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What Gift Would You Give the Governor?

By Hunter Clauss in News on Nov 10, 2008 10:20PM

2008_11_10_blago.jpg Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich isn’t getting much love from voters but that doesn’t mean he isn’t swimming in gifts that range from an Al Franken book to samurai swords. The Sun-Times takes a look at Blagojevich’s 56-page gift log and finds some familiar faces. Convicted felon and former Blagojevich fundraiser Tony Rezko gave the governor a silver spoon in 2003 for his newborn daughter. Joseph Cari, who pleaded guilty in the Rezko deals, gave the governor Al Franken’s Lies (And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them). Blagojevich also received a gift from indicted fundraiser William Cellini, who gave a $50 framed print. A Blagojevich spokesman told the Sun-Times that he doesn’t think the governor keeps most of the gifts in the log, which came in to a total of $16,475.

Aside from the convicted and indicted, the governor received gifts from other politicians like California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (a humidor with a bottle of wine, two wine glasses and a silver plate wine stopper) and former GOP gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka (candy and cookie basket).

While he didn’t get any socks like some unfortunate kids, Blagojevich did receive a couple of stinkers. The more bizarre presents included a tape of “Polish Elvis sings Elvis,” a baseball bat with the gov’s name on it, and a handmade book about Elvis that includes a photograph. If you couldn’t guess, Blagojevich is an Elvis fan and may be singing the Jailhouse Rock if Rezko’s cutting a deal with the Feds.

What would you give the governor and why?

Photo by Genevieve Elise