Rendell: Obama Blundered on Blagojevich Story

This is Obama’s weakness. He is surrounding himself with middle of the road thinkers. That almost always results in mediocrity because no one is thinking outside the box and if there was ever a time to have people capable of thinking outside the box and bringing in new ideas, this is it.

This has been his history. First distance himself and then condemn and then under the bus. This is his MONTH.

Obama’s strength and, ironically, weakness is that he is prone to deliberate action (e.g., response to Bill Clinton’s campaign rhetoric or McCain’s VP choice or financial meltdown).

We’re in for a long four years …

Bottom line is that Obama or his staff made no deals with the guy. This is clear.

It’s wonderful that Rendell can “confidently assert” details about meetings and conversations that he was not involved in. Let’s take this a step further and have him confidently assert what we need to do about this economic crisis.

Was it illegal Team Obama to talk with Bloga?
Was it not right Team Obama to disagreed with whatever terms Bloga brought to them?
I think Team Obama is hammered for nothing. They did not do any wrong doing. The only person to be crucified is Bloga.

I am a supporter of Obama, but I must say I am disppointed in the perception his transition team and he himself gave in the story. I don’t believe he made any deals. He is not a stupid man. But he did not act Presidential in his response. His team needs to tighten up and expect the unexpected. Every day something is going to happen that the media and the public want a response about. Be ready and be truthful and transparent.

CURT— Mr.Obama purchased that home with proceeds that he recieved from his book ” The Audacity of Hope” so the answer to your question is “NO” he did not purchase his home from illegal proceeds. Let’s just call it like it is common sense would tell you that Mr. Emanuel would have to have had contact with Rod, did he have illegal contact “NO”, because had he his conversations and calls would have been released by now since everyone wants to have the President-Elect impeached before he gets into office I can understand why they said nothing. Any good attorney would tell you to answer the question only as they as it. If they ask did not have any contact with the govenor regarding payment for a Senate seat the answer would be “No”. If you ask have tou had contact of any kind the answer would be “yes” or “in regards to what”.

I guess the President-Elect is just going to have to live with the Governor’s dissatisfaction. Love when relative nobodies get the mic on the dime of the guy they’re ragging on.

Rendell is right. Tell everything now. Of course, Obama contacts had some discussions with Blago about who might replace Obama in the Senate. It would have been amiss for him not to have some contact. Get it all out there. Bottom line: Obama wouldn’t play ball with Blago. Period.

Did any of you idiots ever stop to think that perhaps Obama can’t say too much right now because the US Attorney is ‘still investigating’ this case?? No, you idiots can’t think…

When Rendell demonstrates that he himself has a lick of sense and discretion, then I’ll listen to him. Till then, he’s just making noise. As usual . . . .

Governor Rendell:
Were you looking for a cabinet post?
Are you expressing your frustration against Obama for not getting whatcha want? You supported Hillary…..He can only bring but so many of those that oppose him dude….

Mr. Obama should not have lied about the contact between his people and the governor. Of course there were contacts. This just seems so amateurish on the part of the president elect. I believe this lack of judgement comes down to Mr. Obama believing that the press will cover for him as they did during the campaign. In the end, the press will be sympathetic but they cannot allow outright lies go without calling out the president on those lies. Just plain stupid on Obama’s part to deny there was any contact.

“Change” a slogan you can decieve with…

I became a Democrat to vote for Barack Obama…
I will remain a Democrat to vote Rendell OUT OF OFFICE !!!!

This is what many of us Dems feared. That Obama was too inexperienced for the White House. And he came with far too many unknowns. Guess we’re seeing that in action before he’s even there. Ah, Hillary, where are you? I have a feeling this is just the beginning of the Chicago mudbath that will haunt Obama for the next 4 years.

hey jan, is Obama’s energy secretary, a physics nobel prize winner, a “middle of the road thinker”, as you claim? Excuse me if I believe you’re talking out of your, well…

This man has been a liar from the very start why should he change now.
Oh by the way is real first name is Barry but his last name is not Obama he took his father’s name that left he and his mother when he was very very young.

