Obama Attacks Democracy Again: President Eliminates Voter Choice In New York State Senate Primary!

It's rare for a president to inject himself into statewide politics and a host of New York political insiders with ties to several House Democrats say they're angry that Obama even got involved.

We have already seen far too many examples of President Obama sticking his nose where it doesn't belong. His war on capitalism extends beyond any reasonable limits to which a President is constitutionally entitled.

And now we learn he is becoming involved in New York State politics? Who does this guy think he is? God?

Oh wait...

His recent speech at Arizona State proves that: President Obama Commencement Speech To Arizona State Grads: America Sucks, Capitalism Sucks, Our Military Sucks (Complete Video)

Obama Wants to Control the Banks and that is the reason he refuses to accept repayment of TARP money.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner told Katie Couric last month he is open to more unconstitutional terminations of CEOs, continuing Team "O"s assault on the markets, investors and capitalism.

President Obama, in a blatant abuse on his constitutional Executive power, felt it necessary to fire GM CEO Rick Wagoner.

Geithner unveiled a plan designed to give Treasury Department the ability to take over financial institutions at the Secretary's choosing.

A bill has been introduced in Congress, HR 1664 Grayson-Himes Pay For Performance Act of 2009, which aims to cap pay which is not performance based and any and all employees who work for companies receiving bailout dollars.

It's a power grab to redistribute wealth, penalize the successful and establish a communistic "equality" among Americans. Regulation = control and power. Team "O" wants to destroy free market capitalism. There is ample proof of Obama's war on investors. Welcome to The United Socialist States of America (USSA).

Now, Fox News has learned that Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) asked Obama to implore Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) against challenging New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary next year.

Israel was poised to announce his candidacy until the president intervened with a Friday afternoon phone call in an effort to clear the field for Gillibrand, a source told FOX News, calling the move "messy."

"This is a tough, heartfelt decision for me. I have received encouragement to pursue this fight from all corners of our great state," Israel said in a statement.

The senators solicited Obama's assistance to help Gillibrand avoid a competitive
primary in 2010, a Democratic New York source told FOX News.

Menendez heads the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the panel charged with electing party members to the Senate and led by Schumer in past years.

It's rare for a president to inject himself into statewide politics. And a host of New York political insiders with ties to several House Democrats say they're angry that the president even got involved.

"What? You can't have a primary? It's decided in backroom deals?" asked a source who spoke to FOX News on the condition of anonymity. "What if someone told Obama he couldn't have a primary and Hillary (Clinton) would just be the nominee? Where would he be? It's an outrage."

Gillibrand's appointment to the Senate has been controversial from the start. Many New York House Democrats were appalled that Gov. David Paterson tapped such a junior lawmaker to succeed Clinton in the Senate when she became secretary of state. Upstate New York voters first elected Gillibrand to the House in 2006 in an upset and Paterson appointed her to the Senate a little more than two years later.

Even New York Rep. Carolyn McCarthy warned that she would challenge Gillibrand in the Democratic contest before Paterson appointed her. Others have questioned whether the moderate Gillibrand would be viable in a statewide race.

Despite speaking with Israel, Obama did not make similar requests of other potential Gillibrand challengers such as McCarthy, and New York Reps. Carolyn Maloney or Rep. Jose Serrano.

"I can't imagine why (Obama) would do this," said one source, referring to the president's request to Israel to step aside. "I am sure that it will upset many (New York) delegation members."

Not only has Obama begun his war on capitalism in earnest, he is now attacking the greatest freedom in our Democracy -- our right to vote.

Unreal.

Glenn Beck: Michele Bachmann Says Barney Frank Cock-Blocked Amendment to Stop Funding ACORN (Video)

ACORN must be stopped; the government won't do it. It is up to all of us.

You must contact your Congressman and Senators.

This has nothing to do with politics or government. This is not about Republican vs. Democrat. This is corruption. This is voter fraud. And it goes all the way to the top; The President of The United States is directly involved with ACORN!

What do you think ACORN stands for? The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now!

What was Barack Obama's career before politics? Community Organizer! Do the math!




