CNN

Obama sold a senate seat.
Bush destroyed the world.

Get your priorities in order. If Obama gets nailed as corrupt, vote him out. If not let’s quit the kindergarten play and move on with fixing our country.

You people sicken me, my 10 year old acts better than most posters on here. I really hope most of you are trolls. If not, I feel sorry for you. You are pathetic.

I hope to bring my kids up in a better world. I guess that won't happen in this country as long as there is so much division and immaturity.

kelly WI December 23rd, 2008 11:29 am ET

I see the dems are still as naive as possible. Not only sheep but blind sheep.
--------------------
Yeah, and we all know what Republicans like to do with sheep when nobody's looking!!

Jerrycal December 23rd, 2008 1:53 pm ET

Sure they will investigate themselfs of course they will find no wrong
------------------------------
Wow, this has been an extraordinary year.
First, we elect a black president. And now, "themselfs" becomes a word!!!

Pat F December 23rd, 2008 1:29 pm ET
Q: How can you tell that the left has no facts to back up their beliefs?
A: Because they immediately have to resort to ad hominum attacks.
---------------–

Q: How can you tell if someone can't spell?
A: When they spell "ad hominem" with a U!!!

foxnews, what is your proof that obama's vacation is at taxpayer expense.

Wow! Such hatred and accusing over nothing. Everyone has to realize that EVERY contact will be revealed when the Governor is tried, including full transcripts of the calls involved. If there were any wrongdoing or inappropriate actions, then Fitzgerald would have indicted those who committed such acts. Fitzgerald specifically said from the beginning that no one on the Obama transition team, or Obama himself, was accused of any wrongdoing. All that the Obama team will be releasing today is a timeline of calls and subjects discussed during those calls. We do these types of evidentiary timelines at my law firm everyday. Typically, they say something to the effect: 7/10/08 – Call from X to Y. Discussed open senate seat. Recommended A for the position. Etc. It is my suspicion that the Obama team was the catalyst for the investigation into Blago's inappropriate senate seat selling ideas. I am so stymied that people are so ugly and cynical. Let's believe the best of our new PE, until a real event occurs where we have actual evidence of wrongdoing. We certainly gave Dubya a free ride for all of his lies and manipulations.

Wow, riveting. All the democrats said the democrats did nothing wrong, after Obama told everyone that he team did nothing wrong.

Who needs journalists, now that the democrats are in charge?

This is all 'Much Ado about NOTHING'..........what a waste of time and energy when we (hey you Republicans too....no child left behind!) should be focusing on fixing the economy and our foreign relations, both shattered by Bush.
Posters please note these questions are phrased in such a way by CNN to make us antagonize each other........and we are suckers to fall prey to it again and again.
CNN, how about some UNITING questions......oh no ratings and web hits there.

An internal investigation? Riiiiight..... Gobama anyway though!

Our country would be in much better shape if some of you would spend less time criticizing everything about our government and leaders and go and find someone in need of food or a child who won't get even 1 toy for Christmas. You might be surprised at the feelings you will experience. Ever heard "Tis better to give than to receive"??? It's true, believe it or not.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me-Merry Christmas and God bless each of you and our troops.

I really don't think that, that is very important and that it will change this stinking economy. This stuff has no bearing on what is going on in America and with our American people. You-all are putting too much into this Blogo mess. We as a people are hurting and our homes are being lost and so are our jobs. Please talk about that not stupid Blogo

Another nothing story that the extreme right wing of the Republican party has been trying trump up. They still want to operate in the past and just understand why they got their a*s kicked in the election, across the board. This wing of the Republican party will keep the party down for years until it is no longer. The Rush and Hannity group has destroyed the GOP and they won't be happy until the GOP is truly gone. Wise up!

nom deplume December 23rd, 2008 1:08 pm ET

Where's my bailout?
----------------
I'll give you a hint. They're called "Food Stamps!"

This is an internal Obama report. Why would we expect it do do anything except clear him? Get real. Where's any independent confirmation?

Hey all you Republican't conspiracy theorists – enough with your lies and speculation!
This is right up there with the law suits charging Mr. PE Obama is not a US citizen, which every court it was taken to has thrown out as baseless – including the SCOTUS.
Turn off Rush Limpballs and get a life you pathetic bunch of losers!

Sure they will investigate themselfs of course they will find no wrong

The Obama investigation, much like the progressive media's, will biasedly report that Obama and his team have done nothing "illegal". Of course political quick pro quo is not illegal now is it.

Is this change liberals believe in??

What better way do have this story die than releasing a fixed internal report at 4:30pm the day before Christmas Eve. Plus the fact that Obama took an expensive vacation on taxpayers money to far away Hawaii. You liberals amaze me.

