Depends on how you define “contact”; Update: Blago newsletter photo included
posted at 11:13 am on December 11, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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Barack Obama has gone out of his way to make his incoming administration Clintonesque. Not only has he built 63% of his transition team from Clinton administration officials, he even picked Hillary Clinton for a Cabinet post. Now Obama appears to have restored another Clinton tradition — in word parsing. Ace has this picture from the December 2nd meeting with the National Governors Association:
That image belies Obama’s statement from Tuesday, following the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich:
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
Is this anything like parsing the meaning of the word “is”? Obviously, Obama made contact with Blagojevich a week before the statement at the December 2nd NGA conference. Did they discuss the Senate succession? Probably not, but it’s not necessarily out of the question, either.
Barack Obama had better learn precision in the future.
Update: Verum Serum notes this photo as well, — taken from Blagojevich’s official newsletter dated 11/12/08, eight days after the election . The topic of the story? The Senate succession:
Governor Blagojevich confers with now President‐Elect Barack Obama
“Last night’s victory was bittersweet for Illinois ‐ as we gain a great President, we lose a great Senator. And it goes without saying that our next Senator has big shoes to fill. Because it’s important that the best person for Illinois is selected, I want to be clear that the calendar won’t dictate our search. Instead, I want to ensure that Obama’s successor will understand and fight for the needs of average Illinoisans,” Governor Blagojevich said.
Governor Blagojevich will be looking for candidates that will support the President‐Elect’s agenda for the people; effectively represent the interests of the state of Illinois in the U.S. Congress; work with the governor’s administration to achieve their shared goals of ensuring access to affordable healthcare, rebuilding Illinois’ infrastructure, improving the economic security and livelihoods of Illinois workers, and caring for our most vulnerable; and prioritize the average Illinoisan who is too burdened by taxes and economic hardship.
Does this mean that they discussed the Senate succession? As I wrote above, not necessarily, and it’s worth pointing out that the photo itself is undated. Neither, though, does it mean that they didn’t discuss it, either before or after the election, or both.
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He just said “I have not spoken to Blago…on this subject.”
HawaiiLwyr on December 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM
The picture didn’t prove anything. I swell, I only shook his hands.
Sir Napsalot on December 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Now that’s the “change” we need.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on December 11, 2008 at 11:17 AM
Has anybody registered “asobamaturns.com” to record this soap opera?
WashJeff on December 11, 2008 at 11:17 AM
He was lying he was just channeling John Wayne.
Sorry about the double post btw you put up this one while I was commenting on the other one.
petertheslow on December 11, 2008 at 11:19 AM
“I did not have political relations with that disgraced Governor”
BKennedy on December 11, 2008 at 11:19 AM
Hand contact doesn’t count.
Obama didn’t have sex with Blago, right?
Steve Z on December 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Hey remember when the libs wanted to crucify Bush because he was in a room one time with that Abramoff dude on capitol hill
what goes around comes around punks
joey24007 on December 11, 2008 at 11:20 AM
He cant even answer questions about this properly. He is giving non answers. lol He is certain no one in his staff had talks with Blago. hmmm
ummm..err..umm..ohh….umm…uh uh uh
becki51758 on December 11, 2008 at 11:21 AM
We can only hope that Barry uses those actual words. Oh how sweet it would be!
t.ferg on December 11, 2008 at 11:23 AM
“I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening.”
Akzed on December 11, 2008 at 11:23 AM
So that photo proves that he was talking to the illinois governor about his replacement in the Senate?
Wow, that’s pretty amazing.
wise_man on December 11, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Is it just the camera angle, or is The One a little…shorter than a Messiah should be?
eeyore on December 11, 2008 at 11:25 AM
Poor guy. Afghanistan, Pakistan, nukes in Iran, bailouts, economic crisis, energy issues, union paybacks, capital gains taxes, redistribution of wealth, and he just can’t seem to catch his breath because of Blago. Barry’s initial response to every crisis is to lie, then do a later clarification. We’ll get 4 years worth.
a capella on December 11, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Blago must be standing on a box.
HawaiiLwyr on December 11, 2008 at 11:27 AM
…or a stack of phone books
HawaiiLwyr on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Or…. did he mean
“I had not SEXUAL contact with that Man…”…
Romeo13 on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
“This ia not the Presidency they told me about…”
eeyore on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
For a super intelligent guy, Obama sure seems pretty clueless about what goes on around him.
BadgerHawk on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
…or wearing those big Pee Wee Herman shoes
HawaiiLwyr on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Parse that picture … Bummer.
tarpon on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Why wouldn’t they discuss it?
ninjapirate on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I like the masonic glowy head ball thingies the governors are wearing.
