So Reid said Blagojevich lied re: Davis, Jackson & Jones who do you believe?

[wndycty]

As I said previously this racial angle is being trumped up to divide us and I believe its a combination of Blagojevich with the press as willing accomplices.

So this morning on MEET THE PRESS Reid denied he told Rod that Davis, Jackson & Jones were not acceptable, who do you believe?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

1. reid. nt

[GarbagemanLB]

2. Reid. Blago's people are pushing this bullshit race angle HARD. Fuck them and anyone who defends the

ir corrupt asses.

Reid is no saint, but in this case I think the claims are bullshit.

[ShortnFiery]

10. Reid, his lobbying wife and sons are JUST, if not MORE corrupt as Blago.

IMO, Harry Reid is a disgusting excuse for a human being much less a national leader. :thumbsdown:

10. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV): Over the last few years, Reid has been embroiled in a series of scandals that cast serious doubt on his credibility as a self-professed champion of government ethics, and 2007 was no different. According to The Los Angeles Times, over the last four years, Reid has used his influence in Washington to help a developer, Havey Whittemore, clear obstacles for a profitable real estate deal. As the project advanced, the Times reported, “Reid received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Whittemore.” Whittemore also hired one of Reid’s sons (Leif) as his personal lawyer and then promptly handed the junior Reid the responsibility of negotiating the real estate deal with federal officials. Leif Reid even called his father’s office to talk about how to obtain the proper EPA permits, a clear conflict of interest.

Judicial Watch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Judicial Watch neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office. For more information, visit www.judicialwatch.org.

[ProSense]

18. I can't believe you're going around citing a wingnut group to smear a Democrat. n/t

[wndycty]

20. IRRATIONAL HATRED does that to folks

:kick:

[onefreespiritedchick]

63. There's a lot of that going around lately. n/t

[onefreespiritedchick]

64. I'll have to believe Reid on this one

Blago is scum and is only seeking to divide us.

[Grateful for Hope]

3. I would tend to believe Reid. n/t

[acmavm]

4. Neither, they're both self-serving lying duplicitous fucks.

[wndycty]

5. So this is an obvious case of one person lying and you are still finding a way to blame both. . .

. . .explain your logic.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

9. I don't think logic is a part of the reply to be honest, least dosn't seem that way n/t

[wndycty]

12. Hatred of Reid is so strong and IRRATIONAL folks will give Blagojevich the benefit of the doubt. . .

. . .granted Rod is innocent until proven guilty and I support the seating of Burris, I would think that given a choice to determine who is lying most rational folks would say Blagojevich.

[ShortnFiery]

16. It's not irrational. Judicial Watch is non-partisan. Reid, his wife and sons are CORRUPT.

But because he has a d after his name, you want to believe every damn thing he says. Also, because Fitz threw us "a bone" you think that he's actually above board.

Truth is, we don't know that Blago is guilty, but Judicial Watch did name REID as one of the ten MOST CORRUPT POLITICIANS.

I'll believe Blago because he, at least, pushed through programs in IL that HELPED AVERAGE CITIZENS. He hasn't even been indicted yet.

[acmavm]

23. Some here loves them some Reid and Pelosi. They agree with everything

they've ever done, and get their shit in an uproar everytime you point out what lying, hypocritical, sneaky, self-serving parsites they are. Reid and Pelosi have found a great way to latch on the the public tit and they don't want their ability for leeching off the public ended.

Just like Smirk, history will not be kind to those two pikers either.

[wndycty]

25. And some here HATE everything they have ever done. . .

. . .and some of us use our brain before forming an opinion. I'm in the brain group, which group do you belong in?

[acmavm]

34. You know, I read you threads a lot. And I will agree that you ARE a brain

person if you will admit that you keep it up your ass and visit it just before posting here on DU so you can dredge up the same old smelly shit.

I'm on the side of those who's brains are kept in their head for thinking and observing. I'm not so weak that I fall right in line when I hear crap coming from their mouths of the two biggest failures of our party, Reid and Pelosi.

As stated before, it's well know that Reid is a corrupt fuck. And Pelosi, just think what we could have avoided if impeachment wasn't taken off the table four years ago. But that wouldn't have served our own democratic corporate whores at all.

GRANDMA NANCY'S MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT TO DATE? At least Grandma Nancy did get it all fixed up so that if the little man can't travel with her, the taxpayers will have to pick up the tab for ANY family member that the greedy witch choses to take along on her travels. Hope they eat well and sleep well while those footing the bills are hungry, homeless, and jobless.

[wndycty]

38. Oh I have my brain up my ass? Wow since I actually use mine where do you keep yours?

:kick:

[acmavm]

43. Typical. You didn't read the second paragraph.

Maybe you'd better look around. I don't even think they're up your ass anymore.

Had a good bowel movement lately?

Toodles!

[wndycty]

53. Its funny you tell someone he has a brain up his ass and you get upset when he swings back . . .

Now that is typical. LOL

[acmavm]

55. Silly littel fool, I'm not upset. I'm AMUSED!

[ShortnFiery]

110. Excellent commentary.

It's lonely here in this thread ... too many spring butt "yes-people" wishing to elevate Harry "Alito's just alright by me" Reid.

BTW Go Big Red! Loved the win on New Years Day against Clemson. I was on the edge of my seat the entire game. :-) :hi:

[acmavm]

114. No probo. Like to be on the opposite side of the water bearers for the

republican party.

edit: by waterbearers I mean Reid (and Pelosi).

[NYCGirl]

29. I wouldn't be so sure about Judicial Watch if I were you. The Scaifes are heavily

invested in it.

http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Judicial_Watch

[Grateful for Hope]

32. Yes

Washington, DC –Judicial Watch, the public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, today released its 2007 list of Washington’s “Ten Most Wanted Corrupt Politicians.” The list, in alphabetical order, includes:

1. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY): In addition to her long and sordid ethics record, Senator Hillary Clinton took a lot of heat in 2007 – and rightly so – for blocking the release her official White House records.

