Obama Aides Hire Defense Counsel for Blagojevich Probe (Emanuel, Jarrett)

Yahoo/Legal Times ^ | 12-29-08 | David Ingram

[STARWISE]

Rahm Emanuel has looked to Washington for defense counsel in the scandal surrounding Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Valerie Jarrett went with someone in Chicago.

The two top aides to President-elect Barack Obama retained lawyers for interviews this month with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago and with Gregory Craig, the incoming White House counsel ....

[Liz]

"My graceful lifts when I dance the pas de deux with
Valerie Jarrett, will convince 'em I'm totally innocent."

[Ancient Drive]

getting worried? slip of the tongue?

[mware]

Emanuel still in Africa??

[PGalt]

Jarrett was fanatical about African Americans registering and voting in mass for socially conscious candidates. He championed Harold Washington like a great warrior, and this March, from his hospital bed, wrote an article appealing to Black Chicago to turn out to vote for Barack Obama in the Illinois primaries. Obama astounded everyone with an incredible landslide victory as the progressive, Black candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for the U.S. Senate seat from Illinois. From his sickbed, Vernon Jarrett issued a clarion call, and the people responded.

I think Black Chicago was passionately in love with Vernon Jarrett...His unrelenting drive kept us reminded of a sense of purpose and helped to instill the courage of our convictions in struggle as a people. We will forever be indebted; we will never forget.

Indeed, Vernon Jarrett’s legacy is far from forgotten. Much of it lives on in the work of his daughter-in-law Valerie Jarrett.

from...

http://newzeal.blogspot.com/2008/10/obama-file-38-barack-obama-frank.html

above link thanks to FReeper ETL’s fantastic homepage.

[Condor51]

** No, Fitz is a conservationist liberal he believes in catch and release for Democrats. He srictly obeys the size and species limits. All Democrats must be released in good condition after being caught. **

Tell that to all the Top Daley Aides and Machine Dems sitting in Federal Prison. Fitz has put far more RATS in prison than republican crooks and he isn't close to being done. There are still open investigations into Blago's Admin, the Cook County Board (Dems) for corruption and Daley and his City Hall cronies too.

And a 'liberal' hardly. Our ex Senator Peter Fitzgerald (R-CONSERVATIVE) (no relation) put his career on the line to get Fitz in Chicago. The Rats didn't want him here, the GOP RINOs didn't want him here -- annnd Karl Rove didn't want him here.

Fitz is the best US Attorney ever to be in Chicago. He makes Elliot Ness look like a donut eating traffic cop.

[ETL]

Thanks for the promo!

[screaminsunshine]

I do not see Daley in prison my friend. He must be on the release list. Along with Obama.

[tomnbeverly]

It’s Only Criminal when Republicans do it.

Besides there is so much more important things that Obama has to do.

My goodness don’t you know that Bush did such damage to America that regardless of what ethics problems Obama has the American people just don’t care.

Look, 25 percent of the people, the hard core lefty’s will never abandon Obama regardless what he does they are the Kool Aid drinkers.

Then you have the 30 percent that are swayed by the media coverage of a person. So no matter what he does Obama is going to have a 55 percent approval rating.

The only way to change that is to have the media go after you and in this case its just not gonna happen. The media now see it as their job to help promote Obama, as it was their job to try and destroy President Bush.

The new meme from the media if you don’t agree with Obama’s decisions you are unpatriotic and trying to destory America with your blind racist hatred. It doens’t matter if you think he is a crook they don’t and they haven’t told you that so they don’t care.

Media will focus on his physique and call him LEADER and man of ACTION and as the country falls apart they will not even report it then it will be too late and when unemployment reaches 25 percent, Inflation is through the roof and the states start to withold money from the federal government so they don’t implode the country will enter civil war.

The military will be called upon to keep the peace gangs of people faced with starvation will revolt. There will be mutiny the minute the military is called to fire on U.S. civilians, the resistance groups will gain power and weapons and the country will fall apart literally.

Russia, China, Mexico and Canada will assimilate whats left of the former USA.

[Condor51]

I do not see Daley in prison my friend. He must be on the release list. Along with Obama.

No. You're right. Daley isn't in prison ---- yet. But instead of sugarplums Daley hears Fitz's footsteps dancing in his head.

Example: When Fitz started the Operation Safe Roads investigation, ex Gov, George Ryan (RINO & now Prisoner #35672) wasn't even mentioned by name and even said he wasn't "a target" (that's sounds familiar). Fitz started with lowly Clerks issuing CDLs for bribes (that went to Ryan) and worked up the food chain eventually getting the goods on Ryan himself.

With Daley, Fitz is far past the clerk stage. If Barry doesn't fire him - and he better not now - Daley WILL get busted. Someone will flip.

