CNN Political Ticker
December 23rd, 2008
04:39 PM ET
1146 days ago

Internal Obama report: No inappropriate contacts with Blagojevich

Internal report states no inappropriate contacts were made between Obama aides and Blagojevich.
Internal report states no inappropriate contacts were made between Obama aides and Blagojevich.

(CNN) - An internal report compiled by the Obama transition team concludes that neither President-elect Obama nor his aides - including incoming Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel - had any "inappropriate" contacts with embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich or Blagojevich's staff.

The report states that there is "no indication of inappropriate discussions with the governor or anyone from his office about a 'deal' or a quid pro quo arrangement in which he would receive a personal benefit in return for any specific appointment to fill the vacancy."

The report states that Obama himself had no "contact or communication with Governor Blagojevich or members of his staff about the Senate seat."

FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9 after federal prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he had tried to "sell" Obama's former Senate seat. It is the sole authority of the Illinois governor to name a successor who would serve the remaining two years of Obama's term.


Filed under: Obama transition • Rod Blagojevich
soundoff (125 Responses)
  1. Franky

    Well, there you go!! People finally have something to look at that...

    And by the way, since this is an investigation, is gonna take a long time until someone gets pinned down. Plus, our Gov is acting like nothig happens and he ain't stepping down but not only that looks bad on my boy but looks bad on us.

    I'm telling you, there ain't no stock in here and is gonna take some time...

    December 23, 2008 04:44 pm at 4:44 pm |
  2. AJ in Fla

    Yes, and I'm the king of England and further to that I have a nice bridge for sale in Montana

    December 23, 2008 04:45 pm at 4:45 pm |
  3. Alan

    Everyone slamming Obama for even KNOWING this yahoo of a governor should look at their OWN favorite candidates and leaders in Washington and questioning how and why needs to remember - this ISN'T the Republican party and it definitely isn't Bush/Cheney. There might actually not be lies and coverups and innuendo at play, you know?

    December 23, 2008 04:46 pm at 4:46 pm |
  4. Alert the media

    Obama team declares itself innocent of all charges...

    December 23, 2008 04:47 pm at 4:47 pm |
  5. B.O by any other name is still b.o.

    I found an internal report conducted by the Nixon team that says while president Nixon had no contact with, nor any involvement in Watergate.

    Imagine that.

    December 23, 2008 04:48 pm at 4:48 pm |
  6. Ken in NC

    Well the Obama team has released it's report indicating no wrong doing and until the Feds release the wire taps in a trial I have no proof that the findings of the Obama investigation are invalid. I hope his Team is aware that it would not serve them to lie in this report because the wire taps will prove them wrong and be very damaging to the Obama Administration. I think PE Obama is a much smarter man than that so now I'll wait to hear from the Feds on their investigation.

    December 23, 2008 04:49 pm at 4:49 pm |
  7. La Gorda

    I propose zero tolerance for sleaze in government. So far, I believe that the Obama Administration is starting off well. They have been honest, if a little slower than some would prefer. I think it is best to be careful about what you say and take your time, myself.

    Gov. Blagojevich may or may not have committed a crime. Perhaps offering to sell a Senate seat is not a crime if you haven't actually received the money for it yet.

    Whether he committed a crime or not, he does not deserve to remain in public office. We all read what he said. There is no acceptable way for a governor to make those comments and keep the trust of the citizens of his state.

    He should be impeached, and there's no reason to take a lot of time doing it. Can you imagine a scenario in which he explains those comments in a way that public confidence in him will be restored.

    No one has a right to public office. Public office is the property of the people, and it is held in their trust.

    December 23, 2008 04:50 pm at 4:50 pm |
  8. Kim, Charlotte, NC

    Next...............

    December 23, 2008 04:51 pm at 4:51 pm |
  9. boered1

    So internal records show no inappropriate contact
    The prosecuter says no inappropriate contact
    The TAPES dshow not only no inappropriate contact but that the contact that was started by Blagojevich was turned down and that angered Blagojevich
    The FBI says no inappropriate contact
    The soon to be President says no inappropriate contact
    the soon to be Vice President says no inappropriate contact
    No evidence exist ANYWHERE of inappropriate contact

    The members of the radical religious right will now sound off on why they KNOW that President (Elect) Obama is guilty of treason, high crimes and misdomenors because he once bought some land, and got a good deal on the price of the land, from a guy who has some ties to this case in 3.2.1....

    idiots if that is your only evidence how about trying bush and cheny for the crimes comitted by CONVICTED republicans Lay and Stephens after all they were close friends with these two men and had deals with them while in the White House.. but I know that doesn't count since they are Republicans and you KNOW that they are all good people...

    idiots

    December 23, 2008 04:52 pm at 4:52 pm |
  10. Marc PTD

    Not really news. But it would have been flabbergasting news if Obama's camp had released findings along the lines of "Oh, yes, we were right in the middle of the whole mess". Of course their findings are that they are fully innocent. LOL!

    December 23, 2008 04:53 pm at 4:53 pm |
  11. boered1

    AJ your bridge is in Alaska.. no wait you supported that bridge but then, when told it was not going to be funded, said thanks but no thanks.... is that the bridge you are talking about? But than maybe she was under the influence of something since the mother of her pregnant daughter's fiancee was a drug dealer and I KNOW they have met and probably talked and had events together....

    December 23, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  12. naqib

    Well that clears that up... thanks fellas!