ACORN is the largest radical Leftist group in America today. ACORN thinks Americans have a Constitutional right to own a home, supports illegally breaking into homes , pressures Blue-Dog Democrats to back radical legislation and generally acts like above-the-law criminals. ACORN was officially tapped as a Census partner in February and the CRAPulus Spending "Stimulus" Bill contains over $4 Billion for "neighborhood stabilization", i.e. community organizations like ACORN. National Review noted prior to last fall's election the shady, if not corrupt and illegal relationship between Barack Obama and his community organizer bedfellows at ACORN. Obama has also been caught on tape telling ACORN organizers that the group will help shape his Presidential agenda.

Maddow DARES To Criticize Ronald Reagan? MSNBC And Rachel Maddow Are Hateful, Vile, Disgusting UnAmerican Slime The Liberal Media Has Crossed The Line

All Americans, not just Conservatives must watch this. She must be silenced. This is hurtful to America. Seriously.

WARNING: "Sick Bag" required.

Pun (Unintentionally) Intended: Rachel Maddow truly is a "Sick Bag".



Rachel Maddow. The anger you incite in Americans is perverse, arrogant, wrong and hateful.

You and anyone who watches your vile show or listens to your amateurish radio show can all pack up your things and move the hell out of America!

You clearly want Socialism, Communism, and Totalitarianism. Then take your vile pig face and pack up your sh*t and move to Europe. Move to Afghanistan. Move to China. Move to Soviet Russia. Move anywhere where you will be silenced by vicious, violent, anti-Woman radical Socialist who you so endear.

F*** You Rachel Maddow! You are more vile and disgusting and unpatriotic than Chris Matthews could ever hope to be!

Who the hell do you think you are, Rachel Maddow! You are NO ONE! You are not even a speck on the historical radar. How dare you!

Deputy Attorney General Nominee David Ogden Is A Hired Gun For Playboy, Penthouse and The Aclu; Believes Childbirth Is Worse For Women Than Abortion!

Wow! And we thought Top Cop and Pro-Terror, Pro-Corruption Eric Holder had issues!

Well, it turns out that Number 2 Lawyer, Deputy Attorney General Nominee David Ogden has an equally despicable past.

And to think, we were all so concerned about the tax cheats!

This was reported on Sean Hannity's radio show earlier today.

Fidelis.org issued this in a press release:

CHICAGO – President Obama has made a major mistake and put America’s families at risk by selecting David Ogden to become Deputy Attorney General, says Fidelis, a pro-family organization.

“David Ogden is a hired gun from Playboy and ACLU. He can’t run from his long record of opposing common sense laws protecting families, women, and children. The United States Senate has a responsibility to the American people to insure that Mr. Ogden’s full record is fully reviewed before any vote on his nomination” said Brian Burch, President of Fidelis.

“Ogden’s record is nothing short of obscene. He has represented Playboy Enterprises in multiple cases, Penthouse Magazine, the ACLU, and the largest distributor of hard-core pornography videos. He has opposed filters on library computers protecting children from Internet smut, and successfully defended the right of pornographers to produce material with underage children.”

“David Ogden has collected checks from Playboy and Penthouse to fight any attempts to establish filters on federally-funded public libraries. Ogden even sued the federal government in an attempt to publish Braille versions of Playboy magazine – at taxpayer expense, of course,” said Burch.

As a lawyer in private practice, Ogden has argued for an unlimited abortion license, gays in the military, and has urged courts to treat traditional definitions of marriage as a social prejudice.“

A vast majority of Americans support parental notification before a minor’s abortion and protecting kids from Internet pornography in our libraries,” continued Burch. “Yet David Ogden has fought tooth and nail against these common sense laws protecting our children from harm. At a time when America’s families are under increasing assault, Mr. Ogden is a dangerous choice for a position whose responsibilities include the enforcement of our nation’s laws.

“For a full report on David Ogden’s disappointing legal record, visit www.fidelis.org

From Life News:

Millions of women deal with a multitude of problems following an abortion, ranging from medical issues to mental health consequences.

But, in legal papers filed during the consideration of a 1992 Supreme Court case, Ogen claimed women don't deal with negative experiences resulting from an abortion.

