Rod Blagojevich had some choice words for a number of prominent Chicago politicians, in a radio appearance on Fred and Jeri Thompson's WLS radio show Thursday morning. (Scroll down to hear the entire interview.)
About his replacement, current Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, the disgraced former governor said: "He's a disaster."
"Don't beat around the bush, governor," a chuckling Fred Thompson replied.
Moments later, Blago went on: "I mean no disrespect, but I've said that Pat Quinn is essentially the substance of a eunuch in the form of a man. He's been emasculated by the Democratic political power structure."
After Blago took a few swipes at Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, Thompson said in a voice dripping with sarcasm, "This Durbin is a profile in courage, isn't he?"
Blagojevich: "He's a St. Louis Cardinals fan, a Chicago White Sox fan and a Chicago Cubs fan. Can you trust anybody who supports all three teams? Wouldn't you say that sums up his politics?"
He did have fond words for two relatively unpopular figures in Illinois politics.
Roland Burris, who Blagojevich ultimately appointed to the Senate seat he allegedly tried to sell, has been described by Public Policy Polling as the least popular senator in the company's polling history. But Blago came to his aid in the interview, saying that "he's done all right." Of the Senate leadership's early attempts to keep him out of the seat before the cloud of scandal lifted, Rod said it "reminded me of how James Meredith wasn't allowed into Ole Miss."
And as for Rahm Emanuel, who's seen better days as well, Blagojevich seemed tickled by his reported locker-room antics with Eric Massa. "That story about him in the shower with Congressman Massa sure sounds like the Rahm I know," he said. He said it was Emanuel's toughness, his willingness to go "lobbying another Congressman, whether he had clothes on or not," was why Blagojevich had approached him about cutting a deal for the Senate seat.
Of Emanuel's political future, Blago dismissed the notion that he might run for Chicago mayor, saying that "Mayor Daley, like his father, is going to be mayor until God calls him home."
Instead, he said it was "more realistic" that Alexi Giannoulias might be forced out of his spot as the Democratic candidate for Senate from Illinois over Broadway Bank troubles, and that Emanuel might take his place on the ticket.
As usual, Blago also denied all allegations that he intended to sell the Senate seat, and called himself the "anti-Nixon" for his repeated demand to "play all the tapes."
The interview is part of a publicity-heavy week for the impeached former Governor. He read the Top Ten list Wednesday night on Letterman, and will appear on the season premiere of NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" this Sunday.
Listen to the entire interview: