Blago Really Is Crazy: He Considered Oprah For Senate Seat

I now agree with all the Democrats in Illinois. Rod Blagojevich is clearly insane. Although I will note she is a political heavyweight.

Illinois' beleaguered Gov. Rod Blagojevich said today that when he was deciding who would take President Obama's Senate seat he considered appointing talk show queen Oprah Winfrey.

Blagojevich made the revelation to Diane Sawyer this morning on "Good Morning America" on the day his impeachment trial begins. That trial is expected to toss him out of office.

The governor said that Oprah's name came up as a potential successor to Obama in the Senate. "She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way to become president," Blagojevich said. Blagojevich added that "she had a much broader bully pulpit than a lot of senators."

His consideration of Oprah was tempered, he suggested, by that fact that "she probably wouldn't take it, and then if you offered it to her, how would you do it in a way it wasn't a gimmick to embarass her."

Oprah had endorsed Obama's presidential bid and showcased his candidacy on her show.

Blago's impeachment trial begins today but he won't be showing up for that. He's going to milk his final week in office for all it's worth by making the gabfest rounds.

Blagojevich's appearance on "GMA" was part of the governor's media blitz on the day that his impeachment trial is to begin in Springfield, Ill. -- without him. Blagojevich has already conceded that he will probably be convicted of corruption charges, but is refusing to resign or to attend the trial to defend himself. Instead, he is scheduled to appear on "GMA," ABC's "The View," the "Today" show, and "Larry King Live."

On the other hand, he'll be the sanest person on The View.