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* Once again, I’m busy and can’t watch the governor’s appearance, so live-blog in comments…
Lynn Sweet is following the appearance.
* Tribune…
Illinois taxpayers won’t be asked to pay for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s new public relations firm. […]
Guerrero also says the state isn’t paying expenses for the governor’s media appearances in New York. He says he believes the TV network is paying for the trip.
Blagojevich does have a State Police security detail with him in New York, as he does at all times.
The next question is, did the state pay to fly out the detail and put them up in hotel rooms?
*** UPDATE - 12:26 pm *** That above question has now been answered…
Illinois taxpayers are footing the bill for at least two security officers to accompany disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich on his national media tour Monday.
A spokesman for the impeached chief executive said the two Illinois State Police bodyguards usually travel with Blagojevich, calling their presence with him at TV appearances in New York City “normal.
“He gets detail when he goes on vacation or even campaign events,” said spokesman Lucio Guerrero.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Video…
*** UPDATE 2 *** From CNN: “I’m here in New York because I can’t get a fair hearing in Illinois”…
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:04 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Sweet:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/01/rod_and_patti_blagojevich_talk.html
Comment by Anonymous Coward Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:05 am
Its funny that Barbara Walters is appearing via satellite and they placed a monitor where she would be sitting.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:08 am
Patti’s a no-show
Comment by Reality Check Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:13 am
Walters asks him if he really sees himself as Gandi, King or Mandela. Blago: I was taken out of context.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:14 am
he looks like he’s sweating.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:15 am
Well, he didn’t do it, he was just taken out of context. He didn’t compare himself to the great ones, he didn’t try to sell the senate seat. He’s completely innocent.
Oh, I sooooo believe him.
Comment by Wickedred Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:16 am
BW…answer the question otherwise, why are you wasting all our time.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:16 am
Looks a little warm in the studio…..
Comment by stallion Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:17 am
LOL Walters told him he might be wasting his time if he doesn’t answer the question about if he “said those things.”
Comment by wndycty Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:17 am
“the whole story is the whole story.” jeez. resign already!
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:18 am
Good for you, Babs.
Comment by Concerned Observer Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:19 am
Rod said go ahead and tape me…..then he says the thought conversations in his home were private.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:19 am
It’s complicated politics, Barbara. When the whole story comes out, they’ll see what was really true.
Barbara - You’re never going to answer those (questions about pay-to-play, etc.).
He really doesn’t have a clue what reality is anymore. He is not fit to govern. Barbara is trying to bring him crashing back and it’s not working.
Comment by Wickedred Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:20 am
Wife watching the View. Looks like the real ‘journalist’ returned to Barbara Walters; not letting gov. goofy off the hook; wants answers to her questions. Way to go.
Comment by sal-says Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:20 am
“your wife’s family doesn’t seem to be crazy about you.” BW
Comment by bored now Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:20 am
“your wife’s family doesn’t seem to be crazy about you.”
“my father in law was involved with a landfill that was operating in an illegal fashion.”
yikes.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:21 am
Wow, Walters got into family business by bringing Dick Mell quotes.
Comment by wndycty Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:21 am
BW….why isn’t your wife with you. Did she cancelled under advice of family?
Rod…again, out of context.
He’s totally not answering questons and BW doesn’t want to waste her time on this guy.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:21 am
Blago thinks everything about him has been put out of content.
Comment by Stayathomemom Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:22 am
This PR campaign is a total flop. Didn’t think it was possible for Rod to look worse than he did but he’s sunk again.
I could vomit!
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:23 am
“your approval rating has gone to…the mayor calls you cuckoo…the Lt. gov has compared you to the wizard
of Oz.. /….wouldn’t it be better dignity state if you resigned?”
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:23 am
LOL…..She is great….she is laughing
Comment by stallion Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:23 am
“your state government is at a standstill… for the sake of the state, for your own dignity, wouldn’t it be better if you resigned?” BW
“for me to resign would be a way for me to disgrace my children.” RB
Comment by bored now Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:23 am
Hiding behind his children again, again, & again!
Comment by iMAGINE Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:24 am
He’s getting pounded. 50/50 he cancels Larry King and Greta.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:24 am
Ptti did not appear “on the advice of family,” not her attorneys?
