Good analysis and points noted, though I don’t understand your reasoning for VJ’s withdrawal.
The unexpected announcement by 0 that he was going to resign his senate seat early to put pressure on Blago came after VJ bowed out. I can’t get passed that ...
My reasoning for VJ’s withdrawal comes from this:
Conversation 15: November 10, 2008
* Blagojevich and Advisor A discuss the open Senate seat again
* Blagojevich asks Advisor A to leak to the Chicago Sun-Times that he is seriously considering Jesse Jackson, Jr., for the open Senate seat
* Blagojevich considers this to be another threat to the Obama campaign, who still desires Jarrett
* It is clear that Blagojevich has not intention of selection Jackson; he simply hopes to apply pressure to the Obama campaign
Also, checking out the phone calls from Nov. 11-13, Blago is very desperate to get the word to both Jarrett and Pres.-Elect Advisor about the option of the 501(c)(4). So he hasn’t burned the bridges with Jarrett yet. He still wants her to be part of the deal.