The more I read about this Blagojevich arrest the more I think Obama's team is behind this

[LynneSin]

Because I've come to believe that Obama is not about to put up with corruption like this especially something like his old senate seat being up for grabs for the highest bidder. I don't know much about this governor other than he's had alot of corruption surrounding his administration. But to use the old senate seat of our president-elect is probably about as slimy as you can get.

[ErinBerin84]

1. I've only seen the anchors

(well, it was Pete Williams) mention ONCE the "Fuck him" (re:Obama not wanting to play ball quote), John Harwood mentioned that Fitz said several times that Obama was not implicated, but kept trying to play that "Ohhh, how much of a distraction is this to his politics of hope and change as he tries to take office?" Nice try, fuckers.

[AtomicKitten]

2. Ellen Ratner just told Thom Hartmann that Rahm Emanuel blew the whistle on Blagojevich.

[Ozma]

3. Is Ellen Ratner someone with inside information? n/t

[ellacott]

5. She's a white house correspondent

I'm not sure how good her sources are.

[Ozma]

20. Thanks for the info. I'm not sure either that she makes the story ..

a true story.

I would hope so.

[LynneSin]

4. Probably the smartest thing Rahm has ever done

He knew there was shit going on with this appointment and he stopped it dead cold in it's tract to prevent any taint on Obama.

[tekisui]

8. I just glad the stopped it before someone else was caught making

an offer to blago. I think they knew funny business was going on when Valarie Jarrett, Obama's supposed pick, was safely taken into the White House.

[AtomicKitten]

9. Rahm is running interference like Obama's Joe Pesci. ;)

[democrattotheend]

10. I read that on HuffPo too

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/09/rod-blagojevich-indictmen_n_149608.html

[patrice]

11. Very interesting, given RE's, apparent, initial "second thoughts" about WHCoS.

I know it's specutlation, but I'm Wondering whom he wanted to get the go-ahead from on this sort of thing.

[shaniqua6392]

12. The Huffington Post is also reporting this.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/09/rod-blagojevich-indictmen_n_149608.html

[Shakespeare]

19. That makes me like Rahm even more.

:thumbsup:

[patrice]

6. The timing is quite interesting. nt

[WeDidIt]

7. Fitz has been investigating Blagojevich for FIVE YEARS!

He has everything he needs after five weeks of wiretaps and listening devices.

Of course Obama and team had something to do with this. They knew damned well and good that Blagojevich wanted enrichment from the appointment and that he'd be stupid enough to try even though he's been under investigation for FIVE YEARS!

[grantcart]

13. facts are of no avail

you have entered the world of the DU

It is a world of another dimension.


Rod Sterling will explain it to you.

[WeDidIt]

15. Facts are pretty clear here

The complaint is completely about what they've got on the guy in the past five weeks.

Blagojevich is such an idiot. He deserves everything that comes his way in the next few months.

[grantcart]

17. Oh the facts are very clear and you stated them well

It simply won't have any impact on those that want to make a conspiracy out of it.

[Ozma]

21. LOL I love your post. n/t

[patrice]

14. There must be some pretty good OTHER stuff in that file. The message is very CLEAR. nt

[goodhue]

16. Since October 2008, the FBI has conducted multiple interviews with Individual A

The interviews related to campaign fundraising in exchange for official acts. The surveillance was ongoing when on Nov 3 the issue of the senate appointment came up. Blago was already being recorded.

Read the complaint starting on page 33, and note the 20 pages before any mention of Senate seat . . .

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/acrobat/2008-12/43789434.pdf

[Skidmore]

18. I've been inclined to think the same thing.

What better signal to send about what lies ahead for anybody think about selling influence. A zero tolerance approach.

[backscatter712]

22. Obama probably hear about Blago's attempt to shake down a children's hospital.

That's right, among the other juicy details of this case, Blago had a funding bill for a children's hospital on his desk, and refused to sign it unless he got some campaign contributions.

HE WAS TRYING TO SHAKE DOWN A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL!!! That's just completely and utterly evil. Fitz himself said he wrapped up his investigation early and busted him because Blago's actions were making it hard for him to sleep.

For the children's hospital alone, Blago should be spending the rest of his life in prison. Scratch that. He should be under the prison...