LimeyGeek on December 11, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Two days before this all hit, didn’t Obama and Blago come out and make similar supportive statements about those workers in the Window factory?
I think they were talking all along.
Obama is a liar, proven fact.
But the media will never say that. They are too busy, incorrectly, calling Bush a liar.
James on December 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM
No, it shows his first reaction to an immediate crisis is to lie, then go back and clarify later. Didn’t you watch him campaign?
a capella on December 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM
The picture looks very strange. Does Blago have two right hands?
mikeyboss on December 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Obama looks like he is about to genuflect to Blago
Chicago politics?
Ares on December 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM
jesus..everyone got the ‘blue tie’ memo except the dork in the back left corner.
DrW on December 11, 2008 at 11:29 AM
“Come on guys, I was like, 48 years old when Blogo offered to sell his the senate seat.”
Bishop on December 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Look at Blago smiling. He called the dude a mother****** in private. Damn politicians.
lodge on December 11, 2008 at 11:30 AM
“I have had no f****** contact with that m***********, so f*** you c***********.” -Patti Blogojavich.
Akzed on December 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
There is something really strange about the photo. Perhaps a Photoshop?
terryannonline on December 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Nah. He unleashed his Hydra-cock.
LimeyGeek on December 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
And what happens when they play the tape of one of his guys talking to Blago? I mean it’s pretty clear that someone had to talk to him if he knew all he would get for two years was “appreciation.” And what was supposed to happen after two years?
Is it possible to subpeona Blackberry records or cell phone records?
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
one to pick your pocket while the other is shaking your hand. don’t ask about the left hand..it’s disgusting.
DrW on December 11, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Selective semantics
Kini on December 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I think he’s shaking the guy in the middle’s hand. hmm
becki51758 on December 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
ABC News on the radio is reporting that Obama is shocked, shocked, I tell you.
capitalist piglet on December 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I can’t be sure, but it looks like Blago has 4 hands in that picture.
MarkTheGreat on December 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I love how the media now is claiming that maybe Blago is mentally ill…
Yeah, that’s the ticket. Gin up some sympathy for the feller and sell a line of bull.
Any stories out their about Ted Steven’s being mentally ill? Or Duke Cunningham? Nope.
Also, love local paper here. No mention that Blago is a Democrat until you go to the continuation of the story… which is on the back page.
James on December 11, 2008 at 11:32 AM
Yes indeedy he needs an extra hand to be the dealer in his “pay to play” scheme.
Look! Obama has some cash in his left hand.
Brat on December 11, 2008 at 11:33 AM
The big difference between the Abramoff “scandal” and this one is that the MSM was howling for Bush’s blood, and would dig into any possible lead, no matter how irrelevant or incorrect.
Osama Obama, being the object of their leg-tingly adoration, wouldn’t be investigated if he committed murder on live TV. He has already issued his denial so, like the small fuss over his birth certificate, the case is closed.
All that’s needed now is for those “conservative” pundits who blasted the “birthers” to tell us to leave The Messiah alone…he has said he had no contact with Blags on the matter, and as we all know, his word is Good.
MrScribbler on December 11, 2008 at 11:33 AM
No, guys on the Photoshop thing. Look closely. The “second right hand” is the guy standing just behind Blago. He’s very short, white hair, you can only see his head. Blago is turned slightly to the back as you would do when you step forward to shake someone’s hand.
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:33 AM
“Nice to meet you, President Elect Motherfu**er.”
“Good to meet you too, Governor Typical White Person.”
Bishop on December 11, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Hannity had this photo last night on H&C, and beat you with the “is” is joke… but guest Michael Steele disagreed with you about one thing… He feels it’s almost a certainty that they would have discussed the Senate succession. Still doesn’t mean he was involved in any criminal activity, but it would make him a bigger liar (if that’s possible… and I’m speaking in general, not just over this Blago situation. His lies throughout the campaign rival any Democrat we’ve ever seen).
RightWinged on December 11, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I’m curious, seriously, if anyone is looking into setting up a TV station on the web that covers things at least trying accurately. It seems to me we have no chance in this fight if this information is only read by a select few.
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:35 AM
I can’t see who Obama is looking at, but it isn’t Blago.
MarkTheGreat on December 11, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Oh my God! Obama’s off the hook on Blago! He’s shaking that other guy’s hand.
eeyore on December 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Palin of course!!
Brat on December 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I think the lower hand is the dude to the left of Blagojevich, reaching down to…..no, I don’t want to look anymore.
Vashta.Nerada on December 11, 2008 at 11:36 AM
That’s Mitch Daniels of Indiana.
