Dec 9, 2008 3:37pm

Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship

"Obviously like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney’s office today," said President-elect Obama this afternoon in Chicago, speaking of the criminal complaint against Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich for corruption. "But as this is a ongoing investigation involving the governor I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time."

Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said "I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening."

But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod appeared on Fox News Chicago and said something quite different.

While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a "kingmaker," Axelrod said, "I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."

(UPDATE: An Obama Transition Team aide says that Axelrod misspoke on Fox News Chicago.)

(UPDATE #2:  Axelrod this evening issued a statement saying. "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.")

There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed.

In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the "pay to play" way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only "gratitude" if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor’s chagrin.

But there remain questions about how Blagojevich knew that Mr. Obama was not willing to give him anything in exchange for the Senate seat — with whom was Blagojevich speaking? Did that person report the governor to the authorities?

And, it should be pointed out, Mr. Obama has a relationship with Mr. Blagojevich, having not only endorsed Blagojevich in 2002 and 2006, but having served as a top adviser to the Illinois governor in his first 2002 run for the state house.

In the Democratic gubernatorial primary that year, then-state sen. Obama endorsed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris. But after Blagojevich won, Obama came around enthusiastically. At the same time, meanwhile, Axelrod had such serious concerns about whether Blagojevich was ready for governing he refused to work for his one-time client.

According to Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., Mr. Obama’s incoming White House chief of staff, Emanuel, then-state senator Obama, a third Blagojevich aide, and Blagojevich’s campaign co-chair, David Wilhelm, were the top strategists of Blagojevich’s 2002 gubernatorial victory.

Emanuel told the New Yorker earlier this year that he and Obama "participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor. We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two."

Wilhelm said that Emanuel had overstated Obama’s role. "There was an advisory council that was inclusive of Rahm and Barack but not limited to them," Wilhelm said, and he disputed the notion that Obama was "an architect or one of the principal strategists."

(An Obama Transition Team aide emails to note that Emanuel later changed his recollection of this story to Rich Miller’s "CAPITOL FAX," saying, "David [Wilhelm] and I have worked together on campaigns for decades. Like always, he’s right and I’m wrong.")

Either way, others now around Obama were less enthusiastic about Blagojevich at the time, namely David Axelrod, Obama’s senior campaign adviser who will soon be a senior adviser at the White House.

Axelrod had worked for Blagojevich in his past races for the House, but he declined to work on his gubernatorial run.

"He had been my client and I had a very good relationship with him, but I didn’t sign on to the governor’s race," Axelrod told the New Yorker. "Obviously he won, but I had concerns about it…I was concerned about whether he was ready for that. Not so much for the race but for governing. I was concerned about some of the folks — I was concerned about how the race was being approached."

On the Chicago TV show "Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz" on June 27, 2002, state Sen. Obama said, "Right now, my main focus is to make sure that we elect Rod Blagojevich as Governor, we…"

"You working hard for Rod?" interrupted Berkowitz.

"You betcha," said Obama.

"Hot Rod?" asked the host.

"That’s exactly right," Obama said.

In 2004, then-Gov. Blagojevich enthusiastically endorsed Obama for the Senate seat after he won the nomination, and Obama endorsed Blagojevich for his 2006 re-election race in early 2005.

In the Summer of 2006, then-U.S. Sen. Obama backed Blagojevich even though there were serious questions at the time about Blago’s hiring practices.

At the time, numerous state agencies had had records subpoenaed, with U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald telling authorities he was looking into "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" with a "number of credible witnesses."

In an interview with the Chicago Daily Herald in July 2006, then-Sen. Obama said, "I have not followed closely enough what’s been taking place in these investigations to comment on them. Obviously I’m concerned about reports that hiring practices at the state weren’t, at times, following appropriate procedures. How high up that went, the degree at which the governor was involved, is not something I’m going to speculate on.

"If I received information that made me believe that any Democrat had not been acting in the public interest, I’d be concerned," Obama said.

That said, Mr. Obama said, "If the governor asks me to work on his behalf, I’ll be happy to do it."

Apparently the governor did. At the Illinois State Fair in August 2006, Obama spoke on Blagojevich’s behalf.

"We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois," Obama told the crowd.

In January 2007, Blagojevich’s office reserved the Old State Capitol for Mr. Obama’s presidential announcement at Obama’s request.

Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch told reporters that "Representatives for Sen. Obama contacted the governor’s office regarding use of the Old State Capitol. We contacted the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and reserved the Old State Capitol for the Senator on February 10th."

The Old State Capitol is where President Abraham Lincoln delivered his "House Divided" speech in 1858.

Fitzgerald today said that the charges the government was making about Blagojevich "would make Lincoln turn over in his grave."

– jpt

User Comments

Ugh.
I’m totally supportive of President Elect Obama, Vice President Elect Biden, and the governing they will do in these upcoming four years.
This is just putrid and disgusting. I want Blagojevich in jail, for life. His absolute lack of any remorse or penitence for his disgusting behavior and ideology is outrageous. Lock him up.
As for Obama, what I would have liked to hear from him is simply: Those who’ve done wrong should be prosecuted for their wrongdoing. In light of these details, he needs to speak out against Blagojevich. It’ll disappoint me severely if he doesn’t.

Posted by: ST | December 9, 2008, 3:48 pm 3:48 pm

It’s not the first time Obama says one thing and his advisors says another. I know one thing, somebody is lying.

Posted by: Tyrone | December 9, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm

No matter what happened, some are going to say Obama is guilty in all of this. Some seem to hate him so much that they just want to pin anything they can on him.
To me, Blagojevich seemed to be doing all of this for pretty selfish reasons and part of the transcripts I have read so far, he doesn’t seem to be good friends with Obama at all.

Posted by: AnaB | December 9, 2008, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

HHHmmmmm….more scandal in Illinois. Why am I not surprised?

Posted by: yvonneh120952 | December 9, 2008, 3:54 pm 3:54 pm

“His absolute lack of any remorse or penitence for his disgusting behavior and ideology is outrageous. Lock him up.”
Agreed.
The brazen nature of this is shocking…even out of IL.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

We just had the UAW and three auto companies show up two days after the election asking for $50 billion much of which would go to them personally from the same people they had just given millions. Why doesn’t Blago deserve the same?
The whole episode looks too much like Blago was a little too greedy for Obama, or Obama was ###### that Blago didn’t like the Obama pick. In any case Obama and his folks like Rahm sure can take them off at the knees– Clintons, McCain, Palin and now Blago. Maybe I watched too many 24 episodes.

Posted by: Don | December 9, 2008, 4:01 pm 4:01 pm

I am so bitter and angry that more people don’t realize Hillary was entitled to the presidency. When more details of Rezko’s dealings with the Office of the Elect Obama Barack are made public then there is still a chance that Hillary will be sworn in on Jan. 20.

Posted by: twin_peaks_nikki | December 9, 2008, 4:02 pm 4:02 pm

AnaB: “Some hate him so much that they are willing to pin anything on him….” Kind of like what you libs have done with George W. Bush for the last 8 years. You hated him even before he was president. Bush may have had his errors, but HE NEVER behaved like this.

Posted by: mm | December 9, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

Hmm now everyone was screaming about clinton bringing drama to no drama obama, looks like Obama has his own drama probably more than we know.

Posted by: rachel | December 9, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

I think we will know just how potentially guilty Mr. Obama might be is when he takes office. If he has nothing to hide, he would not reassign Fitzgerald. If there is a glimmer of wrong doing, then Fitzgerald is gone.
I live in Chicago. Everyone has known for years that Blago is crooked. It is about time that he was arrested. I hope that he is found guilty. Two governors in row have been arrested. Happy days for my home state.

Posted by: scott | December 9, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Obama rose too fast to NOT be guilty of something in this.
Trust me, Obama is in hot water!

Posted by: plainsm | December 9, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Why is it Obama is not aware of what is going on in his own home state with respect to his own senate seat, but everyone expected George Bush to know what was going on in every inch of the country?

Posted by: Rose S. | December 9, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Deja vu
all the company of our Elected president is like this ?
Rezko, Farhan Khan, Wright, that bomber, etc etc…
many goose will come out to roast -
a person has to be like the company he
kept so far -

Posted by: Nimdik | December 9, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

The American voter deserves everything they get – fooled again. First, Bush – now Obama.
Wake up America – you can’t seem to get the right guy.
Obama is knee deep in this mess. The dark cloud that hangs over Illinois will now hang over the USA. Congrats MSM and uninformed voters of American

Posted by: jlpillinois | December 9, 2008, 4:05 pm 4:05 pm

“It’ll disappoint me severely if he doesn’t.”
You’ll probably end up disappointed then. Speaking out against one’s own party could be a bad thing. That’s a very polarizing thing to do and apparently Blagojevich has some power in the Chicago machine.
Let’s hope the government does the right thing and puts him in jail to suffer for his crimes.

Posted by: thescraps | December 9, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

Tyrone writes, “It’s not the first time Obama says one thing and his advisors says another. I know one thing, somebody is lying.”
====================================
Interesting comment considering there isn’t ONE word in the entire article stating that Obama SAID or DID anything in terms of input to decide who should be considered or not.

Posted by: Dems | December 9, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

Tyrone:
I could not agree more. I will be dissappointed if Obama says nothing substantial about this process.

Posted by: Kia | December 9, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm

Yeah, good point mm. You’re right: George Bush only lied the country into war and looked the other way as his people outed a CIA agent as punishment for DARING to question the rationale for that war. $1 Trillion spent (ALL in debt now held by the Chinese), 5,000 dead, 30,000 wounded. Yeah, you’re right. What’s the big deal.

Posted by: Patriotic American | December 9, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm

our Democrats in Illinois know how to work the secret handshake.. Blago was just TOO forceful and full of himself.
Obama associates with all kinds of scumbags, but at least he is smart enough to know when to distance himself from them.. he did not grandstand with Blago during his presidential campaign knowing that Blago was gonna eventually get nabbed by the Feds.
but make no mistake..Obama is no saint.. Blago, Emil Jones, Rezko.. he’s been down there in the trenches with these characters and has never yelled “foul!”

Posted by: matt- Illinois | December 9, 2008, 4:07 pm 4:07 pm

Deja vu
where was Obama’s judgement on
this gov, wright, rezko, farhakhan and that bomber ????
Judgement will be given on the Judgement day…I guess

Posted by: Nimdik | December 9, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

The man surrounds himself with scandalous Clintonites, and falls into his first scandal before inauguration… Joe Biden… be ready!!!

Posted by: please! | December 9, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

Welcome to Chicago!
President-elect Obama (even though he isn’t President-elect until December 15) will be happy to show you around.
Just don’t mention any of his old friends. It makes him angry when you mention his old friends.
You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.

Posted by: Steve Kellmeyer | December 9, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

When will we find out that the almighty Obama emperor has no clothes?
Where there is smoke, there is fire.

Posted by: swimkin | December 9, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

Democrats are all thieves.

Posted by: Morris | December 9, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

funny how turnabout is fair play but some people don’t want to accept it. liberals tried to pin everything bad in the recent history of the world on bushII, while at the same time arguing that he had no control over anything that went on in the white house until, of course, saying that bush is actually in charge was good for their arguments that he’s a new hitler. now, conservatives are trying to tie everything bad that happens to obama based upon the theory that he’s involved knee-deep in every scandal that happens everywhere while at the same time arguing that he’s so young and inexperienced that he can’t possibly have enough connections or knowledge wipe his own nose let alone be president. any wonder why i hate ALL politicians and just about all their stupid partisan supporters?

Posted by: davidfrat21 | December 9, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

Blago should have got his wife a do-nothing job at a hospital that receives state funds. She could pull in a ggod salary for nothing like Mrs. Obama.

Posted by: Will | December 9, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

Both Obama and Daily will go down next!
Make room in Club Fed.

Posted by: A free American | December 9, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

Can a president pardon himself? Or will Obama have to have Biden do it?

Posted by: howwouldiknow | December 9, 2008, 4:09 pm 4:09 pm

I believe the first act of President-Elect Obama should be the appointment of a Special Council to investigate corruption in Illinois politics. Let me add, while I believe Obama when he says he had no contact with Gov. Blagojevich, I believe he should be afforded the same courtesy and respect the Liberal left has given President Bush. So much for change.

Posted by: CitizenDoug | December 9, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

I agree with you ST.
and of course there are those that are just waiting to pounce on Obama for anything…I do not believe this has anything to do with him. Blagojevich should be in jail for life and I too hope Obama stands up and says so!
I also believe Obama will be a great president…he sounds good, you can understand what he is saying and he wants to hear everyone’s opinion on things…not like what we have now.

Posted by: Barb | December 9, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

I am an Illinois citizen and became wise to Obama’s schemes since 2004 after the Chicago Tribune broke his stinky land deal with Rezdo. Lies have a way of catching up with people. Obama has defrauded the American people just like he did Illinois. I hope and pray for justice on behalf of the citizens of this country.

Posted by: Patty | December 9, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

If only we could have been fortunate enough to have had a guy for President who said 3 months ago that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” A guy backed up by a near-moron former beauty queen. Wouldn’t that have been swell. And WHO is it that hasn’t a clue again?

Posted by: Reality Check | December 9, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

WOW! What incredibly poor judgment. WOW. This guy is now our president???? WOW. Is it too late to re-vote? The writer of this article needs to check himself on the whole “gratitude” thing. WRONG. Gratitude is a commodity in politics dude. It may as well have been a direct order. Give me a break. Stop being so naive. This development threatens Obama’s credibility. BAD start to his presidency. As the months go on we’re going to see all the cats Obama made back room deals with to buy the presidency. It could get UGLY

Posted by: Barack Smith | December 9, 2008, 4:10 pm 4:10 pm

Wow,
What amazes me the most is that people seem surprised about all of this. For those of you who don’t live in Chicago, it is not called the “Windy City” for its weather. It is so named for its politics; All hot air and corruption.
Don’t think Obama is not as dirty Blago, the only difference is that he is smart enough not to get caught. They are all products of the Daly political machine. Just look at all of his (Obama’s) pals. Just dig a little under the surface and you can easily see the corruption. Most of his friends are either in prison or headed that way.
I wonder how much Obama will charge for an Ambassadorship or a Judical appointment now that he his headed to the White House?

Posted by: Joe Bob | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

He had contact with the Gov. office as he talked to him about his replacement!!!!

Posted by: Jane | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

But don’t you get it! Obama is a liar. It’s obvious that he doesn’t think the laws in this country apply to him. He has spent millions in attorney fees in relation to his birth certificate. Why? When it would cost $12.00 to get a certified certificate of live birth, why would he spend thousand upon thousands of dollars on this? Could it be because he lies?
There IS a machine behind Obama pushing him to obtain the presidency at all costs. Anyone who believes his campaign funds came from the American public, see me. I have a bridge I can sell you cheap!

Posted by: Rockmelon | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Wow…Obama never seems to know anything about the people he associates with, worships with, works with or lives next door to. Isn’t it amazing?? This man is so out of touch with everything going on around him and yet he’s supposed to run our country???? What a nightmare! God help the USA.

Posted by: CJ | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

The way Obama is going this early Bush is looking better and better….especially sandwiched between Clinton and the One…..no affairs, no pardons for felons whose wife donates millions to his library…

Posted by: fred | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Looks like this was a one way relationship, as Blagojevich was using Obama for self promotion–I very much doubt Obama knew what was going on in Blagojevich’s mind, much less doubt they were close friends–if anything I would say they worked together as coworkers like I do with the people at my job.

Posted by: Danny | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

mm:
AnaB: “Some hate him so much that they are willing to pin anything on him….” Kind of like what you libs have done with George W. Bush for the last 8 years. You hated him even before he was president. Bush may have had his errors, but HE NEVER behaved like this.
———————————-
Sorry, but I don’t hate anyone, not even Bush.
Besides, we don’t even know that Obama was involved in this in the first place. I don’t get why people cannot wait to see what happens before they judge.

Posted by: AnaB | December 9, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

Obama said “you betcha”! Let’s see SNL make fun of that.

Posted by: rube | December 9, 2008, 4:12 pm 4:12 pm

Read the Drudge report! Obama’s deal with Rezko is being probed. Obama is dirty! He’s amassed a fortune in a very short time. He went from having nothing to being a millionaire in just a few years, and has NEVER worked a real job.

Posted by: Russ | December 9, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

I live in central Illinois and he woudn’t even live in Springfield, I guess he could not carry on unless he was in Chicago.

Posted by: Jane | December 9, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

I don’t doubt that there was no direct contact between Obama and Blago. That is not how things are done. But I bet there was plenty of contact on both sides with mid-level staffers. Otherwise, how did the governor know Obama wasn’t offering anything? None of this suggests any criminal conduct on Obama’s part, but it does raise the question — why didn’t Obama (or at least his staff) blow the whistle on Blago? Or perhaps they did.

Posted by: John Mack | December 9, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

You are ‘saddened’ by Democrat corruption. Outrage is reserved for Republican corruption.

Posted by: cornax | December 9, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

i’m sure MSNBC will have a new feature tonight on how the Repubes are to blame for Blago’s good name getting smeared.
Obama is more tactful than Blago. even though he is complicit, i don’t think he’ll get indicted unless it is through the Rezko angle.

Posted by: matt- Illinois | December 9, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

It’s going to be a looong four (4) years.

Posted by: Hondo | December 9, 2008, 4:13 pm 4:13 pm

Its funny how Obama is suppose to be so smart but some how he doesn’t ever know his surroundings…EVER! I’m surprised he hasn’t been stabbed or anything like that since he’s so unaware of anything going on around him….ever. If you trully believe he has nothing behind this then you’re probably the same person who believed him in saying he didnt know who rev wright was after 20 years as well.

Posted by: Dan | December 9, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm

Politician solicites bribe…stop the press.

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm

Before a final judgement I would have to know what control if any the seat holder has in that state meaning how the governor was told to re-apppoint,what what is come be? Obama never finish his first term in Washington before rising up what if any pre-plans in their patry there was by the passer bying was ,etc?

Posted by: Nosamak | December 9, 2008, 4:14 pm 4:14 pm

From Below people are saying Obama probably did not know whats going on around him, so did we just elect a man who has no idea what happens around him, or a crooked man?
Which is worse?

Posted by: spock | December 9, 2008, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm

Sounds like someone dropped there soft drink and it fizzed to much or they lost there pant’s! or do we need better resumes.

Posted by: Gene | December 9, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm

Nothing to see here ABC, move along! I suppose that the press, seemingly in a trance the last couple of years might, just might, wake up and start asking questions of all our representatives such as how do you solve a financial crisis by spending money? Money you don’t have. How much money has the auto industry paid to different political campaigns? Why are politicians who looked the other way with Fannie and Freddie still in charge of different financial rolls,guys such as Frank and Dodd? Or Mr. Obama will you investigate this whole financial meltdown and see that the guilty receive punishment?
I suppose I shouldn’t hold my breath waiting, should I?

Posted by: david | December 9, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm

Somebody has to be lying….guess who?

Posted by: Ken | December 9, 2008, 4:16 pm 4:16 pm

This is disheartening, like a page from Bush’s episode with Enron’s Ken Lay. One day he was calling him “Kenny Boy” and the next he couldn’t remember meeting the guy. Obama needs to do better in response to the criminal indictment and to the character flaws exhibited by Blagojevich. Getting him and his kind off to jail in a hurry is the best remedy.

Posted by: Butch Dillon | December 9, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

I am sure that Obama will come out and let us know that this is not the same governor that he has known and worked for.
I don’t know why people distrust Obama? He didn’t really know Ayres that well, Rezko was just an acquaintance, Rev. Wright didn’t speak that hate speech in his presence, etc., etc., etc.
Why does everyone believe that he knows anything about what went on in his own state right under his nose?
come on people, Obama is pure as the driven snow. He hasn’t got a dishonest bone in his body.

Posted by: Bill | December 9, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

Don’t blame me: I voted for Hillary.

Posted by: tina | December 9, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

I VOTED FOR THE GOVERNOR I AM VERY SAD FOR THE STATE AND HIS FAMILY . THIS IS JUST A BAD TIME FOR PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA. GOP ARE UP ON T.V THEY ARE LOSING THEIR MINDS AND YOU KNOW THEY’LL TRY TO LINK MR.OBAMA AND CHICAGO IS NOW THE TARGET FOR ALL KIND OF THEMES FOR MSM AND HATEFUL RIGHT WING NUTS AND HATERS . I BELIEVE THIS WAS DONE AT THIS TIME TO HURT PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GET HIM WITH THE BIRTH CERTICATE LIE AND NOW THIS.

Posted by: SANDRA | December 9, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

How and why the media gave Obama a free pass on his associations to so many crooked people is a puzzle. Now there’s a picture of Rezko in the back of a cop car. Rezko, the man who helped BO buy his own home.
What a mess. Nonetheless, if this sordid affair and the dirty dealings it uncovers can keep Obama from becoming president, it’ll be a blessing in disguise.

Posted by: Rose | December 9, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

“He went from having nothing to being a millionaire in just a few years, and has NEVER worked a real job.”
Having a not one but 2 best selling books can improve one’s financial fortunes a great deal.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

“No other comments…” The historic President-elect Puppet must be awaiting scripts and instructions from his stringpullers.

Posted by: Momatwork | December 9, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

That tears it. All polititions are crooks! It’s time we send regular people to Washington. Perhaps a system such as Jury Duty where we are called to a 2 year term.???

Posted by: Jsue | December 9, 2008, 4:18 pm 4:18 pm

Looks like Obama’s chickens are coming home to roost.

Posted by: Travis | December 9, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

The American voter is weak minded and easily lead along by anyone who tells them what they want to hear. This kind of news vindicates why I didn’t vote in this election and will continue not too in upcoming elections. Keep it up America.

Posted by: Steve B. | December 9, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

“I am so bitter and angry that more people don’t realize Hillary was entitled to the presidency.”
Posted by: twin_peaks_nikki | Dec 9, 2008 4:02:49 PM
What are you talking about twin peaks? Hillary and Bill are the epitome of skilled liars, thieves and slight of hand! My god! She even stole furniture from the White House.
Democrats are dishonest; the entire bunch of them.

Posted by: Rockmelon | December 9, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

As the good Rev. Wright said ‘da chickens comin’ home ta roost’ – just more examples of smoke before the fire, add Hot Rod to the list of Wright, Ayers, Rezko. And one should wonder how/why this guy got the idea he could run for President in 2012! He’s not smart enough to come up with this himself. The same people behind Obama were behind this guy. Thank God for the FBI!
And too bad the mainstream media didn’t vet Obama like they should. Now it’s too late and God Help America.

Posted by: Hotrod | December 9, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

All of this information on Hot Rod’s corrupt ways and investigations was publically available before the election, as were the Obama ties to getting Rod elected, being a top advisor.
You really think that Hot Rod was a saint his whole life, but just after the election of Obama to the Presidency he started this “pay to play” thing out of the blue?
These guys have been doing this for years, it is unfortunate that the media so horribly failed to investigate any of this before the election, instead focusing on Palin’s clothes and Cindy McCain’s 20 years ago pain killer abuse.
Really relevant stuff huh MSM?

Posted by: Anti-Harkonnen Freedom Fighter | December 9, 2008, 4:19 pm 4:19 pm

What did Obama know and when did he know it?

Posted by: DJ | December 9, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

If it walks like a duck…..

Posted by: Jon | December 9, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

Obama and this Illinois bunch make the Clinton’s boring….We are in for some ride in the next 4 years…Ladies and Gentlemen….. buckle UP!!!!!!!!

Posted by: AL | December 9, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

Right wingers, elections are over, Obama won a landslide victory for the history books. Barak has nothing to do with this situation and has not been involved anyway with the decision making process of the governor of Ill.

Posted by: Panama Canal | December 9, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

To all liberals that try to say Bush should be in jail too, Hillary and Joe Biden had the same intelligence everyone else had and voted for the war. Why did Obama select them as his cabinet? Two wrongs don’t make a right. Obama’s image must be hurt like Bush’s was. Otherwise you are insane. To say either party is great is a joke, but the Democrats usally make a better ### out themselves. They cannot hide the past 20 years of bad judgement.

Posted by: Darlene Jenkins, PA | December 9, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm

Obama would never have allowed this, ever. He would have stopped this right away if he knew. Obama is good and clean and pure. All the people around in the entire state were corrupt but not him. He didnt know this was going on. If he had he would have put the evil people in jail by himself if he had too. Anyone who thinks he was involved is stupid and should look out in the future. Never question pure Obama.

Posted by: Ryan | December 9, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm

Just how deeply connected is Barack Obama? When will the Independent Counsel be appointed to look into Obama’s role in all this Chicago corruption?
Will any media–other than the Internet–investigate?
The alliances are clear: Richard Daley, Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko, and Barack Obama. There is plenty of dirt, it’s just that the Press won’t take out their shovels and get to work!

Posted by: carl | December 9, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm

Is nice to see the main-stream media finally doing its job.

Posted by: Travis | December 9, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm

excuse me but I seem to be confused. Is this against the law in Chicago?

Posted by: mikey | December 9, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm

I bet that there is more to this.I’m sure that Mayor Dailey is connected with this.I hope this investication will go futher up to and including the mayor.

Posted by: BOB | December 9, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

Maybe ABC could consider looking into the fact that the crooks mentioned in the Blagojevich charges (Ata, Rezko, Cari et al) were also major donors to Obama’s senate and early presidential campaign? If Chicago’s nothing for nothig culture, what promises did he have to make them in return for their cash?
By the way, the only one who’s smiling all the way to the bank right now is clean old Sarah from Alaska…

Posted by: Josh | December 9, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

Anything for ratings huh Jake??? My flight was delayed in Chicago last week, let’s investigate what ties Obama has to Delta Airlines. Get a life already!!!

Posted by: Dee | December 9, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

“Now there’s a picture of Rezko in the back of a cop car.”
Rezko was convicted months ago and is due to be sentenced early next year.
“Rezko, the man who helped BO buy his own home.”
Ahh yes the right wing lie that never dies.
Too bad its disputed by the people who sold the house to Obama.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

mm: NO ONE is “entitled” to the Office of the President, do not ever forget that…

Posted by: MOTS | December 9, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

yeah right. I was not aware of what was happening? Give us a break. The dem party most likely is. The want control so who’s lieing?

Posted by: Jim Rod | December 9, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm

The Obama scandals are starting early!More to come, stay tuned!

Posted by: SureEnough08 | December 9, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm

I can see it now, 2-3 years from now when some PTA Mom from Chicago is indicted for embezzling funds from the annual cookie sale, Obama will be tied to that to, right? Give me a break!

Posted by: Dee | December 9, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm

How do you work with and support such a scumbag for years and not know his true character? This is ‘news’ for Obama that the guy is a scumbag? He claims Obama (or Obama’s people) are the ones who turned him down (which is why he was so profane and angry). It makes me wonder what Obama actually knows and he has been involved in.

Posted by: Patrick | December 9, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm

For those of us who live in Illinois this isn’t shocking. This will be the second governor in a row who has been caught with his political pants down. Obama like many others believed in Rod when he ran for governor. He was suppose to be “change” before change meant THAT change. But as soon as he was in office, Rod became exactly what he said he wasn’t going to become. Unfortunately, the POLITICAL MACHINE that many of us Chicagoans are way too familiar with is still alive and well.

Posted by: IL Girl | December 9, 2008, 4:24 pm 4:24 pm

Politics as usual in Chicago, Illinois – which is different from the rest of the state. We don’r discriminate between Republican or Democrat here when it comes to corrupt governors. Blago will get to share the cell with Ryan eventually.
What I don’t understand is, considering how Chicago politics operates, how the rising (risen?) political star had so quickly transcended those political cirlces in Chicago? There must be a lot of casualties left in his wake.

Posted by: Dan, IL | December 9, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

It’s obvious that Obama and his staff knew what Blago was doing and how he operates.
It’s also obvious that Obama and his staff did not report this to the authorities. Heck, why would Obama report him, since Obama helped in electing him to gov?

Posted by: adfadf | December 9, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

Let’s hope Obama gets his indictment before January 20th rather than after.
And, why won’t the Supreme Court just make him produce his real birth certificate? Is it asking too much to be honest?

Posted by: Wally | December 9, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

…like a house of cards….funny how Obama is surrounded by a bunch of crooks…

Posted by: rminva | December 9, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

Let’s worry about prosecuting Obama after we have those war criminals currently in the White House securely in prison.

Posted by: hang | December 9, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

So all this shows is that Obama campaigned vigorously for a man who was/is a crook. Maybe he thought a crook was what Illinois needed at the time. Maybe he thought he could deal with a crook. I guess now Obama will have to reassure us all that he himself is not a crook. Maybe he is. Maybe he isn’t. Maybe just his friends are crooks. Myself, I wouldn’t campaign for a crook. I’d bust em.

Posted by: Joe | December 9, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

One more day to say: “Thank God I’m a Republican and didn’t vote for him!”

Posted by: plainsm | December 9, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

Bill and Hillary are slowly connecting the “empty suit” to Illinois political corruption and this whole mess is an embarrasment to the decent people of this great country! The ignorance of the democrats that voted for this fraud is going to “come home to roost”.

Posted by: Darnel | December 9, 2008, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm

Oh come on people. I work for attorneys and I sure as hell don’t know everything they are involved in.

Posted by: LA Girl | December 9, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

Blago is going to squeal like a pig to Patrick Fitzerald. Then the real music starts. How sad!

Posted by: Navin | December 9, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

obama keeps bad company.

Posted by: Tra la la | December 9, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

I will preface this with the fact that I did not vote for Obama & his potential policies & beliefs do really scare me. I think he is wrong for a free-market country.
That being said, I don’t know that he would have had any dealings with this. I will give him the benefit of the doubt as I’m sure that if there is a link, it will be found.
This is nothing surprising. This guys predecessor is also in jail…serving a 6-year sentence for fraud & racketeering (George Ryan). The corruption in Chicago (& the state in general) crosses all party lines & ethnic backgrounds. This city once housed many gangsters…now it is run by politicians that are in bed with the mob.
They waste all of the revenues they collect; From their HIGH property taxes, to their 8.5% sales tax. This city (or at least the people that run in) should be ashamed of what they are doing to American’s during these hard times.

Posted by: Rochelle | December 9, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

Obama is a liar, that much is obvious. I predict a lot of scandals for the administration. He is corupt and it is going to catch up to him – sooner rather than later.

Posted by: Lisa Again | December 9, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

Oh come Jake…. why don’t you talk about an assistant of Emil Jones (senator Candidate 5)(Obamas Mentor) offered 500K to one million.
Shame on you Jake. Its in the affidavit

Posted by: chiapet | December 9, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

Amidst the ugly, smelly onion patch that’s Chicago politics, The Messiah is a lonely petunia, elevated high above the filth of the Daley Machine and the long corrupt Governor’s Mansion of Springfield. And I am the Tooth Fairy.

Posted by: LDC | December 9, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

The worst problem with this for Obama is that he could be forced to testify around the time of re-election in 2012. Not going to help him against a clean opponant. Third parties are going to helped by sinking economy and scandals. This is alot of Obama support in 2008. Obama will have to spend the next 4 years running for re-election. Like Obama said, it’s a sad day for Chicago, Illinois, and Democrats. Gotta take your shots. You shot up Bush for years. Time to get your turn.

Posted by: Darlene Jenkins, PA | December 9, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

Obama is the only one who is clean. Really. Really. I mean it. Obama is clean. I’m saying this with a straight face. He never promoted legislation to help Rezko. Oh, wait, he did. He never received a “rebate” of 300k on his house while Rezko bought the adjoining land at OVER full price. Oh, wait, he did. His wife never got a job and big raise at a state funded facility who received pork from legislation Obama supported. Oh, wait, he did.
What was my point? Oh, yeah, Obama is clean. Certainly. That’s the ticket.

Posted by: Don | December 9, 2008, 4:29 pm 4:29 pm

obama keeps bad company.
Posted by: Tra la la | Dec 9, 2008 4:28:36 PM
******************************
…and YES this is true

Posted by: Rochelle | December 9, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

Preview of tonight news…Sunny and warm nothing else going on

Posted by: obusha 09 | December 9, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

Dont even bother because the Obama zombies will start chanting “so what if he had a relationship – it doesnt mean a thing “” like they did with all of Bam Bam’s other sinister relationships !!! We shall see in the coming months ! Another pal of Bamas makes the news – the list is endless !!

Posted by: jimbo | December 9, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

This isn’t the Rod Blagojevich Obama knew.

Posted by: Kimberley | December 9, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

Obama knew this was going on while he was in the Illinois Senate, and he did nothing….. The President of change
America you got what you voted for..
Bill M

Posted by: Bill Miller | December 9, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

Seriously, who is surprised by this? Obama is **THE** Chicago politician. Corrupt to the bone. Man will the next 4 years be fun to watch….if he doesn’t get impeached before the 4 is up that is.

Posted by: Ed | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Woe to the seriously deluded poster who believes that HRC was “entitled” to the presidency. She is entitled to zilch, and deserves nothing.

Posted by: Lisa Again | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Can you say President Biden?
Remember Spiro Agnew, he had to step aside because of corrupt relationships when he was in Maryland. Obama will face the same calls even before he takes to oath of office.
Biden may even have to pardon Obama because Blagojevich does not seem to be the kind of man who takes falls for other.

Posted by: MikeS | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

I personally don’t believe Obama was involved in this particular scandal, but if he was, it will be quickly and efficiently covered up and we, the little people (taxpayers), will never know. One thing is beyond dispute however. Obama thrived in that corrupt Illinois political system so much so that he never tried to change the system. He and the governor routinely endorsed each other, I’m just waiting for Obama’s “That’s not the Gov. Rod Blagojevich I knew” speech.

Posted by: lil' miss | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

This is ridiculous, Obama has NOTHING to do with any of it. Some of you need to read a bit more…read the transcripts.
Fitzgerald stressed there were NO allegations in the criminal complaint about Obama.

Posted by: Joe B | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Oh lordy. Here it comes. Not even the president yet and impeachment looming.
This is what happens when the media forgets to do their job of vetting candidates. The blinders were on the whole election. Big media is literally bankrupt both financially and professionally. Way to go.
The honeymoon is over……

Posted by: Slim | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Panama Canal,
Just over 50% of the popular vote IS NOT a landslide. Yes, the electoral college was one-sided, but as the Dems pointed out with Bush (when he lost the popular vote but won the electoral college vote) the electoral college DOES NOT reflect the true colors of an election. If states were required to apportion electoral votes based on the popular vote percentage…O would have barely squeaked out a win.

Posted by: Navy VET | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Well, coming from ABC, this might be the very first MSM story that shined some light where light has been needed ever since one Barak Obama announced his run for the White House.
But the MSM was so overextended on 24/7 sliming of the Bush administration, plus hagiographies of the glib but unvetted Obama, that it had no resources whatsoever to perform the due diligence on the curious details of the meteoric rise of said Obama through the swamps of Chicago politics.
Looks like this tactic might have blown up in the MSM’s face, and left them with a far more painful awakening to report on than they would have faced if they’d performed that due diligence in the first place.

Posted by: Hank | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Now we need to investigate Obama’s ties to Broadway bank – the Rezko land deal – his ties to Odinga – his illegal dealings with Alexi Giannoulias – his ties to Donald Young’s death – and many more.
Obama will make Bush look good and that isn’t easy. Pathetic that the press couldn’t be bothered to deal with any of this BEFORE the election.

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

Darlene: I do not know what planet you are on but 53% does NOT constitute a “landslide” victory. The only thing he won by a landslide was the vote of a certain minorty group. 8 million (in case you did not know, that is how many votes he won by) American’s does not a landslide make!
You are right he cannot be blamed for this situation but he is VERY close to the Gov (advisor on several occasions)and he is way too smart not to know what that sleeze ball was up to.
This guy has been a scum for ages and Obama used him when it suited him (and he could get away unscathed, possibibly undetected) and then distanced himself (wisely)…
Have a cup of coffee and WAKE UP!

Posted by: MOTS | December 9, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

During Obama’s campaign we kept hearing from the right about all the crooks in Illinois. This is even more shocking than the picture Sean Hanity painted of Illinois politics. Maybe people from outside of Illinois should vote for the next Illinois Gov., it seems the Illinois population is incapable of judging a persons character.

Posted by: cbk16 | December 9, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

It seems that harassing and threatening the odd media critic was something Obama learned and didn’t invent

Posted by: Mark | December 9, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

I hope and pray that Mr. Barack Obama has nothing to do with this. My heart tells me he doesn’t. I was beginning to believe that things would change with our new president. God please, don’t let me down.

Posted by: Ana Morales | December 9, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

Thanks for actually finding the stuff where Obama enthusiastically endorsed a man widely perceived to be a crook (hmmm, sounds just like BO’s involvement with Tony Rezko!).
Here in Illinois it’s all just pay to play…
For obama to now say he didn’t know anything, or didn’t meet with Blago about the Senate seat is ridiculous
What a liar.

Posted by: beth | December 9, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

Posted by: Ryan C | Dec 9, 2008 4:24:33 PM
Poor Ryan. Were you hoping the media would cover for Obama/Blago/Rezko this time like they did BEFORE the election? Tsk, tsk. It’s going to be a sad 4 years for you. And yep, I give him 4 years at the most. Somewhere between 1-2 at the least before scandal gets The Big O too.

Posted by: Oink | December 9, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

This is unfortunate, 6 weeks before he’s inaugurated he’s already caught in a scandal.

Posted by: tr88 | December 9, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

Another crook connected to OBAMA.. I wonder if ‘Blogo’ is going to “rat” on Obama. CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN..!!!!LOL

Posted by: CW | December 9, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

Stop picking on Obama! Can’t you tell this is all a ploy staged by the Republicans to destroy Obama? Some people will just never accept that the people of this country voted for Hope and Change over four more years of corruption.

Posted by: N again | December 9, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

Don’t you just love Chicago Politics & the Players??? It has NOT changed much since Al Capone’s day’s!!!
And this of course is where the next President is from!!! That just gives me ‘A WORLD OF CONFIDENCE’ in Mr. ‘CHANGE’!!! & all his old associates!!
Boy are we in trouble….Lets hope & pray that these next 4yrs go by Real Quickly!!

Posted by: MAKE MY DAY | December 9, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

Tip of the iceburg…Obama seems to walk in a cloud of corruption more and more. I suppose all of his ‘friends’ are corrupt, but he’s just the nice, innocent, dufus who never knows what’s going on. What a joke and we all fell for it.

Posted by: Sissy | December 9, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

ABC News was among the media outlets that looked hid Obama’s ties with scum like Resko, Ayres and Wright. Obama seems to be tight with a lot of felons. Funny how Obama works closely with these scumbags until public or legal scrutiny is applied. Should be an interesing and corrupt presidency. Thanks ABC News for pushing Obama on America.

Posted by: GoFigure | December 9, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

So, in light of these allegations and the allegations of similar dishonesty during the presidential race, Obama still the agent of Change? This is what the American people voted for and this is what the American people will get. If you are not with them, they will destroy you. Cheers!

Posted by: Jay | December 9, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm

From this Chicago area reader: Here’s how it goes in Chicago: Obama knew what was going on, they all know what’s going on, Republicans and Democrats alike, and they all cover up for each other until the feds come in. Obama knew yet now he must distance himself from yet another jerk to whom he was once close.

Posted by: Debra Congram | December 9, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm

Can you impeach a President-elect?

Posted by: TM | December 9, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

Ah, Blagojevich. The latest in a long string of people who will end up under the bus with Obama. It’s arguable whether we can say you are in good company, but along with you are Rezko, Wright, Ayers, Obama’s gran’, and pretty much the entire extreme liberal branch of the Democratic party, which pulled so hard for Obama only to find that he’s loading his wagon with Clintonites and other centrists. Ya’ll had the chance at a genuine Clinton administration and blew it for an “African American” president who is really half Arab and questionably American (though the Supreme Court doesn’t feel it’s their place to decide). Gee, the bus says seating capacity is 46, but apparently you can get many, many more people under it than in it. Congratulations, Democrats.

Posted by: Simon | December 9, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

Obama has a 20 year relationship with Rev Wright and hears no evil, he sees no evil with this Garbage Governor, what’s next??

Posted by: Eddie | December 9, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

both dems and reps are corrupt and rotten up for their heads to toes (you guys forgot tom delay/abramoff affair?). it’s time we get rid of this party system and have true national elections.

Posted by: jimmy | December 9, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

well….. at least now we’re on to something different from the birth certificate thing, … OK, let’s see how long this rant goes….
wonder if we’ll ever get the truth about
the indiscretions of Bush & Cheney, Saudis, Ken Lay, Abramoff, A.G. ‘Gonzo’, torture,…. and the ever expanding list…..
too bad nobody’s concerned about the dead and wounded from the Iraq mistake.
too bad nobody’s concerned about NOLA
too bad nobody’s concerned about unemployment
too bad nobody’s concerned about everything else that really matters

Posted by: Blue | December 9, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

We all knew Obama was a scum bag, I had no idea why he wasn’t indicted for the Rezko thing during the election, but now it’s all coming together… let the scum bag get elected, then boot him out Nixon style before he can even be inaugurated.

Posted by: Jeff M | December 9, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm

To the “Obama can do no wrong” crowd 1 quick question. Why did the Gov’s aid tell him to put Obama’s man in and his wife would be placed on high paying jobs on Corporate Boards?
Answer: he’s a Chi-town crook.
Buyers remorse is coming fast.

Posted by: who cares | December 9, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm

Wow, all the liberals have is Bush this Bush that. Can’t use that one anymore. After 8 years of excessive Bush bashing, take your licks for the next 4 years. If you were nicer instead of jerks over the past 8 years then, people wouldn’t be critical of an all democrat bankrupt government with tons of scandals.

Posted by: Darlene Jenkins, PA | December 9, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm

At least we’re hearing about it. Quite refreshing after the Secret Administration of the past 8 years. Does anyone know yet who was on the Energy Committee meeting in January of 2001. Deos anyone know yet where the 5,276 Freedom of Information Act filings to the VP Office are? Not good for Obama certainly, but at least he knows what dog crap to step over and not track across America with it on his shoes.

Posted by: OnTheGloryRoad | December 9, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm

To many of you Hillary is going to look like Saint Bernadette after whats coming in the next few months. You’ll be sorry you let Dona Brazile and the radical DNC knock her out of the game. but you will reap what you have sowed for your blind loyalty to the Senator from the cess pool of Chicago politics. So who is the candidate who wanted to pay for the Senator slot.. Emil Jones or Jesse Junior ?? Its not too hard to figure out since its pay for play in that State.

Posted by: jimbo | December 9, 2008, 4:38 pm 4:38 pm

“You working hard for Rod?” interrupted Berkowitz.
“You betcha,” said Obama.
“Hot Rod?” asked the host.
“That’s exactly right,” Obama said.
BWUAHAHAHA ROFLMAO!!!!!! Taken out of context, that has got to be one of the funniest exchanges a politician has made during a TV interview!
Notice how nobody will criticize Obama’s use of the phrase “You betcha” in that interview, but when Sarah Palin says it we never hear the end of it.
Can’t wait till she runs in 2012 so we can kick this empty suit out… that is if he hasn’t already been impeached. Who knows how many more scandals will arise in the coming months, and Oh-Bummer hasn’t even taken office yet!

Posted by: c-dawg | December 9, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm

“I do not know what planet you are on but 53% does NOT constitute a “landslide” victory.”
Probably not in terms of population but it was an electoral college landslide and the highest voting percentage for the winner since Bush 1.
“The only thing he won by a landslide was the vote of a certain minorty group.”
Which minority group would that be?
Would it be African Americans which he won 95 to 5?
Would it be Hispanics who voted for him by a 2 to 1 margin?
Or perhaps Asians that also voted for him by a 2 to 1 margin?

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm

These will be pesky and mounting questions. Obama is obviously not implicated here, but he won’t escape his Illinois/Chicago connections and the mystery surrounding who Blago talked to and when.

Posted by: matt | December 9, 2008, 4:39 pm 4:39 pm

Hurry up, Fitz! Put the screws to Blago and Rezko so they start singing! The ACORNs don’t fall far from the tree in Chi-town, and Obama may be next.
Of course, if he doesn’t get there by January 20, Blago and Rezko get their “get-out-of-jail free” card from President Obummer, and Fitzgerald will be sharing a cell with Scooter Libby.

Posted by: Steve Z | December 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Didn’t President G. Bush go through the same thing and the liberal media along with Dem pty nagged and nailed him for 8 years? Now its President-Elect- Obama’s turn.
Let the politics begin. Obama lied, people fried.

Posted by: Ojisan | December 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Can we name just ONE “normal” colleague or friend of Obama? Does one such even exist on the planet? Or is Obama the ONLY honest, uncorrupted politician in Illinois?

Posted by: Anne | December 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Wow that’s got to be some kind of record..Looks like the Culture of Corruption hit the OBAMA clan early!!

Posted by: Bear | December 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

The whole goverment but states and federal are full of these “elk”. If the Founders were alive today, they would be raising armies, and maybe that is what “We the People” should do.

Posted by: Rogue Spook | December 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

OLD SAYING: If you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas.
Apparently, Mr Obama is covered with fleas. Tony Rezko, Rev. Wright, Bill Ayres, Bernadene Dorn, Kenya’s Odinga….. and now his personal friend and favorite Governor- a filthy, crooked multi-felon.
Welcome to the Obama Nation.

Posted by: TruthTeller | December 9, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Change of story you can believe in.

Posted by: ArchNeoCon | December 9, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

“Wow, all the liberals have is Bush this Bush that. Can’t use that one anymore.”
From the same group that still blames Clinton!
ROFLMAO!

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

Posted by: Ryan C | Dec 9, 2008 4:32:27 PM
And the Obama way is to give it all to the government and they’ll decide who gets it!
Ding! Ding! Ding! Ryan wins a prize! He uncovered an ancient covenant about GW Bush’s new neighborhood. That’s a further stretch than saying Obama/Wright/Rezko/Ayers/Pfleger/Blago and Calypso Louie are all connected.

Posted by: Oink | December 9, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

OMG!!! Not another corrupt bunch of politicians!! Further proof that the American People need to grow a set and get rid of the ruling class — every damned one of them. Vote Libertarian if you really want your country back!
Have a nice day! :-)

Posted by: John | December 9, 2008, 4:41 pm 4:41 pm

What did Obama know and when did he know it?

Posted by: Tom | December 9, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

Obama said,”I had no contact with the governor or his office.” — But they endorsed each other and Blagojevich had high hopes that Obama would give him a cushy Cabinet post and lucrative board appointments for his wife …. hmmmm. This sounds like Obama saying Bill Ayers “is just a guy in my neighborhood,” then Bill Ayers saying Obama was “a close friend of the family.” It’s funny, Obama’s reality never seems to match that of his dubious associates.

Posted by: Henri | December 9, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

When Obama was elected, and then started selecting his Chief of Staff, advisors, etc., I got the image of King Tut, or really any too young, naive ruler of the past. When these rulers ascended to the throne, there was a Regent or Regents appointed to conduct everyday business. The “ruler” would then issue a decree about whatever the business was. Some folks like to use the words “Puppet” and “Handlers” when addressing the upcoming administartion. Try thinking in terms of a young, inexperienced, lad ascending to the throne, with the Regent(s) calling the shots. I wonder how deep this pack of Regents goes? I certainly do not want an elected President to fail. I’m just afraid that the roots of his connections go far too deep for there NOT to be an administration that may cause/allow more harm to be done than good. God help us!

Posted by: Dot | December 9, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

If Obama is forces out of the Presidency because of this, can we have another election? I thought Obama would have ethics problems, I just thought it would be after he was sworn into office, not before.

Posted by: cbk16 | December 9, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
I hate to say I know something for certain when I really know nothing more than the stories I’ve read today, but trying to apply logic to the above quote…if one was to start saying “we were not (aware of what was happening)” then stop the sentence and re-state it as “I was not (aware of what was happening)”…the way I analyze it, I’m pretty certain that “we” were absolutely aware of what was happening. And by stopping oneself short of saying “we were not (aware of what was happening” because you know that would be easily disproven, that also means the statement “I was not (aware of what was happening)” is also false.
I know that is a convoluted description of my “analysis”, but do you agree or disagree with the “analysis”?

Posted by: Scott | December 9, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

It’s troubling that Obama finds lying so easy. He said he didn’t talk to Blago about the Senate appointment and now it seems he did. Amazing.

Posted by: Christopher | December 9, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

“Buyers remorse is coming fast.”
With six weeks before taking office, President-elect Barack Obama is having one heck of a honeymoon, a new national poll suggests.
Nearly eight in 10 Americans questioned in a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation survey out Tuesday morning are giving the president-elect the thumbs up when it comes to his handling of the transition.
Seventy-nine percent approve of Obama’s performance so far during transition, with 18 percent disapproving.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm

After reading some of the comments here by obvious liberal democrats, I have to ask the question “are liberals really THAT stupid?”

Posted by: Wayne Eason | December 9, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm

“In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only “gratitude” if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor’s chagrin.” — In the world of Illinois politics, what is the definition of “gratitude”?

Posted by: Someone | December 9, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm

too bad nothing, nothing is going to happen.

Posted by: jim goff | December 9, 2008, 4:44 pm 4:44 pm

Looks like the Dems have found their Nixon. Wonder how long it’s gonna be before he’s on TV assuring us that he’s “not a crook.”

Posted by: ArchNeoCon | December 9, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

If nothing else, we finally have PROOF that Obama is NOT the antichrist. Old Scratch would never be so foolish nor so confident as to surround himself with these cutthroats. He always just happens to be standing next to the guy who’s filthy dirty but somehow miraculously never gets dirty himself. Sorry, but I am not buying it.
Not a Glenn Beck fan, but I have to say his “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future” saw rings true, especially with this Chicago mob.
Now, IF “Teflon Berry” is “for real, ” then the Kingfish and Boss Tweed were rank amateurs by comparison.
If he’s just a puppet too full of himself to feel the hand of the puppet master(s), then Dan Quayle just became the king of MENSA.
Either way, this is going to get real good real fast as this cheap sweater unravels. Popcorn, anyone?

Posted by: Carl V. | December 9, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

Oh,no! What will the libs do when they don’t have Bush to push around anymore! Had I known the next 4 years would be this entertaining, I would’ve voted for Obama myself! lol
I hope he ends the war immediatley like he promised.
lmao

Posted by: Sissy | December 9, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

This is still George Bush’s fault. If his ratings weren’t so low, McCain would have won the election and Obama would still be the senator. It’s George Bush’s fault that Blago will probably be doing time!

Posted by: Markm | December 9, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

the affidavit is at
the smoking gun
While the affidavit does not specifically name the six prospective Senate candidates discussed by Blagojevic, Harris, and the governor’s aides, it appears that several are easily identified. “Senate Candidate 1″ is Jarrett. “Senate Candidate 2″ is Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Emil Jones, an Illinois state legislator, is “Senate Candidate 5.” And “Senate Candidate 6″ appears to be J.P. Pritzker, a wealthy Chicago businessman. Additionally, Rahm Emanuel, the incoming White House chief of staff, is referred to in the affidavit as “President-elect Advisor.” (21 pages)
Check out page 19 where Emil Jones offers up one million for the seat.

Posted by: chiapet | December 9, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

“After reading some of the comments here by obvious liberal democrats, I have to ask the question “are liberals really THAT stupid?” ”
Wayne,
You voted likely voted for Bush…twice.
Glass houses and all that jazz.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

What did Obama know and when did he know it?

Posted by: Bill | December 9, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Blago was seeking out a position in Obama’s cabinet, so Obama must have known about this.
Why didn’t Obama report Blago’s corrupt attempt to trade the Senate seat for his own appointment to Obama’s cabinet?
We need to be asking:
WHAT DID OBAMA KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT?

Posted by: Tony | December 9, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Lincoln was already turning in his grave when you people gave the nomination to Obama. He has done a full 360 since you voted for Obama. It would be funny if it werent so sad… We tried to warn ya about all the dirty players in Chicago but cha just wouldnt listen to any criticism or questions about your golden boy. He played there too but the dirt hasnt come out just yet.

Posted by: jimbo | December 9, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

To all who are saying that the President Elect had no clue about this dirtbag and all of his assoicates…I say my twins on your chins. What a wonderful country we have now. Get started on the wrong foot their OBAMA..you giant wanker. See you in the big house sooner than all the dumocrats think. They make me want to hurl everytime I see that clown on T.V. As they say in the Navy I served for 24 years…stand by for heavy rolls boys and girls.

Posted by: amscot | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

I’ve lived and still work in Cook County Illinois for the last 38 years. We conservatives have been trying to tell you all along that anyone and I mean anyone in Cook County politics has something going on that they don’t want you to know about. Rod, Obama, Rezco, Ryan, Ayers and Daley are all from the most corrupt county in the United States and you just elected one of them as President. All of you followers should have done your homework before you cast your vote. Now it’s to late. I hope Obama does well but not because I like him.

Posted by: Alisster | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

This guy, Blagojevich, sounds just like a bad John Gotti. I am surprised he didn’t just have the Tribune employees whacked.

Posted by: Jason | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

Blago is going to sing like a canary… should be interesting. anyone who offered up cash, should do the perp walk soon. Man, all this story needs
is Jesse Jackson Sr.
(…tens of millions of tax funds wasted on legal fees. sad. Chicago goes National!)
This guy is like a Simpson’s character … Cess pool on the potomac.

Posted by: oop | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

Stop picking on Obama! Can’t you tell this is all a ploy staged by the Republicans to destroy Obama? Some people will just never accept that the people of this country voted for Hope and Change over four more years of corruption.
Huh? Have you forgotten that Patrick Fitzgerald also had Scooter Libby fined $250K for not remembering what he said to a reporter about Valerie Plame? Fitz is a bipartisan indicter.

Posted by: Steve Z | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

Hey Patrick … ”right wing knuckedraggers”? How about left wing mouth-breathers, like yourself. It is a given that any politician coming out of Chicago is tainted. You don’t advance without participating in “the Chicago way”. Obama didn’t get to where he is by being above politics as advertised. Ignoring this is tantamount to an admission that you breathe through the mouth.

Posted by: Dave | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

I look forward to Blago singing like a rare bird.

Posted by: Paul | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

All of them in Wash are crooked. Think,people. Why dont we have many jobs here now? To force our hand to work for “CHEAP WAGES”! The only BIG UNION left is the UAW.That union will be broken with this “bailout”! WE WERE SOLD OUT WITH THE “FREE TRADE ACTS” Soon American workers will be working For Peanuts!!! WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!

Posted by: Donna | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

Hmm, what happened to “innocent until proven guilty”?

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

How much joy can one person have while trying to destroy another? Trying to make Obama look unfit for the presidency is like trying to unbirth a baby. Why don’t the mudslingers wait until Obama does some drastically stupid act then pour it on. Obama knew all about this stuff before he ran for office. If he has not covered his back trail then he will find that there are hounds after him baying at the top of their voices. Let it all come out!!

Posted by: Dixie Down | December 9, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

“What will the libs do when they don’t have Bush to push around anymore”
Hopefully liberals will not follow the example of conservatives, who blamed Clinton instead of Bush for the last 8 years.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm

Obama is lying or Axelrod is lying. It’s too bad there isn’t a news media in this country to find out which one it is and why.

Posted by: Roark | December 9, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm

For the sake of our nation, I hope that PEBO is clean as a whistle and that his administration will be as wonderful as his ardent admirers believe it will be.
However, I can’t help but notice that the seas haven’t started to recede yet, that peace has not come over the earth yet and that PEBO’s cabinet choices don’t seem like much of a change.
Could it be–gasp–that the Annointed is just another Chicago/Daly machine pol?
To anyone who examined his actions and accomplishments (or lack thereof) prior to his campaign for POTUS, rather than just listening to and being beguiled by his finely tuned (albeit, ghostwritten) & delivered speeches, none of this should come as a surprise.
Unless, of course, you only pay attention to the MSM. Because there was no such examination of PEBO there. At least, not until now.
Even more revelatory will be what comes out in connection with the subpeonas that have issued in connection with the Rezko land dealings.
Anyone feeling a bit let down by the lack of coverage of these matters by the MSM might consider checking National Review Online. Had you done so over the last two years, PEBO could do little to surprise or dismay you.
Hate to say “I told you so….”

Posted by: wlb | December 9, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm

As an IL resident, it was obvious in 2006 when Blago ran for re-election that he was a liar, crook & thief. And yet, Obama endorsed him. Just like he endorsed Todd Stroger, a Daley hack, who got the job after his literally brain dead/on life support father was re-elected to the position of Cook County president and then Daley gave the job to the son. Blago will be singing like a canary….let’s see what comes out

Posted by: Barbara | December 9, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm

it has finally begun…. the mainstream media will finally talk about the real Obama. How disgusting. A day late and a dollar short. Those of us who had the audacity to question Barrack were called racists and rubes.
The truth will always out.
I hope the mainstream media who decided to help elect this guy, will now be seen for what they are; an elitist socialist adjunct of the left.
Disgusting.
And it is we, the American people, at least 58 million of us that didn’t vote for this fraud who will have to pay for the idiots that did.
For the next two years we are screwed; but in two years we get to vote again.
Lets get it together people.
Vote!

Posted by: Michelle Marshall | December 9, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm

Democrats are LIARS AND THIEVES.
EVERY LAST ONE OF ‘EM! The whole lot.
Republicans are MURDERERS AND SEXUAL DEVIANTS.
THE WHOLE LOT! Every last one of ‘em.

Posted by: Mod | December 9, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm

If the news media really wants to save their dwindling circulation and viewer rates, they would tell everything they know about Obama and dig up the things that should have been known before the election. I guarantee that would be a boon for them. But that runs so counter to their institutionalized ideology, that it’s hard to see whether they will choose doing the right thing over fading into oblivion or not.

Posted by: Simon | December 9, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm

Patrick Fitzgerald did nothing to Bush, Cheney, Libby for lying and cheating on the CIA leak.
Imagine that.
Don’t forget: “Innocent until proven guilty”.

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm

What – another crook? Tsk. Reminds me of the Nixon years. Does that make everyone who associated with Nixon a crook, or pallin’ around with a crook?
My take on this? Blagojevich is very / very unpopular and he’s being busted today for a specific ethics violation – probably just the tip of the iceberg we never will see – I believe his enemies are going to let him swing in the wind now.

Posted by: C oliver | December 9, 2008, 4:49 pm 4:49 pm

Obama is lying or Axelrod is lying. It’s too bad there isn’t a news media in this country to find out which one it is and why.
Posted by: Roark | Dec 9, 2008 4:48:03 PM
WHY would Axelrod say BO talked to Blago if, in fact, he didn’t? Axelrod wouldn’t insert BO into a dangerous spot unless he was actually there. BO, on the other hand, would try to talk his way out of a sticky spot.

Posted by: Oink | December 9, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

How many time did I warn you that Obama was just a Chicago THUG! You refused to listen and now the Country is going down the Toilet. I just hope I live long enough to see this horrible Obama mess cleaned up and our country on the way to the glorly we deserve.

Posted by: fhah | December 9, 2008, 4:50 pm 4:50 pm

ANOTHER crooked DEMOCRATIC politician from Illinois?
Why is anyone surprised? This has been going on for decades, and rivals Louisiana, which is in a two-way race with them for most corruption!

Posted by: Crook County Pols | December 9, 2008, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm

Obama won’t say a thing, because he is probably in this up to his neck.

Posted by: BJ | December 9, 2008, 4:51 pm 4:51 pm

CAN WE RE-VOTE?

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm

A corrupt Democrat in Illinois? Now that’s a dog bites man story.
Pennsylvania politicians go to Illinois for corruption training like Al Quida goes to the Afghani mountains.

