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* 1:13 pm - The trial is set to reconvene at around 1:15 pm. They were late reconvening yesterday, but Chief Justice Fitzgerald promised a more prompt timeline today.
* 1:16 pm - They’re now reconvening.
* If you want to follow the governor’s new public relations team as it squires our fearless leader around New York, they have their own Twitter page.
As we left fox, staffers want photos with the governor.
Oy.
* 1:55 pm - Sun-Times…
Either Gov. Blagojevich is misstating the rules governing his Senate impeachment trial or doesn’t understand them and should come to Springfield to mount a serious defense, Senate President John Cullerton said today.
“I don’t know of any impeachment trial in history where the one who was accused didn’t show up to defend himself. I once again urge him to do so,” the Democrat from Chicago’s North Side told reporters after the Senate broke for lunch today. […]
“If the governor is saying that he can’t come here and testify, that’s not true. If he’s saying he can’t voluntarily bring witnesses, that’s not true. If he’s saying he can’t subpoena certain witnesses, that is true because of the request of the U.S. attorney,” Cullerton said. “But he could bring in other evidence if he wanted to, public records those witnesses have made in the past.
* 1:37 pm - The tape on the horseracing bill is coming up very soon.
* 1:42 pm - Here it comes. Transcripts are being passed out as tape is played.
*** TRANSCRIPTS AND RECORDINGS OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE POSTED AT THIS LINK ***
* 1:51 pm - Transcript 4, which isn’t posted as I type this, appears to be the most important one.
* Transcript 4 is now online
* 1:52 pm - Recessed until 2:45 pm.
The idea behind all of this was to squeeze a large contribution out of a horseracing industry official in exchange for signing a bill that benefitted the industry.
From Tape 1…
Rob Blagojevich (governor’s brother and fundraising chairman): He’s gonna give you… ya know, he didn’t get it. But he said, ya know, I’m good for it. I gotta just decide what, what uh, accounts to get it out of. And Lon’s going to talk to you about some senitivities legislatively tonight when he sees you. With regard to the timing of this.
RRB: Right - before the end of the year though, right? (The end of the year is the end of the campaign finace period.)
* Tape 2 has a tapped phone conversation between Lon Monk and Johnnie Johnston, the racetrack official targeted for the strong arm. It’s dated December 3rd, more than three weeks after the above conversation where Rob Blagojevich told the governor that the contribution was imminent. Monk simply tells Johnston that he’s going to meet him at the track in 45 minutes.
* Tape 3 was recorded a couple of hours after the above phone conversation.
It’s between Lon Monk and Gov. Blagojevich. Monk tells Blagojevich that he talked to the track official about the “commitment.” Monk tells the governor that the official says he has to leave town for two weeks and knows he wants the contribution in hand at the end of those two weeks.
Monk claims he told the official that there’s “some skittishness” about the timeliness of the bill signing and the “commitment” (the contribution). Johnston, Monk says, asked if he wanted the “commitment” broken up so that some was given in the “next quarter.” Monk says he told Johnston no. “My point is that this has all gotta be in now.” Johnston, Monk claims to Blagojevich, hopes to have it next week.
Monk tells Blagojevich that the reason the meeting took so long was that “Billy” came in and started talking about various things “and I didn’t want to have that conversation in front of Billy,” Monk explains, basically admitting that this was not a conversation that could be shared with anyone else. “Good job,” the governor says.
* Tape 4 was recorded the following morning. This is also a conversation between Monk and Gov. Blagojevich. Monk suggests that the governor call Johnston himself. The governor says “Okay.”
“It’s better if you do it just from a pressure point of view,” Monk tells the governor.
“Yeah, good,” Blagojevich says, who then suggests that he’ll suggest holding an event downstate and start picking some dates for the bill signing, which he says the chances are good that it’ll happen the following week.
* Most of this stuff is already in the original complaint, but then there’s this strange exchange that has never before been released. Blagojevich talks about Johnston’s skittishness regarding the contribution…
BLAGOJEVICH: I feel like there’s somebody else who’s holding him (Johnston) back.
MONK: No.
BLAGOJEVICH: I believe it’s Chris. [Chris Kelly, perhaps?]
MONK: No, no.
BLAGOJEVICH: Well that took, you know a whole year. You know what I mean? Hey Lon…
MONK: No, I don’t think he’s been talking to Chris… I don’t think he’s been talking to Chris.
BLAGOJEVICH: Okay.
Strange, that.
* 2:39 pm - Sun-Times…
If the person being referred to on the tape is Kelly — who was mentioned repeatedly during last year’s corruption trial of Tony Rezko — it raises the possibility of dissension in the ranks of Blagojevich’s fund-raising operation. Blagojevich has maintained that Kelly is one of his closest friends.
