(Jake Turcotte / AP photo)
The Rod Blagojevich media tour continues! Up next: Letterman
By Jimmy Orr | 02.02.09
Good news. The Rod Blagojevich media tour continues.
The former Illinois governor is going to continue the PR strategy that has taken him this far. Sure, he was ousted from office by a razor-thin 59-0 Illinois senate vote on Thursday. And the week prior his lawyer dumped him because he wouldn’t quit talking. And most lawyers believe his media blitz last week was a disaster.
But, as they say, “you don’t change horses midstream.”
More Blago
Blago is going to prove that he just needs more airtime.
So where do you go? David Letterman.
The former governor (whose Illinois road signs were all taken down over the weekend) will appear on the Letterman show Tuesday night.
Top ten
Although he hasn’t appeared on the late night comic’s program before, Letterman did honor Blago at least twice with top ten lists. Back in December the list was titled, “Messages Left on Rod Blagojevich’s Answering Machine.”
Until tomorrow night’s list is out, we’ll just recall a few of those:
“For 10 grand can you make me pope?”
“Hi, It’s Larry Craig — did I hear something about a senator’s seat being available?”
“I’m calling about your Senate seat on Craigslist. Want to trade for a futon?”
“I’m guessing you didn’t spend the bribe money on that haircut.”
No word on whether Blagojevich somehow expects Letterman to lighten up — as if that’s ever happened before.
<< Filibuster-proof Senate? Ah, don’t worry about it… | MainComments
2. Keith | 02.02.09
Make sure you never mention which party the guy belongs to.
Even CSM. Wow.
…
Especially CSM. Can we get over parties already? This country has too many $%^& cheerleaders. Party is irrelevant - this guy would be just as much of a sleaze if he were in the GOP as he is now. If you say differently, you have a short memory.
3. Robt.Jones | 02.02.09
In response to Taqiyyotomist
If we say Blagojevich is a Democrat, that makes all Democrats crooks. Following that line of thinking, since former Gov. Ryan of Illinois (a Republican) was found guilty of corruption, and is now serving time in a federal prison, it must also stand to reason that all republicans are corrupt. It’s exactly that line of thinking that has polarized this country
and will continue to as long as people continue to think about politics rather than issues .
4. goldstein | 02.02.09
But, note that it was written by Orr, who “[. . .] served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.”
I doubt anyone with those credentials would do favors for the Democratic Party. Unless you happen to think like I do; I believe Bush was a secret Democrat–he screwed up so much so that Democrats could just keep winning off of his name.
5. Jerry | 02.02.09
Is there anyone who doesn’t know Blagojevic is a Democrat? Taqiyyotomist’s amazement is a pitiful reminder of neocon weakness. Yes, Blagojevic is a Democrat, and as is the democratic response to corruption, he is removed from office, and banned from ever holding another. (Elito Spitzer is a Democrat, and also GONE, unlike Larry Craig; and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the eight years of incompetence we suffered because conservatives seem to lack any sense of self regulation or accountability.
One last word. Obama is in charge, and yes dear, he is also a Democrat.
6. StickAGateOnTheEndOfIt | 02.02.09
Which party did Nixon belong to, and what did that mean for all members of his political party? Was it “Republican Nixon Resigns” or “Nixon Resigns”?
7. or who his tailor is… | 02.02.09
’cause thats really important tothe core of this paticualr story…what a *******.
9. Bill Dyszel | 02.02.09
Now Blago’s adding a dance routine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMhLnIjprBU
Cue the accordions!
10. King | 02.02.09
Well I don’t see how you can say that his being a part of the Democratic party is the problem considering that the last Illinois governor is still sitting in prison and he was from the Republican party.
It shouldn’t really be that far-fetched of an idea to think that members of both parties have people who are corrupt and also people who are good.
11. Manu | 02.02.09
Oh why can’t he leave us alone? According to the media he is completely guilty, what more does he want? A chance to give his side of the story?
12. RHarrisonScott | 02.02.09
Taqiyyotomist - I agree. I don’t think Dave will be mentioning anything about the x-gov’s party affiliation. In fact, given Dave’s political perspective, viewers may even come away with the idea that Blag is actually a Republican. Who but a deranged conservative will fail to understand the connection. Lincoln was from Illinois.
14. BOO HOO | 02.02.09
WHY IS ANYBODY GIVING THIS IDIOT AIR TIME…IS LETTERMAN THAT HARD UP FOR GUESTS? MAYBE DAVE CAN GET OJ NEXT.
15. Lefty Leftowicz | 02.02.09
Richardson, Geithner, Daschle, Rangell, Kennedy, Dodd, Franks, and on and on…the common denominator for this gaggle of leftists is that of scum-dwelling crook.
16. doublestandard | 02.02.09
#1 is simply making a point. In recent years, if a republican does something wrong, the press is sure to mention the party affiliation repeatedly. They might say, “republican Blank did something bad, and is a republican; the same party as republican Bush. Then republican blank said…” If a democrat does something wrong, the part affiliation is never mentioned. Regardless of party affiliation, we out to be outraged at the press’s not-so-subtle attempt to sway opinion. Remember Pravda?
17. Daryl Atamanyk | 02.02.09
I’m sorry, but David Letterman is doing the nation a terrible disservice here by giving this guy access to a public forum. This is a national embarrassment and circus, and I am dismayed that Mr. Letterman and his associates in the media are unable to rise above their own personal greed for the good of the country and the world at large.
18. Brent | 02.02.09
Time for Blagojevich to go away. His appearances on the talk show circuit are only prolonging his inevitable vanishing act from the public eye. If I were him I would try to salvage what little self respect I possibly could and disappear faster.
19. Kristine | 02.04.09
Let’s not forget that he’s using the same PR Firm as our other State a$$hole, Drew Peterson. This guy is a stinkin’ murderer, yeah, let’s use his PR team. Grrrr. Stupid Dave giving him airtime. Must get ratings, lets have on that idiot Blago from Illinois…yeah, that’ll fix it.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Taqiyyotomist | 02.02.09
Make sure you never mention which party the guy belongs to.
Even CSM. Wow.