Harris testified that Blagojevich planned to use Durbin or others as go-betweens to Mike Madigan, to negotiate legislation in exchange for appointing Lisa Madigan Senator.
That way, he said, Blagojevich had a witness if negotiations fell apart, that he tried in good faith, and now had no choice but to appoint himself Senator.
Harris said Blagojevich planned to tell Durbin he was considering appointing Jesse Jackson Jr as Senator, as a "negative influence" to increase Durbin's enthusiasm for the Lisa Madigan effort.
