Is Time’s Person of the Year Cover Propaganda? (by Sasha Issenberg, Boston Globe)There is little surprise that Time decided to name Obama its “Person of the Year,” and the magazine takes its usual pains to make the world-historical case for its choice. But the image the magazine chose for its cover is, quite literally, an Obama campaign poster.Like Time’s gushing, above, which could be on a campaign poster.Blago drama for Obama (Chicago Sun-Times)President-elect Barack Obama’s incoming chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, was pushing for Obama’s successor just days after the Nov. 4 election, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times. Emanuel privately urged Gov. Blagojevich’s administration to appoint Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett, and the Sun-Times learned Tuesday that he also pressed that it be done by a certain deadline… [Emphasis added.] The disclosure comes days after Obama’s camp downplayed Jarrett’s interest in the post.Emanuel Was Looking for Placeholder (Political Wire)The Chicago Sun Times reports that incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel had conversations about backing a special election candidate for his IL-5 House seat who would keep “his” seat warm for a few years so he could reclaim it later. However, with the scandal surrounding President-elect Obama’s old Senate seat, Emanuel is now likely to stay out of the race entirely.Now, THAT makes sense.  Valerie Jarrett never seemed to me like a viable candidate on her own.Blagojevich was bookie, says federal informant (ABC 7 Chicago)The ABC7 I-Team has learned that an attorney who went undercover for the FBI in the late 1980’s says he told federal authorities years ago about wrongdoing by Blagojevich. His name is Robert Cooley. Cooley was a criminal defense lawyer in Chicago in the late 1980’s who became one of the most potent witnesses against Chicago corruption, testifying for federal prosecutors in cases that resulted in dozens of convictions. Cooley says that before Rod Blagojevich got into politics he was a bookmaker on the North Side who regularly paid the Chicago mob to operate.My friend who really knows Chicago politics says, “More outrageous stuff …. Seems out of character…. If he was, it might have been some deal Vrdolyak had talked him into (he was Vrdolyak’s law clerk around that time). It probably involved sports betting (football, boxing) among other lawyers his age. If the mutuals got high enough, he may have turned to Accardo to lay off the heavier action but I think he was too wussy to be bigtime enough for the outfit to bother with. More than likely, it was just boasting to impress some crowd he wanted to get into.”Click here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com 

Blagojevich Reportedly Denied Jackson Jr.’s Wife a Job (AP)Shortly after his 2002 election, Gov. Rod Blagojevich told Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. he didn’t appoint the congressman’s wife as lottery director because he had refused him a $25,000 campaign donation, a person familiar with the conversation told The Associated Press on Tuesday. ”Blagojevich went out of his way to say, ‘You know I was considering your wife for the lottery job and the $25,000 you didn’t give me? That’s why she’s not getting the job,’” the person said, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing federal investigation.Jackson, Jr. an informant to Blago investigations (Political Ticker, CNN)Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. — who was cited in a criminal complaint against Rod Blagojevich — has been an informant for at least a decade with the U.S. Attorney’s office, and has informed on the embattled governor of Illinois, though not in the case currently under investigation, Jackson spokesman Kenneth Edmonds told CNN Tuesday.Jackson’s SPOKESMAN said.—CaroRahm’s calls on tape (by Michael Sneed, Chicago Sun-Times, thanks to J-SOM at Liberal Rapture)Sneed hears rumbles President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, is reportedly on 21 different taped conversations by the feds — dealing with his boss’ vacant Senate seat! A lot of chit-chat? Hot air? Or trouble? To date: Rahm’s been mum. Stay tuned.Was Rasmussen trying to be disingenuous? (County Fair, Media Matters for America)Rasmussen was out of the gate early in terms of national polling numbers regarding the unfolding Blago story… “Forty five percent (45%) of U.S. voters say it is likely President-elect Obama or one of his top campaign aides was involved in the unfolding Blagojevich scandal in Illinois, including 23% who say it is Very Likely.”… What does it mean to suggest Obama or one of his top campaign aides “was involved” in the Blago story?…[R]eporting the results, Rasmussen assumed the worst and suggested everyone who answered yes that Obama or his aides might be “involved” in the scandal meant they did something wrong. But that’s not what Rasmussen asked. Rasmussen asked a pointless question about who might have been ”involved.”… [P]rosecutors have been quite clear that neither Obama nor his top aide are even being investigated for wrongdoing, so why on earth is Rasmussen daydreaming about finding them guilty?Rahm Emanuel isn’t a “target” of the investigation, ACCORDING TO SOMEONE CLOSE TO EMANUEL. And has that even been said about Obama? Fitzgerald’s wording about these things is quite precise. He only talks about not having evidence against someone, not that that person is absolved of all wrongdoing. I’m thinking that we should be as precise in our language about these things as Fitzgerald is, and as we demand of others.—CaroClick here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