    December 23, 2008 04:54 pm at 4:54 pm |
  13. HouseDiva

    CNN why are you not reporting about Mike Connel?

    quit practicing yellow journalism, and get to the truth!

    December 23, 2008 04:55 pm at 4:55 pm |
  14. Marc

    Case Closed!!

    Obama......A Real American Hero!!

    December 23, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |
  15. Baze

    This is like the Patriots' investigation of Spy Gate.

    December 23, 2008 04:56 pm at 4:56 pm |
  16. Joke Report

    Let's see if I understand this. There is a suspicion that the Obama Team had inappropriate contact with Governor Price is Right, so in response, the Obama Team did an exhaustive investigation into the matter, and issued a report clearing themselves.

    Anybody else see a conflict of interst here or a circular mentality?

    December 23, 2008 04:59 pm at 4:59 pm |
  17. debbie

    The Feds have been after this guy for YEARS – if there was something on Obama, they'd have it. The fact that an Obama aide may have told this nutjob "Obama would like to see XXX in the seat" doesn't mean anything. This guy has a mental illness ... he's a sociopath and his perception of reality is distorted to say the least.

    December 23, 2008 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |
  18. Norom

    AJ, don't you mean a bridge in Alaska?

    Jesus Christ himself could be the president elect and the Reptilian haters would be looking for ways to slime him

    December 23, 2008 05:00 pm at 5:00 pm |
  19. Becky,KS

    Wow. Obama's people did the investigation. They concluded that Obama is innocent. Wow. What a newsflash. Did anyone expect Obama's staff to say anything different? How ridiculous.

    December 23, 2008 05:02 pm at 5:02 pm |
  20. Jean2

    THE GOVERNOR IS THE ONE BEING CHARGED.

    All of you should be asking about what happened to the money given the banks.

    December 23, 2008 05:03 pm at 5:03 pm |
  21. Ike from PA

    Yo guys HELLLLOOOOOO!! Read the report. The President-Elect and some of his aides were actually interviewed by the US Attorney. Do you really think this is some kind of smoking gun or some kind of self declared innocence? This was about transparency and waiting until the US Attorney could meet with anyone who may have or did have contact with Blago's office. I think cynicism is overtaking your sense of getting facts before making judgments. Do you really think that the Obama team would release a report that the US Attorney could eventually dispute?

    December 23, 2008 05:04 pm at 5:04 pm |
  22. Dan

    Obama haters are a sorry lot. There was never a single shred of evidence that Obama had anything to do with this. The Feds were monitoring Blago-dork for how long? If there was illegal contact, it would have come out by now.

    Anything to hate on Obama, no matter how ridiculous. You are all a bunch of pathetic whiny losers who make me laugh with your stupid comments. Crawl into a hole and die already.

    December 23, 2008 05:05 pm at 5:05 pm |
  23. Erika

    This is funny! So much for change. Let's have all the crooks do investigations of themselves! Idiots. The American public surely cannot be this stupid. The foxes are watching the hen house, I see.

    December 23, 2008 05:05 pm at 5:05 pm |
  24. Ian

    This report seems credible to me–from page 66 of Blagojevich's indictment:

    "Later in the conversation, ROD 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....'"

    So it sounds to me like Obama's people let Blagojevich know who they would prefer for the Senate seat, but were clear that they weren't going to get into any quid-pro-quo games for it.

    December 23, 2008 05:05 pm at 5:05 pm |
  25. Suzi

    Supposedly Blagojevich's conversations were taped. Do you really think Obama's team would lie about it when it will be in a report? And since when has ANYTHING ever been a secret in our government? There are always leaks on every topic.

    PE Obama is a man of integrity and has made every effort to investigate his team ahead of time to make sure they have the same standards. Yes, he has to interact with the people in the world, just as you and I do – especially in his home state.

    His team is incredibly busy right now preparing the transition for Obama to take over our country during the most difficult time - probably ever. I can't imagine how complicated it must have been for his team to go through their records to find out who talked to that idiot Blagojevich, let alone recreate the conversation. It's normal business for them to contact the governor of their home state.

    December 23, 2008 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |
  26. Peace

    Folks get over it! There was no any deal which was carried out. No one on earth gets convicted if he hasn't done anything.

    It was caught on tape that Obama team is not ready to give anything. Can anyone tell me what was the wrong-doing done here!!!

    December 23, 2008 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |
  27. P. D.

    So, after days of endless coverage, this is coming to a close. Why aren't the MSM investigating the disappearance of billions of dollars in Iraq? MSM loves the trivial crap. Isn't their some celebrity in hot water?

    December 23, 2008 05:06 pm at 5:06 pm |
  28. Kevin, Austin

    Joke Report should change his name to Joke Poster... There is no conflict of interest in Obama releasing a report that says he and his team had no inappropriate dealings with Blagovich. You don't have to believe him. The FBI has done it's own investigations and THERE IS ZERO SUSPICION from them that Obama or his team did anything wrong. So grow up, grow a pair, stop being a weasel.

    December 23, 2008 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  29. mary

    People who don't want Obama to succeed are always going to find something wrong with whatever decisions he makes, so I'm sure this investigation will hold no weight with them.
    The man hasn't even been sworn in and he's already received so much negativity. To me it's just immature the way some folks in America are acting towards the president -elect, and quite, may I add unpatriotic.
    Give the man the same chance we gave the sorry administration his is replacing. That's the least we can do. My hats off to him for even wanting to be the President with what Bush left behind for him to inherit-- A BIG MESS!