Ogden wrote and filed an amicus brief on behalf of the American Psychological Association for the Supreme Court's seminal decision in Casey v. Planned Parenthood.

In it, Ogden argued, "Abortion rarely causes or exacerbates psychological or emotional problems. When women do experience regret, depression, or guilt, such feelings are mild and diminish rapidly without adversely affecting general functioning."

"The few women who do experience negative psychological responses after abortion appear to be those with preexisting emotional problems," Ogden claimed.

"In sum, it is grossly misleading to tell a woman that abortion imposes possible detrimental psychological effects when the risks are negligible in most cases," Ogden claimed.

The Obama nominee appears to believe that childbirth is worse for women than an abortion.

"The evidence shows that she is more likely to experience feelings of relief and happiness, and when child-birth and child-rearing or adoption may pose concomitant (if not greater) risks or adverse psychological effects," he surmised.

How is Obama gonna get out of this mess? Blame Daschle again?

Another fun one to watch. Grab the popcorn!

Daschle In Hot Water; Even New York Times Call For Him To Step Aside; Another Obama Nominee Withdrawls Due to "Tax Issues"

Looks like reality has arrived in The Promised Land. Rough day for Obama when even the New York Times disagrees!

Maybe we should all refuse to pay taxes this year? Oh wait, that might actually stimulate the economy; Liberals would not want that to happen.

From NY Times

Unfortunately, new facts have come to light — involving his failure to pay substantial taxes that were owed and his sizable income from health-related companies while he worked in the private sector — that call into question his suitability for the job. We believe that Mr. Daschle ought to step aside and let the president choose a less-blemished successor.

This comes the same day that Nancy Killefer, Obama's choice for Chief Performance Officer (whatever that is) withdrew her nomination due to "tax issues".

From Times Online:

The controversies that have dogged President Obama's administration continued to mount today, with Nancy Killefer asking for her nomination as his Chief Performance Officer to be withdrawn because of a "tax issue". Her decision followed similar problems with Tim Geithner and Tom Daschle over their failure to pay back taxes that have tarnished the President's promise of a new ethical standard in American government.

Fox News reports that Jim DeMint becomes the first Senator to call for Daschle to step down.

Republican Sen. Jim DeMint on Tuesday called for President Obama to withdraw the nomination of Tom Daschle for health and human services secretary, becoming the first senator to say that the former majority leader's tax problems are disqualifying.

Several other newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Boston Globe, and Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also have called for Daschle to withdraw.

Obama Hypocrisy 2.0: Another Tax Scandal in The Obama Machine: HHS Pick Daschle Had "Some Tax Issues" Amounting to $100,000

More Change You Can Cheat the IRS In

UPDATE: There's more! $140,000 more! Good grief! And, Obama team is manipulating the media. Shocker.

Fox News is reporting:

The White House has acknowledged that former Sen. Tom Daschle, President Obama's nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services, had "some tax issues," which, the administration says, have been resolved and shouldn't bar his confirmation as secretary.

FOX News confirmed that Daschle alerted the Senate Finance Committee, which will oversee his confirmation hearing, that the matter involves more than $100,000 in back taxes and interest for a car and driver that was provided to him for four years by Leo Hindery, a wealthy Democratic donor and longtime friend of Daschle's.

Wow! And here we thought IRS Chief Timothy Geithner's $42,000 "hiccup" was bad.

But what's worse is that both Daschle's wife and chief of staff are the latest to violate Obama's BS Ethics/Anti-Lobbyist Execute Order.

They have both been lobbyist for health care issues and Daschle is set to become Health and Human Services Director and Obama's "Health Czar".

What a complete joke. Seriously. This is just hilarious.

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose the more that things change, the more they stay the same

US Attorney Subpoenas Obama Friends David Axelrod, Valerie Jarrett, Rahm Emanuel and Tony Rezko

Everyone covered the "Cuckoo" Blago press conference on Friday, and everyone knows that Governor Blagojevich will be on The View on Monday, but who is talking about this on the news?



