* CNN manages to get a couple of quotes from Gov. Blagojevich…
Asked whether he had anything to say to Illinoisans, the governor, who was leaving his attorney’s office, told CNN, “I will at the appropriate time.”
The governor also did not answer a question on whether he is going to resign, saying only, “I’ll have a lot to say at the appropriate time.”
* Congressman Jackson also talked to the network…
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. said Friday that he was fighting to get “my name back” after he was identified as “Senate Candidate 5″ in a criminal complaint against Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. […]
When the facts become clear … I think the American people will recognize that the governor of our state is a little different,” he said
Well, that’s certainly true.
- Vote Quimby! - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 4:58 pm:
I only want to hear two words from him. They start with something he hasn’t demonstrated lately: IQ
- You Go Boy - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:06 pm:
and I suspect, Congressman, you will be seen as the “same”…as your father.
- Bookworm - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:09 pm:
Anyone wanna bet that the “appropriate time” will be, say, about 4:30 p.m. on Christmas Eve or something like that?
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:13 pm:
Since when did “appropriate time” become a code word for “sentencing hearing?”
- Hank - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:14 pm:
Blago will not resign. He was on the Hill when Clinton withstood Monica Lewinsky.
This story might be huge in Chicago, but it is waning Nationally.
The Supreme Court will punt this, and Springfield will be tough due to a 2/3 vote required in the Senate.
- Cheswick - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:20 pm:
The people need to hear from you now, Governor!
- Rich Miller - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:33 pm:
=== 2/3 vote required in the Senate.===
LOL. C’mon.
- DuPage Dave - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:34 pm:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 12-12-2008
From the Office of Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.
I’ve lived a life that’s full.
I’ve traveled each and ev’ry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
- springfieldwatcher - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 5:50 pm:
Jackson grew up in Chicago and his Father has taught him well, he knows how the game is played. Now all of a sudden he never heard of Play to Pay? Please don’t insult my intelligence. He will go down also that’s what happens when you play with fire.
- Anon - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 6:03 pm:
Earth to Hank–
This story is “waning nationally” ???? Chris Matthews led with it. Wolf Blitzer led with it. All three cables carried the AG’s press conference in its entirety. It’s fodder for the late night shows. It’s being covered in Serbia. Not a chance.
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 6:38 pm:
I noticed that when the CNN reporter Drew Griffin caught up with Blago for that little soundbite Blago was wearing yet another track suit. Is that what he wore to work? Did the feds raid his wardrobe and that’s all he has left to wear?
- Bubba - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 6:41 pm:
The story is NOT “waning”, and if he prefers to avoid prison, he might consider this speech (that I so graciously prepared for him):
My fellow moonbats, it is with my utmost dippity-doo that swirling haze is — uhhh… can you smell that? I had a cat with twelve toes on each paw, but nothing ever shakes jello that much aside from equestrian memories. But, that was captain Popeye’s dingy and it’s all over me… I can’t get it off… do you smell that? Mother always said it was silver, yet they burned our teepee and sang of electric mountains… Can someone get this off of me? Where are the trumpeters? YOU, SIR, ARE NO GARGOYLE!!! Uff. Duhhh.
- Gregor - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 7:33 pm:
When I saw the ministers come visiting Blagoaway, I did not see his favorite Reverend-Senator Meeks among them. I wonder why not.
Also, this youtube clip has become popular again:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quf20NbCMus&feature=related
- anon always - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 7:50 pm:
Has the Ethics Officer investigated? The appearance of illegal conduct would have most state employees fired.
- Sweet Polly Purebred - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 9:21 pm:
I am truly looking forward to the gov’s annual answer to the inquisition - the ETHICS test! Maybe this year the test will contain questions regarding just what is ethical/not ethical behaviour if you are a gov from Cook County, instead of questions defaming good ethical Sangamon county state employees as was the case two years ago. It would be nice if Fitz and the boys would take a look at the pay to play deal that got Blago’s CA friend and campaign donor the contract to write the drivel that passes itself off as “ETHICS EDUCATION”. The funninest/saddest part of all this is that it just reinforces what all of my fellow state workers have said regarding this test - you CANNOT TEACH ETHICS - Blago’s supposed passing of said test and the contradiction of his actual unethical conduct is a testament to this. Then again, there was NOTHING on the test regarding the sale of a senate seat being unethical. Seriously, I am looking forward to ETHICS season. I cannot believe that we will be subjected to such a farce after all this. We shall see….
- Sweet Polly Purebred - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 9:39 pm:
The former gov-to-be may pick the appropriate time, but given his prediliction for “FOOT-IN-MOUTH” disease will he pick the appropriate words?
- wordslinger - Friday, Dec 12, 08 @ 11:10 pm:
He’s not going to resign. Why would he? Nothing to gain.
- DuPage Dave - Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 8:01 am:
Sweet Polly- As a state employee I also have endured the “ethics tests” these last few years. Of course we have the “I’m ethical, are you?” posters as well as our mandated photos of the guv to hang up. And believe, me, it’s not just employees in Sangamo that have gotten the grief.
I think that Fitzgerald’s tapes of Blago and associates should form the scenarios for next year’s “test” (in the unlikely event that those continue). Here’s a first draft (expletives deleted):
State Employee 1: You know, someone offered me a million dollars in campaign contributions if I appoint him to be a U.S. Senator. I could really use the money, but somehow it doesn’t seem right. What do you think I should do?
State Employee 2: Well, did you talk to him on a state phone? Were you in a state office at the time?
State Employee 1: No, I was in my “other office” on my own phone.
State Employee 2: Well, that’s good. Do you think you could take some of that million dollars and hire my wife to redecorate your “other office”?
State Employee 1: Sure, so long as she’s not doing it on state time!
- Martin - Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 8:37 am:
It is amazing that no one bothers to comment on the fact that Blago has made no statement about his arrest and that no one expects him to resign. He was arrested five days ago - and all we get in terms of a statement is some pro forma language from his attorney. The story on Eliot Spitzer broke on March 10. He appeared in public on March 12 - and resigned. Here, everyone assumes that Blago is such a complete sleaze that no one expects him to appear in public and say anything. And no one expects him to resign. His claims of testicular virility are clearly also a lie.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 12:42 pm:
His attorney Ed Genson will tell him to step aside as provided in the law, not resign and try to start building good will.
- whatever - Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 1:09 pm:
He clearly is following the Clinton playbook. First, he meets with ministers. Next, he will appear to apologize while saying nothing. It worked for Bill. Why not him?
- Sweet Polly Purebred - Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 1:39 pm:
DuPage Dave - Can’t imagine working for the state in DuPage CO. - the home of George Ryan. I am sure that the pressures from this admin. were tremendous. As to your Ethics Test - I could just see the video in my head! How perfect. With the breadth of his corruption, there would be plenty of scenarios that’s for sure.
- "It's An Up Day" - Saturday, Dec 13, 08 @ 2:02 pm:
Check out the rat picture with Blago contest here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/11/blagojevich-photo-caption_n_150415.html