~~By InsightAnalytical-GRL
With the impeachment trial of Gov. Rod Blagojevich lumbering toward its inevitable decision, not much attention has been paid to the issue of subpoenas…
But, in case you missed the news on Saturday, the AP reported that a slew of Obama’s top aides were named in a subpoena issued by the U.S. Attorney’s office and delivered to the Blagojevich Administration on December 8, 2007. The Blagojevich Administration released them this past Friday (January 23).
Top Obama aides subject of Blagojevich subpoenas
By The Associated Press | Saturday, January 24, 2009 11:44 AM CST
UPDATE: SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Sweeping federal subpoenas of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s administration include requests for records involving David Axelrod and Valerie Jarrett, senior advisers to President Barack Obama.
Among 43 subpoenas released by the Blagojevich administration Friday, one from Dec. 8 seeks notes, calendars, correspondence and any other data that relate to Axelrod, Jarrett and 32 other people and organizations.
SNIP
Neither the prosecution nor the defense is allowed to summon any witnesses whose testimony might interfere with federal prosecutors’ criminal case against Blagojevich. But Blagojevich has not asked to call any witnesses at all, and said he does not plan to participate in any way.
The story goes on to provide a recap of previous events in the case and a full list of those whose records were under scrutiny. Oh, and it also reminds us that “Obama’s staff released a report in December that said his staff had no inappropriate contact with the governor’s office about the Senate seat, nor was anyone aware of any dealmaking. Axelrod, a Chicago political strategist now in the White House, was not mentioned in the report.”
Gee, no mention of Axelrod in the Obama report? Just an oversight, I’m sure. A chance omission. Yeah, right!
At Doug Ross @ Journal, Ross blogged about the news:
Sunday, January 25, 2009
And on the fifth day, subpoenas were served to Obama’s senior staff
On Saturday morning, the list of subpoenas served by the U.S. Attorney’s office in the Governor Rod Blagojevich case was made public. The list included one major surprise for the new administration.
A veritable “who’s who” of Obama staffers, surrogates and affiliates were among those served with subpoenas.
Aside from Axelrod and Jarrett, the list also includes Rahm Emanuel and Tony Rezko. (Note: I didn’t spot the name of Emanuel on the list in the AP story, but perhaps it isn’t a complete list.)
Ross rightly comments that at the very least, the legal affairs of Obama’s close advisers and associates will eat away at time that could be spent on the nation’s business.
It seems to me that during the campaign we heard an awful lot about the “Clinton baggage” but less than a week into the Obama Administration the drip-drip-drip of Patrick Fitzgerald’s foray into the Blagojevich Administration is already spreading to Obama’s senior staff and associates. Will it be Whitewater all over again?
I don’t know much about Doug Ross except from what I’ve gleaned from his site. He’s been blogging from the conservative side since 2003 and his site has been a Weblog Awards finalist in 2006 and 2007.
I do know for certain, however, that the Doug Ross writing about politics is NOT the same Doug Ross who is coming back for a visit on ER.
Yes, George Clooney, the departed Dr. Doug Ross from the early years of ER, is returning to help close out the show’s last season.
Code Awesome: George Clooney Scrubbing Into ER
E! Online – Code Awesome: George Clooney Scrubbing Into ER(E! Online)
Los Angeles (E! Online) – ER paged Dr. Ross—and he answered.
Sources tell E! News that George Clooney will be shooting scenes this week for an upcoming episode of the hit medical series, which is in its 15th and final season on NBC.
The network recently ordered up another three episodes of its stalwart Thursday-night drama, raising hopes that nabbing Clooney for a guest spot was one of the reasons for the extension.
Aw, George. Is there any humanitarian cause he won’t support?
MORE
You can bet that the return of Clooney to ER will soon be getting a lot more attention than some boring old subpoenas involving Obama’s crew! Frankly, I’m wondering how Clooney, a vocal Obama supporter, will react if the subpoena news ever surfaces in the Obama mainstream media.
Do you think he’ll produce a movie on the subject? Perhaps he could play Rahm Emanuel in the film??
AWESOME!!
Filed under: Current Politics | Tagged: "Clinton baggage", Blagojevich criminal case, Blagojevich impeachment, David Axelrod, Doug Ross @ Journal, Dr. Doug Ross, ER, George Clooney, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, mainstream media, MSM, Patrick Fitzgerald, Rahm Emanuel, Tony Rezko, U.S. Attorney's Office-Chicago, Valerie Jarrett, Whitewater investigation | 8 Comments »
