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Rod Blagojevich trial live blog

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Blagojevich Trial

* OK, kids, I am one tired puppy dog in dire need of sleep. I’ll leave you with live coverage of the Rod Blagojevich trial, which is already in progress…

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 11:59 am

Comments

You know what? If Daley can join Katten Muchin Rosenman and that be perfectly legal and above board, I’m no longer sure Blagojevich did anything wrong.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:34 pm
i also think he can afford his own body guards

Comment by wizard Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:49 pm
I’m starting to get the impression that Zagel doesn’t like Blago very much.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:58 pm
I still think it’s the “see. . .he just talks and talks and talks” defense.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 12:59 pm
Zagel wants to wrap this up today but I think Rod is ready to keep talking until the jury dies of boredom or old age. That’s his best shot at a mistrial.

Thankfully Rod has brought up enough new stuff that the prosecutors will be able to call new witnesses to impeach all of the baloney he’s put out. Rod is now focused on the “deal” with Speaker Madigan. I think the prosecutors should call Madigan and ask him how many times he spoke with the defendent in 2008. I’m guessing Madigan’s answer is zero.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:22 pm
If I was a jurist, I would have a hard time seeing the defendant through all the red flags waving in my face. Continuing admonishments from the judge, the jury ordered out of the room. I would believe there is something wrong with the defendant’s testimony and that he is performing verbal gymnastics to avoid the truth.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:44 pm
Oops, I would not be a jurist, I would be a juror.

Comment by Joe from Joliet Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 1:48 pm
Wow. This has provided me some much needed comedic relief. There were several actual laugh out loud moments. So Patti actually wears the pants? Rod didn’t know how much he made as governor because he handed the checks over to Patti- in all those years he never looked? Really??? Is he really trying to say that she was pulling all the financial strings? “I’m not trying to get Patti in trouble here”. Somehow I don’t think Patti will be too happy with this line of storytelling. Will he just say anything to deflect away from himself?

Comment by carbaby Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:19 pm
Joe from Joliet,

Cynic and tin foil hat wearer that I am, I would take almost the opposite view as yours. What has the government deleted and why isn’t Blago allowed to tell his side of the story on some things being edited by the judge?

I understand the rules of testimony set down by the judge, and I also understand the judge getting mad as Rod repeats himself. But I would think there may be some context missing. Politics is a strange game, this isn’t the same as a robbery case. And since there is a requirement for a unanimous decision based on reasonable doubt, I can envision what is happening in the court now as planting a seed of doubt in one juror’s mind. We might be seeing the beginning of the mistrial here today.

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:28 pm
they just asked rod about the eff you all tape where he was whining about only 13 percent of the public approving of his job. he called it unrequited love!

Comment by hisgirlfriday Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:32 pm
Unrequited love, eh? Well, Rod wouldn’t be the first, nor the last, guy who can’t seem to tell the difference between loving someone and, shall we say, doing something else to them…

Comment by Secret Square Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:39 pm
Sounds more like Unchained Melodies by the Righteous Brothers, Rod. I thought you were an Elvis fan…

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:49 pm
–#Blagojevich says Speaker Hastert told him to “get your quid pro quo and make it a two-fer” appoint sitting official so he cld appt again.–

I imagine Hastert wouldn’t mind being called us a rebuttal witness.

Can you imagine any politician saying, directly, “get your quid pro quo?”

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 2:52 pm
Blago says it was “unrequited love” for Illinois voters when he said “F— all of you!” That made me laugh out loud. I guess when he was Illinois governor and I referred to him almost daily using words decorum prevents me from repeating here, I was showing MY love for the man.

Comment by Hunterdon Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 3:01 pm
ditto cheryl44. spot freakin’ on.

rich, hope you are not asleep cause you are missing a good Sox game! Konerko just hit one off Papelbon.

Comment by amalia Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 3:21 pm
Wikipedia says “The object of unrequited love is often a friend or acquaintance, someone regularly encountered in the workplace, during the course of work or other activities involving large groups of people. This creates an awkward situation in which the admirer has difficulty in expressing his/her true feelings, a fear that revelation of feelings might invite rejection, cause embarrassment or might end all access to the beloved, as a romantic relationship may be inconsistent with the existing association.”

