If you can't stand the heat, don't light the cigarette.

UPDATE: At a Thursday morning press conference, Obama was asked two of the above questions.

Well, I guess it's better than nothing.

Obama will obfuscate on those questions till Mrs. O'Leary's cow comes home.

At this point, Obama doesn't have to answer anything if he doesn't want to.

Great questions that a FOXNews reporter might ask but of course, he/she will never be called on during Obama's press conferences.

Question #8, are you ever going to stop lying, Obama?

re: #3 Honorary Yooper

Depends on what the meaning of "comes home" means.

I like your little dig at Politico.

re: #3 Honorary Yooper

Obama will obfuscate on those questions till Mrs. O'Leary's cow comes home.

I'd love the cow to return. Seems like Chicago needs a good fire to clean out the garbage.

7 MSM translated politico questions:

1. Are you a Cubs fan?
2. Why?
3. Is Michelle?
4. Why?
5. Are you excited to move into the White House in January?
6. Does Michelle have any interior design ideas?
7. Is that really a toupee' on Blagojevich's head?
/

Talk about a house of cards. Wow!

4 – “Did you or anyone close to you contact the FBI or U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald about Blagojevich’s alleged efforts to ...?”

Blagojevich ... telling Harris ... that Obama was “not willing to give ... anything except appreciation ...

If Blagojevich contacted anyone on Obama’s team even hinting at a possible pay-for-play arrangement, it seems they would have been obligated to report that to law enforcement.

Unless I'm mistaken, this is the operative question here.

/did I say time bomb? ... no ... heh

Why in the world would anyone think they need to pursue the ridiculous birth certificate fantasy? The truth will set you free!

It's time to bring back those No Excuses jeans, we've got a new endorser here.

After that Obama press conference today, a few reporters started to ask probing questions -- but Obama deflected the questions by changing the topic...and avoided answering...

re: #4 Lively

At this point, Obama doesn't have to answer anything if he doesn't want to.

Wait until he's President-Elect, at least.

8 good questions...think he'll ever really have to answer them? Right now, the masons over and the Democratic Party and the OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT are busy reviving a Clinton tradition by erecting a giant stonewall until the storm passes. Perhaps he can bomb an empty terrorist camp or "aspirin factory" somewhere once he gets in to deflect the heat?

Questioning The One is unpatriotic.

//

These seven miss the big question -

WILL YOU PROMISE THAT FITZGERALD WILL BE GIVEN THE RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS INVESTIGATION WHEREVER IT LEADS!

re: #19 DeafDog

These seven miss the big question -

WILL YOU PROMISE THAT FITZGERALD WILL BE GIVEN THE RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS INVESTIGATION WHEREVER IT LEADS!

They certainly wanted to give them to him when he was trying to nail Scooter Libby. My guess is Obama stonewalls him at every turn.

re: #18 jcm

Questioning The One is unpatriotic.

Call me unpartriotic then, because I'll continue to question until his "Secret Police" come to get me.

/snark, and at the same time, not snark.

Can we get a Presidential election do-over?

.

re: #19 DeafDog

These seven miss the big question -

WILL YOU PROMISE THAT FITZGERALD WILL BE GIVEN THE RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS INVESTIGATION WHEREVER IT LEADS!

Yes, he was "their man" when Cheney was the target...let's see if they cheer him on with the same enthusiasm now.

If Blagojevich contacted anyone on Obama’s team even hinting at a possible pay-for-play arrangement, it seems they would have been obligated to report that to law enforcement.

At the very least. Character counts.

re: #18 jcm

Questioning The One is unpatriotic.

//

When he gets his version of the tonton macoute going it might make you and yours dead.

what about the dog issue? get off my back!

re: #21 MrSilverDragon

Call me unpartriotic then, because I'll continue to question until his "Secret Police" come to get me.

/snark, and at the same time, not snark.

"Dissent is patriotic!" HRC...

Until it's our guy...

Obama and the press are trying to have their cake and eat it too. On the one hand, they can't resist being so darned proud of him for resisting the evil, corrupt Blagojevich, according to his taped verbal rage toward the "motherf***er." On the other hand, no meeting took place. Obama even threw it out in his press conference this morning. Something like "well, he used all kind of explitives because he was frustrated we wouldn't play." (not a direct quote-I watched it on tv). Last night Colmes rejected Bill Bennet's premise that this wasn't good news for Obama either way, countering that it was good news because he obviously wouldn't "play" with Blago. So which is it? How can he be the champion against corruption if he never got the offer?

Please pass the popcorn salt.

re: #19 DeafDog

These seven miss the big question -

WILL YOU PROMISE THAT FITZGERALD WILL BE GIVEN THE RESOURCES AND AUTHORITY TO CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS INVESTIGATION WHEREVER IT LEADS!

"I believe that he will be free to do whatever he wants to do as a private citizen, come January 21."

re: #17 Desert Dog

8 good questions...think he'll ever really have to answer them? Right now, the masons over and the Democratic Party and the OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT-ELECT are busy reviving a Clinton tradition by erecting a giant stonewall until the storm passes. Perhaps he can bomb an empty terrorist camp or "aspirin factory" somewhere once he gets in to deflect the heat?

At the rate the scandals are piling up, Obama will be launching cruise missiles about once an hour 24/7/365 just to stay ahead of the press.

The press of course will hail each one as a tough foreign policy victory and prostrate themselves before him in homage.

re: #22 Dad O' Blondes

Can we get a Presidential election do-over?

.

Yup as soon as we get that stock market do over?

re: #31 Jetpilot1101

At the rate the scandals are piling up, Obama will be launching cruise missiles about once an hour 24/7/365 just to stay ahead of the press.

The press of course will hail each one as a tough foreign policy victory and prostrate themselves before him in homage.

The press will line up to be the first one under Obama's White House desk.

re: #32 Nevergiveup

Yup as soon as we get that stock market do over?

In order for that to happen, we need a few election do overs to launch Frank and Dodd into the poitical ashbin of history. Better yet, send them to a "federal pound me in the ass" prison.

re: #30 ErnieG

"I believe that he will be free to do whatever he wants to do as a private citizen, come January 21."

I fear that is true. Fitz has 6 weeks to make his case and then he's gone.

One more question for Obama -

What contacts have been made in regards to the Clinton and Biden seats? If it stinks in Illinois, it probabaly stinks in New York and Delaware, too.

re: #3 Honorary Yooper

Obama will obfuscate on those questions till Mrs. O'Leary's cow comes home.

I think we need to milk the answers out of Obama.

re: #33 Perplexed

The press will line up to be the first one under Obama's White House desk.

Will Chris Matthews be first or will he get sloppy seconds behind Keith Olberman?

re: #22 Dad O' Blondes

Can we get a Presidential election do-over?

I second the motion!

Much like Gerald Ford is the only President to serve and never elected, Obama could be the first to be elected and never serve!

re: #23 Desert Dog

Yes, he was "their man" when Cheney was the target...let's see if they cheer him on with the same enthusiasm now.

Let's see if he's just as enthusiastic...

The FBI can clear this up in minutes. They undoubtedly have tapes.