From Doug Ross:

• On Saturday morning, the list of subpoenas served by the U.S. Attorney's office in the Governor Rod Blagojevich case was made public. The list included one major surprise for the new administration.
• 
  
• A veritable "who's who" of Obama staffers, surrogates and affiliates were among those served with subpoenas. Put simply, within one week of President Barack Obama's administration taking office, it is already under significant legal scrutiny that will -- at a minimum -- take precious time away from dealing with the country's monumental economic and foreign policy challenges.
• 
  
• And, once again, the mainstream media is AWOL, unwilling to report on this very newsworthy story.
• 
  
• Among those served with subpoenas were:
• 
  
• David Axelrod, Obama's "Karl Rove" and the biggest surprise on the list. Obama's team issued a report in December that said his staff had no "inappropriate contact" with Blago, so the inclusion of Axelrod is a bit of a shock.
• 
  
• Valerie Jarrett, Blago's "Senate Candidate 1", a real estate management executive and political hack of the first order. Her ties to failed and fraudulent real estate deals in Chicago were the subject of numerous investigations and should have instantly disqualified her for any public office.
• 
  
• Rahm Emanuel was already deeply involved in the case with some reports describing as many as 21 conversations with Blago's office during the period in question.
• 
  
• Tony Rezko, Obama's first advocate, fundraiser and adviser, was convicted last year on numerous charges related to kickbacks, and is now awaiting sentencing. Rezko is "cooperating with authorities, FBI Agent Daniel Cain said in an affidavit."

***

We'll say it again! Why do you suppose Blago keeps mentioning these people in all of his public appearances? Is he "Cuckoo" or is there method to his madness?

Only The Obama Knows For Sure!

ACORN and The Stimulus Bill: Democrats and Obama Pay Back Their Corrupt Friends, Totalitarianism In The Making? $4 Billion To Fund Voter Fraud

National Review noted prior to last fall's election the shady, if not corrupt and illegal relationship between Barack Obama and his community organizer bedfellows at ACORN.

• ACORN, the Association of Community Organizers for Reform Now, is essentially a Marxist shakedown outfit. One of its main rackets is election fraud — but it can also be very helpful if you happen to be a Leftist activist who finds himself needing, say, to foment a riot, vandalize public property, shut down legislative hearings or opposition conferences, harass the families of elected officials, extort leave-us-alone pay-offs from banks, promote illegal immigration, or the like.
  
• Like ACORN, Obama is a community organizer in the Saul Alinsky radical mode, and he goes way back — two decades back — with the organization. He represented ACORN as a lawyer, taught “organizing” to ACORN’s up and coming rabble-rousers, colluded with ACORN in Chicago “get out the vote” projects, funded ACORN when he sat on the boards of left-wing charities, and exploited ACORN’s enthusiastic support when he won his senate seat in 2004 — a victory the “non-partisan” ACORN can’t help itself but claim credit for.

It should not come as any surprise that ACORN supports the Congressional "spending bill", aka economic stimulus package.

The Obama/Pelosi/Reid plan is brilliant in its simplicity. They are buying our country. Beneath all the rhetoric, is there plan to divide and conquer, as Rush pointed out yesterday.

Their groundswell of "boots on the ground", aka Obama's Army, will use voter intimidation, illegal fundraising schemes and general fear-mongering of the American people to not only ensure passage of Obama's socialist agenda but to make it as difficult as possible for anyone to oppose the Totalitarian rule of the 21st Century Democrats.

Yes, The "T-Word", read this definition closely. Notice anything that sounds familiar? This is happening right in front of us!

• Totalitarianism (or totalitarian rule) is a concept used to describe political systems whereby a state regulates nearly every aspect of public and private life. Totalitarian regimes or movements maintain themselves in political power by means of an official all-embracing ideology and propaganda disseminated through the state-controlled mass media, a single party that controls the state, personality cults, control over the economy, regulation and restriction of free discussion and criticism, the use of mass surveillance, and widespread use of terror tactics.

