*** UPDATE - 11:51 am *** From this morning’s arraignment…
[U.S. Distirct Judge James B. Zagel] said at the hearing Thursday that the Blagojevich trial will take six months, and likely will not begin for two years.
While this would be the normally expected schedule, I kinda wonder whether Blagojevich will try to get it moved up to coincide with the 2010 election - when he can do maximum damage. Since there are other defendants, though, that may not be feasible.
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* I always suspected that Blagojevich was sending Piniella advice. But only once?
The next day, on May 31, 2007, Blagojevich sent a handwritten note, a copy of which has been obtained by the Chicago Tribune. It began, “Dear Lou.” Blagojevich included a Jack Higgins editorial cartoon that had run that morning in the Sun-Times, comparing Piniella’s management to Blagojevich’s.
Blagojevich then made his suggested line-up changes — specifically recommending Alfonso Soriano bat third, followed by Derrek Lee and then Aramis Ramirez.
* The former governor was all smiles for the reporters before and after his arraignment earlier this week. But it was a different story as he rode an elevator up to the courtroom with ABC7’s Chuck Goudie…
But once we were behind closed elevator doors, away from the cameras, Blagojevich launched into a pitched tirade about something else: illegal gambling and allegations that he worked as a bookmaker, taking action from sports gamblers before he got into politics.
“That bookmaking story was (bleep),” said Illinois’ former leader. “I did not do that. I deny it. It’s a (bleepin’) lie,” he said in what would become an uninterrupted diatribe.
Pointing to me, he said, “This man is a (bleepin’) liar. He puts lies on TV.”
Blagojevich was referring to an I-Team report from a few months ago…
The ABC7 I-Team has learned that an attorney who went undercover for the FBI in the late 1980’s says he told federal authorities years ago about wrongdoing by Blagojevich. His name is Robert Cooley.
Cooley says that before Rod Blagojevich got into politics he was a bookmaker on the North Side who regularly paid the Chicago mob to operate.
Back to this week…
“That Cooley is a liar,” he said. “I am going to sue that (bleepin’) Cooley,” Blagojevich stated, his face red at this point with apparent anger. He repeated: “I’m going to sue him.”
Class to the end.
* And while possibly illegal, this might be fun…
You can now bet on Blago’s fate.
“With public speculation swirling out of control and people searching for answers,” the online betting service BetUs.com informs us, the folks there have been gracious enough to post odds and accept wagers “on the shamed governor’s future.” […]
The service also is taking wagers on questions that are a little snarkier. Will he get a divorce? Odds are 9-1 that he will. Will he move out of the U.S.? Oddsmakers place the likelihood at even. What will his next job be? Best odds are on used-car salesman, followed by telemarketer, pizza delivery guy, construction worker and motivational speaker.
I wonder what the odds are that he winds up as the Cub manager?
Maybe we could make that a QOTD one day.
* Related…
* Blagojevich cohorts to be arraigned today: Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s former chief of staff, campaign finance chairman and a millionaire lobbyist are scheduled to be arraigned today on charges related to the racketeering and fraud case against the ousted governor.
* Quinn: Blagojevich TV ‘hard to believe’
* ‘I’m a celebrity … and I love being here’
* Difficult times lead to stress test of Illinois’ old-style politics
* Arraignment for Blago’s ex chief-of-staff
- Dan S, a Voter, Taxpayer and Cubs Fan - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:22 am:
Are there any odds on if Milorad could take over as the “Sham Wow Guy” and he has served his time at “Club Fed”?
- Scooby - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:23 am:
Not that the Cubs were versatile enough to have many options in this regard, but do you really want your three best right handed hitters to all hit back to back to back? That makes late game pitching moves pretty easy and LaRussa would eat any manager like that alive. At least give them credit for going out and getting a left handed bat like Bradley.
- Northside Bunker - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:25 am:
Regarding - Blustering at Chuck Goudie.
Rod- We’re all shakin’ in our “Blue Suede Shoes”!
- Funny Like A Clown - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:29 am:
Doesn’t Chuck Goudie know Rod’s a “made guy”.
- Vote Quimby! - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:29 am:
Just like in state government….Rod has a simple solution in his head which is neither original, workable or effective.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:30 am:
Rich,
Blago is the “Player to be named later” in the last Cub Trade.
- BigDog - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:31 am:
If Rod ends up getting dropped onto that celebrity island show with Tonya Harding, I hope she remembers some pointers from her former bodyguard on how to swing a lead pipe.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:35 am:
Rod would have been a lot better off if when he was governor, Lou could have taken a “trip to the mound” and related to him the directives he gives his relief pitchers who walk batters. Very direct, one-syllable, Anglo-Saxon words.
