* Give the governor credit for even appearing in public in a week like this…
Governor Rod Blagojevich is calling on Tony Rezko to tell the truth, the day after federal prosecutors indicated that the convicted fundraiser might be cooperating with them.
Appearing at a ceremony Tuesday, Blagojevich wouldn’t say whether he was worried about his future now that his friend and fundraiser may be talking to authorities.
* Even though he didn’t really say a whole lot, despite the relentless questions…
Blagojevich said Rezko’s decision to seek a sentencing delay “speaks for itself.”
“It is what it is, it speaks for itself,” Blagojevich said. “Let me just say again what I’ve said before, Tony Rezko is a friend of mine, my heart goes out to him and to his family and he like everybody else should tell the truth. And I would point out he sent a letter, Tony Rezko sent a letter to a federal judge where he expressly said that neither Sen. Obama nor I did anything wrong and now we’ve got to respect the process as we’ve been consistently doing and just let it all unfold…”
The governor went on to repeat several times his answer about the letter Rezko sent to a federal judge before being convicted on political corruption charges earlier this year. In the letter, Rezko said he was never involved in any wrongdoing with either Blagojevich or Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and wouldn’t make up stories about them in an attempt to benefit himself.
* And wasn’t exactly believable…
Also today, the governor dismissed as “much ado about nothing” revelations that federal investigators have interviewed and subpoenaed contractors involved in a $90,000 renovation of Blagojevich’s home by a Rezko-owned company. Agents have focused on who paid for that 2003 work, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday.
While insisting that he and his wife, Patti, paid for the work themselves, the governor today repeated that he would not release contractor invoices, cancelled personal checks or any other documents that might support his claim.
“The canceled checks are where they belong. They’re at the bank. If you feel like you want to go get them, then run ahead and get them,” the governor said.
And while the governor expressed sympathy toward Rezko and his family, as he has done in the past, Blagojevich said he has not communicated with Rezko since his conviction.
“I don’t think he’s in a place where he can take a phone call,” the governor said.
* Listen to the raw audio here, or download the complete press availability by clicking here.
* Favorite question…
“Governor, don’t you sometimes feel like you’re a character in an Edgar Allen Poe story and that the walls are closing in?”
* Next favorite question…
“Will you resign if you’re indicted?”
The second time that question was asked, the governor said he wasn’t going to answer a “stupid question” like that.
* Kass’ one-track mind at work…
“You’ve talked about yourself, but what about Mr. Obama?” […]
“What about Obama and Rezko? Do you think Sen. Obama has to be a little concerned as well?”
*** UPDATE *** Tribune video…
- OneMan - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:40 pm:
So if I go to the bank I can see Blago’s canceled checks..
Field Trip
- BandCamp - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:43 pm:
Is that what he’s calling the Fed’s office now, the bank? Jeesh.
- Cassandra - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:44 pm:
Right on script, a script no doubt developed with a lot of help from Jim Thompson’s law firm.
- The Doc - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:46 pm:
No inquiries about the blowback from the FamilyCare debacle? That could’ve been must see TV.
Times are tough when the only evidence of innocence offered is a 6-month old letter from a convicted felon, shown to have violated the public trust on multiple occasions.
- Vote Quimby! - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:48 pm:
He meant to say the checks are where they belong: shredded in a landfill along with every other record from that time period.
==“I don’t think he’s in a place where he can take a phone call,” the governor said.==
Can I get that available as a ringtone?
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:49 pm:
While he’s at the bank, he might want to withdraw some of his own funds to reimburse the pharmicists. I’m sure they’d appreciate the gesture.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:53 pm:
I would suspect the pharmacists would have a viable case for suing guv for fraud in that they have been defrauded of ” we don’t know nor have records ” a likely huge amount of money.
- sneaker - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:53 pm:
Rod’s not going to the bank, he send everyone else there or to bankruptcy court. I
wish he would keep his pie hold shut and stop giving the McCain campaign sound bites linking Obama to Rezko.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:56 pm:
Dear Rod,
This is Tony, your old buddy. I am writing this letter to you so that you can be assured that I will not tell the government anything about either you or Barack. Not that I have anything to tell them anyway, right?