From John Boehner's statement: "ACORN Could Get Billions from Democrats' Trillion Dollar Spending Plan "Job Creation" Bill Offers Taxpayer-Funded Bonanza for Organization Reportedly Under Federal Investigation"

• Washington, Jan 23 - The House Democrats’ trillion dollar spending bill, approved on January 21 by the Appropriations Committee and headed to the House floor next week for a vote, could open billions of taxpayer dollars to left-wing groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). ACORN has been accused of perpetrating voter registration fraud numerous times in the last several elections; is reportedly under federal investigation; and played a key role in the irresponsible schemes that caused a financial meltdown that has cost American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars since last fall.
  
  
• House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and other Republicans are asking a simple question: what does this have to do with job creation? Are Congressional Democrats really going to borrow money from our children and grandchildren to give handouts to ACORN in the name of economic “stimulus?”
  
  Incredibly, the Democrats’ bill makes groups like ACORN eligible for a $4.19 billion pot of money for “neighborhood stabilization activities.” Funds for this purpose were authorized in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act, signed into law in 2008. However, these funds were limited to state and local governments. Now House Democrats are taking the unprecedented step of making ACORN and other groups eligible for these funds:

• The House Democrats’ trillion dollar spending bill also includes $1 billion for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. CDBG funds are given by the federal government to state and local governments which often contract with nonprofits for services related to the purpose of the grant.
  
  ACORN knows how to secure CDBG funds. Audit reports filed by ACORN’s headquarters with the Office of Management and Budget show that ACORN spent $1,588,599 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds from FY 2003 through FY 2007. It is not clear from these records when or from what source the funds were awarded to ACORN. It is also not clear whether ACORN chapters or affiliates have received CDBG grants on their own.

Let Freedom Ring adds this perspective.

• What stimulative purpose will giving $4,190,000,000 to ACORN and like-minded organizations serve? I’d argue that it doesn’t and that it wasn’t intended to have a stimulative effect. I’d argue that the most likely reason this money is in the Pork-O-Rama bill is to pay off longtime political allies. (Corrupt allies at that.)

Is this really the change you thought you were getting?

Look, we understand the Obama Infatuation. We don't agree with it, but we get it.

We understand Bush Derangement Syndrome. We don't agree with it, but we get it.

We understand many Americans are bleeding-heart anti-war types. We don't agree with it, but we get it.

We understand the economy is pretty bad.

We understand the desire to "change" but you had other choices. Yet, you chose to place the most Liberal Senator in Washington in charge of the country.

We hope for the best because we are Americans. We are Patriotic.

But if President Obama gets everything he wants, we all deserve what we asked for. Not just the Red States, or just the Blue States, but all of us in The United States.

***

(Hat Tip Gateway Pundit.)



Michelle Malkin has a wealth of information on "Obamacorn".



Atlas Shrugs gives us these links to more on ACORN/Obama links.



Prosecute ACORN With RICO Immediately
Sordid Financial Details of ACORN’s Corrupt Network


ACORN’s White Horse Obama to the rescue By Andrew C. McCarthy


More ACORN FRAUD


Obama: ACORN will “Shape the Agenda” When I’m PresidentObama's campaign paid ACORN $800,000 (more here)The Weekly Standard:



The Cleveland Leader reports that Barack Obama lied about his involvement with the group ACORN ....


DEFUND ACORN


OHIO MAN BRIBED BY ACORN ACTIVISTS TO REGISTER TO VOTE 72 TIMES - New York Post (hat tip aug)


1 VOTER, 72 REGISTRATIONS ACORN PAID ME IN CASH & CIGS' NY Post


OBAMA'S ACORN ORG:VEGAS OFFICE RAIDED


Barack Hussein Obama's Ties to Bill Ayers and ACORN are Exposed by Stanley Kurtz on "Fox and Friends"

Blago Makes His Case: No Poetry, But Did Talk About Old Westerns

Blago made his case today for preservation of his constitutional rights.

We have no jokes. We have nothing about Blago "rubbing his taint" on anyone or anything.

This has now become X-Files, News of the Weird material.

We Heart Blago!

From The Chicago Sun Times:

On Friday, Blagojevich voiced two specific complaints, the first being that the trial rules deny him an opportunity to challenge the charges against him or the documents on which the charges are based.

This is not true.