Posted by: nfafan | December 9, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm

Anybody want to double dog dare the lapdog media to ask Obama at the next press conference who is lying?
Axelrod says he is SURE Obama talked with the Governor.
Obama said he did not talk to the Governor.
Watch the media ignore that little tidbit.

Posted by: Peach | December 9, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm

Anyone of you people making ridiculous comments about Obama actually read the transcripts? Blago calls Obama a “motherfer” and says that Obama’s people would not play ball with him…yeah, really sounds like Obama was involved here. Get a grip people…its sad so many of you want to tear down Obama before he even takes office.

Posted by: JoeB | December 9, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm

What if Obama was aware of what the Governor was doing? How involved was he? How much you wanna bet Blagojevich sings like a canary???
Now that being said…the idiots that blindly support Obama would never believe anything he says (ie: Rev. Wright never said those things when I was in church, er uh…I don’t think)…but it will be fun to watch.

Posted by: Dub | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Word in Chicago is that Blago made Obama a “Offer he couldn’t refuse” to get his choice to fill his Senate seat…and Obama responded by hiring Fitzgerald to be his button man and send Blago to “sleep with the fishes”. The next Governor…Pat Quinn…will give Obama what he wants without asking for anything for it.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Now can we see BARRY’s birth certificate?

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

LMAO … Obama is going to make Carter look like a someone smarter than a rock.

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Actually Tapper admitted to some degree of media bias after the election (to his credit)

Posted by: chiapet | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

The Supreme Court refused to hear anything regarding Obama’s birth certificate. If Obama is involved it won’t matter. The storm troopers are ALREADY in charge. NOTHING is going to happen because Barack Obama is here to stay and 21000 armed federal troops next year which will be stationed in and near your city will be glad to advise you of the same.

Posted by: Ronnie | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Obama sure is having problems with the truth lately. First, he lies about something trivial like smoking and then this. Sound familiar? Change you can believe in. :(

Posted by: Obama < Truth | December 9, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

“Patrick Fitzgerald did nothing to Bush, Cheney, Libby for lying and cheating on the CIA leak.”
Scooter Libby was convicted and sentenced to 30 months before Bush commuted his sentence and pardoned him of any wrong doing.
How nice that Bush did that for someone who committed treason.
The lesson as always? Right wingers lie.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm

There are so many clouds of corruption surrounding The Messiah, and he hasn’t even sworn in yet!
THIS is the sort of change you Obamabots have been demanding?

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

“too bad nothing, nothing is going to happen.”
Um, except that he’s been arrested
“By the way, the only one who’s smiling all the way to the bank right now is clean old Sarah from Alaska…”
Maybe she’s looking at Russia right now
“One more day to say: “Thank God I’m a Republican and didn’t vote for him!”
I’m sure as a Republican you would never vote for a corrupt official.
“Looks like the Dems have found their Nixon.”
Except this is a governor.

Posted by: Reason | December 9, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

He seemed to avoid the Senator Candidate 5 issue where 500k to One mil is offered for the seat.

Posted by: chiapet | December 9, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

If Obama is forces out of the Presidency because of this, can we have another election? I thought Obama would have ethics problems, I just thought it would be after he was sworn into office, not before.
————
Obama cannot be taken out of office, because I have Pelosi and Reid; Obama’s in trouble only if they don’t get re-elected in 2010 though. I doubt he will be connected to Harris and the Gov. of Illinois. Associations are a problem politically; Either he is dumb and knows nothing about his corrupt party or he is cunning to meddle with them and never get caught. If he is in the middle, he will be caught. I doubt he is in the middle.

Posted by: Darlene, PA | December 9, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

I think we are ALL guilty! We keep voting for all these idiots (both Dems and Reps). I am sadden to see were this great country is heading. We, America, need to take back this great nation. We need to vote with our intellect and not just our party. We need to dump all the lobbyists in the Potomac now! There should be more involvement by the people in politics. We care more about our Sports teams then we do our future (I am guilty). There is still hope for America. Accountability for past mistakes needs to be addressed NOW! Phew I feel better now . happy Holidays to All.

Posted by: MarkG | December 9, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

Hey Ryan C…
Get back to us on Oh-Bummer’s poll numbers after his first 100 days in office and people get over the “Hope and Change” hype and realize that things are just as bad as they were before he took office.
The fact that he can ONLY muster up a 79% approval on a CNN poll (which doesn’t at all skew left im sure) during a time period where he is essentially on a political honeymoon and has to do basically nothing while his team of administrators handle all the hard and dirty work should be a warning to all the O-bots who think he’s going to solve and fix everything and be untouchable in his 4 years in office.

Posted by: c-dawg | December 9, 2008, 4:55 pm 4:55 pm

I think you’d find enough dirt no matter who got into the White House. Politics is just plain dirty.

Posted by: ScorpRedhead | December 9, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm

Innocent before proven guilty.

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm

There have been several reports that Rahm was the one who pushed this story to the Feds after Blago contacted him. I’m sure that won’t be enough for the “blame Obama” crowd, such as it is. But it seems pretty clear Obama had nothing to do with these specific charges. Is there other stuff? Anyone can speculate, but “guilt by association” isn’t going to work here, anymore than Bush was guilty because so many on his staff were trading pay for play with Abramoff. It’s not even close to that level.

Posted by: Lettuce | December 9, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm

Looks like Obama is getting caught in a another cover-up. yet another dear friend and associate of obama goes down. Can Obama take office and stop these investigations before they arrest him?

Posted by: Obama's pal | December 9, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm

Blago will sing like a canary and turn state’s evidence on the Obamaites! Obama is toast and he knows it! Deer-in-the-headlights look today! Watch the rats scurry overboard! Blog won’t go down unless he takes the whole bag of thieves him! No way out for the Obamaites! Birth certificate is nothing now–BURNED TOAST anyone?

Posted by: Danger Dante | December 9, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm

Wow—- it’s only day 1 of this new and breaking scandal. And, already we find out that Obama is in this up to his ears. Long time relationship, endorsement, campaign collaborations, yada, yada, yada!!!! The best is yet to come! Hot Rod isn’t the kind that’s going to take the fall alone—- he’ll take the rest of Chicago politics with him. There’s already conflicting stories between PEBO and Axlerod– no one talked to Blago–yes we did—no we didn’t, yada, yada, yada!

Posted by: roscoe02 | December 9, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm

Yet another example of a thug who has been close to Obama. Doesn’t the guy know anyone who is honest and above-board?

Posted by: Colony14Author | December 9, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm

“In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating…”
So they know and did nothing…

Posted by: Dlane | December 9, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm

“There are so many clouds of corruption surrounding The Messiah, and he hasn’t even sworn in yet! THIS is the sort of change you Obamabots have been demanding?”
I thought Bush was the Christian messiah? He did lead the country off a cliff.

Posted by: Reason | December 9, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm

Too bad. Liberal crook Gov Blago had just “found” 5000 more votes for AL FRANKEN.

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

Wow, another lying democrat. What a surprise. I thought obama would at least wait until he’s in office before he had his version of Whitewater.

Posted by: Thomas | December 9, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

Fifty percent of Americans were fooled, shame on them and shame on the rest of us for not doing enough to stop this snake oil salesman from becoming the most powerful man in the world. The MSM is an absolute disgrace for not doing its job and being in the can for this Chicago crook. The left have won and America has lost, unfortunately few seem to care anymore. Don’t blame me, I voted for McCain & Sarah Palin who is still being character assassinated even now! Go figure.
John, ex-pat Brit.

Posted by: John | December 9, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

The gimme crowd voted for him now they can live with him. He is not real and his true communist nature will be seen. then we can all wish that we had voted for an American!
we lost the cold war in the voting booth so now we have to be subject to the winners….or do we?

Posted by: Ted | December 9, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

Obama lied and the economy died.

Posted by: nobama | December 9, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm

LOL @ the dems here…
“Nothing to see here, move along.”
I knew B. Hussein was lying scum a long time ago. Tried to tell you, but you wouldn’t listen.
Too freaking funny.
BHO looks like a 1-Termer for sure. Not even IN office yet and already tainted by scandal.
Instant Karma anyone?

Posted by: DB | December 9, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm

Obama lied. Blago fried.

Posted by: Joe | December 9, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm

Obama stinks just like all his corrupt cronies. It’s just a matter of time before the stench is out of the empty suit it occupies.

Posted by: stardot | December 9, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm

Yes! I read the indictment! If you got past the 1st page at thesmokinggun website , where the MF utterance is recorded, you’ll learn the Blago’s aide and Rahm Emanuel were negotiating. But you got to understand mafia-speak to pick that up. Emanuel’s a pro at these sorts of things. It appears he was driving a hard bargin. Perhaps that’s why Blago used the MF utterance.

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm

“The fact that he can ONLY muster up a 79% approval on a CNN poll (which doesn’t at all skew left im sure) during a time period where he is essentially on a political honeymoon”
ROFLMAO.
Yeah “only” 79% approval rating.
That would be only 3 times higher than Bush’s approval rating.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

All you Obama-lovers need to read the indictment. Blago cleary thinks Obama is as corrupt as he is

Posted by: Chicago Joe | December 9, 2008, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm

Axlerod and Obama need to get their stories straight!

Posted by: speedreader3 | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

I’ve lost track. Obama seems to have a lot of friends and spiritual advisors who are close personal friends until they get in trouble then he doesn’t know them very well. Happened so many times that I’ve lost track. After a while plausible denyability becomes implausible. I sure hope his no one in his family gets in trouble. He’ll deny knowing them just out of habit.

Posted by: Oonogil | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

“Yet another example of a thug who has been close to Obama. Doesn’t the guy know anyone who is honest and above-board?”
Look at his team of advisors and cabinet appointments. How many are thugs?
“Can Obama take office and stop these investigations before they arrest him?”
What is he being arrested for? Did he try to sell his seat?

Posted by: Reason | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Axelrod says he knows Obama was in contact with the Governor while Obama says no contact. They need to coordinate ahead of time to get their stories straight.

Posted by: brian | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Reason, that was weak! LOL!!!! Try coming up with a better comeback next time. I’ll be waiting! LOL!!!!

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

This is the most scandal plagued Office of President-Elect in U.S. history.

Posted by: Concerned Citizen | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Go Obama! Man, these conservative losers are going to have eight years of elevated blood pressure and related strokes. Yay!

Posted by: John Kovacs | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

So, Barrack Obama makes it all the way through Chicago and Illinois politics and either 1) never sees any corruption, knows of any corruption, or experiences any corruption (argues that he’s blind, stupid, or indifferent) or 2) sees corruption, knows of corruption, and experiences corruption (admits that he is weak, unwilling to address and confront corruption or is himself involved). Interesting that he has chosen to take the “I’m too stupid to have seen it” option.

Posted by: Ken Kuebler | December 9, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Read the complaint; there are references to “Advisor A” and “Advisor B” all over the document relating to the Senate Seat. These people will soon be known and asked questions. I don’t doubt “Hot Rod” suspected he was being taped all along but in his greed to do a deal fast he got sloppy. I don’t doubt he was being careful not to include Obama directly simply because if the deal came down around Hot Rod’s head the only guy that would PARDON him would be Obama out of the NEED TO STOP HIM FROM SQUEELING!

Posted by: Kay | December 9, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

We love you Obama… and we told you they would be out to get you… It’s starting to happen.. Just do you, Jake and all the others will be ok. This too shall pass.

Posted by: Obamaall theway | December 9, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

Someone’s lying, either Obama or Axelrod.

Posted by: vici | December 9, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

Although it’s not mentioned in the list of charges against Blagojevich, it is known that the FBI has recordings of conversations between Blagojevich, Tony “the fixer” Rezko, and Obama at Rezko’s office on Elston Avenue in Chicago. Rezko (Obama’s main money man)is now in jail and singing to the feds. Blagojevich will also sing, unless he is as dumb as he is arrogant. I’m sure the three of them weren’t discussing cookie recipes at that meeting. Why does a U.S. Senator meet in private with two people he knows are being investigated for corruption charges? Answer: the same arrogance and feeling of being above the law. (“Birth certificate? I don’t need no stinkin’ birth certificate!”)

Posted by: Colony14Author | December 9, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

Jeremiah Wright is coming back just in time to guide the elect through his presidency next 4? 8? 16? … years spiritually.
And many more his dear friends Tony Rezko, Bill Ayers, Eric Holder, his cousin Odinga, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his entire Illinois adviser troops,etc., will guide him along the way to make sure the “Change” happens.
After having gotten 1 billion dollars donation to the campaign most from the big fat corporations and foreigners, now it’s time to pay them back with all our tax payers’ money and many more our generations money.
Americans deserve the government they elected, and God bless America. Amen.

Posted by: Wen | December 9, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

“I’ve lost track. Obama seems to have a lot of friends and spiritual advisors who are close personal friends until they get in trouble then he doesn’t know them very well. Happened so many times that I’ve lost track. After a while plausible denyability becomes implausible. I sure hope his no one in his family gets in trouble. He’ll deny knowing them just out of habit.”
Please look at his cabinet appointments and advisors. Look at the length of the applications people had to fill out.

Posted by: Reason | December 9, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

Hey Jake, nice job of reporting on Obama in the run up to the election. THANKS for nothing ABC. We got “YOUR MAN” elected. Now what?

Posted by: betty | December 9, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

Wonder if the US Supreme Court will consider looking at Obama’s citizenship now? I mean all his friends going down for corruption, he must be clean.

Posted by: NOBAMA | December 9, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

LET’S REMEMBER THAT RAHM EMANUEL IS A SEASONED LIAR STRAIT OUT OF THE CLINTON CAMP….THIS IS “CLINTON ADMINISTRATION II”

Posted by: JAMIE | December 9, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

Wow! Now America has to put up with the shenanigans of all of the President’s men and the President wasn’t even born in our country!

Posted by: gigglebox | December 9, 2008, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

“This is the most scandal plagued Office of President-Elect in U.S. history.”
Huh?????? How do you tie this to Mr. Obama?

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

And I quote:
“But there remain questions about how Blagojevich knew that Mr. Obama was not willing to give him anything in exchange for the Senate seat — with whom was Blagojevich speaking? Did that person report the governor to the authorities?”

Posted by: Thomas | December 9, 2008, 5:04 pm 5:04 pm

Reason, yes, the applications! LOL!!!!! Do you realize Obama couldn’t even qualify for his own cabinet positions based on the questions on the applications?
LOL!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

This guy bonds out for $4500. Guess thats the price for dishonoring a senate seat

Posted by: smith | December 9, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

Sure, I mean what newly appointed President-elect wouldn’t insist on being involved in a deal soliciting bribes to get his choice of Democrat put into the Senate even though it’s going to be a Democrat regardless.
Some of you really are quite special.

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

“THIS IS “CLINTON ADMINISTRATION II”
Never ceases to amuse me that right wingers think this is some kind of devastating insult.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

Barack should have spent his morning conferring with Axlerod instead of blowing more hot air with Al Gore. Boy, this global warming is rough! Brrrrr

Posted by: speedreader3 | December 9, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

LOL! Wow, a major scandal BEFORE Obamarama even takes office. Awesome. I love reading the comments from the whiny, spoiled “victimcrats” on this blog trying to defend him with the childish, “well, Bush is worse” argument. Ahh yes, change the culture of corruption in DC? Look the holier-than-thou Dem crowd is caught looking like pathetic hypocrites yet again. AWESOME !!

Posted by: LA Doc | December 9, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

Blogo replaced the previous Republican Governor who is currently serving time for corruption. A fact the Obama haters choose to ignore. The transcript specifically says Obama would give Blogo nothing but “gratitude” if the governor choose his friend for senate.
Typical Republicans, smear, smear, smear.

Posted by: Amy B Portland, ME | December 9, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm

the msm are going to drive the ONE so far away from this that most of the great unwashed wont even realize obama was a sen from illinois.

Posted by: j o n nolan | December 9, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm

Wow – slow news day, even with the Blago bust?
I believe Obama was saying that he wasn’t involved in picking a replacement for himself – not that he never had a relationship with RB. It’d be kind of hard to be a state senator of the same party and NOT know your Governor.
Now – if there is a difference between that and what Axelrod said, that’s fine. Be interesting to watch the spin – but to imply that he meant he NEVER had a relationship is logical fallacy.
I rate this attempt to generate outrage as a FAIL.
I’m sure there are still some who are still embittered by the election who’ll be happy to embrace you with clicks on your article. However, if one looks at the long history of corruption and IL, you quickly realize that this is nothing new – especially at the governor level. George Ryan would agree with me – if he is a good prisonor and earns his phone rights.

Posted by: TuxKevin | December 9, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm

Allegedly

Posted by: smith | December 9, 2008, 5:07 pm 5:07 pm

For all that anyone can tell, Chicago and Illinois is one humongous smelly black hole of corruption from top to bottom. Now IL Sen Durbin wants Bush to commute convicted felon ex-gov Ryan’s prison sentence because of the financial hardship prison is inflicting on this unrepentent lowlife convict. Sen. Durbin does not seem to be arguing ALL convicts should be let out on “Financial Hardship” grounds. Just the “Privileged Class” corrupt politicians. It does seem hard to believe that Obama could be squeeky clean in the midst of such epidemic IL corruption, where he has greased the political wheels and made many an alliance with embracing quid pro quo hugs with fellow ambitious political allies who are all looking for a long fortuitous lucrative ride on the political wagon train. But these ominous speculating uncomfortable feelings do not in any way constitute EVIDENCE of any kind that make them a reliable basis for incriminating Obama. It just makes one wonder how one can rub elbows and exchange supportive hugs and trump speeches with so many corrupt louts without having even the slightest hint that these sociopathic felons lack fundamental ethos and integrity. And that goes for Sen Durbin as well.

Posted by: Reflecting_Pool | December 9, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm

It’s pretty clear Obama LIED about this. Now, I doubt he had anything whatsoever to do with the Governor’s shenanigans, but it seems obvious that they would at least communicate about possible successors. The only question is, why would Obama lie? Why wouldn’t he simply say, ” I made some recommendations, and that is all”
The interesting thing is, Scooter Libby went to jail for this kind of lie. If Obama talks to police or a grand jury and doesn’t fess up, he will be looking at impeachment.

Posted by: rdhood | December 9, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm

How long does the list of crooks and racist have to get before the 63 million Americans that voted for Obama wake up???? You do not have this many “associations” without being a party to it. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

Posted by: billy bob | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

“This is the most scandal plagued Office of President-Elect in U.S. history.”
Actually, it’s the ONLY “Office of the President-Elect”, as far as I know.
And, may I say, that the comments attacking “right wingers” are pretty funny. I guess in this time of crisis, the libs are turning to the only thing they can do well… hate.

Posted by: malclave | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

Doesn’t Barak Obama have any normal friends? Everybody who he has had any association with has some kind of a mess going on. I have always thought that Obama is dangerous and evil, and I stand by that. There are many layers that nobody knows about. Our country is in serious trouble.

Posted by: irishrose | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

BREAKING NEWS: According to WGN #9 in Chicago, Obama was working closely with the FBI to take down Governor Blagovitch. It seems that he was helping the FBI all along.

Posted by: rich | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

Hurry up, Fitz! Put the screws to Blago and Rezko so they start singing! The ACORNs don’t fall far from the tree in Chi-town, and Obama may be next.
Of course, if he doesn’t get there by January 20, Blago and Rezko get their “get-out-of-jail free” card from President Obama, and Fitzgerald will be sharing a cell with Scooter Libby.

Posted by: Steve Z | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

Obama is sounding more and more like John Gotti. The Teflon Dons!

Posted by: Artie | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

Ryan…
Haven’t been on for a while. Glad to see you think these acts, if true, are very shocking…
I don’t think Obama did know about it…it just doesn’t fit.
Does make me wonder about the guy though, and how people could support such a snake… and all other politicians.
If this guy thinks its okay to do stuff like this, what about the others…D and R alike? Are there any more acts like this out there or what?

Posted by: Wade | December 9, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm

RDHOOD, What did Mr. Obama lie about? Isn’t it a bit presumptious to talk about impeachment when your current President killed millions with his lies?

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm

Here we go! I figured Obama would at least make it to office before we started seeing corruption!

Posted by: Jim | December 9, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm

Harry Reid always talks about the GOP “culture of corruption.” To quote Ralph Kramden, “Hardy-har-har-har.”

Posted by: Duane | December 9, 2008, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm

Obama’s typical response: This is not the Blagojevich I knew. Sound familiar?

Posted by: tlintx | December 9, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

RYANC, there is no Constitution to shred. Georgie gal and his pals already put that through the shredder.

Posted by: James | December 9, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

Want to know the whole story?
Just Google Illinois Combine and/or Operation Boardgames. All the connections and corruption you can stand in well researched and documented form. And the great BO is right in there with all the other crooks.
Try it…you’ll love it. By the way, the first time I saw and heard BO, I instantly said “snake oil salesman!”. Have not been proved wrong so far. The foregoing just my humble free speech opinion.

Posted by: PatsyfromPNW | December 9, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

Did you all see that Obama was behind this by working with the FBI to get this corrupt governor. It’s on the news right now!

Posted by: bob | December 9, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

Why did Obama tell his pick for his senate seat to bow out? There can be only one answer… he knew what this guy was up to and didn’t want to be tainted. Knowing what he knew did he then go to the officials to report the governor or did he sit on it waiting to see if the governor got away with it? These are the questions that must be answered — not political bashing, but serious questions for someone who will be our commander-in-chief.

Posted by: rfxo | December 9, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

“I never noticed”

Posted by: Brian | December 9, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

Posted by: TuxKevin | Dec 9, 2008 5:07:13 PM
LMAO. Not the Blago Obama knew, eh, Kev? Seems to happen quite a bit to your hero.
I’m going to seriously enjoy watching this fraud’s fall from grace.

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

He called Obama a MF and said **** him. This statement and the fact that Rahm is the WHISTLEBLOWER, proves Obama is clear.

Posted by: Flander Annapolis | December 9, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

lol… how quickly people are to jump on a matter and pass a judgment before critical details have surfaced. Here’s Proverb such:
“He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13)

Posted by: John Doe Eastern Washington | December 9, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

This is the only article that identified the Governor as a DEMORAT!!! If this were a republican governor the media would plaster REPUBLICAN all over this. Now you can add the gov. on NObama’s list of comprimised friends! LOL

Posted by: Rolando | December 9, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

“THIS IS “CLINTON ADMINISTRATION II”
Never ceases to amuse me that right wingers think this is some kind of devastating insult.
Ryan C, I think the poster was referring to the allegations of corruption that clouded Clinton’s presidency.

Posted by: Steve | December 9, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm

James said: “RDHOOD, What the h**l did Mr. Obama lie about? Isn’t it a bit presumptious to talk about impeachment when your current President killed millions with his lies?”
“killed millions”? Even the most rabid, irresponsible far left-wing websites don’t distort the numbers that much!
And what exact lie did Bush tell that got anyone killed? Don’t just mumble a radical talking point. Give an exact quote, and cite how it’s a lie.
You’ll fail before you even try.

Posted by: ynot4tony2 | December 9, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm

They’re corruption buddies. It’s a shame all of Obama’s corruption buddies weren’t exposed prior to election day to avoid 54 million suckers.

Posted by: Corruption Buddies | December 9, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm

Obama’s typical response: This is not the Blagojevich I knew. Sound familiar?

Posted by: tlintx | December 9, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm

A new case of democrat corruption involving Mr. America´s community organizer.
Bill Ayers, Reszko, Rev. Wright, etc. Obama´s ties with delincuents and terrorists neven been explained. He´ll just smile and say ´I knew nothing´. I´d be surprised if this wouldn´t be the last scandal of Obama´s dangerous relationships.

Posted by: Stephen from Indiana | December 9, 2008, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm

What is equally irritating is how stereotypically stupid the vast majority of these comments are.
A couple democratic politicians from Illinios are crooks so suddenly all politicians, all liberals, all dems are bad. Read the transcipts-Blagojevich is a crooked #######. Hopefully he gets what he deserves, end of story.
Obama has more important things to worry about, as should we.

Posted by: Andy | December 9, 2008, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm

Lettuce —- what do you mean?? “But it seems pretty clear Obama had nothing to do with these specific charges.” This guy was being investigated back to 2003. This is just the beginning. Now the investigation begins. There’s going to be people coming out of the woodwork, singing their songs to save their own skins. Everyone in Chicago politics is going scramble to save their own ###. No one will be spared. This is the exact crowd that PEBO associated with throughout is entire political career. He’s been mixed up in this for years!

Posted by: roscoe02 | December 9, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm

You conservatives will be crying now that the news is reporting that Obama was helping the FBI all along to bust Blago. HA! HA! HA!

Posted by: mary | December 9, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

“Haven’t been on for a while. Glad to see you think these acts, if true, are very shocking…”
Hey Wade!
I was mostly just lurking post election but I’ve had some free time of late
Yeah this whole thing just amazes me.
What kind of arrogance does a man have to possess to do this while already under the eye of the Feds?
Its dumbfounding.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

Come on Jake and you people – read the indictment. “In a conversation with Harris on Nov. 11, the charges state, Blagojevich said he knew Obama wanted Senate Candidate 1 for the open seat but “they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them.” It is no secret that Senator Obama had a favorite to be named to his seat and that he had expressed that to the Governor. The new Chief of Staff and President-Elect Obama’s advisors all know that they have made NO secret of who they wanted named. But what Mr. Tapper and a lot of the people on this board don’t want to accept is that the Governor wasn’t going to play ball unless he got BIG bucks. Well I think that about sums it up….mess around with the new kid in town and you’re going to go down, down, down. Good for the Obama crowd – am sure they’ll get heat and furrowed brows, but come on Jake . And Jake, do some real investigative reporting you’re going to find out that taking a crook like this down was like shooting a fish in a bowl – Fitz after Valerie Plame knows foul smelling air from dog crap. You need to learn the same before trying to make “journalistic” connections (look up Quill and Scrolls 5′s Who, What, Where, Why and How – that’ll help).

Posted by: OnTheGloryRoad | December 9, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

Nice research, Jake. There are lots of questions to be asked.

Posted by: ttruck | December 9, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

“Innocent until proven guilty” is a term that applies to a courtroom with a judge and/or jurors, not the court of public opinion. In public discourse, there is no such thing. Sometimes, it is better to be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.

Posted by: JSS | December 9, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

There will always be trouble with Obama because he refuses to answer questions concerning his past. Why does he have 3 law firms protecting his birth certificate and college records from the public? Is he a naturalized citizen or a natural born citizen? There’s a big difference. How did he travel to Pakistan back in the 80′s? Pakistan would not have allowed him on their soil with a US passport. How did he attend school in Indonesia if he were a US citizen? When did he change his name from Barry Soetoro or Barry Dunham to Barack Obama? If he does not believe what Jeremiah Wright preaches why did he sit in that church with his family for 20 years? The list goes on and on and Obama does not seem to think he owes the public answers to any of these questions. So again, until Obama clears the questions up there will always be problems surrounding him.

Posted by: debbie | December 9, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

Enjoy the popcorn people! The ONE could well become the CORRUPT ONE if there is more to this story. Would Rod-B sing like a little bird on a sunny day? How about Rezko? C’mmon, the ONE better get ready for this mess, this one is a lot worse than Whitewater land deal case of the 1990s. I am just glad Rod-B is a goner here and he could well bring down the whole Chicago machine and the dirty dimbulbs in IL.

Posted by: Alison | December 9, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

Flander Annapolis
If Obama is clear then why has his advisors not met with the prosecutors yet? Sounds fishy to me. Read the entire indictment.

Posted by: vic | December 9, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

Obama came from this same cesspool. Did anyone question why he brought all his Chicago thugs to the caucuses to get him the votes there? WAKE UP AMERICA
You were bamboozled by the media to believe in the Change
Is this the kind of change you wanted?
Where there is smoke, there is fire and Obama arose from the same political machine.
He hangs with terrorists and scoundrels for a reason.

Posted by: swimkin | December 9, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

Plea Bargain?
Rich wrote:
BREAKING NEWS: According to WGN #9 in Chicago, Obama was working closely with the FBI to take down Governor Blagovitch. It seems that he was helping the FBI all along.
Posted by: rich | Dec 9, 2008 5:09:28 PM

Posted by: Anna | December 9, 2008, 5:19 pm 5:19 pm

My guess is that Gov. B will protect Obambas involvement in selecting a replacement! Democrats stick together in their criminal activities. It is the same as the code of silence in the Mafia. You go to prison rather than implicated the family.
I am sick an tired of the attacks on Bush. He is an honest and honorable man that was savaged by the damacrats and press. He has been a lousy conservative president but any honest damacrat should be thrilled with bush’s big spending philosophy! I’m convinced most damacrats have no clue what your party stands for. If you knew you’d try to get GW in for a third term!
Clinton was the most dishonest and criminal mind to sit in the WH since Harding and the dims and press still call him Mr. Wonderful.
As for Obmaba…..He is a Marxist and America is about to be closed down as a great nation. The name will be changed to United States of the Third World.
ZeroBama will replace Clinton as the most corrupt man in the WH. Mark my words!
Sad for America to elect a clone of Hugo Chavez!

Posted by: Dave | December 9, 2008, 5:20 pm 5:20 pm

Obama will continue to tell lies as long as he can believe them and as long as the media covers up his lies. He’s a typical Chicago pol.

Posted by: judithod | December 9, 2008, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm

Flander Annapolis— That proves nothing—- That’s simply the typical freindly greeting beween Chicago politicians!

Posted by: roscoe02 | December 9, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm

Can Obama be impeached yet?

Posted by: Jerry | December 9, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm

Who is the liar?
President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
But on November 23, 2008, his senior adviser David Axelrod said:
While insisting that the President-elect had not expressed a favorite to replace him, and his inclination was to avoid being a “kingmaker,” Axelrod said, “I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm

Actually, the more that comes out about this story, the better Obama looks.
A corrupt governor tried to bribe the Obama folks in exchange for naming their favored choice as Senator.
Obama comes off looking squeaky clean. He refused to take a bribe, and informed the feds.
His 79% approval rating will go ever HIGHER now…. because he has shown extremely good character when nobody was watching.
Funny how the rightwing nutjobs that came over to this site from drudge somehow think that Obama’s people REFUSING to aplay dirty and turning Blago into the feds is a BAD thing for Obama.
It’s called ethics, honesty, and character.
I know those are traits that the rightwing nutjobs are unfamiliar with seeing in their President, but they’ll gradually get used to it over the next 8 years.
OBAMA CANNOT BE BOUGHT.
This episode proves it.

Posted by: Dean | December 9, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm

Real question is: why would Blego insist on getting an ambassadorship or cabinet post as a quid pro quo unless he thought Obama would give one of those positions to him? Only the new prez could appoint him to one of those particular slots. The only answer is that Blego and Obama had an understanding – at least Blego thought so. I surmise once Obama’s front man (whoever was talking to Blego about this senate appt on behalf of Obama) discovered the taps, he turned on Blego to protect Obama.

Posted by: Nan | December 9, 2008, 5:22 pm 5:22 pm

Whoa up everybody! Give Obama a chance to see what he can do. Are you the ones who are full of spite and hate; the remnant of those neocons who are still stinging because the administration let you down? Learn how it is to lose! You lost! As we heard so many times in the last elections, Get over it! If you are trying to discredit Obama before he is even inaugurated, you are fighting a losing battle. What has gone around is now coming around. Get used to it!

Posted by: Dixie Down | December 9, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

WE MUST READ BETWEEN THE LINES WITH THE PRESIDENT ELECT, HE IS ONLY INVOLVED IF IT HELPS HIM AND NEVER WAS IF ITS AGAINST IT, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT PROOF YOU HAVE, IT DOESNT MATTER IF THERE IS A SMOKING GUN THE MAIN STREAM MEDIA HAS PUT SOMEONE IN OFFICE THAT THE DID NOT KNOW BECAUSE HE SPOKE ELEQUENTLY, SO NO MATTER WHAT, HE WILL NOT DO NO WRONG

Posted by: sutanknight | December 9, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

Is there still a Republican Party? Seems to me most of the right wing comments on this blog want one party rule, their party. We could be just like the communists. One party rule, and life will be great as long as we are all part of the commun..ummm…Republican party. You lost the election…please move on! I’m pretty sure if the FBI had something on Obama it would have come out today. It ultimately won’t matter if we find out the Obama camp turned in Blagojevich…the haters will keep on hating, and the rest of us will have to listen to conspiracy theories and guilt by association for the next four years. I guess all you right wingers have selective corruption memories. I voted for Obama, and I support him. If it turns out he’s part of this corruption scandal I like the rest of the country will hold him accountable. Until proof, a charge, or some type of evidence other than Obama is from IL, comes out, give the guy a break! If McCain would have won the election, I would be hoping and praying for his success. Now go back to your Birth Certificate fantasy until you actually have something to freak out about.

Posted by: JeffEry | December 9, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

ROFLOL.. This is the funniest thing I’ve heard politically in a LONG time..
And, ponder this!! “In his Blagojevich news conference, Patrick Fitzgerald was quick to clear Obama of wrongdoing and then commented that “We’re in the middle of a corruption crime spree and wanted to stop it.” Why did he want to stop an investigation in the middle? Could it be so it wouldn’t lead to certain people?
“Fitzgerald let the Valerie Plame investigation keep going and going for years after he knew who the leaker was, Richard Armitage. But Fitzgerald shut down the Blago investigation in the middle of a crime spree.”

Posted by: Heidi | December 9, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

” I didnt know, I didnt hear, I wasnt aware ” yeah uh huh sure Barry. You knew because your subordinates talked with Blago and relayed the info to you. Axelfraud said youdid talk to Blago…Better get your alibis straight because this is becoming an ongoing problem wiht this smelly hole of corruption from Illinois. Funny how Obama talks about transparency until it relates to him and his Illinois records and his school records…then they are not tranparent… Snake oil salesman gonna pull the biggest FRAUD ever on you zombies. Lincoln has done a 360 turn in his grave knowing that you voted for this Pied Piper. Stay tuned for more of the As the Stomach Turns from Chicago- the players that Oprah will never tell you about.

Posted by: jimbo | December 9, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

All this was spawned in the same corrupt, fetid Chicago-style political lap pool that Obama exercised in every morning. An old saying…”You can’t swim in a cesspool and expect the stink won’t stick to you, whether or not you deserve it.” So much for “change” and an end to the “politics of corruption.”

Posted by: MDWhite | December 9, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Please people, especially those haters who still want to find something, anything wrong with Barack Obama… Barack Obama is a little busy right now trying to apprise the damage to our economy and preparing to assume the presidency. He can’t watch dirty politics, not even in his home state. Please remember, trouble makers, John McCain had his own share of dirty friends, not just in politics, but in the financial arena. Can’t you let up long enough to see that even now he’s doing better than most president-elects. Get over it and support your president — so-called patriotic Americans.

Posted by: DirtyPolitics | December 9, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Time to redo our entire political scene. Both sides of the aisle are corrupt.
We need a grassroots program to elect our candidates. Let’s outlaw the political party system as we know it.
NO MORE POLITICAL PARTIES
Throw out the current political parties and it should be each man or woman for their self.
And may the best man (or woman) win.
Maybe then we as the people, will finally be represented.

Posted by: swimkin | December 9, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Obama is to Blaovejovich what Cheney is to Halliburton. Remember what the Dems said about Cheney and Halliburton? It didn’t make any difference to the Dems that Cheney had little to do with Halliburton’s business, but now they say that Obama must be separated from the stinkpool of Chicago politics. Not! And we got four years of this coming!

Posted by: KBar | December 9, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Whatever Ryan. Nice try, but pretty weak.

Posted by: LA Doc | December 9, 2008, 5:24 pm 5:24 pm

Dean, you just blow in from fantasyland? There’s already evidence that Obama lied when he said he hadn’t been talking to Blago. The video of Axlrod revealing Obama HAD been taking is at the top of this page.

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm

Maybe we’ll all luck out and The One will spend his first year in office as a sequestered star witness at a certain friend’s trial. Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. Time for Obama to through another “distant acquaintance” under the bus… still room for one more?

Posted by: akgr | December 9, 2008, 5:25 pm 5:25 pm

NObama helping the FBI getting rid of skeletons in his closet!
Since Barry is a smoker will he be covered under his health care plan???

Posted by: Rolando | December 9, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

CAN YOU READ: THE PROSECUTOR IN ILLINOIS SAID THIS: Fitzgerald said “there’s no reference in the complaint to any conversations involving the president-elect or indicating that the president-elect was aware of it, and that’s all I can say.”
Go read the TOP STORY here on ABC news

Posted by: Chris | December 9, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

Ugh to you Jake

Posted by: Bette Chatham | December 9, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

What? Axelrod misspoke in November?
No way they are really going to try to get away with that.

Posted by: MayBee | December 9, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

“Fitzgerald stressed there were NO allegations in the criminal complaint about Obama.”
Nothing can be known for sure until it has been
officially denied.

Posted by: Hopefortruth | December 9, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm

Hey, can Obama be impeached even before he takes the oath? What a nice thought!

Posted by: RickT | December 9, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm

Impeach Obama!

Posted by: Malcolm #5 | December 9, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

“Dean, you just blow in from fantasyland? There’s already evidence that Obama lied when he said he hadn’t been talking to Blago. The video of Axlrod revealing Obama HAD been taking is at the top of this page.”
Try reading the article
(UPDATE: An Obama Transition Team aide says that Axelrod misspoke on Fox News Chicago.)

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

Well it is clear that Obama/his people did speak to Blagojevich…read the transcript of the wiretaps that have been released…Blogojevich first indicates that they know that Obama would preffer Candidate #1…they couldnt know that unless they had spoken to Obama about who candidate #1 even was…duh. Second Blagojevich indicated that Obama was just releasing information about Candidate #1′s sudden disinterest in the job…to “play” Blagojevich’s standard chicago politics game. Folks Axelrod told the truth he had no reason not to…today Obama lied..he had reason to…this isnt rocket science. Barry should have just kept the story straight and said yes there had been superfluous contact about the replacement…that would have been a reasonable assumption… and probably would have helped exhonerate Obama, since Blago indicates Obama is only offering his gratitude…but now Obama has made it messy as hell with his reaction to lie…now I do have a different take on what Obama said today…he could have just been saying since this story broke he hadnt had contact with the Governors office…thats how I read the transcript..but unfortunately Obamas people have spoken AGAIN and instead have said that Axelrod mispoke, again this is what you get when you put an inexperienced politician from Chicago into the Presidency…mistakes, errors and stupidity that expose the ugly underbelly we all know exists behind closed doors…albeit illegal…now Obama is drawing attention to himself by his inexperience on dealing with these issues by NOT controlling his INFORMATION TEAM! By the way this points to how dangerous Obama could be on the world stage, mis-steps there could cost millions of lives…folks we need to be far more discerning when we elect our chief executive and at least elect someone with experience…something Obama lacks and its already showing and he hasnt been inaugurated…NEWB!

Posted by: Tom | December 9, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

DID YOU READ THE OTHER ARTICLE –THE TOP STORY HERE ON ABCNEWS, WHERE THE PROSECUTOR FROM ILLINOIS SAID THIS:” Prosecutor Fitzgerald said “there’s no reference in the complaint to any conversations involving the president-elect or indicating that the president-elect was aware of it, and that’s all I can say.”

Posted by: GARY | December 9, 2008, 5:29 pm 5:29 pm

“It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first.”
-Ronald Reagan

Posted by: AK | December 9, 2008, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm

MSNBC at least got it right Jake. You have all these foaming at the mouth about nothing. “Nothing implicating Obama
Under the plan, Blagojevich would appoint a new senator who would be helpful to the president-elect and in turn get a job as head of Change to Win, a group formed by the union. The union would get an unspecified favor from Obama later.
Nothing in the court papers suggested Obama had any part in the discussion. In fact, Blagojevich allegedly said in the same conversation that Obama most likely would not appoint him as secretary of health and human services or to an ambassadorship because of the negative publicity that has surrounded the governor for three years.
One day later, according to the affidavit, Blagojevich allegedly told an associate he knew Obama wanted a specific Senate candidate but “they’re not going to give me anything except appreciation. [Expletive] them.”

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 5:31 pm 5:31 pm

Now that is Change, you can believe in. Yuk, Obama should have his mouth washed out with soap. Isn’t that what we do to 4 year olds’ for lying? This is going to be another incoming Government to clean up the trash before us. Going from bad to worse! I am sure Bill and Hillary though will show em how its done.

Posted by: Jug | December 9, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm

In the list of earmarks Obama requested, $1 million was requested for the construction of a new hospital pavilion at the University Of Chicago. The request was put in in 2006.
You know who works for the University of Chicago Hospital?
Michelle Obama. She’s vice president of community affairs.
As Byron York noted, “In 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mrs. Obama’s compensation at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she is a vice president for community affairs, jumped from $121,910 in 2004, just before her husband was elected to the Senate, to $316,962 in 2005, just after he took office.”
Looks like that raise was worth it.

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm

Obama’s corruption and lies are already dominating the news and the crimminal hasn’t even taken office yet. There isn’t enough popcorn in America to last through this train wreck of a presidency.

Posted by: robtr | December 9, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm

Here is the bottom line. Obama was the media darling and they worked to get him elected. It is only now that the deeds of Obama’s friends and colleagues are coming out and, of course, he is “concerned” by these relevations, but claims no knowledge of these improprities. How many times will we hear this???? The man was not properly vetted and in reality no one knows very much about him. He campaigned using the rhetoric of “change,” and that is about it. He has no real experience, he very likely is not elibible to be sworn in as president, and is completely over his head to govern the US. Questions that should have been asked are only now surfacing, and who knows what lies ahead. Obama quite reminds me of Sponge Bob.

Posted by: Richard, Dubuque | December 9, 2008, 5:32 pm 5:32 pm

Simply beautiful! These guys all know what each other are doing. President-elect Obama had to haev been fully aware of what was going on. Now, what time does that telephone ring?

Posted by: LANCE CORDILL | December 9, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

As Byron York noted, “In 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mrs. Obama’s compensation at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she is a vice president for community affairs, jumped from $121,910 in 2004, just before her husband was elected to the Senate, to $316,962 in 2005, just after he took office.”
Looks like that raise was worth it.
Except the earmark never went thru.
Though kudos for getting the time frame right. Most right wingers claims he offered the earmark and then she got the raise.
Still, the lesson as always? Right wingers lie.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

For those of you out there who bought into the packaging that made Obama out to be a reformer or change agent, shame on you. All you needed to do is look at where he cut his political teeth. No reformers have come out of the Chicago Democrat Political Machine…none whatsoever. And if you think Obama got to where he is by fighting against the corrupt Blago-types in Illinois, you are complete fool.

Posted by: Ajax | December 9, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm

LAURA, Let me guess. The Gov was just a guy who lived in the neighborhood?

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm

Obama is a fraud. Thanks america.

Posted by: Ryan | December 9, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm

Here is the bottom line. Obama was the media darling and they worked to get him elected. It is only now that the deeds of Obama’s friends and colleagues are coming out and, of course, he is “concerned” by these relevations, but claims no knowledge of these improprities. How many times will we hear this???? The man was not properly vetted and in reality no one knows very much about him. He campaigned using the rhetoric of “change,” and that is about it. He has no real experience, he very likely is not elibible to be sworn in as president, and is completely over his head to govern the US. Questions that should have been asked are only now surfacing, and who knows what lies ahead. Obama quite reminds me of Sponge Bob.

Posted by: Richard, Dubuque | December 9, 2008, 5:36 pm 5:36 pm

Jake – if this is all you repubs have – then you’ve got nada, zilch, zero, nothing. This is all gonna be turned around on you in a day or two and once again you’ll look like fools.

Posted by: Karen | December 9, 2008, 5:37 pm 5:37 pm

What’s wrong with tony selling some land to obama for a good price. I’m sure no strings were attached. Obama, Tony and Blagojevich are such honest men.

Posted by: Sara | December 9, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

For those of you out there who bought into the packaging that made Obama out to be a reformer or change agent, shame on you. All you needed to do is look at where he cut his political teeth. No reformers have come out of the Chicago Democrat Political Machine…none whatsoever. And if you think Obama got to where he is by fighting against the corrupt Blago-types in Illinois, you are complete fool.

Posted by: Ajax | December 9, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

In typical Democrat fashion, questions come up from some of their antics and the first thing they do is try to re-write history. The point isn’t whether or not Obama had anything to do with the Governors (alleged) crimes. It’s questioning, once again, the choices Obama has made regarding people he affiliates himself with. Hang on tight people…it’s going to be a wild 4 years! And I bet Matt Drudge is just salivating right about now… LOL

Posted by: timr1271 | December 9, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

Well, Obama never heard Jeremiah Wright’s words in 20 years, Obama said Ayers was “just a guy around the neighborhood”, but he was given a ‘coming out party” at Ayers home, Obama first said Zbigniew Brzezinski was his top advisor and when the jewish people didn’t like that, all of the sudden the Obama camp said Zbig was not his advisor..Obama has gone back on many campaign promises, now Obama denies speaking to the governer about selections for his senate appointment.
What concerns me is that the democrats refuse to admit anything wrong about the guy. I have to say…I’m glad I supported Ron Paul…he’s the only honest soul in Washington…that’s why they hate him.
LIBERTY NOW! LIBERTY FOREVER!
KICK THE BUMS OUT!

Posted by: Ronpaulgal | December 9, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

What the heck is ugh?
Anyway, like most Obama supporters “UGH” wouldn’t know the truth if it fell on him/her.
What ever…Can anyone in their right mind not believe the X-Senator is up to his eyes in this.
God I hope not….

Posted by: Will | December 9, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

He also managed to secure $1.3 million for a high-explosive technology program for the Army’s Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The program was overseen by General Dynamics, and one of Obama’s top supporters, James Crown — a member of Obama’s national finance committee — serves on the board of General Dynamics.
Obama also secured a $750,000 earmark for renovation of a space center named for Crown’s grandfather, Henry Crown, at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.
And Obama secured several million dollars for a project at Chicago State University. Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones Jr., a close personal friend of Obama and one of his benefactors, has been a strong supporter of Chicago State, according to the Times.

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm

Like Obama doesn’t know what goes on in Chicago politics. Please.
The brazenness and amount of expectation with which Blagojevich talked about these things would lead one to believe that they are just SOP and he just made the wrong person mad along the way. Many people had to be conspiring and approaching the governor to cause him to believe that this was possible. They should all be rounded up.
Hopefully, the FBI won’t stop here but will pass go and begin collecting all of the kleptocrats. Blagojevich, no doubt, has a lot of information to pass on for the right deal.
It would be a good time to review the warnings from our more principled public servants.

Posted by: Web Smith | December 9, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

“Well, in all fairness, he stole the 2000 election and then was a yet-to-be-tried war criminal who additionally was shredding the Constitution when he ran in 2004. So there’s that.”
No matter how many times you say it, that doesn’t make it true.
A liberal talking about fairness is like a prostitute talking about the value of chastity.

Posted by: malcalve | December 9, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

Democrats are rotten to the core. Obama had a clearly corrupt relationship with Rezko, an anti-American one with Ayers and Wright, and an even closer corrupt relationship with Blagoevich. Barack Hussein Obama is the epitome of the Chicago dirty machine politics, having now risen to the ultimate office in the land at the courtesy of the U.S. media that is in a cult like trance with this sycophant. Barack Obama is the corruptacrat in chief now, so now it begins. Emmanuel , Obama, Axelrod : ” We don’t know nothing bout no stinking corrupt governor.” And they all worked for him.

Posted by: ObamaCorruptaram | December 9, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

Oh the friends of Obama! Don’t worry supporters, you always have the media on your side to suppress the truth.

Posted by: BB | December 9, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

Tapper, this is reporting! BHO is the gift that keeps on giving if only someone would open the package. Now how about pulling the ribbons off the box marked COLB?

Posted by: Tziporah | December 9, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

“Your current democratic congress and the Washington Post,NY times,and LA Times all found that Bush did not lie about the war your liberal heroes on the hill and Republicans voted for.”
Using CURVEBALL’S intel and not disclosing his history as an informant was tantimount to lying and anybody with an IQ over 12 knows it. Next.

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

Birds of a feather and all that. Just think if the media had not had such a big fat crush on Obama they might have gotten around to reporting more on some of his unsavory friends before the election.

Posted by: Terrye | December 9, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

The swiftness with which this take-down of a rising voice is happening sure looks indecent to me. Very similar to how Spitzer was taken down, and also Governor Siegelman. Governor Siegelman was thrown into jail right before the election and literally put into solitary!!! He is not guilty of ANYTHING but being in the way of the Republican who wanted to win. Rove was involved- and you know what kind of protection Rove gets from our Just-us (previously known as Justice) system.
Posted by: PG | Dec 9, 2008 5:38:15 PM
—-
Now that right there is weapons grade crazy. Behold, a typical Obama voter !

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm

Change! Change! Change! Someone give me some change I can believe In! Yes I am Democrat. We’ve been SHORT-CHANGED!

Posted by: MarkG | December 9, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm

Richard, Dubuque — Perfectly said.
The media manufactured a fantasy character and protected him from any kind of real exposure or questions — even from his party.
Unfortunately, the joke is on us.

Posted by: kate | December 9, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm

The whole nation, the economy and it’s leaders are falling apart from within. Yeah, right, like the threat is from terrorists! We’re getting sifted

Posted by: JB | December 9, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm

Wherever BO goes the stink follows. Didn’t know what the Rev was saying in church for twenty years, never talked to the governor. I know nothing. What a joke. He will be the most corrupt prez ever and he is getting a good start!

Posted by: susan | December 9, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm

O is pretty smart, I doubt he lied and think he will do great things for the country and world.
I will say this though, if Obama had conversations with Blago and lied about it today that would be the epitome of idiocy, as he was aware the FBI had been wiretapping his phones, and probably office as well.
Granted it is not a court of law, but recordings would inevitably surface, he would really have done himself in.

Posted by: on the lake | December 9, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm

What did Obama’s DOJ-Transition Team know about this investigation and when did thay know it? It is rather strange that the investigation of the governor & his staff was halted shortly after the Obama transition began.
If this had happened in Arizona with a senate seat to replacement McCain – all hell would be breaking out and the congress immediately would be having hearings grilling the head of the FBI and the Attorney General. Where is the outrage?
Joe

Posted by: Joe | December 9, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm

It always cracks me up that one of the best smears is the guilt by association with the “thugs of Chicago politics”.
Chicago is unlike the pristine politics in say DC?…NY?…NJ?… Texas?… Florida?… Louisana?… Nevada?… Ohio?… Alaska? …….
As long as there are politician, some will be corrupt. It’s not even confined to politics. As longs as there is game to be had – in business, religion, you name it; there will be crooks.
The crook is the Governor, not the President elect. Get over it.

Posted by: Pat | December 9, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm

How do you get to the top of a corrupt political system without being corrupt yourself? Answer you don’t!
On November 10, Blagojevich, his wife, Harris, Governor General Counsel, Advisor B and other Washington-based advisors participated at different times in a two-hour phone call in which they allegedly discussed, among other things, a deal involving the SEIU. Harris said they could work out a deal with the union and the President-elect where SEIU could help the President-elect with Blagojevich’s appointment of Senate Candidate 1, while Blagojevich would obtain a position as the National Director of the Change to Win campaign and SEIU would get something favorable from the President-elect in the future. Also during that call, Blagojevich agreed it was unlikely that the President-elect would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services or give him an ambassadorship because of all of the negative publicity surrounding him

Posted by: reddog bluestate | December 9, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm

Maybe the Feds intentionally jumped in before Obama and co. got sucked into this mess.

Posted by: hmm... | December 9, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm

Lied about Wright.
Lied about Rezko.
Lied about his earmarks.
Lied about his fundraising.
Lied about smoking.
Lied about his war plan.
Lied about the oil company tax.
I could go on all day.

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm

“Why is it Obama is not aware of what is going on in his own home state with respect to his own senate seat, but everyone expected George Bush to know what was going on in every inch of the country?” Posted by: Rose S. | Dec 9, 2008 4:04:35 PM
Outstanding point–This shows one of 2 things: B.O.’s dishonesty or his incompetence. It’s going to be a long four years (or an extremely quick exit). What a loser…

Posted by: TexasTom | December 9, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm

What did Obama know, and when did he know it?
This criminal deserves to get impeached, and he hasn’t even assumed power yet.

Posted by: Fauxbama | December 9, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm

This makes me nervous. I voted for Barack, but this makes me nervous. I do not want to see a Nixon like character in the White House.

Posted by: Frick | December 9, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm

This all kinda makes SARAH PALIN’S wardrobe issue silly.

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm

Will Obama’s tic worsen?

Posted by: Paul | December 9, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm

Nice try, but no, not biting. Obama is clean as a whistle and you are kind of embarrassing me by trying to tie him to this cretin.

Posted by: DinaLee | December 9, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

hopefully this hurts chicago from getting the olympics.

Posted by: Terry | December 9, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

Guess what losers? He’s still president whether you like it or not. Election is over. You lost. Spare me the antics.

Posted by: dk | December 9, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm

Bush is very much like the Batman , not in the superhero sense, but in the analogy that is drawn between a man that gave up his personal reputation of being “approved of ” by a nation after 9/11 to doing what was right and keeping us safe at the expense of the heretofore unseen civil rights of terrorists. Thank you Bush.

Posted by: BushDefendedUS | December 9, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

As Byron York noted, “In 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that Mrs. Obama’s compensation at the University of Chicago Hospital, where she is a vice president for community affairs, jumped from $121,910 in 2004, just before her husband was elected to the Senate, to $316,962 in 2005, just after he took office.”
Looks like that raise was worth it.
Gee – I would love to get new jobs/raises like that……Blago’s wife was looking for a job like that too!..Wonder what Obama did to facilitate it for his wife???
Inquiring minds want to know!

Posted by: I ashamed of my party | December 9, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

“Nice try, Ken S. (and very mature ending comment, well played), but that’s already been debunked. ”
Since when has an a politician denying something, without any corroboration, been proof of “debunking”?
Oh, I forgot, Emmanuel is a disciple of the One, and so is beyond question. Let His will be done, in the spirit of change and hope.

Posted by: malclave | December 9, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

….and after reading the story, all the Obama supporters heaved a sigh of relief, smiled and had no trouble believing that Obama had never discussed the Senate position with the corrupt governor. “See,” they told one another. “He never even talks to that governor. Obama is the only honest politician in Illinois and in all of Washington DC.”

Posted by: MS | December 9, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

Who was President when on Aug 6th he was given an intelligence briefing that stated Al Queda was planning a large attack that may involve hijackings and New York City?
Who took off the month of August after 6 months as President?
Who sat there like a fool reading My Pet Goat while Americans died?
Who hid out the day leaving Rudy to become a national hero by simply showing up and doing his job?
Who shifted the focus in the war on terror away from Al Queda in Afghanistan to Iraq which had no connection with Al Queda?
The answer to all the above is George W. Bush. The worst President in history.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm

According to sources close to the investigation speaking on condition of anonymity, Obama’s denials only raise more questions than they answer.
———–
Bush-era words you will never ever hear from the MSM during the next four years. The MSM should be required to wear kneepads with the President-selected’s face on them.

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm

Reps are so desperately trying to find some dirt on BO.
Where have you all been when Bush and Cheney and RP were trashing the country?
I guess when reps are charged with corruption (or some sex scandals or …) it is not a big deal..
BIG fat lying Hypocrites!

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm

Surprise, surprise!
Obama lies again, as shown by the video of Axelrod.

Posted by: Michelle | December 9, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm

At some point, people are going to realize that Obama is a liar and a fraud. How many more lies does he have to tell before people stop covering for him?

Posted by: bh | December 9, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm

Just wait folks. The tapes will be released after the governor cops a plea to a lesser charge (happens most of the time with federal indictments). There will be actual audio of the recordings. We will hear Obama for ourselves. Then we can spend the next 3 1/2 years trying to begin impeachment proceedings. Then the 2012 republican slogan will be “Clean Sweep”.

Posted by: Mark | December 9, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm

How many more lies does he have to tell before people stop covering for him?
—-
The fall from the pedestal the MSM and his cult members have him on will be breathtaking.

Posted by: Old Goat | December 9, 2008, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

Anyone seen JOE BIDEN lately? Would love to see him be the voice of the administration on this one. Lots of laughs.

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

Give me a break folks…Yes Obama knew what was going. Did you actually expect him to be the first one on the soap box? This has been a long FBI investigation and he’s assisting in the investigation. Why did he tell his guy to back down from the seat? Once again he’s helping in the investigation! Blago has been under investigation since 02 every body knows he’s a crook! Government is filled with crooks allways has been allways will be. What more do expect from a bunch of lawyers.

Posted by: William | December 9, 2008, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

This whole story let’s us all know that God has a sense of humor when dealing with Democrats…

Posted by: truth wins | December 9, 2008, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm

These people who still believe Obama is the ONE, need a walking stick.
Time for him to go and he has just gotten started. Better get him out before the whole place goes down.

Posted by: Jug | December 9, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

UPDATE: Axelrod “mispoke” on Fox…”
History has been properly edited.
1984 has finally arrived.
Obama saw no evil… Obama heard no evil… Obama spoke no evil…. He is clean, he is good, he is 100% innocent. Hail Obama!

Posted by: TruthTeller | December 9, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

Obama hasn’t even been sworn in and I’m already having voters remorse!
I just think it’s pretty funny how this governor was looking for a board position for his wife as part of the “senate seat sale” and Obama’s wife got a big raise and promotion just after Obama because a senator – then next thing you know, her employer got a 1 million dollar earmark.
I have to be honest, I didn’t think much of Obama’s paat because it wasn’t being reported. Since the election my eytes have opened and now I WANT MY VOTE BACK!!!
Birds of a feather flock together!

Posted by: VotersRemorse | December 9, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

There were clouds in the sky this morning. President-Elect Barack Obama was accused by Conservatives of blotting out the sun because he looked towards the sky. (LOL)

Posted by: Dems | December 9, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

Chicago,Illinois is a hot bed of political corruption! Obama is the leader. This is just the tip of the iceburg. 4 years of this ahead. But this is what the dems get for all their b.s. trying to bring down bush admin. Obama will go down as one of the most corrupt politicians in history. It is already starting to come out.This is the best the Dem party could come up with. Thanks!

Posted by: joe | December 9, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH IS ALREADY looking better every minute. Pres Bush will me badly missed.

Posted by: killerbee | December 9, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

Re: I believe the first act of President-Elect Obama should be the appointment of a Special Council to investigate corruption in Illinois politics. Let me add, while I believe Obama when he says he had no contact with Gov. Blagojevich, I believe he should be afforded the same courtesy and respect the Liberal left has given President Bush. So much for change.
This would be like Jesse James and John Dillinger teaming up to fight bank rober’s. These issues need followed up by private citizens, people like us who have a need to rid out the crime and won’t stop until they’re all locked up.

Posted by: Garth | December 9, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

Emanuel’s aides are denying the story that he’s the whistleblower.

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

“Who was President when on Aug 6th he was given an intelligence briefing that stated Al Queda was planning a large attack that may involve hijackings and New York City?
Who took off the month of August after 6 months as President?
Who sat there like a fool reading My Pet Goat while Americans died?
Who hid out the day leaving Rudy to become a national hero by simply showing up and doing his job?
Who shifted the focus in the war on terror away from Al Queda in Afghanistan to Iraq which had no connection with Al Queda?”
Who gets all his information from Michael Moore movies?

Posted by: Jerry | December 9, 2008, 5:54 pm 5:54 pm

Nothing to see here. We have always been at war with Eastasia.

Posted by: Broke Opocalpse | December 9, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm

Where exactly is the proof of Obama’s wrong doing? Facts are stubborn things.

