DISQUS

Princess · 11 months ago

And of course he'll be taking questions from reporters, right?

Been There · 11 months ago

===**MEDIA CREDENTIALS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY**=== Did Murray ever get his press pass? I need to borrow it for this and few other events.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

Not yet.

Lake Voter · 11 months ago

Rich,

For those of us that are in a car at that time, could you tell us what chicagoland radio station might carry this.

Thanks

Quacktastic · 11 months ago

I'm willing to wager $1 million that Rod will not resign or talk about solving the real crisis that affects state government - the budget, however, (he or his lawyers) will do one of the following?

1. Parade some constituents that have supposedly been helped by Rod.

2. Quote some poetry or part of history.

3. Confusion will ensue between one or more of the lawyers and Rod.

4. His hair will stand perfectly still.

5. Mention that the Senate Trial is a railroad job or sham.

6. Run in place at the podium

7. Drop an "f" bomb

he gone · 11 months ago

God bless him for making my Friday's interesting

HoBoSkillet · 11 months ago

Lake Voter -

I do not know for sure, but I would imagine that WLS 890 will run the statement.

Hmmm · 11 months ago

I would think that after awhile reporters would realize that it is far more pleasant to listen to amature poets at Barnes and Noble.

wordslinger · 11 months ago

Didn't someone see at the last conference the dude in the wheelchair walking in and out of the Thompson Center?

Lake Voter · 11 months ago

Thanks HBS

OneMan · 11 months ago

I the mighty Kreskin will predict the following....


-- He will quote Keats or some other dead British poet

-- He is going to blame someone else

-- He will have on stage with him someone under the age of 10 and over the age of 65

Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan · 11 months ago

What would be great is if the media would just not show up, why enable him? Let him babble to an empty room.

Spiney Norman · 11 months ago

Wordslinger, are you saying that Rod can now heal the sick? Wow, not only does he promote healthcare he also provides!

carbon deforestation · 11 months ago

It will be just like his radio appearance today. No questions allowed. A statement about the plot to raise taxes, unfairness of the rules, etc.

If I were a news director for a TV station I would have the tape of his January 9th statement ready to go where he said "I look forward to the Senate trial where I will be treated fairly" - etc. HA! What a LIAR!

Concerned Observer · 11 months ago

I'm pretty sure 780 WBBM will also carry it.

This Guy · 11 months ago

While it'd be mucho coolio if the media folk would avoid the noid, they have to eat like everyone else, so I'm bettin' they show.

HoBoSkillet · 11 months ago

I wonder if he'll show clips from "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and suggest comparisons between himself and Mr. Smith.

Leave a light on George · 11 months ago

must have memorized another poem

awol · 11 months ago

PLEASE have him stop scheduling these pressers while General Hospital is on!!!!!!

Ahem · 11 months ago

It'll be interesting if the national media is as interested as a few weeks ago. I'm thinking not.

Cassandra · 11 months ago

A la Hillary, he will claim a vast Madigan-inspired conspiracy.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===It’ll be interesting if the national media is as interested as a few weeks ago. I’m thinking not. ===

I dunno about that. The Senate is getting swamped with calls from the nationals. And this is a great story, too hard to pass up.

Anonymous45 · 11 months ago

leave Hillary out of this Cassandra..

VanillaMan · 11 months ago

He began his career being Mell's son-in-law and little else when he solely announced that he wanted to be elected to office, so being alone but believing in himself is familiar territory for Rod Blagojevich. He has been talking for almost twenty years. It has taken him to the governor's office - twice.

So expect him to tell us a more polished version of what he trial-ballooned this morning. Expect him to offer his strongest political arguments before Monday's trial. This weekend he will be testing the waters for a public reaction to what he says this afternoon.

If indications are clear, to him, that today's version of his story is a flop, Rod Blagojevich will resign before the trial.

Bluefish · 11 months ago

If he keeps scheduling mid-afternoon pressers he's going to lose the support of grandmas who watch soap operas.

Secret Square · 11 months ago

How many names of national office holders will he drop at the press conference? He managed to work Ted Kennedy and John McCain into his Don and Roma interview, who will he think of next?

Ben S. · 11 months ago

Who knows, he may resign to steal attention from Patterson over the Gillibrand appointment.

awol · 11 months ago

I can't believe the new press guy is going along with this. Has he no morals?

