Rep. Jackson: 'I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics'

[ProSense]

Video: Rep. Jackson: 'I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics'

[ProSense]

1. " No conversations with Candidate 5 were ever picked up on any of the bugs or wiretaps."

However, federal officials caution that they have no evidence, other than statements made by Blagojevich, about whether Candidate 5 actually made any improper approaches to the governor. No conversations with Candidate 5 were ever picked up on any of the bugs or wiretaps.

Jackson's office put out a brief statement, quoting him as follows: "Since the federal investigation of the governor is ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to comment beyond my initial statement. However, I reject and denounce pay-to-play politics and have no involvement whatsoever in any wrongdoing. I won't hesitate to cooperate fully and completely with the federal government's investigation."

According to the criminal complaint, on Oct. 31st, Blagojevich was overheard saying of Candidate 5, "We were approached 'pay to play,' that, you know, he'd raise me 500 grand. An emissary came. Then the other guy would raise a million, if I made him a senator."

But federal officials say the recordings did not pick up any conversations with Candidate 5 or the emissary. It's important to note that this is a third-hand statement: Blagovich is repeating what he says was the emissary's description of what Candidate 5 said.

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Sounds like Blagojevich was name dropping.

[karynnj]

8. Thanks, Prosense that has to be emphasized

especially as Blago's other ideas seem completely out of touch with reality too.

[gkhouston]

9. So what was the context of Blagojevich's "name dropping"? Was he mentioning

this alleged offer from an emissary for candidate 5 to another potential candidate as a way of jacking up the price? One of those "someone else has already made an offer" ploys? :shrug:

[firedupdem]

2. Blago was wheeling and dealing...

just like somebody selling a car. I have an offer already for 7k so somebody will say ok...I'll give you 7500.(when in fact you have no offer at all!) Jesse and Obama weren't stupid enough to deal with this psycho yet they have to keep defending themselves and nobody else does.

[ProSense]

3. The media convicted Jackson without any facts whatsoever. n/t

[redstate_democrat]

4. The authorities seemed to believe Blago was talking a bunch of %$@%

103. Later on November 10, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A again discussed the open Senate seat. ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Advisor A discussed leaking to the same particular Chicago Sun-Times columnist that ROD BLAGOJEVICH is seriously considering Senate Candidate 5 for the open Senate seat, in order to send a message to the President-elect that there are options for the Senate seat beyond Senate Candidate 1. At the end of the conversation Advisor A agreed to call the Sun Times columnist to leak the story (believed, based on other intercepted conversations, to be untrue), that ROD BLAGOJEVICH had a “long, productive discussion” with Senate Candidate 5 regarding the open Senate seat.

[ProSense]

5. The fact that Jackson had nothing to do with it

is going to disappoint a few Democrats, the media and, of course, the RW.

[Jennicut]

6. Fitz already said no one in the indictment but Blago and his chief of staff

were currently accused of anything. Like Duh.

[ProSense]

7. Yeah, but evidently that doesn't matter. n/t

[psychmommy]

10. not yet indicted. still in the complaint stage.

[cooolandrew]

11. I felt the claim he was involved was inconsistent with who Jr. has shown himself to be. He should >

at least have the seat for 2 years after all this nonsense. The guy's got integrity.