More details are emerging about Rahm Emanuel's contacts with Illinois Governor Caligula...sorry, Rod Blagojevich. Today's Chicago Trib contains the latest, including part of the shortlist of Obama-approved candidates for his own Senate seat:
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 delivered a list of candidates who would be "acceptable" to Obama, the source said. On the list were Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, Illinois Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth, state Comptroller Dan Hynes and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Chicago, the source said. All are Democrats.
Much like a recent report from a local Fox station, this story is simply confirmation of things that were already presumed to be true. President-Elect Obama has said that he did not speak with Blagojevich himself about the vacancy, and that no-one on his staff was involved in any dealmaking. This revelation is entirely consistent with those statements.
Obama has promised to release information shortly on the nature of any contacts betwen his staff and Governor Blagojevich's. A certain amount of caution is called for, so as to avoid running afoul of the government's case against Blagojevich, but the sooner and more thorough the revelations, the better.
I also wanted to comment, really quickly, about the issue of sourcing. Sourcing standards have gone downhill for years now, but the slide into hell has accelerated recently. The Blagojevich scandal is bringing this into stark relief, as everyone is desperate for an exclusive.
Because the information in this report is pretty much undisputed, the issue of sourcing isn't a huge deal, but there is zero attribution. That's not cool, but all-too common. It becomes a big deal when your unsourced report is used against someone, and you refuse to correct it or attribute it in any way.
Evaluating the credibility of news stories has become a thorny task, and the further away we get from solid sourcing practices, the greater the risk to everyone's credibility.
Tommy, I agree with you on the sourcing--I find it amazing that a college paper requires more sourcing than the media. I guess as long as they use the phrase, "an unnamed source", anything goes--I just wished I would have been able to use that in my English 1A classes back in the day.
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bob
4:53PM Dec 13th 2008
Well if Rahm is not in cahoots with Mr Hairdo, why is there a hand painted full color bust of him sitting on that table in the background of the top photo?
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PCL
4:56PM Dec 13th 2008
Nice one bob--made me look. (lol)
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bluerosegarden
5:10PM Dec 13th 2008
"Evaluating the credibility of news stories has become a thorny task, and the further away we get from solid sourcing practices, the greater the risk to everyone's credibility."
My understanding is that a free press keeps the government--and, in a captialist society, the free market--accountable. But then, who holds the media accountable?
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PCL
5:26PM Dec 13th 2008
bluerosegarden5:10PMDec 13th 2008 "Evaluating the credibility of news stories has become a thorny task, and the further away we get from solid sourcing practices, the greater the risk to everyone's credibility."
My understanding is that a free press keeps the government--and, in a captialist society, the free market--accountable. But then, who holds the media accountable? ---------------------------------------------------------- Evidently, even the media has been asleep at the wheel when it comes to free market accountability--or maybe greed enabled all of us to disavow any warnings the media may have sent our way when it came to such matters. And sometimes their (the media) warnings never showed their sources, which made disavowing those warnings all that much easier. Human behavior is a wondrous thing.
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KJ
5:47PM Dec 13th 2008
SO OBAMA IS A LYING SACK OF CHIT.RAHM IN FACT DID TRY TO POWER THE CHOICE, SO IF NOTHING ELSE IT IS ABUSE OF POWER. WHY DOES CHIM CHIM THINK HE IS KING OF THE WORLD>??? ALREADY CORRUPT, BUT HELL ANYONE WITH A BRAIN COULD HAVE SEEN RIGHT THROUGH THE POS
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Mrbline
5:39PM Dec 13th 2008
Living in the greater Chicago area, I would venture to say that Blago-biotch was politically hit, and Rahmbo was the hit man. A lot of people from here have wanted him gone for some time, and if given a choice between Bush and him, Bush would win in a landslide. Not many politicians dwell in the mid single digit popularity range.
If I were Obama, I would have set Rahm on him as quick as a heart attack. You can't let a guy as crooked as this stay in office in your home state, without eventually getting caught up in his dirt. Can't do much as a Senator, but you can do a hell of a lot as President elect. I expect Blago-biotch to be gone before 1-20.
Watch for Madigan stepping up(I think Quinn will be toast too), and I could see Duckworth filling Obama's seat.
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Mrbline
5:42PM Dec 13th 2008
Blago's hired a lawyer . . . the same one who defended R. Kelly
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Taking A Gossip Break
5:51PM Dec 13th 2008
I know the press would love to turn this into some huge scandal involving Obama, but so far the evidence is simply not there. Moreover, our country has enormous problems to overcome thanks to the Republicans who are now trying to create a scandal after they messed up the whole country. They are a waste of time.