Well you'd certainly hope an internal investigation by Obama's people would exonerate his own staff. What kind of a Chicago politician would he be if he couldn't manipulate an investigation to make his people come out smelling like roses??!!

No drama.

Good thing the report will be coming out today that means the media will take about 1 week to go over the report and try to create a story out of nothing. The good thing is that I will not be here because am going away to spend the holidays with my family so I won't have to listen to this for 1 week yay : ) by the time I come back the story will be old news and we would have moved on to how expensive the inauguration is going to be even though he is the first African American to become president but oh no now its too expensive.

and will sg shout "coverup" if Fitzgerald's report completely exonerates Obama and his transition team?

The coverup is in full operation.

Oh good grief. If anyone seriously believes that Obama or his staff had anything to do with this scandal, then I have a space alien living in my basement, and for $2,000,000 I will let you see it!!

@ Frank, what dream world are you living in? Prosecutions are always discretionary. And the Federal prosecutors would never touch the guy who is going to be signing their checks for the next four years.

Q: How can you tell that the left has no facts to back up their beliefs?

A: Because they immediately have to resort to ad hominum attacks.

My name is JM and I am the worlds biggest republican fan. I own an authentic jersey and everything/ Anything republicans do is great, and anything democrats do is bad. I think politics is a sport because I am a simple minded numbnuts

First things first…

The War Crimes Trials of the Republicans Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Wolfowitz for Genocide is a far more pressing matter.

The world is waiting for justice.

I believe that when President Elect Obama said that there was no communication he meant improper communication. In a transition period, there would have to be at least minimal communication.

Pick, pick , pick. Even the Federal Attorney said that there was nothing improper with PE Obama and his staff.

Hmmmm.... Obama finds that Obama does no wrong. Hey, great work on that investigation! Nice one.

Well, duh! Did anyone really think an internal report would find anything that implicated anyone close to the President-Elect?
Sheesh.

bobby December 23rd, 2008 10:49 am ET

In four years the american people will wish Bush was still in office!
------------------------
I have news for you. Even Bush HIMSELF doesn't want the job any more.

Look on the bright side. You can always visit him in Dallas!

You dems talking about Repubs trying to make a scandal out of this are getting some of your own poison back. You tried to use Keating 5 against McCain and he was found not guilty of those charges years ago.

Why do you think republicans should like Obama? Most of you hard left zealots never gave bush a chance. why do you expect far right zealots to give Obama a chance? The bottom line is that most people posting hear are nuts that don't represent the majority of people in this country. comments by morons like this prove what kind of trash can be found posting hear.

fadhil December 23rd, 2008 11:24 am ET

REPUBLICANS GET THIS………………….OBAMA IS THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF…….GET USED TO IT AND GOD WILLING A WELL RESPECTED LEADER THROUGH OUT THE WORLD UNLIKE UR DUMB AND INCOHERANT BUSH WHO'S ONLY LEANS LEFT IS WHEN A SHOE IS THROWN AT HIM.

Let me correct you, Obama is not the president. So get this, bush is the president and your commander and chief. I could go on but I have wasted enough time on you morons.

Not even president yet and he is pushing Clinton for the most crooked president ever. Well he still has some time.

JM December 23rd, 2008 12:20 pm ET

Fadhil,

We'll show Obama the same respect you people have shown President Bush since day one, none!
----------------
Nobody cares whether or not you respect the president. This is America. You can say whatever you want.

On the other hand, just to keep things fair, others can say whatever they want about you, too!

The negative rhetoric directed at Obama is coming from a very dark place by angry, bitter people who hate American Democracy. These people spit on America’s freedom of speech with their campaign of lies and distortions in an organized effort to bring down our recently elected leader and cripple his ability to pull the United States from the current financial crisis.

These disturbed individuals seek to fuel cynicism and distrust in the United States government, and by these actions weaken our next President’s ability to fight the ongoing war of terror. I am not taking about Muslim extremist groups, I am speaking of recently out-of-work-Republicans-political-types, media pundits, radio talk show host and journalist, who espouse righteous rhetoric, but by their actions demonstrate deeply disturbed minds and contempt for American democratic ideals.

US Attorney Fitzgerald (a Republican) has already stated that "there is NO EVIDENCE OF WRONGDOING BY THE OBAMA TEAM.

Dear Dittoheads, what part of "NO WRONG DOING BY THE OBAMA TEAM" are you struggling to comprehend?

Well, let's see what comes out. If there was anything that his team has done wrong, it will come out sooner or later by Fitzgerald anyway.

If they did nothing wrong, then he gets to say "I told you so."

Either way, we should be patient.

