Comments on: The Reason Behind the Jacksons’ Narrow Denials? http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/ Fri, 15 Jul 2011 20:48:32 -0500 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 By: choochmac http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119705 choochmac Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:29:40 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119705 <p>I am not saying it is the case, but I could conceive of a situation where JJJr was not aware. It sounds like these fundraisers are not new to the Chicago machine, so they might know enough not to make JJJr aware of everything up front for favors later. They might not all be as stupid as Blago. If they managed to get him the seat and Blago confirmed it was their support which won it for him (and at this point I would say Blago would have no qualms in admitting such a thing) then they would assume they would have the eternal gratitude of a US Senator which could be leveraged later. </p> <p> I think it less likely than that the alternative that he knew something was afoot, but not impossible. What if they had a fairly innocent sounding conversation such as the following: Fundraiser, “Jesse, we know you want the Senate seat and we want you to get it too. Maybe if we show how much support you have in the community it will help you with making your case. Are you okay with that?” If he says yes and no further communication is made, I am not so sure that is an indictable offense.</p> I am not saying it is the case, but I could conceive of a situation where JJJr was not aware. It sounds like these fundraisers are not new to the Chicago machine, so they might know enough not to make JJJr aware of everything up front for favors later. They might not all be as stupid as Blago. If they managed to get him the seat and Blago confirmed it was their support which won it for him (and at this point I would say Blago would have no qualms in admitting such a thing) then they would assume they would have the eternal gratitude of a US Senator which could be leveraged later.

I think it less likely than that the alternative that he knew something was afoot, but not impossible. What if they had a fairly innocent sounding conversation such as the following: Fundraiser, “Jesse, we know you want the Senate seat and we want you to get it too. Maybe if we show how much support you have in the community it will help you with making your case. Are you okay with that?” If he says yes and no further communication is made, I am not so sure that is an indictable offense.

]]> By: radiofreewill http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119703 radiofreewill Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:26:37 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119703 <p>I’m with you - Jackson’s Monday conversation, after weeks and weeks of campaigning for the Seat - and the Friday Trib Article - may turn out - upon the discovery of further evidence - to be as meaningful as Rove’s “I didn’t take the bait!” e-mail.</p> I’m with you – Jackson’s Monday conversation, after weeks and weeks of campaigning for the Seat – and the Friday Trib Article – may turn out – upon the discovery of further evidence – to be as meaningful as Rove’s “I didn’t take the bait!” e-mail.

]]> By: SparklestheIguana http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119693 SparklestheIguana Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:52:49 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119693 <blockquote><p>He’s now Congressman for life.</p></blockquote> <p>He could also most likely be elected Mayor if he wants it….unless he’s damaged beyond repair when all the dust settles.</p>

He’s now Congressman for life.

He could also most likely be elected Mayor if he wants it….unless he’s damaged beyond repair when all the dust settles.

]]> By: KevinHayden http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119689 KevinHayden Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:43:22 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119689 <p>I’m not certain I can see why his denial is construed as ‘narrow’. There are laws. JJJ simply stated that he fully abided with the law. If he didn’t, Fitz would or will say so at some point.</p> <p>After all, as soon as candidate #5 was identified, it was politically necessary to respond as accurately as he could, and he did so. If there’s more there, it will come to light at some point. If not, his supporter acted on his own initiative and JJJ isn’t legally culpable.</p> <p>Yes, politically, it likely rules out JJJ gaining the appointment. Suspicion is often all that’s needed to prevent a worthy politician’s advance. Ultimately, unless Emanuel screwed up, this all appears to be a local matter that Illinois citizens will have to resolve. All the national speculation and political posturing is simply an unfortunate distraction from far bigger problems the entire country is facing.</p> I’m not certain I can see why his denial is construed as ‘narrow’. There are laws. JJJ simply stated that he fully abided with the law. If he didn’t, Fitz would or will say so at some point.

After all, as soon as candidate #5 was identified, it was politically necessary to respond as accurately as he could, and he did so. If there’s more there, it will come to light at some point. If not, his supporter acted on his own initiative and JJJ isn’t legally culpable.

