Patti Blagojevich chomps on tarantula – loses anyway

Finally found the video clip of Jungle Patti [Blagojevich] passing her first test by eating a tarantula…musty, yeasty, crunchy and fuzzy. But she didn’t eat it fast enough and lost.

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Hubby is the official ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ correspondent aka Radio Rod with the Jungle Beat for the Don Wade and Roma Show on WLS-AM 890. The same folks he filled in for a day while they were out of town. Jungle Patti, who equated the jungle to Chicago politics, gave him something to talk about when she called Judy Baar Topinla – hubby’s opponent for governor – a kooky old aunt. Radio Rod explained his part on his segment and then Barr Topina called in and defended herself to Don and Roma.

One of her thoughts re: Patti:

You can’t tell me that as she sits there looking sane, with a bunch of has-beens and wannabes and goofs so she looks better by comparison.

Precisely…and it’s working. And Radio Rod is coming across like a loving concerned hubby and Mr Mom.

Jungle Patti, Radio Rod and kooky old Aunt Baar Topinka

June 5, 2009

Well the first incidence has taken place. Milorad’s wife, Jungle Patti, brought up one of hubby’s opponents in reference to a contestant – Janice Dickinson – on ‘I’m a celebrity…’. And of course blago’s female opponent heard it was none too pleased and called into The Don Wade and Roma Show (WLS -890) to defend herself. blago is working as an official correspondent for ‘I’m a celebrity…’ aka Radio Rod with the Jungle Beat. He discusses Patti in an effort to keep her there but also as a plug for the show.

Here are their respective words. Somebody actually had a video clip. Blago’s is from WLS and Huffington Post got the Baar Topinka bit.

secrets4fun

PATTI BLAGOJEVICH:

My husband had a campaign where he was running against this woman a little bit like her and he thought of her like a crazy old aunt. He had to kind of like suffer and kind of like, and kind of just like, roll your eyes at. Like she’s the kooky old aunt. You had to be respectful to her because she’s your old aunt.

RADIO ROD:

Yes, it’s Judy Baar Topinka. When you’re in a campaign and you have to be with your opponent from time to time, sometimes they’ll do things to you that you think are unfair OR They’ll twist things. I’m sure they think the same thing about you. For me, I try to get myself in a mindset where I could love my opponent and not let it get personal. To discipline myself, I tried to imagine, like a method actor might, that Judy Baar Topinka was one of my old aunts. That deep down she was a good person and when she would say the things that she would say or do the things she would do, it was more amusing than anything else. And I think that really probably is who she is. You know, crazy aunt in a good way.

Then Roma and Rod say what a good contestant she’d be. He signed off and Baar Topinka called in.

For the record – Milorad beat her and she is more than a tad off but Janice Dickinson is in her own universe.

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JUDY BAAR TOPINKA:

This is your crazy aunt in the attic!

That kooky old aunt had three terms in the Treasurer’s Office and never displaced a dollar and gave $230M of unclaimed assets back to people and made a profit. Not bad, uh, for being a kooky old aunt? Maybe Gov Blagojevich — former Gov Blagojevich — and his tarantula-eating wife might, ypu know, consider looking at doing the same thing or they wouldn’t be in such trouble.

That’s disgusting, Roma. Frankly I don’t care what the deal is here. wTo send a loved one off to eat tarantulas and roaches and things like that — that’s disgusting. I wouldn’t send any of my family members like that. To me, they’re worth more than that. It’s just not right.

ROMA: Would you go?

BAAR TOPINKA: Absolutely not.

I just wouldn’t do it. I think it’s denigrating. When you hold public office — especially if you were the first lady of the State of Illinois and the former gov — my God, you’ve got a role to play here. You’re a role model. You don’t go off eating roaches. About the closest thing I ever got to roaches was in Springfield. No way do I want to be close to those things.

BAAR TOPINKA:

Well I think it’s nice that they felt they should be respectful to me because I’ve always been repsectful to people in terms of age.

The fact that they bring it up in this way just proves that they really have no respect for anything. They are shameless. They certainly have no respect for the system. They have no respect for the people of Illinois. It’s all about them. You can’t tell me that as she sits there looking sane, with a bunch of has-beens and wannabes and goofs so she looks better by comparison. This is the same gal with the potty-mouth who was yelling on one of these transcripts of a phone message, you know, ‘Go knock these guys off the Tribune, get rid of these editorial writers if they can’t make a deal on the Cubs then expletive deleted.’ I mean, Who is this woman? Now she’s suddenly playing Martha Washington. I mean, c’mon – alright? She knew what was going on. She’s lucky Patrick Fitzgerald isn’t on her case, too.