America Must Take the Cure (by Froma Harrop)Al goes to the doctor. Al: “I’m still short of breath. I know you told me to quit smoking, and honestly, I’ve tried. But kicking the habit is really stressful. Doc, can you help me?” Doctor: “I understand. Let me find a way to help you continue smoking.” [Emphasis added.] No serious medical professional would ever offer that response. Smoking caused Al’s breathing problems. However difficult quitting cigarettes may be, it is the only way Al will get better.Likewise for the sick consumer economy. The cure will require discomfort. While Washington should take the panic out of shoppers, it should not impede their pained efforts to change unhealthy behavior… Like Al’s smoking, Americans’ love of debt and taste for real-estate speculation made the problem now needing treatment. The cure in both cases is to stop the bad habits that caused it.Froma has put her finger on one of the most important problems facing this country. Americans don’t want to own up to and deal with difficult truths or tasks. They want to believe the people who tell them that such truths don’t exist, or that the tasks are unnecessary, even old fashioned. They want to believe that there are no consequences for their actions, or lack of action, or that magic will somehow solve all our problems. Those are childish wishes and beliefs, and the longer Americans put their faith in so-called leaders who play into them, the more difficult will be the reckoning when it comes. As it surely will.—CaroWHY DID FITZGERALD ARREST THE GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS INSTEAD OF INDICTING HIM? (by Margie Burns)Yes, obviously arresting a governor packs maximum drama, makes an incomparably bigger splash than indicting him. –So is that why U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald arrested Blagojevich, instead of going to a grand jury to get an indictment against him?… [I]t seemingly is most useful in casting a putative shadow on Obama. The Rezko trial seems to have started out with this potential, but no go.Margie is an admirer of Fitzgerald, as am I, but there do seem to be some definite advantages to Republicans in his action against Blagojevich, especially considering the timing.—CaroObama: Staff had no inappropriate contact with Blago (Chicago Sun-Times)Barack Obama insisted once again Monday that his office did nothing wrong in its contacts with Gov. Blagojevich’s office over a replacement for Obama’s seat in the U.S. Senate — but the president-elect said the feds have asked him to delay release of an internal report that clears his staff. “We were prepared to release the findings of the review that had been done, which was quite thorough and comprehensive,” Obama told a news conference in Chicago. “The U.S. Attorney’s office asked us to hold off releasing those for a week, and so I would ask for a your patience because I do not want to interfere with an ongoing investigation.”“I have investigated myself and found no wrongdoing.” Why is Obama communicating with the U.S. Attorney? For Fitzgerald to ask that the report on the investigation not be made public, he had to be aware that it was complete. Who told him that, and why? Were its contents discussed?—CaroIt all depends on what the meaning of “we” is: (by Bob Somerby at the Daily Howler)This Sunday, it was Gwen Ifill, on This Week, who parsed until she dropped. In what follows (her very first statement), Ifill parsed and pondered—played Pilate himself—about the Blagojevich matter. The lady was asked about her recent interview with David Axelrod, Obama’s top adviser… “Yeah. David Axelrod said, We had nothing to do with this. But there, you know—we’re back into this parsing situation about what ‘we’ means… What is ‘we?’ What is ‘involvement?’”… Since Ifill had actually interviewed the guy, she could, of course, have asked him! Instead, she waited until she reached network TV, where she authored a classic bit of boneheaded, upper-end “parsing.” Most egregiously, she suggested types of involvement from types of players which no one has ever alleged.Ifill must show that she can be unnecessarily hard on Democrats, especially an African American Democrat, being an AA herself, in order to maintain her Beltway insider credentials.—CaroRepublicans’ Guilt-by-Association Gamble (by Chris Cillizza at The Fix, Washington Post)National Republicans moved aggressively over the weekend to link scandal-tarred Gov. Rod Blagojevich to President-elect Barack Obama — a guilt-by-association tactic that represents a significant gamble for a party still looking to pick itself up off the electoral mat. The Republican National Committee released a web video (read: electronic press release) over the weekend that dug up a series of pro-Blagojevich quotes from Obama — dating back to 2002.Blago to Reporters: ‘I Can’t Wait to Talk to You Guys’ (by Matt Jaffe at Political Punch, ABC News)Just before 7 p.m. CT [on Monda], Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich left the offices of his lawyer Ed Genson in downtown Chicago. The governor, who is facing bribery and fraud charges, was met by numerous reporters outside the back entrance of the building. “There’s gonna be a time and place to talk about this,” Blagojevich said. “I’m looking forward to it. In fact, I can’t wait, but until then I need to do the appropriate thing… “I can’t wait to talk to you guys and to have a chance to be able to say the things I’m looking forward to saying,” he said. “But there’s a time and place for all of that and I’ll, uh, we’ll soon let you know when it’s gonna be.”Click here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

