“How did they change course?”
VJ’s swift and abrupt removal of her name from the candidate list.
Durbin announcing he’s the new goto man, and pawned out Duckworth.
0’s senate seat resignation to ramp up Blago’s decision.
MOO
Possibly, but my take on the Valerie Jarrett withdrawal was that it was a bluff to counter Blago’s bluff of putting into in the Sun-Times that he was leaning toward appointing JJ, Jr. when he had no intention of doing so.
This was a high stakes game with moves and counter moves by many interested parties. To confuse the issue, no one could come out and say what they really meant. It was all innuendo and doublespeak.
Blago says he’s going to appoint JJ, Jr. Obama’s team knows it’s a bluff, so Jarrett withdraws. Blago continues the offers to D.C. Advisors to get Jarrett back on the table. The bargaining continues for several more days after the conference call with Blago insisting on his messages getting to the Pres.-Elect Advisor (Emmanuel?)
From the conversations I’ve read, it appears that Obama’s team was willing to push buttons to get Blago the position with a Change to Win, but Blago would have to serve out his term. Blago wanted something right away and he had been refused administration positions.
Blago was pursuing the BO’s help in the creation of a 501(c)(4) he could run that would be funded by Warren Buffett or other wealthy Obama allies which would be formed immediately. Blago talked with Stern (SEIU) and Advisor B about this.
Blago was most anxious to talk Jarrett and Pres.-Elect Advisor about the 501(c)(4) option, but the information in the complaint stops before the response of BO’s team to that proposal is known. Possibly more about that is part of wiretapped conversations after 11/13.