CONGRESSMAN JESSE JACKSON, JR. "PROBE" HAS GROWN TENTACLES THAT MUST BE CUT OFF IMMEDIATELY

Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.The Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. Witch Hunt must stop. This is getting absolutely ridiculous! How did the probe into whether Jesse Jackson, Jr. attempted to negotiate the purchase of Obama's vacant Senate seat from then Governor Rod Blagojevich turn into a full-on investigation into how Rep. Jackson used of his own campaign resources? This dual investigation (one by the Feds, the other by a Congressional committee) has nothing to do with its original purpose - was there a quid pro quo agreement between Jackson and Blagojevich?

In a previous blog I write:

JESSE JACKSON, JR. WITCH HUNT PREPOSTEROUS - PRESS HAS FORGOTTEN THE ISSUE: BLAGOJEVICH'S ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO SELL SENATE SEAT

In late May 2009, it was reported that Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. has paid his wife approximately $250,000 for her assistance in his campaign. Article here.

Most importantly, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee states that at least 40 members of Congress, from both parties, employ spouses or family members in their campaigns. As for Illinois, the practice is very very common.

The Office of Congressional Ethics probe, which was launched in April 2009, is supposed to investigate a matter for 30 days before making a recommendation to the House members' chief ethics panel, the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. That committee can take action, refuse action or continue the probe.

It has now been over FIVE MONTHS of investigation! The purpose of the ethics probe was to determine if Rep. Jackson was involved in any quid pro quo with Gov. Rod Blagojevich. They did not find any such wrongdoing or involvement with Gov. Blagojevich; therefore, the probe should have come to an end.

Instead, the committee has gone well beyond its original scope, so much so that the Feds have asked them to STOP. 

According to today's Sun Times, "The Office of Congressional Ethics revealed Wednesday it was probing whether Jackson improperly used his congressional staff to wage a political campaign for appointment to the U.S. Senate. Federal authorities have asked a congressional ethics committee to temporarily back off its probe of U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., fearing it would interfere with an ongoing investigation." Article here.

The latest "investigation" is into whether Congressman Jackson had his staff send out letters to constiutents regarding his campaign for the Senate seat. Really? 

Let's just do a cost-benefit analysis: the cost to taxpayers for TWO investigations: 1) the Ethics Committee investigation that has now proceeded for five months, and 2) the Federal investigation. The COST of the two separate investigations has gone WAY BEYOND the alleged "inappropriate" spending of Rep. Jackson. Why doesn't this "Committee" do something else with their time; instead of reading Jackson's financial statements, read that +1000 page health care bill? And maybe the Feds can spend more time on bringing down the bad guys instead of determining whether Rep. Jackson asked his staff to mail some letters?

I don't really care if you "like" Rep. Jackson or not. That's not the issue. The issue is that the probe has gone well beyond its scope, well beyond its purpose, and well beyond its allotted deadline. Clearly, there are ulterior motives since neither committee found what it was looking for, i.e. the Blago-Jackson quid pro quo zinger. The nonsense must stop!

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Tamara Discusses Roland Burris on Fox News "Live Desk"

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Tamara on Fox Chicago Discussing Ex-Governor Blagojevich's Arraignment

Today, ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich was arraigned on the 16-count indictment. He pleaded not guilty.  I'll be on Fox Chicago tonight at 9 pm discussing the case.

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EX-ILLINOIS GOVERNOR BLAGOJEVICH INDICTMENT TODAY?

Ex-Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich could be indicted as early as today. The EXTENDED deadline given to prosecutors is April 7th, next Tuesday, but the grand jury only meets on Thursdays; thus, today is the final day of Grand Jury proceedings.

Don't worry, friends.  Blagojevich is at Disney with the family.  Maybe he thinks he is still in fairy tale land?  Fact of the matter is this: Blagojevich will be indicted.  Disney - Blagojevich's vacation spot as he awaits indictment

As you know, I think whatever charges hand-up will be trumped-up. His arrest for attempting to sell then-Senator Obama's Senate seat was a preemptive move; as a consequence, he did not commit any illegal act (as far as the Senate seat goes) because he only discussed a desire to sell the seat.  Ok, so maybe they'll charge him with a conspiracy...but who are the other conspiring parties? I do not think there are any.  