Comment by Oberon Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:26 am
You’ve gotta watch this. the full panel is going to question him next. I’m sure this is tougher than Rod thought.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:26 am
Patti did not appear “on the advice of family,” not her attorneys?
Comment by Oberon Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:26 am
‘Governor, if you couwd be any kind of twee, would you wesign, for the good of youwer state?’
Hasselback would have been the likeliest friendly person on The View, easiest to derail. She’s not there today.
I bet it gets worse in the next segment. Women can smell a ratfink.
Comment by baba wawa Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:27 am
Oh man. Is it possible for a governor’s approval rating to drop below 0? This PR campaign is a disaster. If anything, he’s making the public’s perception of him worse. Both Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters kept looking at him with that, “Are you NUTS?” look and are not hiding their skepticism whatsoever. Barbara’s questions have been great. Way to go, Babs!
Comment by Anonymous ZZZ Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:28 am
Larry King has a call in part. some of that can be gamed. Larry
is no where near as tough as BW and Greta has spent too much time chasing down the Aruba murder and hanging out in Palin’s Alaska to be too tough. he’s done with the hardest part on the View.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:28 am
“Oprah’s Oprah and i’m just the gov. of Ill.”
“i grew up in a tough neighborhood and you would not talk in front of your mother that way.”
yuk.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:31 am
Whoopi,this is a media circus, do you think you are hurting yourseld at this point?
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:32 am
Amy-
Word is, he might not make any more appearances today. Once a ship is sinking, no other show is going to put him on, and not look “tough”.
I bet he doesn’t make any more after today. What a trainwreck.
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:32 am
Don’t thing so about Greta she was one of the first to have an hour long interview and went to Springfield, she may clean his clock
Comment by lifer Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:33 am
Is it just me or is he doing the Clinton “hand thing” a lot?
Comment by Cranky Old Man Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:34 am
“they won’t let me say it ain’t true, i didn’t do it.”
governor grammar
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:35 am
Whoopi looks like she’s scared of a crazy man
Comment by baba wawa Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:35 am
say it, “i am not a crook.”
good luck with that…
Comment by bored now Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:36 am
Obama’s staff may be able to shed some light on charge A (at least to their conversations with the Governor) but they can’t testify to charges B-J of the House Special Report. I love the “I’m not a crook” segment and the hair rub!
Comment by School Finance Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:36 am
Barbara knocked him down, Whoopi is dragging him back up. Unbelievable.
“Where the hell is the Supreme Court, that’s what I want to know,” says Whoopi.
Now, another is asking him to do his Nixon impression. Hilarious.
Comment by Madison County Watcher Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:36 am
Whoopi grills Blago on his 6ht amendment rights claim. Says he can itroduce sworn statements, just not witnesses. Blago sticks to his guns, and blames the sneate rules for setting him up to lose
Comment by Mike Murray Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:37 am
Whoopi grills Blago on his 6ht amendment rights claim. Says he can itroduce sworn statements, just not witnesses. Blago sticks to his guns, and blames the senate rules for setting him up to lose
Comment by Mike Murray Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:37 am
Hahahaha. I love Joy Behar for messing up his hair (or at least attempting to) and trying to get him to do a Nixon impression.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:37 am
joy behar rubbing his hair and trying to get him to do his Nixon impression…i am not a crook.
actually, that is when he looked the most red faced.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:37 am
The panel was disapointing. They didn’t ask the right questions and fell into his “the process is illegal” BS. Barbara Walters was great tho.
Comment by Hair today, gone tomorrow Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:38 am
OMG! I’m sooo embarrassed to be from the “great” State of Illinois at this moment.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:40 am
Blago done now. Same basic storyline. Conspirancy to get him due to his resistance to taxes and his support for programs like health care.
Comment by Mike Murray Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:40 am
He completely avoids the fact that he could have appeared in the Senate himself to testify on his own behalf. He could have done several things, but instead, we of Illinois get to watch as he self-destructs on national television.
Actually, it’s kind of fun, in a sad, poor little man way. I just want to pat him on the head and tell him to pack up his toys and go home.
