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Obama says he knew nothing of governor's 'seat for sale'
Paul Thompson in Miami10.12.08
BARACK Obama has moved swiftly to distance himself from the arrest of the governor of Illinois for trying to sell his Senate seat to the highest bidder.
The president-elect and his transition team were nervously watching the fallout from the arrest of Rod Blagojevich on corruption charges.
Their biggest fear is that Mr Obama's relationship with Chicago businessman Antonin "Tony" Rezko will be dragged up as opponents seek to tie the president-elect to Mr Blagojevich. Rezko, a political fundraiser, faces 10 years in jail on bribery and corruption charges and will be sentenced next month.
Both Mr Obama and Mr Blagojevich received money and support from Rezko during their campaigns.
The most damming charge against Mr Blagojevich is that he tried to sell Mr Obama's vacant Senate seat to whoever would pay him the most cash.
Mr Blagojevich was arrested after the FBI bugged his phone lines. In one call, he said: "I've got this thing and it's f***ing golden, and, uh, uh, I'm just not giving it up for f***in' nothing."
Mr Obama said: "I had no contact with the governor or his office."
Reader views (5)
Imagine the hue and cry if the Republicans were caught doing this? The BBC would have it as a lead story for a month! Instead it's barely mentioned. BBC Bias but who will hold them to account for it?
But as it's the Dem's the main stream media will exhonerate their Obamessiah.
- Rusty Shackleford, UK
Smells like another OJ weasel story.
- David, Johannesburg .South Africa
Obama knew nothing. Yeah. Right.
- Nick (Expat), Hong Kong
this is some bull crap they better not blame obama for this to because he's doing a good job i think and he will be a good pres.
- Gustavo, paducah, united states
Everyone sounds shocked ... yet this is business as usual here in the USA ... the only surprise is that this guy weas stupid eneough to get taped!!
- Marke, Houston, Texas