President Bush is in Baghdad today on a surprise farewell visit highlighting the security deal recently reached between the U.S. and Iraq. CNN Baghdad correspondent Michael Ware reports this afternoon that during a press conference with Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, an Iraqi man threw a shoe at Bush, but “it just sailed past his head”… McClatchy identified the man as Iraqi television journalist Muthathar al Zaidi and reports he threw both of his shoes at Bush just after he finished prepared remarks… Apparently, Bush was unfazed by the incident. “I didn’t feel the least bit threatened by it,” he said.I’m not an expert on the Muslim religion and culture, but I believe that using anything to do with your feet to attack another person is one of the worst insults you can pay.—CaroAn Obama Gift for K Street (by Robert Samuelson—NOT one of my favorite economists)WASHINGTON — We here in Washington are anticipating a stampede of lobbyists, influence peddlers, media consultants, paid “experts” and self-styled crusaders. Who brought us this onslaught of special pleaders? Why, it’s Barack Obama, the man who vowed to “change” how Washington works and banish from the political arena all those “special interests” that were depicted as a form of low-life devoid of all respectability. This is one Obama promise doomed to fail.The only way to eliminate lobbying and special interests is to eliminate government. [Emphasis added.] The more powerful government becomes, the more lobbying there will be. So, paradoxically, Obama’s ambitions for more expansive government will promote special pleading. You need only watch the response to the expected “economic stimulus” plan — totaling perhaps $700 billion — to verify this eternal truth. “A Lobbying Frenzy for Federal Funds,” headlined a Washington Post story.Nonsense. We don’t even WANT to do away with ALL lobbying. Many progressive groups have special interests, and they lobby members of Congress to make them aware of their issues. But we can take a lot of corruption out of the process by instituting public financing of political campaigns, and eliminating private donations. I believe we are the only industrialized nation (except maybe Russia) to allow private donations to political campaigns. As a consequence that we can certainly not be proud of, we may be the most corrupt industrialized nation (except maybe for Russia).—CaroGo Ahead, Appoint a Prosecutor - For All the Crimes (by Deacon Blues at The Left Coaster)As certain as the sunrise tomorrow, conservatives will make sure that Barack Obama is sidetracked at the start of his term. They need another “gays in the military” or Whitewater to derail a Democratic administration. And they’ll have a convenient memory loss over the last eight years while doing it. We know that Rahm Emanuel had contact with the governor’s office about acceptable successors for the president-elect. We also know that Emanuel isn’t a target of Patrick Fitzgerald’s inquiry. Yet that hasn’t stopped Patrick Buchanan from already calling for a independent counsel to look into what role Barack Obama played in this matter…[I]f Buchanan and other conservatives really want to open that door now with this president-elect even before he takes office, out of some newfound concern for the rule of law and avoiding any taint of scandal, then perhaps the incoming administration should oblige - and then use this as the pretext to launch a series of inquiries into everything the Bush Administration got away with. After all, we should all be concerned about the rule of law and finding all lawbreakers, regardless of what party they belong to. Isn’t that right Pat?That would be right if Buchanan and friends were interested in equal treatment for similar deeds. But they’re not. They’re interested in damnation for Democrats and treating Republicans like saints. Democrats refuse to fight back in the same way. And, apparently, plan to keep on not fighting.—CaroOpen Letter to President-Elect Obama (by John Dean, White House Counsel to Richard Nixon, writing at Talking Points Memo)[I]f you truly want to change the scandal paradigm, you should operate in a fish-bowl to show you have absolutely nothing to hide. Accordingly, I offer this suggestion for your consideration: Email all your past and present staff, all designated appointees, and any others with whom you have an informal relationship if they could have had contact with Blagojevich about your senate seat, and request they all report to you any and all such information that in any manner relates to the appointment to fill your senate seat. Instruct everyone to err on the side of too much information. In addition, tell everyone than when responding to you that they should also post their responses at your website to make them public… Such action by you would forever change the standards of presidents in dealing with potential presidential scandals and nip this one before it can cause any more problems for your new administration. This would be a change everyone could believe in.Click here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

