Come On, Folks ... Slow Down

While "Blago-Rahma" may yet turn out to be something and with all due respect to Ed at Hot Air, his reaction given the current evidence is a bit over the top. I read it earlier and let it pass.

In the first place, this is the language of politics. Let's face facts. Something more than appreciation in this case could have been anything from  vocal support for some funding before Congress, to a willingness to take Blago's opinion into account with another appointment. On top of that, there is nothing in that exchange to suggest they were soliciting offers from different sources. Rahm was speaking for an incoming administration. I don't find it damning that a sitting governor would at least fish for a legitimate bone from another political hack for something as significant as a Senate appointment. There may well be a smoking gun in transcripts none of us have seen. But, folks, this ain't it.

Report: Sources also confirm that Emanuel made the case for picking Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett during at least one of the conversations. In the course of that conversation, Harris asked if in return for picking Jarrett, “all we get is appreciation, right?” “Right,” Emanuel responded.

Ed: That question from John Harris to Rahm Emanuel may not be explicit enough to qualify legally as an offer to bribe, but it clearly shows that Harris wanted a better deal than gratitude for the Senate seat. After making that clear to Emanuel, did Emanuel tell Obama what was going on in Illinois? And more to the point, did he pick up the phone and inform the FBI and/or Patrick Fitzgerald?If he did, then he and Team Obama should be commended.

If he didn’t — if he knowingly ignored the fact that Blagojevich had put up the Senate seat for sale and put out a bid request for it — then Obama and his team are off to a disastrous start, ethically speaking. It may not be illegal to fail to report such an obvious attempt to sell the seat, but it would show a monumental gap between the campaign rhetoric of Barack Obama and the reality of how he governs. Obama would have to jettison Emanuel under those circumstances or face questions for the next four years about how his team operates.

Comments

[Lala]

Victoria Toensing and Paul Gigot discussion of Fitzgerald's comments

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122988629116224605.html?mod=article-outset-box

[jharp]

Victoria Toensing gets her ass handed to her and is exposed as the fraud she is by Henry Waxman.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbU6HqSuUGY

[Terry Gain]

I watched the video you linked harpo. It tells us how your mind works (or doesn't). Your characterization of the exchange is b.s. You are a very dishonest partisan.

[ET]

I tend to agree with Dan here. I see the msm and the blogosphere circling to clusterfuck this entire situation. They'll micro-analyze every word and get mired in the minutiae.

There are two simple, obvious take-aways:

1. We now know that Obama is not the man he claims to be - not in his books, nor in his public statements. He is an ambitious narcissist driven by his ego. Period.

2. Anyone who fell for his goody two-shoes act was blinded by bds or, in the case of jharp, just not very smart.

3. As the real Obama emerges, we must hope that he will value his legacy over the partisan bullshit he spewed in his misguided opposition to the Iraq war and his campaign to stroke the clueless liberals. If he does, he will govern from the center.

I am rooting for him because we need strong leadership now more than ever. But I have no illusions. Barry and his boys are ruthless and conniving. They are capable of doing some good. They are also capable of doing serious harm.

We must watch them closely.

[ET]

Make that three simple, obvious take-aways (I got on a roll).

[jharp]

ET,

"in the case of jharp, just not very smart."

So what is your education background and business experience, jackass?

I've got news for ya Mr. Bush apologist, you have been wrong on everything. If you think it's cute to throw out baseless accusations have at it. I am living comfortably and work when I want, play golf when I want, and am thoroughly enjoying watching losers like you whine about your electoral loses.

You are a fool. And a loser.

[ET]

back in your cage, monkey. poke, poke.

hehehe...

[Dennis D]

I think ZOGBY did a fine job of proving most Obama voters were ignorant fools.

[SpaceCat]

"misguided opposition to the Iraq war"
SRSLY??? Hahahahahahaha!
The Iraq war was a brilliant endeavor. We're continuing to reap the benefits after paying so little. Bush is a great president for having the vision to see the possibilities. And god bless patriots like ET for being right there with him. They've been right all along. I laugh in the face of those clueless America haters who thought the Iraq war would be a costly mistake. I don't like to gloat, but, "Hey liberal jackasses - we told you so!"