All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Rod Blagojevich

Oh, and he's going to be on MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show" this evening at 9ET/6PT, which should be tons of fun given how openly contemptuous she's been of him.

UPDATE: They've already provided the transcript of the interview! Not as funny as the stuff yesterday, but enjoy these excerpts nonetheless:

RACHEL MADDOW: Do you agree that it would be-- it would be wrong, it would be criminal-- for you to try to exchange Barack Obama's US senate seat, that appointment, for something that would be of value to you. You agree that that would be wrong.

BLAGOJEVICH: Oh, absolutely. ... A personal-- you know, one for the other personal gain? ...

RACHEL MADDOW: Well, on the wiretaps, you're quoted saying, "It's a bleeping valuable thing. You don't just give it away for nothing. If they're not going to offer anything of value I might just take it. I've got this thing and it's bleeping golden. I'm not just giving it up for bleeping nothing." In what possible context could you say-- say things like that if you weren't trying to exchange something of value for the senate seat? What-- what other context would make--

BLAGOJEVICH: Well, let me answer that two ways. First, I can't comment specifically on that, 'cause I haven't heard those tapes. But assuming that's what it is, if you hear all the tapes, and you hear the whole thing in its context, if I feared that that was something sinister or onerous would I want all those tapes heard? And, in addition to that, just playing devil's advocate, I'm not-- not acknowledging that that's-- actually were on the tapes, 'cause we haven't had a chance to hear it. But playing the devil's advocate in assuming it was. Why can't the construction of that be I want them to help me pass a public works program, a jobs program, that the Democratic speaker, Mr. Madigan, has been blocking. I want them to help me help 45,000 working people get healthcare that the Democratic speaker in the house has been blocking. I want them to help me have a law that requires insurance companies to cover people with preexisting medical conditions that the Democratic speaker has been blocking. In--

RACHEL MADDOW: Even if you want-- even if you wanted food for the hungry, I-- I mean, even if you wanted justice itself in exchange for the senate seat, you're not supposed to exchange anything for the senate seat.

BLAGOJEVICH: Well, I don't-- I don't-- I don't disagree that one for the other isn't. But there's-- there are-- political negotiations and leveraging-- which is all very much part of the process. And, again, if those tapes were all heard you'd hear discussions-- that I had with people from-- five senior senators-- Senator Dick Durban about facilitating-- Senator Menendez. Harry Reid and I discussed the senate seat. Heck of a lot of other people. And I-- I would like every one of them to be able to testify under oath, sworn testimony, in that impeachment trial about the context and nature of those conversations.

RACHEL MADDOW: Are you saying, though, that they would testify as to what you were trying to get in exchange for the appointment?

BLAGOJEVICH: I-- I'm simply saying, if-- if they told the truth, they'd be part of a big story and a larger story, that would, I think, show-- you know, that there were a lot of ideas talked about. That we explored different options. We looked and tried to think outside the box, like Oprah Winfrey, for example. Some ideas were good. Some were stupid. Some you can't do. Just natural discussions when you're trying to-- get a results that ultimately leads to the place that's right for people. And when this whole story's told it's gonna show the decisions and all the rest, ultimately, we're about putting people to work, expanding healthcare, and holding the line on taxes for middle class families.

RACHEL MADDOW: When-- when you-- again, this is from the wiretapped calls, and I realize you're not gonna testify to their veracity. But they are out there, and the transcripts are there, and some of them were played today in the senate. Speaking about Barack Obama's advisors, "They're not willing to give me anything but appreciation in exchange for the senate seat. Bleep them." What would you want other than appreciation? What-- what could be kosher to exchange for a senate seat?

BLAGOJEVICH: Well, how about helping us pass healthcare and a jobs bill? And helping the people of Illinois. Don't just leave Illinois now. And--

RACHEL MADDOW: I will appoint person X instead of person Y unless you do this favor for me?

BLAGOJEVICH: No, no, the-- no, the one-- for the other is not-- that-- that's not what I'm saying. I'm simply saying-- I'm in a political business. When Barack Obama agrees to raise $10 million for Hillary Clinton to get out of the race that's the natural political sort of thing that happens in this business. It's appropriate. Nothing that you-- improper about it. Again, in the full context, discussions and the explorations of ideas and thoughts and whether you could or couldn't do something-- you-- you should be able to do that in a free country that guarantees the right of free speech. Especially when you're doing it in what you think is the sanctity of your home, and you want to do it out of your home phone, because you don't want any interconnection with the government's lines, so somebody thinks you're talking politics on a government phone. Again, when the whole story is-- is heard, and put in the proper context, I think you'll see a process that ultimately-- ultimately would-- would lead in the right place.