As The Economy Reels, Obama’s Ability to Tell the Truth Questioned - Union Chief Testimony at Chicago Blagojevich Trial

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.

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.

L.A. Times – Headline: “It’s The Democrats Turn to Cope with Scandals” – They Can’t Be Serious!

The Los Angles Times, Janet Hook, has come to a startling revelation with the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod R. Blagojevich – there may be corruption in the ranks of the Democrat Party. The article opens with the notion that a “series of scandals” have come from the Blue side of the aisle since the party won a majority on the theme that it would put a halt to the “culture of corruption” that existed under GOP leadership. The problem that faces the nation, vis a vis, two strong national parties, with literally no opposition besides on another, is that both parties have been subject to “bouts” of scandal - however, it is the depth of the scandal and how the particular political party handles the offending member, that should be examined.

Had the Democrat Illinois Governor been a member of Congress, it is more likely that he would be holding onto his seat and undergoing internal “ethics” investigations, until he had served out his 10th term. Unlike the Red side of the aisle, where, once the media turns on its spotlight, no matter the “crime”, that member is pushed out of office and forced to resign – post-haste. In some instances, it appears that the Republicans react more with horror and dismay at the hint of a scandal – than the existence of an actual deed. Case in point – Trent Lott, former Speaker of the House, resigned in 2002 after remarks made at a birthday party for Strom Thurmond . Lott, who was toasting the aged Thurmond, who, like Robert Byrd, Democrat, were segregationist in the 1940’s, stated that the he have voted for Thurmond when he ran for president and the country would have been better off – a nicety, toasting the life of a man who had served his country for many years, and as Lott explained when a media storm ensued, offering apologies to anyone that would be offended. If all were fair between the media and both Political Party’s, or had Lott been Barney Frank saying the same of Robert Byrd, that would have been the end of it”. Lott remark was looked upon as a scandal so heinous that there was nothing left to do but resign. Foley and Craig ring any bells? Compared these men to that news hound, Barney Frank and one starts to wonder about these newly found Democrat scandals.

Hook, to be fair, does list a few of the more prominent scandals that have faced the Democrats in the past two years – mentioning newly retired Jefferson of LA (retired by the people), who stuffed cash in his freezer, Gov. Spitzer of NY, involvement with call-girls, and Rep. Rangel (NY), ongoing problems with the IRS. Jefferson remained in his seat, during the investigation, Spitzer, outside the hallowed halls of Pelosi and Reid's legislature, succumbed to the law, and Rangle, is still being protected by “internal investigations”.

Now, the Democrats believe that the Republican’s will make something of the latest Chicago “politics as usual” mess – and, rightly so, investigations into the entire brouhaha have been requested by the GOP. However, that does not mean that anything will take place outside of the halls of Congress – internal investigations are the likely route, and there will be zero mention of these latest Democrat criminal shenanigans two weeks or less from now in the press.

Ms. Hook should cross the country and spend some time in Chicago, Michigan and Massachusetts to understand how deep the scandals run and just how many take place in the Party that heralds the Kennedy’s, the Pelosi’s, the Kerry’s, the Reid’s, and of course, the Barney Franks. These are not, of course, all national figures, yet high ranking elected state officials, who continue to earn the title of “felon.” Barney Frank, received a reprimand from his fellow legislators, for fixing parking tickets for a prostitute, and in the past months, former Mass Senator Wilkerson, was busted for stuffing bribes in her bra, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner arrested for accepting a bribe, and of course, Former Speaker of the Mass. House, Finneran, who is now a talk show host on Boston’s WRKO.

Suffice it to say, that for the most part, Republican’s say darndest things (or act like their Blue counterparts) and get hauled off, investigated and hounded by the media into resignation, while Democrats appear to enjoy stocking up on large sums of cash, normally by stuffing it into a freezer, down a bra, or in the case of those in charge of Fannie and Freddie, Lord knows where, and they either are investigated by their own party, or if actually charged, end up with a radio gig. It is the inequity of press coverage, and the “protection of the House”, that keeps those that might otherwise do time for a crime, in high-profile, national and state positions. The Republican Leadership can call for investigations, however, it is more than likely that little will come out of this whole “boondoggle” (business as usual) in Chicago.