This case excites me. Let's see what the U.S. Attorney can come up with since they arrested him before having anything substantial on Blagojevich.

I've followed this case with great complexity.  Here's the link to all the blogs I posted since Blagojevich's arrest: Blagojevich blogs. 

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U.S. ATTORNEY'S DEADLINE TO INDICT BLAGOJEVICH IS QUICKLY APPROACHING - 1 WEEK AWAY - APRIL 7! WHAT DO THEY REALLY HAVE ON HIM?

ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich

Putting the question of ex-Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's sanity aside, are we then left with a real criminal or just a guy with helmet-head hair? I say the latter. 

We are approaching the EXTENDED deadline for U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald to formally charge Blagojevich in alleged pay-to-play schemes, including the attempted sale of then President-elect Obama's Senate seat.  Judge Holderman gave Fitzgerald a 90-day extension to indict him - just one week away - April 7. 

Remember, Fitzgerald said the charges against Blagojevich were so severe they would "make Lincoln roll over in his grave." So what's the holdup?

Since that bold statement, no official charges have been filed and all this time has passed. I suspect the charges against Blagojevich are going to be trumped up.  I am not saying he should not be charged with criminal misconduct; however, I do not think he will be charged with the serious offenses that were initially alleged.   I think that the U.S. Attorney jumped the gun and arrested Blagojevich a bit too soon. The Feds should have waited for the money to exchange hands in the sale of the Obama Senate seat.

What did Blagojevich really do that was so illegal? He may have WANTED TO OR DESIRED TO sell the Obama Senate seat but conversations with multiple F-BOMBS about that desire are not enough to charge him with a crime. Remember "ATTEMPT" requires a SUBSTANTIAL STEP to be taken and it wasn't!

Agreed that Blagojevich was an outta-control Governor disliked by most BUT is he a criminal? My bet is NO - he's a wannabe criminal at best.

We shall see...

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"KEY DEMOCRAT" WANTS BURRIS TO RE-VISIT IMPEACHMENT COMMITTEE - WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!

"Key Democrat" Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) wants Senator Roland Burris to come back to the Impeachment Committee to explain his "absolutely misleading" testimony he previously gave in January 2009 regarding contact (or lack thereof) with Gov. Blagojevich and his people.  Article here. IL State Rep. Jack D. Franks (D-Woodstock) 

What could possibly be the point?  The IMPEACHMENT Committee accomplished their goal: they voted to impeach Gov. Blagojevich and he was subsequently impeached!  

The IL Democrats continue to look silly.  Let me remind you of something: Gov. Blagojevich LEGALLY APPOINTED Roland Burris because the Democrats failed to put a special election bill on the Governor's desk.  Remember, the IL House had THREE WEEKS to do so...from the time Blagojevich was arrested until the time he appointed Burris...which was just a few days before President-elect Obama was to be sworn in. 

BUT the Democrats did not put the special election bill on the Governor's desk because they were too busy "meeting" or whatever the heck they were doing.  (Nevermind their excuse that because they believed the Governor really wouldn't have signed it they didn't present the bill at all.)

I mean, really, Mr. Franks.  What is the point of bringing Senator Burris back to the Committee? What is the goal?

If Burris violated the law and committed the criminal offense of PERJURY, let the authorities investigate the case and Feds charge him.  The Democrats need to focus on IL's greater problems instead of "meeting" to cross-examine Burris, especially if they think he cannot be trusted in the first place.

One more thing: Burris was before the Committee once before and the Committee had the opportunity to question him about his conversations with numerous people.  Why didn't Durkin ask the questions? Maybe Burris left out certain information (and I'm not saying that was ethical on his part) BUT the Committee also failed to inquire into great detail.  

Word to the Democrats: the GOP loves that you are fighting within your own party.  They can't wait for you to kill your own guy so that they can put one of their own in your dead man's seat.   

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BURRIS MESS - TRIAL PRACTICE 101: YOU MUST ASK THE QUESTION IF YOU WANT THE ANSWER!

