As his impeachment trial begins, Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues taking his case to the people via the media. I don’t think it’s working. Here’s what he had to say on ABC’s Nightline last night:
Pressed on what context would justify using Obama’s Senate seat to land a job for himself, Blagojevich said he didn’t try to make a trade.
“If you do an exchange of one for the other, that’s wrong,” he told ABC’s “Nightline.” “But if you have discussions about the future and down the road and what you might want to do once you’re no longer governor in a few years, what’s wrong with that?”
Actually, I think that a reasonable person would consider that soliciting a bribe.
As I’ve said before impeachment is a political act and in the 21st century politics is something that goes on largely on television. Consequently, making your case on television is completely understandable and reasonable. I think we’ll see a lot more of it.
However, I think I understand why Ed Genson dumped him.
“Isn’t it odd how few people are able to prioritize?” The Gov has two problems: impeachment and criminal problem (for himself and possibly his spouse). He’s got to choose his priorities here and I’ve seen no sense of that yet.
That statement will be read to the jury by Fitzgerald; it’s an admission that undercuts any argument that his words were taken out of context. It also shows a lack of contrition.
How much will he earn for the book rights…appear on the tube for a few weeks, spark some interest..write a book, sell the rights for a made for tv movie..he goes to jail for a short while and comes out financially well off…
I’m thinking he’s not going to jail for a short while. The current complaint has two counts with maximums of 10 and 20 years each, and I believe the prosecutor has implied that more charges are coming. Federal sentencing guidelines are pretty tough on politicians violating public trust and unlike say the intangible harm in the Libby case, there are actual victims here — the children’s hospital.
But if his priority is a book deal, then he needs a sex angle.