Blagojevich takes case to TV circuit
(CNN) — As Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s impeachment trial proceedings got under way Monday, the embattled Illinois governor hit the media circuit, answering questions about Oprah, foul language and why he isn’t resigning.
Blagojevich appeared Monday on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “The View,” and gave his first live prime-time interview on CNN’s “Larry King Live.”
Blagojevich further explained comments that he channeled major political figures who overcame adversity as he was being arrested.
“I’ve been criticized for this, but I’m not comparing myself to Dr. King or Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi, but I tried to reach in to history and imagine some inspiring figures that would have gone through something like I was going through for sustenance and inspiration.”
Blagojevich also said that he looks forward to the day when he can tell his story in full, rather than people judging him by snippets of conversation
He did say he looked forward to calling witnesses — including White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel; Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Illinois and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid — who had conversations with him about who should replace Barack Obama as the junior senator from Illinois. Blagojevich maintained the goal of the conversations was to get the best senator for the people of Illinois.
“There was a lot of exchanging of ideas, asking questions, exploring options — including Oprah Winfrey — but never, not ever did I have any intention of violating any criminal law,” Blagojevich said. “Never was this about selling any Senate seat for any kind of personal gain.”
On both of his ABC appearances, Blagojevich explained why talk-show host Oprah Winfrey was a contender to fill Barack Obama’s former Senate seat.
“My thought was — an African-American woman who probably by herself has more influence than 100 senators. She was instrumental in electing Barack Obama president. She clearly could use her bully pulpit to do good things for people,” the second-term Democratic governor said on “The View.”
“The question was whether or not there was any chance at all that she would be willing to do it, and then if so, how do you reach out to her? Would she take the call of the governor of Illinois, for example? Because Oprah’s Oprah, and I’m just the governor of Illinois,” he said.