The governor cannot block the introduction of evidence that he may object to, such as an unsigned letter or a newspaper article; but Rule 14 of the Senate’s trial proceedings lays out exactly how he can challenge the “sufficiency” of such evidence. This evidence — if his argument carried the day — then would be set aside by the Senate.

Unfortunately, the governor’s attorneys blew off Friday’s deadline for making “sufficiency” challenges.

The governor’s second specific complaint is that he cannot call witnesses in his defense.

Again, this is not true.

Under Rule 15 of the impeachment trial proceedings, the governor will, in fact, be able to call witnesses, although only in each case with the Senate’s approval. The same restriction — the Senate must approve — also holds true for prosecution witnesses.

We have to wonder why Blago keeps mentioning Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett and Jesse Jackson, Jr.

You don't suppose that the Rezko-familiar Blago has some dirt on these people... and The President, do you? Hmmm....

And then his attorney resigned.

Another Obama Friend Indicted -- Does The President Elect Know Anyone Moral? Seriously!

Obama supporter, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon, was indicted yesterday. Is this getting old, or what?

Wall Street Journal:

A Maryland grand jury on Friday indicted Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon on 12 criminal counts, including theft and perjury, for alleged official misconduct beginning when she was a councilwoman.


In addition, the Maryland prosecutor's office charged that for four years Ms. Dixon misused holiday gift cards that were intended to be distributed to needy families. Prosecutors say she gave them to members of her staff and used them to buy herself electronics and clothing.

Dixon met with Obama gal pal Valerie Jarret last month.

The mayor and her chief of staff, Demaune Millard, traveled to Chicago yesterday evening and will meet with senior Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett. Dixon "is very excited that she gets to sit at the table and help shape what an economic stimulus blueprint could look like," said Ian Brennan, Dixon's spokesman. The mayor was invited because of her work on the urban policy work group for the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

President-Elect Barack Obama was scheduled to meet with Ms. Dixon next week.

You get it yet? Is anyone connecting the dots? Has anyone realized yet that Barack Obama has a poor choice in friends? Blago...Jeremiah Wright...Tony Rezko...Rahm Emanuel...Father Flager...Michelle Obama...Louis Farrakhan...Bill Richardson...Iran....Hamas...Harry Reid...Bill Clinton...Hillary Clinton...Nancy Pelosi...Barney Frank...Valerie Jarrett...Karl Marx....

Yawn! 60 Million Strong voted for this guy! Good Luck! Hope we don't have to say "I told you so"!

Illinois Panel Recommends Impeachment of Blago

From Fox News:

The Illinois House committee investigating Gov. Rod Blagojevich released a draft report Thursday saying the panel believes the Democratic governor has abused his power and recommending the full chamber vote on impeachment.

"The citizens of this state must have confidence that their governor will faithfully serve the people and put their interests before his own," the report reads. "It is with profound regret that the committee finds that our current governor has not done so."

The panel could vote to accept the report when it resumes work Thursday afternoon, which would set up a full House impeachment vote on Friday. If the House votes to impeach, the matter would go to the state Senate for a trial. No Illinois governor has ever been impeached.

The draft does not include a formal article of impeachment laying out the charges against Blagojevich, which could be written separately. But it says there is cause to believe Blagojevich engaged in pay-to-play politics.

"The committee has heard a great deal of evidence relating to various instances where the governor's inappropriate actions constitute abuse of power," the report reads.

Blagojevich's office had no immediate comment.

Say it say Blago! We don't want our favorite corrupt Liberal Governor to leave us!

Where Is the Ethics Report on Charles Rangel?

Amanda Carpenter at Town Hall brought up a good point yesterday.

Where is that ethics report on Charlie Rangel Speaker Pelosi promised to deliver on January 3rd? Apparently, it never got finished because the Democrats couldn't find any one willing to serve as Chairman of the committee, according to The Hill. Gee, that's convenient...Meanwhile, Rangel, who is under a cloud of suspicion for evading taxes among other things, continues to chair one of the most powerful committees in Congress, Ways & Means, which is the ONLY body constitutionally empowered to raise taxes.

Republicans had asked Mr. Rangel to step down last September.

