Blago report: More odds and ends

Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 6:02 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Chuck Todd
Regarding the interviews that Obama, Jarrett, and Emanuel had with prosecutors, all three were accompanied by private counsel. For Obama, Bob Bauer was the attorney present; for Jarrett, it was Chicago attorney Vince Connelly; and for Emanuel, he brought DC power attorney Neil Eggelston.

Also, Patrick Fitzgerald was not personally present during the three interviews. Instead, they were conducted by assistant U.S. attorneys and FBI investigators.

During Emanuel's interview, the investigators did play back recordings of his conversations with Blagojevich and Harris in order to help refresh Rahm's memory.

Some other extraneous facts folks may want to have:
-- the Dr. Eric Whitaker who is cited in this report is currently on vacation with the Obamas in Hawaii...

-- The SEIU official Jarrett spoke with, Tom Balanoff, had a speaking role at the Democratic convention in August 2008...

-- Per the report, Emanuel had one or two phone calls with Blagojevich about Obama's Senate seat, as well as about four phone calls with Harris. If true, that's fewer than the number of contacts that Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported last week -- 21

"Sneed hears rumbles President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, is reportedly on 21 different taped conversations by the feds -- dealing with his boss' vacant Senate seat! A lot of chit-chat? Hot air? Or trouble? To date: Rahm's been mum. Stay tuned."

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Comments

In all honesty, we shoulkd ELIMINATE the process where a Governor selects a replacement for a Senator

It should be a special election
Maybe have an 'open primary' and take the top two vote getters if no0ne get 50% (or 40%)

THAT'S Democratic

MSierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 6:11 PM)

LOL

I have to give you a A for trying to create a story were there is none. But and F for serious reporting. Honestly, do you really enjoy nit picking trying to stir people up, or is it a ratings thing to get advertising revenue?

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 6:13 PM)

>>>...Emanuel had one or two phone calls with Blagojevich about Obama's Senate seat, as well as about four phone calls with Harris. If true, that's fewer than the number of contacts that Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed reported last week -- 21
==========
However the fact that the MSM chose to run with the Sneed report is further proof that news is more about entertainment and titilation than the reporting of actual facts. That's why it's important for each of us to dig further before believing what we see on-line, in the papers, or on broadcast news. That's the difference between an informed voter and a "no-information" voter.

28 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 6:20 PM)

So once someone is nominated for President they are never to be allowed to talk to the movers and shakers in their state again? That is what I am getting from this story. It is not how many times Emmanuel talked with Blago's people but what was said. Obviously it was nothing to do with pay to play.

I would like to have some real news break so you guys won't have to keep inventing some or blowing little things way, way, way out of proportion.

eagle1776 (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 6:47 PM)

I don't understand how Tom Balanoff's speaking at the Democratic convention is an "extraneous fact" that anyone would care to know. To provide some necessary context: Balanoff was one of roughly 60 (by my cursory count: http://www.demconvention.com/monday-schedule/) speakers, presenters or performers who took the stage that night. He spoke not too long after Margie Perez, New Orleans jazz singer & song writer from Musicians Village, and a bit before Miguel Del Valle, City Clerk of Chicago. Maybe this conspiracy is deeper than we thought!

I love you guys over there, but I can't help but think that you guys overplayed the scandal/conspiracy card. Seriously? After the week of nearly unanimous frustration from media types who criticized Obama's "secrecy"? And the accusations that he was "leaning on Fitzgerald" to stall the scandalous revelations? And this is it?

Turns out, as far as an Obama link to Blago is concerned, all the hype I've been hearing from Scarborough et al. has been much ado about nothing. Maybe it's time to reduce my MSNBC news consumption from once daily to once weekly. That should give you time to find some real news of interest.

Cliff, San Antonio, TX (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 7:16 PM)

There is nothing but the lies and deception which these self serving paper hangers of present time betray our trust. The greed for power over rules common sense. Cheap words and deeds which now are coming to the surface. We have more to lose by withholding justice.

FACT (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 9:27 PM)

I AM WITH THE OTHERS YOU GUYS ARE LOOKING FOR STUFF THAT IS NOT THERE ENOUGH THIS STORY DEAD. STOP TRY TO INVENT STORY .DAMN THE ELECTION OVER I KNOW HAVING THIS OUTRAGES STORY CONNECTING THEM TO PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA AND THIS BAD CITY OF CHICAGO ALL IT'S CONRUPTED PEOPLE IN OUR GOVERNMENT MAKES FOR EXCITING NEWS KEEPS YOU IN BUSINESS. I THINK THE COUNTRY COMES FIRST LET'S GET ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF REBUILDING AMERICA REMEMBER COUNTRY FIRST NOT YOUR 15 MINS OF FAME GUYS . MERRY XMAS AND NAVE A BLESSED NEW YEAR

SANDRA (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 9:55 PM)

Hey, Chuck, Olbermann, Maddow, how about you stuff a sock in it?! If you hate America and its next president so much then LEAVE!

