memeorandum: The Real Obama — Barack Obama has garnered praise from center … (Charles Krauthammer/Washington Post)

1:50 PM ET, December 12, 2008

Top Items:

Blagojevich fundraiser held by Jackson allies Saturday — As Gov. Rod Blagojevich was trying to pick Illinois' next U.S. senator, businessmen with ties to both the governor and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. discussed raising at least $1 million for Blagojevich's campaign as a way to encourage …

Eli Saslow / Washington Post:

Obama Worked to Distance Self From Blagojevich Early On — Like every other politician in Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich waited for Barack Obama's call this summer. He told colleagues that he expected a speaking role at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, a nice bit of payback …

Discussion: Firedoglake, Los Angeles Times, Washington Monthly, Power Line, Taylor Marsh, Media Matters for America, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TPMCafe, MSNBC, NewsBusters.org, TIME.com, Gawker and Prairie Weather

Chicago Breaking News:

Madigan asks court: Remove Blagojevich — Atty. General Lisa Madigan called on the Illinois Supreme Court today to temporarily remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office and appoint Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn as acting governor, “so the business of the state of Illinois can go forward.”

Discussion: Associated Press, TIME.com, Salon and The Capitol Fax Blog

The Politico:
Obama damage control

Discussion: Ben Smith's Blogs, The Note, protein wisdom and Weekly Standard

Chicago Tribune:
Sam Zell's financial adviser at Tribune Co. was middleman sought by Blagojevich

Discussion: Michael Calderone's Blogs

Chicago Sun Times:
What's next for Jesse Jackson Jr.?

Discussion: TIME.com and Political Machine

Eugene Robinson / Washington Post:
A Playbook to Change — In handling questions about the arrest …

Discussion: Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Real Clear Politics, New York Times, Associated Press, The Note and Commentary

Christopher Wills / Associated Press:
Illinois AG asks high court to declare gov. unfit

Discussion: Hot Air, Associated Press and Political Machine

Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:

‘THE PARTY OF HERBERT HOOVER’.... On Wednesday, Dick Cheney met with Senate Republicans and emphasized the importance of keeping the American automotive industry afloat. “If we don't do this, we will be known as the party of Herbert Hoover forever,” the vice president said.

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, Los Angeles Times, MoJoBlog, Wonk Room, Bloomberg, The Hill's Blog Briefing Room, Booman Tribune, Washington Post, Newshoggers.com, Left in the West, PoliBlog and Shakesville

Micheline Maynard / New York Times:

U.A.W. at Center of Dispute Over Bailout — DETROIT — Opponents of a Congressional bailout for Detroit auto companies and the United Automobile Workers union traded charges Friday over who was responsible for the defeat of legislation that would have provided temporary financing until the automakers restructured.

Discussion: The Swamp, Emptywheel, Guardian and The Washington Independent

David Rogers / The Politico:
Bailout failure shows leadership vacuum

Discussion: The Caucus

The Huffington Post:
Hale “Bonddad” Stewart: The Republicans Want A Depression

Discussion: Fausta's Blog and nber.org

Pan Pylas / Associated Press:
World markets plunge as US auto bailout fails

Discussion: The Other McCain

Associated Press:
Bailout dead, automakers in search of a lifeline

Discussion: Outside The Beltway and Associated Press

Associated Press:
$14B auto bailout dies in Senate

Discussion: MoJoBlog, The Huffington Post, Newshoggers.com, The Mahablog, Right Wing News, Wall Street Journal, Hot Air, The Campaign Spot, Wake up America, LiberalOasis, Robert Reich's Blog, Outside The Beltway, Washington Monthly and The Monkey Cage

Manu Raju / The Politico:
Cheney: It's ‘Herbert Hoover’ time

Discussion: Think Progress, Talking Points Memo, Time, Hullabaloo, Hot Air and TIME.com

Carrie Budoff Brown / The Politico:

