Obama calls for Blagojevich's resignation

Posted: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:37 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: Courts, States, Democrats

From NBC's Savannah Guthrie
Through his spokesman, Obama is calling for Rod Blagojevich to resign as Illinois governor. Said Gibbs, "The President-elect agrees with Lt. Governor [Pat] 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."

Also, Obama thinks a special election should be considered. Gibbs added: "The President-elect believes that the General Assembly should consider the issue and put in place a process to select a new senator that will have the trust and confidence of the people of Illinois."

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Comments

As it stands, it is amazing that the guy is still considered Governor. I can't believe the idiot is back to work today after posting bail. What is wrong with this system? The recorded calls leave no room for his pleading innocent. Throw the bum in jail ... and lets get back to the business at hand.

And for the repugs who try and tie Obama to this bum, Get a life. Even Blogo stated he will get nothing but appreciation from Obama, ... that in and of itself removes all doubt about Obama's ties to the guy.

Move along now...there is nothing else to see here (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:47 PM)

I am pleased with both of Obama's statements. The people of Illinois should choose the next senator. (I wish it could be Attorney General Fitzpatrick.)

I think its funny how some on the Right who are trying to make Obama out to be a hardcore Chicago Pol, are the same ones who used to call him O'bami.
Which is he, a dreamer or a schemer? I say he is a competent, ethical public servant and I can't wait for the inauguration.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:47 PM)

It is about ethical behavior and the Ill Gov has none. BTW, Huffington Post reports the person (#5) who offered the governor 1 million dollars for Obama's senate seat is none other than Jesse Jackson Jr. My guess he is now automatically disqualified.

As for the governor, it would be best for him to resign and spend his time preparing for a legal defense. He is all dressed-up and no where to go.

Ron Indiana (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:50 PM)

I love how right wingers are trying to have it both ways. There is Fox News saying both (1) that Obama through Rahm Emmanual actively encouraged the prosecution of Blago ; and (2) Hannity saying that Obama is somehow tainted by Blago's deeds, notwithstanding the fact that Blago repeatedly referred to Obama with profanity for not playing ball. Read the complaint. Quite frankly, it would be more surprising that the Obama administration did not encourage Fitzgerald to quickly prosecute Blago due to the limbo of the Senate appointment. Indeed, Fitzgerald made reference to the pending Senate appointment as a reason why Blago was arrested.

Again, too much Rush Limbaugh is not healthy to one's ability to reason.

Brian, Los Angeles (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:50 PM)

Looks like the corporate media is trying to manufacture yet another phony scandal, since there aren't any real ones associated with President-Elect Obama. MSNBC's front page screams: "Obama tries to distance himself from Blagojavich."

That's a lie. Obama doesn't need to "try" to distance himself since he's kept Blagojavich at arms length throughout the campaign, as has been noted by other journalists more honest than what MSNBC can find to write their web page stories.

Houston (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:56 PM)

Now that's leadership you can depend on! Way to get out in front on a controversal issue Barack! Nice job taking a stand!

Gregory Barnes, Chicago IL (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 12:58 PM)

The nerve of the MSM, especially FOX NEWS, trying to connect the Blogojevich mess to PE – Obama; knowing Blogo has been under FBI investigation for a long time now. I kind of figured this would happen, and it seems to me that all books and bets are on, open and on the table when it comes to PE - Obama and his people, but the MSM can’t even open the books on the current administration to find and report about the illegal war Bush/Cheney have started, in Iraq, that has taken thousands of innocent lives. Yes, Bush/Cheney have made a deal with the devil and traded American lives and money for foreign oil to keep his family and friends afloat and it’s a sad thing if the MSM can’t even pick up on this. I know some people can’t and won’t fathom the idea, but deal with it. I picked up on it and came to this conclusion long ago about the Bush administration and Bush still, til this day, refuses to take responsibility or feel any remorse. Please, no more airtime for Bush, his reign is over.

