This just in from NBC Chicago. Recently released e-mails are now showing that Emanuel Rahm traded favors with disgraced politician Rod Blagojevich. Earlier today a newspaper in Britain released a report saying that Rahm was considering stepping down from his position in the White House. Perhaps these are connected?
By JOHN O’CONNER,NBC Chicago
President Barack Obama’s chief of staff,then a congressman in Illinois,apparently attempted to trade favors with embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich while he was in office,according to newly disclosed e-mails obtained by The Associated Press.
Emanuel agreed to sign a letter to the Chicago Tribune supporting Blagojevich in the face of a scathing editorial by the newspaper that ridiculed the governor for self-promotion. Within hours,Emanuel’s own staff asked for a favor of its own:The release of a delayed $2 million grant to a school in his district.
The 2006 discussion occurred with Blagojevich’s top aide,Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk,and doesn’t appear to cross legal lines; Emanuel couldn’t speed up the distribution of the funds. But it offers a peek at ties between two high-profile Illinois politicians — one now the president’s right-hand man,the other facing years in prison if convicted of political corruption.