Rahm on Tape with Blago?

[dellinger63]

From today's Suntimes. "Sneed hears rumbles President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, is reportedly on 21 different taped conversations by the feds -- dealing with his boss' vacant Senate seat!"


Not sure it would be humanly possible to talk to Blago 21 times and not discuss something nefarious in nature. This is from a gossip column but this lady is right far more than wrong.




http://www.suntimes.com/news/sneed/1...NEED16.article

[Riot]

Originally Posted by dellinger63

Not sure it would be humanly possible to talk to Blago 21 times and not discuss something nefarious in nature.

Why do suppose then that the Feds, who have heard those conversations (while Sneed hasn't), have already said there's nothing on the tapes of any concern reference Obama's office?

Why does Obama want to release the content of those conversations, but the Feds have asked him to hold off?

Why does Emanuel have the reputation of a tough guy, but of a completely honest tough guy?

Maybe the RNC, rather than wasting their time trying to start a fire where there's apparently not even dry tinder, should go follow how many times Clinton has talked to Paterson about who's gonna fill her Senate seat, or who Kennedy is talking to - and how frequently; and try and make something out of that

[dellinger63]

[quote=Riot]Why do suppose then that the Feds, who have heard those conversations (while Sneed hasn't), have already said there's nothing on the tapes of any concern reference Obama's office?

Missed the news conference where Fitzgerald said there's nothing on the tapes of any concern reference Obama's office? Remember him saying there will likely be more to come out and more arrests were possible but missed the one where he mentioned Obama. I'm willing to wait to hear the tapes.

Oh and by the way under no circumstances do I want the former f'n Gov Ryan, who happens to be a Republican, to be pardoned. Let him think about the Willis family from behind bars.

[Riot]

Oh and by the way under no circumstances do I want the former f'n Gov Ryan, who happens to be a Republican, to be pardoned. Let him think about the Willis family from behind bars.

Geesh, I miss my home state ... One of the comedy shows said that one has better odds of going to jail if you are an Illinois governor, than if you commit murder.

I'm worried about what all the lawyers coming out of the woodwork on the news shows are saying ... that Blago may be an unethical scumbag, but he hasn't yet done anything technically illegal (that we've heard).

The "no concern to Obama" comment was in the first press conference by the State's attorney.

Emanual is a tough SOB you don't want to mess with, but the rep people always talked about (during the Clinton years, and in Chicago) is that he's a honest tough SOB (he's loath to do anything illegal).

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by Riot

Geesh, I miss my home state ... One of the comedy shows said that one has better odds of going to jail if you are an Illinois governor, than if you commit murder.

I'm worried about what all the lawyers coming out of the woodwork on the news shows are saying ... that Blago may be an unethical scumbag, but he hasn't yet done anything technically illegal (that we've heard).

The "no concern to Obama" comment was in the first press conference by the State's attorney.

Emanual is a tough SOB you don't want to mess with, but the rep people always talked about (during the Clinton years, and in Chicago) is that he's a honest tough SOB (he's loath to do anything illegal).

they'll nail him for conspiracy to sell the seat. it doesn't matter that he didn't actually complete the transaction (which is what the defense attorney will argue).

they don't wait for someone to actually bomb a building. if the evidence is there, they'll make the conspiracy charge and stop the illegal act before it occurs. same thing here.

[dellinger63]

I remember Fitzgerald decribing it as corruption crime spree.


corruption crime spree = RICO

[dellinger63]

Did did go back and read the transcript of Fitzgerald's Press conference and Found nothing exonerating Obama or for that matter anyone at all. What I did find was:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008...erence_on.html transcript of Fitzgerald press conference.

Q Also would you address the fact -- and I know you've referred to this -- would you just address whether or not President-elect Obama was aware that any of these things were taking place?
MR. FITZGERALD: Okay. I'm not going to speak for what the president-elect was aware of. We make no allegations that he's aware of anything, and that's as simply as I can put it.

