by Frank James
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich kept up his bizarre media tour Tuesday morning reciting the same arguments he's been making for days that he's the victim of a political witch hunt.
He made no news in his CBS Early Show appearance where he was interviewed by anchor Maggie Rodriguez.
Well, actually, he did say that he and his wife Patricia got a puppy for their girls at Christmas to help them through the current difficulties. I hadn't heard that before but maybe I just missed an earlier mention of it in one of the 2,000 TV interviews he did yesterday.
By the way, is this something else the Illinois Senate can add to the articles of impeachment? Haven't we all heard a million times that you should never get kids animals for Christmas because they often become unwanted after the holidays and add to the nation's abandoned pet problem? The governor may have just added to his problems by getting PETA and humane societies on the warpath.
This morning, his TV host again noted as others did yesterday that he wasn't in Illinois to defend himself at the Illinois Senate's impeachment trial that started Monday.
Blagojevich was painfully on message again, saying he didn't believe he could get a fair hearing in Springfield and decided, instead, to take his case to the American people through the media.
The Illinois Senate historic impeachment trial is likely to lead to Blagojevich being removed from office within days, becoming the first governor to be so removed. Blagojecvich has been charged with abusing his power, with Illinois lawmakers focusing on a federal criminal complaint which contained statements allegedly made by the governor on wiretaps that suggest he was attempting to auction the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama to the highest bidder.
Blagojevich again blasted Illinois Senate rules that prohibit his calling certain witnesses and producing certain evidence.
"Unlike Richard Nixon who was dealing with issues of tapes, who didn't want his tapes heard," the governor said. "I want mine heard. I'd like the full story to be told. If the Senate would let me have evidence I sure would like to be there so I could prove my innocence."
On Monday, the governor appeared on the Today Show, Good Morning America, The View and the Larry King Show. It was on Good Morning America that he revealed he had considered television superstar Oprah Winfrey to fill the open Senate seat but eventually rejected the idea because it could be seen as a "gimmick" and she likely wouldn't take the job anyway.
Comments
Bruce, another puppy story!
Posted by: Bubba ✔ | January 27, 2009 9:07 AM
I did not vote for Blago period. He was a political hack "goofus" when he was a Congressman. Now the nation can witness. My question to the lefties is; why was Rahm and Obama so high on this guy? Why did they chair and direct his campaigns? Why was Obama working so closely with him and Emil Jones ( the Il. Senate leader is Obama's mentor and recently retired with questionable personal and family enrichment from his state service) all those years? Keep talking Rod, it is a joke, since those who judge you need to be judged themselves. Let's hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 27, 2009 9:10 AM
I did not vote for Blago period. He was a political hack "goofus" when he was a Congressman. Now the nation can witness. My questions to the lefties is; why was Rahm and Obama so high on this guy? Why did they chair and direct his campaigns? Why was Obama working so closely with him and Emil Jones ( the Il. Senate leader is Obama's mentor and recently retired with questionable personal and family enrichment from his state service) all those years? Keep talking Rod, it is a joke, since those who judge you need to be judged themselves. Let's hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth, expose Il. sleaze.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 27, 2009 9:16 AM
I did not vote for Blago period. He was a political hack "goofus" when he was a Congressman. Now the nation can witness. My questions to the lefties is; why was Rahm and Obama so high on this guy? Why did they chair and direct his campaigns? Why was Obama working so closely with him and Emil Jones ( the Il. Senate leader is Obama's mentor and recently retired with questionable personal and family enrichment from his state service) all those years? What about the rest of the Chicago gang and Il. Democrats who so warmly endorsed you? Keep talking Rod, it is a joke, since those who judge you need to be judged themselves. Let's hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth, expose the Il. sleaze.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 27, 2009 9:22 AM
I wonder how nmuch thBlago's daughters had to raise for his campaign fund in order to get the puppy. A puppy is a ****ing valuable thing, you don't just ****ing give one away.
