Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich emerged from prison just like he went in: defiantly proclaiming his innocence and ostentatiously displaying his carefully coiffed victimhood.
If you were too young to know about Blagojevich or your memory is hazy, you’re now getting a lesson in Rod 101. He knows what reporters want, and he’s more than happy to give it to them if it serves his purposes. He will say anything, literally anything, to stay in the public eye, no matter how far from the truth it may be. And reporters are eagerly obliging him.
He once proclaimed himself “on the side of the Lord” during a budget stalemate. He repeatedly accused House Speaker Michael Madigan, the chairman of the state Democratic Party, of being a Republican. After his proposed gross receipts tax failed in the House by a vote of 0-107, he said that, overall, it had been an “up” day.
Blagojevich was late to absolutely everything, including the funeral of Sen. Vince Demuzio, a beloved Statehouse figure. Oftentimes, his tardiness was intentional. I rode on a tour bus with him in 2007 while he was promoting his gross receipts tax. As we arrived at the outskirts of a small town for yet another staged event, the governor ordered the bus driver to pull to the side of the road because, he said, we were ahead of schedule. He disappeared into the restroom to brush his hair, finally emerging to give the go-ahead to proceed to the venue, 15 minutes behind schedule.
He thrived on chaos because that kept him at the center of attention. His reign was marked by one bitter overtime legislative session after another as he did battle with his archenemy Madigan.
It got so bad at one point that then-Rep. Joe Lyons, D-Chicago, one of the most chill state legislators you will ever meet, marched up to the press box to tell reporters in all sincerity that the governor had become a “madman.” Then-Rep. Mike Bost called for his impeachment more than a year before Blagojevich’s arrest. He literally drove people crazy just by being him.
He was elected as a reformer in the wake of Gov. George Ryan’s scandals. He held a big, showy Chicago press conference with every reform group imaginable during his first term to press for changes that would box in and embarrass his nemesis Madigan. And then he was reelected by 10 points just days after his chief campaign fundraiser was busted by the feds.
Blagojevich was a populist phony. He fought for good things like universal children’s healthcare and free public transit rides for senior citizens, but it was always about him. He rode a tall white show horse.
He truly believed he could be president one day, then watched in growing horror as an obscure state legislator who practiced what he preached on reform rose to the U.S. Senate and then the White House.
After wrapping up his first overtime session (which was resolved after he agreed to skip two years’ worth of state pension payments) Blagojevich attended the 2004 Democratic National Convention but left early because the media’s focus was on keynote speaker Barack Obama and not him.
He had awe-inspiring political skills, then squandered everything. He didn’t want to be governor any longer because with Obama’s rise he finally realized the office was no longer the national springboard he’d imagined. So he said and did some stupid things to secure his future while the feds were listening and wound up in prison.
It could’ve actually been much worse. Attorney General Lisa Madigan had been investigating his administration. She ended her probe at the federal government’s request, turning over all her files to them. But then the feds took the easy route of planting bugs in his office and monitoring his phones.
Blagojevich inherited a troubled budget and then proceeded to drive Illinois into a fiscal ditch from which it has never recovered. And 19 months after his predecessor was convicted on federal corruption charges — the same predecessor whom Blagojevich had railed against for six solid years — he was arrested at his own home in an early morning federal raid.
He eschewed his pardoning power, unwilling to grant the forgiveness that he presumes will be offered up to him now. But you shouldn’t be forgiven if you don’t apologize, and he has never once said he was sorry for the damage he did to his state.
* You may have seen some stories over the weekend quoting Blagojevich about his opinion on various matters. I’m not posting those stories here and this is why…
- thoughts matter - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:26 am:
I agree with the twitter posts. Quit calling him for interviews, quit taking his calls. Don’t stand outside his house for sound bites. Whatever he does is not actual news. The correct future for Rod is a life of obscurity.
- Candy Dogood - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:28 am:
While ignoring him and letting his relevance fade to nothing is the fate that he deserves — evaporating into nothingness like a shade confined to Hades — It was nice to see Anderson Cooper take him down.
- Han's Solo Cup - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:31 am:
It’ll be easy to pick out his postings on here…look for the user name “Rod Mandela”.