Oink on December 11, 2008 at 11:37 AM
eeyore. That’s what I thought too. Obama is not looking at Blago, but Blago’s face clearly says, “Here’s my meal ticket.” For a moment, let’s remember that these two were friends in Blago’s run for the governor. They sat in numerous meetings together with just four or five people. What seems strange to me is how “unconnected” O looks in that picture. That is not the look of a man who sees the person he’s shaking hands with. It’s a person who’s looking around for someone BETTER to shake hands with.
First sign Blago was under the bus?!
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:38 AM
Obama needs to be held to the left’s “Bush standard”.
Let’s roll.
mylegsareswollen on December 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I said it but its not what I meant when I said it and not what I said when I meant it.
I did it, but I wasnt doing it the way you saw me do it, I didnt do it for you to see it, so it was never done.
canditaylor68 on December 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
He wants to make time with Palin!
Brat on December 11, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Blago’s ‘two right hands’.
No. Obama was shaking hands with the second guy.
Sir Napsalot on December 11, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Dang Ed how am I supposed to get any Christmas shopping done with all of this going on? I cannot look away!
Brat on December 11, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Looks like a mighty friendly association to me.
Done That on December 11, 2008 at 11:41 AM
You owe me a keyboard…and a screen.
HawaiiLwyr on December 11, 2008 at 11:42 AM
mylegsareswollen. I’m curious. When you say “Let’s roll,” could someone tell me what we can actually DO? The guys on Flight 91 (right?) had a PLAN. They were going to take down the hijackers or die trying. I’m ready to help take down the hijackers of our country, but no one seems to have a concrete plan on how to do that. I think it’s got to start with getting this info out to the masses. If they don’t know, they think we are ALL tin-foil hat group. (Welcome to the club, Ed & Allah.)
Anyone got a plan?
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
But, he didn’t have contact with Blago at all! *rolls eyes* Must be a photoshop picture!
/being a smartass
sheebe on December 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
You read it all wrong.
To claim Gov. Blago ‘mentally ill’ (probably with eye-witness accounts in a day or two) is to pave the way for later – when Blago sings like an opera diva, the O camp can deny any truthfulness of such claim.
Sheesh, I thought everybody knew that.
Sir Napsalot on December 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Liberal media is doing its best to wish this one away….they like not doing their jobs for a while.
wildweasel on December 11, 2008 at 11:43 AM
So he didn’t say “No I didn’t have contact about his replacement“.
This is really childish…I am no fan of Obama, but he was answering the question that was asked, “Did you have contact about his replacement…?”
Although I do agree with:
right2bright on December 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
2nd pic – Talking about succession?
Nope – Alpha Male staring contest. Blago’s weakening.
eeyore on December 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Obama = Slickster, Liar, and Crook
marklmail on December 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
On second pic, yep. That would be a definite discussion. Wish there was a date.
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Not typical white , Blowjobowich got a fynny name.
the_nile on December 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Better yet, maybe someone could investigate all this and write the details down on some paper daily, and deliver it to my door so I could read it all in the morning or evening and still do my own work. I’d even pay for it.
What could we call something like that?
JiangxiDad on December 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
Bingo!
canditaylor68 on December 11, 2008 at 11:45 AM
“I did not have Senatorial succession relations with that man, Governor Rod Blagojevich.”
Then Obama will claim this is all a distraction from the real work that has to be done when he becomes President.
albill on December 11, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Blagojevich Meets with Obama to Address Budget Shortfall (12/1/08)
WMBD/WYZZ Springfield, IL ^ | December 1, 2008 | WMBD/WYZZ News Staff
Posted on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 7:40:18 PM by Clinton’s a liar
“Blagojevich Meets with Obama to Address Budget Shortfall
Reported by: WMBD/WYZZ News Staff
Monday, Dec 1, 2008 @07:24am CST
WMBD/WYZZ – SPRINGFIELD Governor Rod Blagojevich is turning to the president elect for help in a billion dollar budget shortfall.
The governor will meet Monday and Tuesday Philadelphia with Barack Obama. Their discussion will focus on Illinois’ $2 billion deficit and how the Land of Lincoln will manage its 2009 fiscal year.
In November, Blagojevich announced a plan to manage the state’s deficit. Part of that plan requests more than $1 billion dollars in federal money over the next three years, in addition to short-term borrowing to help pay bills on time. Illinois is currently facing a potential $5 billion backlog of unpaid bills.”
So does this mean he did meet with Blago, but just didn’t discuss the Senate Seat? I’m confused. /sarc
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
An “Infoscript” ?