So anyway, you and Barack should rest easy. You can trust Tony. Honest. I will not tell them about the cash, our plane trip, my property dealings with those wonderful Obamas, our friends Kelly and Ata, or the times you dressed up as Ron Santo and we played catch. Honest. I will not tell them a thing.
Now suppose I need your help in the future. Not that I will need your help, but just suppose that I am convicted on some of these ridiculous charges. You don’t think it would be possible to get a message or two off to you somehow, would it? Suppose I start visiting the Feds. Not that I intend to. But just suppose. Would that be some kind of a message? It should be.
If I visit the Feds once. That means nothing.
Twice? Well, I have to make appearances, right?
Thrice? They’re checking out my stories.
Four times? Take that as a message from me to you that I am feeling more pressure than if they forced me into size 34 tidy whities with bacon stripes across the butt.
Five or more visits to the Feds? Tell them about this letter OK?
Then start packing up.
Hugs and Kisses,
Tony
George “Pooh-Bear” Ryan sends greetings!
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 2:57 pm:
“the governor dismissed as “much ado about nothing” revelations that federal investigators have interviewed and subpoenaed contractors involved in a $90,000 renovation of Blagojevich’s home by a Rezko-owned company.”
Blago’s right, those crazy feds are up and down every block-interviewing folks about when they put up their deck? Did they get a permit for the garage? Did a convicted felon with strong ties to your administration pay for the construction and in exchange for what? Jeepers, why all the questions?
- siriusly - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:08 pm:
Sure sounds like Kass, what a great interviewer he is. Wonder why he didn’t ask him about the combine.
I like how he compared himself to Clinton. Ironically, President Bill lied to all of us and then was impeached.
That would be great if Rod called Tony. “Hey buddy? What are you doing? “
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:10 pm:
===Jeepers, why all the questions? ===
I assume, perhaps wrongly, that you’re serious.
The questions are…
1) Did the governor report any possible cash for the room addition as income on his taxes?
2) Did Rezko use the alleged cash transfer to influence the guv’s official behavior?
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:15 pm:
I wonder if the Feds have an Instruction Manual they give newly convicted, yet to be sentenced felons. Sort of a just short of a “Get Out of Jail Free” course. Maybe guv got ahold of a copy ?
- Ustashi Man - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:16 pm:
“The canceled checks are where they belong. “They’re at the bank. If you feel like you want to go get them, then run ahead and get them,” the governor said.”
Ok, Rod, then show us the invoices. Or are they at the “Invoice Bank” where they belong?
- Reform & Renewal? - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:19 pm:
Don’t worry Ustashi Man, Rod’s entire checking account will be open for all to see at his trial.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:20 pm:
Rich, I think I need to go back to Satire 101. I couldn’t be less serious.
I actually find it amazing that Blago thinks it is no big deal-happens all the time, when the feds investigate his home remodling projects. Most humans would be freaking out but this guy thinks it is a visit from the building inspector.
That was the point I was going after, and thanks for your feedback
- The Doc - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:22 pm:
The original canceled check may have been destroyed, but the bank at a minimum will maintain images of the items. The feds would need a subpoena to obtain said items, but that should be a fairly easy and straightforward exercise.
Blago should also be concerned about possible money laundering charges, if the funds were “layered” in an attempt to conceal the true source.
- Bill Baar - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:22 pm:
And I would point out he sent a letter, Tony Rezko sent a letter to a federal judge where he expressly said that neither Sen. Obama nor I did anything wrong…
Yep, and it’s not the first time the Gov pointed something out while hooking himself to O.
He’s gotta be sending a message….
…yeah I know it’s tinfoil, but it sure looks like a message.
