Though George Stephanopoulis claims that his “confidential sources” claim Rahm Emanuel only spoke to embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich once about President-elect Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat and Rahm’s own soon-to-be vacant House seat, and four conversations with Blago’s Chief Of Staff John Harris, which contradicts Chicago Sun-Times columnist Michael Sneed’s claim of a total of 21 contacts, and the CBS News chacterization of Rahm’s involvement as “bad news” for Obama, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown has a different take, this one supposedly direct from the horse’s mouth. First George’s story:
Sources tell me that the Obama team’s review of contacts with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will show that Rahm Emanuel had only one phone conversation with Blagojevich.
The contact, described as a “pro-forma” courtesy call, came as Emanuel was named Chief of Staff for Obama. Most of the discussion concerned Emanuel’s Congressional seat (which had previously been held by Blagojevich), with only a “passing reference” to the Senate vacancy, according to these sources. No deal for the Senate vacancy was discussed.
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The sources add that the report will show Emanuel also had four phone calls with Blagojevich Chief of Staff John Harris. During those conversations, the Senate seat was discussed. The pros and cons of various candidates were reviewed, and the sources say that Emanuel repeatedly reminded Harris that Blagojevich should focus on the message the pick would send about the governor and his administration.
Now, heeeeerrrrre’s Willie. Writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, Brown says Blago, sensing a sympathetic ear, called him to say there’s more to the story than Team O is allowing to meet our eye:
I can’t go into details, but my impression is that the whole mess started because the governor had been considering appointing a political rival, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, to the Senate so she wouldn’t be able to run against him when he went up for re-election in 2010.
Apparently, Obama’s people weren’t happy about the idea of Madigan coming to Washington, and there were some pretty heated conversations between Blagojevich and Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, which I understand will burn your ears off.
Since I trust Willie a lot more than George, I say, get your popcorn ready and pull up your seatbelt fastened Barcalounger. Looks like we’re in for a bumpy roller coaster ride. And remember, I told you so. Time and time, again.
