Camerot

Jennifer Rubin writing in Commentary's blog Contentions , observes that even the MSM is being forced to cover the scandal. She cites this from the NYT:


Mr. Emanuel was among the few people in Mr. Obama's circle who occasionally spoke to Mr. Blagojevich. He declined to answer questions on Wednesday, waving off a reporter who approached him as he walked across Capitol Hill.

A Democrat familiar with Illinois politics and the Obama transition, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said there probably were calls between the Blagojevich and Obama camps about the Senate seat. It was not clear if any calls were recorded by federal agents, who had tapped the governor's phones.

And observes:

Okay, if it were a Republican there would be a two-inch headline : "NEW CHIEF OF STAFF TALKED WITH BLAGO -SCANDAL GROWS." But even in its milder form, this is fairly troubling information. The "we didn't" vs. "I didn't" talk to Blago distinction that the President-elect stammered out when first pressed on Blago's contacts with the transition team does seem to have been a key one.

If in fact Emanuel had conversations with Blago that were taped, the Obama team better get all the facts out. Fast. Otherwise, Emanuel and the Obama administration will be in for a tough ride.

So, is it over? (The honeymoon, of course.) Let's just say the press is finding something more tantalizing than Obama-promotion: a fascinating scandal that potentially touches a key member of the new administration.

Mickey Kaus notes that SEIU's price, the card check only election scheme seems to be the union's price for acting as Obama's go-between with Blagojevich on Jarrett's being named to Obama's Senate seat:
Name That Issue! Hmm. What issue would be at the top of the "legislative agenda" of Andy Stern's S.E.I.U. that Illinois Gov. Blagojevich generously offered to help pass after he was through appointing Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett to the U.S. Senate? If you said "card check"--the bill eliminating the secret ballot in union recognition elections--you win.

Rumors that the name of the bill is going to be changed to the "Rod Blagojevich Senator Choice Act" could not be confirmed as of press time. ...

P.S.: Let's assume SEIU president Andy Stern did nothing wrong, and indeed maybe even blew the whistle on Blagojevich's offer of a "three-way" quid pro quid pro quo (after promising to "put that flag up and see where it goes"). Even so, if Stern was an authorized Obama "emissary" to the governor, in the attempt to get Jarrett a Senate seat, that should trouble opponents of "card check." Why? Because it means Obama wasn't worried about owing Stern a huge favor (if he'd succeeded in getting Jarrett the seat).  Would Obama do it if he was planning to disappoint Stern? ...

True, "card check" isn't the only issue Stern cares about. Universal health insurance would probably be considered a sufficient repayment of the favor. But "card check" will come up much sooner.

The Washington Post reports that Rezko's talking. 
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