It’s also possible that the governor thought that Kelly had gone to the other side (meaning the G).
* 2:56 pm - They’re back. Replaying the tapes.
* 3:03 pm - Lots of questions, the Chief Justice says, and reminds members that the witness is under restrictions about what sort of questions he can answer.
Sen. Demuzio: What info or persons led you to ask for a wiretap? Why were the taps ordered in October? Answer from US Attorney’s office: Legal restrictions prevent response, as well as the rules of engagement on what info the FBI agent can offer.
Sen. Watson: Are there any current investigations of Gov. Blagojevich? Answer: Can’t answer.
Looks like we’re going to see lots of these sorts of questions that are outside the scope of allowable testimony and the same response.
Sen. Gary Dahl: Are there members of this tribunal on the wiretaps? My favorite question so far. But there was no answer. lol
* 3:14 pm - Fox Chicago…
In New York, the Governor continued his media blitz and said those snippets of his voice were taken out of context.
* 3:17 pm - Now we’re getting into more political games. Knowing full well that the FBI wouldn’t answer the question, the Senate GOP asked if US Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid is on the tapes.
While this drones on as Senators ask questions that they should have known are outside the scope of the FBI agent’s authorized testimony, let’s check in with the Twitter page run by the governor’s public relations agency, shall we?
Gov to the people of Illinois: ‘I did not let you down’
Gov sees his own name on crawl over Today show set… Comments on it.
I gotta wonder if that fancy schmancy Twittering comes with the standard flak package or if it’s an add-on “premium service” type thingy.
* 3:50 pm - Another Twitter update…
Gov: ‘If they don’t change the rules I’m going to need to find another line of work’
* 3:58 pm - Rep. Chapin Rose, a member of the House impeachment committee, is now summarizing the part of the case dealing with Ali Ata and Joe Cari.
* 4:11 pm - Looks like DL Hughley is gonna give the guv a pass on his show…
Hughley just returned from a trip to Chicago. Hughley says he found many supporters in the city.
Hughley on the tapes: ‘None of them sounded criminal. They sounded political’
* 4:28 pm - Rep. Rose finishes testimony. Parties to caucus for half an hour.
* 5:01 pm - Sen. Cullerton says that the Senate Republicans want to wait until tomorrow to pose questions to Rep. Rose, but wants the proceedings to begin a half hour early.
Trial recessed until 9:30 am tomorrow.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:14 pm
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More lies. Blago is belching all over NYC about how he wants all the tapes played for the Senate, but on January 7, Genson objected in court to the release of any tapes to the House, saying, “Defendant Blagojevich objects to the release of any tapes or transcripts, redacted or unredacted, to the investigative committee of the legislature,” in a brief.
But as Blago makes the rounds, he is crying that the Senate is not allowing him to play the tapes — as though he has them in his briefcase and he just needs the Senate’s okay to play them.
The decision about the tapes was made by Fitzgerald and Holderman, when the House asked for all of them. The Senate hasn’t denied Blago access to the tapes or the ability to enter them into evidence.
I think the sinking Gov is so flipped out he doesn’t understand any of this — or his estimation that the national media dunderheads won’t is correct, which is just too creepy to consider.
He may actually believe that since some conversations on the tapes are legit (”doing the people’s work,” etc.) that such conversations would somehow undermine the deal-making conversations.
Look, he will say, here’s a conversation where I talked about health care! And I didn’t even cuss or ask anyone for money! See, I’m a good guy.
If he thinks the tapes are exculpatory, he should have joined the House’s request for them.
Comment by I knew it before term one Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:20 pm
As we left fox, staffers want photos with the governor.
Kind of like when the young Hairness wanted a photo with Tricky Dick?
Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:23 pm
Senate back on the floor.
Ellis starts off with a statement that addresses concerns raised yesterday with Hendon.
Ellis uses differences with Ata and Rezko statements to show an example of how the House avadavat clearly points out evidence that might be seen as ‘exculpatory’ or helpful to RRB’s case.
House cleaning from yesterday is done. Now on to the final area of testimony from Officer Cain.
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:23 pm
Rich, fox just said something about a deal that was made with the governor - he’d keep his body guards, some salary, but he’d resign. They cited “Chicago Blogs” - you know anything about this?
Comment by Fox Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:26 pm
I thought Fox was in the bag for republicans, now I just think they are in the bag for idiots.
Honest mistake.
Comment by Joseph Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:28 pm
The deal, as I wrote earlier, would’ve been that the governor would step aside and the Senate would halt the trial. But that deal was rejected by the guv last week before it could be presented to the Senate. BTW, it all hinged on convincing the IL Supreme Court to stop the trial from starting.
