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Timing of Blago Call, Jarrett's Senate Retreat Questioned

Obama aide reported out of consideration Nov. 10, same day as marathon bull session

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 11, 2008 10:05 AM CST

(Newser) – The timing of reports that Valerie Jarrett, a top aide to Barack Obama, was out of the running to succeed him in the Senate, and the Nov. 10 conference call on which Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich discussed selling that seat is raising questions, the Wall Street Journal reports. The FBI was listening, and “various Washington-based advisers” were, too—prompting some to ask if any were Obama’s.

If Team Obama wasn’t privy to the call, the timing of Jarrett being out of the mix “seems extremely lucky,” Cam Simpson notes. On the call, Blagojevich specifically asked “what he can get from the president-elect,” according to the FBI. “Look for everyone to continue focusing on this call, and who from Washington was on the line,” Simpson concludes.

In this 2005 file photo, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill., speaks as Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens during a news conference in St. Louis.
In this 2005 file photo, Gov. Rod Blagojevich, D-Ill., speaks as Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., listens during a news conference in St. Louis.   (AP Photo)
Illinois Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn smiles as he talks on the phone at Rod Blagojevich campaign headquarters, Nov. 7, 2006, in Chicago. Quinn says hasn't spoken to the embattled governor in a year.
Illinois Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn smiles as he talks on the phone at Rod Blagojevich campaign headquarters, Nov. 7, 2006, in Chicago. Quinn says hasn't spoken to the embattled governor in a year.   (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and aides discussed how he might gain from Barack Obama's Senate seat in a Nov. 10 call; Obama aide Valerie Jarrett was reported out of the running for the seat that day.
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and aides discussed how he might gain from Barack Obama's Senate seat in a Nov. 10 call; Obama aide Valerie Jarrett was reported out of the running for the seat that day.   (AP Photo)
A Blagojevich conference call and reports of Obama aide Valerie Jarrett no longer being a candidate to take his Senate seat came the same day.
A Blagojevich conference call and reports of Obama aide Valerie Jarrett no longer being a candidate to take his Senate seat came the same day.   (AP Photo)
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