I am starting to wonder about Fitzgerald. It seems like he jumped to Obama and #5's defense a lot. If they have been recording Blago for so long, any conversation he had with the O would have been taped. Yesterday, they were reporting that Rahm may have been the leaker. Does anyone think it is possible they were in on the bust? Then, there was the crazy ass press conference the day before Blagos arrest. He looked insane. "Babbling about nothing but sunshine over his head". He knew what was going to happen. I think he will be able to take a bunch of them down with him, unless they cooperated.

Eight Wonder of the World...why is the MSM silent?

Question #8 - How do they do the "Frog March" Chicago style?

Can I just finish my waffle?

re: #41 Racer X

The FBI can clear this up in minutes. They undoubtedly have tapes.

Aren't tapes pretty flameable?

No. 8 ...

Mr. Obama ...Is it true that your consigliere, Rahm Emmanuel, has in the past sent political enemies gifts of dead fish?

No reporter will ever actually ask Barry any of these questions.

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.

re: #39 jill e

Much like Gerald Ford is the only President to serve and never elected, Obama could be the first to be elected and never serve!

What a fabulous dream that is. Unfortunately, most likely just a dream. So many people desperately wanted Barry to be Prez so bad that they ignored all of the glaring negatives. These same people are not going to shirk their pride now. Barry has a free pass on everything except changing party affiliation.

I think I heard that Blogo finally caught on sometime in November that he was being recorded. Did he make his "exculpatory" statement (about Obama's team not giving him anything but appreciation for the Senate post) after he found out, as a way to try to head off disaster? Anybody have a handle on the timeline?

He's just the POTUS elect. He doesn't have to answer any tough questions. After he takes office... um well, uh, um - no tough questions then either.

he's got "editorial support"

...A bit late, isn't it?! Oh well.

re: #47 JacksonTn

No. 8 ...

Mr. Obama ...Is it true that your consigliere, Rahm Emmanuel, has in the past sent political enemies gifts of dead fish?

Shame on me but, I think that's funny.

re: #18 jcm

Questioning The One is unpatriotic.

//

Must maintain blind faith adoration.

Have no fear- Chris Matthews is on the job!

Blogo is a loose cannon. Last night Bill Bennett said that it was rather known - his mental instability I mean. Blogo also probably has dirt on everyone. He better watch his back.

I have a question.

The Illinois and Chicago political system is built and runs on corruption.

How did you rise politically from an unknown to a State Senator to a US Senator to President without participating in that corruption?

re: #42 pie22

Yep, Blago will sing like a canary before he goes to jail. This isn't finished by any stretch of the imagination and the indictments will have Chicago politicos scattering like startled cockroaches.

re: #59 Opinionated

I have a question.

The Illinois and Chicago political system is built and runs on corruption.

How did you rise politically from an unknown to a State Senator to a US Senator to President without participating in that corruption?

Um. You don't.

re: #42 pie22

I am starting to wonder about Fitzgerald. It seems like he jumped to Obama and #5's defense a lot. If they have been recording Blago for so long, any conversation he had with the O would have been taped. Yesterday, they were reporting that Rahm may have been the leaker. Does anyone think it is possible they were in on the bust? Then, there was the crazy ass press conference the day before Blagos arrest. He looked insane. "Babbling about nothing but sunshine over his head". He knew what was going to happen. I think he will be able to take a bunch of them down with him, unless they cooperated.

A) I think Fitzgerald is a slimy fraud. He let the Plame case go on for years knowing full well the Armitage leaked the name by the end of the first week of the investigation.

B) I think Fitzgerald exposed this because he was afraid it would lead right back to Obama.

and

C) I don't think anything will happen to Blago. The press is already calling both he and his wife insane sociopaths.

Expect padded cells but no jail time. Besides, by breaking this up before a real crime occured does Fitzgerald have anything other than possible conspiracy?

re: #6 MrSilverDragon

Question #8, are you ever going to stop lying, Obama?

Question #9

Why weren't these questions, PLUS many others NOT asked during Obama's two year campaign?

Does anyone know, who the lucky soon to be filthy (it is Illinois) rich Senate seat auction on E-Bay?

Chris Matthews interviewed Bill Ayers last night. The last thing he said to Ayers was "I think you are a changed man". It was repulsive.

re: #49 MandyManners

Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.

Where is Sam Ervin, now that we need him!

re: #35 DeafDog

I don't see how he can do that after the stink the Democrats made about Bush and the firing of the AGs in the Department of Justice.

re: #57 Capitalist Tool

Have no fear- Chris Matthews is on the job!

Speaking of tingling, I was thinking Charles might put up a post about Chrissie's interview with Ayeres on Hardball last night.

The one thing that goes through my mind, is with this current congress and the one about to be sworn in and the current media environment: Would it actually make a difference or change anything if Obama himself came up with the idea of selling his old seat and discussed it with Blago while dinning on live kittens?

Seriously if he is guilty of anything or everything, would anyone do anything about it?

I wish I was being sarcastic.

re: #59 Opinionated

According to my paper this morning, it was his "smarts'" and "skill" and magical "tight-rope" walking efforts that kept him pure as the driven snow.

Take him down?

Yes we can! Yes we can!"

re: #63 Elcid

Ummm, "who" won.

re: #64 pie22

Chris Matthews interviewed Bill Ayers last night. The last thing he said to Ayers was "I think you are a changed man". It was repulsive.

I saw that. Every time I flick past Matthews to see what's up, he's spouting the worst kind of propaganda... Evey. Time.

re: #65 pre-Boomer Marine brat

Where is Sam Ervin, now that we need him!

Laughing at us from Heaven ( I assume ) is my bet.

re: #59 Opinionated

I have a question.

The Illinois and Chicago political system is built and runs on corruption.

How did you rise politically from an unknown to a State Senator to a US Senator to President without participating in that corruption?

As maddogg said in the last thread "Maybe I'm stoopid, but I just can't see one good apple coming out of a barrel of rotten ones."

re: #64 pie22

Chris Matthews interviewed Bill Ayers last night. The last thing he said to Ayers was "I think you are a changed man". It was repulsive.

Actually, I think the last thing Matthews said (after your quote) was "I really believe that."

0bama at the podium: 'Look what I have here (brings out tiny puppy from inside his suit coat): why this is Whiskers. Ain't he cute? He is the new first dog. Anybody have any questions for Whiskers? I cede the podium to Whiskers.

Press: Awww. He is so adorable...

re: #35 DeafDog

I fear that is true. Fitz has 6 weeks to make his case and then he's gone.

One more question for Obama -

What contacts have been made in regards to the Clinton and Biden seats? If it stinks in Illinois, it probabaly stinks in New York and Delaware, too.

Let's face it, it stinks bad everywhere in this country now. The Republicans have dirty hands as well...it's you scatch my back and I will scratch yours all over the place. The Democratics are just extremely good at it and it just seems to comes so natural to them.

Everyone who runs for high office now does so to get ahead before, during and after getting elected. How many Governors, Congressmen, or Senators do you know that leave office poorer than they came in? Not many...they all feather the nest. Gov. Blagojevich was just very brazen and unbelievably greedy about it. Family members, friends, etc, etc, you name it, they all get cushy jobs or high paying contracts from deals cut just like Gov. Jailbird was trying to do. He just lacks the "finese" and "decorum" that the masters of this corrupt system have, that's all...