Q In the briefings that President-elect Obama has had over the past weeks with various government departments here, would it be possible for him to have been briefed on what was going on here with regard to this investigation?
MR. FITZGERALD: I'm not going to comment on that. I'm not the briefer. I'm not at those meetings. But I would simply say that this was very close-hold in Washington, and on a need-to-know basis. So I'm -- but I'm not going to -- I'm not the briefer, so I'm not going to represent what happens. But -- I'll leave it at that.

[Riot]

Missed the news conference where Fitzgerald said there's nothing on the tapes of any concern reference Obama's office? Remember him saying there will likely be more to come out and more arrests were possible but missed the one where he mentioned Obama. I'm willing to wait to hear the tapes.

I tried to find the articles with the original press conference (not sure if I watched it or read it), but all I could find were repeated references to it (check out MediaMatters for one)

"Prosecutor and U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald stated during a December 9 press conference that the criminal complaint "makes no allegations about the president-elect whatsoever -- his conduct," and Fitzgerald cautioned the press to "not cast aspersions on people for being named or being discussed or if you learn they're being interviewed."

Then Fitzgerald went on to point out where Blago called Obama a muther-effer for offering nothing but appreciation if he puts Obama's candidate in the Senate seat.

Obama a few days ago wanted to put out details of the conversations his office had with Blago's office, but the Prosecutor asked them not to do that yet.

[jwkniska]

Originally Posted by Riot

Why does Emanuel have the reputation of a tough guy, but of a completely honest tough guy?

where did that come from? Even Bill Clinton (that put him in Chicago in Blago's house seat) said in national news interviews that he's a backstabbing s. o. b. that's only out for himself.... and even was giving examples of how he backstabbed him, when he was in the white house, by leaking confidential info.

I do agree that it was perfectly fine for him to talk to Blago about the seat (as long as no discussion of $$ for it) and I would have had him be in contact, if I was Barack.
--------------
I also agree that Ryan should rot in jail or be fried for what he did.... oh, wait a minute, he's the crook that got rid of the death penalty.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

Maybe the RNC, rather than wasting their time trying to start a fire where there's apparently not even dry tinder, should go follow how many times Clinton has talked to Paterson about who's gonna fill her Senate seat, or who Kennedy is talking to - and how frequently; and try and make something out of that

Blaming the RNC is a real stretch here isnt it? The President elect's vacated Senate seat is being illegally auctioned off by the Democratic Gov of his home state. That same president elect has a huge amount of advisors and important people on staff from the same political circles as the corrupt Gov and we shouldn't wonder about the connection? It would be out of the ordinary if Obama or his people hadn't had some contact with Hair boy about the position. That is not to say that Obama or his people have done anything wrong but it is a real stretch to think that they simply abandoned the seat and never talked to the Gov about potential replacements especially when a black guy was one of the main candidates. Regardless of political views you have to admit the irony of a democratic governor selling the seat of the self proclaimed Democratic champion of change is priceless.

[Riot]

Chuck, it's already been noted here that the RNC is more than happy to whip up the public into a frenzy of doubt and questions, even where no evidence of anything exists.

As has already been pointed out here, even GOP members (McCain, Gingrich) have already come out telling them to back off.

Like BGBob said, wake me if something concrete turns up

Dell, I'll look for what I read/heard about that. I know it was the first day.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

Chuck, it's already been noted here that the RNC is more than happy to whip up the public into a frenzy of doubt and questions, even where no evidence of anything exists.

As has already been pointed out here, even GOP members (McCain, Gingrich) have already come out telling them to back off.

Like BGBob said, wake me if something concrete turns up

Dell, I'll look for what I read/heard about that. I know it was the first day.

You dont think the Governor of Illinois basically auctioning off the president elect's Senate seat is a big enough story with all the political strings attached especially with plenty of unnamed persons not yet named? If anything I think the RNC has been very quiet on the issue. It is a real stretch to say that until the total story comes out that the opposition party shouldnt question what may have happened. No evidence has come up because very little has been released. I personally have a hard time believing Obama's saying that his people had no contact with the Gov about the seat. That is really hard to believe that the new leader of the party wouldnt have some input on his successor. It isnt the end of the world if he did have contact because I dont think anyone wouldnt think he would not have called. But if he did why lie? That is my question.

