Barack The Untouchable

What the Blagojevich scandal might tell us about Obama's ethics.

By Michael Hirsh | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Dec 11, 2008

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  • Posted By: memo2 @ 03/09/2009 10:29:32 AM

    No matter we just follow the game, soon or later the truth will show-up, just another embarrassment in American History, we don't have enough yet?...

  • Posted By: thammondwis @ 01/20/2009 4:39:23 PM

    Obama handeled this issue exactly the way Bush would have. Delay issuing a report until a slow news cycle. Do not give any facts or documents in the reprot (Obama and his team did nothing wrong...why? Because we say so). Then go on vacation until the story dies.

    Is this the change or more of the same????

  • Posted By: Drummajor @ 01/08/2009 4:58:04 PM

    Are you smoking kool-aid now? They say 2008 was the year journalism died in this country. Just when you think it can't get no deader out comes this kool-aid induced pieace. If Obama isn't paying you, you are getting cheated big time.

  • Posted By: sbresset @ 12/28/2008 10:52:40 AM

    The Gov. of Illinois has now been replaced by Bill Richardson as the most exposed to criminal investigation and the potentially first big problem..

  • Posted By: chillfour@yahoo.com @ 12/25/2008 3:37:59 PM

    President Obama is a lot smarter than most, if not all, of the political hacks who will continue to try to make this governor's corruption all about Obama. It will not work because we have an honest Prosecuting Attorney in Patrick Fitzgerald who has already cleared Obama of any wrong doing in this matter. It will be hard for all you republican media types to have an honest president that you won't be able to bring down. The real question is why you never questioned any of the glaring corruption of the Bush presidency. The question is why you sat on your hands and let the crooks take over our government without a peep.

  • Posted By: kicnbac @ 12/20/2008 1:05:27 AM

    This story is a joke right? Obama has done the same things Blago was charged with but with the help of the media and publications like this that continue the cover up to protect Obama, most people will never know this.

  • Posted By: m.mcc @ 12/13/2008 11:44:30 PM

    Democrap! I love it:)

    And before you leftist "haters" get started, be advised that I'm a 60+ year old life long Democrat who's never before voted Republican but now can't stand the social, elitist, and racial bigotry that my party has come to stand for.

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/14/2008 5:42:11 PM

      m.mcc also said below: "But hey, if they had used half the resources investigating Obama's past as they did smearing Palin maybe we would have known more about him when it really mattered-before the election!

      ...By comparison, the 900-point "vote of confidence" plunge the market gave Obama in the first two days after the election will look like a minor bump in the road."

      Hmmmm. Tell us more about that awakening and transformation you went through m.mcc. Tell us about the beginning, middle and end, with reasons. You know, for credibility, because your first post was so enlighted, informed.

      At what point, for you, did you become no longer able to "stand" any further the "social, elitist, and racial bigotry that [your 40 year democrat] party has come to stand for." Please tells us the details and progression. It must be a fascinating story.

      All of that social, elitist and racial bigotry", apparently suddenly, must have been very powerful to make you a McC/Palin supporter after 40 years as a confirmed democrat and the last eight in particular.

      • Posted By: m.mcc @ 12/15/2008 4:22:23 PM

        ROFLMAO! As if I can't see a set up and "drive-by" in the making. Your insincerity drips from every word. Too bad, because this could make for an interesting discussion with the right group.

        • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/18/2008 12:54:08 AM

          Mine was no driveby, and I regret not seeing yours till now. Can't spend all my time, but I do come around fairly often. I will come back here. I prefer discussion but I have seen most turned into arguements. I will participate in both if interesting. In terms of groups, there are some who are thoughtful and others want to perform or pontificate. I prefer the former, but they haven't given me the keys...

    • Posted By: Horrible Bastard @ 12/15/2008 1:55:31 PM

      Translation: You couldn't vote for a Black guy. Thank you, Lester Maddox.

      • Posted By: m.mcc @ 12/15/2008 4:36:06 PM

        You make my point. The race baiting Obamanista's just can't accept that someone would not support their guy for any other reason than racial prejudice. Yep, qualifications, experience, etc. have nothing to do with it. Sad!