Who says he isn’t?

Patti has no way of knowing what’s going

Larry King: Radio Rod Blagojevich

June 4, 2009

Radio Rod was on Larry King. Came across as sincere and loving of his wife and girls. Talked too much and too repetitively about how he was wronged and what was done to him. He needs to stick to he's looking forward to his day in court. Surprised he didn't mention his gig on the Don Wade and Roma Show as the official correspondent for"I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUT OF HERE!

Summary: his hair "product of the disco era", discussed how his wife, Jungle Patti, is doing on the show, says it's tough to watch her do those these, admits he never realized how much moms do and how hard a job it is, how the kids are handling things, she's very popular and coming across well, Patti's getting paid as much as he would have been, wouldn't disclose how much - "very generous", 3 reasons Patti went on show: felt an obligation to NBC - thanks them, to support the family and to make money for their charity -- the original charity refused because Rod threatened to withhold money from Children's Memorial Hospital.

He's still working on his book, not giving up, wants the truth to come out, wouldn't comment on Burris, says he anxious for the trial to vindicate himself, says the word truth 19 times, he's innocent, a great injustice has been done to him and his family, there's meaning in this, mentions that other folks are out of a job -- specifically the Michigan autoworkers -- and slipped in that Gov Quinn went back on his promise not to raise taxes.

Brings up TONY REZKO who really must have talked as a "central figure in this whole case that both President Obama and I had a close relationship with." and that "He sent a letter to a federal judge saying that neither president, then Senator Obama, or me were involved in any wrongdoing with him. Now suddenly he emerges in this case in a different light."

Quotes: MLK, Rudyard Kipling, Teddy Roosevelt and Greek historian by the name of Edith Hamilton.

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CNN Transcript

KING: All right, Rod, welcome. You were just watching your wife on the show a minute ago. How -- how is she doing?

ROD BLAGOJEVICH, FORMER GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS: Well, you know, Larry, these are the sorts of things that happen sometimes when you've been knocked down and you're trying to rebuild and pick yourself up. You know, I was originally the one who was going to do that show and I wish I could have done it, because I sure would have liked to have been the one to have to do some of the things that, unfortunately, Patti has to do.

It's, you know, with mixed feelings that I watch that. It's difficult to see her have to do something like this.

But it's a way for us to make a living as we rebuild our lives, keep our kids in the same school that they're in, stay in the same home that they've lived in since -- for the past eight years -- and try to keep as much of a normal life for our children as possible, even though we have this short period of time in the month of June that their mom is gone. And she's making a sacrifice because she loves her kids. And eating that tarantula like she had to is an act of love. It's a sign that this is a mother who loves her children.

KING: More with Rod Blagojevich on very serious matters after the break. Stick around.
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KING: As we said, Rod, your wife, Patti, is in Costa Rica. She's on NBC's "I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!" In the first episode, some of her fellow reality contestants brought up your troubles. Watch.

=====BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUT OF HERE!," COURTESY NBC==========
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why is your husband facing jail time? What happened?

P. BLAGOJEVICH: I can't really get into it too much, except that, yes, they made a big hoopla out of something that wasn't even the truth. My husband was governor for six years. Twice voted by the people and, you know, was always about doing the right thing for people.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Just so you know, when I met him, I was like this is who I would have voted for the president of United States of America.

P. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I appreciate that.
=============END VIDEO CLIP===============

KING: OK, Rod, the judge presiding over the corruption involving you says the trial is going to be probably in the spring of 2010. Why so far away?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I don't know. The judge sets the schedule. And he's the boss, as he should be. And so that's just another obstacle that those of us who would like to move this forward have to deal with. I'm eager for my day in court. I'm eager to vindicate myself. I'm eager for the truth to come out. I've been wronged. These are false accusations. And I'm looking forward for the whole story to come out. And I would like very much to be able to get this whole process moving sooner rather than later.

But it's going to go of its own accord and there's a -- a complicated legal process that necessarily will occur. But I fully expect a fair trial. And I know what the truth is and I know the truth will be one that will vindicate me and put in perspective what's happened to not only me, but to Patti and our family.

KING: Do you believe, Rod, that nobody is going to work out a plea here, there will definitely be a trial?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: No. There's definitely going to be a trial. I've done absolutely nothing wrong. I have been wronged. I can't talk about the case, as you know, Larry. It's not appropriate. But, you know, I -- again, I'm looking forward to my opportunity to finally be able to get all the information out and let people see what the truth is.

You know, there's a -- there are some lines from a poem that Rudyard Kipling wrote that reads: "If you bear to hear the truth you've spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools and see the things you gave your life to broken and stoop and build them up with worn out tools."