[Riot]

You dont think the Governor of Illinois basically auctioning off the president elect's Senate seat is a big enough story with all the political strings attached especially with plenty of unnamed persons not yet named? If anything I think the RNC has been very quiet on the issue. It is a real stretch to say that until the total story comes out that the opposition party shouldnt question what may have happened. No evidence has come up because very little has been released. I personally have a hard time believing Obama's saying that his people had no contact with the Gov about the seat. That is really hard to believe that the new leader of the party wouldnt have some input on his successor. It isnt the end of the world if he did have contact because I dont think anyone wouldnt think he would not have called. But if he did why lie? That is my question.

Sure, it's a big story. Almost as big as the current Vice-President of the United States admitting he authorized torture.

The RNC has been extremely (laughably) vocal, trying desperately to somehow tie Obama to Blago's poor ethics and questionable activities (so far, all they have is both their names on the same page of newsprint)

When the prosecutor, Fitzgerald, goes out of his way to disavow Obama as being involved (in the ethics/legal problem), I believe him. Not Hannity, not Sneed

Obama never said "his people" had no contact, he said, "I" had no contact, which is true. Axlerod was the one that said no contact, with Emanuel having had contact. The Obama team then said right away that yes, members of the respective staffs have had contact.

[dellinger63]

[quote=Riot]Sure, it's a big story. Almost as big as the current Vice-President of the United States admitting he authorized torture. QUOTE]

Yea exact same thing. Cheney was doing it for personal gain.

The day of Blago’s arrest….courtesy USA Today http://content.usatoday.com/topics/p...9764486.blog/1

Update at 3:15 p.m. ET. "Sad day:"
Obama also said a short time ago, according to MSNBC, that this "is a sad day for Illinois; beyond that I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment."
Update at 3:22 p.m. ET. More from Obama.
The cable news networks just broadcast the video of Obama making his comments:
"Obviously, 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," Obama said.
"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."
"I had no contact with the governor" about the Senate vacancy, Obama added.
Obama was seated with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and former vice president Al Gore, who met with Obama and Biden today to discuss energy and environmental policy.
(Update at 7:45 p.m. ET: Obama adviser David Axelrod said tonight in a statement that he was wrong when he said in November that Obama had talked to Blagojevich about the Senate seat: "I was mistaken when I told an interviewer last month that the President-elect has spoken directly to Governor Blagojevich about the Senate vacancy. They did not then or at any time discuss the subject.")

Dec. 11 (Fox News)-- "I have never spoken with the governor on this subject. I am confident that no representative of mine would have any part in any deals related to this seat," Obama said.

Just want to put some evidence in for the record

and with 21 alleged conversations in 40 days let's hear the tapes

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by Riot

Sure, it's a big story. Almost as big as the current Vice-President of the United States admitting he authorized torture.

The RNC has been extremely (laughably) vocal, trying desperately to somehow tie Obama to Blago's poor ethics and questionable activities (so far, all they have is both their names on the same page of newsprint)

When the prosecutor, Fitzgerald, goes out of his way to disavow Obama as being involved (in the ethics/legal problem), I believe him. Not Hannity, not Sneed

Obama never said "his people" had no contact, he said, "I" had no contact, which is true. Axlerod was the one that said no contact, with Emanuel having had contact. The Obama team then said right away that yes, members of the respective staffs have had contact.

Casting stones at Cheney is ridiculous when comparing stories. Obama IS tied to Blago regardless of whether he did anything right or wrong. Why it is that every negative story about Democrats and the people questioning them supposedly is created by RNC and conservative talk show hosts? Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and it was a Republican gov from Texas and George Bush? The lefties would be storming the Fox news studios and throwing themselves off of buildings.

In my view the rush to defend Obama without the whole story being told is worse than questioning possible connections. And the semantics of what person on his staff actually spoke to Blago is a technical way to wiggle out of the statement that he had no contact with Blago. If Rahm had contact then Obama had contact.