“The prince of darkness” is back on the stand today, as a prosecution witness.  Blago’s former chief of staff,  John Harris, revealed the nickname he was given by the Gov, during testimony yesterday.

Phone calls secretly recorded by the FBI, were played in court.  In one conversation, the subject of appointing Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr (D) to Barack Obama’s vacant senate seat was discussed and dismissed by Blago, who said “he’s a bad guy”, and that its ”highly highly highly unlikely” he would be the choice.

Another phone call from Nov 11, 2008 played in court, Harris and Blago (I could hear what I assume were Blago’s kids in the background, and, I think, cartoons on the TV) – Harris talked about an aide trying to reach him on behalf of Rahm Emanuel, saying ”He told me to pass along the message that the president-elect would be very pleased if you would appoint Valerie (to the senate position)…he would appreciate it”.   Blago replied  ”So we know he wants her but they’re not willing to give me anything but appreciation?  F*** them!”

One possibility for showing appreciation, Blago suggested to Harris, would be to get someone like Warren Buffett, whom Blago thought was Obama’s friend, to donate to Blago’s 501C4, which would allow Blago to get cash for his pet projects while circumventing the state’s ethics law.

Another phone call played with Blago and Harris, in which Blago talked about the concern over his possible impeachment, that, as a safeguard, he had an idea to appoint to the senate seat someone loyal to him, just to fill out the rest of the term, but if he gets impeached, he would then ask that person to step down and then he would appoint himself to serve as U-S Senator.  

Also during proceedings today, two attempts were made today by Rod Blagojevich’s defense team to get a continuance in his corruption trial and delay the trial for up to two days due to the Supreme Court’s ruling on honest services (the first attempt was turned down, as of this writing, the judge hasn’t ruled on the second expanded request).   Attorney Sam Adam told me that the court’s decision that the law was too vague, and to limit the scope of honest services to “bribes and kickbacks”, would be helpful in their battle to get rid of the honest services charges against the former governor.   “Everyone has a different interpretation of what honest services means” Adam said.

When the judge called for the morning break, Blago watched Harris as he left the courtroom.  Outside the courtroom, the diehard Blago supporters and random curious public, who’ve been coming everyday, greeted Blago with comments like “good luck governor”.  Blago said “thanks” then turned towards members of the media and said “and good luck to all of you”.  In contrast, brother Robert Blagojevich has been sitting quietly with his attorneys, and didn’t come out during the break.   A few high school seniors came to the courtroom today with their teacher.  Defense attorney Sam Adam told them “this case will get much more interesting later on”.