Top Items:
Chicago Tribune:
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 …
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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 …
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 …
Chicago Tribune:
Sam Zell's financial adviser at Tribune Co. was middleman sought by Blagojevich — Governor sought to withhold Wrigley Field funds unless Chicago Tribune fired editorial writers critical of him, complaint says — As Tribune Co. acknowledged Thursday that it received a federal subpoena …
Discussion:
Michael Calderone's Blogs
The Politico:
Obama damage control — He was elected president on a promise of “transparency” but barely five weeks later, Barack Obama is scrambling to meet his first big test on openness. — Obama's campaign lawyer Bob Bauer is taking a leading role in conducting what one top aide described as …
Ed Morrissey / Hot Air:
Contact: Emanuel spoke with Blago “on multiple occasions” about Senate seat
Contact: Emanuel spoke with Blago “on multiple occasions” about Senate seat
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice, Riehl World View, RedState, Stop The ACLU, Sister Toldjah, The Strata-Sphere and Marc Ambinder
Eugene Robinson / Washington Post:
A Playbook to Change — In handling questions about the arrest …
A Playbook to Change — In handling questions about the arrest …
Discussion:
Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Real Clear Politics, Associated Press, Commentary and The Note
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.
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Manu Raju / The Politico:
Cheney: It's ‘Herbert Hoover’ time
Cheney: It's ‘Herbert Hoover’ time
Discussion:
The Moderate Voice, Detroit News, Talking Points Memo, Hullabaloo, Think Progress and Time
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 …
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Mike Allen / The Politico:
Bush changes mind, may save auto giants — Facing the potential bankruptcy of iconic American firms, President Bush on Friday abandoned his longstanding objection to using using the Wall Street bailout fund to help save G.M. and Chrysler. — A frustrated Republican congressional official said …
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):
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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:
Reuters, Bloomberg, Moonbattery, naked capitalism, Boing Boing, The Swamp and Pajamas Media
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Chicago Breaking News:
Madigan to court: Declare Blagojevich unfit — Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court today aimed at removing Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. — A spokesman for the state Supreme Court confirmed that Madigan filed the motion this morning.
Discussion:
TIME.com
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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.
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 …
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 …
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 …
Michael O'Brien / The Hill's Blog Briefing Room:
Mich. Gov.: ‘Un-American’ to Vote Against Auto Bailout — Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) said it was “un-American” for Senators to have voted against approving a bailout of troubled automakers last night, saying their vote may cause a recession to become a depression.