The Capitol Fax Blog » Fox News’ take

Monday, Jan 26, 2009

* Geraldo is as over the top as always…

As if today’s Rod Blagojevich press blitz isn’t bizarre enough, a new wrinkle came from Geraldo Rivera’s interview, which was supposed to take place at 2pmET on FNC’s The Live Desk.

Instead, Geraldo was “sabotaged.” You see, Blago’s publicist is Glenn Selig, who also happens to be the publicist for Drew Peterson. Seriously. And, as Geraldo put it, “Drew Peterson is my arch-enemy.”

So, Rivera tracked down Blago in the parking lot of “The View” this morning after a last minute cancellation by Selig. He banged on the window until Blagojevich emerged, and Rivera asked, “What happened to our 2:00 interview?” Blagojevich responded: “I don’t know I just go where they tell me.”

Then the interview took place outside while other reporters tried to get in questions as well. As a bonus, Rivera interviewed Whoopi Goldberg.

…Adding… Afternoon news updates, compiled by Mike…

* Prosecutor in Blagojevich Impeachment Trial Calls for Testimony from FBI Agent

* Burris Withholds Judgement on Blagojevich

* Lisa Madigan Criticizes Governor’s Media Blitz

* Longtime feud surfaces in Blago’s ‘View’ interview

* Is Blagojevich getting a Fair Impeachment Trial?

* Illinois taxpayers won’t be asked to pay for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s new public relations firm.

* Prosecutor: Blagojevich ‘Utterly Abused’ His Power

- posted by Rich Miller

45 Comments

- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:28 pm:
Thanks, Rich.

- kimsch - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:34 pm:
Geraldo was just on Neil Cavuto’s show and he’s as insane as Rod is. Screaming at Fritchey demanding answers as to pharm lobbying and “isn’t that the real reason he’s being impeached?”

- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:35 pm:
lol

Like I said on another thread: Agit-Prop Central.

- A Citizen - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:36 pm:
Fox is getting ready to launch the new Geraldo and Milorad Show.

- Silverback - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:42 pm:
At least he didn’t give any information about troop movements to any enemy of US military.

- Secret Square - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:47 pm:
Maybe this whole media blitz thing is ultimately aimed at getting Blago a post-governmental (ahem) job as a talking head?

- How Ironic - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:49 pm:
Secret Square:

Thats a great point. They can do a sort of National Geographic “Lockup”/FoxNews “Pundit”.

They can call it their “Gov in the Pen” viewpoint.

- HoBoSkillet - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:50 pm:
LOL This is great comedy. I’ve said it before - pair Rod up with Sean Hannity and the two can spend an hour comparing good grooming techniques.

- enrico depressario - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:50 pm:
All part of a plan to form a new team, a la Hannity and Colmes. Milorad will be the wacky left-wing free spender counterpoint to Huckabee on “Goofy Governors.”

- DuPage Dan - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:51 pm:
I suppose I should have known that FOXnews would behave in such a manner - agit-prop indeed! It’s too bad they didn’t even bother to link up with knowledgeable sources here in Illinois (read: thecapitalfaxblog) to get the skinny on all this. Blago is probably happy that the state is further smeared and he isn’t being blamed for it. Very disappointing.

- walter sobchak - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:52 pm:
I never realized how short Geraldo is. Based on this interview he would fit in well as one of the tough interview crew on The View. The QOTD should be who has worse hair?

- Princess - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:54 pm:
The only one making a bigger fool of himself than Rod today is Geraldo. Me thinks it’s a try at gaining some attention aka ratings as anyone really interested in what’s going on today isn’t watching fox news.

- Downstate weed chewing hick - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:55 pm:
Just when I thought Rod did not have a friend in the world, I forgot about Jerry Rivers. Always on the wrong side of every issue.

- Six Degrees of Separation - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:55 pm:
Rod simply must do Jerry Springer now. He’s on a roll. I want to see a fist fight.

- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:56 pm:
====As a bonus, Rivera interviewed Whoopi Goldberg====

Whoopi….

- Crystal Clear - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:57 pm:
This was the worst piece of journalism since Geraldo found the empty whiskey bottles behind the brick wall. What a joke.

- Downstate weed chewing hick - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:57 pm:
And how does the security detail let Geraldo (or anyone) walk up and bang on the window of the limo?

- Anon - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 3:58 pm:
Just watched Cavuto and Geraldo was on screaming about how unfair all this is for our wonderful governor. I’m sick and tired of reporters, etc. who act like they know more about our embarassing governor than the people of IL. GIVE ME A BREAK!!

- BigDog - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:02 pm:
I was entirely oblivious to what a complete and total blabbering moron Geraldo has obviously become! Wow - that was nearly criminally bad journalism.

- wordslinger - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:07 pm:
Finally, a paragon of virtue and truth to stand up for Rod — Geraldo!

It’s been said better by others, but I suspect Roger Ailes and national Fox News wants to keep the Rod story alive because he’s a corrupt Democrat and keeps dropping the names of Obama people.

And since his arrest, he’s been whacked by NBC, ABC, Harry Reid, Dick Durbin and Barack Obama. Why would Fox want to be associated with those guys?

It’ll be interesting to see how the local Fox station handles the national crew’s new direction. The Fox Chicago in the Morning folks have been openly contemptuous of Blago for quite some time.

- scoot - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:07 pm:
I saw Geraldo looking like a fool today, he really needs to spend some time here in Illinois (Chicago) and really understand what is going here.