  • Posted By: ok4u @ 12/16/2008 6:35:36 PM

    We shouldn't forget that the Obama people have conducted a thorough internal investigation, and found no connection between the Obama people and Blagojevich.

    • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 12/17/2008 1:25:58 PM

      Yeah and I bet you would have believed it if Bush said it too right?

      • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/18/2008 12:45:47 AM

        With Bush, there are reasons.

  • Posted By: monkey65761 @ 12/17/2008 3:50:19 PM

    Obama has to at least know of the corpution in politics, but I belive that he is clean and will run a clean presidency. There is no way that all he promised can be done at once due to the economy he is left with. He will get as much through that he can and will see that it is honest. He has good plans and will just take time to get the things done.He has surounded himself with a think tank, will listen to all sides then make his move and it will be without lobbing or corpution.May make a lot of people angry with himself due to not listening to lobbist. I wish they could be kicked out of washington would sure stop a lot of corpution there. Money has been waisted there like during WW2 the gov. was charges 50.00 a torlet seat, just who pays that much for one? All needs to be gone through, all bills the whole book of them not just some of them. That would be a big change.

  • Posted By: JBS81 @ 12/17/2008 1:28:42 PM

    Again, the question arises, what did he know about corruption regarding Blagojevich and his ethics during his endorsements? Either tremendous naitivae, or partisan politics. Neither are good qualities for a president.
    I pray he is clean regarding associations with Blagojevich, Jackson Jr et al. I do not think the country could take a confidence hit like this right now.

  • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 12/13/2008 4:47:42 PM

    Here is my take.
    Obama probably knew nothing about anything. He has much more important things to think about than his old constituents in Ill. That's why he has Rahm. Obama is too busy trying to move in early, appointing Bill Clinton's and W's people to his "Change" cabinet. It's great seeing HRC in there at State...must really piss off all those Clinton haters that Barry didn't meant what he said about change....

    Anyway Obama probably didn't know what his advisors were doing. Obama big problem is that it takes some of the shine off his image. It brings up the question of Obama's judgment of character. Did he make it out of Chicago squeeky clean? How is that possible when everyone else that comes from Chicago is tainted by corruption?

    This is the beginning of Obama's Whitewater...

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/14/2008 5:57:33 PM

      "Anyway Obama probably didn't know what his advisors were doing." The conversation between Blago and Emmanuel was taped by the FBI. Fitzgerald spoke; are you suggesting that this vast MSM whitewash has ensnared Fitzgerald too?

      What do you know, especially that Fitzgerald doesn't, that tells you the conversation was anything more than:

      We'd like to discuss our candidate.

      What will Obama do for me?

      He will give you his appreciation.

      Since that (at least one) conversation with Emmanuel was taped, why wasn't/weren't those dealing(s) part of the complaint if there was anything improper there?

      Oh I get it, you just suspect, right? And because you prefer suspicions to facts, the absence of your suspicions being recapitulated in this article just proves NW's bias...

      • Posted By: Zombiehero @ 12/17/2008 1:24:39 PM

        Yes it just supposition because NO ONE know what happened yet. Fitzgerald still has an investigation going on....but Rahm is going under the Bus soon enough...Obama doesn't hesitate to throw anyone under it. Evently in the next 4 years you will realize it. You will realize that Obama is just another politician who's in it for himself and his friends...It will be a tough pill to swallow...
        Look on the bright side though....He did pick a lot of Clinton people and kept some Bush people on too...in all the important posts....some change huh?

  • Posted By: bob8jv @ 12/17/2008 2:20:28 AM

    Wisdom and simple common sense are enough to convince the American people to hold releasing Obama report regarding the Blagojevich case. The FBI asks Obama not to release the report for a week due to ongoing investigations. If Obama releases his report before the FBI gives him the ok, he could affect the outcome of Blagojevich investigation. We are certain that if Obama releases that report at the inappropriate time the American people will chastise him. This is a straightforward situation. Why are some reporters acting illogical and unwise any way? And why are not the media chastising them for asking the same dumb question over, and over, and over? The FBI investigation is the most important issue. Even if most politicians tell the truth, which we doubt, The American people will not believe them because they lost their credibility. And if this mind set is not resolved quickly, reporters and the media will also lose their credibility if they have not already done so. Obama has a lot of major issues on his plate. And for reporters and the media to take up his valuable and critical time on these no-brainer issues is sick. It would be wonderful if you guys try to support him more and help him move this country in the right direction

