* 11:03 am - From a press release…
CHICAGO – Governor Rod R. Blagojevich will make a statement today.
WHO: Governor Rod R. Blagojevich
TIME: 2:00 pm
DATE: Friday, January 23, 2009
WHERE: James R. Thompson Center 15th Floor – Blue Room
100 W. Randolph Ave.
Chicago, IL 60601
**MEDIA CREDENTIALS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY**
We’ll use this thread to live blog the proceedings. Meanwhile, Zorn has more quotes from this morning’s radio show.
* Here’s more to chew on while we wait. Zorn’s been busy transcribing all morning…
But yeah, I hear what you’re saying (in asking a question about the parallels between my story and the story of Richard Nixon ). And there are some parallels.
I think that when you come from virtually nothing, like he did. Small town kid with high aspirations. And then I came from a working-class background. Five-room apartment. And they don’t let you in the good schools and you don’t have opportunities to be able to do some of the things that others do, but you’re determined to try to do the best you can and build a life for yourself and your family.
And you scratch and claw and work your way up, as Nixon certainly did, and you have some ups and downs, but you keep climbin’ and you keep fightin’ and you never quit. Those are qualities that Nixon had. Now if you have a chip your shoulder like that, and I suspect I probably have some of that, it’s what propelled me to be governor, and it drives you.
So I suppose you can draw some analogies.
I think I’ll open a fresh post at 2 since this one’s already getting crowded.
*** 12:34 PM *** Funny, but true…
If Gov. Blagojevich wants to invoke the insanity defense, he won’t get an argument from Mayor Daley.
Daley turned into an amateur psychiatrist Friday when asked about the governor’s claim that the state Senate’s upcoming impeachment trial is a plot to get Blagojevich out of the way to pave the wave for a massive tax increase.
“I’ve said, ‘cuckoo’ once. I’ll say it again: ‘Cuckoo,’ ” the mayor said of the governor’s claim.
That’s the second time in four months that Daley has referred to Illinois’ disgraced governor as “cuckoo.”
- Princess - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:04 am:
And of course he’ll be taking questions from reporters, right?
- Been There - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:07 am:
===**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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:09 am:
Not yet.
- Lake Voter - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:13 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:13 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:15 am:
God bless him for making my Friday’s interesting
- HoBoSkillet - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:16 am:
Lake Voter -
I do not know for sure, but I would imagine that WLS 890 will run the statement.
- Hmmm - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:16 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:18 am:
Didn’t someone see at the last conference the dude in the wheelchair walking in and out of the Thompson Center?
- Lake Voter - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:18 am:
Thanks HBS
- OneMan - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:21 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:22 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:27 am:
Wordslinger, are you saying that Rod can now heal the sick? Wow, not only does he promote healthcare he also provides!
- carbon deforestation - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:27 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:27 am:
I’m pretty sure 780 WBBM will also carry it.
- This Guy - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:29 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:33 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:38 am:
must have memorized another poem
- awol - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:39 am:
PLEASE have him stop scheduling these pressers while General Hospital is on!!!!!!
- Ahem - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:39 am:
It’ll be interesting if the national media is as interested as a few weeks ago. I’m thinking not.
- Cassandra - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:40 am:
A la Hillary, he will claim a vast Madigan-inspired conspiracy.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:43 am:
===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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:46 am:
leave Hillary out of this Cassandra..
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:47 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:47 am:
If he keeps scheduling mid-afternoon pressers he’s going to lose the support of grandmas who watch soap operas.
- Secret Square - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:48 am:
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. - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:48 am:
Who knows, he may resign to steal attention from Patterson over the Gillibrand appointment.
- awol - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:49 am:
I can’t believe the new press guy is going along with this. Has he no morals?
- Deep South - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:49 am:
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.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:51 am:
===Has he no morals? ===
Not sure about that, but I’m pretty sure he has no other job offers. ;)
- carbon deforestation - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:51 am:
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)”
- Secret Square - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:53 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:54 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:55 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:57 am:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 11:59 am:
“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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:00 pm:
==I dunno about that.==
Cameras arriving now. I guess that’s interest.
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:04 pm:
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! - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:11 pm:
==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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:15 pm:
Won’t let you in the good schools?
Pepperdine and Northwestern should be offended.
- Vote Quimby! - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:17 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:19 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:22 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:32 pm:
===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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:33 pm:
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_doesnt_give_a_damn_ab.php
- Concerned Observer - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:37 pm:
===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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:38 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:40 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:47 pm:
A Citizen: Presumably the senate can still continue on with the conviction and bar him from office anyway
- Healthcare Worker - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:48 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 12:51 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:04 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:05 pm:
Given the manic instability being exhibited; I still say watch out for the “Bud Dwyer” final press conference maneuver.
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:12 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:14 pm:
==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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:16 pm:
Anybody got a link? Couldn’t find it.
- HoBoSkillet - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:23 pm:
http://www.jossip.com/getting-caught-for-being-a-corrupt-politician-is-basically-the-same-as-americas-involvement-in-wwii-20090123/
- Anonymous ZZZ - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:24 pm:
Here you go, Rich (if this is the one you’re asking about):
http://www.jossip.com/getting-caught-for-being-a-corrupt-politician-is-basically-the-same-as-americas-involvement-in-wwii-20090123/
- Vote Quimby! - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:24 pm:
Bud Dwyer? I hope not!
- Anonymous Coward - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:25 pm:
@HoBoSkillet
I smell a caption contest brewing…
- Anonymous ZZZ - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:26 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:27 pm:
OK, enough about Dwyer. Move along, please.
- HoBoSkillet - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:29 pm:
@AC I’d suggest that too but I think AnonZZZ may have already won the contest!
- Cinho - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:30 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:32 pm:
or maybe he will appoint Patti to MWRD…I hear she’s recenlty unemployed…
- How Ironic - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:33 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:33 pm:
oops typo…recently
- The Doc - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:35 pm:
Still no request to step down from Daley.
Curious why this hasn’t received more media scrutiny.
- Vote Quimby! - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:36 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:36 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:47 pm:
Sir Walter Raleigh…
Falsely imprisoned poet.
- How Ironic - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:55 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:56 pm:
How late is he going to be this time?
- OneMan - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 1:57 pm:
Mic check one two one two
- Say WHAT? - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 2:14 pm:
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 - Friday, Jan 23, 09 @ 4:32 pm:
repsectfully request an old-but-goody repost of the cuckoo ringtone
- anon - Saturday, Jan 24, 09 @ 10:19 am:
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.