Questions Arise About the Obama/Blagojevich Relationship

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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

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 -

“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.

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

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!”

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

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

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?

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

Politician solicites bribe…stop the press.

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?

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?

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.

Don’t blame me: I voted for Hillary.

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.

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

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

“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.

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?

If it walks like a duck…..

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.

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.

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

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.

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!!!

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

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

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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

obama keeps bad company.

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.

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.

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.

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

This isn’t the Rod Blagojevich Obama knew.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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?

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.

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?

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.

Change of story you can believe in.

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.

What did Obama know and when did he know it?

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!

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”?

“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.

“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”?

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.”

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

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.

What did Obama know and when did he know it?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!!

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!!

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.

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

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.

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”.

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.

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!

CAN WE RE-VOTE?

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.

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.

Now can we see BARRY’s birth certificate?

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

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. :(

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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

“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.

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.

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?

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?

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.

“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.

Axlerod and Obama need to get their stories straight!

“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?

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

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

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!

Someone’s lying, either Obama or Axelrod.

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.

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?

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

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

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!!!!!!!!!!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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: 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.

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)

“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.

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.

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.

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!

“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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Can Obama be impeached yet?

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.

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!

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.

” 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.

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.

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!

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.

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???

Ugh to you Jake

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

Impeach Obama!

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!

“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

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.

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.

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?

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.

Obama is a fraud. Thanks america.

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.

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.

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!

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.

“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.

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

“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.

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 !

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.

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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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!

….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.”

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.

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

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”.

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

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

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!

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)

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

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

Nothing to see here. We have always been at war with Eastasia.

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.

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.

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.

Just like Nixon “I’m not a crook…” what have we done!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

“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?

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?

Why would anybody in Illinois be surprised about this! They have voted to support corruption for the last 50 years!

st : Get used to being disappointed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

joe; Jan 20th I’m quitting my job too because my back hurts when I work. The checks should be arriving on the 21st.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Axelrod: Liar, Obama Presidency: Over before it starts, the look on liberal’s faces: PRICELESS!

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.

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?

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.

this is supposed to be about Blago but most comments here refer to Obama. What’s up with that .

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

One Governor every ten years on average in Illinois is caught doing something illegal for the last five decades.

“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?

Christmas for Republicans?

“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.

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’…..

“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: 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…..

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.

Wow!!! Can you say “Impeachment before Inauguration Day”? The “Change” all of you hateful liberals asked for!

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 …..

“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.

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?

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.

twin_peaks_nikki, Are u kidding?
Hillary. Now THERE is an honest politician.
And Obama? Just another Chicago political thug and liar.

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!

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.

“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!;)))

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.

Richard Armitage came out and admitted that he was the one who leaked Valerie Plames identity-not Scooter Libby.

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…

Blago’s chickennnnnnsss have come hooooommmmmme to roooooost

This doesn’t change my mind about Obama. I still support the President elect.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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……….

Me wonders if Hilary had a hand in this?

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.

“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.

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…………..

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

Can the Prez elect pardon someone before he takes office?
LOL!

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.

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!

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.

Oh Pete, try to control your emotions. Take the day off tomorrow. I see Obama and Rexko’s land deal was subpoened today.

“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).

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.

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?

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. ;)

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.

President elect Obama (aka, SGT Schultz)Ayers (“I know nothing”), Wright (“I know nothing”), Rezco (“I know nothing”) , and Blagojevich (I know nothing”).

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.

Wherever he is, I’m sure Al Capone is laughing his head off.

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.

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.

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.

Oh SNAP did you hear that???? wait for it…. you can hear the fear in obama’s voice all the way in colorado

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.

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!

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.

I dont think Obama was involved in this matter-this comming from a Republican. But Illinois politics are extremely corrupt.

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.

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!.

Mr. OBAMA is simply receiving back what he has been planting all these years of questionable asociations…AXJ

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.

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.

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…

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!

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.

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.

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.

President Eel-ect Obama may be the first impeached before taking office.

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.

“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?

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.

Don’t worry Obamaians – - – he’s safe… unless there are tapes floating around. If there are, he’s toast.

This won’t be the last lie to come from the Obama crowd. God Bless America as I once knew it.

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

Perceptive and informative coverage, Jake. Once again, Obama didn’t know.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

1. Words obviously don’t matter.
2. That’s not the Blagojevich I knew.

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?

“Obama is the junior senator from Cook County, Chicago. He was surrounded by corruption…”
You mean “Crook County”

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.

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.

Bush is having a difficult time selling his memoirs.
Seems that no publishers want to include a box of crayons with the purchase price.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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, r