* Once again, the national media is massively failing to press Rod Blagojevich on his lies.
For instance, Blagojevich is now repeating his claim that the tapes released by the FBI regarding the alleged sale of Barack Obama’s US Senate seat were taken “out of context.”
The ousted former governor used the same “out of context” phrase during his last media tour, but never really explained what he meant. This time, he has a cover story.
Blagojevich’s new explanation is that he wasn’t trying to sell the Senate seat, but was instead attempting to put together a “political deal” involving the appointment of Attorney General Lisa Madigan to the seat in exchange for her father’s agreement to passing a capital bill and expanding health care…
Blagojevich said he might subpoena White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, Senate Democrat Majority Leader Harry Reid and Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Robert Menendez to back up his version of what happened.
He said he discussed his [Madigan] plan with all of them.
Well, sure, that was Blagojevich’s final plan. But that plan existed solely in his head. It wasn’t as if the plan would’ve or could’ve become reality.
Illinoisans know that Speaker Madigan did not trust Blagojevich at all, refused to be in the same room with Blagojevich and hadn’t returned his calls in months. But the national press isn’t bringing up that important problem with Blagojevich’s cover story.
Also, there’s that little problem of Blagojevich saying on tape that he wanted to make money off the appointment, either via an appointment to the Obama administration, a big union job or a sweet deal for his wife.
Neither of those all-important points were brought up when Blagojevich was interviewed this week by Harry Smith on CBS News’ The Early Show. Instead, Smith responded…
“So, you’re not corrupt. There’s no corruption. There was never any corruption in your administration.”
Great follow-up there, Harry. I’m sure you’re now in line for an Emmy.
Smith even chuckled at Blagojevich’s “funny” lines and complimented him on his spin.
Unreal.
* Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren was more interested in talking about Blagojevich’s father-in-law than pressing him on the blatant inconsistencies in his main argument. But she did bring up a good point to Blagojevich when he blamed the US Attorney’s office for not releasing all the surveillance tapes…
VAN SUSTEREN: Here’s an idea, here’s an idea — file a motion that says now that you have the tapes, because that was before, but file a motion to have the protective order lifted, because there are certain rights that you have, as well. So you might convince the judge to release it now.
BLAGOJEVICH: I do not know if you have any free time on your hands. We’d love to have you — add you to our legal team, Greta.
But I should tell you that the media has made those requests, and thus far they have been unsuccessful.
VAN SUSTEREN: But that’s not the media. That’s you. It’s different if it comes from you than the media. But that is for another day.
That’s for another day? Great.
Note to Van Susteren: Blagojevich isn’t at all interested in the full truth. He’s interested in selling books.
* Blagojevich-related quote of the day…
“Rod Blagojevich continues to be a disgrace and an embarrassment to the people of the State of Illinois,” said Terry Ekl, attorney for Blagojevich’s former chief of staff, John Harris, who recently pleaded guilty to corruption charges and plans to testify against his old boss. “There’s no reason to believe anything that either comes out of his mouth or is contained in his book.”
Amen to that.
* Also, if you want to know what’s in Blagojevich’s book but refuse to spend money on it, Eric Zorn has blogged the entire thing. Go read it.
* Related…
* Wis. court disbars Hurtgen, figure in Blagojevich probe: The Wisconsin Supreme Court says Hurtgen was not acting as an attorney in the pay-to-play scheme, but his actions violated the public trust.
* Marin: Decision time for Blago fund-raiser Kelly
* Chris Kelly pleads guilty to O’Hare scheme
* Christopher Kelly pleads guilty a second time this year to federal charges
* Former Blagojevich adviser Chris Kelly pleads guilty to kickback scheme
* Blagojevich Associate Pleads Guilty in Separate Case