Chicago - Emmanuel Begins Mayoral Run – From Dead Fish Send-Off to Web Video Announcement the Race To Replace Daley is On.

Emmanuel Announces Mayoral Bid - image Washington Post


Ah - Chicago Politics! Rahm Emmanuel left the White House with a gift from the President that, from the Washington Post’s perspective, was reminiscent of Emmanuel’s management style – he received a “dead Asian Carp”. Apparently, if someone were to cross Emmanuel, they might find themselves in possession of a dead fish – the meaning of which is clear to anyone with any familiarity with American mobsters.


From Union Mobsters in Chicago - a threat to "sleep with the fishes - 1908

The receipt of a dead fish is an old mob style threat, basically meaning “you’ll be sleeping with the fishes”. Emmanuel must be well versed in Chicago History – the term shows up circa 1908, when the city was threatened by union anarchists known as the “Red Menace”(Worth the Fee from Chicago Tribune archives.) a sheriff going over police reports found this gem: “I am with the mob. I would like to go out right now with the mob behind me and kill every policeman on the street and then throw their bodies in the lake, like so many dead fish”. (The union mobster was referring to the uproar in Chicago over the assassinations of European Monarchy in Spain and Portugal.)

So much for the God Father reference.

The next step for Emmanuel was an internet announcement (shown below) of his intent to run for Mayor of Chicago. It opens with platitudes for the departing Mayor Daley, and goes on with a threat to those “Gang bangers” who run Chicago streets. Emmanuel intends to begin a city wide tour to listen to the concerns of the people. He appears comfortable and confident in his quest for the Windy City’s top job, and obviously the man is tough enough to take the reins from Daley. That said; there is a question of legality brought to bear of Emmanuel’s’ residency.

Over at the Chicago Sun Times, the question is raised about the legality of Emmanuel’s run due to a lack of residency. The City has a residency requirement that an individual must not only have an address but actually reside in the City. Rahm Emmanuel, does have an address, has voted absentee from Chicago, however, had rented out his home and the tenant refuses to break the lease. That said, one has to wonder who would have the chutzpah to refuse to leave the house of a man who would send one a “dead fish”? In all seriousness, the fact that the Emmanuel has a residence, rented or no, and votes in the City of Chicago (absentee or no), may weigh in his favor with the powers that be in Chicago. In addition, one would have to question why a man, who is savvy in the way of said City politics, would leave the White House to run for Mayor of Chicago if he were not confident that he would be on the ballot. Smart money in this case, would be on Rahm Emmanuel, regardless of the residency, or the fact that he is not an “Irish Catholic” or has competition from “political hot property – Tommy Dart” – he has the persona to run the City in the “old-fashioned Chicago style”.

Update Chicago: Selective Memory and Outright Lies Dominate Blagojevich Trial - Fear and Loathing In DC

As the Blagojevich Trial Continues: The Sun Times is reporting on two separate incidents involving Jesse Jackson, Jr., and Gerry Kozel, a contractor with ties to the Chicago Political Machine. First, Kozel, who is under immunity from prosecution, admitted that he lied to FBI investigators who came to his home:

When the FBI showed up at Krozel's home in the early morning of Dec. 9, 2008, Goldstein noted, Krozel told them he did not feel pressured and that there was no connection between the fund-raising request and the tollway project.
"You are telling your story, but it's a different story than you told on Dec. 9, 2008," Goldstein said, as the witness grew increasingly flustered. "You lied."
Krozel rubbed his forehead and asked to have questions "rephrased" before delving into an emotional explanation: When the FBI showed up, he had been dressing his handicapped wife and was "terrified" that he was going to be arrested and taken away.
"She cannot talk, she cannot write, she loses her balance," the 70-year-old exclaimed from the stand. "I just wanted to get the FBI out of my house."

Jesse Jackson Jr. and his insistence that he had never contacted nor been involved in a pay-to-play for Obama’s vacant Senate Seat has been debunked.

Federal prosecutors said Wednesday for the first time that U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. attended a meeting in 2008 at which $1 million in fund-raising for Rod Blagojevich was discussed in exchange for Jackson's own Senate seat appointment.
The meeting described by prosecutors was not previously disclosed by Jackson.

Over at Politico the Headline Blares “Rod Blagojevich trial could singe White House” The piece goes on to detail some of the finer points of the trial so far, specifically as regards Obama sending his Union lackey, Tom Balanoff, to discuss the Senate Seat appointment with Blagojevich. Defense lawyers are about to roll out witnesses, and have successfully subpoenaed Rham Emmanuel and Valerie Jarret, however, a judge ruled that Obama did not have to appear.

