Illinois Governor and Other Scandals -- How Will Obama Handle Them?

Although it was stated that President Elect Barack Obama is not implicated in the case against disgraced Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested yesterday and released on bail amid speculation of attempting to sell Obama's Illinois Senate seat, some are raising eyebrows nonetheless. After all, as the former Junior Senator from Illinois, Obama is likely to have conducted meetings and engaged in other interactions with Blagojevich on various occasions. To some, it hardly seems plausible that he was completely unaware of Blagojevich's bent for corruption.

How, then, should Obama handle this first post-election installment of media accusations regarding his questionable associations? The American public, who is already familiar with the controversy surrounding Obama's past relationships with the business, political, and religious figures that surfaced during his campaign, must know that the realm of possibility includes the revelation of further ties between Obama and Chicago political corruption (those who don't anticipate further disclosures are either heavily partisan, in grave denial, or both). For example, one aspect of the story that is surely to be further unraveled relates to the ties between Blagojevich and Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a convict who was involved in the purchase transaction of Obama's Chicago residence.

Although Obama will likely handle the future scandals of associates on a case-by-case basis, my guess is that the blueprint will look something like this: Chief advisors will tell Obama to avoid being in a defensive position and steer clear of denying involvement, so as not to heighten awareness of his potential connection to whomever the person- with-corrupt-ties-of- the-week is all the more. By contrast, they may counsel him to keep the focus on the individual's "deplorable acts" (the blanket label of condemnation used for other former associates), and to the fullest extent appropriate for each situation. This week, he tackles Rod Blagojevich, Tony Rezko (again), and most recently, Jesse Jackson Jr. (a.k.a. "Senate Candidate #5"), who is currently denying wrongdoing in potentially dealing with the governor to obtain Obama's seat.

Will there be more next week, next month -- next year? If there are, will President Obama be held to account for his past dealings with them? Or will we still be asking who paid for Sarah Palin's clothes if she dares run against the incumbent President in 2012? If we are, then Obama is indeed the master of dismissing unsavory relationships, and anyone who needs to learn to sever ties with an unwanted associate should follow his lead. Who will be the next to commit a "deplorable act" and get brushed off as a casual acquaintance? Rahm Emmanuel? David Axelrod? How about Michelle? My guess is he can succeed at convincing the public that no one really matters to him, if it is politically expedient.