Obama: I never talked to Blagojevich about the Senate seat; Axelrod: Yes, he did; Update: Axelrod misspoke, says Obama camp
posted at 4:18 pm on December 9, 2008 by Allahpundit
Sweet catch by Tapper, showing why he got that promotion. Obama today…
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so I was not aware of what was happening, ” Obama told reporters today in Chicago. “It’s a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment.”
…versus Axelrod on November 23, as seen below. Be sure to read Tapper’s post, as he has plenty more on The One’s long history as a friend of — and advisor to — Blago. Axelrod himself begged off Blagojevich’s first gubernatorial campaign because “I was concerned about whether he was ready for … governing.” Not so Obama and Emanuel; they both served as advisors, and they and Blago went on endorsing each other to the bitter end.
Update: Awesome. Let’s just drag this out as long as possible. Either we get the spectacle of the Illinois legislature impeaching him or we get the spectacle of Blago appointing The One’s successor while in jail. And based on the charges, he’s just stupid/nutty enough to do it.
“He didn’t do anything wrong,” attorney Sheldon Sorosky told reporters after Blagojevich was arraigned. “A lot of this is just politics.”
Blagojevich should be in the office Wednesday, Sorosky added.
So, reporters asked, he does not intend to resign?
“Not that I know of, no,” said Sorosky, who added that the governor was “surprised” by the day’s events.
Update: Wouldn’t you know it, turns out Axe spoke … inartfully. When did they last speak, then, wonders Ben Smith.
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Wasn’t just this weekend on MTP that the “O” was asked about Clinton’s seat and he said something to the effect of he had enough problems dealing with the Illinois politics?
yakwill83 on December 9, 2008 at 4:53 PM
Wow – the comment thread’s blown up over at Jake’s!
The Ritz on December 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM
I hope the bus has had a tune-up recently, too.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM
This may or may not be a case of The One’s usual ‘uh, uh, uh’ mistakes and misspeaks, but these are his exact words:
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
Notice how he changed from we were not to I was not?
He may not have been aware of what was happening, but the people around him …
Recall Slick Willie’s typical use of semantics:
“It depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is. If the–if he–if ‘is’ means is and never has been, that is not–that is one thing. If it means there is none, that was a completely true statement….Now, if someone had asked me on that day, are you having any kind of sexual relations with Ms. Lewinsky, that is, asked me a question in the present tense, I would have said no. And it would have been completely true.”
I think The One attended a few classes at Slick Willie U.
VibrioCocci on December 9, 2008 at 4:54 PM
Three whore diamonds for Blago. Only three.
wccawa on December 9, 2008 at 4:55 PM
Why was Blago trying to get a job with changetowin.org? Is that group even legal?
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 4:55 PM
In Chicago, guys like Blago stumble and fall and hit their head and wind up silent forever. Gone gone. He knows all the skelatins hanging out in the Illinois political closet and probably knows too much about Obama’s private relationships. Blago’s days are numbered I’m afraid.
What an arrogant dumb ass.
saiga on December 9, 2008 at 4:58 PM
Yeah! It’s funny.
Oink on December 9, 2008 at 4:59 PM
This is going to get out of control fast if The Black Caesar doesn’t get his peeps in line. Axelrod has no reason to fabricate such a conversation having taken place. It is up to Rahm to get these mofo’s in line.
grdred944 on December 9, 2008 at 5:01 PM
Time for some renewed interest in all those missing records from Barry’s stint as state senator?
a capella on December 9, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Exit question:
Are there going to be any democrat governors by the end of next year?
Exit question 2: Will Obama close gitmo to make room for the democrat governors…
right2bright on December 9, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Heh. Imagine the atmosphere right now. CODE RED!However, Rahm has the media running interference for him. They don’t want to be denied access.
a capella on December 9, 2008 at 5:09 PM
No Donkey, just some frozen cash Jefferson accidently misplaced!
Liberty or Death on December 9, 2008 at 5:10 PM
Blago might want to go into the witness protection plan and start rolling over on a few of his old friends. If he does that will be some hope and change Chicago style.
blueboat on December 9, 2008 at 5:12 PM
HRC’s heartbeat quickens.
whitetop on December 9, 2008 at 5:16 PM
Better keep it open, JIC
whitetop on December 9, 2008 at 5:17 PM
Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.
Scandal #1 for President Obama.
dugan on December 9, 2008 at 5:21 PM
This is just a very small piece of Obama’s garbage and you will see much more rush down the storm drains and accumulate in front of the White House.
rplat on December 9, 2008 at 5:21 PM
Clintonian triangulation perfected.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 5:23 PM
The good news about Obama not being vetted during the campaign is that he will be vetted publicly over the next 4 years.
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:24 PM
If Blago gets a Christmas present from William Ayers, he had better not open it.
A little more messy than the Bus, but probably more effective.
I’m just sayin’…
kingsjester on December 9, 2008 at 5:25 PM
jester, you’re right. The next 72 hours are going to be very dangerous for Blago.