LimeyGeek on December 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
I’m not saying it is a PhotoShop pictures but it does look odd. Blago looks taller than everyone else. When in this pictures he doesn’t seem like a very tall person. And the hands look funny. And Obama doesn’t seem to look directly at anyone.
terryannonline on December 11, 2008 at 11:47 AM
The drive bys have already claimed that distraction for him.
Brat on December 11, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Actual link for above story.
http://centralillinoisproud.com/content/fulltext/?cid=34761
Can someone explain to me how to screen capture… PLEASE?!!!
UnderstandingisPower on December 11, 2008 at 11:49 AM
But Patrick Fitzgerald’s calendar might.
especially the Governor of Illinois.
Steve Z on December 11, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Now I consider that photo, of Obama leaning over and talking to Blankface much more of “contact”, then some photo op of him shaking hands.
“Contact” to me is not physical, a hand shake, no big deal, leaning over and conferring, that is “contact”.
right2bright on December 11, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Caption contest entry for the update photo:
Barry – ‘How much of a cut do I get on the senate seat payment?’
Vashta.Nerada on December 11, 2008 at 11:50 AM
zingy.
JiangxiDad on December 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
The Update “newsletter photo”
“You want how many millions? Are farking out of your mind?” ~ ~ Obama (who didn’t call the FBI right away)
Entelechy on December 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
This just keeps getting better!
CP on December 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Can Gov. Blago ‘dream up’ the 11/12/08 meeting? You know, an egomaniac doctored up a photo to show how important he is.
/Pay no attention to the actual photographer
Sir Napsalot on December 11, 2008 at 11:52 AM
Maybe Patrick Fitzgerald has a plan. He has the most information.
Steve Z on December 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
Well, well, well.
capitalist piglet on December 11, 2008 at 11:53 AM
:)
diogenes on December 11, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Bill Clinton “I did not have sex with that woman” it all depends on what the definition of is is…Obama “I did not have contact with that man” It depends on what the definition of what Contact is ;) Oh yeah, I called this yesterday, the Democrats were going to start nuancing “Contact” I pleaded with Liberal commenters on Monica Crowley’s blog, to start the nuance of “Contact” this is predictable. In fact, I think I have enough cues from corrupt politician enablers er supporters, I could write a mock up of their handbook.
There is already speculation here link below, digital journal article- IS Governor Rod Blagojevich mentally ill. IF you are corrupt and a Republican you are a criminal “IF” you are corrupt and a Democrat, you must have mental health issues….the thing is that is what the “Liberal” part of the Democrat party believes. That doesn’t include the Moderates or Blue Dog Democrats…to quote Joe Biden if it waddles like a duck and it quacks like a duck……Below Rachel Maddow suggest mental issues.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/263335
So this is Bill Clinton’s 3rd Term, and Chicago is Obama’s Monica. If Obama spends the next 4 years knocking down all the Scandal coming out of Chicago, when is he going to have time to run the Country? My daughter asked me, can we impeach someone before they become President. Well Bella Blogger of “Can’t I just Finish my Waffle” replied. If he can create a Pretend office of “President Elect” it seems we should be able to create away to Impeach him.
http://bellalu0.wordpress.com/2008/12/10/did-obama-and-blagjevich-meet-on-november-5th/
The Only problem with Impeaching Obama…Nancy Pelosi moves closer to the White House. There isn’t enough buffer between her and the White House Now, IMO.
Dr Evil on December 11, 2008 at 11:55 AM
uhm, uh, I confess to having, ah, misspoke. I uh, did meet with a senate seat, I uhm don’t, uh, actually, uhm recall any uhm Blago.
JiangxiDad on December 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
If no-one else can help, maybe you should hire the A-Team.
LimeyGeek on December 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
And the guy hasn’t even been sworn in yet! How soon before we get an Official Finger Wag™?
capitalist piglet on December 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
The Update “newsletter photo”
Barry: “JJ offered only $1 million for JJJ? Punk. That’s chump change.”
Brat on December 11, 2008 at 11:56 AM
He didn’t have any contact. That is not his hand but only a wooden dummy hand up his sleeve that he is holding.
scrubjay on December 11, 2008 at 11:57 AM
On my blog I noted that she reminds me of Dean Wormer’s wife in Animal House:
“Besides, I have to go to the godd&^n Make a Wish dinner tonight.”
grdred944 on December 11, 2008 at 11:57 AM
“President Pelosi” would be a spectacular punchline to this joke of a candidacy.
LimeyGeek on December 11, 2008 at 11:57 AM
The soviets used the mentally ill thing and the criminal thing together, to silence their critics. The Dems are wasting a weapon by not using both.
btw, you have to admit, Blago’s hairpiece does lend some credence to the mentally ill notion.
JiangxiDad on December 11, 2008 at 11:57 AM
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