Obama says no contact with Blagojevich
President-elect Barack Obama said today that he had no idea that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich was allegedly trying to sell his former US Senate seat to the highest bidder.
Obama said he had never spoken to Blagojevich about the vacancy and was confident that none of his representatives would have any involvement in any scheme. Obama said he has asked his team to gather facts about any contacts to share over the next few days.
"I was appalled and disappointed as anybody," Obama said in his most detailed remarks yet about the scandal that threatens to distract, if not derail, his smoothly running transition.
"This Senate seat does not belong to any politician to trade. It belongs to the people of Illinois, and they deserve the best possible representation.
"They also deserve to know that any vacancy will be filled in an appropriate way so that whoever is sent to Washington is going to be fighting for the people of Illinois. I hope and expect that the leaders of the legislature will take these steps to ensure that this is so," he added.
Asked about any contacts his staff had with Blagojevich or his office, Obama said he had no contact with the governor or his office.
"That I know for certain," he said.
Obama also said he is "absolutely certain" that no one on his staff was involved in "deal-making" in regard to the Senate seat, pointing out that in the FBI affidavit, Blagojevich was taped complaining that Obama wouldn't play ball.
"That would be a violation of everything this campaign has been about. That's not how we do business," he said.
Obama also said he has not been contacted by any federal officials about the case.
He said that in Illinois, as in many other states, there are competing traditions for getting into government politics: public service, but also as a business.
"The public trust has been violated," he said, repeating his call for Blagojevich to resign.
"I hope that the governor himself comes to the conclusion that he can no longer effectively serve and that he does resign," Obama said.
Republicans, however, remain unsatisfied and unimpressed by Obama's denials.
“President-elect Barack Obama continues to provide less than forthcoming answers to simple questions related to Governor Rod Blagojevich," Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. “Mike” Duncan said in a statement. "While it is encouraging that the president-elect has stated his office will disclose contacts with the scandal-ridden governor, it remains disappointing that his actions are in response to political pressure. Americans expect the highest degree of transparency from their elected leaders, rather than promises of openness on the campaign trail.”
Tuesday, the day the federal charges were announced, Obama told reporters he was saddened and said he had had no direct contact with Blagojevich about the seat, but refused to answer further questions, citing the ongoing investigation.
Wednesday, through a spokesman, Obama joined the growing chorus of politicians calling on Blagojevich to resign.
The press conference in Chicago was officially called to formally announce Obama's pick of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle as Health and Human Services secretary. Making clear that he will be the president-elect's point person on healthcare, Daschle will also oversee a new White House Office of Health Reform.
Jeanne Lambrew, who helped Daschle write a book about healthcare reform, will serve as deputy director of the new White House office. She also worked on healthcare in the Clinton White House and is now a senior fellow at the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.
Obama also addressed the latest job loss numbers and called for Congress to act on the auto bailout, calling it an important step and saying he hoped for .
"We cannot simply stand by and watch this industry collapse," he said, echoing remarks from the White House today.
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Ken Starr must be appointed the special prosecutor. He needs a new Benz at the public's expense.
This whole scandal points to the dangers of allowing governors to appoint persons to complete unfinished U.S. senate terms. Besides the money, what is the difference between this and Caroline Kennedy allegedly jockeying for position to be appointed to complete Hillary Clinton's term? Why should Caroline Kennedy be appointed and not someone who has more experience and someone who the voters might actually prefer? As costly and as cumbersome as special elections are, they are a much better solution than allowing governors to appoint persons to the U.S. Senate.
Same way he had no idea that Jeremiah Wright was preaching hate-filled, racist sermons for over 20 years...
I agree with Concerned Voter. Is Kennedy wants the seat, and is qualified, she can run for it! Along with the stinkin Nanny, who also wants it.
Re: Ken Starr. There will be lots of unemployed DOJ lawyers who are Liberty U alums. They will be looking for work soon. A la Clinton-ear politics I am sure the RNC will try to get 100+ lawyers on this matter ASAP.
Only problem they will need to get Bush out of his coma to get things moving. Only 40 days left!!
Move along people there is nothing to see here.
I think a good compromise that would eliminate nepotism (Alaska Senator Frank Murkowski appointing his daughter to an empty Alaska Senate seat), cronyism (Gov Patterson considering appointing Carolyn Kennedy to Clinton's vacated seat), and the outright corruption we are seeing from Illinois would be to allow the state Governors to make nominations for Senate seats that must then be ratified by their State legislature to be considered valid.
I think states have a perogative to ensure that they are represented in a timely manner when the unforseen arises and a Senator can no longer perform their job functions. However, there should be more to the process than the whim of a single person, even if the appointment is temporary until the next election cycle.
I keep hearing from the media how this will be the first test of Obama's presidency. What a joke! This Blagojevich guy is so stupid, greedy and arrogant that his actions were going to be brought to light and the only possible response is that this guy has gone so off the rails that he needs to be taken out of office. It doesn't matter when or if Obama came to know about what Blagojovich was trying to do. When an individual melts down like this, the best thing to do is just step back and let the course of natural events finish him off.