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:26 PM
I will tell you this both Resco & the Gov are going to sing like a bird and tell everbody everthing they know about Obama and his staff.It,s going to get very dicey ahd hot for the (ONE) .Just wait and see.
thmcbb on December 9, 2008 at 5:26 PM
Update, Allah:
Jake Tapper says an Obama aide says Axelrod “misspoke” in November.
MayBee on December 9, 2008 at 5:29 PM
I’m getting the feeling that the price of R.J. Reynolds and Lorillard Tobacco Company stock will be rising sharply.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 5:29 PM
On the first day of Christmas, my true-love gave to me…..Rezko singing in a penitentiary.
On the second day of Christmas…….
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 5:31 PM
How do you mis-speak, when it is taped, has video and over 50 people heard it in a room?
I guess everyone has the same hearing problem?
upinak on December 9, 2008 at 5:33 PM
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 5:31 PM
On the second day of Christmas, my true-love gave to me…..
two faces of Obama…
And Rezko singing in a penitentiary
kingsjester on December 9, 2008 at 5:34 PM
heh… Axlerod is innocent by extention of Obama’s perfectness thing of a bob he has going on. Just wait, MSNBC will make it all very clear tonite. “Do not believe your own ears, follow the words coming at you now, yes you can”.
Hog Wild on December 9, 2008 at 5:37 PM
I only give this one more day on the news at most. Then they’ll go back to harping on Ted Stevens.
Ryan Gandy on December 9, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Excuse me???
Corruption? In Illinois? No…it can’t be…not in ILLINOIS…
uncivilized on December 9, 2008 at 5:38 PM
My true love gave to me…
Blago now has two large budddiiessssssssss
upinak on December 9, 2008 at 5:39 PM
This is all a distraction that keeps us from finding out about Palin’s baby.
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:39 PM
From the reports, it sure sounds like Blagojevich has had conversations with someone in the Obama administration. How else would he know who it is that Obama wanted as his replacement?
dugan on December 9, 2008 at 5:41 PM
On the third day of Christmas, my true-love gave to me…..Clintonian triangulation.
Blago has two large budddiiessssssssss
(two faces of Obama)
And Rezko singing in a penitentiary
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 5:42 PM
4 wiretaps, 3 framed friends, 2 faces of Obama, and rezko singing in the penetentiary
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:42 PM
5 designer rhodium rings
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:43 PM
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The day I have been waiting for has come!! Now is the time for me to jump start my candidacy for Illinois State Rep for the 12th District.
Maybe a Republican can win the seat in 2010!! (Look behind you in your rear view mirror, Rep. Feigenholz.)
Lothar on December 9, 2008 at 5:45 PM
The cat, as they say, is out of the bag. No matter what happens, this will haunt the Obama Presidency for ever.
jeanie on December 9, 2008 at 5:47 PM
6 weeks of waiting
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:47 PM
How can someone have so disgraced the long and proud history of the Office of the President Elect?
malclave on December 9, 2008 at 5:50 PM
7 cons a swingin’
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:51 PM
8 aids a bilking
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 5:53 PM
Forget Tapper’s… Politico has the +1 comment of the day:
rhodeymark on December 9, 2008 at 5:54 PM
9 same sexers dancing
chicagoray on December 9, 2008 at 5:55 PM
Never underestimate the power of the media cleanup crew. Or stupidity. In another week, day or hour, Obama supporters will tell pollsters that Blagojevich is Sarah Palin’s son.
Nichevo on December 9, 2008 at 5:57 PM
The problem with Obama saying he hadn’t spoken to the Gov. is they may have a tape of him speaking?
If they do, he is dead meat, well for about one day until the new edition of the NYT comes out and claims that Palin spent an extra 35 bucks on perfume…
$4,500, still can’t quite get over that…like I said, I consider this act just a step, small step, below treason.
right2bright on December 9, 2008 at 5:58 PM
10 million missing
right2bright on December 9, 2008 at 6:00 PM
So Funny.
Firebird on December 9, 2008 at 6:01 PM
or least 2 days…
right2bright on December 9, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Of course Blago won’t resign. If he can hold out until January 20 without the Illinois Legislature impeaching him, Obummer will fire Fitzgerald, pardon Blago, who will then appoint himself to the Senate and run for President in 2016, telling an adoring media how stupid Sarah Palin is.
Unless Fitz gets him first.
Steve Z on December 9, 2008 at 6:05 PM
From Tapper’s comment thread:
terryannonline on December 9, 2008 at 6:13 PM
11 Demorats uh talking.
christene on December 9, 2008 at 6:13 PM
Man, that bus must have some mighty high clearance.
I guess that old Hot Rod, just wasn’t the Hot Rod Obama knew.
Could not happen to a nicer bunch of sanctimonious hypocrites.
Terrye on December 9, 2008 at 6:21 PM
Misspoke my @SS!!!
Good grief he must think Americans are stupid.
christene on December 9, 2008 at 6:22 PM
It’s a hybrid.
the_nile on December 9, 2008 at 6:22 PM
Shocka.