2. Rep. John Conyers (D-MI):

3. Senator Larry Craig (R-ID):

4. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA):

5. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R-NY):

6. Governor Mike Huckabee (R-AR):

“ career has also been colored by 14 ethics complaints and a volley of questions about his integrity

7. I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby:

8. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL):

9. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA):

10. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV):

http://clipmarks.com/clipmark/8541AF4B-C6A4-45D4-8284-A79FF1A49BE1/

I can't say I think much of this list. I can think of many they did not include, with Ted Stevens as one example.

They do admit to being "conservative", and, it looks to me that they selected the most obviously corrupt R politicians, while ignoring most.

Also, the inclusion of HRC and Obama seems pretty partisan to me, considering when this list was published. Not surprising since, as you posted, the Scaife's are heavily invested in it.

[ShortnFiery]

33. The list sounds about right to me. It's time we look INWARD and police our own. eom

[Grateful for Hope]

45. Well, since it appears that Judicial Watch's funding

is heavily, if not totally, right-wing, I take what they say with a grain of salt.

[ShortnFiery]

74. Just because it may lean conservative does NOT mean that Pelosi and Reid are not corrupt.

You are entitled to your own opinions but NOT your own facts. Or is the fact that they have a "d" behind their names make them Above the Law?

[Grateful for Hope]

77. Surprising that you would think that list is accurate

considering that Bush and Cheney are not on it. But, hey, Pelosi and Reid are on it, so it MUST be accurate.

[ShortnFiery]

105. You have a point. They should be on it! ... perhaps in a preamble.

But just because "our thugs are more moral than their thugs" doesn't make "our thugs" righteous beings.

I'm just trying to help realize that we are DEMOCRATS (sense of community NOT cronyism) not just another wing of a right wing corporate duopoly. :shrug:

[Jennicut]

99. Reid and Pelosi suck as far as leaders go but using Judicial Watch

is like quoting Limbaugh and Hannity, does it really make you feel good about yourself? Obama is on that list? Is this a joke?

[Orangepeel]

113. Judicial Watch is nonpartisan like Sean Hannity is fair and balanced

That is, not

[polmaven]

129. What is this

"logic" of which you speak???:shrug:

[ShortnFiery]

6. I don't believe Reid ONE MOMENT. His whole family is corrupt and he's a gutless wonder

except when his actions can "puff up" his status.

At least Blago did some good public works projects for IL, Reid and his sons just garner graft and corruption in NV.

http://www.judicialwatch.org/judicial-watch-announces-list-washington-s-ten-most-wanted-corrupt-politicians-2007

10. Senator Harry Reid (D-NV): Over the last few years, Reid has been embroiled in a series of scandals that cast serious doubt on his credibility as a self-professed champion of government ethics, and 2007 was no different. According to The Los Angeles Times, over the last four years, Reid has used his influence in Washington to help a developer, Havey Whittemore, clear obstacles for a profitable real estate deal. As the project advanced, the Times reported, “Reid received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Whittemore.” Whittemore also hired one of Reid’s sons (Leif) as his personal lawyer and then promptly handed the junior Reid the responsibility of negotiating the real estate deal with federal officials. Leif Reid even called his father’s office to talk about how to obtain the proper EPA permits, a clear conflict of interest.

Judicial Watch is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Judicial Watch neither supports nor opposes candidates for public office. For more information, visit www.judicialwatch.org.

[Jennicut]

100. Both are corrupt idiots but Blago is a utter fool and is desperate

to save his ass so I believe Hapless Harry.

[sfam]

7. I might even believe Cheney over Blago's people. So DEFINITELY Reid.

Well, OK, maybe I would believe Blago more than Cheney, but I'd have to think about it...

[ShortnFiery]

11. WE only KNOW what Saint Fitz is feeding US. I'm not buying it. eom

[ecstatic]

30. lol @ "Saint Fitz" nt

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

8. Both. It was a non-denial denial

[nevergiveup]

13. Blago is ruthless

Reid may be a poor excuse for a leader but he isn't a fool.

[Wetzelbill]

14. I believe Reid, he was characteristically unimpressive in that interview though

I sooo want to love Harry Reid, his background is interesting, he's quite a character and he has a nice demeanor, but the man is so weak it makes me sick.

[brianna69]

15. I believe Reid

Blago is playing games and telling lies via leaks to the press to stir up trouble. He did the same thing leaking lies about Rahm(to the same chicago sun-times) speaking with his office 21 times(which was a lie as we learnt Rahm had spoken with his office 6 times via the Obama internal report) and another lie about Obama not having Jessie Jackson Jr on his list. Blago threw race into the situation in a very calculating manner on purpose to inflame emotions and create a divide in the democratic party. Blago is scum.

[ShortnFiery]

17. Blago may be scum but he helped the people of IL, Reid only has helped himself, and his family.

Reid is VOMIT.

[wndycty]

19. Having served as a Blagojevich APPOINTEE from 2004-2007 I believe Reid

:kick:

[ShortnFiery]

31. Oh sure, you betcha!

Now! I've heard it all ... talk about arrogance - even if true, you are far from the Alpha and Omega on all things "Blago" and neither is Fitz. Besides you don't know Harry and his Nepotist kin. :crazy:

[wndycty]

36. So you are accusing me of lying? There are DUers who can confirm the fact. . .

. . .yeah believe it or not some DUers actually work or have worked in the executive branch of various government bodies and work as political consultants.

[ShortnFiery]

37. Don't be so paranoid. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, but negate the notion

of "expertise" of an individual.

[ShortnFiery]

39. p.s. I promise not to hold this newly confessed information against you.

"have worked in the executive branch of various government bodies and work as political consultants." :evilgrin:

[wndycty]

44. Why should you hold it against me? Are we bad people?

Do tell, this should be good.