It’s all in my syndicated newspaper column, which I posted yesterday.
It appeared on a blog, but it also appeared in well over 100 newspapers. But it’s Fox, so whatever.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:28 pm
A former governor keeps security for 6 months - but that isn’t taking into consideration, impeachment.
Comment by PPHS Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:29 pm
Fox, they’re probably quoting Rich’s syndicated column from yesterday, regarding the high-priced attorney from Boston Genson wanted on the case, who would try and force that resolution (Gov steps aside, turns power to Quinn, impeachment is stopped)
But, Genson lost that battle and is gone.
Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:29 pm
New state pay to play law that went into effect on 1/9/09 was a catalyst for RRB’s pay to play activities. RRB wanted to raise $2.25 million before the end of the 2008.
Feds have a list of sources RRB was going to use to raise those funds. Many individuals on that list received government contracts and state appointments.
1.8 billion toll way bill was really a trial run to see if RRB could trust contractor with pay to play. RRB:”I could have made a bigger announcement, but I wanted to see how they performed by the end of the year. If they don’t perform –f-them!”
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:30 pm
The only good thing about having Blago work from his home is that he will not have to be forcibly removed from the Guv’s mansion. He can remain the king of his own strange castle.
Comment by sarbanharble Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:35 pm
I just started following…Have they or when are they going to play the tapes?
Comment by BandCamp Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:35 pm
No tapes yet. if they do it will be now
yes they will
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:37 pm
Mike, excellent job. Just wanted to let you know it’s spelled “affadavit.”
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:38 pm
Last part of Cain testimony will be for the HB 4758: the Horse Racing Bill pay to play allegations, which has audio tapes as evidence
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:39 pm
I’m becoming more and more certain that what we’re witnessing is how Blagojevich *governed* for six years. This a man who truly believes that his personal sense of right and wrong trumps everything — including the Illinois political system.
More and more I’m reminded of Chavez when I listen to Blagojevich whine about right and wrong. It all seems weirdly — and creepily — fascist.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:41 pm
Can anyone tell me where the Governor was while dealing with all this political fundraising and fundraisers? Was it done from his home, Governor’s office or campaign office? I am not clear. Lots of calls today. Thanks.
Comment by Say WHAT? Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:41 pm
Tapes! Here we go!!!
Comment by Say WHAT? Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:42 pm
There may be another reason for Genson to hold on to his half-mil retainer besides earning it: in this morning’s testimony, it was discussed how campaign money could be hidden away from being frozen through stashing it at the lawyer’s place and then getting it back later.
Comment by Swami Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:43 pm
Oh my this should be fun!
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:45 pm
Tapes played senate and affadavit (thx SS) is handed out
Senate in recess till 2:45
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:53 pm
what a bunch of strange conversations. who honestly talks on the phone like that?
Comment by just ducky Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:53 pm
weird - Rod sounds so disinterested on these recordings.
And Lon (i think it was Lon Monk?) sounded so aggressive.
and what was all that background noise? was he watching TV?
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:55 pm
===what a bunch of strange conversations. who honestly talks on the phone like that===
The Sopranos?
Comment by HoBoSkillet Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:55 pm
They might want to work on the transcripts. I’m assuming there are transcripts with all the individual tapes.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:56 pm
Sure sounds like Lon … er I mean Lobbyist 1 better get a good lawyer and beat feet to the nearest FBI office and throw himself at their mercy.
Comment by Leave a light on George Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 1:57 pm
it’s over, stick the fork in him his goose is cooked.
No matter how he tries to say these were taken out of context, it is clear, that he openly conspired to sell the signing of a bill for a campaign contribution and his whole improve the ethics bill was a sahm for him to hold of the clock so he could raise more money.
They should move to vote to impeach on this evidence alone and be done with it.
I would also suggest that if these conversations are representative of the others, there will be a lot more juicy details of how corupt this governor was. If it took the leak of the taps and the selling of a US senate senate, help by the president-elect, how many other bills did he trade $$ for his signature do they have on tape?
Comment by Todd Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:00 pm
LOL! That man can’t even say downstate without stuttering.
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:00 pm
Was that a yawn at the start of the fourth taped call..?
Comment by Anon-athon Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:02 pm
Who is Chris in the end of transcript 4?
Comment by WCIL Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:03 pm
I dont like the Government using these small cuts froms his phone calls, they should make the entire phone call available, who is Billy? I would like to hear some recordings of Mayor Daley or Mike Madigan talking about campaign contributions, those guys were corrupt when Rod was still wet behind the ears. Also lets hear the entire conservations of Cong Jesse Jackson Jr. and Rahm and David Axelrod.
