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* As you already know, Rod Blagojevich will be making a brief statement today before he reports to federal prison tomorrow. This is from Blagojevich’s publicist…

Because some media outlets may be taking it live, a “two minute warning” will be provided via Twitter before former governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich begins his statement, Blagojevich’s spokesman announced today.

That statement is scheduled to begin at 5:02 p.m. Central / 6:02 p.m. Eastern outside his Ravenswood Manor home.

The news media is encouraged to monitor @publicityagency (http://twitter.com/#!/publicityagency), the Twitter feed from The Publicity Agency, the PR firm that has represented Rod Blagojevich for more than three years.

The Agency will provide a five minute and a two minute warning Tweet for stations, networks and other news outlets covering the event.

“This will be one of the most important moments of Rod Blagojevich’s life. The governor never memorizes, does not use a script or a teleprompter. He speaks extemporaneously. He will speak from the heart,” says Glenn Selig, the former governor’s spokesman.

FAQs regarding the statement:

Q: Will there be an opportunity for the media to ask Rod Blagojevich questions?

A: No. This will be a statement only. This is NOT a news conference.

Q: Will the governor be doing any interviews?

A: There are no plans for any interviews with anyone.

Q: Will you release more information about the governor’s plans for departing Chicago?

A: No, for security reasons we will not release detailed information.

* The Question: What would you like to say to Rod Blagojevich today?

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 10:57 am

Comments

Thanks…for the memories..

Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 10:58 am
Goodbye

Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:03 am
Pack light …

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:04 am
No questions = no reason to cover this live. I wish the media would show some self-restraint just once when it comes to this guy and his publicist.

But no, we’re going to have another circus on Rod’s lawn. At least the weather is nice.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:07 am
Didn’t you ever stop to think about what you were doing? Did you really believe that no one would ever find out? How could you be so self-centered, so selfish to do the things you did? Did you ever consider your children, their embarrassment or missing out on their lives? Will you ever unconditionally accept responsibility for what you’ve done? I am mad at you for squandering so much and being so stupid.

Comment by Tommydanger Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:08 am
The only meaningful thing he could say is, “I am truly sorry.”

Comment by Lefty Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:11 am
47th Ward is right on. Imagine if Rod walked out onto his lawn and there was not a single person there. That would make a real statement.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:13 am
Nothing.

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:18 am
Hang on to your testicular veracity.

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:19 am
“Until this moment, I never understood how hard it was to lose something you never had”

Comment by one day at a time Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:22 am
I’ll bet you lunch he’s late, warning or not. He’s always late.

His publicist is incorrect (to put it politely) that Rod does not memorize speeches or use prompters. Rod himself has demonstrated on numerous occasions how he can memorize and recite long passages from books he’s read but apparently doesn’t actually understand, Like Kipling.

Rich, this has to be the last chapter of the book, when does yours come out? Because it’s gotta be fantastic, with all the time you’ve had to work on it and all the material Rod’s given you.

To answer the QOTD, I could fill pages with anting but I think it will just be:

“You’re not special”.

Comment by Newsclown Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:22 am
I’d turn and walk away.

Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:23 am
“Bill says: “hello”.

Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:24 am
I have no interesting in saying anything to him and even less interest in listening to what he has to say, which would probably be a spew of lies anyway.

Comment by What planet is he from? Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:26 am
“I have struck a city - a real city - and they call it Chicago. The other places don’t count. Having seen it, I urgently desire never to see it again. It is inhabited by savages”
― Rudyard Kipling

Comment by one day at a time Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:27 am
He will be late to this: he’s always been late to things.

My statement to him:

“You’re not special”.

Comment by Overly-moderated sometimes Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:28 am
Acta est fabula.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:29 am
Two things…

Thanks for saying yes when my daughter asked you if we could see your office a few years ago, that provided a unique memory and story (and a great picture of the two of you we used on the Christmas card when you got charged year).

Also

Thanks for being you so Rich was able to expand his business, making the blog more popular so Rich was able to buy me drinks a couple of times…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:31 am
I’m thankful I’ll be spared your sociopathic ramblings for the next 12 years or so.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:31 am
This is not the end of the blago story, sorry. We’ll get 6 month updates from Patti about how tough life is and how their daughters miss their dad. In 2 years we’ll get interviews with guys who were in prison with him and are now out-”Blago is the politician of the joint-he leads lunch duty!”. In 5 years, we’ll get an exclusive “how patti is living without her husband” and on and on.

As for “security reasons”. You don’t need to be lenny briscoe to figure out which flights from chicago to denver there are in the next 24 hours.

Comment by Shore Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:35 am
Please, please, please use your alloted phone time to talk to your family. Please don’t use any phone time to call any news outlets to talk about yourself. Please disappear for the 12 plus years you will be in prison. When you get out, plesae disappear into the woodwork. Please know no one wants to hear from you, or about you, ever again. After you are released, please move to Tierra del Fuego.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:37 am
Q. Why does a convicted former governor have a spokesman?

Comment by Excessively Rabid Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:38 am
Elvis has left the building!

Comment by Madame Defarge Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:38 am
Sorry, Correction, “Hang on to your testicular virility.”

Comment by Irish Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:38 am
Q. Why does a convicted former governor have a spokesman?

