Emanuel Discussed Obama Shortlist with Blago Staff
EmailABC News’ Rick Klein Reports: Incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had a series of conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his top aide about possible replacements for President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate — but never discussed any possible deals with them, according to a report prepared by the Obama transition office. The report states that Emanuel had “one or two” telephone conversations with Blagojevich, D-Ill., in the wake of Obama’s election victory, as George Stephanopoulos first reported. Emanuel recommended close Obama friend Valerie Jarrett as a possible successor — not realizing that Obama “had ruled out communicating a preference for any one candidate,” according to the report authored by Obama attorney Greg Craig, who is in line to become White House counsel. Emanuel then had “about four” telephone conversations with Blagojevich’s then chief of staff, John Harris, where a list of possible candidates that Obama “considered to be highly qualified” was discussed. George Stephanopoulos first reported the contacts between Emanuel and Blagojevich on Sunday. Those candidates included state Comptroller Dan Hynes, Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, and Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., and — in later conversations — Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Cheryle Jackson. “Mr. Harris did not make any effort to extract a personal benefit for the Governor in any of these conversations,” the report states. “There was no discussion of a cabinet position, of 501c(4), of a private sector position or of any other personal benefit to the Governor in exchange for the Senate appointment.” The report — released late Tuesday afternoon, more than a week after it was prepared at Obama’s direction — seeks to make clear that Obama aides were not involved in the pay-for-play schemes that the US attorney’s office in Chicago has alleged that Blagojevich and Harris were engaged in surrounding the Senate seat. It does, however, suggest more interest on Obama’s part in the filling of his Senate seat than the president-elect and his top aides had previously conceded. The report states that Obama himself — as he has previously said — “had no contact or communication with Governor Blagojevich or members of his staff about the Senate seat.” It allows that Obama did discuss Schakowsky, Jackson, Hynes, and Duckworth in conversations with Emanuel and top political adviser David Axelrod, with the understanding that Emanuel “would relay these names to the Governor’s office as additions to the pool of qualified candidates who might already be under consideration.” The report also finds that Jarrett, Axelrod, and another Obama friend, Dr. Eric Whitaker, did not discuss the Senate seat with the governor, Harris, or other members of Blagojevich’s team. On the whole, the list of contacts and brief description of the conversations appears to support Obama’s repeated contention that neither he or anyone of his staff members had any “inappropriate discussions” with Blagojevich or his top aides. US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has also made clear that — despite mentions of at least one Obama adviser in the criminal complaint he filed three weeks ago — his office is making “no allegations” about the president-elect or his team. But the report does not fill in all the gaps in the public record. Obama’s team did not have access to transcripts of wiretapped conversations between members of Blagojevich’s team and other parties, leaving it to Obama’s staff members’ own recollections to describe the substance of their talks. RNC Spokesman Alex Conant released this response to the report: “While Obama certainly deserves some credit for releasing his team’s contacts with Governor Blagojevich, it remains unfortunate he acted only after political pressure was exerted. Hopefully, President-elect Obama’s promises of transparency related to this matter will extend to all communications, including written.”
Sen. DeMint: GOP Race Could Go Until Convention 
Obama Avoids Questions on Contraception Rule
Dear RNC, As previously reported, the prosecuter in this case specifically asked Obama not to release information regarding any contacts between his office and the governor untill all interviews were completed. Swiftboating is out of fashion this year, dear RNC. Why don’t you stick to arguing facts and issues instead of trying to smear our President Elect?
Posted by: Amy | December 23, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Seems the right hand (Obama) did not know what the left(Emanuel) hand was doing or saying!
I would bet Emanuels hand was slapped….
But Obama can technically say he personally had no contact and stand by that statement.
Lesson learned…your honeymoon with the press is over…watch your step as they will be watching from now on!
Also convenient timing that both Emanuel and Obama of course are unavailable for comment at this time!
Posted by: smorgan | December 23, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm
On Thursday, December 18, 2008 (the President-Elect) was interviewed by Federal officials.
Isn’t this breaking news?
Posted by: John M | December 23, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
Hopefully there won’t be a Republican party next time around.