Comment by Wickedred Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:40 am
The fact that he’s oblivious to what a train wreck these interviews have been is proof that he’s unfit to govern. He looks and sounds like a madman. All he can do is say over and over that he can’t call witnesses. Stuck on stupid.
Comment by And I Approved This Message Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:41 am
He got what he wanted from the panel, the chance to confuse the criminal trial and the Senate trial. BW was well-prepped, but it seems the rest of the panel wasn’t well prepared. He’ll probably score The View as a plus, despite how tough BW was.
Comment by Oberon Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:41 am
I heard that Roland Burris’s mausoleum is adding the line, “Selected to be US Senator, beating out Oprah Winfrey”
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:43 am
“Rod Blagojevich and his hair: the tour on search for one person with reasonable doubt”
one person out there in the Northern District of Illinois. that’s all he’s broadcasting for.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:43 am
Can Greta bring up the analogy of what happened to the previous director of the Lincoln Presidential Museum, who lost his job shortly after being caught shoplifting? The Governor (I believe rightly so) acted swiftly to fire this person to protect the state, not waiting for the criminal proceedings to play out, even though the criminal charge had no direct tie to state service.
Isn’t the General Assembly doing the same thing, protecting the state from a rogue employee? The House has recommended that the Governor be fired, and the Senate is likely to vote to send him packing next week.
I can’t imagine either Geraldo, who thinks the Governor is getting shafted, or softball-throwing Larry King putting this out there. Greta could certainly ask this tough question, and how can the Governor talk his way out of it?
Comment by cover Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:44 am
Wow. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any worse. Someone should sue Rod’s entire team, sans Ed Genson who had the good sense to resign, for malpractice. All of this was totally to be expected. Rod looks like a bigger ass today than he already did if that were possible.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:45 am
Sweet posted Oprah’s response: http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/01/rod_and_patti_blagojevich_talk.html
Comment by wndycty Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:46 am
I think he’s trying to set-up an insanity defense for the criminal case.
Comment by sparky Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:48 am
Ever since Blago was arrested the OT for his EPU detail(security for all you non ISP people) has taken off , one officer got $12,000 in OT so far. Maybe something those Chicago investigative reporters should check out.
Comment by Retired ISP Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:51 am
Rich
Doesn’t the governor’s bond require him to stay in the Northern District?? How is he in NY? Did the judge allow him to leave??
Comment by OldTown Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:51 am
Oprah…”she said she was meditating when she got the news.”
lol.
Comment by Amy Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:52 am
Blago over-estimates the attention span of jurors if he really thinks this PR blitz will be remembered when this goes to trial in 12-18 months and after days/weeks/months of listening to wiretaps, John Harris and others.
I’m usually the first to dismiss juries, but I give them at least that much credit.
Comment by ThreeSheets Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:54 am
Blago over-estimates the attention span of jurors if he really thinks this PR blitz will be remembered when this goes to trial in 12-18 months and after days/weeks/months of listening to wiretaps, John Harris and others.
I’m usually the first to dismiss juries, but I give them at least that much credit.
Last, as to Chicago Cynic, unless you have some inside knowledge that the Adam family lawyers are advising him to do this, I wouldn’t be so quick to blame them for malpractice. Plenty of clients ignore their lawyers’ advice. Sometimes we quit, other times we ride it out.
Comment by ThreeSheets Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 10:57 am
After reading Rich’s newest post on the legal team, never mind what I said about blaming the Adam family lawyers.
Comment by ThreeSheets Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:04 am
Question…was Blago let go on bail after his arrest? If so, are the rules still that the person must remain in the state?
Comment by Crazy Guv Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:26 am
Is the Governor’s participation considered “State Business”? Did he take personal or vacation days, or grant himself a leave-of-absence? Is any of the time he spends conducting this PR activity considered “STATE WORK”? Perhaps he should document this as PERSONAL, rather than STATE-PAID time. There should be some accounting for the actual time he spends doing “STATE WORK” just like any other state employee.
Comment by HANAL Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:27 am
Don’t those ladies do any preparation before they interview anyone? That was a horrible interview. They let him go on and on as a victim. All that was missing was the milk and cookies…
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:33 am
HANAL, the governor is not a state employee. He’s an elected official. Take a breath.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:34 am
If anyone finds where clips of the interview are, I’m sure I’m not the only one looking for them. Please post some links.