Look, as much as the MSM wants it to happen, PE - Obama has/had nothing to do with Blogo and his misdeeds. Do you think PE - Obama is that stupid to associate himself with this nonsense as he is trying to become president of this corrupt America? I am not a scholar but seriously, come on people! Let’s do some real reporting and find the real criminals of this country that are ripping ordinary people off which was going on way before PE - Obama came on the scene and as popular as he is now, might I add.

Chicago politics (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:00 PM)

First let me say that I don't connect Obama with Blago in the way so many eager Republicans seem to want to right now. I never really believed there was very much to "Plamegate" either.

From the NYT:

“Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Illinois has voted for change,” he told a crowd at his victory party on election night in 2002." R. Blagojevich.

Also about Blago, according to the Times:

"Running on a do-good theme as a candidate of change, he swept into the governor’s office earlier this decade mainly on promises that he would be different, that he would restore integrity to the governor’s office after the previous chief executive, George Ryan, was sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison for racketeering and fraud."

Nothing but sheer coincidence but it does suggest that Obama isn’t really new or much of a change. He's a not so original novice with much to prove.

I'm still going to give him six months, though. And that starts in January, 2009. He's only the PE right now.

Richard, Washington State (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:01 PM)

Now it's turning out that Jesse Jackson's son, Jesse Jr., is "Senate Candidate #5", you know, the guy that was trying to buy the Illinois Senate seat.

See how this works? Jesse Jrs. father, a Community Organizer who heads up a Community Organization called "Operation Push" shakes down companies for "contributions" by threatening to call them racist if they don't pay up (that's bad for business, so they always pay up), and then Jesse Sr. also gets money from the state government for "organizing the community". Jesse Sr. then takes that money, and buys himself some political power. Looks like the Senate seat opening was going for about a million dollars, so Jesse Sr. writes the check to Blagojevich, and the next thing you know Jesse Jr. is rubbing elbows with Harry Reid.

That's how corruption in Illinois works. And without the federal wiretaps, that's exactly how it would have happened.

Jake Elrod, The Loop, Chicago (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:07 PM)

Anyone who turns out to have had knowledge of the corruption that was going on in Illinois and Chicago and did not distance themselves or report it should go down as they are not and will not ever have America's best interest at heart. Self-centered hippocrites out only for their own lust of power, fortune and fame. Greedy, slimy Democrats. Willie Jefferson, Charlie Rengal, Elliott Spitzer,Rod Blagogevich etc. Where's the idiot that made the incredibly stupid statement here recently about Adult Democrats taking over to clean up the mess. So unbelievably laughable.

Josh Larson, FL (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:10 PM)

Thank heaven -- or maybe Patrick Fitzgerald -- for revealing this when he did. It might have been A LOT worse. Every day would have provided an opportunity to draw an unwitting President-Elect Obama into the morass.

So maybe Obama should reward Blagojevich for resigning now ... say, by promising to pardon him next year.

(Don't worry. I'm only kidding.)

Anna Molly (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:10 PM)

I doubt that Blagojevich will resign willingly. There is no doubt that he will hold onto power for as long as possible. The question for me is how quickly will the lt. gov get into office and be able to appoint a replacement for Obama? I doubt that the General Assembly will be able to pick anyone quickly.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:11 PM)

Count ALL the ballots

'...Just what Minnesota needed: 171 absentee ballots in Minneapolis that "may have gone uncounted because of an error."...'

Msierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:11 PM)

Obama and Axelrod better get their stories straight before they go out to the press.

It won't be long before Obama throws one of his friends under the bus that they will start talking.

Sleaze is making a return to the White House starting January 20th 2009.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:12 PM)

A warning shot was fired today by an Obama affilliate saying they expect Blagojevich to tell lies about Obama to bring him down with him. What could he possibly say that would implicate Obama.

Pete, Salinas, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:13 PM)

Can anyone honestly think this "governor" capable of doing the right thing?!? They might as well start the impeachment process immediately and not delay the inevitable. Innocent until proven guilty? How much guilt do you need when everything's caught on tape?