Posted by: Kathy | December 23, 2008, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm
Case closed. Continuing arguing on this will not take anyone anywhere.
Its time to move on and we do not need to waste precious time on something which no one will benefit from it!!!!
Posted by: Rita | December 23, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm
Based on the limited amount of comments to this “not so juicy” news story, it appears that those who don’t like Obama have little to say now…
Okay: You all happy now?
Obama is in the clear; and now he along with his staff can focus on governoring…….
This is probably a sad day to Sean Hannity and his gang @ Fox News….and you too Rush L.
Posted by: shalom | December 23, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm
Inside report, lets wait and see what federal final reports says from AG.
Posted by: William | December 23, 2008, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm
this is new -having Obama investigate himself. It’s really surprising that he cleared himself and his people. Nixon should have investigated himself on watergate.
Posted by: Rus | December 23, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
Conant’s comment was just standard political rhetoric. The DNC chairman would have said the same thing if a Republican was in Obama’s position.
Some day the voters might realize most, if not all, of the “he said, she said” and the “who’s to blame” games are just political posturing and mean nothing to the so-called leaders in Washington. They’re designed to inflame the less-than-insightful voters.
Sadly, it works with far too many people.
Posted by: MizFW | December 23, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm
I like the Republican party the way it is. The our-way-or-the-highway wingnuts from “real America” have taken it over. Those folks will force the GOP to run Palin types the next two or three presidential elections, which candidates will lose to centrist Democrats who govern with brains not baseball bats.
Posted by: Tom | December 23, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm
It is clear in this report, that Obama did not want to push for any one person to replace him. Emanuel did suggest one person. But after discussing it with Obama, he suggested several names as possibilities. Obama was not asked to do an internal investigation and release it, but Obama did it anyway and only held off releasing the results after the prosecuter asked him to. Obama did more than required and fully cooperated with the prosecuter. They did their report without the aid of the tapes so it will be easy to verify if what they said is incorrect. I don’t see any attempt to hide anything. Of course that won’t stop radicals from having some theory of how all this was bogus and he is a criminal like all democrats and liberals.
Posted by: MikeMo1947 | December 23, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
I am willing to put up for the next four years for the “clueless” president-elect and waiting for my “stimulus” check to arrive.
I guess the Medias aren’t “in love” with Obama any longer and are willing to expose any “corrupted” activities to the general public. WOW, what a change of heart!
For all Obama supporters out there, I am giving Obama the SAME courtesy that you gave George W. Bush.
Posted by: JR | December 23, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm
After 8 years of Bush-Cheney stonewalling legitimate and lawful document requests and subpoenas from the press and Congress, it takes some major league chutzpah for the RNC to issue this statement. But then right after greed, Repubes do hypocrisy better than anyone.
Posted by: B. Bear | December 23, 2008, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm
Bombshell: Obama, Rahm and Jarrett interrogated by US Attorney office last week
Posted by: John M | December 23, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
John M – Why is that a bombshell? Obama was asked to hold off on his internal report for a week. He did and released in. If there were a bombshell,then there could have been some indication in the report since it was released after the “interrogation” by the US Attorney office. We have been told from a number of sources that they are not under investigation. Are you sure it was described as an “interrogation” or is someone just spinning the facts?
Posted by: MikeMo1947 | December 23, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
Gee!!! Wonder how long it took them to write the “SCRIPT” for that?? Also it seems like |Osama| is really rubbing it in on the people who are struggling and trying to make ends meet, after losing their jobs.
Posted by: CAgrl19 | December 23, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
i dont care if your a repub or a dem, i am troubled when a president elect and his administration run on a change we can believe in platform is neck deep in chicago style politics. obama etal knew tis was unethecial and perhaps illegal and does nothing until cayght on tape? what about stopping a crime? good luck to us all with barak the amateur. you libs are a piece of work. most conservatives realize and admonish the dirty deeds of the bush administration.what next carolin kennedy,bidens son, jessee jackson jr…cronyism at its best…change we can believe…hah
Posted by: catman | December 23, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm
It would be strange if Obama did not have an opinion on who should get his senate seat. Seems perfectly OK to me. Please tell me what is wrong here.