Posted by: Puppy broker #1 | January 27, 2009 9:33 AM
I did not vote for Blago period. He was a political hack "goofus" when he was a Congressman. Now the nation can witness. My questions to the lefties is; why was Rahm and Obama so high on this guy? Why did they chair and direct his campaigns? Why was Obama working so closely with him and Emil Jones ( the Il. Senate leader is Obama's mentor and recently retired with questionable personal and family enrichment from his state service) all those years? What about the rest of the Chicago gang and Il. Democrats who so warmly endorsed you? Blago's questionable activities have been going on for years, are we to believe nobody knew. Keep talking Rod, it is a joke, since those who judge you need to be judged themselves. Let's hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Expose the Il. sleaze.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 27, 2009 9:45 AM
Bubba, you said " did not vote for Blago period. He was a political hack "goofus" when he was a Congressman. Now the nation can witness. My question to the lefties is; why was Rahm and Obama so high on this guy? Why did they chair and direct his campaigns? Why was Obama working so closely with him and Emil Jones ( the Il. Senate leader is Obama's mentor and recently retired with questionable personal and family enrichment from his state service) all those years? Keep talking Rod, it is a joke, since those who judge you need to be judged themselves. Let's hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth."
You need to throw in Why did Blago, Obama and Rahm all have breakfast together EVERY MONDAY for over a year and now Obama and Rahm act like they don't know the man?
Posted by: Jean | January 27, 2009 9:52 AM
Hmmm... I'm smelling a Checkers speech in Blago's future...
Posted by: itsmike | January 27, 2009 10:17 AM
Please do not use the word 'TRIAL' - it is not. We gave Blogo the right to represent us and now through our laws we have the right to take it away. He has no right to the position unless we give it to him. His behavior alone is enough for our representatives to act on behalf of the citizens they represent to remove the power that we bestoled upon him before we found our truly what type of individual he is.
Just his spin of the Impeachment Hearing into a "trial" for the media is enough that we want our vote back and get someone else as our governor.
Did he mention how the shake down of a Children's Hospital was caught on tape?
Posted by: David G | January 27, 2009 11:07 AM
Metinks all the folks who claim they did NOT vote for Rod is ridiculous. Someone must have voted for him or he wouldn't have been elected Governor twice.
And to think all these self-righteous politicians in Springfield are on the up and up is also ridiculous.
Why doesn't the voting public wake up and realize they ALL should be impeached from Richie and Rham on down.
This is politics my friends. You can't trust any them. Quit singling out one by pretending he's 'coucou.'
None of them are kosher and they're all wasting taxpayer money with these games. In the end, they can and do raise BILLIONS for their campaigns, but never have money for snow removal, education, healtcare.
Perhaps we should have another Boston Tea Party, but this time fill Lake Michigan with our protests.
Posted by: Lori Klingman | January 27, 2009 11:27 AM
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Posted by: Lori Klingman | January 27, 2009 11:36 AM
I did not vote for Blago period. He was a political hack "goofus" when he was a Congressman. Now the nation can witness. My questions to the lefties are; why was Rahm and Obama so high on this guy? Why did they chair and direct his campaigns? Why was Obama working so closely with him and Emil Jones ( the Il. Senate leader is Obama's mentor and recently retired with questionable personal and family enrichment from his state service) all those years? What about the rest of the Chicago gang and Il. Democrats who so warmly endorsed you? Blago's questionable activities have been going on for years, are we to believe nobody knew. Keep talking Rod, it is a joke, since those who judge you need to be judged themselves. Let's hear the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Expose the Il. sleaze.
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 27, 2009 11:39 AM
Metinks all the folks who claim they did NOT vote for Rod is ridiculous. Someone must have voted for him or he wouldn't have been elected Governor twice.
And to think all these self-righteous politicians in Springfield are on the up and up is also ridiculous.
Why doesn't the voting public wake up and realize they ALL should be impeached from Richie and Rham on down.
This is politics my friends. You can't trust any them. Quit singling out one by pretending he's 'coucou.'
None of them are kosher and they're all wasting taxpayer money with these games. In the end, they can and do raise BILLIONS for their campaigns, but never have money for snow removal, education, healtcare.