(Cynical today, aren't I?)

re: #68 fish

The one thing that goes through my mind, is with this current congress and the one about to be sworn in and the current media environment: Would it actually make a difference or change anything if Obama himself came up with the idea of selling his old seat and discussed it with Blago while dinning on live kittens?

Seriously if he is guilty of anything or everything, would anyone do anything about it?

I wish I was being sarcastic.

He could stick up a liquor store and get a pass.

I too wish I was being sarcastic.

re: #72 Capitalist Tool

I saw that. Every time I flick past Matthews to see what's up, he's spouting the worst kind of propaganda... Evey. Time.

Then once the MSM begs for their bailout we get to have a state controlled propaganda machine. It will honestly make me feel better about it since I get SOO mad thinking how they are VOLUNTARILY a propagandist machine. This will at least put the steps back in correct order...no more of this 'cart before the horse' stuff...

re: #66 bulwrk

I don't see how he can do that after the stink the Democrats made about Bush and the firing of the AGs in the Department of Justice.

You're kidding, right? You have to know those rules don't apply to them, right?

re: #73 Nevergiveup

Laughing at us from Heaven ( I assume ) is my bet.

I get what you mean, but don't think Ervin would be doing that.

The age of Teflon has returned.

Question #8: Have you decided on a breed of dog for your image?

/f'n liars...

re: #60 Perplexed I bet soon, they will all be wishing they stayed in Chicago!

This seems obvious, but I haven't heard anyone ask yet---if Obama or an aid were the subject of an attempted bribe, or learned of one, didn't they have a legal obligation to report it ? Is this why nobody admits talking to the Gov?

OT: the logic of Senate democrats (wow - how pathetic)

Our political elite are stunningly corrupt and economically retarded.

re: #66 bulwrk

I don't see how he can do that after the stink the Democrats made about Bush and the firing of the AGs in the Department of Justice.

Well, you see, there's two sets of rules. For example:

If Senator Dodd can get a sweetheart loan from Countrywide and presides over a complete financial meltdown he would not be held accountable. He could continue as the head of the Senate Banking Committee.

If Senator Trent Lott, on the other hand, were to say something a little too nice about Strom Thurmond (at Strom's Birthday) and he's crucified.

Obama plays by Dodd's Rules. GWB had to play by Lott's rules.

re: #83 IslandLibertarian

The age of Teflon has returned.

Question #8: Have you decided on a breed of dog for your image?

/f'n liars...

How about a Shitzu?

We are fucked.

Our leaders suck.

Barak: Not a day goes by that I don't think of Gilad Shalit

[Link: www.ynetnews.com...]

Yeah, well if he is alive, that and $1.50 ( if that is what it costs ) will get you on the NYC subway?

re: #72 Capitalist Tool I had to FORCE myself to watch. It was really bad.

re: #86 FrogMarch

OT: the logic of Senate democrats (wow - how pathetic)

Our political elite are stunningly corrupt and economically retarded.

I have to quote Mandy:

"My brain is bruised."

the O is a hoax, created by a criminal cesspool and foisted on the american public as a messiah.
he is so tainted he really can not last long as the "light worker" answer to our prayers. the seas will not recede when he is sworn in.
he is unqualified to lead our country. this is going to turn into a joke.
people who voted for him should be ashamed.

re: #75 turn

As maddogg said in the last thread "Maybe I'm stoopid, but I just can't see one good apple coming out of a barrel of rotten ones."

That one apple would be chance.

Obama would have to be a miracle.

A corrupt system can not be perpetuating if success can be attained outside the corruption. As entranced as corruption is in Illinois and Chicago, if Obama was not corrupt he would have to be destroyed by the system. Like the cop Serpico.

He wasn't destroyed, he flourished. Maybe it was a miracle.

re: #76 Capitalist Tool You are right. Thanks for fixing that.

re: #78 Desert Dog

Just because you are right, it does not make you cynical.

Upding!

re: #88 Jetpilot1101

How about a Shitzu?

You are in-corgi-able.

In Obama America questions ask you

re: #77 daledog

0bama at the podium: 'Look what I have here (brings out tiny puppy from inside his suit coat): why this is Whiskers. Ain't he cute? He is the new first dog. Anybody have any questions for Whiskers? I cede the podium to Whiskers.

Press: Awww. He is so adorable...

Obama: 'Look what I have here (brings out tiny puppy from inside his suit coat): why this is Whiskers. Isn't he cute? He is the new first dog. Every time I get a question I don't like, I'm going to poke Whiskers with my pen here. Anybody have any questions for me?

Press: No questions, sir...

re: #66 bulwrk

Well you see, those firings were political motivated and done at the behest of the evil Bush Administration. Fitz's will not be "fired", but will be let go because he has completed his task with the indictment and "possible" conviction of Blaggo.

/Nothing to see here. Move along now.

re: #101 Walter L. Newton

Obama: 'Look what I have here (brings out tiny puppy from inside his suit coat): why this is Whiskers. Isn't he cute? He is the new first dog. Every time I get a question I don't like, I'm going to poke Whiskers with my pen here. Anybody have any questions for me?

Press: No questions, sir...

ROFL!

re: #93 Oh no...Sand People!

I have to quote Mandy:

"My brain is bruised."

The only thing between us and a complete turn over of our free system to the inept nanny state socialists is 1 or 2 senate seats. My brain is bruised too.

re: #88 Jetpilot1101

How about a Shitzu?

Either that or a wiener dog.

re: #48 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

In the "update" -- the Politico people note that reporters asked 2 of the 7 suggested questions. The problem is that (imo) Obama didn't really answer either of the 2 questions. To the first one (whether or not Obama's aides were in contact with the governor), Obama said, (not quoting but in effect), "i'll get back to ya." Obama wants to do up some report. And to the second question (which asked, "were you or your staff contacted by the FBI prior to the governor's bust?"), Obama again shifted focus by stating that nobody on his team was interviewed by the FBI (which isn't the same as having been contacted and given a "heads-up.")...

re: #96 Opinionated

That one apple would be chance.

Obama would have to be a miracle.

A corrupt system can not be perpetuating if success can be attained outside the corruption. As entranced as corruption is in Illinois and Chicago, if Obama was not corrupt he would have to be destroyed by the system. Like the cop Serpico.

He wasn't destroyed, he flourished. Maybe it was a miracle.

The virgin birth was a miracle and he is the Messiah so...

I'm wondering who in Obama's staff is going to fall on his sword over meeting with Blago "without his knowledge or authorization." I bet the story is going to be that there were "rogue" emissaries who approached Blagojevich to purchase the senate seats without the potential senators having authorized the meeting.

In other words, once more info. comes out and heads start rolling, this is how the meetings will be characterized as having taken place: "Governor Blago, I would like to purchase the senate seat for my boss, but he doesn't know anything about this. I'm going to put it under the holiday tree as a surprise."

There's a Ukrainian saying: if it were not my idiot, I'd be laughing.

