Why is the Obama Team stonewalling?

It seems absolutely obvious that president-elect Obama and Governor Blagojevich and their respective staffs would discuss potential nominees for Obama's vacated Senate seat. Such discussions would in no way imply an agreement by the president-elect to participate in the "sale" or "purchase" of the Senate seat. It seems only natural that the former Senator who would want an ally in the Senate to help pass his program would have strong suggestions to the Governor as to the appointee.

Therefore, all of the stonewalling and representations that no such conversations took place raise concerns about why Team Obama are taking such strange positions. Are they simply afraid of appearances? Do they fear that the American people would not accept what seems obvious - that the governor asked for some position in the administration or other consideration in exchange for appointing Obama's recommended candidate, but that the president-elect either directly or through others rejected that scheme?

Are they concerned about exposing the corruption of Chicago politics? That is already clear to all who can see, if not before, certainly with the current revelations even apart from Team Obama's role in it.

Perhaps Team Obama fears the question arising: Why would Blagojevich risk his career and reputation by approaching Obama directly or indirectly with a request for a bribe unless he thought that Obama was such a creature of Chicago politics that he would agree? Indeed, one might wonder whether Blagojevich knew of past instances of similar behavior on the part of the president-elect in Chicago politics.

What better explains Blagojevich's blatant attempt to sell the office and his extreme anger at Obama for rejecting his request? The two had known each well for years. If Obama were the opponent of corruption as represented in his campaign, Blagojevich would have been extremely foolish to even broach the subject with Obama or his staff. On the other hand, if Blagojevich knew of past conduct by Obama in dealing with Tony Rezco or others in Chicago suggesting otherwise, a request for some consideration in making the appointment would not seem so foolish.

Is this what Team Obama fears? If so, their stonewalling will only push people to ask that question and many others.