Not really. You could have knocked me over with a feather.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Spare the Axel, Spoil the Rod.
Christien on December 9, 2008 at 6:23 PM
Whenever you say something that gets the boss in trouble, the underling misspoke…that is just how it is.
He may have told the truth, but he misspoke…
right2bright on December 9, 2008 at 6:24 PM
12 cabinet members testifying
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 6:25 PM
Katie Couric is going to be all over this, I just know it.
Firebird on December 9, 2008 at 6:27 PM
I think this is just politics as usual, only Blagojevich got caught.
Sergeant Tim on December 9, 2008 at 6:27 PM
On the Forth Day of Christmas, my True Conservative gave to me… Allah with a positive Blog to see!
upinak on December 9, 2008 at 6:27 PM
The ink wasn’t wet on Dave Rywall’s post today about how this was the greatest transition of power in the history of the universe before Obama commits his first presidential scandal.
Chuck Schick on December 9, 2008 at 6:27 PM
Don’t be a tinfoil-hat “troofer,” now!
Repeat after me: “Osama Obama was born in Hawaii. He was a brilliant community organizer, a stellar student, and an overwhelmingly wonderful Senator, both in Illinois and D.C. Anyone who questions him is a vile sinner.”
MrScribbler on December 9, 2008 at 6:28 PM
smacks Far.. damnit dude!
upinak on December 9, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Sure. Katie will do a hard hitting interview. She will ask Obama the tough questions about this case! Of course she ask about the Blagoj after she asks about what type of puppy his kids are getting. Did you know it had to be hypo allergic?
terryannonline on December 9, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Blago, Rezko and the whole Chicago crowd…and Obama just happens to be the anomaly that is clean? He was involved with all these people…and they just kept him out of it? Why, cause they have integrity? He was a state senator, U.S. senator and now unfortunately President and he didn’t know anything about corruption going on? In Chicago! How unbelievable is that?
AmericanUnderground on December 9, 2008 at 6:31 PM
It’s hilarious watching these rats scrambling to get their stories straight.
Christien on December 9, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Katie will be asking Obama what papers he read last month
faraway on December 9, 2008 at 6:35 PM
I called it, man, I called it!!!
Pasalubong on December 9, 2008 at 6:38 PM
Oh yeah? Well, “I’m Elmer J. Fudd, millionaire. I own a mansion and a yacht.”
I’ll keep repeating that one instead.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 6:39 PM
I hear the Obama administration is looking at applications. You might work in his communication department since you got his lingo down :)
terryannonline on December 9, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Holy crap, this could get serious in a heartbeat.
FireBlogger on December 9, 2008 at 6:42 PM
Obambi has this new New Deal coming. I say how about having all this crooked friends chain-ganged together and start building roads, highways and pick up street garbage. Knowing the ONE and his associates, there will be more than enough of them to rebuild America. :)
poxoma on December 9, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Illinois state legislature is not currently in session.
A session to impeach Blago can only be called by…..Blago.
Not gonna happen.
rockdalian on December 9, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Countdown to the time when Teh One says HE spoke in artfully in 5…4…3…2…1…
Sing, Blago. Sing. If you’re going down, take him with you.
How big of a dump has Mayor Daley taken in his pants today?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 9, 2008 at 6:47 PM
CROOKS AND LIARS
marklmail on December 9, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Sorry, the Rezko/Blago Rap deal has been canceled by several
thugsunion members with lead pipes, a presidential pardon, and a truck load of cash. O-Dog means bidness, he took out Tupac and Biggie.Laura in Maryland on December 9, 2008 at 6:48 PM
On stories like these,this is about the time the press would go into overdrive and pound President Bush on the front pages,news conferences,talk shows…etc..etc..about the specifics,the what,where’s and when’s.
If the primaries and election are any indication of how they will treat their chosen one,expect to see defense after defensive spin coming from the press like they did with Wright,Ayers,guns,taxes,and his stance against the war.
It will be real interesting to compare this to how they treated Bush over the Plame/Wilson affair when there were no links to Bush what-so-ever and the leaker ended up being Armitage.
Baxter Greene on December 9, 2008 at 6:50 PM
In case you missed Plugs’ memo, you may not call The One CLEAN!
Laura in Maryland on December 9, 2008 at 6:51 PM
No it won’t be “interesting”, it will be sad…you know the answer, we all know the answer…
right2bright on December 9, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Feckless NBC Nightly News shows the Obama denial but glosses over and ignores the Axelrod statement. Still so much in the tank for this crook and his cohorts.
This is only the surface of Illinois corruption. They need to nail the other Senator Turbin.
Senator’s for sale, Senator’s for sale. Cook county special….
I knew nothing of this matter…matter…someone give me a cigarette quick…Michelle!! Michelle! This isn’t good for the children…
wepeople on December 9, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Meanwhile, from the ever-accurate Portland Indymedia:
Realist on December 9, 2008 at 6:54 PM
You are right,I should have used the word “infuriating”,instead of “interesting”.
Baxter Greene on December 9, 2008 at 7:08 PM
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