On the other hand, since I (we all, I think) have a bad feeling that the only kind of humor we get is going to be black humor for some time to come, may as well break out the popcorn.

re: #81 vapig

Generally I agree, but this would look incredibly bad if it appears Obama is attempting to derail an investigation into Democratic corruption.In part I suspect that may have something to do with why Fitzgerald went public with this so early,job security.

re: #101 Walter L. Newton

Obama: 'Look what I have here (brings out tiny puppy from inside his suit coat): why this is Whiskers. Isn't he cute? He is the new first dog. Every time I get a question I don't like, I'm going to poke Whiskers with my pen here. Anybody have any questions for me?

Press: No questions, sir...

Two sons of bitches at the podium -- one more so than the other.

I think we may all have a lot to comment about over the next 4 years.

/buying Orville Reddenbocker stock

Gas up the bus!

re: #96 Opinionated

Maybe it's pay back time too

At least somebody in the media is saying something - that's a start

re: #92 pie22

I had to FORCE myself to watch. It was really bad.

It's good training for learning to be impersonal to any situation. Emotional control-

This is just one of the things Americans will regret when they rue the day they voted for a liar.

re: #78 Desert Dog

While I agree with your cynicism, the difference is that the press is relentless in pursuing Republican corruption. How many times was Halliburton investigated? When it comes to Democratic corruption, however, they seem to shy away from the attack. Rangle, for example, is being practically ignored even though he was the head of the tax committee and cheated on his taxes! When it comes to Obama the press complacency is even worse.

re: #101 Walter L. Newton

Nice angle. Funny.

re: #103 Oh no...Sand People!

ROFL!

That means, sir, we both have a problem. Shall I suggest some therapy for both of us. LOL.

re: #118 Joan Not of Arc

This is just one of the things Americans will regret when they rue the day they voted for a liar.

But all those Americans that voted for him are SO PROUD! They healed America from racism by electing the first black president! Wasn't that what it was all about?

Rush is commenting on how China is cutting taxes to deal with their economic woes.

Remind me again which country is communist and which one is capitalist?

re: #122 father_of_10

But all those Americans that voted for him are SO PROUD! They healed America from racism by electing the first black president! Wasn't that what it was all about?

yes

re: #58 monkeytime

Blogo is a loose cannon. Last night Bill Bennett said that it was rather known - his mental instability I mean. Blogo also probably has dirt on everyone. He better watch his back.

___
Years ago, Louisiana had a governor who was institutionalized in a mental hospital. He still ran things from his "cell".
He was Earl K Long, younger brother of Huey P Long.

Maybe Blago will change offices to a padded room. But I doubt they'll let him run things anymore.

re: #114 taxfreekiller

If you have been elected to any office in Chicago, you have swallowed some at least once.

Is that an African Swallow or a European Swallow?

Al Franken will help settle the tone when he goes to Washington. He will help Obama make light of this whole misunderstanding.

re: #127 cminmn

Al Franken will help settle the tone when he goes to Washington. He will help Obama make light of this whole misunderstanding.

Well he better make a Hotel Reservation, since he ain't got not Senatorial Office to flop in!

He's not even in office and its started. I find this offensive. Question 8... Are you client 8?

re: #2 Killgore Trout

And how did he respond to the questions? Did he offer up that those questions were above his pay grade? /

re: #126 DeafDog

Is that an African Swallow or a European Swallow?

It's the Continental Swallow.

re: #129 NYCHardhat

He's not even in office and its started. I find this offensive. Question 8... Are you client 8?

Better yet, are you client #9?

the Republican Party has to grow some balls by the 2010 elections and take back the House or Senate

and do what the dem's have done

HEARINGS !

but not on steroids in baseball and stem cells like the dems

they have to investigate 0bama 24/7
don't even pass a budget

the country is already morally bankrupt
let's add some functionality to it
and clean house once and for all

my wish for 2010, Palin takes a seat in the House
Republicans win the majority back
install her as speaker
and impeach and remove 0bama and Biden

re: #121 Walter L. Newton

That means, sir, we both have a problem. Shall I suggest some therapy for both of us. LOL.

Sad to say, but I think in the state of the world, we possibly are a few of what can be considered 'sane' one's...relatively speaking of course.

re: #128 Nevergiveup

Well he better make a Hotel Reservation, since he ain't got not Senatorial Office to flop in!

Did he finally lose to Coleman?

re: #125 right_on_target

___
Years ago, Louisiana had a governor who was institutionalized in a mental hospital. He still ran things from his "cell".
He was Earl K Long, younger brother of Huey P Long.

Maybe Blago will change offices to a padded room. But I doubt they'll let him run things anymore.

If I were him, that would be the least of my worries.

re: #132 Jetpilot1101

Better yet, are you client #9?

Thats Spitzer. Barry is 8. Charlie Sheen is 1-7.

re: #127 cminmn

Al Franken will help settle the tone when he goes to Washington. He will help Obama make light of this whole misunderstanding.

True. And dog gone it, people LIKE me!

re: #123 Jetpilot1101

Rush is commenting on how China is cutting taxes to deal with their economic woes.

Remind me again which country is communist and which one is capitalist?

And America continues to march towards socialism.

Sickening.

re: #63 Elcid

Question #9

Why weren't these questions, PLUS many others NOT asked during Obama's two year campaign?

I will debate anytime anywhere. No, I mean only 3 times. And none of those type where I get asked hard questions.

re: #135 Jetpilot1101

Did he finally lose to Coleman?

Not officially but he is still behind.

Face it, the next four years will leave millions of unanswered questions. Every question O has been asked since the election has been answered thusly "I don't think it would be right to comment." Get used to that phrase, we are going to be hearing a LOT of it.

re: #139 Racer X

And America continues to march towards socialism.

Sickening.

To quote Star Wars: "So this is how Democracy dies, amid thunderous applause".

USA Today story

Federal authorities arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich Tuesday after a wiretap allegedly recorded him scheming to make money on his appointment to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama. Blagojevich, a Democrat, ran for election in part on cleaning up after his predecessor, Republican George Ryan, who was convicted in 2006 of racketeering, bribery and extortion

What is wrong with this paragraph?

re: #130 lawhawk

And how did he respond to the questions? Did he offer up that those questions were above his pay grade? /

From the end of the article at the link:

UPDATE: At a Thursday morning press conference, Obama was asked two of the above questions.

-Asked if he or his people had interacted with Blagojevich or his office about filling the vacant Illinois Senate seat, Obama said he, personally, had not.

But he left the door open to the possibility that his aides may have and promised that he would reveal the results of an investigation of any such interactions “in the next few days.”

He said: “what I want to do is gather all the facts about any staff contacts that may have taken place between the transition office and the governor’s office.”

He asserted, though, that no one on his staff engaged Blagojevich in his alleged efforts to trade the Senate seat for personal benefit.

-Asked if federal investigators had contacted him or his people in the course of the investigation, Obama said that neither he nor his people had been interviewed.

re: #141 Nevergiveup

Not officially but he is still behind.

The massaging isn't finished.

re: #142 CapeCoddah

Face it, the next four years will leave millions of unanswered questions. Every question O has been asked since the election has been answered thusly "I don't think it would be right to comment." Get used to that phrase, we are going to be hearing a LOT of it.

Well - that and "Present".

