Inherit The Windbag: Senate Seat Shuffle
AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
"Oh Jesus!" Rob Blagojevich can be heard saying. Rod asks: What's better, "that or being impeached?" Rob: "Neither one! Neither one! It's so transparent. What is the public going to think? ... I don't like that option at all," he says forcefully.
But then the timeline was moved to November 12, 2008 when Jarrett was appointed a spot in the White House, taking her out of the running for the senate seat and prompting Blago to tell Harris in one recorded conversation, “Why don’t we start looking for an African-American Tammy Duckworth?” But while Blago and Harris batted around names, all of them black, they later received word from Rahm about the four names that were considered "acceptable" for the seat with Jarrett out of the running: Tammy Duckworth, State Comptroller Dan Hynes, U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Blago's response to the list? "B.S."
As the door was open again for a new appointment, Blago and Harris are heard on tape discussing the criteria for the pick: according to Blago, “Our legal situation, our personal situation, my political situation." In testimony, Harris broke those three criteria down further:
Legal: "The legal investigation of his administration and his family finances." Personal: "His personal economic security his need to secure some sort of economic future for himself. Someone who can put pressure on the Department of Justice to back off on the federal investigation." Political: "His political situation."
At one point, while Blago and Harris could be heard on tape discussing what Blago perceived as his family's "vulnerability," Patti broke down in tears.
After that, testimony returned to Blago's dealing with the Tribune Editorial Board, including the targeting of editorial writer John McCormick, as well as Blago's attempt to interfere with the sale of Wrigley Field. Blago at one point mulls trying to get a Science and Technology grant to facilitate tech upgrades to the stadium (perhaps a jumbotron?). The day concluded with a tape of Blago expressing concern about being caught on a wiretap after reading the December 5, 2008 Tribune article that alleged Wyma had been wearing a wire as part of the investigation into Blago.
Blago's attorneys also failed to get the case continued due to the SCOTUS ruling on the honest services law and while a few of those related charges may be tossed in his case, it's unlikely that would have any effect on the trial thanks to the government's re-indictment last year. And with that, the trial adjourned for the week. Harris is expected to wrap up his testimony on Monday and will face cross examination from Sam Adam, Sr.