Via Gateway Pundit:
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, taking an oath next to Barack Obama pre-2008, allegedly said, “I want to make money” off the power to pick Obama’s Senate successor.Rahm Emanuel said that he and Obama were top advisors to Blagojevich during his run for governor.
The Roaring Republican -
Ryan Lizza reported in the New Yorker that Obama received “his first high-level experience in a statewide campaign” while advising Blagojevich during his campaign for governor. Additionally Rahm Emanuel, Obama’s current Chief-of-Staff also was a top strategist for that campaign.
But, now Rahm Emanuel is singing a different tune and trying to distance himself from Hot Rod:
Emanuel told the New Yorker earlier this year that he and Obama “participated in a small group that met weekly when Rod was running for governor. We basically laid out the general election, Barack and I and these two.”
Wilhelm said that Emanuel had overstated Obama’s role. “There was an advisory council that was inclusive of Rahm and Barack but not limited to them,” Wilhelm said, and he disputed the notion that Obama was “an architect or one of the principal strategists.”
Of course, Obama and Blagojevich were very close. Why else would Obama work so hard to get him elected? This is what Obama said about his dear friend in 2002:
On the Chicago TV show “Public Affairs with Jeff Berkowitz” on June 27, 2002, state Sen. Obama said, “Right now, my main focus is to make sure that we elect Rod Blagojevich as Governor, we…”
“You working hard for Rod?” interrupted Berkowitz.
“You betcha,” said Obama.
“Hot Rod?” asked the host.
“That’s exactly right,” Obama said.
In 2004, then-Gov. Blagojevich enthusiastically endorsed Obama for the Senate seat after he won the nomination, and Obama endorsed Blagojevich for his 2006 re-election race in early 2005.
More… Blagojevich may have discussed a bribe with Rahm Emmanuel.
But, President-elect Obama’s associations do not indicate a lack of judgment or a trend toward indiscretion. Right?
Rezko-Khalidi-Ayers-Wright: The Obama Supper Club
