Enjoy chewing on your bail of hay boys...

What are you - worried that the Obama administration will never give you any real reason to get all cynical-snarky on us?

Don't worry Tano, Steve doesn't need a reason to be cynical.

"I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening."
"I," "we"........oohlawee, I sure gotta p..

Well Drew, ain't sure just exactly what your point is here, but after 8 (16..20...28...32...40... How old did you say you were?) yrs of hanging around the urinal, I guess the stench doesn't bother you. ;-)

"It isn't that there is actual evidence of wrong doing"

but don't let that stop me....

"but that we are getting the same old nonsense we always get from our politicians. Lying, dodging, and bravo sierra.'

Actually no. Its funny watching you try to force a venal interpretation on a situation that doesn't warrant it. I'll grant that you admit there is no evidence of wrong doing, but then you wish to proceed with your analysis and interpretation as if there was.

Sounds downright kneejerk to me. What are you - worried that the Obama administration will never give you any real reason to get all cynical-snarky on us?

"I had no contact with the governor or his office and so we were not, I was not aware of what was happening."

"I," "we"........oohlawee, I sure gotta p..

Who knows. I guess he misspoke, just like Axelrod.

Maybe we should get ready for a lotta "misspeakers" in this upcoming administration, and maybe some "no longer operative" statements.

Man the point of this post went right over you head. It isn't that there is actual evidence of wrong doing, but that we are getting the same old nonsense we always get from our politicians. Lying, dodging, and bravo sierra.

and

Well let me see.

It is Obama's home state. It is Obama's own party. It is Obama's own senate seat. And Obama did seem to have some interest in who was appointed.

Yeah...good call there.

and

And just to be clear, I don't think Obama has done anything illegal here. Unethical? Maybe, I don't know. As for Emanuel...I don't know either and there is nothing indicating that anything illegal has been done. The point is that we are getting the usual song and dance we always get from our elected leaders when even the hint of impropriety pops up. Instead of a forthright condemnation of Blagojevich's actions we get shrewd political calculations.

Frankly, I find it most humorous. I find it funny that when the time comes, Obama reveals himself to be just like every other politician out there and nothing more.

Steve, I don't think you've established that Obama & Crew are doing what you claim they're doing here. You state that you don't think Obama's done anything wrong, so the point of your post is... to complain that, even though this story only broke, what, 5 days ago, you want all players involved to be standing on their soapboxes shouting denunciations at the top of their lungs? You simply come off sounding jaded and impatient.

The headline at TPM about 10 minutes ago was that an Obama spokesperson said they were asked by Fitzgerald to delay releasing their internal findings until next week:

At the direction of the President-elect, a review of Transition staff contacts with Governor Blagojevich and his office has been conducted and completed and is ready for release. That review affirmed the public statements of the President-elect that he had no contact with the governor or his staff, and that the President-elect's staff was not involved in inappropriate discussions with the governor or his staff over the selection of his successor as US Senator.
"Also at the President-elect's direction, Gregory Craig, counsel to the Transition, has kept the US Attorney's office informed of this fact-gathering process in order to ensure our full cooperation with the investigation.

"In the course of those discussions, the US Attorney's office requested the public release of the Transition review be deferred until the week of December 22, in order not to impede their investigation of the governor. The Transition has agreed to this revised timetable for release.

So maybe Alex was right after all. And even if you are cynical about this quote, you still seem to be jumping the gun here.

At least say the above, something like, "There has been nothing either illegal or unethical done regarding President Elect Obama's senate seat...

They have already said this.

"but due to a request by U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald I can't really comment anymore."

and according to a report on NPR this afternoon, they have done an audit of all contacts between the Obama transition team and the Blago team, and will be releasing it at some point next week at the request of the prosecutors.

More details will follow in about a half hour, I am sure, at Obama's presser.

As for Obama, he really has taken an overly cautious approach here, and I doubt Fitzgerald has told him not to come out and talk about it. Coming out strong on day one and saying, "This is horrible and Blagojevich should resign immediately as he can no longer serve the people of Illinois," would have done the trick.

Seeing as he already said this Steve, it would seem your only complaint is that he did not say it soon enough to suit you.

In addition, his assertion that none on his staff had conversations re: his replacement was absurd on its face.......

A correction Drew: He never said his staff had had no conversations, only that he had had no conversations, and could not say for certain who had.

Man the point of this post went right over you head.

Not really, I just think the point is bogus and trite.

Its pretty easy to say "this is not change". Obama has Clintonites working for him, this is not change!

He retained Gates! This is not change!

You can go on for a long ways with this line.

There are a lot of ways to define change. Your definition may be different than mine. Does not necessarily mean either one of us is right or wrong.

Obama is a politician. He has to deal with political reality.

Actually, I still think Obama is something special. I think he is an extraordinarily bright and talented guy who is going be a good, possibly a great President. Do I doubt that he can be cold, calculating and ruthless? Not for a moment. You don't get to where he is without those qualities. If I want a saint, I will go to church. So far, the level of humanity Obama has shown me is something I am happy with.

If it makes you feel good to think you are schooling people about life in the big city, don't let me get in the way. You sound like a pretty bright guy who is a bit pompous. Maybe you will outgrow it at some point...