Posted by: dk | December 9, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm

People are dying and suffering because of Bush’s lies about Weapons of Mass Destruction – don’t you feel badly about that at all?
posted by: SR | Dec 9, 2008 5:32:15 PM
LIBERAL AMNESIA:
Democrat Leaders under Bill Clinton: In 1998, the U.S. Congress passed, and President Bill Clinton signed, the Iraq Liberation Act. That Act stated, “It should be the policy of the United States to support efforts to remove the regime headed by Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq, and to promote the emergence of a democratic government to replace that regime.” This legislation passed the House by a vote of 360 to 38, and it passed the Senate without a single vote in opposition.
Albert Gore: “Saddam’s ability to produce and deliver weapons of mass destruction poses a grave threat … to the security of the world.”
Al Gore: “We know that he has stored nuclear supplies, secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country.”
John Kerry: “If you don’t believe…Saddam Hussein is a threat with nuclear weapons, then you shouldn’t vote for me.”
John Kerry: “I will be voting to give the president of the U.S. the authority to use force if necessary to disarm Saddam because I believe that a deadly arsenal of weapons of mass destruction in his hands is a real and grave threat to our security. … Without question we need to disarm Saddam Hussein. … These weapons represent an unacceptable threat.”
Nancy Pelosi: “Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology, which is a threat to countries in the region, and he has made a mockery of the weapons-inspection process.”
Nancy Pelosi: “Saddam Hussein certainly has chemical and biological weapons, there is no question about that.”
Hillary Clinton: “In the four years since the inspectors left, intelligence reports show that Saddam Hussein has worked to rebuild his chemical and biological weapons stock. His missile-delivery capability, his nuclear program. He has also given aid, comfort, and sanctuary to terrorists including al-Qa’ida members. It is clear, however, that if left unchecked, Saddam Hussein will continue to increase his capacity to wage biological and chemical warfare and will keep trying to develop nuclear weapons. … I can support the President because I think it is in the long-term interests of our national security.”
But we can’t seem to talk about what comes next without talking about Iraq. It’s obvious we must end the reign of Saddam Hussein. It would be unrealistic, if not downright foolish, to believe we can claim victory in the war on terrorism if Saddam is still in power.
– Senator Joseph R. Biden, Jr. in Remarks On Saddam Hussein At The Center For Strategic And International Studies Forum, Washington, D.C., February 4, 2002
And of course Mr. Biden voted for the War in Iraq.
There is hardly a leading democrat on the hill that didn’t look at the same intelligence that Bush got and come to the
same conclusions,that Saddam had to be taken out with force.
Liberals have selective memories like whining about “Bush didn’t protect us on 9/11 but forgetting that their hero Clinton failed miserably on National Security with the Twin Towers being bombed,two embassies,Somalia,The USS Cole.
Osama declared war on America in the 90′s and their liberal hero Clinton not only let Osama walk more than 8 times,they refused when he was handed up on a silver platter from the Sudan.
This is the same idiocy we are going to see from Obama.
Bush freed over 50 million people,killed over 30,000 terrorist and
has taken down Zarqawi,Saddam,Mohammad (the mastermind of 9/11).
Osama has not made an appearance in public or on Video (except for still pictures) since he was forced into the hills.

Posted by: Baxter Greene | December 9, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm

It’s pretty obvious someone in the BHO camp is lying, pure and simple. First Barry has contact with the Gov and then he doesn’t. Now Axelrod who is clearly recorded as making the quote misspoke — whatever that is supposed to mean. I guess because they have him in the record he can’t lie about it so he “misspoke.” What a crock of baloney this is beginning to sound like.
This is what we bought and paid for folks. This is bare-knuckled, patronage-playing, dirty, and corrupt Chicago politics at its best. What, you actually were as naive as to think Barry never played in these reindeer games? Are you really serious? Think of it this way. If you expect to compete in the political arena in Chicago, you don’t get off the bench unless you “play” the game. The very fact of Barry’s quick rise as a seemingly unaccomplished and unknown political hack speaks to the concept that he was dialed in and participating in that political cesspool. He can’t get this and Resko behind him fast enough. As I predicted, now that they have their boy elected, the media will tire of that “big story” and start looking at Barry like they should have two years ago. I think his presidential honeymoon will be brief and his first and only term will be tied up with dodging allegations and televised courtroom antics — sort of like Clinton’s second term.

Posted by: Watching the Train Wreck | December 9, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm

If you all want to talk about lying , let’s talk. How about your boys Bush & Cheney. They both lied about WMD’s and their lies took us into a war and got people killed and maimed. If you Republicans live in a glass house I suggest you don’t throw stones.
And this birth certificat thing. Let it go. John McCain was born in Panama..could he be president if he was born in another country. Also, if anyone has gotten a free ride from the press it was Sarah Palin. Not one news story about her and her husband’s involement/membership with the Alaska Independent Party … the Anti American, Anti government group. Remember she spoke to their convention in March 2008 telling them to keep up the good work. Not one word of this as she was the “darling” of the Republican Party and no one was allowed to ask her any indepth questions.
I’m not sticking up for this governor I hope they drum him out of his job and Democratic Party and hope there is a way to send him to jail. Make him the example for governors’ of both parties should they overstep their duties.

Posted by: I've had it | December 9, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm

Of course, other than race, Obama had no other qualifications to be prez.

Posted by: joe | December 9, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed.
If there was no contact, why would the refusal to offer a quid pro quo show up in the FBI transcript? At a minimum, someone on the Obama team was aware the Governor was requesting something in return for appointing Obama’s choice. Knowing that, and not contacting the Feds is a crime in itself. Someone on the Obama team would also have to participate in the three way negotiations between the governor, Obama’s team, and the union. Someone on the Obama team is about to be indicted, and the Service Employees International has just been caught negotiating a bribe.
In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only “gratitude” if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor’s chagrin.

Posted by: Dave C | December 9, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

Please stop saying bad things about Obama. He is perfect in every way. He can do no wrong. He is not like all the other politicians in Illinois. He has really nice friends who are all just trying to help the little folk. So, boo hoo, stop talking bad about him!!! Boo hoo. I’m a California liberal who voted for the Messiah.

Posted by: Stella | December 9, 2008, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

Just like Nixon “I’m not a crook…” what have we done!

Posted by: Mule | December 9, 2008, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

“Who was President when on Aug 6th he was given an intelligence briefing that stated Al Queda was planning a large attack that may involve hijackings and New York City?”
Aug 6th Memo
“Nevertheless, FBI information since that time indicates patterns of suspicious activity in this country consistent with preparations for hijackings or other types of attacks including recent surveillance of federal buildings in New York City.”
There’s more on the briefing of course, feel free to look it up.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

The State of Hawaii has confirmed they have the birth certificate. What more do you all need on that? There is a birth notice, for crying out loud. Get lives, already. Or at least, find something constructive to put your energy towards, rather than trying to tear down somebody who hasn’t even had a chance to show what he can do yet. Such ugly bitterness.

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm

DK writes, “Where exactly is the proof of Obama’s wrong doing? Facts are stubborn things.”
==============================
There is none. (LOL) There are Republicans and Conservatives. Republicans care about cash. The Conservatives? Nonsense. It’s pretty evident when you look at these boards. Nothing but emotion….

Posted by: Dems | December 9, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm

BREAKING NEWS, it is now public that the Il. Govenors wife who is also involved and ratting on her husband, had many business ties with Tony Rezeko who is who Obama was in cahoots with on his own home purchase. This is going to get good.

Posted by: billy bob | December 9, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

“Most expatriates are not legal citizens in the country in which they reside but the the fact he became a naturalized US citizen does not mean he is incorrect in referring to himself as a Brit expatriate.”
So why does he hate America?

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Let’s all hope nothing leads back to Obama from the cesspool in Chicago. He doesn’t seem the type.
Kudos again our friends in the press for doing virtually no due diligence during the campaign. Not just an unethical editorial approach but the shirking of a constitutional duty.

Posted by: Jacknyc | December 9, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

“I think his presidential honeymoon will be brief and his first and only term will be tied up with dodging allegations and televised courtroom antics — sort of like Clinton’s second term.
Posted by: Watching the Train Wreck | Dec 9, 2008 5:56:31 P”
You are a dreamer and you are not the only one. Relax rep. losers – or we will be watching your brains wreck;))))

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Don’t believe for a second that this is not the way it is done in both parties. Animal Farm has come to pass in the USA.

Posted by: Steve | December 9, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

Don’t worry, Barry, there are enough delusional leftists as evidenced here that nothing will ever stick on your golden boy’s skin.
Sat in a racist church for 20 years, Barry skates, his financial backer for 20 years and co-signor for Barry\Michele’s million dollar home is convicted of corruption and racketeering, Barry skates, the primary political ally of ole Barry for the past 8 years now indicted for political corruption, Barry skates.
Yep, ole Barry is clean as a whistle, right, leftist delusionists?
If he knew nothing about any of these, then Barry must be the stupidest person alive.

Posted by: LogicalSC | December 9, 2008, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm

Trouble in Paradise? Feeling hoodwinked liberals? The truth is both parties are rotting corpses, and until this nation unites and throws the greedy rats out, nothing will “change”.

Posted by: Uh Oh | December 9, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

Mike, not many will get that, but I did! LOL!!!!!!!

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

It is like a tree. You chop down the tree, and then drag off the limbs, but then you have to dig up the root. I think the root is THE ONE. Let me get my shovel.

Posted by: kay | December 9, 2008, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm

The state of Minnesota is now laughing at you, makes Franken vs Coleman look,like small potatoes.

Posted by: myze | December 9, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
That’s not only as lie…it’s a stupid lie. How can a senator have no contact with the governor of his own state concerning his own replacement?

Posted by: Gern | December 9, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

ST: get used to being disappointed.

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

It seemes that barrack is never aware of anything. Going to church for 20 years and not aware of rev. wright, not aware of bill ayers as a unrepentant terrorist, not aware that tony rezco is dirty, not aware the farrakan is a hate merchant, not aware that….well, you get the point.
And this guy wants to play president. Is barrack awared of what he’s doing?

Posted by: USA-No1 | December 9, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

So when next year can i quit my job and let the messiah take care of me?!

Posted by: joe | December 9, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

Why would anybody in Illinois be surprised about this! They have voted to support corruption for the last 50 years!

Posted by: Jack Riddle | December 9, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

As a Democrat, it’s not buyer’s remorse, but something close. If this is because Rezko is turning state’s evidence, I would have appreciated Fitzgerald signaling such before the election. It feels too much right up front like Clinton’s second term with all of the baggage.

Posted by: munge | December 9, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm

st : Get used to being disappointed.

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

I will say it again, Blago’s wife did a lot of business with Rezeko who was Obamas friend and helped him get a house he could not of otherwise afford. What is wrong with this picture????

Posted by: billy bob | December 9, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

Was Axelrod lying then, or is Obama lying now? Either way one of the 2 is lying. You can’t “misspeak” with that kind of detail.

Posted by: Tom | December 9, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

“That’s not only as lie…it’s a stupid lie. How can a senator have no contact with the governor of his own state concerning his own replacement?”
You might want to wait until you have the context that quote was made in before making conclusions.

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

I think it’s highly possible the FBI moved early on this to PREVENT any more embarassment to Obama. It’s a PR nightmare. Many in the public will think he was set up regardless of the facts. I’m not sure Obama himself was involved in these negotiations, and he certainly turned down any deals, but, someone on the Obama team DID have a conversation with the Governor, and it appears they didn’t report a felony attempt at a bribe. Big big problem for the Obama team.

Posted by: Dave C | December 9, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

Sounds like shady politics … perhaps we can say “busted” on the Obama lie or miscommunication with Axelrod.

Posted by: MC | December 9, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

Yup, both parties play the game and or dirty. But we have to sweep the floor before we can mop it.
Little by little lets clean house! Neither of them rat on each other because they all of something on each other.
Gag.

Posted by: kay | December 9, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

Yup, both parties play the game and or dirty. But we have to sweep the floor before we can mop it.
Little by little lets clean house! Neither of them rat on each other because they all of something on each other.
Gag.

Posted by: kay | December 9, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

Children……where are the FACTS?
If you seriously want to get rid of Obama, you are going to need more than your worn out propoganda. You will need FACTS and plenty of them.

Posted by: dk | December 9, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

st : Get used to being disappointed.
Posted by: CHAOS | Dec 9, 2008 6:05:25 PM
We had 8 years for practice so we used to it.;)))

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

I find it funny that most of the posts defending Obama come from people outside of Illinois. Folks, I grew up here, and after almost 40 years of watching Illinois and Cook County/Chicago politics, I can say this – they are ALL in on this scheme. I can guarantee that Obama has fingerprints on something here. I am just excited that he already has a scandal, and hasn’t even taken office! Too much!!

Posted by: Kyle | December 9, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

“That’s not only as lie…it’s a stupid lie. How can a senator have no contact with the governor of his own state concerning his own replacement?” – Gern
excellent comment.

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 6:07 pm 6:07 pm

joe; Jan 20th I’m quitting my job too because my back hurts when I work. The checks should be arriving on the 21st.

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

st : Get used to being disappointed.
Posted by: CHAOS | Dec 9, 2008 6:05:25 PM
We had 8 years for practice so we used to it.;)))

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 6:09 pm 6:09 pm

Choose your friends wisely for you will be judged by the company you keep. How many times will people accept his flimsy excuses for these associations? It is documented that he worked closely with & for Blagojevich and leopards don’t change their spots. Stop being so defensive & open your eyes.

Posted by: chermor | December 9, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Kyle,
exactly! That’s what I’ve been telling people for months. Obama is a product of Chicago style politics. There is NOTHING good about that! Corruption and dirty-dealings is they way it’s done in Chicago. Always have been.

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Obama – No Drama? That remains to be seen… I was thinking that Blago case is going to detonate before elections. That would have been bad. But, if there is firm connection between those two, it is going to be more crippling then Lewinsky affair.

Posted by: Mladen | December 9, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

WONDER IF THIS STORY WILL BE POUNDED DAY AFTER DAY BY NETWORKS AND PAPERS AND OBAMA WILL BE ASKED TO APOLOGIZE TO AMERICA BY GREGORY AND MORAN DAY AFTER DAY FOR MONTHS.
WONDER IF WE WILL HAVE HEARINGS CENTERING ON WHAT DID HE KNOW AND WHEN DID HE KNOW IT, PARTICULARLY SINCE THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE TRUTH, PER OBAMA’S AIDE, AND WHAT OBAMA STATED.
NOT A CHANCE.

Posted by: JOHN CHINN | December 9, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Oh sing little birdies and tell us about your rooster and his bad eggs! This mess brewing is a Christmas gift that will keep on giving right to the top of the tree. Can you say impeachment?

Posted by: Bahiabob | December 9, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

You know what’s really funny…when the more dense factions in the Republican Party attempt humor.

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Obama was conveniently ignoring all the corruption in Chicago–going on right in front of him.
Kind of like not hearing any of Wright’s hateful, racist sermons while sitting in the pews for 20 years.
Or maybe like serving on a board with an unremorseful terrorist because BO thought Ayers had been rehabilitated.
Sooner or later Obama’s luck will run out. Liars and crooks always get caught.
Karma…Ask OJ Simpson.

Posted by: bailey | December 9, 2008, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm

to those accusing Reps of trying to dig up SOMETHING at every turn, let me remind you that it was and IS the Dem’s reputation, regarding the house and senate, to “investigate” everyone and everything thing that Bush touched. the Dem’s have launched more investigations than legislations. wonder why their approval rating is lower than Bush’s? they’re good at being crybabies until someone accuses one of their own.

Posted by: chris | December 9, 2008, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm

so Axel Rod made a statement last month and they waited until today to correct it.
Seems like a correction only to protect Obama.
Curruption before he even comes to office, what a shame.

Posted by: myzre | December 9, 2008, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm

Why do we keep electing these people into office? It is time to clean house all they way to the white house! enough is enough! In other countries you see the people marching in the streets in anger to protest backroom deals. But not in America..oh no…..we get even by bloggin about them…yea that will show them…come on America..wake up!

Posted by: Dian | December 9, 2008, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

I’m just curious about the claims that Obama helped to bring down the corrupt governor …. how could he have helped if he had no contact with the governor’s office? Sorry Obama supporters – that claim just doesn’t add up.

Posted by: disgruntled taxpayer | December 9, 2008, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

When you lose you guys go straight for personal attacks. Well this is only the beginning of a long messy presidential term. Now accuse me of something like being bald or something.

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:13 pm 6:13 pm

Axelrod: Liar, Obama Presidency: Over before it starts, the look on liberal’s faces: PRICELESS!

Posted by: REX | December 9, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

Some of you seem content to not bother with the facts:
‘THE COMPLAINT MAKES NO ACCUSATIONS ABOUT THE PRESIDENT-ELECT’S CONDUCT’

Posted by: Silky | December 9, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

The key player here is Tony Rezeko folks. He is singing like a bird to the FBI to get himself out of prison. This is just the tip of the iceberg of all the Chicago corruption and King Obama is right in the middle of it.

Posted by: billy bob | December 9, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm

ghost : I am used to it because our guy wasn’t good either, but You guys are expecting a Messiah.

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

So I have to work until Jan 20th. before the messiah takes care of me? Thats B.S. How much will Obama pay me for my vote?

Posted by: joe | December 9, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

Silky,
The target was Blago. The only thing Fitzgerald said was there’s nothing in the indictment about Obama. He NEVER said Obama had no involvement!

Posted by: Darryl | December 9, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

I find the article very informative and interesting. However, I do hope the author does not go any further with probing questions of Obama or his staff, to do so will most likely result in the author being considered, persona non grata or completely blacklisted by the Obama administration resulting in suspension or termination of his day job. When will the media learn that you don’t mess with The One.

Posted by: D. White | December 9, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

So liberals, you feeling any buyer’s remorse yet for choosing Obama as your champion? Chicago thug politics has now been brought straight to the White House. Welcome to the era of change, where the U.S. Senate is now on EBay.

Posted by: Gregory | December 9, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

this is supposed to be about Blago but most comments here refer to Obama. What’s up with that .

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

BO’s first scandal and he isn’t even in office yet.
He will be sweating bullets until Blagojevich and Rezko are put away–praying they don’t sing and make a deal with the Feds.
Biden may become president afterall.

Posted by: sam | December 9, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

While I don’t think Obama had anything to do with this scandal I do think that the governor if found guilty should have to pay.The tribune is like Fox noise one sided.What I would like to know is if the Governor of Alaska is being investigated for coruption also.Seems there is some questions about how their hoem was built and where the materials came from.The home was built at the same time as the sports arena was built that Palin wanted and went over budget by a lot of money.Maybe if Alaska sees this in the news it will give some an incentive to check into that and other things her and her husband have done

Posted by: maryjane | December 9, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm

Again, I just love how its the Republicans that are somehow getting the heat for this. Are you people crazy?!?
In Illinois, it is widely known that if you don’t “play ball,” then you don’t win office. Now, it gets racheted up another notch in Cook County, and then again in Chicago, and then again on the south side. Now, if Obama’s political home base is the same south side Chicago, then I cannot fathom even the possibility that he never, NOT ONCE, participated in these types of shenanigans. I mean, you’ve got to be totally naive to believe that.
So, with all his contributions for the election, so many of which were made with untraceable pre-paid credit cards, you think that Blago’s SEIU union cronies donated NO shakedown money this way? Again, head in the sand time!
I love this.

Posted by: Kyle | December 9, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm

Repeat after me: “I don’t recall Senator”, perhaps Hillary can coach him.
Which happens first, Obama is impeached, or he resigns? All hail President Biden, at least we’ll get Yogi Berra-esque quotes!

Posted by: Tom | December 9, 2008, 6:19 pm 6:19 pm

Pastor Manning is right! He is just a MacDaddy. I don’t know what a MacDaddy is but it doesn’t sound good and right now Obama doesn’t look good. He looks real nervous. How is that twitch doing Michelle was worried he had, I wonder.
Thank you Pastor Manning for the warning. I wish the MSM would have done the same. Everyone should get their money back from him and his minions.

Posted by: kay | December 9, 2008, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm

Obama did not rise up in the politics of Chicago being a chior boy. Since the media refused to vett him, even they don’t know who he is or what he has done. None of us know anything about “The One.”
But if you read the smoking gun copy of the indictment of the Gov. you will find he made a deal with a big wig at the Tribune Co. to get rid of editorial board members the Gov. did not like at the Chicago Tribune in exchange for the State buying Wriggley field owned by the Tribune Company.
Maybe this tatic of Democrat Party Corruption explains why we don’t know much about “The One” who gives Chris Matthews tingles in his leg. But we know a lot about Sarah Palin’s clothes…and in the end, that is all that REALLY matters! Move along now, Obama is the first and only politician from Chicago who never was touched by dirty dealings, racists, terrorists, etc.

Posted by: Sara123123 | December 9, 2008, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm

Hey Jake,
You left out that in the press conference this AM, the US attorney said they had Blagojevich on tape calling Obama a bleeper and he didn’t care what Obama wanted, as Blago was going to make big money for himself on the seat. “This seat is golden” I believe he said.
Doesn’t sound like they are too chummy now does it Jake…

Posted by: Davis | December 9, 2008, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm

So many right-wingers calling names, here. And they are accusing the other side about being hateful?
Speaking of calling names, all of you who are claiming that Obama and the Gov are buddies need to do your research. They have had a distant, at best, relationship. That’s a fact that a little research will show. Also, the governor had a few choice insults for Obama that were recorded on tape. Clearly they are not the best of friends.
Sounds like the right-wing nut-jobs are going to have to go find another mole-hill to stir up into a mountain.

Posted by: Michael | December 9, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm

Apparently the change we could believe in was really “I can change what I say any time and you have to all believe me”.
Obama forgot that Alexrod said last month that Obama and the Governor were talking about who should take the liar’s Senate seat.

Posted by: Peach | December 9, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

liberals have got their work of defending the their AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PREZ being handed to them before the mook gets in office.
gonna be a long 4 years on defense for liberals, especially when you have corruption problems from the get go.

Posted by: Former Dem | December 9, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

Chicago? Is anyone surprised? It’s known as an organized community of political machine hacks and traders. There could be revelations coming out of Obama’s closet for years. Even a saint would be tainted by association to that political machine or just by having one of their zip codes. Maybe Obama can produce a birth certificate with immigration papers proving he was never even in this country before the Blagojevich arrest.

Posted by: Hillary | December 9, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.” — Barack Hussein Obama
Well, it’s not quite, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” but it has it’s own charm.

Posted by: Farmer Bob | December 9, 2008, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

Davis -
You seem to have missed the part on the tape where the governor’s aide said that Obama could get the governor’s wife some cushy board jobs in exchange for appointing the person to the Senate that Obama recommended. quid pro quo

Posted by: Peach | December 9, 2008, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

Behold America, your new President. A Chicago politician, with questionable political friends and allies, not forthcoming about what he knows, and who knows how many other skeletons. Too bad nobody did serious digging or raised serious concern before November 4th.
You’re judged by the company you keep.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 6:25 pm 6:25 pm

How much you think Biden paid for VP nomination? It makes sense now how that idiot got on the ticket. “Politics for Personal Profit!” The new slogan for the next 4 years. Courtesy of the new messiah.

Posted by: joe | December 9, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

One Governor every ten years on average in Illinois is caught doing something illegal for the last five decades.

Posted by: MarkG | December 9, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

You really think it is an accident that the Clinton 3rd term by proxy is now fully entrenched in the Obama Administration. They most definitely new of Obama’s Chicago associates misdealings. But bubba blew it for her in S.C. with his Jesse Jackson comment. From then on, no matter what she brought up in the campaign it would be drowned out by the noise of Obama mania! Or better yet he could send out one his surrogates to hang the Scarlet Letter “R” around her neck. Obama now has her and bubba’s former staffers to provide him cover. HC has the Sec of State gig where her previous foreign policy experience ranges from hosting State Dinners and coming under “sniper” fire in Bosnia. She now can finally step out of Bill’s shadow and leave her own mark on history. Obama’s past election tatics cleared out the opposition. He could have burried the Clinton’s and cast them off into the sea of political has beens. Some would have not even shed a tear. Certainly he would not have to worry about internal strife in the party, Democrats are Democrats first. HC supporters fell right in line on the 4th. You can throw a corpse (Weekend at Bernie’s style) in an election slap a D next to his name and the corpse will get 42% of the vote. Yet she is still here! Ever think why? She has leverage, and it is not the 18mil who voted for her in the primaries.

Posted by: Rich | December 9, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

“I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”
- Obama Senior Advisor David Axelrod, November 23, 2008
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening.”
- Barack Obama, December 8, 2008
Barack Obama is lying.
Barack Obama is in BIG TROUBLE.
Can’t you just picture Obama in an orange jumpsuit with his hands cuffed behind him?

Posted by: One_American | December 9, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

President George Bush Jr
U.S. Confirmed Deaths in Iraq
Reported Deaths: 4209
Confirmed Deaths: 4208
Pending Confirmation: 1

Posted by: beware of the New World Order | December 9, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

Christmas for Republicans?

Posted by: stmichrick | December 9, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

As I predicted before the election, the MSM who put the man in office, will be like a pack of hyena’s going for blood as the man’s background unravels. Sadly, this will drag our country even deeper into a morass, while the fools in Congress duck for their own cover and the economy continues it’s tailspin into the worst times since the 1930′s. It’s too bad we have to be so foolish with our votes that we will have to suffer such humiliation as a country – a damn shame. The only fix I see now is for Obama to give up his sham and let Biden take over – he may be a crook, but my Washington standards, is still “honest” in comparison. I can’t say we didn’t deserve this – we indeed do!!

Posted by: Dennis in Ohio | December 9, 2008, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm

“Scott: I live in Chicago. Everyone has known for years that Blago is crooked. It is about time that he was arrested. I hope that he is found guilty.”
I lived in Arkansas for 30 years. Everybody knew that the Clintons were crooked.
But don’t worry about Obama – I’m sure he’s got people working on his cover stories right now. Besides, he’s a Democrat, which means he’s got the media on his side, which gives him plenty of Teflon out of the box.

Posted by: David | December 9, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

farmer bob: so well written! thanks for all the laughs Rezco Obama Blago. see you in court

Posted by: CHAOS | December 9, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm

Blagojevich is an arrogant dope…
be it Repub or Dem… from the reports I’ve heard so far, if your that stupid, you deserve what you get…
Too bad Pat Fitz’ didn’t get a real chance at Scooter & Cheney tho’…..

Posted by: Blue | December 9, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm

“Bush didn’t protect us on 9/11 but forgetting that their hero Clinton failed miserably on National Security with the Twin Towers being bombed,two embassies,Somalia,The USS Cole.”
So Clinton’s administration hunting down and jailing the 1st WTC bombers and trying to hit terrorists camps after they hit our embassies was a miserable failure of national security.
But Bush sitting there reading My Pet Goat while 3000 Americans were killed?
In the right wing mind that was defending this country.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm

“OBAMA CANNOT BE BOUGHT”
Oh sure, except by all those millions and millions of dollars in illegal and fraudulent campaign contributions.
This could be a lot of fun. Blago likely has all kinds of dirt on Obama, who is just another sleazy Chicago machine politician just like Blago is. I’m sure Blagojevich would be quite willing to cough up something good in exchange for some leniency in terms of sentencing. I’d be pretty nervous if I were Obama right now. Plus, subpoenas have just been served regarding the Rezko/Obama land deal, and a grand jury is going to be seated soon. I wonder if Obama will make it past his first year before the impeachment hearings start.

Posted by: EyeDoc | December 9, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

WELCOME to the Obama administration!
Yippie! Hurrah!
Aren’t you SO HAPPY that Obama won now?
Oh, you are a “little upset” that Obama, and his TOP advisor (Axlerod) can’t get their “stories straight”? WAKE UP!
Where was your “concern” about Reverend Wright (preaching HATE, Racism, for twenty years for Obama and his family), Resko (millions and land deals), Ayers (TERRORIST), etc,?
America was BLINDED by “change” but never asked what the “change” was.
Well, now you are getting CHANGE…the Chicago Way.
Great job!
Buckle up…it’s going to be a WILD 4 years!
Nuff said.
NOSTRADAMUSLIVES by Jeff

Posted by: Jeff Schrembs | December 9, 2008, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

Posted by: Dennis in Ohio
- “The only fix I see now is for Obama to give up his sham and let Biden take over – ”
LOL… thanx, that was a good one…..

Posted by: Blue | December 9, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

“There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed. ”
Would you take such pains to whitewash the scene if a Republican was the President elect?
Obama slithered out of the same slimy swamp which gave us felon Rezko, soon to be felon Blagojevich, the Rev. Wright, Farakhan, unrepentant terrorist Bill Ayers,Father Pfleger, or terrorist sympathiser and fund raiser Khalidi.
These are his buddies, cronies, and friends — but pointing out the connection is somehow unfair, playing the “guilt by association game”????

Posted by: Morton Doodslag | December 9, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

Obama supporters, we get it. Bush bad, bad man, deserves prison.
So are you trying to divert attention or are you trying to say it’s okay that Dem politicians do bad things and O might be involved (doing a heck of a lot of backpedalling, I notice) because Bush is bad, bad man?
Democrats are just as deep in corruption and deal-making as Republicans. That’s the way the game is played. If all you can say is “But but but look what BUSH did!”, at the top of your lungs, I’m afraid it’s not a convincing argument. Obama’s circle contains bad, bad people as well, and you’ll just have to deal with it as they get dragged into the light. He’s not perfect, and he sure as heck didn’t get this far by playing nice.

Posted by: Laughing Cynic | December 9, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

And before he is even sworn in, the backtracking and lies start.

Posted by: Jan | December 9, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

Wow!!! Can you say “Impeachment before Inauguration Day”? The “Change” all of you hateful liberals asked for!

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

Patriotic American | Dec 9, 2008 4:07:43 PM
Why do you insist on bring this up in every post no matter what the original topic was. ONce again, Bush did not lie, if he did so did Russia, China, Germany, the U.N. and the Brits. You seem to forget that they just shipped 550 metric tons of Saddam’s yellowcake uranium to a comapny in Canada that purchased it. Which brings me to my next point, Joe and Val are both liars, she wasn’t an agent and he was a diplomat, what was he doing going on a mission in the first place. Richard Armitage outed Plame, again, not a covert agent, and admitted as much. One trillion on the war is nothing compared to what Democrats have spent on the so called “War on Poverty”, that’s 9 trillion and counting and all it did was create more poor people. Not to mention National Defense is one the few things government is constitutionally obligated to spend money on; not welfare, Medicaid or Social Security.

Posted by: Chris Nichols | December 9, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

It was getting soooo boring around here without rampant ‘wing-nut’ rantings……. you all should thank the Gov. for giving you something to talk about …..

Posted by: Blue | December 9, 2008, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm

Is it more likely that the governor just suddently turned corrupt, or that he has been that way for long enough time for those who have worked with/for him to notice it?
If Obama did not notice this “weakness” toward corruption, what kind of character-judgement skills does he have?
His ambiguous, evasive and euphemistic rhetoric reminds me a lot of the Clinton’s.

Posted by: Alex Moreno | December 9, 2008, 6:40 pm 6:40 pm

“Democrats are just as deep in corruption and deal-making as Republicans.”
Except that they aren’t.
Are there corrupt Democrats? Certainly.
But there are far more corrupt politicians on the GOP side.
Look at CREW’s annual report of the 20 most corrupt memebers of Congress.
Republicans beat the Democrats by 2 to 1 , even 4 to 1, margins over the last 5 years.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

“I wonder if Obama will make it past his first year before the impeachment hearings start.
Posted by: EyeDoc | Dec 9, 2008 6:33:15 PM”
I wonder if you remember Jack Abramoff. Some of Bush aids charged with corruption because of Jack. Did you hear about any impeachment hearings against Bush?
You are just a “funny” person…

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

Chicago must be an interesting place to live. I heard Rev. Wright is back preaching at the Trinity Church and continuing to spew the anti-American talk that Obama knew nothing about. How much do you suppose he was paid to keep quiet during the last months of Obama’s campaign?

Posted by: Susan | December 9, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

Obama-Mugabe says he is inuseant. Of course Obama had not idea what was going on. Yeah right! Does anyone belive that? Obama didn’t raise the most amount of money in the history of the world by being honest. Americans are in for a long ride with this guy.

Posted by: Mugabe | December 9, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

I just can’t believe, or stomach, the stupid corruption ramppant in the Democratic party. Jeeze, Obama’s not even in the White House yet and it’s like the Clintons all over again. Nonetheless, I’m glad Obama defeated McCain. Better a know, corrupt Marxist than a closet statist. I voted Barr/Root. The voters don’t always get the government they expect, but almost always get the government they deserve.

Posted by: Raggedy Edge | December 9, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

TO THINK THIS CORRUPTION IS ONLY HAPPENING AT THE STATE LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT IS RIDICULOUS! NOW GO TO COOK COUNTY AND THE MAYORS OFFICE AND GET THE REST OF THOSE CROOKS IN GOVERNMENT OUT!! AND THEN GO WASHINGTON AND GET THOSE CROOKS OUT! THE CITIZENS NEED TO TAKE BACK THEIR GOVERNMENT AND STOP TOLERATING CORRUPTION BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AT ALL LEVELS!!

Posted by: VINCENT ACKLEY | December 9, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

twin_peaks_nikki, Are u kidding?
Hillary. Now THERE is an honest politician.
And Obama? Just another Chicago political thug and liar.

Posted by: KeepYourHeelsDown | December 9, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

What goes up, must go down. Crook county and ALL involved, yes even the ONE, looks like the ride is going down.

Posted by: Jug | December 9, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

I have the distinct feeling that this is just the tip of the ice berg about what we will see coming out of the Obama camp, pure corruption!
How does that surprise you it shouldnt? Look at Barack Obama’s well documented ghastly long term associations? Look at his secrecy – all the cover ups from money that poured into his campaign from Lord knows where and by God knows whom to the infamous far reaching tentacles of ACORN.
The lack of transparency is mind boggling.
And more recently there are other MAJOR concerns about Barack Obama. So serious are the questions about his background that Barack Obama might not be even eligble to serve as POTUS. Why? some claim he was born in Kenya, and others say his father was not an American citizen,…and the latter points to the question of failing to be a “natural born citizen” which if that is true would leave Barack Obama ineligible to take the helm on Janaury 20th, 2009, as President of the United States.
But how will we ever know whether Barack is eligible when he wasn’t vetted properly or when the main stream press has ignored this momumental question about his eligibility?
Unquestionably, Barack Hussein Obama is a man of many secrets and a skilled politician. Why? he has pulled every trick in the book to prevent us from seeing his personal documents which could shed light on who he really is. He has hired even several law firms to represent him in this matter …hoping it will simply disappear. But it wont…
Moreover, unless he can prove or is forced to prove that he is a “natural born citizen,” of the United States, which is a major constitutional requirement for POTUS, I will wonder who he is and be frightened for the security of the United States. Because if he isn’t eligible to serve as POTUS and does, imagine the opportunites to black mail him. We cannot afford that can we?
And, finally, how can we take a chance on throwing our United States Constitution out the window? That will be the case, if our United States Supreme Court first does not accept a valid case which calls into question Barack’s eligibility to be POTUS and second if SCOTUS fails to uphold the US Constitution. God help us!

Posted by: Republican dog | December 9, 2008, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm

“Which brings me to my next point, Joe and Val are both liars,”
Based on what?
“she wasn’t an agent”
Except that she was. See 9/11 report.
“and he was a diplomat, what was he doing going on a mission in the first place.”
His connections as a diplomat to Nigerian officials?
Its becoming more and more clear how someone as clueless as Palin could become a darling of the right wing.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

All you mean talkers… SHUT UP
Obama is perfect! Obama is wise! Obama is my savior, and should be yours too. Democrats are smart and beautiful and compassionate, and we are led by the wisest man in 1000 years.

Posted by: BO lover | December 9, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

The Governor is a tyrant. Illinois is one of the most anti-second amendment states in the union. Now we know why. Tyrants hate liberty. Tyrants hate guns. Hitler hated guns in the hands of the masses. Hitler’s arise out of tyrants like this Governnor.
I demand the death penalty. He tried to sell the people’s voice.
Thomas Jefferson,
“God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion.
The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is
wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions,
it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. …
And what country can preserve its liberties, if it’s rulers are not
warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of
resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as
to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost
in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from
time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
It is its natural manure.”

Posted by: kennedy | December 9, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

“Wow!!! Can you say “Impeachment before Inauguration Day”? The “Change” all of you hateful liberals asked for!
Posted by: Tim | Dec 9, 2008 6:38:56 PM
We know it is very hard living in Alaska, or on a mountain or in the woods.., nothing to do except hating the liberty and liberals!;)))

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 6:46 pm 6:46 pm

the last gov. of Ill. was a Republican! He is currently in prison. Current gov. is a Dem. charged w/ a crime. Did anyone notice the day before He called for a boycott against Bank of America? Do you know what BAC did w/ their 71/2 billion in bailout $$$- bought a 20% stake in a Chinese bank! THINK just a little. Media is bought! Nothing is as iy seems!

Posted by: solbama | December 9, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

Don’t believe for a second that this is not the way it is done in both parties. Animal Farm has come to pass in the USA.

Posted by: Steve | December 9, 2008, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm

IT is sad that this happened.
Mr Obama is not even sworn in yet and perhaps we should think about seeking a special prosecutor to investigate this mess and possible ties to the president elect.
Oh, I forgot, we elected a majority Democratic House and Senate. I guess an investigtion will never happen….
It took a second alledged crime for OJ to get his orange jumpsuit…
God help America….

Posted by: DH | December 9, 2008, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm

Richard Armitage came out and admitted that he was the one who leaked Valerie Plames identity-not Scooter Libby.

Posted by: Kyle Salerno | December 9, 2008, 6:49 pm 6:49 pm


“I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”
- Obama Senior Advisor David Axelrod, November 23, 2008
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening.”
- Barack Obama, December 8, 2008
Barack Obama is lying.
Barack Obama is in BIG TROUBLE.
Can’t you just picture Obama in an orange jumpsuit with his hands cuffed behind him?

This is NOT the first time Obama has lied about his background, and it won’t be the last. You can not spend 15 to 20 years in the cesspool of Chicago and Ill. politics and advance and not be crooked.
America drank the koolaid, and was suckered by slick Barry.

Posted by: Occam49 | December 9, 2008, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

Ryan, all
Yeah, I am shocked, shocked! heh.
Anyway, I am glad this has come out.
This will make Obama’s admin (and other politicians) be more careful about this kind of stuff, I hope. Obviously, there is no excuse for it…this is exactly what people are sick of…Abramoff and now this…

Posted by: Wade | December 9, 2008, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

Posted by: stmichrick | Dec 9, 2008 6:28:24 PM
President George Bush Jr
U.S. Confirmed Deaths in Iraq
Reported Deaths: 4209
Confirmed Deaths: 4208
Pending Confirmation: 1
George W. Bush is not a Jr.
As to Obama distancing himself… he distanced himself from both his Aunt and good ol Granny, too. He still hasn’t offered proof that he a US born American citizen. Should SCOTUS fail to uphold Article 2 of the Constitution, and Obama actually takes office, America is in for tough times indeed. He’s corrupt, unqualified, inexperienced and a bare-faced liar. He’s sworn to stand with the Muslims in the event of conflict and he turns his back on our flag. We should be afraid, America… we should be VERY afraid.

Posted by: David B | December 9, 2008, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

Blago’s chickennnnnnsss have come hooooommmmmme to roooooost

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

Patrick Fitzgerald said in the indictment that Obama was not implicated in any of this tawdry stuff, no matter how hard the msm wants to change the narrative. In fact the it’s been reported that Rahm Emanuel is believed to be the won who turned the governor in. I don’t see thsi reported here by you Jake.

Posted by: Leeda | December 9, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

This doesn’t change my mind about Obama. I still support the President elect.

Posted by: lanawonders | December 9, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

We all already know that Obama has poor judgment when it comes to the people with whom he associates (and most of them live in his neighborhood). Unfortunately, the majority of Americans didn’t hear about them because of the media bias or they just didn’t care.

Posted by: Susan | December 9, 2008, 6:51 pm 6:51 pm

You say this in your own story: There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed.
In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only “gratitude” if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor’s chagrin.
This should have been the beginning and end of this story. No “there”, there.

Posted by: Logical | December 9, 2008, 6:52 pm 6:52 pm

This too shall pass. In the meantime, I wonder what breed or breeds the next WH pooch will be.

Posted by: kat | December 9, 2008, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm

I was expecting change but not THIS fast ! The BamaRama hasn’t even taken place yet ad it’s already hitting the fan. Wise move Obama, deny anything and everything. Don’t believe it ? Ask Pelosi, she will back up everything the Big O says.

Posted by: TwoElks | December 9, 2008, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm

No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any Person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States.
Section. 4.
The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Posted by: David B | December 9, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm

I’ve never seen so many posts rooting for American to hurt through a scandal again. There is no evidence that President Elect Obama was involved in anything unethical or illegal, just a lot of connecting dots that don’t exist in order to justify the wishful thinking of the losers of this past election. Their own party is in such a shambles through child molestation in florida congressmen’s offices, propositioning police for homosexual activity in Idaho, pay-for-play schemes in Tom Delay’s office, and war scandals in the Vice President’s office. They want to turn the attention on a 4% approval rating governor who was a dirt bag. Somehow, they hope to tie it to a man who hasn’t even sworn in yet so that they can drag our country through the mud of another impeachment? Nice try. I just want to know why do you hate our country so much that you want to see it in pain just to justify your own political gain? You’re sick.
Right now, men and women in uniform are fighting and dying to protect our liberties and our constitution while you cheerlead a scandal. You should be ashamed of yourselves.

Posted by: An Active Duty US Soldier | December 9, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm

Did I also hear today that the federal grand jury is looking into the Rezko land deal which benefitted Obama? Maybe Rezko is talking.

Posted by: susan | December 9, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

You know it has to kill the MSM and ABC to have to dull the shine of thier hand picked President.
But that cant avoid the obvious anymore.

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 6:55 pm 6:55 pm

Interesting use of the pronoun “we”. “We” indicates friendship and connection. His statement, “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening” is very troubling. What he is saying is THEY were not aware of what was happening. Obama’s in big trouble.
Use of the word ‘so’ indicates stress
“so” indicates stress. Obama is lying about not in the

Posted by: mokoroco | December 9, 2008, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm

Gee the corruption of Chicage/Illinois politics may be coming home to roost. It seems that all the connections between Obama and Blagojevich are being minimized in an effort at damage control. Gotta keep the chosen one distant from this.
Obama is a liar of Clintonian dimensions. HIs feeble attempt to distance himself from this mess is just another lie. Put Blagojevich in jail. He is obviously a crook. Obama needs to go. He lied during the campaign and he is a liar now. He doesn’t even seem to be Constitutionally qualified to be president.
What a crock.

Posted by: Mark | December 9, 2008, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm

“This will make Obama’s admin (and other politicians) be more careful about this kind of stuff, I hope. Obviously, there is no excuse for it…this is exactly what people are sick of…Abramoff and now this…”
Very much agreed. The people are tired of corruption regardless of party and they want to see less secrecy.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm

It’s one thing after another with this Obama crowd. Do you get the idea that you have been hoodwinked, Obama voters? This kettle of fish has just begun to stink. Wait until Guv. Rod-guy realizes he can get off the hook by spilling his guts about his compadres! This shameful travesty is sure to make Watergate look like kindergarten finger-painting time.

Posted by: SacVet | December 9, 2008, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm

“We all already know that Obama has poor judgment when it comes to the people with whom he associates …”
Posted by: Susan | Dec 9, 2008 6:51:56 PM
Poor Susan! Something about you and your memory. How about Ted Stevens and Jack Abramoff? and many others?
Bush, Mccain, Palin and others also have a lot of friends.. Interesting friends…

Posted by: ghost | December 9, 2008, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm

Who is the Ventriloquist? I wonder when we will find out. The left is starting to run out of wagons to circle. When they do they may shoot themselves in their own crossfire.

Posted by: The Shortender | December 9, 2008, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm

Overall, the newest of the event makes it difficult to see exactly who knows what or who did what. It may well be that the intertwining of Federal and State government has reached a point where the whole stinking mess has boiled over. Is it going to come down to the American people against a corrupt, arrogant, group who think we all smell? In my book, they all emit a horrendous odor. Obama did make one true statement: it’s going to get worse.

Posted by: AGobbler | December 9, 2008, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm

I think all this is crazy, the person who told on the Governor didn’t get what he or she wanted, and they think it is better late than never to come up with BS and hope that it ties to Obama, PEOPLE GET WITH IT THIS IS THE GOVERNMENT, PRES-ELECT OBAMA WILL TAKE HIS SEAT ON JANUARY 20,2009. YOU DIDN’T STOP HIM THEN AND YOU CANT STOP HIM NOW. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS PAY YOUR TAXES……….

Posted by: Houston | December 9, 2008, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

Illinois politics have produced a number of dirty pols but anyone who thinks this isn’t common EVERYWHERE is simply naive. Every politician angles for appointments and awards positions so don’t act so shocked.
I don’t doubt that Obama wanted to reward Valerie Jarrett. So what? Maybe he mentioned his recommendations to Blago. Again, so what? The problem is that Illinois lets the Governor (in his sole discretion) make the choice. That automatically leads to corruption (same thing will happen in NY – just watch). Don’t hate the player, hate the game.
Obama is the President-elect (and will serve admirably) so all the whiners can just suck it.

Posted by: Bemused | December 9, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

Me wonders if Hilary had a hand in this?

Posted by: BlueC | December 9, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

Ryan C:
“Divert! Divert! Look at what the Republicans are doing! CREW reports! See?!”
You keep mentioning Bush in your other posts. Why? Him bad, we get it, like I said. But Obama not perfect, and all who point this out not right-wing nuts.
But that’s something you’ll never see.

Posted by: Laughing Cynic | December 9, 2008, 7:02 pm 7:02 pm

I have no problem questioning Obama’s relationship with this governor – what I don’t like is the hyprocrisy by the conservatives. For the past 8 years we have witnessed war crimes, law violations, flagrant abuse of power & ethical misconduct by Bush and his administration. You voted for the man TWICE so why on earth are you complaining now? Both parties are corrupt – anyone that thinks differently can buy a bridge that I have to sell you.

Posted by: allie08 | December 9, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

Yes, I agree this is very bad and not a joke but for years I heard it was a joke from people around us they have claimed as joke on the media or blogs. People are not a joke either when there used for bait it’s very sad and so unhumane

Posted by: Gene | December 9, 2008, 7:03 pm 7:03 pm

“Divert! Divert! Look at what the Republicans are doing! CREW reports! See?!”
“You keep mentioning Bush in your other posts. Why? Him bad, we get it”
I actually did not bring up Bush but have discussed him.
“But Obama not perfect, and all who point this out not right-wing nuts.”
I never said he was perfect and I’ve made clear my disgust with Blago.
Don’t want to be considered a right wing nut? Then avoid defending them.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

Is it true thay have the Gov on tape saying,
” Al Franken called? What the hell does he want?!”

Posted by: Jack | December 9, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm

Blago just wanted more money. Obama had no idea what was going to happen. Do we assume everyone with ties to Larry Craig is a pervert? Yeah right wingers, I didn’t think so…………..

Posted by: Bush IQ is that of a squirrel | December 9, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm

If he truly “misspoke” then why wasn’t that addressed at the time he did it? Only now that his comment lands Obama in controversy did he “misspeak.” How convenient.
So where is this “change” Obama has promised? Looks like he’s a good old fashion politician to me. He is a liar and a thief just like the rest of them.

Posted by: drew | December 9, 2008, 7:07 pm 7:07 pm

ORDER OF SUCCESSION TO POTUS
1. Obama will be indicted.
2. On Dec 15, the Electoral College will refuse to vote for him. Court challenges and hanging chad recounts through Jan.
3. Bush/Cheney’s terms will end Jan 20.
4. Nancy Pelosi becomes POTUS
/sarcasm off

Posted by: Politicus | December 9, 2008, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm

If things in the corruption kettle is boiling so merrily now, what will it be when Obama is really president? Seems no politician nowdays can win without losing something. Like a lot of people’s confidence. Lies have become so popular that they have been made a way of life and, like a wart on the nose, are tolerated if they don’t get too big. Study the history of the country and you will find it is not too unusual among the populace.From the bottom clear to the top.

Posted by: Dixie Down | December 9, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm

Can the Prez elect pardon someone before he takes office?
LOL!

Posted by: Fred | December 9, 2008, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm

“But Obama not perfect, and all who point this out not right-wing nuts.”
I never said he was perfect and I’ve made clear my disgust with Blago.
Don’t want to be considered a right wing nut? Then avoid defending them.
Posted by: Ryan C | Dec 9, 2008 7:05:44 PM
then why do you keep defending the corruption of the office of president elect and calling the REAL AMERICANS names

Posted by: Real American | December 9, 2008, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm

Write your Senator and demand that they ask for the death penalty for this traitor. Our Congressmen need to know we mean business!!! Follow freedom or you will face the people’s justice! Act now!!! Men like this Governor are the most danger to freedom.

Posted by: kennedy | December 9, 2008, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm

I have no respect for sycophants like alie08. All these people do is talk about Bush being a “war criminal” and all the precious Constitutional rights that he has violated. PLEASSSSE – get a life! Like Clinton’s “rendition” policy was humanitarian? Like bureacratic laws written before disposable cell phones could ever keep up with modern terrorists? AT LEAST BUSH KEPT US SAFE. Let’s see what you clowns will do, now that you plan to rack up Trillion dollar deficits. ITS ARKANSAS ALL OVER AGAIN! Hey media — thanks for the great job you did vetting this guy Obama. You couldn’t even tell us if his birth certificate is valid, let alone if he’s ethically challenged.

Posted by: EJ | December 9, 2008, 7:12 pm 7:12 pm

The differnve between a crooked Republican and a crooked Democrat?
Crooked Republicans get bad press and lots of it!
Democrats get a laughing, incredulous, oh that cad and it goes away in a day or 2.
Corruption only counts when its a Republican.
Fact!

Posted by: Jeff | December 9, 2008, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm

Our government is completely corrupt at every level. At the White House, one crook out, one crook in. This Congress has to be the biggest bunch of criminals ever assembled. They are stealing us blind in broad daylight. Practically every state is bankrupt from irresponsible criminals.
For those of you that really think you have a champion in this mess, wake up.

Posted by: rick g | December 9, 2008, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm

Geez…The line of Obama’s scumbag friends is getting pretty damn long! Let’s see…ya have hate spewing preachers, convicted real estate brokers, terrorists and now the ultimate in dirty politics…political positions for sale! How many more can he try to disassociate himself from? I hope Hollywood and black America is happy seeing scandal after scandal occurring even before inauguration! Wonder whether the wannabe president will be touching this latest crap in his weekly (and I might say premature) fireside chats with the nation! Obama voters had fair warning of this guy’s dirty ways. They can’t come crying now that Obama’s making Nixon look like a saint.

Posted by: julesuc | December 9, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm

Yes we can- buy the senate seat
Yes we can- get the wife a better job
Yes we can- get campaign contributions
Yes we can- deny knowing the governor
Yes we can- deny knowing anything about this
Change we can count on

Posted by: yeswecan | December 9, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm

Oh Pete, try to control your emotions. Take the day off tomorrow. I see Obama and Rexko’s land deal was subpoened today.

Posted by: tr88 | December 9, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm

Even though there is ABSOLUTELY NO EVIDENCE, these right wingers are still desperate to somehow connect Obama to this scandal, aren’t they?
FOLKS, THE GREAT REPUBLICAN SMEAR MACHINE IS TRYING TO START UP!
THE RIGHT IS DESPERATE TO SMEAR OBAMA!

Posted by: John Crisp | December 9, 2008, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm

“AT LEAST BUSH KEPT US SAFE.”
Except for 9/11 and if you happened to be sent to Iraq. Then it was bring it on. And they did.
“Let’s see what you clowns will do, now that you plan to rack up Trillion dollar deficits.”
ROFLMAO….suddenly after YEARS of record deficits by the Bush admin, you;re concerned about spending programs yet to be proposed?
“Hey media — thanks for the great job you did vetting this guy Obama. You couldn’t even tell us if his birth certificate is valid, let alone if he’s ethically challenged.”
Let’s see:
Obama provided his certificate of birth which is acceptable as proof of citizenry for the State dept.
Various fact check org checked out said document and declared it valid.
Hawaiian officials state they have Obama’s birth certificate.
But right wingers?
They want to believe some nutjob 9/11 truther who has lied to them repeatedly about this case (how many times has Berg claimed that Obama was issued a subpoena).

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm

Obama “Im not a perfect man”
Oh boy did he make an understatement!

Posted by: Fred | December 9, 2008, 7:18 pm 7:18 pm

Yawn. There are a lot of paranoid conspiracy theorists on this thread that need to take their energy and make a better country with it, rather than continuing to waste their energy looking for like-minded freaks to connect imaginary dots.
Illinois has a seemingly corrupt governor that needs to be judged. This has nothing to do with Obama’s nationality, though the reason this wasn’t reviewed by SCOTUS is because his mother’s an American, making him an American citizen as well like it or not. Praying in front of the SC, calling the President-elect by his middle name, generally being a racist, judging people who are not Republicans – none of this is going to change reality.
Reality is you have a new President coming and you might not like him for any of the peculiar reasons cited above, but he’s your next President. The country is where it is and your energy is best served making it better, rather than focusing all your energy on a branch of government that has limited control to make major change unless it oversteps its bounds.
Kindly step off and work with the rest of us to do something more constructive than introducing more conspiracy and useless vitriol. Save it for judging your own many inadequacies, then go and actually fix them with all this wasted time.
Now back to the Blago story.

Posted by: Appanage | December 9, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

Hey Ghost. Sometimes the truth hurts. Last I checked 59 MILLION 896 THOUSAND 859 voters did not come from just Alaska, the mountains and the woods. You wouldn’t know liberty if it smacked you in the face. But you are soon going to know what socialism and communism get ya! Enjoy eating beans and rice while the dictator and his wife eat lobster and caviar!

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

Meh. According to the comments it seems that Obama is either Richard Nixon, what did the President-elect know and when did he know it, or he’s Harry Truman, an honest man who came to power with the help of, shall we say, less than honest men. Politics is a dirty business and no politician can help getting fleas from the dogs he or she must do business with.
From what I’ve read elsewhere, Obama’s chief of staff (Emanuel) may be the whistle blower who put the feds onto the Governor’s trail after the Governor asked for his bribe. If that is the case is Obama still to be condemned because someone tried to bribe his administration?

Posted by: MIke | December 9, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm

You poor saps that voted for Obama. What a major fraud he is. He had the blessing of all the Chicago crooks. His hands are as dirty if not dirtier than all the other crooks in Illinois. Just want and see. He will be flushing us down the toilet.

Posted by: yorkie mom | December 9, 2008, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm

Let’s get this straight: Obama _will_ be the President come January 20th. There shouldn’t be any doubt about that.
However, I think it’s kind of a tragedy that it took only negative fourty or so (-40) days into an Obama presidency for a major scandal to emerge.
Throughout the campaign, there were people yelling and screaming about the low-lifes Obama associated with and considered his friends. Well… this governer was one of them. I sincerely hope that Blagojevich is the only major skeleton in Obama’s closet, because otherwise, we’re in for a wild 4 years.
Hang onto yer hats ladies and gents. ;)

Posted by: MS | December 9, 2008, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm

Note to liberals: ALL Chicago politicians are dirty (including Obama).
Note to right wingers: Things are so bad right now that people are willing to choose dishonesty over incompetance.

Posted by: JoeTheSoftwareArchitect | December 9, 2008, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm

I am sick unto death of the shrill, hysterical, lunatic rants agaist Barack Obama. He is not perfect — none of us is — and I voted for him with great caution.
But in the name of God, Allah, Zeus, or utter nililism, shut up and give him a chance! He’s all we’ve got now, and if you do not live in Illinois, then you have no right to complain that he endorsed the Governor four years ago.
Grow up, be realistic, and recognize that if the President-elect does not have your support, then you are refusing to support yourselves; you are wishing ill on the country and on yourselves, your colleagues, your employers, and your children. Get over the childish conspiracy theories and move forward. If you are incapable of doing that, then perhaps you are not what this country needs, in terms of intelligence, education, and perception.
Do you hate Barack Obama? Are you going to waste time on pointless, if colorful, accusations? Fine. Then emigrate elsewhere and send us your blogs from the Costa del Sol. I’m sure that we’ll all find them quite entertaining.

Posted by: Eleonora27 | December 9, 2008, 7:26 pm 7:26 pm

I love how these media reports say that Obama is separated from Blago, because they were in different “camps” of the Illinois democratic party. This article is the only one that details any kind of interaction between the two.
There are two camps: Blago/Emil Jones camp and the Michael Madigan camp. The former was Obama’s camp. The latter camp works hard for Illinois, and does right by the state.
You can read about Blago’s run ins with Madigan on just about any Illinois newspaper website. You can also read about Emil Jomes’ unconditional support of Blago. The same Emil Jones that was referred to by Obama as his “political mentor.”

Posted by: JE | December 9, 2008, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm

President elect Obama (aka, SGT Schultz)Ayers (“I know nothing”), Wright (“I know nothing”), Rezco (“I know nothing”) , and Blagojevich (I know nothing”).

Posted by: Okie | December 9, 2008, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm

“If he truly “misspoke” then why wasn’t that addressed at the time he did it? Only now that his comment lands Obama in controversy did he “misspeak.” How convenient.
So where is this “change” Obama has promised? Looks like he’s a good old fashion politician to me. He is a liar and a thief just like the rest of them. ”
Misspoke is Obamaspeak for “I’m lying, but I’ll blame someone and the idiot sycophants will believe me”

Posted by: Occam49 | December 9, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

Yeah right.
Larry Craig gets arrested for tap dancing in a men’s stall in a public airport restroom. Now all Republicans are crooks.
Gov. Blago gets arrested for selling a vacant Senate Seat and Obama is innocent. Despite Axelrod stating Obama spoke with the Gov.
What lovely logic Liberals embrace.

Posted by: Fred Murray | December 9, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

Yorkie Mom:
“You poor saps that voted for Obama. What a major fraud he is. He had the blessing of all the Chicago crooks. His hands are as dirty if not dirtier than all the other crooks in Illinois. Just want and see. He will be flushing us down the toilet.”
Where do you come up with such a deranged perspective? The President-elect is dirtier than these people in Illinois who’ve done wrong things? Does this mean I’m dirtier than the thieves in my neighborhood if I talk to them when we see each other at the convenience store?
I didn’t realize things had changed to the point where the dirtiest people in our society weren’t the ones committing the crimes. Appreciate the help on that.

Posted by: Appanage | December 9, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

Wherever he is, I’m sure Al Capone is laughing his head off.

Posted by: el capitan | December 9, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

Supeona the Obama phone and Blackberry records. It will be proven he lied. He is in the middle of this corrupt mess.

Posted by: Dennis D | December 9, 2008, 7:28 pm 7:28 pm

I’m glad this guy is going to jail, but in his own words, he said Obama wasn’t playing his game, and called him a MF’er. That is proof to me that our next POTUS is not involved directly w/this clown. So, chill out, all you Hannity and Rush fans.
Bush knew Abramoff, but I don’t think Bush is crooked.
ALL of these guys are connected in one way or another, both parties. This is why I say term limits are the only way to keep people out that think they can get rich from “serving the public”.
This is disgusting.

Posted by: MP | December 9, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

It is clear by the tapes they have on the governor that Obama was no favorite of his and was not willing to grease his hand for a favor.
This will, of course, not stop the same people who have parked here for the last year insisting Obama is a wolf in sheep’s clothing but for most people I suspect it will be answer enough.