- 2ConfusedCrew - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:10 pm:
1. ISP has been letting a lot happen to Blagoof lately (i.e. Blagoof perp walked out the door)
2. Fox hates Obama therefore that lets them to drag Obama down. All adds up to me.

- How Ironic - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:11 pm:
Remeber the last time Geraldo spent time in Chicago? He broke into the Capone “vault” and his career tanked.

I don’t think he’s coming to Chi-Town again.

- Legaleagle - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:30 pm:
This whole thing has become hilarious. Who is sleazier - Blago or the national media who is playing with this?

- Levois - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:32 pm:
WOW! I had to follow that spin hard!

- 2ConfusedCrew - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:34 pm:
Wow Heraldo calls someone else sleazy …talk about expert comment. Blagoof keeps looking more and more dazed….must be nippy the silly sauce in between shows. Wonder this is an entertaing as Rich’s buscapade
BTW did state plane fly him out?
Did ISP drive a car to NYC?
Is the state paying for ISP hotels and silly sauce?

- dave - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:40 pm:
Anyone else wonder if the Geraldo “ambush” was planned?

- Secret Square - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:46 pm:
I suppose media types who don’t live in Illinois and aren’t immersed in its politics just don’t “get” Blago the way we do; but as someone who tends to lean toward the conservative way of thinking, it makes me really, really sick to see self-proclaimed conservatives going out of their way to defend Blago and buying his codswallop about not getting a fair trial, etc.

I understand the desire to follow the rule of law and keep from setting a precedent that might be turned against a future governor or president who does something unpopular out of principle or conviction. However, anyone who knows ANYTHING about how Blago has governed Illinois knows that is NOT what’s happening to him, no matter how hard he tries to spin it otherwise.

- Say WHAT? - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:50 pm:
During the Geraldo interview the Governor spoke about his concern that his approach to Oprah would come off as a cheap publicity stunt.

Sooo.. he understands what that means. That puts things in a whole different light.

Its a shame that Geraldo doesn’t know the difference between a legal process and a political process. He agreed with the Gov. regarding violation of his rights. What a boob!

- sal-says - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:52 pm:
“* Geraldo is as over the top as always…”

Now THERE’S an understatement.

- The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:55 pm:
===Anyone else wonder if the Geraldo “ambush” was planned?===

Crossed my mind. Picture Geraldo in the mountains of Afghanistan, and all of a sudden, out of a cave pops Bin Ladin for an ambush interview.

- HoBoSkillet - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:58 pm:
Amen Secret Square.

- Pete Sakes - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:59 pm:
Planned…i agree. Blago “i didn’t know it was you” gimme a break. Diane Sawyer and BW were tougher than Geraldo. FOX should dump him.

- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 4:59 pm:
===FOX should dump him. ===

Why? He seems to fit right in over there.

- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 5:29 pm:
All these media people ask the same questions and they never follow up when the gov gives an answer that makes no sense or is counter to reality.

- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 5:34 pm:
Smartest thing Geraldo said was that the Gov. should have stepped aside until the criminal case played out.

If he had done that on Dec 10, I wonder if the impeachment would have gone forward.

- plutocrat03 - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 5:51 pm:
So what does that make today? An expensive publicity stunt?

I wonder who else the Governor considered for Senator. Since he did not reach out to Oprah, there is no proof that he considered her. What other wealthy ‘names’ did the governor consider for appointment? Warren Buffet, George Clooney…..

- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 6:25 pm:
Geraldo on Roland Burris:

“I met him and I think he’s a great guy!”

Another endorsement for the re-elect poster. Right next to the Rod plug! Good grief.

- Anonymous Coward - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 6:36 pm:
“Ambush”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2009-01/44712244.jpg

- Fox - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 7:08 pm:
Geraldo is really making the rounds today - Now he’s on Bill O’Reilly.

- Bubs - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 7:14 pm:
If P.T. Barnum were alive today and viewing the recent news coverage of Blago, I sadly suspect that he might say:

“No one lost any political points underestimating the lack of restraint of TV ‘journalists’ to manufacture a story, or their restraint in seeking ‘edge’; or their restraint in generally trying to look like clones of TMZ and Entertainment Tonight.

Welcome to the world of News After the Invention of Cable.

- sal-says - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 7:17 pm:
“* Burris Withholds Judgement on Blagojevich”
Shocking; absolutely SHOCKING !

“* Illinois taxpayers won’t be asked to pay for Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s new public relations firm.”
So, who’s paying for the travel to NY; the State Police per-diems; the hotels; the SUV’s (or did some State shlock have to drive them there for him). Taxpayers maybe? Shocking; absolutely SHOCKING !

- Pomerium Ultra - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 7:32 pm:
The cable news networks have air time to fill day after day and do precious little research. One must not take them too seriously. They are more entertainers than news people.

For those following the national reporting today, it’s a cautionary tale.

- Anonymous - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 7:57 pm:
This has to stop…I watched the whole thing wondering what Blago might look like with Rivera’s mustache and whether Senate proceedings would change if Oprah were there each day.

I’m coming down with a cold so I can understand the nasal drip. I think, however, that gray matter is beginning to ooze out of my ears as I watch this stuff.

- Anonymous - Monday, Jan 26, 09 @ 9:46 pm:
PU has a point re: national today. What’s going on in Illinois could be considered a pleasant distraction.

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