Comment by Starting to support Rod Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:05 pm
Hey! Look! Its the Gov’s PR firm on capfax!
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:09 pm
Oh I hope Rich got his IP ban equipment ready to go!
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Hate to say it but I didn’t think it was so damning. If this were the only evidence, I think he’d walk.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:10 pm
===Monk simply tells Johnston that he’s going to meet him at the track in 45 minutes.===
Putting a $100K on G-Rod to show in the 4th.
Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:10 pm
===weird - Rod sounds so disinterested on these recordings.===
To me it sounds like a person who thinks they are being recorded and trying to say as little as possible.
Comment by Former State Employee 2 Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:11 pm
I knew it wouldn’t be long until his PR Firm would invade Cap Fax
Comment by David Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:12 pm
I hate to agree with “starting” (aka sam adam jr. or the gov’s pr firm), but I wish they would have included more in the recording.
That would prevent the Gov from saying it is out of context since you are getting the FULL CONTEXT.
But these tapes are cut and spliced so much - it almost looks as if Lon and Rob are the ones driving this. Not that the Gov isn’t culpable, but he seems more, how do I put it, subdued with regard to all of this?
And the redacted parts of the tapes don’t help - they allude to the fact that there was some other part of the conversation he was more interested in. But we don’t know what that is about.
I think I more just want to hear about all the people the Gov bashes on these tapes. Haha.
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:12 pm
These tapes by themselves seem to have little heft. I have to assume the Feds have a lot of backstory and that the redacted portions are pretty damning.
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:12 pm
Mr/Ms Starting ….I suppose you have just admitted being #1 dope. The whole call probably goes to where Blagoof and Lobbo1 are going to dinner. Or might name some other innocents.
Blagoof does sound a little breathless …like he is about to make a score… perhaps one of the cable bobbleheads could play the recording and ask Blagoof about the “context”
He is worried about “Chris” beatingr him to the extortion check out line
Yikes
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:13 pm
How aoon can we get the “ring…ring…hello Lon” made into a ring tone?
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:15 pm
Strange…not a single
Comment by Stu Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:17 pm
Strange…not a single BLEEP
Comment by Stu Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:18 pm
clearly shows the Gov and Monk conspiring to obtain cash based on the signing of a bill. Clearly shows that the Gov’s brother is also involved in the actions. I still believe the G released this tape because there was no pay to play willingness by Contributer 1. Just the Gov and his posse planning on how to benefit the campaign coffers of RB over the legislative process. “MAYBE” not criminal, but definately an abuse of the office. G-O-N-E by Friday!!
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:18 pm
LN, you’re wrong. That was a different guy.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:19 pm
I doubt Monk agreed to have his phone tapped at the time therse tapes were made.
Billy= Billy Johnston patriarch of the racing family.
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:21 pm
Sounds like the strange lingo mobsters use. Say something without saying something. Very disconcerting realizing that your Governor is a mobster.
Comment by phocion Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:21 pm
sorry Rich, I won’t make guesses.
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:21 pm
Are these the only tapes to be played at this trial?
Seems to me, if RRB really wanted to pounce with his “context” angle, there would have been no better time or place.
To quote our humble host, “Oy.” Indeed.
Comment by This Guy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:22 pm
Rich–my bad. Thanks!
Comment by LN Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:22 pm
John - You’re probably right on “Chris” being Chris Kelley. But I would guess that “Billy” is Billy Johnston, Johnie Johnston’s father.
Comment by S. Illinois Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:22 pm
Frankly, I think that if Blago showed up to contest these tapes, there’s a 75-80 percent chance that Fitz (the prosecutor, not the Supreme Court Justice) would ask for more damning pieces of evidence to be released and made public.
And Rod’s right — Fitz gets to choose, almost unilaterally (a judge would have to approve, of course). So “all the tapes” would never be played, but they’d get more and more outlandish and he’d lose whatever leverage he thinks he has through the “court of public opinion”. I don’t think there is any, of course, but what I think really doesn’t matter, lol.
Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:25 pm
Starting to support Rod -
you are kidding right? no matter who else is a small or huge part of this problem, doesn’t change how guilty of corruption Blago is -
Comment by Collar Observer Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:25 pm
aha! good catch S. Illinois.
Sorry for impugning that other Billy!
