2008.12.10
What did Obama (or his staff) know...
...and when did they know it?
Does the stunning political scandal in Illinois taint the president-elect and does the man who vowed transparency have some 'splainin to do?
About this blog
In her signature plainspoken style, Michigan native Shanna Flowers peels away the layers and gets to the heart of the issues. No pretense. Just straightforward perspective. Shanna writes about local people whose circumstances reflect decisions made as near as City Hall or as far away as the halls of Congress. Other times, she weighs in on a topic because it is incredibly ridiculous. Or heartening. Or fascinating. Read Shanna's column three days a week, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, at roanoke.com
I don't think the president-elect has any obligation to explain this one. He's called for the resignation and that suffices. Besides, isn't being a crook a prerequisite to being a member of the Chicago political machine, regardless of one's party? Illinois could be the first state to have a gubernatorial election take place entirely behind bars with both a Republican and a Democrat in the clink at the same time. Aren't convicted felons allowed to vote there? If not, we'd never get a majority. Let the warden appoint the new governor.
Comment by Mike — December 11, 2008 @ 12:45 am
That word that is so over used in the media these days to expliane the unexplainable, is Bipolar. The gov of Illinois is symptomatic of bipolar, if ever there was a manifestion, as are many of those graniose[SP?] over lords to whom the laws do not apply. I think this has been repeated throughout history, and Obama most like knew what was shaking, but it is out-LET IT GO. The governor is the issue, just keep your eyes ears, and gut tuned...... And consider what it is we are not wanted to think about righ now, and who wants a diversion?
Comment by Dona Wheeler — December 11, 2008 @ 1:10 am
CNN News report had Obama speaking to the Governor of Illinois Friday prior to Saturday's story of Jesse Jackson son interest in his seat and speaking to Obama as his successor.
By these two actions alone Obama knew what was happening, and by asking the governor to resign gives full admission to his guilt and clears Obama of any wrong doing for now.
One could only wonder how many politicians have lined their pockets with the taxpayers hard earned money for control of a political seat.
All in the name of change when it's business as usual.
Comment by Static Lines — December 11, 2008 @ 3:01 am
Preident-elect Obama has an obligation to tell the truth. That's it. I was disappointed when his first response/reaction was denial of any conversations with the Governor. Of course he or his staff spoke with the Governor about the vacated seat and there is nothing untoward about that. Why wouldn't he? That's the natural flow of politics. That doesn't mean that he participated in discussions about selling it.
By the way, please don't describe the Governor as being mentally ill. He is a crook, a corrupt politician, period. The people of Illinois have to do a much better job of hiring (electing) their elected officials.
Comment by Jim D — December 11, 2008 @ 1:04 pm
I think it's symptomatic of our jaded constituency to even ask such a question. One listen of the transcripts of the wiretaps indicate a governor whose first name should be Guido. Just wondering, what would Obama have to gain by even being involved in this process? It's clear from the transcripts that the Governor was attempting to line his pockets, by any means necessary. I personally believe this governor is any more corrupt than any other, he just got caught...
Comment by Shaun — December 11, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
Mike writes: "Besides, isn't being a crook a prerequisite to being a member of the Chicago political machine, regardless of one's party?" Yes, Mike, and Barack Obama was a member in good standing of the Chicago political machine.
OBAMA (December 9): “I had no contact with the governor what -- or, uhhh---or his office, uhhh, and so we---I---I---I was not aware of, uh, what was happening. And as I said, uh, it's a sad day for Illinois.”
AXELROD (November 23): "I know he's talked to the governor, and there are a whole range of names may of which have surfaced and---and I think he has a fondness for a lot of them."
November 5th, KHQA CBS TV in Illinois reporter Carol Sowers: "Now that Barack Obama will be moving to the White House, his seat in the US Senate representing Illinois will have to be filled. That's one of Obama's first priorities today. He is meeting with Governor Rod Blagojevich this afternoon [November 5th] in Chicago, to discuss it."
The complaint brought against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich included the description of an official with the Service Employees International Union acting as an apparent intermediary between the governor and Barack Obama's camp in discussions over Obama's Senate seat.
The transparency Obama promised during the campaign was missing then and obviously has not appeared yet. We have hope and change, though.
Comment by LRS — December 11, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
I think that the Blago scandal could taint Obama, but having been a part of Illinois politics, Obama should have learned how to escape relatively unscathed.
To respond to a few of the previous posters:
Mike-Yes, it seems that one must be a crook to be part of the Chicago Machine. I was born and raised in Chicago and its suburbs, and only recently moved to VA. It seemed like there was a new political scandal in Illinois at least once a month. There are Chicago columnists and TV reporters whose sole job is to uncover, investigate, and report on these scandals. The backroom dealing and personal enrichment is part of the entrenched culture of Chicago (and to a lesser extent, Illinois) politics.