Where's my bailout?

DEAR SANTA,

All I want for Christmas is ... 012009 ... NOW !!!

I've paid all my bills on time
I don't need a bail out
and I've been a really good girl this year.

Jamie
Denver CO

If Obama says that neither he nor anyone on his staff did nothing wrong, then we have an obligation to believe it. Everyone knows that Obama has never lied, never! As someone who is bringing a new kind of politics to Washington, a politic based on Chicago politics, we know that it will be one of honesty and trust because that is what Chicago style politics have always been about. I believe what Obama says the same way I believe that the PLO is not a terrorist organization; that OJ is innocent; that global warming is a myth; that the holocaust never happened; that Elvis is alive and working in a diner somewhere in the South; that Armstrong never set foot on the moon; that the world is flat; that Obama's Uncle liberated Jews in WWII as he marched with Patton's Army; and that there are 59 states in America (remember he only visited 57 and still had two to go).
To believe that Obama would incriminate himself or his staff is crazy as he is a typical politician who will lie or say anything to make people believe that he is holy and above any wrongdoing. An external investigation done by people who cannot be intimidated by Obama and his agents would be more believable and credible than an internal investigation.

Internal investigation????? That's like having Michael Jackson investigate a child molester. Would you expect them of finding any wrong doing? Internal investigation is an oxymoron. Let's have a real investigation.

28 Days to Go!! December 23rd, 2008 10:14 am ET

"The whole report contradicts itself from one paragraph to another!! But you will go on and on to create news rather than to report it!!"

TRUE STORY, I believe there is a new day about to dawn on the News Reporting industry.

I don't believe Obama's report. Of course they'll never admit to anything. The only report I'll believe is Fitzgerald's.

Carlos ... you ... write ... as ... if ... you ... have ... a ... gas ... leak ... in ... your ... basement ... please ... have ... that ... checked ... out ... concern ...

CanIcallyoujoe,

Kind of missed the point about the fact he flat out lied didn't you? Just another blind sheep I guess. Did I spell blind sheep correctly?

Don’t be to upset if the heavens don’t open up and the world doesn’t start singing when the messiah takes the oath. You’re going to see more of the same corruption only Chicago style.

It is great to see everyone scrambling to find fault with Obama and his administration. If these types of issues are all we have to criticize Obama for during the next 8 years, Obama will be the most ethical President in the history of the country.

The right wing nuts seem to think if they scream loudly enough (or use enough capital letters and exclamation points) their drivel will somehow make sense. But it never seems to work.

Patrick Fitzgerald showed no hesitation in taking down the Chief of Staff of a sitting Vice-President. As a member of my state's bar, I am sure that if there is evidence to support it, he will pursue anyone working for Barack Obama.

The politicians and pundits, in both Chicago and Washington, will make of this whatever they can. But it all comes down to who gets charged and who gets convicted. The rest is just words (and not very interesting words at that).

JTS: You said yourself that Blago said that Obama and his staff refused to play ball. But Obama said that he and no one on his staff had any contact with Blag on this matter. Last I checked you have to be in contact with him to tell him that you won't play ball.

No one on the transition team needs to be "exonerated", because no one is being accused of any wrongdoing. Ed Henry should learn what the word means.

It is real sad what our society has become! I just do not trust anyone anymore...if they said they did not do it, they usually are proving or judged to have committed a wrongdoing. Sen Stevens, Roger Clemens, Bill Clinton, Barry Bonds, Gov Blago, Marion Jones, etc, etc. etc. The list goes on forever...how do you believe or trust anyone anymore. I even question myself sometimes, then I wake up and realize I am perfect, jk...LOL!

We all know that the transition team did not agree to anything, or else the "nothing but appreciation" comment would make no sense.

The only thing left that can be spun against them would be if Rahmbo (First Bud) failed to run to the authorities at the first veiled hint from Blagojevich that he was expecting something. But on some level we all know this would be intellectually dishonest.

Had they blared a horn and shouted that Blagojevich had told them "to remember that he had been a friend to them," or some such deniable innuendo, they would have been met by laughter and a collective "so what?".

WHODA THUNK, ANY POLITICAN WHO CAN BS HIS WAY TO THE TOP AND NOT DELIVER A SINGLE BILL COULDN'T DECLARE HIS INNOCENSE, LETS GET REAL AND ASK SOME HARD QUESTIONS OVER THE NEXT 4YRS.

I'm not "choked up", bitter, hate-filled, or any of the other charming description Democrats are trying to apply to Republicans. I think the Democrats are just projecting their own past behavior and feelings onto us. Republicans are able to move on while the Democrats are still crying about Florida 2000, even through EVERY independent recount proved that Bush clobbered Gore there.

