Unexpectedly: crucial phone conversations between Rahm Emanuel and Blago now "mysteriously missing" from federal prosecutors' evidence

Ain't Chicago politics -- especially at the national level -- grand?

Two seemingly crucial phone conversations between then Governor Rod Blagojevich and then White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel are "mysteriously missing" from the collection of evidence held by prosecutors, according to Blago's defense team.

The calls were made around December 8, 2008, the day before Blago was arrested by the Feds.

You may recall that Blago appeared to be caught on tape negotiating with various parties for Barack Obama's vacated Senate seat. His discussions with White House adviser Rahm Emanuel and SEIU muckety-mucks were taped by the FBI. Only the tapes with Emanuel have -- unexpectedly! -- gone AWOL.

Attorneys for former governor Rod Blagojevich have asked a federal judge to order prosecutors to produce two phone calls his lawyers say are mysteriously missing from evidence... it appears at least one of the alleged conversations was between then Chief of Staff John Harris and then congressman Rahm Emanuel, who had just taken the post as president-elect Obama's chief of staff...

They argue that the government has only tendered three of those conversations... "The fourth and final phone call is the call that is mysteriously missing," writes defense attorney Lauren Kaesberg. "The government never turned over this pivotal recording, nor a transcript of this call."

...During a Tuesday morning campaign appearance, Emanuel made his most extensive comments yet on his involvement in the Senate transactions, noting that the transition team report on the matter noted that “nothing inappropriate” had taken place.

Whether or not Emanuel was caught on tape bartering with Blago, he's a decidedly shady character.

Is there anything wrong with mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel making $18.5 million dollars as an investment banker in the 2 ½ years after he got out of the Clinton White House – much of it from Clinton donors?

“I defy you to tell me anybody you know who jumped out of government into a business for which he had no credentials or background, made $18.5 million in two years and then jumped back into government,” said Gery Chico, Emanuel’s rival for the mayor’s office.

...What credentials did Emanuel present to go to work in investment banking after a career raising campaign funds for Mayor Daley and President Clinton, then advising Clinton on policy issues?

...Chico, del Valle and former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun have also hit Emanuel for taking $360,000 as a board member for mortgage giant Freddie Mac.

Make that "bankrupt mortgage giant Freddie Mac, which helped touch off the financial meltdown."

Yes, Rahm Emanuel appears to be a perfect choice to lead Chicago into the next decade. Above reproach, with no ethical issues whatsoever, and a pristine track record of honesty and fair dealings.