[ShortnFiery]

46. Tongue-in-cheek.

Snag a sense of humor perhaps? Let's just say that I'm not "in awe."

[wndycty]

51. I have sense of humor and I don't expect you to be in awe of anything but excuse me. . .

. . .if you set a certain tone and I respond to it in kind.

[ShortnFiery]

54. Of course you did. Now you're digging a bigger figurative hole for yourself.

Hey, I have a masters degree in physiological psychology but I don't claim to KNOW my own husband of 26 years fully, much less my former boss.

I've worked for General Officers and SES equivalents and there are less than a handful I'd choose to judge "fondly" and only two whom I genuinely "admired."
However, I've kept MY OPINIONS about people who trusted me (peers/employers/employees) in the past to myself, i.e. uncool to tell stories out of school.

I do trash PUBLIC FIGURES - but not because I have ever met them, much less worked for them.

I find your actions nothing short of "a betrayal." Yes, even if Blago was the second coming persona of "Ghingas Kahn," I would not comment on this topic if I had worked either with or for him.

IMNSHO it's a matter of professional ethics. I'm crude, sometimes rude, but I draw the line at "telling story" about my former employers/employees. Yes, there are some small lines that EVEN I won't cross. :blush: :evilgrin:

[wndycty]

58. How did it get to this. I just said I was a Blagojevich appointee so I felt I did have a certain...

. . .insight, no where did I expect you to be in awe.

Now you are accusing me of betraying Rod and lacking professional ethics? Hey I would rather betray Rod, than betray the truth.

I'm not sharing any privileged information, am I?

[wndycty]

42. And why do you say that? What do you know about me and my experience?

Seriously, what information do you have to doubt my "expertise" as you call it?

[polmaven]

130. I don't think

it is paranoid to believe you accused the poster of being a liar. ...."even if true"...sure comes pretty close, in my opinion.

I would also go out on a limb to say that his work in the administration gives him a little more expertise of the "individual" named Blagojevich than you have of him.

Please tell us just what gives YOU "expertise" on the "individual" named Reid.

[Peregrine Took]

50. As an ex- civil service employee, we hated political appointees.

They would come breezing in making more than us, getting perks we didn't have and acted like they hit a "triple" when we knew they were born on 3rd base.

They generally went from one sinecure to another.

How did someone who "hated Rod" come to become an appointee of his?

(I read some of your journal entries.)

[wndycty]

56. LOL I know about the hatred civil service folks have for us "exempted" folks. . .

. . .the Blagojevich folks found me back in 2004. I had just finished running Clark's campaign in Illinois, was running my consulting practice and teaching at a local college (which I still do). One of my colleagues at the school was asked to recommend some candidates for a new position that was being created in the Governor's office. I interviewed for it, it was offered and I figured working for the Governor would be a good experience. At the time I took the job I wasn't a Rod hater and while I was there I actually grew to like him, became a defender and even worked on his re-election campaign. I left not because I hated him but because I was ready to head back into the private sector.

I ended up hating him after the budget mess of 2007 and then when he targeted one of my clients for defeat in a Democratic primary.

[ShortnFiery]

70. I guess there are no EXPECTED mores for political appointees?

Good luck at scoring another political appointment. :wow: When your future employer does "a google" you will be a NO GO on the topic of INTEGRITY.

There are many things about many "smarmy" people that I worked with/for that I would NOT reveal except via court order.

But that's just me an my old fashion moral compass.

[wndycty]

71. I have no desire to work in government again. . .

. . .also as I have said other than saying I hate Rod and called him a liar what confidential information did I share?

[wndycty]

73. How did I compromise my integrity?

By saying Blagojevich is an idiot. Explain to me what type of integrity I compromised. Do tell.

[ShortnFiery]

76. I'll leave that to you and your conscious. Hey, I don't have any connections to political

life although I live within 40 minutes of "the belly of the beast" D.C.

It's only my opinion, but even in my little league non-political work history, I have not EVER "talked smack" by naming names.

It's just my personal opinion - but your propensity to OPEN UP to us on a message board does not endear me to you or your opinions. In fact, I'm always skeptical of such reports.

Would you like to share a hidden agenda or are you going to leave it up to our imagination?

Specifically what's in it for you to disrespect someone who TRUSTED YOU (an employer/employee)?

Please understand that some future employers/employees may choose NOT to share much with your person. :shrug:

[wndycty]

79. Again, what have I opened up?

Have I shared information that is not already public? How am I different from other folks in Illinois politics who at one time were on good terms with Rod?

What secrets have I spilled? You are questioning my integrity now you need to back it up. What secrets have a spilled? How am I different from all the other folks in Illinois who are saying the exact same thing?

You are acting like I'm telling secrets and sharing confidential information. I'm sharing an opinion on Rod Blagojevich, am I not entitled to have one?

Come on. You made the accusation now back it up.

[ShortnFiery]

80. Hoist by your own petard.

Have a nice day. :hi:

[wndycty]

82. You too and embrace your IRRATIONAL HATRED of Harry Reid. . .

. . .isn't that what this thread is about anyway. You may want to toss your masters aside and look in the mirror before judging others, you need a lot of help.

[ShortnFiery]

104. I'm not the one who "talks smack" about past employers BY NAME.

It's one thing for those of us who are not connected via work or investments to national politics to pontificate, but IMO, it's lowest of the low to go on a message board to essentially "kiss and tell" from one's PERSONAL INTEREST perspective.

Perhaps you and Blago have much more in common than you surmise?

Good luck in your next job search buddy - Heaven help any employers who believe that they can rely on your discretion. ;)

[kevsand]

106. What exactly did he "tell"?

You've been asked repeatedly to demonstrate a single instance of a confidence betrayed or a fact revealed, and you have steadfastly failed to do any such thing.

You've been way out of line in this thread. Your personal attacks are entirely unwarranted, and growing extremely tiresome. Give it a rest, already.