Anyway, big surprise that the investigation exonerated the Obama team. What Federal prosecuter in his right mind is going to spit in the eye of the administration that is going to be hiring Federal prosecutors for the next four years?

Bashers of CNN should note that CNN included quotes from unnamed supporters of Obama that the Obama report would exonerate Obama. Not a very subjective opinion, I would say.
Obamaniacs, I guess CNN is NOT totally against Obama.
Anyway, the report is a report by the Obama side. As with any politician, the report will no doubt emphasize things that look good and play down, or ignore, things that book bad. I don't think it is unreasonable to view this report as the Obama side of the story.
Remember the saying that there are 3 sides to everything, your side, my side and the truth? The report will only be one side. If Obama is not upfront, it will only serve to raise more questions.

As Shakespeare said, nothing indicts like denial.

@boered1,

why would you think I'm a rightwingnut? I'm not, and I resent you saying it. I'm also not a liberal wacko like you.

BOTH Bush and Obama are pushing bailouts that will destroy our economy. Obama is a politician like any other...the ballot petitions were legitimate, but he used tactics like any other politician in IL. he's no different.

Fadhil,

We'll show Obama the same respect you people have shown President Bush since day one, none!

What ever the outcome of this report is,nothing will change.Wakeup my fellow Americans.We are not being represented.We are being manipulated for the gain of the very rich and the very rich only.This two party system is the greatest hoax ever pulled over the eyes of all mankind.

Speaking as a conservative Republican, let me start by saying I seriously doubt Obama's team did anything illegal. That said, being cleared by an internal "investigation" is a joke. Did anyone really think they would uncover anything, even if Rahm had a smoking gun in his hand? The issue at hand is Obama's immediate denial of any contact with the Governor's office, which was completely laughable. As with many other political scandals, it isn't often what they did that is the problem, it's how they tried to cover it up. Obama's first response was to cover up the contacts, which clearly indicates he will be no more open and honest with the public than any other politician. As for CNN being biased, even one of their own wonks (on Lou Dobbs show, I believe) admitted that the media wanted Obama to succeed and therefore took it easier on Obama than they would any other politician.

You can please part of the people part of the time, but you can't please all the people all the time and so it goes with politics. As long as we are a divided nation, divided by parties and politics, then this is the way it will be. We should just sit back now and wait and watch and hope. Those that hate will continue to hate those that represent the "other" party, no matter which is in power, no matter what they do while in office, whether good or bad. This is a fact of life. Nothing will change it.

Ofcourse it will... its not like they will write a report on themselves even before the inaguration saying my staff screwed up.

Brian @ 10:59:
"Not even in office and their changing their stories. When the Blago news first broke, Obama himself stated none of his people were ever in contact with Blago. Now, not only will we find out they were in contact but it is more than one guy. Obama is as currupt as the rest of Chicago and he couldn't even wait until he was sworn in to tell his first lie directly to the American people."

I know!
How dare the staff of an Illinois Senator get in contact with the Governor of the state of Illinois! How dare he!
(also, the word is spelled "corrupt")

I am sure Obama did nothing wrong, but I also think any "internal investigation" is pointless. There is no point whatsoever in having someone investigation themself/their own team for wrongdoing.

Again I am sure Obama did nothing wrong.

[Insert obligatory Bush-bashing comment here.]

RELEASE,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,,,,,PHONE,,,,,,,,,,,,,RECORDS,,,,,,,,,,AND,,,,,,,,,,,

LET,,,,,,,,,YOUR,,,,,,,,,,CHIEF,,,,,,,,,,,OF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,STAFF,,,,,,,,,,,,,,MEET,,,,,,,,,,,,

AND,,,,,,,,,ANSWER,,,,,,,,,,,QUESTIONS,,,,,,,,,,,,IN,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,OPEN,,,,,,,

FROM,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THE,,,,,,,,,,,,,,PRESS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THIS,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,HAS,,,,,,,,,,,A,,,,,,,

BIG,,,,,,,,,,,,,SMELL,,,,,,,,,,,,TO,,,,,,,,,,,,IT

If there is nothing to hide then Fitzgerald shoud have conducted the investigation, not Obama's team.

I wish prosecutors would allow me to investigate myself when I am accused of wrongdoing.

Hey Homos, looks like Warren is scrubbing the anti gay statements from his website. Perhaps "That One " was on to something with this invitation. To bad you hate him now. But it is not to late to eat humble pie. Next time dont be so fair weathered.

Of course it will. Everything has been taken care of I'm sure. people in power will call the shots and make sure this does not upset anything. And does anyone truly believe that it was an accident that Mike Connell's plane went down in Ohio? Let's all wake up to what's going on here.