    December 23, 2008 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  30. Scott NYC Independent

    @ joke report – No because if you were paying attention the U.S. Attorney – Fitzgerald said the same thing when this scandel initially broke. Is there a reason that you can see why the press didn't want to believe the U.S. Attorney who broke the case?

    December 23, 2008 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |
  31. AEK

    It would appear that the Obama team report that there was no "inappropriate" contact in relation to his Senate seat is supported by Patrick Fitzgerald's comments weeks ago. Of course you know that partisan hack who tenaciously investigated and prosecuted the Bush/Chaney/Rove folks too probably can't really be trusted. So I guess the haters will just have to find a new subject and Rush and Billo the Clown can go to commercial.

    December 23, 2008 05:08 pm at 5:08 pm |
  32. go away mongers Ventura ca

    Just as we knew already- Barack Obama is above this sleaze-ifested numbskull. Too bad that people like Blago, Rove, Cheney, Bush, Rumsfeld, Seamtor Wide-Stance, etal seem to take over the news cycles.
    CHANGE is on the way and it's a good thing it is!

    December 23, 2008 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |
  33. HouseDiva

    Blago is a diversion...wake up people

    December 23, 2008 05:09 pm at 5:09 pm |
  34. Matt

    In American politics, the accusation equals the conviction.

    December 23, 2008 05:10 pm at 5:10 pm |
  35. Mike H.

    Obama folks investigate themselves and render a verdict of not gulity. Did anyone expect a different result? What a joke!

    December 23, 2008 05:10 pm at 5:10 pm |
  36. Diversity is the key

    And of course it doesn't matter to any of you wanting the Obama team to be involved that the the investigating federal prosecutors had pointed out several times that neither Obama or his team is a target of the investigation.

    Pretty pathetic that people want him to be involved just so they can feel better their candidate lost.

    December 23, 2008 05:11 pm at 5:11 pm |
  37. Seth

    The report seems very unbiased being an "internal investigation". What a friggin joke.

    December 23, 2008 05:11 pm at 5:11 pm |
  38. Scott NYC Independent

    We have become so jaded with Presdients lying to us about almost anything that when they are being honest most people want to believe the worst. The U.S. attorney already cleared the Obama Team so why did the press keep saying there might be something here we don't know. Why did the press go for the head lines instead of the truth and why was the U.S. Attorney's word not good enough? Now that Obama conducted an internal investigation and released it, which I might remind everyone was what the MSM and republicans were yelling for the past week, its useless and not valid because he was "investigating" himself. Actually the Obama team were just crossing their "I's" and "T's" or in the business world its called CYA

    December 23, 2008 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |
  39. Tony

    I don't know why the report was even released. No matter what it says the media is going to continue to blame Obama for Blagos actions. If this is what an Obama Presidency is going to be like, I feel for him. No matter what he is going to be harshly criticized.

    December 23, 2008 05:14 pm at 5:14 pm |
  40. wanda

    @ Joke Report posted 4:59

    GOD IS A GOOD, ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    December 23, 2008 05:17 pm at 5:17 pm |
  41. Bloomfield NJ

    Please let move on to issues with substance like war crimes against the current Administration… I wish MSM asked this kind of questions before going to IRAQ war…

    December 23, 2008 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |
  42. No Smoking Gun

    Oh I know Sean Hannity is having a cow. He really hates Obama. But we love our next president.....next.

    December 23, 2008 05:19 pm at 5:19 pm |
  43. Soccer Nana

    All of the tapes will be played in court and everyone will hear who spoke to whom and what was said to whom.

    Obama, as well as his Transition Team are well aware of this; that being said, they have no reason to "attempt" to deceive us.

    Blagojevich is the person being investigated; let's remember that.

    December 23, 2008 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |
  44. Henry Miller, Cary, NC

    "No inappropriate contacts?" Sounds like someone's being accused of being a bit too "hands on," if you know what I mean...

    But maybe that's a good way to describe having their hands in someone else's back pocket–like most politicians do.

    December 23, 2008 05:20 pm at 5:20 pm |
  45. chad

    Never saw an "internal" investigation that I trusted. This terminology is usually a dead give away that something has been covered up especially when you hear it from the military. One usually snickers and crosses their fingers behind their backs when reporting of their own "internal" investigations.

    December 23, 2008 05:21 pm at 5:21 pm |
  46. Joe Fattal

    As I said once, politicians especially chicage style don't do nothing illegal. It might be inappropriate, unethical, unfounded, but nothing illegal.

    December 23, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |
  47. Lori

    This is exactly what the Republicans did to Bill Clinton. Spents years focusing on Monica Lewinsky and took him away from the real issues like catching Bin Laden. I hope to God that Obama does not waste time and get sidetracked on ridiculous issues like this Blago affair and focuses on getting America back on track.

    Watch out Barack, the Republicans want to sidetrack you so that they can blame you for not doing anything. Don't be fooled and best of luck our future President!

    December 23, 2008 05:22 pm at 5:22 pm |
  48. Kathy in MA

    Is there so little news that we have to talk this to death? According to the transcripts we heard from Atty Fitzgerald, Gov. Blago was p.o.-ed because all he could get from the Obama team was "appreciation". Doesn't that tell the story? Why waste time on speculation, unless the Repub's want to taint the new President-Elect. This is beginning to sound like "when did you stop beating your wife?".
    So get a life, on the right, and wait for the good stuff coming from the O-team.

