Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Barack Obama had a deal worked out according to the Governor’s ex-chief of staff, John Harris, during his testimony Wednesday in the ex-Governor’s corruption trial. It was Blagojevich’s task to fill the Senate seat vacated by then Senator Obama. The Governor considered selling the Senate seat outright, but thought a Presidential cabinet appointment might be just what he wanted in exchange for giving the seat to Obama friend, Valerie Jarrett. It never came to this but apparently Ms. Jarrett was fully aware that Blagojevich was really interested in a Health and Human Services Cabinet post. As a close, long-time friend of the Obamas, Jarrett surely could have made this happen.

“The president understands that the governor would be willing to make the appointment of Valerie Jarrett as long as he gets what he’s asked for. . . . The governor gets the Cabinet appointment he’s asked for,” Harris said, explaining a recorded phone call during his testimony yesterday.

Defense attorneys pointed out that “testimony elicited by the government from John Harris and wiretaps played in court raise the issue of President Obama’s direct knowledge and communication with emissaries and others regarding the appointment to his Senate seat”.

Of course, Obama has claimed not to know anything about this quid pro quo…

I, for one, don’t believe it for a second. Everything around this man, everything he touches is doomed to rot, fester and eventually die…along with our country!

This corruption must end so we can try to return a sense of honor to public service.