[ShortnFiery]

108. What? Double teamed. He IMPLIED a "special knowledge" ... would you want to be his employer

in the future? Didn't think so.

Besides, I said something "tongue-in-cheek" above and suggested that he have a sense of humor. My CLEAR message is that I "personally" have little respect for someone who expresses an negative opinion BY NAME re: an employer, peer or employee.

This goes beyond "a message board" in that, he is conveying that he has special knowledge about Blago.

Therefore, I'm not out of line to comment that IMO, that is not appropriate and would not be a character trait that future employers would treasure.

That's it! He couldn't accept my original opinion and keeps insisting that I change ... sorry, I won't. :shrug:

[kevsand]

111. I'd hire him in a heartbeat.

For two reasons:

1) He clearly has a very well developed standard of ethics. He doesn't tolerate corruption in public office, and he doesn't suffer either liars or fools well. Those are admirable traits in a public employee, appointed or elected. If an elected official is betraying the public trust, I desperately want his employees to tell us. Hell, I want them to shout it from the rooftops. Or are you opposed to whistleblower protection, as well? That would seem to be the logical extension of the slim, ephemeral argument you have condescended to provide.

2) I've actually seen more than one of the projects he has worked on: the Illinois Clark campaign in 2003 and 2004, and the rollout of one of Blago's executive initiatives. In fact, while I could only name one of Blago's projects that I'm certain he worked on, I've probably seen more of them without knowing it. In each case, the work was extremely professional and top of the line. It's the core of a very impressive resume, in my opinion.

Yes, I would hire him today without reservation if I had a job that required his particular experience and talents.

[ShortnFiery]

112. Enjoy your little clutch.

Kudos. :eyes:

[kevsand]

116. And you enjoy your smarmy ignorance.

By all means, bash Reid all you want; I have no use for him, as you could plainly see in the rest of this thread. Just leave the personal attacks and snide innuendos about fellow DUers out of it, please, because we see right through your vacuous assumptions and warrantless, factless, logicless assertions pretending to be arguments.

[wndycty]

117. Hey I turn on the football games and look what I come back to. . .

. . .thanks for your kind words. It is amazing that a poster takes shots at me, makes accusations about me and questions my character without knowing me.

Also, thanks for pointing out I did not betray any confidence, if anything Rod betrayed me and the folks of Illinois. When I was hired I asked if I could continue my political activism and I was told not to be embarrass the Governor. LOL it seems he did that all himself.

Again, I appreciate your kind words it sincerely means a lot to me.

[ShortnFiery]

118. There were no snide innuendos, only you and yours who "Protesth too much."

I'm sorry that you felt that you needed to defend your friend's honor. I only gave my personal opinion. Therefore, there is SOMETHING that may trouble you and yours because I'm not important enough "in your world" to insult?

Why must you beat me down only because I gave *an opinion* that was less than stellar about your friend's behavior - NOT - your friend's character?

No, I won't alter my opinion on this behavior but I also don't disparage the person ... yet he persists?

IMNSHO, it was time to move on when I qualified my comments the first time.

Sincere warm regards, SnF

[kevsand]

119. I'd leave this by saying that your words speak volumes about you...

...but to be entirely honest, I'm not completely sure what some of your sentences even mean. Does anyone want to try and parse this one for me: Therefore, there is SOMETHING that may trouble you and yours because I'm not important enough "in your world" to insult?

On second thought, don't bother. I've wasted enough time here already. I have better things to do than try to interpret raw babbling. Ciao.

[ShortnFiery]

120. Oh that's alright. You went to great lengths to express yourself as "in the know." The foregoing ..

statement makes sense to most objective people if they are bored enough to read our "illustrious" conversation. :P

Yes, let it be? Isn't that what I asked of you and your buddy about a dozen posts ago?

Best wishes and I sincerely hope you have a good evening. :hi:

[kevsand]

121. Once again, I have no idea whatsoever what you are talking about...

...in regards to this statement of yours: "You went to great lengths to express yourself as "in the know.""

I never said anything of the sort. I never implied anything of the sort. I never even said anything that could be interpreted by human speakers of English as being of the sort.

[wndycty]

123. Its pointless, that poster has no grip of reality. . .

He or she has left this thread a number of times, only to come back. What does that tell you about that person. . .LOL

[ShortnFiery]

125. "What does that tell you about that person."

That I'm much like you save for the fact that I prefer hockey to football and don't "kiss and tell" about former employers nor "double team" others on DU.

If Blago is so damn bad why don't you contact Saint Fitz and volunteer to testify? :shrug:

[wndycty]

126. Because this is what you fail to see. . .

. . .and I'm surprised that someone like you with an advance degree has such poor reading comprehension.

1) I'm merely saying that given my experience with Rod he is a scumbag and is very likely lying in this situation.

2) I have never ever made any allegations of wrong doing against Rod, just stating that given what I know about him the allegations made against him by Fitzgerald are most likely true.

3) If you have read previous posts by me you would know that I have stated that when it comes to Fitzgerald and the impeachment process Rod is innocent until proven guilty and should be afforded due process.

4) Additionally, from reading previous posts you would know that I DO BELIEVE that the Burris appointment should be honored and he should be sat.

5) More so, from reading previous posts (Nov. 11 to be exact) you would see that I actually mentioned both Roland Burris and Danny Davis as two of my choices to replace Obama because I feel very strongly that his replacement should be an African American placeholder.

6) I have never kissed and told. You have yet to point out any intimate or private details that I have shared about Blago. I have stated that given my personal experience I believe him to be lying in this situation re: the details of Reid's alleged opposition to Davis, Jackson and Jones, but I HAVE NEVER EVER SHARED CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. So please, if you are going to accuse me of kissing and telling provide evidence. The revelation that I was a Blagojevich appointee and my opinion that he is lying IS NOT an example of kissing and telling.

7) Double teaming? You appear to making that accusation because a DUer who knows me, worked with me and vouched for me came to my defense. Do you actually believe that it is OK for you to make so many baseless accusations about my character and folks who know me MUST be silent? Seriously.