Posted by: Livvy | December 9, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

You really got to pity the neocon rightwing nutjobs. They are so desperate to live in their own fantasy that they grasp at any rumor floating by. For years and years, these very same neocon loonies ignored the corruptions of Cunningham, Stevens, Young, Vitter, Craig, etc. The right wing nutters ignored the arrests and convictions of their own campaign aides, preachers etal for crimes from bribery to rape to foot tapping in public restrooms.
But even more pititul for these GOP koolaid drinkers is the following.
When January 20th comes around Barack Obama will be President, and the right wing nujobbers will still be tired, failed little men.

Posted by: Continuum | December 9, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

Blago and B.O. are the same, Chi town is as dirty as you can get.

Posted by: Conn | December 9, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

seems like ever dem elected is either a crook or a goofball this Obama guy has probley got a lot hidden and the media will get around to diging it out, he didn’t hang arount all those crooks and some of it not rub off.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm

First Rezko, now Blago.
It’s naive to think Obama did not talk to Blago about the empty Senate seat, either directly or thru aides. Of course, Obama’s followers will believe anything. Yes, they will!
Obama’s excuses are Clintonesque, which should not come as a surprise, given that the candidate of “change” has reelected the Clinton administration through his appointments.
“I want you to know, I never had political relations with that Governor….”
This thing has Watergate written all over it…

Posted by: Francis Marion | December 9, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

Oh SNAP did you hear that???? wait for it…. you can hear the fear in obama’s voice all the way in colorado

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

Uh-oh. Obama’s name keeps coming up in the wiretaps. Obama knew about the bidding and Obama’s response upset Gov. Blogo.

Posted by: Jane R. | December 9, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

I said it before and I will say it again. Our leaders are not intelligent, bright, capable, or qualified. Just like the Romans, they bought their way to power. I find it interesting that the gov wanted his wife to sit on boards with large salaries. Of course this isn’t the same, but didn’t Mrs. BHO sit on boards? Has anyone wondered how she got those lucrative positions? Please don’t tell me it is because she is so intelligent, capable, bright, or qualified. Caroline Kennedy for the Senate seat? It’s all about money folks and who you know. It’s all about deals and I will never know how the FBI -NSA-CIA manage to pick the winners of the gotcha contests. I can’t believe there is one representative in Congress that isn’t about secret deals, greed, and making money for themselves. Time and time again they have proven they don’t listen to the constituency.

Posted by: clancy49 | December 9, 2008, 7:32 pm 7:32 pm

Boo-frickety-hoo. You libs are crying about true journalism, something that the election process was lacking. Had these so-called reporters done their jobs earlier we might not have this sham as a pres-elect.
Get used to hearing negative things about your candidate, we listened to your complaining for 8 years.
Mike, San Diego

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm

The GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SQUEAL!
TO GET THE BEST DEAL HE CAN THE ILLINOIS GOVERNOR IS GOING TO SQUEAL ON ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY HE CAN!
THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT OBAMA WAS IN ON THIS!
SPECIAL PROSECUTOR HERE WE COME ALONG WTIH 4 YEARS OF INVESTIGATIONS! YAHOO!

Posted by: mary | December 9, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm

“Larry Craig gets arrested for tap dancing in a men’s stall in a public airport restroom. Now all Republicans are crooks.”
Actually that would make Republicans perverts but I digress.
Duke Cunningham, Bob Ney & Ted Stevens are what makes Republicans crooks.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm

So Blago calling Obama a MF’er means Obama had no connections with the crook?
Now there’s a legal precedent.
But that’s just everyday speak at Rev. Wright’s Trinity Church. A term of endearment, methinks.
Excuse me, it’s Sunday speech.

Posted by: Michael Rivers | December 9, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm

I plan on treating your president with the same respect you treated mine. Turn about is fair play.

Posted by: alfie | December 9, 2008, 7:35 pm 7:35 pm

I dont think Obama was involved in this matter-this comming from a Republican. But Illinois politics are extremely corrupt.

Posted by: Kyle Salerno | December 9, 2008, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm

TONIGHT GEORGE STEPHANOUPOLIS WAS VISIBLY SHAKEN THAT HIS HERO AND MENTOR OBAMA WAS CAUGHT IN A CROOKED DEAL. NOW THE MEDIA, WHO NEVER INVESTIGATED OBAMA, IS GOING TO LOOK VERY STUPID AS THIS SCANDAL UNFOLDS.
ABC, NBC, CBS, THE NYT, CNN, ALL ARE COMPLICIT IN STICKING AMERICA WITH A CROOKED PRESIDENT!

Posted by: KENT | December 9, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

Blagojevich ought to watch his back. There must be some pretty nervous players out there with all the dirt he’s got to negotiate a better deal for himself.

Posted by: Amy | December 9, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

I think it reflects very well on Obama that Blagojevich cursed him out for offering him nothing for the Senate pick but his gratitude. Politics is very much a horsetrading sport, a swapping of favors. Blago stands out because of his incredible crassness, over-the-top “pay for play” style and his burning goal to pad his own pockets and auction off appointments and favors. It’s a gross, old-school caricature of what goes on every day in the political world. Of course, it goes on even more blatantly and grotesquely in the corporate world. This is child’s play compared to what the CEOs and masters of the corporate world do, particularly during the heady Bush “anything for money” years.

Posted by: hopesprings52 | December 9, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

Funny, how Obama is always “friends” with someone until their corruption is shown publicly, then he runs for cover to distance himself. Sorry obama, we know the truth, when you lie with dogs, you probably have fleas too!.

Posted by: bo | December 9, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

ala Nixon. One Question.
What did B. Hussein Obama know and when did he know it?

Posted by: Rotag | December 9, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm

Mr. OBAMA is simply receiving back what he has been planting all these years of questionable asociations…AXJ

Posted by: AXJ | December 9, 2008, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm

Well said, Alfie!!!

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm

Nothing quite like a good government corruption and racketeering scandal to kick off an inauguration. Even though the MSM will soon bury the story in the Style sections of whichever daily newspapers survive in 2009, the good Governor will no doubt be singing like a sparrow and will provide the public and future grand juries with juicy tidbits and names of possible conspirators so as to keep the scandal train rolling.

Posted by: ellenNova | December 9, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm

I would like to know that if the people I work and associate with were held in a scandal, no one would assume that I too must be involved simply because we are associates

Posted by: Sonia Adams | December 9, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm

Americans, “We the People” need to have zero tolerance for corruption. Before republicans point fingers at anyone they should look at their own party the last eight years with the likes of Tom Delay (R) indicted for conspiracy and money laundering, Randy Cunningham (R) guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and one count of tax evasion, Ted Stevens (R) guilty lying about bribes he took, Norm Coleman (R) being investigated for corruption, Rick Renzi (R) indicted for wire fraud, money laundering, insurance fraud and extortion, Larry Craig (R) soliciting a male undercover prostitute, Mark Deli Siljander (R) was charged with money laundering, conspiracy and obstructing justice for allegedly lying about lobbying senators on behalf of an Islamic charity that authorities said was secretly sending funds to Al-Qaeda terrorists, Mark Foley (R) pedophile. I live in Louisiana a state with their share of corruption with David Vitter (R) soliciting prostitution and William “Cold Cash” Jefferson (D) indicted for racketeering and bribery charges. Ironically Jefferson was defeated by Republican challenger Anh “Joseph” Cao, an attorney and community organizer. Hopefully the next to see jail time will be Tom Delay, William Jefferson and Gov. Rod Blagojevich! Whether you’re Democrat, Republican or Independent “We the People” need to have zero tolerance for corruption.

Posted by: rickyt1234 | December 9, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm

Obama’s going down for this…it may take a while to prove he was involved but it’ll eventually come out.

Posted by: JCL | December 9, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm

I guess Rod was just another guy from the neighborhood… it sounds to me like all those guys from the neighborhood are starting to add up. It certainly wasn’t Mr. Rodgers neighborhood, but a political mafia neighborhood.
This is just the beginning with this guy…

Posted by: sam | December 9, 2008, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm

Same old, same old with Obama. He is an opportunist to say the least, and a bold face liar to say the most. Every time something less than positive comes out with Obama involved, he says that it is not so. When Blagojevich was in a position to help him, Obama was his man. Now Obama barely knows the gentleman.
I get a feeling that if the media had properly investigated Obama and held him accountable for all of his “associations” ( Rezho, Ayers, Wright, Blagjevich, etc…;we would not be talking about President-elect Obama now. Maybe he can keep fooling the majority of us for the next four years. The country sure does not need a full blown scandal; though it would serve the Deomocrats (“Pelosi,anybody but Hillary for the Whitehouse supporter” in particular)right.

Posted by: lwba | December 9, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

At least the republicans weren’t paying bums in cigarettes and emptying out ghettos to buss people to the polls. Although most of these people were geniuses, in need of a “tax cut” and well informed on economic and political matters, I was jealous that McCain campaign volunteers didn’t get those cool, red Che Guevera and hammer & sickle T-shirts that the Obama folks got to wear. The last Obama rally here in Orlando had so much female underam hair present, you could have knitted a sweater with it. After Jerry Garcia died and the Greatful dead broke up, all these people had to find someone else to follow. I am positive that after Bush planned 9-11 he arranged, with the help of Sarah Palin, the arrest of this Govenor. It’s not like he was found with $90,000 in his freezer or anything. That would be a culture of corruption!

Posted by: Sean in Orlando, FL | December 9, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

I can’t stand the “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” politics. Blago is obviously corrupt as all Illinois knows.
I don’t believe Axelrod ‘misspoke.’ It sure seems like everyone misspeaks now-a-days. I’m not saying Obama has done wrong but I will always be skeptical.
Mr. Tapper: Thanks for being one of few to bring up the issue of their relationship. It’s funny how many feel questioning one’s associates is OUT of the question! How convenient that the video with Axelrod is no longer available! Hope there’s another copy or website that will host it so people can see.

Posted by: VG | December 9, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

I suppose not many have forgotten that corrupt Democrat Congressman Jefferson of LA who kept $90,000 cash in his freezer. Voted out of office yesterday and facing corruption charges.
Obama will never get around to taxing all the evil rich people like Joe the Plumber to spread their wealth around.
He’ll be too busy pardoning his fellow crooks.

Posted by: Politicus | December 9, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm

“At least the republicans weren’t paying bums in cigarettes and emptying out ghettos to buss people to the polls.”
No, Republicans want as few people to vote as possible, the less minorities the better.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm

What is truly amazing is that, if convicted, Rod B. would be the 4th Illinois Governor to be charged and convicted of a felony.
What a record this state holds! The hits just keep on coming…and I don’t think it’s over.
How stupid are these people? I know, I know, they’re usually Democrats, but not all.

Posted by: D. Patterson | December 9, 2008, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm

Fitzgerald said quite clearly that there was no connection.
And as for outrage – I’m sorry – but I think that a President who was leader of our country was responsible for lying to the world about fabricaed evidence for war, Abu Ghraib and GITMO is far more of an outrage and a disgrace than any corrupt Governor -whether it is this scumbag from Illinois of Sarah Palin.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm

Sometimes its the small lies that will bring you down. Why lie about talking to the governor about your replacement, it would make sence that obama was asked for input on who would replace him. Wouldn’t be suprised if Biden was consoulted by the Gov of Delaware as well as Clinton in New York. Nothing wrong, unethical or illeagal about that. All he had to say was yes we talked about possible replacements but didn’t know anything about him wanting to give to the highest bidder.. Now it comes across as a lie.

Posted by: Chris | December 9, 2008, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm

The posts regarding supposed grand jury subpeonas issued today on the Rezko/Obama land sale were based on spammers and no such subpeonas have been issued. Furthermore, it has been stated by all Investigators that neither Barack Obama nor anyone in his transition team has not done anything wrong and they are not being accused of any wrong doing. Barack Obama is not in any trouble. He cannot be held responsible for what the Governor did. The tapes clearly showed the governors contempt for Obama. Sorry republicans he will be your president no matter what dirt you try to sling.

Posted by: CJ | December 9, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm

President Eel-ect Obama may be the first impeached before taking office.

Posted by: Cecil | December 9, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm

I love the benefit of the doubt ABC gives Obama, pathetic. Welcome to Chicago politics! If you think Obama did not pay for his Senate seat is a damn fool, welcome to the Daley machine!
Change we can believe in…

Posted by: Brian Rossey | December 9, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm

KENT: Are you living on Mars? Did you happen to miss the debates? Like the ABC debate where little George asked Obama if he loved his country as much as his pastor? I do not believe little George is in love with Obama – or that the prep-school newsboy who threw him the question is in love with him either.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm

Democrats want as many people to vote the better.
As many undocumented minorities as possible.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 7:51 pm 7:51 pm

“I suppose not many have forgotten that corrupt Democrat Congressman Jefferson of LA who kept $90,000 cash in his freezer. Voted out of office yesterday and facing corruption charges.”
I was glad to see his district stood up and threw him out.
The same goes for Alaska for throwing out ted Stevens.
Too bad they didn’t catch on to the half dozen other Republicans that were indicted/convicted.
“Obama will never get around to taxing all the evil rich people like Joe the Plumber to spread their wealth around.”
You mean Joe the liar?
The guy who claimed he was about to buy a business and how much profit that business had when he made only $40K a year, had no intention of buying the business anytime soon and the business never earned $250K a year?
That Joe?

Posted by: Ryan C | December 9, 2008, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm

This quote says it all, notice Obama setting up a fall guy by switching pronouns…”we were not”..pause, then “I was not”
Asked what contact he’d had with the governor’s office about his replacement in the Senate, President-elect Obama today said “I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”

Posted by: P.Fitzgerald | December 9, 2008, 7:53 pm 7:53 pm

I voted McCain/Palin but am susporting our new President Obama. I do believe his contacts with the Ill Gov, has been little. Til he actually gets in Office & does something wrong, he’ll get our susport.
2010 I will be voting for the GOP again.

Posted by: BillW | December 9, 2008, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm

We call ourselves Americans. And to think that we believe we are the most powerful and wealthiest country in the world. With all the arrogance we Americans have its no wonder we are the laughing stock around the world. Just look at the writers on this blog.
The Republicans are ready to pounce on anything that could go wrong with the newly elected president – how could they even complain after 8 years of the worst president in our American history. This president who sent our love ones to war only to return in a body bag, this president who came into office with a dollar supplus only to leave the Nation in a depression era status, and this president had a “I don’t care about Katrina attitude.”
Grow up you “wanna be” Americans and lets stop crying,complaining and acting like kindergarden school kids all because we don’t agree with the opposite political party thinks and do -we are all in this together. We do not have to all agree but we all do live in The United States of America.

Posted by: Rdearclark | December 9, 2008, 7:54 pm 7:54 pm

Don’t worry Obamaians – - – he’s safe… unless there are tapes floating around. If there are, he’s toast.

Posted by: Rolf Schmidt | December 9, 2008, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm

What is the surprise here?
Obama is the junior senator from Cook County, Chicago. He was surrounded by corruption…
The “in the Tank for Obama” media NEVER investigated Obama – And they have no intention of doing so now.
Democratic Governors are Corrupt (Blagojevich, Spitzer, Edwards) and Obama is getting a free ride.

Posted by: Bill Sanford | December 9, 2008, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm

This won’t be the last lie to come from the Obama crowd. God Bless America as I once knew it.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm

ST: I respectfully disagree. The Governor certainly sounds like a scumbag – and it is entirely clear to everyone except the Topper that Obama said – NO WAY – I am not getting involved in this – but this is America. The man is innocent until he is proven guilty. I have complete trust that Fitzgerald will do everything he can to bring him to justice. He is a remarkable and brillinat man. Which is alot more than can be said for a prep-school boy who drudges church bulletins from the bottom feeders of the web and quotes El Inifntada.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm

Obama said today:
“I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening. And as I said it is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”
On Nov. 23 David Axelrod, said on Fox Chicago:
“I know he’s talked to the governor and there are a whole range of names many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”
Tonight the campaign is saying this was not correct

Posted by: Fox Chicago | December 9, 2008, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm

Weird! So many witnesses to what is happenning with this governor. How does all of this tie in with those who put them in office? The Democratic Party in that state? Are all of their elected officials crooks? I recall that even Obama will not let his records be given to any reporters from the schools he went to or even his own birth certificate. And that the Supreme Court even, would not take that lawsuit. Are they ALL crooks?

Posted by: Martha McHughes | December 9, 2008, 7:57 pm 7:57 pm

Perceptive and informative coverage, Jake. Once again, Obama didn’t know.

Posted by: Billy Glad | December 9, 2008, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

“At least the republicans weren’t paying bums in cigarettes and emptying out ghettos to buss people to the polls.”
“No, Republicans want as few people to vote as possible, the less minorities the better.”
- Simply making a point on the caliber of your voters. Dumbarses that think that even though they pay no taxes, they need a tax cut. Funny how this is the first year in recent memory that no one claimed rigged voting machines or “voter intimidation”. I guess all those problems got fixed this time around.

Posted by: Sean in Orlando, FL | December 9, 2008, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm

It’s great that the neocon nutjobs have another reason to rant and rave. Once the Republican dominated Supreme Court laughed their bogus law suits out of court, I was worried that the conservatives wouldn’t have any other fantasies left.
(BTW – I’ve always wonder how these neocon GOP mental midgets manage to type so quickly using only one hand. Even many times using all caps, just to show everyone that they are so very important.)
However, in a little more than 30 days Barack Hussein Obama will still become President, and these neocon nutjob dead enders will still be sad, little, ignorant men.

Posted by: Continuum | December 9, 2008, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm

“Misspoke”?
It is astonishing how Democrats can just lie through their teeth and the press just laps it up.

Posted by: drjohn | December 9, 2008, 7:59 pm 7:59 pm

“I’m glad this guy is going to jail, but in his own words, he said Obama wasn’t playing his game, and called him a MF’er. That is proof to me that our next POTUS is not involved directly w/this clown.” -MP
Sounds more to me like someone who’s ticked by a person reneging on a deal. It should beg the question, what made him think Obama would play the game? And finally how did he know Obama wouldn’t play the game? Obama’s meteoric rise couldn’t have come about without his being immersed in this kind of dirty politics.

Posted by: Amy | December 9, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm

“I never had sex with that woman . . . whoops . . . er . . . I mean, I never had conversations with that Governor . . . ”
Obama camp is in full Crisis Mode.

Posted by: Brad | December 9, 2008, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm

ROLF: I don’t think Obama is the one who needs to be worried about tapes. I think the boys who hired and trained the Blackwater assassins, who trained the kids who broke international law at Abu Ghraib, who lied to the United Nations about Weapons of Mass Destruction and brought our economy to ruins… now those boys better be very worried about tapes. And emails. And Memos. And leaving this country and setting foot in another country. Trying to sell off a political seat? Sleezy and scumball. Turnng the symbol of my country into the black hood of Abu Ghraib and shredding the Geneva Convention laws? War criminals who should be imprisoned for the rest of their lives. Keep it coming. I can’t wait to see Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz and Cheney before an International Court. THAT is what is coming.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

G-U-I-L-T-Y!!! He’s as corrupt as they come. How far can Rev. Jackson’s kid be from this scam?

Posted by: Whoa.. | December 9, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

Kudos to you Jake & to some of your colleagues at abcnews.com for bringing forth for consumption thought provoking political issues so we the viewing public can engage in these lively debates.Your competitors at msnbc.com, fox.com and cnn.com have reduced themselves to “cheerleaders”(as opposed to journalists), thereby rendering themselves irrelevant and dinosaurs.Somewhere Harry Reasoner is smiling.

Posted by: ellenNova | December 9, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

So if Joe the Plumber poses a hypothetical question to a Candidate for President who shows up campaigning on Joes’ street, then Joe’s the antagonist?
Then Joe should be attacked, his personal records illegally accesses, because he “deceived” Obama into admitting he wants to spread the wealth around?
While Obama shouldn’t be vetted by the Media?
Liberal “logic” run amuck.

Posted by: Politicus | December 9, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

1. Words obviously don’t matter.
2. That’s not the Blagojevich I knew.

Posted by: Marcy | December 9, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

“I should make clear the complaint makes no allegations about the president-elect whatsoever,” said U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald.
That seems pretty definitive to me. Let’s throw Blago in jail and move on.

Posted by: ModDem | December 9, 2008, 8:03 pm 8:03 pm

Chicago politics as normal and now we have elected one of them President. we should all have our heads examined. How do these guys continue to get away with this stuff?

Posted by: Patrick | December 9, 2008, 8:04 pm 8:04 pm

This is why Liberals and Democrats opposed Bush’s “wiretapping.”
It prevents Democrats from exercising their Civil Rights to be a crook.

Posted by: Politicus | December 9, 2008, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm

“Obama is the junior senator from Cook County, Chicago. He was surrounded by corruption…”
You mean “Crook County”

Posted by: drjohn | December 9, 2008, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm

Now that we will have to endure a Clinton third term I can’t wait for 2012. Bush will go down in history as one of the best presidents of the past 50 years. God help us with the Democrats in charge.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm

Why do they say Axelrod misspoke? With how much detail he gave, you can’t just misspeak!
Instead Obama should just admit what he actually knows and what the talking to the governor entailed instead of lying about it and saying it did not happen.

Posted by: fedup | December 9, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

Misspoke to is to Axlerod as “is”, is to Clinton. Words obviously only matter when you’re told they matter. Mara, can you follow the logic?

Posted by: Marcy | December 9, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

Guys — read the actual complaint. There were multiple Obama aides negotiating on these tapes, to the putative end of cutting a “three way deal” where Obama would be shielded from direct association. What Fitzgerald actually said was that there were no ALLEGATIONS in the COMPLAINT about OBAMA. Now they’re trying to CYA. Of course the Governor would ask the departing senator — and president-elect — who he’d like to see appointed. Does anyone really believe otherwise? For goodness sake. The issue isn’t whether Obama has supported Blago — they’re all Illinois Dems and that is what I’d expect — but Obama had people in the mix negotiating a deal to put Valerie Jarratt in the Senate, Blago in a cushy job and the SEIU gets a “favor” from Obama later for that. It is all there in plain English; we just don’t know who the advisers were — but Fitzgerald does. It’s in plain english in a criminal complaint, quoting from tapes obtained by wiretap. Quit squealing about how bad Bush and Palin and Sean Hannity and Jake Tapper and whoever are and face the facts. This ain’t pretty.

Posted by: Michelle | December 9, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

Rdearclark: Stop and listen to yourself. You start and end your e-mail with this “rah-rah” we should be patriotic Americans while you lambast our current president in the middle. Do your homework as opposed to listening to what he MSM sells you. We are in this economic mess because the Clinton Administration and fellow liberal cronies (i.e.: Barney Frank) pressured Fannie and Freddie to issue mortgages to people who couldn’t pay them back. Brilliant!

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 8:07 pm 8:07 pm

Bush is having a difficult time selling his memoirs.
Seems that no publishers want to include a box of crayons with the purchase price.

Posted by: Continuum | December 9, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

Michelle, I have the actual report and I read it. Your allegations “multiple Obama aides…” is a lie. Cite actual quotes or actual pages. They simply are not there.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

Unfortunately, the US Attorney just have conversations between the Gov and others but the indictment did not say that there was evidence that the Gov asked any one for anything in exchange for his selection. I don’t think having the conversation is a crime but the acting on the scheme. Did he asked anyone for anything?

Posted by: WendyB | December 9, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

Brokaw: Senator Obama, have you quit smoking?
Obama: “Well, ummm, uh, ehh, uhhh, duhh, hmmm, well, ask David Axlerod….

Posted by: Marcy | December 9, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm

80 million Americans have managed to quit smoking, but Obama is so weak he can not. The guy is still smoking! This guy is going to lead us out of our troubles?
No wonder every friend Obama has in Chicago is a crook.

Posted by: George | December 9, 2008, 8:09 pm 8:09 pm

So now we’re supposed to believe that Obama is the ONLY honest politician in Illinois??

Posted by: Larry | December 9, 2008, 8:11 pm 8:11 pm

I suspect that there will be a lot of buyers remorse before January 20, 2009. If Obama and axle rod are saying he said he did not say, then we have a problem ahead on believing anything they say on tv or in a speach. Kinda scary with all the terrorist actitivties these days, Having a president you cannot believe or trust to say what he means or mean what he says. I said it before I did not say it.
What a mess we are in. Change, you can count on it.

Posted by: crayon51 | December 9, 2008, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm

“I’m glad this guy is going to jail, but in his own words, he said Obama wasn’t playing his game, and called him a MF’er. That is proof to me that our next POTUS is not involved directly w/this clown.” -MP
“Sounds more to me like someone who’s ticked by a person reneging on a deal. It should beg the question, what made him think Obama would play the game? And finally how did he know Obama wouldn’t play the game? Obama’s meteoric rise couldn’t have come about without his being immersed in this kind of dirty politics.” – Amy
exactly, amy! It does BEG the question.. someone had to be talking with the guv.. more questions need to be asked AND answered

Posted by: VG | December 9, 2008, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm

BillW, thats a really good attitude, your the definition of loyal opposition, disagree but support. As for this issue, the Gov has hung himself with the tapes & in the same way has cleared Obama…& abused him, i doubt Obama will show him any mercy, hopefully not.

Posted by: stonerscum | December 9, 2008, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm

lol i hear that larry

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 8:12 pm 8:12 pm

Hmmm, well all politicians are crooks. The Dems are no worse than those Republicans. Sure Blagojovich is a crook, but so’s George Bush. Sure OJ is a murderer, but he’s not the only one who killed somebody. What’s the big deal? Why pick on him? Why pick on Clinton? Why pick on Blago? Why have any standards whatsoever?

Posted by: Marcy | December 9, 2008, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm

Is there anyone else NObama needs to distance himself from? Seems like the line is becoming longer with each passing month…

Posted by: MyFellowAmericans | December 9, 2008, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm

Of course Obama had no idea about this…why would he have any idea about who is going to fill HIS vacant seat? He had no idea about Rezko, he had no idea about Wright he had no idea about Ayers…he has no idea about anything.

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm

Ok here’s the list his pastor oh I am sorry but he did not hear any of his sermons for 20 years, oh wait a minute oops! I only sat on the board with Mr. ayers and campained in his livingroom, oh wait a minute I help campain for the govenor and endorsed him for govenor but I did not known what was going on oh what about Resko I can go on and on your poor sheep you have been lead to the pond full of koolaid go ahead and drink

Posted by: shawn | December 9, 2008, 8:15 pm 8:15 pm

God. We are being lied to by the President and his spokesman and the guy hasn’t even yet been inaugurated.
This is but a sign of fast times to come.

Posted by: kpr | December 9, 2008, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm


Nice try, but no, not biting. Obama is clean as a whistle and you are kind of embarrassing me by trying to tie him to this cretin.
Posted by: DinaLee | Dec 9, 2008 5:45:01 PM

Yeah … sure … Obama spends 15 to 20 years in the Chicago political sewer working his way up the ladder and is “clean a whistle”. Yeah …. right.
Do you really believe that Obama gained the support of the corrupt Illinois political machine and didn’t play ball with it ? It’s morons like you that keep snake oil salesmen in business.

Posted by: Occam49 | December 9, 2008, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm

Marcy = The smoking question was also vital to mr. Tapper. He devoted an entire piece to it a couple month ago. Call me silly, but I’m just a lot more concerned about a war that has killed 4000 Americans, ripped childrens bodies to shreds, and destroyed our economy. I’d like to retire. I’d like my kids to go to school – and unfortunately, unlike some people, they don’t get to go to an Ivy on the legacy plan. Evidently most Americans agree with me. Today 88% of them said that they were happy with the way Obama is handling the transition. No word on his smoking habits or on the Illinois State Fair.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm

I’m waiting for people to wake up and realize what utter incompetent trash they’ve elected to the White House.
If this doesn’t do it, 3 months of Barry baby playing movie star on an FDR script, while people are going without jobs and food, ought to do it.
WAKE UP! The alarm clock ought to go off any time now.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm

To all of you:
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Posted by: Puppypooh | December 9, 2008, 8:17 pm 8:17 pm

hey mara do you still not understand that congress runs the economy??? once again CONGRESS…

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

Well of course not all politicians from Illinois are corrupt! There have been four governors out of the last eight who have been clean enough to stay out of the Big House. Just because Kerner (Dem), Walker (Dem), Ryan (Rep), and most probably Blago (Dem) are corrupt, doesn’t mean they all are. But actually, I believe I’d prefer an intelligent gangster like Blago to cleverly choose the next Illinois Senator is a much more reasonable idea, than letting the Illinois voters choose again. Look who they picked the last time.

Posted by: Marcy | December 9, 2008, 8:19 pm 8:19 pm

This Govenor is innocent just like those angels at Guantanamo Bay. Once Obama closes it, assigns them all personal injury attorneys and they’re released on ‘technicalities’, let’s give them all free housing in blue states.

Posted by: Sean in Orlando, FL | December 9, 2008, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm

Mara,
ECON 101: Wars prop up economies, not exhaust them. Get a clue.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm

The first thing that came to my mind when I heard this is they said the governor had a bid of a million for the current senate seat, I wonder how much Obama had to pay for his?

Posted by: jen | December 9, 2008, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm

Personally, I think it was a godsend the Feds removed him. He’s a crook, robbing the poor to line his friends pockets. IMPEACH the SOB.
He has caused many childcare centers to close because of blatant disregard for our children’s futures. He got greedy and his greed got him caught. Maybe now Illinois will have a brighter outlook for our children and us small business owners that care for the children.

Posted by: JackieH | December 9, 2008, 8:23 pm 8:23 pm

You guys make me sad to be an american. The FBI stated that they have hundreds of tapes and none with Obama or his aides in these illegal negotiations. In fact it has been stated that Obama would not participate. Can we never be fair? Hundreds of tapes, no Obama involvement!! Let it go.

Posted by: apaesq | December 9, 2008, 8:24 pm 8:24 pm

LOL! Good luck trying to tie Obama to the Blago criminal issue.
Won’t work.
Blago did this to himself. It’s clear that mental illness doesn’t just infect Republicans.

Posted by: Mark | December 9, 2008, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm

Well Mara, you’ve certainly stumbled on to an earthshaking discovery. Wars kill people… wow! Maybe if we all just close our eyes, click our heels together, and wish upon a star all the bad things in the world will go away. Just like, well, just like when was the last time that wishing and hoping made everything all better? People have only been around for several thousand years, so there must have been a time when everyone played nicely together. Now how did they do that? When did that happen?? No, third grade doesn’t really count…

Posted by: Marcy | December 9, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm

Marcy,
Nevertheless 1/2 of your governors are prison convicts. We don’t have that problem in Michigan. What’s wrong with you guys?
PS, let Rezko keep talkin’ til he gets all the way to the prez-electo because that’s where the trail leads. We’re lovin’ it.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm

“Hope and Change.”
I’ll keep my guns, my freedom and my money. The left can keep the change.

Posted by: michael | December 9, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm

Midwestlady: Well gee, why is our economy in the worst shape it has been in for decades after years of war with Iraq? You would think that the war in Iraq would have shored up our economy, by your logic, not destroyed it – and that we would not have neeed to sell ourselves to the Chinese to do it.
I guess I’m also a little confused. Were we at war in the 1990′s? Because the economy looked awfully good then.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm

3 sell out presidents in a row (bill clinton just got lucky that the economy did so well because of people like bill gates and alan greenspan creating bubbles), when will we get one that is competent and actually stands for americans like JFK, Reagan, Truman, or Eisenhower.

Posted by: john | December 9, 2008, 8:26 pm 8:26 pm

I voted for Obama, and while I admit he is not perfect, at least he’s better than little old monkey boy Dubya, who couldn’t find his tiny chicken penis with both hands.
Frankly, Obama could sell weapons to terrorists or pardon Osama bin Laden, but it would still pale in comparison to the evil that the monkey did for 8 years.
These latest allegations are just part and parcel with wingnuts in the republican party scared ######### that a black man is leading the country, willing to make anything up to taint Obama. I’m starting to question Pat Fitzgerald’s political motivations for bringing this topic up with Blago, but that’s for another day.

Posted by: Obama's #1 supporter | December 9, 2008, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm

MARA i will say this again for you CONGRESS runs the economy!!!!!!!!

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm

My My someone got stuck with their finger in the pie…it was not without purpose that Obama went to Chicago. It is shisters like this that got him and “########” campaign going in the first place. We never did find out who paid for Obamas Harvard Business Schooling maybe it was this creep!!! To bad this did not come out before the election!!! Mayb an honest man would now be president.

Posted by: Kathy Class | December 9, 2008, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm

Not likely the Blago He knew.

Posted by: Jonathan Silber | December 9, 2008, 8:28 pm 8:28 pm

Haha okay Ryan c. First of all that information you shared about joe should never have been released but because some democrat was angry they wanted to find out things about his personal life which they weren’t supposed to look at. Second, just because he was not actually going to do that doesn’t mean the question is off. He was speaking for the millions of americans who want to start or buy companies.

Posted by: andrew | December 9, 2008, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm

15 to 20 years in Chicago and he is clean as a whistle – not possible. Can you say Rezko/Obama land deal. Nice $1.3 million house Obama is bought with his earnings as a community organizer & senator.
Rezko – Blago – Obama

Posted by: Chris | December 9, 2008, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm

I agree with Sean in Orlando. But better yet, I bet once BO releases all of the inmates in Guantanamo Mara would open her house up and give them a place to live, get free healthcare, union jobs paying $70 an hour to fix our crumbling roads and bridges, and free legal counsel to sue the US for all of our atrocities. After all, they merely want to kill us.

Posted by: Tim | December 9, 2008, 8:30 pm 8:30 pm

I’m Senate canidate #5. Way I figure, my Obama endorsement should entitle me to consideration so I can help little guys like Joe the Plumber navigate basic math, especially regards the tax code. What I really want to know is, do I get a refund or do I have to scalp my Inaugaration tickets to some status hungry, get on the bandwagon corporate hustler?

Posted by: rick | December 9, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm

Do Republicans actually go to college anymore?
BOTH parties had their hands in the current financial mess. The major FI’s at the center of the crisis (like Citigroup and WaMu) incurred most of their losses from buying up loans from brokers. I.E. they weren’t lending a dime to any of these minorities you’re trying to demonize, Tim. They got burned tyring to manufacture profits off of fraudulently rated loans.
Barney Frank didn’t “force” the rating agencies to give bogus scores to mortgage backed securities now did he?
Go fix a sink dude.

Posted by: JoeTheSoftwareArchitect | December 9, 2008, 8:31 pm 8:31 pm

You mean to tell me that the man who was elected to be the next POTUS claims he had no contact with the governor who was in charge of picking his replacement?
If this is true then:
A) Why are we entrusting this man to be the final signator on matters of important legislation regarding economics and legislation
B) Does he truly posses the ability to be a decision maker? Or is he all rehtoric with no substance?
Otherwise if Obama did have contact with Corruptovich then what did he know and when did he know it? I am hate to be a conspiracy monger but remember how all the little itty bitty Kos kids reacted when Abramoff went down and their desperate attempts to tie him to Bush? A blind man could connect the dots between Obama and Blago in seconds in comparison to a Bush/Abramoff relationship.

Posted by: Fools Be Broken | December 9, 2008, 8:32 pm 8:32 pm

Marcy, Nice try. Now let’s get back to Abu Ghraib and those pictures and the men who authorized that kind of torture. And let’s get back to the men who were arrested in Salt Lake City this week who killed innocent civilians -including children, women and babies (funny, I don’t think there was a discussion on that here….) and let’s talk about GITMO – where they are people younger than 18 who have been held for years. You do understand that there are agreeements from Geneva Convention – don’t you? It’s really, really not hard. We signed it. We agreed to the terms. We violated them under a filthy adminstration. I know the basic concept that human life and decency are maybe more important than what may or may not have been said at the Illinois State Fair in 2002 is difficult, but maybe someone can help you out there.

Posted by: Mara | December 9, 2008, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm

Every once in awhile you get these fruit cake people who keep trying to imply that George Bush is a crook. I had never seen any evidence that he lied or did criminal things. Taking the country to war because we were attacked is not criminal. Holding to conservative values is not criminal. The only criminal thing he did was to cooperate with the loony demos–like Teddie(don’t ride home in his car) Kennedy, and other of like ilk. Chicago is corrupt and has been for 100 years or more and for obama to go from obscruity to president in that environment without a taint of corruption would cause an atheist to denounce secular ways and become a priest/nun.

Posted by: Frank Johnson | December 9, 2008, 8:33 pm 8:33 pm

If this whole deal plays out fast enough, B. Hussein Obama could be impeached before he even takes the oath of office.

Posted by: EJ | December 9, 2008, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm

Now that is REAL CHANGE. Obama is teh first president to engage in illegal activity while president elect. Yes we can!!!

Posted by: cjelephant | December 9, 2008, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm

Neither Shultz or Mr. Obama knew a thing——right

Posted by: Desten | December 9, 2008, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm

Who among us had the audacity to hope to see it in his lifetime: the first impeachment of a President-Elect.

Posted by: Jonathan Silber | December 9, 2008, 8:36 pm 8:36 pm

LOL

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 8:40 pm 8:40 pm

Obama’s got to throw another one under the bus and then he’s got to throw Axelrod under the bus for “misspeaking”. Axelrod better start spilling the goods on Obama before Obama tries to use the goods on him.

Posted by: t hill | December 9, 2008, 8:41 pm 8:41 pm

Thanks for writing this article. So refreshing to have a journalist actually investigate and I find news in your articles not available elsewhere and I appreciate your insights and observations.
PS sorry for typos.

Posted by: CathyT | December 9, 2008, 8:42 pm 8:42 pm

I commend ABCNEWS for actually being willing to print the news on this. It’s about damn time.
One other thing: News media outlets who print the truth are more likely to get ratings because that’s why people like me listen to them. News media outlets that are more likely to get ratings are more likely to survive this financial crisis. It’s a fact. Just remember that and keep on bringing us the news.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm

What? You means theres’s another [corrupt/radical/indicted/crooked/anti-American (pick one)] Obama associate? Why, that hasn’t happened since…two months ago.
So when does Obama either let us know this isn’t the Blago he knew, claim he only did 2 hours of legal work for him, or declare he can never disown him only to disown him a couple of weeks later?

Posted by: DJK | December 9, 2008, 8:43 pm 8:43 pm

Regarding the bad economy.. I thought Obama was elected on the basis things would get better, and now Obama is saying “It’s going to get worse”? I am sooooo confused….

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm

Bear in mind that these people defending Obama & Blagojevich are many of the same people that think President Bush knew about 9-11 and let it happen. We still hear about this nonsense and it’s been 7 years. This story about Blagojevich is only hours old and he’s already getting a pass. I’m sure if the shoe was on the other foot, they would also be giving McCain the same pass since they are such open minded individuals. However, I would like to point out to my fellow Republicans that although we despise Obama, he has not been accused of anything and deserves a fair shake. To accuse him of wrongdoing with no evidence simply puts us in the same category as the 19yo unemployed dropout who blames ‘corporations’ for the fact that no one is paying him a $100,000/yr “fair wage” or the hairy armpit having female democrat that blame men for the world’s problems.

Posted by: Sean in Orlando, FL | December 9, 2008, 8:45 pm 8:45 pm

The president elect is starting with a CYA lie before he is sworn in. I want to thank all the shallow minded who voted for him. This will be a bad four years for america.

Posted by: Desten | December 9, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm

Wow, a Democrat with statewide aspirations endorsed the Democratic nominee for Governor in 2002. Wow. Absolutely stunning.
You’ll note that Obama supported someone else in the primary. Are we going to say that all those Clinton loyalists who endorsed Obama in the general election are “close associates” of Barack Obama? Because 6 weeks ago, they were “thorns in his side” according to your narrative.

Posted by: The Bag of Health and Politics | December 9, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm

Read these and weep – Barack Obama did nothing wrong-end of story.
But as details of the charges against Blagojevich emerged Tuesday, it increasingly appeared that the president-elect may have passed an early and very public ethics test.
———————
Excerpts of conversations secretly taped by federal investigators captured the governor repeatedly and profanely denouncing Obama, and bitterly complaining that the president-elect or members of his team were offering only “appreciation” for consideration of their preferred Senate candidate.
————————-
At the end of the day, residents of Illinois should be disgusted, Rollins says, but the “president-elect was no part of the governor’s operation.” The “verbiage and conversations” recorded by investigators, he says, “stand for themselves.”
———————————-
Shannon Stimson, a political scientist at the University of California at Berkeley.
“But I don’t see anything right now that reflects negatively on Obama,” Stimson says.
———————–
When asked whether the Blagojevich scandal had the potential to taint Obama in any way going forward, however, presidential historian Robert Dallek, called the question “scurrilous.”
“It’s a non-issue, so why raise it?” he said. “These things are sui generis. I can’t remember any incident where a president-elect was called out because of some former associate.”
————————
“This is Illinois politics at its finest, but right now it isn’t about Obama – other than the fact that he came out of Illinois politics,” says longtime GOP strategist Ed Rollins. “The mere fact that he was not willing to deal is a plus. He didn’t push it beyond recommending her, and he wasn’t about to play ball.”

Posted by: CJ | December 9, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm

WOW…the right is a really ANGRY bunch…this is quite a “witch” hunt…unfortunately for them they need only turn to look at their own party for the past 8 years to realize that the TWO wars we are in, the economic nightmare we are in, the robbery of the Treasury and socializing the United States, the world-wide disdain we are seen with is proof enough that when you are at the bottom of the ocean already, the only way to go is up. Obama is BOUND to be a success story…he can’t DO any WORSE than the Republican party has done…

Posted by: BK | December 9, 2008, 8:48 pm 8:48 pm

Just another in a long list of shady character associations with Obama – but they’re all just coincidences – right? Please oh please tell me I haven’t been duped by another “slick” Democrat Pres.?

Posted by: Rob | December 9, 2008, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm

Of course Obama had no idea about this…why would he have any idea about who is going to fill HIS vacant seat? He had no idea about Rezko, he had no idea about Wright he had no idea about Ayers…he has no idea about anything.

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm

Obama the Clown has not even been sworn in yet, and already he is mired in the filth of scandal.
Happy Fitzmas, Democrats. Remember how Fitzgerald went after Scooter Libby and you cheered him on? Well, now he is going after Rezko and Blagojevich, and when you start to pull the strings on that rag of corruption something is bound to unravel.
And now Obama is stuck with Fitzgerald. Just like Clinton was stuck with Ken Starr.
This will be a fun four years of Democrats stuck in the culture of corruption.

Posted by: James Marsden | December 9, 2008, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm

Axelrod said on Nov. 23 that Obama and Blago were talking about Obama’s successor. Yet nobody bothered to claim until today that he “misspoke”. Sure.
This doesn’t mean that Obama did anything wrong–it’s quite possible they spoke in an innocuous way. But come on.
As for Blago, Rezko, and the rest of the corrupt Chicago political machine–the sooner they go, the better. We can only hope that there isn’t any more to the Rezko-Obama connection than has been reported.
For those of us who are Democrats, it’s time we get these sleazy figures out of our party. People like Blago and William Jefferson have no place among our elected leaders.

Posted by: SC | December 9, 2008, 8:51 pm 8:51 pm

BHO get ready because they will be coming for you before next election. If not an american you should not be in white house!

Posted by: Budswisr | December 9, 2008, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm

Hey Barry, the crap just hit the fan and you haven’t even been sworn in yet. The way the Cook County Democrats are helping you ought, the Republicans ought to just sit back and let you destroy yourself. It’s gonna be fun.

Posted by: Jim in Peoria? | December 9, 2008, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm

Okay I am mad now. First off:
BUSH is about to be out of office. How can you use bush’s behavior to explain away Obama’s? HELLO!
Second:
This is becoming rediculous. I find it humerous that in our primary when Hillary said she “misspoke” about Bosnia, it was not okay. But when Obama lies, its fine.
Third:
I’m sorry but it is luaghable at this point that Obama has any credibility at all. How many associations can he have before people stop acting like he is the second comming.
For a president to stand up on national television and say he didn’t know about this and that when he was smack in the middle of it all is bad either way you look at it. Either he is a liar or a bafoon. Didn’t we just have 8 years of this?

Posted by: Touchet | December 9, 2008, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm

The corruption of people around Obama was well known before the election but most people really didn’t want to hear it. Democracy works, the transfer of power will go forward and the American people will have a trove of interesting things to discuss for many years. I fwe can go back to having government in charge of as little as possible it will impact our lives as minimally as those screwups in Hollywood.

Posted by: Dave | December 9, 2008, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm

George -
You can take your Harvard Law review and shove it up your arse. That’s just what America needs – another lawyer. I was begining to think that his campaign slogan should have been “Have you been injured?” There are a lot of educated people on these posts from both parties and your argument is intellectually dishonest and elitist. While I have you, I’ll take a #3 combo with fries and a medium coke.

Posted by: Sean in Orlando, FL | December 9, 2008, 8:58 pm 8:58 pm

george, your correct that obama is a smart man and i believe that hitler’s iq was around 141 which is very good. so your right that all intelligent people would never do anything wrong… i think that stalin’s was 130 (above average). man i wish more smart people would run this world since all corruption would end.

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm

I have no doubt that Obama is NOT involved in this idiocy committed by Blago.
That said, however, Obama needs rethink how he handles these controversies. The “So and so misspoke, we had no relationship” explanation is getting old. I don’t think that anyone would be surprised that the U.S. Senator from Illinois spoke with the Governor of Illinois about who will takeover the Senate seat. So why not admit it? It makes Obama look childish and afraid.

Posted by: Adam | December 9, 2008, 9:00 pm 9:00 pm

Jay this is about Obama, stay focused.

Posted by: touchet | December 9, 2008, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm

That’s what happens when you base everything on lies. The old saying, Got to tell a even bigger lie to cover the other lies and on and on. He’s not even Pres. yet. God have mercy

Posted by: chrisd | December 9, 2008, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm

Hey CJ -
Thanks for pointing out to us that Shannon Stimson, a political scientist at the University of California at Berkeley, sides with Obama on this one. We’re shocked by your breaking news from such a right wing university. She must have told everyone this at the “Food not Bombs” sit-in.

Posted by: Sea in Orlando, FL | December 9, 2008, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm

This may explain how Obama was elected to state senate and US senate. Do you think anyone will ask if Obama had a quid pro quo that landed him in the senate? Not this media!

Posted by: Shok | December 9, 2008, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm

Adam,
Why do you think he doesn’t want to admit it? Hmmm?
I agree it makes him look childish and afraid–OR crooked and dishonest. Take your pick.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 9:06 pm 9:06 pm

Is there any truth to the rumor that Obama denies ever speaking to Michele? And another thing, who are those two little girls that keep hanging around his house. That Joe Biden is a lot smarter than I gave credit.

Posted by: Shelby | December 9, 2008, 9:07 pm 9:07 pm

Hello,,,,,,,,, I did not vote for the president elect.. Crook county in Illinois is same as always.. Obama was bought and paid for.. I think we should all be carefully with our money the next four years. He can spend money faster than Bush did by a long shot. He is on a roll and hopes to get into office before he gets caught with egg on his face.. all politicans are crooked.. They lie , steal and cheat the American people ,, out of all the Tax dollars all the time….. Look out we are in for a roller coaster ride for the next four years…..See Ya

Posted by: crazie | December 9, 2008, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm

Obama is the guy in the center of the sell off . Is the media going to tell us the truth

Posted by: romanian republican | December 9, 2008, 9:10 pm 9:10 pm

I think one is known by the friends, and associations one keeps.
Obama is associated with nothing but trash.

Posted by: Walter | December 9, 2008, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm

After the inaugural address, who will deliver the articles of impeachment?

Posted by: Joe | December 9, 2008, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm

What about if Mr.Obama knew about everything?
What would be the next step ?

Posted by: todoidos | December 9, 2008, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm

Oh Tyrone,
Plan to be severely disappointed, Obama is tied into Chicago politics and everyone should know that! It seems that even his cabinet pick Richardson must of mispoke too when he was speaking to the Hispanics and explained to them that Obama was an IMMIGRANT so that they would vote for him. The msm has missed this story for years now and hopefully the SCOTUS will hear the case before them on Friday and the Electors will not cast their votes on Monday until further investigation.
In the Constitution I think it says that a usurper can be taken out by force by the people, Remember how the Constitution starts with “WE THE PEOPLE”

Posted by: cat777 | December 9, 2008, 9:15 pm 9:15 pm

What is this, McCarthyism? If you know anyone who eventually does something wrong, then all of the sudden you are involved. That is ridiculous fear-mongering by the conservative right. I am so sick of everyone being guilty by association.

Posted by: LA | December 9, 2008, 9:17 pm 9:17 pm

Well at least Obama will have a good start on his Presidential pardon list before he takes office.

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm

Then, todoidos, he’d be capable of being president, but he’d still be corrupt. Either way, he’s not fit to be president.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 9:18 pm 9:18 pm

Dear US Voters,
Welcome to the new way things will run in 2009. The new model will be Chicago machine politics 101. Watch your income, your safety, and your family gone in their hands. Let’s stop robbing the US treasury, lower wages to keep jobs here at home, and give states the power as intended by your intelligent forefathers.

Posted by: statesrights#1 | December 9, 2008, 9:19 pm 9:19 pm

Obama never pal’d around with Rezko; he never listend to Wright;and now he didn’t talk with the governor. Anyone see a pattern here? Of course in Chicago, it looks like it might be tough not to rub up against a crook in politics.

Posted by: jschmidt | December 9, 2008, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm

I can’t say whether Obama had any connection at all with the Governor’s pay-to-play shenanigans. However, shouldn’t it be obvious by now that Barry lies to protect himself as an impulse? He was caught perhaps 10 times during the election season; that’s an astronomical number.
The last Democrat in the White House was also a compulsive liar. It was not a happy 8 years. Now we’ve got another.
Why don’t you Democrats get rid of your trash before it floats to the top?

Posted by: Plumb Bob | December 9, 2008, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm

To all the people making excuses for Obama
if Blagojevich or his people spoke to anyone from Barack Obama’s transition team or himself and there was any hint of wrongdoing, Obama is guilty of complicity in a criminal activity. By not speaking up he becomes part of the lie involving the crime, therefore the crime itself.

Posted by: JC | December 9, 2008, 9:21 pm 9:21 pm

LA,
Do you mean that people who associate with Obama shouldn’t be blamed for his lying all the time? I agree. They should take the blame for their own lies. It’s only fair.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm

I am so sick of everyone being guilty by association.
-LA
Except for Bush of course…

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 9:22 pm 9:22 pm

I would like to think that our President Elect’s relationship with Blago was much like my relationship with my ex-husband. I thought he was a bright, intelligent, and great person until I really got to know him. People can pull the wool over your eyes. I’m hoping that Obama didn’t realize the crookedness until lately. I vote for innocent until proven guilty. I’m really keeping my fingers crossed. We need a great leader of our great nation. I’m only hoping and praying that Obama is not going to disappoint us.

Posted by: Disappointed | December 9, 2008, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm

I agree completely with rdearclark.
I have voted republican most of my life but I now, for the last six years, refuse to vote with either of the “accepted” party’s candidate.
With either party D’s or R’s candidate you are going to get basically the same thing but I’m hoping differently for Obama. He is a man that could buck the establishment and I hope he does, although I am not encouraged by his choices for the cabinet positions.
Anyway, we need to open our eyes because we have been played man!
Do not worry about that crap that’s being played up in the news during elections. Vote your conscience and do not worry about the other candidate. Do not vote for the lesser of two evils, that is a trap that can be manipulated.
Peace Everybody!
Peace, M.C.

Posted by: Michael Cole | December 9, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

So he’s arrested but what changes? Isn’t he still the sole authorized person by law to appoint the replacement? How can his selection be trusted. Agree that Obama must have spoken with him so why lie about it now? It would be an expected conversation and no one is implying he was involved in the corruption part. It is this an indication of revisionist history to come?

Posted by: Curious | December 9, 2008, 9:26 pm 9:26 pm

Ok. How on earth does abc expect us to reconcile these few paragraphs?
“UPDATE #2: Axelrod this evening issued a statement saying. “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.”)
There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed.
In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only “gratitude” if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor’s chagrin.”
So are we supposed to believe that “gratitude” was offered but nobody spoke to each other? These reporters are absolute idiots.

Posted by: gggmailcom | December 9, 2008, 9:26 pm 9:26 pm

This stuff is rampant everywhere here in Illinois. My home town has seen its chief of police and mayor involved in spending city money at the local casino and several surrounding towns have had similar problems. Hell if I remember correctly one of our local circuit clerks took over $50k from the county.

Posted by: Blap412 | December 9, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm

How many of you will be in Washington in January 20 ?

Posted by: todoidos | December 9, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm

Okay, Let’s back up here for a minute and think about all of this and what is REALLY HAPPENING.
Are we ALL so nieve to believe that any man or woman who gets into a high government position this day and age is NOT CORRUPT? They’re ALL in cahoots with one another. Who do they think they are kidding?! The old saying: “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
I’ve voted every year but I’m telling you, it hasn’t been EASY to vote for ANYONE, for years now. I don’t TRUST any government official any further than I can throw them, so my vote has had to be for what I believe to be the less of two evils, so to speak. I’ve heard that said for years now at election time, by many. “The lesser of two evils.” Think about it. That sure says a lot for our country doesn’t it?
POLITICS IS ALL ABOUT “MONEY” PEOPLE! ALL OF IT!! And…. YOU AND I ARE JUST PEONS IN THE LINE OF FIRE OF WHAT EVER HAPPENS.
Maybe any of you who read this, think this is a poor attitude but I’m a REALIST.
IT IS WHAT IT IS AND OUR COUNTRY ISN’T THE GOOD OLE COUNTRY IT USED TO BE. It breaks my heart to say that but it’s true.
WAKE UP AMERICA. WE’RE HEADING FOR SOME OF THE ROUGHEST TIMES ANY OF US HAVE EVER SEEN. YOU CAN COUNT ON IT!

Posted by: Lov | December 9, 2008, 9:29 pm 9:29 pm

Obama’s statement that he didn’t have contact with Blagojevich about the Senate seat seems to conflict with that of top adviser David Axelrod, who told Fox News Chicago on Nov. 23: “I know he’s talked to the governor, and there are a whole range of names, many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them.”
Obama transition officials say Axelrod misspoke.

Posted by: none | December 9, 2008, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm

Hey Kia – You bash Tyrone for commenting on how what Obama and his advisors say don’t mesh because the article doesn’t have anything that Obama says in it??? Obviously you didn’t even make it to the first paragraph for his direct thoughts on the scandal. Obama needs to stop changing his story and start telling the truth.

Posted by: doogles | December 9, 2008, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm

Obama just issued a statement that this is not the Blago he knew. Not even the Blago that lived in his neighborhood.

Posted by: jason | December 9, 2008, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm

would like to think that our President Elect’s relationship with Blago was much like my relationship with my ex-husband. I thought he was a bright, intelligent, and great person until I really got to know him. People can pull the wool over your eyes. I’m hoping that Obama didn’t realize the crookedness until lately. “I vote for innocent until proven guilty”.
It looks to me like this strategy is what got you into your first problem. A person should learn from there mistakes and realize that HOPE is not a rational approach to anything.

Posted by: gg | December 9, 2008, 9:33 pm 9:33 pm

How in the world would it be possible for a Democrat governor and a Democrat senator to have NO contact or discussion about such a move? Do they really think that we’re stupid enough to believe that there wasn’t? The two highest officers of the state, of the same party, did not discuss the change? Yes, I guess that they think that we ARE stupid enough to believe that. I mean, look how many people voted for those two. You get what you deserve. And you haven’t seen anything yet. Now this will be business as usual across–how many are there–all 58 states?

Posted by: K. Johnson | December 9, 2008, 9:36 pm 9:36 pm

Adam,
Don’t bite the media spin, please. Jake’s story only tells part of what Obama said. He left off the part where Obama says he hadn’t spoken with the Governor since the election. Jake then tells that Axelrod said Obama spoke with the ‘B’ guy which leads you to believe that there is a contradiction when there is not.
According to other news sources, Obama said he hadn’t spoken with him *since the election*. According to other news sources, Axelrod’s comment was made a couple of week’s ago, last month (Jake accurately reports this part as 11/23/08). According to other news sources, the ‘B’ guy made these comments about discussions with Obama only 2 days ago.
Do you think Obama had time for calls with the ‘B’ guy 2 days ago? I highly doubt it.
Oh, the other news source I refer to above is an ABC radio station. Either Jake or ABC right-wing radio news is wrong on this for not telling the truth. Their stories contradict each others.

Posted by: Common Sense | December 9, 2008, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm

Tony Rezko.
Jeremiah Wright.
Franklin Raines.
William Ayers & Bernardine Dohrn.
Rod Blagojevich.
Obama hasn’t even been sworn in, and he’s already had to throw them all under the Hope & Change Express.
Is he as corrupt as his associates, or is he guilty only of abysmal judgment?
No matter. The tanking economy will doom his Presidency either way.

Posted by: molyuk | December 9, 2008, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm

What did Obama know and when did he know it?
Follow the money.
All Illinois democrats (and especially Chicago ones) are crooks.

Posted by: taphonomic | December 9, 2008, 9:37 pm 9:37 pm

Mr Obama knows more than something, about everything
saying that he does not, it won’t help him.
YOU KNOW WHAT I’M SAYING

Posted by: TODOIDOS | December 9, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm

Beautiful job Jake Tapper.
They’d all better hope no one like you is a prosecutor OR investigator. You singlehandedly redeem ABC every time!
I’ve read about 20 posts. Hey, where are all the libs?
:)
The IQ went up like a hundred points!
Every time theres an issue they can’t outnumber with drones, censor with “fairness” or distort beyond recognition, they all cut & run.

Posted by: zak | December 9, 2008, 9:39 pm 9:39 pm

Don’t you just love “CHANGE”

Posted by: gmc | December 9, 2008, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm

gg,
You go! I’m sure the media appreciates that you have apppointed them judge and jury. One many hasn’t yet been convicted and the other hasn’t yet been elected.

Posted by: Common Sense | December 9, 2008, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm

I would like to know that if the people I work and associate with were held in a scandal, no one would assume that I too must be involved simply because we are associates

Posted by: Sonia | December 9, 2008, 9:41 pm 9:41 pm

You gotta love the Obama transition team’s response about David Axelrod’s comments on Fox News: “He misspoke”.
Translation: He said something truthful out loud that we wish he hadn’t said.

Posted by: Mike | December 9, 2008, 9:42 pm 9:42 pm

Like I said Sonya,
Nobody should be blamed for Obama’s lies but Obama. It’s only fair.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm

I pray that Obama makes it to jail before taking office. We don’t need this type of president.

Posted by: voter/tax payer | December 9, 2008, 9:45 pm 9:45 pm

NewYorkLib,
No amount of progressive BS is going to silence the truth, no matter how much you wish it could. (And it won’t keep Obammy from screwing up either.)

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm

I wonder what it cost Obama to get that senate seat? Blagojevich was Gov from 2002 and Obama’s Senate run started in 2004. Change isn’t always a good thing.

Posted by: Lance | December 9, 2008, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm

NewYorkLib,
We won’t have to worry about the fairness doctrine. Advertising is way down so the media will get back to doing their job of reporting facts (including dates/timelines) as opposed to trying so hard to give paint-a-story dramas with their oh-so-biased opinions.
Chapter 11 for the Tribune and newcomers Olbermann’s and Maddow ratings higher than shows. Change is a-coming. You betcha!

