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Spox: 'Upbeat' Blago Has 'Bigger Things to Worry About' than Calls for his Resignation
December 12, 2008 8:29 AM
ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: Two days after his arrest, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is "upbeat," "positive", and focused on leading the state of Illinois, not on widespread calls for his resignation, his spokesman said Thursday.
"He was upbeat, he was positive and I think he was trying to at least impart that for the staff and to let people know that we have to keep continuing to do our jobs, regardless of what's going on around us," said spokesman Lucio Guerrero as Blagojevich spent a second straight day working at his Chicago office.
Speaking to Stacey Baca of ABC News' Chicago affiliate WLS-TV, Guerrero said the governor might not even be aware of all the numerous politicians - including President-elect Barack Obama - who want him to step down.
"I don't know even if he knows about those things," said Guerrero. "I mean, I think he's got bigger things to worry about, like the state budget, the economy, things like that. Making sure the state continues to run and not those types of things."
Pressed that just hours earlier across town Obama had reiterated his call for Blagojevich's resignation, Guerrero replied, "I don't think that's what he's thinking about right now."
Instead, the governor is continuing to attend to business as usual, wrestling with the state's unemployment and health insurance issues, not his own legal troubles.
"I think what he's trying to do is at least give a signal that things are - day to day, the operation isn't affected, in particular for the staff," said Guerrero. "I mean, we have to remember that the staff works for the state of Illinois. We have to make sure that the needs of the people are still met, that people are still getting their unemployment checks, people who need health insurance are still getting health insurance and we want - the governor is trying to make sure that people realize that there's still a sense of, trying to impart a sense of normalcy back in the office."
Guerrero said Blagojevich will also not let rock-bottom poll numbers result in his resignation, arguing that with the nation in a recession, "a lot of people are upset" with elected officials in general.
"During these times, nobody is happy with anything and that makes sense," Guerrero said. "I mean, we're in a financial crisis, people are losing their jobs, so a lot of people are upset with a lot of their elected leaders. As for the resignation, I don't know, he doesn't really concern himself with polls. He never has."
"I don't think he's worried about it. I mean, he expects that when you're the guy at the top, that that's gonna be the take. People are going to come after you, that that's what happens."
Noting that "the state economy isn't just one person's responsibilities", Guerrero also disputed that the governor's situation was placing additional strains on Illinois' financial crisis.
"Everybody is having to take a part in a little bit of getting us through this state, whether what's going on around the governor or not," he said. "I mean, it's a matter of getting the state through its crisis, this economic crisis and making sure that the state's needs are still met. And that I think is why the governor is there today, to make sure that he sends a message from the top down that we have to continue to work for the people of the state."
Guerrero assured that at some point, Blagojevich will speak out about the criminal charges he's facing, but offered no time frame as to when that might be.
"I know he's obviously aware of the situation," Guerrero said. "When he's ready to talk - and I'm sure he will - he'll talk."
December 12, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (9)
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Yeap much bigger things, starting with who he's gonna bring down with him. From Yahoo(Didnt Jesse Jr help Obama a lot with his campaign?)
Starting with Jesse Jackson JrCHICAGO – Businessmen with ties to both Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson discussed raising $1 million for Blagojevich to help persuade him to appoint Jackson to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat, according to a published report.
Citing unnamed sources, the Chicago Tribune reports in a story for Friday's editions that businessman Raghuveer Nayak and Blagojevich aide Rajinder Bedi told attendees at an Oct. 31 meeting that they needed to raise the money for the governor to ensure Jackson's appointment.
"Raghu said he needed to raise a million for Rod to make sure Jesse got the seat," an unidentified source who attended the meeting told the Tribune. Blagojevich also attended the meeting, which was sponsored by Nayak, an Oak Brook businessman.
A message left at a listing for Raghuveer Nayak in Oak Brook was not immediately returned early Friday. No published listing for Bedi could be found.
Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday on federal corruption charges that allege, among other things, a brazen scheme to put Obama's vacant Senate seat up for sale.
According to the FBI complaint, the Oct. 31 meeting took place the same day federal prosecutors intercepted a conversation in which Blagojevich claims he'd been approached by a representative for an unnamed "Senate Candidate 5" who offered cash in exchange for the Senate seat.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that Jackson was the candidate.
"We were approached 'pay to play,'" Blagojevich said in the call. The candidate would raise $500,000 for Blagojevich, and an emissary would raise an additional $1 million, according to the conversation.
Jackson spokesman Rick Bryant told the Tribune that while Jackson discussed the Senate seat with Nayak, he never asked him to do anything.
Nayak, 54, has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Blagojevich and is also close to the Jackson family. Bedi has also been a Blagojevich fundraiser.
The Oct. 31 meeting led to a Blagojevich fundraiser held Saturday that was co-sponsored by Nayak. The governor attended, as did Jackson's brother Jonathan, who went into business with Nayak several years ago, according to the newspaper report.
Two days later, Jackson met with Blagojevich to discuss the Senate seat.
Posted by: rachel | Dec 12, 2008 9:15:38 AM
It's business and politics as usual in the Windy City, I see.
Posted by: kat | Dec 12, 2008 10:39:43 AM
What a fraud and a loser...He should have other things to worry about. I hope he never sees another free day in his life.
Posted by: Rochelle | Dec 12, 2008 11:35:54 AM
I believe that Rod isnt doing what he is accused of. I have known him for a long time and that isnt the way that he play stupid games like that. I dont agree with Lisa Madigan decision or her choices due to the fact that she wanted the State Senator position too. I have a right as a US citizen to speak my thoughts. They have wanted Rod out of office for a long time due to the fact that he doesnt play the games that the other people do. He is out to help others in there time of need not try and get brownie points. I didnt see Lisa standing by the Republic Windows and trying to help them fix the situation. Leave Rod alone. I remember when he was in his twenty running for Alderman and he didnt do anything wrong.
Posted by: mindy | Dec 12, 2008 12:56:20 PM
Just some more proof that Blagojevich is delusional or at least not too bright. He should resign.
Posted by: Brian, Decatur, GA | Dec 12, 2008 1:09:02 PM
He is COMPLETELY and UNEQUIVOCABLY delusional. As an elected official he needs to take responsibility for his ridiculous actions and STOP pretending it's not happening. He's insane!
Posted by: Jackie | Dec 12, 2008 2:32:31 PM
Blago is a pit bull. He's true to form. He has never been out to serve his state, just his ego - power trip. His father-in-law despises him, even though this same father-in-law raised such a graceful daughter (foul-mouth wench). Bad news all the way around.
Posted by: Jack | Dec 12, 2008 3:17:36 PM
What do you guess that this guy is a Coke addict? Delusional. Psychological and physiological effects are obvious in this guy.
Posted by: Steve | Dec 12, 2008 3:20:59 PM
He is upbeat because he knows he has more dirt on the messiah than anyone else. Provided the mainstream media will exploit it, which is a long shot in itself. Either way, he knows it could be worth a lot of $$$$ than even the senate seat!
Posted by: KEEPTHECHANGE | Dec 12, 2008 5:35:00 PM
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