New type of politics: Obama wants unqualified crony to replace him in Senate
posted at 5:00 pm on November 10, 2008 by Allahpundit
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The crony in question: Valerie Jarrett, who’s never run for public office in any capacity as far as I can tell but has earned appointments as chairman of the Chicago Transit Board and as a trustee of the University of Chicago Medical Center.
Which, in fairness, makes her more qualified to hold high office than The One.
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the incoming chief of staff, said Sunday that he had not seen the report from Chicago’s WLS-TV that named Jarrett as Obama’s top pick, but he praised her as a “valuable ally.”
“People should know that Valerie Jarrett is — and people do know — she is a very dear friend of the president-elect and a valuable ally of his, not only prior to running for president, in his Senate life, and just personally for Michelle and Barack,” Emanuel said on ABC’s “This Week.”
How close is Jarrett to Obama? From TNR: “Jarrett’s cardinal role on the Obama campaign is to serve as an extension of the candidate. She is Obama’s eyes and ears at meetings and events. When she speaks, it is in his voice. She is often the one to deliver harsh truths to Obama–and to others on his behalf. And, when there is courting of vital constituencies to be done, Jarrett is an undisputed master.” Exit question: If we’re going to put Obama’s most dependable lackey in the Senate, why not cut out the middleman and just let him retain his office? There’s no reason to believe Jarrett would ever vote against his wishes. Just drop the pretense and let him be President/Senator.
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Did Michelle Obama not focus group well? They could have improved on the Clinton plan.
rw on November 10, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepy. Leper Messiah’s vicar.
*lurks*
Grue in the Attic on November 10, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Please do appoint the cronies… It would give the IL Republican party a major shot in the arm to pick up that seat!
Illinidiva on November 10, 2008 at 5:04 PM
And people think that nepotism is dead in this day and age.
Maybe they should do the same as Alaska… vote someone in other then place someone in it.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 5:05 PM
Sure, why not? It would be like a professional wrestler holding two championship belts at one time.
The arrogance of this bozo is unbelievable.
Hope and change indeed.
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 5:06 PM
With Rahm Emanuel and Jamie Gorelick looking to be in the cabinet, we are on our way to being the ALL THUG party for the next few years. These two are the epitome of incompetence combined with political bigotry unmatched so far on the this level. We’re screwed.
volsense on November 10, 2008 at 5:06 PM
Wow … this “change” and “new direction” thing is disappearing quick.
Now honestly … what morons actually expected Obama to do anything different than he had done in the past?
This will be a corrupt, anti-american administration and will be unrivaled in history … that is if we have a history left after this evil clown.
darwin on November 10, 2008 at 5:06 PM
“Thug Thizzle” gathering momentum.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM
I wonder what KP has to say about all these choices. She’s an Obama fan afterall.
darwin on November 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM
It just keeps getting better and better.
I’m not very anxious to see the ‘change’ he keeps boasting about.
Sponge on November 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM
It just keeps getting better and better.
I’m not very anxious to see the ‘change’ he keeps boasting about.
Sponge on November 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Sorry for the doubletake there…….
Sponge on November 10, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Here comes the Snopes family, hope/change version.
whitetop on November 10, 2008 at 5:08 PM
He learned well from Daley.
CUS on November 10, 2008 at 5:09 PM
Zombie Al Capone not available.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
OT: KP on Hannity now.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Meet Obama’s next Attorney General
William Amos on November 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
I recall that President Bush wanted to put his unqualified lackey on the Supreme Court, where she would have been one of nine. Obama’s unqualified lackey will be one of a hundred. Let it slide.
paul006 on November 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Does said crony know where the skeletons are buried. CREEPY!
HornetSting on November 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Nothing like a little ideological inbreeding to keep the bloodlines pure.
whitetop on November 10, 2008 at 5:11 PM
It’s good enough for the Fourth Estate…why not the Senate?
Jaibones on November 10, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Im telling you everyone keeps talking about what we need to do to win. The answer is… not much.
This administration is going to be a disaster.
Just sit back, pop some corn, and watch.
Arrowhead on November 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
HornetSting on November 10, 2008 at 5:10 PM
I would say that’s an affirmative!