As I said previously, your reaction to me says a lot more about you than it does me.

[ShortnFiery]

127. Wow! Again, thou protesth too much. I'm not talking about confidential information.

I ONLY expressed an opinion that you apparently can't deal with to such an extent you choose to "act out" until I submit.

No, I will not submit.

Again, as I mentioned over a dozen posts ago, I am not impressed that you would choose to express an opinion about an FORMER EMPLOYER BY NAME whether that person be public or private on AN INTERNET MESSAGE BOARD.

No matter how many times you choose to rationalize this action as "upstanding" you will not get me to concur with your analysis.

Again and again I have attempted to get you and "your buddy" who have tag teamed me here with personal insults to MERELY ACCEPT that we disagree?!?

Nope, you have to question my background and education ONLY BECAUSE you don't like my personal opinion.

Don't you think this incessant browbeating is getting a little tiresome for all involved? How many times have I stated above that this is about "your behavior" (decision to post that you had worked for Blago and now despise him) NOT "your character" that I question.

FINALLY, this is my opinion. All your ongoing insults and commiserating with your buddy who is of "like mind" can NOT detract from the fact that IN MY PERSONAL OPINION, it's unethical to blindside past employers on an Internet Message Board NO MATTER WHO they are, public or private.

[wndycty]

128. Who is browbeating who? LOL

:kick:

[davsand]

78. Blago HELPED the people of Illinois? REALLY?

THERE is the major flaw in your logic. Blago helped himself. The Illinois legislature--the folks who actually PASSED the laws--helped the people of Illinois.

We Illinois Dems worked damn hard to get to a point where we could start to make good things happen in this state by electing a Dem legislature. Blag, has done as much as he can to oppose the rest of the Dems in this state and has done jack shit to help anyone but himself.

Can't say I'm a huge Reid fan, but I gotta tell you that I am even LESS of a fan of Rod Blagojevich.



Laura

[wndycty]

83. Ignore that poster. She questioned my integrity because I acknowledged I was. . .

. . .a Blago appointee and had the nerve to mention that when I said I believed he lied. I kept asking her to show me where I shared confidential information, where I betrayed anyone's trust and she provided no examples. She is just another IRRATIONAL HATER of Reid. I'm not a Reid supporter but I think its silly that there are a few folks who think any and everything he does is bad.

[davsand]

85. Oh hell--EVERY political person is corrupt and evil--don't you KNOW that?

I get this shit all the time and you have to know that guys like Blag don't make my days any easier. What amazes hell out of me is the realization that the very same people who are on here spewing uninformed BS about Illinois politics are out there spewing equally uninformed BS on other situations with abandon.

You and I both know that there are a lot of things that go on behind the scenes that can be spun in whatever way is needed. BTDT got a few t-shirts to prove the point. This is NO different.

While I have never worked in a state level office like you did, I have maybe had a little more contact with (or understanding of) these guys than somebody living in some other state. Partly it is because I see the LOCAL media coverage of their actions every day, and partly it is because I am in contact some of these offices on a daily basis as either a taxpayer or a government person. I am not dependent only on national media or a message board for the information I need to form an opinion.

I am just about at a point where I'm gonna have to start hiding the Blag/Fitz/Burris threads lest I stroke out or get banned. You want to join me?


:hi:


Laura

[wndycty]

91. Exactly. Given what we have been through with Rezko, Blago, et al. . .

. . .I'm going to put a lot more weight on what the locals in any area say about what is going on. I loved the potshots the national press took at Palin, but I really respected what the local ALASKAN press was saying about her.

Its so frustrating watching the national press on the whole Blago thing and I thank God for folks like Carol Marin and John Kass (who I hate but at least he knows the history).

BTW you are DU friends with someone (me), who according to one particular DUer, has no integrity. LOL

[davsand]

97. "Lacking integrity" is not valid. "Lacking tolerance for stupidity" is more accurate.

I would rather have you covering my back than an awful lot of folks because I see you keeping it real.

You have the bruises and the scars from being in the trenches and you understand just how silly it gets sometimes. That is a hell of a lot more than most can say, and my money will ALWAYS be on somebody that knows the turf they are fighting on.

Hang in. This will pass (maybe like a kidney stone but it WILL pass.)



Laura

[firedupdem]

21. Reid. Blago is a lying asshole. And even if Reid supposedly

said that I'm not going to attribute it to him being some kind of racist. Blago is full of shit and his self serving buddies are full of shit as well.

[ShortnFiery]

35. Yes, Blago is a "lying asshole" simply because Fitz told us so.

Talk about lemmings going for kangaroo court and conviction as they are led by the nose ... complements of our M$M. :(

[GarbagemanLB]

40. I have spoken to relatives in IL, and they all say he is a scumbag. The tapes are real. I guess some

are simply too deep in denial still.

[firedupdem]

41. He was a lying asshole long before fitz came into the picture.

Blago has been involved in all sorts of bullshit dating back to 2002. I don't need Fitz or anybody else to make up my mind for me. He should have been out of office for corruption he's been involved in long before now. Where there's smoke there is fire and this guy is up to his waist in shady involvement.

