Blago would let Lisa drown. Just in theory

Tribune.:

In a phone call the jury just heard from Dec. 4, 2008, Rod Blagojevich’s thoughts on who he should appoint to succeed Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate continued to swirl around.

At the top of the list by then were U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Illinois Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan. There were political benefits and problems with each, and neither was a favorite with Blagojevich.

“Two equally repugnant picks,” Blagojevich said on the call. “If they were both drowning and I could save one, I would save Jesse.”

Because he's more incompetent than Blago he makes him look good I suppose. Sun Times with more.

...Obama's not in that vignette, but here's another bit:

Rod Blagojevich wasn’t wanted at the victory rally Barack Obama held in Grant Park after his election as president in November 2008, but the message apparently didn’t sink in, former Deputy Gov. Robert Greenlee told the jury after lunch.

Greenlee said Blagojevich’s press staff became concerned on learning that Obama was holding the rally because the governor hadn’t been asked to attend. The administration used a backchannel to get an official invitation, but under the condition that Blagojevich wouldn’t actually show up.

You've got to penetrate the hair helmet.

On the call, Blagojevich said he thought he really was invited.

“You think they’d snub me, no way,” said a confident-sounding Blagojevich, adding that his and Obama’s connection to convicted fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko was meaningless.

“You’re wrong here,” Blagojevich said when Greenlee tried to argue, but the governor said not to worry, his feelings wouldn’t be hurt.

He eventually did go. Did he run into Barack?

...And Patti: "Tell them to hold up that f-ing Cubs s---.

More on Blago's diplomatic interests:

One list that perhaps got more wear was one Greenlee compiled of potential ambassadorships for the governor. Jurors see a list of possibilities: Italy, France, etc., along with Greenlee's notes that he put together from Wikipedia at the governor's request.

Maybe he hoped he could broaden his vocabulary. And I suppose the drowning stories might have more scope.

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