While the republican Xtians are worrying about Obamas birth certificate let the rest of us get on trying to get the USA out of the Cheney/Bush mess
Posted by: ken | December 23, 2008, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
Was Obama’s interrogation last week done under oath?
Posted by: John M | December 23, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
Right, he is the last angel standing, so self-righteous, so honest and so holy, only time can tell if Bush will have the last laugh.
Posted by: LDVUONG | December 23, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm
I hope that Obama get’s this cleared and IF anyone is potential liability to act now so he can focus on clean and clear future. Glad to know he feels they have nothing to hide. Funny how Jackson Sr. didn’t think Obama was white enought and now son may never recoup being #5 candidate. Karma got this family but not sure if they deerved it also. It would ne nice he could clear his name as this has stained him and his changes in future office. Why would anyone do that to someone is also cruel, unless true. Anyway, our focus should be Obama and distractions are just that and should be ignored.
Posted by: zorra | December 23, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm
I’m a Republican and I voted for George
Bush and President-Elect Obama will soon be my president and I will support him. I heard Mr. Obama at a news conference when he was being pushed by a reporter to say something negative about President Bush and he told the reporter “I am not going to look back.” That is what I wanted to hear. The country has a lot of problems to overcome so let’s follow our new president’s philosophy and look ahead. This is a wonderful country that I am proud to have served in the military for twenty-eight years and no matter who the president is I WILL SUPPORT HIM OR HER IF WE SHOULD EVER REACH THAT POINT.
Posted by: Richard | December 23, 2008, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm
Not cronyism at its “best”. No…..you repubicans have that title!!!!
Posted by: bruce boyne | December 23, 2008, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm
Catman…give it a break…or go catch a rat…for sure very FEW NEO CON REPUBS EVER realize or admonish the DIRTY DEEDS of the BUSH/CHENEY (co-president Cheney) administration… otherwise they both and many more of their administration would now be arrested and going on trial for WAR CRIMES!
Posted by: Zito | December 23, 2008, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm
Obamination releases an internal report and declares all is well ! And the pathetic, left wing press eat it up with not a single word about the hypocracy of a self investigation. If this had been McCain, you losers would have been calling for a congressional investigation and discussing the “historic” possibility of impeaching a president before he is even sworn in. Light up another doobie Barack, your supporters really are as dumb as you think they are.
Posted by: mike | December 23, 2008, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm
Sorry Hannity, sorry Limburger. LOL
Posted by: jim bob | December 23, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm
Of course there was talk with the Governor – it’s “Pay to Play”. This is done daily with all elected officials, local, state, and (most obvious) federal. What’s the problem?
Posted by: Don | December 23, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
I called the IRS today and told them they wouldn’t need to do the audit they planned because I did an internal audit of my taxes and everything looked good so they can stay home.
Posted by: chaos | December 23, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm
Obama releases a report that HE conducted concerning HIS behavior and we are supposed to believe that is sufficient?
I can’t wait to see what happens when a Republican tries that. Seriously, we need a press that holds both parties accountable, not just the Republicans. If Obama thinks he can “self investigate” away any ethical lapses then he is sure to push the limits more and more as time goes by.
Posted by: James | December 23, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
Imagine how much money we could save if we just allowed each accused person to conduct their own investigation and trial.
Posted by: Nikki | December 23, 2008, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm
Maybe Mr. Obama used the same investigative technics that OJ Simpson used to find the “REAL” killer of Nicole Simpson and Ron Goldman. I’m sure it is only a matter of time before OJ finds that killer. Just as it is only a matter of time before Mr. Obama will uncover those who engage in unethical behavior.
Posted by: Kent | December 23, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
zito…perhaps they should be arrested and tried….i dont have a problem with that.i thought we were going to change things….looks like the new king is no different than the old king…i want change and all i am getting is a scandal before the man is president. also, as long as blago is in office this scandal will grow…….how much did it cost obama to buy his senate seat?