A reading from the Obama Scriptures: The Demon Story. (by J –SOM at Liberal Rapture)In those days in the land of the MachineThat is the Lord’s homeit came to pass that a demon was loose.And the demon was muchly on the talking rock.For he was a merchant.The Lord had left his seat in the land of ReidAnd the seat was cold - nary warmethed by the LordFor the Lord made no impression in the Seat.As it was foretold by the oracle Soros:Lord Obama now planned his journey down the road of PennsylvaniaTo claim his rightful throne in the House of Whiteness.So his former seat was empty.And the demon set a price on the Lord’s seat.The Lord knowed the Demon Blag. (But there was no evidence that he KNEW the Blag.)You must click through to read this entire chapter of the scriptures. It’s hilarious.—CaroRod ‘I Want The Money!’ Just Couldn’t Wait (by Richard Reeves—yes, he’s a conservative)[I]f I’m asked how I know about political corruption, I have a five-word answer: “I grew up in Jersey.” Now young reporters will need only need one word: “Chicago!” A new generation will laugh when someone remembers Rod “I want the money!” Blagojevich… Honest folk wait until they are out of office before they cash in on books and speeches, become lobbyists, or just introduce manufacturers and bankers to the powerful politicians still in office at home and around the world. So, “I want the money!” Blogojevich is not unique, he is just crazier or stupider than most. Also, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, is smarter and tougher than most.My knowledge of political corruption comes from having grown up in Louisiana. I felt right at home when I moved to Chicago. And let me make a point about honest politicians. One of them is Bill Clinton. He barely made any money at all until after he left office. Sometimes I wonder if that’s one of the things the Beltway insiders held against him. And then held it against Hillary.—CaroBy Chicago standards, Blagojevich isn’t crazy (by John Kass, Chicago Tribune)The governor isn’t the only one in this mess. His chief of staff, John Harris, also was arrested. Before Harris worked for Dead Meat, he worked for Mayor Shortshanks at Chicago’s political golden goose: O’Hare International Airport. Blagojevich “has to figure out what’s best for him and his family, and the State of Illinois,” the mayor said. “He will have to do the right thing.” Ah, the right thing. When Harris spills—and he will, because he’s not crazy either—Daley doesn’t want Harris to spill on him. He wants guys to do the “right thing,” which, if I may translate, means to keep their traps shut.So listen up, you amateur psychiatrists from national cable TV land. Don’t be alarmed when Chicago machine politicians act like raving lunatics. It’s when they’re quiet and reasonable that you’ve got to worry.Rahm Emanuel talked with governor’s office about who should fill Obama’s Senate seat (Chicago Tribune)Rahm Emanuel, President-elect Barack Obama’s pick to be White House chief of staff, had conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration about who would replace Obama in the U.S. Senate, the Tribune has learned… Emanuel, who has long been close to both Blagojevich and Obama, has refused to respond to questions about any involvement he may have had with the Blagojevich camp over the Senate pick. A spokeswoman for Emanuel also declined to comment Friday. One source confirmed that communications between Emanuel and the Blagojevich administration were captured on court-approved wiretaps.Another source said that contact between the Obama camp and the governor’s administration regarding the Senate seat began the Saturday before the Nov. 4 election, when Emanuel made a call to the cell phone of Harris. The conversation took place around the same time press reports surfaced about Emanuel being approached about taking the high-level White House post should Obama win. Emanuel delivered a list of candidates who would be “acceptable” to Obama, the source said.Click here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

Blagojevich and the Pendulum of Public Distrust (by Robert Reich)Throughout its history, America has cycled back and forth between two distinct targets of distrust — big business (including Wall Street), and government. In periods when big business is most distrusted, Americans seek protection from it, and reluctantly give government authority to expand its scope. When big government is most distrusted, Americans want less of it, and give big business greater leeway… In recent months the plunging economy combined with headlines about Wall Street’s astounding malfeasance have pushed the pendulum far toward one end of its historic swing. Add in the goodwill a new administration brings, and the public seems ready to accept massive government intervention…But two sets of headlines could cause the pendulum to start swinging back even before the new administration takes office. The first involves the current administration’s massive bailout of Wall Street — the Troubled Assets Relief Program — to which some $350 billion of taxpayer dollars have already been committed. Never before in history has so much money been spent with such little effect… The second is this week’s headlines about Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich’s bizarre and brazen plans to profit from selling off Obama’s senate seat. Nothing has been proven yet, but the tapes are incriminating enough. The longer Blagojevich clings to office and the more stories link his plans directly or by innuendo to anyone else in public life, the stronger the push on the pendulum — back toward public distrust in government.I say we must be cautious about BOTH government AND business. And we must never, ever fall for any PERSON as the answer to all of our problems.