In case you weren't up as early as we were to catch our Governor on television, here's pretty much all you need to know: Senator Oprah. Appearing on ABC's Good Morning, America, the Haired One was on the defensive as Diane Sawyer came after him. When pressed about the rumor that he had considered Oprah for Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat. "The idea came to me from a friend," Blago claimed. He admitted, "She probably wouldn't take it," but that didn't stop him and his team from trying to figure out how to offer it to her so it "wouldn't appear like some sort of gimmick." As for the impeachment, he's come to accept the fact he's not likely to be Governor come February, but he's still maintaining his innocence, saying, "The fix is in." Oh, and when asked about his wife, he quoted Kipling again.
Adventures in Blago-sitting: Coffee and Blagojevich
Adventures in Blago-sitting: Inherit The Windbag
Tomorrow at high noon in Springfield, Governor Rod Blagojevich's impeachment trial will get underway but the Governor will be nowhere near the State Capitol. Instead, he'll be making the media rounds, hitting up talk shows, a move that cost him the services of superstar defense attorney Ed Genson. At least one local network (ABC 7) has said they'll stream the events in Springfield live tomorrow and suspect more will join. But what of the interviews? If you're close to a TV and what some unintentional comedy to get your week started, you can catch Blago on the following programs:
Burris Speaks His Mind On Blago
Nice scoop by Progress Illinois' Josh Kalven, giving the world exactly what new Senate appointee Roland Burris thought of Gov. Blagojevich's arrest, taken from a press conference just two weeks ago: "appalling" and "reprehensible." Brilliant. [via]
Extra, Extra
- President-Elect Barack Obama issued a statement regarding Gov. Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris as his U.S. Senate replacement.
Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy.
- William J. Quinlan, Governor Blagojevich's top counsel, resigned his position this afternoon. In his statement, Quinlan said, "Today, I have decided to resign my position as General Counsel and return to private practice...We should not let recent events diminish the pride in our accomplishments or the commitment to public service with which we approach our job each day. The state of Illinois is a great place to live and work. The opportunity to serve its citizens is truly an honor." Yeah, we're sure Blago's arrest has nothing to do with any of this.
- An overnight fire at a Lombard apartment building killed an elderly man and required the evacuation of 145 other people.
Another Blago Wiretap
The Sun-Times is reporting that the cell phone of Lon Monk, Blagojevich's first-term chief of staff and longtime friend, was tapped as part of the federal investigation into the governor. Monk was identified in court filings as "Lobbyist 1." The discovery was made as prosecutors seek to get some of the Blago Tapes released for the State House impeachment committee. We'll have a bit more on that ongoing struggle a bit later.
Impeachment Committee Reconvenes
After getting in a grueling two-and-a-half days of work in before the Christmas break, the State House committee investigating whether or not the state legislature should impeach embattled Governor Rod Blagojevich is shaking off the egg nog hangovers and getting back to work. Among the items the panel plans to handle are Blago Attorney Ed Genson's expected submission of President-Elect Barack Obama's internal report on the matter as a means of evidence supporting Blago's innocence and awaiting word from U.S. Patrick Fitzgerald as to whether or not they'll get to hear those wiretap tapes.
Martian Guv? Well, That Explains a Lot
"Even in this process, without saying too much, that was all about trying to end up with the right decision that could do the most things for the people of Illinois, and when the full truth is told, you will see precisely that," Blagojevich said.more ›
Obama Transition Team Releases Report
Hey, look! A politician chooses to release a report at the exact same time everyone is leaving work for the holidays so they can't read it! How unusual! Seriously, though, this report offers nothing unexpected in detailing the Obama team's internal review of the Blagojevich affair. Check out all the dirty laundry (or lack thereof) here. [via NBC5]
A Look At Blago's Lawyer, Ed Genson
Our embattled governor wasted no time in hiring an attorney with the necessary experience of defending a client in court who has already been tried and convicted by public opinion. A graduate of Northwestern Law, Ed Genson is a Chicago native. He uses a motorized scooter or a cane due to a neurological disorder that affects how he walks. Genson has built a quite a reputation around himself over the years. Notably, he has defended the following high profile clients:
Blagoje-Watch 2008: Day 8
It's been a week since Governor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption and fraud charges. We aren't surprised so much with the what as with the why. Still, it's a week later and, besides becoming the laughing-stock of the country, not all that much has changed. Gov. Blagojevich is still in charge, he's still signing bills, and - yes - he even still has the power to appoint a senator to replace President-Elect Barack Obama.