That said damage, according to Politico, has been minimal due to the multitude of issues catching the nation’s attention at the movement. From the Oil Spill in the Gulf, Judicial Appointments, ET al, have kept the national limelight off the case, but for how long? With Blagojevich’s Defense Team readying for several weeks of testimony and witnesses who have long ties to the Obama administration and Chicago Politics, chief among them, David Axelrod, who engineered both Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts and Barak Obama’s elections.

Is the White House Concerned? According to Politico – yes:

Said one aide to a top Illinois elected official: “People may be breathing easier, ‘cause there’s been no major revelations really connecting Obama or Rahm to this guy. But you never know what the long-term damage will be. The Obama people may be playing it cool, but trust me, they’re plenty worried.”

A few things to consider coming out of the trail in the next few weeks: Should the trial turn national (and it has begun) especially in August, with only 3 months until the general election in November, the impact of the aspersions cast on the administration, regardless of merit, will stick. Additionally, should Obama be tied to the pay-to-play scheme in his home state of Illinois, with allegations of the same in Congressional district races in both Pennsylvania and Colorado (and at this point, there may be others yet to come forward), Congressional Investigations cannot be far behind. Although Impeachment proceedings appear unlikely, but not improbable, the collective damage to the Administration to date, coupled with an aura of Politics gone dirty, will put whoever runs for the White House (be it Hillary Clinton, Palin, Romney, or, more likely the candidate we have not met) in the driver’s seat for 2012. If Obama, who expertly channels Jimmy Carter, was doomed to be a one-term President, then this trial will, in all likelihood, play a part in ensuring that he faces early retirement.

Chicago Land –The Trial – Blagojevich, Emanuel, Obama and the Unions – Calls of High Crimes and Misdemeanors May Not be Far Behind

Emanuel with Obama - Emanuel - Sacrificial Lamb?

As the trial for former Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich continues, FBI tapes played in court, and testimony from Blagojevich’s deputy, John Harris, has led to some interesting assertions regarding the sale of a Senate Seat and retail politics at the Chicago level.

From CBS 2 Chicago comes the revelation:

“A week before the election, Blagojevich and Obama had met with two top union officials, apparently sent on Obama's behalf, who told them the future president wanted his close friend and adviser Valerie Jarrett appointed to be his successor.”

The Sun Times, reporting live from the Courtroom:

“On another tape just played by prosecutors, Rod Blagojevich is heard talking to John Harris over the phone on Nov. 3, 2008 -- the day before the election.
They are discussing how Barack Obama is sending two representatives -- union leaders Tom Balanoff and Andy Stern -- to visit to talk about Valerie Jarrett.”

NBC’s Chicago Affiliate reports on a conversation between Harris and Rham Emanuel:

“Today, Harris testified that then-Congressman Rahm Emanuel called him two days before the election and said Obama was interested in having a close friend nomination to the Senate. Emanuel didn't mention a name. Harris testified it was clear that Emanuel meant Jarrett, the former chairman of the Chicago Transit Authority who is now President Obama's senior advisor.”

Harris’s testimony is the result of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors for a reduced sentence. He was arrested the same day as Blagojevich.
The relationship between Blagojevich and Emanuel dates back to 2006 according to the Telegraph :

“Mr Emanuel published an endorsement of Mr Blagojevich in the Chicago Tribune in exchange for $2 million (£1.3 million) in school funding to his district, according to the emails, which were released on The emails detailing the deal, revealed by the Associated Press, apparently were exchanged between Mr Emanuel, his staff and Mr Blagojevich's chief aide, Bradley Tusk.
Senior Democrats have told the Telegraph that Mr Emanuel is preparing to stand down after the mid-term congressional elections in November.”

However, back in Chicago, the question is being raised by Chicago Now : if Emanuel is being used as a “sacrificial lamb” by the administration or if it is, indeed, a “perfect breakup”. The quirky read speaks to the newly discovered emails regarding Blagojevich and the leak that Emanuel was involved in the Climate Change bill with legislation that favored a former employer.

One has to wonder what else is on hours of tape, or yet to be “leaked” regarding the style of the administration and specific key players Barack Obama and Rham Emanuel. That fact that it was taped and noted specifically that Union officials paid Blagojevich a visit on behalf of then President elect, Barak Obama speaks volumes.

