Rahm on Tape with Blago?

[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

[dellinger63]

Courtesy of John Kass Chicago Tribune

'Twas the night before Fitzmas and all through the house

The federals were listening for the sound of a mouse.

The wiretaps were hung by the chimneys with care

With sugarplum visions of the rats they would snare.

And I in my tracksuit with Patti in bed

With visions of "bleepin' gold" running through our heads

When out on the lawn, there arose such a herald,

I knew in an instant it must be Fitzgerald.

For a second, I thought this must be in jest,

Then the telephone said, "You're under arrest."

I rushed to the window and what did appear?

A sled full of subpoenas pulled by eight tiny reindeer.

More rapid than Outfit bookies, the coursers they came

And Patrick did whistle, and call them by name.

"Now Rezko! Now Kelly! Now Amrish and Stu!

On Wyma! On Harris! On Rahm and Ata too!"

And with a winsome grand jury so lively and quick

Jimmy called Genson, 'cause I'm in the thick.

Then I drew in my head and was turning around

And there stood Fitzgerald, who made not a sound.

But with a wink of his eye and a twist of his head

He let me know that I had plenty to bleepin' dread.

He pointed his finger alongside his nose,

I told him, "Hang loose," but up the chimney he rose.

I started to spill because I am no tool,

But then Eddie and Jimmy said, "Shut up you fool!"

Then Patti awoke all sweetness and light,

"You're bleeping holding up that bleeping Cubs bleep,

Right?"

Fitz sprang to his sleigh and the reindeer did bristle

While off in the distance, sang the jailhouse whistle.

I heard him exclaim to all within sight,

"Merry Fitzmas to all, except those I indict."

[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.

[Cannon Shell]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/b...18good.article

[hi_im_god]

chuck-

rush to defend obama from what? pointing out that no one has accused anyone from the incoming admin of wrongdoing isn't jumping the gun before evidence is presented. it's just saying out loud that those spinning otherwise are running around with no clothes on.

and it's not the left. it's the 80% of the country that isn't hard right. you guys are still just talking amongst yourselves. no one else is worried about this because we've heard fitzpatrick quote blago cursing out the president elect because he wouldn't offer anything.

we all know republican's are scrambling for an identity after the election. i suppose supermarket tabloid is an actual option if that's where they want to go.

[Antitrust32]

I wish more republicans were like John McCain...

[Riot]

Obama IS tied to Blago regardless of whether he did anything right or wrong.

Yes, it was Obama's senate seat. Anything else?

Why it is that every negative story about Democrats and the people questioning them supposedly is created by RNC and conservative talk show hosts?

I'm not talking about every negative story, I'm talking about this one. Look at what the RNC did here:

The afternoon of Fitzgeralds' announcement, right after Fitzgerald said Obama wasn't under scrutiny, right after he cautioned the press about "not casting aspersions", and he quoted Blago absolving Obama of playing the payoff game - the RNC put out a ridiculous internet ad implying Obama committed illegal activity.

That's the ad that even had GOP members calling out the RNC and demanding the ad be taken down immediately.

And there certainly were some conservative (and non-conservative) talk show hosts that picked up that RNC football and kept running with it (Hannity, O'Reilly)

In my view the rush to defend Obama without the whole story being told is worse than questioning possible connections.

It's not rushing to defend someone by pointing out he prosecutor didn't find him doing anything wrong, and that even the accused said Obama didn't play the illegal activity game

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.

Obama said he had no contact with Blago. True. Obama never said his staff had no contact - Axelrod said that, and right after he said that (wrong), Obama came out and said that wasn't true.

And again, Obama earlier this week wanted to release all the conversations his office has had with Blago's office, and the prosecutor asked him not to.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/b...18good.article

That article says:

"There was no indication from sources that Emanuel brokered a deal, however."

"Emanuel, who has refused to comment on the issue, is not accused of wrongdoing."

"In portions of conversations released in a criminal complaint against Blagojevich, he can be heard complaining that Obama wouldn't give anything in return for a Jarrett appointment."

As I said, if something changes regarding Obama's involvement, wake me up.

[Cannon Shell]

Originally Posted by hi_im_god

chuck-

rush to defend obama from what? pointing out that no one has accused anyone from the incoming admin of wrongdoing isn't jumping the gun before evidence is presented. it's just saying out loud that those spinning otherwise are running around with no clothes on.

and it's not the left. it's the 80% of the country that isn't hard right. you guys are still just talking amongst yourselves. no one else is worried about this because we've heard fitzpatrick quote blago cursing out the president elect because he wouldn't offer anything.

we all know republican's are scrambling for an identity after the election. i suppose supermarket tabloid is an actual option if that's where they want to go.

Why isnt this story fair game? No one said that Obama did anything wrong but there are unnamed people still deeply involved and there is a good chance that some of them may be on Obama's staff. Republicans arent involved in this story, it is 100% crooked Democrats. I believe that Riot's blanket defense of Obama and implication that the RNC is making this out to be a bigger story than it should be is either partisan or naive. The media has treated Obama with kid gloves on this yet the ridiclous assertion that Republicans are somehow to blame for the news coverage baffles me. Hell for all we know it may have been Rahm or someone on Obama's staff that worked with the Feds on nabbing Blago. But despite all the unknown details it is all the republicans fault. Priceless.

[hi_im_god]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Why isnt this story fair game? No one said that Obama did anything wrong but there are unnamed people still deeply involved and there is a good chance that some of them may be on Obama's staff. Republicans arent involved in this story, it is 100% crooked Democrats. I believe that Riot's blanket defense of Obama and implication that the RNC is making this out to be a bigger story than it should be is either partisan or naive. The media has treated Obama with kid gloves on this yet the ridiclous assertion that Republicans are somehow to blame for the news coverage baffles me. Hell for all we know it may have been Rahm or someone on Obama's staff that worked with the Feds on nabbing Blago. But despite all the unknown details it is all the republicans fault. Priceless.

it's fair game if that's what you want.

i'm not one to tell another player to fold a losing hand.

maybe this plays out. maybe it's the tip of the obama corruption iceberg. play on. let's see where it leads.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Why isnt this story fair game? No one said that Obama did anything wrong but there are unnamed people still deeply involved and there is a good chance that some of them may be on Obama's staff. Republicans arent involved in this story, it is 100% crooked Democrats. I believe that Riot's blanket defense of Obama and implication that the RNC is making this out to be a bigger story than it should be is either partisan or naive. The media has treated Obama with kid gloves on this yet the ridiclous assertion that Republicans are somehow to blame for the news coverage baffles me. Hell for all we know it may have been Rahm or someone on Obama's staff that worked with the Feds on nabbing Blago. But despite all the unknown details it is all the republicans fault. Priceless.

Well..Illinois had 37 years of Right wing Guvs and 3 are/were in jail....guess we led by example.

The rush by the right to make sure that justice is done here and that no one Obama is involved with has done anything wrong is exemplary. But...where the F*ck have you been the last 8 years?