    December 23, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |
  49. Ellen Bradley

    Really? What's the story, then, with that woman Obama won't let out of his sight that is now back on his staff? She had been considered for that post in Illinois...

    December 23, 2008 05:23 pm at 5:23 pm |
  50. Al, atheist from California

    Good to have finally a president we can trust. Trust not blindly but based on facts we know and on history of his service. Excellent team too.
    The more details federal investigation will release to public the better.
    Blagojevich should have been in republican party – there he'd get cronies and environment and rewards he needs. His mistake.

    December 23, 2008 05:24 pm at 5:24 pm |
  51. nate

    Its Christmas. Is your life really so miserable that all you can do is continue posting angry rants against Barack Obama?

    December 23, 2008 05:26 pm at 5:26 pm |
  52. Meka

    APPRECIATION, is all that Rob was getting from PE OBAMA.

    December 23, 2008 05:27 pm at 5:27 pm |
  53. Nancy

    What do you want Obama to do, make up a story? Take the word of the AG from the beginning . . . "no one in the Obama camp is a target ". . . and until we hear differently, we have nor will we have anything! That's the way the prosecution works.

    So my fellow Americans, get on to the next issue. Those who choose to make this their story of the year, just think how you are fueling a story that has no relevance to your life. Da . . . like maybe two wars, the ever deteriorating economy, health care.

    Time to support the man we as Americans elected.

    December 23, 2008 05:28 pm at 5:28 pm |
  54. Independant Thinker

    Let's wait and see what Blagojevich has to say about this.

    December 23, 2008 05:29 pm at 5:29 pm |
  55. NJames

    Fitzgerald has been taping Blagojevich since October. Whatever Obama's team said in the report and to the prosecutor has to line up with those audio tapes ... where Blagojevich curses Obama on tape more than once for not providing him with anything more than appreciation. The potential of a case against Obama ended there. Fitzgerald stated that the Obama team is not being investigated or accused of wrong doing and held back the report until they could do whatever it is that they're doing to nail Blagojevich. This was already over before it started for the Obama team aside from the media trying to bump ratings or sell papers.

    December 23, 2008 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |
  56. Bill Charlotte,NC

    What seems clear to me is that never was a story... just as Obama said. Another thing that is clear is that the media won't leave it alone until the public gets sick of it. Finally, one could interpret from the report that Obama new Blago was poison and stayed away from him.

    But go ahead... right wings and media, do your archaeological digs and invent your conspiracies. I am going to worry about two wars, the economy and Obama's abs (makes me look bad).

    December 23, 2008 05:35 pm at 5:35 pm |
  57. George Washington

    Regardless of if they had anything to do with it or not. What I find amusing is "after an exhaustive investigation, I found MYSELF to be innocent of any wrongdoing". Perhaps we should let pedophiles be their own jury?

    December 23, 2008 05:41 pm at 5:41 pm |
  58. Andy

    @Lori: Obama is using the same excuse as Clinton, "no inappropriate contact". Apparently democrats have no clue what that means.

    December 23, 2008 05:43 pm at 5:43 pm |
  59. carment

    Umm... why was there even need for a report from the Obama team? The US Attorney General Fitzgerald ALREADY said there was no inappropriate contact, and that no one on the Obama team is a target of the investigation - and this was after Fitzgerald would have heard all the tapes.

    Or are we now impugning Fitzgerald's integrity just so we can keep insinuating that "there might be something there"?

    December 23, 2008 05:44 pm at 5:44 pm |
  60. naqib

    The Chicago Sun Times is saying Tony Rezko is cutting a deal.
    He knows Blago's out... and so is his help.
    Investigators will be doing interviews and have moved his sentence hearing back...

    More to follow... and he has the goods on everyone... very very close guy to Blago, Harris, Emanuel, Daly, etc, etc who's raised hundreds of thousands for Obama under various names... oh... and directly gave him a half million in property.

    Gonna be an interesting new year!

    December 23, 2008 05:45 pm at 5:45 pm |
  61. Terry, Butte, Mt

    AJ, all our bridges in Montana are nice, you would be lucky to own one. I think you meant Alaska.

    It has been confirmed by EVERYONE now. No inappropriate behavior on the Obama camp. This is all Blago.

    Move along media, nothing to see here.

    December 23, 2008 05:47 pm at 5:47 pm |
  62. Matt

    The next 4 years will consist of the following: The Dems trying to get things done and the GOP issuing a constant barrage of baseless accusations and slander in an attempt to undermine Obama and the Dems prior to the 2012 election cycle.

    The 4 years after that: Obama sitting in the rpesidency and the GOP wondering what it did wrong...again...even tho we warned them on November 4, 2008 that we wouldn't put up with it any longer.

    December 23, 2008 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |
  63. Self-righteousness

    Right, he is the last angel standing, only time can tell if he is a true Christian, or a mere regular churchgoer, with absolute moral standards: Absolute honesty, absolute purity, absolute unselfishness and absolute love.

    December 23, 2008 05:48 pm at 5:48 pm |
  64. BC in NC

    Let Cambell Brown take care of this story. She knows everything.

    December 23, 2008 05:50 pm at 5:50 pm |
  65. KG

    Note: This is an "internal" report. You want to be cleared? Release all emails and phone records to the public in relation to this case. Then we'll see if you are "externally" cleared. Otherwise, you're not proving anything other than that you can withold possible evidence.

    December 23, 2008 05:52 pm at 5:52 pm |
  66. Texas Teacher

    Okay... there you go... we need to let it rest and let Illinois take care of their problem... We have more important news to cover now... like what are the Wall Street Bankers doing with our TAX DOLLARS?

