Obama - Trouble in Chicago - image: nickwardscenarios.com
Economic forecasts for this week have been nothing short of dismal. CNBC reported that only 13,000 private sector jobs were created in June, well below the 100,000 jobs needed to reduce the unemployment rate. The Department of Labor unemployment figures will be released on July 2nd, and will include those temporary census workers who are now out of work. Last month the averaged unemployment rate rose from 9.7 to 9.8%.
In addition, the bill to extend unemployment benefits to an estimated 1.3 million individuals who have remained unemployed for an extended period of time remains stalled in the Senate. Democrats have been quibbling with Republicans over adding to the national debit (which has risen to levels not seen since World War II - Republicans argue monies not spent from the stimulus bills should be used for these extensions instead of incurring additional national debt. Ironically, Democrats argue that the monies are needed to encourage job growth – current economic indicators tend to disagree, as noted temporary census takers will be placed on the “doll” as of this month. Additionally, Democrats pointing fingers at Republicans for “killing the bill” should look to their Speaker, Harry Reid, who, once again, voted “Nay” by mistake.
The fact that spending one’s way out of a financial crisis has not worked, is lost on the President – perhaps his mind is elsewhere – like Chicago.
Times (CNN Partner) reports that Obama’s initial claims of having no knowledge of any dealings with Blagojevich may have been stretching the truth a bit. In 2008, the Presidents future council investigated claims regarding Blagojevich and within two weeks produced a report stating the President had no involvement in a Senate Seat for Sale. Apparently, this is not the case. On Tuesday of this week, SEIU’s Tom Balanoff testified that he did, indeed, have conversations regarding the Senate Seat and potential replacements with Obama. He also indicated he told the President he would relay Obama’s choice of Valerie Jarrett to then Governor Blagojevich.
To date, as noted by Times, the best reporting (or perhaps sole reporting) on the trial has come from the Chicago Sun Times – a daily feature: live blogging with trial transcripts offers new insight into the underside of the political machine that moved Obama to Pennsylvania Avenue. Reporting from the Tribune across town, appears more defensive and plays to the unsavory character of Blagojevich, rather than the implications that the President had a part in the entire process.
One door closes, another opens. It is appearing more likely by the day that that Hillary Clinton will run in 2012, which would, at the least be an attempt to restore some dignity to the Party.
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