Blago Book To Expose Politics' "Dark Side"

Disgraced Governor Gets Six-Figure Deal To 'Embarrass' Himself And Others, Publicist Says

(AP)  Rod Blagojevich, the first U.S. governor in more than 20 years to be removed from office by impeachment, signed a deal Monday to write a book "exposing the dark side of politics," his publicist said.

Blagojevich signed a "six-figure" deal to write a book for Phoenix Books, to be released in October, publicist Glenn Selig said in a news release.

Blagojevich, ousted after his arrest by federal authorities on corruption charges that include allegations he tried to sell President Barack Obama's vacant U.S. Senate seat, plans to explain how he selected Obama's successor. Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing.

"He also plans on exposing the dark side of politics that he witnessed in both the state and national level," according to Selig's release.

Blagojevich will write about his rise in politics, including his election to Congress and his election and re-election as governor, Selig said. The former governor also promises to detail discussions and other factors that ultimately led him — three weeks after his arrest — to name Roland Burris to the Senate seat.

Burris has since come under fire after revealing he had more contact with Blagojevich allies than he originally told lawmakers and that he tried to raise money for the then-governor. A Burris spokesman declined to comment on the book Monday, as did a spokesman for Blagojevich's successor, Gov. Pat Quinn. Randall Samborn, spokesman for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, also had no comment.

Selig said in the release that there were "some people in high places" who tried to prevent the book deal. But he did not elaborate and his office said Monday he would not discuss the contention further.

Blagojevich "does not intend to pull any punches and will reveal information and provide insights that will at times be embarrassing to himself as well as to others," according to Selig's release.

That had at least one former prosecutor suggesting Blagojevich better be careful.

Steven Miller, former chief of special prosecutions in the U.S. attorney's office, said "any potential defendant would be well advised to have his attorney screen the book to make sure there were no admissions that could be used against him at a trial.

Told the book was touted as containing embarrassing material, Miller noted "being embarrassed and being incriminated are two different concepts. There can be material that is embarrassing but not incriminating."

Miller said he "would not automatically say no" if one of his own clients announced plans to write a book, noting upsides could include improving Blagojevich's image and raising money he might need for his defense.

Aside from the "six-figure" description, the terms of Blagojevich's book deal were not disclosed. But the former governor is facing the prospect of an expensive criminal trial after losing his $177,000-a-year job. His wife also recently was fired from a $100,000-a-year job.

Selig said Blagojevich chose Phoenix Books, run by Beverly Hills, Calif.-based independent publisher Michael Viner. Viner's previous releases include a memoir by disgraced New York Times reporter, Jayson Blair; a tell-all by four Hollywood call girls; and a book by Armin Meiwes, the German man who admitted killing and eating an acquaintance.

"The governor chose to go with a large independent company because he wanted to tell his story without any restrictions over content that might've come with a major publishing house," Selig said.

Phoenix Books did not immediately return a call seeking comment Monday.

Steve Brown, spokesman for Blagojevich's chief nemesis in the Legislature, Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, was dismissive of the book deal Monday.

"I think giving the guy more attention just causes his mental health problems to flourish," Brown said.

[mariannpepit]

It was the majority of the young dumb college students who don't have the brains to sit on or a window to throw them out of that voted Obama in office. He promised us the world in his campaign and the public ate it up. Bailing out companies that should never have needed a bailout and GM still needs more money. What did they do with the millions they go already. FDIC now needs money and AIG needs another bailout. I can see the depression of 1929 coming soon if Obama doesn't straighten up and fly right.

[mariannpepit]

I hope the London bookmakers are right. I am hoping for it myself. If you think Blago is corrupt how do you think Obama got his senate seat and the nomination for the presidency. Let's face it he it won thru the corrpution of Howard Dean, Nancy Pelosi and Reid. And if Obama selects Howard Dean for surgeon he is as dumb as they come. In fact, Obama chose the Clinton people because he knew he didn't have the experience to run this country he is learning from them.

