In a pugnacious, triumphal interview on NBC’s Today, Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted on charges of lying to the FBI but escaped conviction on 23 corruption charges, vowed never to cop a plea in his upcoming retrial, saying he was guilty only of “political horse trading.” Blagojevich compared himself to the Biblical King David, and suggested U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald should charge himself with hypocrisy for making deals with convicted felons in exchange for testimony. […]
Asked if he would accept a plea deal, given that jurors voted 11-1 to convict him of trying to sell Barack Obama’s U.S. Senate seat, Blagojevich said, “I’m absolutely determined to continue to seek full vindication. I have done absolutely nothing wrong. This is a persecution by a prosecutor who for six years has targeted me. He has spent tens of millions of dollars trying to get me.” […]
“Why are they wasting taxpayer money?” the ex-governor asked. “Chicago is now the crime capital of the world. Children are being gunned down. Police officers are being shot in front of their homes where they were playing. They’re spending millions of dollars to prosecute me when they should instead be using that money to address the real crime problems in places like Chicago.”
You did a good job on Celebrity Apprentice,” Vieira teased Blagojevich at the end of the interview. “Will we see you in another reality show? Are you going to be with Snooki?”
King D-Rod. Don’t even start on “vindication.” A jury hung 11-1 is nothing like a not guilty verdict. A not guilty verdict is not a finding of innocence. And even if courts did find people innocent, which they don’t, it would not be a vindication of the things this jerk did.
I know everyone has praised the judge in Rod’s case. But I believe he is most of the reason Rod was not found guilty. Now it’s happening all over.
A trail this high profile should have had a gag order and the jury should have been sequestered.
What kind of a judge would let a defendent and his lawyers hold press conference declaring a federal prosecutor is insane.
This judge needs to get a handle on this out of control circus.
I would think that Mike Madigan and John Cullerton were probably praying that Patrick Fitzgerald would put Rod away in federal prison so at least he wouldn’t be on every newscast and talk show in American just before the election. The other albatross (besides Rod Blagojevich) that is being hung around the neck of the Illinois Democrat Party and their November candidates is Emil Jones (albatross # 2) “rising from the ashes” once again and saying that he is thinking of resurrecting his “stellar” political career by running for Mayor of Chicago. Madigan needs Democrat Party “corruption fighters” in the public’s view and not “tainted & damaged Democrat goods” rearing their ethically-challenged heads just two months before the November election.
–Blagojevich compared himself to the Biblical King David…–
I assume the “Today” interview was taped at Rockefeller Center. In that case, I object to Blago invoking the name of an an Islamic prophet so close to Ground Zero.
Just trying to keep current on the critical issues of the day.
Welcome Back - John Sebastian, enhanced by VanillaMan
Welcome back
Your trial didn’t quite come out
Welcome back
To face the same charges that you laughed about
Well one juror friend caused the jury to hung
But remember that the fat lady hasn’t quite yet sung
Who’d have thought she’d lead ya
(who’d have thought she’d lead ya)
Back to TV where we see ya
(back to TV where we see ya)
Yeah, we tease him a lot ’cause we thought he got caught
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back
Reporters pretend they are your friend, welcome back
Welcome back
And I smile when I think you’ll get yours in the end
And I know what a scene you like to make
With your Paul Mitchell brushes and hair so fake
And what could ever beat ya?
(what could ever beat ya?)
So we can just stop thinking about ya
(just stop thinking about ya)
Yeah, we elected him twice, thanks to Democrat’s advice
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
And I know that your old Running Mate is fainting now
And I know that Illinois Democrats are having a cow
And what could ever lead ya
(what could ever lead ya)
Reminding us that we hate ya?
(reminding us that we hate ya?)
Yeah, you’re facing another trial, cuz the papers have been filed
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
Yeah, Topinka, Brady and Lincoln
Welcome back, welcome back
Are wondering what we were thinking?
Welcome back, welcome back
Can’t believe our bad luck
Welcome back, welcome back
How the hell do we get unstuck?
