Silent Night

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter’s nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) – U.S. President-elect Barack Obama’s office said on Tuesday that an internal audit showed his aides had no improper contact with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, accused of seeking to sell Obama’s Senate seat. … “My inquiry determined that there was nothing at all inappropriate about those conversations,” incoming White House attorney Greg Craig said on a conference call. Craig stressed that Emanuel was the only figure within the transition team to have direct contact with Blagojevich or members of his staff and said “those contacts were totally appropriate and acceptable.”

The report conceded that Emanuel had had “one or two” telephone calls with Blagojevich and discussed possible candidates for the Senate seat that Obama vacated after he was elected president Nov. 4. “Mr. Emanuel recommended Valerie Jarrett because he knew she was interested in the seat,” the report said. “He did so before learning — in further conversations — that the president-elect had ruled out communicating a preference.” …

“No one in the Obama circle was aware of what was going on in the governor’s office or in the governor’s mind until such time as he was arrested,” Craig said.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

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