(I meant no offense but FReepers not from IL, or the Chi Metro Area, think of Fitz, or only 'know him' from the Scooter Libby thing and call him a Dem tool, a Lib, etc, etc, and that is just wrong)

[tacticalogic]

The military will be called upon to keep the peace gangs of people faced with starvation will revolt. There will be mutiny the minute the military is called to fire on U.S. civilians, the resistance groups will gain power and weapons and the country will fall apart literally.

We are a republic, and the republic will survive if we have the balls to act like one.

[PGalt]

Thank YOU!

[screaminsunshine]

I sure hope you are right. I will stay tuned to see if Obama is in the slot limit.

[Liz]

Did Rahm fillout the 63-count seven-page personnel application Obama gave to possible appointees? If so, how did Rahm outline his ties to financial institutions involved in the federal bailout? His activities on the Freddie Mac Board? Rahm's emails to Madoff?

REFERENCE After serving as an advisor to Bill Clinton, in 1998 Emanuel resigned his position to become a Wall Street investment banker with Wasserstein Perella, (now Dresdner Kleinwort), where he worked until 2002. In 1999, he became a managing director at the firm’s Chicago office. Emanuel made $16.2 million in his two-and-a-half-year stint as a banker, according to Congressional disclosures. At Wasserstein Perella, he worked on eight deals, including the acquisition by Commonwealth Edison of Peco Energy and the purchase by GTCR Golder Rauner of the ecurityLink home security unit from SBC.

After Emanuel left banking to run for Congress, members of the securities and investment industry became his biggest backers, donating more than $1.5M to his campaigns dating back to 2002, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Mr. Emanuel also leaned heavily upon the industry as 2006 Dem Congressional Campaign Committee Chair. Financial industry donors contributed more than $5.8M to the Dem committee, behind only retirees.

Then President Bill Clinton in 2000 named Emanuel to the Board of Directors for the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"). Rahm's position paid him $31,060 in 2000 and $231,655 in 2001. During the time Emanuel spent on the board, Freddie Mac was plagued with scandals involving campaign contributions and accounting irregularities. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) later accused the board of having "failed in its duty to follow up on matters brought to its attention." Emanuel resigned from the board in 2001 when he ran for Congress.

Obaba should understand that Rahm is bad news for him. Every Obaba news clip, every pic, Rahm strives to overshadow Obaba. Rahm cops an arrogant stance----his hands on his hips ----delivering the message---"Forget Obaba, I'm in charge. You will deal with me. So don't even think about fricking with me. "

[shoutingandpointing]

AMEN. Exactly what I was thinking. Zed came straight out and denied any connection, any knowledge, any part in anything having to do with anything having to do with Blago, the empty seat, and anything that came with it.

Now he lawyers-up? WTH?

“I had no knowledge of or involvement with the person or persons who allegedly robbed the bank in the neighboring state while I sat at home playing Candyland with my wife and kids last Thursday.

I have personally investigated myself and my associates and have concluded that both they and I are not involved in any way.

I have retained legal counsel to ensure . . . I mean assure . . . I mean make sure that I am found innocent.

I mean . . . just in case this does not go to trial.”

Ya, Michael, "Just when [you] thought [you] was out... they pull [you] back in."

It's hard work being the boss, ain't it?

[shoutingandpointing]

Great post.

The hardcore leftbrains are just smart enough to know they bet on a losing horse, a horse that looked good but can’t run the track. No small amount of symbolism in those shirtless pics of Zed and, to your point, those images sing “THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES!” They’ve invested too much to be able to save face when the reality of the situation becomes known to one and all. They bet the farm and lost—and they know it.

The ones to watch are not the ones who oppose you from the start and steadfastly remain so; the ones to watch are the ones who get in line behind you believing you are going to take them somewhere other than where you end up.

You are in trouble when your own turn on you, and your own turn on you when you do not deliver on your promises. This guy made MANY promises both during and after the campaign, EXCEPT for one: he never promised to keep his promises. His silver tongue wrote a lot of checks to a lot of people who will be standing in line to cash them the day the bank opens. That account is already overdrawn beyond empty. The first place it is going to get real ugly real fast is within the ranks of the family. Remember those unpaid and yanked-around Zed campaign workers? It will be like that, only “x millions.”

The emperor might want to think about picking up a suit or two while he’s on vacation.

[Condor51]

Did Rahm fillout the 63-count seven-page personnel application.. If so, how did Rahm outline his ties to,

the Israeli Defense Force, Dual Citizenship and which country does he *OWE* his loyalty?

There's a little blank space in Rahm's biography. During the Gulf War it seems that Rahm enlisted in Israeli Defense Force ₍₁₎. BUT -- Rahm and his paid goons deny this and say he only volunteered in the IDF as 'a civilian'₍₂₎ and loaded IDF trucks.

