Blago Yesterday: Nothing But Sunshine Hanging Over Me
Email"I should say if anybody wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead, feel free to do it," said the Democratic Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, in a pres conference yesterday, the day before his arrest.
"I appreciate anybody who wants to tape me openly and notoriously, and those who feel like they want to sneakily and wear taping devices, I would remind them that it kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate…
"But I don’t care whether you tape me privately or publicly," Blago went on, "I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful and things I’m interested in doing are always lawful and if there are any things out there like that, what you’ll hear is a governor who is tirelessly and endlessly figures out ways to help average, ordinary working people…
"You might hear a couple of words that you might not hear publicly, but those are only adjectives to describe maybe some of you… There are probably a lot of discussions about the Cubs, and some of my ideas on what they ought to do in the off season, but you know, this is America, you know, and I appreciate if you want to tae my conversations, give me a heads up and let me know…
"I don’t believe there’s any cloud that hangs over me, I think there’s nothing but sunshine hanging over me," he said.
– jpt
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MR. BROKAW: You still have some appointments to make coming up, and there’s also a good deal of consideration here in Illinois about who will replace you in the Senate. But in New York this weekend the big buzz is Caroline Kennedy in the United States Senate, perhaps as the appointment to fill the seat that Hillary Clinton is expected to vacate if she gets confirmed as secretary of state.
PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: And?
MR. BROKAW: Is that a good idea?
PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Well, let me tell you this. Caroline Kennedy has become one of my dearest friends and is just a, a wonderful American, a wonderful person. But the last thing I want to do is get involved in New York politics. I’ve got enough trouble in terms of Illinois politics.
Posted by: ptu | December 9, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm
Blago represents the cesspool that spawned the Big-O. The dirt on BO is there to be discovered, but the media is too busy fawning on him to look for it, or even acknowledge that it exists when they see it. Pathetic.
Posted by: David H | December 9, 2008, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm
Obama please step down now before it gets worse. You should have let Hillary have the nomination. Both she and McCain deserve POTUS far more than you do. Just wait until Obama’s records come out about his dealings with Alex Giannoulias.
Obama never should have been elected. He is also lying about his relationship with Ayers.
Posted by: Leo | December 9, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm
Leo,
Dream on.
Obama is squeaky clean.
Posted by: Steve_NJ | December 9, 2008, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm
LEO Enough with your hate already like Mccain and Hillary are and were so honest pleeze lol,deal with the fact Barack Obama will be your president and a good one at that, let go of the hate its not healthy!
Posted by: ANGIE | December 9, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
I’ve got enough trouble in terms of Illinois politics.
Posted by: ptu | Dec 9, 2008 12:26:44 PM
_______________________________________
That tells you Barack already was brief and knew what was about to go down. this blago is one arrogant SOB.
he will have some BIG inmate in his cell ” hanging over him’.
Posted by: mike | December 9, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm
LEO
Isuppose you voted for Bush that corrupt a$$, deal with obama like we have had to deal with Bush and his nightmare for 8 years and he should be locked up maybe he will when hes done 1-20-09 we get America back!
Posted by: ANGIE | December 9, 2008, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm
Obama is going down.
Funny how Obama didn’t offer anything other than “appreciation” to get Valerie Jarrett (the likely Candidate #1) his old senate job not out of some implied “virtue”, but because he didn’t have to. Blago was in a bad negotiating position. Obama had the new job he wanted and he could take Jarrett to DC with him and make her a close adviser and bide their time.
Posted by: Leo | December 9, 2008, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm
“I did not vote for Bush.”
Sure.
We totally believe you.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
“Funny how Obama didn’t offer anything other than “appreciation” to get Valerie Jarrett (the likely Candidate #1) his old senate job not out of some implied “virtue”, but because he didn’t have to.”
ROFLMAO.
You just claimed Obama was going down for this and now you say he didn’t offer anything.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm
Questionable donations to Obama
- Odd real estate transactions with his;
- Rezko – Rezko – Rezko
The writing was clear. Why didn’t we, the people, listen?
Unless we the people change how we vote and hold our elected officials accountable to doing things right, and break away from the payola mentality where politicians reward certain groups to curry votes, we will be likely to see this happen again.
Posted by: Leo | December 9, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm
LEO
It has been proven obama did nothing Illegal with Rezko with the real estate deal LAY OFF LIMBAUGH AND FOX NEWS!