Speaker Pelosi's initial response was in defense of Rangel, whom she called "a very distinguished member of the House of Representatives".

Less than a week later, Speaker Pelosi quietly asked Rangel to step aside.

In November, Pelosi said a House Ethics Committee report would be finished and released by January 3rd.

But then in early December, Pelosi said that she "I don't foresee" him losing his post.

On January 3rd, Rangel again denied any wrongdoing...

...and the report was nowhere to be found.

Rangel continues his chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee in the new, 111th Congress.

And where is the report now Madame Speaker?

Contact Rangel use zip code 10027.

Ooopsy!...Funds Connect Obama With Richardson Pay-to-Play Scandal!

ABC News is reporting that Barack Obama has financial ties to David Rubin, a central figure in the Bill Richardson "pay-to-play" scandal which forced him to withdraw himself from consideration for Commerce Secretary.

President-elect Barack Obama took big money from a man at the center of a federal probe that has forced one of Obama's top Cabinet picks to withdraw.

Financial records show the Obama campaign got more than $30,000 from California financier David Rubin, the target of an investigation into donations and possible "pay-to-play" deals involving New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama's pick for commerce secretary.

In late September, Rubin attended an exclusive Los Angeles fundraiser for Obama, held at the Beverly Hills' Greystone Mansion. Attendees gave tens of thousands of dollars which the campaign split between its own coffers, the Democratic National Committee and state-level campaign groups supporting Obama and Democratic candidates. The technique helps campaigns take in from individuals far more than the $2,300 maximum they are allowed to give to a single campaign fund.

Yawn! Why are we not surprised?

Oops! Bill Richardson Withdrawls His Nomination to Be Commerce Secretary

In an (un)stunning development Sunday, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdrew him name for consideration to head the Commerce Department amidst controversy surrounding his pay-to-play scandal.

"I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process," Richardson said. "Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the president-elect and his administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done."

Is anyone picking up a theme here? Anybody alive out there?

Blago Strikes Again! Illinois Governor to Name Former Ill. Attorney General Roland Burris

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Gov. Blago will name Roland Burris to replace Barack Obama in the US Senate.

WASHINGTON---I've learned that Gov. Blagojevich is poised to name former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris to replace President elect Barack Obama in the Senate on Tuesday afternoon. The embattled Blagojevich is fighting impeachment charges in the Illinois House for, among other reasons, trying to auction off the Senate seat held by President elect Barack Obama. Blagojevich called a press conference for 2 p.m. Chicago time at the Thompson State of Illinois Center.

Burris was the first African American to win statewide office in Illinois when he was elected comptroller, serving from 1983 to 1991. He served as Illinois Attorney General from 1991 to 1995. Burris previously ran and lost bids for the U.S. senate and governor. Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-Nv.) had said he would ask the Senate not to seat any Blagojevich appointee, in order to make sure the seat is free of taint.

Burris has a long political history in Illinois, mostly on the losing side of elections. (Lost to Paul Simon in 1984 Senate race, lost 1994 run for Governor, lost in 1995 bid for Mayor of Chicago, was yet again unsuccessful to get Democratic nomination in the 2002 Governor race, where he lost to, that's right, Blago!)

So a corrupt Governor who is currently facing impeachment hearings nominates a lifetime loser.

Is anyone else getting the feeling that Blago is completely insane?

Blagojevich:"I Will Fight Until I Take My Last Breath"

"I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," he said, adding "that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong, and I'm not going to quit a job the people hired me to do because of false accusations and a political lynch mob."

"Let me tell you what I'm not going to do," he said. "I'm not going to do what my accusers and political enemies have been doing and that's talk about this case in 30-second soundbites on 'Meet the Press' or on the TV news. Now, I'm dying to answer these charges. I am dying to show you how innocent I am. And I want to assure everyone who's here and everyone who's listening that I intend to answer every allegation that comes my way. However, I intend to answer them in the appropriate forum in a court of law. And when I do, I am absolutely certain that I will be vindicated."

