By Allan Lengel
ticklethewire.com
The entertainment factor in the trial of ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues to be strong.
Tapes played Monday during his public corruption trial show Blagojevich tossed around some names to fill the Senate seat vacated by President Obama and mentioned Oprah Winfrey, the Chicago Tribune reported.
His chief of staff John Harris apparently didn’t see that as a reasonable idea, the paper reported.
In a secretly recorded conversation played in court, Harris told Blagojevich the idea sounded “crazy.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Blagojevich said.
“Oprah, by the way, is not far-fetched,” Blagojevich said. “She’s up there so high, no one can assail this pick.”
Later, in a wiretapped conversation, Blagojevich and Harris agreed it would be best to pick an African American, the Trib reported.
Blagojevich said it would be best to find a “black Albert Einstein or something.”
One thing that is likely beyond dispute: Blagojevich is no Albert Einstein.
Blagojevich is accused of using his office for personal benefit of trying to sell the seat vacated by President Obama.
He’s expected to testify on his own behalf.
OTHER STORIES OF INTEREST
- Chicago Gun Ban May Be on Way Out But Mayor Vows to Fight (AP)
- Ex-Chicago Officer’s Torture Case May Not Be the Last (AP)
- Hamas Spy Finds Home in Calif., Seeks Asylum (AP)
- 524 Guard Soldiers Headed to Mexico-Arizona Border (AP)
- Supreme Court Orders Review of Conviction of Ex-Ala. Gov Siegelman (Wall Street Journal)
- Husband of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Dies (Wall Street Journal)