Deep South · 11 months ago

I thought fer sure he was gonna resign the last time he did this, which was also on a Friday. I'm sure we'll all be disappointed again.

carbon deforestation · 11 months ago

Rich there is a great picture of his last statement linked in an article on you "Congress" block to the right. You can see in that picture there was a kid passed out on the floor among the group of "citizens I helped"

The first article titled "Getting Caught for Being a Corrupt Politician" - great picture. Almost as good as the one with that teacher and the money from last week, which is almost as good as the Blago / Nixon picture, which is almost as good as the "Blagojevich Sucks" picture . .

On behalf of the citizens of Illinois I have a statement I would like to make in response to the Governor's statement today - it goes like this:
"No, I promise you Christopher Kelly will not be indicted"
"Anyone can tape record me, I invite you!"
"I will veto any tax increase (except for the $17 billion Gross Receipts Tax which would have crippled our state's economy)"

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

===Has he no morals? ===

Not sure about that, but I'm pretty sure he has no other job offers. ;)

Secret Square · 11 months ago

I predict part of the Blago Media Blitz will include at least one gig on a right-leaning show (Rush, O'Reilly, Hannity, Glenn Beck, etc.) whose viewers/listeners are convinced that he has dirt on Obama and really is being "railroaded" to "protect" him.

awol · 11 months ago

He's in a major bind. He can't leave now, right? No one will hire him and he hasn't been with the Guv long enough to have done ANYTHING good.

liberty and justice · 11 months ago

Since the Illinois Senate represents all of ILLINOIS and no other states, shouldnt the governor be focusing his attention on media outlets WITHIN the state? Rather than "The View"?

Smells like he's drummin up support for either a book, movie, or national pundit...

conservative one · 11 months ago

If the press did not attend, thereby not playing into his hands, game over. Instead, press will show, he'll get his face on the news and this madness continues.

Oswego Willy · 11 months ago

"Gov. Blago is approaching the podium ..."

"Thank you all for cominng today, I want to take this time to clear up a few things; I beleive the senate impeachment is a sham, and I do not recognize their authority to do so.

I have fired my press secretary, who did an outstanding job, but have replaced my entire press office with Baghdad Bob who really has a full grasp of this situation and Baghdad Bob will be available during this unconstitutional process.

The First Lady was not fired, as reported by the 'in the senate pocket' media, she chose to follow another career path.

I have asked my legal team to work closely with anyone in the Obama Administration who has said the words, 'Governor Blagojevich' at any point in their adult life. Tehy will cleanse me of these legislative demons.

As I was pressed for time when swearing in the new Illinois Senate, I will be made available for all senate members for photos in recognition and celebration of their swearing-in. It will take place Monday, between 9am and 9:03am.

Seeing no questions, I will leave you and to quote someone I find a great person in history, whom I find great solace when times are dark, and you know you have sunshine on your side, 'was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?' Thank you Bluto for crystalizing my thoughts.

Bagdad Bob?"

"This concludes the Governor's press conference"

Ahem · 11 months ago

==I dunno about that.==
Cameras arriving now. I guess that's interest.

Concerned Observer · 11 months ago

I think he'll show up with a list of the people who he wants to call as witnesses. It'll include everyone from Lisa Madigan to John McCain, from Rahm Emanuel to (for all I know) Immanuel himself.

He'll say, "these are the people who can prove my innocence, but the Senate won't let me call them." And then he'll suggest reporters talk to those people and ask how they dare support such an unfair process.

And then he'll read a poem. I suggest "Where the Sidewalk Ends" by Shel Silverstein, just for flavor.

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

==this is a great story==
It's not just a story it's a trainwreck. Watching the meltdown is fascinating stuff--especially to those outside the ILL who wonder how he is still in office. Think of the crash: from being reelected governor and dreaming of a presidential bid, watching someone else from your city actually do it while FBI keeps showing up on your caller ID, then you're arrested, impeached and soon-to-be-tried. Your kids are most probably bewildered and scared, your wife is now unemployed and disliked, and you soon will be too with no job prospects in a down economy and tons of debt on your house. *pop*

Dantana · 11 months ago

Won't let you in the good schools?

Pepperdine and Northwestern should be offended.

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

Hearing him on the radio talking about one of the great tragedies of our country's history, I couldn't help but think of Belushi in Animal House saying "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" But he wants to go out the same way the frat guys did: with the largest, loudest, most damaging spectacle possible...and didn't one of the characters end up a US Senator? Scary how fiction becomes reality...

Phineas J. Whoopee · 11 months ago

I thought it funny how he is now bashing Precinct Captains. I guess the new Chief of Staff isn't enough for him.

