Analyst's note:  Absolutely must read.  This article certainly gives additional insight into what is being referred to as "The Chicago Way."  My personal guess is that this is simply "more politics as usual" and not confined simply to Chicago.

"A top aide to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich said he believed Barack Obama knew of Blagojevich's plot to win himself a presidential Cabinet post in exchange for appointing Valerie Jarrett to the U.S. Senate.

John Harris, Blagojevich's former chief of staff, testified Wednesday in the former governor's corruption trial that three days after the Nov. 4, 2008, presidential election, the ex-governor told Harris he felt confident Obama knew he wanted to swap perks."