Obama, Blagojevich and the Mainstream Media

John Kass:

So though Illinois isn't surprised—this is after all the home of the Chicago Way—the national media must be shocked.

They've been clinging to the ridiculous notion that Chicago is Camelot for months now, cleaving to the idea with the willfulness of stubborn children. It must help them see Obama as some pristine creature, perhaps a gentle faun of a magic forest, unstained by our grubby politics, a bedtime story for grown-ups who insist upon fairy tales. But now the national media may finally be forced to confront reality.

Unfortunately, in some very important respects, it is now too late.

Update: Via Bubba, it appears that the media-- and even Google-- are doing some things that will make the President-Elect's previously reported meeting with the governor, ostensibly regarding the Senate seat, seem dubious.  Are we witnessing more interference patterns being run on behalf of Obama; or have they been intimidated into backtracking on the previous reports?

Comments

[Fred Gregory]

He was just a Governor who lived in my neighborhood.

http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=ZjU0MmQxNDQyYzlkNWI4MTVkYTliZDU4ZDdlZjZjM2M=

[Joe Guarino]

Fred, we have heard a lot of denial over many months from the political left, and its accomplices in the MSM, about Obama's Chicago background and alliances.

Do you remember how the revelations about Bernard Kerik undermined Giuliani's bid for the presidency? By this time, it almost appears quaint compared to Obama's willful Chicago associations.

[Stormy]

I believe that Springfield is the state capitol of Illinois, so why does the governor, Blago, live in Chicago and have offices there? I know that his residence is Chicago, but does he not live in the governor's mansion in Springfield (if there is one)?

What's the possibility of Blago appointing wife Patti as Senator? She meets the minimum qualifications, and that would certainly be a stick in the eye for his critics. Harry Reid can bluster about not seating any Blago appointment, but he really would have no choice but to do so, as she meets the qualifications and Blago has the legal right to appoint her.

[Stormy]

Her is the best history of Obama's rise in politics that I have ever seen. It answers a lot of questions, and gives background to his 2008 campaign. After reading, I've decided that Obama is really just another little politician that hustled his way to the top and benefited from some good timing and breaks, not unlike Bill Clinton. In many ways their lives and careers are alike.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?currentPage=all

[Stormy]

The WSJ has advanced an answer as to why the FBI busted Blago before the crime of selecting a Senate seat could actually be sold.

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/14/the-real-story-behind-the-rushed-blagojevich-bust-how-the-feds-are-frustrated-by-losing-maybe-half-of-their-case/

It now sounds as though Blago's brother is in trouble along with his wife. Anyone want to wager that Blago will be making some deals to spare his wife and brother some prison time? Now, I wonder what is on those tapes for negotiations between Blago and Emanuel? Obama is playing keep away on this story as long as he can. He is likely trying to find out what the feds have one tape before he lays out what his internal investigation reveals.

[Joe Guarino]

I suppose the question, Stormy, is whether he (or his people) entered into any kind of negotiations with Blagojevich (or his people). Hopefully we will find out definitively at some point.

[keith]

thanks chicago tribune you screwed it up,read here

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/warner-todd-huston/2008/12/15/chicago-tribune-stopped-working-prosecutors-forced-arrest-ill-go

[Joe Guarino]

Indeed, Keith. I had seen this story earlier today, and yes, it appears an opportunity to catch them in the act might have been ruined, if the report is correct.