It’s wonderful that Rendell can “confidently assert” details about meetings and conversations that he was not involved in. Let’s take this a step further and have him confidently assert what we need to do about this economic crisis.
Posted by: april
*****************************
Rendells response: Only if I can have a high
ranking Cabinet position or Ambassadorship
on a resort Island. Other then that NO F*(KING
WAY! (Typical Politicians response-Democrat OR
Republican)

I heard the Ill. lt. gov. yesterday say he hadn’t spoken with the governor for more than a year! This has much to do with the crazy governor, and little to do with Obama. It would have a been a big story no matter what Obama said. i don’t see a blunder here. Rendell was a Hillary supporter, remember? This is just politics.

Somebody is not telling the truth. since they are all politians its hard to tell which one.

I agree. This is purely media driven. Patrick Fitzgerald’s word about the wrongdoing of Blago was sufficient to have his guilt/insanity pretty much cast in stone by the media, but when Fitzgerald says that Obama is not involved in this investigation, the media makes a big ‘what did he know and when did he know it’ tra-la-la! So, which is it? Is Fitzgerald’s word to be trusted or is his word unreliable?

This is what many of us Dems feared. That Obama was too inexperienced for the White House. And he came with far too many unknowns. Guess we’re seeing that in action before he’s even there. Ah, Hillary, where are you? I have a feeling this is just the beginning of the Chicago mudbath that will haunt Obama for the next 4 years.
Posted by: Sandra
*************************
Gee, don’t tell Bill that, he’s always enjoyed
bathing in mud.

I hope the press comes to Chicago in droves and smokes out all this corruption. I am tired of the Daley Machine.
Obama was rasied in this cesspool
and did nothing about it. Its corrupt from top to bottom and it stinks.
Do I think Obama is dirty? I dont know, but I think he is a gutless opportunist and s straight up liar. He is speaking lawyer speak when he said I have not contacted Blago and
he is gutless for not fighting the corruption when he was in office.
Instead he chose to ride the corruption all the way to the top.
His buddies Emil Jones,Rezko, and all the rest are crooks and Obama is a disappointment.

No what make this a continual story is the media and bloggers like us continuing to comment.This is more media driven than anything.It will die when the next juicy scandal pops up

Hillary has had her own scandals. Don’t lecture Obama on scandals, honey. Hillary and Bill Clinton are lucky they aren’t in prison.

You all will blame Bush for anything but your golden boy Obama can do no wrong. Watch out who you worship people.

Is Charles Gibson reporting any “STROM” in Illinois? Is Chris Matthews getting lots of goosebumps?

“This is what many of us Dems feared. That Obama was too inexperienced for the White House.”
Why is that? He’s done a brilliant job so far in getting out in front of everything. Even some of the most stanch Republicans are applauding some of his appointments and choices for economic advisors. Everything he’s done so far was been quality. He’s even looking clean so far through all of this mess. Even with Axelrod’s big mouth. The kicker is, and not that it really matters to me either way, it honestly looks like Obama did not meet with Blago and Axelrod DID actually misspeak.

The Media is so full of it. Owned by Corporate America it said nothing about Bush scandles; Plame Gate, US Attorney Gate, miss leading the US into Iraq, illegal wire taps on Americans…and it goes on. These things have the potential to bring down the America we know. Why did the Press punk out on America? Money!!!!

I love Rendell. He tells it like it is and pulls no punches. I hope he runs for President one day.

Chicagogate?

Whenever someone goes on MSNBC’s hole of hate and hypocrites Morning Joe to criticize BHO, I realize they are with their own. Anyone who watched the hate hole during the primary and general election should have realized that commentary was usually from show hosts and guests who despised BHO. I have always recognized that Rendell was/is not an Obama supporter.
I just don’t get how these folks who have been proven wrong time and time again still have the audacity to continue to knit pick and hate on BHO. Since they are so “all knowing” and so “wise” why didn’t they run for the presidency? Let’s see how many Americans will give them money or vote for them.