Then, for no particular reason, Blagojevich recited Rudyard Kipling's "If":

If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on
you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you and make allowance for
their doubting, too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, or being
lied about,
Don't deal in lies, or being hated,
Don't give way to hating

.
He added: "Now, I know there are some powerful forces allied against me. it's kind of lonely right now. But I have on my side the most powerful ally. And it's the truth. And besides I have the personal knowledge that I have not done anything wrong."

"To the people of Illinois, I ask that they wait and be patient, sit back and take a deep breath and please reserve judgment," he said. "Afford me the same rights that you and your children have. Presumption of innocence. The right to defend yourself. The right to your day in court. The same rights that people would expect for yourselves."

Blago thanked his supporters and wished the viewers "Merry Christmas. Happy holidays." At least he hasn't let a little corruption scandal dampen his Christmas Spirit!

We're just curious who those supporters are? The guy has a 4% approval rating! He makes President Bush look as popular as The Beatles!

The good news is that Blago has ensured that this will drag on for weeks and months and well into Obama's First 100 Days!

And we'll be here to keep you posted on all things Blago-riffic!

We Love Blago!

Madoff Bailout: Here We Go Again

From Reuters...Victims of Madoff Scandal to receive bailout? Please.

Bailout. Smailout. A pox on all these bailouts!

Bill Richardson: Et Tu Pay to Play?

Bloomberg is reporting an investigation into possible pay-to-play involving New Mexico!

• A federal grand jury is investigating how a company that advised Jefferson County, Alabama, on bond deals that threaten to cause the biggest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history, did similar work in New Mexico after making contributions to Governor Bill Richardson's political action committees.

Maybe Obama is right? Dealing with rogue dictators might not be the most difficult he has to overcome when he has so many rogue friends to discuss!

Former Blagojevich Aide to Please Guilty in Plea Deal. Is More Singing on the Horizon?

The Chicago Sun Times is reporting that Christopher Kelly, a former campaign adviser and close confidante of Gov. Blagojevich, will plead guilty to Federal tax evasion charges in January.

For more on his relationship with the Governor, check out an article from last years Chicago Tribune.

In addition, we've also found an interview that the Daily Southtown conducted with Blago in October, 2006, the same week that Tony Rezko was indicted for taking kickbacks from firms seeking state business.

• Q: Are you confident that Chris Kelly is not going to be indicted?
• A: Yeah. Yes. They're two different people, by the way, and it's a different relationship. Chris and I are much closer. Chris is the head of my political campaign. That's someone I talk to a lot more frequently. I'm confident, yes.
• Q: What happened five months ago that you had this final, last conversation with Tony Rezko? What was the last conversation and why was it the last one?
• A: It was four or five months ago; could have been at an event somewhere that I saw him. It was fine.
• Q: Were you starting to distance yourself from him at that point?
• A: Not all. I think I need to explain the extent of the relationship. He's not an exclusive friend of mine. He was a supporter of mine. He doesn't have a formal position in our campaign. He never did. He made some recommendations during the transition and during the first year we were building an administration, but for the most part, that's it. I think some of the talk that he's this big adviser is frankly overblown.It's different with Chris. I'd be shocked. I'm very confident in Chris.

So, here's what we know. Both Chris Kelly and Tony Rezko raised money and were advisers to Rod Blagojevich. Tony Rezko raised money for Barack Obama. Rezko, Obama and Rahm Emanual supported Blagojevich during his gubernatorial run. Emanual gave Blagojevich a list of Senate candidates to replace Obama. Emanual and Blagojevich served the same congressional district. Emanuam is Obama's Chief of Staff. Blagojevich was arrested for corruption charges.

And Obama once again knows nothing. Right. We're just not buying it.

Oh, and Patti Blagojevich had suspicious real estate dealings with Tony Rezko. And we all know Rezko and Obama's tale.

Just saying.

Obama: No "Inappropriate" Contact With Blagojevich/Probe to Be Released Just Days Before Christmas

All I want for Christmas is some answers...



According to Barack Obama and his spokesman Dan Pfeiffer, the Transition Office will not release details of its internal review until the week of Dec. 22 at the request of prosecutors "in order not to impede their investigation of the governor."



At the risk of sounding skeptical, isn't it odd that the President-Elect would wait until Christmas to announce the details of such a high profile investigation?