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Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich left his Northwest Side home at about 10:20 a.m., getting in a black SUV that stopped in a rear alley while another vehicle–apparently a decoy for waiting reporters–pulled up to the front of the house.
As if he can avoid the press. Sheesh…
Blagojevich is scheduled to be arraigned at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse this morning on corruption charges.
Some reporters and photographers who thought the former governor might try for an early arrival were camped out in the lobby, and rows of TV trucks were lining nearby Plymouth Court. About half a dozen video cameras already were set up to capture Blagojevich going through security before his scheduled 11 a.m. arraignment.
Several still photographers had set up short step ladders in a media bullpen area in the hopes of getting a better shot.
* It’ll only be Blagojevich and his brother Rob today. Natasha Korecki explains…
The ex-governor’s former fund-raiser, Chris Kelly, moved his arraignment date today to later in the week. There’s a conflict because Kelly’s lawyer is in Florida.
More…
Three others charged in the case—Springfield power broker William Cellini, former Blagojevich chief of staff John Harris and top Blagojevich fundraiser Christopher Kelly—are set to be arraigned Thursday. Harris is cooperating with federal authorities, as is another former chief of staff, Lon Monk, who is expected to be arraigned April 24.
* You can follow the circus on Korecki’s Blagojevich blog or on Twitter. The Trib and the CS-T are also Tweeting. I’ll update if anything interesting happens.
*** 11:28 am *** This would be almost hilarious if it was another state’s former governor…
“Mr. Rod Blagojevich would waive reading of the indictment and enter a plea of not guilty,” the lawyer said. U.S. District Judge James Zagel asked the former governor a series of questions, including one about his schooling.
“Um, I have a degree from law school,” Blagojevich replied
*** 12:07 pm *** Shameless…
Moments after leaving the courtroom and asked how he was feeling, the ex-governor compared himself to Winston Churchill, saying “this is the end of the beginning.”
He added that “the truth will prevail. I look forward to clearing my name and being vindicated.”
*** 3:39 pm *** Blagojevich speaks. I wonder when he’ll vow to fnd the real killers…
Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich released the following statement, via The Publicity Agency (www.thepublicityagency.com), the PR firm that represents him, following his arraignment in U.S. District Court today:
“Now we can begin the process of getting the truth out and I can clear my name and vindicate myself.
“I have not let down my family or the people of Illinois. I am innocent of every single allegation.”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:03 am
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Is it true that Rajinder Bedi is currently in the South Pacific on the tax payers’ dime?
Comment by Joe in the Know Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:19 am
Funny how Blago craves the spotlight except when he is appearing for an indictment.
Comment by Stones Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:30 am
I’m suprised he didn’t jog to it. You know, to clear his head.
Comment by How Ironic Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:32 am
I’m sure Blagojevich is hoping Zagel will wake up and hope that he — Blagojevich — is “one of the good guys.”
It’s funny (or maybe not so) how all Blagojevich’s rhetoric always comes back as a zinger.
I look forward to seeing “Rod Blagojevich Superstar!” next month.
I suspect it’ll be an up day, that.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:37 am
Send In The Clowns
- Stephen Sondheim
Look at his hair!
Has he a brain?
Blago has arrived at the Dirksen,
To be arrainged.
Send in the clowns.
Isn’t this bliss?
Don’t you approve?
Blago kept tearing around,
Now he can’t move.
Where are the clowns?
Send in the clowns.
Just when he stopped
Slaming SUV doors,
Lying continually
On TV, while on PR tours,
Making his entrance again
With my puffy hair,
Sure of his lines,
But no one is there.
Don’t you love farce?
This is your day.
He thought you’d want what he want -
Pay-To-Play.
But where are the clowns?
There ought to be clowns.
Quick, send in the clowns.
Not a surprise.
Anyone could foresee
The Democrat’s leader, twice-elected,
Forgot suddenly
Why only now when they see
Dems are running away
What a surprise.