—CaroBonus Quote of the Day (Political Wire)”Politics is a contact sport. Only those on the sidelines have clean uniforms.”– The Rev. Jesse Jackson, quoted by ABC News.Actually, there are a few players with clean uniforms, even in Illinois, but don’t ever ASSUME that a player is clean. Always keep your options open.—CaroWhat’s at stake (by Joseph Cannon at Cannonfire)I think these items will, taken together, speak for themselves. The first comes from an account of Blago’s arrest: “Even Blagojevich’s recently announced $1.8 billion plan for new interchanges and ‘green lanes’ on the Illinois Tollway was subject to corruption, prosecutors alleged. The criminal complaint alleges Blagojevich expected an unnamed highway concrete contractor to raise a half-million dollars for his campaign fund in exchange for state money for the tollway project. ‘If they don’t perform, (expletive) ‘em,’ Blagojevich said, according to the complaint.” From the BBC (one of many sources, obviously): “US President-elect Barack Obama has promised to invest in infrastructure on a scale not seen since the 1950s, when the US highway system was established.”Next, let us establish the Blago-Obama connection (just one small indicator): “He and Obama ‘participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor,’ Emanuel said. ‘We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two.’ A spokesman for Blagojevich confirmed Emanuel’s account…”Evelyn Pringle offered this prediction in May: “…Instead of referring to Board Games as the ‘Rezko’ case, before long the media will likely be calling it the ‘Blagojevich’ case. However, because the governor did not become the presidential candidate, when the scandal is recorded in the history books it will be the ‘Barack Obama’ case.”To me, Patrick Fitzgerald represents the sane wing of the Republican Party. (Yes, there is such a wing, Republican haters.) If Joe is right, Fitzgerald may have just prevented a national level scandal by exposing a state level one. The Democrats will be more careful than they might have been when these infrastructure contracts are awarded. As a citizen and a taxpayer, I say, thank you, Mr. Fitzgerald.—CaroClick here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

The Kool-aid slurping media and bloggers are in full campaign mode trying to spin [Tuesday’s] arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich as some sort of exoneration of Teh Precious… You see, even though both Barack and Michelle Obama are well connected to the Daley Machine in Chicago, they have [managed] to remain pure and innocent. Some bloggers have already concluded that any attempt to link Obama to this scandal will be an attempt to smear him by association…Obama supporters have seized on the alleged recorded statements of Governor Blagojevich contained in the indictment as proof that Obama refused to participate in “pay for play.” But Blago’s brazen behavior suggests that such corruption is commonplace and there is no indication that the Obama transition team reacted with shock or outrage to his demands. Obama’s refusal to pay the requested bribe in exchange for selecting his replacement in the Senate may have been based on moral principles. But it could also have been based on concern over the ongoing investigation by Patrick Fitzgerald. It’s not exactly a secret, Tony Rezko was convicted earlier this year but has not yet been sentenced and rumors have been circulating that he was cooperating in exchange for leniency.Or maybe Obama was just too cheap to pay up.Bizarro World (County Fair, Media Matters for America)We’ve highlighted some absurd attempts by news media to tie Barack Obama to Rod Blagojevich’s alleged corruption. But this may be the most ridiculous, from Time magazine… [that] Fitzgerald “has to go out of his way to distance” Obama from the scandal. But Fitzgerald did so not because there have been indications that Obama is connected to the scandal — no, he did so because reporters asked him multiple questions about whether Obama was involved.Let’s sum up:1) Reporters ask Fitzgerald, based on nothing, if Obama is involved.2) Fitzgerald says there is no evidence Obama is involved3) Reporter writes that it is bad news for Obama that Fitzgerald had to go out of his way to distance Obama from the scandal.Heck of a racket, isn’t it?My comment: Didn’t Fitzgerald also say he had no evidence against Dick Cheney in the Valerie Plame matter? He didn’t say Obama wasn’t involved. He said he has no EVIDENCE that Obama was involved. He has asked people who know more to come forward. The investigation continues.—CaroThe President-elect has not yet been exonerated (by bostonboomer at The Confluence)It certainly sounds like Blagojevich thought that President-elect Obama owed him some favors. I’m not suggesting that Obama was stupid enough to talk to Blagojevich on the telephone, but, according to [a] TV news report…, he did have a private meeting with the Governor on November 5 to discuss his replacement… But Obama told the Chicago Tribune … that he had never talked about his replacement with Blagojevich. And despite what the media keeps trying to tell us, Patrick Fitzgerald has not “exonerated” Barack Obama yet. Here is what he said: “‘I’m not going to speak for what the President elect was aware of,’ he said. ‘We make no allegations that he’s aware of anything and that’s as simply as I can put it.’