Also to Mike-Yes, convicted felons can vote in Illinois, as long as they're not currently incarcerated. So even inmates of county jails who have not yet been convicted can vote absentee.
Jim D-You commented that the people of Illinois need to do a better job of hiring their elected officials. Unfortunately, it usually comes down to a choice between several crooks on the ballot! Only crooks seem to have the financial means and clout to become a viable candidate. There are few term limits in Illinois, and the incumbents have armies of constituents who raise money and campaign for them in exchange for jobs, contracts, or other favors. An honest person doesn't stand a chance against that kind of money and power. Blago himself got to his position with a lot of help from his father-in-law, who is in his 33rd year as a Chicago alderman.
Brings to mind what W.E.B. DuBois alluded to/said (I can't remember precisely--I read it more than 30 years ago in high school) in 1903: Honest folk want no part of politics. It's too crooked.--s
Comment by Lora — December 11, 2008 @ 9:04 pm
Lora:
Informative and humorous post. But you failed to answer whether we could have a gubernatorial election "behind closed bars". LOL.
Comment by Mike — December 12, 2008 @ 2:25 am
Now they are saying Mrs Blago is as bad or worse...
Perhaps a better defination ofr Blago is NARASSTIC...Should politicans be tested for personality disorders
I vote Yes...
Comment by Dona Wheeler — December 12, 2008 @ 3:55 am
It is beyond reason and common sense to think Obama never spoke to the Govenor about who he wanted to fill his old Senate seat. Whether or not they discussed how they could pocket from it is another question. As for Obama calling on the Govenor to resign, that was something he HAD to do for public appearance, so I wouldn't make too much of that. It would have looked even worse for him (Obama) if he hadn't asked him to resign. It just goes to prove once again what I've said for years, ALL politicians are LIARS, THIEVES, AND CROOKS. Democrat or Republican makes not one bit of difference. The Congress and Senate are just one big whore house, EVERY last one of them has sold themselves for whatever they could get.
Comment by Percy Kution — December 12, 2008 @ 10:59 am
I'm not as cynical as some of you. There are some politicians who are honest and trying to do what is best for those they represent. (I'll admit they are a minority.) I certainly do NOT include Obama in this group.
Comment by LRS — December 12, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
I'm giving the president-elect the benefit of the doubt for now with the hope he had no knowledge of this Tom Foolery. Nevertheless, agree or disagree, I always enjoy reading the posts when Percy weighs in with his strong convictions. I'm surprised that Jesse and Al haven't used this opportunity to play the race card, but after Jesse's previous characterization of Mr. Obama, his hand could be full of throw-away cards.
Comment by Mike — December 13, 2008 @ 2:08 am
Obama will not be allowed a moment's peace from those who are so right wing and so Republican, that no matter what he does or says he is damned!
I truly believe this man, our new president, will actually try to get things done and restore some sense of honesty to the "whore house". I am so glad not to have to see, hear or read about Bush, hopeflly ever again!
Bush and his henchmen have forever sullied our reputation around the world and the absolute laughing stock that we have become! The press, especially Faux News, and the right wing newspapers will hound him and will never cut him a break! The bigotry will get worse because those who push it can never get past the fact that a Black man will sleep in the White House!!! I love it! I voted for Obama and was scared to death that this election would have been stolen just like the last two. But we were watching this time!!!!
Comment by A. Nuffer — December 13, 2008 @ 6:26 am
The Chicago Tribune is reporting this morning, Saturday 12/13, as follows: "Rahm Emanuel, who has been tapped by Obama to be his White House Chief of Staff, had conversations beginning just before the November 4 election with Blagojevich's administration about who would replace Obama in the Senate". And in the next paragraph of the story is this: "Emanuel, a Chicago congressman who has long been close to Blagojevich and Obama, gave Blogojevich's chief of staff a list of candidates that would be acceptable to Obama to fill the Senate seat".
Obama is right into it up to his neck. Why can't these politicians learn that a lying cover-up is most times worse than the crime? And for those of you that will throw the "right-wing" label at me for saying Obama's a CROOK, you're WRONG. I hate 'em ALL. Right-wing, left-wing, middle of the roaders (if there were any), THEY ARE ALL LIARS, THIEVES, AND CROOKS. And anybody FOOL enough to be FOOLED by ANY of them is a really pitiful,pitiful, person. And I feel so very, very, sorry for you.
Comment by Percy Kution — December 13, 2008 @ 10:37 am
I gotta' agree with Percy on his description of his political "persuasions". If there's an anti-political party, he needs to be the chairman. Like Shanna, he speaks his mind, regardless of the party that is the recipient of his darts.
Comment by Mike — December 13, 2008 @ 11:17 pm