I live in a multiethnic community in Southeast Florida and we are heavily Democratic in this part of the state. The buzz here is that we all understand the enormity of what Obama is facing, the calmness with which he is facing it, and the fact that he has probably created one of the best cabinets in history to handle these enormous challenges.
My gut instinct (which is only right 50% of the time because I don't have ESP) is that Obama is going to become one of the best President's in American history. If the media really wants this country to succeed, it would be best if it reported news instead of trying to create it, and focused on how we all are going ot have to work together to get out of this mess the Republicans have handed us. We are all going to have to work together, and its going to take a long tims - so we all should be prepared for that.
Patience comes to those who wait. We've waited 8 years to get a real leader in the White House, instead of a low IQ guy who messes up everything he touches. Lets get busy with the cure.
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patchy
6:09PM Dec 13th 2008
LET ME MAKE THIS PERFECTLY CLEAR I WAS A BOY SCOUT ORGANIZER IN CHICAGO AND I TOOK THE OATH OF OFFICE "BE PREPARED". AS SOON AS I HEAR WHAT BLAGOYEVICH HAS TO SAY AS HE RECENTLY SAID HE HAS ALOT TO SAY I WILL PREPARE MY DEFENSE AND BRING IT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. IN THE MEANTIME I AM GETTING MY ADMINISTRATION TOGETHER FOR THE CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN. I AM WORKING ON MY INAUGURATION AND YOU CAN DONATE 50,000 IN THIS ECONOMY I AM SURE YOU CAN AFFORD THAT. WE WILL BE HAVING ALL THAT ATTEND SIT ON THE LAWN AND EAT CHICKEN AND WAFFLES. GOD BLESS AMERICA
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CINDY
6:16PM Dec 13th 2008
TAKING A GOSSIP BREAK...I COULD NOT AGREE WITH YOU MORE...I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS FOR MONTHS ABOUT OBAMA BECOMING ONE IF NOT THE BEST PRES THIS COUNTRY WILL EVER SEE,AND THERE WILL BE A LOT A HUMAN DEMONS WHO WILL TRY THEIR BEST TO PULL HIM DOWN...I PRAY GOD WILL KEEP HIM STRONG...
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Lin
6:20PM Dec 13th 2008
Patrick Fitzgerald has the relevant information regarding this case. It is from his office that will come the outcome of what will happen to the Illinois Governor. Hint, innuendo, and guilt by association didn't work during the campaign and it won't work now. If president elect Obama has done something criminal we will know that also. If he hasn't but has lied or used poor judgment that will also be known. The best information on this matter will come from Fitzgerald's office and not from these boards.
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PCL
6:25PM Dec 13th 2008
Taking A Gossip Break5:51PMDec 13th 2008 I know the press would love to turn this into some huge scandal involving Obama, but so far the evidence is simply not there. Moreover, our country has enormous problems to overcome thanks to the Republicans who are now trying to create a scandal after they messed up the whole country. They are a waste of time. ---------------------------------------------------------- Although I agree entirely with your post, I have to ask: what makes you think the media needs evidence? Slime sells, and right now the media (particularly the printed form) are hurting big time--a scandal will move a lot of inventory. As far as the Reps go--isn't it fun watching them and the Bushies go at it over the auto bailout? Talk about your cannibalizing. I thought that this was just a Dem thing, how refreshing to be wrong.
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brntrewesl
6:52PM Dec 13th 2008
As a conservative, observing this left-coast lovefest, I have to admire the unmitigated gall of B.O. supporters on this blog. Almost to the man (sorry PCL), you think it is only right to give Rahm Emanual, the Prez-elect and his crew the benefit of the doubt concerning their knowledge and involvement in the still unraveling current Chicago stink-o-thon.
You conveniently overlook the fact that Chicago has been home to corrupt politics (in every political party) since mayor Levi Boone closed Irish and German taverns, more than 150 years ago. Such luminaries as Al Capone, Bill Ayres, Jeremiah Wright, Dan Rostenkowski, George Ryan, the Daley’s, and Rod Blagojevich love(d) the Windy City. Chicago has hosted world class events to seal its reputation, the Black Sox Scandal and the Valentines Day Massacre to name just two. You are well aware of B.O.’s checkered past, and yet you claim, with a straight face, he is as pure as the driven snow.
If you had cut George Bush half the slack you EXPECT, on behalf of the Chosen One, the PM would have closed its cyber-doors for lack of content. You sleep in safe, warm beds because Bush put national security above any concern for personal legacy. And the best you can offer George W. is a bums-rush toward the January 20, 2009 door. Great Americans all!