I am not sure why my post re-appeared. I did not re-post it. Why would that happen?

re: #123 Jetpilot1101

Rush is commenting on how China is cutting taxes to deal with their economic woes.

Remind me again which country is communist and which one is capitalist?

¿ʎןǝʇɐן uʍop ǝpısdn puɐ spɹɐʍʞɔɐq ƃuıɥʇʎɹǝʌǝ sı ʎɥʍ

re: #144 Eowyn2

Well, that was the pot calling the kettle black...clearly.

re: #143 Jetpilot1101

To quote Star Wars: "So this is how Democracy dies, amid thunderous applause".

And you are aware that originally that line was a shot at President Buush and the War on Terror.

In Obama America, Government stealing and lying not problem, American people problem for wanting to stop it

re: #149 Oh no...Sand People!

¿ʎןǝʇɐן uʍop ǝpısdn puɐ spɹɐʍʞɔɐ q ƃuıɥʇʎɹ& #x01DD;ʌǝ sı ʎɥʍ

Easy for you to say!

re: #144 Eowyn2

USA Today story

What is wrong with this paragraph?

They don't label Blago as a Democrat but label Ryan as a Republican.

re: #144 Eowyn2

USA Today story

What is wrong with this paragraph?

They mentioned Blago is a Dem?

re: #144 Eowyn2

USA Today story

What is wrong with this paragraph?

Its bias?

re: #144 Eowyn2

USA Today story

What is wrong with this paragraph?

Gee, I see that the previous Guv was a Republican, but evidently the current Guv is non-partisan . . .

re: #142 CapeCoddah

Face it, the next four years will leave millions of unanswered questions. Every question O has been asked since the election has been answered thusly "I don't think it would be right to comment." Get used to that phrase, we are going to be hearing a LOT of it.

Absolutely. And a lot of retracted statements until he finally gets it right.

re: #157 father_of_10

lol

Obama will HAVE to ditch Fitzgerald somehow. Maybe the Slick Willy method of having surrogates start lies and rumors so as to damage his credibility and call into question his motives.

Obama's atomic umbrella: U.S. nuclear strike if Iran nukes Israel

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's administration will offer Israel a "nuclear umbrella" against the threat of a nuclear attack by Iran, a well-placed American source said earlier this week. The source, who is close to the new administration, said the U.S. will declare that an attack on Israel by Tehran would result in a devastating U.S. nuclear response against Iran.

Barry, the Iranian government doesn't care if they die as long as they kill the Jews first. You need to prevent them from ever attacking, not the empty threat of reprisals after they've accomplished their goals.

re: #135 Jetpilot1101

Did he finally lose to Coleman?

It's still not settled, according to a quick check at Google News.

re: #151 Nevergiveup

And you are aware that originally that line was a shot at President Buush and the War on Terror.

Yes I am and I am also aware that the the movie "V for Vendetta" was also a shot a Bush. History has a way of changing the context.

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said it was not until Tuesday that Obama learned the details of the complaint against Blagojevich – the same day it was released to the public – and wouldn’t say exactly when or how Obama was notified.

But at least some people got an early heads-up: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told reporters that he was notified Monday night by federal prosecutors that the investigation was coming to a head, that an arrest was imminent and that Jackson was not a target.

Interesting...I watched this live press conference... Jesse Jr. Said Monday and then later in the conference said Tuesday...
Anyone else caught that...

re: #117 Capitalist Tool
Guess I will be getting alot of those oppurtunities. Atleast 4 years.

What kind of shocks you got on that bus because they must be really heavy duty to be able to handle all those people you've been throwing under it?

The 800 pound gorilla in the room for Obama is Emanuel.

If it was Emanuel who dropped dime on Blago, and I think it was, that will likely come out.

And then it will get messy for Obama, given his current denials.

Plus, Emanuels' usefulness will be greatly reduced to Obama if it becomes public that he ratted out Blago to the Fed's. Nobody will want to do business with Emanuel again.

Has Jesse Jackson, Jr. popped his head up today?

re: #144 Eowyn2

Blago's party affiliation is MIA? /

Sen. Chuck the Schmuck Schumer (Liberal hack-NY), said last summer during the Scooter Libby trial that US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald "doesn't have a political bone in his body".

But that's when he was prosecuting a Republican.

I wonder if he still believes that, or if he EVER did.

re: #145 reine.de.tout

He said: “what I want to do is gather all the facts about any staff contacts that may have taken place between the transition office and the governor’s office.”

He asserted, though, that no one on his staff engaged Blagojevich in his alleged efforts to trade the Senate seat for personal benefit.

And just how could he so assert if he had yet to gather all the facts?

re: #168 MandyManners

Has Jesse Jackson, Jr. popped his head up today?

No, Jesse Jackass Jr (D-Budweiser) has not been seen today.

re: #148 pie22

I am not sure why my post re-appeared. I did not re-post it. Why would that happen?

Oh no, ACORN has hacked into LGF.

OT:

Child's remains found near home where Caylee Anthony lived

this kind of special treatment accorded to the O by the msm and those in power, is absolutely disgusting. the commitment to protect him is sickening.
there will be a back lash on the O.
eventually the public will despise him.
it is inevitable. his ineptitude will become so glaringly obvious.
he will be the laughing stock of the world.
a world class fool.

re: #154 Jetpilot1101

They don't label Blago as a Democrat but label Ryan as a Republican.

Yes it does.

re: #169 lawhawk

Oops, it's there, but what exactly does Ryan's situation have to do with any of this other than to say that Illinois is corrupt and Illinois voters keep voting for corrupt politicians.

re: #164 notutopia

Why did Jr. get a heads up? I heard that but don't get why he got told?

re: #168 MandyManners

Has Jesse Jackson, Jr. popped his head up today?

Not sure, he may be afraid of Whack-A-Mole syndrome.

re: #164 notutopia

Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs said it was not until Tuesday that Obama learned the details of the complaint against Blagojevich – the same day it was released to the public – and wouldn’t say exactly when or how Obama was notified.

But at least some people got an early heads-up: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. told reporters that he was notified Monday night by federal prosecutors that the investigation was coming to a head, that an arrest was imminent and that Jackson was not a target.

Interesting...I watched this live press conference... Jesse Jr. Said Monday and then later in the conference said Tuesday...
Anyone else caught that...

I'm thinking they were both notified when they TALKED ABOUT IT.

re: #171 pre-Boomer Marine brat

And just how could he so assert if he had yet to gather all the facts?

It do make one wonder. . .

re: #172 Honorary Yooper

No, Jesse Jackass Jr (D-Budweiser) has not been seen today.

Hanging with his attorneys?

re: #176 MandyManners

Yes it does.

But not initially.

Yesterday Mark Levin was calling for a Special Prosecutor for Blago. The left loves Special Prosecutors so much, but you don't hear them screaming for one now.

re: #179 CapeCoddah

Not sure, he may be afraid of Whack-A-Mole syndrome.

And scared of the bus.

re: #177 lawhawk

Oops, it's there, but what exactly does Ryan's situation have to do with any of this other than to say that Illinois is corrupt and Illinois voters keep voting for corrupt politicians.