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:26 pm
Although Blagojevich is perhaps disingeneous in his claims that he can’t call witnesses, there is shed of truth to his claim. Prosecutor Fitzgerald crossed the line of his authority in requesting that the Senate not call Fitzfhgerals’s prescribed witnesses. He has yet to even indict Blago. The Senate could have, and should have, ignored him
Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:28 pm
I had to google Chris to refresh my memory on who he is. Of course this blog showed up in my search and I thought this comment from 2007 was quite fitting.
fed up - Thursday, Dec 13, 07 @ 1:57 pm:
This is Blagos right hand man. One of Blagos main fundraisers. I dont think Blago will make it to 2009 without an indictment
Comment by WCIL Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:29 pm
Isn’t there more than a little hypocrisy at work here? Hasn’t every politician in that room at one time talked about campaign contributions in the context of their votes, their work for constituents’ getting contracts, or a state job if someone agrees to run for office and doesn’t win? Someone should make a list of losing legislative candidates who end up getting a nice promised state job for having agreed to run. Isn’t this all equally corrupt, or equally ok?
Comment by Legaleagle Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:31 pm
He was the chair of the lst inaugural…roofer…gambler(though not so good)
TR soulmate.
BTW wonder if Rachel Maddow will be smart enough to play the FBIy tapes for Blagoof. Now that will be some good TV….Watch his face when he wonders aloud if Chris beat him out of some moolah la la la.
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:35 pm
Ed Genson= SMART
Sam Adam Jr. = DUMMY
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:38 pm
Coming into the conversation late so I apologize if this ? has been asked already, but are the senate hearings live on any TV station? Thanks.
Comment by Missy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:42 pm
Hey TugBoatAnnie slipped out again…she is still blaming the GOP for her non-campaign…Please make a comeback TBA, please!….
When Topinka thinks back on her decision to run against Blagojevich in 2006 she talks about it in epic terms.
TOPINKA: I gave up a job I….obviously it did not.
Topinka thought she had a good chance of winning but then she says Republican supporters, the people who write the big checks to fund campaigns, they were all backing Blagojevich.
TOPINKA: We were stunned…don’t do that.
Topinka says some of her republican friends also wouldn’t even talk to her during the campaign because they didn’t want to jeopardize business deals they had going with the state.
Comment by EmptySuit Parade Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:42 pm
Missy CLTV has it live
Comment by Starting to support Rod Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:45 pm
I would think, what is holding the guy back is the fact that his buddy Kelly is in trouble and he doesn’t want to get in trouble too. Another words, he doesn’t want what happened to Kelly to happen to him.
I find it hard to believe Kelly would be actively still pressuring donors in December.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:48 pm
Here is an MP3 stream of the tapes:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/mp3/2009-01/44731631.mp3
Comment by Anonymous Coward Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:49 pm
@ Keyser Soze,
The Senate doesn’t need Fitz, or the selling of the Senate seat to impeach, and remove Blago. The Senate doesn’t want to ruin Fitz’s chance of putting the Gov in jail however.
You seem not to understand that this impeachment is an administrative hearing. Just like you can be fired from your job without “calling witnesses”, so can the Gov. He acted above his official capacity, and in his own words, “around” the legislature.
He has over-reached, and his authority, and credibility with the state is shot.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:50 pm
===BTW wonder if Rachel Maddow will be smart enough to play the FBIy tapes for Blagoof. Now that will be some good TV….Watch his face when he wonders aloud if Chris beat him out of some moolah la la la.
The interview was taking place about the same time the tapes came out so that might be hard to pull off.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:50 pm
Looks like the Republicans are still in caucus. It’s well past 2:45.
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:50 pm
Excuse me. I hate to be a buzz kill and I know that the Senate doesn’t need real reasons to impeach but where is the crime? If this is what they have after those “thousands of hours” of tapes Rod will walk.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:54 pm
weird - on the first call with his brother, Rob doesn’t seem to know anything about a bill - is Rod referencing the horse-racing bill there?
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 2:58 pm
Very true, Levois. It was as if his throat closed up when he tried to say the D-word.
FWIW, any recording used in evidence before the GJ or at trial is transcribed.
Rich, do you know if the six months of Executive Security PPHS mentions is statutory or customary?
AA doesn’t know, but thinks it’s at the discretion of the ISP Director.
For you sound aficionados complaining about the “fidelity” of the recordings, do all your cellphone calls sound perfectly crisp and clear?
If so, please advise AA of the name of your provider, as Verizon is pretty good, but I know not to expect Dolby Digital(tm) from a wireless.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:00 pm
Senate is back.
They just replayed all the audio tapes along with the affidavit
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:03 pm
Bill @ 2:54: “Excuse me. I hate to be a buzz kill and I know that the Senate doesn’t need real reasons to impeach but where is the crime? If this is what they have after those “thousands of hours” of tapes Rod will walk. ”
Bill, I can’t see the Feds giving up the prime stuff for the impeachment. They’re not about to jeopardize their case.