[mariannpepit]

I believe Blago made the right move. The reason for the impeachment so quick before he went to court was the fact that Quinn wanted that job badly. Blago has not been proven guilty by the court only by the democrats who are corrupt themselves. Good for him. I can't wait until its published so the public will get a good taste of corruption in Chicago. Quinn, Lisa Madigan, Mike Madigan, Durbin and Howard Dean who made a good decision by stepping down as chairman of the DNC. He did a good job of horsewhipping HIllary out of the nomination. Pelosi and Reid are two other corrupt democrats who need to be replaced. This has been the worst underhanded corrupt election in American History.

[andie52]

seat, Rod Blagojevich has signed a 6 figure book deal with one of the largest independent book publishers in a bid to tell his side of the story.

In addition to trying to explain his senate selection um, "process," Blago will also recount his journey to office while "exposing the dark side of politics."

Please, we don't need a book to know that politics has a dark side!

Blago decided to go with indie publisher Phoenix Books so that the book's content would not be restricted by money-making agendas. Blago claims he won't go for any low blows and will reveal information that will "at times be embarrassing to himself as well as to others."

The book, which is tentatively titled The Governor, is set for an October release.

[andie52]

I guess he isn't just going to go away.

[quickly101]

If someone buys this book they're as far out as Bluko himself.

[wsttxwildcat]

Well, if anyone knows about the "darker side" of politics, Blago is that person. Should be interesting to see who he exposes. The darker side of politics on the "national" level should be extremely interesting. LOL!

[sdemaggie]

I love this guy. Talk about a poster child for the culture of greed. I guess the fault ultimately lies with the greedy fools that agreed to a six figure book deal. RB isn't at fault, the publisher is. Let's examine the motivation of the publisher.

[spiritwalk]

If you think the book is good, wait until his criminal trial that's coming up.
Posted by sndkzyaa
..................................................................
He will never go to trial before October and if the book comes out before the trial the prosecution will be able to question him about anything he says in the book. To do that the book will have to be placed into evidence, therefore EVERYTHING in the book can be brought out.

Blago may be crazy, but he does seem to know how to play his hand.

I have heard that London bookmakers are giving odds that Obama will be out of office by 2011. This could do it.

[sndkzyaa]

If you think the book is good, wait until his criminal trial that's coming up.

Will we still have a judicial system by then?

Or will Obama have totally destroyed our entire goernment and gotten overthrown by a coup d'etat by then?

[sndkzyaa]

And if Blagoevich happen to have an fatal accident all eyes would be on obama.
Posted by bumpedoff at 7:14 PM : Mar 2, 2009

Shame on you ! Shame, shame!

And such a naughty login name!!!

Oh, shame shame shame. LOL!

[singinrick09]

Evidently Blago got ,some pointers from Obama's political book "The Audacity of Hope", regarding the Dark Side of politics: Liberalism

[bumpedoff]

And if Blagoevich happen to have an fatal accident all eyes would be on obama.
Then patty would have to go too who was the realestate agent on that boneheaded mistake with Mr.Rezko

[tiredofthebs]

You gotta love it! Sooooooo many people were OVERJOYED to see this man impeached when he did NOTHING POLITICIANS don't do EVERYDAY. Now ....... from the ashes, he gets a six figure book deal. I wish him well.

[poeticaintit]

Does he think he's going to reveal something NEW in this field? This is a whole lot like the spoiled bully who can't have his way taking all the equipment and leaving the playground in a huff. So what? He can't come up with anything the Kennedys haven't already perfected. He's just mad because he wasn't good enough not to get caught!

Term limits, people....NOW. They all need to know from the beginning that they will have to live under the same rules and laws they pass in 8 short years. Get rid of the career politicians. And make them use the same national health care they think will be hunky doree for all the rest of us...NOW! Then let's see how FAST they push something through.

[credibility2]

nadya62 - your post shows how base and juvenile you are.

[tincup356]

Blago will probably end up in a fatal "accident " before the book is published,,,,,,,,,,,politicians don't like it when the American people find out they have been doing things they should not have been doing,,,,,,,and snitches don't live long...especially when you are telling off on the United States government at a time when 45 years of mismanagement of the country by BOTH parties is growing to a head.America needs a good stool pigeon to expose BOTH parties to the point WE BAN THEM.