Today at a Presser, Obama was asked about Rahm’s alleged contact with Illinois’ alleged fraudulent Governor. Obama’s reaction? “Don’t waste your question.” Transparency in Government at its best. To be fair, the Federal Prosecutor had asked Obama to not release anything until further notice. However, an answer to the question would have been nice.
-reagan21
Tell me if this seems a bit illogical to you.
Via Michelle Malkin:
I am going to go with Stupid on this one. Where is John Taylor when we need him? Professor Taylor has it right, and the Government should be enticing the majority to save their money, not spend it excessively.
-reagan21
Obama supporters, friends, cabinet members, and nominees are beginning to fall all around him. Bill Richardson is the latest to be implicated in a “pay-to-play” scandal. That’s what Bill gets for shaving that kick ass beard.
According to Michelle Malkin via WaPo:
The probe focuses on whether the governor’s office urged a state agency to hire CDR Financial Products. The probe is in a highly active stage at a time when President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Richardson as his nominee for secretary of commerce, according to two sources familiar with the investigation.
The inquiry is part of a long-running nationwide investigation into “pay-to-play” practices in local government bond markets. In other cities, federal investigators are questioning whether financial firms have lavished politicians with money and gifts in exchange for fee-paying work advising municipal and local governments on investments. Authorities indicted the mayor of Birmingham, Ala., this month on charges of taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts and loans from a firm that led the city into toxic investments and massive bankruptcy.
The U.S. attorney’s office in New Mexico also declined to comment on the investigation, which began in the summer. Several Finance Authority board members have publicly confirmed being interviewed by the FBI. Paul Kennedy, an attorney for Richardson’s former chief of staff, David Harris, confirmed that his client had been interviewed by the FBI in the summer but declined to comment further.
Disclaimer: This post is not glee for the implication of Bill Richardson in a P2P backroom deal.
-reagan21
As chairman of the Republican Governor’s Association, Mark Sanford (SC) wrote a letter to the white House with his concerns regarding the bailouts of the auto industry. Among other concerns, Sanford relayed the following (Via Hot Air):
“I believe we are at a tipping point in moving from a market-based economy to a politically-based economy, wherein one’s success can be determined not by good decisions and good work, but by the size of one’s voice and connection to Washington,” Sanford wrote. “The real economic stimulus of this country lies in the daily work and effort of millions you have seen across this land. These bailouts not only represent an enormous cost they are left to carry, but a shattering of the rights and responsibilities that have historically been linked to achieving the American Dream.”
“It would open the floodgates of federal monies for every distressed industry across this country–and there will be many in this economic slowdown.”
It makes me smile that there is someone in politics who gets it. One who understands the fundamentals of what makes our country great. FREE MARKETS. Our country has always adapted to changes in econmic industries. It wasn’t always pretty, but we managed to get through it. The bailout of defunct companies is like Washington trying to hammer a sqaure peg into a round hole. The auto industry needs to evolve with the changing conditions in our world economy. It cannot continue to have to hold on to the past, but it does need to learn from it. The industry needs a change from the top down; i.e. streamline executive positions, cut wasteful spending and renegotiate damaging labor contracts; for example GOLF COURSES?!? (via MM) Many jobs will be lost if the bailout is not offered. However, with Chapter 11 Bankruptcy or tough love from Washington will solidify a foundation of long term growth and prosperity. The auto industry will once again be in a better position to compete in the world market.
P.S. This post could have been titled “Governor Sanford Announces his Candidacy for 2012”
-reagan21
The Illinois House has voted 113-0 to begin Impeachment proceedings.
Via Chicago Tribune:
The Illinois House launched its first-ever impeachment probe of a governor Monday, promising weeks of hearings detailing Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged abuse of power, from enacting massive programs without legislative approval to seeking to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
But the House also held off on calls to strip the disgraced governor of his power to appoint Obama’s successor, angering Republicans who accused Democrats of a power play aimed at protecting their dominance of state politics.
House lawmakers voted 113-0 to authorize a committee to investigate a host of pay-to-play allegations leveled against the governor, just six days after he was arrested by federal agents at his North Side home. The vote marked the unique circumstance of Democratic lawmakers leading a bid to displace Illinois’ first Democratic governor in a quarter-century.
House Speaker Michael Madigan, though co-chairing Blagojevich’s 2006 re-election bid in a symbol of party unity, has been a top critic of the governor. Asked about the criminal complaint against the governor, Madigan said, “I’ve had an opportunity to know Mr. Blagojevich for over six years so I was not surprised.”
The Chistmas Holidays and the New Year Break will make it difficult to remove Blagojevich before January. In other words, Blago still has the power and authority to fill the IL Senate seat. Harry Reid’s promise to not allow the appointee a seat is the only thing stopping an allegedly moral corrupted official for selecting a senator to fill Obama’s spot. I would hope the IL legislature would act quickly on this, at least to improve the national perception of that state., or before Blago has time to meet with his attorneys and straighten up his story.
-reagan21
Trust, But Verify 