  • Posted By: psmitty @ 12/16/2008 4:09:32 PM

    Posted By: HarleyisHere @ 12/16/2008 3:13:16 AM....he did not ake your tax dollars to run (Obama). ============

    Well Mr Harley,
    Better get ready because he now IS going to TAKE YOUR money & you will have nothing to say about it. You will wake up when you get one of the many kicks in the ass this looser is planning to do when he takes office. Come back after your taxes have been raised & your freedoms are gone. Tic Toc.... get your "Obama is my god" statue, take a big chuig of kool aid & get ready for your dear leader to stick it to ya! HA HA - you think because you voted for him he cares about you!
    Silly, silly man/girl.

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/16/2008 5:29:12 PM

      How can Obama take our money? Oh yeah, so you and the rest of us can ultimately put back into the coffers the money the Bush cabal has already givent to big money. 'Course, we're going to have to pay for Bush's elective war in Iraq that he, for the first time in history, ran without taxing for it. Will that be Obama's fault? Not inclined to think about the cause of your pain, does it make you feel better to ignore causes and blame someone else?

      What freedoms do you 'know' with such certainty Obama is planning to take away?

  • Posted By: jordan c. fan @ 12/16/2008 4:11:59 AM

    Blagojevich or "Black Got To Be Rich illegally and criminally" said it all and should be Obama's campaign slogans.

  • Posted By: jordan c. fan @ 12/16/2008 3:47:50 AM


    Our Obligatory Objections Over Obama's Obvious Obscene Obsessions. PART 1.
    By: Jordan C. Fan, Prophet Of Environment.

    What do you mean by "Untouchable"? Have you forgotten there are something call "God, Devil, Heaven or Environment" that will do justice. Since Barack Obama is the bigggest villian of all time, It is certainly our obligation to expose his criminal acts. By doing that the Republican can regain its leadership of the USA. Whoever did that effectively should become the leader of the Republican Party. The following are some of the crimes committed by Obama:


    (1) Black Got To Be Rich Illegally - Blagojevich and Obama Crruption Scandal. Even before Obama start office, his corruptions have begun. Just wait until Obama step into his office, he will rob all the White people of all they have. Blagojerich or "Blac got to be rich" illegally or criminally should well be Obama's campaign slogan.

    (2) Obama has conspired with his supportors especially Black to cause the crash of the housing and stock market bring the Great Depression II just to get elected.

    (3) Obama is worse than Hitler, he is planning a holcaust for White and Asian people.

    (4) Obama is planning to rob those Arab and OPEC countries such as what happen near Somalia. in fact those oil tankers were hijack at Kenya.

    Obama must be impeached from politic at all cost.

    More Obama criminal expose will come later. Or you can add to all the crimes committed by Obama.

  • Posted By: grmlain @ 12/12/2008 6:51:50 PM

    I have to continue to wonder about his ethics when he refuses to clear up the question of his American citizenship by stating that he refuses to show his birth certificate and he will be the President no matter what is found. That tells me he has a lot to hide. I know that in most cases when people refuse to prove something it is because the accusations are true. If he plans on having a transparent Presidency as he claims why is he hiding the truth about his citizenship??? In a time of war we need to be sure that the President of our country is truly an American!!!! Especially when his father is not an American citizen but, a citizen of a nation that is known to promote terrorism against the United States. Because of this I believe that he will most be just as, if not more, corrupt than all of the other corrupt politicians who lie to us and steal from us everytime they open their mouths. The definition of the word politicians is "a person who lies, cheats and steals every chance they get".

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/12/2008 8:15:10 PM

      Good grief. Several photos of Obama's birth certificate and of the authenticity certification have been at FactCheck.org for months. Before you protest, think about this. Hillary, McCain and the RNC have or had ample funds and lawyers. Do you think any of them would hesitate to file a lawsuit if there were any question at all? Or are they under the thrall of Obama too? Your ignorance is your own fault. Your fears are unfounded and self imposed.

