* Give the governor credit for even appearing in public in a week like this…

Governor Rod Blagojevich is calling on Tony Rezko to tell the truth, the day after federal prosecutors indicated that the convicted fundraiser might be cooperating with them.

Appearing at a ceremony Tuesday, Blagojevich wouldn’t say whether he was worried about his future now that his friend and fundraiser may be talking to authorities.

* Even though he didn’t really say a whole lot, despite the relentless questions…

Blagojevich said Rezko’s decision to seek a sentencing delay “speaks for itself.”

“It is what it is, it speaks for itself,” Blagojevich said. “Let me just say again what I’ve said before, Tony Rezko is a friend of mine, my heart goes out to him and to his family and he like everybody else should tell the truth. And I would point out he sent a letter, Tony Rezko sent a letter to a federal judge where he expressly said that neither Sen. Obama nor I did anything wrong and now we’ve got to respect the process as we’ve been consistently doing and just let it all unfold…”

The governor went on to repeat several times his answer about the letter Rezko sent to a federal judge before being convicted on political corruption charges earlier this year. In the letter, Rezko said he was never involved in any wrongdoing with either Blagojevich or Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and wouldn’t make up stories about them in an attempt to benefit himself.

* And wasn’t exactly believable…

Also today, the governor dismissed as “much ado about nothing” revelations that federal investigators have interviewed and subpoenaed contractors involved in a $90,000 renovation of Blagojevich’s home by a Rezko-owned company. Agents have focused on who paid for that 2003 work, the Chicago Sun-Times reported Sunday.

While insisting that he and his wife, Patti, paid for the work themselves, the governor today repeated that he would not release contractor invoices, cancelled personal checks or any other documents that might support his claim.

“The canceled checks are where they belong. They’re at the bank. If you feel like you want to go get them, then run ahead and get them,” the governor said.

And while the governor expressed sympathy toward Rezko and his family, as he has done in the past, Blagojevich said he has not communicated with Rezko since his conviction.

“I don’t think he’s in a place where he can take a phone call,” the governor said.

* Listen to the raw audio here, or download the complete press availability by clicking here.

* Favorite question…

“Governor, don’t you sometimes feel like you’re a character in an Edgar Allen Poe story and that the walls are closing in?”

* Next favorite question…

“Will you resign if you’re indicted?”

The second time that question was asked, the governor said he wasn’t going to answer a “stupid question” like that.

* Kass’ one-track mind at work…

“You’ve talked about yourself, but what about Mr. Obama?” […]

“What about Obama and Rezko? Do you think Sen. Obama has to be a little concerned as well?”

*** UPDATE *** Tribune video…