Hope they do a statewide election and thoroughly vet by an outside source every single person who wants to be on the ballot. That thought alone will chase some of the potential candidates away!

JustThinkin (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:14 PM)

Get rid of this SLIMEball . Looks Like the Jackson 5 may be back and then DONE again
hahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Nj (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:17 PM)

Oh Norm !!
Norm !!

'...The matter has now drawn the FBI's attention.

Federal investigators are looking into allegations that a longtime friend and benefactor tried to steer money to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, the Pioneer Press has learned.

Agents with the FBI have talked to or made efforts to talk to people in Texas familiar with the allegations, according to a source familiar with the situation.

It's hard to tell the seriousness of the situation, given the preliminary reporting. The FBI is apparently conducting an investigation, but beyond that, the details are a little thin.

In fact, I've seen some reports this morning that argue that Coleman is himself now the subject of an FBI inquiry. This report doesn't quite reach that conclusion -- federal investigators are reviewing Kazeminy's efforts to help Coleman, but that suggests the wrongdoing may have come from the donor, not the beneficiary. (Coleman's spokesperson claims that neither the senator nor his office has been contacted by the FBI.)

Last night, Coleman's campaign office said in a statement that these are "baseless, sleazy and politically inspired allegations," but as the Pioneer Press noted, "The campaign provided no evidence for the claim that the allegations are 'politically inspired.'"

We'll see where this goes....'

Norm Coleman ?

or

Norm Blagojevich ?

Msierra, SF (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:17 PM)

This is the reaction he should of had yesterday. But I'm glad he finally had the right response.

Good Job Obama I'm still on you Band Wagon...

Oh and I read the Indictment it clearly says that he tried to get Obama to go along with him but he wouldn't do it....

Nicole M, Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:17 PM)

Democrats appear to be getting an early start to showing their true colors in public. This happens everytime they are in a position of power. It's very predictable. 2010 elections are coming fast. President Biden may be addressing us by then at this rate.

Cliff J.,Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:17 PM)

Duh! This guy is smart after all. What did you expect him to say. Reminds me of a childrens story. Run Run, fast as you can. Can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread man. A lot of people voted for Blagojevich at one point also, right?

Marcus D., Chicago (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:22 PM)

This guy aint going nowhere. He will have to be dragged screaming and kicking out of the Govenors office. He is like larry craig, Ted Stevens, these crooks never believe that they have really been caught. I dont want to leave out Jefferson from Louisisana, another dirt bag. They dont come in just Repugs or Dems, they come in every flavor. In my job I know and work with and for people I dont like and dont trust, but I have a job to do, I dont have any proof they are stealing from my boss, if I did I would do something about it, but untill then I will work in a professional manner. That is to be expected from politicians too. So untill I hear proof that PE Obama is illegally connected to this guy, why dont we just let Patrick Fitzgerald do his job. Hope he brings more dirt to light, no matter who it hurts.
marty

marty,columbia,s.c. (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:26 PM)

Electing someone that has the trust and confidence of the people of Illinois may be a little hard to do right now. We're not so trusting in those in office these days (excluding Obama). I'd have to agree with an earlier post in which they said that the Democrats have known for 3 years that the Governor was under investigation and yet, did nothing to tray and stop him. Why? How do you truat any of them from this point on?

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:30 PM)

Awe, the MSM must be sooooo disappointed that there is not juicy Obama-scandal here. Sorry, you'll just have to manufacture some other scandal to keep you busy for the week.