Rendell slams Obama over Blago — Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell today criticized Barack Obama for not being more upfront about the Illinois corruption scandal. — Now, he said, the story will continue to dominate the media's attention. — “They have never been in an executive position before …

Discussion: ABCNEWS, Chicago Sun Times, The Swamp, GINA COBB, NewsBusters.org, Washington Post, theheretik.us and No More Mister Nice Blog

Ed Morrissey / Hot Air:

Contact: Emanuel spoke with Blago “on multiple occasions” about Senate seat — The attempt by President-elect Barack Obama to distance himself from the scandal erupting in Illinois took a big hit last night with this exclusive report from Chicago's Fox affiliate.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, QandO, Riehl World View, Sister Toldjah, Stop The ACLU, RedState, The Strata-Sphere and Patterico's Pontifications

CNN:
Illinois Democratic lawmakers begin impeachment effort for gov

Discussion: Washington Monthly and TPM Election Central

White House:

Statement by Press Secretary Dana Perino — It is disappointing that while appropriate and effective legislation to assist and restructure troubled automakers received majority support in both houses, Congress nevertheless failed to pass final legislation. The approach in that legislation provided …

Discussion: Associated Press, Commentary and Michelle Malkin

Mike Allen / The Politico:
Bush changes mind, may save auto giants

Discussion: Wizbang, The Swamp, Reason, Reuters and Pajamas Media

Andrew Grossman / The Foundry:
TARP: Now A Slush Fund for Detroit?

Discussion: Michelle Malkin and Patterico's Pontifications

Todd S. Purdum / New York Times:

Robin Toner, Times Reporter, Is Dead — Robin Toner, who was the first woman to be the national political correspondent of The New York Times and who had a significant hand in the coverage of five presidential elections, innumerable Congressional and gubernatorial campaigns …

Discussion: Michael Calderone's Blogs and Swampland

Wall Street Journal:

Top Broker Accused of $50 Billion Fraud — Sons Turned In Madoff After He Allegedly Told Them His Investment-Advisory Business for the Wealthy Was ‘Giant Ponzi Scheme’ — Bernard L. Madoff, a former chairman of the Nasdaq Stock Market and a force in Wall Street trading for nearly 50 years …

Discussion: TPMMuckraker, Moonbattery, Bloomberg, naked capitalism, Boing Boing and Pajamas Media

Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:

The Real Obama — Barack Obama has garnered praise from center to right — and has highly irritated the left — with the centrism of his major appointments. Because Obama's own beliefs remain largely opaque, his appointments have led to the conclusion that he intends to govern from the center.

Discussion: Swampland and Betsy's Page

Amanda Terkel / Think Progress:

Powell lashes out at Palin: I'm from the South Bronx, 'and there's nothing wrong with my value system.' — In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria that will air this weekend, former Secretary of State Colin Powell sharply criticized the Republican party and its “value system,” taking particular aim at Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK):

Discussion: Pam's House Blend

Joseph Stiglitz / Financial Times:

Chapter 11 is the right road for US carmakers — The debate about whether or not to bail out the Big Three carmakers has been mischaracterised. It has been described as a package to help the undeserving dinosaurs of Detroit. In fact, a plan to bail out the carmakers would benefit shareholders …

Discussion: Firedoglake

myfoxtwincities.com:

Exclusive: Norm Coleman's Renovation Project Coincides with Financial Lawsuit — ST. PAUL (FOX 9) — The timing and cost of Sen. Norm Coleman's home renovation has again raised questions about allegations that an Edina, Minn. businessman funneled money to Norm Coleman's wife Laurie.

Discussion: Think Progress, Political Machine and MinnPost

New York Times:

What's Plan B? — Senate Republicans determined to block the $14 billion rescue package for Chrysler and General Motors have trotted out predictable rhetoric about the dangers of Big Government. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, warned on Thursday that …

Discussion: Connecting.the.Dots, Don Surber and Prairie Weather