      • Posted By: cobalt6 @ 12/12/2008 11:56:38 PM

        40yearR: Look at it again!! It's not Obamas Birth certificate! It's a certificate of live birth!!! Obama's Birth certificate is locked in a vault in Hawaii and Obama has yet to let anyone see a real birth certificate!!!! Obama's Kenya Grandmother says Obama was born in Kenya and she was there at the time of his birth!

        • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/13/2008 12:22:30 AM

          Yes. A certificate of live birth is what is issued in Hawaii. Distinguished from a nonvital birth. I've looked at it several times. Lived there for 27 years.

          You avoided my question for you. Why would Hillary, McCain or RNC not file legal action if there were any reasonable, or even arguable, prospect of Obama not being eligible?

          What is your source for Obama's grandmother seeing his birth in Kenya?

          • Posted By: cobalt6 @ 12/13/2008 1:19:03 AM

            Just type in Obama's grandma confirms Kenyan birth. Or go to WorldNetDaily. There are plenty of sites that state it clearly.

            • Posted By: Horrible Bastard @ 12/15/2008 1:58:17 PM

              World Net Daily? LOL.

            • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/13/2008 1:52:41 AM

              I see that you prefer 'obsure' sources regarding Obama's birth over the official one.

              This is my third request. If there were any potentially viable question, then why would Hillary, McC, RNC not file a lawsuit?

    • Posted By: sanstov952 @ 12/13/2008 5:27:51 AM

      OH SHUT UP THE PRESIDENT ELECT OBAMA WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO PLEASE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT AN AMERICAN . HE IS AND HE HAS HIS BIRTH CERTICATE ON LINE FOR EVERY ONE TO SEE . THIS SH.. YOU ARE PUSHING IS ALL RACISM I AM 56 AN AMERICAN I HAVE NEVER SEEN PEOPLE GO AFTER AN PEOPLE WHO RAN FOR ANY OFFICE IN ANY STATE OR OFFICE TREATED THIS WAY AND QUESTIONED ABOUT IF HE IS A CITIZEN OR NOT THIS A LOAD OF BULL . I THANK YOU GUYS HAVE AN PROBLEM WITH OBAMA BECAUSE HE IS BLACK AND WON THE ELECTION GET OVER IT HE WON HE WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF AMERICA . THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MAYBE YOU NUTS SHOULD LEAVE OBAMA AND OUR COUNTRY . HE IS GETTING ON WITH THE BUSINESS OF AMERICA WE NEED HIM TO BE READY TO GET THIS COUNTRY BACK ON TRACK . WHY SHOULD HE KEEP TRYING TO PLEASE YOU ASS HOES GET A LIFE OR BE LEFT CRYING BUSH IS GONE MAYBE YOU SHOULD FOLLOW HIM NOBODY HAS TIME FOR YOU HATERS .YOU DIDN'T VOTE FOR HIM ANYWAY HATERS AND RACISTS PALIN THE BIMBO FOLLOWERS PLEAS SHUT THE HELL UP WE ARE SICK OF YOUR SORRY ASSES.

    • Posted By: Cazador1972 @ 12/12/2008 10:34:54 PM


      Oh, and by the way, Kenya was not supporting terrorism 47 years ago when Obama was born, although it is ridiculous to even make the connection that just because you are a citizen of a country you are somehow to blame for your country's actions, after all, isn't THAT the argument the terrorists use? Did you know that the US is guilty of genocide? Of war atrocities? Of being the only country in the world to use nuclear weapons against mostly civilians targets? Of carpet bombings of villages? I am not sure you want to use that argument.
      Ironically, the only head of state I know of who had been a terrorist was Menachem Begin. Ask the Brits why they didn't like him.

