One of Chicago’s finest newspapers, the Chicago Sun-Times, reported Wednesday that several sources told the newspaper that Rahm Emanuel, president-elect Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff, was more actively involved in the decision making process regarding Obama’s Senate seat than previously admitted. According to these sources, Emanuel pressed Governor Rod Blagojevich into nominating a candidate acceptable to Obama in general and Valerie Jarrett, an Obama confidante, specifically.

“Emanuel privately urged Gov. Blagojevich’s administration to appoint Obama confidante Valerie Jarrett, and the Sun-Times learned Tuesday that he also pressed that it be done by a certain deadline,” the Sun-Times report says. “Jarrett was initially interested in the U.S. Senate post before Obama tapped her to be a White House senior adviser, sources say. The disclosure comes days after Obama’s camp downplayed Jarrett’s interest in the post.”

Team Obama’s strategy changed when Jarrett dropped out, so Emanuel presented Team Blagojevich with a list of ‘acceptable candidates.’

As the newspaper points out, the report does not indicate that Emanuel was involved in any pay to play schemes. Having said that, if correct, it does once again prove that Team Obama has not been entirely honest with the public about this matter. They first denied any involvement, next they played it down acting as if Emanuel did not say or do much, and they will now have to admit that Emanuel pursued a very aggressive strategy.

Most frustrating about this entire controversy with regards to Emanuel and Obama is that they have chosen to spin and lie instead of being honest and forthright. The change Obama promised seems to be even more stonewalling than we’re used to; he is more Clintonian than the Clintons.

Team Obama could have been transparent about this matter from the get-go, but chose to close shop instead, forcing journalists and bloggers alike to wonder what they are hiding. Whether or not they are hiding anything unethical remains to be seen. What this controversy does make clear, however, is that we may see a lot of stonewalling, secrecy and silence from an Obama administration. More than many thought.