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Obama works to distance himself from Ill. governor
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-12-10 09:38 In a Nov. 11 phone conversation with an aide, Blagojevich talked at length about "Candidate 1" and said he knew that Obama wanted her for the open seat but "they're not willing to give me anything except appreciation. (Expletive) them." One day later, Jarrett, a Chicago businesswoman who is one of three co-chairmen of Obama's transition team and was a high-level adviser to his presidential campaign, made it known that she was not interested in the seat. And, on Nov. 15, Obama announced that Jarrett would be a senior White House adviser and assistant for intergovernmental relations. Obama has maintained a cordial but distant relationship with Blagojevich during the governor's tenure. He supported his fellow Democrat for re-election in 2006, even though the governor backed someone else over Obama in the US Senate Democratic primary race in 2004. Obama has said little about the many misconduct allegations that have piled up against Blagojevich, and he has complimented Blagojevich for running "a sound administration" with "the right priorities." Obama's circle of major Illinois political allies and supporters is largely separate from Blagojevich's, with two major exceptions. Both Obama and Blagojevich got extensive money and support from Chicago businessman Antoin "Tony" Rezko, who is now under federal indictment. And Obama is close to Illinois Senate President Emil Jones, who has been the governor's staunchest legislative ally. At least one top aide to Obama, Michael Strautmanis, previously worked for Blagojevich. Obama has appointed Strautmanis to serve as White House chief of staff to the presidential assistant for intergovernmental relations and public liaison. The Chicago native was legislative director and counsel to Blagojevich when the governor was a member of Congress and then helped Blagojevich win the governorship in 2002. There is no indication that Strautmanis is involved in the case. More details on the case could be forthcoming. Court documents say they don't include all calls dealing with the governor's efforts regarding the Senate seat appointment. And many people in the documents are referred to by aliases; there's little doubt their identities will eventually surface. In Chicago, Obama largely kept a low profile as word of Blagojevich's arrest spread. He went to a gym to work out as he does most mornings but canceled a previously scheduled FBI briefing and, instead, headed to his transition office next door to the federal courthouse. He stayed there and mostly out of sight until a midday meeting with former Vice President Al Gore on environmental and energy issues. That was supposed to be the news of the day out of the Obama office but the president-elect found himself peppered with questions about Blagojevich when reporters entered the Gore meeting for a photo op. "Like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the US attorney's office today. But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I don't think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time," Obama said — and then he said he wasn't aware of Blagojevich's maneuvering. Robert Gibbs, an Obama spokesman, said: "We did not know about this recent part of the investigation until today." In court documents, FBI Special Agent Daniel Cain detailed several phone calls between Blagojevich and his aides that were intercepted on court-authorized wiretaps over the past month. Blagojevich is accused of conspiring to sell or trade the vacant Senate seat for personal benefits for himself and his wife, Patti. Among his alleged desires: a Cabinet post, placement at a private foundation in a significant position, campaign contributions or an ambassadorship. |