Blago Approval Rating Sinks Even Lower
A few months ago, we looked at what we assumed to be Governor Rod Blagojevich hitting rock bottom in the approval ratings game. Now comes a new poll that has Blago's approval rate even lower: eight percent to be exact. Our first thought: there are still that many people that actually approve of the job he's doing? We guess the survey phoned the Mell household. This poll was taken by the Chicago-based Glengariff Group and surveyed 600 people; other questions included if Blagojevich should resign (70 percent said yes) and if he should be impeached (73 percent said yes).
Humpday Diversions
It's been almost two hours since we last mentioned Governor Blagojevich here at Blagoist! This must be remedied. Fortunately, The Daily Show and The Colbert Report were happy to oblige with some pretty rad clips.
Lt. Governor Pat Quinn Speaks
Comments from Lt. Governor Pat Quinn's press conference.
Sit-Ins And Denials Make It A Busy Day For Blago
Governor Rod Blagojevich, who has enough on his mind already, hit the ground running on Monday, ordering all state agencies to cease work with Bank of America in a bid to pressure the bank into negotiating with workers at the Republic Windows and Doors where workers are in a fourth day of a sit-in. Of course, Blago isn't alone on showing support for the workers: President-Elect Obama and a gaggle of Chicago aldermen have jumped into the fray on behalf of the workers.
Emil Jones Expresses Interest In Senate Seat
Outgoing Illinois State Senate President Emil Jones finally came right out and said what we were all thinking: he's interested in Obama's vacant U.S. Senate Seat. Speaking to WBBM yesterday, Jones said, "Yes, I am interested.'' Jones also echoed the sentiments of Rep. Bobby Rush, encouraging Governor Blagojevich to select a black replacement so the U.S. Senate is not all-white. Blago has promised we'll know who Obama's replacement is by the end of the year, which is good given that it appears our only current Senator has lost touch with reality.
Wyma Says Nuh-Uh, Too
After the Tribune ran their exclusive yesterday about former Blagojevich aide and friend John Wyma wearing a wire, Blago denied the information supposedly gathered was true. Now Wyma says he never even wore a wire or recording device at all. Wyma's attorney issued a statement saying, "Today, there are news articles suggesting that John Wyma has worn a wire or otherwise recorded conversations as part of a federal investigation. Contrary to those stories, Mr. Wyma has not worn any wire or recorded any conversations; nor is he aware of any such recorded conversations." Well either Blago, Wyma, or the anonymous source must be lying, we can't wait to find out which one it is.
Pols, Public Weigh In On Ryan
While everyone is getting themselves in a tizzy over this Obama Birth Certificate issue, one of the major local political stories continues to be Sen. Durbin's (pictured right) letter to President Bush asking for a commutation of former Governor George Ryan's sentence. While Gov. Blagojevich has already come out in favor of Durbin's request (no surprise as he will probably be facing a similar fate to Ryan's very soon), earlier this week, U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk (Rep.) sent Pres. Bush a letter disputing Durbin's request and State Attorney General Lisa Madigan also said she was opposed to a commuting of Ryan's sentence.
Blago Says Nuh-Uh
So that story about Blago Buddy John Wyman wearing a wire? Yep, Blago saw it, and yep, he's denying everything. Via a spokesperson, of course. Per the Trib: "The Governor has been working on the things that matter most to the people of Illinois - creating jobs, keeping people in their homes, fixing the budget, and making sure that everyone has access to affordable health care. He woke up this morning and saw the article just like everyone else did. The Governor has not done anything wrong, improper or illegal."
Blago Gets Snared In The Wire
In a big step forward for federal investigators, former Blagojevich aide and influential lobbyist John Wyma cooperated with the feds and secretly recorded conversations with Governor Blagojevich to help the case against Blago. Wyma was also the chief of staff for Blago during his Congressional days, which makes the revelation even more eyebrow-raising. Earlier this fall, Wyma was named in a federal subpoena issued to Provena Health, a former Wyma client, regarding, "Provena's lobbying relationship with Wyma, the hospital's efforts to win state approval of a new heart program and a $25,000 donation the company's for-profit affiliate gave to Blagojevich's campaign fund."