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PCL
7:43PM Dec 13th 2008
brntrewesl6:52PMDec 13th 2008 As a conservative, observing this left-coast lovefest, I have to admire the unmitigated gall of B.O. supporters on this blog. Almost to the man (sorry PCL), you think it is only right to give Rahm Emanual, the Prez-elect and his crew the benefit of the doubt concerning their knowledge and involvement in the still unraveling current Chicago stink-o-thon.
You conveniently overlook the fact that Chicago has been home to corrupt politics (in every political party) since mayor Levi Boone closed Irish and German taverns, more than 150 years ago. Such luminaries as Al Capone, Bill Ayres, Jeremiah Wright, Dan Rostenkowski, George Ryan, the Daley’s, and Rod Blagojevich love(d) the Windy City. Chicago has hosted world class events to seal its reputation, the Black Sox Scandal and the Valentines Day Massacre to name just two. You are well aware of B.O.’s checkered past, and yet you claim, with a straight face, he is as pure as the driven snow.
If you had cut George Bush half the slack you EXPECT, on behalf of the Chosen One, the PM would have closed its cyber-doors for lack of content. You sleep in safe, warm beds because Bush put national security above any concern for personal legacy. And the best you can offer George W. is a bums-rush toward the January 20, 2009 door. Great Americans all! -------------------------------------------------------- LOL. True we are all about the love out here in the west, that's why we are all so damn happy. I can only speak for myself here--but I'm giving the Chosen One the benefit of the doubt only because I have not seen, nor heard any evidence to do otherwise. And when I say evidence, I don't mean the speculation the media does or the shit that is on Youtube, and especially not the comments on these blogs. As for Rahm--he is a scrappy fellow and I like that, if he turns out to be more than just that, I will gladly join in the drinking of the hateraid as much as any California girl can (it won't be to the extent of others I assure you). And I also assure you that I have cut Bushie more than his share of slack--I want to have a beer with the guy! You know that line about my safe, warm bed sounds like a line out of A Few Good Men--if it is, nice choice.
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Uncla Al
7:55PM Dec 13th 2008
I find it funny that sore losers refer to Obama as The Chosen One. The left never called bush The Unelected On. He lost to Gore in 2000 by over half a million votes.
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TWO SHOT
8:06PM Dec 13th 2008
YES OBAMA CAN AND COULD BE THE BEST PRESIDENT THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS HAD IN HISTORY AND WHAT A BLESSING THAT WOULD BE JUST AFTER WE HAVE HAD THE ' WORST ' PRESIDENT IN THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE DUMBESS AND THE MOST DECEITFUL AND DEMONNIZER HIPPOCRIT; BUSH HAS THE VALUE OF BUCKET OF CRAP. IT WILL TAKE OBAMA 4 YEARS JUST TO TURN THIS TRAIN WRECK AROUND AND GIVE OUR NATION RESPECT ONCE MORE AND MAKE US THE ENVY OF THE WORLD AGAIN.
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wingnut
8:23PM Dec 13th 2008
Screenshots saved of articles that were written about Obama's meetings with Blago in KHQA news.
What about the other article written on Saturday, November 08, 2008 at 9:48 p.m. the one captured in the screenshot?
Wouldn't they have known by then if the meeting took place?
It appears that id=219212 is unavailable.
As there are two articles written 1 minute before and another 1 minute after that one.
Saturday, November 08, 2008 at 9:49 p.m.id=219213 Content for Src="219212" of Type="application/html; src=cms-id" is unavailable. Saturday, November 08, 2008 at 9:47 p.m.id=219211
Scrubbed
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butterfli
6:26AM Dec 15th 2008
WELL IT IS ALREADY STARTING AND HE IS EVEN IN OFFICE. WHY AM I NOT SURPRISED. BECAUSE OF THE SNEAKY WAY HE GOT VOTED IN. MAYBE WE WILL FIND OUT BEFORE JAN.20TH THAT SOME OF THIS IS NOT ON THE UP&UP POLITICANS ARE NOT ANYMORE HONEST THAN THE AVERAGE CROOK. JUST HAVE MONEY TO COVER IT UP
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DavesRaves
8:39PM Dec 13th 2008
If you believe Obama had no contact with Governor Blagojevich, then I've got some beach-front property in Tennessee you may be interested in.
It was Obama's Senate seat. Why wouldn't he want to talk to the very man who was going to replace him? The more liberals in the Senate, the easier it will be for Obama to advance his liberal agendas.