    Just saying.... :)

    December 23, 2008 05:53 pm at 5:53 pm |
  67. Dave, Illinois

    I don't know if there was any inapropriate contact between Obama's team and Blago's. But it seems to be pretty arrogant of Obama's team to clear itself as if it were an unbiased investigative body. Where is the press outrage over this? If this was Bush, they would be going ballistic by now. The MSM's credibility is extinct.

    December 23, 2008 05:54 pm at 5:54 pm |
  68. IndyGreg

    It's funny seeing many trying hard to find Obama guilty... Anyone has a reason to believe this report is not honest? Obama raised millions of dollars during his campaign but he will seek to benefit from his seat in the senate???? Makes no sense... Some people (mainly republican haters) will rather try to throw dirt on Obama than to actually accept all the corruption and incompetence during Bush's presidency which resulted in this economic crisis! Those are the real thugs!

    December 23, 2008 05:54 pm at 5:54 pm |
  69. Judge and Jury

    According to the memo, Emanuel was confused about whether Obama wanted him to push any single candidate for the seat. It was he, supposedly, who took the initiative and recommended Jarrett to Blago, thinking Obama would want him to; only “later” did he learn that The One didn’t want to express any preference beyond the short list. Question: Um, is that likely?

    December 23, 2008 05:55 pm at 5:55 pm |
  70. robert bock

    obama is sure feeling the bad times that most of us are feeling oh, he is on vacation, i forgot.

    December 23, 2008 05:57 pm at 5:57 pm |
  71. Jonathan Edwards

    This is a catch-22 for Obama.

    December 23, 2008 06:00 pm at 6:00 pm |
  72. DIZIZI31

    another scheme bites the dust... and another one's gone.. another ones gone.. another scheme bites the dust, Hey what will Rove or Hannity do? Another scheme bites the dust. What will they run with next? Another scheme bites the dust

    December 23, 2008 06:00 pm at 6:00 pm |
  73. Chris

    I dont understand why people could possible believe Senator Obama had anything to do with the Governor Blagojevich. I do completely believe that Governor Blagojevich given the opprotunity would have "sold" Senator Obama's seat to the highest bidder. However, I think he, Governor Blagojevich, was caught before he ever had the opprotunity to start the bidding process. I honest dont understand how he, Governor Blagojevich, could be so stupid. They have been saying for months that Representative Jesse Jackson stood the best chance at replacing Senator Obama in the US Senate, if Senator Obama won the election. If all of the sudden so no name rich guy from Illinois became a Senator, it is almost certain that someone would have investigated it further and found the truth that way. Please dont believe Senator Obama had anything to do with Governor Blagojevich. Governor Blagojevich needs to step down. Senator Obama has enough problems to deal with next year he doesnt need to worry about a corrupt Governor. Merry Christmas to all!

    December 23, 2008 06:02 pm at 6:02 pm |
  74. canuck

    the messiah has spoken, now be quiet about this or else.

    December 23, 2008 06:03 pm at 6:03 pm |
  75. Gay Marriage

    Hate to say "I TOLD YOU SO" Republicans move on you LOST now get over it. If you must have some sort of crime, how about Bush and Cheney for crimes against humanity, or how about War crimes. "AJ" your a village Idiot and should never be allowed outside unsupervised. That bridge has already been purchased by the entire population of United States of America.. It's in Alaska with the other village Idiot.

    December 23, 2008 06:03 pm at 6:03 pm |
  76. Jonathan Edwards

    And lets remember.... Everyone gets due process of the law - even Blagojevich. So lets hold off our judgements until more evidence is released.

    December 23, 2008 06:04 pm at 6:04 pm |
  77. Eloise

    Oh yeah... and internal report clearing themselves. Hmmm? That's like me saying no I didn't do anything wrong and it coming from my own mouth... let a federal investigation be done. I won't believe a word coming from the Oministration!

    December 23, 2008 06:04 pm at 6:04 pm |
  78. ahmad

    I think the dude Blago is just misunderstood. Yea he got cought on tape trying to sell O's seat. So what he was holding money from a hospital full of dying kids, and I think I even seen video footage of him kicking a puppy. You have to put your self in his shoes. Hes doing what he has to do in order to survive. This is how things went down in his hood.

    December 23, 2008 06:09 pm at 6:09 pm |
  79. America loses.

    I have a joke, what does Obama, Robert Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln have in common?

    Nothing, Barack has yet to do anything, but is compared to the two greatest Presidents of our history. Give me a break, you kool-aid drinkers, wake up, and see how pathetic things will become, and how worse off we will all be with his BIG EARRED, DO NOTHING, SIT BACK AND RUIN OUR LIVES PRESIDENT TO BE.

    December 23, 2008 06:11 pm at 6:11 pm |
  80. malclave

    How many people here would be satisfied with a report from Pres. Bush's counsel stating that his administration had done nothing wrong?

    Yeah, that's what I thought. Good job on your double standards.

    December 23, 2008 06:12 pm at 6:12 pm |
  81. naqib

    News flash:

    Bush and Cheney have done an internal investigation and concluded that they've made no bad choices over the last eight years and will be highly regarded by the world.

    LOL

    December 23, 2008 06:13 pm at 6:13 pm |
  82. America loses.

    Thanks for the change in politics with your transparancy NOT.

    Barack you are a just business as usual, Chicago style.

