The latest buzz about the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is that President-elect Barrack Obama’s appointed Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, “turned” him in.
While Emanuel’s conduct is sure to be part of the ongoing investigation and potential trial, the notion that he is responsible for Blagojevich’s indictment is not supported by the facts contained in the criminal complaint (PDF). Federal investigators received permission to bug the Governor’s telephone lines BEFORE the presidential election took place.
Emanuel may well have declined to get involved in any of Blagojevich’s schemes, but to suggest that he is some how a hero for “turning in” Blagojevich doesn’t square with the facts presented so far.
The Feds already knew about Blagojevich’s attempts to sell Obama’s Senate seat because THEY WERE LISTENING TO HIM TRY TO SELL IT. What could Emanuel have told them that they didn’t already know?
That “tip” is obviously a trial balloon (and lefty blog fodder) to try and throw the scent off of Obama and Emanuel. Don’t buy it…
Hat Tip: Politico commenter furytrader for wording