In either case the question is, 'Why'? Israel wasn't at war, the USA and the Coalition was and the US Military was protecting Israel. So why didn't Rahm 'volunteer' for the US Army. In both of Rahm's versions, he served 'for the duration'. So he could have enlisted in the US Army Reserves -BUT HE DIDN'T.

Which brings us to his Loyalties and which country will he show allegiance while whispering in Barry's ear.

...Rahm Emanuel's appointment as Obama chief of staff ...involves a sort of "pro-Israel fix" in which Aipac guarantees itself both access and an administration fully supportive of Israeli interests.₍₃₎.

Or, better yet, Rahm's father. Who should know him pretty darn good...

Dr. Benjamin Emanuel said he was convinced that his son's appointment would be good for Israel. "Obviously he will influence the president to be pro-Israel," he was quoted as saying. "Why wouldn't he be? What is he, an Arab? He's not going to clean the floors of the White House."

I think Rahm should clear this little discrepancy up. Of course the last person who asked that, his opponent for Congress, was immediately labeled by Abe Foxman and the ADL an anti semite for daring to ask. And Rahm rode that anti semite card all the way to the US House.

Sheesh, it wasn't bad enough that we had the pukeneos lying to Dubya and phonying documents to get us into a war. Now we have AIPAC and an Israeli Soldier and Dual Citizen telling the next POTUS what to do. Maaaaahvelous. The never ending war crap continues on.

Unless Patrick Fitzgerald can put him in prison first.

(1) Israeli source: ynet news.com 11.02.08
(2) There are three entities of the IDF where Jewish civilians can volunteer. Rahm won't say which one he allegedly was in.
(3)Does Emanuel Appointment Signal Obama Pro-Israel Tilt?

[browardchad]

maybe the Obama report was only a list of calls to/from landlines which were known to be tapped... They listed 6 calls between Rahm and Blago/aides

That's what I was thinking. The Sun-Times mentions only one aide, but it does open the door to speculation on exactly what other phones were under surveillance. Certainly Blago's Chief of Staff, Harris, would be first on the list of cell taps, and Rahm specifically admitted calling Harris' cell initially, with a list of names for the seat.

The complaint doesn't mention cell phones; it specifically says they got a judge's order to surveill the phones in "three rooms" (Blago's personal office, the Friends of Blago office, and the conference room); and then another order to tap the "land lines" at Blago's home. All of the conversations quoted took place on those phones, so you could say there was no need to reveal any cell taps for the purpose of the complaint.

Meanwhile, the Sun-Times reported there were over 20 calls of Rahm's recorded. Was he (or they) that dumb not to realize that the cells might have been tapped? Or is the Sun-Times blowing smoke?

[seekthetruth]

“No, Fitz is a conservationist liberal he believes in catch and release for Democrats. He strictly obeys the size and species limits. All Democrats must be released in good condition after being caught. **”

“Tell that to all the Top Daley Aides and Machine Dems sitting in Federal Prison. Fitz has put far more RATS in prison than republican crooks and he isn't close to being done. There are still open investigations into Blago’s Admin, the Cook County Board (Dems) for corruption and Daley and his City Hall cronies too.
And a ‘liberal’ hardly. Our ex Senator Peter Fitzgerald (R-CONSERVATIVE) (no relation) put his career on the line to get Fitz in Chicago. The Rats didn't want him here, the GOP RINOs didn't want him here — annnd Karl Rove didn't want him here. Fitz is the best US Attorney ever to be in Chicago. He makes Elliot Ness look like a donut eating traffic cop.”

I hope you are right because I do want to believe that Fitzgerald is honest and will bring all those who have committed crimes to justice no matter who it is.

[browardchad]

Indeed, Vernon Jarrett’s legacy is far from forgotten. Much of it lives on in the work of his daughter-in-law Valerie Jarrett.

Valerie wasn't married too long, or happily, to Vernon's son. But, interestingly enough, she retained his name after the divorce. I can't imagine why. /sarc

[Liz]

Golly, I am shocked, Shocked that Obaba has not responded to these Islamic smears Rahm has had to endure (sniffle).

Here's some helpful hints so that Obaba can respond (depending, of course, on which version of Rahm's story he believes):

RAHM HAS GIVEN OUT THIS VERSION He did not serve in the Israeli army. He was a civilian volunteer assisting the Israel Defense Forces during the 1991 Gulf War, repairing truck brakes in one of Israel's northern bases.

RAHM HAS GIVEN OUT THIS VERSION, AS WELL During the 1991 Gulf War, Israel was asked by the United States not to militarily respond to the Scud missiles that Iraq was hurling at them. Israel did not .........and Rahm was in Israel to assist them in not responding militarily.

Obaba can settle this smear jihad once and for all. Obaba should obtain copies of Rahn's paychecks to demonstrate that payments to Rahm were NOT coming out of the IDF military budget (which would wipeout Rahm's US citizenship).