The Cooley story is interesting because he related it before Rod was even in the state House, I believe. I have beers on occasion with guys who knew him in the day, and they say he would take bets and lay them off, but he was not really a bookie. More of a runner for a bookie.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:41 am:
Big Dog, do you have your figure skaters mixed up? I understood it was Nancy Kerrigan (the victim of the Tonya Harding attack) who was going to be on this show.
- Anon - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:53 am:
== I understood it was Nancy Kerrigan (the victim of the Tonya Harding attack) who was going to be on this show. ==
Does that mean that, after she gets paired with Ron in some contest, we’ll be stuck with another 15 minutes of her sobbing and howling, “Why me?”?
- JonShibleyFan - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 10:58 am:
Not defending Rod, but Chuck Goudie is a pompous blowhard.
- Macbeth - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:02 am:
Pompous blowhard or no, Goudie is at least attempting to track down the story.
Actually, the whole thing’s bleepin’ golden. It’s just weird upon weird — although I’m less surprised by the book making allegations than I am by the “let’s split up the loot after I’m no longer governor” allegations.
Blagojevich does seem (and it pains me to admit this) to be smart and savvy enough to run bets and (perhaps) pleasantly talk up the gamblers. It actually seems like a perfect job for a then-up-and-comer like Blagojevich.
But it’s lies, all lies. He’ll be vindicated. His name will be cleared.
Yadda yadda yadda.
- disgusted - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:23 am:
I can see him in a remake of “Hair.” but wait, do they still shave your head at club fed?
On Reform and Harris, yesterday, springpatch is saying that was the best summary and road map for quinn they have seen yet..although some are hoping he doesnt get any good ideas.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:30 am:
===springpatch is saying that was the best summary and road map for quinn they have seen yet===
Thanks, but I’m not sure many of the Quinnsters saw it that way. But that’s actually how I meant it. Yeah, it was harsh, but he’s the guv.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:31 am:
I’m Gonna (Bleep) That (Bleepin’) Guy! - Rogers and Hammerstein’s “I’m in Love With A Wonderful Guy!”, - made famous by Mitzi Gaynor in the show, South Pacific (Dedicated to Wordslinger)
(Rod Blagojevich sings)
I expect everyone in Illinois to make fun
Of my proud protestations of faith in myself,
And they’ll say I’m naïve as a babe to believe
Every posting I read from a wordslinger elf.
Fearlessly I’ll face them and argue their doubts away,
Loudly I’ll sing about unproven guilt,
Flatly I’ll stand on my little flat feet and
My hair will stand proud and not wilt!
I’m not ashamed to reveal
The truth that I see and I feel.
I’m as honest as a bookmaker in August,
I’m not going to let myself fry.
No more a public embarrassing governor,
I am going to sue that (bleepin’) guy!
I am in a political dither,
As a reality TV star I’ll be in your eye.
And you will note, and for this you can quote,
I am going to sue that (bleepin’) guy!
I’m as poetic as Emerson in Boston,
A cliché comin’ to life!
I’m bromidic and bright
As a moon-happy night
Pourin’ light on my new prison wife!
I’m as mad as Rahmbo in DC!,
High as Obama’s doobies in Kauai!
If you’ll excuse an expression I use,
I’m gonna (bleep), I’m gonna (bleep),
I’m gonna (bleep), I’m gonna (bleep),
I’m gonna (bleep) that (bleepin’) guy!
I’m as innocent as Pat Quinn in Office,
A’stumblin’ with all that power!
I’m bromidic and bright
As a moon-happy night
Reachin’ for soap in the old prison shower!
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s as nutty as Ryan on Acid,
He’s an embarrassment in everyone’s eye!
(Rod)
If you’ll excuse an expression I use,
I’m gonna (bleep),
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s gonna (bleep),
(Rod)
I’m gonna (bleep),
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s gonna (bleep),
(Rod)
I’m gonna (bleep),
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s gonna (bleep),
(Rod)
I’m gonna (bleep),
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s gonna (bleep),
(Rod)
I’m gonna (bleep),
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s gonna (bleep),
(Rod)
I’m gonna (bleep),
(Chuck Goudie)
He’s gonna (bleep),
(Chuck and Rod)
(Bleep) that (bleepin’) guy!
- Levois - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:36 am:
Who would ever want to listen to this man!
- dupage dan - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:47 am:
Yeah, Rod, you’ll get alot of cash outta Cooley - it’ll be ***** golden. Then maybe you won’t have to parachute into the jungle. Who does he think he’s impressing, anyway? Goudie? C’mon, Fitzgerald - bring it to a merciful end (for us, not Rod).
