Am I wrong in thinking that this indicates that Obama's "people" knew Blago was selling the Senate seat. If you know of criminal activity, don't you go to the prosecutors office and talk to them? Isn't this what we would want from a President-elect?On this we may be seeing more than is there. If O had said something like "your help in this matter will be deeply appreciated", I would not read anything into that. It is simply a politeness that MIGHT weigh in some future razor-close decision. I have said that sort of thing myself with no dark meaning intended or inferred.
Somewhere Obama's people and Blago came to the "understanding" that there would be no cash or quid pro qua in this nomination. If Blago made his conditions for the appointment clear, Obama or his people have a problem IMO. If it was as you say, no problem.
Some of the quotes make it seem that Obama's folks outright rejected a "seat for a price" deal. Don't you think so?