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
All the better to beat the democrats over the head about for the next election in two years, then in four.
That is, if we aren’t reduced to a smoking pile of ashes thanks to President Elect Present.
tru2tx on November 10, 2008 at 5:12 PM
I already feel like a marshmallow and it’s not even Jan. 20 yet…
HornetSting on November 10, 2008 at 5:14 PM
Buy them guns people….
And FYI for those who haven’t decided to get one yet. I had to do a background check on a freaking RIFLE! Yep you heard me right a 30.06 which is NOT a semi automatic. Which was not like that a month ago.
Don’t forget your ammo.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Fixed
Greenhelmet on November 10, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Funny how the name Mark Rich keeps popping up? Oy Vey!
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 5:15 PM
So Ayers didn’t want to be a Senator?
fogw on November 10, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Raaaaaaacist!
Biffstir on November 10, 2008 at 5:16 PM
KP says Liebs crossed a line by going to the Republican convention, therefore it’s OK for the Dumbocrats to strip him of his chairmanship.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on November 10, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Ayers wants to be the guy who uses the secret door in the OO.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 10, 2008 at 5:17 PM
What do you mean by earned?
Dan Collins on November 10, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Refresh my memory, who is KP?
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 10, 2008 at 5:17 PM
I have one word for this up coming administration (if the media suddenly decides to do their real job):
Scandalicious!
beththebaker on November 10, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Kirstin Powers
William Amos on November 10, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Would you expect anything less?
robblefarian on November 10, 2008 at 5:18 PM
Truth be told, I’ve got nothing to complain about; the cronies running my town are all moving to D.C.!!
fiscallyconservative on November 10, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Senator Government = Senator President
Laura in Maryland on November 10, 2008 at 5:20 PM
I’m sure Daily Kos is complaining about cronyism.
/opposite land
Speedwagon82 on November 10, 2008 at 5:21 PM
The Black Caesar has spoken. Nevermind qualifications or all this nonsensical talk of change. Actually, I’d rather her than J.J. Jr. anyway.
grdred944 on November 10, 2008 at 5:21 PM
What, not Jackson Jr?…he better have a better position for him.
Hell hath no fury like a Jackson scorned…
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 5:22 PM
If this is the Chicago way, where is Elliot Ness when you need him?
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 5:23 PM
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 5:23 PM
The Presinator. On Jan. 20, 2009, SkyNet becomes fully aware
innominatus on November 10, 2008 at 5:23 PM
Unqualified president, unqualified senator…how about that.
mindhacker on November 10, 2008 at 5:24 PM
“Transit” is like change right?
mad saint jack on November 10, 2008 at 5:24 PM
This is disgusting on so many levels. The IL governor will sanction this because he is going to jail soon and will eventually need the pardon from The One. And why is it taking so long for half of the US to figure out that Obama has absolutely NO IDEA how to be the president so he is hiring all the people that will tell him what to do. Valerie Jarret has been one of the top two puppetmasters pulling his strings for over two years now. And the quid pro quo list goes on. The only question left is which country will Oprah serve her ambassadorship in?
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 5:24 PM
So THAT’S what happened to Alinsky!!!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 10, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Decisions, decisions…looks like it was made for him.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 5:25 PM
You’re mean, just mean! ;)
Laura in Maryland on November 10, 2008 at 5:29 PM
Wonder how he’ll feel about being replaced by an inexperienced Chicago slum lord. BO better locate his cup.
Dee2008 on November 10, 2008 at 5:30 PM
Dirty Barry!
Firebird on November 10, 2008 at 5:31 PM
It’s getting so that these Senate seats appear to be hereditary. Any bets on who will fill Splash Kennedy’s seat?
Besides another Kennedy.
GarandFan on November 10, 2008 at 5:32 PM
In Missouri they elect dead people to office and then appoint the dead persons unqualified wife to fill the seat. So this is
Flint Stone on November 10, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Call me naive but doesn’t the Governor of Illinois choose who will fill “The Great Leader’s” seat in the U.S. Senate [sarc off}
USMCDevilDog on November 10, 2008 at 5:34 PM
same old same old
Terrye on November 10, 2008 at 5:34 PM
Valirie was on Meet the Press sunday
she must have said “President Elect Obama” 30 times
once she said Senator Obama and corrected herself
I wanted to gag
definite dead weight in the senate
qualified? who needs to be qualified?
audiotom on November 10, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Just let him fail. It will go down easier with the electorate that way.
