Well said — also, I find it more than a bit odd that Valerie Jarrett’s name was prominently in the running for a week after the election, and THEN she announced she was withdrawing from consideration. Didn’t say it as though she had never been in contention, IIRC, but rather withdrew from the process.
This is speculation but I imagine that here had been discussions that week between Obama’s team and Blago’s team, with Valerie Jarrett as Obama’s preferred candidate. Then, when Obama’s people either refused to bid or did not bid high enough, VJ decided that it was better to take a spot in the White House. But if she had ALWAYS preferred to be a senior adviser to Obama in the WH, why not say that from the beginning?
Again, just my hunches, but I think there were discussions in the first week and then for whatever reason(s) VJ decided that Blago was being unreasonable etc.
OR, maybe Obama’s team got a tip-off about the wiretaps and decided to try to clean up the situation fast!!
Why would Valerie Jarrett withdraw entirely unless she thought she could not get the Senate seat and/or the process was too risky or costly, etc.
Interesting point. It should be followed up.
Obama gets briefings daily from people in the current administration.
Fitzgerald answers to one of them, and it's been speculated that Obama was given a heads up on the investigation so he could squirm out of the fray.
If she turns out to be identified as candidate #1, your post is spot on.
You bring up an interesting point. I forgot that she withdrew her name. Do Freepers have to investigate everything?