Rahm Emanuel Gave Blagojevich List Of 'Acceptable' Senate Candidates: Report

President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff Rahm Emanuel had direct conversations with Gov. Rod Blagojevich about Obama's replacement in the US Senate, FOX News Chicago reports.

Citing "a source familiar with the investigation," Fox says that Emanuel had "multiple conversations" with Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris, who was also arrested Tuesday on federal corruption charges, about the seat and that they we're "likely recorded and in FBI possession."

Fox's source said that Emanuel gave the governor's office a list of "candidates that would be acceptable to President-elect Barack Obama" but no "quid pro quo" or "dealmaking" is suspected.

Meanwhile, an angry Emanuel says he won't go to work because of the media stakeout. He told an ABC News cameraman that has received death threats:

The President-elect's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, said today he won't go to the Chicago Presidential transition offices in order to avoid reporters seeking to ask him whether he had contact with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama's election.

Emanuel appeared "beet-red," according to an ABC News cameraman who was invited inside by Emmanuel to use his bathroom this morning.

"I'm getting regular death threats. You've put my home address on national television. I'm pissed at the networks. You've intruded too much, " Emanuel said, according to the cameraman.

Emanuel has refused to comment as to whether he is the un-named Presidential advisor cited in the FBI affidavit filed in the Blagojevich case. "You're wasting your time," Emanuel told a Chicago Sun-Times reporter yesterday. "I'm not going to say a word to you. I'm going to do this with my children. Don't do that. I'm a father. I have two kids. I'm not going to do it."

Comments

[strangerinthenight]

Shame that RhamBully uses his children as cover. You can't get lower than that. He just doesn't want to be questioned. He should know - what is good for the goose must be good for gander.

[1murillo]

Silly. He was attending their school.

Having Emanuel out there saying, "I'm innocent! No, really, I'm innocent!" would be setting him up for the Dobbs/Limbaughs/Hannitys to say, "See, he must be guilty, otherwise he wouldn't say he is innocent."

Like GWB's, "I know Iraq is hiding the WsMD because we can't find them."

[Inaru]

The home his children live in was publicized, he got death threats at his home - that's "using his children as cover"?! Get real. I'd be so pissed if they did this to my family, I'd have to be fired after clawing those reporters to ribbons. Family is first. Makes me feel sorry for those who don't feel the same way - especially for their families. No other presidential candidate has received as many death threats as Obama, and he is Obama's right-hand man [or left-hand man, since Barack's left-handed). Emanuel must be feeling as safe as a hare in a greyhound race. The fear these officials feel for their families is genuine and justified. Their families are their greatest vulnerability.

[AbrakadaBarak]

Has Ron been Blagoed? LOL!

[ReportThis]

Will Jesse Jackson, Jr. be getting a refund?

[AdamAnt12]

Too funny!! :)

[teaINharbor]

Why are we talking about this? This another diversion from the important issues. Iraq/Afghanistan, Economy, Guantanamo, Enviornment. The faux media specialty is taking focus away from the Bushit.

teaINharbor

[strangerinthenight]

When politicians play for pay, it's important. Very important. Collectively, we will survive the Economy woes, but good governance is essential to our survival. We need leaders who will be responsive to the people - the guantanamo and environmental issues.

[AdamAnt12]

Good government IS essential to our economy. If the obstructionist get their way, our economy will sink for sure!!

[AdamAnt12]

Talk about DIVERSIONS!! Guantanamo, and the Enviroment? Plueeze, are you really that concerned about the health of a few t e r r o r i s t s?

[callings]

no, einstein, we're concerned about the health of the writ of habeas corpus and all those other trivial rights.

[1murillo]

AdamAnt12
"...a few t e r r or i s t s"

First of all we don't know whether they're terrorists; there have been no trials.

If they are terrorists, GWB would have been marching them out on a regular basis during his administration.

And even if they are terrorists (however defined), that doesn't mean we should imprison them indefinitely. We arrest and try many accused in the States, there's no reason why we couldn't try them.

The national security argument is b.s. Being afraid that by trying the imprisoned we will then unleash a fresh wave of terror is akin to saying that by trying serial killers we're unleashing fresh waves of serial killers.

[blahdiblah]

Discussing who might be a good candidate for the Senate seat is not a crime. In fact it would be criminal if serious discussions did not take place. Asking people to pay for the seat is the only crime.

[strangerinthenight]

I agree on the basic premise, recommending a candidate for the post is hardly criminal, it happens all the time.