He wants to make an unqualified person Senator/Interior Secretary? Fine. Let him.
Draw the line only at judges (life appointments) and national security jobs.
indythinker on November 10, 2008 at 5:35 PM
From TNR: “Jarrett’s cardinal role on the Obama campaign is to serve as an extension of the candidate. She is Obama’s eyes and ears at meetings and events. When she speaks, it is in his voice. She is often the one to deliver harsh truths to Obama–and to others on his behalf. And, when there is courting of vital constituencies to be done, Jarrett is an undisputed master.”
From this description all I can picture is the Mouth of Sauron from the Lord of the Rings.
Ceroth on November 10, 2008 at 5:35 PM
Remember this well when the left starts moaning about whoever gets picked to replace Stevens in Alaska…
Midas on November 10, 2008 at 5:36 PM
Why “arrogance?” It’s a tradition in Democratic strongholds for people to name their successors when they ascend to higher office. I imagine that’s a tradition practiced in red states/cities/counties as well. The point is that it gives the appointee an incumbency advantage in any special election(s) to ensure the “party system” stays in place. It sucks, it is not fair, but that’s machine politics for you. I’m not sure how this makes Obama arrogant. (Plenty of other things DO make Obama arrogant.)
Outlander on November 10, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Yeah by a special election since the Gov. can not place someone in that role.
Keep up please.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Ted Kennedy wants his (second) wife to take over his senate seat. I can’t believe that two generations of ambitious dem pols are just going to roll over for Miss Vickie but we shall see.
thegreatbeast on November 10, 2008 at 5:39 PM
she was CEO of Habitat, the company that managed Parc Grove, that apartment complex featured in the Boston Globe story awhile back.
Capone had Frank Nitti and Barry has Valerie Jarrett, as the enforcer, she is Nitti v 2.0
wow, Emanuel in the White House and Jarrett in the Senate. Pelosi is too weak, wonder who will be running the House.
billypaintbrush on November 10, 2008 at 5:39 PM
Cronyism you can believe in.
CP on November 10, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Is this a shocker to anyone? Either Obama or Blajoivich (sp?) or Daley is going choose the new senator and they are all of the same mind anyway.
myrenovations on November 10, 2008 at 5:42 PM
WHY are any of you surprised?
He hasn’t even been sworn in yet, and people are shocked?
Fools……………… all.
You get what you ask for……….
Don’t forget what won him the election………….
Seven Percent Solution on November 10, 2008 at 5:42 PM
I immediately thought “The Mouth of Sauron.”
What?
Not Hopey-changey enough?
GISAP on November 10, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Valerie Jarrett is the CEO of Habitat, Co., which received government subsidies to develop/manage Grove Parc Plaza. The 500 unit complex has 99 uninhabitable units b/c of her company’s mismanagement.
Another one of her public housing projects was seized by the Feds.
Obama has plans to dole out $500 million to private developers like Jarrett so they can provide more crappy public housing.
A vote for Valerie Jarrett is a vote for Tony Rezko.
nlj on November 10, 2008 at 5:45 PM
This will sure give Jesse Jackson Jr’s daddy something to cry about!!!!!!!!!!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on November 10, 2008 at 5:46 PM
Time for another lazy, sub-par, gold-bricking Senator from Illinois to fill Carol Mosely-Braun’s ample pumps
sladenyv on November 10, 2008 at 5:49 PM
chicago style politics is the big winner
gatorboy on November 10, 2008 at 5:50 PM
You know, I would expect anyone in BO’s shoes to chose people he knows and trusts to fill various roles in his administration. But in this case “people he knows” are all so unpalatable (Emmanual, Gorelick, Jarrett). Doesn’t BO have any untainted acquaintances?
Dee2008 on November 10, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I’d almost forgotten about her.
myrenovations on November 10, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Well that relieves my mind – so much better than someone who is only the Governor of a state. Who is going to be running the Machine in Chicago if Obama brings all his “dear friends and allies” to DC?
katiejane on November 10, 2008 at 5:54 PM
It might be a good idea to let Patrick Fitzgerald pick the replacement…
myrenovations on November 10, 2008 at 5:56 PM
He is arrogant in thinking just of himself and his cronies and not the state he is supposed to represent.
