* Eric Zorn recently predicted that Rod Blagojevich’s lawyers wouldn’t put up a defense. Instead, they’ll rest their case right after the prosecution does so, explaining that the feds hadn’t proved anything beyond a reasonable doubt. We’ll have to wait and see if Zorn is correct, but in the meantime the defense is saying that they could call Gov. Pat Quinn as a witness…

About 10 minutes before Blagojevich arrived, his lawyer Sheldon Sorosky held a quick pen-and-pad session with television reporters in which he threw out some names of potential witnesses. Among them, he mentioned the possibility of Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn being called to the stand.

Keep in mind that the defense wants these witnesses (Rahm Emanuel, Dick Durbin, etc.) to testify that they saw Blagojevich do nothing illegal during their dealings with him. Wouldn’t it be a hoot to see Quinn testifying to that? Yikes.

* Quinn’s campaign, meanwhile, will protest Jeb Bush’s Wednesday fundraiser for Bill Brady. From a press release…

Bloomington– As former Florida Governor Jeb Bush visits Illinois to headline a fundraiser for Sen. Bill Brady’s gubernatorial campaign, Lt. Gov. Nominee Sheila Simon will host a rally to “Keep Bushonomics Out of Illinois” at 6:00 p.m.

This event will be free and open to the public, and will highlight the contrasts between the positive economic policies offered by the Democratic gubernatorial ticket, and the backwards, regressive policies proposed by Sen. Bill Brady, Republican nominee for governor.

The rally will be held in the Laborers Local 362 Hall, Bloomington, Illinois. It will also be sponsored by the McLean County Democratic Party.

* Republican lt. governor nominee Jason Plummer was in Quincy the other day and he was asked again about his tax returns…

Plummer drew attention recently when he was called out by Democrats for not releasing his tax records. He says he refuses to let the issue sidetrack his campaign.

“I get out there and I talk to people about the issues they care about,” he said. “I’m not going to allow (Illinois Gov.) Pat Quinn to really change the topic of conversation. When I get out there, people talk about jobs, talk about the economy, talk about education.

“They talk about a lot things but that’s not something they talk about, nor should it be.”

He’ll never get away from that question.

* Congressman Mark Kirk’s campaign has sent out a press release on the state’s bond rating downgrade…

“While many are focused on the sovereign debt crisis in Europe, Illinois families are focused on the state debt crisis right here in Illinois. Alexi Giannoulias stood by and watched as our state’s debt skyrocketed and our pension liabilities spiraled out of control. His failures at Broadway Bank cost the FDIC $394 million. His failures in Bright Start cost Illinois families more than $70 million. And now his failure to do his job as State Treasurer could cost our state even more. The recent downgrading of Illinois’ credit rating by Fitch and Moody’s should be a major wake-up call to the citizens of Illinois. We need fiscal leadership at the federal and state level to rescue our state and turn this economy around.”

I asked the campaign to explain just how Giannoulias’ “failure to do his job” resulted in the credit rating downgrade. I’ll let you know what they say.

* And Sen. Dick Durbin again weighed in on Congressman Kirk’s problems…

“I think Mark Kirk has been brought down to earth by the revelations of some of his exaggerations”, said Durbin today speaking Mark Kirk’s Military record. While making sure to give him respect for the 21 years served, the Illinois senior senator stopped just short of calling Kirk a liar.

I think he stopped well short of “calling Kirk a liar,” but watch the video for yourself.

* Related…

* Erickson: Election sure to have missteps

* Gubernatorial candidates praise dentists at free clinic

* Candidates make their cases at clinic

* Schoenburg: Some underdog talk at governor’s office

* Quinn touts jobs program during Decatur stop

* ‘Put Illinois to Work’ Creates 9,366 Jobs

* Potshots ring a little hollow

* Statehouse Insider: Recall amendment not a panacea

* Rock Island Co. Republicans host one-of-a-kind fundraiser: The first “Shot Heard ‘Round the State” sporting clays tournament took place at the Bi-State Sportsmen’s Association in Colona and included a raffle, awards dinner, and a “bragging rights” mixer. Around 65 shooters participated in the fundraiser that planners hoped would be one-of-a-kind and still have meaning for the participants.

* Belleville paralyzed veteran challenges incumbent Holbrook in House race

* County Board president hopefuls wary of suburban red-light cameras