Rod should remember the immortal words of Ralph Cramdan, your going to see the same people on the way up and you do on the way down-

and they ain't so nice as the feds.

Speaking At Will · 11 months ago

Top Ten things that could happen at todays presser.

10) Rod gives an exhibition on proper stretching techniques to avoid muscle strains while jogging.

9) Introduces Emil Jones as the New appointment to the Chicago Water District.

8) Announces a new "capitol program" for Milton Patterson's district.

7) Comes out dressed as Abe Lincoln and recites the lyrics to "Eye of the Tiger" then declares is "Survivor Day" in Illinois.

6) Has a spokesman crouch into a catchers position, pulls a baseball out of his jacket pocket and then shows reporters that "his arm still has some life in it". Then angles for a spot on the Cubs rotation saying "my screwball is unhittable."

5) Debut of his new clothing line. "Blago Wear"

4) Announces his intention to run for Mayor of Levenworth Kansas.

3) Walks in wearing a shirt that says "If a*****s were airplanes, this place would be an airport."

2) Says he was reading Capitol Fax Blog and appreciates all the hard work that Rich Miller has put into covering this injust impeachment. Therefore to honor Rich Miller he has through executive order declared Abe Lincolns Log cabin home, the "Blog Cabin".

1) Answers every question with the response "Both Teams played hard."

ArchPundit · 11 months ago

===If the press did not attend, thereby not playing into his hands, game over. Instead, press will show, he’ll get his face on the news and this madness continues.

Sort of like Andy Kaufman's entire career. If you view it as performance art, it's a lot more tolerable.

IrishPirate · 11 months ago

Well perhaps Blago can move to Mell's ward and get a job as a "dibs remover".

http://chicagoist.com/2009/01/23/ald_dick_mell_...

Concerned Observer · 11 months ago

===Sort of like Andy Kaufman’s entire career. If you view it as performance art, it’s a lot more tolerable.

Yeah, but Andy Kaufman didn't control payments to state agencies.

Amuzing Myself · 11 months ago

His ability to see the miraculous in himself and his personal story is nothing new. That being said, I find it rather amusing that he compares himself to Nixon because of their upbringing and having to work for everything. I can't stand Nixon, but one could argue that he earned everything he ever got - good or bad. Little, if anything was ever handed to him.

On the other hand, Rod married into his career, an ascension that began largely - if not entirely - because of Dick Mell. The political ascension of someone marrying into the Bush, Daley or Kennedy families would be a much more apt comparison for Hot Rod, although he'd probably be appalled at the thought.

A Citizen · 11 months ago

When the Senate convicts and he is removed from office he also is barred from holding any position in state government in the future. That alone will cause him to choose resignation when he is convinced he is going to lose. He still has delusions about his future in politics.

Barnum and Blago · 11 months ago

A Citizen: Presumably the senate can still continue on with the conviction and bar him from office anyway

Healthcare Worker · 11 months ago

Since he is now comparing himself to Nixon, and Nixon was going to be impeached, but he thwarted it by .....

Never mind, gotta go clean up the coffee......

VanillaMan · 11 months ago

And what kind of a precedent does that set for future governors? And, what about the next governor? How would he, Pat Quinn, or any successor to him, feel he can fight the legislature, as I have done, to protect you guys from tax increases? When he gets those lawmakers mad, they’ll trump up a bunch of stuff with phony rules, not allow him to bring witnesses, they’ll make accusations, and they’ll throw him out of office too.

Let's pretend he is right and answer his question correctly too.

When he gets those lawmakers mad, they’ll trump up a bunch of stuff with phony rules, not allow him to bring witnesses, they’ll make accusations, and they’ll throw him out of office too.

What protects a governor from a possible situation as described by Blagojevich? What he essentially says isn't incorrect. An angered legislature can throw out a governor - even an elected one. They can run amok. The impeachment process isn't strict. Yet we usually see an angered legislature not throw out a governor, don't we. Impeachment is rare.

What is impeaching Blagojevich, but not past or most likely, future governors, is not just an angered legislature. Nor the charges. It is a governor who is so extraordinarily bad, the legitimacy and mandates given to him by voters as late as November 2007 were spent and the debit remaining so huge, Blagojevich had no sources of support to keep him in office after his arrest. Blagojevich had been living on borrowed political time since May 2005. Other inept or governors hated by the GA had enough political capital to prevent an impeachment.

