Emanuel Spoke to Ill. Gov's Office on Seat: Report

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Source: NYT

CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama's choice for White House chief of staff spoke to Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office about who the governor should appoint to replace Obama in the Senate, the Chicago Tribune reported on Saturday.

The talks did not suggest that Rahm Emanuel was involved in an alleged deal-making scheme for the Senate seat that has resulted in federal charges against Blagojevich, a 52-year-old Democrat.

The governor and his former chief of staff John Harris are charged with attempting to peddle the Senate seat for campaign cash or lucrative jobs for the governor.

The Tribune, citing sources, reported that contact between Obama's camp and the governor's administration about the Senate seat started days before the Nov 4 election.

Emanuel called Harris with a list of names "acceptable" to Obama to fill the Senate vacancy, in conversations that were captured on court-approved wiretaps, the newspaper said.

Obama officials on Saturday did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The embattled governor is under mounting pressure to resign as state officials attempt to oust him.

On Friday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan went to the state supreme court to try to get Blagojevich temporarily removed from office.

Separately, the Illinois House and Senate will meet early next week to take up motions to strip Blagojevich of his ability to appoint Obama's replacement.

Friday, Blagojevich reportedly met with lawyers in downtown Chicago for about three hours. He told CNN in a doorstop interview that he would speak "at the appropriate time."

Through his lawyer, Blagojevich has denied any wrongdoing.

Harris resigned his state post on Friday.'



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2008/12/13/washington/politics-us-blagojevich.html