Posted by Helen on: 01.26.2009 /
The more Gov Blagojevich says the more amazed I am at his apparent level of denial. He’s comparing himself with Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King and Gandhi? I wasn’t surprised to hear his lead defense attorney resigned from his case.
Here’s a short interview from yesterday and an update
An even more recent CNN article
Comment by: Eliza
1Blagojevich seems to have lost touch with reality (if he ever had a good grasp on it, I don’t know). He’s acting like someone with narcissistic personality disorder; the criminal complaint & increased scrutiny may just have scratched off the socially correct overlay & let it all hang out.
Comment by: Helen
2Eliza, I agree that he doesn’t seem in touch with reality.
It will be interesting to see how things go this week.
Comment by: David H
3Rod seems to be following a standard political ploy when faced with a major setback: attack in order to reframe the issue. It isn’t about what I’ve done; it’s that people are out to get me.
I’ve seen politicians do this a lot, however it is a far more effective approach when the problem is an ethics issue rather than a criminal one. Even if Rowdy Roddy could get the people of Illinois on his side, it probably wouldn’t affect the outcome of the upcoming federal and state corruption trials.
Knowing someone with a narcissistic personality (up close and personal), I sometimes find it difficult to figure out if such people are aware of their deception (thus simply lying) or so able to self-deceive that they believe themselves to be telling the truth on many levels. It isn’t a lack of self-awareness (like those spectacularly untalented people who try out for American Idol and then blame the judges for not seeing their true worth), it seems to be an inability to have much awareness of anything but self (thus the entire universe warps around their concept of truth).
There is also a strange paranoia that seems to say: Everybody loves me except those who want to destroy me. And since I am inherently lovable, then anyone against me is just wrong.
Politics is just the place for narcissists because there is often far less rejection than in other public occupations (like actors). Plus, you don’t need to do anything particularly well other than be you. (Hmmm, sounds like I’m talking about Tom Cruise).
Comment by: Helen
4David, I wonder too if he is lying intentionally or unaware that his view of reality is different from other peoples’.
Comment by: Helen
5I listened to the prosecutor’s closing argument and then Blagojevitch’s closing argument (which he asked them to allow him to make and they agreed – and that was his first and only appearance at his impeachment trial).
It was interesting hearing him defend himself. He’s a good guy who was only trying to help people. Is that really an impeachable offense???
But his hour long plea didn’t even sway one senator – they voted him out unanimously.
Comment by: martingugino
6Illinois was able to do what the US Congress was not able to do. Good for them.