Commentary
After myriad television appearances, radio shows and news conferences since his arrest on corruption charges, the seemingly omnipresent former Gov. Rod Blagojevich has made the case for his innocence again, this time in a 259-page memoir that offers small glimpses of both his rocky tenure and his upcoming criminal defense.
In his book “The Governor
,” Blagojevich likens his downfall to a Shakespearean tragedy, suggesting his epic demise steals elements from “Othello,” “King Lear” and “Julius Caesar.” Ignoring no chance to tell readers how much he loves the people of Illinois and how wrongly accused he is, Blagojevich outlines the alleged betrayals, jealousies and family feuds that he says resulted in his impeachment and criminal indictment.
“And while you’re at it, you might as well throw in a little ‘Richard the Third,’ ” he writes. “Because when the story of my years as governor ends, I was left with neither a kingdom nor a horse. Or for that matter, even a car.”
And it’s not just Shakespeare’s protagonists with whom Blagojevich feels a connection. He compares himself to boxerJake LaMotta, Theodore Roosevelt, Martha Stewart, George Bailey from “It’s a Wonderful Life” and the mythical figure Icarus, whose wings melted when he soared too close to the sun.
He also shares how he comforted himself in the back of an FBIagent’s car after his arrest by silently reciting the lyrics to “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” the inspirational song from the musical “Carousel.”
And, if you want to help the former governor pay his legal bills, here’s the book: The Governor
