame or demonstrate one shred of ownership or remorse.

    Scarlet (2a5b0c)

  81. Conversations denote more than ONE conversation. So what good is a fact checking report that really can’t pin down whether there was one or more than one conversation, and the exact date(s) of same?
    Blago told Willie Sutton (just kidding) the Cali Speaker that he had ARGUMENTS with Rahmbo. It could be these ARGUMENTS all happened in ONE conversation, but knowing Blago, and the alleged tape recordings, and that both the Trib and Obama’s homie newspaper’s, SanFranChron’s, reportage of NUMEROUS (more than ONE or TWO) conversations, it seems Obama’s absolution (not referencing the ONE’s Hawaii photo) report has more holes than Swiss Cheese.

    eaglewingz08 (c46606)

  82. it also buries the idea that Rahmbo or Baracky contacted the FBI to report this. Another meme bites the dust

    King Cocoa and the palace didn’t cover their tracks. If he had a resume, I would fear for its purity. But he has no resume.

    The media + holiday overtime = more beach shots.

    Vermont Neighbor (ceab4f)

  83. Merry Christmas, Everyone!
    Peace on Earth and Good Will Toward Men.

    Ropelight (d40bc3)

  84. Questions remain as to why Baracky lied about the matter in his initial answers to the media and whether transcripts of recorded conversations will contradict the findings of the review.

    Comment by daleyrocks — 12/23/2008 @ 7:09 pm
    Questions remain, Daley as to why you keep lying about voting seven times against Obama during the primaries. Just how did you pull that off?

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  85. lovey…how do you know that he is lying????

    Another Drew (171f89)

  86. lovey,
    You are aware that Obama sought local and state office several times in Illinois, right? Off the top of my head, I voted against him only once in a primary, but I was voting in the Republican primary some of the time, so didn’t have him on the ballot. I also don’t live in his ex-Congressional district or his ex-State-Senate district, where someone could have voted against him every 2 years from 1996-2004 at least. I think daley’s “seven” was a bit of hyperbole but I’ll leave the possibility open. I count at least 6 primaries.

    As for ‘if the shoe were on the other foot’ – count me as one Illinoisan who is very happy that our corrupt ex-governor Ryan (a Republican) is in the hoosegow. May he stay there and rot, and may Rod join him soon. I would be saying exactly the same thing about a corrupt Republican, a la Gov. Ryan or the always-entertaining Betty Loren-Maltese. We got ’em on both sides of the aisle here in Obama’s training ground.

    carlitos (ae0b26)

  87. It apparently has no knowledge of Chicago political history – the old adage of “vote early, and vote often” was first coined here, during the hallowed days of the first Daley Chicago Machine. The practice of allowing hundreds of thousands of citizens to vote numerous times in the same election has encompassed many forms of fraudulence, with prior elections revealing deceased individuals voting, as well as people who were currently residing in states for decades after the fact.

    Dmac (e30284)

  88. Breaking news

    A fox that guards the henhouse has just released an internal report that claims “henhouse is safe, because we foxes are guarding it”.

    ML (14488c)

  89. “Questions remain, Daley as to why you keep lying about voting seven times against Obama during the primaries.”

    Lovey – You are even a bigger moron than I thought if you expect me to explain my comment further. I tell you what, try holding your breath, that might help persuade me.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  90. Some jokes go over people’s heads even if they are set at the level of a lawnmower’s blade height.

    SPQR (72771e)

  91. Comment by daleyrocks — 12/24/2008 @ 2:47 pm
    Did you or did you not vote seven times against Obama in the primaries? And how did you do it? Or admit you lied. Moron. And merry christmas to you, lying moron.

    love2008 (0c8c2c)

  92. rofl

    I’m hurting myself laughing here.

    SPQR (72771e)

  93. Lovet, you are an idiot. Merry Christmas.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  94. SPQR – Gotta be a blonde.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  95. Remember, it could be performance art.

    Eric Blair (9294a8)

  96. Comment by daleyrocks — 12/24/2008 @ 3:22 pm
    😉
    I wish you a good shrink in your stockings and a crate of rotten eggs. Feliz navidad, motherblanker. It’s been a nightmare.

    love2008 (1b037c)

  97. Eric – I think it’s English as a second language.

    daleyrocks (5d22c0)

  98. Comment by daleyrocks — 12/24/2008 @ 4:11 pm
    You are very right there. That’s a first. Keep trying. There is hope for you.

    love2008 (1b037c)

  99. SPQR – Gotta be a blonde.

    daleyrocks: no blonde jokes in a DRJ-penned thread. 🙂

    Merry Christmas, by the way.

    Paul (creator of "Staunch Brayer") (ed9791)


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