Friday, December 12, 2008

Democrat Governor Criticizes Obama Response

I agree that Obama has bungled the response to the Blagojevich scandal.

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell today criticized Barack Obama for not being more upfront about the Illinois corruption scandal.

Now, he said, the story will continue to dominate the media’s attention.

“They have never been in an executive position before,” Rendell said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” “The rule of thumb is whatever you did, say it and get it over with and make it a one-day story as opposed to a three-day story. Politicians are always misjudging the intelligence of the American people.”

Known for his blunt critiques of fellow Democrats, Rendell did not hold back during the interview.

The public, said Rendell, understands Obama and his aides would have an interest in who fills the Senate seat and some contact with the governor’s office — and that Obama should have said as much at the outset.

“Did Rahm Emanuel, who took Rod Blagojevich’s seat in Congress, have contact with Rod Blagojevich? Of course he did,” Rendell said. “They may have thought he was the craziest S.O.B. in the world. But you still have to have contact with him.”

The criminal complaint essentially exonerates Obama and his staff, Rendell said, because it quotes Blagojevich as saying the president-elect would offer him nothing but appreciation for appointing Obama confidant Valerie Jarrett to the position.

I disagree, however, with the last statement excerpted.  The issue is not only whether or now Obama was willing to give Blagojevich anything to get his pick into the seat.  The issue is also whether or not Obama or his staff knew that Blagojevich was trying to sell the seat and, if so, why they didn’t report it to the authorities.

(2) Comments
Posted by Owen at 1704 hrs
Politics + Politics - General

  1. This is what you get when the majority of voters elected Dumb and Dumber.  This is a case of inexperience and if this is a sign of things to come, then the country is sure in big trouble.  Chances are Obama and his staff did nothing wrong but yet they cover it up like Watergate.  Why?

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 13, 2008 at 1125 hrs


  2. Speaking of “Dumb”, I see he got himself a German Shepherd puppy!  I guess “Dumber” is going to wait until he is in the White House before deciding what kind to get.

    Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on December 13, 2008 at 1151 hrs


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