A: I suspect he might still be paying them, if not he is a nice high profile crisis communications example you can parlay into other business… (If we can help Rod we can help you explain why your product didn’t really cause xxx)…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:41 am
You have been convicted by a Jury of your peers, now please just go away.

Comment by Dan Shields, Springfield, IL Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:43 am
I was going to write something but I realized I just don’t care…

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:43 am
I would like the news people to go into together and rent a blimp for this event. It would be a lot less noisy than the 3 or 4 helicopters hanging over the neighborhood.

That being said, I’m going out to eat after work. This should all be over before I get home.

Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:46 am
What 47th Ward said.

Comment by soccermom Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:46 am
You, Patti and the kids are in my prayers.

Comment by anonymice Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:52 am
==You have been convicted by a Jury of your peers==

That would have been something to see! LOL

Fortunately, the Constitution only requires an impartial jury.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:52 am
Be strong, dude. Try to make the best of it.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:56 am
When was blago ever on time? Two bits says the press conference does not start on time.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:56 am
What were you thinking?

Comment by Meanderthal Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:56 am
I’d like to see Rod appear dressed in a bejeweled Elvis jumpsuit and sing “My Way” for the media

Comment by Hunterdon Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:56 am
Please, please, oh please, let him start singing “Jailhouse Rock.”

Comment by God's Country Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 11:58 am
He never cared for what we had to say, so why should I listen to what he has to say at this stage of his sorry life?

Comment by Good riddance - Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:00 pm
Learn some humility while you’re in there…..

Comment by Joe Schmoe Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:00 pm
“Toast, guys. Good trip,
good life. Get out soon.
Good trip, sweetheart.

We’ll watch the home front.
Say hello to those hacks in ‘dare”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:00 pm
I supposed we should appreciate the consistency of his media grandstanding until the bitter end.

Here’s your hat. What’s your hurry, Rod?

Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:03 pm
Guys…we’re asking about travel to be sure he leaves!

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:03 pm
Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, Hey-Hey-Hey, Goodbye

Comment by SO IL M Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:09 pm
For the love of God, stop talking.

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:16 pm
” Dude, seriously Orange is gonna be a good color for you. I hear it’s totally the in in Colorado.”

Comment by dizzycow Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:18 pm
You deserve every minute inside. You were the worst governor in my lifetime and have left problems it will take decades to correct. All ego, no competence, no honesty—no sympathy

Comment by Publius Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:24 pm
Should have never crossed swords with MJM !

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:30 pm
Haven’t you done enough damage to the State? Just go.

Comment by champaigndweller Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 12:47 pm
Similar to MrJM -

The song is over
I’m left with only tears
I must remember
Even if it takes a million years
The song is over
The song is over

Rod Blagojevich

Comment by Joe from Joliet Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:13 pm
Are still still maintaining that you had “no intent to break to law?”

Comment by Got the t-shirt... Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:19 pm
You never lost an election and we got what we deserved. Sorry for enabeling you.

Comment by touchdown Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:22 pm
“Can I have your lawnmower?”

Slightly less crass than the alternative of asking in full Jake Blues voice “How much for zee women?”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:29 pm
Quit wasting everyone’s time.

Comment by JustaJoe Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:30 pm
Bye, bye, Blago!

Comment by Nuclear Bozo Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:31 pm
I am so grateful for Rich covering this so that I don’t have to listen. Some people are better filtered.

Comment by frayedcat Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:41 pm
It’s an up day!!

Comment by Sunshine Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:48 pm
===I am so grateful for Rich covering this so that I don’t have to listen. ===

Who sez I’m covering it?

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 1:53 pm
where’s Soupy Sales when you need him?

Comment by Capital View Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:02 pm
If you would have shared you would not be going to prison. I truly feel sorry for you and your family.

Comment by Palatine Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:14 pm
“I wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.”

Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:21 pm
I meant, tht’s what I want Blago to say. Duh.

Comment by Cheswick Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:22 pm
Hear that lonesome whippoorwill
He sounds too blue to fly
The midnight train is whining low
I’m so lonesome I could cry

Did you ever see a robin weep
When leaves began to die?
That means he’s lost the will to live
I’m so lonesome I could cry

The silence of a falling star
Lights up a purple sky
And as I wonder where you are
I’m so lonesome I could cry
I’m so lonesome I could cry

Comment by Anonymour Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:23 pm
As is clear from the tapes you had only contempt for your high office and the people of Illinois. We reciprocate.

Comment by wishbone Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:36 pm
One more thing Rod It was Hank Williams who sang
I’m so lonesome I could cry. Not Elvis.

Comment by mokenavince Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 2:54 pm
Sorry about and for your family; but Strokes hang with other Strokes. It was your choice. Live with it.

And, still flacking after all this? What are you thinking?

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 3:19 pm
So IL M about covers it in a “nice” way. What I would really like to say to him would get me banned for life- all dozen of them.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 3:22 pm
Oops “dozen comments” was me.

Comment by Downstate Commissioner Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 3:23 pm
Hey, mokenavince, Hank Williams wrote it, but Elvis sang it, introducing it as “probably the saddest song I’ve ever heard.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I’m_So_Lonesome_I_Could_Cry

And if that was true for Elvis, it’s true for Rod.

Comment by Anonymour Wednesday, Mar 14, 12 @ 4:01 pm