    December 23, 2008 06:14 pm at 6:14 pm |
  83. Perusing-Through

    I told you so!

    December 23, 2008 06:14 pm at 6:14 pm |
  84. California Gold

    Trouble is Blagojevich is poison, but he is Illinois' Governor thus both Emanuel and Obama (as Congressmen for Illinois) had to contact their during the ordinary course of business, including resigning for 2009 positions (Chief of State and President). But it doesn't equate corruption or inappropriate conduct. Blagojevich is still poison.

    December 23, 2008 06:17 pm at 6:17 pm |
  85. Perusing-Through

    I guess Obama's Republican critics are eating crow now . . .

    December 23, 2008 06:18 pm at 6:18 pm |
  86. To robert bock

    robert bock December 23rd, 2008 5:57 pm ET

    obama is sure feeling the bad times that most of us are feeling oh, he is on vacation, i forgot.
    --------------------------------
    Obama is rich, why would he be feeling these hard economic times? But the major difference between Obama and a lot of Republicans is that Obama was there once, has not been bought, and works for We The People instead of the highest bidder/corporation that buy almost all Republicans and even corrupts a lot of Dems.

    December 23, 2008 06:19 pm at 6:19 pm |
  87. Mari

    GOOD! But...... this wont quiet the far-right-nuts on the blogs nor will it quiet Limbaugh the comedian, nor BillyO-the-clown..... nor Hannity-the-hater. These fools make a living out of slander, lies, hate and division. Idiots will continue to listen to them!

    However, the TRUTH is the TRUTH and whether the far-right-nuts believe or not, the TRUTH is out for us all.

    HOPE TRUMPS LIES, HATE & DIVISION!

    December 23, 2008 06:21 pm at 6:21 pm |
  88. bill

    i am just plain sick of this media circus over ill.govenor.here the banks have RIPPED OFF TAX PAYERS AGAIN.AND ALL CNN AND REST OF THIS CORRUPT MEDIA .CAN DO is look at crap that dont mean anything. COME ON CNN HOLD EXECUTIVES OF BANKS ACCOUNTABLE.

    December 23, 2008 06:23 pm at 6:23 pm |
  89. AP from Illinois

    This is situation is a dream come true for the GOP haters. It can be played one of two ways directly from the Republican playbook.

    1) The insinuation card. If Barack Obama doesn't comment until all of the facts come out after Blago is tried and/or impeached, then the GOP will just continue to say, "What is he hiding?" The question itself implies guilt. People are tired of insinuation and innuendo. It only works on people with short attention spans anyway.

    2) The lying skeptic card. Barack Obama releases a statement/report basically saying that he had no innappropriate involvement. It is very likely to be true! The GOP comes back with, of course he is going to say that. Liars aren't going to admit they are lying.

    It's a win-win in the mind of the Sean Hannity/Rush Limbaugh crowd. One thing is that they are overestimating the American people who are tired of that kind of politics. We elected an honest guy folks. Not the usual divisive propagandists that the Republicans normally provide. The adults are finally in charge. Get used to it.

    December 23, 2008 06:25 pm at 6:25 pm |
  90. flybyshoeing

    Dave, Illionois
    When did the MSM ever go ballistic over anything Bush has done.? Pre-emptive War? NO. Torture, NO. Enhanced terragation? NO. Valerie Plame, NO? Economic collapse?NOThe 700 B bailout?NO.
    Please, give us all a hint.

    December 23, 2008 06:26 pm at 6:26 pm |
  91. Arthur James

    Whenever I investigate myself, I never find anything wrong with me either.

    December 23, 2008 06:29 pm at 6:29 pm |
  92. Yosh

    I used to think that Republicans intended to mean good but they luck the information needed to be objectivity, rational and sound. Now I clearly see that most cannot comprehend ideas rationally and they don’t know they are devoid of basic understanding about the world we share. Forgive me, now I am thinking they may luck the mental capacity to be objective and rational. It is possible that may be Sarah Palin is the smartest person in the Republican Party? I hope I am not right.

    December 23, 2008 06:30 pm at 6:30 pm |
  93. JEAN

    The media live in a different world and continue to insult American People intelligence!! How sad!

    PE and American people are on the same page!

    December 23, 2008 06:30 pm at 6:30 pm |
  94. LuckyLeoNJ

    You have to admit that an investigation BY the Obama team INTO the Obama team is obviously going to be skewed. Kinda reminds me of a certain frigid Governor of some certain frigid state having a panel of personal political appointees conclude there was no unethical behavior in some certain State Police firing scandal. The only difference here is that it was first concluded that the Governor DID violate state ethics laws by an independent, bipartisan panel and, as far as I can tell, there has been nothing to contradict the findings of the Obama investigation. Not from Patrick Fitzgerald or even Blago, himself!

    How soon we forget and embellish...

    December 23, 2008 06:31 pm at 6:31 pm |
  95. Yosh

    I used to think that Republicans intended to mean good but they luck the information needed to be objectivity, rational and sound. Now I clearly see that most cannot comprehend ideas rationally and they don’t know they are devoid of basic understanding about the world we share. Forgive me, now I am thinking they may lack the mental capacity to be objective and rational. It is possible that may be Sarah Palin is the smartest person in the Republican Party? I hope I am not right on this one.