They're both part of the Illinois Combine, Lawhawk. Democrats and Republicans living in harmony in Illinois and looking out for their own pocketbooks rather than serving the public's interest.

re: #154 Jetpilot1101

Yes, they do.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, ran for election in part on cleaning up after his predecessor, Republican George Ryan.

re: #21 MrSilverDragon

Call me unpartriotic then, because I'll continue to question until his "Secret Police" come to get me.

/snark, and at the same time, not snark.

they aren't secret police, they are a "civilian population control group"

re: #175 nyc redneck

this kind of special treatment accorded to the O by the msm and those in power, is absolutely disgusting. the commitment to protect him is sickening.
there will be a back lash on the O.
eventually the public will despise him.
it is inevitable. his ineptitude will become so glaringly obvious.
he will be the laughing stock of the world.
a world class fool.

Yes, there will be a backlash, I think.
However, I'm not sure he will be the laughingstock of the world.
I think the world would love it that we have an inept pres.

re: #183 Jetpilot1101

But not initially.

Second sentence is good enough for me.

re: #182 MandyManners

Hanging with his attorneys?

Of course, and maybe even with his father, Jesse "The King of Beers" Jackson Sr.

re: #167 3 wood

I disagree. Emanuel is needed as an enforcer and if he did drop Blago to the feds, then Obama can claim that he's squeeky clean and enhances his position accordingly. It also makes it tougher for people to try and smear him as a corrupt Chicago politicians. It also shows that the Obama camp wont stand for any kind of chicanery (or at least the appearance thereof).

Of course, if it comes out that anyone in the Obama camp was simply waiting out for a better offer, that's going to have a diametrically opposite outcome for Emanuel, Obama, and others involved.

re: #174 reine.de.tout

OT:

Child's remains found near home where Caylee Anthony lived

Lord, that is hard to hear, but, hopefully they can lay that angel to rest properly. I hope they fry her ass. If she killed that baby, I would volunteer to crawl to Florida over broken glass to pull the switch.

re: #168 MandyManners

Has Jesse Jackson, Jr. popped his head up today?

I think he's huddled up with Pop's to get their story's straight and try to find out what is on tape.

re: #187 Bubblehead II

Yes, they do.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, ran for election in part on cleaning up after his predecessor, Republican George Ryan.

Yes, the "Unreformer".

re: #173 turn lol. This is not easy. Blogging LOOKS easy,but once I start typing, I am a disaster!

re: #190 MandyManners

Second sentence is good enough for me.

I agree but it sure seems like they didn't want to mention it and only did so when they could call out a republican.

What if...

1) Fitz was planning all along make this public about this time.
2) Before Dec. 15th, a whole lot of Obama and his folks become envolved.
3) or before he sworn in, a whole lot of Obama and his folks become envolved.
4) The government is in chaos.
5) Marshall law, another 4 years of Bush.

/ok, this is snarky, in a sense, but what is really going on here. There are so many unanswered questions, not only on Bloggo's side of the events, but Fitz, the current administration (notice how quiet they have been) and so on.

I still think we haven't seen nothing yet.

As far as questions 3 and 4 go. Even if Jesse Jackson Jr. is not a target of this investigation, wouldn't offering a bribe place him in some sort of legal jeopardy? So maybe he was notified early with good reason.

As far as Emanuel's office denying contact with the prosecutor, this is an ongoing investigation. His denial might be another way of saying that he's not at liberty to discuss such matters.

1 and 2 are really the most important questions.

7 would be nice, but there's no way he's going to go beyond his "this is a terrible day for Illinois" rhetoric. To say that he regrets supporting Blagojevich is to say that he was a poor judge of character. The President-elect would not be that forthcoming.

re: #184 3 wood

Yesterday Mark Levin was calling for a Special Prosecutor for Blago. The left loves Special Prosecutors so much, but you don't hear them screaming for one now.

yes, wheere is schmuck schumer now. what no cameras around?

re: #161 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Obama's atomic umbrella: U.S. nuclear strike if Iran nukes Israel

Barry, the Iranian government doesn't care if they die as long as they kill the Jews first. You need to prevent them from ever attacking, not the empty threat of reprisals after they've accomplished their goals.

Up-ding! Obama probably hasn't a clue what "Twelver" means.

re: #144 Eowyn2

USA Today story

What is wrong with this paragraph?

Nothing. It's all true.

You know what will distract the national media from this?

The investigation of the war crimes of Dick Cheney, George W. Bush and Don Rumsfeld...

Think I'm kidding?

Why does it take days or even weeks or months for investigation of Obama's transition staff. Here's how it would work at my house:

"Everyone in here now. Which one of yous guys was talking to Blago? What did you say EXACTLY?"

It would take 5 minutes tops.

Although something tells me that Obama already knows all the answers to all of this - and now it's about the coverup.

re: #154 Jetpilot1101

They don't label Blago as a Democrat but label Ryan as a Republican.

Yes, they did label Blago as a Dem.

re: #187 Bubblehead II

Yes, they do.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, ran for election in part on cleaning up after his predecessor, Republican George Ryan.

He brought HOPE and CHANGE to Illinois.

Was this linky posted?

re: #150 J.D.

the former governer is OBVIOUSLY Republican - as is pointed out in the story. It did not list Blago's party affiliation in the four paragraphs I read.
I think they really are trying to get people to associate Blago with the former Rep governer.

re: #59 Opinionated

I have a question.

The Illinois and Chicago political system is built and runs on corruption.

How did you rise politically from an unknown to a State Senator to a US Senator to President without participating in that corruption?

By 'Immaculate Election'...?

re: #187 Bubblehead II

Blagojevich, a Democrat, ran for election in part on cleaning up after his predecessor, Republican George Ryan.

And Ryan was a total scumbag.

Doing a 6 year stretch at Stateville, I believe.

re: #189 reine.de.tout

Yes, there will be a backlash, I think.
However, I'm not sure he will be the laughingstock of the world.
I think the world would love it that we have an inept pres.

i agree but they are still going to laugh their asses off at our misfortune.

re: #192 lawhawk

Of course, if it comes out that anyone in the Obama camp was simply waiting out for a better offer, that's going to have a diametrically opposite outcome for Emanuel, Obama, and others involved.

That's exactly what I believe Obama, Axelrod, and Emanuel were waiting for. The whole game was hardball between Obama and Blagojevich.

re: #182 MandyManners

Hanging with his attorneys homies?

Fixed,
/

re: #167 3 wood
Excellent comment - and good analysis!

I have a question for the Feds. Did they act when they did to protect candidate #5 or because of pressure from the Obama campaign? Because if Candidate #5 did offer a million dollars, the Feds are complicit in a crime.

re: #191 Honorary Yooper
Hey Honorary Yooper - has anyone heard Jesse Sr. say anything about this yet?

re: #110 bulwrk

Generally I agree, but this would look incredibly bad if it appears Obama is attempting to derail an investigation into Democratic corruption.In part I suspect that may have something to do with why Fitzgerald went public with this so early,job security.

How will it look bad when no one will see or hear it? You forget the powerof the media to ignore.

re: #192 lawhawk

In Chicago politics you never drop dime.

Never.

Ever.

