Feb 3, 2009 10:50 pm US/Central
Blagojevich Media Tour Round 2: No Laughing Matter
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was a guest of Dave Letterman on The Late Show on Feb. 3, 2009.
CBS
Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich made the rounds on the national TV talk shows again Tuesday. And just when we thought we heard everything, there was a new twist in the Blagojevich saga. CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine reports about a new attack on the state legislature.
He claims they tried to buy him off before kicking him out. And that it was no laughing matter. Others disagree.
From a parody at Second City, a Chicago theater which launched world-famous comedians, to the real deal with the real thing.
On The Late Show with David Letterman, taped earlier today:
"Why exactly are you here?" Letterman asked.
"I've been wanting to be on your show in the worst way for the longest," Blagojevich said.
"Well, you're on in the worst way, believe me," Letterman said.
Tonight's appearance on Letterman was the fourth stop of Round 2 of Rod's magical media tour.
But there were no jokes on the Today Show this morning, when he claimed:
"I was offered a chance to stay on as an incapacitated governor. Keep my pay for two years, keep my security detail for two years, but don't make the Senate pick. I rejected that. I wouldn't let them buy me off," Blagojevich said.
Pardon me, governor. You did what?
"I rejected that. I wouldn't let them buy me off," Blagojevich said.
Not exactly.
On December 19th, the same day Blagojevich spoke out for the first time, saying "I didn't commit any crime", CBS 2 was told there were two suggestions - suggestions, not offers - from different sources, that the governor step aside as "seriously impeded in the exercise of his powers." That's the language in the Constitution. And Pat Quinn be installed as acting governor.
Blagojevich would keep his salary and security, not for two years, but until at least June or July. There was no mention of the Senate appointment. The governor, we're told, never responded one way or another.
Then on January 12th, three days after being impeached in the House, with senators already preparing for his trial, an intermediary for Blagojevich asked a member of the leadership if "stepping aside" was still an option.
After several phone calls, the intermediary was told, "not anymore."
And so tonight, you're about to see him on David Letterman, still playing the underdog.
"He threw a lot of stuff at me and I did the best I could to try to answer it. And his audience loves him and they're very biased and pro-him," Blagojevich said after the Letterman taping.
So add Letterman fans to the enemies list, which grew again tonight on Larry King with an attack on Senate President John Cullerton. Now that may be no coincidence, since our sources say it may have been Cullerton who supported Blagojevich stepping aside early on, but who blocked the last minute deal he may have really wanted.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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