…” I’m sorry, but that is not a clear exoneration of the President elect. That is a non-denial denial. Unfortunately, this is probably going to be a repeat of Whitewater–but this time with real crime and corruption.Blagojevich, Obama and who dropped the dime (by Greg Hinz, Chicago Business)The recordings were authorized by a federal court, per Mr. Fitzgerald’s request on Oct. 21, just two weeks before Mr. Obama was elected president. But who got the feds to run into court and get a phone-tap order?… Mid-November is when Mr. Blagojevich is roundly griping on the tapes that Team Obama won’t give him anything for a Jarrett pick. No Cabinet job, no ambassadorship, no nothing, Rod complains, according to the feds… Now, Team Obama publicly and privately has insisted they did not talk to Mr. Blagojevich about any of this. I believe them that Mr. Obama did not pick up the phone and have a chat with Mr. Blagojevich about being ambassador to Serbia. But their explanations leave lots of wiggle room — i.e., a statement from strategist David Axelrod that the president-elect and the governor have never “spoken directly” about the Senate vacancy. You could drive a semi sideways through that “directly.”Moreover, Mr. Blagojevich likely did not figure out on his own that the Obama folks were going to stiff him. Someone told him, someone who talked to them… So, at a minimum, it looks like Mr. Blagojevich literally tried to shake down the president-elect, and the president-elect and/or his folks wisely walked away from any transaction. The question is, did his folks do more?MORE Popcorn… Jesse Jackson Jr Press Conference (by campskunk at Alegre’s Corner)[Wednesday] afternoon’s matinee performance with extra butter was Jesse Jackson Jr’s press conference. Oh, and don’t forget the salt, either. JJJ’s statements in this press conference could use a few grains. Although the complaint listed candidates for Obama’s Senate seat only as senate candidates number one through five, the old “it’s a bit dog that howls” principle ordained that JJJ call a press conference to spontaneously deny that this had anything to do with him. In particular, he’s not senate candidate five, who was mentioned on the tapes as offering to raise some serious money (one-half to one million dollars) for Blogojevich’s reelection. Of course, Blogojevich also said candidate five’s word was no good, based on past experience, so he wanted the money up front before the appointment. In cash.I ask you, does this sound like JJJ? Apparently, JJJ was concerned that it sounded enough like him to call a press conference to deny everything.Click here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

He’s the clown, but joke’s on us (by John Kass, Chicago Tribune)The people of Illinois needed some good news and they got it. Former Republican Gov. George Ryan is in prison, and the arrest of his successor, Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich, surely means that the Illinois Combine that runs this state can stop with the rumors that U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald will be leaving town. And, as Blagojevich most likely prepares to be Ryan’s bunkmate, let’s not forget the scores of other politicos, of all parties, who’ve gone down on corruption charges—including some of Mayor Richard Daley’s guys who helped rebuild that Democratic machine the mayor says doesn’t exist…So though Illinois isn’t surprised—this is after all the home of the Chicago Way—the national media must be shocked. They’ve been clinging to the ridiculous notion that Chicago is Camelot for months now, cleaving to the idea with the willfulness of stubborn children. It must help them see Obama as some pristine creature, perhaps a gentle faun of a magic forest, unstained by our grubby politics, a bedtime story for grown-ups who insist upon fairy tales. But now the national media may finally be forced to confront reality.The Chicago Tribune has the text of the complaint, and Real Clear Politics has the video of Fitzgerald’s press conference.—CaroIllinois Has Long Been For Sale (by Dennis Byrne, Chicago Tribune)So, do the rest of you now have some idea of the depth of corruption in Chicago and Illinois, and why some of us were so concerned about electing a president who emerges from this cesspool?… Blagojevich, if convicted, would be the second Illinois governor in a row to go to federal prison. And he would be the fourth of the last eight Illinois governors to be convicted felons. Is there another state that can match such a proud record? From former Rep. Dan Rostenkowski to Chicago aldermen to city inspectors, the miscreants and malefactors have worn a steady path to prison, in numbers too many to accurately count. Graft and corruption are the city and state’s orthodoxy…Obama was both a part of it, but not a part of it. He got his start without the critical support of the Chicago Machine, but most recently has endorsed even the most dubious of the state and local Democratic candidates. Obama ran his campaign as the guy who don’t know nobody and managed to rise above the city and state’s unseemly political reputation. His reaction to the Blagojevich arrest was right in character. Asked about it at a press conference, Obama replied that he is “saddened and sobered” by the arrest, but because it is an “an ongoing investigation” his comment now would be inappropriate.Perhaps so, but those of us in Illinois recognize the statement as a standard dodge. Obama could have done himself and the state a big favor by condemning corruption in all its forms, including in Illinois and Chicago. If he’s done it before, I haven’t noticed. But he did go to Kenya to denounced corruption in Africa, which struck some commentators here as hypocrisy.That was yesterday. See below for what he says today.