- BigDog - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:54 am:
Secret Square - if it’s Kerrigan that will be on the show, I was given bad info by someone (but boy does Tonya Harding seem to make a lot more sense!). A little Google searching has not yielded any other names given yet other than Blago. Maybe anybody else that had already committed has pulled out to avoid the embarassment of being on the same show with him.
- Wumpus - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:55 am:
He could be the manager of the prison baseball team like we saw in Shawshank.
- IrishPirate - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 11:59 am:
About 15 years ago when “Blago” signs appeared all over NW side neighborhoods when he ran for the State House his name came up in a bar I was imbibing at. Some loudmouth at the bar, not me another loudmouth, said Blago had been his bookie. I thought “sure”. Now I realize that sometimes loudmouths at bars do say interesting things.
Can I get sued too? I’m sure Governor Clairol will have lotsa credibility in civil court.
- downstate hack - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 12:20 pm:
Two Year before the trial begins. It is delays like this that give white collar crooks so much confidence. Who cares if we are indicted It will be years before any real punishment MAY occur.
- Maggie - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:02 pm:
But Harris’s attorneys have made it clear he’s cooperating with federal prosecutors’ investigation of the Blagojevich administration.
Attorney Terry Ekl says they’re working on a change of plea agreement plan that will call for Harris to plead guilty later.
This sounds like real bad news for Rod.
- fedup dem - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:06 pm:
A 2-year wait for this trial? Was the judge asleep when they tried to teach him the concept “Justice delayed is justice denied?”
A two-year wait makes it increasingly likely that Cellini never gets to trial (due to his age). Unless you can convict Cellini and get him to flip, the rest of the Combine walks.
- Hon. Cranial Lamb (formerly carbon deforestation, formerly . . .) - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:08 pm:
Vanilla Man - you’re very talented with those songs. You might even be funnier than me.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:08 pm:
===the rest of the Combine walks. ===
A bit overblown, don’t you think?
Also, that’s the usual for these sorts of trials. Remember, Ryan wasn’t imprisoned until about 16 months ago and the investigation began in 1998.
- Hon. Cranial Lamb (formerly carbon deforestation, formerly . . .) - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:10 pm:
The trial date once again reinforces my belief that the 2010 elections will be about Blagojevich and partly about taxes, but mostly about Blagojevich.
- just sayin - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
If I had to guess, I bet Blago doesn’t go to trial. The vast majority of those indicted by Fitz haven’t. They eventually make plea deals.
Ryan and Fawell did, and that Zorich guy from Daley’s shop. Maybe a few more. But most haven’t. Most have pled guilty. Then they cooperate in exchange for reduced sentences.
Blago’s going to need to make a deal so he’s out before he’s in diapers. Plus, he doesn’t have the dough to mount a top notch defense during a long trial. No blue chip law firm waiting to do it for free like George had.
I think much more likely that it will be the trial of the big Republican, Bill Cellini that will dominate next year. That guy does have the money for a top notch defense.
Republicans are again whistling past the graveyard on the way to their next disaster.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 1:35 pm:
Just sayin,
Remember, even tho most in the Ryan case(s) didn’t go to trial the big Kahuna did. Since RodB is the big K in this case he’s gonna face the jury. Fitz will work his way up by flipping the lower level guys but will want to have the public see what RodB did. Harris is now cooperating - bad juju for RodB and the rest. We still haven’t heard about Rezko’s sentencing as well. He’s still involved in the squeeze. Better and better.
Do you really think RodB will forgo a chance to show the world his legal acumen? Sure, he doesn’t have a crack legal team - but he probably doesn’t think he needs one with Himself sitting 1st chair. He keeps saying he has this law degree - I think he plans on using it. Has he ever let anyone else do his talkin’ for him?
However, I think the GOP had better not count on the trial to boost their chances no matter when the trial is held. I think that is a poor strategy.
- Third Generation Chicago Native - Thursday, Apr 16, 09 @ 4:15 pm:
Two years before the trial starts, this gives Rod Blagojevich plenty of time to hit all the talk shows, all the reality shows….
- Lynn S - Friday, Apr 17, 09 @ 12:58 am:
Robert SORICH is doing time for his role in job-seeking shenanigans in the Daley administration. (word on the street is he is being a good soldier and keeping his mouth shut.)
Chris ZORICH played for Notre Dame and the Chicago Bears (late ’90’s –early ’00’s?).
One is white; the other mixed race. The white guy is the one in jail.