Chicago Tribune Stopped Working With Prosecutors, Forced Arrest of Ill. Gov. Too Early
Posted on December 15, 2008
-By Warner Todd Huston
Looks like we can possibly thank our meddling media for another possibly bungled investigation, this time over the selling of Barack Obama’s Senate seat by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojavich. According to the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune was working with Fitzgerald’s office on the investigation but decided to stop doing so in favor of printing the sensational story they were sitting on. This forced the arrest early so that the paper wouldn’t blow the whole investigation.
The story everyone thought they knew was that Fitzgerald moved when he did to stop a crime about to be committed. But, the WSJ reports that this isn’t the case. Apparently the WSJ found that members of Fitzgerald’s team wanted to let things roll for a little while longer so that they could catch the actual selling of the Senate seat with Governor Blagojevich, his facilitators and who ever was going to try to buy the seat all on the tape at once. But, the Chicago Tribune informed the prosecutors that they wouldn’t wait any longer to put off publishing their story on the investigation. Once the Trib reported on the investigation, it was over for Fitzgerald and his folks for the investigative phase of the case.
Members of Fitzgerald’s team are livid the scheme didn’t advance, at least for a little longer, according to some people close to Fitzgerald’s office. Why? Because had the plot unfolded, they might have had an opportunity most feds can only dream of: A chance to catch the sale of a Senate seat on tape, including the sellers and the buyers.
The precise timing of Tuesday’s dramatic, pre-dawn arrest was not dictated by Fitzgerald, nor was it dictated by the pace of Blagojevich’s alleged “crime spree.” It was dictated by the Chicago Tribune, according to people close to the investigation and a careful reading of the FBI’s affidavit in the case.
At Fitzgerald’s request, the paper had been holding back a story since October detailing how a confidante of Blagojevich was cooperating with his office.
Gerould Kern, the Tribune’s editor, said in a statement last week that these requests are granted in what he called isolated instances. “In each case, we strive to make the right decision as reporters and as citizens,” he said.
But editors decided to publish the story on Friday, Dec. 5, ending the Tribune’s own cooperation deal with the prosecutor.
It’s quite possible that, because the Trib moved to print their story too early, we won’t ever find out who was about to buy themselves a Senate seat.
Had it not been for the Tribune’s Dec. 5 story, the meeting Blagojevich’s brother was arranging might have proceeded. Mr. Blagojevich is quoted as citing the story, in the affidavit, then calling off the meeting. At a minimum, the FBI’s recorders would have been rolling when he reported back. The feds also probably would have tried to bug the session live, or at least to tail the participants and secretly film or photograph them. That’s what feds do. Jurors love video.
To me, this shows how our media all too often would rather serve their own interests than serve the interests of good governing and those of the people.
» Filed Under Democrats, Liberal Media/Bias, News
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8 Responses to “Chicago Tribune Stopped Working With Prosecutors, Forced Arrest of Ill. Gov. Too Early”
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Are there any honest politicians left in the world, but I suspect that the same was said during the continental Congress. Corruption is a disease, and that is why President Reagan is being recorded as one of the greats; because he was honest. Money now in this world is worth more to people in plitics than a legesy that ones fimily can po9nt to with pride.
Might a motivating factor have been that the Tribune did not want to see Democrats disgraced any more than they would have been already? That would be eminently ironic, considering the Trib was a target of Blago’s wrath.
It also makes you wonder. Would the Tribune have been a lot more patient in printing the story were it a Republican about to sell a Senate seat?
Don’t answer, it’s a rhetorical question.
We know who was going to buy the seat; whoever Obama said should buy his seat. Why else would the Tribune care so much? It’s not like they didn’t go after Chicago Democrats in general. They were protecting the chosen one, who so far was clean. Who knows what may have happened if thigs were allowed to proceede?
We do know that right out of the gate, Axelrod and Obama lied. That was their first reaction. Who lies and why?
And were all supposed to get all weepy for the “news” paper industry.
Pfft.
Pretty damn disgusting. Sure as hell not surprising; but disgusting nonetheless…
This sure smells like the Tribune was protecting someone. They should be investigated and prosecuted. I know prosecuting a newspaper for breaking laws just isn’t done anymore, but maybe it’s time for some Change!
I’m with you on that – pretty disgusting, and not at all surprising, but nonetheless disgusting!
Of course the Tribune was protecting the ONE, remember their sister media scum, the LA Times refused to release the video of BO’s Hamas buddy before the election.
Should we rejoice if the Trib and it’s hack collaboraters in the Media die, you betcha’!
Did I read correctly? Someone wrote that reagan was honest? Honest is the word they chose. Hmm, Iran Contra?, Col. North?, Arms for hostages?, lying to the public?, etc…
Yeah, right. reagan was the honest one. You folks are really too much.