"I didn't know"-bama is at it again:
Wright? "I didn't know"
Ayers? "I didn't know"
Rezko? "I didn't know"
Blago? "I didn't know"
This is getting old. It's time for an independent prosecutor to look into this. After Obama is sworn in, he will supervise the US attorneys and the FBI, and Obama has already shown he is a corrupt man.
Isn't it a bit inconsistent for Obama to claim he is "absolutely certain" his office has had no contact with Blagojevich on the one hand while pointing to Blagojevich's comments on tape that Obama "wouldn't play ball" on the other hand?
Concerned voter,
The 17th amendment to the US Constitution says replacements for the US Senate can be set in whatever manner their state sees fit. Governors can only appoint successors to Senate seats with the authorization of the state legislature. Danger or no, it's the way it works in this country. Keep in mind that the appointee still needs to stand in a general election upon expiry of the original term of office, which in this case will be in the 2010 midterm election.
This really is a non-story like most of the "something-gates" stories are. It is a distraction to the real issues this country faces. Its the economy stupid, that is the real story
Concerned Voter. These appointies only serve the remainder of the term of the person they replace. This is probably the best system we have considering how long special election would take.
For those interested...Blagojevich is a Democrat. I have been unable to find that reported anywhere, so I thought I would share just a fact that the Globe seems unable to state.
Obama didn't know? How did he ever rise through Chicago politics and be so naive? He knew, these are his buddies! People, wake up! Until we start electing non millionaire insiders, and stop constantly reelecting incumbents, we are destine to be unrepresented pawns!
We need term limits for all offices! The best of our leaders, starting with Jefferson, understood political service was a necessary obligation, much like miltary service, for a true citizen. Politics was not meant to be a career or a life time appointment. They call those people princes and Kings! I thought we fought a war to avoid that?
In response to James E. Stevenson (post no. 11), I understand that the appointee only serves the remainder of the term of the person they replace, however, given that a Senate term is 6 years, this could be a considerable amount of time. Furthermore, it gives the appointee the unfair advantage of incumbancy. The only fair way to appoint someone would be to prevent the appointee from subsequenlty running for the seat once the term is up.
"This Senate seat does not belong to any politician to trade. It belongs to the people of Illinois."
This is why OBAMA ran against an EMPTY TICKET for his turn at the seat!
The headline is right....Obama has no idea!!
Dear Not My Prez - Get over it!! He won. I had to put up with that idiot Bush Jr. who stole his elections so you just need to live with it. I think Obama has been a little busy since his election on the real crises facing the nation, the ECONOMY. Blagojovich's actions were so ridiculous that Super Obama President didn't need to swoop in and fix it. That is because Illinois has courts and state attorneys like every state and the great state of Illinois will deal with their disgraced Governor.
Obama never knows anything. We know the drill. He's totally shocked and chagrined.
For any Republican to say "Americans expect the highest degree of transparency from their elected leaders" with a straight face while GWB is still in office is breathtaking hypocrisy.
So what if Obama was involved. I hope he was. It's about time the democrats cease being a whole bunch of softies. The republicans do whatever they wish and they never go after them. However, as soon as a democrat does something wrong they want that person out of office. Take that dumb ass bush for example. He has got to be the most vicious and corrupted president of my lifetime and throughout his whole eight years in the white house, his persidency was never in jeopardy for impeachment.
Obama is dirty.
The wack-jobs posting rants here have proved once-again, that their blatant bigotry keeps them from comprehending even a simple story — leading them to twist & mis-quote the words they just read, only seconds before!
Hey, SC, NotMyPrez & Frank — WE ALL had to suffer through 8 years of the kind of government that YOU deserve, so even if you don't believe that Obama is YOUR President, I'm relieved that he actually is...
Even though it happens just about every day, it still amazes me at how people smart enough to get milliions of people to vote for them, do things that even stupid people would never do.
I think it is great that the Republicans are still trying to go negative on Obama! It really served them well during the election! hahahaha! Keep it up boys!
For such a brilliant guy, he really doesn't notice the many negative things that go on all around him!!
Isn't it strange how bold Governor Rod Blagojevich is today? He is acting like he is untouchable.... or like he knows enough that he cannot be touched.
You don't get this confident without having the goods one some pretty important people. Governor Rod Blagojevich will be pardoned as part of any agreement with Obama... and he will be set for life for his silence...
I can't believe the Governor of New Tork is going to put Caroline Kennedy in Hillary's Senate seat. Can't he see that she is under qualified. What is he blind??
Replace the name "Obama" with "Bush" and and watch this story morph from a "non-issue" to one that gets a life of its own.
As a Republican and McCain voter, lay off Obama. I might not agree with a lot of his philosophies, but show me some better evidence before we start getting nasty on him. All we need right now is circumstantial (at best) evidence to throw accusations at our incoming president. Give the guy a freaking chance.
Bamy says, " I don't know no white governor from Illinois. Never heard of him and never had contact with him."
This is just awesome for McCain!!! Oh, wait.
