*** UPDATE *** From the AP…
People who have been briefed on the Illinois governor corruption investigation say Barack Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel is not a target of the probe.
* Emanuel gets dragged in…
Fox News Chicago reported Friday that Rahm Emanuel, the president-elect’s chief of staff, had “multiple conversations” with Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff John Harris about the Senate seat.
The report, which cited a source familiar with the investigation, added that the conversations were “likely recorded and in FBI possession.” […]
According to the Fox source, Emanuel provided the governor’s office with a list of “candidates that would be acceptable to President-elect Barack Obama.”
* This report from the Telegraph, however, is likely incorrect…
Suspicion has grown that Mr Emanuel is the unnamed “Washington based adviser” mentioned in the 76-page prosecutors’ affidavit that Mr Blagojevich ordered his chief of staff to contact.
There is no single “Washington based advisor” listed in the complaint. There is an “Advisor B,” who is described as a “Washington D.C.-based consultant.” That person is definitely not Rahm Emanuel.
* More likely, Emanuel is the “President-Elect Advisor” listed in the complaint. There ain’t much there…
On November 13, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with JOHN HARRIS. ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he wanted to be able to call “[President-elect Advisor]” and tell President-elect Advisor that “this has nothing to do with anything else we’re working on but the Governor wants to put together a 501(c)(4)” and “can you guys help him. . . raise 10, 15 million.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he wanted “[President-elect Advisor] to get the word today,” and that when “he asks me for the Fifth CD thing I want it to be in his head.” (The reference to the “Fifth CD thing” is believed to relate to a seat in the United States House of Representatives from Illinois’ Fifth Congressional District. Prior intercepted phone conversations indicate that ROD BLAGOJEVICH and others were determining whether ROD BLAGOJEVICH has the power to appoint an interim replacement until a special election for the seat can be held.).
Also on November 13, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH talked with Advisor A. ROD BLAGOJEVICH said he wants the idea of the 501(c)(4) in President-elect Advisor’s head, but not in connection with the Senate appointment or the congressional seat. Advisor A asked whether the conversation about the 501(c)(4) with President-elect Advisor is connected with anything else. ROD BLAGOJEVICH replied that “it’s unsaid. It’s unsaid.”
Later on November 13, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with Advisor A. ROD BLAGOJEVICH asked Advisor A to call Individual A and have Individual A pitch the idea of the 501(c)(4) to “[President-elect Advisor].” Advisor A said that, “while it’s not said this is a play to put in play other things.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH responded, “correct.” Advisor A asked if this is “because we think there’s still some life in [Senate Candidate 1] potentially?” ROD BLAGOJEVICH said, “not so much her, but possibly her. But others.”
* Ben Smith at the Politico ponders…
Chicago’s Fox affiliate reports that Emanuel suggested to Blagojevich some names for the seat, nothing more — which would, again, be normal and expected.
Emanuel’s totally uncharacteristic silence, though, is puzzing.