The only thing is that blago expressed his “true feelings” when he said “f*** em”

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 4:59 pm
Unrequited love? Yes, nothing says love like a man using the f-word to describe his opinion of you.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 5:23 pm
again with the Madigan thing. Sorry to repeat this, Rich, you’ve said it 100’s of times, but for whatever doubters there still may be:

Neither Madigan would be involved in anything like that. They stayed very clear of him for at least the last four years of his, ahem, “administration”.

one item that seems to have been forgotten: early on, Blago gave Lisa a backhanded compliment when she stopped the Thompson Center sale, characterizing it as her just doing her father’s dirty work.

Besides everything else that happened later, there could not be any serious dealings with Blago once that happened.

Comment by lifelong dem Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 5:49 pm
–Blagojevich testimony fatigue? “I don’t know what I’m saying, what am I talking about here,” says to lawyer. “Can you help me?”–

The “Me Too Stupid to Commit Crime” defense.

I hate to tell you, Blago, but prisons are crawling with stupid people. It’s almost a pre-req for admittance.

Zagel is accusing the defense of “running the clock.” I don’t doubt it, but how is that an advantage? I would think it would just anger the jurors.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 6:00 pm
Wordslinger — Some people on the jury must be getting sick of Blago’s schtick and his lies, but I think it’s his nature to just keep talking. The nonstop stream of BS seems ridiculous to observers, but it did get Blago to the Congress and the Governor’s office. He must be hoping for one more miracle.

Comment by Quizzical Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 7:07 pm
–The nonstop stream of BS seems ridiculous to observers, but it did get Blago to the Congress and the Governor’s office.–

I’m pretty sure it was Mell that did that.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 7:11 pm
You’re right, but Blago probably thinks it was his own eloquence and good character.

Comment by Quizzical Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 7:18 pm
=OK, kids, I am one tired puppy dog in dire need of sleep.=

Proof once again that heroes come in all shapes and sizes…this one with four limbs and fur. Vigilence.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 9:19 pm
I’m convinced Sorosky has written off this trial, probably did so before it started, and is putting all his chips on either creating a mistrial or goading Zagel to create grounds for an appeal and possible reversal, once he can get a hearing from a judge other than Zagel.

The Fat Lady isn’t even warming up yet.

Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 9:53 pm
Trying to decide on an appropriate song to describe Rod’s testimony today, could only come up with “Unbelieveable” by EMF.

(in the lyrics below, there are redacted sections that are actually audio samples from a standup routine by Andrew “Dice” Clay, they seem to fit Rod’s transcripts like a glove)

Song: Unbelievable

Oh!
What the f**k…

What the f**k was that?

You burden me with your questions
You’d have me tell no lies.
You’re always askin’ what it’s all about,
don’t listen to my replies.
You say to me I don’t talk enough,
But when I do I’m a fool.
These times I’ve spent, I’ve realized,
I’m gonna shoot through, and leave you.

Chorus:
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You’re unbelievable.

Oh!
What the f**k…

What the f**k was that?

You burden me with your problems,
By telling me more bout mine.
I’m always so concerned,
With the way you say,
you’re always at stop,
To think of us,
being one is more than I’d ever known.
But this time I realize,
I’m gonna shoot through, and leave you.

Chorus:
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You’re unbelievable.

Oh!
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k was that?

Seemingly lastless, don’t mean you can ask us.
Pushing down the relative
Bringing out your higher self
Think of the fine times
Pushing down the better few
Instead of bringing out just want, the world,
and never think of your attitude.
Brace yourself, with the grace of ease,
I know this world, ain’t what it seems!

What the f**k was that?
It’s unbelievable.

You burden me with your questions
You’d have me tell no lies.
You’re always askin’ what it’s all about,
don’t listen to my replies.
You say to me I don’t talk enough,
But when I do I’m a fool.
These times I’ve spent, I’ve realized,
I’m gonna shoot through, and leave you.

Chorus:
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
Before I love you more.
The things, you say,
Your purple prose just gives you away.
The things, you say,
You’re unbelievable.

Oh!
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k…
You’re so unbelievable.

Good point…
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k…
You’re unbelievable.

It’s unbelievable.
Whoa….
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k…
Good point…
What the f**k…
What the f**k was that?
You’re unbelievable.

Comment by DeeJay Wednesday, Jun 1, 11 @ 9:58 pm