Posted by: Common Sense | December 9, 2008, 9:48 pm 9:48 pm

Definition of a Democrat “Gaff” :When a democrat slips up and speaks the truth.
“To make a conservative mad, lie to them. To make a liberal mad, tell them the truth” -R.Reagan

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm

Willie Sutton had it right, except now the money is not in banks, it’s in the government, so that’s where the criminals go to perform their robberies. I recall an old, corrupt Mexican politician telling an interviewer, “Show me a politician who is poor, and I will show you a poor politician.”

Posted by: will | December 9, 2008, 9:50 pm 9:50 pm

gg,
You go! I’m sure the media appreciates that you have apppointed them judge and jury. One man hasn’t yet been convicted and the other hasn’t yet been elected.

Posted by: Common Sense | December 9, 2008, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm

When what you have said or your representatives have said in public turns out to be harmful,untrue, or inconvenient – it is always easy to claim that you or the person “misspoke”. It is becoming annoying to keep seeing Obama dodge these things – yesterday in the news he released a statement about guns, “I believe in common-sense gun safety laws, and I believe in the Second Amendment,” Obama said at a news conference. “Lawful gun owners have nothing to fear. I said that throughout the campaign. I haven’t indicated anything different during the transition. I think people can take me at my word.” — What guarantee is there, that 2 months from now Obama will claim he misspoke on this issue. I truly feel that expedient talk is the only thing he knows, and he is building his Clintonesque house of cards on jello.
Another “mistake” or “misspoke” event from Obama relates to a questionnaire that wasn’t received well – guess what? That was Obama’s 2008 claim that the questionnaire was filled out by an aide without Obama’s knowledge, even though Obama’s handwriting is on the cover of the questionnaire.

Posted by: none | December 9, 2008, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm

voter/tax payer, There is no Fairness Doctrine. Jeez. The Fairness Doctrine was never re-instituted. Study more, and you will know more.

Posted by: John | December 9, 2008, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm

voter/tax payer, There is no Fairness Doctrine. Jeez. The Fairness Doctrine was never re-instituted. Study more, and you will know more.
Not yet….

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 9:56 pm 9:56 pm

I see this as bad news for the president elect, as a supporter of President Bush, John McCain, but now of the president elect, because he is my president as well, I see where there will attack after attack on him, in one form or the other, comes with the job, I guess. I sincerely hope that the president elect hasn’t a clue as to the sceme, which I tend to believe, so let’s not start a bunch of crap to take away from his presidency. I have never seen men attacked more than those who serve the people as her president, but somehow, someway it must stop.

Posted by: Rhett O. Millsaps, Sr | December 9, 2008, 9:57 pm 9:57 pm

I thought this article was very responsible reporting. Questions still loom, Did Obama actually talk with Blaggo himslef? Or did he talk with an aid concerning his possible replacements for Obama’s Senate seat….given the vitrial with which Blaggo spoke of Obama saying f&*k him etc, I happen to believe there was no love lost between the two (Which bodes well for Obama). Given that Obama’s statements came after it had been announced that the FBI used wire taps, I cannot imagine Barack being so stupid as to deny direct communication with Rod Blagojevich (given that if he did there would probably be tapped evidence of sed conversation). If he did, then my faith in his integrity will be lost…but no accounts from Fitzgerald indicate this is the case..so I think Obama comes out unscathed in my book. Understand there are some really corrupt politicians out there, and guilt just by association is not enough, otherwise we should have a subpoena for Governor Palin “explaining her relationship” with Ted Stephens.

Posted by: David M | December 9, 2008, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm

The question to prez-elect is “What do you know and when did you know it?”

Posted by: Captain | December 9, 2008, 9:59 pm 9:59 pm

This is so typical of the Republican machine, smear tactics, inuendo and of course always saying that those who are indicted are going to “sing” about Obama. Yeah, like we should believe people who are looking for a way out of jail by saying anything to take suspicion away from themselves. But of course Obama probably doesn’t have anyone like a Scooter Libby to take the heat of a court appearence for lying and outing a CIA operative. (I’ll bet there was a hugh payoff to Libby by the Republican party or some individuals in the party to protect Bush and Cheyney.) But then again Libby “beat the rap” so to speak by being pardoned by Bush before ever serving any time. Which only goes to prove that the Republicans are above the law. Afterall, they ignore subpeonas.. if you or I did that we would be in jail, but not the Republicans like Cheyney or Gonzalez.
I think the Republicans need to take a good hard look at their party. I wonder how many scandals would have come out if McCain and Palin had won. I bet they would have been too numerous to mention. Coincidence that Palin’s house was being built at the same time the Sports Arena was being built in Wasilla and the same company was building both. I wonder if there were any “shared” materials?
The Democrats need to be aware that this will be the tactics of the Repubs(keep smears, rumors, inuendos and suggestions of any possible misdoings in the forefront. This will keep the Democratic administration preoccupied and no real work of the country will get done just like in Clinton’s second term.. who cared about a personal private matter of an affair. Oh, and by the way it was Clinton and Gore who wanted authorization from congress to go after Bin Laden in 1998 but of course the Republican congress denied their efforts saying Clinton was just trying to escape being held accountable for his affair (again a personal, private matter that should have never been played out in front of the country.)

Posted by: I've had it | December 9, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

Oh, they’ve clarified that Axelrod simply ‘misspoke’ about that.
That clears it all up nice and tidy. I’m glad we don’t have to look into that anymore.
Let’s all go about our business now and leave the poor President-elect to his transitioning business.
Sure, Obama lied about public financing, which gave him a HUGE strategic advantage over McCain, which he exploited fully…that does not in any way mean he or his people are not being anything but the most candid and truthful men of their word now.

Posted by: Miss Speaker | December 9, 2008, 10:03 pm 10:03 pm

@Common Sense
“One man hasn’t yet been convicted and the other hasn’t yet been elected.”
Priceless
Peace, MC

Posted by: Michael Cole | December 9, 2008, 10:04 pm 10:04 pm

I do not believe any leading Illinois politician who says they did not know about the massive corruption that pervades every level of government in this state from the governor down to municipal offices. We have a governor accused of shaking down a children’s hospital for God’s sake. The previous governor was trading state contracts for free trips and gifts. We had a Secretary of State with shoeboxes stuffed with cash. We have had Chicago city officials, aldermen, city employees, city contractors, and prominent citizens all go to prison for corruption. The same for Illinois state government. On top of that, it is not uncommon for a child or relative of a public official to be appointed as their successor, directly or via their considerable influence over of the political process.
This current scandal is likely to end up reaching well beyond the governor and his chief of staff. However, the real question we have to ask of every prominent Illinois and Chicago politician is if or members of their staff were aware of the corruption, what action did they take in response? If a member of a U.S. Congressman’s staff was aware of political demands and favors, whom did they inform? Our governor could not have been corrupt if there was nobody to go along with him.

Posted by: GD | December 9, 2008, 10:05 pm 10:05 pm

The news media, anchors, radio personalities, etc all have failed the American people miserably. They know about Obama and his illegal status. They actually turned on the American people and this wonderful country.
It is no longer the country, but the parties and politicians that matter. The people don’t matter.
I have canceled my newspaper and will not watch the news stations. They all have an agenda. Why is is that all three major networks have the same stories? We are all being controlled by the editorial boards who think they know what we should know and when we should know it.
I will get my information elsewhere and think for myself. The New Socialism is here. Marxism is next. America had a bloodless coup d’etat and the people have been had.
God bless America. I will always lave her.

Posted by: JL | December 9, 2008, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm

I love how Obama’s people say he hadn’t spoken to Blagojevich, and then say that he wasn’t going along with the pay to play deal anyway, but only offered his gratitude. That’s beautiful. Can you not speak to someone, have no knowledge of what they are doing, and refuse to go along with them all at the same time?

Posted by: Tom | December 9, 2008, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see Obama is involved – of course – are you kidding! The deal just wasn’t as sweet as Blago wanted. He was angry, he wanted more. But Obama is the big dog – he calls the shots. MSM will never get truthful – don’t even dare to dream it – they will do damage control for Obama – thats it. When will the left realize this hurts all of us?

Posted by: smitty | December 9, 2008, 10:07 pm 10:07 pm

ive had it: before you go and think that clinton was such a great person i believe that he gave the chinese gov. secrets about our crypto-technology. and what if that or what if this and what if that.. mccain and palin didnt win and its the democrats that are in a scandal

Posted by: ball5094 | December 9, 2008, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm

Obama owes Blago. Obama owes Jones. Obama owes Claypool. The list is long. Who else does he owe? And when will they collect? My bet is that Obama only wishes once again that they’d shut the hell up and not say any more.
People didn’t want to hear the truth about all Obama’s “indiscretions” before the election, the easy way. Fine. They’re going to hear about all of them the hard way–because the truth remains, it’s going to dribble out, and it’s going to get in the way of governing the country.
When Obama comes into office, expect that the people investigating this will suddenly be “laid off.” But no matter, there’s plenty more to investigate and there will be incompetencies and blunders left and right anyway. Count on it.
Bill Clinton, look up and smile, your vindication is at hand–you are no longer the scummiest prez and honey, somebody now has a looser definition of “is” than you ever had.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm

[Marcy, Nice try. Now let's get back to Abu Ghraib and those pictures and the men who authorized that kind of torture. And let's get back to the men who were arrested in Salt Lake City this week who killed innocent civilians -including children, women and babies (funny, I don't think there was a discussion on that here....) and let's talk about GITMO - where they are people younger than 18 who have been held for years. You do understand that there are agreeements from Geneva Convention - don't you? It's really, really not hard. We signed it. We agreed to the terms. We violated them under a filthy adminstration. I know the basic concept that human life and decency are maybe more important than what may or may not have been said at the Illinois State Fair in 2002 is difficult, but maybe someone can help you out there.]
Mara: The Geneva Conventions have nothing to do with combatants out of uniform. In fact, a combatant that is not wearing a uniform, can be, and has been, charged as a spy and executed. Those clowns in Gitmo are terrorists and they would cut your liberal throat in a New York minute if they had the chance.

Posted by: roncee | December 9, 2008, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm

Jakey Jakey you’ll be sorry. How dare you be critical of Obama trying to lie and cover up. You will be banished by the “One’s” inner circle. You will forever be banished from having any questions answered. You cease to exist- watch your back.

Posted by: you'll be sorry | December 9, 2008, 10:10 pm 10:10 pm

“The Sean hannity Rush Limbuaghs and Republican Neocons just cant accept a Black man as president.”
-I voted for Ken Blackwell for Gov. in Ohio, but he lost. Does that mean democrats can’t accept a black man as govenor?
“Attacking our president from sun up to sun down is un-patriotic.”
-Unless it is George bush
“We will have a much better economy 4 years from now”
-Obama says things will get worse
“accept Obama as your Lord and savior.. You will feel better about yourself.. ”
-Are you serious?

Posted by: Norino's | December 9, 2008, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm

Obama did nothing wrong here. He’s going to our President on January 20th, not John McCain (or nutty Sarah Palin!)

Posted by: Atheist Liberal | December 9, 2008, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm

“When will the left realize this hurts all of us?”
Only will Obama hurts their precious agenda.
Only at that point.
All of us? The nation? Our posterity?
No! Just the agenda.

Posted by: robert bluejacket | December 9, 2008, 10:13 pm 10:13 pm

When can the rest of the state be cut loose from the crap that happens in cooke county and chicago for that matter. We get tired down south here of all the stuff the north part of this state creates.

Posted by: steveB | December 9, 2008, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm

How did Obama get up there so fast when he only been a Senator for how long now ? And also what is his experience as a one too ? What types of bills did he even voted on while he was a Senator ? which bills did he vote on ? All Liberals runs what ? Our Media or news that runs America propaganda LIES, DECEPTIONS. Who will fall for this and who will stand against this too ? I use to be someone that was a Democrat but was wakened up to the real facts that they are in Power not for the Americans purpose at all but for there Ego trips !!! Also how many countries has Liberals as there Presidents or Kings and who are they ? Wake up peoples The Stuff is going to hit the fan !!! The Truth will set you free of the bondage of all Lies !

Posted by: The Real Truth | December 9, 2008, 10:16 pm 10:16 pm

So this is how the Republicans will try to rein in the Democratic wave. Congress will therefore rein in the courts and the law enforcement branches. Democracy. You gotta love it!!

Posted by: Joe | December 9, 2008, 10:18 pm 10:18 pm

My, my, what an interesting day. The FBI is crawling all over the Chicago patronage machine and the pres-elect is having nightmares in public over what might come out of the woodwork. And Oprah baby weighs a whopping 200 pounds as of this morning, apparently. I wonder what she ate?

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm

Amazing! Some of the comments in here are blaming Republicans for another political scandal.
Step back folks and look at this: a corrupt governor was caught dealing for money and power; his phone was tapped and while a trial still has to come, it appears he is very guilty. Polital party doesn’t matter, the man is a crook!
ps to I’ve Had It: your version of what happened during the Clinton years is made of distortions and just plain lies. Have a nice day!

Posted by: thoward | December 9, 2008, 10:21 pm 10:21 pm

Cut cooke county out of Illinois and McCain won our electoral votes! Make Cooke County its own state please. the rest of IL dont want you. Obama couldn’t get an FBI job or CIA job because of his associations, so we make him president? Gimme a break everybody had to see this comming and it will only get worse!!

Posted by: steveB | December 9, 2008, 10:22 pm 10:22 pm

Corruption in Chicago politics? Shocking!!!
Now we have Chicago politics in the White House.
Who’d a thunk it.

Posted by: Deborah C | December 9, 2008, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm

SteveB,
It’s worse than that. Obama doesn’t qualify to be a mail carrier, a technician in a city water plant or a chemical truck driver, because his associations would disqualify him. He wouldn’t pass the security clearances those jobs require.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm

I knew it. obama is just as corrupt as any other politician

Posted by: real america | December 9, 2008, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm

I have two observations. The first is that its funny that when this prosecutor was going after Scooter Libby, the Repubs were screaming that he was “partisan”, a “Democratic hack” and “out of control”. Strange we aren’t hearing that now. The second is that it’s crystal clear to anyone who listens and reads that it’s the Obama people who asked Fitzgerald to spped up this investigation. They wanted the law to be obeyed and carried out, unlike the ignoring of subpoenas and the illegal torturing that the present administration undertook. Hmm, let’s compare: torturing, contempt of court, illegal wiretaps on one side, asking a prosecutor to carry out the law on the other. Hmmm

Posted by: KM | December 9, 2008, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm

O.K., i’ll say it…
‘Here’s your “Change”.’

Posted by: Doug Ramsey | December 9, 2008, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm

Because, David M, you naive man:
Obama isn’t paying Blago what Obama owes Blago. Blago thinks he’s not getting enough and he wanted more. Capice?
Don’t be so gullible.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm

FLASHBACK: “I did NOT have sex with that women …”
Barak Hussein Obama says he didn’t talk to the governor or his office blah-blah-blah…….
So will the former msm FINALLY hold Obama’s feet to SOME sort of fire?????????
Geeesh…

Posted by: BB | December 9, 2008, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm

Obama – The Accidental Senator from Illinois.
Rezko – Blago – Obama

Posted by: Chris | December 9, 2008, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm

“This makes for the fourth out of the last seven elected Illinois governors to be indicted since 1960 (Otto Kerner, Dan Walker, George Ryan, and Rod Blagojevich) … since 1972, 28 Chicago alderman have been convicted of crimes. If this number was extrapolated to the US House, it would be as if over 240 congressman had been indicted in the same period.”
“That isn’t the Rod Blagojevich I know”
Q: What did one Illinois prison inmate say to the other?
A: “The food was better when you were Governor.”
Change we all CAN buy a piece of.
We know now why O’Bambi has his chin stuck up in the air in so many pics. The stench is too much even for HIM.
Heh.

Posted by: Ziggy | December 9, 2008, 10:33 pm 10:33 pm

Will Blagojevich open up a Pandora’s box for Obama in order to make a plea deal?
The connection between Rezko and the governor will no doubt raise more suspicion about Rezcko-Obama. We are seeing only the tip of this corruption.

Posted by: Sigmonde | December 9, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm

Someone please explain to me, if Barack was involved with Blaggo’s corruption why are there RECENT tapped conversations where Blaggo is calling Obama the F-word and saying screw him??? If anything, this restores my faith in Obama’s integrity

Posted by: David M | December 9, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm

Blago was cursing about Obama because for the first time, Obama isn’t cooperating. Many times before, particularly when it came to appointing Rezko cronies to State of Il jobs, Obama played ball and got the money flowing. Everyone in the IDP knows it. Its not a shock, just reality. Now, knowing he can no longer do this as POTUS, Obama backs off the money game, and Blago loses his cool.
BTW, what’s with the constant referrals to Abu Gharib? I mean, what would you prefer, that these combatants were just killed on the field of battle, with absolutely no recourse? At least they still have their lives.

Posted by: Kyle | December 9, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm

All you President Obama haters need to stop. Blagos’s problems are not Obama’s fault. You all want to point fingers at President Obama. As you see the Republicans are the bigger crooks. Get over yourselves.

Posted by: E Double | December 9, 2008, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm

Well well…so we get a good look into what the Chicago political machine is all about, don’t we? The One not only comes from that, but has filled his administration with all the finest specimens of the Chicago political zoo. No doubt BHO will explain away Blagojevich just as he did Ayers, “We just lived in the same neighborhood”. God help us all come Jan 20th, when Washington becomes Chicagostan East.

Posted by: Bill | December 9, 2008, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm

It’s only a matter of time before Obama is himself implicated in corruption charges once his buddy Blagojevich starts singing like a canary in order to avoid spending quality time in the shower with his cellmate. The calls for his impeachment once that occurs will make Clinton’s troubles look like a mild summer drizzle.

Posted by: Joe | December 9, 2008, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm

jan 20, inauguration day. jan 21, impeachment procedings. I love it. Can’t wait for more details. two months of wiretaps. Obami’s sweating bullets.

Posted by: real america | December 9, 2008, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm

There seems to be a lot of people that believe that you are guilty until proven innocent. These same people think the news media controls all investigations: private, FBI, CIA, etc. They think none of these investigators have been able to find the evidence of Obama’s guilt because he and the news media is hiding it. That is the same reason Obama has a false birth certificate in Hawaii, because the federal and state officials and investigators cannot get to it. Where did he get this total power over everything, oh, yes, you have named him the Messiah. No he isn’t, he doesn’t have this ability to hid things from everyone, he has been under intense investigation since he won the first primary, and he is human with lots of flaws like all of us.

Posted by: MikeMo1947 | December 9, 2008, 10:35 pm 10:35 pm

KM,
Sure they did. Yeah, right. The last thing Obama wants is for the country to find out how he got into that Senate seat and who he endorsed and why. Are you out of your mind?
Also, the president-elect doesn’t direct the FBI to do anything. He’s not been inaugurated yet, remember?

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:36 pm 10:36 pm

The republicans stopping the democrat wave? ROTFLMAO!
Blagojevich has been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. The evidence is SOLID. Regardless of what obama did or did not know, Blagojevich is going to spend time in the greybar hotel.
Apparently some folks think Illinois politicians are innocent victims. Having grown up in that state, I well know better!
And I am GLAD I got the hell out ot there.

Posted by: bydand | December 9, 2008, 10:38 pm 10:38 pm

this will be obami’s WATERGATE

Posted by: real america | December 9, 2008, 10:41 pm 10:41 pm

Be careful what you say about Prez- elect… he has union ties… you will become part of the wall at Wrigley… why do you think its bricks covered in ivy?

Posted by: Bill | December 9, 2008, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm

This is the CHANGE you wanted America. Obama = IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS!!! Obama kissed the Clinton ring..and now they are all back…Mohahahahahahahaha..the ring to rule them all!! Congratulations democrats, good deal!! lol

Posted by: Ms Hobbit | December 9, 2008, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm

Sorry folks, but unfortunately, we already saw the big impeachment process in this country under the Clinton Administration. He never left office for a minute, lasted 2 terms, landed his wifey in the NY senate seat, wants it now himself when she takes the
Secty of State cabinet seat, and is now consulted and lands perpetual speaking engagements ad nauseum. Do you really think the powers that be will ALLOW our camel-jockey-elect to take the fall for Blago? Or is this just another plot we have yet to see come to fruition? Could it all be another scam to land Biden in the president’s chair? God only knows…..Only Obama’s hairdresser knows for sure.

Posted by: americanpatriot | December 9, 2008, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm

I told you folks that Obama is nothing but a Chicago THUG! The whole country is going to pot. I sure hope I live long enough to see the country regain it’s former glory!

Posted by: FHAH | December 9, 2008, 10:43 pm 10:43 pm

Our neighbors, big Dems from Chicago, dismiss this as “typical Ill politics.” He said in Chicago, invitations to the victory party are sent BEFORE the election (lol). Seriously, BO is not stupid enough to get involved with this scandal (that others, including the media, obviously were aware of) but any Chicago democrat has had to “play the game” to get ahead. We’ll know in a few days if anyone up for indictment suddenly “remembers” something. I truly hope BO has no skeletons but then, he’s a professional politician.

Posted by: smb12321 | December 9, 2008, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm

We have known for years he was a crook. I live in the state of illinois. Blago has always done shadey deals. I am very proud of the F.B.I. for finally getting into these offices and busting all of these people. I hope they arrest the people who bidded on the seat as well.
The chicago inner circle needs to be broken up. That is why illinois pays almost the highest taxes in the country.
As far as Obama.. He was never apart of the chicago inner circle. He knew to stay away from the political machine of chicago. Now I am glad blago is going down but I know who is going down next..
Think about who is next on the list?

Posted by: drummindj | December 9, 2008, 10:44 pm 10:44 pm

LOL! This whole story is a joke right? I mean, I they just don’t write ‘em like this any more: “(UPDATE #2: Axelrod this evening issued a statement saying. “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.”)
There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed.”
Not since the fall of the Soviet Union anyway. I guess this indicates a resurgence?
Congratulations!

Posted by: Dickie Moe | December 9, 2008, 10:45 pm 10:45 pm

If he is really from British remember that what happend when Christopher Columbus came to America ? The British wanted to take over and Tax everyone in the USA right ! Now they are in Oval Office so take heed this is now in the hands of the British peoples !!! Obama corruptions and lies got him into Office so he is the father of lies !! Believe what Obama says you will be lost from God

Posted by: The Real Truth | December 9, 2008, 10:46 pm 10:46 pm

Honestly who posts as “Real America”, give me a break…are you Shawn Hanity?
When the tapes are released that ACTUALLY implicates Obama in any sort of wrong doing, feel free to post, otherwise shut up, you have NOTHING to go on but your hatred and ignorance.

Posted by: Really Real America | December 9, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm

At what point does ‘misspoke’ mean lied?

Posted by: JMb | December 9, 2008, 10:47 pm 10:47 pm

based on the comments, did i miss something regarding Obama’s involvement in the charged offenses against the IL governor? if there are facts that establish some kind of legal liability on Obama’s part, what are they? reading these comments, it sounds like Obama is guilty of something, but I can’t tell what? what are the charges against Obama and what were the facts to establish legal liability?

Posted by: truth | December 9, 2008, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm

Well, what do you know?! A glimmer of the kind of reporting the nation deserved and longed for DURING the election process.
Axelrod “misspoke” about the Obama’s conversation with the Governor? Yeah, right.
Rezko, Wright, Ayres, and now this crook. All Obama’s closest compadres.
“Change,”my patootie.

Posted by: Thank God for Karma | December 9, 2008, 10:48 pm 10:48 pm

You bet, Obama owes Blago too much for Blago to quietly go to jail and be a good little boy while Obama rolls in glory.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:49 pm 10:49 pm

JMb, along about the time “is” isn’t “is.”

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 10:51 pm 10:51 pm

This is just the tip of the iceberg. I suggest that if you want to get a better idea of Obama’s integrity and character, and the corruption of the “Chicago Combine”, you must read a most fascinating piece of investigative journalism done by Evelyn Pringle. Google her name and you will find the work she did to uncover “The Case Against Barack Obama”. She is known for her investigative journalism to uncover corruption. You must be willing to invest time to read all the parts of her investigative work in order to understand what Patrick Fitzgerald is on to in his “Operation Board Games” Investigation.
Evelyn Pringle, from my understanding, is a Democrat and she tried to warn Democrats to not vote for Obama during the primary. Before the primary election, she laid out the case that she put together by taking testimony from many sources including to name a few, reporters from the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun Times, and from many witnesses testimony in the Tony Rezko trial. There are so many people that have been talking up a storm to the prosecutors to save their butts, but you’d never know this from our pathetic “mainstream” media.
Pringle has many sources. There have been wire taps going on for years and you can bet a wealth of info is coming from Rezko who is singing like a bird. Stuart Levine has also been singing like a bird and is a star witness. Bet most people have never heard his name, but Gov. Blago sure knows him, and so does Obama.
People need to start using their brains and think for themselves. The good of the country should come before any allegiance to a political party, whether you are a republican or a democrat.

Posted by: Jo | December 9, 2008, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm

Why does this sound so much like a reapeat of the Clinton years? “I NEVER had any relations with that man…”..and even Emanuel admits it! No wait…wasnt he IN the Clinton Whitehouse? Get ready for the lies!

Posted by: angus | December 9, 2008, 10:52 pm 10:52 pm

where there is smoke, there is fire!!

Posted by: Dan Banks | December 9, 2008, 10:54 pm 10:54 pm

.Race has nothing to do with this. Oooops, wrong – it seems to be an issue with you.
Right is right, wrong is wrong. Corrupt is corrupt, liberalism is socialism… but I digress…….
Jesus wasn’t exactly cool over the strong central government (Rome) ruling over everything, but he taught to tolerate it and live IN SPITE OF IT….
Our Constitution established a government which is LIMITED so that it canNOT rule over the people. If Barak Hussein Obama (black/white/purple) tries to change this Constitution, which is what he campaigned on, then he wants to overturn and subvert the greatest government ever created on this planet.

Posted by: BB | December 9, 2008, 10:55 pm 10:55 pm

“Someone please explain to me, if Barack was involved with Blaggo’s corruption why are there RECENT tapped conversations where Blaggo is calling Obama the F-word and saying screw him??? If anything, this restores my faith in Obama’s integrity”
I’ll explain it to you. If you sleep with snakes, once in a while one will bite you. Now let me ask you a question. Is there anybody in B. Hussain’s past that doesn’t have criminal ties? Please name on.

Posted by: Ed | December 9, 2008, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm

It is simply not believable that Obama, as a Senator leaving his position to be President, would not have conversations about his replacement with the Governor, who has the power to appoint a successor to the position. I wish Obama well but this is troubling. Next up, we will be reading about Rezko, Blagejovich and Obama connection. Troubling to say the least.

Posted by: Sigmonde | December 9, 2008, 10:57 pm 10:57 pm

can you say, president biden. yikes.

Posted by: real america | December 9, 2008, 10:58 pm 10:58 pm

Ed,
Blago was upset because Obama owes Blago big time and Blago thought he wasn’t getting enough for the favors he did Obama…Obama getting elected in November and all.
Blago was acting out because he wanted a payoff he thinks he’s entitled to and he’s not getting. NOW do you understand why he was upset????

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:00 pm 11:00 pm

President Biden. That IS scary. However, Biden apparently will have no responsibility as Veep, unlike Cheney. He will be like a lady in waiting.

Posted by: Sigmonde | December 9, 2008, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm

That’s why Blago thought he should get a place in Obama’s cabinet or a lot of money. He thinks that Obama owes him that much and he has been very upset that he’s apparently being stiffed. That’s why the yelling.
NOW do you understand????

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm

January 20 isn’t tomorrow. Pray that justice prevails before that date so Obama is not inaugurated at all.
The perfect scene would be for the sheriff to cuff him just as he raises his right hand to lie.

Posted by: tanarg | December 9, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm

This country is done for. No morals, no honesty, little future. America is no longer inhabited by Americans , but groups of special interest peddlers.We make little, consume much , and want a perfect moral being to lead us out of the hell we all allow. When our presidential candidates have to raise hundreds of millions of dollars to get a $400,000 a year job we should know that something is terribly wrong. When 40% of children born do not know who their father is , what sort of moral climate do we expect. We have the government we deserve just as the Romans did. They used to throw coins to the crowds to get votes . We are now more sophisticated , but the game is much the same. The election is akin to two crime families fighting over who controls the turf. The Gotti family is leaving the White House and the Gambinos are moving in. The Governor of Illinois had no reason to ever expect punishment for being a criminal because he exists in a system that rewards and enriches criminals. Most all of our leaders in the last 30 years have been criminal in one way or another. There is no one blinder than one who will not see, and that is most Americans at this point in history. People are out of money but gun and ammo sales are at a all time high.Why?? Wait until many people snap and start a multiple Mumbai here in America. The police now work for the police and will run for their lives just as they did in New Orleans and Los Angeles if there is widespread civil unrest. All I hope is that the children, dogs and cats are spared because they are the only innocent ones left. Want America to get better ?? Then quit asking the Democrats and the Republicans to fix what they have purposely created. The Republicans protect the rich from the poor , and the Democrats protect the poor from the rich. In truth they are protecting no one but themselves. Stop them because by God they cannot stop themselves.Pass a law that gives you life in prison for being corrupt in public office, no parole. Organize a national non partisan constitutional amendment to get this law passed. Outlaw all lobbying at all levels of government. Put in term limits. Make crime in public service no longer pay!!Stop fixating on Bush , Obama, Clinton, ect. They are only talking heads that are controlled by their partners in crime. Not one person from Wall Street, the car companies, the banks, Fannie May and Freddie Mack, ect , ect, has gone to jail or been financially punished. Not one person who built the faulty levees in New Orleans has been indicted or jailed . They all belong to an elite club and secret society , and none but the most stupid such as the Illinois governor are ever sacrificed. If we do not take our country back we are dooming our children to a third world existance. Look at a dollar bill in your wallet and remember how that man got his picture on it. The time for talk came and went . It was followed by massive civil disobedience , a revolution , and a rebirth that all of us enjoy to this day.Thank you George Washington. We still have time to demand change , but if we go much further down the road we are on then this country will be torn apart by desperate , self serving , ultimately violent people. If my words disturb , it is because at some level you realize that they are true. No one who is a politician before being president can fix anything . They are the cancer that pretends to be the cure. While time is left stand up , stand together , and forget about being Democrat or Republican, black,Hispanic white,gay , straight, liberal, conservative.The ship is sinking and all of us want a good life for ourselves and our children. Stop parroting the ingrained political beliefs that we have been fed to keep us fighting among ourselves and fixating on our differences . Look at our leaders and what they are doing to us all!!We are all being screwed if we continue to allow criminals to control America. The only hope we have is being united as Americans.

Posted by: Alan | December 9, 2008, 11:05 pm 11:05 pm

What good luck! Illinois’ loss is the country’s gain. Blagojevich would be a PERFECT Czar for the Big 3 bailout. He makes Charlie Rangel look like a piker. Blagojevich, Obama and Emanuel all went to the same school of Chicago politics…”You never want a serious crisis to go to waste. And what I mean by that is an opportunity to do things you think you could not do before.”Rham Emanuel…Tip of the Iceberg?

Posted by: wss | December 9, 2008, 11:06 pm 11:06 pm

Well, I’ll give Barak Hussein Obama this much: We Got Change!
He’s in a deep doo-doo scandal even before he’s inaugrated!
Caught lying just over a month after the election. Pop the corn, pass the napkins, and get ready for the next election cycle. Just pray for the troops IF Barak Hussein Obama is inaugrated.

Posted by: BB | December 9, 2008, 11:06 pm 11:06 pm

This idiot exposed all the back room talk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! can any common working class person understand the scope of this???? The “National” Socialist (Which is (too stupid to realize) reeling from the boycott) media will rush to try to smooth this over as quick as they can and limit the damage to as few as they can. They might loose the battle, but they can’t loose the war! Obama is in this up to his neck, they thought the time was right to take America away from the people!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: DEF | December 9, 2008, 11:09 pm 11:09 pm

midwestlady You call me naive, but you state in a previous post “Wars Prop up ecomonies”. The fact of the matter is that wars temporarily prop up economies look at some facts for once in your life…there was a recession starting in 1950 after WW2, a recession 1977-1980 due to vietnam…that is what happens, the War economy is a TEMPORARY expedient to economic ills. This is exactly what we are going through now…but it is worse due to lax regulation of markets (and yes this is the fault of both bush and clinton….only Bush pushed it to the tipping point). So before you start calling other naive, look at yourself..obviuosly a far right neo-con with no respect for facts, history or truth. Like I said, please provide evidence of any of your claims and I will listen…..

Posted by: Dave M | December 9, 2008, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm

The picture and statement made by B. Hussein Obama tell a thousand words. Vote early and often in my hometown, just as me and my brother Joliet Jake have always done. It is the Clinton Redux administration. … But I always have the band…. and toast is easy to come by.

Posted by: Elwood Blues | December 9, 2008, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm

“This isn’t the Rod Blagojevich Obama knew.
Posted by: Kimberley | Dec 9, 2008 4:30:46 PM”
I guess Resko wasn’t who Obama knew and Ayers wasn’t who Obama knew? Is Obama that much of an idiot where he really doesn’t know what these people are about? Wake up Democrats.

Posted by: Ed | December 9, 2008, 11:10 pm 11:10 pm

americanpatriot | Dec 9, 2008 11:02:24 PM
wasn’t the bible written by mankind more than 300 years after the death of jesus?
given that the bible was written by humanity, how can its writings be trusted absolutely in that they truly reflect God?
i personally don’t think God has left the US. correct me if i’m wrong, but there’s a certain amendment that protects the free exercise of religion.

Posted by: truth | December 9, 2008, 11:11 pm 11:11 pm

is there anyone else here that wonders if the world will end when Obama is inaugurated?

Posted by: truth | December 9, 2008, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm

It doesn’t matter if Barak Obama, Barry Soetoro, or whatever he calls himself, is a natural born citizen. The Constitution is DEAD…The globalist won. They are destroying the dollar and will introduce the Amero currency (North American Union)which will cut more than half of what’s left of your money. When the people riot, Northcom is prepared to deal with the “home grown terrorist”. Good job Sheeple.

Posted by: George Washington | December 9, 2008, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm

midwestlady – I know the difference between a forgery, a copy, a certified copy, and an original birth certificate. I have seen images online of a copy and a certified copy of Obama’s birth certificate. State officials and a few reporters have seen the original. Where have you seen the forgery?

Posted by: MikeMo1947 | December 9, 2008, 11:13 pm 11:13 pm

Dave,
The only thing that brought us up out of the Great Depression was WWII. We made munitions left and right and it jump started the economy. You can read, I take it. LOok it up.
Moreover, we had a recession when the soldiers came home from WWII because we always have a recession when large numbers of soldiers come home and a war ends==> there aren’t enough jobs to go around and production drops per capita as a result.
Classical economics, DAve. Apparently you don’t know any.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm

Guess what fellas? You can whine and moan all you want – Obama is still president with majorities in the House and Senate. hahahahah. Having absolutely no power sucks doesn’t it?

Posted by: robotfr | December 9, 2008, 11:15 pm 11:15 pm

Oh, so now NOW the All Barack Channel news is paying attention to Barry’s Chicago connections. Swell.

Posted by: Basketball Jones | December 9, 2008, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm

“January 20 isn’t tomorrow. Pray that justice prevails before that date so Obama is not inaugurated at all.
The perfect scene would be for the sheriff to cuff him just as he raises his right hand to lie.
Posted by: tanarg”
That would be good. Ha ha. And then the sheriff would then cuff his other hand that would be on the Koran, I guess. |

Posted by: Ed | December 9, 2008, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm

Wright, Ayers, Resko, Blagojevich. Who’s next on the list of Obama’s friends that he “never knew very well”?

Posted by: Oonogil | December 9, 2008, 11:17 pm 11:17 pm

Yes politics is a dirty business but some people are dirtier than others. For me it’s whether or not someone truly has a passion to make things better. I’m not here to Bash Obama, but he seems like just a politician to me, not some great amazing figure. Now maybe he could prove me wrong but we will have to wait and see.
As for the corruption tie possibilities, I would say to wait and see.
Of course, obama’s remarks have not been that inspiring about the whole situation. He seems more about trying to distance himself.

Posted by: Citizen of the US | December 9, 2008, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm

BTW, Dave M,
We had another recession right after the Korean war ended and one right after the Viet Nam war ended–same cause. There will be one after this war ends, unless we bring everyone home while we’re in this one–> in which case, this one will deepen.
IF Obama has anyone who knows much working for him, he’ll put that off as long as possible for that reason. You watch.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:18 pm 11:18 pm

“but it is worse due to lax regulation of markets (and yes this is the fault of both bush and clinton….only Bush pushed it to the tipping point)”…
Give us an example of a regulation that Bush was “lax” with. FYI, Bush tried to regulate Fannie mae/freddie since 2003 but congress wouldn’t act.

Posted by: Sigmonde | December 9, 2008, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm

A foreigner asked me this Summer about which American states and cities are the most corrupt. I told him that Americans probably regard Chicago and Memphis as the most corrupt cities, and New Jersey and Louisiana as the most corrupt states.
I think Louisiana just fell out of second place.

Posted by: Romeo | December 9, 2008, 11:19 pm 11:19 pm

Who cares about all this Blago stuff?
What’s important is the new holiday, which we could refer to as the “Rev. Wright Holiday”, which celebrates December 7th as the day the U.S. bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Obama needs to sign this into law in all 58 states without delay!

Posted by: FuzzyWuzzy | December 9, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm

E Double-
He’s the President-Elect, not the President yet. And my mother and grandmother use to say “A man is known by the company he keeps.”
President-Elect Obama is not the President for 40+ days. Call me a hater all you like.

Posted by: nonesuch77 | December 9, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm

What does Obama know about corruption in Chicago and the Governor’s office in Illinois and when did he know it? Why did Gov Blagojevich think he could sell a Senate seat to Obama, what was the extend of their relationship? Have we ever had an answer about the obviously corrupt purchase of Obama’s house and the involvement of Tony Resco who was convicted of a felony? Why does Obama want Eric Holder, who enabled the most corrupt pardon in U.S. history to be his A.G. How corrupt is President Elect Obama???????

Posted by: valwayne | December 9, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm

Rezko, Ayers, Dohrn, Wright, Pfleger, Meeks, Khalidi, Farrakhan, ACORN, and now Blagojevich.
All of these Obama “associations”. Is this just a coincidence? How stupid are Americans? Is it too late for us all??

Posted by: LibertarianPunk | December 9, 2008, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm

americanpatriot | Dec 9, 2008 11:02:24 PM
wasn’t the bible written by mankind more than 300 years after the death of jesus?
given that the bible was written by humanity, how can its writings be trusted absolutely in that they truly reflect God?
i personally don’t think God has left the US. correct me if i’m wrong, but there’s a certain
AmericanPatriot, I’d be happy to answer. Being a CAR/DAR member myself, I have many ancestors who fought to free this country from the tyranny of King George III of England. Remember your history.
The commonly referred to phrase “separation of church and state” isn’t mentioned in the Constitution. There is merely the rule that restricts the government from FORCING a particular religion on its people. This came from the “Church of England” requirements from which the settlers (most) fled. The priciples of Christian religion were the basis for our Constitution and its rights… read the Declaration of Independence and the Preamble.
The Bible, however, is more exhaustive. You surely refer to the New Testament, which, of course, started at the year zero (or thereabouts). The Old Testament (Torah) was written over 5000 years ago. There is VAST evidence to prove the times, approximate locations, and validity of the New Testament writings, which were mostly <100 a.d. Can't get into that there, but you can get many, many doctoral degrees proving it!
Not so applicable here, but I wanted to oblige.

Posted by: BB | December 9, 2008, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm

Now wait a minute Truth. I can understand objection to calling Obama a camel-jockey, that’s obviously racist in intent. But your second example “barack hussein obama” which you seem to think implies racial overtones is over the top absurd. For crying out loud, you’re objecting that someone dared use the man’s middle name…! How many times have you heard people, as well as the MSM, use John Fitzgerald Kennedy, or Richard Milhous Nixon, or William Jefferson Clinton? Were there racial underpinnings there as well? Get a grip.

Posted by: Eggs Ackley | December 9, 2008, 11:22 pm 11:22 pm

“Wright, Ayers, Resko, Blagojevich. Who’s next on the list of Obama’s friends that he “never knew very well”?
Posted by: Oonogil | Dec 9, 2008 11:17:12 PM”
I’ll tell you who will be next…Putin, Chavez and Ahmadinigad for starters.

Posted by: Ed | December 9, 2008, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm

To Alan who wrote the long tirade: Two thumbs up buddy…you’re right on the mark 100%.
To Truth who questions my thoughts on the Bible, yes the Bible was written by man under divine inspiration. That’s what we have to rely on. Which is why it is important to choose the correct Bible to read. If you’ll notice, it has been misinterpreted countless times. The only valid Bible in existence is the Latin Vulgate Bible translated by St. Jerome. Anything else can be tainted.
And yes, we only have one God, a triune God, the Holy Trinity with God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. There are no other gods. You cannot call Him anything else. That is the blasphemy, and that is the reason we will not be blessed. You take Him out of our country, and He will not look kindly on us. Which isn’t to say He will abandon us. There is His system of punishments and rewards, and sometimes those punishments are actually purifications. We have a period of chastisement, tribulation and then peace. I’m still waiting for the latter.
Bring Jesus back, it’s what He wants. He died for that. Is it no coincidence that this is happening at Christmas, a holyday we all pretty much celebrate, but the true birthday party is not for the One who’s supposed to be given the gifts. After all, what gift did He give us?
Pray these people change their hearts, minds and souls. Satan already has enough company down there.

Posted by: americanpatriot | December 9, 2008, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm

Obama Knew everything.

Posted by: Jason | December 9, 2008, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm

Hussein is Obama’s real middle name. There’s no racism there, unless you want also to claim that calling Bill Clinton “William Jefferson Clinton” is also racist.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:27 pm 11:27 pm

So Obama endorsed him and campaigned for him in 2002 and 2006. The man won both elections. So should everyone that voted for him be held accountable for his actions too? You’ve even said in this article that Obama detested his practices and didn’t agree to go along with them, so why is this even an issue? Because there’s no more news since the election is over and people are getting cabin fever.

Posted by: Aaron | December 9, 2008, 11:29 pm 11:29 pm

I agree with the commenter below: We can’t let Biden become President. In dangerous times like these, better a crook than an idiot.
And yes, Bill Clinton is thanking his lucky stars that the vast corruption of his administration — can anyone even remember all the “gates” — Travelgate, Chinagate, Pardongate, WhiteWater, (about seven others I’m forgeting), and then Monicagate?) — may soon be seen as “the good old days”. LOL

Posted by: Romeo | December 9, 2008, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm

American Patriot:
What in the wild, wild, world of sports does that have to do with Barak Hussein Obama or his connection to corruction???????

Posted by: BB | December 9, 2008, 11:30 pm 11:30 pm

Jason, of course he did.
He just didn’t think Blago would make a big enough stink about it to get noticed by the FBI, or be willing to get himself into this much trouble out of spite and anger at being stiffed so strongly.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:31 pm 11:31 pm

no, because this is just another in the line of hyper questionable people that obama has intersected with.
and another great example of “what the heck is wrong with the people in Illinois???”

Posted by: sub | December 9, 2008, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm

Don’t blame me, I voted for Hillary.

Posted by: Brad | December 9, 2008, 11:34 pm 11:34 pm

But you know, Blago’s a strong-willed & locally powerful guy who’s gotten away with a lot over a long time and maybe he thought he could get away with it. Maybe he was encouraged by what he saw Obama do and thought lightning would strike twice and he’d get a payoff for what he was owed by Obama.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:34 pm 11:34 pm

Midwestlady, you are correct in your regurgitated Limbaugh/Hannity synoptsus of what got us out of the great depression…here is the problem with your logic (please listen as I will be respectful). The lend-lease act, which is primarily responsible for getting us out of the great depression was paid for by promises of payment by ENGLAND. Not the US tax payer. Britain was is serious trouble and promised to pay used for any armaments. The problem in this IRAQ war is we are not coming to the aid of anyone (let alone anyone that is promising us money in return for arms). Below I will quote a GREAT REPUBLICAN. Dwight D. Eisenhower (Please take a moment to read what he says, and I hope you will reflect and see how far of course we have been under Bush the second)
“Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who
hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed.
This world in arms in not spending money alone.
It is spending the sweat of its laborers, the genius of its scientists, the hopes of its children.
The cost of one modern heavy bomber is this: a modern brick school in more than 30 cities.
It is two electric power plants, each serving a town of 60,000 population.
It is two fine, fully equipped hospitals.
It is some 50 miles of concrete highway.
We pay for a single fighter with a half million bushels of wheat.
We pay for a single destroyer with new homes that could have housed more than 8,000 people.
This, I repeat, is the best way of life to be found on the road the world has been taking.
This is not a way of life at all, in any true sense. Under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross
of iron.”

Posted by: David M | December 9, 2008, 11:35 pm 11:35 pm

Look people – these are DEMOCRATS we are talking about. Leave them alone, or you’ll end up with a dead fish in the newspaper on your door step! Now if they were REPUBLICANS, well…off with their heads!

Posted by: Demunist | December 9, 2008, 11:36 pm 11:36 pm

As I have said and written for the last year and a half, BHO is not the Messiah or even an agent for change. He is an old fashioned Chicago Pol, raised in the incubator which has produced the infamous and scandalous. The electorate through the other 49 had no idea of whence he came, but they will..

Posted by: Czechbikr | December 9, 2008, 11:37 pm 11:37 pm

He was for Blagojevich before he was against him. He was for Wright before he was against him. He was for Ayers before he was against him. He was for Rezko before he was against him.
He was for change before he was against it.

Posted by: John Galt | December 9, 2008, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm

good. keep it coming.

Posted by: General Washington's heir | December 9, 2008, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm

No, no, you don’t understand the history involved here, Aaron. Obama O-W-E-S Blago big time. Blago thought when Obama made it big, he would get a payoff–a cabinet seat, a patronage job, a cushy place in foreign service–something. But he got stiffed instead and it infuriated him. It infuriated him so much that he became incautious, screamed on the phone and made a lot of noise–and the FBI caught him. He’s still infuriated. Obama wins and rolls in glory; Blago goes to jail.
No, expect Blago to protect Blago now. This should be interesting.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:38 pm 11:38 pm

Let me make it more clear:
Republicans = GUILTY!!!
Democrats = Don’ worry about it – your check’s in da mail!

Posted by: Demunist | December 9, 2008, 11:40 pm 11:40 pm

To BB: I think I answered your comment. Re-read it, you’ll understand.
Also, separation of church and state is not part of our Constitution. You cannot separate religion and politics. It’s all about what you believe in. Period.
This country was established in Christianity. I cannot judge a Christian’s heart, no matter what their denomination, only God will know their hearts.
Our founding fathers left England to relieve themselves of the King of England. Why drag that into America? They wouldn’t do that, nor did they.
Blago, Obama, et als. are all players. They will get burned soon. It’s just a matter of time before the Good Lord again says that He’s had enough of this.
Pray for all of them. Everyone has the ppotential for redemption.

Posted by: americanpatriot | December 9, 2008, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm

The way I take this is : WOW!!!!!!!!!! The power surge was over whelming, we actually suckered the American people into this, I deserve something extra!!!!!! FRIEND!!! (I mean, he didn’t say that…..but…..lol come on….they aren’t that high and mighty…..are they)?

Posted by: DEF | December 9, 2008, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm

a pilgrim in unholy land.

Posted by: General Washington's heir | December 9, 2008, 11:46 pm 11:46 pm

Recently I read where this whole bunch of corrupt circus clowns were being hailed as “The Obama Nation”. It was almost right….THEY really should be rightfully called the ABOMINATION. If they’re guilty, hang ‘em high! All of them.

Posted by: ROCKY5USA | December 9, 2008, 11:49 pm 11:49 pm

“truth,” the birth certificate allegation has by no means been laid to rest.
Peter Ogego, the Kenyan Ambassador, has said that Obama was born in Kenya. Obama’s paternal grandmother, Sarah, says she witnessed his birth in Kenya.
Tellingly and coyly, Hawaiian officials say they have a valid birth certificate in their vault, but refuse to say whether it is a Hawiian or a Kenyan certificate.

Posted by: Jessica Tufts | December 9, 2008, 11:52 pm 11:52 pm

News reports are saying that although Blago was a seasoned Chicago politician, he was strangely incautious in his demands, which seem farfetched unless one looks at the context.
He said he was “stuck in the governorship.” He said he wanted to “make a lot of money.” He wanted a spot in Obama’s cabinet–as Sec’y of Health & Human services or as an ambassador. At the very least, he demanded a patronage job paying $250-300K.
It happens that if you had studied Chicago politics a bit (like few people this year have bothered to do), you wou would have known how much Obama owes Blago, who engineered Obama’s rise through the patronage system to the position where he was noticed by the Democratic party writ large.
Blago believes that he is responsible for the favors that made Obama possible as a presidential candidate.
Blago realized that he was being left. That’s why the noise and the anger and the name calling. That’s also why the incaution: he believes that Obama wouldn’t prosecute him because of their relationship; and he was livid for being left behind. It’s probably a total shock to him to have the FBI show up and not have Obama take his side in public. But Obama can’t because the country is watching.
Obama is probably hoping like hell Blago shuts up soon.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 9, 2008, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm

midwestlady – maybe you were replying to my comment?
what’s the relevance of saying “hussein.” is it necessary to identify the person? wouldn’t it be sufficient to just say obama? or even barack? i think every single person who posts here would know who “barack” or “obama” is without saying the guy’s middle name. who ever says “william jefferson clinton” when referring to bill clinton? some do, but i would think that happens infrequently if at all.
not all people who say “barack hussein obama” are using it in a racist, discriminatory, or derogatory manner as evidenced by a few of the posts. BUT, several posts here do use it in a context that is derogatory. for me, it makes it difficult to consider an opinion when it might be tainted by racism/discrimination/etc. maybe the person doesn’t like obama – ok. just make the case with facts and reason – i think the case without the derogatory comments is much more persuasive than the one with the derogatory comments. but then again, that’s just my $0.02.

Posted by: truth | December 9, 2008, 11:55 pm 11:55 pm

“did i miss something regarding Obama’s involvement in the charged offenses against the IL governor? if there are facts that establish some kind of legal liability on Obama’s part, what are they? reading these comments, it sounds like Obama is guilty of something, but I can’t tell what? what are the charges against Obama and what were the facts to establish legal liability?”
You did not miss anything. The Attorney General and the Investigators have all stated and made perfectly clear that Barack Obama nor any member of his team are being accused of any wrong doing and if fact they stated that Barack Obama was not even aware of what the Illinois Governor was up to. There are absolutely no charges against Barack Obama.
This is nothing more than a witch hunt by republicans and others who want to create a problem where there isn’t one to take the spotlight off of George Bush and the last 8 years. George Bush and his cronies have ran the most corrupt government that this country has ever had and by using this witch hunt they want you to forget that and focus on someone and something else.
They prefer that it be Barack Obama because they know that with him in office the republicans have no chance of regainng the white house and congress for the next 20 years because Barack Obama is going to bring the type of positive change to this country that they the republicans cannot afford to have happen.
A country where the lower and middle class will actually count and matter. Barack Obama has promised to return jobs that Bush sent away with tax breaks to corporations if they would ship the jobs overseas, to give tax breaks to the lower and middle class rather than to the corporations and the rich, to make our childrens education, health and our economy his top priority.
We are suppose to be the richest country in the world and today mainstram news reported that over 6 million children and elderly in this country are going hungry tonight. 1 out of every 10 homes is in foreclosure, our brave men and women who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are coming home to broken families, inferior medical care and over half of them are homeless.
The republicans don’t want you to think about that, they want you to believe that Barack Obama is corrupt so that you will become outraged at him instead of them and what they have done to this country.
Our economy is in tatters, they are bailing out the fatcats on WallStreet and the Financial Institutions, they condone torture, they have ran the most secretive and corrupt government this country has ever seen, they have used $350 million of the bailout funds and already they cannot account for $167 million of that money. The list goes on and on with the republicans offenses over the past 8 years and yet they want us the American people to turn a blind eye to their crimes and they want to take away our hope for the future. I for one – hope Bush, Cheney, Gonalez, Rove, etc. all go to jail for the crimes they have committed on and to the American People over the past 8 years.

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 12:00 am 12:00 am

I don’t insist that people leave my middle name out when they refer to me. Why would I? My middle name is what it is.
So why should I be required to leave out Obama’s middle name when I refer to him?
Are you expecting me to make a special accommodation on the basis of race or religion? If you are, then you are a racist, as pure as they come.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 12:01 am 12:01 am

Jessica Tufts
i hear what you are saying, but the courts have pretty much denied the case, have they not? are there still pending appeals? i don’t know. if there aren’t pending appeals, then it is seems to be a done deal.
even if obama was born in kenya, he was born to a us citizen, was he not? i could be wrong, but i don’t think the issue has been settled as to what ‘natural born citizen’ means. it could be interpreted to mean born to a us citizen regardless of birth location and wouldn’t that include obama?

Posted by: truth | December 10, 2008, 12:03 am 12:03 am

Why didn’t they let the tapes roll longer? Any longer run of the tapes would have brought Obama down like a stealth bomber. I do feel for Patti, hia wife, and the kids at a time like this. As corrupt as Chicago politics are,the Feds know it and are mightily equipped and I believe highly favored, as evidenced here, to take someone out. This was a lot of work people, but they did it successfully. Chicago, the “city that works” and controls the City, the County, the State and now the White House. Michelle Obama’s dad worked for the City, and she ended up working in Daley’s office as an attorney, and then got Barack his job there. That was the in for Barack. Good work on the Feds part though in damaging a spoke in the machinery.

Posted by: RitaO | December 10, 2008, 12:06 am 12:06 am

WHERE WAS THIS INFO 2 MONTHS AGO–ALL OF US WHO UNFORTUNATELY DEAL WITH THE CORRUPTION IN IL AND KNOW THE INCUBATOR THAT O!A BM! HAS BEEN CULTIVATED IN KNEW THAT EVENTUALLY THIS INFO WOULD SURFACE,,UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS NOT OUT THERE TO IMPACT THE ELECTION, LEST IT BE PERCEIVED AS A POLITICAL PLOY–NOTICE HIS WORDS–HE SAID “HE” HAD NO CONTACT WITH RB’S OFFICE,,NOT THAT HIS OFFICE/ASSTS HAD NOT HAD ANY CONTACT WITH RB OR HIS STOOGES–THERE ARE WAYS TO MODIFY THE TRUTH, AND STILL BE TRUTHFUL–AN OLD POLITICAL PLOY

Posted by: mc | December 10, 2008, 12:13 am 12:13 am

If he wasn’t a born citizen do you think goofy Palin and Old man McCain wouldn’t have said something. Stop listening to the haters.

Posted by: E Double | December 10, 2008, 12:16 am 12:16 am

Of course Obama had no idea about this one either. Just like Wright, Resco, Ayers, etc. He’s either stupid, naive or lying. In any case, it does not make Obama look very good. I suspect he’s just playing dumb to protect himself, but there is no way he did not know of any or all of these. He’s a far left liberal, who did what he had to do to get elected, and is only trying to appear moderate. The proof will be in the taxing and spending…

Posted by: JimC | December 10, 2008, 12:18 am 12:18 am

NOW is it ok to ask who Obama is? Does he have a birth cirtificate? Is he an American citizen? Is he just another Chicago mobster? …….Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm? It appears, His friends are!!!!

Posted by: DEF | December 10, 2008, 12:20 am 12:20 am

So, Chicago has proven again and again to be the most corrupt political city in America’s history, but somehow barry O has been unaffected by this in his political life. He is the man of change!!
This coming from a man who was in personal real estate deal with a guy who his now in prison (rezko). I’m pretty sure the last 2 real estate ventures I have been involved with included no criminals.
This coming from a man who stayed in a racist, anti-American, anti-Semitic church for 20 years simply to further his career, but hey, he is about change!!

Posted by: liberalsaresocialists | December 10, 2008, 12:20 am 12:20 am

This isn’t the last of it either. People eventually will stop believing, because the evidence will pile up.
And Obama, great savior that he is, isn’t going to pull us out of this monetary crisis anytime soon. And he’s not going to end the war anytime soon. HE can’t. He doesn’t have superhuman anything except hubris.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 12:25 am 12:25 am

If the election were held again today, Obama would still win. This kind of stuff is not important to the Obama voter.

Posted by: Ref | December 10, 2008, 12:26 am 12:26 am

Barack Obama is a crook. He obviously knew all about this mess. He was up to his very large ears in it and now he is trying to hide.

Posted by: Kuja Phil | December 10, 2008, 12:27 am 12:27 am

CJ?
The DEMOCRATS are in power in the Congress, Bailing out fatcats and missing money, NOT the Republicans… If you are going to waste so much space, please dont fill it with moronic pablum like that!

Posted by: Real Deal | December 10, 2008, 12:28 am 12:28 am

liberalsaresocialists do you know Rev. Wright? Or are you just on the media band wagon?

Posted by: E Double | December 10, 2008, 12:28 am 12:28 am

Get used to how it looks, Phil. That’s his method. Get something from somebody, throw them under the train, then act like you didn’t know anything about it and play the race card.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 12:29 am 12:29 am

Ref,
Eventually it will be when you realize that Obama cares only about Obama. He’d throw you under the train too if it suited his purposes and he’d do it in a New York minute.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 12:32 am 12:32 am

It is very clear that Meridien believes that Obama is a really great guy. I have only one question relating to that statement which is; If Obama is such a great person why does he employ THREE law firms just to keep his personal papers from ever being seen by the public,it would seem to me that it would be a lot cheaper to simply make all of his papers public now when it could do the most good for him. It occurs to me that perhaps he is hiding something which could ultimately end his political career,and that said, maybe he isn’t quite as nice a guy as Meridien thinks. Time will indeed provide the answer to this one.

Posted by: oldsalt76 | December 10, 2008, 12:37 am 12:37 am

When courts don’t want to set precedence, they kick cases out! The (So-called) Supreme Court has shown it’s true Constitutional colors by not even asking for a single verifiable document!!!! I’m sure if this makes it that far it also will be dismissed!!!!! Imagine that! History will expose all the crooks!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: DEF | December 10, 2008, 12:38 am 12:38 am

“The most terrifying words in the English language are: I’m from the government and I’m here to help.”
-R. Reagan

Posted by: Norino's | December 10, 2008, 12:38 am 12:38 am

In the words of that famous, esteemed and highly sought after impromptu speaker, Rodney King: “Why can’t we all just get along together?”

Posted by: Amos | December 10, 2008, 12:38 am 12:38 am

“If we ever forget that we’re one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.”
-R.Reagan

Posted by: Norino's | December 10, 2008, 12:39 am 12:39 am

“Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because the U.S. was too strong.”
-R.Reagan

Posted by: Norino's | December 10, 2008, 12:40 am 12:40 am

“Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other.”
-R.Reagan

Posted by: Norino's | December 10, 2008, 12:41 am 12:41 am

if those in the media had only an ounce of integrity and actually done their job, we would not have just elected one of the most corrupt politicians of our time BO. instead, they covered for him and attacked his opponents (clinton and mccain).

Posted by: dave | December 10, 2008, 12:43 am 12:43 am

Ref, et.al., you will surely convict and execute with no trial Bush of “lying us in to a war,” “war for oil,” “Bush tortures and kills civilians,” “Bush is taking away our rights,” etc., with absolutely NO, ZERO EVIDENCE of any of this crap, but when more convincing stuff keeps piling up on Obama you turn the other cheek…Hypocritical. All we knew about Obama is that he was extremely liberal when he actually took a stand, and that he is replete with bad associations, yet he fooled enough of you to think he was the next coming and would fix everything. Well, the one’s most angry with him now are the far left, progressive libs who gave him his power. Why? Because he is chaning his mind on most key issues. He either lied about what he was going to do, or he now realizes the gravity of each situation and his platform positions were dead wrong. I think it’s a combination of he know he was wrong and also just playing moderate so people don’t freak out even more. He did what he had to do to get in and his tru colors WILL come out eventually. The only thing we know he WILL do is raise taxes, increase spending and govt power and weaken our military/world power.