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:39 am
I think Patti Blago not showing up is a big deal.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:39 am
“I bet it gets worse in the next segment. Women can smell a ratfink.”
Is Patti not a woman?
Comment by T.J. Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:40 am
Joy Behar was mussing Rod’s hair as a way to try and see if it was a rug.
Comment by Swami Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 11:58 am
They will never learn. The troopers drove cars out to New York, unless they just brought some Illinois license plates along to slap on the Hertz cars to fool the New Yorkers.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 12:06 pm
The interview reminded me of the end of Bull Durham where Tim Robbins is listing off all of the talking points after a game in the majors that Kevin Costner gave to him. Someone should tell the Gov that this isn’t baseball.
“I just want to go out there and give it my all, and do the best that I can for this ball club. And the good lord willing, that will happen.”
Comment by Kevin Fanning Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 12:49 pm
Fantastical! What a nut. You gotta love him turing this into a “witch hunt by thsoe that want to raise taxes”.
What is relly significant, is that there was apparently a plane ride to NY and on that plane were Blago, Levine, Kelly, Hurtgen, Cari, (I think) Rezko and a body guard to Blago. So far everyone of them has been indicted (3 pled guilty, one conviction)save the body guard. Hurtgen and Blago are the hold outs. Hurtgen goes to trial in about a month. Odds are that Rezko and Kelly are cooperating. Ya just got to wonder what went down on that plane…I would love to know what that body guard knows.
Comment by GofGlenview Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Someone actually touched The Hair (on national teevee, no less) and lived to tell about it? lol
Comment by Secret Square Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:01 pm
Obviously. Blago is audtioning for his own political reality television show.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:03 pm
“Kangaroo court with Captain Kangaroo”
Maybe his “witness” thing is a sham. Pehaps it is just blackmail bluff. He’s got the goods. His witness list is strange. I think at one time he was talkng about Rahm, Jackson, Gov. Doyle of Wisconsin…he must have dirt and it trying to put political pressure by naming them as “witnesses he’d like to call”. Very strange. Don’t buy it.
I know it’s a long ball…there’s a kitty.
Comment by GofGlenview Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:09 pm
One of the best things regarding the YouTube type extracts is the Start arrow covering Blago’s mouth.
If only that were true life.
Genson would have to cop to an insanity plea himself had he continued.
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:10 pm
===he must have dirt===
Highly doubtful. He’s just attempting to drag everyone down with him and so he’s playing cute word games because he knows the press will lap it up.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:13 pm
BW was a good interviewer. I’m extremely disappointed with the other 3. I thought Joy would be tough. My opinion is that the three View women, who lean democrat, were more enamored with Blago than interested in continuing to grill him. Of course, The View is an entertainment show and definitely not a news program. So I guess the score on the view is BW-1, Blago-1. I’m just glad the Senate took a one hour break so I can catch up on the reading. Between the TV and this blog, it’s been busy today. Thanks Rich for opening up a little early today, even though you’re not feeling well. Sorry to jolt you awake this morning.
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:27 pm
Great television. Geraldo is now interviewing Whoopi on Fox about their Blagojevich interviews. They both are now wondering if the governor is innocent and they are buying his allegation that this is a kangaroo court. Don’t these people do any homework before they conduct these interviews? They are basically repeating the argument that Blago’s actions were “sleazy” but not criminal. He has managed to convince a couple of people - unbelievable.
Comment by Holdingontomywallet Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 1:53 pm
It’s like those people who go around saying “I’m so smart” or “I’m so pretty” or “I’m so honest.” No. The people will be able to figure those things out on their own without you telling them.
And might I add, you can’t blame the sensationalization of it all when you’re the one doing the sensationalizing.
Comment by Cheswick Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 2:15 pm
Why doesn’t someone in the media, or Sen. Murphy when he had a chance, point out that Blago COULD have call witnesses, until he blew the filing deadline?
Comment by Ann O'Namus Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 2:43 pm
Watching GMA now. He has no desire to defend his wife’s virtue, instead he quotes Rudy Kipling. What a jerk.
Comment by Cheswick Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:04 pm