Welcome back, welcome back
Illinois governments run amok
Welcome back, welcome back
All the incumbents want to duck
Welcome back, welcome back
From this Blagojevichian Muck
Welcome back, welcome back
As a governor, man - you suck!
Welcome back, welcome back
Pat Quinn is now more dumbstruck
Welcome back, welcome back
Yeah, we despise you a lot, cuz we’re surrounded by your rot!
Welcome back!
which has an interesting portion that tells the nation about
Michael Madigan, power, corruption, policy, and whether
Lincoln would roll over in his grave or just roll his eyes.
the New York Times coverage of the trial end is excellent
reading, lots of great articles over the last few days.
At the Illinois State Fair yesterday (GOP Day),I couldn’t help but chuckle when Rod’s name and trial was mentioned (once or twice, etc.)and Judy Barr Topinka (running for comptroller on GOP ticket) responded on the stage with, “WHAT WAS HE THINKING!”
According to published reports and interviews with other jurors, there was one woman holding out when it came to convicting Blagojevich for attempting to sell President Obama’s vacated Senate seat. Do you think she came into the trial with a certain agenda that was hidden from Judge Zagel during jury selection?
One could only suspect and it crossed my mind at first but after getting to know her and all the others I feel she truly believed there was not enough evidence and was strong enough to stick to her convictions. I learned that everyone sees things so very differently and some things I believed were changed after listening to other opinions and going over the evidence.
I can no longer watch Rod on tv, or even hear the sound of his voice. At first his arogance was sort of funny, but his shtick has grown stale and Illinois is in a world of hurt due to his lack of leadership.
Also, others who already confirmed to be witnesses in the case, such as Ballanoff, Rahm Emmanuel, Valerie Jarrett, et al. ALL may have been reflecting Obama’s views on quid pro quo. So, why not get it straight from Obama???
DuPage Dave, welcome to the wonderful world of what the
public says about trials. Average murder trial and a
not guilty is called innocent all the time. there are lots
of people roaming the streets who are found not guilty
but who are anything but innocent.
“Rod Blagojevich does not track, or does not want to know, who contributes to him or how much they are contributing to him.”
and that is what he was convicted of lying about? total cupcake.
Martha Stewart verdict indeed. the other part of the count
was freakin’ 6-6!!!!!!!!!!!
problem looking over the votes is it’s all over the place. must
narrow focus.
also, Robert’s tallies were not just one, but 4-5 people who
saw his side even if there were more for guilty. the sympathy
for robert is ramping up. what a good brother he is.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that charge. The charge stems from a 2006 interview that Rod (I can’t stop talking.) Blagojevich with the Feds. What contemporaneous evidence was presented to prove this count? It had to be pretty compelling, I would have trouble tying an action from the tapes made in 2007 to a statement made in 2006.
Cincinnatus, I have no clue but now you have
given me direction, fun to go look for articles
with info! probably on the right side of the Miller
blog somewhere.
I’d settle for Rod not going to prison if he could be sentenced to a year in someplace like a Trappist monastery where he would have to shave his head AND take a vow of silence.
- Vinron - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 7:41 am:
Rod overload. Go away for a few years! If not prison, then just be quiet. Go be a dad and a husband.
- Windy City Mama - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 7:43 am:
Set the record straight. Robert Blagojevich did not come close to an aquital. Chicago Tonight’s Elizabeth Brackett put up the real numbers last night
- Excessively Rabid - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 7:49 am:
King D-Rod. Don’t even start on “vindication.” A jury hung 11-1 is nothing like a not guilty verdict. A not guilty verdict is not a finding of innocence. And even if courts did find people innocent, which they don’t, it would not be a vindication of the things this jerk did.
- Stooges - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 7:49 am:
The man is a bad dream.
- just sayin' - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:02 am:
His brother Robert seems to have some sense. He probably would have made a decent governor.
- Downers Delight - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:03 am:
I can’t imagine that Mayor Daley will enjoy having his city being called the crime capital of the world on national TV.