Posted by: JimC | December 10, 2008, 12:43 am 12:43 am

has anyone actually even READ the complaint (its long, i know). if you had, you would know that obama is not involved in this. in fact, the gov is ticked at obama’s people for offering NOTHING. looks like they are clean as a whistle to me…..

Posted by: frankie | December 10, 2008, 12:43 am 12:43 am

If B. Hussein Obama has nothing to hide, then why does he have so many law firms hiding his personal documents?

Posted by: Kuja Phil | December 10, 2008, 12:43 am 12:43 am

Were there racial underpinnings there as well? Get a grip.”
Posted by: Eggs Ackley | Dec 9, 2008 11:22:48 PM
Eggs – i don’t think i explicitly categorized the 2nd as racial. i probably could have better described the categories to include derogatory along with what i had typed, i.e. racist/discriminatory/etc. but i decided to end with etc. instead of trying to think of every applicable word.
i guess what i wonder about is this. why go there with the middle name of the guy? does it really add to the debate. does it provoke thought or just emotion? does it persuade with reason? for me, i think it hurts a person’s case when hussein is used in a derogatory context. i would probably consider camel jockey a derogatory term more than anything – arabs, which i believe camel jockey is used for, are caucasians i believe, so i’m not sure that term is really racist either. perhaps just derogatory.
midwestlady and you too Eggs – i don’t know if you used “hussein” in one of your postings – didn’t look. i don’t think it is common for people to use a person’s middle name. i can’t remember the last time someone used mine to address me. at the moment, i don’t recall the last time someone used it to address a person other than obama. yes, it is the guy’s middle name. but considering that we recently had a tyrant who murdered a lot of people (this is true, right?) who our country decided to topple and that person is generally regarded as an ‘evildoer’ by a lot of people and that person’s last name was “hussein,” it just looks like an implied connection that is meant to be derogatory in some manner. maybe the person using “hussein” doesn’t intend the connection with saddam, but when “hussein” is used in the context of a derogatory comment, it makes it possible to believe that there is ‘something more’ there and that ‘something’ could be discriminatory or whatever you want to call it. i just don’t think the use of “hussein” when coupled with derogatory comments adds to the debate. if you disagree, if you believe that using “hussein” adds persuasive force, or you just want to say it because you like the name, that is obviously your choice. if you intend the derogatory effect out of dislike for whatever reasons, then some people might view it as more than just dislike for obama and view it as something more – and, i don’t think someone would be out of line if they interpreted it in that manner BUT this depends on how the person uses the name and the context. i’m just sharing my opinion, so that if you do choose to use “hussein” in a derogatory context towards obama whether here or elsewhere, your comments (and others on this board that choose to use this approach) might fall on deaf ears or they may not when debating with others. based on the replies, it doesn’t seem you would want the use to be treated as discriminatory/racist/whatever we call it. my $0.02. good night all.

Posted by: truth | December 10, 2008, 12:47 am 12:47 am

Wow. How long does it take before our new president gets in trouble? Wait, he is not even a president yet and these scandals came out. Thanks to those of you who elected this person to be a president of this country. You ought to be held fully responsible for your choice, not mine.

Posted by: Jeff | December 10, 2008, 12:47 am 12:47 am

” This comes down to nothing but a bunch of monkey business.!”
Ronald Reagan in Bedtime for Bonzo.

Posted by: Kat | December 10, 2008, 12:48 am 12:48 am

U asked for it and u got it OBAMANATION1
The biggest back room deal he made is with the Devil himself……..he calls himself a Christian and will not stand for basic morality. The rights of the innocent. Yes the ones who are fearfully and wonderfully made in the mothers womb. Shame on him and all those who voted for him and especially the ones who claim to know OUR LORD and SAVIOR It going to be a sad day when u come to the before the KING. SHAME upon SHAME

Posted by: yummyx | December 10, 2008, 12:49 am 12:49 am

Ref,
You are also starting to see the other truth you hadn’t counted on: Obama isn’t going to do all the touchy-feely things that people thought they voted for him for.
He’s not going to be “one of you.” He’s a very, very rich man. He doesn’t give a about you.
He’s not going to end the war til it suits his purposes. He can’t and won’t. That’s how it’s going to be.
He’s not going to be able to end the fiscal crisis anytime soon. It’s beyond his control. We’ll be lucky if he doesn’t put us into a stagnation that lasts a decade. He doesn’t know what he’s doing but he does enjoy the FDR drawings because they appeal to his gigantic ego.
He’s going to appoint Clinton’s old people because that’s all he knows how to do. Hell, he appointed Hillary already.
He’s going to try to appeal to the center because he’ll be leaning on those people who will steer him that way.
Everything he does on his own will be an abject failure. Hopefully, they’ll talk him out of his weirder and stupider notions about civilian police forces and all that $hit. We won’t put up with that nazi crap out here in flyover land.
He won’t get all those wind, water and solar energy sources going because together they won’t provide 10% of the power we need. Anyone who thinks they will provide 100% is a technological idiot and can’t do the math.
He’ll be in office for 4 years and be gone because people will get sick of him and his empty suit. That’s pretty much it.
Expect lots more drama and a lot more scandals. You’ll get used to it.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 12:49 am 12:49 am

Birds of a feather

Posted by: EMC | December 10, 2008, 12:50 am 12:50 am

A spurned politician is like a wounded lion, especially a product of Chicago machine politics.
Obama did rise from being ordinary community organizer in South Chicago to US senate with Blago’s help.
Now that Obama has won the Presidency, the Chicago style politics dictate that Obama retuns the favor to Blago.
In stead of getting the coveted spot in Obama administration, Blago will probably end up in prison, next to his predecessor, Ryan.
That doesn’t mean Blago will go silently.
He will probably spill lots of beans tarnishing Obama, unless he is silenced prematurely, Chicago style.

Posted by: vatodio | December 10, 2008, 12:54 am 12:54 am

Is this becoming like the drug cartel wars in Mexico?
Is there a winning side of the division evident in the power base of the Daley machine in Chicago?
Did Blagojevich & company get set up by Obama & company because he wasn’t going to appoint the right replacement?
Has Daley given too much power away to keep the control he once had?
The old Chicago mob use to say “there is honor amongst crooks”. But the mob
is weak compared with the power of the Chicago Daley machine and the way it is now controlling the entire country.
There is so much naivety out there. I just pray for the country as a whole and hope that the good Lord will continue to bless us even when there is so much corruption with so many letting the “money” being what they worship rather than a relationship with Him.
Praise you Lord Father God Almighty and have mercy on our country. Help us as we are going to need it with the Chicago Democratic machine running the country as both factions are corrupt, although I think the newer faction is more dangerous as there power base is insidious.

Posted by: RitaO | December 10, 2008, 12:55 am 12:55 am

e double
rev wright is your typical community agitating hypocrite. He shouts “white folks greed creates a world of need”, but yet he has no problem living in a 10,000 sq ft mansion that cost $2,000,000.00 and is surrounded by greedy white folk.
do you know rev wright?
his church gave a lifetime achievement award to louis farrakan, one of the most outspoken anti-semites in the US today.
do you know rev wright?
rev wright preaches that the US created the AIDS virus to impressionable youths. yet he neglects to say that GW Bush has single-handedly given more $$$$$ to the continent of Africa than any other person or president has in history.
do you know rev wright?

Posted by: liberalsaresocialists | December 10, 2008, 12:56 am 12:56 am

Eric, are you refering to all those who falsely accused Bush of lying and illegalities for 8 years?? Hope so.
All we got on Obama is his friends and scant voting record. He had very little experience and record to speak of. He and his friends are extremely liberal to the point of socialism and marxism. Hard to draw any other conclusion that he’s just another liberal “progressive” politician who does what he has to to gain power.

Posted by: JimC | December 10, 2008, 12:57 am 12:57 am

Folks,
He’s not the president-elect until and unless the Electoral College (meeting in the 50 state capitals) actually votes.
There are multiple efforts afoot to communicate with the electors and provide information.
We don’t have a term to refer to the winner of the popular vote during the period from Election Day to the day the Electoral College meets, and technically it is incorrect to now refer to him as the president-elect.
Just FYI.

Posted by: tanarg | December 10, 2008, 12:57 am 12:57 am

It’s amazing. I can’t figure why we don’t give the guy (Obama) a chance. This is time for USA to unite. The country is in danger of losing it’s sovereignty and the end of life as Americans as we know it. Obviously he has worked with Blagojevich. I guess Conservatives are so hurt by the destruction of the GOP that they hang on any bitter talking point. Blame Obama for where Bush Administration has taken this country. Blame workers for corporate greed. The medias dislike for Bush? They sold the wars for him!!!
Peace Be With Us…

Posted by: Kenny B | December 10, 2008, 12:58 am 12:58 am

Frankie,
I know it’s tough, but you can have two thoughts one right after the other, ok?
Why do you think Blago thought he was entitled to a cabinet position? Why do you think he was so angry that he would yell those things over the phone? Even though he was an extremely experienced Chicago politician?
The reason is that he put Obama where Obama was in Illinois government and he did it through the patronage system which is very corrupt. He expects something from Obama in return and he expects something big. It’s sort of like buying jobs, understand?? It’s illegal. The law says so. The FBI says so.
He apparently also thought he could get away with it, and perhaps he thought that he would be protected. Understand???

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 12:59 am 12:59 am

You go Obama, don’t let these little self inconvenient details, get in the way; just pretend from now on, that you didn’t know anything, just stick your fingers in your ears, and go, “blahahahhahhbklkaf;lkajdfl;kjlkjf;lkjl;kj”.
Just remember, just pretend.

Posted by: Richard Nixon | December 10, 2008, 1:00 am 1:00 am

Just like how he didn’t know William Ayers, right?
I’m getting to the point where I don’t care about the “race war” they are all afraid of.
Anyone that voted for Obama should be labeled a racist because obviously he is a crook and not qualified for anything. Race was his only qualification.
Let the prosecutions begin!

Posted by: EMC | December 10, 2008, 1:00 am 1:00 am

Regarding race and this election. I will say that there were roughly 56 million of us who did not vote based on race, and many or most of you who voted for Obama(nation) did!!

Posted by: JimC | December 10, 2008, 1:06 am 1:06 am

It sounds to me like some long overdue housekeeping in the land of Lincoln is taking place. Though it looks like some partisan cobwebs are obstructing a more clear view, at least as far as the media and public reaction are concerned. Fitzgerald probably can’t wait to mop the floor with Blago. Rahm Emmanuel might have already started sweeping the dirt off the floors.

Posted by: kat | December 10, 2008, 1:06 am 1:06 am

Kenny, you’re just not ready to see it yet. You will. The corruption and stupidity is going to get about neck-deep before we’re done. Obama has a lot of baggage.
He’s just another politician and a bad one at that.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 1:06 am 1:06 am

Remember folks, just remember, you voted for him, the Obama, just like you voted for me, hehehe.
Richard Nixon

Posted by: Richad Nixon | December 10, 2008, 1:07 am 1:07 am

“separation of church and state is not part of our Constitution”
Posted by: americanpatriot | Dec 9, 2008 11:45:46 PM
i tend to believe that the Establishment Clause in the First Amendment negates this, but maybe you intended a different meaning then what i’m reading. supposedly, the two behind the Clause (Jackson and Madison? i don’t recall offhand), wanted definite separation. admittedly, i’m not a historian, but if this is accurate, perhaps their purpose was driven due to religious persecution in england, which led to the birth of this country including the right to the free exercise of any religion.
“To Truth who questions my thoughts on the Bible, yes the Bible was written by man under divine inspiration. That’s what we have to rely on. Which is why it is important to choose the correct Bible to read. If you’ll notice, it has been misinterpreted countless times. The only valid Bible in existence is the Latin Vulgate Bible translated by St. Jerome. Anything else can be tainted.”
Posted by: americanpatriot | Dec 9, 2008 11:26:53 PM
i like to question everything, so thank you for the reasonable response by the way. i’m not sure i understand why the version you’ve cited stands in higher regard, so maybe someone can explain.

Posted by: truth | December 10, 2008, 1:07 am 1:07 am

i was digging around the chicago tribune and found mention of patti blago and how she handled the mortgage paperwork on the infamous obama/rezko transaction. what a tangled web…

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 1:07 am 1:07 am

so we’ve got rezko, blago and obama all together at the same time and place. 2 out the 3 are history. that leaves 1. too bad the one has to duck and cover, while all the bail-outs, economy, wars and lets not forget the india/pakistan thing going on. i long for the old days of interns and the definition of “is”.

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 1:14 am 1:14 am

If anyone read it in the news there are plans by law to have 20,000 troops within the US if required.
You may also recall back in 2005 our politicians changed the bankruptcy laws to prevent individuals from filing for bankruptcy and washing debt away so easily – courtesy of the bank lobbyists.
My point is that these people are elected and used for a purpose, if they don’t play ball they get kicked to the curb – and a new tool is brought in.
The banking crisis was noticed back in 2005 if not before that, there is a purpose – nationalization.
The 20,000 troop approval will happen because towns/cities will be unable to continue paying their workers (e.g. police officers)- It is known by our officials things will be getting very very bad.
Politician, will jump as high as his handlers tells him to – Blago stopped playing. Blago knows he will not be touched – he has to much damaging info – that is why he is so cocky.

Posted by: none | December 10, 2008, 1:18 am 1:18 am

Barack Hussein Obama sounds like Bill Clinton the day he was telling America “I did not have any relationship with that lady.”
Obama, “I did not have any contact with Governor Blagojevich.”
Wonder who else, Obama has not had any dealings or contact with…..how about “Tony Rezko” and Obama’s “Bonehead” deal relating to Obama’s house/land deal. Could there be other deals also.
It is truly a sad day for America!
President Elect with shady relationships.
Someone said Obama was not an American citizen that Obama had not birth certicate. Is that true?
Time for someone to come clean with America!

Posted by: Blondshag | December 10, 2008, 1:19 am 1:19 am

As a very concerned democrat i made similar warnings about this before the election, now everything i said is coming true i warned that Obama, even though i voted fir him, I had concerns about the Chicago politicians would come back to haunt,, I didnt think it would be soon. I recall telling my friends on the left and the right be careful what you wish for the Gov. of IL has trigger a problem and many more people are going to get dragged in this they should have told on any official of that is this corrupt a long time and save the rest of us democrats the embarssment

Posted by: QT of Chattanooga | December 10, 2008, 1:21 am 1:21 am

Jake’s a figleaf for the MSM on this story – have him pursue it for a couple of days and let it die over the weekend, then the rest of the MSM will circle the wagons around the Obamessiah. Count on it, folks. They invested what remained of their credibility to get this empty suit elected, do you think they’re going to let him be taken down now?

Posted by: quislingfreezone | December 10, 2008, 1:22 am 1:22 am

quislingfreezone:
yes i think some of them that supported blindly would hang him.
because underneath it all, we all have to live here, and if you havent noticed, things are looking kind of bleak out there.
i don’t care who the leader is, what reporter wouldn’t want to take the credit for saving the free world with that one story that brings down the house of cards?

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 1:27 am 1:27 am

I believe Obama is clean. He can’t know all what people are doing , even if is from his own state. Just dumb.

Posted by: ivana | December 10, 2008, 1:30 am 1:30 am

Hey Jake,
Wow..so refreshing to see some actual investigative journalism..go figure? Please keep on digging and connecting the dots on this story, because I’m sure this is just the tip of the iceberg of sinister actions happening in Chicago.

Posted by: C'mon Jake | December 10, 2008, 1:31 am 1:31 am

American Patriot… take Pat Buchanan and your fellow travelers and move back to Trentino, Italy, circa 1550, and the council thereof, if you’re so enamored with the Vulgate Bible.
If you are a biblical literalist, how can a translation, not the original Greek and Hebrew, be the authentic version? (And, I know all three languages, so don’t even try to start to lecture me.)

Posted by: SocraticGadfly | December 10, 2008, 1:33 am 1:33 am

Who knew that the movie The Godfather was going to be remade in 2008? Corruption, lies, dark alley deals. Blago better be careful or he’ll end up getting sawed off by the Obama mob family.

Posted by: smartsy | December 10, 2008, 1:37 am 1:37 am

Let’s count the skeletons in Obama’s closet so far:
1: Rezko – In jail already.
2: Blagojevich – Going to jail.
3: Ayers – Should be in jail.
4: Wright – Disvowed racist
It’s starting to get crowded in that closet!

Posted by: Beorn | December 10, 2008, 1:39 am 1:39 am

Ken – are you serious?!? Obama was a CREATION of the media…they slobbered over him, fawned over him, covered for him from day one. Any Republican who had the backing of a similar rogues’ gallery of terrorists, crooks and sleazy political fixers would have been eviscerated before the NH primary. No less than Chris Matthews abandoned his pious blather about “speaking truth to power”, and has literally proclaimed that it’s his job to make Obama’s presidency a success. Can you possibly believe he’s the only one who feels that way?

Posted by: quislingfreezone | December 10, 2008, 1:42 am 1:42 am

I think I overheard a conversation similar to the quotes from that Obama interview in Boystown one night.

Posted by: SmokeyFloater | December 10, 2008, 1:43 am 1:43 am

“Who knew that the movie The Godfather was going to be remade in 2008?”
Now if only we could be sure the Obamessiah had the managerial competence of Vito Corleone…

Posted by: quislingfreezone | December 10, 2008, 1:46 am 1:46 am

quislingfreezone:
i agree with you 100%. the msm gave us this creation, but i have to think there is at least one of them out there that would like to kill their frankenstein.

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 1:46 am 1:46 am

Ivana,
Are you saying Obama is that stupid? Surely, he would know that his seat would be being filled by the patronage system, being from Chicago and all. And he’d know that he owes Blago big time–because he does–and he’d know he’s expected by Blago to return the favor. And he would know that if he stiffed Blago, Blago would be upset.
I’ll bet the only thing that surprises Obama is that Blago was so loud that he attracted the attention of the FBI BEFORE the inauguration. That’s probably got Obama up crying in his beer tonight, hoping the hell someone can shut Blago up before he says something really incriminating.

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 1:46 am 1:46 am

Blago was making a lot of noise about wanting a cabinet post or an ambassadorship. Surely he wasn’t telling this only to his dog, or the secretary. I wonder who he had talked to about it besides his aides? How does the FBI know this bit of information? Was anyone in the Obama camp asked about this?

Posted by: midwestlady | December 10, 2008, 1:50 am 1:50 am

You may have a point, Ken – but your hypothetical hungry young journo who wants to make his bones a la Woodstein is still going to have to get his stuff past his Woodstock-alumnus, oh-so-fashionably-progressive editor who wants to keep getting invited to all the right cocktail parties.

Posted by: quislingfreezone | December 10, 2008, 1:51 am 1:51 am

It’s amazing how blinded America was to this fool. And that is exactly what he is, a fool. I can talk a big game, make all the promises in the world, I can say that we will change Washington, but let me hold my hand out to the scum of the earth and mingle with them at the same time… WOW… way to go OBAMA… SO glad I didn’t vote for you! AND THE WORLD IS COMPARING HIM TO THE MESSIAH! GOD BE WITH US!!!!!

Posted by: crystalchyld98 | December 10, 2008, 1:54 am 1:54 am

it’s my only hope..don’t crush an old mans dreams. and don’t tell anyone, i have a few of those woodstock era albums around

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 1:54 am 1:54 am

Most interesting report, Jake. Can you spell Nixon and coverup? Feels like history repeating itself.

Posted by: Dee | December 10, 2008, 1:56 am 1:56 am

“even as Democrats across the board are calling for Blagojevich to resign or to be impeached, even as most Americans want to see Blagojevich behind bars so we can adddress this nation’s great and pressing challenges,
Republicans want to drag this out — purely for partisan gain.
In other times, this kind of a gambit might just work. But not now. Not in the middle of the Bush Recession. Just like John McCain crashed and burned, so to will Republicans who head down this path. There is no surer route to political irrelevancy for their Party than to obsessively try to fan the flames of political outrage at the same time that there is so much important work to be done.
So they have a choice to make. Already, indications are that they are heading in the wrong direction.”

Posted by: Night Time.. Is The Right Time | December 10, 2008, 1:58 am 1:58 am

“and don’t tell anyone, i have a few of those woodstock era albums around”
Did ya know it’s possible to buy a high-quality turntable with a USB connector that allows you to dump your vinyl into your digital music collection? And don’t feel bad – I’m damn near that old & the workday’s coming too fast. Off to bed for me…

Posted by: quislingfreezone | December 10, 2008, 1:58 am 1:58 am

night time:
when is going to the ends of the earth to find the truth the wrong thing to do.
heck, it only took 2 yrs. to get stuart libby. and he wasn’t even the one who outed valerie plame.
did you think that would be the end of the dem party?

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 2:03 am 2:03 am

Isn’t it great we now have Chicago politicians in the White House running our government??? Hasn’t this country hit bottom yet?
Why don’t liberals ever look at the facts? Obama’s association with all these crooks was written all over the WALLS!!!!!

Posted by: Cale | December 10, 2008, 2:05 am 2:05 am

I have worked at the Chic. Sun-Times for the last 25 years. In all those years I would say I probably met a handful of Republicans. The Trib and the Times have always been in the Dems back pocket. The state has been run by the Dems since the early 50’s. My Dad worked for the city and told me dozens of stories about corrupt politicians. Obama is a typical Chic. pol. Corrupt, a liar, and propped up by the Chicago Media establishment. Well, he did talk about change, he just did not say exactly what kind. BHO is a BS artist of the highest order. America, look out below!

Posted by: norm | December 10, 2008, 2:05 am 2:05 am

truth:
re: “Which is why it is important to choose the correct Bible to read.”
=> it always seems to get back to whose holy book is the ‘correct’ one….. with the ‘correct’ beliefs..

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 2:09 am 2:09 am

You can tell a man his fruit……Obama’s fruit is rotten
It stinks…he will be impeached eventually

Posted by: The prophet | December 10, 2008, 2:10 am 2:10 am

It seems as though most of you were waiting for anything to put down the presidential elect Obama. If this isn’t a racial issue, I don’t know what is. The derogatory comments tell it all. There are courts and judges who will determine if this man is guilty or not. Listen to yourselves..if he was a player in this, it will come out. I know when he won the election, some of you hated it, only because of his race. There will never be equality in this country because of the type of behavior that is being demonstrated on this blog. I didn’t vote for neither of the candidates but I am not so close-minded that I will not give Obama a chance. Try looking at the total picture before passing judgement on someone. This type of behavior and talk is terrible, and it is scary to know I live in a country filled with so much hatred that goes deep beyond what the human eye will ever see.

Posted by: Gh | December 10, 2008, 2:20 am 2:20 am

ken:
let me get in on this a lil bit…
- nothing wrong with getting to the ‘truth’, along with a good dose of accuracy… Scooter Libby was a front man for Cheney and who knows who else. Scooter was partially pardoned and will be fully pardoned before Bush leaves office. Pat Fitz’ knew this and that’s why he made the comment about the ‘cloud over the V.P.’s office’.
Both party’s are in danger due to the incessant, inane, mindless and tortured political stupidity that gets in the way of making sane decisions,..improving things for as many people as possible…
and….
there is a deep and rising anger in America that is free of party affiliation. The ‘chosen few’ who seem to always cause the mess, need to hauled into the principals office for some severe old fashioned discipline.

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 2:23 am 2:23 am

CJ-
In reference to your comments,
Can you be be more specific about the blocked legislation that Bush blocked to help the middle and lower class?
And…why do you vilify corporations and those that are wealthy? I’ve never understood where this outrage comes from. Why should those that pursue and achieve the American dream be chastised?

Posted by: uhh..what? | December 10, 2008, 2:41 am 2:41 am

It’s a shame that we’re not going to have any real historical events anymore. They push this election as the biggest thing ever and so far nothing has changed, nor will it change.
We’re never going to have another moon landing, civil rights movement, or perhaps even another polio-like vaccine. Anyway, the people pushing this as historical forget ‘all men are created equal’ and Obama’s not a man he’s an icon apparently.
I still don’t know much about this guy or why I should of voted for him. The news is a joke and the U.S. haters are still the U.S. haters and the hell with ‘em!
Obama has set himself up for the biggest failure of all time. THere is absolutely no way he can do what he has set out to do. They never do, but he’s offered so many things he’s going to fail. Will the news report it?

Posted by: Doug Ramsey | December 10, 2008, 2:43 am 2:43 am

Real Deal – for the record a REPUBLICAN is running the show on the Bailout- and is the one distributing the funds NOT A DEMOCRAT so the $167 billion that is missing is all on HIM – don’t blame the democrats because this republican leadership has been and still is such a failure.
But have no fear on January 20, 2009 – President Obama will install an honest and effective government and this country will be able to once again take pride in her leadership and her accomplishments.
For the record, I am a SMALL BUSINESS OWNER who has 100% faith in Barack Obama and unlike some of the posters on this blog – I don’t take stock in rumor and innuendo, I have a brain and am not afraid to use it and I don’t believe everything I read or hear and take it to be the gospel truth. I actually take the time to do the research to separate fact from FICTION.
The Attorney General of Illinois, the FBI and all Federal Investigators involved in the case against the Illinois Governor have made it perfectly clear that Barack Obama and his team have done nothing wrong, and I for one being a responsible adult believe them over a bunch of sore losers. Republicans lost November 4, 2008 and the rest of American won.
January 20, 2009 is coming and help is on the way and his name is PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. Let me repeat that in case you didn’t hear me the first time. HELP FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE IS ON THE WAY AND HIS NAME IS PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA. Got it now?

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 2:58 am 2:58 am

Thanks but no thanks to those stupid poeple who voted this “Change” from corrupt Wahsinton poliotics but with the arrest of the governor of Chicago, he basically practising the things he wants to change. Obama has fooled the american people and we will just be waiting for more spilling of beans to come from the mouth of the governor and let us see how stupid we can get to elect this man to become our leader.

Posted by: asb | December 10, 2008, 3:10 am 3:10 am

If Obama didn’t know, then he is too stupid to be President and if he did know then he is too crooked to be President.
Americans are so brainwashed, it’s scary.

Posted by: Deb | December 10, 2008, 3:17 am 3:17 am

‘Where were these “constitutional” conservatives when George W. Bush was assuming dictatorial-style powers and contravening Fourth Amendment prohibitions against warrantless searches and seizures? Where were they when Bush was ordering our emails, letters, and phone calls to be intercepted by federal police agencies without court oversight? Where were they when Bush was obliterating the Fifth and Eighth Amendments? Where were they when Bush overturned Posse Comitatus by Executive Order? Where were they when Bush dismantled the constitutional right of Habeas Corpus? Where were they when Bush lied to the American people about the invasion of Iraq and took the United States to war without a Declaration of War from Congress? Where were conservatives when Bush turned nine U.S. military installations over to the United Arab Emirates? Where were they when Bush ordered his Department of Transportation to open up America’s airlines to foreign ownership? Where were they when President Bush nullified (using “signing statements”) over 1,100 statutes he did not like? Where were they as President Bush and his fellow Republicans reauthorized one of the most egregiously unconstitutional pieces of legislation in modern memory: the USA Patriot Act? Where were they when Bush signed the blatantly unconstitutional McCain/Feingold Act? I could go on and on.’

Posted by: Night Time.. Is The Right Time | December 10, 2008, 3:21 am 3:21 am

I voted for Obama, but now I beginning to regret it.
First, there is not the change he promised during the election (we get a kind of Clinton administration) and second because of the “Chicago politic” thing.
Obama is from Chicago and also had his dubious connections and his dubious past (Wright, Ayers, Renzo and others), and now this case.
I think that he knew of this case and Obama’s Chicago past will hunt him during his presidency.

Posted by: Charlie | December 10, 2008, 3:40 am 3:40 am

Possible explanation of the slip of the toungue??
Obama’s Quote: “I had no contact with the governor or his office and “so we were not, I was not aware” of what was happening.”
Focus in on: “we were not, I was not aware” slip of the toungue. To me, that says a lot. In slow motion: “we were not” woops correct that “I was not aware”
Obviously “We were not aware” could not be said or Obama would have stuck with that. But for some reason Obama corrected himself to “I was not aware.”
Obama didn’t wan’t to say “we were not aware.” Is that because he knows that is not true? Is that because he knows there is evidence that Fitzgerald has that proves it is not true?
(Obama’s staff would not keep secrets from him, would they?)

Posted by: Sure | December 10, 2008, 4:03 am 4:03 am

Dear Oprah,
Remember… A Million Tiny Pieces???
Signed,
J. Frey

Posted by: Amy | December 10, 2008, 4:10 am 4:10 am

Saddened and sobered, but not surprised.
This is a guy that Obama has enthusiastically supported for at least 6 years now, how could he be surprised.

Posted by: inahandbasket | December 10, 2008, 4:10 am 4:10 am

Like so many others, I thought there would never be a president worse than Bush.
But this may not be true now. At least Bush didn’t kill the media that put him down crazily. This will never happen under this elect one. No one dare to put him down. He has already warned in “60 minute” interview“, “I DO NOT TOLERANT anyone put me down. I do not believe drama.” Hi, folks, heard it?! You got 40 more days free talk and then shut up. You would be lucky that he does not go after you for what you said today.
Has anyone experienced socialism and dictatorship?!

Posted by: Nina | December 10, 2008, 4:11 am 4:11 am

Obama sat in Jeremiah Wright’s church for 20 years and says he didn’t know about Wright’s views.
Obama worked with Bill Ayers on government-funded projects but says he barely knows him.
Obama and Rezko bought adjacent real estate lots on the same day which ended up as a financial advantage to Obama, but Obama says he didn’t know much about him. ..and on and on.
Obama worked on Blagojevich’s first governor election campaign as an advisor…and now he is distancing himself from that relationship with Blagojevich.
I am ashamed to admit that Obama will be our president.
How many people can he run from?

Posted by: Laura | December 10, 2008, 4:15 am 4:15 am

How long do they think the word “racism” will deflect all attempts at scrutinizing Obama up on his Mt. Olympus? Will the American people ever use the brains between their ears? Why do we want someone else to do our thinking for us? They will never do right by us. Only we can do right by us. Maybe it takes our world collapsing around us to wake us up to this fact.

Posted by: rockrooky | December 10, 2008, 4:17 am 4:17 am

If ignorance is bliss, why is it that the 23% of this country who still think Bush is doin’ a heckuva job foam at the mouth regarding all things Obama? Go ahead and be blind to how this country has been divided and dragged down by those who ran it since 2000…stew in your angry juices. The rest of us will be working together to fix this mess and having a meaningful, happier life doing it. Meanwhile, you might want to actually listen to a REAL patriot, Patrick Fitzgerald and what he has to say about any involvement. As for the conjecture by the author above, well,

Posted by: Gimmeabreak | December 10, 2008, 4:36 am 4:36 am

There’s no need to speculate on Obama’s corruption. He didn’t get his Senate seat by being nice. He played the game too and is really good at it. He may have been careful enough not to get caught – we’ll see.
Also, Blago knew they were recording him. How convenient that he would exonerate Obama by saying that he would give him anything but appreciation. — yeah right. What is he getting in return for that statement?

Posted by: linda | December 10, 2008, 4:46 am 4:46 am

Rezko, Blagojevich, Ayers, Wright .. and the dude ain’t inaugurated yet..
Maybe there’s some money in this for us little guys after all.. Is it too early to start an Obama impeachment pool?

Posted by: Steeley | December 10, 2008, 4:50 am 4:50 am

Obama isn’t even started as president and already he is in trouble ,because of his dubious Chicago connections.
Obama was a CREATION of the media…they slobbered over him, fawned over him, covered for him from day one. Any Republican who had the backing of a similar rogues’ gallery of terrorists, crooks and sleazy political fixers would have been eviscerated before the NH primary. No less than Chris Matthews abandoned his pious blather about “speaking truth to power”, and has literally

Posted by: Jim | December 10, 2008, 5:06 am 5:06 am

The FBI throughly investigated the Governor and there are no ties whatsoever to Obama. This is not about Obama. This is about a corrupt Governor. Of course there are sick Americans that are going to try to tie Obama to this corruption simply because certain sick Americans simply cannot stand the fact that a Black Man is in the Whitehouse.

Posted by: johnnylee | December 10, 2008, 5:20 am 5:20 am

Can Americans start thiking and concentrate on the problem that America is facing today than to fight about who is the best to run America. Obama will be the 44th president of U.S.A but still he is critisized as his predecessors. I wonder, president Bush is the most less rated president of all the USA president, the question is “how did he get the second mandate”? Think again.

Posted by: ken | December 10, 2008, 5:30 am 5:30 am

Happy now, America? You put Obama in power from the same Chicago sewer stench that passes for politics there.
Incredulously, Huessin and his scattering mice have such contempt for anyone’s intelligence, they fully expect their lying sacks of soot to be swallowed whole.
Waiting for the other shoe to fall now–Obama’s voice on tape to Blago. Geez, it’s deranging to learn of all the slugs Obama loves to hang with, one after another!

Posted by: The Cone Of Silence | December 10, 2008, 5:39 am 5:39 am

Obama says “I had no knowledge of this or contact with the governers office”
To paraphrase a rather infamous young lady from a very famous case (UK, Profumo Case) “Well, he would, wouldnt he?”

Posted by: Storer | December 10, 2008, 5:56 am 5:56 am

Once again Hussein is associated with liars and those who manipulate the truth. Its only a matter of time before your poor associations catch up with you. Its only a matter of time before Hussein is exposed for his untruthfulness.

Posted by: Macksfield | December 10, 2008, 6:00 am 6:00 am

This is another example of why there should be strict term limits on elected officials, less government control over our daily lives, and less of the country’s wealth going through the hands of career politicians. There is a whole class of people who never had to hold a real job and will never understand the everyday life of a typical citizen in this country. They are career politicians, and it should never be that way.

Posted by: S. J. | December 10, 2008, 6:02 am 6:02 am

Good reporting on this blog. Think we see this on the ABA evening news? No way!

Posted by: TruthWarrior | December 10, 2008, 6:03 am 6:03 am

I really is ridiculous the lengths that neocons will go to smear President-elect Obama. Yesterday the federal prosecutor made an unequivocal statement that Obama was in no way involved with the corruption of the Governor of Illinois but I see here today in the comments on this story that the right wing nut jobs are trying to pin this on Obama when he has nothing to do with it! You won’t believe a highly respected federal prosecutor when he categorically states that Obama was not involved, but I bet you would believe it if he said that Obama was involved!! Time to set aside your bitterness and disappointment that Obama has won and McCain lost. I think we can all agree that Blagojevich is sleazy politician but trying to tie Obama to this is just ridiculous. Grow up and get a life.

Posted by: Brian, Decatur, GA | December 10, 2008, 6:04 am 6:04 am

For the record folks…as an aside to some of you posters. It is the job of Congress, not the President, is to spend our money. They are the ones appropriating these trillions for the bailout. Doesn’t any Democrat get it that they keep voting their own back in and this money gets allocated and then Bush gets the blame.
Sheep!

Posted by: kevintheelder | December 10, 2008, 6:18 am 6:18 am

Chicago is a sewer filled with corruption and that is where the DNC moved to. What does that tell you about the DNC. Barry Soetoro will be Bush II. We are gonna see more corruption than we have ever imagined for the crooks installed by the corrupt press and the corrupt DNC/RBC .

Posted by: Bigtime | December 10, 2008, 6:19 am 6:19 am

Does anyone REALLY believe that Obama didn’t talk to the Governor about a replacement? Even the most ardent Obama supporters must admit that Obama told a BALD FACED LIE when he denied talking with the future jail bird. It is only logical that the sitting senator and the governor would discuss this. I believe this investigation was cut short by the REPUBLICAN justice department to avoid having OBAMA further entangled with the future convict. What a mess that would be.

Posted by: Dan | December 10, 2008, 6:23 am 6:23 am

This is yet another in a series of manufactured “scandals” concerning Obama.
The formula is simple. Find someone dirty who’s had any dealings with Obama and play up their connection. A good trick is to say that Obama isn’t accused of actually breaking any laws, but questions remain. You can try it yourself: Paul Wolfowitz isn’t being accused of eating babies, but questions remain.
What was the scandal involving Resko? That Obama purchased a $100K adjacent lot from the guy? Honestly, when the Resko story broke, I knew the guy was clean. If that was the worst dirt they could find on him, there’s not much to find.
The Ayers thing is equally ludicrous. Obama was a kid when Ayers committed his crimes, and it wasn’t Obama’s responsibility to dig up, review the evidence and pass sentence on the guy. He wasn’t vetting him for a cabinet position, they were loosely working together to improve public schools.
Obviously, politicians meet lots of people, and they often help each other out. The relationships should be scrutinized, but if guilt-by-association is a crime, everyone is guilty.
When Obama is actually shown to be guilty of something, I’ll take notice. Until then, give the guy a break. He’s inherited the worst mess of any president since Lincoln, and his attention needs to be on the economy and not dealing with the misdeeds of the Illinois governor.
The impeachment talk is beyond idiocy. I know that some of you Republicans seem to feel that the presidency is your birthright, and if you lose you’re entitled to override the democratic process with impeachment over trivial matters. With all due respect (none, that is), I laugh in your face.

Posted by: All sizzle, no steak | December 10, 2008, 6:27 am 6:27 am

Conspiracy theorist really crack me up. They kinda remind me of all the “sea lawyers” I had to deal with in the Navy. It is really kinda sad. The people elected a president, not barely but by a substantial margin. Many still can’t get over their candidate losing by that same substantial margin.

Posted by: ray sparks | December 10, 2008, 6:33 am 6:33 am

What would you expect from Illinois politics? Chicago is supposed to be the “capitol” of black leadership with all these high profile leaders yet it is one of the most crime-ridden areas in the country. The economy there is much worse than most of the country. With all these genius “leaders”, including Obama in the senate, why haven’t they fixed anything?
We have a president-elect who came from the middle of all this and nobody in the media wanted to do any investigations about his “associations”. Now there are questions that need to be answered, especially about Obama’s advisors having conversations with the governor about the senate seat. Looks like “change we can believe in” won’t get off to such a great start. I HOPE he isn’t involved in this corruption .

Posted by: livewiremd | December 10, 2008, 6:36 am 6:36 am

Our president elect is clear of this incident, but he is not clear of ACORN started in Chicago. This is about forcing banks to lower it’s standards, (FICA scores, income reporting, etc…) to allow people who normally could not afford a mortgage, to get a mortgage. Hence the reason this contry is having a massive forclosure rate… The banks are closing their doors to businesses, home owners, and the small business men and women, to recoup from something that will take decades to repair. Please remember ACORN- shaddy business deals, originating from none other than Chicago.

Posted by: DKD | December 10, 2008, 6:37 am 6:37 am

Blagojevich should be indicted just for the toupee. What did Obama know about the toupee and when did he know it?

Posted by: Chuck | December 10, 2008, 6:42 am 6:42 am

Here we go, another Democratic President that will be implicated in scandal after scandal, like the Clintons. We will be inundated with innuendo and the truth will be hid by the mainstream media Obamamaniacs. We had 8 years with a respectable President and First Lady……that was a welcome relief, I hate the thoughts of this all over again. It is time to make the Dems take responsibility for their crooked and corrupt ways and the media to treat their scandals like the Republican ones, with story after story after story printed on the front page of every iberal rag out there. You had to look real hard to find any mention that the Gov. from Ill. was a Dem. IMAGINE THAT!!!

Posted by: yellowman | December 10, 2008, 6:47 am 6:47 am

I’ll say it again. Conspiracy Theorist really crack me up. Have you thought about “counseling”? Accepting the things you cannot change has a lot to do with the healing process. Sometimes smoke is just smoke.

Posted by: ray sparks | December 10, 2008, 6:51 am 6:51 am

Oh what a tangle web we weave….
Stay tuned. His house of sand will eventually crumble. The media is complicit in never vetting their messiah.

Posted by: Ben | December 10, 2008, 6:52 am 6:52 am

It’s odd, that those that are so willing to believe in 9/11 conspiracies, now discount anything that might involved Obama, as a conspiracy!
If you lie down with dogs, you will end up with a flea or two!
I wonder how many fleas are on the MSM too!

Posted by: Bobc | December 10, 2008, 6:55 am 6:55 am

There is NO WAY anyone can advance in Illinois politics without being a crook. Obama was the chief advancer in this chaotic corupted mess. Had the media been on top of this and actually done their job, this would have come out two or three years ago. Certainly not the senate seat sale, but all the other cheating and corruption. Obama is a phony, but the media likes him, so he must survive.

Posted by: martin | December 10, 2008, 7:06 am 7:06 am

As Emanuel said, “Emanuel told the New Yorker earlier this year that he and Obama “participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor. We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two.”
Then Emanuel has a ‘retraction’ when teh heat is on? This is happening all too often and in a number of different context and subjects for it to be just ‘a misstatement.’
The Media Darling will sail through with only little spots of Brown on his Shirt.

Posted by: Eureka | December 10, 2008, 7:07 am 7:07 am

I do remember a news article saying he met with the Governor to discuss this!

Posted by: tinker thinker | December 10, 2008, 7:10 am 7:10 am

After 8 years of the boring honest Bush administration the news business is going to get a chance to cover real corruption in politics again. I wonder if they can impeach Obuma before he is sworn into office.

Posted by: Robert G | December 10, 2008, 7:20 am 7:20 am

O and D-Axel – not on the same page? I can’t believe it…thanks to Jake Tapper, this is the first critical reporting that I have ever seen concerning the elect-campaign/victory.
I hope Tapper will be the new ‘David Gregory’ and give this new admin. a Fair and Thorough examination!!

Posted by: 818 | December 10, 2008, 7:21 am 7:21 am

Denial is way to “pat”… It’s Ok though. The Leftist Media would never go after a Demoxcrat President or Congressmen in a situation like this. Democrats are too important to the re-claiming of America to ever loose them to a investigation like this..

Posted by: John Smith | December 10, 2008, 7:30 am 7:30 am

Haha You Tube has removed film related to this.

Posted by: Henry | December 10, 2008, 7:33 am 7:33 am

This is easy, Hot Rod will sing like a canary! He’ll even give up BHO for a reduced sentence. Not because it’s the right thing to do, but because the (expletive) wouldn’t play ball like he played when BHO needed Rod’s help….
This is going to be fun to watch! It will make Nixon and Watergate look like choir practice!!

Posted by: Edward | December 10, 2008, 7:38 am 7:38 am

I read all that crap leave Obama alone
valentin
jamescoicou@yahoo.fr

Posted by: valentin | December 10, 2008, 7:38 am 7:38 am

Obama is as straight as a corkscrew. Welcome to the new administration people. LOL!!!!

Posted by: Laffing at the Left | December 10, 2008, 7:39 am 7:39 am

Someone once said “We get the government we deserve.” I cannot belief in all of our electoral stupidity we deserved this. At least Clinton’s lies were entertaining and crafty. Insult my intelligence? Wow.

Posted by: Scott W. | December 10, 2008, 7:45 am 7:45 am

Obama is a corrupt, racist liar, just like Republicans said he was before the election. Obama’s friends in the liberal media worked awfully hard to hide the true Obama from the electorate. Their job just got alot tougher.
WHY is Obama lying about his contacts with Blogo? Because he is in this up to his elbows.

Posted by: Pedro | December 10, 2008, 7:46 am 7:46 am

I didn’t vote for Obama, but since the election I’ve accepted him as my new President, and hope he governs with wisdom and takes advantage of this massive worldwide media onslaught to really improve America’s image to the world. I think he’s capable of both. I have been impressed by how he has balanced the urgency promised by his campaign with the limited role he has as President-Elect, and I’ve been given optimism by the deciveness he has demostrated by his cabinet selections, even if I don’t agree with all of them. All that said because I don’t want to be labelled as someone who is “just bitter my candidate lost”, or some other illogical ad homeneim, as everyone else on this board who expresses concern about this has been. A pattern is starting to emerge here: beginning with the purchase of his house at a preposteroud discount from a now proven unscrupulous man with which he developed a kick-back scheme to repay a massive campaign contributor with governmenet projects. That is basically public record at this point. Since we’ve had ACORN, a voter-registration fraud scheme, and now this Blago thing. For Blagojevich to be involved in such a blatantly strong arm illegal act, this cannot be new activity for this guy. So at best we’ve got Obama consistently supporting a guy like this, but bailing out when he finds out how crazy this scheme is, but knowing. At worst, he’s complicit. Maybe Obama will come out the way we’d all like to see it, and he became whistleblower by proxy. Either way, we’ve got a lot of potential corruption in a short period of time here, way to much for a glass of kool-aid to remedy

Posted by: Mike | December 10, 2008, 7:55 am 7:55 am

I’m sure Obama will have another excuse for his b.s.
This is such a joke, I just hope we can survive this.

Posted by: ozhole | December 10, 2008, 7:58 am 7:58 am

Did Obama get caught in a lie?
http://www.connecttristates.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=217582
Looks like it…

Posted by: Obama Lied? | December 10, 2008, 8:00 am 8:00 am

Who cares if he lied about discussing it with him. Seriously…who cares. He’s not being implicated. Enough, you uptight and bitter freaks. The only reference to Obama’s active participation in the whole thing paints him as clean. Or are you all reading a piece I’m not familiar with? You just talk and talk and talk and make up what’s going to happen in your little fantasy worlds and talk some more, with not regard for reality.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 8:02 am 8:02 am

Welcome fellow Americans, on Jan. 20th to the new United States of Chicago (style politics). National Bird – Vulture. This will be more fun than White water.

Posted by: Jose A Lopez | December 10, 2008, 8:02 am 8:02 am

Obama- “Rod who?” As a 35 year resident of the city by the lake, I am not shocked, amazed or anything like that. Now the rest of the country is ready for politics the Illinois way! guess what you elected someone from that whole political system to the highest office…well folks it will b a bumpy ride! I have been laughing so hard my stomach hurts..hehee heeh hahaahaaaa

Posted by: Harry | December 10, 2008, 8:03 am 8:03 am

Just a heads up to you fools…politicians lie daily. It’s practically in their job descriptions. Some do it and thousands die. Some do it to distance themselves from corrupt people who happen to be standing too close to them.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 8:06 am 8:06 am

The Republicans are sore losers. Just like the election dirty ads and statement that were found out not true. The Republicans have screwed up this country and now the tax payers have to pay for it.
Iam sure there are alot of dirt on the republican side.
Yes if the Gov. needs to face his doing and pay the price, But big seal if Obama had any relation with him or others. as long as Obama did not do anything to break the Law

Posted by: Leonard | December 10, 2008, 8:06 am 8:06 am

Oh what a tangled web we weave when we practice to decieve…
Hopefully the full investigation will NOT be supressed…
I know, I know but I can always hope…

Posted by: me/myself | December 10, 2008, 8:15 am 8:15 am

STOP censoring any post with the link to the connecttristates story about Obama meeting with Blagojevich personally on November 5th to discuss the vacancy in his senate seat. It’s dishonest and disingenuous.
Obama met with Blagojevich in person on November 5th to discuss the senate seat. READ THE CONNECTTRISTATES STORY!!!

Posted by: Stop deleting incriminating posts! | December 10, 2008, 8:17 am 8:17 am

Bravo to FBI Grant for the work of uncivering corript politician. Although, he and his staff are not finish yet with the investigation because they are still gathering pieces of evidence that Axelrod made public in the Fox News. Please make it fast so we will have another arrest of corrupt politician , the old Chicago trained Obama and possible an indictment before he takes this country to an embarassment as president.

Posted by: darnobama | December 10, 2008, 8:17 am 8:17 am

Funny how the left, which would not give G. Bush a pass for anything at all, sees no big deal in this as far as the Anointed One goes. Obama is the perfect Saul Alinsky protoge (leftists, try Wikipedia), having lied his way to the White House.
This guy out-clinton’s clinton, and who in this universe ever thought that would be possible….

Posted by: Mike | December 10, 2008, 8:18 am 8:18 am

Axelrod says he was mistaken the first time he spoke? Wow…I didn’t see that one coming.
Face it, folks, this is the (bad) way the system works. The “good-ol’ boy” network permeates every segment of government.

Posted by: Brian Levine | December 10, 2008, 8:19 am 8:19 am

WE THE PEOPLE were the loses in so. illinois – this is where Chi Town sent its worst
The investigation has to go to the full extent – you cant be in office in illinois (chicago) without “getting some on you”

Posted by: Jules So IL | December 10, 2008, 8:20 am 8:20 am

More guilt by association. I guess this means all republicans are pervs after Larry Craig, etc. After all, if they EVER had dealings with him it makes them equally as guilty?

Posted by: Susan-1 | December 10, 2008, 8:20 am 8:20 am

Boring, honest Bush administration???!!!!!
You’re talking about the most indicted administration in American history!!!!!
Give me a break…..

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 8:23 am 8:23 am

Deja Vue all over again! I wonder if Axelrod will say the same thing under oath?

Posted by: Ragnarb | December 10, 2008, 8:27 am 8:27 am

“There are no allegations that President-elect Obama or anyone close to him had anything to do with any of the crimes Gov. Blagojevich is accused of having committed. ”
Have you even read the complaint? It’s posted on the Smoking Gun; paragraph 107, on page 68, summarizes the wiretapped conversation between the Governor and “Advisor A” to Obama, where the Advisor recommends setting up a job for Blago with the unions which “from the President-elect’s perspective” would have “fewer fingerprints” on it.
That’s clearly worthy of examination.

Posted by: Sassenach | December 10, 2008, 8:29 am 8:29 am

Pathological Liars like to associate with others of their own. O-bamma lied about his place of birth, his mother, his aunt, his relationship with Bill, and now slides easily into another lie about his relationship with Rod. Who is suprised by any of this? He is in so deep he is losing track of what he has said. Melt-down is approaching.

Posted by: NHBob | December 10, 2008, 8:32 am 8:32 am

They’ve been investigating and tapping the Gov. for a long time. If Obama were involved they would already know. Yet, they’ve specifically stated that he has no connection to the scandal.
Just eat your sour grapes and keep waiting. Obama’s a politician for sure, and that’s a strike against him, but he is one of the most thoroughly vetted Pres-elects ever. Between a dying republican party desperate for survival and a boatload of racists trying to dig up absolutely anything to throw at him, I think we’ve already seen the worst.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 8:33 am 8:33 am

“I’m totally supportive of President Elect Obama, Vice President Elect Biden, and the governing they will do in these upcoming four years.”
Ugh, not me or half of the United States. All of this crap about the “clean” negro and he hasn’t even been sworn in yet. I smelled Payola from the beginning…2004 Democratic convention speech.

Posted by: Jay | December 10, 2008, 8:37 am 8:37 am

Come on guys…
He was just someone I knew in the neighborhood…
I only went to his church for 20 years…
I didn’t know I got a steal on that property…
I will not raise taxes on 95% of Americans…
I’ll have us out of Iraq in 16 months…

Posted by: Howard Ino | December 10, 2008, 8:39 am 8:39 am

Kudos to Jake Tapper for asking inconvenient questions! Compare and contrast for other big media which are *still* protecting The One.
“I had no contact with the governor or his office…” hardly rules out other of his staff having contact, does it?

Posted by: Paul in NJ | December 10, 2008, 8:40 am 8:40 am

Hey, Jay: All of your crap about the “‘clean” negro’” proves you are not someone with whom rational people want to associate. What’s your ethnicity? Surely you won’t mind if we throw slurs at you, right?

Posted by: Paul in NJ | December 10, 2008, 8:43 am 8:43 am

HERE WE GO!!! Get ready for an avalanche of underhanded deals, denials and corruption on a scale we’ve never seen. These people are gonna make the Clinton’s look like boy scouts. Oh yeah, wait and watch how the liberal media will try to cover up and make excuses for the “Exalted One”.

Posted by: rightsaidfred | December 10, 2008, 8:53 am 8:53 am

Mark : Sorry, we’re only seeing the beginning. Obama is the LEAST vetted president in history. In this country the vetting process is primarily the responsibility of the media, and they refused to do it to Obama. Obama probably didn’t do anything wrong in THIS situation, but the problem you’re going to have is that this investigation ( and the upcoming Rezko trial) has the potential to go places Obama doesn’t want. Let’s be realistic, Obama is dirty as hell. You don’t swing the huge amounts of taxpayer money into Tony Rezko’s pockets and get kickbacks the way Obama did without knowing what’s going on.

Posted by: howwouldiknow | December 10, 2008, 8:53 am 8:53 am

I think people are trying to taint Obama before he makes it in to the White House, I mean the mans citizenship has been questioned and yet we have Arnold as a Governor? I think this shows how some people especially some white’s are having a tough time preparing to have a blackman as President and a black family in office, true enough he is a politician just like many people are hypocrites, liars,etc. We all have some faults but yet we continue to try to find fault with other and yet wouldn’t appreciate other’s snooping around trying to find ours.
Until this great man (at least for me because he made me feel American for the first time in my life as a black man) stumbles and makes mistakes then lets back off. People targeted him because he went to a church where the pastor (Jeremiah Wright) spoke the truth about America and it’s racism and treatment of blacks (I am no Christian either) yet white folks found issue with it. Why because white’s hate looking at their history for what it was and is, I mean this is why we can’t erase racism because you have one group of people who live with it every day and another group who refuses to acknowledge it every day. The way you get over a habit/addiction is one to recognize you have a problem, let Obama serve for 4 years and then lets look at his record.

Posted by: Reco Spencer | December 10, 2008, 8:56 am 8:56 am

After reading on the net and watching the News I sit here and think. We have a President Elect Obama that it seems keeps getting his name mentioned with all these criminals from Chicago yet, he is unaware of their activity.
Wow and to think this man is getting ready to take the most important job in our country.Yet he is the only one that is in the dark about what is going on?
It is only a matter of time until someone rolls over on him.
What is it going to take for people to see what is really going on?

Posted by: GeekGirl2u | December 10, 2008, 9:01 am 9:01 am

Another example of Chicago tarnishing the rest of Il. Nope I am not from Il. Just as Rendell talked about “walking around money” for the PA primary, Chicago has the same type of attitude & schemes. Even Bechel admitted that yesterday on Fox. The vast majority of politicians from that part of Il are corrupt. Many of the Chicago & Cook county government employees have to go along with the schemes to keep their jobs or get promoted. They don’t necessarily want to but what do you do if your boss pressures you to do something political. We will know if Obama is crooked if Fitzgerald gets “promoted” out of Chicago.

Posted by: Robert | December 10, 2008, 9:02 am 9:02 am

The people of Illinois should not be allowed to vote. They are incompetent citizens. And now we have one of their favorites about to become President of the United States. This guy has always hung around with Chicago crooks. As we say in the SOuth, “when you lie down with dogs, you get fleas.”
These are some scary times.

Posted by: Kay | December 10, 2008, 9:05 am 9:05 am

Hey Sassenach ,
Keep wishing. Adviser A & B are advisers to the Gov. not Obama. And it was Adviser “B” in paragraph 107 not “A”. Not that it matters which one. Neither are connected to Obama. “B” was just speculating about Obama’s theoretical position. Your sour grapes are getting in the way of clear reading/thought. Wishful thinking may have gotten you through the Bush administration, maybe it will still work for you in this one.
howwouldiknow: There’s plenty of media happy to stick it to anyone if they can. I am certain he got a free ride from some of the media, just as Bush and Palin got/get free rides from certain other parts of the media. The “liberal media” is not nearly as liberal or monolithic as the right wishes to believe. If something real ever pops up on Obama, watch the wolves rush in.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am

Odrama is a great man? What a frickin joke. What has he ever done to be a great man except do his snake oil salesman routine and fool enough idiots to get elected. God, how many different videos and audio feeds have I heard from the odrama supporters that think they won’t have to pay their mortgages or car payments anymore because “We go obama now”. odrama know about this and he will be found out to be up to his neck in so many slimy things it will make anyone with an morals at all upchuck! All you idiots screaming “the press is trying to ruin him before he gets into office” need to get a life. Because someone has to print a story that can’t be ignored doesn’t mean they aren’t still going to try to give odrama a pass. When President Bush was elected the libs, press and all blatantly stated that they would start day one doing everything they could to destroy Pres. Bush. Imagine if even 1 member of the press corp said this about odrama. He/she would be fired and run out of town. This is going to be a Saturday Night Live delight if they have the guts to do their job as they perceived it with Pres. Bush, McCain and Palin.

Posted by: rightsaidfred | December 10, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am

Transcripts prove Obama wasn’t involved in this and was actually disliked by Blagojevich. U can depend on ‘ol Jake Tapper to draw inferences till the cows come home..Republicans lost this election because they went overboard with the tactics of “insinuation,”(‘he’s crooked, he’s a muslim, he’s a raging socialist, etc) NEWSFLASH JAKE: If it’s not true, it backfires against you! The harder republicans jump on this(and attempt to connect it to Obama), the more desperate they look.

Posted by: Malone | December 10, 2008, 9:08 am 9:08 am

To Quote FORREST GUMP life is like a box a chocolates you never know what your going to get and stupid is as stupid does.One more “Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason.”

Posted by: M. Barton | December 10, 2008, 9:10 am 9:10 am

This is just the begining of the lies and decite of Barack Hussein Obama and the Chicago crime machine. it’s going to be a interesting time as we watch all the scum bag friends of Obama indicted.
Yes It’s going to be fun fun fun.
Let’s vote who will be next, I say that maggot Rahm Emanuel?

Posted by: Andy | December 10, 2008, 9:10 am 9:10 am

So these idiots want to bring Chicago politics to the entire U.S.? Show me Chicago, and We the People will show you Lexington and Concord. Starve us, and we’ll show you Valley Forge. Fight us and we’ll show you Cowpens. Chicago should have sat this one out. We the People are waking up all over this country. We have had enough, and we need little more than to simply organize. You libbies know it. You can feel it. Believe it, it’s real.

Posted by: revWAR | December 10, 2008, 9:11 am 9:11 am

Rahmmy and Barack’s big adventure: Rod who? Blagojevich? How do you pronounce that? Blagojevich?
Umm, ahh, sounds Polish or something like that. He’s umm, governor? You’ve got to be kidding! I didn’t know that! Blagojevich? ahh, Governor of Illinois? Well as you know, I’m from umm, Hawaii, or is it Kenya? So I don’t know the Governor, umm, ahh, Blagojevich you say? Rahm, do you know this guy, umm, ahh, what’s his name Blago, Brago, jevich? Can any body help me here?

Posted by: tdrag | December 10, 2008, 9:16 am 9:16 am

Why is it that Obama never seems to know what any of the people around Him are doing. saying and preaching. This is who America chose? I can’t wait for his next book “Clueless In D.C.”. I think America deserves a President that has a clue as to whats going on around him. I see a President-Elect who breezed through the Illinois political machine at break neck speeds. A machine that seems quite tainted. You don’t rise that quickly without some taint on you. Ignorance is no excuse for the law or life. Happy Holidays

Posted by: MarkG | December 10, 2008, 9:19 am 9:19 am

This should have nothing to do with Obama other than some idiot trying to exploit his name by selling his Senate seat. Obama did not tell the guy to do it, nor did he do anything to implicate himself. Those that are once again crying the FAKE OUTRAGE, are the same Drama Queens who bought into the Birth Certificate scandle. Jesus H, at least let Obama get sworn in. You people have no shame. I really hope this isn’t a repeate of the Clinton days with Ken Star throwing accusations and stirring up scandles that were not scandles and putting the country at risk by distracting our President. Shame on you GOP.

