Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's gig as a Chicago radio show host is over and, well, maybe it's not his fallback career after all.
Filling two hours of radio time as a substitute for the "Don Wade & Roma Show" on WLS-AM (7 - 9 a.m.), Blago reiterated the messages he's been sharing for the last couple of months.
He's done nothing wrong. He was hijacked from office. His enemies in the State House bounced him so they could screw the people.
"For those who prefer their politicians to be like onions — raw, odorous and distinctive to a fault — ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich certainly delivered," Crain's Chicago's Greg Hinz wrote following the broadcast.
Blagojevich blasted Gov. Pat Quinn's plans for an income tax hike, but seemed wistful about losing his job, saying he wished he was still governor.
Quinn is dismissing the comments, calling the former governor "yesterday's tomatoes" during an interview on WGN-AM. The current gov says he tuned in for about 30 minutes of Blagojevich's show.
The former gov warmed up to the radio mike as the show wore on, growing more comfortable after initially stumbling over his title as "former governor" when he introduced himself.
"It seems like only yesterday that I was governor ... and now I'm sitting here in the seat where Don Wade usually sits," he said. "You could say that I've achieved higher office."
He did call out 17 lawmakers for "double-dipping," working one job as a state legislator and another job as well. But when asked if the sideshow surrounding him might hurt Chicago's chances of winning the 2016 Olympics, the disgraced former governor said, "I don't believe that at all. Chicago's going to get the Olympics based on the merits, pure and simple. The circumstances of one person will have nothing to do with whether or not the Olympics comes to Chicago."
Blagojevich blasted Gov. Pat Quinn's plans for an income tax hike, but seemed wistful about losing his job, saying he wished he was still governor.
Blagojevich also hinted at his legal problems on air, saying he has some challenges ahead. It's expected the U.S. Attorney's office wiil announce formal charges against him in the next 10 days.
"I'm going to trust in the truth and as it says in the Bible, the truth shall set you free," he said.
He took a moment to plug the book he's writing, but admitted it isn't coming easily. He joked about being only a few pages into it.
His guests included CNN's D.L. Hughley, ABC News' Ann Compton and actors from a Second City comedy show that spoofs Blagojevich.
Local
Update: WLS-AM now has podcasts posted on their Web site:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Update 2: WGN-AM has audio of Gov. Quinn's interview:
Part 1
Part 2
