Media Use Blagojevich Scandal Against Obama

Media Matters reports that, despite U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's warning to "not cast aspersions on people for being named or being discussed" in the criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, numerous media outlets have jumped to tie President-elect Obama to the scandal.

An AP article called "Questionable associations of Obama" used the Blagojevich arrest to run down other "notable figures who have drawn scorn and scrutiny" who have crossed paths with Obama. Media Matters points out that Obama has not been implicated in any criminal wrongdoing in connection with any of these people, more than half of whom have not themselves been charged with anything.

A Politico article called "Big risks for Obama in Blago scandal" calls the case "a stink bomb tossed at close range." They note that Obama comes out well from the criminal complaint, but quote numerous Republicans to suggest that the scandal will cause trouble for the President-elect.

On MSNBC Chuck Todd said, "Obviously, Chicago Democratic politics, Illinois Democratic politics has a lot of concentric circles. People who used to work for Blagojevich, maybe in his 2002 campaign, have connections now with Obama." He added, "the guilt-by-association stuff, it'll serve as a Republican talking point probably for four or eight years, depending on how long Obama is president." Chris Matthews also used guilt-by-association against Obama, pointing out that he "rose to political power in a city, Chicago, in a state, Illinois, known for corruption." He noted that there were "no allegations" against Obama, but added, "There are many unanswered questions."

As Jason Linkins reported, Sean Hannity attempted to tie Obama to Blagojevich but failed -- in fact he noted repeatedly that all the references to the President-elect in the criminal complaint were "exculpatory." The only damning piece of information he could find was that Obama's name came up in the complaint The word President-elect is mentioned 44 times.">44 times.

Comments

[hardybear]

I almost always find it fascinating to track the media as it meanders around, and hopefully to,
the facts inside a story. This does seem to be a point critical enough in our history where we might wisely choose to suspend most of those exercises, however.

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." ~~ Arthur Schopenhauer

It's early days, but it seems to me that PE Obama is talented at letting most of the more specious
attacks die natural deaths. I hope journalists and commentators can learn from that example.
Sourcing and credibility shouldn't be lost arts ... no matter how hard one is driven by the market for Instant News.

[fraserseth]

The media is making something out of nothing once again. As long as they can run the word 'scandal' on the front page they'll sell more papers.

[kidflash]

According to an article posted on TMP http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/12/at_fitzgeralds_request_obama_t.php The Obama camp is finished with their internal investigation into who if anyone had contact with Blago, however the Fitzpatrick of the DOJ has asked them to hold off releasing it until after Dec. 22 so as not to impede their (DOJ) their investigation. Can you imagine what the 24/7 news channels will read into this?

[kidflash]

I meant an article posted on TPM (talking points memo).

[jigisup]

I have an Uncle who lives in Illinios and I went to Chicago to the Museium of Science and Industry two weeks ago. Does that mean I have a tie to Obama?

[Coopforobama]

Jigisup, sorry to say YES, according to the media and the republicans you MOST DEFINITELY have ties to Obama and so does your UNCLE.

[dlbdpb]

When I hear this kind of crap from the media, I just turn off the T.V. THat's how I dealt with Bush and his bunch of crooks for 8 years. It's real easy, everyone should try it when they hear crap like this.

[ManwithaParachute]

Chicago is no more corrupt than anywhere else in the US. In fact it is less so . Specifically because of Patrick Fitzgerald. Louisiana is far more corrupt and very resistant to reform. LA. has no real moral guide post to see past corruption.

Chicago is not 100% corrupt but it is rare to avoid some form of corruption completely. There is a difference between locales though. The corruption in Du Page county is the type of corruption which runs counter the public good - it exist to prevent success. The corruption in Cook county is parasitic in nature - it exists to feed off of others success. There are very few people who could run against Mayor Daly and win. Fitzgerald is one who could win hands down. He has plenty of work to do still and when he is done here there are plenty of oter places he can help fix.

[ReportThis]

Corrupt machine politics is synonymous with Chicago. And wasn't Chicago Al Capone's home turf? Haven't numerous state and federal judges from Chicago gone to the slammer for fixing cases? Didn't the Chicago White Sox taint baseball by throwing the 1919 World Series ("Black Sox" right a bell?).

