Villain politician Rod Blagojevich now a Radio Talker

Radio Talker Rod Blagojevich

When you're seeking work and you happen to be one of America's biggest heel (villain) politicians. There are two places that might accept you, where your otherwise repulsive reputation might actually become an asset. The first being 'pro-wrestling'. The second, Talk Radio.

Blagojevich hosts WLS morning radio show
Former governor Rod Blagojevich took to the airwaves Wednesday morning, lashing out at the politicians who booted him out of his job and admitting he wishes he still was the governor.

Filling in for Don Wade and Roma on WLS 890-AM, Blagojevich chatted with a few sympathetic callers as well as former Sun-Times sports columnist Jay Mariotti, comedian D.L. Hughley and two actors from Second City who star in the wildly popular "Rod Blagojevich Superstar."

Rod Blagojevich the perfect villain for TNA wrestling

Villains: Lex Luthor, Rod Blagojevich and Eric Bischoff

I just wanted to supplement Pete Vere's news that former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich has been offered a role in TNA Wrestling. This blog was prescient in likening Blagojevich to a wrestling heel - Rod Blagojevich: Wrestling-style political villain.

Wrestling has been mining many of the players in Politics in recent years. WWE programming incorporated Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama wrestlers in a mock fight last year to capitalise on the tension and attention of the drawn-out Democratic Primary. Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain would later appear in Video campaign spots directly addressing the WWE audience, giving the sport and it's supporters credibility as a target demographic.

With TNA's overtures to Rod Blagojevich, it would make it their second time in recent months to draw publicity by attaching themselves to a prominent political figure. The first was TNA's attempt to lure popular but polarising Republican VP nominee Sarah Palin. They got mileage out of the publicity but they ultimately never snagged Sarah Palin, an impersonator was brought in to portray her instead.

If Rod were to make his way into Wrestling, expect an Eric Bischoff-style personality. The same hair, smarminess, and smug delusion.

VIDEO: Eric Bischoff on WWE television

TNA invites Blago to chair Main Event Mafia

I'm just getting back into writing/blogging again after taking some time off to help my wife with the birth of our fourth child. Anyway, the following TNA news release caught my eye, as it represents a real crossing of the lines between politics and wrestling. Also, it would be an excellent position for the recently impeached Illinois governor, given that the Illinois Senate has forbidden him from ever again holding elected office in the state.

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich offered job as Chairman of TNA Wrestling’s Main Event Mafia

TNA Wrestling is offering the newly created position of Chairman for its Main Event Mafia faction - and the opportunity to openly sell chairs, steel chairs - to ousted Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.

TNA officials confirmed today that Blagojevich, who was impeached by the Illinois House of Representatives on January 29, is being offered the “Chairman” job within its Main Event Mafia faction, an elite unit which includes U.S. Olympic Gold Medal winner Kurt Angle, former World Heavyweight Champions Kevin Nash, Booker T., and Scott Steiner, and reigning TNA Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion Sting.

Blagojevich was arrested on criminal charges on December 9, 2008, for conspiring to sell the senate seat vacated by then-President Elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder, but Angle truly believes in the U.S. justice system.

"He’s innocent until proven guilty," Angle said. "As the leader of the Main Event Mafia, I am a huge fan of the Illinois style of politics. As such, Governor Blagojevich is welcome to join me and the entire Main Event Mafia at any and all TNA events in the future, and certainly is welcome to sell his seat with us should he choose not to accept our generous offer."

Blagojevich is a former amateur boxer, so Angle is convinced Blagojevich, "easily will be able to handle the transition to pro wrestling," Angle said.

The Illinois House of Representatives voted in favor of impeachment by an astounding margin of 114-1. Only 60 votes were needed to push the impeachment forward. The single dissenting vote came from Democratic State Representative Milton Patterson, who represents the Southwest side of Chicago.

Rod Blagojevich: Wrestling-style political villain

Villains: Lex Luthor, Rod Blagojevich and Eric Bischoff

Embattled Illinois Governor, Rod Blagojevich has been one of the most compelling characters in the news in recent weeks. The butt of jokes for late-night comics and a cause for consternation to the incoming Democratic majority, what's most fascinating is that Blagojevich is responsible for inviting and stoking the media attention.

Rod Blagojevich originally made headlines when he was arrested by FBI agents in December and charged with conspiracy to commit mail & wire fraud with solicitation of bribery. Noteworthy as Blagojevich being Illinois Governor is tasked with naming a replacement for former Senator Barack Obama who will shortly assume the Presidency.

If the cartoonishly despicable corruption charges and ostentatious hair were not enough, there has been his recent grandstanding. Defiantly appointing a Senator despite his radioactivity and being under an as yet unresolved investigation.

Time Magazine captured Blagojevich's larger than life character thusly...

Governor Gone Wild: The Blagojevich ScandalHis alleged crimes were as outrageous as his inflated sense of self, the sort of behavior we expect of Hollywood villains, not Midwestern governors. He was accused not just with conspiring to solicit bribes but with conspiring to solicit bribes from the next President of the United States...
The full buffet of alleged graft was laid out in a 76-page federal complaint that described the sort of corruption superheroes battle in comic books.

Obviously I would contend that more a more befitting caricature is the 'wrestling heel'. Not simply holding a resume of over-the-top dirty dealings but having personal flourishes that make for a compelling character people love to hate.

APF pundits Marc Maron discussed this Sam Seder in a recent episode of their show.

I think that that's whats really phenomenal, this guy is a bonafide authentic character, he's completely self obsessed, completely narcissistic and he's like one of these instant-revisioners...

Listen to Maron V Seder (Dec 30, 2008)

Update: January 31, 2009
The TNA Wrestling promotion invites impeached governor Rod Blagojevich to join their ranks.