    • Posted By: Cazador1972 @ 12/12/2008 10:24:26 PM


      The birth certificate question is such a DUD. Can you come up with something more original? Do you, for a moment, think that if there was a shadow of a doubt that Obama was indeed a foreigner, that either Hillary Clinton or the Republican smear machine would have hesitated for a nano second in using it?
      McCain was born in American military soil in Panama but I often think that had the roles been reversed, Republicans would have said Obama was not really a citizen. This is such a bag of baloney. He's your president elect and he did not win under any clouds of suspicion nor through a Supreme Court decision.

    • Posted By: Cazador1972 @ 12/12/2008 10:23:57 PM


      The birth certificate question is such a DUD. Can you come up with something more original? Do you, for a moment, think that if there was a shadow of a doubt that Obama was indeed a foreigner, that either Hillary Clinton or the Republican smear machine would have hesitated for a nano second in using it?
      McCain was born in American military soil in Panama but I often think that had the roles been reversed, Republicans would have said Obama was not really a citizen. This is such a bag of baloney. He's your president elect and he did not win under any clouds of suspicion nor through a Supreme Court decision.

    • Posted By: TroyceKey @ 12/12/2008 8:38:00 PM

      your definition of a politician obviously applies to your candidate-MaCain/Pain- too, right?

  • Posted By: tired and old @ 12/13/2008 10:50:42 AM

    Now !

    Will the FBI return to my home ?

    Will my blogging be further prevented like the last several days ?

    Will my telephone have same problems ?

    Will effort to keep me silent continue ?

    We will see -------------- really !

    Hello ! Pia and Glimps and Rocky.

    Who is " HORRIBLE BASTARD " WHO GETS UNLIMITED COMMENTS POSTED ?

    • Posted By: Horrible Bastard @ 12/15/2008 1:56:51 PM

      You're as nutty as a Christmas cake, T&O.

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/13/2008 12:19:28 PM

      You've got a couple good friends there. Haven't met one of them.

      Whew, with those FBI, phone issues and such, perhaps you should do a little disclosing so we can understand your posts in context.

  • Posted By: GoSarah @ 12/11/2008 5:12:30 PM

    Yes, I see Obama as a Goody-Two-Shoes. A real Nerd. After Ayers and the PLO and Rev Wright, etc. what's a corrupt governor. Since Cheesy Charlie Gibson and Little George Stenafullash!t insist that Obama had nothing, nada zip zilch, nothing, absolutely, to do with this, no, nothing I must believe it to be true. Because ABC News never lies. May they all go the way of Low Down Lying Dog Dan Rather. Hirsch, you're such a brownnose.

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/11/2008 8:14:46 PM

      Turn up Rush, Sarah!

      By GoSarah, might I surmise you are a supporter of everyone's heroine straight shootin' maverick, you betcha? You know the one who, while trying to impugn Obama's integrity, after she had already taken all the federal tax earmarked funds for the bridge to nowhere, she looked us all right in the eye and told us repeatedly (maybe that is what those winks were about) that she had told Congress no thanks to the bridge to nowhere. Or is it the one who took all those per diems for working from home. Please advise.

      • Posted By: GoSarah @ 12/12/2008 10:37:41 AM

        Sarah Palin has been investigated and completely cleared of any wrong-doing in all of the jumped-up "crimes" she apparently committed. And yes, she was thrown to the media wolves and sounded, in some interviews, rather, um, unprepared. But it was the hatchet job the media did on her that made me take a closer look at the lady. WHY?? From SNL humor to outright filth, they sprayed her and her family down with the worst cr@p. As for the "meds" comments to me? A personal attack is par for the course for Liberal Losers. You people always respond with ugly hateful cursing or insults. ALWAYS. We have different opinions and beliefs and there is no need to be insulting. You have a great weekend and I pray your sainted holy Snow White The Sinless One, the untouchable, turns out to be as clean as you think he is.
        Oh and another thing...after Clinton as President, lied under freakin' OATH, nothing gets much sleazier than that. George Bush and his cronies??? Impeach, indict, do something, Stud. Oh that's right...they haven't done anything WRONG. Palin and Bush's only "problem" is that they are Christians. The media HATES that and them, so look out for more LIES about them.