That Rham Emanuel and the President Elect immediately touted, they had no involvement, nor had not talk about this issue with Blagojevich is a flat out BS. Not being straightforward is now the issue - regardless, actual bidding. At the very least, it's a huge embarrasment to be caught in story-telling-a-lie. And, it only damage their credibilities and open a can full of worms.

So now the media is asking the correct questions. Why ? Fair question.

[AdamAnt12]

The media HAS NOW begun to finally ask Obama's team questions. Before this, the hardest question asked of Obama was "do you wear boxers or briefs?"....

[StillIRise]

Both Obama and Rahm said that they did not talk with Blagojevich about his senate-seat-sell scheme. They did NOT say that they hadn't talked or communicated with Blagojevich about recommendations for Obama's replacement. In fact, it would have been unusual if they had not made recommendations.

After Obama's election, the media was asking the question: Who would Obama recommend to Governor Blagojevich to replace him in the senate? Are they now suggesting that they didn't expect him to recommend anyone? Did they think he'd be able to recommend a replacement without any communication with the governor? I think it's the media who should be embarrassed! And I think anyone who ascribes to this line of thinking should be embarrassed as well!

[thisnthat]

I admire Obama and his team for not giving any knee-jerk reactions. He's not going to come out with statements willy-nilly befor ehe makes certain he speaks the truth. He has to find out if any of his team has spoken to the Ill. Governor, and at what length and all details because, as we all know, the news media (especially Fox and conservative radio) will misconstrue whatever is or was said. He's a wise man. And I feel for Rahm having his privacy and that of his family put at risk.

[AdamAnt12]

No need to come out willy-nilly. But if he is telling the truth, he should have had time to come out with that. Telling the truth is a lot easier than lies....lies take longer to make up. So which is it? Come on, PE Obama, your subjects are awaiting your answer with bated breath..What did you know and when did you know it?

[StillIRise]

This depends on what your meaning of "the truth" is. If you mean that Obama should tell us everything he knows about the governor's attempt to sale his seat, he's already done that. I'm sure that anything he has not added to his statement is information that Fitzgerald has asked him not to divulge until the investigation is completed.

On the other hand, if you mean that Obama should tell us what YOU want to hear ... that he's guilty of participating in Blago's scheme or that he lied to the feds or to the American people ... then I advise you not to hold your breath. Obama is not involved, and he didn't lie.

[dukeitout]

Rahm: We're not saying you did anyting wrong or right. But what is this reaction of you going into seclusion? If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen. Resign.

[AdamAnt12]

I agree. Obama isn't even President yet...if Rahm can't handle this, how will he act once O is president?

[hattie7]

I believe Rahm when he says he has been getting threats! Think about it, the "isolated" report that Rahm turned Balgo in to the Feds could also be a truth - Rahm tells Blago the candidates that would be "acceptable" then Blago starts talking price, then the discussion about "appreciation" which Blago rejected - once the indictment came down.

I think the indictment had more to do with the $50K payment for that $8 million/billion contract was due) - and some local stuff and that is what Patrick was trying to block. It is just the MSM turning the Senate seat as the "sexy" issue. They are writing a story rather than reporting on one!

[care4mypeeps]

The Republican fires will Never die. President elect Barack Obama is a wise man, he is thoughtful in his decisions making and will do the right thing. Rahm Emanuel is being bombarded by the Media who will only take his words and dissect them and inject whatever headlines that would connect back to President elect Obama.

It is pretty much about ratings at this point and what will drive the News Cycle.
The facts will be flushed out and then we will move on until the Republicans come out with another doozy.

[AdamAnt12]

so you think the republicans are the one's driving this story? What, are the dems afraid of the truth, or what? Cause I know that I need to know if our president-elect and his staff are crooks, don't you?

[Inaru]

Go talk to your Republican-appointed special prosecutor Fitzpatrick, who already said there is absolutely nothing to implicate the Obama administration. Of course, your Bushie and Cheney never broke a single law, right? That's why the economy's in such great shape and we're in one illegal war, and mercenaries are paid many times more than soldiers, and kill many more civilians too, and soldiers are ordered to torture or take prisoners that aren't proven guilty of a damn thing where they'll be tortured. Nice, legal, honest administration, wasn't it? I'm sure you'd like more of the same? Not this time.

[Bombalot]

My God, where is Likkud on this? I thought we wanted bipartisanship?

