CHICAGO — Rod Blagoje vich called Oprah Winfrey a kingmaker who could influence voters as he mulled over naming the talk show host to President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat, according to an FBI tape played Monday at the former Illinois governor’s corruption trial.
“She made Obama, she’s up there so high nobody could assail this pick,” Blagojevich is heard telling his chief of staff, John Harris, who is now a prosecution witness.
Blagojevich mentioned in TV interviews last year that Winfrey’s name had come up in discussions about the seat. Winfrey said last year that she was “amused” by the revelation and that she was unaware at the time that she was under consideration.
On the tape played Monday, Harris says picking Winfrey would be a mistake and he is “not sure what she stands for.” Blagojevich brushes such concerns aside, saying she was obviously a Democrat and her support in the 2008 election had “made Obama.” But a few minutes later, Blagojevich is heard complaining that he needs more potential candidates.
Blagojevich 53, has pleaded not guilty to scheming to get a high-paying job or a massive campaign contribution in return for appointing someone to the Obama Senate seat. He also has pleaded not guilty to plotting to use the powers of the governor’s office to launch a racketeering scheme.