- MKA1985 - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:05 am:
God, do people outside of Illinois really take him seriously? What a scary thought…
- Windy City Mama - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:07 am:
I know everyone has praised the judge in Rod’s case. But I believe he is most of the reason Rod was not found guilty. Now it’s happening all over.
A trail this high profile should have had a gag order and the jury should have been sequestered.
What kind of a judge would let a defendent and his lawyers hold press conference declaring a federal prosecutor is insane.
This judge needs to get a handle on this out of control circus.
- Cool Hand Luke - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:08 am:
I would think that Mike Madigan and John Cullerton were probably praying that Patrick Fitzgerald would put Rod away in federal prison so at least he wouldn’t be on every newscast and talk show in American just before the election. The other albatross (besides Rod Blagojevich) that is being hung around the neck of the Illinois Democrat Party and their November candidates is Emil Jones (albatross # 2) “rising from the ashes” once again and saying that he is thinking of resurrecting his “stellar” political career by running for Mayor of Chicago. Madigan needs Democrat Party “corruption fighters” in the public’s view and not “tainted & damaged Democrat goods” rearing their ethically-challenged heads just two months before the November election.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:17 am:
Rod is the best comedic entertainer since Carrot Top.
- flabergasted - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:28 am:
Rod is not funny-his arrogance is sickening,but Jon Stewart is funny.
OJ was aquitted, too, but not vindicated. And where is he now?
- Davey Boy Smithe - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:29 am:
Does anyone know if an interviewer has asked him about his hiding in the bathroom while being our state’s leader?
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:51 am:
The law firm of Rickles and Palpatine….
- bourbonrich - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:53 am:
Between Blago and Favre, I am afraid to turn on my TV.
- wordslinger - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 8:59 am:
–Blagojevich compared himself to the Biblical King David…–
I assume the “Today” interview was taped at Rockefeller Center. In that case, I object to Blago invoking the name of an an Islamic prophet so close to Ground Zero.
Just trying to keep current on the critical issues of the day.
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 9:02 am:
Blago will be on The Daily Show on Monday re
the Trib.
ditto One Man…..very funny joke!!!
- wordslinger - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 9:14 am:
Ettinger looks like Palpatine, but I see the Adam Boys, especially Junior, as more of a Ralph Kramden then Rickles.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 9:25 am:
Welcome Back - John Sebastian, enhanced by VanillaMan
Welcome back
Your trial didn’t quite come out
Welcome back
To face the same charges that you laughed about
Well one juror friend caused the jury to hung
But remember that the fat lady hasn’t quite yet sung
Who’d have thought she’d lead ya
(who’d have thought she’d lead ya)
Back to TV where we see ya
(back to TV where we see ya)
Yeah, we tease him a lot ’cause we thought he got caught
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back
Reporters pretend they are your friend, welcome back
Welcome back
And I smile when I think you’ll get yours in the end
And I know what a scene you like to make
With your Paul Mitchell brushes and hair so fake
And what could ever beat ya?
(what could ever beat ya?)
So we can just stop thinking about ya
(just stop thinking about ya)
Yeah, we elected him twice, thanks to Democrat’s advice
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
And I know that your old Running Mate is fainting now
And I know that Illinois Democrats are having a cow
And what could ever lead ya
(what could ever lead ya)
Reminding us that we hate ya?
(reminding us that we hate ya?)
Yeah, you’re facing another trial, cuz the papers have been filed
Welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back
Welcome back, welcome back
Yeah, Topinka, Brady and Lincoln
Welcome back, welcome back
Are wondering what we were thinking?
Welcome back, welcome back
Can’t believe our bad luck
Welcome back, welcome back
How the hell do we get unstuck?
Welcome back, welcome back
Illinois governments run amok
Welcome back, welcome back
All the incumbents want to duck
Welcome back, welcome back
From this Blagojevichian Muck
Welcome back, welcome back
As a governor, man - you suck!
Welcome back, welcome back
Pat Quinn is now more dumbstruck
Welcome back, welcome back
Yeah, we despise you a lot, cuz we’re surrounded by your rot!
Welcome back!