Posted by: ANGIE | December 9, 2008, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
It’s really not fair to taint Obama with associations and/or business relationships. Obama was a bonehead throughout, naive and schtoopid in the face of the many crooks who surrounded him. On the other hand, this is certainly a change
Posted by: bluecollarbytes | December 9, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
If the Gov is smart, he’ll cut a deal with the Feds. Go into the Witness Protection Program before he is Vinnie Fostered. Given the way things are done in Chi-Town politics and the new partnership with the Clintons.
“Gov….I’ll pass the hat around if you take the “ONE” down with you. You just tell me how much.”
Posted by: commrat72 | December 9, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
ANGIE
I’ll take Freedom…..
……you can keep the “CHANGE”
Posted by: commrat72 | December 9, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
These statements by Blago are an example of arrogance of power.
Even though this was the Feds exposing it vs the press, I can’t help but think of Gary Hart telling reporters to follow him.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
Maybe Blago and Gov Ryan can share a cell together…Illinois politics is becoming so sad and sickening…with the state of the economy and people out of jobs…Obama and his jerks think they can do whatever they want! glad to see our judicial system is finally working the way it should!
I work for non-profit agency in Chicago that helps children and adults with disabilities…Blago, Obama and Strodger cut funding for both our agencies..one so bad we had to close two programs that served families with children with varying disabilities…
Obama is not change you can believe in.
Posted by: Leo | December 9, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm
“Unless we the people change how we vote and hold our elected officials accountable to doing things right, and break away from the payola mentality where politicians reward certain groups to curry votes, we will be likely to see this happen again.”
To accomplish this, Leo voted Republican.
A party that has over a dozen members of Congress that were indicted or convicted within the last few years.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm
COMMART
What Does Freedom have to do with this last I checked your President Bush is spying on you and has made it nearly Impossible for you to leave the country!
Posted by: ANGIE | December 9, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm
“I work for non-profit agency in Chicago that helps children and adults with disabilities…Blago, Obama and Strodger cut funding for both our agencies..one so bad we had to close two programs that served families with children with varying disabilities.”
ROFLMAO!
I love these cover stories right wingers give themselves to appear more appealing!
Name the bill Obama voted for that cut your funding.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm
“If the Gov is smart, he’ll cut a deal with the Feds. Go into the Witness Protection Program before he is Vinnie Fostered.”
ROFLMAO.
Its quite interesting how easily fear of the Clenis has morphed into fear of Obama.
For self proclaimed tough guys, right wingers sure seem to be a fearful bunch.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm
DAMAGE CONTROL>>>DAMAGE CONTROL>>>Democrat party “culture of corruption”
Obama better get sworn in soon adn pardon these crooks or they will spill the beans.. Breaking News!! Grand Jury subponeas issued for OBAMA/REZKO land deal…ALL RECORDS..
Posted by: obusha 09 | December 9, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm
Ryan C
Not just the Republican congress that has been corrupt But look at Bush and Gang and the Corruption that they have done
Illeagal war
Torture
spying on america people
Big oil
Bailouts
The list goes on dont hear the republicans crying about that stuff!
Posted by: ANGIE | December 9, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
Jake Tapper- already we see the limits to the “Your Seat at the Table” feature you reported yesterday.
The complaint from Fitzgerald says that the SEIU acted as an emissary between Candidate 1 (Valerie Jarrett) and Blogojevich. The SEIU is obviously a player in the transition.
Yet there is only one memo from the SEIU on Obama’s website, and it is about early childhood education.
Obama’s transparency doesn’t go very far.
How involved with Obama is the SEIU and its various officials?
Posted by: MayBee | December 9, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm
“Ryan he voted for it by voting present and it was several bills not just one.”
A present vote counts as no vote when it comes to approving legislation.
Ooops someone just got caught in a lie.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
RYAN C
No point in debating with Fox news lovers and Republicans there just upset their party is dead and will take quite along time for them to comeback! People are done with the republicans!
Posted by: ANGIE | December 9, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm
This entire story is a Republican plot to keep Larry Craig out of the headlines today.
Posted by: smith | December 9, 2008, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
“This entire story is a Republican plot to keep Larry Craig out of the headlines today.”
ROFLMAO!
