"Obama is not related to the corruption pattern in Chicago," said political scientist Dick Simpson
Posted on 12/10/2008 5:59:25 AM PST by mdittmar
President-elect Barack Obama's decision to keep a distance from his state's governor, who was arrested on corruption charges on Tuesday, should enable him to escape becoming tainted by the scandal, analysts said.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich stands accused of trying to sell the president-elect's vacant U.S. Senate seat for financial and other personal benefits for himself and his wife, among other charges.
"Obama is not related to the corruption pattern in Chicago," said political scientist Dick Simpson of the University of Illinois in Chicago. "He has not been pressing for any person to replace him in his Senate seat."
U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, announcing the charges, also said Obama was in no way implicated.
Obama, who takes office on January 20, left the Senate soon after winning the November 4 presidential election. As governor, Blagojevich, a Democrat, has sole authority to announce a replacement to serve the remaining two years of Obama's term.
Obama told reporters he was "saddened and sobered."
"I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening. As I said, it is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don't think it's appropriate to comment," he said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
It’s easy to rise to high levels in Illinois politics without being corrupt. /s
Doing their usual stellar job of investigating, I see. Less than 24 hours and they are already declaring that there is nothing to investigate.
“Obama is not related to the corruption pattern in Chicago,” said political scientist Dick Simpson of the University of Illinois in Chicago”
Way too early to make that conclusion Dick.
Amazing insight they have over there at Rooters, isn't it?
"Obama is not related to the corruption pattern in Chicago," said political scientist Dick Simpson
He's black. If anything is going to affect him, it'll have to be incredibly major, IMHO.
How did Blag know Obama wasn't going to play the game if there was no contact? There was some kind of contact, if only between staffers, no doubt about that. Axelrod knew there had been contact. Axelrod might become the new Scooter Libby.
I wonder how many political favors Obama owes to get where he is, who he must pay off, and what the pay off is.
The Praetorian Guard closes ranks yet again.
Wishful thinking and propaganda promotion from Al-Reuters.
Obama has some explaining to do!
An article I found about him meeting with Blago on 11/5:
http://www.connecttristates.com/news/news_story.aspx?id=217582
Please pass around the article as it surely will be scrubbed.
Trash like this dick....Simpson are the problem in this country. How in hell does he “know” that BHO has not involvement in this ? Clear diversional cow crap deeper than six foot up a bulls butt from this...... “”””He has not been pressing for any person to replace him in his Senate seat.””” comment.
“Obama is not related to the corruption pattern in Chicago,” said political scientist Dick Simpson of the University of Illinois in Chicago. “He has not been pressing for any person to replace him in his Senate seat.”
O...k....I guess case closed.
Well, who could doubt the intelligent words of an unbiased political science professor...is this the same Dick Simpson:
Dick Simpson has uniquely combined a distinguished academic career with public service in government. In his campaign for political office in 1971, Simpson surprised political observers and won election as Chicago’s 44 Alderman, despite a well-financed opponent with an army of precinct captains. He served the 44th Ward for two terms before voluntarily retiring in 1979. As Alderman, Simpson, who served as the leader of the council’s opposition bloc to Mayors Daley and Bilandic from 1975-1979, consistently voted for and introduced reform legislation - occasionally persuading old-line aldermen to support his proposals as well. Results include:
• The elimination of bank redlining,
• Ending salary discrimination in the city budget for women holding the same jobs as men,
• A City Council resolution urging Illinois passage of the Equal Rights Amendment,
• Budget amendments to provide more money for day care.
• Additional budget amendments to speed the opening of day care centers,
• Programs to help the homeless and the hungry,
• The extension of Senior Citizen public transportation hours. Simpson has published widely, been an outstanding teacher, and affected public policy. He began his academic career at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1967 where he has taught for 39 years and where he currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science. At UIC he received the highest awards given for teaching including the UIC Silver Circle Award (twice), the CETL Teaching Recognition Award, the UIC award for Excellence in Teaching, and the American Political Science Association and Pi Sigma Alpha National Award for outstanding Teaching in Political Science. He is currently working with the Carnegie Foundation better teaching college students political engagement through their Political Engagement Project.
Professor Simpson has been the principal researcher on important studies which have led to reform in many units of government in Cook County, Illinois. He has published numerous studies of elections, voting patterns of elected officials, local government, public policy, and government budgeting. He is author or co-author of sixteen books on political action, ethics, and politics, including “Inside Urban Politics”(2004), “Rogues, Rebels and Rubber Stamps” (2001), “Winning Elections” (1996), “Chicago’s Future in a Time of Change” (1993),and “The Politics of Compassion and Transformation” (1989). He has produced eight films and video documentaries winning a variety of film awards including an EMMY nomination. Simpson has published more than 80 professional journal articles, magazine articles, book chapters, and book reviews.
He has received thirty-one grants and fellowships totaling more than $750,000. He has twice been a Great Cities Scholar and once a Humanities Institute Fellow at UIC.
He is currently a Fellow at the Great Cities Institute at UIC. In 1992 and 1994 Dick Simpson ran for Congress in Illinois’ 5th Congressional District opposing Congressman Dan Rostenkowski on a platform of congressional reform, women’s rights, universal health care, economic recovery and senior citizen’s issues. In the Democratic Primary in 1992 he received 42,000 votes. He was an Alternate Delegate Candidate in Bill Bradley’s Presidential campaign in 2000, Chairman of the Issues Committee for Carol Moseley Braun’s Presidential Campaign and as a surrogate speaker for John Kerry for President in 2004. He has served as a political consultant for campaigns for candidates from Alderman to President and testified on legislation before City Council, State Legislative, and Congressional committees. He has frequently been an expert witness in federal court cases.
He was a monthly op-ed columnist for the Chicago Journal for three years and is currently a monthly columnist for The Sun-Times.
Simpson has also served on transition teams that advised Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne in 1979; Mayor Harold Washington in 1983; Cook County Clerk David Orr and State’s Attorney Jack O’Malley in 1990; and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan in 2003. He helped shape their positions on ethics, fair hiring practices, citizen participation, and efficient, effective local government.
His public service has been recognized by awards from many civic organizations including the City Club of Chicago, Clergy and Laity Concerned, Independent Voters of Illinois - Independent Precinct Organization, Lakeview Shelter Team, and Clarence Darrow Community Center. He is listed in Who’s Who in America and another dozen biographical resources.
The Yedi mind control isn't working this time, pal.
You don't play in that swamp and not stink.
That is a perfect graphic for this story. It is wierd how EVERY time Blogojevich is reported on, there is a disclaimer that Obama was not connected. Almost like they protest too much.
ML/NJ
ML/NJ
He’s got stink all over him. Apparently you don’t get anywhere in Illinois without a lot of corrupt help. Obama is this close to being President. People should do the math.
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