G-Rod’s defense ... uh, strategy?

In my 15-plus years as a reporter I have never fully understood the thought process that leads to “no comment” reactions from people, companies or organizations in the news. I’ve always maintained that when a reporter calls or visits someone, it’s usually for one of three reasons:

1. To ask about something unpleasant pertaining to the subject.
2. To ask about something pleasant pertaining to the subject.
3. To ask a third party about something pleasant or unpleasant about a subject.

In each case I think that 99 percent of the time it makes more sense to speak to the press than not to speak to the press. I have always thought that and I always will. However, if I was advising Rod Blagojevich on his public relations strategy, I’d tell him to shut the [bleep] up and defend himself in his impeachment trial this week before the Illinois Senate. Instead G-Rod has his priorities inverted. He’s skipping the senate trial because he doesn’t like the rules and taking his case to the court of public opinion.

G-Rod is appearing on at least three national news shows Monday [Jan. 26] in New York. The problem in this case is obvious to anyone with a rudimentary grasp of politics: public opinion, especially national public opinion, holds no sway in an impeachment trial in Illinois.

Earlier, Blago’s defense attorney, Ed Genson, said he would not defend the governor before the senate, claiming the proceedings were fixed. (Genson subsequently resigned as G-Rod’s defense attorney for the criminal proceeding, as well, saying his client was ignoring legal advice.) And so it seems G-Rod has managed to resign without resigning. His boycott of the senate proceedings this week effectively seals his political fate. With 40 votes, he will be convicted by that body and forced out of office. According to an article in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday [Jan. 25], the senate may also vote to bar G-Rod from running for public office in Illinois permanently. Call it insurance against future electoral amnesia.

So he will be kicked out of office, but also will have technically kept his promise to fight, fight, fight until his last breath, or whatever. It’s just the kind of crazy weasel move we’ve come to expect from Gov. Hair. He won’t resign, but in allowing himself to be removed he’ll discredit the process and claim to be the victim of a tax-hike conspiracy.

At this point, G-Rod doesn’t seem to care what happens to him in the senate. The strategy now is pure scorched earth: create as much collateral damage as possible when his once bright political star burns out, collapses and goes supernova. On Friday he made the case that he was a victim of a Democratic scheme to kick him out of office and raise taxes. Which may be the case, but why not go to Springfield and make the case before the senate? The cameras and microphones will be there, and at least he’d look like he was honestly trying to save the job he claims to love, the job he claims he’s fighting for.

The Tribune’s John Kass had a good take on G-Rod’s strategy in Sunday’s paper. But it’s apparent from the Genson fiasco that G-Rod has stopped listening to just about all advice, save that coming from the voices in his head. To extend the “cowboy” metaphor G-Rod has adopted, the guy appears to be galloping backward in the saddle right off the edge of a cliff. Apparently he’s hoping to land on some of his enemies at the bottom.

In almost every media appearance since his arrest, G-Rod has promised that “when the truth comes out” he’ll be vindicated, or that he looks forward to “telling the truth.” It’s time to stop telling the press that he’s going to tell the truth and just tell the truth. A good place to start would be the senate trial. He can testify on his own behalf and should take the opportunity to do so. Forget the morning shows, forget Larry King. He’s accused of betraying the trust of Illinoisans.

Come out from behind the microphones, G-Rod, and explain yourself. If you can. Otherwise shut the [bleep] up.