The big mouth of Ed Randell is at it again. We are reaching a stage of diminishing returns with this guilt by association and Monday morning quarter backing. On the one hand every individual for himself or herself and freedom of speech and movement and on the other hand someone is held responsible for someone else’s errors of judgment or actions. Is Obama responsible for every citizen’s words and actions. This guy Blago was trouble but he was an elected governor of a populous state and until he is found guilty and removed from office talking to him should not be a crime or a wrong doing. Being part of his scam, now that is different. Whoever thought that the former chairman of Nasdaq Mad Off would be such a criminal. Corruption is rampant and radical change is impossible. We just have to live with not trusting any politicians and wall street types. Democracy itself needs to reform and cleanse itself before the goons take complete control. In every democracy in the world, to run for office means you need a lot more money. To get the money, some will promise favors and delivering those favors will ensure reelection with that cycle emerge the Ted Stevenses and the Rustankowskis and the Blago je viches. When small donors give money they don’t expect favors but the restoration of a better nation free of corruption and plundering of the treasury. Is that too much to ask. This guy Blago is tainting the beginning of an Obama era which we thought was the much awaited yearning for a better America. Hope the taint is temporary and that the work of rebuilding a better and cleaner America will go on.

and the issue is? Why doesn’t this Rendell guy just do his job and stop talking about other people. His state has issues! Last time it was Napolitano, this week it’s Obama. What does he want…a talk show?

Barack is just being cautious. He does not want to make a statement and then a few days later have to backtrack on it.

Sadly, too many people just NEED to maintain a criminal image of Obama. They need to believe he MUST HAVE had something to do with this. There is no way his can possibly be a decent human being – NO WAY.

If you sleep with dogs, you will likely get flees – Rezko, Aryes, Wright and Blagojevich. Who’s next, Mr. Obama?

Rendell who recently verbally insulted an appointee of Obama’s saying she does not have a life, is criticizing somebody. He needs to focus on his own character. His ignorance is showing.
Tell Rendell to be more forthcoming about the comments he made. What arrogant, hypocrit he is.

This is the same SOB that made a sexism remark against Governor Napolitano!!
He need to ease both of his foot right out of that uncouth mouth!!!
He need to worry about the people of PA!!
I wonder what’s in his CLOSEST!!!!

I would agree with another comment on here that this thing has been made as big as it is by the media. It should also be noted that Rendell is no angel himself.

Obama surrounds himself with people like Rev. Wright, Louis Farrakhan, William Ayers, Tony Rezko, and Bloga just to name a few. He as already started breaking campaign promises – no windfall profit tax on big oil, no immediate repeal of the Bush tax breaks for the rich, etc. Why should I believe Obama is going to make a good president? Why should I believe that he isn’t corrupt like his friends (or stupid – attending Rev. Wright’s church for 20 years and not realizing the guy is a raciest)?

It does seem Obama’s hands are clean on his Senate seat appointment. My biggest concern, though, is whether the Gov. has any dirt on Obama from all those years in Chicago together that he will want to spill in exchange for a plea. That might explain Obama’s deer caught in the headlights look when the story first broke.

I think the person who pointed out that we’d have been better off with Hillary has a good point. Yes, Hillary has her baggage but we know what it is. She spent 8 years living in the WH and having every stone unturned to look at her business and personal dealings. There are so many stones just waiting to be unturned on Obama. Can we really afford 4 years of that right now?

Blago, the Fantasy Island’s look-a-like – “the plane, the plane”!!!
Dumb as a rock!!!
lol

I remember when Billy wagged his finger in the face of the American people on National TV denying he had sex with Monica…….. so do I believe BO…. NO…………………..BO should have just kept his mouth shut…. it really doesn’t pass the smell test to say he or nobody else on his staff had no contact with the Gov………

Blago did not comply with Obama wishes.
So Obama sicked the FBI on him.
That will teach Blago and others who do not do as their told, or You will pay dearly.
What better way to get blago out of the way and discredit him.
Obama is not Called the Eliminator for nothing.
This is the man who threw his own Grandmother under the bus.
The only ones he Glorifies is Ayers a proclaimed communsit and terrorist and Axelrod who was rasised by a communist.
Who will really have the power in Washington?

Obama is as dirty and corrupt as Blagojevic. Period.
I still would like to know why Obama (Mr Transparency)has elected to seal his vault birth certificate, college admissions records, and Pakistani passport?
Anybody?

What many of you fail to realize is that any politician from a particular state is going to have to deal with the Governor of that state on some level at some time. Especially, if the politician is from Chicago. However much Obama wanted to avoid talking to Blago, he could only avoid him to a point and then they have to interact at some level to discuss the political issues going on whether currently or in the future. The fact that Blago felt Obama’s team wouldn’t give him anything but “appreciation” says alot. Obama and his team know they would be commiting a felony to offer anything to Blago if he gave the Senate seat to someone of Obama’s choosing. It just wouldn’t be worth it, now would it? Obama is being cautious in his response so as not to damage the investigation which Patrick Fitzgerald is conducting. Fitzgerald will not leave any stone unturned. I don’t believe the press has to cover up anything. They love scandal and will dig until they find something rotten, no matter who is involved. The fact that they haven’t come up with anything despite all that has been thrown at Obama with Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, fake birth certificate, muslim, communist, socialist, terrorist, etc. just seems to prove that all the desperate ploys by Obama’s detractors have no substance to them.