Slow news day. How about reporting why Bernie Madoff is not in jail, instead of on 'home arrest'?

Or what happened to the bank bailout money?

Or better yet, who has profited from the billions lost in the real estate crash?

Or better yet, why credit default swaps went unregulated for so long...?

Journalistic integrity is dead...

PE Obama must be careful with everything he does the next time a person he knows is arrested he must answer for it,he must answer everytime a Democrat has an affair,everytime someone in his Party turns out to be dirty...The PE must answer for it...Why would anybody want this job?.....

@Empty suit empty promises

I guess YOU should go look at your own reports his words were NO INNAPROPRIATE DISCUSSIONS. He NEVER said they had no contact he said they had no innappropriate contact a HUGH difference but then you members of the radical religious right in this country will lie and twist and distort anything, anybody, any truth (even your own bible) to make the people you do not agree with seem wrong!

here are the FACTS:

Obama's first comment was niehter he nor any of his staff have had any innappropriate contact with Blago

He was willing, within the first week of this investigation, to release his records of the contacts had between his team and Blago the INVESTIGATING ATTORNEY asked him to hold them

The INVESTIGATING ATTORNEY has stated that neither Obama NOR ANYONE ON HIS TEAM is under ANY SUSPECION of wrongdoing.

but I know you members of the radical right do not let truth stand in your way so why don't you go home and read your bible about bearing false witness and how to treat others and stop using it only as a prop.

idiots

Exonerate?
Hiding something?

Guess what everybody? We are all sheeps. Not just the dems, or the repubs. We are all pawns of these individual people with all the power in the world. This country was formed to have the government involved as little as possible. George Washington himself said that political parties will destroy this country....and guess what? It's starting to happen. But before everybody starts blaming the other party, just keep this in mind. Democrat, Republican....their just two sides on the same coin people. If this was a true democracy, we, the people would vote on every issue that faces this country. Who are these people to say that we are wrong, and THEY know whats best. Bush, Cheney, Pelosi, Clinton, Reid, they are all in it for one common goal. TO MAKE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES! These people don't care about us. We are just numbers to them. And once everyone figures this out....this country will start turning it's wheels for the better.

To some people, (cough, cough, Rethugs), there is nothing Obama can do to make them say they were wrong about Blag. The story won't last, though. Tying Obama to Blag just because they are from the same state is absolutely ridiculous.

There is NOTHING to exonerate! Obama and his team did not do anything illegal, unethical, or inappropriate as clearly pointed out by Patrick Fitzgerald. I am sick-and-tired of hearing about this meaningless story. It is time to get back to REAL and HONEST and OBJECTIVE journalism and begin reporting on the very serious issues at hand in this nation.

It's depressing how this site has become a cesspool for the angry right to spew about how much they hate the President Elect. So pathetic how much pent up aggression some of you have. I suggest anti-depressants or maybe going out for a walk once and awhile.

Dec. 23rd CNN moderators.
I love you. Generally anything criticizing CNN and their reporting never is posted. They have strictly controlled freedom of speech and press.
Has CNN turned over a new leaf or are we getting conscienous
moderators?
Keep up the good work!

bobby

In four years the american people will wish Bush was still in office!

***************************************************

Bobby, can you actually say that with a straight face? Thanks for the laugh man!

A wonderful holiday seasons to you all! Why don't you all relax and enjoy your families for a couple of days instead of getting all in a tither about politics.

What ever happened to jounalism and unbiased reporting of the facts?

I see the dems are still as naive as possible. Not only sheep but blind sheep.

I really hope we don't spend the next 4 years with the republicans and some other Ken Starr. Republican you LOST now move on.

@ from minneapolis

I LOVE your comment asking about Obama's actions to ensure people who are NOTeligible to run for office for whatever reason (fraudulent signatures on a petition, illegal aliens, convicted felons, non-residents etc) are not allowed to run. You make it seem like he did something wrong by eliminating the frauds! It is wonderful how the twisted mind of the radical right works! Such a refreshing glimpse into the dark twisted corners of your world! A break from reality! I do appreciate you for that, really I do.

idiots

Many of you are so choked up with dissapointment, frustration, and anger it is sad. Why aren't you on here talking about how Fitzgerald is on the take or in the tank for Obama. He's the prosecuter. He's the one who asked the Obama administration to honor his request not to release any information until this time. But you won't because you know it is rediculous to do so. You would rather throw hail mary criticisms at Obama because you're feeling so impotent right now. There is no doubt that Blago is on tape, IN HIS OWN WORDS, furious that Obama and his staff would not play ball. You guys are pathetic. And it is also sad that CNN and other news sources are only giving lip service and a brief acknowledgement that the prosecuter asked them not to release the information.