—CaroObama Calls for Blagojevich to Resign (by Jake Tapper at Political Punch, ABC News)In response to questions from the AP, Obama Transition Team aide and incoming White House press secretary Robert Gibbs today said that the President-elect believes Gov. Rod Blagojevich should resign, and that the Illinois legislature should consider holding a special election for Mr. Obama’s replacement in the Senate. “The President-elect agrees with Lt. Governor Quinn and many others that under the current circumstances it is difficult for the Governor to effectively do his job and serve the people of Illinois.”See? Only when others lead the way does Obama do the right thing.—CaroFrom Blago to O: Watch it happen!… (by Joseph Cannon at Cannonfire)Why were investigators allowed to wiretap a sitting governor? Obviously, because Blago was named by Tony Rezko, who ran afoul of the “Board Games” inquiry. The indictment, by FBI agent Daniel Cain, makes clear in paragraph 2 (of the complaint against Blagojevich) that the Rezko investigation led to the wiretaps. And why was Blago arrested now, on other (more recent) corruption charges, before a complete case could be brought against him on the Board Games matter? Why did the arrest occur before the choice of senator-elect, before the pay-off money for that appointment actually exchanged hands?Two possible (linked) reasons spring to mind:1. Fitz wants to pressure Blago into testifying against an even bigger fish. Right now, the only bigger fish is Obama.2. Fitz wanted to haul in Blago before the transition of power. After this arrest, if Obama quickly replaces Fitzgerald, the stench of rat will become so overpowering as to penetrate even a Kossack’s nostrils. If Obama shuts down the investigation, he’ll be as villified as Nixon was after the Saturday Night Massacre.So what would Fitzgerald want Blago to talk about? Oh, gosh — any number of things. You can read about them in Evelyn Pringle’s work. Here’s one very important, very basic matter that I’ve mentioned in this column before — a fine bit-o-sleaze that all of the pro-O “progressive” bloggers have, so far, refused to acknowledge: (Illinois) SENATE BILL 1332.Click through for more.—CaroMichelle Obama Is The “Specifically Named Individual” On Page 64 of The Affidavit Submitted by FBI (by Truthteller at No Quarter)Please read the Criminal Complaint filed by David W. Cain, Special Agent of the FBI. Details of the conversations Blagojevich had with his operatives about Barack Obama and the possibility Barack Obama would strike several deals with Blagojevich regarding the open Senate seat are discussed, and yes, quotations are provided. I enjoy this gem from pages 63-64… “ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he needs to find a way to take the ‘financial stress’ off of his family and that his wife is as qualified or more qualified than another specifically named individual to sit on corporate boards…”Michelle Obama is the “specifically named individual” who was able to sit on corporate boards, although she lacks the experience of Blagojevich’s wife… Michelle Obama’s position with the WAL-MART vendor (TreeHouse) helped alleviate the “financial stress” of the Obama family at a time when they were purchasing a mansion from Rezko they could not afford… Michelle, after all, was appointed to sit on the Board of TreeHouse foods AFTER Obama was elected to the US Senate. Moreover, Michelle Obama’s salary at The University of Chicago nearly TRIPLED after her husband gained the power to submit earmark requests on her employer’s behalf. Just appoint the spouse to a Board and increase his or her salary if you need a political favor from an Illinois politician. That is how the “play to pay” game is played.Rahm and Blago and a bribe (by Joseph Cannon at Cannonfire)It turns out that Blagojevich may have discussed a bribe with Rahm Emmanuel, Obama’s pick for Chief of Staff. You have to read the (complaint) past paragraph 100 or so. Keep two things in mind:1. Rahm currently represents the Fifth Congressional District of Illinois. It appears that Blago can appoint a replacement until a special election is held.2. Blago became fixated on a wacky scheme in which he would take charge of a well-funded 501(c)4 lobbying organization. This was to be backed by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, acting at Obama’s request. The org was to be Blago’s nest egg after leaving office.Blago thought he could make a quid-pro-quo arrangement with Obama: He (Blago) would appoint Obama’s preferred candidate, Valerie Jarrett, to the Senate — and in return, Blago would get that comfy sinecure, a place where he could live well and regain his political muscles. Does that sound like a bribe to you? Sounds like a bribe to me.Click here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

