RNC Chair 'outraged;' brings up Rezko

Posted: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 3:54 PM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Republicans, Norah O'Donnell

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
In an interview with MSNBC’s Norah O’Donnell, RNC Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan -- who is running for reelection to his RNC chair post -- continued his criticism of President-elect Obama for his lack of a forceful response yesterday to the Blagojevich news.

“As an American, I am very disappointed,” Duncan said, adding that Obama had an “opportunity” yesterday. “We have a lot of unanswered questions,” he continued. “He needs to answer the charges” that he was an intermediary between Blagojevich and the SEIU, Duncan alleged.

“Let’s talk about the we,” he continued. “Did he have an intermediary? What about Tony Rezko? Where did he fit in all this? …

“Barack Obama has an opportunity to be a different kind of president. … As an American I am outraged.”

Challenged by O’Donnell that there is no evidence that Obama and Blagojevich had a close relationship -- either during the campaign or through the transition, Duncan said, “I’m not sure there was good relationships going on, but there were connections.”

Duncan continued, “I don’t have evidence,” but Obama “needs to step forward”

Asked specifically what he’d like Obama to do, Duncan said, “I want him to ask everyone who is on his transition staff to say they did not have communications with the governor’s office. And if they have, and they knew there was pay to play, they should say why they didn’t step forward.”

**Watch the full interview.

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Comments

Duncan needs to worry about cleaning his own house. Yes, Duncan, there are a lot of unanswered questions which is why President-elect Obama isn't shooting from the hip. You may as well stop foaming by the mouth because Obama had NOTHING to do with this.

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:03 PM)

"I don't have evidence, but Obama needs to dance on a string, hopelessly trying to make me happy though that shall never happen, until the GOP has managed to thoroughly destroy him, all in the name of partisan politics." Give me a freaking break.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:04 PM)

They may have stepped forward. Someone talked or Fitzgerald would have not pulled the trigger.

TEC-spring-TX (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:05 PM)

The republicans of course are ALL clean. Nobody in the republican party has done wrong? What about the biggest crook that is in the White House? Cheney ? The list could go on.

MCJ Colorado (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:05 PM)

Duncan has a lot to answer for. Who put him up to this? What is he trying to hide? What was the extent of Duncan's relationship with Blagojevich? Did Duncan really agree to 'pay to play'? It appears that Duncan is not being fully truthful here.

Now mind you, I have no evidence against Duncan, but boy am I outraged!!!!!

David, Baltimore, MD (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:06 PM)

are these people for real; I really can not believe how they are trying to make something stick to obama all the man did was vacate his seat. He has no control what someone else tries to do with it. They need to be ashame of their selves

sharris, tuskegee, al (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:07 PM)

Get your ducks in a row Mr.Duncan before you open your mouth because you might regret it see you might think this will bring back the republican's but it won't.
Governer idiot knew a lot of people he even talked to them that doesn't make them guilty so get your facts.

kendall jefferson city mo (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:08 PM)

Someone needs to let Robert know that the GE is over and Obama won fair and square....What an idiot!!!

Obama answered all the questions he needed too for the American people....Robert get a life would ya!!!!

James Tn (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:10 PM)

I too am outraged that no matter how hard we try, we can't find any evidence on Obama. I mean, we try so hard, and it almost seems like he's clean! How is that possible? I mean, it really seems like there should be some good dirt, and I'm outraged, as an American, that the President-Elect hasn't even given a hint as to where the bodies are hidden. At this point us Republicans would even be willing to settle for a game of "hot or cold". Throw us a bone here, the guy wants to give health care to poor people for chrissake, that aint MY America...

PanickedConservative (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:11 PM)

Wait, isn't Duncan a republican? Doesn't he know Ted Stevens? How do we know he wasn't involved in Ted Stevens corruption? Did Duncan know Illinois Gov George Ryan? How do we know he wasn't involved with Gov Ryan's corruption? Sound rediculous?

Guilt by association is a dangerous game. Perhaps he should let the FBI and US Attorney do their jobs and continue with the prosecution. If Obama or his team have done anything wrong, you can bet it will be on tape and they will have to answer. Fitgerald has already proven he is an unbiased prosecutor and isn't affraid of powerful people, so lets just wait and see what happens.

By the way, where was this outrage when Stevens was convicted?

Chris - IL (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:18 PM)

This is just Duncan talking to hear his head roar. Outraged over an issue that he has no evidence even exists. This is absurd.

"We have a lot of unanswered questions....!" Ok. Great. Then ask them and when you have your answers move on.

New Indi (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:18 PM)

Mr. Duncan (RNC Chairman) is really trying hard to find work for the Republican Party! The President-elect should not have to respond to questions for the LOST Republican Party! I hope he (President-Elect) does not respond to this idiot's desire for response to the Governor of Illinois' situation.

Ron, Gretna, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:21 PM)

Why isn't Norm Coleman's under FBI investigation making big news. Why isn't there 24/7 coverage and all kinds of accusation being made about him and his associates, even the insignificant ones.

I guess it's OK if you're a Republican.

RAH (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:33 PM)

Duncan must have missed the part where the Federal Prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, said that the President-Elect was NOT involved in the Blago deal. Did he not hear Blago cuss him out on the tape because he knew that he would not pay him?

LB, Bronx, NY (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:38 PM)

"As an American, I am outraged"...and I say the same thing doubled! Why is this RNC Chairman still playing potlitics when the election is over and he lost? Does the RNC know nothing but how to sow doubt and suspicion, based upon tattered cloth? He is "playing to the base", hoping to keep his cushy job and not have to go out job-hunting during these disasterous times foisted upon our country by his party. Sick!

David Brown (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:38 PM)

Mr. Duncan:

He needs to answer what charges? The charges that you are making that have no basis in fact? The Federal Prosecutor explicitly said yesterday that there is no evidence - not even an implication - that President Elect Obama is involved in any way.

I'm outraged too. That you and your party are trying to smear, once again, PE Obama. Never mind facts or evidence - your hate campaign continues. You and your supporters are disgusting!

Liz, NY (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 4:45 PM)

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