Now, they've made accusations. People have lied about me. I'm dealing with that. I'm not giving up. I'm picking myself up and I'm dusting myself off, as my wife is, as well. We're rebuilding our lives. And we're stooping down with worn out tools to do that. But, ultimately, the truth will be what it is. And the truth will, as the -- it's written in the Bible, set me free, because the truth is that I've done nothing wrong.

KING: All right...

R. BLAGOJEVICH: ...and did the best I could for the people of Illinois and got a lot of real results done for the average ordinary citizen of my state.

KING: Legal analysts say that anything your wife says could be held against you or her in court. Does any of that worry you?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: No. And I understand lawyers and legal analysts, you know, parse things and are concerned about how some things can be taken out of context and twisted. I'm a living example of how things can be taken out of context and twisted and used against you in an unfair way -- and the consequences that go along with that. But, no. I think when you're in a position like the one I'm in, you have to embrace the truth and ride it and know that, at the end of the day, if you have that on your side, this is America and my fellow citizens will have a chance -- who I've always trusted and have always mostly, I think, trusted me -- they'll decide what the truth is. And I know what it is with regard to me and my behavior and my actions and my intentions. And, again, I'm confident that I'll have my opportunity to clear my name.

KING: All right...

R. BLAGOJEVICH: And in the interim, both Patti and I have our lives to live. We've got to rebuild our lives. We have our daughters to raise. And we just need to be mindful that as long as we tell the truth, whatever somebody wants to say, it won't come back and hurt you.

KING: NBC originally wanted you to do the show, naturally. A judge barred you from going to Costa Rica, having seen some episodes -- the primitive setting and everything. What do you make of it? Do you think you -- you'd want to do that?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, when I knew that I was offered this and we discovered what this was, I -- I didn't want to do it then. I said yes because it was a way to earn a living and -- and be able to afford our mortgage and keep our kids in the same school that they're going in. And it was a very generous offer by NBC. So in spite of what they wanted me to do, I was willing to do it, because you have to sacrifice sometimes for your children and your family. You should always. And, so, unfortunately, the judge made a decision -- and I respect his decision -- that I shouldn't go. And Patti chose, instead, to take my place. And again, as I said, it's with mixed feelings that I watch her on this program because, on the one hand, I want her to do well; on the other hand, we'd like to have her home and my kids -- my little 6- year-old...

KING: Yes, jeez...

R. BLAGOJEVICH: ...and my 12-year-old, my girls, they miss their mother. She's never been away from them and -- you know, and I'm now Mr. Mom, basically handling these things.

KING: She's also very...

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Yes, Larry. I'm sorry.

KING: She's also very popular. We're going to take a break. And when we come back, we'll talk about the aspect of that program -- who was supposed to get paid, what about charity.

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=====BEGIN VIDEO CLIP FROM "I'M A CELEBRITY...GET ME OUT OF HERE!," COURTESY NBC============
P. BLAGOJEVICH: My husband is Rod Blagojevich, the former governor of Illinois. And the last few months of our lives, it's been pretty difficult. So, I -- you know, in some ways, I'm going to cry. But after that, the jungle doesn't sound so scary.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Patti! Patti, get up.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's a tarantula on Patti's leg.
==========END VIDEO CLIP==============

KING: Participants in "I'm A Celebrity..." Can raise money for a charity of their choice. The Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation was approached to be your wife's charity. Their response is this: "We declined the opportunity because her husband, former Governor Blagojevich, faces federal charges, which include an alleged extortion of our partner, Children's Memorial Hospital. We wish the show and Mrs. Blagojevich the best of luck." A couple of questions relating to that, Rod. You said you were doing -- you would do it for the need for money. I thought the money goes to charity.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, there's -- there's two parts to this. There's a salary that you get paid to do...

KING: Oh.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: ...the program and participate as a contestant. And then there's the charity of your choice. And so, for those who vote for Patti to stay on the program, they have the option to then make a donation to the charity of our choice. We chose Bear Necessities because children's health care has -- was the central part of what I was about as the governor of Illinois. We became the first state in America that gave all our kids health care. Again, there's an accusation against me that's false with regard to what you just suggested. Kids with pediatric cancer is a cause both Patti and I believe deeply and want to be helpful on.

They turned us down and I certainly respect that. It's not surprising. We chose a children's cancer center in Tampa, Florida, that I understand you're familiar with, Larry, because your son lives in Tampa. They are affiliated with the Moffett Cancer Center, have a great reputation, and it's a way for people who want to help kids with cancer, their families, whether it's money for research, or kids having opportunities to do things they otherwise couldn't do because their parents can't afford to help them -- this is a way to help those kids. I hope people participate and make a donation.