But that's not stopping bitter Republicans who have decided that, no matter what, they are determined to spend the next 8 years tearing down our president. You know, I used to rag on Bush all the time (still do). But I didn't do it because I hated Republicans or Bush. I did it because Bush DESERVED IT! He was a complete and total failure. He had PROVEN this to us through his actions. And IF Obama ever started acting like Bush, then I won't blame others for trashing him too. But, at present, Obama is NOT acting like Bush. He does NOT 'deserve' it the way Bush clearly did. So when I hear people constantly trying to tear him down FOR NO OTHER REASON than because he beat their guy (or because they are just racists pricks), then I have serious issues with that. We have a DUTY as Americans to support our president UNTIL he has PROVEN that he is not worthy of such support. Anything less is un-American!

ms jenny (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:32 PM)

But yesterday Obama said he wouldn't comment because of the ongoing investigation. Why is he commenting today? Is there more coming?

dantescat, staten island NY (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:33 PM)

But yesterday Obama said he wouldn't comment because of the ongoing investigation. Why is he commenting today? Is there more coming?

dantescat, staten island NY (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:34 PM)

I agree too, get him out of office!
We need to have this special election so the people of Illinois can vote for someone they/we can trust.

Kelly Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:35 PM)

I am hoping that maybe at Christmas this year we can all get together and donate some $$ for Jerry in CC Tx. He is in bad need of a therapist, I do remember how I felt when GWB was reelected in 2004, so I do have some compassion. The thing is he is really sick. Poor man cant tell the difference between the truth and a lie, especially a republican lie, refuses to accept fact, Obama is going to be the President of the United States of America. So good luck to you Jerry and please get help ASAP
marty

marty,columbia,s.c. (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:40 PM)

I can't believe they let the guy go on self recognizance! He should have been given a huge bond. Politicians that violate the public trust aren't trustworthy. I'm glad Obama has called for his resignation.

Reno Will (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:43 PM)

As usual, Obama is 24 hours late saying anything. Can he do ANYTHING without checking with his advisors? Quite a leader.

Erica in Salinas (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:50 PM)

Gov. Blagojevich should definitely resign. There are simply too many questions surrounding what happened for the Governor to govern effectively.

FR: Also, Obama thinks a special election should be considered. Gibbs added: "The President-elect believes that the General Assembly should consider the issue and put in place a process to select a new senator that will have the trust and confidence of the people of Illinois."

I most definitely agree with this. With all the questions around his arrest (he has not yet been indicted), anyone selected by the Governor would be greeted with suspicion. Some may say "well all Illinois politicians are corrupt", which is simply a generalization of an opinion, nothing more. A selection by the General Assembly or an actual "special election" to let the voters decide is a better way to go in my opinion.

Dan St. Louis, MO (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:51 PM)

Chuck/Mark, love listening to your opinions. After Blagojevich getting arrested, why has no one in the national media commented on Senator Dick Durbin sending a letter to Bush asking him to pardon the previous Illinois governor George Ryan last week (Chicago Tribune had an editorial that was against it). Why has Obama not been asked about this. Unlike Blagojevich, Obama is close to Durbin. Ryan has served only 13 months. It seem Patrick Fitzgerald prosecutes these corrupt Illinois politicians, but other politicians like Durbin help get them pardoned. I love change I can believe in!

Mike, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:54 PM)

It's an interesting dilemma. If the Dems did know for three years that Blago was under investigation, what were they supposed to do? If they tried to stop him, they would be getting in the way of an investigation... And if they ignored what he was doing, they would be accused of letting him get away with it...

JustThinkin (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:54 PM)

"Sleaze is making a return to the White House starting January 20th 2009. "

Come on, Corpus Cristi - a proven, well known sleaze is LEAVING the White House in January. Let's give the new guy a chance, at least! Don't be hatin'!

Teach - Denver (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 1:59 PM)

One thing after another with Obama's detractors. The thing they don't realize is each time they spout their hate filld malarky it only makes Obama that much stronger. It happened throughout the campaign and will continue through his Adminsitration.

eagle1776 (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 2:07 PM)

I think it is funny that people are remarking on the 'True Colors' of Democrats now that a Democratic Governor is under arrest. Let us not forget the Republican that was Gov. before him in the very same state (in jail) and the former Senator from Alaska who was a Republican. Oh, and all the crooks from Cheney to Rove that are STILL in power right now.
I would never say that Republicans have a corner on the corruption market but neither do Democrats. Corruption is an equal opportunity employer.

Teach - Denver (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 2:12 PM)

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