What a cliché.
Isn’t it rich?
Isn’t it queer?
Rod lost his timing this late
In his career?
And where are the clowns?
Quick, send in the clowns.
Don’t bother - he’s here.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:38 am
So here’s my question — after all the talk about wanting to tell his story at the proper time, what are the odds that he’ll decide not to take the stand?
Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:49 am
Yes, Rich you are right this would almost be hilarious if it were another state.
Now we have to relive this fiascle on the National news today.
Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:05 pm
What’s the reality show in Costa Rica that he wants to participate in?
That sounds very — well, weird.
Comment by Macbeth Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:25 pm
“the truth will prevail. I look forward to clearing my name and being vindicated.”
I want what he’s having, but not so strong!!
Comment by South of I-80 Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:31 pm
Soccermom, you cant expect him to just give away his story for free at trial… his story is bleepin golden…
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:39 pm
Can we get some odds going here? While people are putting up a preety good bluff now how long will it last?
Cellini- 1 pays 1
Even money he’ll flip (just like Hurtgen did hold out ’til the last minute then cut the deal.
Kelly-
2 pays 1 That he’ll flip. He’s already been fitted for the orange jumper what does he have to lose.
Brother Blago- 1 Pays 2
Outside chance he’ll flip.
Blago- 1 pays 100
There is no way, in all of his hubris, he will go out elgantly. He will go down swingin. Goes easy or go hard- he’ll take the hard.
Odds on more indictmnets to come: 1 pays 1
Odds on Kjellander: 2 pays 1
The bond isssue is one of the nuts here. With Hurtgen and Rezko both cooperating the Feds have both sides of the deal. The squeeze play is in effect.
Odds On the Mrs. Blago: 1 pays 2
If Blago won’t go gently into that good night then the wife might get the cuffs too.
Odds on more indcitments(need takers):
Former TRS Folks?
Will Hurtgen’s gift of the gab pull in any City Hall folks?
Comment by Glenview Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:39 pm
On a side note, I would like to see an explecitive duel between blago and Rich
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:40 pm
Rod to Rob a few years ago: “Stick with us and you’ll do real well for yourself”
Comment by Bobs yer Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:43 pm
Ghost, we had a few of those. Glad they weren’t recorded.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:43 pm
Hey Rich: Remember your bus ride with Rod a few years back. Looking back, any new revelations or thoughts today now that all the criminal stuff has unfolded as it has?
Comment by rich history Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 12:57 pm
Reality show in Costa Rica? Perhaps a “Survivor” like contest with members of the Illinois Senate getting another crack at voting him off the island?
Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 1:10 pm
It’s arraign-ing men, hallelujah!
Will the trial get a separate blog, and how soon will Rich release his long-awaited book after the verdict?
Comment by Weather Girl Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 1:20 pm
Blago, before comparing yourself to Churchill remember that in 1945 the people threw him out of office too.
Comment by Tollway Joe Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 1:22 pm
A reality show in Costa Rica? He needs special permission to do that, please your honor, please give it to him…
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Pleading “Not Guilty” and subsequently being found guilty/convicted should probably lead to a followup charge of Perjury or lying to the Feds. Anyone notice exguv’s nose seems longer than some time ago?
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:11 pm
Rich, what makes you think they weren’t recorded?
Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 2:27 pm
Question - What is the relevance of Rod’s educational background? Why would the judge ask? Is it common during arraignments for the judge to need to know the defendant’s level of education? OK 3 questions.
Comment by casual observer Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:03 pm
Rich,
How’s the book coming? Given Blago’s propensity to do the unexpected I see the potential for lots of sequels.
…..like Harry Potter, but not a work of fiction.
