Today's NJ.com Poolitzer Prize goes to a timely report from the Wall Street Journal's Jonathan Weisman, who filed the following soon after President-elect Obama spoke to reporters about Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's arrest.
At 1:55 p.m., the pool was brought into a sparse corner office of the transition headquarters in Chicago's federal building. President-elect Obama sat in the middle, with Vice President-elect Joe Biden on his right and former Vice President Al Gore on his left.Three American flags were arrayed behind them. Mr. Obama then said, "Like the rest of the people of Illinois I am saddened and sobered by the news that came out of the U.S.. Attorneys office today. But as this is an ongoing investigation involving the governor, I donʼt think it would be appropriate for me to comment on the issue at this time."
He went on to say "The purpose of this meeting today was to listen and learn from Vice President Al Gore on the extraordinary work that he has done around the issue of climate change. All three of us are in agreement that the time for delay is over. The time for denial is over. We all believe what the scientists have been telling us for years now, that this is a matter of urgency and national security, and it has to be dealt with in a serious way. That is what I intend my administration to do."
After speaking a little more on climate change, the pool was about to be ushered out, when your pooler (I've been assured it was a classy act by certain members of the transition) shouted a question, asking if Mr. Obama was aware of what was happening with his Senate seat. Mr. Obama stopped the press and said he wanted to answer the question.
"I had no contact with the governor or his office, and so I was not aware of what was happening," Mr. Obama said. "And as I said it is a sad day for Illinois. Beyond that I don't think it's appropriate to comment."
At 2:00, the pool left the room.
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