President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team has released a report detailing a few contacts between two of his people, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and in one instance a union official, concerning Obama’s Senate replacement.
No one should be surprised nothing in the internal report found any wrongdoing or even the appearance of wrongdoing.
That’s not just because the report was prepared by Obama’s people, but rather because there’s no logical motive for Obama or his aides to enter into any shady dealings with Blagojevich.
For that matter, there would be no logical reason to suspect wrongdoing on Obama’s part if he had personally pressed the governor to appoint someone. Politicians do that sort of thing all the time.
But, as we predicted, none of that makes a bit of difference to our “friends” of the right-wing noise machine. The fact Blagojevich is tainted by a bad reputation and corruption charges, and ever had something — anything — to do with Obama and/or anyone close to Obama, makes this equivalent to placing a warm cow pie in range of a swarm of flies.
For example:
- OBAMA ABSOLVES HIMSELF
- Obama’s 4:30 p.m., December 23rd Blago News Drop
- Was the President-elect Under Oath?
Obviously, they’re desperate. Obviously, the slightest morsel of innuendo, demagoguery or, at the least, raised doubts, will do.
It’s as though they’re on an evil, “Twilight Zone” merry-go-round and can’t get off.
What a waste.
I’m back.
I get the sense that nobody really cares about this story anymore. It’s a distraction, but it seems that Obama and his transition team didn’t do anything illegal here. It seems that some people are making the perceived stonewalling or perceived coverup worse than the actual crime (and there isn’t one), and this is all the more interesting because these calls for transparency were somehow nonexistent during the runup to Iraq and post-Katrina.
These rightwing bloggers and pundits are entertaining, as long as you don’t take them seriously or let them bother you. I just figure as long as these people are sitting at their computers spewing out their hatred, they aren’t pulling the wings off of flies or whatever their other hobbies are.
Welcome back, AP, and merry Christmas. “Perceived” is right. As I said, there’s no motive. Obama’s king of the hill, top of the heap. He needs to enter into a shady deal with Blago, leaving himself open to blackmail, like he needs to tell the Secret Service to take the next four years off. That’s not political analysis, just common sense — something the linked bloggers and others seem to lack.
Tom, I hope Santa treats you right and your holiday is joyful. Your point about their chatter being less harmful than some things they could be doing is well taken. I just wish the largely nonpolitical public would notice the absurd lengths right-wing noisemakers go to with their never-ending jeer and smear campaign.
Now, go throw some more shoes. :=)
>>>>I just wish the largely nonpolitical public would notice the absurd lengths… noisemakers go to with their never-ending jeer and smear campaign.
We’ve learned from you to jump on every convenient item to make a fuss. You share some of the blame for the current climate.
Obviously, RSF, you have no idea how many things I’ve just let slide by. Some because I felt they were too petty or inconsequential in the greater scheme of things, some because so many others had already weighed in. But when I do wax critical, there’s more to it than jeers, and I never just smear.