Posted by: Larry Brown | December 10, 2008, 9:19 am 9:19 am

This just in: Obama had no contact with the Hot Rod… Reminds me of when a certain someone, “did not have sexual relations, with that woman.”
Too bad the Feds didn’t blow this open a few months ago.

Posted by: kmaret | December 10, 2008, 9:21 am 9:21 am

Can you impeach before the electoral college even votes?

Posted by: freddy fender | December 10, 2008, 9:22 am 9:22 am

Reco- If you don’t know that Governors don’t need to be US-born citizens while the President does, then maybe you should stop posting on a political website until you educate yourself about American politics (you know, the country in which you have lived your whole life but our only now proud of because a black man will be President. By the way, that is racist of you.)

Posted by: Geoff | December 10, 2008, 9:23 am 9:23 am

I am disappointed once again in the US media, putting $$$$ first and this country last. We are in times of distress as a nation and the media continues to hounddog the incomming president. In a time when we as Americans need to pull together, the media feels more of a obligation to give press to a criminal and commit treason by trying to trash the peoples choice for president.
However to speak of the present administration and the war that has caused countless deaths over oil, is considered to be unpatriotic…Go figure?
What is the difference between a representative of the Government, selling his soul for profit and you the Media selling a theory for fame, even if it counter productive to saving this great country of ours!
My question is, now that Barak has shown his non Partisanship will you connect him with Republican misdealings also? I can see now we are in for a long 4 years, how can we gain respect around the world when Our President can’t even get respect from within!

Posted by: Jay | December 10, 2008, 9:26 am 9:26 am

A man is best known by his friends and associates. This is a latest in a long string for the President Elect.

Posted by: Ariel | December 10, 2008, 9:26 am 9:26 am

So remember everyone… if it harms a democrat it is a mistatement. if it harms a republican, its an admission.
Seriously, Obama wants to say he never ever talked to Blaggy about who was filling his seat.
Anyone buying that one?
I’m not saying Obama was solicited for a bribe, nor accepted one, just c’mon, they didn’t even talk about the seat? not even once? Not plausible.
And if they are lying, well, that is blood in the water, if you know what i mean.

Posted by: A.W. | December 10, 2008, 9:30 am 9:30 am

Hey revWAR,
There WAS a revolution this year, you lost.
It is no accident that Obama distanced himself from the Gov. quite a while back. Repubs may be trying to reconnect him, but it is too late. Obama and the Gov. have been on the outs and he never had any connection to his pres. campaign. Obama may have recognized how corrupt he was and wanted nothing to do with him.
Corrupt people connect themselves to anyone with power or perceived power. It’s up to those people to not get sucked into the corruption, but you don’t always know who’s good or bad until later when the indictments fly.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 9:31 am 9:31 am

Jake Tapper – guilty again of reporting objectively. It called professional journalism.
Thank you and keep up the good work!

Posted by: KySlugBug | December 10, 2008, 9:32 am 9:32 am

You don’t get Cabinet Posts and Ambassadorships at Subway. You get them from the White House.
I really worried that the man I voted for might have been stringing us along..

Posted by: MV | December 10, 2008, 9:35 am 9:35 am

“Mark : Sorry, we’re only seeing the beginning. Obama is the LEAST vetted president in history. In this country the vetting process is primarily the responsibility of the media, and they refused to do it to Obama.”
WRONG. The vetting is done by the rivals in the primary and the general campaigns. As nasty as McCain got, he’d have hit him if there was anything there. Sorry, guys, you’re getting yourselves all worked up about what is very likely nothing at all.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 9:36 am 9:36 am

After reading many of these posts I have to ask the question. “How is the progress toward uniting us?” We have to stay seperated by political party, left and right, liberal and conservative or we might band together as Americans and demand our government operate legally, morally and honestly. When is the last time a politician of either stripe did that?

Posted by: Don | December 10, 2008, 9:38 am 9:38 am

Chicago-machien politicians, yet again, confirm their reputation. And now we have one soon to raid the highest office in the land. Change we can believe in because it has always been happening – that change from denouncing corruption and promising reforms, to ultimately betraying those hollow promises through graft and abusing power. How many such repetitive occurrences will it take before voters conclude that almost no politicians are worth voting for? When idealism is armored from experience, it is called blind ignorance. The inept voter degrades the republic in unison with the trash in leadership that injects or succumbs to corruption.

Posted by: Ingmar | December 10, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am

In the spirit of CHristmas:
Here comes liberals
Here comes liberals
Right down Pennsylvania Lane
Emmanuel and Clinton and all his cabinet
lookin for political gain.
Cuffs are clinging Republicans singing
Vendetta for past 8 years seems right
So hang your heads & shred the evidence
Cause payback is hell tonight.

Posted by: Jeff | December 10, 2008, 9:42 am 9:42 am

How well does Obama know Blagojevich?
Will Obama say:
A: He was just a guy in my neighborhood.
B. This is not the Rod Blagojevich I know
C. I was 46 years old when he committed these despicable acts.
D. The kids just played together.
E. I did not have fling with that Governor….oops, wrong democrat.
F. I never heard him say anything like that for over 20 years.
G. I barely knew him at all.

Posted by: nancy | December 10, 2008, 9:43 am 9:43 am

This could, I said, could, be as bad for the Dems as Nixon.
I hope Obama is telling the truth and that the FBI does not have more to give up to nail him. Because, if Obama goes down, we get Biden! This thing stinks like a week old fish.

Posted by: drayak | December 10, 2008, 9:44 am 9:44 am

NEWS FLASH………
These are the ignorant comments that continue to divide this country! “KMARET…the crime was trying to sell Obama’s seat”… Months ago there was no seat to sell, Obama was still the sitting Senator…duh!
Posted by: kmaret | Dec 10, 2008 9:21:19 AM
This just in: Obama had no contact with the Hot Rod… Reminds me of when a certain someone, “did not have sexual relations, with that woman.”
Too bad the Feds didn’t blow this open a few months ago.

Posted by: Jay | December 10, 2008, 9:44 am 9:44 am

Blago will sing like a bird. He’d best get in the witness protection program. And in the meantime he’d better stay out of Ft. Marcy Park. If he talks, Obama is toast. Hello President Biden (shudder).

Posted by: Jaxter | December 10, 2008, 9:45 am 9:45 am

Comment posted below, by Alan:
[Quote]: This country is done for. No morals, honesty, …..
SMARTEST POST I’VE SEEN HERE!
AMEN, ALAN!!!
VERY WELL SAID!

Posted by: Lov | December 10, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am

You poor misled democrats. The poor rest of us.

Posted by: SSG Christopher Bazan | December 10, 2008, 9:50 am 9:50 am

I can’t believe how many gullible people fell for the Obama CHANGE machine. Can you imagine any positive change coming out of the Chicago political machine? But people just don’t seem to care when it comes to Obama. He is eqivalent to Jesus to most of his supporters and they will just ignore any negatives about Obama. He has a checkered past with associations with terrorists and anti-American radicals and ministers, his huge but highly suspicious campaign finance machine will not be audited, even though there are millions in questionable contributions, he does not have to present a valid birth certificate even though witnesses place his birth in Kenya (just let an independent judge see the original document that is all it would take to clear up any questions), if he promises one thing and does another or says one thing and then denies it no one cares.
I have never seen anything like in except in some third world countries. Even the press won’t investigate him and in fact most national news reporters act are actively supporting him. It is just weird.

Posted by: Oldsurfer | December 10, 2008, 9:54 am 9:54 am

Mark…
Actually we won. We got a wake up call that the enemies of our Republic and Constitution can win an election. But the spirit of individualism and liberty does not become lost in an election. Go on thinking we lost. Back to sleep…..dreaming of Stalin and Gramsci and Obama and Marx and Mugabe…

Posted by: revWAR | December 10, 2008, 9:55 am 9:55 am

Okay, while I in no way believe that the President Elect did NOT have contact with the Governor, what is the uproar over Obama here? By all indications Obama didn’t want to play ball, and stoop to this Governors level.
And those of you saying the Governor and Obama are associates, well, yes, they have to be. Obama was a Senator in the State this guy governed, they have to be associates. It just like if you are at work, and you have a shady coworker in a position of power. You arent going to trust that person, nor hang out with them outside of the office, but if you have to go through them to do your job correctly you will do it. If you don’t you look like the bad one.

Posted by: Jason | December 10, 2008, 9:56 am 9:56 am

I would like to nominate MYSELF for this Senate position. It would set a nice precedent by sending the “Little guy” to D.C. There would be no worries of a MR. SMITH going to Washington. I’ll conform nicely, even voting “PRESENT” if necessary. I’ll keep anything “under the table” under the table. No foot tapping or money in the freezer. I hear the Eggs Benedict is just fabulous at the Senate Grill. Remember, a vote for me is meaningless, just like all those Senators.

Posted by: killerbee | December 10, 2008, 9:59 am 9:59 am

“We have had enough, and we need little more than to simply organize. You libbies know it. You can feel it. Believe it, it’s real.”
lol. Whatever you say.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:00 am 10:00 am

Obama may be clean on this one, but the stink is gonna stick.
He met with Glabo, so why try to cover it. That’s suspicious. And kmaret, whoever you are, stop the rhetoric. no one believes any of the crap about uniting the country, and dem’s only believe it when their guy is in. Conservatives and Liberals have serious ideological differences; no use whitewashing them.

Posted by: jschatzle | December 10, 2008, 10:01 am 10:01 am

Where’s the video? Did the Obama Thought Police confiscate it?

Posted by: bulwark | December 10, 2008, 10:03 am 10:03 am

People didn’t vote for Obama because he was a pillar of virtue. McCain tried to point out Obama’s shady associations during the campaign but he didn’t succeed because 1) he didn’t hit him hard enough in order to be civil, and 2) the media had no interest in exposing Obama since he was their man.
I can gaurantee that Obama at least knew that Blago was corrupt and he chose to do nothing or report anything. They all watch each others back in IL because history shows that they all are easily corrupted.
I can guarantee that someone from the media knew about this investigation before the election. We got our October suprise in December. If the same thing would have happened in Arizona, we would have new all about it on Oct 1. Now we are starting a new democrat presidency like the last one, with a scandal. Expect more from this Obamanation of an administration.

Posted by: garagefather | December 10, 2008, 10:06 am 10:06 am

Power corrupts; abosolute power corrupts absolutely.
The facts of BHO’s political history are damning at best. His first elected office was for state representative in a D stronghold, in which election campaign workers worked to disqualify the election petitions of EVERY OTHER CANDIDATE.
When BHO first ran for the US Senate seat, his opponent’s sealed divorce papers were made public, embarrassing the GOP candidate (his actress wife & child to boot). Mr Ryan had already won the GOP nomination but he left the campaign in disgrace. It took an 11th hour move (literally & figuratively) for Alan Keyes to qualify as a GOP candidate running against BHO.
Pick your adadge: “You are known by the company you keep” or “Birds of a feather…” or “the ACORN doesn’t fall far from the tree…”

Posted by: A Anderson | December 10, 2008, 10:08 am 10:08 am

Fitzgerald didn’t have anything and probably kept a strangle hold on it, knowing that something that was all smoke shouldn’t impact the election. Bravo for him, if that’s the case. Again, and I’m going to repeat this regularly, Obama is not implicated IN ANY WAY in this. In fact, Blago is on a wire tap complaining that Obama won’t play ball. Hello?

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:09 am 10:09 am

Holy crap, the president elect is dirty. A dirty, corrupt democrat. He’s throwing Axelrod and even Rahm under the bus to cover for him. This is so awesome!

Posted by: Tony | December 10, 2008, 10:09 am 10:09 am

@Larry Brown:
Shame on us?? You’ve got to be joking sweetpea. Obama’s not even in office yet, but the crackdown on discussing his scandals and divulging his shady connections continues to pick up speed.
Obama launched his career from the home of two domestic terrorists William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, and collaborates with radical groups like ACORN under the guise of “community organizing”. He sat in a church for over 20 years listening to the sermons of a rabid moonbat who “god-damned” America and railed against “whitey” and Jews.
Some of the world’s worst dictators and Islamic goons are head over heels for his campaign. So far, he’s accumulated William Ayers, Bernadine Dorhn, Hugo Chavez, Mahmoud Amahdinejad, Louis Farrakhan, Daniel Ortega, Jeremiah Wright, and Hamas among his associates, admirers, and supporters. He’s a human bug light for despots, terrorists, and hate spewers. No wonder you democrats love him.
Shame on YOU.

Posted by: sfcmac | December 10, 2008, 10:11 am 10:11 am

It is always suspicious when someone has to unsay something that they said almost a month ago. So what if Obama talked to Blago about the position? Is there anything wrong with giving input about who is going to take your old job? What is wrong with having worked on Blago’s campaign? Those things alone don’t cause me much pause. The problem and issue arises when Obama now seems to have something to hide and wants to act like he has never talked to the guys and barely even knows him. This has happened over and over, Mr. Wright, Mr. Aires, Mr. Rezko…where will it end? If you have nothing to hide there is no reason to act suspicious and try to change history.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 10:15 am 10:15 am

“Holy crap, the president elect is dirty. A dirty, corrupt democrat. He’s throwing Axelrod and even Rahm under the bus to cover for him. This is so awesome!
That’s good strategery, there. I’m sorry, how many soldiers have been killed on a lie now? You people have NO business talking “idiot” to anybody. Y’know, there’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — [pauses] – shame on you. Fool me — I can’t get fooled again.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:16 am 10:16 am

Everytime Obama speaks about his past associations, whether it be Bill Ayers, Rev. Wright, Tony Rezko, Rashid Khalidi, or Blago I’m reminded of the plodding Sgt. Schultz on the old Hogan’s Heroes TV show, a character who was never aware of what was happening around him.
His famous recurring line was “I know nothing!”
Barack never knows anything about the dubious characters he surrounds himself with. And this is the “one we have been waiting for”, the man who is to be the savior of us all?

Posted by: DAK | December 10, 2008, 10:16 am 10:16 am

Watch the wall come tumblin’ down.

Posted by: TruthBeTold | December 10, 2008, 10:16 am 10:16 am

No Kumbaya for this country! The Democratic culture of corruption is upon us. We’re going to treat everyone of you and give NObama the same chance and good will you gave Bush. Karma is a bitch. Now go back to your low income jobs, and leave the REAL tax payers- entrepreneurs and business owners(majority Republicans) alone. Sorry, but do you really think your petty union jobs actually dent anywhere close to the taxes needed to make this country work. And as for Hollywood, they keep their money in foreign accounts and pretend they’re with you, so you’ll buy their records and watch their movies. Funny thing is, you actually think Streisand cares about you. Not!

Posted by: Reggie | December 10, 2008, 10:18 am 10:18 am

midwestlady
I believe that people help each other thru things but i don’t believe in any chance that Obama would do such damn thing by making him self tainted, knowing that he could be voted for president. What blagojevic does it’s certainly one thing. The thing is that idiot blagojevic wants to be in center of attention.

Posted by: ivana | December 10, 2008, 10:18 am 10:18 am

THIS JUST IN:
the ‘hits’ keep a comin’….
- ‘a probe has been launched into Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman’s ties to businessman Nasser Kazeminy:
Federal investigators are looking into allegations that a longtime friend and benefactor tried to steer money to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, the Pioneer Press has learned.

Posted by: dewde | December 10, 2008, 10:22 am 10:22 am

I really don’t care…
he’s not MY president !

Posted by: dubious | December 10, 2008, 10:23 am 10:23 am

Im sure its a Coincidence, but it seems like everyone Obama had dealings with in Illinois is “flawed”

Posted by: The J | December 10, 2008, 10:23 am 10:23 am

Ariel–
I suppose you believe Obama’s associates consist primarily of Wright, Ayers, and Rev. Pfleger huh? ..and now Blagojevich, despite the obvious nature of the transcripts.

Posted by: malone | December 10, 2008, 10:25 am 10:25 am

Come 2009 Obama can fire Fitz on a whim.
Oh look, no implication Barak ever talked to Blago.
Nothing to see here, just Move On…

Posted by: DJ | December 10, 2008, 10:27 am 10:27 am

Obama not tainted?? Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! LOL!

Posted by: Masha | December 10, 2008, 10:27 am 10:27 am

I have had a sick feeling since o announced he was running for prez.We are in a cess pool now.I bet the whole world is laughing at us for electing a constitutionaly unqualified nominee for prez!

Posted by: Donna | December 10, 2008, 10:28 am 10:28 am

Obama’s “first priority” November 5, 2008: A visit with the dirty Gov to “discuss” Obama’s replacement. First priority? Sounds urgent….
I thought Obama said yesterday this never happened….ummmm spin this one!

Posted by: Grace | December 10, 2008, 10:29 am 10:29 am

Wow, we’ve now devolved to pre-election BS. I guess since even the most hard-headed have figured out that Obama has nothing to do with this, they can only try to resurrect the tired old arguments of the past. Get over it already. :) You’re not going to bring down a new president with guilt by association. You threw all the crap at him you could before and he was still elected.
I actually imagine a few of these POSTers sitting at their keyboards frothing at the mouth.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am

Don’t lump all of Illinois with Chicago.

Posted by: Dam | December 10, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am

And NOBAMA says,”I did not have a communication relationship with that Gov, Blagojevich.”

Posted by: Jim | December 10, 2008, 10:31 am 10:31 am

“I have had a sick feeling since o announced he was running for prez.We are in a cess pool now.I bet the whole world is laughing at us for electing a constitutionaly unqualified nominee for prez!”
Well, that shows your level of awareness of the “whole world.” The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Like party in the streets positive. Do you not follow the news? The “whole world” went from totally sympathetic post-9/11 to totally despising us thanks to that lame duck monkey in office right now.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:32 am 10:32 am

I’d love to have had a wiretap on Fitzpatrick during all of this.
Bets are the reason Barry backed off the quid-pro-quo with Blago on his seat (admin position, ambassadorship, high-paying consultant with the SEIU union that worked so effectively to get Barry elected) was that Fitz warned him the Feds were watching him like he was a member of Al Qaeda.
Fitz is already a hero of the left – having sat on Armitage’s role in outing Valerie Plame in a very successful effort to dirty up Bush over no WMD’s in Iraq (funny, no one ever remembers we actually did remove 500 tons of yellowcake Uranium from Iraq and no one asks where it came from).
Having now dropped the bomb on Blago before he could implicate Barry and maybe saving Barry from facing hearings or even impeachment, I’ll bet Barry has a golden throne for Fitz – maybe even a Supreme Court spot.

Posted by: wayne | December 10, 2008, 10:33 am 10:33 am

So let me get this right, this is about Blagojevich & his corruption but we must find some way to drag Pres. Elect Obama into this? Maybe his ppl spoke to Blago, maybe they didnt, who cares. Fact of the matter is he obviously was not into Blago’s corruption as you all heard on the news Blago very angry because he knew Obama would not be bidding any money or offering him any cushy spot in the Cabinet. Just like when you get to know someone and realize they are of bad character & you distance yourself from them, that’s what Obama has done, you cant tell the quality of a person the moment you meet them, even years down the line you can learn something about someone. So what exactly are we accusing pres. elect Obama of in this situation? Obama doesnt have time for this BS! He has major work ahead of him, some of you may not be directly affected by the recession but I know I am, and that is what I care about him dealing with because regardless of what happens to Blago, Obama is still going to be our President.
1/20/09 Barack Obama will be our President like it or not so please deal with it! People who didnt vote for Bush 8 years ago had to deal with it & look at the state of the country now. It took 6-8 years for some ppl to admit what Bush has been doing to this country but we are so quick to jump on Obama before he even gets in office, because of accusations ppl want to make that cant even be proven? All im saying is hes our next Presdent. He is the ppls choice so give him a chance like you gave Bush a chance!

Posted by: annoyed with politics/media | December 10, 2008, 10:34 am 10:34 am

“funny, no one ever remembers we actually did remove 500 tons of yellowcake Uranium from Iraq and no one asks where it came from”
What is your point? That yellowcake was known as far back as pre-9/11. Yellowcake is a far, far cry from a weapon of mass destruction.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:35 am 10:35 am

“So what exactly are we accusing pres. elect Obama of in this situation?”
Victory.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:37 am 10:37 am

Corruption in Illinois? NO!

Posted by: Hisako | December 10, 2008, 10:39 am 10:39 am

I was raised that you are known by the company you keep. Also, you are judged by those you choose for friends! Obama did not have his meteoric rise to power without the help of the Chicago machine. He was in the middle of it! I, also, believe that Fitzgerald will save Obama’s rear. I hope that I’m wrong and the chips will be allowed to fall wherever they fall!

Posted by: Maggie | December 10, 2008, 10:42 am 10:42 am

Silky
When will people like you realize that the reason socialist Europe and other parts of the world want people like BO to run our country is because they know he, and others like him, will bring an end to America’s world dominance? They are JEALOUS OF AMERICA’S SUCCESS! How would you feel if you lived in France, Germany, England, countries that go back 1,000′s of years, and here comes this little baby country known as America which kicks your butts in EVERY catergory- prosperity, generousity, economically, militarily.
Liberals view America as an evil empire and BO is just the man to scale our military back, melt our borders, and break us financially. He would have us part of the EU in no time flat!

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 10:43 am 10:43 am

“I also believe Obama will be a great president…he sounds good”
Great point there Patty. Faith Hill for president 2012!!!!

Posted by: none of the above | December 10, 2008, 10:44 am 10:44 am

“They are JEALOUS OF AMERICA’S SUCCESS!”
They abhore the Bush administration’s imperialistic tendencies. Your position that they are jealous is exactly the kind of attitude that makes “us” the laughing stock of the world. Born with a winning lottery ticket and still dumber than a box of hammers.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:47 am 10:47 am

If this had been reversed and there was a Republican in the White House, the media would be clamoring for him to resign – it would be splashed everywhere, on every channel, on every show, with front covers of the major newsmagazine like Time and Newsweek, building up and building up until they forced the guy to resign before he ever took office. Of course, since it is a Democrat (which you rarely see mentioned) this will be over and done with in a week.
Since the mainstream networks made its unholy alliance with the Democrat party in the 50′s there has been a patina of objectivity, with a decided bias toward all things Democrat. This has been picked up and echoed by the national press, and Hollywood. In the last election the patina wore away, this time for good. The sooner Republicans realize that they will NEVER get a fiar shake in the mainstream press the better. This latest story is just the latest indication of how the press favors one party over another.
The answer? Simple – the traditional media will not change so, it has to be replaced – conservative, Republicans etc. need a visual presence, and it will have to be through the creation of another network, dedicated and openly biased toward conservatives. If it happens it will be successful – it’s clearly needed and in a capitalist economy success lies in finding a need and filling it. A conservative cable network would have no trouble getting viewers – Fox was successful through being truly objective – an openly conservative network would be even more successful through an open bias toward conservatives.
But, where is it – why does every media outlet, when it decides to changes, always moves to the right? Didn’t work for Time, Newsweek, U.S. News or right here in my home state, with the formerly conservative Bergen Record, as well as the always liberal New York Times (whose days are numbered). All of these have bled subscribers because people who read weekly newsmagazines, and newspapers, tend to be older and more conservative. But these idiots put ideology before profit – the entertainment industry would rather commit business suicide rather than serve the vast conservative market.
But there is an opening out there for an entrepreneur to make a fortune, and serve an unfilled need. How about it?

Posted by: B. Samuel Davis | December 10, 2008, 10:48 am 10:48 am

This is the type of corruption that Palin rooted out in Alaska. It’s unfortunately common, though, and I bet Obama has, in the best scenario, simply learned to look the other way. He won’t be a reformer and so won’t bring the change we need.

Posted by: Doug D | December 10, 2008, 10:49 am 10:49 am

Posted by: annoyed with politics/media | Dec 10, 2008 10:34:47 AM
——
Reading your post explains how so many crooks get into office if Chicago/Illinois, as well as other places. Obama cannot simply reject these people from his circle. He dances around the issue. He is “disappointed” when he should condemn their actions and support rooting out corruption!

Posted by: Maggie | December 10, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am

Rumors are starting to swirl Chicago that ole Blago is singing like a canary, already implicating Axelrod and Immanuel. The good governor is trying to bargain for a light sentence — and may even turn state’s evidence on Obama himself. If so, could B.O. be the first president-elect to resign the position, and wouldn’t Biden then take office? It’s my understanding that that’s the way the Constitution reads.

Posted by: dave | December 10, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am

Well you see, even Democrats believe in free market prices to some extent.
Which brings up a valid point:
If a senate seat can command a price of $150,000, then the return on that investment must be subtantially more than that.
What does a Senator earn?
The $150,000 ‘investment’ is only sound because a senate seat leads to a lot more dirty corruption dollars.
Wouldn’t you love to look inside a few senators freezers?

Posted by: ALS | December 10, 2008, 10:51 am 10:51 am

Silky,
Have you ever lived in Europe- i have. It is dominated by socialist policies and liberal thinking. They are extremely jealous of us!
Have you ever had the pleasure of experiencing “free healthcare”? I have. Long lines to see a nurse and not a doctor in sight.(something the citizens are taxed at 55% to pay for).
If you ever had the pleasure of “free healthcare” you would know that America is still the place ALL RICH PEOPLE go from Europe or Asia to have medical procedures. Because despite what liberals shout from the rooftops, we have the best healthcare system in the world.
Where do all the affluent of Asia and Europe send their children to learn? You guessed it- America! We also have the best educational system in the world.
The world is jealous of us, always have been, always will be. But keep voting for people like BO and they will soon have nothing to be jealous of, we will simply be an extension of EU.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am

“Rumors are starting to swirl Chicago that ole Blago is singing like a canary, already implicating Axelrod and Immanuel. The good governor is trying to bargain for a light sentence — and may even turn state’s evidence on Obama himself.”
What in God’s name are you blabbering about?

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am

Again your Messiah knew nothing about those he worked with, and had no clue that anything was amiss… No pattern there…
This 232 year old experiment we once called the USA is doomed. Rome is burning.

Posted by: Rollo Tomasi | December 10, 2008, 10:57 am 10:57 am

“We also have the best educational system in the world.”
Please explain your criteria for identifying the “best educational system in the world.” Because you’re wrong. And simply because the wealthy come here to get healthcare does not mean that the majority of people don’t appreciate socialized medicine in other countries. Canada is a perfect example closer to home.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 11:00 am 11:00 am

Let’s see… Illinois crooks/felons/con men/anti-American radicals:
Wm. Ayres, Tony Rezko, J. Wright, Bernadine Dorn, ACORN, and now Gov. Blago (among many others)…
What do they all have in common?
Barack Obama. Who has known them all for decades, worked with them, worked for them, supported them, sat on Boards with them, campaigned for them, credited them with his success, but somehow has no knowledge of anything any of them had ever done wrong or any statements any of them ever made, and has no connection with their wrongdoing…
Ayres was just a neighbor… Rezko was just someone he bought a piece of land from… Wright was just a preacher who only spoke of Jesus… Dorn just baked cookies… Gov. Blago was just an acquaintence who he may (or may not) have spoke nicely of… ACORN just tried to get people help…
Thanks, idiots, for electing our next Crook-In-Chief

Posted by: PeterB | December 10, 2008, 11:00 am 11:00 am

we’ll never know for sure, because the Annenberg Challenge files were ‘cleaned up’ before author Stanley Kurtz got a look at them, but my guess is that Obama built up a lot of political currency when he was handing out over 100 million dollars in grants roughly 10 years ago as chairman with Ayers.
many of his shady dealings with Emil Jones, Rezko and Blago go back years.
he is not an honest politician. millions of people have been suckered.

Posted by: matt- Illinois | December 10, 2008, 11:01 am 11:01 am

It’s just matter of time before the Obama/Blago cover-up unravels. Obama falsely claimed he had no contact with Blago, so he has already been caught lying about Blago. So will you repeat that under oath Obama??

Posted by: Hot Rod | December 10, 2008, 11:03 am 11:03 am

Look, those of us who keeps up with stuff and does not just show up and vote for who ever Oprah tells us to, had to have seen this coming anyway. All you had to do was look at what little bit we already know about him and his friends and we should have been able to read between the lines. So lets not get silly about impeachment or anything like that. We asked for this and now we must suffer through it for at least 4 years and that’s all there is to it.

Posted by: none of the above | December 10, 2008, 11:04 am 11:04 am

Good grief people…. it’s not about his color so give it up! Alan Keyes is one of the finest conservative minds around and guess what… HE’s BLACK !!!!! It’s about ideology and nothing more. Everyone knew Chi politics was corrupt since the days of old man Daley and the 60′s. All sides should stop with the racial crap and discuss what is really at issue here. Our politicos are corrupt (cons and libs both) and we keep them in office by re-electing the same garbage every time. When we stop looking at the labels and start voting the most honest person to represent us (such as Drs., teachers, plumbers, etc.) we will start to get a group who represents us in the purest of forms…Gov’t by the people for the people… think it’s time we all re-read our Declaration of Independence and then revamp our government TOTALLY!!!

Posted by: CLW | December 10, 2008, 11:04 am 11:04 am

What’s the big deal. This goes on in every one-party state.
In New Mexico, Governor Bill Richardson gave state employment to over 100 sycophants. These “workers” come in to work only to take phone messages and pick up pay checks.
Republicans were told to either give donations to the Richardson campaign(s) or lose all business with the state. These threats even extended to county officials in the Republican Party. The officials I know complied…in effect offering a bribe.
Bill Richardson, you’re next….

Posted by: Bob | December 10, 2008, 11:06 am 11:06 am

Silky,
Talk to someone from Canada. Anyone with means comes here for healtchare.
And yes, our schools are the best in the world. America is where everyone comes to get the BEST education available. I know this is hard for you to swallow since you are a liberal but here goes…
America is a good country with intentions, but yes we have made mistakes.
America is the light of the world, the beacon of hope for so many people, that people are willing to die on rafts, fleeing the wonders of “free healthcare” to get here.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 11:06 am 11:06 am

Keep in mind; it’s not what Obama says, it’s how he says it. He’s in. The media had him selected. The supreme court refuses to look into his citizenship. It does not matter who you associate with him. It’s all “OK”. He is the messiah/rock star that fooled enough to get elected. Enjoy your paychecks now. They will get smaller. The guy has -O- experience and is ashamed of this great country. Our enemies are laughing their ass off right now. We have the Russian navy off Venezuela. We have China investing in South American oil. It won’t be long before their troops are stationed and waiting for the right time. Liberalism is a mental disorder, and it will either kill us all, or loose our country to the enemy!

Posted by: Gabacho | December 10, 2008, 11:08 am 11:08 am

Somebody in Obama’s camp tried to get Valerie Jarrett his Senate seat. Blago wanted more for it than the Obama camp was willing to offer (at least on the record). Somehow, the Obama camp figured out that they were being watched (probably the same source that tipped the Trib that the feds were wiretapping Blago). The Obama camp backed off with Jarrett and Blago moved on to other “candidates.”
The Obama team was smart enough to know somebody was listening, which is why no promises for cabinet positions or ambassadorships were made on the record. Blago was supposed to figure out that “appreciate” and “grateful” meant “goodies for you.” What amazes me is Blago’s insistence on a spoken deal. Either a breathtaking lack of sophistication in the art of backscratching, or a truly extraordinary level of greed (or mistrust in one’s fellow weasels).
It almost certainly wasn’t Obama himself talking to Blago about this. Obama has flacks to do that for him.

Posted by: Coyote | December 10, 2008, 11:10 am 11:10 am

from interview:”You working hard for Rod?” interrupted Berkowitz.
“You betcha,” said Obama.
——————-
this must’ve been back when it was ok to say “you betcha” and not get ridiculed for your small town, backwoods language.

Posted by: matt- Illinois | December 10, 2008, 11:12 am 11:12 am

The wealthy are not the majority, BOisafraud. You’re sample group does not represent the whole. Not even close. And I know people who live in Canada and have spent plenty of time up there and frequent message boards with Canadians and Europeans…THEY’RE NOT JEALOUS of us. So get over yourself. Is if you have anything to do with it anyway. America is a great idea. A brilliant idea. But that idea has born many flaws. You take the bad with the good. But don’t kid yourself. Not everybody wants to be you. People like the idea of America, but the world by and large does not like *Americans*.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 11:16 am 11:16 am

I cant wait to see the media spin the president elect out of this one…This is better than any soap opera on T.V

Posted by: boozebuster | December 10, 2008, 11:18 am 11:18 am

Silky, the whole Valerie Plame / Joe Wilson deal was about YELLOWCAKE URANIUM and Saddamn’s quest to get fuel to make nukes.
Obviously he got it somewhere but Joey and Val were trying to prove it never happened. Armitage outed Valerie to his journalist pals and Fitz knew it but Fitz wanted Bush’s and Cheney’s (and most importantly Rove’s) heads on a platter for impeachment and war crimes.
Fitz got Scooter Libby on perjury for having a crappy memory and certainly created enough of a buzz that everyone thinks that Bush was guilty of revenge against Val and Joe so that the media bought it even though it was never proven.

Posted by: wayne | December 10, 2008, 11:20 am 11:20 am

Why is Lincoln invoked by Fitzgerald? That guy arrested Congressmen, shutdown newspapers, suspended habeas corpus and was a worse abuser of the constitution than President Bush. Not exactly the paragon of virtue!

Posted by: pablo | December 10, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am

Hey Silky:
Speaking of “demographics”: take a gander at the majority of these postings! You can’t see that, already–even before he has taken the oath of office–lots of Obama support has fallen off? This does not bode well for his coronation hopes…

Posted by: Victoria51 | December 10, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am

Hint to “democratfever”: It’s not his skin color, it’s his Marxist ideology. Try the race card eslewhere.

Posted by: sfcmac | December 10, 2008, 11:23 am 11:23 am

This relationship, their working together on various campaigns, Obama serving as an advisor, etc., is much deeper than what I’ve read elsewhere. Other “journalists” are going out of their way to stress that Obama and this crook were “not close” and “operated in different circles”. What a joke the news has become. Thanks for digging a bit more in a balanced way.
Obama’s parsed comments are a bit too calculated, as is Axelrod’s apparent (and sudden) lack of knowledge of his candidate’s actions. For a campaign so tightly run, I find it hard to believe Axelrod “misspoke”.

Posted by: FO | December 10, 2008, 11:25 am 11:25 am

Fitz got Scooter Libby in attempt to get Cheney for publicly sending a shot across the bow of the CIA. It’s painfully clear what happened in that whole exchange and Fitzgerald was completely reasonable in everything he did.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 11:26 am 11:26 am

Oh How I Long for the days to hear comments like “I misspoke”, “I didn’t (have sex ‘opps…I mean) have any conversations with Gov. Blagojevich (D)concerning the matter.
Oh Yeah…that’s rich.
Hey Chris Mathews (D), you said in an interview “We…I mean the media…will do everything possible to support this incoming President (D), everything”. HEY Mathews (D), did you mean even covering up crime??? Did you know your covering up would need to start before Jan. 20 “09″??? hahaha
Of course you did…with all the mind numb idiots going to the voter booth these days (that actually count on the media coverage…that is) you will surely get away with it…for a while (the frogs at my office are starting to feel the heat of the water from the pot their sitting in).
After all, if the media needs our tax dollars to bail them out after writing editorials for actual news leaning left for decades AND finding many of those who actually read, do not want to buy a bias newspaper or listen to a bias news program…Well…what better party to bail you out with our tax dollars then the Dems…after all you in the liberal media have most certainly been covering up for the Dems for a long time. Just ask the man on the street with a New York Times paper (D)…who is the Leader of the house and senate at this time???
I want everyone reading this blog entry to sit back in their seats, get comfortable and imagine…Now…think about Gov. Blagojevich (D) yelling at everyone about how he needs to make money selling a US Senate seat…can you see it…think hard…try to imagine him talking about having a reporter removed from the Chicago Tribune (D)for writing a not so flattering story about him and if they don’t comply, well, their not going to get any monetary help from this Governor…try to imagine your self being there…can you see him discussing all sorts of disturbing corruption and it’s being recorded…can you see him, OK…Now…imagine he’s a Republican.
“WAKE THE HELL UP AMERICA”

Posted by: Carol V | December 10, 2008, 11:27 am 11:27 am

Is anyone really surprised by all of this. I tried to keep an open mind to obama, listened to his plans, began to feel hopeful, now this…give me a break. This is not the change i had hoped for. Its politics as usual with this fraud. Couldnt trust bush but at least he was in office before things fell apart. I cant wait to here the president elect studder his way through this.

Posted by: boozebuster | December 10, 2008, 11:28 am 11:28 am

I can’t believe how many gullible people fell for the Obama CHANGE machine. Can you imagine any positive change coming out of the Chicago political machine? But people just don’t seem to care when it comes to Obama. He is eqivalent to Jesus to most of his supporters and they will just ignore any negatives about Obama. He has a checkered past with associations with terrorists and anti-American radicals and ministers, his huge but highly suspicious campaign finance machine will not be audited, even though there are millions in questionable contributions, he does not have to present a valid birth certificate even though witnesses place his birth in Kenya (just let an independent judge see the original document that is all it would take to clear up any questions), if he promises one thing and does another or says one thing and then denies it no one cares.
I have never seen anything like in except in some third world countries. Even the press won’t investigate him and in fact most national news reporters act are actively supporting him. It is just weird.

Posted by: nancysabet | December 10, 2008, 11:30 am 11:30 am

“Is anyone really surprised by all of this. I tried to keep an open mind to obama, listened to his plans, began to feel hopeful, now this…give me a break.”
What is it that you need a break about? OBAMA IS NOT BEING IMPLICATED IN ANY WAY. If anything, it’s the other way around. Blago is on a wire tap saying that Obama would not play ball. How many times does that need to be repeated?

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 11:33 am 11:33 am

If folks read the story instead of just a headline, they would realize that the Governor was ###### because nobody in the Obama camp wanted to provide anything other than appreciation for taking a recommendation from them. Then you would realize that it is OK for the country,

Posted by: colin.brown | December 10, 2008, 11:34 am 11:34 am

“Some of you just will never be able accept that an African American is President of the United States
————-
The only people I ever even see bring up the guys race are his people. you are simply trying to make people who have a different position then you do racist because you think it’s the best way to win a debate.
“You need to concentrate on fixing a broken party that only appeals to the Red Necks of the south and a few Mountain states”
——————————–
Yea, maybe the republicans should get someone who will agree with the dems on many issues and will sell his position on issues so they can be more electable, oh wait, that’s what they just did. I am not a member of either party, but make no mistake, We had 2 different types of Dems running for pres. this election. I think the RNC should probably get back to policies that got Reagan 49 out of 50 states in 84′.

Posted by: none of the above | December 10, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am

hey JAY-
Perhaps you missed the rest of the laundry list of corruption associated with the respectable governor.
figure out the context of the comment…

Posted by: kmaret | December 10, 2008, 11:43 am 11:43 am

I thought Obama said that he never discussed the Senate seat with Blago.

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 11:45 am 11:45 am

We’ll know soon enough if BARRY was on those phone conversations. If BARRY suddenly comes cleans with the realization that his birth certificate is bogus and he was born in MECCA like we suspect, he’ll have to bow out.

Posted by: killerbee | December 10, 2008, 11:48 am 11:48 am

“I thought Obama said that he never discussed the Senate seat with Blago.
There is nothing in that article that says that Obama talked to Blago. Secondly, WHO CARES? Blago is on record saying that Obama won’t play ball. Everything else is noise, so stop polluting the dialogue with nonsense.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 11:49 am 11:49 am

CJ,
We pay most of the taxes in this country whether you want to believe it or not..We don’t rely on unions, welfare, press, programs, government, or party labels. Most of the wealth in this country comes from business owners and entrepreneurs. They are a majority Republicans. We pay the MOST OF THE TAXES. Deal with it! It’s called hard work and brains. You wouldn’t be a Democrat unless you wanted or needed something, and get over the Bush bashing. As if that’s do me any harm. I still have high paying job and I don’t need to be a phony like you to do earn my money. Bush was never a true conservative Republican because he tried to reach across the aisle and appease you, not to mention no help from the Democrats.

Posted by: Reggie | December 10, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am

“We’ll know soon enough if BARRY was on those phone conversations. If BARRY suddenly comes cleans with the realization that his birth certificate is bogus and he was born in MECCA like we suspect, he’ll have to bow out.”
You’re a little late to the party. The State of Hawaii has confirmed that they HAVE HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND HE WAS BORN IN HAWAII. Do I need to repeat that? Look it up.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am

You guys in the main-stream media that have lied to us for so long about your Messiah Obama, are going to try and protect your guy again, no matter what.
But we do not believe you anymore. This Obama guy is and was up to his neck in Chicago and Springfield corruption politics. It is the nature of the beast, politics in the democrat and union thug controlled Chicago and Springfield has always been as corrupt and Capone. Obama grew up in this life style, and he is as guilty as sin. itself.

Posted by: walter12 | December 10, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am

Anybody can “say” a birth certificate exists…WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH ACTUALLY PRODUCING IT???!!!!!

Posted by: Victoria51 | December 10, 2008, 11:58 am 11:58 am

“We’ll know soon enough if BARRY was on those phone conversations. If BARRY suddenly comes cleans with the realization that his birth certificate is bogus and he was born in MECCA like we suspect, he’ll have to bow out.”
You’re a little late to the party. The State of Hawaii has confirmed that they HAVE HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND HE WAS BORN IN HAWAII. Do I need to repeat that? Look it up.
________________________________
The state of Hawaii didn’t say that Obama was born there. They only said that they have seen Obama’s birth certificate and have followed procedures(doesn’t mean that he was born there). It’s a good thing that YOU are not a lawyer.
Here is what the state of Hawaii said.
Therefore, I as Director of Health for the State of Hawai’i, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawai’i State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures.”

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

Silky
Face it. Your man is a smooth-talking phoney…….So everyone around him have been rolling around in mud for year but he is somehow clean??
He sat in a racist, anti-Semetic, anti-American church for 20 years and never said a word.
He had a political coming out party in bill ayers living room (I would not be 50 feet within ayers or his house).
His wife is still looking for a reason to be proud of America.
He bought his house that he could not afford without the help of a corrupt criminal.
He would never have gotten so far if not for the liberal-bias media’s rose-colored coverage of him.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

Reggie,
You are almost too delusional to be real. You honestly think all well paid hard-working people are republicans?????
HAHAHA….
I’m not too thrilled with the Democratic party but the Republicans have gone completely wing-nut in my opinion.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

“You wouldn’t be a Democrat unless you wanted or needed something,”
Your brain is broken. The people looking for handouts don’t vote. Dems are compassionate people, who believe in looking out for their fellow Americans. Dems are known for tax INCREASES, you fool.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 12:09 pm 12:09 pm

MJ: Also helplessly hanging on to delusions….
Obama’s a citizen, get over it.

Posted by: Mark | December 10, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

Silky
I am shocked that you, as a liberal, said that the idea of America is great. Whenever I hear any lib compliment America it almost knocks me over. That being said, you immediately followed your compliment with “but that idea has born many flaws”.
This is my favorite part of liberals arguments against America.. They love to look at communism, socialism as producing some good for the world. Hey, everything was equal, right??
Somehow, all of these “open-minded” liberals miss the fact that over an estimated 100 million people have been murdered in the last century by communism/socialism. They never seem to say that communism/socialism has “born many flaws”.
Liberals are socialists. Always have been, always will be.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

If you are going to post it – make sure it is accurate -
You’re a little late to the party. The State of Hawaii has confirmed that they HAVE HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND HE WAS BORN IN HAWAII. Do I need to repeat that? Look it up. (This is accurate)
________________________________
This is not accurate – The state of Hawaii didn’t say that Obama was born there. They only said that they have seen Obama’s birth certificate and have followed procedures(doesn’t mean that he was born there). It’s a good thing that YOU are not a lawyer.
Here is what the state of Hawaii said.
Therefore, I as Director of Health for the State of Hawai’i, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawai’i State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures.”
The part that this poster left our was that they CLEARLY STATED that a review of the original birth certificate stated he was born in HONOLULU and that both parents had HONOLULU addresses.
Give it up.

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

‘Let the record show that it was George W. Bush, the rich Texas Republican, who brought socialism to America, so don’t blame it on that African-American Chicago Democrat community organizer who made it into the White House. The government takeover of the banking and automobile industries not only happened on President Bush’s watch, it was also the deregulatory mania of this president’s family, beginning with his father, which took this country into such starkly unfamiliar territory.
What a betrayal of free-market capitalism. And who would have thought that it would be the candidates backed by conservative pundits Bill O’Reilly and Rush Limbaugh who made it possible? You actually could trace the destruction of corporate capitalism to the much-ballyhooed “Reagan Revolution” of the movie actor who got his main training for the presidency as a huckster for General Electric, where he honed the message of “getting government off our backs.” The revolution of unfettered corporate capitalism led to an era of unfettered corporate greed, which sowed the seeds of its own destruction.
True, the Democrats deserve much blame. The Wall Street runaway wouldn’t have happened if President Bill Clinton hadn’t cheered it on. The Great Triangulator provided seamless continuity between the administrations of the two Bushes in systematically dismantling the proven regulatory system,……’

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

MJ: Also helplessly hanging on to delusions….
Obama’s a citizen, get over it.
________________________
Obama is not a citizen…that is why he is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight the many lawsuits against him. Why not just produce the vault copy of his BC and be done with it? He will never be taken as a legit President, only to his diehard followers. I know people who voted for him and are saying that he is hiding something about his BC and the media should have reported this before the election.

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

Silky
Do you know that the avg liberal household makes 6% more then the avg conservative household. However, the avg conservative household gives 30% more to charity. These are gov’t stats, not mine. Look at Biden “higher taxes=higher patriotism”. The man has made $2.5 million in the last 10 years and given $3,000 to charity. That is like .001%, which is ridiculous. Al gore’s #’s are the same as Biden’s in proportion.
Typical liberals… always generous with everyone else’s $$$.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm

I have lost my faith in the media. The media is so desperate to sale news, they will twist the truth and connect it to an innocent person without clear evidence of wrong doing. If the FBI has information on Blagojevich and Obama, let them present their case and let the evidence speak for it self. As Americans, we are so opinionated that we rush in and make judgement on individuals without having all the facts. With the Bush administration we had double standards, one for them and one for the poor. Readers, don’t trust every thing you read or see from the media. People are not guilty by association. Write about how President Bush II has mislead the American people, or is it that this doesn’t provide you with enough gossip.

Posted by: Mary Y | December 10, 2008, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm

The part that this poster left our was that they CLEARLY STATED that a review of the original birth certificate stated he was born in HONOLULU and that both parents had HONOLULU addresses.
Give it up.
____________________________
Link please.

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm

Look folks, ALL politicians are crooked. It doesn’t matter if they’re D’s or R’s, they all eventually sucumb to power. Obama is no different.

Posted by: Odrp | December 10, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

“Obama is not a citizen”
No, really, he is. He’s also the President-elect of the United States. It’s time to put away the tin foil hat and come on back down to reality.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

Obama says this is not the Blago he knew. Didn’t he also say that about Rev. Wright? Yeah, I beleive that. He needs a new line, this one is getting worn out.

Posted by: junebug | December 10, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

“It has been posted over a dozen times and keeps being deleted”
They’re not deleting it because of the content, they’re deleting it because they don’t want links on their site. It’s a common practice.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm

There is nothing in that article that says that Obama talked to Blago. Secondly, WHO CARES? Blago is on record saying that Obama won’t play bali>
This time, at least. Blago and Obama have worked closely together for a decade. According to Wikipedia (I know, I know) Obama was one of the top strategists for Blago’s 2002 gubernatorial campaign, and met weekly to outline campaign strategies. Furthermore, Obama endorsed Blago – twice. So presumably they know each other, i.e., Blago is not just another “guy in the neighborhood.”
So why did Blago think Obama
might play ball?

Posted by: Occam's Beard | December 10, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

In the UK where she is just about remembered as a social climber, we call her Arianna Huffington-Puffington

Posted by: rustler | December 10, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

Of course Obama didn’t have contact with Blago – his assistants did. So, he may have spoke correctly(?), but he is still covering up the obvious lie. Did we expect any different? For all those who voted for Obama, you can honestly say about all the corruption you have unleashed onto the US is “Yes I did!”. Congratulations. I’m sure he’ll make you proud.

Posted by: Dan | December 10, 2008, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm

Fyi…church donations are not “giving to charity.” And where’s the link for you data, anyway?
“Somehow, all of these “open-minded” liberals miss the fact that over an estimated 100 million people have been murdered in the last century by communism/socialism. They never seem to say that communism/socialism has “born many flaws”.”
lofl! Uh…okay. Because I sure do looooooove mass murder. Sorry, if I figured that went without saying. I live here, I’m a capitalist. Being okay with tweaking taxes a bit here and there does not make one socialist or communist. Get a grip.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

Posted by: TruthBeTold | December 10, 2008, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

To BOisaliar:
Are you aware that 22 of the top 25 states that received more federal dollars in aid than they paid tax money into are RED states? The ones that always rail against welfare mothers and do-nothing libruls are the very ones who receive up to $2.15 in aid for every dollar put in? Look it up…GAO website’s a good start. As for Obama only donating $3,000, we’ll need a citation on that one…just where did you get that info from? (Hint: no using right-wing blogs.)

Posted by: gimmeabreak | December 10, 2008, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm

Whoowhee – those boys up there in Chicago are all linked together like sausges – and as full of it as well.
And Axelrod didnt “misspeak” – he has all the talking points from the Obama campaign, esp Emmanuel.
Trust me, a blade of grass doesnt grow up there in the Windy City without permission from Mr. Emmanuel and those others who put Obama in office. They’ve protected their Golden Child, but their hands are dirtier than LBJ’s OR Nixon’s minions ever thought about being!!!

Posted by: DeeGeeGirl | December 10, 2008, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

I would sincerely hope that the Major News Outlets – Print, On-Line, & On-Air would not accept these patently FALSE denials by the Obama camp of “No Contact”,
especially given the long-standing History of Obama’s support for Gov. Blag.
Obama has provided Cash, support & staff to assist Gov Blag over the years.
This in No wise suggests that the Obama camp did anything untoward save for the denials & attempts to separate & cover-up the vast Obama Network of Contacts to Gov Blag.

Posted by: Larry Coan | December 10, 2008, 12:40 pm 12:40 pm

It really matters not whether these politicians/crooks (one in the same, mind you) are Republican or Democrat. In the final analysis WE have ourselves to blame for tolerating ANY LEVEL of lies and corruption. It is through the selfish enabling of this group of banker backed people that ALL OF US will find ourselves betrayed fully in the coming few months and years.

Posted by: RoninMaximus | December 10, 2008, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm

Don’t Blagojevich looks like the midget on Fantasy Island “the plane, the plane”? lol

Posted by: sisterdearest09 | December 10, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

Hey gimmeabreak, nice to see you using the age-old liberal mechanism of exploiting statistics. Those red states are where the population density is much lower, thus slanting your statistics as you need them for your argument.

Posted by: gimmeabreakcake | December 10, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

“Are you aware that 22 of the top 25 states that received more federal dollars in aid than they paid tax money into are RED states?”
That statement is meaningless. Just because the state receives funds doesn’t meant he majority agrees with it. In fact, as you are pointing out, the majority doesn’t want the money because they don’t believe in welfare. It’s the strong minority, who are probably repulsive to the majority, who are wasting the resources.

Posted by: Reply to MisterMoney | December 10, 2008, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

Truth according to today is the image of television. Obama did know of the connection to the Illinois governor scandel of 2008 replacing Obama’s old senate seat to the highest bidder

Posted by: Roger H Frost | December 10, 2008, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN LET HIM CAST THE FIRST STONE.This issue has gone from the gov. to the pres.-elect. Where is the christainity in dealing with this doubt issue. If there is disbelief in our president elect then get down on your knees and pray and fast for things to be as God wants them to be. We can speculate about things but God knows everything,our every thought and deed. People stop being so negative and pray for things to be done deciently and in order, as God wants them to be. We are in this negative space because we do not do as God wants us to do. GOD CAN FIX ALL BAD THINGS, IF WE ONLY BELIEVE.

Posted by: christian | December 10, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

Is this really any different then Barack Obama getting real estate deals on falsely appraised property with Rezko? How about Michelle Obama and her hospital that received a million dollars of Fereal funds? Or sitting on the Board for a company and receiving large salaries. Are people really stupid enough to believe Obama is clean? Probably they elected the guy dirty as he is!

Posted by: Tami Gannon | December 10, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

If Obama did not “know” of all of these crooked Chicago politicians, then he is too stupid or naive to be president. It is fr…kn Chicago. The only way up the power ladder in Chicago is to be a slime bag. Yes, Obama kook-aid drinkers, your man is a complete fraud and this country will pay for it. I am sure your mortgage will still be due on 2-1-09

Posted by: armyscott | December 10, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

Roger H Frost – who is your source for your comment “Barack Obama did know about plan to sell his seat” and I do not want a blogger – I have looked everywhere and find nothing or no-one that states Barack Obama knew about Gov Il plans to sell his seat

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

gimmeabreak
You have no argument here. Conservatives are FAR more generous with their $$$ than liberals. Please check gov’t statistics from 2004 where the gov’t compared the red and blue states charitbable contributions.
Take my parents for example. They give 12% to charity every year and have for the last 20 years or so. They just get agitated when people in the gov’t, like gore or biden, tell them to pay higher taxes to help those in need, when gore and biden give less than 1/2% or their millions to charity.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

T-Sip from Texas says: PREPARE TO BE UTTLERLY DISAPPOINTED, starting of course in varying degrees. The annunciation of the IL Gov’s ramblings is only the acknowledgement of HOW GOVERNMENT REALLY WORKS. Rod boy was just a little on the + side of thuggish for the “taste of the powers that be”, and they needed to show they are still “lawful and in command”, as well as making an example of someone. (Rod appears to be a perfect candidate, don’t you think?) The underlying ancilliary benefit for the “powers that be” is the redirection of the unwashed masses attention. While “we” lament about “this sad corruption event”, they continue to steal our money for their friends (GMC, Freddie, foreign entities, Brokerages-et al) and deploy in excess of 20,000 combat ready troops here at home to “protect us from a nuclear attack”. You know, when I have trouble sleeping at night I just count sheep. I’m up to about 200 MILLION, and they all live in the USA. You fools should be ashamed of yourselves. Ya’ll go friendly now, ya’ hear?

Posted by: Allsurf | December 10, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

If Democrats couldn’t get Bush out of office in 8 years then Republicans have no chance of getting Obama out of office. The President doesn’t do any of these things directly so there will always be a guy ready to fall on the sword and take the blame in situations like this.
Obama appears to have such high morals, but Blago is obviously shocked and furious at Obama for not going along with this plan. My only question for Obama is, why would Blago expect you to play ball here? You have supported eachothers campaigns multiple times in the past. What has Blago done for you that he would expect a favor in return?
Keep in mind the politicians we see being arrested are just the ones that get caught and there is enough evidence to convict them. I’m sure that is just the tip of the iceberg. Government corruption is widespread to varying degrees. The whole, I’ll do you this favor, but now you owe me, way of thinking. Its disgusting to be honest. And both side, Republicans and Democrats alike, are both responsible for it. Even more disgusting are the people loyal to their party who rationalize their parties corruption by saying the other party is more corrupt. Being the lesser of two evils does not make you a saint. Everybody needs some deep self reflection before they try and point the finger elsewhere.
And these politicians are not just a few bad apples. It is the whole current political system that is the problem. This is how things work currently and that is not ok. It is unacceptable and we, the people, must do something. With all the loot the government is currently handing out this problem is only going to get worse. Luckily, it is not too late to make some real changes. I would strongly urge everybody to take a few hours and read RON PAUL’S book, then really think about it for a while and re-examine this current scandal. Who and What is really to blame here?

Posted by: Time for a Ron Paul REVOLUTION | December 10, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

When a Democrat does something illegal, the Dems cry “Put him in Jail!”, BUT when a Republican does something illeagal, the Repugs whisper “Lets hire him for another 4 years.” Bush lied through is teeth, through his nose and ears, constant red lies that everyone can see through, yet the Repugs elected him for another 4 years. Have you guys forgotten that?

Posted by: Louis4Louis | December 10, 2008, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

It seems people are not worthy to hold any elective office!!!!
This is a real low to both the Republican and Democratic Party!!
Can’t trust ANYBODY TO DO THE RIGHT THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!
POLITICS IN AMERICA IS TAINTED FOREVER!!

Posted by: sisterdearest09 | December 10, 2008, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

talk about corrupt and ineffective government:
George W. Bush, 2001-2008:
• 45 million Americans without health care
• 60 percent of EPA scientists report political interference with their work
• 1,273 whistleblower complaints filed from 2002-2008; 1,256 were dismissed
• 190,000 U.S.-supplied weapons missing in Iraq
• $212.3 million in overcharges by Halliburton for Iraq oil reconstruction work
• $455 billion deficit for fiscal year 2008; estimated to reach up to $1 trillion in 2009
• $9.91 billion for government secrecy in 2007 — a record
• 809 government laptops with sensitive information lost by FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
• 30 million pounds of beef recalled in 2007
• $300 billion over budget for Department of Defense weapons acquisitions
• Less than 3 percent of U.S. electricity needs met by alternative energy
• 2,145 troops killed and 21,000 injured in Iraq from March 2003 through November 1, 2008, by IEDs (improvised explosive devices) and other explosives — many while awaiting body armor. Additionally, tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed in the conflict
• 34.8 percent of oil used in America imported during Nixon administration; 42.2 percent during first Gulf War; 59.9 percent in 2006
• $100 million for failed FBI computer network
• $100 billion in federal tax revenues lost annually to corporations using off-shore tax shelters
• 163 million airline passengers delayed 320 million hours; cost to U.S. economy: more than $41 billion in 2007
• $60 billion stolen in Medicare fraud each year
• 2.5 million toxic toys recalled in summer of 2007
• $12.5 billion for defective National Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellite System
• $4 billion to upgrade National Security Agency computers that often crash, have trouble talking to each other, and lose key intelligence
• 60,000 flights made by 46 Southwest Airline jets in violation of FAA safety directives due to lax FAA enforcement
• 12.8 percent job turnover at Department of Homeland Security in 2006 — double that of any other cabinet-level agency
• 730,000 backlogged patent applications
• 148,000 troops not enough to secure Iraq, enabling insurgency to take root
• $1 billion, six-year “Reading First” program called ineffective by Department of Education Inspector General
• 20,000 U.S. deaths annually from lack of pollution controls on diesel vehicles and power plants
• 60,000 newborns a year at risk for neurological problems due to mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants
• Two-thirds fewer clean ups of EPA Superfund toxic waste sites during 2001-2006 than in previous six years
• 935 demonstrably false statements in lead-up to Iraq war by President Bush and seven members of his administration
• At least $500 million for FEMA trailers contaminated by formaldehyde occupied by thousands displaced after Hurricane Katrina
• 558 detainees at Guantanamo detention facility reduced to 255 after court-ordered case reviews
• 26 percent of corporations holding at least $250 million in assets audited in 2006; percent audited in 1990: more than 70 percent. IRS audit staff slashed by 30 percent
• $431.5 billion spent on Medicare in 2007, double amount in 2001
• 47 dead in mining accidents in 2006 blamed on lax oversight
• $9 billion in federal oil and gas royalties mismanaged by agency linked to drug-and-sex scandal
• 275 largest U.S. corporations pay, on average, about 17 percent in taxes in 2007, half the standard corporate tax rate
• $45 trillion in credit-default swaps, without federal oversight, in 2007
• 760,800 disability claims backlogged, awaiting hearings at Social Security Administration as of October 2008
• 806,000 Veterans Affairs disability claims in 2006, up 39 percent since 2000; backlog reached 400,000 claims by February 2007
• 2,640 days Osama bin Laden at large since September 11, 2001 (as of December 10, 2008)

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

Here is is in black and white – why is it so hard for you republicans and obama haters to get it.
There is nothing in the criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday to indicate that Mr. Obama knew anything about plans to seek money and favors in exchange for his Senate seat; he has never been implicated in any other “pay to play” cases that have emerged from the long-running investigation of the Blagojevich administration.
According to investigators they have over 100 tapes of recordings of IL Gov and neither Barack Obama or any member of his team are on any of them
END OF STORY

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

Silky,
The left has become the party that sympahtizes with terrorists, dictators, socialists, ect- basically anyone who badmouths the “evil America”.
Liberals are always popping up all over the globe showing their support for America’s enemies….
Just last year they had ahkmadenijead to speak at columbia while at the same time he was murdering US troops, denying the holocaust and excitedly telling people that he will begin another one.
Or how about Jane Fonda singing songs with the North Vietnamese troops (who later MURDERED 3,000,000 million people after America left because of idiodic protestors like her)
Sean Penn, Danny Glover, Susan Sarandon,Tim Robbbins hugging Chavez and calling him a “great leader.
Michael Moore illegally traveling to Cuba on a boat to show how great fidel is, (but he somehow forgot to mention the 1,000′s of cuban bodies he surely saw on the way floating in the ocean who failed trying to escape from fidel’s wonderful world)
Jimmy carter chilling with Hamas just a year ago.
I could more but i would be here all day..
These people should be tarred and feathered for being the traitors that they are.

