Apparently, the Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, tried to trade Obama's vacant senate seat for things, including a job at Change to Win but Change to Win, which backed Obama in the election, says that ain't so. In one scenario, Dumbo allegedly tried to set up a "pay to play" arrangement for Valerie Jarrett to take Obama's senate seat. Obviously, she didn't do that. She's Obama's adviser.
Chicago Tribune has a big spread. Read the FBI complaint here. Full video coverage by Chicago CBS.
The following is a statement from Change to Win communications director Greg Denier on the federal investigation involving Governor Blagojevich.What Obama said in response to Blagojevich's arrest (he's out on bail):
“No one connected with Change to Win ever considered, discussed or promised any position at Change to Win to Governor Blagojevich, his staff or his advisers. In the affidavit released by the United States Attorney, a position at Change to Win is discussed only in conversations between the governor and his advisers. The first time Change to Win learned of any of the matters raised in the criminal complaint was with today’s public release of the affidavit.”
President-elect Barack Obama said this afternoon he had no dealings with Gov. Rod Blagojevich over who would replace Obama in the U.S. Senate.There are indications that Obama didn't go along with Blagojevich's scheme. But if Obama knew about the scheme, why wouldn't he say anything? Maybe he did. DK speculates that Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff, brought down Blagojevich. All of this is too sketchy right now. Why was Change to Win even mentioned?
"Obviously, like the rest of the people of Illinois, I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the U.S. attorney's office today," he said at his transition office in Chicago with Vice President-elect Joe Biden and former Vice President Al Gore at his side.
"But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time."
Read Patrick J. Fitzgerald's comments. He is the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Or watch him here:
Apparently, Dumbo allegedly tried to pressure the Chicago Tribune to fire some members of its editorial board who were too critical of the governor. But an editorial writer, John McCormick, says it didn't work:
"The feds say somebody wielding power and money tried to muscle Tribune Co. at a difficult time for our industry – and didn't get away with it," McCormick e-mails Alan Mutter. "The Tribune Co. was the object of a huge extortion attempt and didn't budge."Sketchy, sketchy, sketchy.
