Obama works to distance himself from Blagojevich

AP via SFGate ^ | 12/9/8

[SmithL]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Though Barack Obama isn't accused of anything, the charges against his home-state governor — concerning Obama's own Senate seat no less — are an unwelcome distraction. And the ultimate fallout is unclear.

As Obama works to set up his new administration and deal with a national economic crisis, suddenly he also is spending time and attention trying to distance himself from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and charges that the governor was trying to sell the now-vacant Senate post.

The president-elect was blunt and brief in addressing the case on Tuesday: "I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening" concerning any possible dealing about Blagojevich's appointment of a successor.

It's Obama's first big headache since his election last month, and Republicans were anything but eager to let it go away.

Said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the new GOP House whip: "The serious nature of the crimes listed by federal prosecutors raises questions about the interaction with Gov. Blagojevich, President-elect Obama and other high ranking officials who will be working for the future president."

[montag813]

Headline should read:

Media works to distance Obama from Blagojevich

[hoosiermama]

Obama is Screwed?

[ilgipper]

Great quote! May the GOP get a spine and start dissecting Obama’s character immediately.

[sodpoodle]

*****Headline should read:
Media works to distance Obama from Blagojevich****

Precisely - Obama doesn’t work - he’s too special.

[NDpapajoe]

great photo of Obama. That must be his bite-the-lower-lip look.

BTW he looks, ah, kinda rough.

[montag813]

"What did the President-elect know, and when did he know it?"

[Red Steel]

Obama: “I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening”.

In this Dec. 2, 2008 file photo, President-elect Barack
Obama, right, greets Illinois Gov. Rob Blagojevich, left, at the Bipartisan
meeting of the National Governor's Association in Philadelphia.

[RC2]

Have we ever had a “Lame Duck President-Elect” before? We sure got one now.

[maggief]

(no link)

Senator says he’s still willing to help Blagojevich despite - hiring concerns
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) - Thursday, July 27, 2006
Author: John Patterson Daily Herald State Government Editor
SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Sen. Barack Obama expressed concern about the growing number of reports of potentially illegal hiring under Gov. Rod Blagojevich but said he’s willing to help his fellow Chicago Democrat’s re-election bid.

“I have not followed closely enough what’s been taking place in these investigations to comment on them,” Obama told the Daily Herald this week. “Obviously I’m concerned about reports that hiring practices at the state weren’t, at times, following appropriate procedures. How high up that went, the degree at which the governor was involved, is not something I’m going to speculate on.

“If I received information that made me believe that any Democrat had not been acting in the public interest, I’d be concerned.”

Numerous state agencies have had hiring and contracting records subpoenaed, and U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald confirmed in a recent letter to state authorities that his office is conducting an investigation of “very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud” and has a “number of credible witnesses.”

(snip)

Obama , who endorsed Blagojevich for a second term nearly 18 months ago, said he’s ready to help Illinois Democrats in the upcoming elections.

“If the governor asks me to work on his behalf, I’ll be happy to do it,” Obama said.

[malkee]

Is there a youtube of that yet?

There is on another thread.

[seekthetruth]

Here is the tape:
http://progressillinois.com/2008/11/23/axelrod-on-fcs

[bigbob]

One good spinoff benefit from the Blago thing is it should throw the monkeywrench into the idea of commuting or pardoning that previous sleazeball corrupt ex-Gov George Ryan, as Sen. Dirtbag proposed last week.

To Gov. Ryan, just visualize the kid from the Simpsons going “Haw haw!!”

[SmokingJoe]

”are an unwelcome distraction. “

Nope.
It goes to the core of who and what Comrade Obama is. The Obama culture of corruption from Chicago continues unabated.

[seekthetruth]

Here is the tape Sean played today on his radio program.
http://progressillinois.com/2008/11/23/axelrod-on-fcs

[Sarah Barracuda]

I can no longer distance myself with Governor Blagojevich like I can distance myself from the black community. Oh wait, he already did that LOL

[NRG1973]

Before he leaves office, Bush should pardon Obama for any potential crimes regarding the Blagojevich matter.

ROFLMAO!!! Great suggestion.

[maggief]

Obama: “We’ve got a governor in Rod Blagojevich who has delivered consistently on behalf of the people of Illinois.” (Deanna Bellandi, “Illinois Democrats Talk Unity But Don’t Show It,” The Associated Press, 8/16/06)

[hoosiermama]

I like this one better....Three men in (the) Troub(le).

[eureka!]

"May the GOP get a spine and start dissecting Obama’s character immediately."

Fat chance, if past is prologue. That said, I think that it is a big enough story that it will leak through the presstitutes' filter into the minds of the less than attentive body politic and take a little shine off of the 0ne. "Just another corrupt Chicago politician" has a nice ring to it. Not that I harbor any ill will, I just would like to see the truth out...

[CanaGuy]

Don’t eat that just yet, Elmo....it’s still smokin’.