Obama works to distance himself from Ill. governor

[John317]

Obama works to distance himself from Ill. governor

1 hr 27 mins ago

AP – Obama: 'saddened' by Blagojevich allegations

AP – In this Aug. 17, 2005, file photo Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, left, laughs with Illinois Gov. Rod …

WASHINGTON – Though Barack Obama isn't accused of anything, the charges against his home-state governor — concerning Obama's own Senate seat no less — are an unwelcome distraction. And the ultimate fallout is unclear. As Obama works to set up his new administration and deal with a national economic crisis, suddenly he also is spending time and attention trying to distance himself from Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and charges that the governor was trying to sell the now-vacant Senate post.

The president-elect was blunt and brief in addressing the case on Tuesday: "I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening" concerning any possible dealing about Blagojevich's appointment of a successor.

It's Obama's first big headache since his election last month, and Republicans were anything but eager to let it go away.

Said Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the new GOP House whip: "The serious nature of the crimes listed by federal prosecutors raises questions about the interaction with Gov. Blagojevich, President-elect Obama and other high ranking officials who will be working for the future president."

Added Robert M. "Mike" Duncan, chairman of the Republican National Committee: "Americans expect strong leadership, but President-elect Barack Obama's comments on the matter are insufficient at best."

In Chicago, U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald said prosecutors were making "no allegations" that Obama was aware of any scheming.

And Blagojevich himself, in taped conversations cited by prosecutors, suggested that Obama wouldn't be helpful to him. Even if the governor was to appoint a candidate favored by the Obama team, Blagojevich said, "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation."

The two Illinois politicians have never been especially close and have largely operated in different Democratic Party camps in the state. Blagojevich's disdain for Obama was clear in court documents; he is quoted as calling the president-elect a vulgar term in one phone conversation recorded by the FBI.

Still, at the very least, the episode amounts to a distraction for Obama at an inopportune time just six weeks before he's sworn into office. It also raises the specter of notorious Chicago politics, an image Obama has tried to distance himself from during his career.

There were signs the continuing investigation could still involve him.

His statement that he didn't have contact with Blagojevich about the Senate seat seems to conflict with that of top adviser David Axelrod, who told Fox News Chicago on Nov. 23: "I know he's talked to the governor, and there are a whole range of names, many of which have surfaced, and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."

On Tuesday, Axelrod issued a statement saying: "I was mistaken. ... They did not then or at any time discuss the subject."

It also appears that Obama friend Valerie Jarrett, an incoming senior White House adviser, is the person referred to repeatedly in court documents as "Candidate 1." That individual is described as a female who is "an adviser to the president-elect" and as the person Obama wanted appointed to the Senate seat. Court papers say that "Candidate 1" eventually removed "herself" from consideration for the Senate seat.

In a Nov. 11 phone conversation with an aide, Blagojevich talked at length about "Candidate 1" and said he knew that Obama wanted her for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. (Expletive) them."

......Both Obama and Blagojevich got extensive money and support from Chicago businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who is awaiting sentencing after being convicted in June on charges of using clout with Blagojevich's administration to help launch a $7 million kickback scheme. And Obama is close to Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who has been the governor's staunchest legislative ally.

At least one top aide to Obama, Michael Strautmanis, previously worked for Blagojevich. Obama has appointed Strautmanis to serve as White House chief of staff to the presidential assistant for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. The Chicago native was legislative director and counsel to Blagojevich when the governor was a member of Congress and then helped Blagojevich win the governorship in 2002. There is no indication that Strautmanis is involved in the case.

More details on the case could be forthcoming.

[Kountzer]

I've read that Obama and gov Blagojevich are not overly fond of each other. In taped conversation the gov referred to Obama with vulgar names, and said that they, meaning Obama's administration, would probably not give him anything, but appreciation. Although they are both democrats, Obama and Blagojevich operated on different sides of the Illinois democratic party.

Also, if you step back for a better perspective, and with some common sense, it shouldn't be all that surprising that they had some contact. They are both high ranking democrats from the same state, one of which is now the president elect. It wouldn't be all that surprising if they took photos together. I would be more surprised if they hadn't had any contact at all.

I also wouldn't be all that alarmed if Obama or someone in his administration had contacted the governor concerning filling the vacant senate seat. That's basic politics 101. Presidents are concerned about elections that affect them. if a senator becomes president elect he or she will probably show some sort of concern about who will be filling the vacant senate seat. you don't just go skipping off to the white house without addressing that to some extent.

The governor crossed the line by trying to sell the senate seat to the highest bidder.

DB

[Woody]

It is shocking that the President elect would participate in a cover-up like this so early in his pre-presidency. This is an all time record for cover-ups.

But I suspect that over time we will discover the reason for the lies from the Obama campaign.

The Axelrod statement is significant. Obama was trying to manipulate who would be appointed to the Senate position. But, cover-ups rarely work. I suspect that over time ... we will get to the bottom of it.

Keep in mind ... that Obama is not president yet. And if there is too much dirt discovered ... the Electoral College may just elect someone else.

[Taylor]

IT said Obama isn't accused of anything.

[Woody]

IT said Obama isn't accused of anything.

Oh. I am confident that he WILL be. Just the words of his friend and advisor ... Axelrod ... are enough for him to be accused in public opinion. We will see what happens.

[fccool]

How odd that the feds worked on the case for three months and decided to arrest him after he threatened to shut down business with the BOA.

[Woody]

I think from listening to the entire live FBI news conference .... that it had more to do with the threats to the Childrens Hospital that tipped the scales as far as urgency.

[Dr. Shane]

I think they wanted to bust him before he appointed a new senator to replace Obama.

I will be very surprised if Obama has anything to do with this. I am not like the Bush haters that jumped on every band wagon of every perceived political scandal associated with him.

[Kountzer]

Regarding Bush haters/republican haters, etc., I mostly vote democratic, but I have noticed that some people on the democratic side of the aisle tended to blame Bush for everything. I always resented that. I've always felt that running a country from the executive branch is a lot more complex than what party is in power.