10 reasons why the Rod Blagojevich scandal could damage Barack Obama

UK Telegraph blog ^ | 12-9-08 | Toby Harnden

[STARWISE]

Political corruption stories don't get any better than the one that erupted today about the alleged machinations of Governor Rod Blagojevich of Illinois.

The quotation-filled 76-page complaint - put your slippers on, make yourself a cup of cocoa and take the time to read the whole thing - reads like a gripping if slightly outlandish film plot.

Obamaland will make much of prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald's statement that "we make no allegations that he [Barack Obama] was aware of anything".

But this could turn out to be very bad news for the president-elect. Here's why:

[STARWISE]

"Political fundraiser Antoin "Tony" Rezko who raised money for the campaigns of both Blagojevich and Obama is awaiting sentencing after being convicted of fraud and other charges. Blagojevich's chief fundraiser, Christopher G. Kelly, is due to stand trial early next year on charges of obstructing the Internal Revenue Service.

According to Tuesday's complaint, Blagojevich schemed with Rezko, millionaire-fundraiser turned federal witness Stuart Levine and others to get financial benefits for himself and his campaign committee."

[STARWISE]

~~PING

[Old Sarge]

Ten reasons:

1. It won’t mean a damn thing;
2. It won’t mean a damn thing;
3. It won’t mean a damn thing;
4. It won’t mean a damn thing;
5. It won’t mean a damn thing;
6. It won’t mean a damn thing;
7. It won’t mean a damn thing;
8. It won’t mean a damn thing;
9. It won’t mean a damn thing;

AND THE MOST IMPORTANT REASON:

10. It won’t mean a damn thing.

[Tigercap]

Interesting reading.

[fso301]

It may damage him but someone from within the government leaked word of the wiretap pretty much at or before the actual court order was issued. Therefore, one must expect Hussein had received word a few weeks prior to the November election that Blagojevich was radioactive.

Some are speculating that Rahm Emanuel tipped Fitzgerald off but when one has prior warning that a piece of radioactive waste will solicit them for a bribe, it's easy to do the right thing.

[ensignbay]

While the truckload of Obama’s close and unbelievably corrupt associates is mind-boggling to the clear-thinker and begs the question of why all these crook-types felt so comfortable around Obama, the media and the rest of the Obama-loving drones across the country will do everything they can to continue suspending their disbelief in this man, Obama.

Let’s call for Republicans to “grow a pair” and be vocal about Obama’s corrupt associations:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/we-demand-true-conservative-leadership.html

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Not only was I going to post something virtually identical to what you posted, I envisioned it in just about the same format, LOL.

[Cheapskate]

This Hamden guy is pretty good!

[Doofer]

I bet this thing has traction.

[bigbob]

I tend to agree with you, in the national sense. It will mean a HELL of a lot to us here in IL to get rid of this crooked SOB once and for all.

But Blago was in it for Blago, not for Barack Obama. I think it’s entirely likely that Obama will come up clean. Time will tell.

[no dems]

You are exactly right Old Sarge. Rev. Wright didn’t mean a thing. The “Birth Certificate-gate” didn’t mean a thing. The “spread the wealth” statement didn’t mean an thing. The Larry Sinclair “homo-sex & crack in the limo” didn’t mean a thing. The fact that he is a Socialist Closet-Muslim didn’t mean a thing.

B. Hussein is the SUPER-teflon guy. We are stuck with him unless he commits an impeachable offense.....aw never mind. Than wouldn’t mean a thing either.

[berdie]

He will come up clean.

If we want action...place an “R” after his name.

[Red Steel]

Reading the 79 page criminal complaint now. They should wiretap all the Dems they would discover a criminal enterprise.

[Bullish]

We are stuck with him unless he commits an impeachable offense.....aw never mind. Than wouldn't’t mean a thing either.

You're right, who's going to impeach him for anything? A house and Senate full of partisan democrats? Along with a sycophant press and media, Obama is home free and super glued to the oval office.

[browardchad]

Reading the 79 page criminal complaint now.

It's a thing of beauty. The Rezko/Levine state board pay-to-play is somewhat of a rehash, but it gets better with the attempt to have the Trib editors fired, and reaches an exquisite crescendo in the end, complete with the Blago wife screaming obscenities in the background.

[Bullish]

If we want action...place an “R” after his name.

BINGO!

[jonrick46]

This FR post tells it all:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2145987/posts

Obama is a product of Chicago politics. One wonders if the color of Obama’s skin is not the result of rolling in the sewer of Chicago politics.

The show has not even started and I'm choking on my popcorn all ready.

[oscars300]

“10. Although Obama has distanced himself from Blagojevich as of late, as Jake Tapper points out, that wasn’t always the case: “Mr. Obama has a relationship with Mr. Blagojevich, having not only endorsed Blagojevich in 2002 and 2006, but having served as a top adviser to the Illinois governor in his first 2002 run for the state house.”

And this one was after Axelrod refused to take Blago on... :P This one will indeed be a gift that keeps on giving. The libs have already started the distancing of course, but the line “Obama worked as a top-level advisor to Blagojevich” has excellent soundbite-shoot-down potential.

[oscars300]

It still matters a lot for 2012 that he is brought crashing down to earth. These kinds of stories will help immensely, even if we don´t get Obama on tape shouting obscenities.

[Freedom56v2]

Bump for later!