OBAMA REACTION TO BLAGO ARREST

"Saddened and sobered," and , "I had no contact." This was the rather weak reaction during a press conference from Barack Obama to the arrest of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's arrest for corruption in an on going investigation which culminated in the revelation that Blago was selling Obama's vacant Senate seat to the highest bidder.

While the Federal Prosecuter Patrick Fitzgerald has not stated that Obama or anyone in his office was involved in the scandal,(he also has not stated that no one was NOT involed either), the fact that it took place in Illinois and with Obama's Senate seat is going to dog him until the case is over.

"Saddened and sobered," the initial reaction from Obama. Could this be a sobering revelation because of what he knew about the Illinois Governor throughout the three years that Balgo was under investigation for his pay for play scheme with government appointments ?

In taped conversation Blago stated that he didn't believe that Obama would be much help because rather than offer him anything all that Obama would do was thank him for his work.

But Obama's statement about,"having no contact," with Blago cannot be entirely true. The seat that Obama resigned from is a Senate seat from the State of Illinois and there would have been some form of contact after the election if for nothing else but to inform the Governor that the seat would be vacant and it was now up to him to fill it.

I am also sure as in other situations where a office holder was elected and the seat they were holding whether on a State or Federal level was vacated, the resigning office holder as President Elect would offer suggestions for their replacement.

This situation with Blago is politics as usual throughout the long history of Chicago politics and whether Obama was directly involved or not the fact that he was a part of the Chicago system does pose questions about his governing style and once again about his associations.

One cannot be involved in such a corrupt government as that in Illinois without knowing some of the corruption that is taking place. Though Obama has tried to distance himself from Chicago corruption he was not only a part of that corrupt system but many who are now taking posts in his administration have come from that same corruption plagued political climate.

The arrest of Governor Blagojevich adds fuel to the never ending fire concerning the mystery about Barack Obama and in those in whom he has been associated with throughout his politcal career.

Ken Taylor