Tired of your hate (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 10:58 PM)

You, Mr. Todd, are a self-righteous prig. I love the way you ended your piece tonight on the Nightly News - "Obama has to answer for this!" For what? Did he murder someone? Did he torture someone? Did someone die? What is it with you in the press? You spent four or more years NEVER questioning anything Bush did. And yes, people died. And people were tortured. How long did it take any of you to question the very worst president we have ever had?! What hypocrites you are.

The salivating over "possibly" finding out that Obama is, in fact, probably a criminal and did plotted to have someone take his Senate seat is really hilarious. THERE IS NO STORY! We are in the worst economic freefall in 50 years, and this is what you care about?

And Savannah Guthrie's report tonight - "Obama is laying low in Hawaii." Excuse me, but what do YOU do on vacation? Strip down and walk the boardwalk?

Come on, Chuck you looked like you were better than this.

JanetZD (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:06 PM)

I believe that Gov.BLAGOJEWJEVICH
was attacked and tarnished because
The Gov forced the holy temples and
churchs of the Republicans the ,Banks were forced to do what the congress and the people wanted them to do namely put the money on main street instead of wall street instead of wall Street by ordering the state to with drawl of all state funds from the Bank of AMERICA . Suddenly The next day the Gov was attacked with a case so weak that the Feds are afraid to have the state do an investigation where in the exposure of witness could be only compromised cross examined . Usually The witness who cross eximined could only make the Federal case stronger.Are the federals afraid that the connection with the sit down stikers and the Bank of America
Imagine the dismay and horror if other states started to with drawl their funds from banks that took their funds and gave the funds to smaller banks instead of the jumbo Banks? It might start to unfreeze the money and home mortgage funds.

Gregory W. Meegan (Sent Tuesday, December 23, 2008 11:26 PM)

Hard to believe that Chuck Todd is political director for NBC if he writes a story like this. He has been promoted way beyond his capabilities.

tj, jacksonville, fl (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:45 AM)

Bad news sells, good news does not. Gossip and conspiracy sell better. Simple black and white economics. Freedom of the Press now stands for deforming the truth for bigger ratings and profit. When I was editor of my high school paper my teacher told me never to end a big story too quickly with the facts but to keep it going with vague questions, gossip, assumptions, speculations and innuendos. I wonder if these writers had the same teacher I had.

Joe Sepeda,Early,Texas (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 12:52 AM)

No matter how many investigation reports or tapes or hearings there will always be the doubters. The negative breed the ones that lost and like HANNITY cannot wait until the PE Obama fails. I personally would rather have my teeth pulled than listen to this
steady flow of negativity. So as a Christmas present to all of us who are looking forward to January 20th and the new team in play STOP THE NEGATIVITY"

Mishka Mehrens Anaconda MT (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 8:38 AM)

What is the point of this story? Oh it's a made up media scandal. You guys are headed for irrelevancy and don't even know it.

Walter (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 8:50 AM)

The report contradicts Sneed! Obviously, someone in Obama's camp is lying. I hope you get to the bottom of this. And that you don't waste precious time on the real important issues of the day -- you know, like the war and the economy -- when there's clearly so much more rumor and innuendo to be flung around.

Fred App, Charlottesville, Va (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 8:58 AM)

nothing here. this is a waste of blog space.

ace (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 10:13 AM)

Sorry, Chuck - I used to be a fan of you, Keith and Rachel, but after reading this and watching both Countdown and Rachel's show last night, I am not sure I ever want to read or watch again. The worst was the interview last night on Countdown when Keith's stand-in asked (his name escapes me, but he has the British accent) "what did the Obama team do wrong," to which he replied "they shouldn't have sat on this for a week." Please. So they shouldn't have complied with the request of federal investigators? LET IT GO, people!!

disgusted in NM (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 10:20 AM)

Such hatred for the reporters doing there job as they see fit to do it.

Are we reduced to attacking the speaker and not the facts presented? Are we that defensive about a scandal that tarnishes the image of the chosen one?

I guess so.

bob smith, corruptalot (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 10:49 AM)

It seems like MSNBC standing as a news out let is going downhill fast. I stopped watching Morning Joe about the middle of October, Scarsboro just became too one sided. And the way Pat Buchanan was professing his love for Sarah Palin on a daily basis make me think perhaps Pat was having sex with her. I am on the verge of quiting MSNBC completely.

Seattle Sue (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 11:56 AM)

"Some other extraneous facts folks may want to have"

To be honest, this has never been a story. The media has had a hernia trying to make it one. I am not the LEAST bit interested in these so-called "facts." Give it a rest and MOVE ON!!!! There are more important problems in this country than this.

H. Osborne Charlotte, NC (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 1:04 PM)

"What is the point of this story? Oh it's a made up media scandal. You guys are headed for irrelevancy and don't even know it." Walter is right.

The traditional media are starting to behave like the Republicans who believe that they would have won the election if only they been truer to their base of nutbars, creationists, dominionists and flat earthers. The traditional media believe they'll regain their relevance and market share if only they can find the right issue to gin up - an issue with only a random correlation to truth.

