Blagojevich's Job Prospects Unclear, Media Blitz Could Be Talk Show Audtion
CHICAGO — Ousted as Illinois governor and looking for a job, Rod Blagojevich returned to national television on Tuesday to proclaim his innocence on corruption charges _ perhaps angling for a future book deal or talk show.
But Blagojevich, a lawyer whose license is inactive, has some hurdles to overcome if he wants a new career. The biggest one: Who would hire him?
"A great many employers will not hire someone who has a felony charge pending against them," said Chicago defense attorney John Beal.
But some might offer him a job, if only to exploit the built-in publicity surrounding the scandal-tainted Democrat, especially as he gets closer to a trial on charges that could bring a lengthy prison term.
A federal indictment is expected by April on allegations that Blagojevich tried to auction off Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat. He was impeached by Illinois lawmakers, who stripped him of his job last week.
Blagojevich's publicist says offers are coming in, but he declined to provide details.
"Every day we get several offers of something he could do or would like to, and there are certainly no shortage of people who would love to speak with him," publicist Glenn Selig said.
Before the unanimous vote to remove Blagojevich, one Chicago radio show offered him a job if he would resign in the wake of his Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges. He refused to step down.
The former governor needs find a way to make a living. Not only did he lose his $177,000-a-year job, but his wife recently was fired from her $100,000-a-year job as the chief fundraiser for a Chicago homeless agency.
Federal authorities claim she was caught on secretly recorded tapes making expletive-laden demands to fire Chicago Tribune writers critical of Blagojevich.
"It's a period of adjustment for us. But you know what, I'm not asking for any sympathy. There are tens of thousands of Americans who are losing their job every single day. I just happen to be among the ranks," Blagojevich told NBC's "Today Show."
Blagojevich's latest round of national TV interviews Tuesday in New York included stops at CBS' "Late Show with David Letterman," CNN's "Larry King Live" and Fox's "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren."
His publicist insists the appearances are not about finding the former governor a new job, but about clearing his name.
It won't be easy. Before Blagojevich's removal, Letterman listed the "Top Ten Ways Rod Blagojevich Can Improve His Image," which ended with, "Uhhh...resign?"
In his appearance on Letterman's show Tuesday, Blagojevich said he keeps thinking he'll wake up and people will realize "this is just one big misunderstanding."
Letterman joked that the more Blagojevich talked and repeated his claims of innocence, the more the host said to himself, "Oh, this guy is guilty." Blagojevich said he appreciated Letterman's position but also believed he had to defend himself and assert his innocence.
Citing three previous Illinois governors with corruption convictions, Letterman joked: "Is this just part of the oath of office that you guys take?" Blagojevich replied, "Unlike those, I'll be vindicated," to laughter in the audience.
On "Today," Blagojevich said he "unequivocally" never tried to profit from his power to appoint Obama's Senate replacement and was eager for his day in court.
"This is America, and I still believe this is a place where, as it's written in the Bible, the truth will set you free. I'm clinging to the truth and embracing the truth. I'll ride the truth, and I'll clear my name," he said.
Blagojevich has the chance to refashion himself. Others have done it, such as homemaking diva Martha Stewart, who served prison time for insider trading, and former President Bill Clinton, who survived impeachment for his affair with a White House intern.
"Americans love the rehabilitation of fallen heroes. You know, we just love that," said Eve Geroulis, a clinical professor at Chicago's Loyola University school of business who specializes in marketing.
But to make a successful comeback, a person has to acknowledge what got him into trouble in the first place and then do some sort of penance to make amends, said Northwestern University professor Irving Rein.
Blagojevich has not done that, insisting he's innocent of any criminal charges and that he will be cleared in the end.
"This is an awkward period, I don't see him being able to capitalize on it," Rein said.
A big comeback for Blagojevich will probably have to wait until the federal corruption case against him is resolved.
In addition to charges that he tried to personally benefit from his Senate appointment power, Blagojevich was accused of trying to strong-arm the Chicago Tribune into firing unfriendly editorial writers and of engaging in so-called "pay-to-play" politics in which state jobs or contracts are exchanged for campaign contributions.
If convicted, he could face a serious prison term. Conspiracy to commit fraud is punishable by up to 20 years and solicitation to commit bribery by as much as 10 more years. If he's hit with a racketeering charge, that could send him to prison for up to another 15 years, said Leonard Cavise, a law professor at Chicago's DePaul University.
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DEANNA BELLANDI | February 3, 2009 11:33 PM EST |
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