KING: Your wife has said making money to support the family is the reason she's doing this. Can you tell us what the salary is?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: I'm not permitted to do that. NBC has a contract with Patti. They have had a contract with me. I should say that we're grateful to NBC for their confidence in us and the opportunity. Patti -- among the reason why she chose to take my place was she felt, as I did, that we had an obligation to meet a commitment to NBC that was willing to give me an opportunity in this process, as we begin to rebuild our lives. So she's doing this because it's a way to earn some income. But also because we felt an obligation to NBC, and, of course, we had a component where we could help kids with cancer.

KING: Is she getting the same you would have gotten?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: She is. I can say that she's doing a heck of a lot better than I could ever do.

KING: She's very popular.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: I hope that's the case. Those of us who know and love Patti know her to be the best person that we know. And I think her contestants, or fellow contestants, are getting to know her. And I think they kind of appreciate her good qualities. She's just a great person. Again, the fact that she's willing to do something like this is all about loving her children and making sure we can keep things as normal for our kids as possible. Albeit this is an unusual way of doing it.

KING: Here's another clip of Patti on the show. Watch.

============(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)============
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Dear heavenly father, we just pray over Patti. We pray over her family. We pray over her husband and everything that's going on, lord. You know the truth. You know that everything that's happened. I pray the truth will be revealed. I pray that he will triumph in your name, Lord Jesus. I pray that you bless him. They will be delivered from this evil and oppression, Lord Jesus. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
P. BLAGOJEVICH: Beautiful, beautiful.
==========END VIDEO CLIP==========

KING: Rod, your wife has not been charged with any crime, but she was referenced in the federal indictment against you. She was heard cursing on audiotape. Chicago newspapers characterize her as Lady Macbeth. Do you think doing this reality show will help her image? What do you think that image is?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, the media and newspapers like to twist things and sensationalize. Yes, she said a bad word because she was angry about the treatment of her husband. And that's not an unusual thing. She doesn't speak like that most of the time. They just caught her in a private conversation, when her telephone at home was wire tapped and bugged. Again, I think people have a chance to see her for what she is on that program. Those of us who know her and love her are blessed to have her in our lives.

If I can just say again, the truth will win out in this. I'm looking forward to being vindicated. As we work through this process as a family, we're not unlike a lot of other families across America. Millions of people have lost their jobs, are being dislocated during these hard times. There are laid off auto workers in Michigan who are rebuilding their lives, retraining as nurses. They're an inspiration to Patti and me. I'm going to stand tall and I'm fighting this all the way. We're going to prevail because the truth is on our side. A huge wrong has been done to me and my family. I want people to know they can be underdogs and fight a system that unfairly treated them. They can prevail and survive. And in the meantime, as you work your way through, stand tall.

KING: Rod, without being repetitive, do you think you, at all -- you, yourself -- made some mistakes in this that led to this? Whether they are legally enough to convict you, were there some parts where you made mistakes?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: You know, again, Larry, I --

KING: Without elaborating.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Yes, I could say over the years, have I made some mistakes in judgment? Have I put some confidence and faith and reliance on people who ultimately turned out to be people I didn't know or know to be what they were? There's a central figure in this whole case that both President Obama and I had a close relationship with. He sent a letter to a federal judge saying that neither president, then Senator Obama, or me were involved in any wrongdoing with him. Now suddenly he emerges in this case in a different light. Is he the person I thought he was?

KING: Who is that?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: A fellow by the name of Tony Rezko. Again, without going into all the details, sure, I probably put the wrong trust in some people. But in terms of my intentions, what I was trying to do, with regard to the Senate seat, when the truth comes out, I think the American people will find this to be a remarkable story. And again, it's a story that I think will have historic implications.

KING: Let me get a break. The governor used to be a very busy guy. How is he spending time these days? We'll ask after the break.

========(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)==========
R. BLAGOJEVICH: I think there's nothing but sunshine hanging over me. I prefer to be compared to people like Teddy Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman and others in history. I will fight. I will fight until I take my last breath.
========(END VIDEO CLIP)=========

KING: Rod, before we ask how you're spending your time, how are the girls dealing with this?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Thank you, Larry, I appreciate you asking. We have two little girls, our six-year-old -- she just turned six on April 5th -- and our daughter Amy is going to be 13 on August 3rd. She is 12 now. They're different ages. So it is different for both of them. Our older one, obviously, is more aware of the circumstances, and the gravity of it and magnitude of it. It's affected her more, in a more complicated way. She's dealing with different issues. But I think for the most part pretty good. Patti, again, has done a great job making sure our kids live as normal a life as possible. They do their routines. Amy skates, goes to school. She plays the oboe and is very active. Our little one is six. She's dealing with it in her own way as well.