Comment by Ken in Aurora Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:06 pm
Oh what a suprise. Mr. FBI won’t answer questions. So much for even the appearance of due process.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:06 pm
This part might go more quickly than I thought.
Comment by HoBoSkillet Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:07 pm
Well, this is kind of sucky. There’s really no point to any questions being posed, given the restrictions Cain is under.
Comment by DB Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:07 pm
===They’re not about to jeopardize their case. ===
Fitzgerald said specifically that the release of these tapes would not jeopardize his case.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:08 pm
That’s because he doesn’t have a case.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:09 pm
Gary Dahl coming through with a possibly nervous question….
Comment by HoBoSkillet Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:10 pm
He’ll only answer questions from Republicans.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:10 pm
>Sen. Watson: Are there any current investigations of Gov. Blagojevich? Answer: Can’t answer.
Answer is YES. Why could he not answer an obvious point?
Comment by Segatari Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:10 pm
Bill, don’t go schyzo on us.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:10 pm
Just asked if any members of this tribunal are on the recordings. Why would you ask that? Testicular virility? Paranoia?
Comment by Say WHAT? Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:11 pm
@Bill - again, “due process” is really a phrase that has no applicability here. This (impeachment) is a POLITICAL procedure. He can only be fired from his job. He’s not facing any other punishment. Blago is going to have his day in “real” court at a later date.
Comment by DB Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:11 pm
Anything said could hurt the case and then Blago will get off of the charges
Comment by David Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:11 pm
I find it very interesting that one of the attorneys sitting with Ellis and helping him, happens to be a registered lobbyist that worked on the horse racing bill now in question??
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:11 pm
OK, but this is Illinois after all.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:11 pm
Senators are asking questions regarding Cain’s testimony and the affidavit.
Cain can only answer questions regarding information contained in the affidavit. If its not in the affidavit, then Cain says he is not authorized by the U.S. Attorney’s office to comment on an ongoing investigation. Cain has no further details to offer besides those contained in the affidavit.
Cain has had to invoke the above reason for refusing to answer 6 times in a row now.
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:12 pm
Best Question So Far - Not Answered:
Are there any members of this tribunal that were on any of the tapes?
Eventially we will know and I’m willing to bet there are a few.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:12 pm
===Oh what a suprise. Mr. FBI won’t answer questions. So much for even the appearance of due process.
I don’t think that word means what you think it means.
This isn’t a criminal or civil trial. It is a ‘trial’ in a legislative body that is a legislative function. There is no due process specified in the Constitution of Illinois other than
Majority of the House to Impeach
Chief Justice Presides
2/3 of the Senate vote to convict
That’s it. That is due process in this case.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:13 pm
That is exactly what Rod has been saying in the Apple. I am glad you all agree.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:14 pm
===That’s because he doesn’t have a case.
Actually it’s to protect the accused so there isn’t too much prejudicial information out there before a criminal trial.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:15 pm
===That is exactly what Rod has been saying in the Apple. I am glad you all agree.
Yes, Rod is an incompetent lawyer on top of a criminal.
Comment by ArchPundit Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:15 pm
Arch,
lol, yeah I’m sure SuperFitz is real worried about that.
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:16 pm
Bill/
Where’s the outrage from the citizens of Illinois?? Uh? Why haven’t they taken to the streets of Springfield to protest the impeachment trail? Why haven’t they flooded the offices of the Senate with calls demanding that the trail be stopped? Uh? Why? There isn’t any my friend, everyone wants him out! He is an embarrassment, Nobody cares about the lack of due process, they just want him gone!!
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:17 pm
Bill, did the Gov send you over a nice pitcher of Kool-Aid or something? Or are you feeling like retro-Bill?
;)
Comment by Ken in Aurora Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:17 pm
And the inabiltiy to answer continues… “I know I sound lik a broken record, but I can’t answer that question” - Officer Cain
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:17 pm
Bill
Why haven’t you advised the Gov to call the Children’s hospital exec as a witness? I am sure that old Rodney would want us to hear his answers about the shakedown!!
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:19 pm
Good Question. Why didn’t Ellis call him if there was any wrong doing?
Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:22 pm
Bill/
The Gov IS THE ONE who is demanding the chance to bring witnesses. He named only a few, why was the hospital dude not on his list? want to take a guess??
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:24 pm
Both @ Bill and Ivoted4judy:
My guess is that the hospital exec would be summoned as a witness to the CRIMINAL trial, and therefore not be an option for EITHER side here in the impeachment trial. Remember: neither side can summon people that would be likely to jeopardize the criminal proceeding.
Comment by DB Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:25 pm
Haven’t these Senators been briefed about what they can ask-I mean really.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:28 pm
Q: From your experience with the audio tapes and this case, do you think the Gov’s actions were meant to benefit the people of IL
…good question…
A: but Cain can not answer.
