Nathan Andrada’s Blog

Before he could be even sworn in, President-elect Barack Obama is already being tested particularly in his vision for change now that he is being dragged to the scandal involving Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. For the benefit of Filipinos, since this story has not hit mainstream media, the scandal revolves around the corruption charges filed against the Illinois governor and his chief of staff for setting a ‘bid’ on the Senate seat vacated by Obama. By state law, the governor of Illinois is tasked to name the replacement of the Senate seat that is vacant.

Blagojevich was caught through the wiretapping efforts of federal authorities. The president-elect has already called for the resignation of the governor, who has staunchly supported the former in his bid for the White House. Obama has also denied allegations that his team has any knowledge about Blagojevich’s wrongdoings with regards to the Senate seat selection process.

However, this has not stopped conservatives from questioning the Obama camp especially when there are allegations that Obama’s personal choice for the post was pulled out of contention and was offered a White House designation immediately after the scandal broke out. Some say it suggests that the Obama camp was in fact in contact with the governor and knew of the ’selling’ and failed to report it.

This has certainly placed the president-elect in an awkward position barely six weeks before being inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States. Some are now questioning his ability to initiate change with his involvement with allegedly corrupt officials in his own turf.