- Jocko - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:32 am:
Like in DC, there’s nothing more infuriating than having a public servant who prefers to be served.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:38 am:
Rich, this is truly a great tick-list kind of recounting the ills that were Rod, as only you can with context and that unique institutional knowledge.
Any more words to Rod at this point are toxic, so I’ll leave it here, and focus my words towards the honesty Rich wrote.
- Big Joe - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:38 am:
Take some time to fantasize how different things in our state might have been had JBT won the election over Rod. Just imagine.
- Nagidam - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:38 am:
Mr. Blagojevich will continue to get media treatment. Everyone is waiting for him to spill dirt. He may have some and he may not. Until it is proven he does not have dirt he will remain in the headlines. Until and if that time comes the craziness will continue even if Illinois media ignores him.
- Steve Rogers - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:39 am:
I’ve tried to avoid most Blagojevich interviews, mainly for the reason Rich said–maybe if we ignore him, he’ll go away. That said, I did enjoy Anderson Cooper calling BS on his BS.
- My New Handle - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:39 am:
Why does this guy get so much airtime and print coverage? What’s the media endgame in this coverage?
- Red Ketcher - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:42 am:
Column Nails It
- efudd - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:42 am:
“get so much airtime and print coverage”
He’s cheap, lurid and that’s what sells. Think reality television and tabloids.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:44 am:
== Everyone is waiting for him to spill dirt. He may have some and he may not.==
It seems incredibly unlikely that he has any dirt on anyone. 1) He would have dropped it years ago to get out of jail. 2) He has always been so self focused, he probably did not take the time to notice, let alone collect, info on anyone.
- Just Observing - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:44 am:
1. I’m finding his new, out-of-prison persona and rantings highly entertaining (in a comical way).
2. I am absolutely bewildered that a dude that’s been in prison, away from his friends, family, and comforts of home, for eight years, is prioritizing his time, mere days out of the clinker, to give media interviews, rather than spending time at home with his family. Go take your wife out to dinner! Go take your kids out for ice cream! Sit on the couch and watch a movie!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:44 am:
===What’s the media endgame===
Clicks and views = $$$
- Upon Further Review - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:45 am:
Well stated Rich.
Rod - you are are clown. We wish you would just zip it and go away. Knowing that to be impossible for you . . . . . . we will simply acknowledge that you are the crazy Uncle and hide the kids.
- Nagidam - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:46 am:
@ Pot calling kettle
I don’t disagree with you. But he has a flair for tantalizing the media. This will continue until he disappoints with no material.
- Father Ted - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:47 am:
Stated so perfectly. Thank you for this, Rich. It needed to be said.
The next time members of the media go on a pearl clutching exercise about the citizenry’s failure to engage with journalism, those two tweets
are a perfect response for why it’s happening. The only thing to add is that they should have realized it 10 years ago.
- My New Handle - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:47 am:
“He’s cheap, lurid and that’s what sells. Think reality television and tabloids.” And then think Capitol Fax?
- Streator Curmudgeon - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 9:52 am:
I read CapFax because nobody knows more about Illinois government than Rich Miller, and this column lays out the devastating truth about Rod Blagojevich.
I suppose by now we should be used to shameless politicians who play the victim card, but I still find it nauseating. Unfortunately for the rest of us, their neurons fire in a way that makes them believe the rest of us are actually going to buy their ongoing lies.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:00 am:
A lot of the media likes to harp on the mistrial in the first trial, leaving out the crucial point that he was convicted of one count in that first trial: lying to federal investigators.
- Skeptic - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:02 am:
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it until the cows come home to roost, “Rod, how can we miss you if you won’t [bleeping] go away?”
- theq - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:05 am:
To Blagos credit…. the disdain for him is bipartisan more than any other thing in Illinois
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:06 am:
Blago utterly denying he did anything wrong and saying he was a political prisoner really shows the psychopathy and lack of empathy. It’s no wonder why Trump relates to him and why he supports Trump.
As far as Blagojevich dishing dirt on opponents, he said he likes Pritzker and he’s not on Blago’s [expletive] list. So those who are hoping for Blago to go after Pritzker in a big way, it might not happen.
