Ben Barnes, "Rathergate" figure, to co-host DC Blagojevich reception

Marathon Pundit ^ | December 5, 2005 | Marathon Pundit

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

A tipster informs me that this is indeed the same Ben Barnes who appeared on the infamous September 8, 2004 60 Minutes II broadcast that also introduced the since discredited Killian memos to the American public.

From Sunday's Lynn Sweet column in the Chicago Sun-Times:

On Dec. 12, Blagojevich discusses the program in an event at the National Press Club hosted by Families USA.

Blagojevich timed it to coincide with Democrat Governor Association meetings taking place at the same time.

Later in the day, key Blagojevich kitchen Cabinet member John Wyma, a state and federal lobbyist, and his business partner, Ben Barnes, will also host a reception for Blagojevich at their D.C. offices to give the governor another chance to talk about "All Kids."

More on Barnes, from Wikipedia:

In 1999, Barnes claimed that while Speaker of the House he had "personally interceded" with Texas Air National Guard officials to get George W. Bush into the Guard. Barnes repeated the claim in the U.S. presidential election, 2004, specifically stating that he had assisted Bush while Lieutenant Governor. The charge met heavy criticism over its inconsistency (Barnes did not become Lieutenant Governor until 1969 - after Bush joined the guard) and after his daughter Amy publicly challenged the veracity of his story.

[Land_of_Lincoln_John]

Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, is the Governor of Illinois and is up for re-election next year.