Essential

Obama’s Blago Review Clears Rahm

No deal was discussed for Senate seat.

George Stephanopoulos has an early look at the Obama team’s internal review of its contacts with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and the news is good for Rahm Emanuel. The incoming chief of staff, sources tell the ABC newsman, had only one “pro-forma” courtesy phone call with Blago, and only a “passing reference”—no deal—was made to Obama’s vacated Senate seat. Rahm also talked four times with Blago’s chief of staff, John Harris, about the seat, and made the case for picking Obama pal Valerie Jarrett, though he confirmed that all Blago would get was “appreciation” for it. The president-elect had expressed frustration over the US attorney’s request that he delay the release of his team’s review of its involvement with Blago’s alleged attempts to sell the Senate seat; it’s expected to be released this week.