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Blago has no case to answer. He was not caught red handed taking anything. Saying and acting are two different things.
Posted by: FM | December 9, 2008, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
“Blago has no case to answer. He was not caught red handed taking anything. Saying and acting are two different things.”
Conspiracy charges perhaps?
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
This is like double chocolate mud pie…too rich to eat it all at once. We’re going to get to savor this for months to come. How could anyone believe that Obama could come out of that political cesspool, Chicago, and not be just as corrupt. You go along to get along there and BHO got along very well. Didn’t he?
Posted by: J. LaRue | December 9, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm
HEY ANGIE
THE WAR IS LEGAL (CLINTON POLICY)THE CONGRESS THE UN ALL THE HYPOCRITE DEMS voted for it and THEN TOOK THE VOTE BACK during the election….they also voted for it under CLINTON google > Iraq Liberation Act of 98 voted on by majority of DEMS…water boarding is NOT torture..Iraq torture….putting one in a wood chipper feet first is…wiretapping TERRORIST NOT AMERICAN PEOPLE IS LEGAL..THE program WAS approved by the DEMS also after 9-11.
YOU DEMS are soooo hypocritical and uninformed!
ANGIE your quote>>
Not just the Republican congress that has been corrupt But look at Bush and Gang and the Corruption that they have done
Illeagal war
Torture
spying on america people
Posted by: Ms bella | December 9, 2008, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
BTW CLINTON WENT TO WAR WITH KOSOVO (bombed them for weeks) WITHOUT CONGRESS APPROVAL AND WITHOUT UN APPROVAL THEY WERE NOT A THREAT TO THE USA AS WAS SADAM….WHERE IS ANGIE ON THAT ONE??
Posted by: MS BELLA | December 9, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko, William Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah Wright, Khalid al-Mansour, Raila Odinga, Edward Said, Rashid Khalidi, Stuart Levine, Imad Almanaseer, Frank Marshall Davis, Nadhmi Auchi, Alexi Giannoulias, Todd Stroger, Robert Wolf, Miek Kruglik, Marshall Ganz, Saul Alinsky, et al…
Is there anyone Obama has known who does not have a shady background?
Posted by: Colony14Author | December 9, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Face it Angie.Your man is unvetted, inexperienced, and unqualified. Also, as obvious as his big ears, is the fact he’s crooked as a snake.
“Do I hear $5 mil for my Senate seat??
Sold to Congressman Jackson.Much better than earning it, huh Jesse?”
Posted by: daryl | December 9, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
“water boarding is NOT torture”
Can we hold you down put a plastic bag over your mouth and pour water on yoru to simulate drowning?
McCain considers water boarding torture. And he would know what toture is.
“..Iraq torture….putting one in a wood chipper feet first is”
Saddam did many horrible things. Unfortunately the right wing media felt they needed more propaganda so they made up the people shredders.
“wiretapping TERRORIST NOT AMERICAN PEOPLE IS LEGAL”
Explain why the NSA has been tapping American fighting men and women’s private and sometime intimate calls home to loved ones then.
The lesson as always? Right wingers lie.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
Face it Darryl.
The right wing lost and Barack Obama is our next President.
Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
Nothing but sunshine, eh? Is Blago fixing to don the tap shoes and give us a soft shoe shuffle? I’m just suggesting that a song of sunshine needs a dance.
Posted by: kat | December 9, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm
Leo no one deserves potus they earn it by votes and campaigns.Did you forget that in the fight about birth certificates McCain was also part of the same suit.This person said McCain was also not a valid person to run for president.Does that tell you anything about the person who bought the suit.And the SC would not hear the case which should tell you it had no basis in fact.I know a lot of people good and bad that I have had dealings with that does not mean I am either with or for them just that I have had dealings with people,maybe at work maybe in my church maybe thru the police dept etc.There are good and bad in both parties and in all knids of different people
Posted by: maryjane | December 9, 2008, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm
Although I don’t know anything about this ‘B’ guy, I hope that he played a pieced-together tape for the wire-tappers so that the egg will end up on their Nixon-Watergate tapes of 08.
It is also undeniable that he put the wire-tappers on notice (publicly!) that he was aware of what they were doing and that they did not get his permission to invade his (and his family’s) privacy.
Posted by: Common Sense | December 9, 2008, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm