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* The College Democrats at Northwestern University are bringing in Rod Blagojevich for a publicity stunt… er… um… speaking engagement…

As stated on the event’s Facebook page, a Northwestern faculty panel including law Professor Tonja Jacobi, Political Science Professor Donald Gordon and Medill Professor Donna Leff, will interview the former governor, and students will be allowed to ask questions afterward.

Why a group of Democrats thinks this is a good idea is simply beyond me, but whatever. Free country and all that.

More…

Blagojevich (WCAS ’79) will have 15 minutes to plead his case before an NU faculty panel can begin asking questions, Rockoff said. The panel will include Law Professor Tonja Jacobi, Political Science Professor Donald Gordon and Medill Professor Donna Leff, the Communication senior said.

“The majority of the event will be an interplay between the faculty panel and the former governor,” he said.

After the faculty panel has finished, students will have the opportunity to ask questions, Rockoff said.

“Our belief is that students at Northwestern are interested in debating this issue,” he said. “They will be interested to see this kind of dialogue.”

* The Question: What questions would you ask RRB if you attended this function? Try to avoid snark, please.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:30 am

Comments

I think it is appropriate to ask, “what were you thinking?”

Comment by tubbfan Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:36 am
Again, easy on the snark, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:37 am
What were your favorite/least favorite duties as Governor?

Comment by LathamPlace Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:41 am
“Do your lawyers know about this stunt” Even his attorneys have to know how insane it is to let him answer questions and lock himself in before the trial. Does he really need the attention so much that he would further jepordize his case like this? I hope the feds are taping it all.

Comment by raising kane Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:46 am
Ask him why he tried to make money off of the $10 billion pension bond issue his first year in office.

Comment by Tom Joad Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:47 am
What do you think the state should do about the budget crisis, and the pension deficit, and taxation?

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:48 am
Questions for Blago?

Why didn’t you try to work (better) with Pat Quinn, especially since he tried to work with you?

Do you now believe in the old saying: be careful how you treat people on your way up because you might have to deal with them on your way down? If so, what are your thoughts about that —what does that saying mean to you—as it pertains to your experience as governor?

Why didn’t you like being governor? According to the feds you are on tape moaning about how being gov was not good enough and how you wanted out, and everyone knows you didn’t come to work on a regular basis. you were working from home? whatever. then, when you did bother to come go to your chicago or springfield offices you were chronically late. no one was forcing you to be governor. Why were you even bothering to gear- up to run in 2010?
(after you were arrested you started showing up to work everday, as if that was going to help you)

If you could go back in time and do things differently, what things would you do differently in the time you were governor?

I get that you didn’t want to be bullied by Madigan and Daley, and wanted them to respect the fact that you were governor. You fought both of them, which in many ways is commendable on your part, but you chose to get down on their level and fight them. If you had it to do all over again would you have chosen some other way to fight them? if so what way(s) would that be?

Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:49 am
Who will you vote for Governor this year and why?

Comment by 2010 Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:49 am
The Senate seat aside, how much coordination was there between your office and the offices of Rahm Emanual, Barrack Obama, Richard Daley, and Mike Madigan in your first 6 years in office?

We know he was being investigated long before the Senate Seat debacle. Lisa Madigan refused to endorse hin in 2006 because of “ongoing investigations.” Funny how all of the pre Senate seat stuff has just gone away.

My second question would be, Why did all of those questions surrounding corruption before the Senate Seate issue just disappear? What can I say, I am a sucker for conspiracy theories.

Comment by the Patriot Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:50 am
For a guy who wanted Rickey Hendon on the Dem ticket for the laughs (and admitted it in public), you should cut some college kids a bit more slack.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:57 am
Oh, I’d ask him for his opinion on health care reform, though he’d use it as a chance to claim (with a soupcon of justification) that he was the precursor to Romney’s MA plan which was the precursor for today’s bills.

Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:58 am
===For a guy who wanted Rickey Hendon on the Dem ticket for the laughs===

It was a joke. Now, please, get back to the question.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:58 am
As someone who has followed the details of his case very closely, the kinds of questions I would ask him would be prosecutorial in nature. He would of course refuse or avoid answering them. They would include:

What exactly do you expect is on the tapes that will “exonerate” you?

You claim that the deal you were brokering for the Senate seat was not a “sale” for personal benefit but rather a political deal. Yet, the day after the Tribune reported all of your phone calls were being taped (I believe it was a Thursday) you told John Harris to “un-do” any offers or deals you were working on. Did the political dynamic change when your wiretaps were disclosed by the Tribune?

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:59 am
Where do you see yourself in five years, and what will you be doing?

Why did you drag your brother into this mess?

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:01 am
My question for Blago:

Are you now or ever been an associate of organized crime?

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:03 am
Who else will you implicate?

Comment by Wumpus Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:08 am
What specific action did you take as governor makes you the most proud and what action do you most regret.

Comment by tominchicago Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:35 am
So that I could get an honest answer out of him, in all seriousness, I would ask him what he thought of the Cubs chances this year.

Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:36 am
If you were your defense counsel would you recommend that you do this appearance?

Do you think the way you downplay your intelligence (the C student stuff) reflects poorly on NU?

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:41 am
What does the term “endemic hiring fraud” mean to you?

Comment by Joe from Joliet Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:41 am
Where do you think the line is between the cozy back-scratching of politics and breaking the law? Is there a grey area? Is the usual way the game is played consistent with the way the law is written?

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:41 am
Since many, including myself, consider RB to be a sociopath it is pointless to ask any questions expecting a truthful answer, so what is the point of having him there? Especially the College Democrats. What are they thinking?

I would ask RB if he is has considered the impact his behavior has, and will have, on his children. They are the only truly innocent people in this whole mess.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:48 am
Would you support an individual income tax increase now, in light of the current crisis? And if not, what would you do?

Comment by Reality Updated Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:55 am
dupage dan,

Even a sociopath has an internal logic, his actions make sense to him. The point of asking him questions is to try to understand his actions and thought process that lead to those actions.

So clearly, we need Det. Goren and Eames to be present at the questioning.

Comment by cermak_rd Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:56 am
Your assignment: write a paragraph you think will be written about you in future college textbooks. Then write a paragraph you would write on the same subject.

Comment by Goldwater Guy Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 11:57 am
If you were facing a $10 to $13 billion budget shortfall, would you still maintain your pledge not to raise taxes? If so, which programs would you cut to close the budget gap?

Comment by Red Ranger Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 12:42 pm
What do you think your parents would say about you today, and what will your kids say about you, in ten years?

Was it worth it?

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 12:55 pm
What do you really expect from those wiretaps?

Comment by Levois Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 12:55 pm
Top bunk or Bottom ?

Comment by KC Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 12:56 pm
Are you controlling pat Quinn? He changed his mind about firing your hires like he promised and now your good buddy Emil Jones is helping Quinn. Blago are you still in charge?

Comment by Fed up Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:09 pm
Do you still think your attorneys should forget about an insanity defense?

Comment by fedup dem Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:28 pm
Whan was the last time you talked to John Wyma and are you guys still budies today? Why do you think he turned on you and why hasn’t he been indicted.

Comment by red bird Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:42 pm
How much are you getting paid for this appearance?

Comment by Northsider Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:44 pm
Will this be televised? I would would actually pay to watch this. I am tired of these softball uninformed interviews of Blago the media has been doing, here is hoping these folks are prepared and ask the real questions blag has been skating.

I would ask Blago if his freezing all hiring in the state and mandating that every job be approved through the Gov’s office isn’t the eppitome of a pay to play structure for jobs in IL.

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:46 pm
What does Donald Trump smell like?

Comment by snuffles Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 1:47 pm
Are you still seing that Kitty?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 2:16 pm
cermak rd,

While I agree a sociopath may have internal logic it has been clear for years that RB ain’t gonna share with the public his deepest thoughts and feelings. I like the idea that RB would be asked if his own attorneys know about this visit and do they approve. However, RB talks every Sunday on WGN radio and has done so for months. He is shameless and apparently without fear.

Dets Goren and Eames would be perfect. They can get so much by just watching and listening - they don’t even have to ask questions, cause they know the perp is lyin’.

I could be as clever if I had a script, too.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 2:24 pm
Not to ignore the question, but is anybody else slightly offended by the conduct of the College Dems? I don’t have questions for Mr. Blagojevich, but I do have some for the organizers:

What do you hope to accomplish with this?

Isn’t it clear that he is not going to do anything other than offer his same creepy “I was a great gov.”, “People are out to get me for being good to the poor”, and “wait until the full tapes are played” answers?

Isn’t this ultimately just a freak show, with the goal to be “let’s see what he will do next”?

Comment by OdysseusVL Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 2:31 pm
College Democrats have done worse things than this. They are kids. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.

I would ask him if he thinks George Ryan should be released from prison.

Comment by PPHS Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 2:49 pm
===Try to avoid snark, please.===

Yeah, I’ve got nothing.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:06 pm
Do your friends still give your kids $5,000 birthday presents now that you are no longer Governor?

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:08 pm
“Do you believe the state prosecutors are overreaching in the Andrew McKinney case by subpoenaing the notes of the Northwestern journalism students that are seeking to have McKinney’s murder conviction overturned?

Comment by rudy Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:12 pm
You previously claimed that your wife’s success in real estate was because of her skills, not because of your inappropriate dealings.

Does Patti plan to get back into the real estate business?

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:13 pm
If you are found innocent in your upcoming trial, what do you see as your next career?

Comment by really? ? Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:13 pm
Questions for THIS Frm. [disgraced] Gov?

WHY should ANYBODY care what he thinks?

Comment by sal-says Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:16 pm
We have been waiting for a very long time.

Are you finally ready to announce your ethics reform proposals that will rock the system?

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:33 pm
How do you feel about Scott Lee Cohen being forced to withdrawal from the Democratic nomination for Lt. Gov?

Also, are you two long lost brothers?

Comment by Obamarama Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:38 pm
Do you regret not continuing your legislative career in Washington instead of returning to Il to become governor?

Did your father-in-law give you political advice that you did not heed and now wish you had taken?–and if so what was it? Conversely, did you take action based on political advice from Mr. Mell which you now regret?—and if so what was it?

Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 3:49 pm
I got one. RB, if convicted, would you encourage Patti to make up with her father so that she can get the support she will need now that you are in prison?

I tried to remove all the snark but please don’t read between the lines.

Comment by dupage dan Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 4:07 pm
Do you disagree with your legal team in any areas? If so which ones.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 4:17 pm
You say you look forward to taking your case to the people.

What do you consider to be the strongest defense of your actions to siphon money off of the Teachers Retirement deal and did you receive any financial consideration from Bob Kjellander?

Comment by Justice Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 5:22 pm
This is consistent with the University of Illinois inviting John Edwards to come speak for a lot of money after everybody already knew about the baby.

Comment by T.J. Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 8:36 pm
Do you ever wonder why Mike Rumman wasn’t indicted?

Comment by Eliot Ness Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 9:44 pm
What’s your best marathon time (not in your mind-actual time)? NU you embarrassed yourself with this stunt.

Comment by Yadier Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:01 pm
Rod: Why did you jog in place and fall to the ground in the fetal postion when you were being arrested by Federal agents?

Comment by one of the 35 Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:04 pm
Did you, in fact, withhold $8 million in funds from Children’s Memorial Hospital (money for helping poor children) pending a $50,000 campaign contribution from the hospital’s director? If so, how would you respond to the parent of a sick child who wondered if his child’s health might have been adversely affected by your actions in this matter? (And please, sir, answer the question; don’t try to throw us off the path by insisting that you did all sorts of things to benefit Illinois children.)

Comment by Steve Downstate Tuesday, Feb 23, 10 @ 10:06 pm