    December 23, 2008 06:31 pm at 6:31 pm |
  96. earle,provincetown

    Please, this poor guy, P-E Obama has more on his plate than any former president could ever have thought imaginable! Just having to spend precious time clearing his administration of any wrong doing is pathetic. He's trying,and no one can deny that,with the lame duck doing everything posible to hamper his hand-off, I give P-E Obama the benefit of doubt! Merry Christmas PE Obama,...

    December 23, 2008 06:32 pm at 6:32 pm |
  97. Yosh

    I used to think that Republicans intended to mean good but they lack the information needed to be objectivity, rational and sound. Now I clearly see that most cannot comprehend ideas rationally and they don’t know they are devoid of basic understanding about the world we share. Forgive me, now I am thinking they may luck the mental capacity to be objective and rational. It is possible that may be Sarah Palin is the smartest person in the Republican Party? I hope I am not right on this one.

    December 23, 2008 06:33 pm at 6:33 pm |
  98. flybyshoeing

    Why are so many skeptical about the internal report. At least they did one. I am still waiting for the Bush internal report on the outing of Valerie Plame. Remember that promise. "I will fire anyone on my staff if they are involved." Good thing we all didn't hole our breath waiting. Cheney just admitted to being involved.

    December 23, 2008 06:37 pm at 6:37 pm |
  99. Rev. Bon

    robert bock,

    I was on vacation last week...and so were many other people where we vacationed at. And I'm no where near rich. What are you trying to say about people who take vacations during recessions. You mean NO ONE can enjoy themselves if they work hard all year long if there is a recession. Not only that Hawaii is where he was raised....most of his family is there you idiot!

    December 23, 2008 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |
  100. Polly

    LOL...

    December 23, 2008 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |
  101. get real dude

    Now, you sorry haters can stop warming your hands hoping and wishing for some bad news to happen to Obama and his team. Ain't gonna happen. Stop wasting your life away looking down a dark narrow negitive road... or you might get hit or ran over by your past mistakes. Hmmm, now thats something to think about!!!!!

    December 23, 2008 06:52 pm at 6:52 pm |
  102. Gordon Shumway

    No big surprise there. Their own internal investigation? Heck, I could have written that kind of a report. Meaningless tripe!

    December 23, 2008 06:54 pm at 6:54 pm |
  103. Ken

    Wow! What a shock!!! An Obama investigation into Obama determined that Obama was clean.

    Shocking!!!! Even worse is how all of Obama's sheeple eat it up without asking anything.

    "Nothing to see here....move along....nothing to see here."

    December 23, 2008 07:02 pm at 7:02 pm |
  104. tired of corporate politics

    Nixon said he wasn't guilty either.
    So did Bush regarding the WMD.
    How about a non-Obama driven investigation?

    December 23, 2008 07:17 pm at 7:17 pm |
  105. banned from cnn for making too much sense

    you paid haters want Obama to be guilty so bad you can TASTE it.

    SORRY !

    DO YOU THINK FOR ONE SECOND THAT OBAMA WOULD RELEASE ANYTHING DIFFERENT THAN THE INVESTIGATING PROSECUTOR ALREADY HAS?????????????

    ANSWER... NO.

    GIVE IT UP GUYS...

    (this message paid for by "paid haters to subvert democracy"

    December 23, 2008 07:17 pm at 7:17 pm |
  106. banned from cnn for making too much sense

    So.... what happens when Fitzgerald NEVER charges Obama with anything....

    I WILL EXPECT AN APOLOGY FROM EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU !

    mark my words..... it will be the end of Obama's SECOND term and you'll still have NOTHING......

    N O T H I N G

    But hey... have a great 8 years trying to tear down your PRESIDENT because he doesn't belong to your party. Have a great 8 years rooting for him to fail. AMERICANs my arse !!

    December 23, 2008 07:21 pm at 7:21 pm |
  107. Jonny C.

    mr. Hannity, sheath your sword, there is no meat to slaughter. there is no inappropriate contact by any member of the Obama team. Lick your wounds or conduct your own private investigation with O Reily heading the investigation team.If no,support your President-Elect

    December 23, 2008 07:29 pm at 7:29 pm |
  108. Mark

    and to all those who posted before Obama's report was supported by the fed investigation...

    hahahahahahhahahaha!
    put that in your pipe and smoke it...

    too many people lack the faith in human nature...guess after the past 8 years, it's to be expected.

    December 23, 2008 07:36 pm at 7:36 pm |
  109. Interested in MO

    I've been involved in internal investigations in the hospital I work in. They usually occur because of some incident involving a patient or a worker getting injured. We investigate ourselves, and figue out whether anything inappropriate was done, and what, if anything should be done differently in the future to make us safer. These reviews are nerve-wracking, but usually fair and unbiased. I don't know what kind of review was done by the Obama transition team, but I would be willing to bet that it was done in about the same way we do it at work. I say, until I learn otherwise, there's no reason to believe they did anything wrong in re: Blago, or in their interal investigation.

    December 23, 2008 07:36 pm at 7:36 pm |
  110. Brenda C

    Wow Matt sorta sounds like the last eight years President Bush tried to get things done.

    The first 4 years consisted of the following: The Republicans trying to get things done and the LIBS issuing a constant barrage of baseless accusations and slander in an attempt to undermine President Bush and the republicans prior to the 2004 election cycle.

    The next 4 years after that: President Bush still putting up with the same garbage. Then a black inexperienced man runs and buys off the election. Acorn, NBC, ABC, MSN, CNN and on and on helps black man by not reporting real news. Just climaxing every hour.

