Rahm Pulled Back into Blago Retrial

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel spent mere minutes on the stand when he testified two weeks ago during Rod Blagojevich's corruption retrial.

But Emanuel will once again be front and center in the governor's case.

After prosecutors on Tuesday ended their cross-examination of Blagojevich, defense attorneys requested that a call between Emanuel and Blagojevich be played for the jury.

The former governor claims Emanuel asked Blagojevich to appoint a placeholder for the congressional seat while Emanuel went off to serve as President Barack Obama's chief of staff.

Judge Zagel blocked that motion, but he said the defense could ask about what was said on the call.

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In November 2008, Blagojevich was frustrated that then-congressman Emanuel was being less than attentive to his needs. He was expecting Emanuel to approach him about a replacement for his position in the 5th congressional district.

"This (expletive) Rahm's gonna come to me for help in the 5th congressional district," Blagojevich said on a tape played in court Tuesday. "(Expletive) him!  You know what I mean? All a one way street with that little (expletive)! (Expletive) him!"

During the former governor's first trial, Emanuel's name was mentioned repeatedly, though neither side called him to the stand.

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