* Rod Blagojevich may be yapping through Christmas about his “persecution” by federal prosecutors, according to the Sun-Times…

Rod Blagojevich’s retrial may not start until next year, and if he wants the public to pay for his defense, he will get only two lawyers — down from seven.

In a private conference last week, Judge James Zagel told lawyers a quick retrial on the corruption charges wasn’t likely because of the logistics of getting a new jury pool.

Zagel said he didn’t want to put a “Christmas burden” on jurors, pushing a retrial possibly to January at the earliest, according to sources with knowledge of the meeting.

The two lawyers are not likely to be Sam Adam Jr. and Sam Adam Sr., who sources say intend on filing a request to leave the case.

Bad news for the Democrats. Very bad.

* Meanwhile, Jon Stewart busted Rod Blagojevich but good last night…

Stewart played back a tape of Blagojevich from a year ago when he then tried to explain his words on tape: “I’ve got this thing and it’s f—ing golden.”

In 2009, Blagojevich explains that in the next few words that prosecutors didn’t reveal at the time, he talks about health care for Illinois. But the now-released tape shows Blagojevich actually discussed parachuting himself into the Senate seat spot and calling President Obama a “demigod.”

“The reality of what you said is very different,” Stewart says.

Blagojevich hems and haws as he tries to explain: “Listen to the whole tape.”

Stewart cuts him off: “Is this why you didn’t take the stand?” the audience laughs.

And we know the answer to this one…

“You’re a guy that’s the most adamant about his innocence of anyone I ever met, so you’re either the victim of a terrible persecution or you’re a sociopath,” Stewart said.

And the answer to this one is pretty obvious as well…

Stewart: You don’t feel (that) in any way that it was a fragile victory? Eleven to one to convict? You don’t think that’s fragile?

Full interview, with swear words, so be careful if you’re at work. Part One…

Part Two…

* Meanwhile, I agree with every word in Phil Kadner’s latest column…

There’s nothing quite like listening to imbeciles rant about Illinois politics. The Wall Street Journal writes that, “If (U.S. Attorney Patrick) Fitzgerald doesn’t resign of his own accord, the Justice Department should remove him …”

The Washington Post, in commenting on the likely retrial of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, says that “(Fitzgerald) should stand down before crossing another fine line - the one that separates prosecution from persecution.”

You want to talk about persecution, try living in a state where a “For Sale” sign seems permanently posted on the governor’s mansion.

Go read the whole thing.

* Roundup…

* Blago’s a Liar: Lisa Madigan

* Lisa Madigan calls Blagojevich a liar

* Lynn Sweet on CNN’s “Reliable Sources” on Blagojevich media blitz

* Jon Stewart to Blagojevich on Daily Show: “I’d like to see you as a victim — but you make it so hard.”

* Blago trial - ‘one of the Al Capone tax evasion cases of today’

* Byrne: Hey, Eastern pundits: Stay out of our mess

* Goudie: Fitzgerald shouldn’t be browbeaten for doing his job

* Blago stammers through ‘Daily Show’

* Journal Star: Enough of ex-gov’s antics, move ahead with retrial