Blagojevich, Reid, and Rahm: Who Is Distorting Claims about Jesse Jackson Jr.?<\/a><\/strong>
By emptywheel<\/div>\n
By emptywheel<\/div>\n
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The Sun-Times has updated its story on Reid’s calls to Rod Blagojevich with this statement<\/a><\/strong> from Harry Reid: <\/div>\n
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Gov. Blagojevich appears to be trying to distract attention from his daunting legal problems and damaged credibility by distorting information about private phone calls between himself and other public officials. It is regrettable and reprehensible.<\/em><\/div>\n
Gov. Blagojevich’s efforts to try to tarnish others while the cloud of suspicion continues to grow over him are shameful, as are his efforts to further betray the public trust and sow seeds of division. As each day passes it becomes increasingly clear that Gov. Blagojevich is not fit to lead, and he should resign.<\/p>\n
I will not allow his corruption charges or his antics to distract me from leading the Senate, to drive a wedge in our party or to obscure the facts. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n
I’m fascinated not only by Reid’s decision to respond to what he apparently believes is a Blago leak, but by his accusation that Blago is lying. That’s because there are now three different versions about whether or not Jesse Jackson Jr. was acceptable to Obama and Reid.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Yesterday, the Chicago Sun Times said that Harry Reid had called the Governor [Blagojevich] opposing Jesse Jackson Jr.<\/strong>, Danny Davis<\/strong>, and Emil Jones<\/strong> [all three African-Americans] as replacements for Obama’s Senate seat. Apparently Harry didn’t like that report very much, though his statement doesn’t give many specifics. Likewise, the Chicago Tribune had reported Rahm Emmanual’s purported list: <\/div>\n
\nRecall that, several weeks ago, someone leaked to the Trib details of Rahm’s discussions with Blago about "acceptable" candidates for the Senate seat. That list rather notably did not include<\/a><\/strong> JJJ. <\/div>\n\n
Emanuel delivered a list of candidates who would be "acceptable" to Obama, the source said. On the list were Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett<\/strong>, Illinois Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth<\/strong>, state Comptroller Dan Hynes<\/strong> and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky<\/strong> of Chicago, the source said. All are Democrats.<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
Sometime after the election, Emanuel called Harris back to add the name of Democratic Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan<\/strong> to the approved list, the source said.<\/div>\n<\/ul>\n
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This story has way outlived its news cycle by a long shot. It was fine to sift through every story with a fine tooth comb when it was the Bush Administration because of their track record. I’m not thinking that this story needs any more reporting unless you think that it might land Rod Blagojevich a spot on "Dancing with the Stars<\/strong><\/font>." I’m hoping that the State of Illinois impeaches Blagojevich before January 20th, 2009. In that vein I was pleased to read:<\/div>\n