Obama Did Make a Phone Call
But it is not what Feroce or Burris thinks.
In a sequence of events that neatly captures the contradictions of Barack Obama’s rise through Illinois politics, a phone call he made three months ago to urge passage of a state ethics bill indirectly contributed to the downfall of a fellow Democrat he twice supported, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich.Mr. Obama placed the call to his political mentor, Emil Jones Jr., president of the Illinois Senate. Mr. Jones was a critic of the legislation, which sought to curb the influence of money in politics, as was Mr. Blagojevich, who had vetoed it. But after the call from Mr. Obama, the Senate overrode the veto, prompting the governor to press state contractors for campaign contributions before the law’s restrictions could take effect on Jan. 1, prosecutors say.
Tipped off to Mr. Blagojevich’s efforts, federal agents obtained wiretaps for his phones and eventually overheard what they say was scheming by the governor to profit from his appointment of a successor to the United States Senate seat being vacated by President-elect Obama. One official whose name has long been mentioned in Chicago political circles as a potential successor is Mr. Jones, a machine politician who was viewed as a roadblock to ethics reform but is friendly with Mr. Obama.
That explains why Blago (hat tip to Kavips, yes I do like saying it) went on a corruption spree even while he had to know he was being watched, taped and bugged. It was like he had no choice. But he did: try not being corrupt! Try living on your f*cking salary you stranged haired bastard. It is not like you have to pay for a drink in Chicago, or drive yourself anywhere. You’re the motherf*cker, Blago.
Blago Turner Overdrive
It is the story of the moment, what can I say
Blagojevich is yet another politician with a bigger ego than brain. It’s interesting that Obama’s actions inadvertently brought down Blago.
“Taking care of business”!
After listening to all the talking heads and the Press conversation’s on TV and reading the whole story in this mornings Washington Post.
No where in any of these articles was there any mention of the Governor asking or receiving anything of value from anyone for a favor. Now there may be evidence of this somewhere which hasn’t been made public yet and if true that would be a crime. But based on all the reporting so far it appears that all we have is the Governor making foolish statements to a lackey.
If anyone can shed more light on this i am prepared to listen.
The Governor will drop dime on Pres Elect Obama to save his own hide. There will be allegations galore and Mr. Obama should be prepared for it.
The machine which gave him a start will come back to hurt him.
Again, Obama’s own party will be his worst enemy.
as if you know anything about what a governor would do
“Mike Protack // Dec 10, 2008 at 11:05 am
The Governor will drop dime on Pres Elect Obama to save his own hide. There will be allegations galore and Mr. Obama should be prepared for it.
The machine which gave him a start will come back to hurt him.
Again, Obama’s own party will be his worst enemy.”
In your dreams.
Since Blago’s been living with wiretaps since late October, Blago dropping a dime on anybody seems quite unlikely.
Yeah, TT, from what I’m reading Blago was doing a lot of boasting with his aides but was not nearly so direct with the people he’s talking about. So far it sounds like all talk, but perhaps they have more that they’re not releasing.