Comment by Downstater Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:18 pm
It’s not coming well. It’s just too emotionally painful to revisit everything right now. Soon, I hope. But not now.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:20 pm
Former Guv Rod Blagojevich is allegedly negotiating to be a contestant on “Survivor - Costa Rica.” I, for one, find it refreshing for a politician to fight to the bitter end rather than copping pleas. He is being brazen about his innocence. There is no shame in doing so, Rich!
Comment by Black Ivy Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:35 pm
I’m really bummed about the Survivior thing - that’s one of my favorite TV shows… You have to admit Blago is “funny” at times - maybe he’ll bring some laughs to the show. OMG - what if he actually won the Million bucks??? Do you think that’s one of the multiple reasons for going on the show????? You would think a celebrity would donate winnings to charity - but with the Blago’s charitiable contributions ranking near zero I’d be wicked crazy surprised at a donation!!!
Comment by Toni H. Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:47 pm
I was involved in a plane crash that could have easily been deadly. It was awhile before I really wanted to talk about it.
My brother strongly encouraged me to write down my memories of the experience, as soon as possible, so that I wouldn’t forget everything I was feeling. Seven years later, I’m certainly glad I did that. It still makes my palms sweat when I relive the experience through the writing.
Heck, just offer your off the cuff thoughts into a tape recorder and have someone else transcribe it.
Your fresh thoughts (and pain) will make the most inspiring reading. Better yet, record your thoughts over a few cocktails, and you’ll have a best seller.
Comment by Downstater Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:48 pm
Sorry, that last post was meant for Rich.
Comment by Downstater Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 3:49 pm
Frankly, everything since the dramatic December daybreak arrest, and then the impeachment, has been anti-climactic. The only thing that would have been newsworthy today would have been a guilty plea.
Even the impeachment was a “slam-dunk”/foregone conslusion, as is the ultimate outcome, conviction and imprisonment.
Comment by Captain America Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:07 pm
Ghost, we had a few of those. Glad they weren’t recorded.
Somebody call Fitz and see if he’ll release the tapes!
Comment by Blogger2 Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:10 pm
I wonder what Blago will say about Rich in his book.
Comment by Silverback Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:50 pm
Probably that I turned on him.
But if he tries to remember correctly, he’ll recall that every bit of advice I ever gave him would’ve prevented his current situation. I told him this would happen, and he just refused to listen.
Que Syrah, Syrah…
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:55 pm
And, believe it or not, that’s what gives me the most pain. He didn’t listen to anybody who tried to steer him right, including me. What a freaking waste he was. All the potential in the world and he just threw it away on day one.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 4:57 pm
The Clown Show Continues
Who’s the clown?
Comment by Wacker Drive Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:04 pm
Yes and the Truth will set you FREE
Behind Bars
You picked on as many individuals as you
could
And now you can’t even admit what you did
How come you made the State Employees
take a Ethics Test????
When you were the one who was not
a reformer to begin with
Another Big Lie and trick you
played on the Honest Voters !!!
Comment by grategul Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 6:09 pm
Rich, “…All the potential in the world and he just threw it away on day one…”
You more than most should know, that’s what you must watch out most for with Dem “Reformers”.
Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 9:28 pm
Well Rich, that’s why your book will work; he’s the classic Aristotelian dramatic heroic figure with the one fatal flaw. Timeless story. The real meat of the book is everything before the Fall, the trial is just denouement. We just want to wait for the inevitable verdict as a formality.
As far as the TV show, he already failed “Survivor: Springfield”. I can’t decide who is taking advantage of whom in that deal: is the TV company taking advantage of Rod’s ego to make money off the mockery, or is Rod Playing them to promote him to the jury pool. Have to wait and see if he asks the other competitors for extra banannas in order to get assigned a better hammock…
Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 10:36 pm
Hey Rich!
Doris Day sang “Que Sera, Sera” back in the fifties.
You said “Syrah”. Are you telling us you’ve gotten access to a really good batch of syrah, and are you going to let us in on the vineyard that produced it?
Comment by Lynn S Tuesday, Apr 14, 09 @ 11:23 pm