Dr. Phil was quite right when he said “Nation of Whinners”!
Why all these questions thrown to Obama
rather than to Blago???
Let those who are concerned do their job and they will report back definitely.

How many more bodies could possibly fit underneath the Obama/Soetoro bus?

purple lady
I have a question too. Would you happen to know why baracak Obama has elected to seal his vault birth certificate, college admissions records, and Pakistani passport?
What happened to the Obama pledge of full transparency? did that go bye bye with the earlier pledge to accept public financing?

Rendell
Isn’t this the same puke that said over a hot mike that the new Secretary of Homeland Security (Nepolitano) is great for the job because she has no family and no life.
Good Job Rick. You reference some of our most “brilliant” minds.

And the idiots still dont realize how bamboozled theyve all been by their Chosen One. They still gobble up the spoon fed frosted obama flakes that the mainstream media has been feeding them, month after month.
Attention Obamots, your Messiah is a liah.
Posted by: Badger | Dec 12, 2008 2:17:34 PM
================================
No Badger
The bamboozlement was the “Compassionate Conservative” dubya
that has doubled the national debt – TEN TRILLION
Killed millions
Created more enemies and less allies
====================
1/20/09 THE END OF AN ERROR

this is political corruption, pure and simple. this is how things are done. in my state there is always a corrupt official going to prison. this is not just an Illinois problem, and i think it is wrong to paint it as such. corruption is also bi-partisan. have many republicans have we seen of to prison. in my state mostly republicans are going to prison. in democratic state it’s them democrats going to prison. whether someone fron the President-Elect’s team spoke to the governor we will soon know. we already know that Obama would not deal with him at all. and the proof is in the transcripts (i.e., the “colorful” language that was used against Obama). i wouldn’t call any of my friends those names. meanwhile the President-Elect is doing what he has to do…assemble his team and be working on the issues. the scandal must be an irritation to him but he’s working hard on real matters. why the FBI doesn’t name the contacts is beyond me. they call it an ongoing investigation, but really it’s over. the governor will certainly go to prison, even if he pleads (but the Justice Department might not accept a plea—they have a very strong case and no worries). the story has already been written we just haven’t read it yet.

It was a flawlessly run campaign. And if you have proof of any illegal activity, I suggest you bring it to the attention of the authorities. Otherwise, everybody can chill out now. Obama’s got this.

You see…. I went to another site and came back to the terms ” Obamabots, Repukes, idiots” to name a few of the intellectual words used in the latest constructive repartee (dialogue). Your personal opinion is fine…. lumping all political parties together (especially Republicans as the evil Darth Vaders’ of the message boards and all Dems as mindless clones of liberalism) is unfair. I am an Ind. who liked HRC and John McCain but didn’t really know BHO and didn’t care for S.Palin. Now for all of you that can make up such colorful definitions for the people that oppose your thoughts… What am I (make it clean please)?

silky
When Obama broke his pledge to accept public financing, allowing him to rake in as much 150 million in one month, allowing him to outspend Mccain 4 to 1 in advertising, that is clearly BUYING the Presidency. You might also want to ask yourself , why Obama has refused to make his donor list public?

silky
Obama playing the race card wasnt taking the high road, Obama accusing McCain of being senile want taking the high road.
McCain bringing up Obamas close associates over the past 20 years was certainly relevant. After all Obama claimed to have the judgement to lead, yet all of his associates,friends, and mentors were radicals.
Obama clearly bought the presidenc, on top of having the mainstream media spewing pro-obama propaganda 24/7.
Maybe it hasnt dawned on you, but when you make 150 million in one month you can get your grass root people organized in masses state after state doing the groundwork needed to make a difference.
common sense silky.

watching:Rendell is the politican that Obama never will be. Obama is the most underhanded candidate in politics. Talk about the governor? Obama himself play a game of dirty pool to the woman getting signatures to run against him for the senate. Obama didn’t know Ayers? Of course, he did and he lied about it. Rendell is right, say it and get it over with. Obama hides it but it will all come out in the wash. Emanuel is the worst pick of the crop. And there are more to come.