Posted by: catman | December 23, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm
Blago said he was innocent also:)
Posted by: John M | December 23, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm
Rahm disgusts me. He complains about the press claiming he is just thinking of his children, when all the while what he’s thinking about is how he can best stall media coverage long enough to geet his story together with Obama. And all of this BEFORE anyone’s been sworn in. ugh! I feel like we’re in the Clinton era again, where everybody’s got to quit talking before they end up in a body bag somewhere and everybody knows we won’t get a straight answer out of any one in the White House.
Posted by: NPage | December 23, 2008, 10:20 pm 10:20 pm
Perfectly timed vacations for Rahm and Barrack. Both are out of the continental US away from reporters when the report came out. Didn’t BO do this before when John Edwards’ scandal began to shape up? It was interesting to see the changes from the first initial comments to the “final” analysis. At first, there was no contact and then just one phone call. Now two to Blago and several to the chief of staff. How many more times will the story change?
Posted by: mccollegemom | December 24, 2008, 12:00 am 12:00 am
American Politics is an authentic politics
in the world. The American presidential election result showed the voice of the American electorates. My Obama has challenged the youth of the world that nothing is impossible.
Kudos to American people.
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Posted by: mers | December 24, 2008, 6:44 am 6:44 am
Okesanjo Akeem—you are so right. neither the President-Elect nor any of his staff have done anything wrong, illegal or unethical. some people love to drag people down and trash their names with no evidence. Mr. Fitzpatrick has already said that Obama nor any member of his team did anything inappropriate (this is weeks’ old news). yet conspiracy-theorists are weaving an intricate scandal that cannot be supported by the facts.
on January 19 we celebrate the life of a great civil rights leader and on january 20 the first African-American president will be sworn in.
there are many troubles in our nation and in the world. there is no doubt that Obama is the person to lead our nation through these troubled times.
Posted by: Paul Wall | December 24, 2008, 7:28 am 7:28 am
CAgrl19—”Osama”? (your racism is part of the reason why your part lost the election). Obama will take care of the poor and the un-employed. what is Bush doing or has he ever done for the poor and unemployed. it’s obvious through your hatred that you don’t care about unemployed or poor people at all.
Posted by: Paul Wall | December 24, 2008, 7:33 am 7:33 am
time to move on to the next conspiracy.
1. not a citizen—zero points
2. Blegojevich—zero points
3. ___________ —zero points
Orielly and Limbaugh must be short of conspiracies this week (or maybe they’re on vacation for hate detox and in Limbaugh’s case oxyconton. talk about someone who deserved to be in prison. if Limbaugh was an inner-city youth he would be in his fourth year of prison now. what a pathetic addict and still has the nerve to think he’s better—that one arrogant fool. O’Reilly is drug-free but hateful).
Posted by: Paul Wall | December 24, 2008, 7:41 am 7:41 am
I called the IRS today and told them they wouldn’t need to do the audit they planned because I did an internal audit of my taxes and everything looked good so they can stay home.
Posted by: chaos | December 24, 2008, 8:29 am 8:29 am
It took president clinton and President bush about 4 years to get caught lying to the American people and lose their credibility! President-elect Obama was able to lose his credibility in less than 7 weeks!
So much for tranparency!!
Uncle Jerry from WI
Posted by: Uncle Jerry from WI | December 24, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm
It is clear what Rambo Emmanuel was up to. He knew how close Jarret is to Barack. He does not want her in the WHITE HOUSE. He wanted to be the only ACCESS man to OBAMA. Also he wanted a JEWISH congress woman. He did not and definitely did NOT include Jesse Jackson jr.
He made it appear as if Obama’s interst could have been served by Jesse Jackson jr. Jesse Jackson is clealy the most qualified of all the names that Emmanuel.
This is the second power grab that Emmanuel is showing. Remember on the First press conference that Obama held, Emmanuel stole a first line space. He is a Chief of staff for Christ sake. He should act like Andrew Card with Bush Admin. Stay at the background.
Obama will be well served by bringing John Podesta.
Posted by: bernard c amadi | December 25, 2008, 3:59 am 3:59 am