Blago's TV goodbye

Here is a great television moment. During a press conference in Springfield, Patrick Quinn was telling reporters that there is more to Illinois than corruption, then casually mentioned, "What happened in the past in the past is something in the rear view mirror."

I was watching Fox 32 Chicago, and at that moment, the screen split, and his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, walked down the stairs of his Chicago bungalow and spoke the gaggle on Sunnyside Avenue.

What he said was a rehash of his New York media tour statements, and the speech he gave this morning in front of the state Senate.

He said, "I love the people of Illinois." One woman shouted back, "We love you too."
I have to add that most Illinoisans are happy he's gone.

Blago is still sticking to the half-truth that he was not allowed to call witnesses, telling the crowd that he was "deprived of the opportunity to call witnesses and prove my innocence."

He ended the speech and headed back to the door of his home. But then he met with scrum out front, remember he has no security detail, although Chicago police officers were nearby, and he answered more questions. But the former governor stayed on message with his talking points.

How did he find out that we was no longer governor? "A phone call."

Any message for Patrick Quinn? "Don't raise taxes."

He shook hands, smiled, and acted as if he was making a campaign appearance.

Meanwhile, Quinn will spend the night in the governor's mansion.

Technorati tags: illinois Politics Illinois Politics Democrats corruption Blagojevich impeachment news Patrick Quinn crime