Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » A self-serving rant from Blagojevich
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
A self-serving rant from Blagojevich

Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - Posted by Rich Miller

* I had extensive excerpts from Rod Blagojevich’s new book in Capitol Fax today. The Associated Press has also obtained an advance copy and has a story up now. The book is pretty much what you’d expect. Self-serving, self-righteous, blames everyone but himself

He says his discussions about Obama’s possible successors amounted to “ordinary and routine politicking.” […]

“[US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald] didn’t stop a crime spree. He stopped me from doing a lot of good for a lot of people,” Blagojevich writes.

More…

Blagojevich writes that he eventually appointed Roland Burris, in part because of Burris’ famously big ego. No one else but Burris would accept the appointment and fight to be seated under the circumstances, Blagojevich says.

Pretty good insight by Blagojevich.

* Analysis by NPR’s Frank James

The AP story leads with the information provided by Blagojevich that the Rahm Emanuel, chief of staff to Obama and a former North Side Chicago congressman wanted Blagojevich to name a “placeholder” to his congressional seat so Emanuel could reclaim the seat in two years and continue his march to become Speaker of the House.

It was well known at the time that Obama named Emanuel to lead his White House staff that Emanuel was conflicted not only because he harbored the hope of becoming the first Jewish speaker but also because he has young children and feared the grinding chief of staff’s job would prevent him from seeing them.

So Emanuel having such a conversation with Blagojevich, if it indeed occurred, probably wouldn’t shock anyone who’s followed his career. By mentioning Emanuel in this way, Blagojevich is likely trying to make the case that wheeling and dealing was something everyone in Illiinois politics was doing.

Blagojevich also knew that media outlets like the AP couldn’t resist including the Emanuel stuff, no matter how unsurprising.

The AP also includes Blagojevich’s story about his hare-brained scheme to appoint Lisa Madigan to the vacant Senate seat. Somehow, Blagojevich figured he could use that appointment to cut a deal with Speaker Madigan on health care and the capital bill. But as I reminded subscribers this morning, Madigan refused to return the governor’s calls or even be in the same room with the man for months before Blagojevich was arrested.

…Adding… If you want to see Blagojevich’s media appearance itinerary, click here.

* Related…

* Quinn Opens Du Quoin Mansion, Refers to Himself as “Repairman”

* More trustee applicants emerge

* One step ahead, two steps back on U of I board

* U. of Ill. trustees who resigned now left hanging

* City Colleges borrowing state politics

* “Hundreds of University of Illinois students petition Governor Pat
Quinn to retain David Dorris for Board of Trustees”

* Resignation Recommendation Up in the Air for U of I’s President and Chancellor

* U. of I. legal bill for scandal: $440,000

       

20 Comments
  1. - 60611 - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 2:22 pm:

    Really, how likely was it that Rahm Emanuel, former head of the DCCC, thought that governors make appointments for House seats?


  2. - CircularFiringSquad - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 2:27 pm:

    Apparently the book is all over Chicago…little display….guess the publisher decided it wasn’t worth much….Blagooof will probably declare it a “soft launch” like his noggin!


  3. - okay then.. - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 2:33 pm:

    David Dorris should not have resigned. He is a grown man and he made his choice. Now, assuming that he was not among Gov. Quinn’s reappointment picks, Dorris and the students should just live with the choice that Dorris made.


  4. - Brennan - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 2:33 pm:

    440K? That’s a lot of FOIA work.

    Maybe next time the University legal department can walk over to the University’s legal aid clinics and charter a civics course.


  5. - Nort'sider - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 2:54 pm:

    More excerpts:

    “Frankly, my humility dazzled His Holiness and Mother Teresa…”

    “How much do I love the people of Illinois? So much so that I engineered the White Sox’ 2005 World Championship, phoning Ozzie with my daily advice, even though I’m a Cubs fan.”

    “I repeatedly told Priscilla that I was not a reincarnation, but simply Rod Blagojevich and that I was already married. I told her that if the trespassing didn’t stop, I’d have to sic the entire Illinois State Police force on her. I wondered, however, why she kept going to Springfield…”

    “So great and steadfast was my resolve to do good for the common people of Illinois, that I told The Lord, ‘Humbled as I am to be called by You to run for president in 2008, I must stay and serve the good, common people of Illinois. I beseech You, let my people know…”


  6. - Oneman - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 3:24 pm:

    Got mine at Barnes and Noble in Naperville o Saturday.


  7. - VanillaMan - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 3:29 pm:

    Quinn Opens Du Quoin Mansion, Refers to Himself as “Repairman”

    Handyman - James Taylor, enhanced by VanillaMan

    Hey voters, gather round
    Pick up to what I’m putting down
    Whoo baby, I’m Governor Handyman

    I’m not the kind to use a pencil or rule
    I’m governor of Illinois, and I really rule
    I’m fixing broken government, I know I can

    When our streets need repair
    I’m the man to see
    I pass legislation, cash goes to friends
    They’ll come runnin’ to me

    Here is the main thing I want to say
    We’re so fiscally broke, there’s just no way
    To fix this entire mess, I know no one can

    When our broken Assembly needs reform
    I’m the man to see
    I create commissions, they lose all their friends
    So don’t blame me

    Here is the main thing I want to say
    In Illinois, it is Pay-To-Play
    I can’t change this, I know no one can

    Come-a, come-a, come-a, come-a, come, come
    Yeah, yeah, yeah
    Come-a, come-a, come-a, come-a, come, come, come
    Yeah, yeah, yeah

    That’s me
    (Come-a, come-a, come-a, come-a, come, come)
    I’m your handyman
    (Yeah, yeah, yeah) That’s me
    (Come-a, come-a, come-a, come-a, come, come)
    I’m your handyman
    (Yeah, yeah, yeah)


  8. - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 3:37 pm:

    Big mistake by Blago and his publishers to release excerpts.