I think MSNBC have fallen into the meme trap that they are the liberal cable news network and are pumping out garbage so they seem more "fair and balanced". Net result - I used to love David Shuster. Now I can bearly listen to him. Which is a real shame because he has a lot going for him. Don't make (or let) him do this. Please

observerinvancouver (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 1:06 PM)

I am guessing journalistic integrity died with the tanking of the economy common MSNBC all you have is innuendo, the fact that the PE made a supreme effort to stay away from Blago kind of tells us that they are in no way are going to work together on much of anything much less something that could cause him more problems as he already has enough. However why is this a story it is normal for the person giving up the seat to play a role in the picking of his successor for example we all know Hillary has the ear of the governor in NY and he will consider her views. Ms. Clinton must be seeking to bribe the governor into picking her favorite candidate no doubt and Ted Kaufmann bought two years in the Senate because he was a close friend of VPE Biden oh and the Salazaars are scheming with Ritter in Colorado to set up a dynasty in the state. Oh and Bob Wicker was appointed in Mississippi because Trent Lott thought he was a great guy. Come on do you realize that you sound more like National Enquier than a respected publication. To Chuck Todd and the rest of you sleep deprived drones at MSNBC go home to your families get some sleep and come back Friday and start doing some actual reporting on issues the American people actually care about like how we are going to fix the economy , the future of the country etc. Please for you company's financial future and our sanity do your job.

Chris, Manassas,VA (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 1:18 PM)

Sneed is an idiot. A fool who thought Palin was a good choice. How do Palin supporters still find gainful employment these days???? And as a columnist??? She should be laughed out of the business. Pathetic.

Joe, Oxford, MS (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 1:40 PM)

I GUESS THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO DO NOW THAT THE ELECTION BUT YOU ARE WRITING A BOOK SO THAT SURE KEEP YOU BUSY I HOPE BECAUSE CHUCK NO ONE IS LISTEN . WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO JAN 20, 2009.POOR MORNING JOE HE IS JUST SICK HE COULD N'T MAKE PEOPLE NOT VOTE FOR OBAMA . IT JUST DIDN'T WORK ALL HIS RANT AND OBAMA HATING LIKE HANNITY IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR THEM. THERE ALL KIND OF IMPORTANT STORIES ARE OUT THERE JUST GET OFF YOUR BUTTS ALL OF YOU ARE YOUNG PEOPLE GO LOOK FOR OTHER ONE .OH WAIT LIKE BUSH AND CHENEY YOU KNOW THEY ARE CROOKS YES ALL AMERICA KNOWS . CATCH UP CHUCK A TIP CHANGE QUICKLY I NOTICED PEOPLE AREN'T GETTING ON YOUR SITE ANY MORE YOU GUYS ARE BORING,

SANDRA (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 2:11 PM)

Can I comment on this? I think that Fitzgerald did a "great" job protecting the President-Elect OB down the road. If Fitzgerald did not prematurely terminated the scheme by arresting the Ill. Gov., OB and his aides will become more deeply involved.

It seems to me that MSNBC and liberal media have already readily accepted the conclusions by OB's self-appointed investigations. However, my gut feelings are that it is not over until it is over with the trial of Ill. Gov. Only after all tapes and conversations between OB, OB's close aides, or friends are cross-examined at the trial under the oaths, the Ill. Gov. and his aids and OB and his aides would finally tell nothing but the true. It is always suspecious when a politician self-appoints and investigates his wrong doings and makes a conclusion favorable to him and his political future. So when it is all done, OB may prove himself no more than a typical Chicago politician.

Joseph (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 2:12 PM)

todd, if you think something was wrong with the investigation, perhaps you should be investigating fitzgerald for not doing his job and allowing people to get away with wrongdoings. instead you want to stir up trouble. you are now no better than fox. goodbye for ever.

mel (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 2:44 PM)

It needs to work itself out. The old saying is if you lie with dogs you are going to get fleas. There seem to be a lot of dogs in Chicago!!!!

not a paid blogger (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 4:02 PM)

And you lot have the gaul to criticize FOX. I'm tuning out because this type of reporting is C.R.A.P. You are no better than FOX No News.

I would love to know why the media is so keen to bring Obama down. You are a bunch of clowns trying to fill time for all the stupid political programs you created. "Countdown to the Inaugauration", "1600 Pennsylvania Ave", "The Rachel Maddox Show", "Morning Joke", and so on. You are making up stories, which is exactly what they do on FOX. You are pathetic.

Oscar, Rio Vista, CA (Sent Wednesday, December 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

Bottom line: Blago is a snake; a bottom-feeder. Obama was asked by Fitgerald to sit on any comments regarding the Blago thing until this week, that's what he did to somewhat of an anti-climax; no self-respecting professional would admit to having much to do with Blago, because no self-respecting professional WOULD have much to do with Blago, he's been an albatross for this state for quite some time now. Most Illinoisans would pretty much prefer he ride off into the sunset...

Mrs K Rock Island, IL (Sent Thursday, December 25, 2008 4:55 AM)

Tim Russert left a gaping hole at NBC, and the replacements are not doing a good job of filling it.

John, Morgan Hill, California (Sent Sunday, December 28, 2008 9:18 PM)

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