- Master of the Oblivious - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:23 pm:
Wow! Blago’s performance in repeating the Rezko letter to the Judge over and over makes him sound like Dustin Hoffman in the movie Rainman! Keep mentioning Obama Rod we know you really don’t want him elected to the Presidency as that is what you think you deserve. Well at least this time he didn’t just stand there with the deer-in-the-headlights look like he did when asked about the check for his daughter’s birthday.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:23 pm:
BB, the “message” is: Look over there!!! Quick!!!
- Prisontime - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:29 pm:
Any check to the contractor in this matter is as real as Rod’s testicular virility.
- You Go Boy - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:30 pm:
The problem with Blago is you can never tell if he’s lying or prevaricating.
- Say WHAT? - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:36 pm:
Tell the truth? I thought he had “nothing to fear, but the truth” Boo!
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:44 pm:
So let me get this straight. Blagojevich’s current defense is handwritten golly-gee-your-honor letter written by a convicted felon?
That’s like marrying your lover who cheated on her spouse and who promised you with a cross-my-heart that she’s never ever gonna cheat again.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 3:59 pm:
Blago’s defense is going to be picking and choosing when Rezco is telling the truth. The letter is to be considered Gospel, while the volumes of evidence sure to be produced by his testimony will, of course, be lies of a convicted felon trying to save his skin.
Blago’s problem will be the corroborating evidence from countless other sources and the fact that Tony Rezco is probably the best con man who ever set foot in Illinois and jurors will swallow his testimony hook, line and sinker. He ain’t no Levine.
- 2ConfusedCrew - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:02 pm:
Capt. Fax:
Your answers are:
1. Nothing was reported as income because we are way to clever to be caught. The addition was:
a. a little gift to the kids from Uncles TR and Ali or
b. The addition was demanded by the State Police and Larry Trent has just finished the memo confirming it.
2. TR was given his own express check out line for all of state government so we did not want to limit his efforts with a silly quid pro quo.
Hope that satisfies your silly curiousity
BTW we are thinking of coming out “FOR” Con Con just to screw up your little campaign.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:04 pm:
===BTW we are thinking of coming out “FOR” Con Con just to screw up your little campaign.===
LOL. That could doom it.
- scoot - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:06 pm:
So did Tony send a letter to the Federal judge?… hahaha I’m gonna miss GRod.
Cassandra…can you back up that claim about Winston Strawn?
- Levois - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:06 pm:
Hmmm, things must have gotten interesting over there are Chicago State.
- Dan S a Die Hard Cubs Fan and a Voter - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:07 pm:
His hair didn’t look so good today and he repeated himself at least 7 times avoiding questions. All in all I’m sure Blagoof feels it was an up day.
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:11 pm:
I sure would be proud to include, with my resume to a prospective employer, a bonafide letter of reference from a convicted felon to a Federal judge. I’m sure Obama will reference that same letter tonight in the debate with McCain. If not, McCain should be kind enough to bring it up. Rod must be a paid staffer on the Obama for Also Ran campaign. With a friend like guv you don’t need any enemies.
- siriusly - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:25 pm:
Poor Danny Davis, that whole time he was thinking (holy Reverend Moon, why am I standing next to him for this?)
overheard in the background “Um, Emil honey this is nice but what kind of building can you get the public pay for that I get named after me?”
There should be a law against elected officials naming buildings after themselves, and any public buildings inn general being named after sitting officials. What is the public good in that? That is our money that paid for that building. His name on it only signifies that he appropriated it, what a loser.
- downhereforyears - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:28 pm:
His words say one thing but his body language says another. After a while it looked like his mouth was getting very dry and he couldn’t stop swaying. Didn’t look very confident either. a final thought he sure seemed to go out of his way to make sure he said all nice thingsd about TR….like I’m sure there are a thousand reasons he did what he did. Give me a break we won’t see him again for a long while.
- Carl Nyberg - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:36 pm:
John Kass is a Right Wing hack and a tool.
Kass is the kinda dishonest tool who would seek to damn the whole Obama campaign for a diary on Daily Kos about Trig Palin. “The Democrats are mean to children of politicians.”
