The Chicago Sun-Times reports that incoming White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel did in fact have direct talks with Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich about the open Senate seat: "Emanuel talked with the governor in the days following the Nov. 4 election and pressed early on for the appointment of Valerie Jarrett to the post, sources with knowledge of the conversations told the Sun-Times. There was no indication from sources that Emanuel brokered a deal, however." And Emanuel, let us keep in mind, has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Still, it is quite curious that Valerie Jarrett had been previously described as wanting to be close to Obama and that her job at the White House was a no-brainer. So when did the Obama team switch from pushing for Jarrett to not, and why?

(In the interest of full disclosure, I will admit the only reason for this item was my fervent desire to use the headline "He Went to Jarrett" before anyone else did. I hate those commercials.)