Oh, I'm glad his INTERNAL investigation "cleared" him of any wrong doing. Just like Casey Anthony's defense investigation will "clear" her of any wrong doing. Oh please.

"Sources: Obama internal investigation will exonerate team"

These are not the droids you're looking for.

Mike in "Cally" what does Fox news have to do with this or did Keith Olbermann tell you to say this is their fault?

Bahh, said the sheep, bahh hope, bahh, change, bahhh, crooked liar...

REPUBLICANS GET THIS......................OBAMA IS THE PRESIDENT AND YOUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF.......GET USED TO IT AND GOD WILLING A WELL RESPECTED LEADER THROUGH OUT THE WORLD UNLIKE UR DUMB AND INCOHERANT BUSH WHO'S ONLY LEANS LEFT IS WHEN A SHOE IS THROWN AT HIM.

Is there anybody that thinks that maybe Obama really did have nothing to do with the scandal? That maybe this is just one sleazy politician looking to make a quick buck? Since 9/11 Americans see conspiracy everywhere, maybe rightfully so, but sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Obama has been downright heroic in his integrity and the media loves nothing more than to tear down a hero.
Trueman, Toronto, Ontario

Thank god we get to the bottom of this and the Greatest President elect from the most trusted state in the union looked into this.

He will include in his report I am sure his INITIAL remarks that neither "he nor ANY of his staff had ANY contact with the Governor".

Then when Axelrod was found on tape stating that he had indeed contacted the Governor as we ALL WOULD EXPECT, Axelrod joined the list of people that are thrown under the bus.

Axelrod "mispoke" on national TV, this brilliant man who ran the most brilliant campaign ever (while spending MILLIONS more than anyone), mispoke and where has he been since? The left tire right next to Wright I think.

Not saying that anyone is guilty of anything, but the first inclination was to LIE and that is a FACT.

Look up his original comments and not the ones the next day or the day after, NOBODY had ANY contact with the beloved Governor………

It's going to be a long four years as we are now redefining the word "contact", didn't we do this junk in the 90's already?

CNN has to make up issues to have something to talk about yet when the invasion of Iraq was taking place they slanted biased reporting to conceal the facts of the shameful acts of the GOP.

People still swallow that a right wing organization like CNN helps any left wing politicians is just them and Rush, Sean, Lou and Glenn covering up their real ambitions.

what a crock. let the guy live a little. and he offered some people a freakin beer...who cares. let him be....good lord...

1. Why are we to believe that a democrat investigating himself and declaring himself to be innocent is any different than a republican investigating himself and finding himself innocent?
2. What was so worrisome as to why this could not be announced last week but prearranged that in 7 days it could be?
3. Will this be compared to the same criticism republicans got when they announced things on a late Friday when noone was paying much attention since this is now coming out while the Obamas vacation in Hawaii and Christmas is just a day or two away?

HEY CNN! ARE MY COMMENTS BEING BLACK LISTED BECAUSE I'M CRITIZING YOU AND THE PRESS FOR BAD REPORTING?

I either get "comments under consideration" or nothing posted at all? How about some fair play, or is that expecting to much?

To all those who are critic of the fact that an internal investigation of the 'Obama Team' about any wrongdoing of any members of the OT in any form of contact with Blagojevitch...
The Federal charges against the (still) governor of Illinois shows that there were contacts between Blago&Co and the OT as expected, after all Obama's seat was the one that Blago's decision would fill, and that there was some sort of negotiation between both parts.
No matter what you guys think of it, this happens both with the Republican administrations around the country and with the Democratic ones. And it's more likely to happen in the Independent ones as well. But there are limits to this sort of negotiation...
Blago&Co. ignored those limits, and that's why he was arrested and is now facing a Federal charge. NO ONE from the 'Obama Team' was charged with him and his chief of staff or was identified as having agreed with the price demanded by Blago, quite the contrary. Blago's answers to the fact that his proposition was not going to be accepted by Obama are unpublishable and well known.
So unless you believe in some sort of 'Cover-Up Conspiracy', the report from the Obama Team can, at most, identify the member(s) that told Obama what was the price demanded by Blago, the links between both groups.

CNN is so starved for ratings that it is trying to make something out of nothing. Fitzgerald already exonerated Obama, yet this story is still on CNN's website everyday, innuendos and all.

Obama released the report according to the prosecutor's request, yet somehow the timing is "suspicious" and only explained at the end of the article.

Mainstream media is a joke, with CNN leading the way.

The ONLY ones with "lingering questions" are the media. No one else gives a crap. They have beaten this thing to death trying to make a story or create some nefarious controversy. Better luck next time... happy holidays.

