Rod Blagojevich Actually Said He Considered Oprah Winfrey For Senate Seat

CNN.com:

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."

"I'm not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing," Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell President Obama's former Senate seat, told King. "I'm entitled to a presumption of innocence."

Blagojevich also 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 released to the media. ...............................................................................

Blagojevich 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 and on CNN, Blagojevich explained why talk-show host Oprah Winfrey was a contender to fill Barack Obama's former Senate seat.

"I was trying to think outside of the box. The idea came to me from a friend who suggested Oprah -- it wasn't my idea," Blagojevich told CNN. "I threw it around in conversation with senior staff and political advisers, who were all involved in this whole adventure we're on.

"And among the things we talked about was the, you know, the unlikelihood she would be interested in it, because she has a bully pulpit that's worldwide and more influence that U.S. senators combined -- all 100 of them."

Winfrey said that she had no idea she was under consideration. She said she found out from best friend Gayle King, who called to tell her on Monday morning.

Ok, comparing your arrest to the attack on Pearl Harbor was one thing, but considering Oprah Winfrey for the Senate seat goes beyond stupid. I mean, a left-wing, holier-than-thou, celebrity loon like Oprah for a seat on the Senate--Blago must've been kidding, right?. I've supported Rod Blagojevich from the get-go because it's my feeling that he's being railroaded by a gang of arrogant, Illinois Democrat pols with a long, sordid history of corruption and protecting their own--in this case Barack Obama. And while Blagojevich did a magnificent job recently outwitting Harry Reid to get Roland Burris a deserved spot on the Senate, it's starting to become clear that the pressure of possibly losing his job is getting to Blago and maybe even his spitfire wife (who was recently fired from her job). Granted, he's innocent till proven guilty and I hope he somehow gets to stay governor despite the current impeachment trial, but Blagojevich isn't doing himself any favors by opening his idiot mouth and talking to the press. Instead, he should just shut up, hire (and keep) some good, competent lawyers and a couple of prayers probably wouldn't hurt either.