"President-elect Barack Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, refused to take questions from reporters this morning about whether he was the Obama “advisor” named in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"The complaint states Blagojevich wanted a promise of a high-level appointment or some other reward for Blagojevich in exchange for Blagojevich naming Obama’s friend Valerie Jarrett to replace him in the U.S. Senate."

I would think it entirely reasonable for the President or President-elect to want to participate in the naming process for a Senator or Congressman. I think they'd be remiss if they didn't.

However, that doesn't equate to being part of a bidding war, or the selling of thoses seats. I think it would be easy to discuss with the Governor the topic without his "price" even coming up.

I might be wrong, but that this point it seems to be much ado about nothing.

Arf