Republicans just don't want to accept anybody who isn't a Republican. That's because they don't believe in democracy. Sadly, guys, he will be your president on January 20, and you will bend your stiff necks, submit and obey. Yes, you. If you plan any other course of action, there are plenty of federal officials eager to hear and act on that.
I love fake Republican scandals, and I love their fake "questions." See, questions don't require you to prove anything. You just heave stuff in all directions like a drunk fratboy at Mardi Gras, and hope something stinks up your target.
Two can play at that game.
Hey, Mike Duncan, running a child sex ring is a very serious allegation. When are you going to address this scandalous issue before it threatens to derail your party chairmanship? It raises very (I love this word) troubling questions, and it's time to provide answers. Don't say you don't know. We demand transparency! I call for an independent prosecutor to investigate child abuse at the RNC NOW.
Wouldn't it have been interesting if someone had asked Obama if he was aware of any corruption in Chicago politics during his Senate term! ! !
The difference between this and Caroline Kennedy is facts and context. The similarities are they are both Democrats. When being a Democrat is a red flag for someone, he or she thinks like a bull. We do not need a bunch of bull at this site though. If I were you Concerned Voter,II would be concerned too. It must be disconcerting when you can't see the forrest from the trees.
Main stream media will never do an news reports that has any truth in it.
Interesting...2 days ago Obama said it would be inappropriate for him to comment on this matter. Yesterday, he called for Blagojevich to resign. Why the change? Is there an intrepid, honest reporter out there who will call him on this?
And how is it possible that no one on his staff was involved in the matter, when we know for certain that one of his underlings was up for the seat before pulling her name before this scandal blew wide open? Was the Obama pre-administration tipped about the impending arrest?
Many many questions remain...
This had to be a federal indictment because in Chicago and Illinois a politician can not be prosecuted for bribery, it's not actually against the law. (sarcasm)
I LOVE the defenses of Obama in the comments section...not a single person actually addresses the issue at hand of HIS potential involvement. In other words, Obama's actions should not be questioned because of the current administration's actions? What was it that your mother used to ask you about "Would YOU jump off a bridge if everyone else did it and said it was OK?"
As far as the Globe goes, it's hilarious that they didn't mention his political affiliation - could you guys at least feign an interest in reporting news versus pursuit of your own political agenda? Just for the sake of those who aren't interested in drinking the Kool-Aid like deltaman?
Charlie, you can't have looked very hard; try the story headlined "democrats urge ill. governor to resign" and you'll note that the second sentence in the article points out the governor's party. It's clearly posted on boston.com in the nation section; I can't imagine where else you expected it to be.
There were five candidates all part of the Chicago political machine. If he did NOT know about it he is either not very bright, or wanted "plausible deniability". Mayor Daley headed his campign, nothing happens in Chicago, without him knowing about it.
The Gov wanted a cabinet post or Ambasidorship. To deliver on one of those two, someone at the 'Office of the President Elect" would need to be involved.
Hey Disgusted: I LOVE the accusations and forgone conclusions about Obama without any evidence. Just because you and all the other paranoid nuts think 'HE MUST HAVE KNOWN" doesn't mean he had anything to do with it. If the FBI says Obama is not a target of the investigation, just maybe its because he isn't involved. Duh!
I can't figure out what all these "many questions" are. There are only two questions as far as I can tell: 1) Was Obama involved in any way with the Gov's attempt to sell the seat and; 2) Did Obama know what the Gov was doing prior to the arrest? He said no. So what are all these questions? I can't see how it is improper for any one of the Illinois politicians or for that matter any Illinois citizen to propose to the Gov potential candidates. Why is that improper as NONONObama seems to think or others who think Caroline Kennedy shouldn't be asking to be considered. What is wrong with letting it be known that you want to be
considered? Then the Gov needs to vet the list and pick a qualified person. Can some one honestly tell me what's wrong with that? I don't think so, because most
of you blogging here are intellectually dishonest. You don't really think about these things and give considered opinion; you have already decided you want to pin something on Obama because you don't like him.
lj
Here we go again with the Republican Party - distract people with anything so that they can not do their job. It is already clear that the corrupt governor can not stand Obama - there is no love lost there - But of course there may have been contact or recommendation made by Obama team to Mr. and Ms "corrupt' on who may serve the peple of IL better. It is only logical to assume that - of course Obama will not tell you what his team conveyed to Mr. 'corrupt' and their recommendation - the FBI knows it was perfectly normal and that is what matters- It is rediculous to think that Obama or his team will say' Oh we told the governor that Valerie is better than Jess Jackson Jr. or better than Joh Doe - of course he will not say that!
It is up to the republican to decide - to keep talking about this and look silly or
get down to the people isness and fix 8 years of disasters!!!
Lies, corruption, radicals, scandal, racism, stealing...
Ladies & Gentlemen...your Democratic party!
What has happened in America? We have elected a man to the highest positionn in the land who is associated with and apparently deeply involved with shady characters to say the least. And the US supreme Court refuses to look into any allegations against him, including whether or not he is a citizen. What are we doing to ourselves?
This Blagojevich situation is starting to heat up. Not sure what Fitzgerald has, but Supreme Court clerks are researching constitutional mechanisms to postpone Obama's inauguration.