Cheney can now release his "behind closed doors" dealings with Exxon, eight years too late. Not even in office yet and the Obama administration shows a vast improvement over Bush/Cheney.

How ironic that the same morons who heralded investigations done by Bush's people into wrong doing by Bush, now cry foul when its Obama doing it. As for comments made by Bobby that in four years we would be wishing for Bush. I say only those who dont learn from their mistakes would be stupid enough to do that.

I guess the repubs smell blood and are ready to tear into some meat, NOT! If Obama spoke to soon, everyone would have something to say about that, he speaks later to be sure he has all the facts straight and because Fitzgerald told him not to and he still gets criticized. Don't you people have some Christmas shopping or something to do, good grief!

The report will be thoroughly edited and 'nuanced' in lawyer-speak. It will not tell the real truth, but if the press is not truly in the bag for Obama they will get to the bottom of it with their own individual, truthful reports. All of us who have known of Rahm in the past knows what a slime he is, and Obama is supporting him.

Obama's team are just fine! The Republican-hate-lies-fear-and-division mongers........ the blog-haters, Limbaugh the comedian, Hannity-the-hater, Bill-O-the-Clown...... and the rest of the GOP will NEVER apologize for their lies. Which IS disturbing since ALL of these haters claim to be Christian...... I suppose they have never read one of the Ten Commandments which warns " not to bear FALSE witness against your neighbor"!

We can all look forward to continued hate, criticism, lies, etc., against a decent man, Barack Obama. While the VAST majority of our Nation, 76% believe his transition is brilliant, there is a small percentage of haters that will continue to spew their vile. That's why the GOP IS dying!

HOPE WON...... HOPE TRUMPS LIES, HATE, FEAR & DIVISION!!!

Oh and Rahmbo is hot.

The question is not that Obama or his team did anything wrong.
The question is
When Obama first spoke about this he said
I personally have no knowledge of any conversations with Blogo and my staff did not have any conversations with Blogo about who would fill my senate seat.
It is the misinformation / lying /

"In fact, the final word on whether there was wrongdoing will come from Fitzgerald, whose long-running probe of Blagojevich is still open."

Then why in the h_ll is CNN and other misfits trying to "twist" this into something else?

@Bobby and other Obama haters, in four years we will still be happy that Obama is in office and Dubya-the-shoe-receiver is not in office. Your guy lost; get over it!

Hey Ron in Ft. Myers, do you realize that soon the State Dept. will be headed by none other than Hillary??? How can they do a proper job when she is running the joint. She is just as crooked as the rest of them, and a buddy of Obama's so she will find no wrong doing as well! Think again Ron....

Not even in office and their changing their stories. When the Blago news first broke, Obama himself stated none of his people were ever in contact with Blago. Now, not only will we find out they were in contact but it is more than one guy. Obama is as currupt as the rest of Chicago and he couldn't even wait until he was sworn in to tell his first lie directly to the American people.

Pathetic.

I knew as soon as this scandal hit the news, conservatives would spin this story into being about Obama. Conservatives always point fingers at the "liberal media", but they have a great influence in the media as well...This can't just be about Blagojevich being corrupt, conservatives spin it into catch phrases like "Chicago style politics" and try to make it indicative of the Democratic party as a whole. Blagojevich did wrong, not necessarily breaking any laws. He should either resign or be impeached, but either way his political career is over. So let's put a period and move on.

I am becomming convinced that CNN has devoted it's self to the posting of the most inane unintellegent, shadows in the dark type of comments. This is making even comming to the WEB SITE a difficult proposition. CNN-Central Nincompoopery Network. keep up the good work!!

Palin investigates herself and GOP is OK with that. Obama does an internal none binding review and Bobby wishes for Bush. Operation Choas is working Swimmingly. Keep it up MaHaRushie. You have the Dems right where you want them. Ditto that!

Strange how one investigates oneself and finds oneself not involved.......and the Dems say it is no big deal. But if a Republican had possibly been involved they would have hung him out to dry. Give me a break! No one is buying this innocence act. When it is all said and done, we will find they are all knee-deep in the cr@#! Change at its best...

Question. Is the plan for the next 4 years to make PE Obama's life a living hell? To completely polarize the new administration?

I was really trying not to play the race card here but wow, this looks and feels very familiar. Twice the scrutiny, twice the expectations, twice the criticism, twice the pressure to do the impossible.

I guess somethings never change. Pity no one thought that GW needed the same kind of treatment. Maybe we wouldn't be in the mess we are in today. If someone, anyone, had held that idiot to the same impossible standards being heaped on the PE maybe some of this wouldn't have happened.