KING: Does the 12-year-old ask you about it?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Not that much. She talks to her mother more about it. We've assured her -- we've talked to her in a broad sense about some of this. And the part of what's happened is part of this political process today, in the 21st century, that I did nothing wrong, and that, ultimately, I'll have a chance, with my fellow citizens, to determine what the truth of things are.

KING: How are you spending --

R. BLAGOJEVICH: How am I spending my time, Larry? I'm writing a book.

KING: The governor is pretty busy. Now you're a former governor. You have no occupation. What are you doing?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: That's a good question. You know, somebody asked that the other day. I guess I'm technically an author. I'm writing a book. I have a publisher, and we're working on a book. I'm actively involved in that. It's hard, because I'm writing about a lot of this stuff. Some of it is painful to even think about, much less write about. In the short run, more immediate period, while Patti is in the jungle, I'm now discovering how difficult her life has been on a day- to-day basis, since I'm the primary care-giver with our two little girls. It's amazing how sometimes we take for granted what moms do and parents who care for their kids on a day to day basis.

KING: Can the book come out before the trial, if you're writing openly about everything that happened?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: That's the intention. Yes, of course. Again --

KING: If the book can come out before the trial, why can't you discuss other aspects now?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I -- because there's a court proceeding that needs to be respected. And the book will write about things that will be done in such a way that respects that court proceeding. And you'll have to wait and see ultimately what's in it, and how it comes out. It's still a work in progress. But I wish I could talk about everything I know. I wish I could tell you about the accusations and answers --

KING: I assume you will in your book, though.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I'll talk a lot about a lot of stuff.

KING: You want people to buy the book?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I wanted to write about the truth. Whether they buy it -- I hope they do. I think there's a lot of interesting things I can talk about. Again, there will be an opportunity in a court of law, with sworn testimony and sworn witnesses.

KING: OK. I got you. We'll be right back. Former governor -- you want to add something? Go ahead quickly.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Again, I just want to say, I wish I could tell you what I know. I wish I could answer these questions. It's very difficult when you're in a position like I'm in, where people have said things about you, falsely accused you, and the media has decided to rush to judgment and, all of a sudden, the presumption of innocence that we thought was a fundamental right of all of us as citizens was stripped away from you. And then you're taken from your office that people elected you twice by cynical politicians who have their own motives, who wouldn't allow you to bring evidence in to prove you did nothing wrong, wouldn't allow you to bring in taped telephone conversations, every one of them, and let you hear them in a proceeding. And then you're ripped out of that job and the people are left with a governor who breaks a promise that I made not to raise taxes. The first thing he does is --

KING: I got to take a break.

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Yes, sir.

KING: We'll have more on the former governor.

(CROSS TALK)

KING: That's OK. I understand. I'd be emotional too. Our remarkable question of the night is 60 seconds away. Don't go away.

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KING: We have a call for Rod Blagojevich from Toronto. Hello.

CALLER: Hi, Larry.
KING: Hi.

CALLER: I just wanted to ask Rod how is he going to deal with the fact that Patti has become so popular and he's used to being the celebrity. I watched Patti the last couple nights. I found her to be a really down Earth mom. It was really nice to see. How is he going to deal with her being the nice one and him being the bad guy?

R. BLAGOJEVICH: Thank you for that. I think great. I love Patti more than I love myself. I would literally die for my wife, of course, my children. You know, it's true, she's -- I've been the governor and the politician and the elected official, and that's kind of where the spotlight is. I have absolutely no problem seeing her pursue her dreams or being the more successful one, or, in this case, the one that is better liked. And if in fact she is better liked, which I think she surely should be, that's the right place to be. She's the better person between the two of us.

KING: We have an e-mail question from Nicole in Bloomington, Indiana. "If you are legally cleared in your lifetime, what would be the appropriate recompense for what you've gone through?"

R. BLAGOJEVICH: You know, when you go through something like this, and you know that you've done nothing wrong, and you're shocked that so many of these things have happened the way they have, and you've been fighting through them, you spend time, when you have the time, as I've had, to reflect a little bit and to think through some of this. You can choose to be bitter and you can be angry and you can choose to just give up and lose perspective. Or you can choose to try to find wisdom in all of this.

I've had a chance to do a little bit of reading during this period of time. And I've read a Greek historian by the name of Edith Hamilton. She wrote a poet named Eschylus during the golden age of Athens, who wrote about suffering and pain. And he said, "even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart. And in our despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us through the awful grace of god."

