No proof JJJ, Rahm, or Obama did anything wrong.

[redstate_democrat]

People are getting geared up to crucify JJJ based on what Blago said while on tape. Blago SAID that JJJ's people did x, y, z.

Guess what? JJJ is NOT on tape doing anything. This "emissary" is not witnessed by anyone but Blago doing anything.

Guess what else? Blago implicates Rahm Emanuel as well in the transcripts. He talks about Rahm discussing CD 5 (Congressional District 5), pay to play, and an appointment. Rahm is not on tape saying anything. The only witness to this is Blago, Harris, etc.

Guess what else? Blago is all over these transcripts giving the impression that he has been in an ongoing discussion with Obama's people about pay to play for Candidate #1. There doesn't APPEAR to be anything on tape besides Blago's ramblings about such.

So what's the difference between these situations?

[EFerrari]

1. If he was trying to put a deal together, nothing he says about anyone

can be taken at face value.

[redstate_democrat]

3. Exactly. People are getting geared up to run JJJ through the ringer without thinking about the

implications. If people actually READ the complaint, I don't think they would be so willing to give Blago's words much credence. Blago implicates EVERYONE in his conversations. It's almost as if he knew he was on tape and was doing it on PURPOSE.

[countingbluecars]

6. That just may be his defense! n/t

[redstate_democrat]

9. You don't find anything strange about Blago talking about Obama's people and all of these other

folks on tape, in a brazen manner, knowing he had to be on tape? You don't think he KNEW he was on tape? Everyone in the state knew! he was still talking like this on tape just a few days ago.

[tekisui]

2. Blago's word is worth shit.

If there isn't anything on tape, then there isn't anything.

[ErinBerin84]

4. even drama queen Andrea Mitchell pointed this out, surprisingly.

[merh]

5. Have they identified

Advisor A and/or Advisor B?

Don't state with certainty facts that you aren't sure of.

[redstate_democrat]

7. Rahm Emanuel is President elect Advisor

who is "concerned" about CD 5. Blago has a conversation about making sure President elect advisor has CD 5 running through his head when he makes a decision and that he wants to be able to pick up the phone to call him. Who occupies CD 5? Rahm Emanuel. Everyone has already determined that this particular adviser is Rahm.

[democrattotheend]

8. Is there anything in the transcript that makes Rahm look bad?

Any indication that Blago's goons even thought he might go along with any of their crap?

[redstate_democrat]

10. YES

[merh]

11. Have you read the complaint?

Advisor A and Advisor B were active participants in the telephone calls that were recorded.

To say that Rahm is not involved (or any other Obama advisor) is not correct as there are two advisors who had conversations with Blago and that are referenced and not identified in the complaint.

The question is, was their involvement known to the DOJ, were they working with the DOJ to continue the game so Blago could continue to incriminate himself?

May I suggest you review the criminal complaint beginning at paragraph 90 to get an idea why I caution about absolutes.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/8758959/Criminal-Complaint-US-v-Rod-R-Blagojevich-and-John-Harris

fyi: President Elect advisor is Jarrett, not Rahm.

[redstate_democrat]

12. I've already read the complaint

and you're not referring to the advisers I'm referring to. Those advisers you name were Blago's advisers. There is ANOTHER adviser, they specifically cite as Obama's adviser, ok. This adviser is mentioned as being connected to CD 5, Rahm's district.

[merh]

13. Our disagreement

proves that there are no absolutes that can be stated as the identities of the parties are unknown.

[redstate_democrat]

14. There is no confusion on my part.

Teh complaint clearly states that these advisers are Washington D.C. based advisers "of the governor".

FROM THE COMPLAINT

112. On November 13, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with JOHN HARRIS.
ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he wanted to be able to call “” and tell
President-elect Advisor that “this has nothing to do with anything else we’re working on but
the Governor wants to put together a 501(c)(4)” and “can you guys help him. . . raise 10, 15
million.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he wanted “ to get the word
today,” and that when “he asks me for the Fifth CD thing I want it to be in his head.” (The
reference to the “Fifth CD thing” is believed to relate to a seat in the United States House of
Representatives from Illinois’ Fifth Congressional District. Prior intercepted phone
conversations indicate that ROD BLAGOJEVICH and others were determining whether
ROD BLAGOJEVICH has the power to appoint an interim replacement until a special
election for the seat can be held.).

[redstate_democrat]

15. Does this sound like Valeire Jarret to you? Or even a WOMAN?

FROM THE COMPLAINT


BLAGOJEVICH said he wanted to be able to call “” and tell
President-elect Advisor that “this has nothing to do with anything else we’re working on but
the Governor wants to put together a 501(c)(4)” and “can you guys help him. . . raise 10, 15
million.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he wanted “ to get the word
today,” and that when “he asks me for the Fifth CD thing I want it to be in his head.” (The
reference to the “Fifth CD thing” is believed to relate to a seat in the United States House of
Representatives from Illinois’ Fifth Congressional District.

EMPHASIS ON "HE" and "CD THING"

No, it's not Jarrett. Try again.

[merh]

20. Would you stop yelling and being ridiculous.

I've merely pointed out that you don't know who is Advisor "A" or Advisor "B" - you are merely assuming that you know.

Here's a clue. If Blago was just braggin to his staff about what he wanted from the PE and wasn't talking to the PE staff, how was there any bribery - how was it not just bragging?

I'm not damning Obama, I'm saying that there had to be confirmation that Blago's communications were had with the PE staff for there to be a crime and not just political bluster.

Go read 107 and explain it to me.

[Bleacher Creature]

16. Obama shouldn't even be in the conversation.

[redstate_democrat]

17. JJJ shouldn't be in the conversation but he is.

People don't realize that all of this innuendo is based on Blago's words and it could go both ways in all directions.

[pink-o]

18. What is on tape is that Blago called Barack an uncooperative MF'er

..so that's the unequivocal evidence we do have re Barack's relationship with him. And HuffPo had an article that mentioned how Rahm might be the whistleblower on Blago's whole op.

Doesn't sound like either of them have to worry about mud splatter from this.

[redstate_democrat]

19. Rahm said he was NOT the whistleblower.

With regard to Candidate #5, Blago didn't have nice things to say about this particular candidate either. The complaint author even questions within the complaint whether the statements Blago made in regard to Candidate 5 were even true.