- Rich Hill - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:17 am:
==Take some time to fantasize how different things in our state might have been had JBT won the election over Rod. Just imagine.==
Heck, take time to fantasize about what would have happened had Vallas or Burris won the primary in 2002. That was a close race.
- Democrat Grrrl - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:18 am:
Rich, your post dredged up the memory of a flyaround I once did with Rod. All participants were at the airport at the appointed time: he showed up over an hour late (I’m sure because he had to run), which meant the entire day of events would run late. By the last stop in deep southern Illinois, when we were over two hours behind schedule, our motorcade was diverted to a local War-Mart because Rod needed “the football,” the nickname for the black hairbrush he couldn’t live without, and someone had neglected to pack. (If ever there was doubt of his presidential designs, calling a hairbrush the same nickname as the briefcase with the nuclear codes was a good clue to his ultimate ambition). Kids had been kept in the school gym way beyond their dismissal time for the last event, but we had to take time out to get another “football.” And Rod didn’t eat, so those of us trapped on this journey didn’t eat either. Some of the participants were worried about low blood sugar by the end of the day. I just happened to buy a small bag of peanut M&Ms at the airport and shared them with the prisoners of this awful day. Seeing Rod doing his post-commutation media hits, sans humility and sans remorse, brought this awful memory back with a vengeance. Rich, as always, you are spot-on.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:18 am:
=== Vallas===
“Paul and the Airplane; Fear”
- Old Shepherd - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:32 am:
Rod Blagojevich = Donald Trump = Rod Blagojevich
- OneMan - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:36 am:
You may want to google the following today
Weiner Circle Blago
- Rabble - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:36 am:
== Everyone is waiting for him to spill dirt==
Apparently he doesn’t have any dirt since he didn’t hang himself.
- DIstant watcher - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:43 am:
From your mouth to God’s ears.
Though I disagree that his budget issue ended when he agreed to suspend pension payments. The thing with Rod was he kept insisting we could expand state services without new revenue. AllKids? Sure, and no income tax increase. Mammograms? Sure, and no tax increase. Free CTA? Sure, and no tax increase. He really thought he was going to run for president and that he could say he did all this great stuff without ever raising income taxes. Paying for his ideas was someone else’s job, as long as it didn’t change the story that was going to make him president, which was that he expanded services without increasing income taxes. So state agencies got gutted, pension payments were deferred, capital plans were stretched out, etc etc etc.
Guy was a disaster but nobody would go after him when he promised the moon and also that mo one had to pay for it.
Good riddance. Now if the news media would only act on what they know in their hearts is true and ignore this guy.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:43 am:
===He may have some and he may not===
If he had dirt and decided not to release it until after he’d spent 8 years in prison he is the absolute stupidest person alive today.
- Ogden - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:44 am:
Rod was on this morning on Maze Jackson and Todd Strogers radio show and he basically said Rich Miller is part of the Springfield swamp.
- BigDoggie - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:47 am:
Unfortunately, the media will do whatever they can to generate more viewers/clicks for themselves. For a while at least, Rod is it. I don’t think it results in anyone changing their opinion on him - he’s just the big story for a little while. He’ll fade away soon unless he starts dishing dirt on people. (which means of course, as soon as the attention starts to decrease, he’ll begin dishing dirt on people)
- Huh? - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:52 am:
Loved the Anderson Cooper take down of blago.
- Responsa[ - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:53 am:
I’m doing my part. Rod gets no clicks from me.
- Skeptic - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 10:56 am:
“did all this great stuff without ever raising income taxes.” Not only that, but his claim was that he was being impeached to clear the way for the Legislature to raise taxes. He was the only one (Sound familiar? “Only me…”) stopping it.
- Ginhouse Tommy - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:05 am:
OW used the right word. Toxic. Everything he came in contact with was soiled afterword.
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:14 am:
Rod did more than just leave the 08 convention in a huff over Obama getting all the attention.
He left early AND slashed jobs at DCFS and closed state parks under the cover of all the Obama media attention.
https://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2008/08/dcfs-takes-hit.html
Two dozen state parks and historic sites will close and heavy caseloads for workers who help abused children will increase as Gov. Rod Blagojevich lays off 325 state workers to balance the state budget.
