Posted on 12/25/2008 3:30:06 AM PST by Deetes
Lawyers for embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich want two key aides to President-elect Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. subpoenaed, according to Chicago media reports.
Blagojevich's legal team has asked the Illinois House panel that members of Obama's incoming administration testify before the House impeachment committee, including Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Senior Adviser Valerie Jarrett, WBBM-TV and the Chicago Sun-Times reported late Wednesday.
Ed Genson, Blagojevich's chief lawyer, said testimony from the aides will prove the governor's insistence that he did nothing illegal to fill Obama's now vacant U.S. Senate seat.
The news comes days after Obama's team released an internal review that confirmed no "inappropriate" discussions had taken place in the Blagojevich probe.
The report said Emanuel was the only adviser to talk to Blagojevich and his top aide John Harris on the subject of the Senate seat. The incoming chief of staff was authorized to pass on the names of four people he considered qualified to take over his seat: Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Jackson Jr.
Federal prosecutors asked the Illinois House impeachment committee not to delve into the criminal charges against Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday, a request that could hasten a decision on whether to boot Blagojevich from office.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
LOL...
MERRY CHRISTMAS
This is going to be a festering sore for Barack.
Beautiful,
Blago has hitched his future squarely to Obama’s and its circle the wagons time.
Perhaps Blago's lawyers didn't get the press release.
I predict Blagojevich will get off, JJ junior will not go to the senate, and the Chi Tribune forced the prosecutors hand to soon.
So is it safe to assume the Mandigans are getting some lumps of coal this season from the Obama-nation.
Merry Christmas.
Hand out more sub-subpoenas to spread the joy.
Too funny! Blago sez “if you think I should resign because I did something wrong then let’s hear your story under oath.”
This will be the gift that keeps on giving. I think that Fitz is a mole working for the dems.
Blago hasn’t done much that was correct in his miserable lifetime, but he did adequately describe Obomba in his taped conversations.
Why are the Pubs not screaming for a special prosecutor? The Crats would be all over it. I think the pussy ass RINOS do not want to jeporadize their coveted minority status.
Whitewater redux
Oh, let the donks do it to themselves. If one pubbie says one thing, it will immediately become *that Republican noise machine, again*. The donks would love to have Republicans to fight. This way, they get to fight among themselves.
Between FNC and the fact that the rest of the media are at the point where they will do whatever is necessary to sell copies/attract eyeballs, it isn’t even being hidden.
Republicans and conservatives are hated. We have little influence anywhere. It is probably better if the voters get to watch their beloved Democrat Party airing all their dirty laundry in public.
Special prosecutors need to be authorized by the Senate, IIRC. Donks control the Senate. It will never happen.
You mean “Merry Fitzmas!!!!”
This is basically $200 get out of jail free card.
Exactly. The DBM was turning cartwheels with the "exoneration" release because they thought that was the end of it - the O had spoken.
Michael Steele said on FOX that even though Obama's team may not have done anything improper, the Blago matter and crooked Chicago politics were still going to be a distraction for months to come. Steele is right. This development confirms it.
With those ears he’d better stay off the windy beach.
I don’t think this will go anywhere. Fitz will be replaced and the replacement will say there’s not enough evidence because Fitz was forced to act too soon because of the Tribune bringing it out into the open. Blago has too much mud to sling and the media, dems and repubdems all know it.
Blago may actually look like this sooner than later. Obamacide?
bttt
Gov's Lawyers Want Obama Aides, Jackson To Testify Blagojevich Lawyers Issue Letter Calling For Subpoenas CHICAGO (CBS) ―
With his Lawyer Sam Adam (left) following, Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich (right) arrives at his first press conference since his recent arrest Dec. 19, 2008, in Chicago, Ill.
In a dramatic development in the ongoing impeachment proceedings, lawyers for Gov. Rod Blagojevich want two key aides to President-elect Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. to testify before the House impeachment committee.
Sources tell CBS 2 that a letter sent by Blagojevich's lawyers to committee chairman, State Rep. Barbara Currie, asks that the committee subpoena Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, senior adviser Valerie Jarrett and Jackson.
On Tuesday, a transition official disclosed that Obama, Emanuel and Jarrett, have been interviewed in connection with the federal investigation into Blagojevich. The transition official, speaking on a condition of anonymity, also confirmed that Emanuel had been captured on wiretaps taken as part of the investigation.
Blagojevich was charged on Dec. 9 with plotting to use his governor's authority to appoint Obama's Senate replacement and make state appointments and contracts in exchange for cash and other favors. He has denied any criminal wrongdoing and has resisted multiple calls for his resignation, including one from Obama.
In an internal review, released on Tuesday by Obama's team, found that Emanuel was the only Obama adviser to talk to Blagojevich and his top aide, John Harris. The two men have been arrested as part of a federal corruption investigation.
Emanuel had one or two conversations with Blagojevich and four with Harris on the subject of the Senate seat, according to the review.
The report said Obama authorized Emanuel to pass on the names of four people he considered to be highly qualified to take over his seat - Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes, Illinois Veterans' Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth, Rep. Jan Schakowsky and Jackson Jr.
"In later telephone conversations, Mr. Emanuel - also with the President-elect's approval - presented other names of qualified candidates to Mr. Harris including Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Ms. Cheryle Jackson," the report said. "Mr. Harris did not make any effort to extract a personal benefit for the governor in any of these conversations. There was no discussion of a Cabinet position, of 501c(4), of a private sector position or of any other personal benefit to the governor in exchange for the Senate appointment."
The report said that earlier, Emanuel recommended Jarrett for the Senate seat without Mr. Obama's knowledge, and Jarrett later accepted the job as a senior White House adviser.
CBS 2 left messages with Blagojevich's attorneys, Ed Genson and Sheldon Sorosky as well as Currie seeking comment. 
Small Fire Reported At Rep. Jackson's Home CHICAGO (STNG) ―
A small fire started at the home of U. S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. early Wednesday on the South Side.
At 12:15 a.m. Chicago Fire Department's truck 49, Engine 126 and Battalion Chief 17 responded to a fire in the 2500 block of East 72nd Street, police said.
A still alarm was called for the small fire, according to Fire Media Affairs Cmdr. Will Knight.
The origin of the fire was underneath the main fireplace in the residence and the victims were listed in a police report as U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th), police said.
No injuries were reported, according to police. http://cbs2chicago.com/local/jesse.jackson.jr.2.894731.html
So take your subpoenas and stick them up your expletive!!!
is this the festivus miracle?
Back atcha!
[can’t you just hear Muttley snickering?]....:)
What a picture . I’m saving that one ;) going to leave a mark :)
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