This foolish witch hunt is so small compared to the Iraq war, a failing economy, the lost of jobs in this country. By the way, didn't anyone in the financial market, corporations or goverment understand that if Americans don't have jobs that the ability to sell every product in just about every industry would eventually start to fail all over the WORLD.... Like I said, the witch hunt being conducted here is so very, very small...

Here's the kicker. Obama isn't even the President yet...

IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS BOY HANNITY COZ I THINK HIS OBSSESION WITH OBAMA IS BOADERLINE QUEER....SOMEONE SHOULD TELL HIM OBAMA IS MARRIED AND STRAIGHT....NOT THAT I HAVE ANYTHING WRONG WITH BEING GAY BUT HANNITY SHOULD COME OUT.

The conclusions in this report aren't surprising. We should wait until Fitzgerald's investigation runs its course before reachning any conclusions regarding any wrongdoing the Obama team might have in the Blago Affair. The sudden withdrawal of Valerie Jarrett from consideration as the replacement for Obama's senate seat is very curious though and merits much scrutiny.

An internal investigation that will find nothing...go figure.

Are you guys happy now? Good greif, now can you guys explain why the big bank execs got their bonuses after saying they wouldn't get a dime of the tax payers hard earned cash?

It sickens me how desparate the republicans are becoming......looking for a scandle where none exists......hey REPUBLICANS try rebuilding your party first then go look 4 a scandle....last time i checked them democrats were in the wilderness without making any noice 4 christ sake they voted 4 your dumb war like dumb sheep.

In four years the american people will wish Bush was still in office!

Now this is startling news! The Obama staff's exacting investigation into the Obama staff's alleged dealings with the Illinois governor has revealed that, gasp!, the Obama staff did nothing wrong. This is really big news, isn't it? Doesn't it kind of remind us of the Bush's team study of alleged Bush team's "lying" that revealed that the Bush team did nothing wrong? "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

Why do we speculate like this when the real news is what will be in the report when it is released.

Obama's investigation will exonerate Obama

What did you expect?

Of course it will mostly exonerate Obama's team. This is Chicago! We don’t expect a complete viewing of Hoffa style politics until later..

Now that this is over, it is not a good day for 'Hannity the Manatee.'

"But the bottom line, officials said, is the report will suggest no wrongdoing by Obama aides."

Than why is Obama and the dems getting their panties in a bunch over this in the first place? Of course an unbiase investigating team might discover something to the contrary to what Obama's own investigating team says.

Obama had to wait until Fitzgerald said it was ok to release their findings. CNN and "so called critics" are well aware of this, yet
have to cast doubt into integrity and timing.
Will CNN ever get over the fact Mccain was not elected and try
to be constructive about the future of our country??

Of course it will. Does anyone except Obama to place blame on anyone he has appointed as part of his team? well... unless there name is Clinton.

I know this report will not satisfy the 23% that still think "W" is doing a great job, but I am confident that the rest of us know that Obama did not have much to do with Blago. The report will show that there was nothing to those right wing charges of wrong doing.

What did you think you would hear from them?

Lots of transparency here, huh? His own team investigated itself and decided they were innocent. This incoming government, like it's predecessor, is a farce.

The country is in a mess, so let's not get bogged down trying to incriminate Obama in any misdeeds. Let the justice department do their thing and let's keep on the national recession problem.

yea, so they're exonerated... how about reporting on Obama's tactics of challenging ballot petitions to remove the competition so that he was the only candidate for Senator in IL? He is just as shrewd as any politician. Willing to do anything to get elected. He promised us change, and now he's going to spend $700B just like Bush did.

His administration is full of old-school democrats...no change there, that I can believe in.

I AM SHOCKED!

Everything CNN does these days is a lot about nothing. What an e-Tabloid looks like.

They're even digging up the JonBenet Ramsey stuff.

You all don't have news, and you're not entertaining.

It doesn't matter what the report says, or what Fitzgerald says, the right wing Republican attack dogs (Fixed News, et. al) will be at it regardless.

The Obama team is exonerating itself?

Hey Ditto Heads! Is this now phase IV if operation chaos? Do you think Rush is behind this also? And Rush, what is the bid idea behind letting a non American born Muslim become president? It this all part your great plan that we zombies just have not figured out yet? Rush we know you know what is best but this is starting to look bad.

If any "wrongdoing will come from Fitzgerald" who has already stated there was no wrongdoing by the Obama team, why is the press salivating about the release?

The release is being made this week because Fitzgerald asked for Obama to wait a week as your "report" in the piece.

The whole report contradicts itself from one paragraph to another!! But you will go on and on to create news rather than to report it!!