Arianna On "Larry King," Talks Blagojevich Scandal

Arianna appeared on "Larry King" Friday night, where she discussed what may have motivated Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and how the attempt to connect Obama and Blagojevich is off the mark.

WATCH: Arianna on what motivated Blagojevich

WATCH: Arianna on the Obama/Blagojevich connection

Comments

[WorldBetter]

If it's true that Emanuel had conversations with Blagojevic where he tried to influence the list of candidates then it's inappropriate.

Let's wait for the evidence on that before jumping to conclusions. Defending Emanuel until then is just partisan talk.

[Badfickle]

There is nothing inappropriate about Emanuel having conversations with Blagojevic about who the administration would like to see take the senate seat. It would be perfectly normal. What would be inappropriate is if Emanuel had offered him some sweetheart deal to pick a particular person. It's quite clear from the criminal complaint that that didn't happen. You can read it in Blago's own words you can hear it from Fitzgerald.

[ruedeseine]

This is exactly right.
It is amazing that most of the MSM cannot arrive at this SIMPLE conclusion.
My conclusion is that either the MSM is filled with idiots or they do recognize that there is "no story" but run with it anyway in order to fill up air time.
If that is the case, then they are a bunch of "hacks" and we should all just turn off the tube, pick up a book or cruise the internet. Eventually 24-hour TV news and their "pundits" will go the way of the newspapers. My 20-something children NEVER watch it. It reminds them of a longer version of the "evening news" problems which they find completely useless.

[ErikW65]

Would merely attempting to influence Blago's pick without any quid pro quo be illegal? I'm not sure it's even "inappropriate" to do so, since it is absolutely clear that there would be no money or favors forthcoming, (and thus Blago's anger at Obama.)

[LLisaLL]

Why would it be illegal to seek the counsel of others within your realm? How do you think wise people within any working sphere go about their decision making? By asking for advice and opinion. I'd venture to say that Obama's closest advisors are considered knowledgeable about who is qualified to possibly fill his Senate seat.

To throw around the word 'influence' and taint it with the suggestion of possible wrong-doing is over-stepping what those closest to this have said from the beginning; neither President elect Obama (don't that sound good?) or Emanuel are under any suspicion of wrong-doing in this matter. This isn't partisan talk, it's what the prosecutor has stated.

[solid]

I'm all for not jumping to conclusions, but you need to explain your first sentence. Why is it inappropriate to simply talk to the Governor's office?

You have a total of 1 lifetime post on Huffpo, this one. Why was it so important for you to sign up and make this post? I'm not sure I trust your motives.

[pvo]

Not only it's appropriate, it's totally responsible (and expected) that the seat be replaced with someone trustworthy to represent and serve the people who had entrusted Obama. I'd definitely want to have someone just as competent to represent my interests if I were in Chicago

[toocoldout]

Arianna is so brilliant.

[mzwednesday]

She's adorable:)

[Blain]

sexy is more like it!

[djsi]

Has anyone wondered why Fitzgerald didn't wait until AFTER the Senator is selected to reveal his info?

Then he'd get Blago + mystery Senate seat customer.

[janforgoodusfuture]

this is a very legitimate question. The answer is probably that they do not want the scandal to spread to DC. The FBI are saving somebody a--- doing that.... Overall, it is probably a wise move though. It is better to have a functioning Senate in these troubled days, than one overwhelmed by a wider scandal. Anyway, Jackson Jr aint gonna get it anyway, he is toast, at least for a few years...

[johnwinner]

If you read the transcript carefully, you'll realize no one was going to play ball with Blago, that;s why he's so p*ssed off. Sure there were overtures; but the Governor's corruption was so flagrant, no national politician would have taken him up on the offer. He probably would have ended up appointing his wife.

[jlarue]

Reversing these things seems it could be impossible. Given that there is talk that he can still appoint someone then thank goodness they did not let him actually do so before busting him. I hope this signals a big pushback against all crooks in politics no matter their party affiliation....all crooks and all greedy CEO's, too. Americans want their country back!

[Badfickle]

But then you'd have a very sticky situation in that you would have a sitting senator who has a cloud over their heads and the people of Illinois would have no effective representation. You'd have to determine if that person did anything illegal and if so go through the whole process of getting him/her removed. It's better for us in Illinois that the prosecuter did it this way.

[JeremyO]

There's no connection until there is. When Pat Fitzgerald says there is no Obama connection then there isn't. Who knows more about the case some moronic pundit at FAXE news or him? FOX news likes mislead and use disinformation to create a negative public image of anyone or thing that is not from the raging right wing. Let's see more "push back" people.

[djsi]

Well phrased Arianna !

[Softnsweet]

Thank Goodness for Arianna!

[Shieldmaiden]

Arianna you rock. That is all.

[stanjz]

We don't have a country, we have a corporation. We have one giant corporation made up of smaller corporations. Our corporate media wants to take down the guy who wants to make them go straight and honest. If I wasn't a Christian; I would call for a second civil war.

All the groups that supported Barack during the election could make a difference by boycotting their sponsors while they are hurting.
All the worst offenders(as far as hurting the middle class and country overall) are advertising on the networks. You have oil companies, drug companies, defense contractors, financial service companies and WalMart to name a few.

[Softnsweet]

I agree! When do we start Stanjz. I am sick of the lies just for ratings.

[jlarue]

Well said! Remember there is still some time left for this administration to get you into Gitmo though. Be careful what you say.

[tsand19151]

She is very pretty.

[lafrance]

Arianna, you rock! Thank you for saying what you have.
It really saddens me to see the press, the majority of them, trying to trash Obama's good name and decency.
They want people to hate him and think he is crooked when he's not.
I am so sick of this. They give Bushie boy a free pass for 7 years and won't even let obama get into the White House.
Sadly, those on Anderson Cooper and Cooper himself must not have been listening to you because an hour later they were right back at it.

[Roxanna]

You are Great Arianna....You always put things in perspective.

[americanalien]

Well said Arianna. You put everything into perspective.

[rejoiceinit]

Perfect.