Say Anything Blog

On CBS they’re saying that it’s a “tough sell’ to tie Obama to the Blago scandal.

Wednesday’s CBS Early Show worked hard to put as much distance as possible between Barack Obama and disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, as correspondent Chip Reid reported: “Barack Obama and Rod Blagojevich have both been leaders in Illinois Democratic politics for years, but long-time observers say that’s about as far as the connection goes.”

Reid later dismissed Republican efforts to question Obama’s connection to the indicted Governor: “...that’s not stopping the Republican National Committee from trying to tie the two men together…Despite the occasional photo together, though, linking them could be a tough sell.”

Obama-loving media types may want this to be a “tough sell,” but it really isn’t.  And, really, I don’t think any of the honest commentators on the right are trying to “sell” anything on Blago and Obama.  There are some ardent partisans out there who are going to do whatever they can to sink Obama with Blago whether Obama deserves it or not, but certain undeniable facts about the relationship between the two make it clear that Obama is very much a part of this.

For instance, Obama should absolutely be held responsible for the fact that he worked on two of Blago’s campaigns.  By all accounts, Blago has always been a shady character among a plethora of shady characters in Chicago politics and Obama helped him get elected to office.  Twice.  Which illustrates yet another failure in Obama’s judgment when it comes to who he associates himself with professionally.

Also, we now know that Obama and Blago met face-to-face about this Senate appointment and that Obama lied about that meeting to the public just yesterday.

Finally, we know that Blago talked to someone in Obama’s camp - and possibly even Obama himself - about getting some favors in return for appointing someone of Obama’s liking.  Per the indictment, Blago asked for favors and apparently this person in the Obama camp turned him down.  What that could mean is that the Obama camp failed to report Blago’s shopping the Senate seat around to federal authorities.

So Obama is very much tied to this scandal.  He may not be explicitly guilty, but Blago was an Obama ally.  Obama worked for Blago.  Obama endorsed Blago for political office.  Obama has been less than truthful about his interaction with Blago concerning this Senate appointment.

There’s no denying any of that.