I believe there's a purpose for this. Both Patti and I have a deep faith in God. And we've been blessed by the good wishes of people across America who are -- who have sent their best to us. And I have to believe that there's a reason why this has happened the way it has, and that there's still a purpose for both of us, but certainly for me to do things where I can continue to serve people. All of my adult life has been about serving people. And I still think there's a role for me when this is over, where I can play a role to help the average little guy, the way I did when I was governor.

KING: A couple more important things to cover when we come back. Don't go away.

==========
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KING: Governor, federal officials secretly recorded a phone conversation between Roland Burris, the current senator, and your brother, Robert, back in mid-November. The tape was released late last month. Let's listen to a brief excerpt and then get your comment.

===========(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)==========
ROBERT BLAGOJEVICH, BROTHER: If you guys can just write checks, that'd be fine, if we can't find a way to tie in.
SEN. ROLAND BURRIS (D), ILLINOIS: OK, OK. Well, we -- I will personally do something, OK.
ROB. BLAGOJEVICH: All right, Roland.
BURRIS: And it will be done before the 15th of December.
ROB. BLAGOJEVICH: OK.
BURRIS: All right.
ROB. BLAGOJEVICH: You're a good friend. I'll pass on your message.
BURRIS: Please do. Tell Rod to keep me in mind for that seat. Would you?
ROB. BLAGOJEVICH: I'll let him know.
========(END VIDEO CLIP)=========

KING: Governor, Senator Burris maintains that that recording is proof he didn't take part in any pay to play scheme to get the United States Senate appointment. What are your thoughts on all of that?

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: Well, you know, I think that tape speaks for itself. It's a fund-raising call. I understand that Roland didn't make a contribution. He had helped in the past. That's a normal part of the process. He's raising money now, presumably, for his re- election, as are all the senators. They do it all the time, all the Congressman. He said no. I made him a United States senator. It's just the opposite of what's being alleged. Again, I can't wait for all the truth to come out about that Senate seat and the decisions I made and the actions I took regarding doing what was right for the people of our state. Yes, Larry?

KING: Are you recommending to the people that they re-elect Senator Burris?

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: I'm not going to interject myself in that. I don't know that I would be doing him any favors if I were to make a suggestion at this point. Again, let me simply say, what's happened to me is wrong. And I did nothing wrong. The truth will come out, and this will be --

KING: I don't want you to be repetitive.

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: I'm not trying to be repetitive. I just want to point out, no one needs to feel sorry for us or feel that somehow Patti and I are giving up. We've had opportunities to rebuild our lives. And this opportunity on "I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here" by NBC is very unique. All of these workers who have lost their jobs across America today, very few of them are given those rare opportunities that Patti and I have been given.

So, in many ways, we've been very lucky. Everybody goes through valleys in their lives. That's what the journey of life is. And sometimes how you deal with your valleys suggests whether or not you'll ever be on a peak again. In my life experience, because life is filled with ups and downs, when you're knocked down, you pick yourself up; you dust yourself off' you don't complain. You don't have hate in your heart. You have love in your heart. And you move and look to the future. And you do what Teddy Roosevelt said, which is black hair never catches a rider whose pace is fast enough. You keep moving forward.

KING: By the way, you're not going to believe this, but a lot of Tweets today on our Twitter thing about your hair. They tell me thousands of people want to know who cuts it, how much money would it take to get you to shave it off?

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: I want to plug my barber. His name is Peter, Mr. Barber on Oak. He's a great guy. He cuts Lou Pinella's hair and Mick Jagger actually went to his barber shop when he was here for a concert. I know people make fun of it. Whatever they say, it is what it is.

KING: You like it?

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: I comb it enough. But thank you. I'm a product of the disco era.

KING: San Diego, hello.

CALLER: Yes. Governor, your wife said she was fired from her non-profit job as a result of your alleged acts and behaviors. Are you considering a wrongful termination suit based on this?

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: Thank you for that. There's been discussion of that. We have decided so far not to do it, because it's an organization that helps the homeless. But that's exactly what happened to Patti after the allegations were leveled against me. The not-for-profit organization that she was working at had a one-year contract to help feed the homeless. She was doing an exceptional job. Everybody was saying that, up until the time of my arrest. Then they decided to terminate her. And I imagine they have their own political reasons and others why they did it. It had nothing to do with her work product at all. At this stage, it's not something we're pursuing. And we're moving on. Again, politics is a rough and tumble business.

Dr. King said that when there are difficult times, it's not the words of your enemies that you remember, it's the silence of your friends. And when something like what happened to me happens, people run away. And people don't want any of what you have in their neighborhood. So I think in the respect to Patti's job and the not- for profit that she worked with, they probably felt that they didn't want the headache of some of the baggage that went along with Patti being my wife.