He will still have a say in the state’s politics through this woman.
Perhaps arrogance is the wrong word for Barry. How about “egomaniacal”?
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 5:56 PM
We do produce a lot of thugs here in Chicago, but we are not shy about sending them to jail. A bright spot.
sherry on November 10, 2008 at 6:00 PM
I’ve got to side with the big O on this one. Other than age, citizenship, and residency there are no requirements as to who can be a U.S. Senator.
And if you look at some of our past and present Senators performances one can clearly see that intelligence is not a requirement.
meci on November 10, 2008 at 6:00 PM
According to my husband, it is getting increasingly hard to find…. maybe he should look into mail order from your state? Plentiful or no?
tru2tx on November 10, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Stay strong our military. We have lost our way politically.
I’m guessing this Jarrett lady/friend/confidant will be the second person he calls after the 3:00 am phone call?
FireBlogger on November 10, 2008 at 6:03 PM
Exit answer: Maybe. Obama is looking for a new pet. But I think he has his sites set on the entire Congress.
locomotivebreath1901 on November 10, 2008 at 6:06 PM
I am going to go buy about 3K dollars worth tonight as well as a new rugar 22 and ammo for my 40. caliper S&W semiauto.
I am not playing games and most in Alaska aren’t either. You should have SEEN the lines to buy any guns Saturday. it is becoming a frenzy because most people are worried about food. Meat is not cheap up here. I will be fishing and dipnetting a lot next summer and buying a new freezer next month as well.
The ammo is low at Sportsmans warehouse as well as most places.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 6:06 PM
I thought the secret door was the door to the Monica Lewinsky Memorial Closet and Cigar Shop?
fogw on November 10, 2008 at 6:06 PM
Dangerous thinking. My fear is that in four years he is going to build an near invincible political machine, including the MSM, every union, bureaucracy and school in the country. He is all about organizing and the republicans are going to need a lot more than the status-quo campaign and ground organization even if they are up by 25% in the polls. If you thought this elections was cooked wait until 2012.
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 6:10 PM
Not a better 22 on the market…many a rabbit felt the sting of my ruger 22 as I was growing up.
That and my Marlin 39A…rabbits trembled with fear.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 6:10 PM
What, you mean THE ONE (PBUH) isn’t going to pay for my gas, mortgage, credit cards, and my European vacation?/sarc*
*(this sarc tag was meant for brain-dead lefties trolling this site that can’t distinguish the difference between fantasy and reality)
Liberty or Death on November 10, 2008 at 6:11 PM
I’m torn between that and Randall Flagg, herald of the Crimson King.
Either way… EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on November 10, 2008 at 6:12 PM
that is if we can FIND it! The shelves are bare for semi auto’s.
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Since Valerie is so anxious for BHO to begin his “rule”, perhaps she will be named in order to lead the daily genuflection in the Senate to The One.
eeyore on November 10, 2008 at 6:16 PM
Good point! Now we’ve got to get Patrick Fitzgerald to step up the pressure on Antoin Rezko, so that he squeals big-time on Gov. Blagojevich before Obama resigns his Senate seat. Then we get Peter Fitzgerald (who held that seat before Obama) to run for it in 2010.
Steve Z on November 10, 2008 at 6:20 PM
From this description all I can picture is the Mouth of Sauron from the Lord of the Rings.
Ceroth on November 10, 2008 at 5:35 PM
And we need the Palin-tir! But who is our Aragorn?
Steve Z on November 10, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Palin is Arragorn…
I am wondering what the white tree will actually be.
Who are the hobbits? The holders of the conservative base?
upinak on November 10, 2008 at 6:25 PM
What’s that about??
Ozark_sky on November 10, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Look folks, better to have her in the Senate than on the 10th floor of the Weaver Building. We need the housing sector to recover.
DrSteve on November 10, 2008 at 6:31 PM
“Doesn’t BO have any untainted acquaintances?”
No.
Alana on November 10, 2008 at 6:31 PM
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