Blago Trial Rattles Insiders

[Geee]

Politico:

Rod Blagojevich trial rattles insiders

By JONATHAN ALLEN | 6/2/10 5:15 AM EDT

The corruption trial of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is already shaping up to be a political circus, promising to lay bare the underbelly of Chicago politics.

But while the stakes are clear for Blagojevich – he could be the fourth Illinois governor in 40 years to retire to a federal prison – some of the most powerful Washington insiders are braced for potential political damage from the trial, which begins Thursday.

President Barack Obama, Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Rep. Jesse L. Jackson Jr. all have at least some skin in the game, according to documents produced by prosecutors, defense lawyers and the White House counsel. Blagojevich has been charged with engaging in state-level kickback schemes, but Washington is much more focused on allegations he tried to sell Obama’s old Senate seat.

None of these Washington insiders have been accused of wrongdoing. But their names are sure to come up in testimony.

“It’s like a soap opera,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.). “Everyone will be watching it.”

Here’s a cheat sheet on those who may face some political exposure.

President Barack Obama

District Court Judge James B. Zagel has quashed an effort by Blagojevich’s lawyers to issue a subpoena to the sitting president.

The Blagojevich defense team contends the president can clear up inconsistencies in a portion of the case offered by prosecutors that deals with interactions a labor union official is reported to have had with Obama, Jarrett and Blagojevich over the course of several days in early November 2008.

Defense lawyers say Obama sent a labor union official to make the case for Jarrett with Blagojevich. Yet Blagojevich himself offered the most exonerating assessment of Obama’s role, according to the prosecutors’ account.

“Blagojevich said he knows that the President-elect wants Senate Candidate 1 for the Senate seat but ‘they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. F[—-] them,’” reads the juiciest passage in the original complaint against Blagojevich.

But there are at least a couple of angles that could arm Obama’s political opponents if they are explored in depth at the trial: Convicted Chicago political fixer Tony Rezko – a onetime Obama supporter – could testify, thrusting his name back into the headlines.

In addition, any holes in the White House story, as told in a memo developed by incoming White House Counsel Greg Craig in December 2008, could tarnish the image the president has sought to build as a proponent of transparency.

Craig, who has since left the administration, wrote that the president-elect himself did not speak with Blagojevich directly and was opposed to advocating for any particular candidate.

[Valin]

This could be fun!!!

[nickydog]

I hope so!

[Al_Simmons]

I really hope that Blago is acquitted. Not because of our shared ethnic heritage, but because he's probably the most benign of this entire cast of characters (BHO, Rahmbo, etc.) And he's funny, plus he's got chutzbah.

 

He did nothing that wasn't accepted practice throughout most of our history vis-a-vis the Senate seat.

[Guest AnneV]

Can't wait to see which worms spew out of this can of...worms!!!