* Rod Blagojevich’s PR guy responds to questions about the convicted felon’s invitation to speak to a national group of high school kids…

The governor has many supporters who admire his courage to take on the system and challenge the allegations with all he’s got. He’s spent a career fighting duplicitous politicians and for government transparency. He has passionately pursued issues that impact ordinary, hard-working people.

His tenacity both as a politician and as a man earned him a spot to address the JSA regional conference and he’s looking forward to speaking to the youngsters.

So, he intends to lie. No surprise.

* In comments yesterday, a few members of the student group took umbrage with criticism of their invitation…

Blagojevich is one of the most well-known politicians of our time. We have to learn from the actions of the corrupt. We can’t shelter ourselves from reality. If we want to end corruption, we have to learn from the corrupt.

The man is an accomplished snake charmer. There’s not much to “learn” from him except not to do what he did. And you don’t need to invite him to appear at a conference to know that. A half an hour on the Internet would suffice.

* It’s obvious from the PR flak’s statements that Blagojevich intends to offer up a full-throated self defense on the eve of his second trial. Take a look at Blagojevich’s website to see how he promotes himself…

Since his controversial ousting from office, Rod Blagojevich has refused to be silent.

The twice elected former governor of Illinois has insisted he is innocent of all charges since his arrest in December, 2008.

(View Rod’s accomplishments as governor.)

Now he continues his mission to prove to the world he did not betray his family, friends and the Illinois voters.

His crusade for justice and his uncanny ability to deal with adversity has made him an in-demand public speaker where he consistently draws huge crowds.

The kids are being used as props. Period.