Marathon Pundit: Chicago Trib: Emanuel talked to Blago's office about Senate seat

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Chicago Trib: Emanuel talked to Blago's office about Senate seat

So far there is no proof that Rahm Emanuel engaged in any dealmaking in regards in who would replace Barack Obama in the US Senate, but conversations Rahm Emanuel and the office of Governor Rod Blagojevich did take place, according to an exclusive Chicago Tribune report.

Emanuel, who has long been close to both Blagojevich and Obama, has refused to respond to questions about any involvement he may have had with the Blagojevich camp over the Senate pick. A spokeswoman for Emanuel also declined to comment Friday.

One source confirmed that communications between Emanuel and the Blagojevich administration were captured on court-approved wiretaps.

Another source said that contact between the Obama camp and the governor's administration regarding the Senate seat began the Saturday before the Nov. 4 election, when Emanuel made a call to the cell phone of (Blagojevich chief-of-staff John) Harris. The conversation took place around the same time press reports surfaced about Emanuel being approached about taking the high-level White House post should Obama win.

(My note: That was around Halloween.)

Emanuel delivered a list of candidates who would be "acceptable" to Obama, the source said. On the list were Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, Illinois Veterans Affairs director Tammy Duckworth, state Comptroller Dan Hynes and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Chicago, the source said. All are Democrats.