    The market for the book was small anyway. Who’s going to buy it now, based on the excerpts? I’m sure that’s not the best dirt he has — it’s the best dirt he can release when the federales are so hot on his trail he can smell the Brylcream.

    Movie producers, when they have a bomb, won’t pre-screen for critics in order not to blow the opening weekend. Same principle.

    If Rod’s looking for cash, he should get fitted for a white-sequined jumpsuit and look to work the lounge at at Blue Chip in Michigan City.


  9. - anon - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 3:38 pm:

    When will the Guv “fumigate” these idiots???


  10. - Segatari - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 3:59 pm:

    Ahem, who is going to file claims against Blago for profiting from his crimes? Anyone?


  11. - Just the Facts - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 4:16 pm:

    Blago on Howard Stern - now that may be interesting.


  12. - Ghost - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 4:17 pm:

    Book needs a new title….. There and back again, a narcissist journey.


  13. - Bookworm - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 6:24 pm:

    “I’m a humble son of immigrants… and proud of it!” ;-)


  14. - Bookworm - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 6:35 pm:

    According to the Sun-Times, Blago claims his Senate pick was all about “loving the people of Illinois.” I guess he is just one of many politicians who don’t know the difference between loving someone and, shall we say, “bleeping” them ;-)


  15. - Hollis Elmore - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 6:57 pm:

    Here’s addendum #1 to Rod Blagojevich’s book.

    They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-haaa!

    Remember when you ran away
    And I got on my knees
    And begged you not to leave
    Because I’d go berserk?
    Well. . .

    You left me anyhow
    And then the days got worse and worse
    And now you see I’ve gone
    Completely out of my mind
    And. . .

    They’re coming to take me away, HA HA
    They’re coming to take me away, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
    To the funny farm
    Where life is beautiful all the time
    And I’ll be happy to see
    Those nice, young men
    In their clean, white coats
    And they’re coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

    You thought it was a joke
    And so you laughed
    You laughed when I had said
    That losing you would make me flip my lid
    Right. . .

    You know you laughed, I heard you laugh
    You laughed, you laughed and laughed
    And then you left
    But now you know I’m utterly mad!
    And. . .

    They’re coming to take me away, HA HA
    They’re coming to take me away, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
    To the happy home
    With trees and flowers and chirping birds
    And basket weavers who sit and smile
    And twiddle their thumbs and toes
    And they’re coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

    I cooked your food
    I cleaned your house
    And this is how you pay me back
    For all my kind, unselfish loving deeds?!!
    Hah. . .

    Well you just wait
    They’ll find you yet
    And when they do they’ll
    Put you in the ASPCA, you mangy mutt!
    And. . .

    They’re coming to take me away, HA HA
    They’re coming to take me away, HO HO HEE HEE HA HA
    To the funny farm
    Where life is beautiful all the time
    And I’ll be happy to see
    Those nice, young men
    In their clean, white coats
    And they’re coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

    To the happy home
    With trees and flowers and chirping birds
    And basket weavers who sit and smile
    And twiddle their thumbs and toes
    And they’re coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!

    To the funny farm
    Where life is beautiful all the time
    And I’ll be happy to see
    Those nice, young men
    In their clean, white coats
    And they’re coming to take me away, Ha-haaa!


  16. - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 7:52 pm:

    From the book, according to Channel 7:

    “Blago was melancholy on Obama’s inauguration day. He saw Obama as Zeus and himself as Icarus, who flew to close to the sun and burned and crashed to the ground.”

    It’s nice that he had the humility to allow Obama to be Zeus. But he still kept the self-pity to be Icarus.

    So, apparently, he wasn’t twisting up numbers in the parking lot during every class in high school.


  17. - Gregor - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 9:11 pm:

    The Lightning Rod appearance schedule is incomplete: they left out the two 10th birthday parties, one Quince-Anos, the Tri-Delta kegger, and a Bris he’s going to appear at. He’s getting really good at making the balloon animals. Oh, and the opening of the new Dunkin’ Donuts on East Elm.

    Thank goodness he’s kept his dignity thru all this tribulation.

    As to the Rham stuff: meh. It was speculated from the very beginning by many that Emmanuel was the right guy to set up and run the COS office at the beginning, but that at some point, he’d be replaced after it was running smoothly, because getting in is a different skill set from running things once you’re there. As Rod has learned.

    Maybe.


  18. - bill - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 10:43 pm:

    He’s a sociopath


  19. - Lynn S - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 11:38 pm:

    - Oneman - Monday, Aug 31, 09 @ 3:24 pm:

    Got mine at Barnes and Noble in Naperville o Saturday.

    You paid good money for it??? Why?


  20. - OneMan - Tuesday, Sep 1, 09 @ 9:04 am:

    Worth the laugh


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Fundraiser list
* Caption contest!
* Online sweepstakes: Looks like a casino, talks like a casino, walks like a casino, but not regulated like a casino
* Friday hearing set for Sean Grayson release conditions, as state's attorney plans appeal to top court
* Showcasing The Retailers Who Make Illinois Work
* Illinois voter turnout was 70.42 percent, but registered voters were down a quarter million from peak four years ago
* It’s just a bill
* Roundup: Madigan corruption trial
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
December 2024
November 2024
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller