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Blago's Media Circus by John M. Curtis Copyright
January 26, 2009 Starring in his own sideshow, Illionois Gov. Rod Blagojevich exploited the hapless media, stuck in the doldrums a week after President Barack Obama stole the headlines. Caught in a media vacuum following the inauguration, Blagojevich made the rounds on morning talk shows protesting his innocence. Blago was arrested and accused Dec. 10 by U.S. Atty. Patrick J. Fitzgerald trying to sell Obama’s senate seat to the highest bidder. Caught on tape seeking a quid pro quo for the empty seat, Blago wheeled-and-dealed, hoped for cash and concessions but wound up with goose eggs, ranting vulgar expletives to an unnamed FBI agent. Asked on ABC’s "The View" to impersonate President Richard Nixon, “Tm not a crook,” Blago refused but protested his innocence. “I’m not going to do that,” said Blago. “But let me make this perfectly clear: I didn’t do anything wrong.” Blago doesn’t believe he did anything wrong trying to sell Obama’s seat to an FBI agent. To Blago, it’s all in the word “do,” after all, he didn’t accept any cash or get a cushy job in the administration. No, Blago’s right, he didn’t “do” anything wrong other that “try” to negotiate a sweetheart deal for himself. He didn’t “do” anything because no cash or position changed hands. It’s astonishing to some how the 54-year-old two-term Illinois governor preferred to launch a nationwide PR blitz but didn’t show up at his Illinois senate impeachment trial. Blago admitted on ABC’s “The View” that he considered Oprah Winfrey for Barack’s empty seat. “I’m pretty amused by the whole thing,” Oprah told the “Gayle King” on Sirius XM Radio. “I think I could be senator, too. I’m just not interested,” showing the kind of ego legendary in the entertainment business. Putting Blago on the talk show circuit is like displaying a bearded lady or two-headed snake at the circus. Judging by his responses, he’s quite obviously insane. He shows know awareness of how the media uses him as a political freak show, allowing his helmet-like hairdo to highlight his pathological vanity. Blago made his rounds on NBC’s “Today Show,” ABC’s “Good Morning America" and “The View.” He also taped shows on Fox News Channel, ABC’s “Nightline,” CNN’s “Larry King Live,” in what amounts to a media blitzkrieg. Putting Blago on the tube reflects the desperate nature of network and cable news, competing for the best spectacle. Blago hasn’t become the media darling only the latest oddity, exploited more for the freak-show value than anything truly newsworthy. Blago makes the headlines while the Illinois Senate debates articles of impeachment. Blago wants to paint his impeachment as the Salem Witch Trials, persecuted for trying to help poor people and save taxpayers. He makes no mention of his arrest and Fitzgerald’s allegation of corruption, including trying to sell Barack’s senate seat to the highest bidder. “I think the American people need to know the things that are happening in the land of Lincoln,” said Blago, hoping his TV appearances would reverse Fitzgerald’s incriminating tape recordings. “The fix is in,” Blag declared on “Good Morning America.” He doesn’t refute Fitzgerald’s allegations, only insists that he’s been framed for doing the people’s business. Blago has refused to answer his accusers in the Illinois Senate, preferring to try his case in the court of public opinion. Illinois senators find themselves treading on thin ice trying to maintain what looks like a staged Kangaroo Court. Blago defied the Democratic Party appointing former Illinois State controller and Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to fill Barack’s seat. Party officials, including Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), couldn’t block Blago’s lawful appointment, despite the dark cloud following him around. Blago chose to try his case in the media while the Illinois Senate builds an airtight case. Instead of facing his accusers, Blago likes to compare himself to Nelson Mandela, Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi, pointing to his delusions of grandeur. “We all took a n oath to do justice according to the law. I know that everyone is taking the matter seriously and that no one will stand in the way of justice,” said Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, hoping to put the disturbed governor out of his misery. Refusing to face reality, Blago clings to his fantasies. Time is running out on Blago, who chose to spend his time grandstanding in the media rather than defend himself at his impeachment trial. Too many recorded conversations about how much he expected to get for Barack’s open senate seat make for an open and shut case. Illinois legislators must go through the motions before they can get the two-thirds vote or 40 out of 59 senators to pull the plug. TV and cable shows haven’t shown any restraint parading around the nation’s biggest political freak show. Seeking to cast his impeachment as a witch-hunt, Blago finds little sympathy inside or outside state politics. “The suggestion that this is somehow unfair to the governor is the most self-serving, ludicrous statement I have ever heard in my life,” said state Sen. Matt Murphy on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” In a few days, Blago will become a curious footnote Illinois politics. John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma. |
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