Blago Watch!

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich leaves the Dirksen Federal Building while the jury deliberates in his corruption trial in this Aug. 12, 2010 file photo in Chicago, Illinois. The defense for former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich filed a new motion in an Illinois court today.

(John Gress/Getty Images)

Blagojevich is back and he's trying to sell the idea that he's innocent.

In the latest District Court filing submitted Monday, the Blagojevich legal team tried to build a case that he was not trying to "sell" the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. In fact, the former Illinois governor has claimed, he was hard at work trying to broker a political horse trade that would appoint Lisa Madigan, the state's attorney general and daughter of the Illinois House speaker, to the post.

 Click title of this post for the full article.

Blago Watch!

AP Photo/Paul Beaty

A second trial is coming. This one may include additional drama by prosecutors calling more witnesses and, by the defense putting up Rod himself.

Rahm Emanuel and Tony Rezko were not originally called to the stand in the first trial. This is because, they are not terribly credible witnesses however, they are key witnesses within the case and, this next time around, the prosecutors may consider putting them on the stand. 


Another problem the prosecution had was the confusion of the trail. Many of the jurors were confused, and said it was difficult to follow. 


Blago appears to be tapped out, and may be unable to keep his team of lawyers. A second trial may require public defenders. 


During this first trial, it appears as though a lone juror was the one who had dug their heels in, refusing to see the obvious- that Blago is a corrupt politician. I had a feeling it would be just one juror and, it wouldn't surprise me if Blago, or someone from his team is behind this. That is how truly corrupt I believe this man to be. 


I am not surprised by the fact that most this jury found Blago guilty. The man is guilty. Let's hope they might even be able to show that he tampered with this one juror. That would be another charge for him.

Blago Watch!

The jury is out and it seems that no matter what Blago does, he still has fans.

Even after hearing...

"(I gave) your grandmother a free (bleeping) ride on a bus. And what do I get for that? Only 13 percent of you all out there think I'm doing a good job," he says of his Illinois constituents. "So (bleep) all of you!"

... there are elders that still have come to the courthouse to show their support for the corrupt governor.

What on earth is taking this jury so long? Could it be that one of these die-hard fans is on the jury, digging their heels in, insisting this idiot is innocent?

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Blago Watch!

Gerry Krozel, who is a road building executive, will be back on the stand today.  His testimony surrounds allegations of Blagojevich shaking him down, in exchange for a 6 billion dollar project. 

Blago on tape: "Lon is here with me, so we just thought we'd say hello. How are you doing? We've got this end-of-the year deadline. The rules change after Jan. 1."

 

Krozel explains from the stand that Blago is referring to a new ethics bill that would prevent him from raising cash from people doing business with the state.

Blago on tape: "The good news is, we're off and running. We've got something going and there's going to be more."

One week before, Blago had announced a smaller, $1.8 billion project for the Illinois Tollway. The "more," Krozel says from the stand, is the promise of a bigger, $6 billion project.

Blago on tape: "The good news for you guys is -- which is the bad news for us -- after the first of the year this level of ... you know ... we won't be able to bully you guys."

I am wondering how the hell Blagojevich is going to explain all this.  Krozel stated that his colleagues were apprehensive about giving any monies to Blago. He also explained that he had no intentions of helping with any fund raising but, admitted he still wanted the project.

Blago Watch!

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The corruption trial carries on. We continue to learn more about how Blagojevich was a man with delusions of grandeur.

The following is a conversation between Blagojevich and Former Deputy Governor Doug Scofield.

BLAGO: "But you know what about Patti on some, you know corporate boards? Paid Corporate boards right now. Can they help us that way?"
SCOFIELD: "I think they could."
BLAGO: "Yeah. so..."
SCOFIELD: "The, the President-elect, they think he can do most anything he sets his mind to if he wants."
BLAGO: "Yeah."

Also included on the tapes, a conversation between Blago and political consultant Bill Knapp.

Some spoke their mind. In one call, political consultant Bill Knapp advises Blagojevich not to name himself to the Senate:

KNAPP: "Because I think it's a--it makes you a national joke."

Later in the call Blagojevich lets loose:

BLAGO:: "I mean, you guys are telling me I just gotta suck it up for two years and do nothing. Give this (expletive) his Senator. (Expletive) him! For nothing? (Expletive) him. I'll put Louanner there before I do that."
KNAPP: "You'd do what?"
BLAGO: "I'll put Louanner in the Senate before I just give (expletive) Valerie Jarrett a (expletive) Senate seat, and I don't get anything from some (expletive) chicken (expletive)...Oh, don't get me started."

So, it's clear the defense is going to be blaming the people and advisers around Blagojevich. It is their defense that no one corrected him but, too bad for the defense that ignorance is NO excuse of the law. Especially when the defendant is someone who should KNOW the law. Not to mention, just common sense should have told him what he was trying to do was WRONG.

