Talk Show Host Grills Blago

And he might move to New York, where no one has told him to 'F off' yet

(NEWSER) - When it comes to political memoirs, Rod Blagojevich’s The Governor: Finally, the Truth Behind the Political Scandal That Continues to Rock the Nation “is surely unsurpassed” in the areas of “febrile self-defensiveness and look-over-there deflections and deceptions,” writes David Remnick for the New Yorker. “No sun can melt Blago’s coif, which descends like a silken espresso curtain and then swerves suddenly to the side, revealing a gaze most innocent.” More»

Former Illinois gov admits only 'routine' backroom dealing

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich’s memoir makes the case for his innocence with a lot of help from Shakespeare, the Chicago Tribune reports. While blaming his woes specifically on five enemies, he likens his plight to that of Othello and Lear. “You might as well throw in a little Richard the Third," he writes, noting that “I was left with neither a kingdom nor a horse. Or for that matter, even a car.” The Governor, due out next week, contains no real bombshells, notes the Tribune, largely repeating much of Blagojevich's previous public stances. More»

(NEWSER) - The people of Illinois have voted in a Chicago Tribune contest to name Rod Blagojevich’s upcoming memoir, and the winner is: Rod and the Giant Impeach. “I thought of the impeachment of the governor, and about my childhood,” the winner said of his inspiration, which scored him a 3-pound beef tongue. Runners-up: From Hair to Profanity; They Paid Me a [Bleeping] Bucket of Cash to Write This [Bleeping] Book; and God is My Comb Pilot. More»

Ex-gov holds public farewell before starting 14-year sentence

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich spent part of his last day as a free man saying farewell to the press and the public. The former governor of Illinois, who starts a 14-year sentence for corruption today, held a "public goodbye" outside his Chicago home. In a speech to journalists, neighbors, and well-wishers—some of whom waved "Free Blago" banners—Blagojevich touted his achievements as governor, and said he had "trust and faith" in the appeals process, the Christian Science Monitor reports. More»

Ex-gov granted extra month of freedom

(NEWSER) - Rod Blagojevich is seeking to join a substance abuse program in federal prison, but some suspect the disgraced former Illinois governor is trying to shave time off his sentence rather than deal with a genuine drug or alcohol problem. Under federal guidelines, Blagojevich is likely to serve just under 12 years on his 14-year sentence for corruption. That could be cut to 11 years if he completes the nine-month substance abuse program. He would also be eligible to spend his last six months in a halfway house. The bar for entry into the program is set pretty low: Prison officials say that somebody who consumed as little as five drinks a week could qualify, the Chicago Tribune finds. More»