An Emanuel source said it was "possible" that Emanuel discussed the appointment with Harris and that a specific date was mentioned. "Valerie was deciding whether she wanted to go the Senate. Others had talked to her about it. There were plenty of people who talked to her about it and thought she would be a good choice," the source said. -- NATASHA KORECKI AND FRAN SPIELMAN,ChicagoSunTimesApparently its one thing to stand behind a blue placard pretending that you are the Office of the President-elect while naming people to fill your future cabinet post and then it is quite another thing to send your emissaries into the sewer of Chicago politics, from whence you came, to negotiate the bequeathal of your vacated senate seat to a confidante and loyal ally.
President-elect Barack Hussein Obama has unequivocally stated that neither he nor any of his team has been involved in the Gov. Blagojevich scandal of quid pro quo politics.(see story)
“I have never spoken to the governor on this subject. I am confident that no representatives of mine would have any part of any deals related to this seat. I think the materials released by the U.S. attorney reflect that fact,” —President-elect Barack ObamaYet sources say that Congressman Rahm Emanuel, PE Obama choice for Chief of Staff of the Obama administration, contacted Gov. Blagojevich people 21 times, recorded on court ordered wiretap probably unknown to him or Blagojevich, to ensure that PE Obama would get his personal pick of Valerie Jarrett place in the Senate spot. (see story)
According to the Noquarter blog an Obama advisor only identified as “Advisor A” on at least two occasions spoke to the Obama team about receiving something for the Senate seat. In a November 5, 2008 conversation;
• Blagojevich speaks to Advisor A
• Blagojevich mentions how Obama could remove someone from the Board of a private foundation and appoint Blagojevich
• Blagojevich voices demands for something for the seat, and he reiterates an intention to appoint himself to the seat
Then on November 7, 2008 the follow conversation ensues;
• Blagojevich speaks with Advisor A
• Blagojevich tells Advisor A he will offer the seat to Jarrett if he is appointed Secretary of Health and Human Services
If Advisor A is indeed Rahm Emanuel and if Congressman Emanuel relayed Gov. Blagojevich’s request to his boss, PE Obama then that completes the Quid pro quo circuit and contrary to Mr. Obama’s assertions his office was deeply involved in this conspiracy. (see story)
Whether or not the US attorney will go after a man that is days away from being inaugurated the 44th President of the United States of America is the question that remains to be answered.
But in all likelihood Obama will enter office with this another taint on his Presidency.
What an auspicious start for the first Black President. To enter office thought of by half of the electorate as a conman who usurped power by run for the office knowing that he is ineligible to do so because he is not a natural born citizen of the United States of America and second being involved in Chicago styled corrupt politics of Quid Pro Quo up to days of his inauguration.
So much for openness and transparency that Obama promised. If Obama wishes to be believed by anyone at all he needs to show that he is a natural born citizen before January 20, 2009 and fire Emanuel for his part in the Senate Seat for Sale scandal!