Silky,
Gonna play devils advocate here…
What makes YOU so sure that PEBO is without ANY faults (i.e. ACORN,race references, calling McCain names)? I will agree that it was clever to sucker the Rep. candidate into a virtual donations suicide but…. you refer to honor, integrity, honesty and moral ground in most of your posts when referring to the Pres elect while citing the Rep.s and present admin. as thieving liars. Whether the present admin. is just that is not my point. My point is that you cannot claim a higher moral ground without allowing for question and investigation to be part and parcel of your creed. You cannot debate using a moral stand without being rightfully challenged (as was the conserv. agenda folks) by those whom are in disagreement with your views. You seem to feel any question about BHO to be an affront to your political tenets and unfair. May I observe that the old adage “what’s good for the goose…”! I think healthy skepticism is good and keeps the pendulum from going to far to either extremes. This will not be the only challenge that the Pres. elect will face so I think that YOUR partisanship is as disturbing as the side who lost. I, for one, thought Sen. McCain was HYSTERICAL on Letterman last night and thank god Dave isn’t as partisan as some of you.

CLW: You are so right about Silky. Since when is Obama without lies. He lied about Wright and Ayer’s. He said he never met with the Governor when he did. Emanuel met with the Governor five times. When the dirt is on the Obama team they all hide. But believe me it will all come out in the wash yet. Its people like you that would vote a candidate like Obama for president who himself was a heavy drugger and boozer when in college. He also was not a community organizer for the neighborhood people. He was getting people to know him better because he was going to run for the senate. His good friend let it all out. Obama was only interested in himself and not the people on the southside where he lived. Its time now to wake up and after four years of a mishandled presidency, I hope the republican’s get voted into office again.

Marianne,
My only point concerning SILKY was that you cannot profess honesty, honor etc. and then blindly follow someone just because they are of a political persuasion you believe in. Skepticism is healthy no matter what. The present party in power destroyed our trust in them and therefore we “punished them at the polls” for their transgressions (reps and dems both). BHO is the new kid on the national pol scene. Unfortunately, this makes for a very leery electorate and the new admin. coming in will be scrutinized far greater than under a normal transition period. Blind faith, whether liberal or conservative, always needs a healthy dose of voter scrutiny. I would think that both sides would consider that change for the better.

Why is Fast Eddie opening his mouth? And better yet, why is anyone listening?

Silky,
I guess I assumed that you believed the Pres elect when he said integrity, transparency, etc. during the election. If you really don’t care about any of those things, then the current admin. most not bother you. I personally still believe that somewhere out there, a man of honor, honesty and integrity can govern a country using those principles. I apologize for giving you the benefit of the doubt. Now I know why you find the vapid Huffington your cup of tea.

Obama was elected president of these United States of America. Get over it! Obama’s response was appropriate, so get use to having someone in office who thinks before he speaks, can read and comprehend, is more concerned with conducting accurate due dilligence than acting impulsively on a lie (where’s the WMDs?), and values preparation (I’m suspending my campaign to deal with the financial crisis without a plan, so I’ll have nothing to say when I get there to solve the crisis). In short, Rendell needs to deal with the poverty and corruption in his own state, and shut the BLEEP up talking out the side of his neck.

Obama isnt my president, that’s for damn sure. He’s already broken the two main pledges of his candidacy. Full Transparency, and Judgement To Lead, and he hasnt even served a day yet.Then there’s the 20 years racist church, allieing himself radicals etc.
Still waiting for an Obama supporter to explain why Obama has gone out of his way to seal is long form vault birth certificate, his college admissions records, and his Pakistani passport?

Too much hope for hype on this one. Blago is crooked, sure enough. But those who want, so badly, to tie Obama into this are in for another major, Nov. 4th styled, disappointment. Did he not need to find out from anyone on his staff, if they’d had any conversations with Blago? How many days do ‘you’ suppose that would take? What if Obama immediately stated his belief that his staff hadn’t spoken to Blago? What if he was wrong? This would be a whole other issue. This is just another distraction designed to take the focus off the building of a magnificent Obama Administration. This too will soon pass. Purpose and destiny is marching on.