    December 23, 2008 07:38 pm at 7:38 pm |
  111. Joe Fattal

    Usually when someone say" He has done nothing inappropriate" that means he has done something illegal but not illegal enough to indict the person. So, we choose words like inappropriate, maybe unethical, and if he get lucky , unfounded. Means that we can find nothing on him, but deep down we know he did something wrong. Round one goes to Mr. Obama, and probably Gov. Blago. Both of them are in the same tub rubbing someone else back.

    December 23, 2008 07:40 pm at 7:40 pm |
  112. Phoenix

    Does that mean for all the people complaining about Obama, that Sarah Palin's internal investigation of her corruption charges were not credible?

    December 23, 2008 07:50 pm at 7:50 pm |
  113. Repugs are Pathetic

    The Rethugtican'ts must be crying in their beer. What a bunch of zeros. There is no there there folks. You want dirt, try asking Dark Vader Chenney about his no-bid contract to Hallerbertin!

    December 23, 2008 08:02 pm at 8:02 pm |
  114. Anonymous

    g

    December 23, 2008 08:02 pm at 8:02 pm |
  115. mom for obama

    For those who doubt the report because it was an internal investigation: I suppose you were more satisfied when it was Sarah Palin's internal investigation that cleared her on Troopergate (or Tasergate in her words)? If the FBI isn't concerned, why should you be? Get a life and move on.

    December 23, 2008 08:12 pm at 8:12 pm |
  116. Larry

    Isn't it amazing that Obama never knows anything about all of the corruption going on all around him in Chicago,people being investigated for years,people he "works"with go to jail,over and over, and he says he had know idea about anything they are involved in.Give me a break.

    December 23, 2008 08:20 pm at 8:20 pm |
  117. David

    It's so funny..the Repubs were complaining so hard that Obama didn't come out right away with this report saying there must be something there if he didnt come out with this report. Now that he has come out with the report, I see comments like "Shock, an investigation of himself was shows no wrong doing." Nothing would ever be good enough for such bitter folks unless it was Obama hanging himself. That's how hateful and bitter so many out there are. You won't be happy if he is doing well. You want him to fail so bad that you can taste it. These are the same people who say "Country First", yeah right!

    December 23, 2008 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |
  118. Chet

    Prosecutor Fitzgerald said in the beginning there was no inappropriate conduct on the part of the Obama team. Why are some media so reluctant to move on to one of the hundreds of real stories that need their watchful eye. Oh yeah, the media is not our watchful eye anymore, they're our gossip columnists.

    December 23, 2008 08:30 pm at 8:30 pm |
  119. Daniel Cabrera

    " MERRY CHRISTMAS!,MERRY CHRISTMAS!

    I wander if Santa Claus will have the marvelous idea to give as special present to each democrat, A BRAIN!, so they can descern intelligently to vote republican on the next elections (if we ever get another elections).

    But then that is too much to ask to the old fat guy, for I think he is fed-up with the politics around the world, specially the CHICAGO-CORRUPTED POLITICAL DYNAMICS ATMOSPHERE, FROM WHERE OBAMA COMES FROM!

    Happy Holidays everyone!

    Sincerely,
    Daniel Cabrera
    Merrillville, Indiana "

    December 23, 2008 08:36 pm at 8:36 pm |
  120. Teach

    To the idiot with the president joke. Robert Kennedy was never a president(he got shot in "68 remember). Just like haters talkin and don't know what the hell they talking bout. I can say the same about Bush, Cheney looks to me as the real 43rd president of the U.S.A!

    December 23, 2008 08:46 pm at 8:46 pm |
  121. tee

    SOMEONE PLEASE REPORT THIS TO THE MEDIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    December 23, 2008 09:09 pm at 9:09 pm |
  122. sunshine

    i'm glad, but i have to say i don't have faith in our government anymore.

    December 23, 2008 09:23 pm at 9:23 pm |
  123. Lost in Texas FOREVER!!

    it doesn't matter what any report says because the far right neocons and anti Obama folks have their little minds made up that he's guiilty of SOMETHING...come on he HAS to be RIGHT?? These folk won't be happy until they can find anything to try to by Obama down. As far as I'm concerned then I hope they're NEVER happy!

    December 23, 2008 09:26 pm at 9:26 pm |
  124. yellow dog democrat

    Told you so!!

    A good man, will be a great President!!

    Someone with intelligence and empathy – just in time for a rough time in our lives (but hey) our ancestors lived through this and worse....and we are still standing!! (we just need to get better – lets get it right) or as close to "right" as humanly possible! :)

    HAPPY HOLY-DAYS ALL! We just went through Winter Soltice and can Spring be far behind???

    December 23, 2008 09:40 pm at 9:40 pm |
  125. WILL IN AZ

    BRENDA C = FIRST OF ALL, CNN,NBC,OR ANY OTHER NEWS CHANNEL, HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME VOTEING FOR OBAMA. UNLIKE YOU. I CAN THINK FOR MYSELF, ALL OF YOU REPUBLICANS, PUTTING PARTY OVER COUNTRY THINKING PALIN CAN RUN THE MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.( WITH HER DUMB A$$) LOL YOU DID'NT WANT A BLACK MAN FOR POTUS BUT YOU GOT HIM. HA!!! WE VETTED HIM JUST LIKE WE VETTED PALIN..CONCLUSION!!!! SHE'S AN IDIOT!!!NOT FIT TO BE VPOR POTUS. TAKES ONE TO VOTE FOR ONE...

    December 23, 2008 10:25 pm at 10:25 pm |

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