Therefore, buying and selling and paying off politicians with favors (or hard cash – which has yet to be put on the table), all of which is breaking Federal laws, is nothing new as far as this administration is concerned: In response to the issues of promising jobs for playing ball with the administration to both Sestak in Pennsylvania and Romanoff in Colorado, Emanuel stated that nothing more needed to be done. (Politico) Apparently, the White House investigation of itself was sufficient.

In September of 2008 there were rumors of FBI tapes that were sufficient to lead to the arrest of a major political candidate from Chicago, as these rumors were, at best, third hand and from supporters of a candidate now seen in polls as more qualified to lead than the current president (or GOP potential candidates for 2012 listed on the survey). (Rasmussen) One has to wonder just how incompetent the Chicago politicos may be, specifically in light of the poor response to the Gulf oil incident, and the agenda driven policy that pays no heed to economic consequence. Should these tapes contain more, or should other tapes be brought to light, one has to wonder when the phrase “high crimes and misdemeanors” will begin to surface. Additionally, should Clinton begin to distance herself (more than she already has) from the administration, one would be willing to bet she’ll be the nominee in 2012, regardless of a win or loss to the Democrats. At this point, with scandals breaking to the left and right, and Gallop's latest survey showing the Republican’s with an historical lead in enthusiasm among voters (breaking 1994 records) going into the 2010 elections, it will be difficult for the Democrats to mount any type of defense until 2016 at the earliest.

The Ethical Reasons Why Eric Massa Should Not Have Resigned His Congressional Seat

Congressman Eric Massa - image multichannel

Yesterday at 5:00 pm, Eric Massa, Democrat, resigned his 29th District Congressional Seat. He did so, in part, because he was under a congressional ethics investigation. Apparently, the Junior Congressman had sexually harassed a male staffer at an event – so the question follows – how is that any different from several key Democrats who’ve had ethics complaints against them – for decades? Take recently dismissed Charles Rangel, who held onto his Chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee while under the cloud of tax issues and most recently, a corporate kickback of one trip to the Caribbean, which was, apparently, too much for Pelosi to endure. Then there’s Massachusetts 4th district’s, Barney Frank, who, in 1989, hired a male prostitute as a “companion” and “household employee”, who then ran a prostitution ring out of Frank’s home , allegedly unbeknownst to Frank. He endured calls for his resignation, and yet today he is the Chair of the powerful House Finance Committee. So, while Eric Massa had a bit too much to drink at a party, and basically made an off the cuff remark to a male staffer, which constituted Sexual Harassment, he must be banished.  Massa is a card-carrying member of the same party, the party that turns its back when one of its favored members is pulling one egregious stunt after another, protecting and defending them till the last vote is cast.

Something is fishy here, and Massa’s claims that he was set-up and pushed out because he refused to play ball with the Obama administration is more probable than not, given party history of ethics. In fact, the Democrats are treating Eric Massa just like a Republican! Recall any Republican who had an infidelity of any sort in the past two decades and the calls for ethics investigations and resignations came first from the Democrats. The word hypocrite is strongly advised as an adjective in this case.

Then Massa called it like it was, on radio, letting the world, or whoever would listen, know that he was pushed out because he refused to vote for Obama’s Health Care Reform Plan. He even had a visit from Rham Emanuel, while in the shower. (Politico). Massa alleges that Rham came at him in the shower, yelling, and himself naked – it is not just a circus in Washington now, it is a shambles. Democrat members of the house now understand that if they don’t vote for health care, they may have to face a naked and angry Rham Emanuel – that will be sure to change a vote or two.

It’s a matter of principle and it’s a matter of backbone, so, when Eric Massa came out and let the world know what had taken place, he should have stayed right where he was, in his seat, until November, but he didn’t. Massa promptly resigned, giving rise to speculation that the shower visit from Emanuel may have been followed up by other threats.  It's time the nation saw another Nathan Hale. If not Massa, then who will rise to the occasion?

Now, Massa’s had been called into question by an ethics investigation as early as February (reported by Politico). His aides were grilled for over 3 hours and the gist of the questioning was whether or not the Congressman was gay. Now, not for nothing, but Barney Frank is openly gay, but he’s a standard bearer for the party, so what is the problem here? Eric Massa would not play ball with Barack Obama.

As conservatives embrace Massa because of his outing of the Administration, Democrats (no less)warn that they should be not be too hasty ) and certain Conservative Talking Heads, are joining in  - with the “sky is falling”, beware, of ethics violations and possible conspiracy theories rhetoric dished up by the Democats in charge.