[blood1]

As the GOP pundits are salivating over the opportunity to bash Obama, why would anyone in their right mind want to give them food for foder? I suggest that the Obama team do exactly that...release any contact information they had with Blago then move on, (all this delay is only adding fuel for the GOP fire). If it was someone in the Transition team who notified the FBI, then let that out as well- we would have a big party for that individual! Please get it out in December, so that by Jan 20, 2009, the Obama team can get to work on what really matters to all of those who don't live in Illinois. In the end, the GOP and their current handling of the autoworkers will overshadow this matter when the next election cycle rolls around.

[plutocrat03]

Thats right. If there is nothing there, then say so and move one. Hiding Emanuel and Axelrod from the press will not do anything but ramp up the frenzy to get n answer. Remember the FBI likely has tapes of some of the conversations. As long as there is no quid quo pro there is no story. If he was trying to be cute, then he needs to be cut loose.

I disagree about the failed auto deal. The conditions that the Democratic leadership placed in the bailout bill would have been a final nail in the automakers coffin. W will do something on his own and give them a chance. Remember they are supposed to build what the people want, not what some third party says they should buy. How easy will it be to sell GMs 40K Volt when it comes out?

We know the history of command economies and it is not pretty.

[nameyour]

From the Lipman Times:

Colbert Report Video of the Night::

Rob Blagojevich's Birthday:

http://www.lipmantimes.com/?p=877

The LT: All Obama. All The Time.

[saltpeter]

AGAIN, Blagojevich was in the midst of trying to shakedown on a children's hospital and trying to remove editorial reporters at the Chicago Tribune within the same month that his little con game with the Senate seat was going on. It's clear that Blagojevich is a political opportunists and both Obama and Emanuel's only crime was to give this opportunists an opportunity. It's like if I'm manager of a 7/11 and you somehow get promoted to Assistant Manager and I hand over the keys to you and you rob the joint, I'm not then liable for your actions.

[slterry40]

Bad analogy. You very well could be liable, if you had reason to know when you hired the person that they were a criminal. It's called negligent hiring. A little hard to believe that Obama rose through such filth and came out clean, but we will see.

[AdamAnt12]

yes, we will see. I have my doubts, too. Too bad, I was just getting to the point that I trusted him, but with Hillary's appointment, which is obvious pay-back for some deal, and now this, I am very skeptical on Obama's cleanliness.

Let's see what he will do next. He should come forward and TELL THE TRUTH....not spin or CYA....but we;ll see, won't we?

[saltpeter]

Fitzgerald has already said that there was nothing on OBAMA to suggest that he was willing to play ball. Again, you're clutching at straws and holding OBAMA accountable for the crimes of associates. There are plenty of Illinois politicians who are NOT douchebags. But the people who only see the world in black and white don't look at it that way. And the ANALOGY without the even recent HISTORY of Blagojevich himself; shakedowns, payoffs, and spiteful influence on what reporters should be fired in lieu of financial help (all of which OBAMA had NOTHING to do with as well) is willful ignorance about the PATTERN of ABUSE (a lot like that GW BUSH'S). It is the kind of abuse comes from people like BUSH and Blagojevich who have a sense of entitlement. I have never felt that OBAMA feels that way. He doesn't come from a well-connected family and he has worked hard for what has EARNED. What he has, he has through the merit of that hard work. If you want to wean corruption from the halls of power, actually prosecute those like BUSH who abuse their power and reward those who do not (even though they have to put up with too many elected tools who do).

[420]

Enough of all this wasted energy. This energy is needed to get our country back on track. Obama is thorough, have we not learned this yet?

[AdamAnt12]

Oh, pluesh!!!! Can't anyone questionANYTHING about Obama? What is there, some kind of civilian ARMY monitoring what people are saying? Oops, I forgot, Obama is going to do just this!!

[john pa]

Yeah, no one has really vetted or questioned Obama, except for playing Reverend Wright clips 24/7 two weeks straight during the primary, Bill Ayers for last two weeks of the general and Tony Resko intermittantly throughout.

It must be so frustrating for you that Obama never did anything wrong in any of these "scandals," giving no permanent legs to these stories, and therefore no ammunition for his adversaries. I'm afraid you'll have to judge him in 8 years on how he actually governed...I know, very frustrating.

And your comment about Obama monitoring people's conversations is hilarious--I hope I don't need to explain why.

[ChangingmynamefromSarah]

So.
Get off the topic media; you're perpetuating the myth and giving this non-story legs just by merely talking about it. Sure, everyone loves a scandal but I'd like to think that ratings aren't everything. There's real news taking place that's not even being reported; sure it may not be as interesting, but it's FAR more important.
Just bleeping move on...

[brodon]

Surely this must be a Vast Right Wing Conspiracy lie.