Blagojevich Allegations Put in Question Obama’s Promise of Transparency
The recent arrest and exposure of the Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is being presented by many in the liberal biased mass media as a unique extraordinary aberration of politics in America today. Mr. Blagojevich did not arise in a vacuum but was able to rise to hold the most powerful office in his state coming from an underprivileged background under the careful influence and advice of many power brokers including his father in law Alderman Mell, Senate President Emil Jones (also an important Obama mentor), and convicted pay to play fundraiser Tony Rezko.
Jones, Rezko, and recently named Obama Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel have had more than frequent interactions with Governor Blagojevich for many years. Rahm Emauel was hand picked to replace Blagojevich’s Congressional seat when he made the move to governor. Although Obama denies close ties with Blagojevich he was clearly more than just supportive of the Governor in his most recent re-election campaign were he and Emanuel played key roles and made frequent strong public endorsements despite growing questions of improprieties towards the governor.
There is strong evidence that Rahm Emanuel is recorded more than once speaking with Blagojevich as reported separately by Fox News and the Chicago Sun-Times. Mr. Emanuel hesitated taking the Chief of Staff job many insiders are saying because he was hoping the get a shot at the Senate appointment so it is impossible to imagine that Emanuel is in the dark about what was going on. The Sun-Times also noted that it was very unusual and significant for Mr. Emanuel not to have been present at the recent Obama news conference. His absence can only mean he wanted to avoid questions about what he knows or said about the Blagojevich affair.
Since becoming a Senator, Mr. Obama has on numerous occasions called for complete transparency in governmental leaders decisions. He has stated that all organizations, persons, documents, and schedules should be publicly posted. In addition he has stated that no deliberations should be held in secret regarding government activities except for national security or to protect privacy matters.
The selection process for the replacing the Illinois Senate seat for Mr. Obama represents a clear and intentional deviation from Mr. Obama’s previously stated policies. No one is suggesting yet that Mr. Obama would partake or suggest or approve of such bartering for personal gain. However, the real question and perhaps the most important question is what would Mr. Obama do if he knew another very important Democrat was doing wrong? Obama and or his staff had the duty and the responsibility to immediately report any wrong doing they perceived was being done by Blagojevich. Some have contemplated that Mr. Obama did work with Federal prosecutors but his own statement that he has had no contact with them would seem to rule out that possiblity.
Has Mr. Obama been so naive in his ascension to power in the corrupt world of Chicago politics that he could not see any problems with Governor Blagojevich. This would make the President elect a truly gullible and manipulated servant of those less well intentioned. No, it would seem more likely that like many other politicians have done in the past he was not himself a directly corruptible figure but like a race horse wearing blinders avoided seeing the the situation around him so he could get to the finish.
Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, served as an officer in Army Reserve, and holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years.He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
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