Perhaps we should have another Boston Tea Party, but this time fill Lake Michigan with our protests.
Posted by: Lori Klingman | January 27, 2009 11:27 AM
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Posted by: Lori Klingman | January 27, 2009 11:48 AM
Hey Blago, that ship has sailed. The Illinois public doesn't want you. What you're trying to do is taint your potential jury pool. Invoking Oprah's name isn't going to help you. You just look like a schmuck.
As far as the Illinois Senate is concerened, your goose is as good as cooked.
Posted by: Todd M | January 27, 2009 12:31 PM
If Blago was really interested in defending himself, assuming that he HAS a defense, he would be in Springfield at his impeachment and not in New York making a spectacle of himself.
Posted by: Quippy | January 27, 2009 12:42 PM
Arrogant and pompous do not begin to describe this individual. To begin with, why would he “take his case” to the people? Does he honestly believe the people want him in office? Please, this man is seriously delusional.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 27, 2009 12:52 PM
Arrogant and pompous do not begin to describe this individual. To begin with, why would he “take his case” to the people? Does he honestly believe the people want him in office? Please, this man is seriously delusional.
Posted by: Cheryl | January 27, 2009 12:53 PM
Please have some decency and leave those poor girls alone.
Posted by: Please | January 27, 2009 12:59 PM
Blago has become uncomfortably embarrassing to watch - an ugly, male Palin of sorts.
Hearing him repeatedly say "angels and saints and Mother Tuh-RAY-sah" is reminiscent of "you betcha" and "I was like, what?"
Both of them need to go away. Far away.
Posted by: urban hayseed | January 27, 2009 1:53 PM
Give 'Em Hell Blago-
And whatever you do, don't go away quietly like the DNC and Obama so-desperately want you to.
Be sure to have your attorneys put Obama, Emanuel, Jarret, and JJJ on the witness stand, so they can tell us all what they talked to you about.
Maybe someone can explain why Obama said he never spoke with you re. the Senate seat... while three news outlets and David Axelrod all said he did on Nov. 5th.
Or perhaps what your aides meant on the tapes when they said Obama had to "suck it up" for a couple years... did that mean temporarily refrain from bribing and racketeering, Chicago-style?
And we are also quite curious how your staff found out Obama first would "only offer appreciation"... but then later, could offer your wife Patti a seat on corporate BOD's for up to $150K/yr...for Jarrett's appointment to the Senate seat. Who did they talk to from Team Obama? Emanuel? A little bird?
If they try to put the screws to you, drag all these hypocrites down with you, Blago...
I sure wouldn't take all the heat if I were you- why should you, buddy?
http://reaganiterepublicanresistance.blogspot.com/2008/12/illinois-institute-of-kleptocracy.ht
Posted by: Reaganite Republican | January 27, 2009 4:12 PM
I would like to know who is footing bill for Blago to galavant all around New York City? Please tell me it is not the taxpayers of IL!
Posted by: David | January 27, 2009 5:39 PM
A puppy? So his girls are competing with Obama's girls too? Like father like daughters.
Posted by: ChgoGirl | January 27, 2009 6:52 PM
I heard the process described best this morning on NPR...the professor being interviewed said the impeachment process was like being fired from a job. You don't have constitutional rights if you get fired because of poor performance and what the legislature is basically doing is firing Blago from his job. It is not a criminal or civil court - it is a performance review and since he can't be bothered to show up to dispute any of the allegations, out he goes! Thank goodness! I didn't vote for the guy
Posted by: Eileen | January 27, 2009 7:00 PM
so what kind of puppy did he get for his kids and where from?
Posted by: jsd | January 27, 2009 7:15 PM
As my 89 year mother who lives in a small southern Colorado town said, "why does he keep saying he is taking his story to the people when he is in NY and his people are in Illinois?" "Who cares outside of Illinois, boy he is a flake". Mom you got that right - a fruit cake - serve him up for the holidays!
Posted by: Sue | January 27, 2009 9:33 PM