The cuts will take place over the next three months, and the administration notified state employees of the layoffs earlier this week. Hardest hit was the Department of Children and Family Services, which will lose 179 staffers. The Department of Human Services will fire 73 people, the Department of Natural Resources will lay off 39, and the Historic Preservation Agency will lose 34.
- Levois J - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:16 am:
Yeah Blago is irrelevant, it’s too bad the press is giving him the attention he craves. I want to say this won’t last long, but who knows as long as he gets attention on FOX, CNN or even MSNBC(assuming he has been on there already)
- Maryjane - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:17 am:
Thank you Rich for the concise account of the former governor’s incompetence, malfeasance and ego-driven downfall. As well as your apt assessment of his behavior since being released; and excellent suggestions regarding his utterances to the media.
- Langhorne - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:23 am:
Rod Will be on the View live tomorrow.
Has he been on Fox yet? He’s got to have an appointment with Geraldo and others some time soon.
- RNUG - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:28 am:
== If he had dirt and decided not to release it until after he’d spent 8 years in prison he is the absolute stupidest person alive today. ==
Well …
- Levois J - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 11:37 am:
He has been on FOX including the program Watters World. Whoever hosts him on their programs will be exhausted.
- John Lee Pettimore, III - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 12:00 pm:
I must say, it is interesting to see Impeached Former Governor and Convicted Felon Rod Blagojevich’s lawyer, (and former Madigan staffer) Bill Quinlan in the news today representing Jusse Smollett in court today.
- train111 - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 12:07 pm:
RRB and DJT birds of a feather.
Both professional victims until yhe end.
- Occasional Quipper - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 12:21 pm:
I think the attention will die down on its own due to lack of interest. People were curious to what he would say after 8 years in prison. So the news outlets had to cover it. Now that he’s spoken and confirmed nothing has changed, no one is curious anymore. He will fade into oblivion and he’ll be lucky to even be invited onto a reality TV show.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 1:01 pm:
For the last three years, I repeatedly called for ‘free Blago’. It’s done and over. My new call. ‘Spare us’.
- Rudy's teeth - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
What was Blago’s motivation to institute the All Kids health insurance program in Illinois? Was it really about the kids or the contracts? The contract was awarded to McKesson Health represented by his top fundraiser, Milan Petrovic. Hmmmm?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 1:14 pm:
===…was on … and he basically said Rich Miller is part of the Springfield swamp.===
The Disgraced, Impeached, Felon I shall not name was pardoned by this President, has embraced this President’s rhetoric, with his own sickening and disturbing thoughts, and will be a constant reminder to those who wonder, this POTUS and this unwell soul are linked, are similar, are each other.
I’m personally grateful that the unnamed decided to target ire. If you are a target, you are truly a beacon for what we all hope this state can be, should be, and strives to be with the unnamed removed. Rich is one of those beacons, and that light shines especially on those who melt by its heat.
- Demoralized - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
His ‘dis against Rich Miller could have been worse. He could have called him “liddle Richie Miller.” He really needs to step up his game if he’s going to mimic the President. Name calling is part of the game Rod. Get with the program.
- Looking down the Road - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 1:26 pm:
The saddest observation to be made is that he was ELECTED by ILLINOIS voters, along with three other Governors who spent time behind bars. Makes you wonder…
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 3:11 pm:
“You may want to google the following today
Weiner Circle Blago”
Lol, pretty funny.
“Rod was on this morning on Maze Jackson and Todd Strogers radio show and he basically said Rich Miller is part of the Springfield swamp.“
The dude is psycho, with pathological projection as well as lack of remorse and phony victimhood. He’s the one who hurt himself, his family, the entire state.
- anonymous - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 4:21 pm:
“2) He has always been so self focused, he probably did not take the time to notice, let alone collect, info on anyone.” Well said Pot
- West Side the Best Side - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 5:25 pm:
Maybe Jussie will be the next shiny object du jour the media follows and Blago will be ignored. One can only hope.
- Independent - Monday, Feb 24, 20 @ 8:48 pm:
We are in the initial blitz of post release coverage. This is necessary to remind people who Rod was and hopefully help prevent another Rod from being elected. But after this media outlets should stop covering him. Rod is essentially a celebrity, though a C list one at that. All publicity, good or bad, works for Rod. Just dominate the media cycle, like our great orange leader in the White House.