        • Posted By: briggsky @ 12/12/2008 12:45:48 PM

          We don't hate Bush or Sarah because they are christians, we hate them because they are people lying and hiding behind their vengeful version of Christ. I just watched Sarah speaking in Georgia speaking about the digging going on in Alaska on the pipeline, when the agreeement is six years away from being signed. Bush has lost 5 million e-mails in the White House. I guess republicans se some kind an angle behind everything. Some people actually serve for the betterment of society and I believe we have one as our leader now.

          • Posted By: osthode @ 12/15/2008 11:38:48 AM

            The fact that one hates is in itself indicative of a problem. Why hate? We can disagree on policy; we can believe someone's viewpoint is wrong. But, there is no reason to hate. I find this attitude immature. It shows the inhumanity of politics. It also is exactly the line of reasoning employed by a Saul Alinksy who taught that in order to "win" one should destroy the opposition's credibiliity. That is hatred in action. It is also what community organizers are taught to do. Ponder that.

        • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/12/2008 1:24:48 PM

          You do GoSarah don't you? I see you flapping all around and getting personal with me, but I also see you avoided the bridge to nowhere and those slimy per diems.

          Your also seek to smear Obama with guilt by association. Sarah did the same. Yet you both omit reference to the fact that her husband was a registered member of a seccessionist party for many years. Associations? Patriotism? Unwavering commitment to country?

          Palin wasn't thrown to the wolves. She was prepared extensively, to the extent she would cooperate, and then put before interviewers they handpicked for her. She failed so miserably that McCain never again let her be interviewed out of his presence. That's never happened in presidential politics before. McCain's own actions demonstrated what he really thinks after he got to know her. She just turned out to be nothing but a mannequin that 'excited the LIV 'base'. He needed more help but she was not up to it. She cannot complete a sentence that is not written for her and which she is not reading.

          "You people always respond with ugly hateful cursing or insults." On what and whom are you deluding here?

          Palin is appropriately held in contempt for her ineptness and shallowness, not because of her religion Those exorcism ceremonies do give me a the creeps, though. The bigger concern to me would be another person in high office, like Bush, who appeals to a higher power and perceives a reply that says to disregard all experienced military and diplomats, and then lets themselves be led by the nose by neocons who delude themselves into believing how an Iraq invasion would go. Sarah is proud to say she asks God to show her if there are any open doors. Didn't she get the answer in the Nov. 4 election results?

          A 40 year republican

      • Posted By: AlanTuring @ 12/12/2008 1:15:20 AM

        If I were you I'd go right to my doctor and have my acytel Choline esterase levels checked at once. Then again how much is needed for one cell? Can you see Alaska from your window?

        • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/12/2008 2:09:37 AM

          You seem to be conversant on meds.

    • Posted By: Horrible Bastard @ 12/12/2008 2:46:19 PM

      You have evidence to the contrary?

  • Posted By: bemmerton @ 12/15/2008 11:34:03 AM

    While I have my doubts that President-elect Obama is a "goody two-shoes" it is my hope that he is at least as honest as Blogojevich's own tapes make him appear to be. We should not be making a big deal out of the fact that his staff has had contact with the Governor's office over who is going to fill the seat that he has just vacated. Of course he has an opinion. Who would not, under the circumstances? I did not vote for President-elect Obama but he still deserves our trust, good will and respect until such time as there are concrete reasons to do otherwise. It is my hope that he does well and that I want to vote for him next time. Our country cannot handle a failure at this point in our history.

  • Posted By: frjiles1 @ 12/13/2008 5:48:56 PM

    This article is comical, at best. Mr. Hirsch, i don't believe that you believe any of the bull crap you are trying to spin but I understand that you have bills to pay!

    • Posted By: 40YearR @ 12/14/2008 6:08:14 PM

      Pssst... I've got some good sh!t for you on Obama's birth certificate forgery..... We all know the FactCheck debunk of that is bunk, along with FactCheck's debunk of those fabricated purported 'racist statements' in Obama's books are all a bunch of crap...In fact, if you think this article is just as bad as all those many debunks at FactCheck, Snopes and elsewhere (none of which has been refuted) are just part of the same whitewash, I've got all kinds of good stuff for you... Yeah, we don't need any facts, we can just agree with each other...

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