Roland Burris responds to reporters' questions after speaking at a news conferences where he defended himself in the light of perjury questions. (Al Podgorski/Sun-Times)

Typical politics on a Sunday afternoon: Whatever it is, it can't even wait until Monday morning. I was trying to spend a few final hours with family in Dallas before I had to head back to Chicago and then I get the Google alert: Burris presser at 3:30. The whole table literally jumped from the dinner table to watch this dog-and-pony show. What a waste of time! Here's the bottom line: maybe Burris was a bit misleading pre-appointment but it's too late now. He's not getting removed from the Senate (that would require a two-thirds vote) and he's not getting charged with perjury. Really, folks, is any of this surprising?! The appointment came from Blagojevich! Article here.

Here's what you need to know:

1) 1/5/09: Burris files Affidavit with IL House of Representatives, Special Investigative Committee - EXPLAINS **HOW** HE WAS APPOINTED

• Burris basically discusses HOW he was appointed. He says Blago's attorney, Sam Adams, calls him on 12/26/08 and offers the appointment. On 12/28/08, Burris accepts the appointment.
• Here's where it gets interesting: #10 - Burris says that he discussed no other topics with Blago except words of praise for his public service on December 28, 2008. ** He specifically gives the date and does not include any other dates they may have conversed. **
• #11 - Here's the misleading part: Burris says, "Prior to 12/26/08, there was not ANY CONTACT between myself of any of my representatives with Gov. Blagojevich or any of his representatives regarding my APPOINTMENT to the U.S. Senate." ** He carefully uses the word "appointment"...clearly, as you will see, he did have conversations regarding his desire for the Senate seat but that was pre-Blago's-decision to appoint so he decided to leave that part out! **
  

2) 1/8/09: Burris testifies before IL House of Representatives in impeachment proceeding against Gov. Rod Blagojevich

• Burris is asked at Gov. Blago's impeachment proceeding if he had conversations with a list of people. Burris answers "Yes"
• He was asked specifically about any contact he had with insiders that included Robert Blagojevich, the former governor's brother, as well as chief of staff John Harris and former aides John Wyma, Lon Monk and Doug Scofield.
• After he answered YES, Durkin asked a follow-up question about Lon Monk but no other names he rattled off.  **Durkin made no further inquiries regarding his conversations with the others.**

3) 2/5/09: Burris files Supplemental Affidavit with IL House of Representatives

• Burris apparently receives transcripts of the impeachment proceeding in late January and then feels inclined to file a supplemental affidavit on Feb 5, 2009.  Is that because of pressure from the FBI? (His lawyer hinted that Burris is on tape.) Or is it so that he really wants to clear-up any confusion for his friends in the IL House of Representatives? Regardless, Burris decides to elaborate on his impeachment testimony via this new affidavit. 
• He mentions he attended a fundraiser and spoke to Wyma and Sofield about his desire to be appointed. He mentions he receieved 3 calls from Gov. Blagojevich's brother, Rod, for fundaraising; however, he did not donate to the Governor.  He mentions a call to John Harris regarding his nephew's application with the state.  Nepotism?  He finally mentions a phone call to Ed Smith about his desire for the seat. 

4) 2/15/09: Burris holds press conference in Chicago

• First of all, Burris was not prepared to enter the lion's den of reporters at the press conference.  His lawyer, Timothy Wright, allowed his client to walk into the room without a prepared statement. He allowed the journalists to drill him and control the room.  It was a disaster.  At times, Wright would fumble through his binder of the transcript to look for certain quotes but it did not help; in fact, he looked totally overwhelmed.
• No kidding that Burris did not give the full details about his contact and conversations with Gov. Blagojevich's people.  All along, we have all been led to believe that Burris was enjoying the retired life with his wife and then one day, whoala, he receives a phone call from Blagojevich's lawyer that he's been the chosen appointee!  Come on, we should have known better.  This is Blagojevich we are talking about.  Burris was clearly on the radar!
• Bottom line is that Durkin and the Impeachment Committee had ample opportunity to question Burris about his conversations with Blagojevich's people regarding the Senate seat and they did not.  Durbin started to go there but he did not continue down that road of questioning.  Trial Practice 101: You must ask the question to get the answer.  Witness Prep 101: Do not offer additional information. Only answer the question you've been asked.  Burris won the "trial of questioning." Durkin got a "yes" but he did not ask specifically about each person; therefore, Burris did not offer up the information.  That's not misleading on Burris' part but a failure by Durkin. 

Burris did not fail to disclose; instead, he is clearly a well-trained attorney.  You don't get the answer unless you ask the question.  Period.

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