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:39 pm
“Beyond my authorization”…”nothing other than what is in my complaint…”I can’t say anything other than what is in the affidavit”. What a solid record!
Comment by chiatty Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:41 pm
Breaking News! I think Cain just answered a question. Not sure what it was because I was half asleep but it had to do with Ali Ata. The answer refered to the Rezko trial.
Keep watching this space for important updates on actual affirmative answers.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:41 pm
LOL
–”Q: From your experience with the audio tapes and this case, do you think the Gov’s actions were meant to benefit the people of IL”—
I’ve waited all day for this question, too bad he can’t answer.
Comment by Princess Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:42 pm
===Remember: neither side can summon people that would be likely to jeopardize the criminal proceeding.===
It it that they can’t or that they have decided not to do so?
===Haven’t these Senators been briefed about what they can ask-I mean really.===
Of course, they have, but these questions–though they know the answer will be “I can’t answer that”–make it look as if they are being tough on everyone and really digging deep. That’s what the constituents want and what they’ll read in their local papers.
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:43 pm
I think Senator Murphy was just trying to get Chief Justice to say “effing golden”
Comment by John Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:47 pm
Gov: Those statements on the tapes played today were taken out of context. When I told Monk Good Boy, Good Job for shaking down contributer 1, what I meant to say was good boy! Now go back and get me another $100k from all those other clients I helped you get!
Taken out of context??
Your brain is out of context..
Fraud=crook=at least 8-10 in Oxford Wisconsin
Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:47 pm
Another:
Gov: ‘If they don’t change the rules I’m going to need to find another line of work’
Comment by Anonymous Coward Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:48 pm
If the members were advised the witness (Cain) would, in effect, be very limited to responses (only those in the affidavit), then 90% of these questions are for political gain by the questioners…go back home and bray about how they “drilled for the truth”. As they go on and on, unfortunately, they play into Blago’s slimey accusations of a “sham”.
Comment by You Go Boy Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:48 pm
Remember, the majority of the Senate members are attorneys. They can’t help themselves in questioning the witness.
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:52 pm
You Go Boy, you are exactly right.
Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:52 pm
“Rod Blagojevich and John Harris committed offences against the United States and the State of Illinois.”
Comment by Say WHAT? Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:53 pm
Now he’s summarizing his “belief” that the listed conversations establish the existence of probable cause that Blagojevich and Harris deprived the people of the State of Illinois of honest services. Let’s see if the U.S. Supreme Court takes the Sorich case and throws out that goofy indictment and conviction. If so, a lot of the case against Blagojevich would go south.
Comment by chiatty Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:53 pm
Princess,
That is the essential element in this case, isn’t it?. As one who has had to complete the state ethics test it is drilled into us that personal gain from state business is a serious no no. Since GovRod created this test and is now proven to have violated it he is done job-wise and criminal-wise.
Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:53 pm
Least informative Q and A secession ever.
New witness.
Rep. Chapin Rose
Comment by Mike Murray Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:56 pm
@Fan of the Game: no, I think it really is because neither side is allowed to. If I am incorrect, someone please advise.
Comment by DB Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 3:56 pm
DB is essentially correct.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:00 pm
Kasper used to be Blago’s attorney.
From his firm’s website: “Entertainment Software Association v. Blagojevich, 469 F.3d 641 (C.A. 7, 2006). Defended Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich in First Amendment challenge to statute regulating sale and rental of violent and sexually explicit video games to minors.”
Kind of creepy. Six degrees; no, just one.
Comment by I knew it before term one Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:01 pm
Kind of creepy. Six degrees; no, just one.
Whew! I was nervous there for a split second.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:03 pm
Kasper used to be Blago’s attorney.
There probably is a difference between being the Governor’s attorney (or the State of Illinois’ attorney) and being Blagojevich’s (personal) attorney, at least in terms of the way it applies in these circumstances. If your suggesting that there’s a conflict of interest of any type.
Comment by Madison County Watcher Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:07 pm
Chiatty: The issue in the Sorich case is whether the honest services fraud statute requires seeking personal financial gain. It won’t affect the prosecution of Blago if the indictment parallels the complaint because (1) personal gain is at the heart of this case, and (2) Blago is also being accused of violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666 (a)(1)(B) and 2, which is not being challenged in Sorich.
Comment by I knew it before term one Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:09 pm
It took listening to the tapes for me to find my question for the national media:
Gov, since you clearly cannot publicly speak for 5 seconds without saying “doing what’s best for the people of Illinois,” we must ask you: why is that phrase never uttered by you in any of your private conversations that were recorded on wire tap?
