Oprah as Senator? FBI Tapes Shows Blagojevich Considered It

(CBS/AP) A secretly-made FBI tape shows that former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich thought about the possibility of naming Oprah Winfrey to the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President Obama.

Pictures; Oprah WinfreyPictures: Rod Blagojevich

In the tape played on Monday during his corruption trial, he was heard stating that Winfrey carried so much fame and prestige that he would not be criticized for naming her as senator.

In the tapes, Blagojevich stated that the successor had to be an African American that could help him with black votes if he decided to run again or re-election in 2010.

John Harris, Blagojevich's former chief of staff, testified against him and is heard in the tapes saying that he did not know what Winfrey stood for politically. Yet, Blagojevich called her a "kingmaker" that significanlty increased Obama's chances in winning the presidential election.

Blagojevich pleaded not guilty to all charges stemming from an alleged plan to sell or trade for favors President Obama's U.S. Senate seat.