At the same time Kass is supporting McCain who told the joke about Janet Reno being Chelsea Clinton’s father.
There’s no consistency in Kass’ standards. He’s a partisan hack writing for a dying newspaper.
- Ken - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:46 pm:
Where there is smoke there is fire. Obama has a link to Rezko, but no one, including this blog, will doing any real investigation or reporting until after the election.
- One of the 35 - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:52 pm:
Watched the video. Blago’s interview strategy is becoming pretty obvious. He gives long winded answers to short questions to reduce the total number of questions he has to respond to. When reporters shout out simultaneous questions he picks the ones he wants to answer and ignores the others. The look in his eyes is one of fear and confusion. How can we not revere him, he laments? After all, he is the governor!
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:55 pm:
Why wouldn’t he show the cancelled invoices?
I don’t understand that. If someone wants to see proof of my payment for something — and proof that I was properly invoiced — why not simply show the paperwork?
- Macbeth - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 4:56 pm:
Cancelled checks, I mean. Contracts, invoices — cripes, open up the books. We know the job was 90K. So show the paperwork. What’s the issue?
- archpundit - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 5:01 pm:
With all caveats that I think he’s guilty as heck, the video is a pretty good performance on his end. Admits the friendship and accepts that it doesn’t look good–both smarter than sparring over it. As he moved towards specifics he was rougher, but I assume that has to do with not having good answers.
- 2ConfusedCrew - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 5:05 pm:
Can’t let you and Hooli get all the action. Let’s see I would be for:
— limits on leaders — to stop the Great Satan Madgian,
— limit on the number days they could be in session — they all bore me (except Jimmy and Skipper)
— eliminate that silly pension section and cancel home rule
Any other good ideas? How about Gov appoints attorney general
- Scoop Brodski - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 5:27 pm:
Okay, its obvious Blago is trying to use the popularity and trust people have in Obama as cover for his crooked dealings with Rezco, however, even a cursory examination provides evidence that this is unfair. The Obama camp should be none to please with this Governor who will probably be looking for some accommodations down the road.
The Governor is in a tough spot, but trying to stuff the probable future President under the bus with him might be a very large mistake. Not just for Blago but his wife as well.
McCain doesn’t even know Blago’s name so if he wins Blago’s toast. If he is going to get any type of leniency, at least for his family, it would have to come from the big O and he might not be too happy with IL’s 1st family right about now.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 5:30 pm:
Macbeth, maybe the “job” wasn’t $90k. Maybe AA was wrong yesterday in my postand the real price was, oh, you pick it, $125, $140? The cancelled checks “down there at the bank where they belong” may say one thing but if the bills show a “government rate” extended only to Rod and only through Tony, it’s over, game, set, match.
You notice POA never says anything about how much they paid, or wants to talk about the invoices.
I don’t want to set you off Carl, but with the way you post, is it any wonder someone is suing you for defamation?
- Gregor - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 6:12 pm:
“And I would point out he sent a letter, Tony Rezko sent a letter to a federal judge where he expressly said that neither Sen. Obama nor I did anything wrong and now we’ve got to respect the process as we’ve been consistently doing and just let it all unfold…”
-Patti is conspicuously absent from that statement.
- grategul - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 6:12 pm:
Can You Really Believe Rod ????
He posted Signs in All State Agency buildings
I am Ethical / I am Honest / I am Hard working
I have Integrity ????
He Has Done NOTHING Positive for the TAXPAYERS
Except Run the State Into the Ground
He has and continues to cause Pain and Agony
To Non Union State Employees / Because He Can
Wake Up voters !!!
- Dan S a Die Hard Cubs Fan and a Voter - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 6:41 pm:
So the Governor has officialy confirmed he is close friends with a convicted felon, is that a problem for him come time to take his State Ethecs test?
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 7:05 pm:
We need to summarize, define and copyright what will become known as the Blagojevich defense. Any contributors ??
