The only way such contact would be illegal is if bribes were discussed in return for Obama getting his choice. It's apparent from the report released by the federal prosecutor in charge that Blago was mad that Obama would not play ball and would offer him nothing in return but gratitude.
Updated Below The Fold
*Update:
To be added to the GOP Conspiracy Theorist's notebook is this morning's announcement from President-elect Obama's transition team that it will abide by U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald's request and delay the release a report detailing contacts with scandal-ridden Blagojevich.
Just like when Fitzgerald announced to the world that Obama had nothing to do with their investigation, the neocons will, again, only hear what they want to hear and instead choose to disregard the part about Fitzgerald's request for delay. In their World it will be Obama stalling and playing hardball and refusing to cooperate with the press.
**Update:
The Fox News Version
The brief statement, however, did not say whether Obama's incoming White House chief of staff, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, was heard on a wiretap providing the governor's top aide with a list of names that the president-elect favored. Nor did it say who, if anyone, on Obama transition's team had made contact with the governor or his aides concerning a replacement for Obama.
Guess what dimwits, it's not illegal to talk to the governor about who to appoint. The prosecutor in charge has already said that Obama is not a target and that the charges against Blagojevich "makes no allegations about the president-elect whatsoever -- his conduct," what more do you want? Even if a list of names was provided that's not illegal
Obama does have the precedent to do as Bush did with the Abramoff scandal and cooperate not one bit with the media or the investigation and also to cover up evidence. Obama also has the luxury of firing Fitzgerald just like Bush did to the prosecutor in charge of the Duke Cunningham scandal-- the largest bribery scandal in the history of the American Republic.