KING: Rod, thank you so much for being with us. We'll be calling on you again. Keep in touch.

ROD BLAGOJEVICH: Thanks. Thanks for having me, Larry. Appreciate it.

Radio Rod with the Jungle Beat!

June 3, 2009

Can’t keep a good man (or career politician) down for too long. He’s not in the Costa Rican jungle, but he’s found a way for his fans to keep his wife there just so they can hear him on the radio.

Rather ingenious.

Don Wade and Roma Show WLS -890AM has hired him to be their official ‘I’m A Celebrity….Get Me Out Of Here!’ Correspondent.

That’s right.

It’s Radio Rod with the Jungle Beat!

Rad Rod will do a live interview in the morning, updating listeners as to how his wife, Jungle Patti, is doing on the show.

If the money wasn’t going to keep their daughters’ parents out of jail, it would be funny.

Patti Blagojevich interview from the jungle

May 30, 2009

Patti Blagojevich and John Sally are "teammates" on the show 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here' filmed in Costa Rica. It premiers June 1st on NBC. They were interviewwed by CLTV. For the sake of her girls, I sure hope she keeps it together. You know whatever footage they have of her swearing or whatever else negative will make it on the show. She is either going to voted off right away or she'll go to the end.

Have you had second thoughts?

PATTI BLAGOJEVICH: There's a little of that. I've got a lot of apprehension about what will happen in the next few days and weeks.

You said you're doing this for the money...is there anything you're not willing to do?

PATTI BLAGOJEVICH: I guess you just have to take it as it comes. Confront each challenge individually. See where you're at at the time. I can't say how I'll react to any particular situation. So hopefully it will all be in good fun. And I'll just have to see how it goes.

Worried about Rod and the girls?

PATTI BLAGOJEVICH: Well, sure. That was my biggest obstacle that I had to overcome to come on this show - to make sure everything was going to be ok with my girls. It's the first time I've ever had an extended period away from them in their whole lives. There's going to be a little bit of adjustment the first few days. It's good I'll be able to check in with them by phone the first few days...I believe Rod's up to the task and they all fare quite well.

What kind of team will you be?

Sally says they'll be fine because she's stern and has two daughters.

JOHN SALLY: We're going to make a great team. I live in LA and I'm always in shark-infested waters and there's a whole lot of insects biting and sucking blood from you.

PATTI BLAGOJEVICH: Kind of like like Chicago politics.

JOHN SALLY: Exactly like Chicago politics. This is going to be easy.

Patti, you've said that people may have a negative perception from the wiretaps that showed a so-called "potty mouth". What do you think people are going to walk away knowing about you after this reality show?

PATTI BLAGOJEVICH: I hope they come away knowing who I really am. Not who I was perecevied to be based on one phone conversation that was taken in my home when I was in private in a moment of anger. A lot of that was blown extremely out of proportion. And they'll the see the way I really am. And I look forward to that.

Patti Blagojevich in the jungle

May 27, 2009

I realize I never posted Blagojevich’s Today Show interview when they made clear why she is going. Show starts June 1st. Either they are going to keep her on for a while or get rid of her right away. All depends on what Milordad’s role is..

Blagjevich publicist, Glenn Selig: [emphasis added]

Embracing her new role as reality show contestant, the former First Lady of Illinois is on her way to Costa Rica to compete in an NBC reality show.

Her email autoresponder now says: ‘I will be out of the office and in the jungle until further notice.’

“Patti is going to compete because this is what a mom does for her kids and for her family,” says Glenn Selig, founder of The Publicity Agency and spokesman for Patti and her husband Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor.

Patti accepted an offer from NBC to go to Costa Rica when a judge said the former governor who has been indicted could not travel out of the country, says Selig.

“On the show her strategy is to be herself. She’s funny, witty and I think extremely likeable.”

Based on the hit U.K. reality show, “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” is a groundbreaking live series event that premieres June 1 on NBC.

Celebrities of various backgrounds will be dropped into the heart of the Costa Rican jungle. They will face challenges designed to test their skills in adapting to the wilderness and to raise money for their favorite charities. It’s the ultimate Swiss Family Robinson as participants face fun and comedic challenges designed to test their survival skills.

“Patti may be adventurous but at most she’s only spent one night camping,” says Selig. “She is a ‘big city girl’ and this will be challenging.”

America is the puppet master, controlling their favorites by putting them into challenges and tasks to win food, supplies and luxury items by casting votes.

“Patti hopes the public votes to keep her in Costa Rica because the longer she stays the more money she raises for charity,” says Selig.