Yes, politically, it likely rules out JJJ gaining the appointment. Suspicion is often all that’s needed to prevent a worthy politician’s advance. Ultimately, unless Emanuel screwed up, this all appears to be a local matter that Illinois citizens will have to resolve. All the national speculation and political posturing is simply an unfortunate distraction from far bigger problems the entire country is facing.

]]> By: Leen http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119682 Leen Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:35:37 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119682 <p>“better than good” where? </p> <p>I thought JJJ came off as good as it gets these days </p> <p>Ew thanks</p> “better than good” where?

I thought JJJ came off as good as it gets these days

Ew thanks

]]> By: emptywheel http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119666 emptywheel Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:57:42 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119666 <p>joanneleon</p> <p>I think that’s where the whole presumed innocent thing comes in. There’s reason to look further, certainly, but right now we don’t have that evidence.</p> joanneleon

I think that’s where the whole presumed innocent thing comes in. There’s reason to look further, certainly, but right now we don’t have that evidence.

]]> By: joanneleon http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119664 joanneleon Fri, 12 Dec 2008 16:55:17 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119664 <p>Is it reasonable to believe that people associated with JJJ were talking to Blago about money and the Senate seat, and JJJ had no idea they were doing it? They may have been careful enough that JJJ and Blago never had a conversation about money, and Fitz may never be able to prove it, but I’m having a really hard time believing that JJJ had no idea it was going on. </p> <p>Maybe I’m naive or missing something? I just can’t think of a scenario that a reasonable person would believe.</p> Is it reasonable to believe that people associated with JJJ were talking to Blago about money and the Senate seat, and JJJ had no idea they were doing it? They may have been careful enough that JJJ and Blago never had a conversation about money, and Fitz may never be able to prove it, but I’m having a really hard time believing that JJJ had no idea it was going on.

Maybe I’m naive or missing something? I just can’t think of a scenario that a reasonable person would believe.

]]> By: JohnForde http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119655 JohnForde Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:46:54 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119655 <p>Wasn’t Rostenkowski a ‘congressman for life’? He’s still alive.</p> Wasn’t Rostenkowski a ‘congressman for life’? He’s still alive.

]]> By: nextstopchicago http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119654 nextstopchicago Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:43:53 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119654 <p>Trib now reporting that Nils Larsen, formerly of Zell’s Equity Group, now of Tribune Company, was “Tribune Financial Adviser”:</p> <p><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-blagojevich-tribune-12-dec12,0,6000849.story" rel="nofollow">http://www.chicagotribune.com/.....0849.story</a></p> Trib now reporting that Nils Larsen, formerly of Zell’s Equity Group, now of Tribune Company, was “Tribune Financial Adviser”:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/…..0849.story

]]> By: nextstopchicago http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119649 nextstopchicago Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:38:27 +0000 http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2008/12/12/the-jacksons-narrow-denials/#comment-119649 <p>Well, I have no grudge against Junior for wanting the Senate seat despite the fact that Barack liked someone else. They’ve always been independent of each other, and that’s fine. Good democrats can vie against each other, and Barack has no special privilege to pick his successor.</p> <p>But assuming the best for him, that the Nayak initiative was completely independent and he knew nothing, and that the US Attorney believe him, I think this probably ends his higher aspirations for a long time. I do believe him. But the question of whether he knew what Nayaak was up to is going to be a Rohrschach test, where I’d predict most black voters will shrug their shoulders, and most white voters will assume the worst. </p> <p>He’s now Congressman for life.</p> Well, I have no grudge against Junior for wanting the Senate seat despite the fact that Barack liked someone else. They’ve always been independent of each other, and that’s fine. Good democrats can vie against each other, and Barack has no special privilege to pick his successor.

But assuming the best for him, that the Nayak initiative was completely independent and he knew nothing, and that the US Attorney believe him, I think this probably ends his higher aspirations for a long time. I do believe him. But the question of whether he knew what Nayaak was up to is going to be a Rohrschach test, where I’d predict most black voters will shrug their shoulders, and most white voters will assume the worst.

He’s now Congressman for life.

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