Bloodthirsty Liberal

One thing we learn is he talks the way I write—acceptable (debatably) in a blogger; less so in a governor:

Blagojevich allegedly directed Harris to tell Tribune officials that state assistance would be withheld unless members of the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board were fired. The Illinois governor saw them as “driving discussion of his possible impeachment,” the affidavit said.

“Our recommendation is fire all those [expletive] people, get ‘em the [expletive] out of there and get us some editorial support,” the governor allegedly said in one phone call.

Federal authorities also allege the governor and Harris schemed with others — including convicted real estate developer Antoin “Tony” Rezko — to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and others, including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich.

But the CNN account whitewashes (if I may use that term) most of Blago’s pithier remarks:

Blagojevich was caught on wiretaps noting that the Senate seat “is a [bleeping] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.” He was also recorded saying that unless “I get something real good,” he would appoint himself to the vacancy. “I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain. You hear what I’m saying. And if I don’t get what I want and I’m not satisfied with it, then I’ll just take the Senate seat myself.”

At last, a Democrat trying to get full value for a government asset.

Is it too late to appoint him Secretary of State? I want someone like this to negotiate with Iran:

During a wiretapped November 10 call, a frustrated and financially strapped Blagojevich referred to Obama as a “mother[bleeper]” and said that he would not appoint an ally of the President-elect to the Senate vacancy if “I don’t get anything.” Referring to Obama, Blagojevich exclaimed, “[Bleep] him. For nothing? [Bleep] him.” In a November 11 conversation, Blagojevich remarked that he knew Obama wanted Valerie Jarrett, a longtime confidante, to succeed him, “but they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. [Bleep] them.”

Just one thing: that’s mother[bleeper]-elect.

While the media and the prosecutor have taken pains to shield the mother[bleeper]-elect from any blame, it doesn’t sound like he’s completely unacquainted with the case:

ROD BLAGOJEVICH analogized his situation to that of a sports agent shopping a potential free agent to various teams, stating “how much are you offering, [President-elect]? What are you offering, [Senate Candidate 2]? . . . Can always go to. . . [Senate Candidate 3].” Later ROD BLAGOJEVICH stated that he will make a decision on the Senate seat “in good faith . . . but it is not coming for free. . . .It’s got to be good stuff for the people of Illinois and good for me.” ROD BLAGOJEVICH states “[President-elect], you want it? Fine. But, its got to be good or I could always take [the Senate seat].”

…

On November 5, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH spoke with Deputy Governor A regarding positions that ROD BLAGOJEVICH might be able to obtain in exchange for the soon-to-be vacated Senate seat. Among the potential positions discussed were Secretary of Health and Human Services and various ambassadorships. Deputy Governor A noted that the cabinet position of Secretary of the Energy is “the one that makes the most money.”

It goes on and on, but it’s not clear if he has actual contacts with the mother[bleeper]-elect, or is just conflating his own self-importance.

I’m not kidding when I tell you I’ve been writing this post with a bowl of popcorn at my side (airpopped, w/o the salt and only a little butter, it’s a healthy snack). I haven’t enjoyed a show this much since the annual showing of Wizard of Oz when I was a kid.

UPDATE
Like husband like wife!

73. In another call between ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Deputy Governor A that occurred a short time later on November 3, 2008, ROD BLAGOJEVICH and Deputy Governor A discussed an editorial from the Chicago Tribune regarding the endorsement of Michael Madigan and calling for a committee to consider impeaching ROD BLAGOJEVICH.

During the call, ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife can be heard in the background telling ROD BLAGOJEVICH to tell Deputy Governor A “to hold up that fucking Cubs s**t. . . f**k them.”

ROD BLAGOJEVICH asked Deputy Governor A what he thinks of his wife’s idea. Deputy Governor A stated that there is a part of what ROD BLAGOJEVICH’s wife said that he “agree[s] with.”

Well, what part does he agree with, the s**t part, or the f**k part? There’s not a whole lot else.

Oh man, this is just so good.

“You may be clean and articulate, Barry, but who’s got the hair?”