Obama Warns of Further Economic PainWASHINGTON — Saying that the United States economy was likely to worsen before it improves, President-elect Barack Obama on Sunday pledged to pursue a recovery plan “equal to the task ahead,” including the creation of a vast public-works program not just built around bridge and highway projects, but on creating “green jobs” and disseminating new technologies.Spend, Obama, spend! And save jobs (by Joe Conason)The first thing Obama should do is use federal funds to keep public employees from joining the swelling ranks of the unemployed.Obama Pledges Massive Infrastructure Plan (Political Wire)In his Saturday radio address, President-elect Obama committed to “the largest public works construction program since the creation of the interstate highway system a half-century ago as he seeks to put together a plan to resuscitate the reeling economy… “Although he put no price tag on it, he said he would invest record amounts of money in the vast infrastructure program, which also includes work on schools, sewer systems, mass transit, electric grids, dams and other public utilities. He vowed to upgrade computers in schools, expand broadband Internet access, make government buildings more energy efficient and improve information technology at hospitals and doctors’ offices.”Broadband nation (by Jeff Jarvis)If we wanted subsidy, there could be none better than assuring that the entire nation is on broadband. Then all consumers, all content, all advertisers could meet there. It would fast-forward the inevitable. It would spark innovation and jobs and trade and education. To hell with public-service broadcasting. How about public-service connectivity?Public Opinion Snapshot: Ready for Change on Jobs and Health Care (by Ruy Teixeira, Center for American Progress)The incoming Obama administration has some mighty ambitious plans to fix America’s problems. And Americans say they’re OK with that. A just-released Democracy Corps poll found that 66 percent of the public supports Obama’s “policies and goals for the country” as opposed to only 28 percent who do not.Supreme Court Rejects Appeal Over Obama’s Citizenship (The Caucus, New York Times)Without any comment whatsoever, the Supreme Court today declined to take up an appeal by a New Jersey man who questioned President-elect Barack Obama’s eligibility for the presidency, based on his birth to a father from Kenya and a mother who was a United States citizen. The case, brought by Leo Donofrio of East Brunswick, N.J., contended that Mr. Obama could not be considered a “natural-born citizen” — a constitutional ground for becoming president of the United States — because he had dual nationality at birth.This decision confirms my belief that the Republican powers that be WANT Obama in the presidency. They must think they have a better chance of discrediting him and the Democratic Party with Obama at the helm.—CaroClick here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com

Threat of Punishment Works, Study SuggestsThe threat of punishment actually does stamp out freeloaders, tending to transform them into rule-following members of a society, a new study suggests.To paraphrase Lambert, the THREAT of beatings will continue until morale improves.—CaroObama Had a $400 Million Edge (Political Wire)[W]hen money raised by the national parties is taken into account, the Democrats likely raised closer to one billion dollars, compared to roughly $630 million for the Republicans. Which means Obama had, approximately, a $400 million advantage over McCain.How many people could a billion dollars feed?—Caro$1 million inaugural package for disadvantaged (MSNBC)It was billed as the biggest, most eye-popping of the inauguration hotel packages: the JW Marriott’s $1 million “build-your-own-ball” offer. You get 300 rooms, four suites, $200,000 worth of food and drink, and a primo site overlooking the Pennsylvania Avenue parade route. Earl W. Stafford, 60, of Fairfax County, the founder of a Centreville technology company who grew up as one of 12 children of a Baptist minister, said he will provide his guests lodging, food and special access, as well as beauticians, gowns and tuxedos, if necessary.Because beauticians, gowns, and tuxedos are what the disadvantaged really need. Maybe we could solve the entire poverty problem by giving celebrity makeovers to the poor.—CaroObama in Your Heart (Slate)In his forthcoming book, Born To Be Good (which is not a biography of Obama), [Dacher Keltner, a professor of psychology at the University of California-Berkeley] writes that he believes when we experience transcendence, it stimulates our vagus nerve, causing “a feeling of spreading, liquid warmth in the chest and a lump in the throat.” For the 66 million Americans who voted for Obama, that experience was shared on Election Day, producing a collective case of an emotion that has only recently gotten research attention. It’s called “elevation.”… Elevation evokes in us “a desire to become a better person, or to lead a better life.”The 58 million McCain voters might say that the virtue and moral beauty displayed by Obama at his rallies was an airy promise of future virtue and moral beauty. And that the soaring feeling his voters had of having made the world a better place consisted of the act of placing their index fingers on a touch screen next to the words Barack Obama. They might be on to something. [University of Virginia moral psychologist Jonathan] Haidt’s research shows that elevation is good at provoking a desire to make a difference but not so good at motivating real action.Showing, once again, that most of the people WANT TO BE FOOLED most of the time.—CaroClick here for more politics and media news headlines.Carolyn KayMakeThemAccountable.com