[babylonsister]

47. The investigation of Blago started in 2005. Why you insist

it's all a misunderstanding or somehow contrived by the m$m is beyond me.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich


Federal investigations

Since 2005, Blagojevich has been the subject of at least a dozen separate federal investigations, involving accusations against at least 14 other people, including Blagojevich's former fundraiser Tony Rezko.<49><36> In 2006, Blagojevich said that he has been targeted for investigation by "scoundrels" due to the change he brought as governor, such as his ethics reform bill.<36>

On December 30, 2005, it was reported that a leasing deal reached for occupants of the remodeled Illinois Tollway oasis had come under investigation by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Those who signed the fast food contracts were reported to be connected to Blagojevich campaign fundraising.<4> This is in addition to other investigations in the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Department of Corrections and the Department of Children and Family Services.<4>

On June 30, 2006, it was revealed that state Attorney General Lisa Madigan had received a letter from United States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, stating that Fitzgerald is looking into "very serious allegations of endemic hiring fraud" in the Blagojevich administration, and thanking Madigan for turning over her office's investigation to the federal authorities.<89>

In September 2006, it was revealed that Blagojevich had accepted a $1,500 check from Mike Ascaridis, whom the governor described as one of his closest friends, in 2003.<90> The check was given two weeks after Ascaridis' wife, Beverly, received a state job at the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Beverly Ascaridis received this appointment despite having failed a state hiring exam.<90> Blagojevich initially asserted that the check was written as a seventh birthday gift to his older daughter.<1> He later said it was a gift for his younger daughter's christening.<91> U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald<91> and the FBI<92> are investigating the matter. In 2005, Beverly Ascaridis told investigators that she believed she had been hired in exchange for the check.<14>

On October 2, 2006, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that a company that contributed close to $120,000 to Blagojevich's 2002 gubernatorial campaign won a no-bid contract. Even though the contract was awarded by the Illinois' Capital Development Board,<93> the board still reports to the governor.

[ShortnFiery]

48. Reid is heavily CORRUPT minus the illustrious investigation. Guess it's who's prosecuted that makes

us hate them?

I don't believe Reid and he's done FAR MORE DAMAGE to *The USA.*

Yeah Harry, thanks so much for not filibustering Alito. :thumbsdown:

[babylonsister]

52. I'm sure if he was so corrupt he wouldn't have been voted in again

as majority leader with no opposition from anyone. But believe what you want. Yep, they're all providing cover for him!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Reid

Reid was re-elected Majority Leader by the Democratic caucus without an opposition on November 18, 2008, winning all 57 votes.

[ShortnFiery]

65. Wanna bet? He IS corrupt and his entire family is connected to his Power.

Harry Reid, stung by the AP's exposure of his complicated land deals with a lobbyist he helped make rich through his personal interventions in Congress, has told the Senate Ethics Committee that he will file amended disclosure statements that would reveal his business relationships for the first time. Reid claims the amendment would be "technical":

http://articles.latimes.com/2006/aug/20/business/fi-nevada20

Reid's questionable involvement and compensation in a related real-estate deal outside of Las Vegas, and the post turned into a column for the New York Post. Harvey Whittemore, a lobbyist and real-estate investor, plied Reid with campaign contributions and employed Reid's family members -- and in exchange, Reid did a number of favors that allowed Whittemore to realize large profits at the expense of environmental regulations that Reid helped Whittemore bulldoze.

Reid's avoidance of disclosure hid two aspects of his business relationships. The first was his association with Jay Brown, who has a history of being involved in scandal. The NY Times describes him as "a prominent Las Vegas lawyer," but they never get around to mentioning his involvement in a federal bribery case in Las Vegas. Nor do they mention Brown's work as a lobbyist, as the AP did, nor do they follow up on the AP's report of connections between Brown and organized crime.

The other part Reid wanted to keep secret was the financial ties between himself and Harvey Whittemore. The AP story reported that Reid bought the parcel from "a developer who was benefiting from a government land swap that Reid supported," a perfect description of Whittemore in 1998 when Reid purchased the land. For the next seven years, Reid would work to ease Whittemore's difficulties in developing the Coyote Springs project by forcing the government to swap its right-of-way for less valuable land owned by Whittemore; he tried to get the government to literally give away more of its land to Whittemore, although he would not succeed; and in the end, he pressed federal regulators to lift a endangered-species restriction on Whittemore's Coyote Springs real estate. All of this helped give Whittemore an opportunity to make tens of millions on residential and commercial development in the former test range site.

Disclosures now are pointless. The Ethics panel needs to order a full investigation not just into the $700,000 profit, but all of Reid's business partners and any legislation or intervention with federal regulators Reid pushed on their behalf.

[babylonsister]

67. An article that's over 2 years old? Do you ever wonder why

there was no follow-up? No, obviously not.

[wndycty]

69. LOL let the haters hate. . .

. . .its very funny to watch.

[ShortnFiery]

72. Yes, but I wouldn't apply to anyone still connected with Blago or Burris.

Enemies are forever in poltical appointments. :evilgrin:

[wndycty]

75. LOL. . .don't worry I'm not applying to them. . .

. . .as I have said, I have no desire to work in government or even to get a government contract. I like being on the outside.

[yourguide]

22. Toss up

Reid knows the call was on tape so it would be just fucking stupid for him to lie. He issued a disclaimer saying something about not remembering.

Then again, Reid also knows Fitz just asked for an extra 90 days on the Blago indictment. He could just be assuming that the whole Burris issue will be settled long before those tapes are released.

Seriously, toss up.

[ShadowLiberal]

24. Reid seemed very unconvincing to me

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Reid or others democrats didn't tell Blago and other governors thinking of who to appoint to senate seats not to appoint certain people viewed as unelectable.

Also keep in mind Blago has said on the recordings that he was receiving a lot of political pressure not to name Jesse Jackson Jr. to Obama's senate seat. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Reid told him not to do that for fear of him being unelectable.

[mod mom]

26. Maybe we can ask Fitz to release the tapes.

[ecstatic]

27. Didn't he seem to jump a bit when Gregory reminded him that it's all on tape?

Nevertheless, since Reid has denied it, I'm forced to give him the benefit of the doubt over Blago. We've all seen what Blago is capable of. And it's probably only a matter of time before he starts lying about Obama and Emmanuel.

[Phx_Dem]

28. Definitely Reid. n/t

[ProSense]

49. Reid Says Senate Unlikely to Seat Burris of Illinois

Reid Says Senate Unlikely to Seat Burris of Illinois (Update1)

By Molly Peterson

Jan. 4 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said lawmakers aren’t likely to seat Roland Burris, though there is room to negotiate.

