Obama review clears staff in Blagojevich probe

I didn't know they needed to be "cleared" of anything.

The problem was Obama's lack of "transparency" in dealing with it.

If this was a preview of his "transparency", he'll make Clinton and Bush look like paragons of virtue.

 

He took down the blinders today... In case you didn't here, the delay was from the DOJ who were also interviewing the members of Obama's transition team.

 

Not entirely true.

He tried the Clintonesque tactic of parsing words first, saying " I have not talked..". When caught at that subterfuge, he dodged the followup question with the "ongoing investigation" baloney.

Whenasked about his staff contacts, he could have been honest, and still abided by the DOJ request,( if it even existed at that early date) by saying he was not sure who talked to him or what was said, but he would find out.

He doesn't do well with follow up questions from a journalist that is paying attention. This is not the first time he's fumbled such a response. The simple truth would have been easy and he blew it.

 

According to the report, HE didn't speak to the Blagojevich administration so his initial statement that "I have not talked..." is still an accurate statement.

 

You are being deliberately obtuse.

 

Not sure how, he said he didn't and he didn't.

He said he would check with his staff and make a full report and he did.

Now I know some of you feel he didn't move quick enough but that's only because you have nothing else in this matter by which to criticize.

 

Days later and that's the point.

"Transparency" required that be his response on day one. It wasn't.

Now I'm going to follow Brother Curtis's example and refuse to play your game.

You just can't be as stupid as you sound, so it has to be deliberate.

 

So that's the standard the Right will be looking for? You want him to respond or answer inquiries before he's had time to check with all his staff and piece together the truth? Then he'd be crucified if he had to make adjustments to the story as he learns more about what happened.

In that light I think he chose the lesser of the evils, it was better to answer late and get these weak accusations about transparency than to answer quickly then have to adjust the story as he learns more details... I guess he can't win with this crowd???

 

:applause:

HT to Brother Curtis.

 

So let me get this straight. After reading, and re-reading Ken's link, it appears pretty much that Obama has cleared himself of any wrong doing in the investigation. Am I way off ?

 

No he did not clear himself. In fact, I'll post the OP here.

Now read it again carefully. Obama and a atop aide were interviewed by prosecutors investigating Illinois, Gob .............. Note, no where does it say Obama issued a statement clearing himself. ..... . the prosecutors investigating the governor cleared Obama and his top aide.

 

Curious as to what he was checking on. Didn't he give Emmanuel four names to give to the governor? Wouldn't that mean that he knew Emmanuel had talked to him? Or at least knew he was going to talk to him?

Why not just say, "We have had some contacts. I will check on the extent and get back to you"?

This type of answer gives the suspicion of wrongdoing. Personally, I would be very surprised if Obama did anything wrong here. I don't think it would be wrong to give a list of names or even to give one name as your favored candidate. I don't understand why he wouldn't just say that was what he did and leave it at that.

 

Pound sand with the attitude, CTB, and get your own reading tested. From the link.....

"My inquiry determined that there was nothing at all inappropriate about those conversations," incoming White House attorney Greg Craig said on a conference call with reporters.

 

How much did all that cost Obama?

 

Everyone knew Emanuel had contact which was reported from the start so it was not like he was keeping a secret. The question was always how much contact and was it ethically good.

 

That's two questions. But I agree with both.

 

So Obama clears himself. I believe Clinton did as well.:laugh:

 

You forgot Ted Stevens... :thumbsup:

 

I dont get it.