If it comes out that Emanuel did, he loses his effectiveness with most of the Chicago hacks that Obama is taking with him to DC

re: #208 Eowyn2

Go back and read what YOU posted.

re: #210 3 wood

And Ryan was a total scumbag.

Doing a 6 year stretch at Stateville, I believe.

Six and half year stinit at Federal Pen in Terre Haute, Indiana, after being transferred there from Oxford, Wisconsin, where so many Illinois politicans have enjoyed the surroundings.

And yes, Ryan was a total scumbag.

re: #126 DeafDog

Is that an African Swallow or a European Swallow?

I don't know thaaa...!

re: #196 pie22

lol. This is not easy. Blogging LOOKS easy,but once I start typing, I am a disaster!

I'm so slow I think I've set the record here on the biggest number of last posts on a thread :.)

re: #216 realwest

Hey Honorary Yooper - has anyone heard Jesse Sr. say anything about this yet?

Jesse SR. is probably scrambling to keep his own ass out of a federal pen.

I don't know about Fitzgerald's timeline and when he had enough evidence amassed to act...but I do know that if this were a Republican scandal, this would have been acted upon just prior to the election, whether ready or not...with the intention of impacting said election. No doubt in my mind whatsoever...

re: #187 Bubblehead II

Yes, they do.

Blagojevich, a Democrat, ran for election in part on cleaning up after his predecessor, Republican George Ryan.

Change?

re: #216 realwest

Hey Honorary Yooper - has anyone heard Jesse Sr. say anything about this yet?

For the first time in my life, I heard The King of Beers* say "No comment".

/*This is due to his shakedown of a north side beer distributor.

re: #154 Jetpilot1101

They don't label Blago as a Democrat but label Ryan as a Republican.

its in the way they label them
Republican George Ryan
Blagovich, a democrat

re: #200 nyc redneck

yes, wheere is schmuck schumer now. what no cameras around?

Levin had his producer call the Schmuckster's office, and they would not pick up. They know his number.

re: #223 CapeCoddah

Jesse SR. is probably scrambling to keep his own ass out of a federal pen.

I think he is out of race cards.

re: #230 monkeytime

I think he is out of race cards.

I hope the hell so. I don't think there is a creepier creep out there.

re: #216 realwest

Hey Honorary Yooper - has anyone heard Jesse Sr. say anything about this yet?

Hey RW...I don't have photoshop and have no idea how to use it..Could you help me make an avatar? Please?

re: #222 turn I have some good news for you. You are not the worst anymore. I might have to go back to lurker school for a while.

re: #178 Nevergiveup

There was some discord between Jesse Sr. and Obama during the election.
Sr. expressed concerns that O was not advocating strongly enough for the Black voters. It was around the time that O was swooning the hispanic vote.
I think Jesse Jr. has more inside constituents in Washington than Obama.
Obama is of the Blagovitch ilk...of push others over in order to win, pay to play, keep the family close, and your money inside the family.
Jesse and Obama are from different worlds inside the same world.

re: #194 3 wood

I think he's huddled up with Pop's to get their story's straight and try to find out what is on tape.

Do you think Obama or his team is on tape at all?

Hmmm:

At WSJ, per Gateway Pundit: Blagojevich Held 2 Hour Long Conference Call With Obama Advisors On Selling the Senate Seat

re: #59 Opinionated

I have a question.

The Illinois and Chicago political system is built and runs on corruption.

How did you rise politically from an unknown to a State Senator to a US Senator to President without participating in that corruption?

He's either knowledgeable (guilty knowledge) of the corruption, and is probably involved, or he is the most totally clueless individual to come along in American politics.
Now, do we want a president who is corrupt, or one who is clueless?

re: #229 3 wood

Levin had his producer call the Schmuckster's office, and they would not pick up. They know his number.

ha ha ha,
of course they don't pick up.
(i love mark levin.)

re: #217 vapig

Its out now even my moonbat brother in-law heard it on public radio this is just too juicy of a story for the media to ignore...I hope.

re: #220 Honorary Yooper

Six and half year stinit at Federal Pen in Terre Haute, Indiana, after being transferred there from Oxford, Wisconsin, where so many Illinois politicans have enjoyed the surroundings.

Oh, so he got a Federal jolt!

I thought it was State time.

Well, he can show Blago around when he gets there.

re: #226 Lively

Change?

Yes, a different party!
:-)

re: #236 reine.de.tout

Hmmm:

At WSJ, per Gateway Pundit: Blagojevich Held 2 Hour Long Conference Call With Obama Advisors On Selling the Senate Seat

The thick plottens.

re: #236 reine.de.tout

Hmmm:

At WSJ, per Gateway Pundit: Blagojevich Held 2 Hour Long Conference Call With Obama Advisors On Selling the Senate Seat

To quote you back at you: "It do make one wonder ..."

re: #236 reine.de.tout

Hmmm:

At WSJ, per Gateway Pundit: Blagojevich Held 2 Hour Long Conference Call With Obama Advisors On Selling the Senate Seat

Then this is it. Someone (or more than one person) from Obama's office spoke to Bloggo about this, and they have it all on tape.

AFTER THE ELECTION.

Someone (or more than one person) is going down big time.

re: #210 3 wood

Maybe he and Blago can share a cell.

re: #243 Bobibutu

The thick plottens.

Aw gee..."“The immediate challenge,” the governor allegedly said, “[is] how do we take some of the financial pressure off of our family.”

Doesn't he know that Barry O is gonna fix everything?

re: #235 tfc3rid

Do you think Obama or his team is on tape at all?

I doubt it, and I'm not hearing about anything like that from my connections.

re: #246 Walter L. Newton

Then this is it. Someone (or more than one person) from Obama's office spoke to Bloggo about this, and they have it all on tape.

AFTER THE ELECTION.

Someone (or more than one person) is going down big time.

The WSJ article says it was several, and they "popped in and out" of the conversation at different times.

re: #249 3 wood

I doubt it, and I'm not hearing about anything like that from my connections.

re: #236 reine.de.tout

Hmmm:

At WSJ, per Gateway Pundit: Blagojevich Held 2 Hour Long Conference Call With Obama Advisors On Selling the Senate Seat

Isn't that what is being stated at Gateway... they do have "Washington advisors" on tape.

re: #246 Walter L. Newton

Then this is it. Someone (or more than one person) from Obama's office spoke to Bloggo about this, and they have it all on tape.

AFTER THE ELECTION.

Someone (or more than one person) is going down big time.

I hope like hell that it is Axelrod ...if he goes to jail he will not be able to "create" any more affirmative action candidates like Devel Patrick or The One himself ...Axelrod has made a business out of black candidates and using the race card and has taken astroturfing to a new level ...cannot stand the guy ...

Someone will leak who is on the tape ...I cannot wait ...

re: #226 Lively

Only in the offending party affiliation.

re: #251 Walter L. Newton

Isn't that what is being stated at Gateway... they do have "Washington advisors" on tape.

It appears so. Here are the first few paragraphs of the WSJ article:

Among the hundreds of hours of conversations involving Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich secretly recorded by the FBI since Oct. 22, one phone call is drawing particular scrutiny among politicos, journalists and others in Washington. It was a marathon conference call on Monday, Nov. 10.