Posted by: BOisafraud | December 10, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm

CJ
you left out Bush, Cheney, Wolfewitz, Rumsfeld, et al in your traitors list….. so typical

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

There are a few more questions that need to be answered. How long has the JD/FBI been investigating Blago**? Was news of the investigation and pending charges (other than trying to sell a senate seat) suppressed prior to the election to keep from embarrassing Obama?

Posted by: Okiejimz | December 10, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

sorry CJ.. I meant BOisafraud

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm

“These people should be tarred and feathered for being the traitors that they are.”
First of all, I couldn’t care less what those people are doing. They don’t speak for me. Secondly, spare me the melodrama. These are not “traitors.” They’re simply people questioning authority and looking to hear both sides. The President took us into war under false pretenses…that’s going to upset some people. And for good reason.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

Blago is covering for Obama. That is the only explanation for his stupid comments on tape. He knew he was going down and had to sever ties to save Obama. I wonder what deal was struck.
Rangel, Jefferson, Daley, Stroger, and Jones…………

Posted by: DemocratNoLonger | December 10, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm

Of course there is noting mentioned in the criminal complaint about Obama. This is how Washington works. They intercepted 1000′s of calls. Do you really think that not one person connected to Obama was intercepted? So they call up Obama, tell him what they have, and tell him to play ball or they release what they have. Game, set, match. They now own him. And everybody has wondered why he suddenly started shifting to the Right the last few weeks! GET A CLUE PEOPLE. They now own him.

Posted by: Rick | December 10, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

The part that this poster left our was that they CLEARLY STATED that a review of the original birth certificate stated he was born in HONOLULU and that both parents had HONOLULU addresses.
Give it up.
____________________________
Link please.
_______________
Hey CJ,
I am still waiting for that link.

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

Hey, Jay: All of your crap about the “‘clean” negro’” proves you are not someone with whom rational people want to associate. What’s your ethnicity? Surely you won’t mind if we throw slurs at you, right?
Posted by: Paul in NJ
**************************
There are more, plenty, many white crooks that have raped and ripped this country apart starting from Christopher Columbus to George W. Bush!!!!
The “Clean Negro” did not create or invent dirty politics!!
Do I need to say more???

Posted by: sisterdearest09 | December 10, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

PROVEN FACT – ONE MORE THING FOR THE RECORD – Does this actually sound like he was involved when he helped to pass the very bill that got the Gov busted.
Mr. Obama used leverage that he had seldom employed — publicly, anyway — and strongly urged Mr. Jones to bypass Mr. Blagojevich and approve the ethics bill, banning the so-called pay-for-play system of influence peddling in Illinois.
When the Illinois Senate passed the measure by 55 to 0 on Sept. 22, with Mr. Jones reversing his position, Mr. Obama praised the move as one creating “a tougher ethics law that will reduce the influence of money over our state’s political process.” Mr. Obama’s intervention deepened a rift between him and Mr. Blagojevich that had been growing for some time.
The criminal complaint unsealed Tuesday underscored the acrimony between the two men. Recorded telephone calls showed Mr. Blagojevich being far less than respectful when discussing the president-elect and voicing frustration at his inability to advance beyond the governor’s office.
Meanwhile, Mr. Blagojevich was busily trying to shake loose up to $2.5 million in campaign donations, much of it from contributors with business before the state, according to federal prosecutors. The governor’s goal was to bring in the money before the end of the year, the complaint said, “before a new state ethics law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2009.” a LAW THAT BARACK OBAMA HELPED TO GET PASSED!
Barack Obama dared to use his influence to get tighter ethics rules to prevent people like the IL Governor of using their positions for personal gain.
Oh My Gosh – what are we republicans to do about this? It has been proven that Barack Obama actually has morals, values and ethics, so let’s try to make him out to be a corrupt politician and continue to demonize him – and let’s keep throwing the BS and hope something sticks – that is the republican way.

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

“Because he took out a murdering tyrant (murdered 700,000 of his own people with CHEMICAL weapons)?”
Saddam probably killed more than that over the time of his rule. But the chemicals weapons attacks on the Kurds happened in the late 80′s. Many of the disappearances happened as he began to assert power and later to punish the Shia who rose up against him during the 1st gulf war.
The human rights angle from Bush defenders is BS.
Iraqi human rights didn’t mean anything until post 9/11.
“Or because saddam refused again and again to cooperate with weapons inspectors??”
Weapons inspectors were on the ground doing their job and finding nothing, Bush invaded anyway.
“You know just because ABC or CNN refuses to report that we found mustard gas and piles of uranium cakes, does not mean they didn’t exist.”
Useless mustard gas shells from 20 years ago and old uranium cake.
That was the deadly threat of WMD from Iraq.
100,000 Iraqis and 4000 Americans paid for that lie with their lives.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

All these lying thieves are going to take each other out. We don’t have a thing to worry about, except that some 67 million ignorant slobs elected Obama president. Oh, well. It’ll be fun to watch. Hey, maybe Nancy Pelosi will be president for a while. Now, that is something to look forward to.

Posted by: William | December 10, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

YOU KNOW EVERYTIME SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING IN HUSSEIN OBAMA’S INNER CIRCLE… AND THEY DON;T LIKE WHAT THAT PERSON SAID… THEY SAY HE/SHE MISSPOKE…HE SURE HAS A BUCNH OF FRCIKIN DUMMIES WORKING FOR HIM…HUSSEIN OBAMA IS LYING DOES HE REALLY THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE THAT STUPID…

Posted by: linda | December 10, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

YOU KNOW EVERYTIME SOMEONE SAYS SOMETHING IN HUSSEIN OBAMA’S INNER CIRCLE… AND THEY DON;T LIKE WHAT THAT PERSON SAID… THEY SAY HE/SHE MISSPOKE…HE SURE HAS A BUCNH OF FRCIKIN DUMMIES WORKING FOR HIM…HUSSEIN OBAMA IS LYING DOES HE REALLY THINK THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE THAT STUPID…

Posted by: linda | December 10, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

Oh no CJ. It is not the end of story. You libs are lower than Whale dung for the way you treated the Office of the President under Bush. Now you want conservatives to kiss the Messiahs feet. Ain’t happening. We are going to use the Moonbat playbook and all the low tricks you people used on Bush on your clueless Liberal King of BS.

Posted by: Demented | December 10, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

“that is why he is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to fight the many lawsuits against him.”
How in the world would you know what Obama has spent on lawyers?
I know right wingers love to pass this lie around and call it fact but let’s hear of a source.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm

Politicians of the same political party endorsed each other over the years? What a scoop!
Obama did nothing wrong and has as much connection to Blago as Jake Tapper. Tapper has made phonecalls to the governor’s office and witnesses have seen him looking up information on him. There may even be reason to believe they’ve met!

Posted by: markg8 | December 10, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

What would BO say if Michelle came out as being corrupt? Do you think he would say something like….
“I uuuuhhhh I uuuhhhhh I had no uuuh idea what she uuh was doing uuhhh I uuuuhhh Michelle who uuuh,change! change!?”

Posted by: dave | December 10, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

The media will cover for Obama no matter what. It’s a waste of time to talk about it or request he be investigated. SO MANY have asked that that Obama open his birth records & school records, but even the courts say he doesn’t have to. Even his own gramma said he was born in Kenya & she was there to witness his birth.
Don’t you get it? They all have been bought, as crooks buy there way out of everything. Obama took rise through the Chicago Political Machine. Politicians in Chicago must play ball or they go nowhere! Look at his associates in Chicago! Need I Say More?
Oh that’s right…He doesn’t know them or anything about them! HOW CONVENIENT! But he gets away with saying that without question, because he has the media & so many others in his pocket.
We no longer live in the AMERICA we once knew… We are under the control of this Marxist already!

Posted by: this1 | December 10, 2008, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm

“Wow, trapper really brings out the paranoid conspiracy theorists here, maybe because he is one of them.”
Blame Drudge who wanted the inflammatory headline.
On this article there are over 1200 comments.
Most of the time post election the comments after 20 to 30 spiking to maybe 100 depending on the topic.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2008, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm

Larry Coan wrote;
“I would sincerely hope that the Major News Outlets – Print, On-Line, & On-Air would not accept these patently FALSE denials by the Obama camp of “No Contact”,
especially given the long-standing History of Obama’s support for Gov. Blag.”
Larry I hate to sound like one my big sisters but, GROW UP!!!!!!!!
The media will cover up for the most part…you may have some Journalist with a moral compass but, they will ultimately be shot down with phrases like “What a DISTRACTION for the President elect (poor guy)”, “How dependable are statements from Gov. Blagojevich (D), he’ll probably LIE to implicate Obama just to drag him down”, or my personal favorite “It says in the transcript that Obama wouldn’t play ball, so he must not have had any dealings with Blagojevich”
Oh I’m not saying it’s going to easy for the media to ignore this one but, they covered up so much through the course of the election…WHY ON EARTH would you be surprised that they would not continue their OPERATION SHIELD OBAMA FROM HIS SHADY BACKGROUND AND THE SHADY CHARACTERS HE HAS DEALT WITH program.
See…not understanding the power the media truly has, is your first mistake…your second mistake, is trusting they’ll do the right thing.
Hey is anyone is Vegas taking odds on how long it will be before the media tries to crucify U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Well on second thought they will probably leave him alone…after all they didn’t bother him when he was going after Scooter Libby…HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Posted by: Carol V | December 10, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

Good thing this is not a Republican scandal. If so, Obama would have to resign before he was even inaugurated.

Posted by: hunter | December 10, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

To BLUE: I love your post. It just shows a little of the depth of your political illiteracy. Made me laugh, really loud. I don’t know what you do or who you are, but I’m am sincerely heartened by your “list” and your obvious misunderstanding of it, not only as individual items, but the sum in whole. My guess is that you are a bureaucrat. C’mon Bubba, which agency do you work for? You know you want to say it Blue.
Texas T-Sip

Posted by: Allsurf | December 10, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

“Ryan C,
You probably don’t own a gun, by what your liberal pap indicates. Good thing, because if you did own one, you are so backward, you’d probably shoot yourself. Being 180 degrees off target will do that to you.”
Unlike Bush and Cheney, who just point blank shoot their people in the face.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm

BOisafraud
if you really don’t understand that Bush & Co. wanted to ‘get Saddam’ way before 9•11 and that they were going to invade no matter what, then, as the last part of your states…. you are a fraud.

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Ryan C,
You probably don’t own a gun, by what your liberal pap indicates. Good thing, because if you did own one, you are so backward, you’d probably shoot yourself. Being 180 degrees off target will do that to you.
Posted by: William | Dec 10, 2008 1:53:42 PM
________________________
lol!

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Here it is – go sit in the corner and cry – He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii
All you would need to do if you wanted to find the truth was type Hawaii verifys Obama born in Honolulu and all of the links are there.
The State of Hawaii certifed that Obama was born there (in Honolulu), and there’s a presumption of legitimacy of state records which cannot be overcome by Internet rumor.
While a Certificate of Live Birth is precisely such a legal certification, recently, the State of Hawaii went further with this additional verification by Department Of Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino:
“Therefore, I as Director of Health for the State of Hawaii, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures. No state official, including Governor Linda Lingle, has ever instructed that this vital record be handled in a manner different from any other vital record in the possession of the State of Hawaii,” Fukino said.

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

“What was said in yesterday’s news conference about the Illinois governor was that there is no indication at this time of involvement by O Bama and his campaign. AT THIS TIME.”
How does “at this time” change anything? There’s nothing. Get over it. If something comes up, it comes up. Until then, it’s just wishful thinking and you sound like fools implying that he’s guilty of something associated with this investigation. It’s been made clear from the first announcement that he’s clean in it.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

Did you see that the AP-Obama today published an article on all the really bad people Obama has had personal relationships with over his political career?
Funny how it only seems to be news to the AP-Obama.

Posted by: Tom P | December 10, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm

“Fitz got Scooter Libby on perjury for having a crappy memory and certainly created enough of a buzz that everyone thinks that Bush was guilty of revenge against Val and Joe so that the media bought it even though it was never proven.”
Isn’t it amazing that right wingers will believe that Obama has carefully orchestrated a Manuchurian candidacy to the extent of putting a borth announcement in the paper in 1961.
Yet when provided with facts that Valeria Plame was indeed undercover, did have her name revealed by a member of the Bush administration, they buy hook line and sinker the right wing line that nothing happened?

Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

When does HILLARY pull the plug and announce that due to all the corruption she will NOT take the Sec of State job and will begin her 2012 Presidential campaign? When does Bill Richardson grow back his beard and head back to New Mexico? THIS IS GONNA GET UGLY!

Posted by: killerbee | December 10, 2008, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm

Isn’t HILLARY from CHICAGO? Figures.

Posted by: killerbee | December 10, 2008, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm

Possibly you Democracts didn’t properly VET BARRY.

Posted by: killerbee | December 10, 2008, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

Here it is – go sit in the corner and cry – He was born in Honolulu, Hawaii
All you would need to do if you wanted to find the truth was type Hawaii verifys Obama born in Honolulu and all of the links are there.
The State of Hawaii certifed that Obama was born there (in Honolulu), and there’s a presumption of legitimacy of state records which cannot be overcome by Internet rumor.
While a Certificate of Live Birth is precisely such a legal certification, recently, the State of Hawaii went further with this additional verification by Department Of Health Director Dr. Chiyome Fukino:
“Therefore, I as Director of Health for the State of Hawaii, along with the Registrar of Vital Statistics who has statutory authority to oversee and maintain these type of vital records, have personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures. No state official, including Governor Linda Lingle, has ever instructed that this vital record be handled in a manner different from any other vital record in the possession of the State of Hawaii,” Fukino said.
__________________________________
Where does this say that he was born in Hawaii??? It says they have personally seen and verified that the Hawaii State Department of Health has Sen. Obama’s original birth certificate on record in accordance with state policies and procedures. They have his bc but they do not state that he was born in Hawaii.
Tell me why Obama won’t just show it and be done with it?

Posted by: mj | December 10, 2008, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm

“Where does this say that he was born in Hawaii?”
On his Certification of Birth that he posted that has been verified by several non partisan fact checking organizations and a contemporary birth announcement in an HI paper.

Posted by: Ryan C | December 10, 2008, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm

Apparently Obama met with Blago on Nov 5th! See article on Drudge!

Posted by: CLIFF | December 10, 2008, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

“Tell me why Obama won’t just show it and be done with it?”
Because he’s already satisfied the requirements to the satisfaction of the FEC and has more important things to do with his energy than address each and every tin foil hat offensive on him?

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

This is exactly the change we can believe in. If nothing else hopefully it opens the eyes of the “undecided” who voted for obama because he represented transparency and change from the unethical,lying bush administration. YOU FOOLS. It’s time to get the don’t blame me I voted for MCCAIN stickers going and Barry’s not even in the whitehouse.
I will bet 100% that he comes back and corrects his statement that he “never” talked to the gov about his old senate seat. If so everyone will say what a great guy he is for being honest. When in reality that may be the beginning of the end for his credibility. Can’t say I’m happy but I’m definitely not suprised.
Heck the way this is going all of obama’s buddies will be off the team and we’ll have clinton/bush administration # 5!

Posted by: jamaltimore | December 10, 2008, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

I have been thinking about this Chicago stuff.
The Gov. wasn’t mad because Obama wouldn’t offer him a bribe, he was mad because the Gov. wanted cash up front AS WELL AS the job. Obama’s bribe wasn’t BIG enough to satisfy the Gov so the Gov turned to ‘candidate 5’ (reputed to be Jesse Jackson, Jr) who increased the bid.
A bribe doesn’t have to be in ‘cash’ to be breaking the law. I think that Obama’s staff offered a bribe to the Gov (jobs in two years for he and his wife) but the Gov. thought that was not enough so he turned to candidate ‘five’ (supposed to be Jesse Jackson).
The tapes show the Gov. talking about how Obama wanted that woman to take over his seat in exchange for which Obama agreed to give the Gov and his wife certain jobs at the end of two years. That is a bribe, just not a ‘cash’ one.
The catch was that Obama said that he should finish out his Gov. term (for two years) and then Obama would pay him off with positions for him and his wife.
The Gov didn’t want to wait and didn’t like Obama’s bribe offer (not because Obama didn’t bribe) but because the bride Obama made was LOW.
I think that by the time they pull in David Axelrod or Immanuel the ‘offer’ to the Gov. from Obama will come out.
Offering someone something of ‘value’ in exchange for a political act is a bribe, even if Obama wanted to wait two years to deliver on the promise.
That is also why Obama when asked yesterday started to say ‘We’ and corrected himself by saying that “I” hadn’t talked to anyone. He knows that his staff had conversations about it with the Gov and his aid.
He talked to Axelrod and Axelrod talked to the Gov or the Gov’s chief of staff.
All of this is going to come out and leave Obama tarnished before he even starts his term (assuming that the Gov, his chief of staff, Jesse Jackson Jr, and the Obama folks that talked to the Gov don’t turn on Obama. In that case, Obama could be the one going to jail.
If true, Obama has more in common with Nixon than Kennedy.

Posted by: Meckcommish | December 10, 2008, 2:36 pm 2:36 pm

“Heck the way this is going all of obama’s buddies will be off the team and we’ll have clinton/bush administration # 5!”
Huh?

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm

ABC why did you pull the video of the comments by Axelrod?
On this web page.

Posted by: Areyou theSS | December 10, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm

“The Gov didn’t want to wait and didn’t like Obama’s bribe offer (not because Obama didn’t bribe) but because the bride Obama made was LOW.”
According to BLAGO’s own words on the wire tap, all Obama was willing to give him was “appreciation.”

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm

I don’t know if he’s been cleared entirely in regard to what some people are commenting but I don’t believe Obama ever participated in anything this grossly corrupt. That being said anybody with Obama’s credentials and rise to power is probably not going to be squeeky clean when you look at the dealings of his associates. Hopefully he is not connected. The last thing we need is more scandal in the white house.

Posted by: Taylor | December 10, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

I don’t know if he’s been cleared entirely in regard to what some people are commenting but I don’t believe Obama ever participated in anything this grossly corrupt. That being said anybody with Obama’s credentials and rise to power is probably not going to be squeeky clean when you look at the dealings of his associates. Hopefully he is not connected. The last thing we need is more scandal in the white house.

Posted by: Taylor | December 10, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

The State of Hawaii certifed that Obama was born there (in Honolulu), and there’s a presumption of legitimacy of state records which cannot be overcome by Internet.
For those that ask why he doesn’t just produce it – He has produced it, it was distributed before the primaries, long before McCain distributed his and the republicans and conspiracy theorists want you to believe their theory that it is a fake even though it has repeatedly been proven to be a legitimate, certified copy with the proper seals and authenticated (certifed) by the State of Hawaii as authentic. They are also claiming that the State of Hawaii, the Federal Government, etc. are all involved in the coverup as well as the August Hawaii newspapers from 1961 with his birth announcement and listing his parents residence as Honolulu Hawaii.
What these conspiracy theorists are wanting is his original vault copy (not a certified copy of the vault copy) so that their supposed experts can run tests on the original to verify it’s authenticity and in the process of testing it, possibly destroy the original vault copy..

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

All you libs voted for the scum ridden chicago political machine! Now DEAL WITH IT! You have no right to whine and bitch and moan! You get what you voted for dummy’s!

Posted by: Bill | December 10, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

It has been well known for some time that Rezko was talking to the feds, and it was about Gov Blago, not the President-Elect. If you listened to Fitzgerald’s news conference, Blago was furious that Obama would only offer his gratitude should his preferred candidate be selected. After that is when Blago started looking for bucks. Based on the evil words Blago said (made Jackson Sr sound nice), he ain’t no friend to the Prez, never was and never will be. As a matter of fact, based on this info, Blago ain’t nobody’s friend!!!

Posted by: NatFrankie | December 10, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

I am not suggesting that Obama hasn’t successfully steered clear of this mess, but I didn’t vote for him either. Why would anybody give the most prestigious and important job in the world to someone who basically never held a full time job. I was pretty offended that Obama never bothered to do his job as a US Senator and for me, that was a character issue. I didn’t need to know anything else.
Also, as a Chicagoan, I have never trusted any politician who says that everyone else engates in political practices that are wrong – but they alone stand for good government. In Chicago, that’s a joke, not a campaign slogan.

Posted by: Mary Ok | December 10, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm

I am not suggesting that Obama hasn’t successfully steered clear of this mess, but I didn’t vote for him either. Why would anybody give the most prestigious and important job in the world to someone who basically never held a full time job. I was pretty offended that Obama never bothered to do his job as a US Senator and for me, that was a character issue. I didn’t need to know anything else.
Also, as a Chicagoan, I have never trusted any politician who says that everyone else engates in political practices that are wrong – but they alone stand for good government. In Chicago, that’s a joke, not a campaign slogan.

Posted by: Mary Ok | December 10, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm

“What these conspiracy theorists are wanting is his original vault copy (not a certified copy of the vault copy) so that their supposed experts can run tests on the original to verify it’s authenticity and in the process of testing it, possibly destroy the original vault copy…”
I prefer tin-foil hatters.

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

Or, simply “foilers.”

Posted by: Silky | December 10, 2008, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm

What Obama meant to say was that he has had no contact with Blago about his former seat since his last contact with Blago about his former seat.
Kind of like “it depends on what the definition of is is”.

Posted by: Tim | December 10, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm

The tin foil hat comments here have given me a great idea. Many here claim to know the “truth” before Blago’s even been put on trial. Why bother with a trial? Save the time and ducats and send him directly to jail!
Given the accompanying eagerness to attribute “guilt by association,” we might as well send Obama to jail along with him! Problem solved. Next?

Posted by: Brooklyn Democrat | December 10, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm

Hundreds of real reporters nationwide have lost their jobs and ABC News employs somebody to advance a silly, unfounded narrative to stir up the whack jobs. Thus we enter the age of the Internet and the wisdom of the trolls.

Posted by: Renfield | December 10, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm

So, is Obama saying that this meeting never took place as scheduled on November 5th?

Posted by: cmugirl | December 10, 2008, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm

Jake:
here’s a programming suggestion, sort of a new reality show idea:
take about 20 folks from this blog and let ‘em loose for a 1/2 hour on prime time, you could moderate….. it would be the proverbial ‘laugh a minute’…. everyone would see how nutty the opinions were, and feel better about their own lives.. or maybe they would say that these bright individuals should be running the country…. you would be providing a public service.

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 3:18 pm 3:18 pm

jes’ kiddin’

Posted by: Blue | December 10, 2008, 3:21 pm 3:21 pm

I would like to see all Yale and Harvard graduates not be allowed to run for any State or Federal office. Both seem to be graduating thugs and liars.

Posted by: Dee | December 10, 2008, 3:27 pm 3:27 pm

just another example of obama’s poor character judgement. wright, ayers, add hot rod to the list.

Posted by: tom | December 10, 2008, 3:41 pm 3:41 pm

Everyone forgets there are wiretap and bugging tapes. Who said what to whom and when will all be played back at the trial in the middle of Obama’s first (and only) term. That’s why The One We Have Been Waiting For looked so ashen and shakey yesterday. He knows its just a matter of time before the reels start turning publicly.

Posted by: Surfscoter | December 10, 2008, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

Brooklyn Democrat,I really like your idea.Glad I left Brooklyn and moved upstate to Republican country

Posted by: Peter | December 10, 2008, 3:57 pm 3:57 pm

This is so much fun! Watching Obama try to distance himself from the scum that he supported and who supported him.
WHO IS JOHN GALT? If you cannot answer that question then please figure it out.

Posted by: John Galt in Colorado | December 10, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

No surprises here. Despite the hype, Obama is not the 21st century’s answer to Christ. This is Chicago politics at its best. Looking for an honest politician from there is like going to a brothel and expecting to get a virgin.
I really don’t care about it though. I’m more concerned about Obama’s policy. As my father-in-law once said about a candidate, “I know he’s a crook, but at least he’s a crook for us.”
Remember:
It’s the economy, stupid!

Posted by: DeBe | December 10, 2008, 4:03 pm 4:03 pm

Chicago politics…why did folks vote for Obama again?
Now we’re stuck for the next four years. Let’s make sure it’s only four.

Posted by: John | December 10, 2008, 4:25 pm 4:25 pm

All crinimals who work together don’t neccesarily like each other, as in all the movies and books you read and watch.
Usually they want their partners out so they could reach the top.
The FBI and the CIA should know that.
If Obama stayed away from all the corruption, why didn’t he try to get rid of the governor if he knew the Illinois people didn’t like him?
Why suddenly when the news comes out he calls for the Governor to step down as if he had never known? How is Obama going to protect this country if he never knows that the corruption with the Governor in Chicago was happening before it came out?

Posted by: amy | December 10, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

I watched Obama tell many lies that he later “revised” during the campaign and learned to be able to discern when he was lying.
Obama LIED when he said he had no contact with Blago or his office. Why?

Posted by: von der Recht | December 10, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

ednesday, December 10, 2008
Oh, So Obama Didn’t Discuss His Senate Seat With Blagojevich?
Do you swear to lie, obfuscate and talk
out of both sides of your mouth?
Barack Obama was quick to deny ever meeting with Rod Blagojevich to discuss his vacated Senate seat, yesterday, even quickly tossing David Axelrod under the bus.
Well, what do you know, thanks to a sharp-eyed commenter, we have this curious item dated November 8. In some circles, this is known as evidence.
QUINCY, IL — Now that Barack Obama will be moving to the White House, his seat in the U.S. Senate representing Illinois will have to be filled.
Obama met with Governor Rod Blagojevich earlier this week to discuss it. Illinois law states that the governor chooses that replacement. There’s already been speculation about his selection…from Congressman Jesse Jackson, Junior to Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth.
Hmmm.
So it appears Obama is lying. Does anyone in the media care to question him about this?
Uhhh, I doubt it.
Meanwhile, Obama has called on his good friend to resign. Way to get out ahead of the pack, Barry.
President-elect Barack Obama is calling for the Illinois governor to resign.
Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs says the president-elect agrees with other prominent politicians in Illinois and elsewhere that “under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois.”
He then signaled a series of hand gestures experts translated as “shut the hell up, whatever you do, and I’ll pardon you on my way out.”
In other developments, it’s reported Jesse Jackson Jr. was the one allegedly offering Blagojevich a bribe. Shocking, isn’t it?

Posted by: Frank | December 10, 2008, 4:40 pm 4:40 pm

Note that the Fox News video of Obama’s top aide admitting that Dear Leader-elect had conversations with Blago on SenateGate have been quashed and deleted.
History will show the American press went DOA in 2008 in falling on its sword for Mr. O-no. Hey, Chris Matthews–the country is now getting that same tingling feeling up its leg. Only this time, it’s from a hack to the knee.

Posted by: The Cone Of Silence | December 10, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Hey Frank – you stated
He then signaled a series of hand gestures experts translated as “shut the hell up, whatever you do, and I’ll pardon you on my way out.”
Who are your experts, Larry, Moe and Curly – you said it now back it up – Name the Experts – let’s see your proof

Posted by: CJ | December 10, 2008, 4:52 pm 4:52 pm

Obama’s cred: just like Sargeant Schultz(Hogan’s Heros”) “I know nothing”!

Posted by: allen | December 10, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Earlier today on Drudge, there was a link to the Tricity TV KOQA site posted. I was able to open the link that was dated 11/5/08 and posted by Carol Sowers entitled “Who will fill Obama’s seat? governor meeting with Obama today…” I was able to read the entire post. Unfortunately, I didn’t copy and paste the entire post then, because within 30 minutes when I tried to go back and access the link again – Guess what??
GONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kinda funny – Axelrod on tape, who now claims “misspeaking”, and Obama saying he never spoke with the governor?
Please stop insulting the public with lies.
Thank you

Posted by: gilbert, sc | December 10, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm

Wait! I’ve seen this movie before. Obama completely denies everything with the villain, even though he hangs with him, right?
Yeah, in the last film, Obama got into our faces with his media sweep weekend on Jeremiah Wright, denying he knew of his vulgar sentiments, only to confess on Monday that his charade was a lie. (He even lied to his caddy, Olbermann!)
The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor goes to–the American media!

Posted by: The Cone Of Silence | December 10, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm

This article is an attempt to smear Obama, it is clear from the transcripts that Obama’s staff had NOT agreed to go along with Blago’s demand for money. The article says “Obama was not willing to give him anything for the Senate seat” which insinuates that Obama wanted the Senate seat, he is abandoning it not seeking it ! The right wing are seething at the losses they earned with their nepotism and bad governance, and willing to smear and lie like they have always done. That’s why a squeaky clean fellow like Obama is the next president, hopefully he will strongly condemn Blago and fire anyone from his staff who broke the law or acted immorally. There’s a large difference between Axelrod misspeaking on Fox ‘news’ and Obama involved in anything illegal, immoral, or dishonest.
In the meantime, the rightwing is leaping to conclusions without fact, just like the they did on the way into Iraq etc etc. WMD anyone ? Let’s go with a fact-based initiative for once.

Posted by: Jaik | December 10, 2008, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm

It is amazing that all these postings have turned the problem onto Obama and off of the real master mind behind dirty politics the one who got caught; this stuff has been going on since the beginning of time. Now that the first black man is elected president every one has been trying everything up under the sun to bring him down.

Posted by: Tina | December 10, 2008, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm

Obama’s anorexic resume and fraudulent “nomination” or coronation by the corrupt DNC, paved the way for such disasters.
Remember Hillary Clinton’s warning back in N.H….”Your friends include Rony Rezko, a criminal slum landlord….”
Obama’s response to her (N.C. debate) was:
“NO ONE COMES TO POLITICS WITH CLEAN HANDS.”
Nice confession for you, Barry Soetoro!
HILLARY CLINTON WAS RIGHT ON TARGET…THE MESSIAH IS TARNISHED TO HIS VERY CHICAGO DIRTY CORE!

Posted by: Mary | December 10, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm

What did Obama know and when did he know it. It’s about time that we had the answers.
Congress doesn’t have anything better to do right now other than hold an investigation. All congress wants to do though is put the taxpayers deeper into debt.

Posted by: Joe G. | December 10, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm

The Carol Sowers article written at 10:39 am on Nov. 5th 2008, citing Obama’s 11/5 meeting with the governor to “discuss” Obama’s Senate replacement is systmatically being scrubbed from the web!

Posted by: Grace | December 10, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

The 11/8 article confirming the meeting took place has also been scrubbed in the last hour.
Nice try but screenshots are a wonderful thing. I want to give Obama the benefit of the doubt, but the fact they are scrubbing all evidence of the meeting on the web makes my suspicions rise. Why not just clarify that a meeting took place but nothing criminal transpired? Having a meeting about his seat with the governor was to be expected. Why this flat out denial that one ever took place?

Posted by: NYDem08 | December 10, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm

Here we go again – the Clintons all over again.Anyone who thinks obama was not in the loop is naive or plain stupid. There is no doubt in the end obama would have been asked for his “sign-off” on his replacement. His spokesperson is caught with his hand in the money bag with green dye on it and says, “oh, no, i didn’t do anything, i was just coloring shamrocks”. What a wonderful 4 yrs we are in for.

Posted by: bill | December 10, 2008, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm

People,
Why not contact the Democratic electors in your state and inform them about the problems with regard to the election of Obama.
The Electoral College can elect someone else!

Posted by: tanarg | December 10, 2008, 7:24 pm 7:24 pm

Reading comments from the crypto-Nazi right with respect to Barack Obama, I begin to realize just how many clinically ill people there are in this country.

Posted by: Bill | December 10, 2008, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

Of all the African Americans who could have been elected President, why did it have to be THIS guy? He make sme sick, and his wife is worse.

Posted by: pc | December 10, 2008, 8:34 pm 8:34 pm

Obama may be a scoundrel, but the three in the line of Presidential succession are Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. For the safety of the republic, better a scoundel than an idiot as President.
I’d say Obama is impeachment-proof so long as Biden is the alternative. LOL

Posted by: Romeo | December 10, 2008, 8:35 pm 8:35 pm

OK that makes lie #114 for Obama, (that we know about)!
Let’s see, this week has verified Obama’s staff’s misogyny and Obama’s typical silence which condones this behavior, and we get another glimpse of the dirty Chicago politics, from which Obama arose and used to get where he is today. Not to mention, candidate #5 was one of Obama’s dhief campaign staff officials.

Posted by: rrow | December 10, 2008, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm

Row writes, “OK that makes lie #114 for Obama, (that we know about)!”
================================
Please tell me why ANY of us should believe a word you write? (LOL)

Posted by: Dems | December 10, 2008, 10:09 pm 10:09 pm

Let’s see… Obama’s friend Rezko is in jail and that is who financed his first run. Then, he went to Reverend Wright’s church for two decades – 20 years – and never heard him say anything unpatriotic and never knew that Ayres was a terrorist. And now we are supposed to believe that Democrat Obama did not talk with the Democrat governbor of his state about who would replace him in the Senate? Surely by now, there is enough here for even the most blind partisan. You have elected just another Chicago politician – a slick one who will continue to get away with his underhanded dealings if the media and thoughtful people don’t demand better. But then, what are the options? Biden and Pelosi? God SAVE America.

Posted by: bob | December 10, 2008, 10:39 pm 10:39 pm

Consider this: The Chicago Tribune admits in knew of the Blagojevich investigation back in October, but witheld it at the request of the U.S. Attorneys office. The Tribune was angry with Blagojevich because he wanted to obstruct funds to help them in conjunction with their Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, stemming from critical editorials the paper had written about him. The alleged discussion between the Obama and Blagojevich camps regarding the obtaining of a paid corporate board position for the governor’s wife in exchange for the Senate seat, occured in October. The Obama camp never alerted the feds until Rahm Emannuel tipping them off the other day. Think the Tribune might have tipped off the Obama camp regarding the investigation?

Posted by: jg | December 10, 2008, 11:07 pm 11:07 pm

Posted by: Dee
re: ‘I would like to see all Yale and Harvard graduates not be allowed to run for any State or Federal office. Both seem to be graduating thugs and liars.’
I’ll agree with you partially, let’s not allow anyone like Bush whose family bought his way through life and elections to get close to anything important, as we can easily see what happens when someone like ‘W’ gets some power without the smarts to use it.

Posted by: Blue | December 11, 2008, 12:02 am 12:02 am

Michelle Obama has served as an Assistant to the Mayor of the City of
Chicago and as an Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development. Her positions
at City Hall belie the assertions that her husband was a truly progressive
politician entirely independent of the Democratic Machine. After leaving the
Daley administration, Michelle Obama became the Executive Director of a not
for profit organization, the Chicago Office of Public Allies. This organization
was supposed to encourage youths to accept positions with not for profits
and public agencies. Were Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn a part of the this
same project? They share a passion for similar types of organizing.
In 1996, the same year that her husband was first elected to the Illinois
Senate, Michelle Obama accepted a position at the University of Chicago as the
Associate Dean of Student Services. In 2002, she took a position as a
hospital administrator specializing in community and external affairs. Curiously,
her salary was increased significantly immediately after her husband was
elected to the US Senate. Cause and effect? Although she has decreased her work
load to a part-time status on account of her parental responsibilities, she
earned $273,618.00 in 2006. As a part-time employee, Michelle Obama earned more
in salary than her husband did as a senator. More recently, Mrs. Obama has
taken an unpaid leave of absence.
Untangling financial data is not always an exact science, but Michelle Obama’s unusual career path strongly suggests that the long hand of City Hall and
the Democratic political machine have been guiding the careers and fortunes
of the presumptive nominee and his spouse to a far greater degree than any
official campaign biography would indicate. These are questionable ties without
any reference being made Tony Rezko.

Posted by: HELLOH! | December 11, 2008, 12:24 am 12:24 am

“Blagojevich is accused of conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti. Among his alleged desires: a Cabinet post, placement at a private foundation in a significant position, campaign contributions or an ambassadorship.”
Sound like Blagojeveich is just following the pattern set by Barack Obama (Read quotes below). Keep in mind that Blag and O have been thick as thieves along with their mutual fundraiser Rezko and Godfather of Chicago politics Emil Jones.
“Soon after her husband joined the Senate in 2005, Michelle Obama — who a month earlier had been promoted to her current job — was named to the board of TreeHouse Foods. Wal-Mart is among the company’s largest customers. Sen. Obama had been critical of the retail giant’s labor practices. Michelle Obama received $51,200 for her board activities in 2006, according to the Obamas’ tax return.
The couple’s 2006 income was $991,296, including her TreeHouse compensation, investments and royalties from his books. Sen. Obama earned $157,082 in Senate salary last year and his wife earned $273,618 from the University of Chicago Hospitals, his campaign said last month. Michelle’s salary was nearly tripled from about $100k coincidentally just as he husband pushed through a $1.2 million dollars in public funds for a project that was never completed.
She told the Chicago Tribune in April that she’s not using her husband’s influence “to build my career.”

Posted by: DamnNation! | December 11, 2008, 12:30 am 12:30 am

The same Obama worshiping cretins who dogged Bush and the Republicans for the last 8 years are now begging us to “leave Obama alone and not hold him accountable”. You ask for mercy now, but showed the Republicans none. You did everything you could to destroy Bush and undermine the troops. You lied, spun, whined and betrayed your troops and nation. Now your chickens come home to roost, indeed.
This thing has many tentacles and runs far and deep through the Democrat party and straight though the Obama “campaign”. Fitz will subpoena many, many people regarding this and many will be squeezed and will sing like canaries. They are singing already. Fitz is not even revealing all he knows at the moment, you have only been given the tip of the iceberg. A good prosecutor never shows his full hand.
Obama, Rezko, Rham, Valerie Jarret, Emil, Ayers the list goes on and on. This is getting very sticky, Rezko, Blago and now Blago’s wife and the Obama purchase of their house!!
Obama will likely end up on the stand and will end up going down and many others as well. Blago will see to it that if he’s going down, your golden boy Obama will go with him. That is the leverage that Blago now holds and what you all fear. Fitz will sock it to Blago and any other criminals caught in this, including Obama.
Obama will have no choice but to confess all he knew and the Justice he has obstructed. Obama has lied to the American people already claiming he never met with Blago and knew nothing about this.
Even your propaganda wing of the Democrat Party, the MSM will not be able to protect you from this one. Not this time. Democrat rank corruption is finally exposed. The Democrat Culture of Corruption for all the world to see.

Posted by: Obama Criminal Trial Watch | December 11, 2008, 2:21 am 2:21 am

It is sad to see that so many Americans can hate someone just because he/she doesn’t look like them. I think that we all need to remember that all of our ancestors migrated to this land from some place else. America doesn’t belong to any one race. It belong to all of us. It is really disheartning to see that so many whites dislike Obama because he looks different from them. Whites should really direct their anger at the current administration for They are the ones that have mismanaged the government, started stupid wars, and have put many familys in distress. Obama has not even been sworn in yet as president yet the haters out there seem to want to blame him for the current state of our country. All haters out there need to eradicate hatred from your hearts and embrace President elect Obama because he just might be the Saviour.

Posted by: johnnylee | December 11, 2008, 2:23 am 2:23 am

Oh boy, lucky us. We’ve got 4 years, minimum, of filthy, corrupt Chicago style politics to look forward to thanks to the ever so stupid American voters.
Is anyone else wishing we could have a do over with the presidential election?
Actually, can we go back to the primaries and get Hillary in as the Democrat nominee? I’d definitely much rather have her than the “there’s nothing to see here” antics of Barack “I’ve accomplished nothing in my life” Hussein Obama.
God we American’s are utter and complete morons.

Posted by: Tedd | December 11, 2008, 2:42 am 2:42 am

So many theories! Unfortunately, nothing to back any of it up. If there was, don’t you think the Clintons would have had something on this guy during the primaries. I mean, come on! It’s the nasty Clintons we’re talking about here; they know how to get everybody! It’s funny how when an administration spits on the Constitution, an entire legislative body creates an all-encompassing “project” of corruption (see: K Street), whistleblowers are fired and young men and women have limbs blown off, are mentally scarred for life or are simply killed by being sent on an illegal mission based on lies and cherry-picked info that somehow, with all of that in your face, some of you can’t see the damage you’ve done by electing THE ABSOLUTE WORST set of Republican politicians this country has ever seen. “Bbbb-but Bill Ayers!” Please. You’re so quick to point out imaginary boogie men when, at the same time, you allowed this nation to be dragged down by your voting with blind allegiance. How anyone could have voted for Bush a first time is beyond me. You should have done your homework. Then you vote for him a second time?! Look what you’ve done to this fine country…yeah, I lay it at your feet; a vote is a damned important thing to waste on your ignorance. Way to go, brainless dead…follow the Rovian fear for another decade and see where your life leads you. The rest of us will do the hard work and put the pieces of this country back together by working together – and have better lives to show for it.

Posted by: gimmeabreak | December 11, 2008, 3:07 am 3:07 am

pay to play is the name of the game in chicago and springfield, including when the republicans were running springfield. reform? hell yes- bring a hundred federal prosecuters here, please. after all, the price of corruption is high taxes, and we’ve got the highest. just don’t try to hang this on barack-he was just passing through.

Posted by: jimster1954 | December 11, 2008, 3:23 am 3:23 am

Ted referred to the stupid American voters. Ted needs to look in the mirror because he probably voted for Bush in 2000/2004. Ted is probably not smart enough to understand the plight of this country under the Bush administration. It is stupid Americans like Ted that would probably cut of his nose to spite his face. Stupid see. Stupid do Ted Ted shame on you…

Posted by: johnnylee | December 11, 2008, 5:21 am 5:21 am

Johnnylee said,
“All haters out there need to eradicate hatred from your hearts and embrace President elect Obama because he just might be the Saviour.”
————-
WOW! The Savior? That’s pathetic! Obama is just another Illinois liar and crook. You’re going to be seriously disappointed if you honestly believe he’s the Messiah. You’re truly deceived.

Posted by: Susan | December 11, 2008, 8:27 am 8:27 am

So let me get this one straight; all because Obama helped get Blagojevich elected, that means Barack is in on this Senate seat mess? You anti-Obama Looney Tunes are a joke. Hey, I’ve got a real hot rumor for you. I heard that the Pope is Catholic.

Posted by: Smooth Thug | December 11, 2008, 8:35 am 8:35 am

So funny to watch all the Obama supporters gather around him. I am reminded of the saying “Birds of a feather flock together.” Blago and Obama aren’t two birds, their two feathers on the same bird, the Chicago Political machine. It doesn’t matter which polital party their from. They’re all corrupt. Most partyline voters would vote for “Patty the Daytime Hooker” if she was in their political party.

Posted by: Illinoisan | December 11, 2008, 8:42 am 8:42 am

The followers of HopenChange find themselves shackled to the reality of PayToPlay politics.
“I think you can be an honest person and lie about any number of things” Dan Rather, May 15, 2001.
Speak truth to power!

Posted by: 13times | December 11, 2008, 9:26 am 9:26 am

@ Silky:
“I’m sorry, how many soldiers have been killed on a lie now? You people have NO business talking “idiot” to anybody. Y’know, there’s an old saying in Tennessee — I know it’s in Texas, probably in Tennessee — that says, fool me once, shame on — [pauses] – shame on you. Fool me — I can’t get fooled again.”
There’s no fool like one who doesn’t have any idea of what he’s talking about.
The insipid mantra of the left: “Bush Lied”.
I think it’s safe to assume that you’re bitching about the so-called “lies” over WMDs?
The average American has the attention span and memory of a gnat.
Here’s several items you overlooked:
1.77 metric tons of enriched uranium, 1,500 gallons of chemical weapons agents, chemical warheads, and radioactive materials, and the last major stockpile from Saddam’s nuclear efforts shipped to Canada. Oh yeah, he also had terrorist connections.
One of the letters we intercepted from Ayman al-Zawahri to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, specifically mentioned the establishment an Islamic Caliphate in the “heart of the Islamic world”, to include Iraq. He mentioned this as being vital to Al Qaeda’s war against Western civilization.
Despite this, you leftwingnut keep spouting the line that the war against terrorism was based on a “lie”.
I bet you’re a ‘troofer” as well.
BTW: Zawahri also said that Afghanistan is “just the groundwork and the vanguard for the major battles which have begun in the heart of the Islamic world.”
Even after we’re done in Iraq and Afghanistan, this war ain’t over by a long shot.
Leftwing nuts and the anti-war crowd have yet to say where and when it would be a good idea to take up arms against an enemy hellbent on making the world into a Caliphate. You want to wait until Ahmed nails a decree of Sharia Law on your front door? Terrorists cross borders, and are not limited to any one Middle Eastern country.
Personally, I’d have leveled several countries including Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan, for starters, on 12 September 2001. But I’m a former Soldier, not a diplomat.
SFC Cheryl M
US ARMY (RET)
Iraq War veteran

Posted by: sfcmac | December 11, 2008, 10:00 am 10:00 am

“In fact, there are indications that Mr. Obama and his team refused to go along with the “pay to play” way Blagojevich is accused of operating, offering only “gratitude” if the governor appointed his friend Valerie Jarrett to take his U.S. Senate seat, much to the governor’s chagrin.”
Even though Obama didn’t go for the “pay for play” Blago was pushing for, Obama, being a lawyer, had to have known it was illegal, and since he didn’t say anything, he’s just as guilty.

Posted by: SeamusMc | December 11, 2008, 11:19 am 11:19 am

As a Republican who was less than excited about my party’s nomination this past November, I’ve always thought that “The Chosen One” having come out of the notorious Chicago Political Machine was going to somewhere in his tenure, have some skeletons hauled out of his closet. I just never dreamed it was going to be BEFORE he was even sworn in. I think Obama administration is going to make Bill Clinton look like an upright citizen!

Posted by: TheRightGuy | December 11, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am

While there may be no direct evidence linking the President elect to Gov B and the scandal surrounding the sale of the Senate seat, it does bring up yet another questionable association that the President elect has in his not so distant past. I do not think “the Messiah” was directly involved, but having lived in Chicago, I know he was aware of the pay-to-play way of business. . . the “Chicago way”. For David Axelrod to have been certain of discussions before the Gov was arrested, then rapidly afterwards the Staff goes into full on protection mode of “the One” is what raised my eyebrows. The lack of “transparency” as was promised us by the President-elect, leaves me even more skeptical, and I am not surprised that the sycophants who voted for him are now doing all they can to save the rosey image before too much dirt and scum falls upon their glasses to continue to see clearly their delusions.
For the guy who spoke of race as to why we cannot accept Obama as dirt-free. . . get over that lame argument already! ! ! I am tired of hearing that ignorance. Get a clue!

Posted by: Chris | December 11, 2008, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Sounds like HOBAMA is “hoping” he gets “change” in his pockets…polotics as usual except now we’re being led by the blind incompatance. HOBAMA doesn’t seem to know a basic rule of life..in order to move foward you have to KNOW where you’ve been. He seems to be clueless to anything his hoes deem negative but all clued into the “good” stuff. Follow him sheep…follow him to the slaughter…idiots.

Posted by: onionsayswhat | December 11, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

“Personally, I’d have leveled several countries…”
The shear stupidity of that statement tells me you were no where near Iraq…in uniform or otherwise. That’s the Cowboy Diplomacy that has us in the worst state this country’s been in for over 100 years.
And the Cheney presidency didn’t lie?! (Sorry, but when your Vice President picks himself for the position, you’re not in charge, not to mention the inanity (rhymes with ‘Hannity’) displayed over an eight year period.) Sorry, sfcmac, but your talking points from a debunked 2005 Newsmax article (see 9/11 Commissions)are a sorry waste of space on this blog. As for administration lies, to me, an omission or bending of the truth to fit one’s agenda is the same thing. A black ops friend of mine told me how al-Zarqawi sat in Northern Iraq – in the “no-fly” zone we had established – where Saddam couldn’t get to him. If you knew anything about this stuff, you’d know that Hussein hated religious zealots and terrorists because they represented discord in his iron-fist managed society. Imams and Ayatollahs didn’t have a say in his rule; only he did. So, he couldn’t get to al-Zarqawi since he would be entering an area he knew he would be attacked by USAF. While a-Z developed ricin, the CIA told the Bush administration we needed to take him out NOW. They denied the request…three times. Why? So Cheney could say that there were chemical weapons and terrorists in Iraq. Both true and both reasons for talking the country into war. Unfortunately, we could have averted all of this had we taken out a-Z initially and given Hussein the billion or so he was willing to take to step down, a la Idi Amin, the night before we invaded (see: Spain’s PM statements). Meanwhile, my buddy flies to Langley about this time to get briefed on, of all things, ricin attacks. You see, thanks to our brilliant tacticians’ delay (Cheney, Rummy, et al), a-Z sneaked out of Iraq with his ricin. Where did it end up? You remember the London incidents and arrests, don’t you?
When the history books are written and we’re long gone, a generation will wonder why we did nothing to stop this corrupt administration by impeachment and throwing the lot of them in jail.

Posted by: gimmeabreak | December 11, 2008, 4:23 pm 4:23 pm

so another witch hunt by inuendo’s instead of hard facts, i.e. Obama. Well speaking on Chicago poly-tricks: the snake and the fox have been in the hen-house (including Chicago’s legal system…FBI needs to go there next)…every body knows that crooks are running Chicago and have been for a long time…we need a holistic healing of the legal system in crook county court system as well…this taint ain’t just in springfield!

Posted by: Mystic | December 11, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm

——Re: Obama & “PAY FOR PLAY”?
Does everybody forget Obama’s ‘GIFT’ to a Hospital that RETURNED the favor by DOUBLING HIS WIFES SALARY?
An ANNUAL “PAY-OFF” OF $15O,000?
For as long as ‘she’ ‘TOILS’? THERE?

Posted by: Jim | December 11, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm

Obama paid $800 million to buy his way into the White House, and there’s actually someone dumb enough to believe he’s as pure as the driven snow? Bwahahahahahaa! You liberals slay me.

Posted by: Just Being Realistic | December 11, 2008, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm

Obama and ties to another sleaze ball Chicagoan–I’m shocked !!!!(sarcasm)

Posted by: DS | December 11, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

Wait a minute. I just checked the Fox News Website and read the transcript for the Axelrod interview on November 23. Chris Wallace and David Axelrod make no mention of the vacated senate seat. They’re just talking about cabinet appointments and economic policy. Where’s the beef Jake?

Posted by: JSK | December 11, 2008, 11:24 pm 11:24 pm

Obama wasn’t just an acquaintance, he worked closely with these hoodlums. There is no possible way he can distance himself from the tactics that entailed. Just what kind of person would want to be supported by unscrupulous individuals? Is this someone we want as a friend let along a leader?

Posted by: p | December 12, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm

Say it ain’t so, Barack.

Posted by: John Doe | December 12, 2008, 9:11 pm 9:11 pm

VERY SAD DAY
I HOPE TO GOD THAT OBAMA COMES THROUGH THIS SMELLING LIKE A ROSE.IF NOT POLITICS WILL GO BACK TO WHERE IT WAS NOT TRUSTING IN POLITICS.PEOPLE WILL GO RIGHT BACK TO STAYING AT HOME AND NOT VOTING.WILL NOT VOTE AGAIN

Posted by: sandra | December 12, 2008, 9:43 pm 9:43 pm

I don’t buy Obama didn’t know the man was crooked. The sheep follow this man without asking themselves why are all these man’s friends either crooks or radicals.
Come on Obots admit it he is a crook and a lie. How are those picks of his working out for you. Idiots.

Posted by: hillarysmygirl16 | December 13, 2008, 9:13 am 9:13 am

It is(was) right in front of our faces. They are ALL CONNECTED. Ayers, Wright, Jarrett, Emanuel, Blago, Obama, Michele Obama. Are we going to let this slip by??? Monday the electors cast their votes. I think they better look closer. Or, do we wait six months from now?

Posted by: drno | December 13, 2008, 9:14 am 9:14 am

How did Obama get his senate seat?

Posted by: pcn | December 13, 2008, 9:16 am 9:16 am

Everybody knows Obama campaigned for Blago back in 2002. They knew each other, being politicians from the same state and party. But they weren’t joined at the hip, folks! Obama is responsible for his own office, and is NOT responsible for what this governor does. If my twin brother commits a crime am I to blame? Show us some specifics where Obama has broken the law and we’ll talk. Otherwise, all the hot air, hate, and wishful thinking on earth will not make this amount to anything outside of the Illinois governor’s office.

Posted by: Bart Stewart | December 13, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

It is(was) right in front of our faces. They are ALL CONNECTED. Ayers, Wright, Jarrett, Emanuel, Blago, Obama, Michele Obama. Are we going to let this slip by??? Monday the electors cast their votes. I think they better look closer. Or, do we wait six months from now?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> What a paranoid load of tripe! “ALL CONNECTED?”… What do you mean? (I could not help noticing that you DON’T SAY what you mean.) HOW are they “ALL CONNECTED?” And do we really have to take your word for it? Because my days of taking a Bushie’s word for ANYTHING are long gone.

Posted by: Bart Stewart | December 13, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

You realize when you wingnuts call Obama “The Messiah” and “The One” you sound like complete idiots, right? Your criticisms would have more bite if you hadn’t supported W and the unbelievable corruption, incompetence and idiocy of the last 8 years.

Posted by: Beaumont | December 13, 2008, 2:06 pm 2:06 pm

I just stumbled upon these comments and thought I had found the official site of patients of the State Hospital for the Uninformed, Illogical and Mean. It’s apparent that many of you are using “The Book of Convenient Facts and Statistics” to prove everyone else is crazier than you.
Sheeeeesh.

Posted by: Babz | December 13, 2008, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm

After all of crap being shoveled by a lot of Democrats AND Republicans; it astonishes me that ANYONE would still be blindly loyal to either party!
Good heavens!
I like Obama better than any Politician; ever. However, I am not stupid.
Here’s a thought; let’s wait and see how this plays out before anyone starts frothing at the mouth.
The fact that Blago(unbeknownst to him at the time)complained about Obama being a goody-2-shoes on that wiretap pretty well sums it up for me. If Blago LOVED Obama; then I would be more suspicious about whether Obama was dirty or not.
As it is, I will wait and see.
Anyone with me?

Posted by: Mrs. Jude Bourff | December 13, 2008, 10:25 pm 10:25 pm

I may have picked the “losers” in the past three general elections (Gore 2000, Kerry 2004, HRC/McCain 2008) but I’m sure they would’ve been better presidents than the so called “winners”.

Posted by: Eric, California | December 14, 2008, 11:02 pm 11:02 pm

test

Posted by: Johnny | December 15, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

Oh, BTW, “gimmieabreak”:
Sorry to burst your bubble, but history has already been written.
It includes information on Hussein’s WMDs, the ones we discovered, and the yellowcake material that Joe Wilson claimed he never had. It was confiscated and shipped to Canada.
Happy reading.

Posted by: sfcmac | December 16, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

Can we talk about the current corrupt White House? Jake, why haven’t you been asking the hard questions to Bush? I would like some answers. I want to know why the White House decided to cover up the Black Water crimes and the torture carried out by US personnel at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo . I also want to know where millions of unaccounted dollars went for military aid that never reached our troops. Also, how did Halliburton get a no-bid contract and then was allowed to pad their invoices by 51% and now they can no longer be found? Can you investigate that, instead of made up stories about Obama?

Posted by: Tonia | December 18, 2008, 12:12 am 12:12 am

I actually voted for Obama, and now regret it. I’m aghast at the corruption.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009:
12:00 noon inauguration
12:01 impeachment proceedings begin

Posted by: Stozzel | December 23, 2008, 7:01 pm 7:01 pm

America,
Please show me a politician that is not corrupt. I challenge you! The system which they operate within is corrupt and it merely becomes varying degrees of corruption.
Are you all really that blind/stupid/ignorant?
Patti Blagojevich’s dad is a powerfull alderman in the city of chicago (corrupt) she has a real estate license and if anyone would bother to investigate her “sales” they are all real estate developers that received wonderfull zoning variences in order to build buildings they otherwise could not have built. Rod Blagojevich’s career started with a gentleman referred to as fast Eddie Vrdolyak (does he sound corrupt?) just recently plead out to a deal with federal prosecuters. These taped phone conversations are evidence and should be public record but who really thinks we will hear the entire tapes? Right now someone is “editing” the tapes so only the people our fine (corrupt) government wants to prosecute will be prosecuted. NO EVIDENCE WILL SURFACE REGARDING OBAMA, IT WOULD NOT BE GOOD FOR US. Everyone who thinks the news ius not filtered raise your hand, look around and find the misguided souls.
Get real people, how dumb are you?
That said we still live in the best country on earth!

Posted by: Mike | December 26, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

Jake, I appreciate that you dug deep; the story deserved it- though I did wish you to be moreso prior to election. Now, unless Obama administration lawyer skills prove that “oral sex” is not “sex” we might have an impeached president, since Obama is, instead of “change we can believe in,” “change to Chicago corruption.” But then again, lawyers can prove that black is not white, and white is not black. And people do change. They learn to distance themselves from their past, or their present, especially if the national media is “gracious” and allows a presidential candidate to escape his past. Kennedy was never forgiven for Chapaquiddick and the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, though he escaped any responsibility whatsoever in court. However, towards Obama, the media was “gracious” and totally escaped scrutiny. Now we all pay for it. Thank you, Jake, for your turnaround. Scrutiny is better for the country. I only wish it came earlier.

Posted by: john roco | December 27, 2008, 6:21 am 6:21 am

move along…absolutely nothing here

Posted by: sam bass | August 20, 2009, 10:34 pm 10:34 pm

In Chicago sunnews I’ve red such article where Blagojevich talks about Obama Senate replacement.
Here quotation from there: Blagojevich is aiming to replace Obama — who was the only African American in the Senate — before the new Senate is sworn in next month to give the new senator a leg up on seniority.
Interesting politics.

Posted by: Gene | November 13, 2009, 2:56 am 2:56 am

” Obama has lied to the American people already claiming he never met with Blago and knew nothing about this.”
Obama NEVER stated this.
This is yet another example of how gullible right-wing people are, and how they are duped every time by blindly believing far-right extremist chain emails with no basis in fact.

Posted by: Jack in Oregon | July 20, 2010, 3:06 pm 3:06 pm

I dont think he had nothing to do with it because he was out of there way before all yhat took place.

Posted by: Reginald | July 15, 2011, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

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