And just to be clear, I don't think Obama has done anything illegal here. Unethical? Maybe, I don't know. As for Emanuel...I don't know either and there is nothing indicating that anything illegal has been done. The point is that we are getting the usual song and dance we always get from our elected leaders when even the hint of impropriety pops up. Instead of a forthright condemnation of Blagojevich's actions we get shrewd political calculations.

It seems you and I are taking different perspectives of this, even if we reach similar conclusions.

The song and dance routine is happening because the Obama camp has to say something, they can't just pretend they haven't heard what's going on. But at the same time, they don't want to say anything, because then they are "involved" with the story. Look at Jessie Jackson Jr, before he made a statement (but after he was named), he wasn't involved, but as soon as he started talking about it, even to deny any involvement, he became involved in the story. I think that Obama desperately doesn't want to be involved in the story, and proving that he wasn't involved in the crime would necessarily involve him in the story.

Now I'm not trying to excuse Obama, I think he'd be better to involve himself in the story rather than trying to avoid the inevitable, but I don't think this is secrecy or lying.

If he's done no wrong, why are Obama's people angry and on the defensive?

Comes with politics. I can't think of a lot of examples where president's people aren't angry and on the defensive at anything that hints of criticism. Partly because its their job to do so, to let the leader look presidential.

Bush's people reacted the same way when it was suggested he lied about WMD - which I don't think he did btw. In theory they didn't have to, there was no proof of any lie, but in politics it seems to pay off to be angry and defensive.

Any chance PFitz made this public BEFORE it could percolate sufficently to implicate Obama? Coverups take time. (Not suggesting BO, but hisa minions) PF putting the interests of the country ahead of a blockbuster prosecution?

Obama defenders, relax. There is no evidence of wrongdoing re:Blago, as we sit today. But your bigger picture blindness is laughable. For years Obama was attached at the hip to Emil Jones, President of the IL Senate. Go do your homework on Emil and report back to us on how Obama can possibly have clean hands throughout his political career. (snicker)

Obama's slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww as molasses on a wintry Chicago morning response is inexcusable. At best it looks calculating. At worst it looks, well, calculating. What, exactly, did he need to calculate? In addition, his assertion that none on his staff had conversations re: his replacement was absurd on its face.......and now demostrably false. C'mon Mr Hope, Change and Fresh Face, get on yer game. This is lame.

If PF thinks it best for the trial to shut Emanuel up, is it not similarly best for Obama's Presidency to get an aid not so hamstrung?

My opinion is that Obama's been kind of busy with more important stuff. If he and his staff are not guilty in the Blago stuff, I'm sure they are not interested in wasting too much time on it.

Well let me see.

It is Obama's home state. It is Obama's own party. It is Obama's own senate seat. And Obama did seem to have some interest in who was appointed.

Yeah...good call there.

While his statements so far haven't been entirely forthcoming, there's not even a hint that any of them have been less than truthful.

Uhhmmm...yeah. That's the point here. Bueller...Bueller....

The call for change included an end to partisanship. I can see why some of you guys don't want change.

Actually I like partisanship to the extent that it paralyzes government and slows down its expansion both in terms of size and its scope of powers.

And just to be clear, I don't think Obama has done anything illegal here. Unethical? Maybe, I don't know. As for Emanuel...I don't know either and there is nothing indicating that anything illegal has been done. The point is that we are getting the usual song and dance we always get from our elected leaders when even the hint of impropriety pops up. Instead of a forthright condemnation of Blagojevich's actions we get shrewd political calculations.

Frankly, I find it most humorous. I find it funny that when the time comes, Obama reveals himself to be just like every other politician out there and nothing more.

And yet Obama has said he will release information about all contacts between his staff and Blago's. Apparently you guys can't wait more than 14 seconds for that info. Hey, if he doesn't follow through, go ahead and dog him. But I think it's a bit early to start doing that.

While his statements so far haven't been entirely forthcoming, there's not even a hint that any of them have been less than truthful. And Patrick Fitzgerald (who has actually seen the evidence) doesn't seem to think there's anything there.

The call for change included an end to partisanship. I can see why some of you guys don't want change.

If Emanuel is going to be called as a witness, you don't want him talking to the press, you know...

Not buying it. At least say the above, something like, "There has been nothing either illegal or unethical done regarding President Elect Obama's senate seat, but due to a request by U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald I can't really comment anymore."

Emanuel's response strikes a very bad note, sounds like something I'd expect from the Bush White House with their penchant for secrecy.

As for Obama, he really has taken an overly cautious approach here, and I doubt Fitzgerald has told him not to come out and talk about it. Coming out strong on day one and saying, "This is horrible and Blagojevich should resign immediately as he can no longer serve the people of Illinois," would have done the trick. Instead he played it cuatiously...too cautiously. It is almost like he doesn't realize he wone the election and is the President Elect and doesn't have to tiptoe around sleaze bags like Blagojevich.

Anjin-san,

And unless you have evidence to the contrary, you are pretty much just running your yap.

Man the point of this post went right over you head. It isn't that there is actual evidence of wrong doing, but that we are getting the same old nonsense we always get from our politicians. Lying, dodging, and bravo sierra.

I know you may have thought Obama was something special, but he really is just a regular politician--i.e. probably not a very nice person when you get right down to it. After all, how many nice people aspire to be the most powerful man in the world? I'm thinking not many.

And think of this, he probably saw or knew of some rather unsavory practices in Chicago/Illinois politics. What did he do? Look the other way. Is it illegal? No. Is it unethical? Yes.