Interesting political talk....

[Guest]

for a political message board.

Why does this story just keep on going ?

"President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, refused to take questions from reporters this morning about whether he was the Obama “advisor” named in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The complaint states Blagojevich wanted a promise of a high-level appointment or some other reward for Blagojevich in exchange for Blagojevich naming Obama’s friend Valerie Jarrett to replace him in the U.S. Senate."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1326788,rahm-emanuel-blagojevich-obama-121108.article

Many times a story like this that could be diffused quickly but is not has more
"legs" than we can see. Not saying anything bad happened but why don't those involved just stand up and answer for it. The President Elect SHOULD be interested in who fills his seat, but why doesnt anyone just say what communication there was ?

[Guest]

Time will eventually tell on the "Blago-gate" saga.

That being said, I must admit to having some empathy for Mr. Emanuel when it comes to the press. People who are considered "public figures" by virtue of their job or circumstance still have a right-to-privacy when it comes to family events.

There is a time and a place for everything, especially professional conduct and response. A reporter shoving a hand-recorder in someone's face at a family function is a prime example of what's wrong with the Fourth Estate. The reporter's actions were boorish at best and demonstrated "not being raised right." The reporter is being paid for his activities, and the "public figure" is on off-time, yet the reporter acts like the public figure must tolerate whatever the reporter wants, whenever the reporter wants it.

To me, Mr. Emanuel (a person I happen to view with extreme reservation) showed exceptional patience with the reporter. An appropriate response to someone shoving a hand-recorder in a person's face when with family would be: 1) a broken hand-recorder; 2) the possibility of the reporter having a broken finger or two; and/or 3) the potential of the reporter being able to prepare by personal experience a news article of how well a hand-recorder works when in "suppository" setting.

[Guest]

the silver bullet for what and when to keep Obama as pristine as possible in the end result.
A point that is obviously over looked in any media presentations of the related events is how can one be a Senator from Illinois and NOT know how the political machine there works.....AND NOT BE INVOLVED at any level or time???
To live and work in the depths of that environment and NOT be aware....I don't think so. Just wondering?

There are those who advocate that awareness and involvement are separate issues...I think not...awareness of a wrong with no action taken is the same as condoning, hence involvement.....in my humble opinion as a firm believer of the stand and be counted approach to life (I do understand that is a conflict for politicians....standing to be counted!)

BTK

[Guest]

I just finished watching second-term Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan conduct a press conference wherein she outlined a filing with the Illinois Supreme Court asking for the Illinois governor be temporarily removed from office.

First, let's be realistic in knowing that Lisa Madigan grew up in Chicago and Illinois politics. She will very likely be the Democratic candidate for Governor in 2010. Her father is one of the two or three most powerful politicians in Illinois, the Speaker of the Illinois House, which he runs with an iron hand.

But that doesn't diminish her quick and forceful work to serve as the "people's lawyer" and trying to get someone else in charge of the state government to replace the "diminished" current governor. Her conduct of the long, national press conference was impressive. She was prepared, knowledgeable, crisp and clearly in control. She didn't hurt her own reputation if she chooses to run for higher public office in the future.

Even though I no longer have a vote in my home state, I'd sure like to see more politicians there that have the intelligence and presence demonstrated by the Attorney General. She began her career after a superb education doing many of the same things as did Barack Obama, working in needy Chicago communities. Hopefully, she will continue her career in public service without suffering any of the character stains which became apparent in other Illinois politicians in recent years. The people of the State deserve no less. Only time will tell, I suppose.

[Guest]

for a political message board.

Why does this story just keep on going ?

"President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, refused to take questions from reporters this morning about whether he was the Obama “advisor” named in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

The complaint states Blagojevich wanted a promise of a high-level appointment or some other reward for Blagojevich in exchange for Blagojevich naming Obama’s friend Valerie Jarrett to replace him in the U.S. Senate."

http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/1326788,rahm-emanuel-blagojevich-obama-121108.article

Many times a story like this that could be diffused quickly but is not has more
"legs" than we can see. Not saying anything bad happened but why don't those involved just stand up and answer for it. The President Elect SHOULD be interested in who fills his seat, but why doesnt anyone just say what communication there was ?


Good Point Bucco, I have mentioned things like this in another post. I think the answer is, that is the easy way out. Would be like saying why are not all politicians honest abe about things they do? Why can't it be that if you did something not as it should of been done, just own up to it. I would imagine if they did just that, stand up and say yes, it was me that did that and I will not let it happen again. They know their political career is over. It might be better if they fight it and get everyone confused on how it happened. Then they have some chance of retaining their office.

I think it will be a very cold day south of the border when that happens. Most have the opinion that you dont get a second chance in politics. You cant miss up one time. Kinda reminds me of the Corps. My NCOIC a GySgt back in his 1 year on active duty got a DUI. 17 year later he was trying to get promoted to Msgt. he could not due to that DUI. He ended up getting out with no choice. Politics go the same way. There is no second chance i believe.

[Guest]

Time will eventually tell on the "Blago-gate" saga.

That being said, I must admit to having some empathy for Mr. Emanuel when it comes to the press. People who are considered "public figures" by virtue of their job or circumstance still have a right-to-privacy when it comes to family events.

There is a time and a place for everything, especially professional conduct and response. A reporter shoving a hand-recorder in someone's face at a family function is a prime example of what's wrong with the Fourth Estate. The reporter's actions were boorish at best and demonstrated "not being raised right." The reporter is being paid for his activities, and the "public figure" is on off-time, yet the reporter acts like the public figure must tolerate whatever the reporter wants, whenever the reporter wants it.

To me, Mr. Emanuel (a person I happen to view with extreme reservation) showed exceptional patience with the reporter. An appropriate response to someone shoving a hand-recorder in a person's face when with family would be: 1) a broken hand-recorder; 2) the possibility of the reporter having a broken finger or two; and/or 3) the potential of the reporter being able to prepare by personal experience a news article of how well a hand-recorder works when in "suppository" setting.

Your point is very well taken Steve, but my only point was that this seems pretty simple and easy. Simply stand up and tell WHO, and someone had to, talked to the Gov office and what they said...story starts to go away !

Seems the transparency we are supposed to have come January will not come until then !!!

I cannot imagine anyone being dumb enough in President Elect Obama's circle to have been party to anything illegal or even sleazy but why they dont simply stand up and say that is what escapes me !

[Guest]

Your point is very well taken Steve, but my only point was that this seems pretty simple and easy. Simply stand up and tell WHO, and someone had to, talked to the Gov office and what they said...story starts to go away !

Seems the transparency we are supposed to have come January will not come until then !!!

I cannot imagine anyone being dumb enough in President Elect Obama's circle to have been party to anything illegal or even sleazy but why they dont simply stand up and say that is what escapes me !

You are right. As J&J proved with the Tylenol incident getting the news out as fast as possible and as complete as possible is the only effective way to deal with a problem that is also a potential PR disaster. PE Obama seems to be taking the route of hunker down and lawyer up. That's just plain dumb.

As for 'poor, picked upon' Rahm Emanuel - he chose to go make his life public when he first ran for office and then took the very high profile job of COS. While I believe press tactics are, on the whole, abominable, I feel much more compassion for Greg and Cindy Anthony.