- Master of the Oblivious - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 7:30 pm:
Should we cut the Guv a little slack after all he didn’t follow the Rezko trial while it was ongoing because it didn’t involve him, so the only thing he would know to say is the fact that Tony wrote a letter to the Federal Judge exonerating him and Barack as that did involve him? I’m sure the Guv’s handlers next move will be to immediately sell the house and move into the Governor’s Mansion and maybe the voices in his head will finally go away. To bad Blago doesn’t know that has been his conscience speaking to him all along.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 7:59 pm:
A, I think the Blago defense, in brief, was copyrighted back in the 60’s by the producers of a TV show called “Hogan’s Heroes.” In this WWII classic, still seen on cable, a make-no-waves German prison guard, Sgt. Hans Schultz, was known for his most famous line: “I know nothing!”
- A Citizen - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 8:13 pm:
I sense a trend toward the defense trademark as being one of Ignorance. Perhaps not too far off the mark.
- Too Many Trials - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 8:30 pm:
It’s hard to keep all the trials straight. When does Kelly go to trial? Also, did the Hurtgen trial get delayed again- the guy has been under indictment since like 2005?
- Flying Indictments - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 8:41 pm:
I think he seems like he’s almost resigned to fate…not very convincing.
For a guy who has stated in the past he’s not really following the case- he sure is hanging on to that “letter” written to the judge before the trial even started and wasn’t released until quite some time after the guilty judgement.
I liked the question about the walls closing in- hilarious.
- Crystal Clear - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 8:44 pm:
Blago defense:
“I’m not a crook, just read the letter from Tony, let me reiterate, I’m not a crook, Tony says so.”
- Little Egypt - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 10:26 pm:
Blago made the following number of references the in the video:
Tony/friend - 16
The letter - 11
Himself - 10
Obama - 5
Truth - 6
Bush - 1
Clinton - 1
Bills/checks/home - 5
Let me finish that question - 2
Let me reiterate - 4
Occupational hazard - 3
Not answering that question - 1
Doing people’s work - 1
Being vigilant - 2
My numbers may not be real accurate as it’s almost 10:30 p.m. and I need to either get a life or go to bed (probably both). But in looking at the numbers, it’s pretty clear he’s concentrating on himself, Tony, and the letter. Very interesting impromptu press conference. Maybe a shrink could make something of it.
- The Corruption Dance - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 10:27 pm:
In summary, Rod Blagojevich sounds like broken record which kept repeating itself. He never answers the quesions.
Did anyone notice Rod bouncing back and forth?
- It Is What Is! - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 10:33 pm:
The so-called “LETTER” means nothing if Rezko’s talking.
Talk about a deer in the headlights.
Go Rod Go……
- DzNts - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 10:35 pm:
The only thing more shocking would have been if Governor Dudley Do Right would have said (in his best Kiefer Sutherland accent) “Private Santiago is dead, and that is tragedy. But he is dead because he had no code. He is dead because he had no honor. And God was watching.”
Invoices are not political. Costs of supplies and labor are not some evil twisted game of the Speaker, Governor. If you have nothing to fear but the truth, then fear the truth and acknowledge to those who pay your bills - and arguably your home improvements - who paid what?
- heet101 - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 11:13 pm:
scrupulous viligance is the new testicular virility
- IDOT Guy - Tuesday, Oct 7, 08 @ 11:27 pm:
Blago will probably try using the Chewbacca defense, made famous (in satire) on South Park by (their satire of) Johnny Cochrane.
“If Chewbacca is therefore a wookie, and if Chewbacca therefore is not from Endor, then the glove does not fit and you must acquit!” (or something along those lines, funny and ridiculous, and something Blago should study).
- heet101 - Wednesday, Oct 8, 08 @ 1:17 am:
I hate misspelling words. scrupulous vigilance!
- red dog - Wednesday, Oct 8, 08 @ 7:37 am:
Pardon my ignorance-what does Kass have to do with this?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 8, 08 @ 8:20 am:
I’m sure there are cancelled checks and paid invoices. Why wouldn’t there be? That’s easy enough to do — Rezko gives you the cash and you write the check. Simple.