The Scandal Expands: Harry Reid Apparently Called Blago About Senate Seat 6 Days Before His Arrest
Deeper and deeper:
CHICAGO (AP) A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Reid called Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in early December to discuss the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Reid spokesman Jim Manley says the Nevada Democrat made one call to Blagojevich on Dec. 3.
That was six days before federal authorities arrested Blagojevich for allegedly trying to sell Obama’s seat.
Manley couldn’t immediately provide other details.
Apparently Reid wanted either Illinois VA chief Tammy Duckworth or current Illinois AG Lisa Madigan appointed:
Reid called Blagojevich to argue he appoint either state Veterans Affairs chief Tammy Duckworth or Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Sources say the Senate majority leader pushed against Jackson and Davis — both democratic congressmen from Illinois — and against Jones — the Illinois Senate president who is the political godfather of President-elect Barack Obama — because he did not believe the three men were electable. He feared losing the seat to a Republican in a future election.
Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero confirmed that Reid (D-Nev.) and U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) — the new chief of the Senate Democratic political operation — each called Blagojevich’s campaign office separately Dec. 3. Sources believe that at least portions of the phone conversations are on tape.
The question is, what did Reid and/or Menendez offer Blago in return for a favorable appointment?
Also, it’s interesting that Reid wanted two non-black women to fill Obama’s seat when it was clear that many Democrats wanted it to stay “black.” Also, Reid was obviously working contrary to Obama in filling this seat.
Is the honeymoon over for Obama in liberal land?
What’s sad is that I still think the Feds jumped the gun in making an arrest before Blago actually sold the seat. They should have waited for Obama or Reid or someone else to actually make a payment before jumping in.
As it is, I’m afraid this scandal - as indicative as it is of shady dealing on the left from Obama on down - may not actually result in any convictions.