That’s the disconnect with the public – whereas a Congressman who may or may not have done anything specifically wrong by Congressional Standards (Democrat), resigns and then tells all, in hopes of stopping a health care fiasco pushed by the President, is being turned into a pariah of sorts by both the left and the extreme right. It’s easy to Monday morning quarterback, and one cannot know all the facts (just those that trickle down).  However, it is also glaringly apparent that this man went out to let the world know what had taken place because he did not want to go with the Obama flow. Given the use of the word “thug” in conjunction with the administration on a fairly consistent basis from Right of Conservative Talking Heads, one has to give this guy points for standing up and speaking out. One also has to wonder, again, what threats he endured to actually resign his seat.

It is far too easy to cast aspersions on what amounts to a “whistle blower”, what boggles the mind is that, to date, few are coming to his defense against a backdrop of a Congress that holds so many corrupt in its embrace. It is not so much that Massa was “disgraced”; it was more that a message was sent to the rest of the Democrats in Congress, one that is clear and without doubt; either stand with us, or pay the price.

Without Massa coming out, so to speak, the public would not be aware of the alleged tactics used by this administration. With that in mind, he has given the media that cares one whit, the option of keeping close tabs on all of the Democrat Congressional Representatives who previously had voted no on this health care bill, and who suddenly change their minds, either by threat or by bribery (see Ben Nelson). Either way, it casts a very dark shadow over the administration. In this instance, its determination to run a bill through both houses, one that is not wanted by the American Public, but what of future plans?

In historical terms, this November will be the most critical of all mid-term elections. Should the house or the senate remain in concert with the administration, the health care reform package may be the least of our concerns, as the tax and spend rampage will undoubtedly continue unabated. Although his scenario is highly unlikely, (given the current polls), Eric Massa made it extremely clear, that all American’s should take a hard at where we are, and where we could be. Should the Congress flip, and nothing be done for two years, it would be in the best interest of the nation.

HR3200 Universal Health Care - Barely Clears Committee – How Your Represented Voted - Analysis

The Obama administration’s health care bill narrowly passed the final committee and will not go to a vote on the House Floor after the summer break. The bill was approved along partisan lines – not voting in favor of the bill were the following Blue Dog Democrats:

• John Barrow (GA)
  
• Rich Boucher (VA)
  
• Jim Matheson (UT)
  
• Charlie Melancon (LA)
  
• Bart Stupak (MI)
  

While the following Democrats did vote for the Bill:

• Edward Markey, MA
  
• Henry Waxman, CA
  
• John Dingell, MI
  
• Frank Pallone, NJ
  
• Bart Gordon, TN
  
• Bobby L. Rush, IL
  
• Anna Eshoo, CA
  
• Eliot L. Engel, NY
  
• Gene Green, TX
  
• Diana DeGette, CO
  
• Lois Capps, CA
  
• Mike Doyle, PA
  
• Jane Harman, CA
  
• Jan Schakowsky, IL
  
• Charles A. Gonzalez, TX
  
• Jay Inslee, WA
  
• Tammy Baldwin, WI
  
• Mike Ross, AR
  
• Anthony D. Weiner, NY
  
• G.K. Butterfield, NC
  
• Baron P. Hill, IN
  
• Doris O. Matsui, CA
  
• Donna M. Christensen, VI
  
• Kathy Castor, FL
  
• John P. Sarbanes, MD
  
• Christopher S. Murphy, CT
  
• Zachary T. Space, OH
  
• Jerry McNerney, CA
  
• Betty Sutton, OH
  
• Bruce L. Braley, IA
  
• Peter Welch, VT

Changes or agreements to the original bill HR 3200 PDF contents here include:

• Granting 12 years of market protection to pharmaceutical companies marketing drugs to treat cancer and Parkinson’s. (The White House hoped to give generic versions the nod.)
  
  
  
• The government will not sell its insurance in competition with private industry, a big loss for the consumer.

Under the Bill’s current structure, insurance companies could not exclude pre-existing conditions, and the federal government will extend subsidies (taxpayer dollars) for those families that cannot afford insurance. Additionally, abortions providers must accept federally funded patients (taxpayer dollars), and there is an ongoing rift among the progressive wing of the Democrat Party under the leadership of House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and those Democrats who would prefer to hold onto their jobs and vote with those Republican’s who are in favor of a free-market approach to healthcare, which, as polls, show, a majority of American’s favor.