Patti Blagojevich will be on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Outta Here!'

May 21, 2009

Haha. Appears Selig is having the last laugh on this one. He sends out a press release: Leave the blagos alone! and today it’s yep she’s gonna be on the show. And yep Blago got another Today Show appearance out of the deal and will also be on the show in some “surprise” capacity. Isn’t everything Milorad does a surprise – which is really no surprise? Here’s the press release. Wonder if his next press release will have anything to do with a blue barrel….

GLENN SELIG:

The former first lady of Illinois, Patti Blagojevich, will go to Costa Rica to compete in ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ Patti and her husband, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, appeared on NBC’s Today show to make the official announcement.

“The job was originally offered to her husband but when the judge said he couldn’t go to Costa Rica NBC asked Patti to go in his place,” says Glenn Selig, founder of The Publicity Agency, the public relations firm which represents Patti and Rod Blagojevich. “She accepted and went to LA. earlier this week to take part in a promotional shoot and to prepare for the show.”

While Patti Blagojevich goes to work for her family, the former governor will be ‘Mr. Mom’ to his two daughters, ages 12 and 6.

“He jokes that in a way she will have it easier competing in the jungle,” says Selig. “He knows how hard it is to take care of the kids and to run a home.”

The former governor will be pulling for his wife as she competes on the show for a chance to be win top prizes for charity and for her family.

Even though he won’t be traveling to Costa Rica to be a contestant, the former governor will be involved in the program in other ways which will be a surprise, says Selig.

Selig: Leave the Blagojevichs alone!

May 20, 2009

Yo, Cyrus, pay up!

Blagojevich publicist tells the media leave the Blagos alone. Hard to believe they would be out with their trucks again. Won’t be now that a body’s been found. They might be visiting his other client….What kind of sound bites are they looking for? Selig doesn’t deny that she is/will be on the show. Why doesn’t he get Rod a radio gig?

PRNewsChannel: Reports that Patti Blagojevich will be traveling to Los Angeles today for the show “I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!” are false. Mrs. Blagojevich is not traveling anywhere out of town today or this week for that matter.

Both Patti Blagojevich, and her husband, the former governor of Illinois, ask that for the sake of their children that you give them their privacy.

“There is no need for the media to park live trucks outside of the Blagojevich home,” says Glenn Selig, founder of The Publicity Agency (www.ThePublicityAgency.com) which represents Rod and Patti Blagojevich. “They are living their day to day lives and they’d very much appreciate some privacy. Cameras and trucks outside their home are jarring to their children.”

“When and if there is something of news value to report I will make sure you know about it.”

Patti Blagojevich taking hubby’s place?

May 18, 2009

There’s no doubt they are going to need the money. For both of their defenses. Rod can’t leave the country because he is inconveniently under indictment. So his not yet indicted wife, Patti, is giving serious consideration to joining the “cast” of “I’m a Celebrity, Get me Outta Here!”, which reportedly includes flying to LA to meet with producers later this week. The amount of money she would receive is unclear as is whether viewers would be as interested in her sticking around.

—–
Blagojevich on Reality TV?
Blago’s only reality show will be his trial
NBC Statement re: no Blago
Official blago statement re: no Costa Rica
Blagojevich to promote ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.’
Blago on the Today Show

Impeachment won't strip blago's pension

January 26, 2009

I don't know how much he made in the last week but his wife has lost her $100K/yr job and he's about to lose his $177K. On the bright side - even if he is impeached he will retain his governor's pension. All they can do for now is kick him out of office and ban his return. If he is convicted in criminal court, the state pension board can do what they did with Gov Ryan and deny him his pension. He's not eligible to receive it for 3 more years (age 55). And even then he has his Congressional pension. Pat Quinn has already warned him that he's going to have to find a way home himself - even though it's customary for the governor to retain his security detail for a year. What remains to be seen is if he will attempt a final eff you as far as pardons, etc.

Good article by LEIGH CALDWELL on the actual financial breakdown of the cost of a senate seat. Tongue-in-cheek conclusion: "Rod Blagojevich was just too honest to sell the seat for its maximum possible value."

blago Hollywood bound?

January 26, 2009

Gotta give it to blago. Besides enjoying the limelight - he is trying to make money for his defense. His wife just lost her $100K job and his is a few days away.

ACCESS HOLLYWOOD

Woman: There's been discussions of TV movies and stuff that's being made - who would play you? Who would you want to play you?

BLAGO: Oh is that right? Have there been?

Woman: There have been discussions..I mean would you --

BLAGO: I wouldn't mind playing myself. I could probably use the job!

Too bad Eddie Munster isn't still a kid...they have quite the resemblance...