The Hot File

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, spanked the Republican National Committee today for releasing a web advertisement called, “Questions Remain.” In a letter to RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, Gingrich fumed, “This ad is a terrible signal to be sending about both the goals of the Republican Party in the midst of the nation’s troubled economic times and about whether we have actually learned anything from the defeats of 2006 and 2008…In a time when America is facing real challenges, Republicans should be working to help the incoming President succeed in meeting them, regardless of his Party.”

It seems the former king of the Hill is fed up with the leadership or lack thereof within the Republican Party and could be taking matters into his own hands.  Newt’s been conspicuously outspoken in his opposition to the recent bailout packages for Wall Street, smacking down the notion of tax payers footing the bill for major financial institutions on Fox. Plus, Marc Ambinder of the Atlantic has reported Gingrich to be a top contender for president in 2012, “already planting some seeds in Iowa, New Hampshire and Doylestown, Pennsylvania.”

Or, perhaps he’ll just settle for RNC chairmanship. He was rumored to be interested in the job last month, soon after Obama’s win. Gingrich’s legal counsel and close friend told the Atlanta Journal Constitution, “if majority of the RNC thought he was needed, he would accept that appointment. He fully appreciates the urgency of the moment.”  This latest anti-Obama web ad could be the final straw.

He’s been arrested, charged with multiple counts of political corruption “that would make Lincoln turn over in his grave” and now defiantly refuses to step down as governor of Illinois…but it’s not Rod Blagojevich getting the bad press…it’s Barack Obama.

After declaring Blago’s political career dead on arrival, the media spin-meisters have moved on to target number two, first anticipating and now assessing the political damage to president-elect Obama.  For nearly 3 hours yesterday on Morning Joe, Joe Scarborough pushed a close relationship between Obama and Blagojevich. On Hannity & Colmes, Sean Hannity with the fed documents in hand for dramatic effect, resurrected the Tony Rezko link, saying “I wonder if we’re starting to see what we suspected of Barack Obama. I think the Tony Rezko issue is going to be a big problem for him. Especially since he’s all over this document. The word President-elect is mentioned 44 times.”  Even Chuck Todd of MSNBC’s First Read wrote, “As for the scandal’s impact on Obama, no doubt that it will be embarrassing for him and his incoming administration.”  Wow…Obama AND his administration…it seems no one in Obamaland is safe.

But, Obama shouldn’t be be blushing over Blago.  Federal prosecutors, many appointed under President Bush, have repeatedly stated that Obama was not implicated in the investigation. It’s well-documented that Obama kept his distance from Blagojevich while serving as the Senator from Illinois. And, ironically, it was Obama’s phone call to Blagojevich, where he asked for the governor’s support in passing an ETHICS bill that essentially sparked Blago’s “crime spree.” That’s right, an ethics bill.

So why all the negative press?  After months of swatting down accusations of favoring Obama, many in the press have now reversed course and abruptly ended the so-called media darling’s free ride, with talking heads fighting over the first bloom off Obama’s rose, a gleeful anticipation over the golden boy’s first stumble.  It’s classic cable news: sensationalism to boost those Nielson numbers in this post-election news slump.

So, don’t believe Obama must certainly be guilty because he may have talked to Blagojevich at some point during his political career.  Or because he lived and worked in Chicago, he must be corrupt.  I say Blagojevich’s arrest, although at the hands of the feds, is still a sign that Obama is making good on his promise of change…it’s coming…just starting in his own backyard.

but thank you, Joe Klein