The entire program would not be available until 2013, which may (according to current swift changes in the political climate), see a change in the administration and both houses. With that in mind, should the House pass the bill (although out of committee, the bill, once on the floor, will continue to face resistance), it will still need to go to the Senate, where the measure could not make it out of committee before the summer break. Embattled Incumbent, Harry Reid, once again turned to blaming the Republican’s for the lack of progress – Reid and his counterpart in the House, Pelosi, prefer to rush bills through committees, push them to the floor for a vote, without giving time for members of both houses to even give a swift perusal of contents. The result: haste makes waste.

The dismal failure, fraud and pork attached to the First Stimulus as a result of a quick read or no read at all, allows one to understand why Incumbent Democrats, let alone Republicans, who face competition in 2010 may not be so inclined to rush through another one of Obama’s “sky is falling” “Acts”. It is simply the Court of Public Opinion that will weigh this bill and to that end, those who are not in favor of this particular encroachment on the rights of American’s, should contact each and every one of those who voted in Committee to pass this legislation. This can be done by simply googleing their name, which will bring up both a congressional contact, as well as campaign websites and, in some instances, home phone numbers. (An aspect of Google that alone is an invasion of privacy.) Those that stood on principle and were not intimidated by one Rham Emanuel, should receive the thanks of their constituents, while those who chose to goose-step along party lines, should receive a note reminding them exactly who they work for – It goes without saying that many of those Democrats currently holding office may end up paying the piper in 2010.

Obama’s Health Care ACT HR 3200 Stalled in the House – Blue Dogs - Not Alone – Other Democrats ready to Nix Health Care Program - Analysis

Obama’s Health Care Vision for America has been “temporarily” put on hold – the House left for recess with Blue Dog Democrats insisting the Bill stay in Committee.
From The Hill:

The seven Blue Dogs on the Energy and Commerce Committee stormed out of a Friday meeting with their committee chairman, Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), saying Waxman had been negotiating in bad faith over a number of provisions Blue Dogs demanded be changed in the stalled healthcare bill.

“I’ve been lied to,” Blue Dog Coalition Co-Chairman Charlie Melancon (D-La.) said on Friday. “We have not had legitimate negotiations.

“Mr. Waxman has decided to sever discussions with the Blue Dogs who are trying to make this bill work for America,” Melancon said.

Although those Blue Dogs were supposed to be headed back into another meeting of the Energy and Commerce Democrats, their anger was visible.

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement, the only hope for passage of the bill in the House will be to go straight to the floor, an option leaders shied away from endorsing but said was an option.

But the Blue Dogs issued dire warnings to leaders contemplating that approach.

"Waxman simply does not have votes in committee and process should not be bypassed to bring the bill straight to floor,” Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.), the lead Blue Dog negotiator, said on Friday. “We are trying to save this bill and trying to save this party.”

Additionally, Blue Dog Democrats are not the only Democrats who would not pass the bill in its current state (if at all), according to Melconian, if the Bill were brought to the floor – there are other “Democrats” who are willing to vote “nay”. The President’s pit-bull, Rham Emanuel may be in for a surprise as he promised NRP that a vote would indeed take place next week. There has been some speculation regarding Emanuel’s powers of persuasion (backhanded tactics), that said, there is little he can promise lawmakers who must face a growing number of angry constituents, to make them change their vote. The worst case scenario is a failure to push this vote through the House, and/or an open revolt among the Democrats, will further damage Obama’s and the Party’s credibility.

What concerns American’s most about Government Run Health Care is not necessary the cost, but, more to the point, the idea that should this plan be similar to Canada’s plan, where the individual enjoys full coverage, but higher taxes as well as long waits for routine health care. It is not uncommon to wait 3 to 6 months for a routine health care visit, longer if one needs tests. As of July 22nd a Rasmussen Poll showed that only 20% of the American Public considers Health Care a priority, while, 53% of American’s polled clearly oppose the Health Care Act now in Congress.
Add that to the Presidents Daily Tracking Polls, which are clearly in a downward spiral, and one can understand what is motivating the Blue Dog and other Democrats from backing away from Universal Health Care.
2010
Understanding that most, if not all, politician’s live by polls, the fact that they see their party losing ground in record time (six months into the Obama administration and 3 years of Democrat control of the Legislature), if they do not move the party clearly to the right, they stand to lose both the House and the Senate in 2010 – Obama is to Incumbent Democrats in 2010 as Bush was to Incumbent Republicans in 2006 and 2008. It would not be surprising therefore, to see those swing states where the Democrats won by narrow margins Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, Ohio (5 points and under) in 2008 flipping in 2010.
To read the full text of the HR3200 – go here