[lovable]

remember cnn karen chetry came from fox. !!!!!!ha ha ha

what obama needs to do after this week is put his most agressive suragates on tv on these chats shows and when some says he needs to come clean they should be asked 'CLEAN ABOUT WHAT ?!
AND WHEN SOMEONE SAYS HE CAME IN COONTACT WITH BLAGO AT THE GOVERNORS MEETING TELL THEM THAT WAS A STUPID ANALYSIS .AND SHOW THEM WHY. THESE PUNDITS NEED TO BE EMBARASSED ON THESE SHOWS FOR THEIR STUPID STATMENTS OR THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR 8 YEARS.

[Coopforobama]

Lovable I TOTALLY AGREE. I DO NOT, I repeat, I DO NOT want to spend the next 4-8 years being hood winked by the media talking about PURE FOOLISHNESS just like they did the last 8 with Bush/Cheney. That is EXACTLY how this administration got away with so much dirt and deceit.

[Chapmanp2]

The amazing thing is that this time it's NOT working. Public opinion of Obama is holding high & even his most outspoken opposition can see that there's no there, there...
The media meanwhile is in full blown meltdown & actively destroying itself & it's own credibility. From the MSM on down to the blogs...
Trust in the media is at an all time low, because EVERYTHING is reported with a spin & attempts to lead the reader to believe what they want em' to believe. People are smarter than that...

[imjustawitchywoman]

Here we go ago.....the Main Stream Media trying to bring Obama down. And AGAIN....it won't work.

Remember the endless clips of the Best hits of Rev. Wright? It was nonstop, it was dumb, it was the media trying to get Obama with "guilt by association" and it didn't work.

America has smartened up....these last 8 years have opened alot of minds and alot of eyes.

Corruption is the disease......Obama is the cure.

[Rhia]

Sadly, this is what Obama has to contend with. He chose Chicago as his power base so he has to endure every political problems that Chicago/ Illinois have, especially those associated with high ranking politicians like him. But he was smart enough to rise as an independent-minded among the political machine. I'm sure he'll just let this one slide.

[dontomas]

Do you ever have one of those dreams where you are trying to get someplace but you never do, you just keep getting sidetracked. This is how I feel about Obama, its like two steps forward, one step back. People are just lined up to bring misfortune to Obama at a time when there is so much he has to get started. I am not sure if its deep personal hate by the right wing media, racial fear, or just plain being poor losers. No one is naive, we all know politics can be shady at best and probably no one has ever reached a high office without brushing up against the dark side. Here we have a president elect that is proving that power brokers, cronyism and favor repayment is not part of the administration he is putting together and instead of approval these mavens are waiting to pounce on anything that will bring him down.

[GlenRast]

Is anyone surprised that media outlets would jump on this? Scandal sells and competition for the limited amount of viewers is cut throat. So called 'news' outlets spend as much time in self promotion as they do reporting.

[burndtdan]

the great thing about there being "a lot of unanswered questions" is that it can never be satisfied.

obama can never answer a question that will prove his innocence in all things with all people. it is impossible to prove a negative. that's why we presume innocence in our justice system.

but if you are willing to presume guilt, as you are by saying there are "unanswered questions", then you will never be satisfied. you can use that line til the day he dies, and it doesn't matter how much information you get.

[saldunn]

Let's not forget Campbell Brown, she should be on Fox news when it comes to Obama. I hope he never gives her an interview

[airforcevet43]

As a citizen and an military veteran, I have to say that I am absolutely enraged to wake up this morning to find all these stories and blogs about how PE Obama is now somehow suspect.

For an incoming President, you couldn't have developed a better test that the one that has taken place in the last day or so. Here is a stupid egotistical governor trying to get whatever he can for his favored decision who ends up pissed off because the guy we all elected says NO and all our citizens can do is try and find ways to pull him down.

We have asked this man and his family to pull us out of the worst situation this country has been in for as long as we've had a country. As citizens, don't let these same folks who wouldn't say a word as bit by bit, little by little the current POTUS has taken us as low as we could have ever imagined without so much as a court hearing taking place.....And when anyone mentions court hearing these people have had the nerve to say NO, I'm not going to participate. NOT GOING TO PARTICIPATE!!!!!!

Are you kidding me?

If this man has any chance we will need to support him wholeheartedly, at least until he no longer deserves that support. Pray for your PE as you pray for yourself he's gonna need it!

[mcantwell]

Good Post. Thanks. I pray for him daily, and often.

[Coopforobama]

Airforcevet43, THANK YOU for a GREAT post. I will continue to pray for my Country, President Obama and his family and staff. And we will have the victory AGAIN.

[HC4BO]

According to the Media, EVERYONE in Illinois has Ties to Obama ...