Reid said the Senate has the authority to deny a seat to Burris, the man Governor Rod Blagojevich picked to replace President-elect Barack Obama as a senator from Illinois. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Reid said he and Democratic Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois plan to meet with Burris Jan. 7, the day after the U.S. Senate convenes.

“We’re going to visit with him,” Reid said. “We would hope that in the meantime, Blagojevich, with the impeachment proceedings that are ongoing against him, would do the right thing and step down.”

Reid didn’t rule out the possibility that the Senate might agree to seat Burris, a former Illinois attorney general, even if Blagojevich remains in office.

“I’m an old trial lawyer. There’s always room to negotiate,” he said.

Illinois’ House of Representatives may vote as soon as this week on whether to impeach Blagojevich, a Democrat who was charged Dec. 9 with trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat for as much as $1 million. Lieutenant Governor Patrick Quinn, a Democrat, would succeed Blagojevich in the event of the governor’s removal or resignation.

If Quinn replaces Blagojevich and wants to appoint Burris “or anyone else” to the U.S. Senate seat, “that would be fine,” Reid said.

Burris, 71, who is black, has lost bids in a series of Democratic primaries ranging from Chicago mayor to governor and U.S. senator. His most recent campaign was an unsuccessful race for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2002, which he lost to Blagojevich. Burris then served as vice chairman of the governor’s transition team.

Durbin on Blagojevich, Burris

[opihimoimoi]

57. REID is not known for LYING.....he is Mormon....they don't lie for shit

[ShortnFiery]

59. True another famous Mormon is only known for lashing his family dog to the roof of their car

for hours at a time. :wow:

Romney's Cruel Canine Vacation
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1638065,00.html


See! I can generalize too. :rofl:

What's next?

"Blago's Serbian ancestry makes him inherently thuggish?" :crazy:

[opihimoimoi]

62. Its well known the dog was loaded with ticks and fleas and stunk to high heaven..LOL

[ShortnFiery]

66. You're confusing this with Reid's statement about the poor disenfranchised people in Gaza.

:nuke:

LOL :eyes:

[Uzybone]

60. Reid. Blago is scum

and those who fall for his lies are dummies.

[Ichingcarpenter]

61. Not a fan of either one but have to go with Reid

on this one.

Blago is playing with the cards he has and admittedly has played them well.
Reid should be playing go fish and is not up to the poker game being played

[kevsand]

68. Here are the excerpts from the transcript on the MSNBC website:

SEN. REID: New York. I've spoken to Governor Paterson several times. He's asked me how I feel about Caroline Kennedy, as an example, which I think is terrific. But I always said to Paterson, "You appoint whoever you want." And my one conversation with Blagojevich--had a number...

MR. GREGORY: Yeah.

SEN. REID: ...of conversations with the Colorado governor and the New York governor--"Blagojevich, make sure you give us someone who can hit the ground running." Of course we're concerned about what happens in 2010, but this has nothing to do with 2010. It has everything to do with the corrupt governor.

MR. GREGORY: All right, but let, let's talk about those conversations you had with Governor Blagojevich. Apparently you made it clear that three men were not acceptable to you: Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis, Emil Jones. And yet you just said Jesse Jackson would be fine. Is that what you said, that these men would not be acceptable?

SEN. REID: This is part of Blagojevich's cloud. He's making all this up. I had a conversation with him. I don't remember what was in the conversation, other than the generalities that I just talked about. I didn't tell him who not to appoint. He's making all this up to divert attention...

MR. GREGORY: Don't you think these conversations are on tape?

SEN. REID: Of course.

MR. GREGORY: For the U.S. attorney's investigation?

SEN. REID: I'm, I'm sure they are. But--that's right. And that's why what he's saying, he's making it up.

MR. GREGORY: So he's wrong, Jesse Jackson Jr. was always acceptable to you?

SEN. REID: Jesse Jackson Jr. is somebody that I think would be a good senator. And for Blagojevich to start throwing out these names of people who I wanted and didn't want...

MR. GREGORY: Mm-hmm.

SEN. REID: ...he's making it up.

I can see where some might think that Reid was parsing his words very carefully here. If I had to guess right now, I suspect that both Reid and Blagojevich are spinning the conversation to their own advantage, and both men are perhaps even slightly exaggerating what was or was not actually said.

Reid is also very obviously trading on the overwhelmingly negative reputation of Blago. Finally, Reid's claim to not remember the details, but only the generalities, is clearly intended as cover for any possible eventual revelation of a tape recording.

My best guess: Reid did say something dangerously close to what Blago's people are claiming, but may not have been quite as specific as they say.

[quakerboy]

81. not a damn one of them?

[redstate_democrat]

84. It's funny watching the people who defended Reid, when it was beleived he did target the 3

in his call, and now those same folks defend him again.

Is there any surprise? What were you expecting them to say, OP? lol.

Anyway, I don't give a fuck what Reid says. He's a lying POS. What, exactly, is he denying? Is he denying that he told Blagabitch not to appointment JJJ, Davis, or Jones? If he is, then he is a bold faced liar. When the article first appeared, and he was asked for comment, there was no such denial and he defended himself for making that call.

Here's what we know:

PE Obama had JJJ on HIS list for senate replacements. We had people here on DU trashing JJJ and calling him a scumbag despite the fact JJJ was an active supporter of PE Obama throughout the campaign and was a national chair. I guess these people also didn't realize that JJJ was on PE Obama's "shortlist" for the Senate as well. Perhaps Harry Reid wasn't aware either. Or maybe he was. Who knows. All I do know is that Harry Reid is an cowardly opportunist who lacks the courage to lead. His comments on the Gaza situation this morning demonstrates that fact even more.

[ProSense]

87. It's funnier to watch people criticizing Reid while ignoring that all the Democrats and Obama agree

with him. Also, people are so eager to believe Blagojevich's BS characterization of a routine call that occurred almost a week before Blagojevich's arrest.