If I get pulled over for speeding and my excuse is that I didn't know the speed limit, that isn't an excuse. I will still get a ticket. That applies to any law.

This case is open and shut. Blago is an utter fraud. The more this trial carries on, the more I am absolutely convinced of his guilt.

Blago Watch!

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In today's news concerning the Blagojevich trial, we learn just exactly what most of us already know - he's clearly bipolar and unstable.

Tapes reveal his emotions and instability.

"I get nothing out of Valerie Jarrett," he complains. "The arrogance of these (expletive) people."

Other times, Blagojevich takes a lack of response as potentially a good sign.

"They didn't say it was ludicrous. They didn't say no way," he says hopefully.

HE can't believe the arrogance? Look in the mirror Rod. It's amazing how this man was able to reach such levels in our government but, then again, it was in the state of Illinois.

It's hard to believe how arrogant some people can be and, Blagojevich is one of the most arrogant politicians I have ever read about, other than Obama.

Blago Watch!

Now, in more revealing news concerning Blagojevich's character...

His trial continues and more tape is being played. This time, the tapes show Blagojevich as someone who is not exactly female friendly.

Eventually the talk got around to a suggestion that they try a different route to convey the swap idea to the president: through soon-to-be first lady Michelle Obama.

“He’s a lot more hen-pecked than me,” Blagojevich said. “He listens to Michelle.”

Blago Watch!

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A recent witness in the case, said that he received a job after making a donation of $50,000.

How lovely. 

In other testimony:

Chicago attorney Joseph Cari testified that on a 2003 plane ride to a fundraiser in New York, Blagojevich told him he thought governors have an advantage over senators in seeking the presidency because they could get campaign money out of companies seeking business from the state.

Cari, a former national finance chairman of the Democratic National Committee, said Rezko and Kelly dangled the possibility that he could get law business and other fees from the state if he would put his fundraising contacts to work for a possible Blagojevich run for the White House.

I cannot wait to hear the defense for this case. I know every man has his day in court but, I cannot help thinking Blagojevich is totally guilty. 

Dennis Miller Gives His Opinion

Since, I've been talking a lot about Helen Thomas and Blagojevich, I figured this would be a good video to post. Dennis Miller gives his commentary on these two, current news figures.

Blagojevich Update

You can click the title of this post for the full story.

The Blagojevich trial is underway and, Alonzo Monk, former chief of staff for Blagojevich, and a friend of his testified that any money earned had plans to be placed in hard to find accounts and, that later this would be split amongst his inner circle. 

Blagojevich has pleaded not guilty to scheming to profit from his power to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama and squeeze people for campaign contributions. If convicted, Blagojevich could receive up to 415 years in prison and fines totaling $6 million.

 This man is a work of art. It's amazing. He has just dug his heels in and he's not letting go.

Monk told the jury how Rezko, a real estate developer who is awaiting sentencing for fraud and other offenses, and Kelly, a roofing contractor, raised millions of dollars for Blagojevich's campaign fund and were rewarded with jobs and contracts for their friends.

Typical Chicago style politics. I guess we have to wait and see. Yes, I think he's guilty but, of course, everyone is entitled to their day in court. I can't wait for his defense. This ought to be interesting. 

Blagojevich Trial Straight Ahead

Rod Blagojevich will soon be on trial for his crimes of corruption. He faces, 24 counts including racketeering, wire fraud, attempted extortion, and bribery.

Illinois is famous for it's corruption so, it's no surprise a demoncrap in this state or, even a Republican for that matter, finds themselves on trial for these political crimes.

Blagojevich has proven to the world, these past few years, what a media-attention-whore he truly is. He's spent time on radio and all sorts of tv programs, even getting his wife involved in a second rate, reality tv show, trying to convince the public of his innocence. The more he talks, the more you realize what a goon he truly is. It's not surprising that he married his wife...she too, is a goon.

The trial starts today and, will begin with jury selection.

If convicted, Blagojevich faces a maximum of 415 years in prison and fines totaling $6 million.

Also from the article:

Prosecutors have lined up numerous key witnesses to testify at what could be a four-month trial. They include Blagojevich's former chiefs of staff John Harris and Alonzo "Lon" Monk.

Monk, Blagojevich's law school roommate who has pleaded guilty to conspiring to solicit a bribe in the form of campaign contributions from a racetrack owner, was with the governor at the outset of his administration and is guaranteed to be asked about alleged efforts to use the office to generate profit.

Harris, who has pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell the Senate seat, is guaranteed to be asked for full details.

So, even though Harris has already plead guilty, Blagojevich thinks he's innocent. I really hope they lock this guy away. He's a total disgrace to the political system in every way.