Or at least something...he's appearing on WLS 890AM this am, beginning at 7:30 AM.
We'll jot down some of what he says here...listen this am HERE.
UPDATE 1x: Thanks, Chicago Tribune's Eric Zorn, for the kind acknowledgement of IR's live blogging this am...HERE.
From WLS Studios, beginning at 7:32 am...
ROMA: Why didn't you submit a witness list?
BLAGO: Technical process -- if your lawyers don't file a request to appear, you can't bring in witnesses. All I ask is that the Senate give me the same 6th Amendment just let me bring in my witnesses- for instance, Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett, Jesse Jackson, Senator John McCain, other governors that helped with prescription drug program.
BLAGO: I've done nothing wrong, and will vindicate myself... I will say that what I did and what I was doing was in the best interest of the people -- part of a political process -- not that inconsistent with how the process works. That's why this impeachment process is important.-- by not allowing me to bring witnesses -- w/o due process of law, no witnesses -- how will that affect future governors?
The reason I'm not participating is this is not fair process -- I invite a fair process. tThey want to get me out fast to put a huge income tax on the people of Illinois -- and push through a gasoline tax increase. The bill is already there for them to quietly do.
DON: Same as Arizona Governor Meachem -- you haven't been indicted, but you're being impeached.
BLAGO: It's about raising taxes -- the Dems and Reps how the people get screwed -- they both want to raise to pay for their special interest spending -- they do special interest spending. The Reps want a tax increase to have a campaign office.
They want a huge income tax increase and a huge gas sales tax increase...
BLAGO: Won't allow me to bring in witness to say the accusations are not true. Not so much about me ...about the people who voted for me.
DON: Do the Dems think you're a Republican? Is that why they're against you?
BLAGO: The fix is in -- I can't bring witnesses in...
DON: What do you think about Jesse Jackson Jr?
BLAGO: I like Jesse.
ROMA: What about your old friend Don Wyma?
BLAGO: There's elements that are painful -- the silence of personal friends -- these things happen. I'm deeply hurt by some friends.
ROMA: Suddenly you're a pariah -- how's your mental state these days?
BLAGO:" It's what it's always been -- you decide what that is. It's interesting what people are saying to us -- deep sense of religious faith in God, the value of religion appreciate hardship, struggle, it helps them through these times. People can let you down and hurt you. You can read the Bible and see how others have been let down. You learn about people through things like this.
DON: Why did Durbin and Reid flip on Roland Burris?
BLAGO: I've tried to do everything I can to fulfill every legal duty. I said I was for a special election, but then the Democrats realized they may lose the spot to the Republicans. I think there was a deal made on who they wanted as a US Senator. I picked a seasoned veteran, from downstate, the law says a gov picks a senator. I think the African-American community will remember what Durbin did to Burris.
ROMA: Why did Danny Davis turn you down?
BLAGO: You'll have to ask him...he was in the running for US Senator.
DON: Did you expect the taps on your phone?
BLAGO: I apologize for the bad language, I wouldn't have used those words if I knew they were listening. But I'm confident of vindication.
ROMA: Why didn't you appoint Don (Wade) as senator -- why not a citizen legislator?
BLAGO: I knew there was an effort -- You would have had to take a pay cut.
DON: Why not show up and tell the Senate the truth?
BLAGO: I am asking them to let me tell them the truth and bring witnesses to confirm what I'd like to call. I would like to call as witnesses Rahm Emanuel, Valerie Jarrett, and Jesse Jackson Jr who say I did nothing wrong.
DON: You are supposed to be in Springfield Monday. Instead, you're going to appear Monday on "The View?"
BLAGO: If I participate in that sham impeachment, then I will be participating in an unconstitutional proceeding. They're not allowing me to bring witnesses -- without due process. The next governor will face the same thing if we let them get away with it. You tell me if the next governor will stand up to the legislature -- they'll basically be precinct captains for these people.
ROMA: Preparing a lawsuit about the illegality of the impeachment?
BLAGO: I have a great defense team ... they throw around ideas and come up with different ideas for how to respond.
DON: YOu're coming to us and being on the The VIew is reaching out to people. People appreicate what you've done for them, don't want you thrown in prison.
BLAGO: My fund-raising theory -- if I took them all on -- afford to say to Mayor Daley and Mike Madigan -- not going to raise taxes,
more health care, cut down bureaucracy size, invested more in schools than ever, but they want an increase on all. I wanted a GRT -- hit only a few. They want a tax incease to hit all Illinois.
Made that system to work for people not for special interests. That's why I raised so much money, so I could take the message directly to the people.
DON: What would you undo?
BLAGO: I'd like to turn the clock back. Take a two-month vacation.
DON: Is it possible some friends you had didn't help you?
BLAGO: I would have different friends.
ROMA: Will you still be in governor in two weeks?
BLAGO: I don't know, but I'll still fight for the people of Illinois. Free CTA rides, Free mammograms, 4 year old can go to school. I kept taxes from being raised on the middle class people. I've always wanted to help families like the one I came from, and create opportunities for those who wouldn't otherwise have them. We've touched thelives of so many people.
All these phony politicians who campaign on these things is say the right thing, but get in office, and they make no difference in their lives.
People are living Cook County because of Todd Stronger's tax increase, that's why they're leaving Chicago.
BLAGO: The budget will get smaller -- $3 billion sitting in special interest accounts. There's a tax increase in May if Pat Quinn becomes Governor.
People have said I'm being defiant by not quitting. If I did something wrong, I would have resigned. it isn't defiant to stand up for what's right -- it's an act of honesty. I'm not going to let these people railroad me and say dishonest things. I'm determined to clear my name. I understand they wantto get me out to raise taxes in Illinois. I can't accept things I didn't do. I did nothing wrong except fight for the people. My daughters can't grow up thinking their dad did something wrong when he didn't.
BLAGO: I admired Nixon, voted twice for Reagan, and supported Clinton -- I think Obama will be a great president. Nixon came from a humble beginning, and fought the system,
I like to see myself more like a Teddy Roosevelt Republican, not like Nixon. Roosevelt has always inspired me -- I was a Golden Glove boxer. Only kid in St. Andrews gym that became a Golden Glove boxer because of reading about Teddy Roosevelt. I admired him. Would Rooselvelt quit when he knew he didn't do anything wrong?
Can our legislator undo the will of the people? I didn't do anything wrong. I want to protect you from the tax increase.
ROMA: Will you call Senator Cullerton and ask him today?
BLAGO: I'm not ruling that out.
DON: You're unique, governor. I think this is educational for people to hear your point of view. We hear what people say about you, and all we hear is sound bytes form you.
ROMA: You're welcome to come in an respond to what's happening in Springfield.
BLAGO: I may take you up on that. The more people see how this system works, the better they'll be...they need to know in many cases how they're being screwed. This is a Frank Capra movie -- the good guy against the establishment -- that's what this story is. Except for the language. In Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, we learned idealism, determination, he believed in the process ,andfind out what its really like. That's what this is.
Afterward, he told reporters he was intrigued by WLS AM's offer for a radio show. He said he'd think about it.