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 9:27 am:
In the midst of this article:
Blagojevich Trial Ends Fitzgerald’s Successes
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/us/20fitzgerald.html?_r=1&hpw
you will find this link to a james warren article
After the Trial, the Banality of Blagojevich Sinks In
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/us/20cncblago.html?ref=us
which has an interesting portion that tells the nation about
Michael Madigan, power, corruption, policy, and whether
Lincoln would roll over in his grave or just roll his eyes.
the New York Times coverage of the trial end is excellent
reading, lots of great articles over the last few days.
- Cool Hand Luke - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 10:42 am:
At the Illinois State Fair yesterday (GOP Day),I couldn’t help but chuckle when Rod’s name and trial was mentioned (once or twice, etc.)and Judy Barr Topinka (running for comptroller on GOP ticket) responded on the stage with, “WHAT WAS HE THINKING!”
Paybacks are a “snitch”. ha-ha.
- Quiet Sage - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 10:48 am:
A second juror has now publicly attested to the good faith of the holdout juror (the first was jury foreman James Matsumoto). The interview with juror Cynthia Parker appears in Huffington Post at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/19/a-blagojevich-juror-speak_n_687827.html
Here is the question and answer:
According to published reports and interviews with other jurors, there was one woman holding out when it came to convicting Blagojevich for attempting to sell President Obama’s vacated Senate seat. Do you think she came into the trial with a certain agenda that was hidden from Judge Zagel during jury selection?
One could only suspect and it crossed my mind at first but after getting to know her and all the others I feel she truly believed there was not enough evidence and was strong enough to stick to her convictions. I learned that everyone sees things so very differently and some things I believed were changed after listening to other opinions and going over the evidence.
- DuPage Dave - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 11:17 am:
Would you folks stop saying Rod was found not guilty?? He was convicted of a felony. He was not acquitted on any of the counts.
- Phlegm - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 11:25 am:
I can no longer watch Rod on tv, or even hear the sound of his voice. At first his arogance was sort of funny, but his shtick has grown stale and Illinois is in a world of hurt due to his lack of leadership.
- Gerald Pechenuk/Commendatore - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 11:48 am:
Also, others who already confirmed to be witnesses in the case, such as Ballanoff, Rahm Emmanuel, Valerie Jarrett, et al. ALL may have been reflecting Obama’s views on quid pro quo. So, why not get it straight from Obama???
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 12:14 pm:
DuPage Dave, welcome to the wonderful world of what the
public says about trials. Average murder trial and a
not guilty is called innocent all the time. there are lots
of people roaming the streets who are found not guilty
but who are anything but innocent.
- Linda - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 12:32 pm:
WTTW has collated the juror notes on the votes and contrary to what seems to be circulating in the media, there was not just one 11 to 1 vote, but twelve.
http://blogs.wttw.com/moreonthestory/2010/08/19/inside-the-jury-room-their-vote-on-every-count/
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 2:44 pm:
“Rod Blagojevich does not track, or does not want to know, who contributes to him or how much they are contributing to him.”
and that is what he was convicted of lying about? total cupcake.
Martha Stewart verdict indeed. the other part of the count
was freakin’ 6-6!!!!!!!!!!!
problem looking over the votes is it’s all over the place. must
narrow focus.
also, Robert’s tallies were not just one, but 4-5 people who
saw his side even if there were more for guilty. the sympathy
for robert is ramping up. what a good brother he is.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 3:39 pm:
Amalia,
I’ve been thinking a lot about that charge. The charge stems from a 2006 interview that Rod (I can’t stop talking.) Blagojevich with the Feds. What contemporaneous evidence was presented to prove this count? It had to be pretty compelling, I would have trouble tying an action from the tapes made in 2007 to a statement made in 2006.
- Amalia - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 5:38 pm:
Cincinnatus, I have no clue but now you have
given me direction, fun to go look for articles
with info! probably on the right side of the Miller
blog somewhere.
- Bookworm - Friday, Aug 20, 10 @ 5:42 pm:
I’d settle for Rod not going to prison if he could be sentenced to a year in someplace like a Trappist monastery where he would have to shave his head AND take a vow of silence.