The call lasted about two hours. On the phone were Mr. Blagojevich, his wife, his general counsel, an unnamed adviser, and John Harris, the governor’s chief of staff and his co-defendant in this week’s case.

But what’s drawing the most interest is who was on the line from Washington, and the sequence of political events that followed that same night and in the ensuing days regarding Barack Obama’s close friend and adviser, Valerie Jarrett.

According to the FBI, there were “various Washington, D.C., based advisers” on the call with Mr. Blagojevich & Co., although the Washington callers are not named. The FBI also said participants popped on and off the line throughout the conversation.

During the call, Mr. Blagojevich and those closest to him allegedly detailed virtually every one of their ideas for turning Mr. Obama’s open Senate seat into something valuable. Specifically, the governor asked “what he can get from the President-elect for the Senate seat,” the FBI alleged, adding later that callers talked about how to “monetize” Mr. Blagojevich’s connections.

Mr. Blagojevich also bemoaned what he called his financial struggles, although his post reportedly pays about $177,000 per year. “The immediate challenge,” the governor allegedly said, “[is] how do we take some of the financial pressure off of our family.”

Callers discussed the possibility of ambassadorships, which are made by the president. They talked about an appointment for Mr. Blagojevich as head of the Department of Health and Human Services, also made by the president. They explored the idea of getting Mr. Obama to use his clout to put the governor’s wife on corporate boards. And they discussed a deal involving the Service Employee International Union, which would be asked to install Mr. Blagojevich over one of its top political groups in exchange for the union getting to tell Mr. Obama that it was delivering the open U.S. Senate seat to his favorite candidate.

re: #236 reine.de.tout

Hmmm:

At WSJ, per Gateway Pundit: Blagojevich Held 2 Hour Long Conference Call With Obama Advisors On Selling the Senate Seat

Oh, that is big. First I heard of it.

So Emanuel might have thought they were on tape, so maybe made a call to get them out in front of this thing with Fitzgerald's office.

re: #228 Eowyn2

Good point.

re: #215 pat

I have a question for the Feds. Did they act when they did to protect candidate #5 or because of pressure from the Obama campaign? Because if Candidate #5 did offer a million dollars, the Feds are complicit in a crime.

The feds were complicit in the fundraising crimes and in the ACORN vote stealing, so what's a little more complicity among friends?

I say send Hank Paulson off to jail with Blago:

Many of the fundamental assumptions regarding the nature of the credit crunch spawned by the current financial crisis are quite simply not supported by or contradict the government's own facts and figures. As a result, the policies being employed by the government to deal with the crisis may also well be the wrong ones, according to a soon-to-be-released report from Celent, an IT research and consulting firm that specializes in the financial services industry.

The report is written by Octavio Marenzi, the company's CEO. It basically compares comments made by policy makers to justify the massive government intervention in financial markets, with publicly available data mostly from the feds themselves.

What it shows is startling if Marenzi's analysis is correct. Contrary to what most people might believe, banks did not stop and have not stopped lending money to other banks, businesses or to consumers. Neither has there been a particularly serious freezing up of other sources of funding such as commercial paper and corporate bonds. It is this sort of a purported broad credit crisis that triggered the massive policy interventions by the government.

In fact quite the opposite is true. A look at the Federal Reserve Bank's estimates of bank lending from 1978 through October 2008 shows that lending has remained "unperturbed" by the financial crisis and in fact has been growing steadily over the years, the report said. From April 2007 to October this year overall bank lending increased by over 16% with even the failures of giants such as Bear Stearns, Lehman and AIG not having any perceptible impact on overall lending.

Marenzi's conclusions echo those in a report ( "[Link: www.minneapolisfed.org...] published in October 2008 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis that also used federal data to show that many of the government's assumptions about the credit crunch were plain incorrect.

According to Marenzi, inter-bank lending in fact increased by 60% from mid-2006 and hit an all-time high this September even as the cost of banks borrowing from one another decreased. The same trend applied in the case of commercial and industrial loans, which also hit a peak this October and has a current annual growth rate of 19%. The numbers would appear to contradict claims that there is a severe ongoing funding crisis for businesses.

The diminished access to credit across the board that was expounded by policy makers to justify the massive government intervention in the financial markets is not evident in the case of consumer credit either, according to Marenzi. In the aggregate, U.S households with good credit have had continued availability to financing. The availability of credit for mortgages and other real-estate related loans also did not quite freeze up as many might have assumed. In fact, real-estate lending by U.S. banks was at an all-time high this October, the Celent report said citing numbers from the Federal Reserve. While there may be a reduction in the demand for mortgages, there is no reduction in their availability.

[Link: blogs.computerworld.com...]

re: #255 3 wood

See additional info at the WSJ article here.

re: #149 Oh no...Sand People!

¿ʎןǝʇɐן uʍop ǝpısdn puɐ spɹɐʍʞɔɐ q ƃuıɥʇʎɹ& #x01DD;ʌǝ sı ʎɥʍ

Is this what is meant by saying, "Thinking outside of the box?"

/

re: #255 3 wood

Oh, that is big. First I heard of it.

So Emanuel might have thought they were on tape, so maybe made a call to get them out in front of this thing with Fitzgerald's office.

And I just read the whole WSJ article. The article doesn't claim it was Obama advisors, but what Bloggo and friends are talking about would make no sense unless he was talking to someone from Obama's team of advisors.

Persons or a person close to Obama is going down, for sure.

re: #257 funky chicken

I loved Newt Gingrich calling Paulson 'possibly the worst Secretary of Treasury in the history of the United States' last night...

I still keep wondering if Obama wasn't advised by the FBI after his election that something was coming down. Maybe that's why he picked some of the people he picked for his cabinet.

re: #260 Walter L. Newton

And I just read the whole WSJ article. The article doesn't claim it was Obama advisors, but what Bloggo and friends are talking about would make no sense unless he was talking to someone from Obama's team of advisors.

Persons or a person close to Obama is going down, for sure.

You are correct, the article didn't specifically say "Obama advisors", but it said:

According to the FBI, there were “various Washington, D.C., based advisers” on the call with Mr. Blagojevich & Co., although the Washington callers are not named. The FBI also said participants popped on and off the line throughout the conversation.

During the call, Mr. Blagojevich and those closest to him allegedly detailed virtually every one of their ideas for turning Mr. Obama’s open Senate seat into something valuable. Specifically, the governor asked “what he can get from the President-elect for the Senate seat,” the FBI alleged, adding later that callers talked about how to “monetize” Mr. Blagojevich’s connections.

If the gov. was asking what he could get from the President-elect, I would assume the "advisors" he was talking to would be Obama's advisors, not, say, George Bush's advisors.

Perhaps I shouldn't assume, though.

re: #237 Son of the Black Dog

He's either knowledgeable (guilty knowledge) of the corruption, and is probably involved, or he is the most totally clueless individual to come along in American politics.
Now, do we want a president who is corrupt, or one who is clueless?

yup. with Obama we get the "best" of both worlds, IMHO.

pathological liars tend to be like that. completely incompetent when they actually do try to do something right, and such weak characters that they just reflexively lie any time something appears difficult