Funnier is that no one wants to acknowledge this.

[Undercurrent]

86. No need to speculate.

It's on tape courtesy of the FBI. We'll know soon enough which of these lying assholes is lying about this.

[IndianaGreen]

88. I won't support Harry Reid, or accept anything he says!

In the same Meet the Press, Reid opposed a ceasefire for Gaza. Frak him!

Reid is LDS, which backed Prop 8.

The friend of my enemy, is my enemy.

[kevsand]

89. This may not be just Reid's word against Blago's.

The original Sun-Times story referred to "sources," plural. As far as I know, we don't have any indication yet of who these multiple sources may have been. While the obvious suspects would be aides to Blago, it is also possible that some of the multiple sources for the information may be further removed; i.e., people whom either Blago or Reid may have spoken to since.

It is also worth noting that the timing, circumstances, and alleged content of the phone call are entirely consistent with other things that have already been revealed by those tapes which have been described so far. It would of course be very interesting if the phone call in question was on tape, but that tape's contents may never be revealed if they aren't immediately relevant to the federal case.

Finally, there is the unfortunate lameness of Reid's initial response to the original Sun-Times story:

Jim Manley, spokesman for Reid, acknowledged Friday that Reid called Blagojevich as well as other governors who had Senate vacancies in their respective states.

“Of course Sen. Reid spoke to the governor of Illinois -- just as he spoke to the governors of New York and Colorado when senators from those states accepted jobs in the new administration,’’ Manley said. “It is part of his job as majority leader to share his thoughts about candidates who have the qualities needed to succeed in the Senate.”

Reid declined to reveal the specific names discussed, saying he didn’t want to embarrass anyone.

[wndycty]

93. I agree about the plural aspect however whoever tipped the S-T off is most likely Rod's staff. . .

. . .and furthermore whoever tipped off the S-T has a reason to crank up the angle that Reid was disqualifying Black candidates.

I think Illinois has proven it will elect African Americans to statewide office but I do believe that its tricky. I had always advocated for an African American PLACEHOLDER with an open primary in 2010, however for those who believed the appointee would run also run 2010 I could see why Jesse Jr. would not be on the list.

Also, what we are not hearing at would also be relevant is if Reid did in fact list unacceptable candidates did he potentially mention others like Dan Hynes, Jan Schakowsky, or Alexi who he also felt were unacceptable. If he did have unacceptable list were there others on there that were not leaked to the press?

[kevsand]

98. You're probably right about someone trying to flame the race angle.

And I don't think that whatever Reid said was entirely (or even mostly) racial. Illinois has clearly proven an ability to elect blacks statewide, and we've been doing it proudly for decades.

Just as with any election though, some candidates are more electable than others. Not everyone is as awesome as an Obama, nor does everyone have the luxury of running against Braun's long-forgotten first opponent, who was a sacrificial lamb intended for Dixon.

I still don't think anyone can take anything away from Burris' accomplishments in past statewide elections, but then he didn't have a dad named Jesse Jackson, nor was he ever really seen as a Chicago pol. There's an obvious reason that he has always talked so much about being from Centralia.

I think it's obvious that throughout all of the various conversations about this, some of us have been very delicately tiptoeing around the elephant in the room: the persistent racism, sometimes subtle, sometimes overt, that still permeates too many parts of our state, regardless of their geographic location. It's probably safer just to say that, as with candidates of any color, there are some black candidates who are perhaps an easier sell than others.

[IndianaJones]

90. I think this race stuff is way overblown. I have to question the "outrage" over this. nt

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

92. Reid, duh.

[AZ Criminal JD]

94. He didn't say that on Meet the Press

The OP is selectively editing Reid's remarks. He said, "I don't don't remember any conversation like that." As a lawyer I know lawyer talk when I hear it. He has been lawyered up.

[AtomicKitten]

95. Tie-breaker goes to the audio recordings.

[pot luck]

96. Definitely not Blagojevich.

It's obvious that he is trying to turn this into an issue of race. What better way to achieve that than to accuse the Senate Majority Leader of wanting to exclude AA from consideration of the senate seat? I don't trust a word Blagojevich says, he's just trying to stir shit.

[FrenchieCat]

101. I believe Reid, only because he is not under investigation,

and the other guy is. Anyone who calls President Obama a Motherfucker is on my "I don't believe shit else you have to say" list.

Apart from that, it truly doesn't matter. With Wars in Gaza, Iraq and Afghanistan, and an economic mess of unknown proportion, neither of those two are of any help with our problems.

What I do hope is that Reid when meeting with Obama on Monday, will carry out Obama's wishes and not attempt to be someone that Obama is forced to "bargain" with. It is obvious that Reid has no good new ideas, and so I would suggest to him that he does his job to line up the support required for this economic stimulus bill to pass as we needed it like the day before yesterday.

[TheDonkey]

102. They both should be thrown overboard.

[book_worm]

103. Well, shouldn't this all be on tape somewhere? I'd trust Reid more than Blago

[Occam Bandage]

107. I believe the one who isn't currently under criminal investigation. nt

[Vinca]

109. I'd believe Fitz's tapes. nt

[Ediacara]

115. I believe the tapes

I don't need to trust either one of those idiots.

[Tatiana]

122. I don't believe either of them. Or... I believe each of them are spinning a grain of truth.

I do believe Reid expressed a lack of enthusiasm for Jackson Jr., Jones and Davis. However, I think Blago just brought them up as a threat, mostly. I don't think Blago seriously considered either of those people. He just wanted to trap Reid.

[cherokeeprogressive]

124. I believe they are both lying to a certain extent. Blago by exaggeration, Reid by omission.

But I don't think it's at all stretching or reaching to think that a devout mormon would contact a governor in the hopes of heading off the appointment of a person of color to his all white Senate.

That's just me though; not a big fan of mormons at the moment.