There is always a threat of impeachment, or recall. Even Ronald Reagan faced a recall attempt while serving as governor of California. Gray Davis was just re-elected before he faced a successful recall. Without political support, Blagojevich couldn't be elected. Without political support, Blagojevich couldn't prevent himself from being impeached. These are political processes, not criminal ones. Charges can be trumped up. It doesn't matter.

Governors are important. Bad governors damage their states. Impeachment allows the political will to remove a governor when they fail. That is why Clinton was found not guilty after his impeachment, and why Blagojevich will join Evan Meacham of Arizona among a very short list of impeached public officials.

And that is why the list of impeached governors convicted during a Senate trial is so short.

Captain America · 11 months ago

Governor Pinocchio will declare that he is political genius and cite Jonathan Swift to support his contention:

"When a true genius appears, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in a confederacy against him."

Blago Sphere · 11 months ago

Given the manic instability being exhibited; I still say watch out for the "Bud Dwyer" final press conference maneuver.

Don't Worry, Be Happy · 11 months ago

He's going to upstage Second City by announcing that he'll be appearing on Saturday Night Live, where he'll be played by Tina Fey.

Anonymous ZZZ · 11 months ago

==Rich there is a great picture of his last statement linked in an article on you “Congress” block to the right. You can see in that picture there was a kid passed out on the floor among the group of “citizens I helped”==

Carbon deforestation, that picture is hilarious! Guess that's what happens when Children's Memorial Hospital doesn't get its money.

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

Anybody got a link? Couldn't find it.

HoBoSkillet · 11 months ago

http://www.jossip.com/getting-caught-for-being-...

Anonymous ZZZ · 11 months ago

Here you go, Rich (if this is the one you're asking about):


http://www.jossip.com/getting-caught-for-being-...

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

Bud Dwyer? I hope not!

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

@HoBoSkillet

I smell a caption contest brewing...

Anonymous ZZZ · 11 months ago

Blago Sphere - I thought he might pull a "Bud Dwyer" when he scheduled the press conference right after the impeachment vote. Who knows what awaits us this afternoon?

Rich Miller · 11 months ago

OK, enough about Dwyer. Move along, please.

HoBoSkillet · 11 months ago

@AC I'd suggest that too but I think AnonZZZ may have already won the contest!

Cinho · 11 months ago

Perhaps the presser is for him to announce his resignation from the Governor's office and subsequent employment with the World Wrestling Federation as Rod the God. He can demonstrate his new wrestling move, the Hair Plane and will call out MJM and Lisa to a tag team match against him and Patty. All proceeds from the Pay Per View fees to benefit Children's Memorial Hospital, of course.

Anonymous45 · 11 months ago

or maybe he will appoint Patti to MWRD...I hear she's recenlty unemployed...

How Ironic · 11 months ago

A caption contest?

As in "If I wasn't so busy working for the people, I would go over right now and lay hands on that child. I'd command him to wake up, and catch that darn kitty that is always running from me."

Anonymous45 · 11 months ago

oops typo...recently

The Doc · 11 months ago

Still no request to step down from Daley.

Curious why this hasn't received more media scrutiny.

Vote Quimby! · 11 months ago

I am more interested into which poet he will quote this time....I like the 'Where the Sidewalk Ends' post above--my poetry knowledge ends about there, too.

Anon · 11 months ago

Taking a long shot -- he'll quote Robert Service, "The Ballad of Pious Pete"--

"They're taking me out with an escort about, and under a sergeant's care;
I am humbled indeed, for I'm 'cuffed to a Swede that thinks he's a millionaire.
But it's all Gospel true what I'm telling to you . . . "

Anonymous Coward · 11 months ago

Sir Walter Raleigh...

Falsely imprisoned poet.

How Ironic · 11 months ago

I'm hoping he really goes nuts. Forget the poems. We need a good limrick.

There once was a Gov called "Crazy"
Ran his kingdom from inside his home
He had a perfect hair dome
Quoted Nixon, or any poem
But with regards to the truth Blago was hazy

Secret Square · 11 months ago

How late is he going to be this time?

OneMan · 11 months ago

Mic check one two one two

Say WHAT? · 11 months ago

Blago isn't there yet. Its 2:14 PM I'm sure its the fault of the legislature. If they make him late, they can pass a tax increase. Yeah, thats it. Bad Legislature!!!

BannedForLife · 11 months ago

repsectfully request an old-but-goody repost of the cuckoo ringtone

anon · 11 months ago

Question. Why couldn't the Illinois Supreme Court remove him because he is unfit for duty. Lisa Madigan was right on the nail. I feel sorry for him actually. He is definitely mentally unfit. It's all very sad.