Senator Danny Davis or Blago Just Messin' With Us?
Oh, Governor Blagojevich, you sly dog. While addressing reporters at a Chicago Christian Industrial League Thanksgiving meal yesterday, Blago began looking around for Congressman Danny Davis, also in attendance, and playfully asked, "Where's Senator Davis?" with a smile. While he didn't follow that up with, "Nah, I'm just fuckin' with yall," he did herald Rep. Davis as one of his favorites to take over President-Elect Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat.
"Congressman Davis is a very good person. He and I have worked together in Congress, and I know the kind of man he is. I know that he is a good, decent man, and you don't find a lot of that in politics," Blagojevich said. "I'm breaking my rules about speculating on a candidate, but Congressman Davis is here, and I can tell you he's certainly a strong candidate for the position."For his part, Davis expressed his interest in the job before Blagojevich played the joker, saying, "I have spoken to the governor. The opportunity to serve in the U.S. Senate would be great. It's an awesome responsibility, and I have never shied away from responsibility. Quite frankly, if the governor should see fit to appoint me, I'm eager to run and eager to serve." We're betting Jesse Jackson, Jr. sweeps the leg now.
Blago Unfamiliar With the Alphabet
To the surprise of absolutely nobody in the entire state, Governor Rod Blagojevich denied any wrongdoing in the Tony Rezko trial at a press conference held Wednesday to announce the demolition of the hall where the NIU shootings occurred. Blagojevich denied that he is the Public Official A cited in the federal indictment against Tony Rezko. "It doesn't matter what letter of the alphabet it is. What was described there doesn't describe me or how I do things," Blagojevich told the Tribune. When pressed on the matter, Blago told the Sun-Times that he is "not involved in this court case. I don't know much about it. I have a job to do as governor. It's a full-time job. I don't think it's fair to comment on a pending court case."
Potent Quotables From The Transit Crisis
The transit crisis has been averted--and let's raise our lunchtime glasses to toast that miracle, shall we? --but it brought out some of the weirdest and worst in our local politicians. These are some of our favorite lines from the entire, oh, what should we call it, bill-capade?
Blago Visits the House of Hope
In the continuing soap opera that is our state's budget crisis, Governor Rod Blagojevich made a visit to Rev. James Meeks's south side mega-church, House of Hope Sunday to drum up support for his proposal of free rides for seniors on the region's mass transit system. Besides being pastor of the church, Meeks is also an Illinois State Senator, and is often allied with the governor.
Nice Suit, Blago
The Illinois State Budget Fight just got weirder. Governor Rod Blagojevich quietly filed suit in Sangamon County Friday against House Speaker Michael Madigan, attempting to force the Speaker to hold special sessions when he calls them. "It is imperative that (the governor's authority to call special sessions) is preserved and honored," Rebecca Rausch, a spokeswoman for the governor wrote in an e-mail to the State Journal Register. "After lawmakers failed to follow the governor's special...
The Bridges of Illinois
As all of us watch the terrible news in Minnesota unfold, many state governments are starting to look at their own inventory of bridges. Illinois ranks in the middle of bridge condition when compared to other states, according to an AP article in The Daily Southtown, with around 10% of our bridges rated "structurally deficient" - slightly better than the national average of 12%. Yesterday Governor Rod Blagojevich ordered immediate inspections of high-volume bridges and...
Springfield Wants to be Home to the Simpsons
While, we always thought that the debate was pointless, speculation over where Springfield is actually set has raged throughout the 18 years of the Simpson's existence. The creators in "Behind the Laughter" have insinuated that it is probably somewhere in Kentucky, but it was based largely on Portland, OR, where creator, Matt Groening, grew up. For the most part, we are content with Springfield being Anytown, USA, allowing the creators to make it whatever they want for a particular episode.
Hump Day Political News Roundup
So much has happened in politics this week, all across our little city. From the ministers in the West Loop, to construction and development on the South Side, to Top Cops Downtown getting notice in DC, it's like Chicago is just one big happy village, people. Let's take a look: Blago's Budget Puts Him in Touch With God. Governor Rod Blagojevich is on a "crusade," bringing tax fairness, education and health care to all of...