Comment by Zora Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:12 pm
I believe these are the times where Blago is so wrong for not having counsel here. He could still be in New York auditioning, however, a good lawyer would have made mince meat out of the FBI man not being able to answer question and Rep Rose. A big mistake.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:13 pm
I’ll bet CNN told him to be easy on Blago! I hope his show gets canned!
Comment by Levois Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:18 pm
@DB,
Thanks for the clarification.
Comment by Fan of the Game Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:21 pm
This testimony is just dopey. Why bury the facts through hearsay testimony? Rose can read and interpret the plea agreements no better or worse than the Senators.
Rezko and Cari should have been called.
If they wanted to just rest on the filed papers, they should have just admitted them and be done with it. Members can’t follow up and ask Rose questions, for goodness sake. This just looks bad.
The only thing I can figure is that the leadership did not trust that the members would bother to read the documents.
Comment by I knew it before term one Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:25 pm
Geez, what did you guys expect from the FBI agent? He did his job, which is in part to protect the evidence pending trial. Whether or not Blago remains Governor is not his problem.
Fitzgerald cooperated more than he could have with this process.
Redacted or not, Rod knew what was going on there.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:28 pm
Madison County: I’m not suggesting that Kasper has a conflict of interest in the legal / ethical sense at all. Only that everyone is linked.
Comment by I knew it before term one Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:28 pm
Has justice Fitzgerald sat down yet through all of this? Is it protocol for him to stand or just personal choice?
Comment by casual observer Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:30 pm
Well, Hughley’s show won’t air until the weekend, and Rod’s term as governor will be a fading memory by then.
Comment by Tim Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:33 pm
“Looks like DL Hughley is gonna give the guv a pass on his show…”
Yeah….from one joker to another. Any comic that think he/she can cover the news……you know the rest.
Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:36 pm
I really have to learn to sat down the coffee cup before checking that PR twitter page again. —walking to cnn, honks, autographs & picture taking along the way—
Is this really suppose to impress ‘for the people’ of Illinois. Geez, they like him so much, let them keep him.
Comment by Princess Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:36 pm
Blago is on Fox News with Glenn Beck. Blago is defending himself and still spewing the plot to get a tax increase.
Beck: IF you’re guilty do you realize the damage you are doing to the country?
Blago: I am not guilty! Blah, Blah, Blah.
Beck says if Blago is guilty the country will find buckets of tar and a lot chickens to dip and feather him.
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:41 pm
Glenn Beck asked is Blago innocent or is he a sociopath? And he is talking about Blago with former atty gen Alberto Gonzales. Gonzo had high praise for Pat Fitzgerald said if Blago is guilty Fitz will get to the bottom of it.
I am not a fan of Beck or Fox but I found his comments about Blago to be interesting.
Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:48 pm
Man - and I liked the Hughley show on CNN -
shows how much we are all a part of this problem - when corruption is defined as politics and vice versa. it is no wonder we never get the work of the people done.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:54 pm
“Knowing full well that the FBI wouldn’t answer the question, the Senate GOP asked if US Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid is on the tapes.”
what a complete shock.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:54 pm
Beck has successfully teased me into watching his program tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. on Fox for part 2 of the Blago interview.
Comment by Little Egypt Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:56 pm
Let’s move the TV appearance talk to this post please Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 4:58 pm
casual, AA was wondering that about His Honor as well. He must be wearing some comfy shoes under the robe.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 5:15 pm
Obviously the governor pays very close attention to some aspects of state govt.
For instance he says on the wire that the racing guy has been delaying his moolah tribute for a year….one might think that the Blagoof working to give seniors free rides, more health care for the psuedo poor and tests for women would barely have time to remember that one measley goat path track owner had not coughed up some cash for over a year.
Guess we know that buried under the moptop — is big ole memory. Hey Hollywood better stay bought til the VERY end.
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 7:18 pm
I read the transcripts. I hope the US Attorney has more than that to prove Blago was doing/trying to do a quid pro quo. The tapes would certainly allow for that being possible, but I would like some of you thoughtful people to tell me that those four transcripts prove a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Could have been, yep. Probably was, maybe. Absolutely was-no way!
Comment by steve schnorf Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 8:33 pm
Conspiracy is a crime Steve. Game over.
Comment by Downstate Cook County (Macoupin County) Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 9:00 pm
Oh yeah Bill, one word CUKOO!
Comment by Downstate Cook County (Macoupin County) Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 9:02 pm
Champagne now being cooled and hidden in many State offices. C’mon Senate, let’s finish the job. Fingers in your ears when you announce the removal. There’ll be a ‘pop heard round the world’.
Comment by Bobs yer Tuesday, Jan 27, 09 @ 9:18 pm