Maybe that media tour was dress rehearsal? Blago to fill in on WLS

CHICAGO -- Former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich certainly isn't acting like a man staring down a federal corruption indictment that could come any day.

Whether promoting his book deal or slamming the man who replaced him, the ousted governor hasn't stopped seeking the spotlight. His latest publicity-seeking move: a one-day gig as a Chicago radio talk show host.

Blagojevich's attention-getting ways are enough to make a lawyer cringe.

"I would just lay low and keep my mouth shut. That's the legally prudent thing to do," said Chicago attorney John Beal, who doesn't represent Blagojevich.

But the former governor, who was impeached and removed from office following his arrest on federal corruption charges, denies any wrongdoing and refuses to fade quietly into private life.

"It's not part of his human nature to just sit back, hide in the corner and not do anything," said his publicist, Glenn Selig. "He likes being out and about."

Days before being bounced from office, Blagojevich hit the national talk show television circuit, appearing on shows from ABC's "The View" to CNN's "Larry King Live" to defend himself.

His two-hour gig hosting Wednesday's "Don Wade & Roma Morning Show" on Chicago's WLS-AM comes as the criminal case against him is poised to heat up -- federal prosecutors have less than two weeks to obtain a grand jury indictment or seek more time.

Blagojevich, who previously has been a guest on the radio show, will take calls from listeners, tell stories and talk with guests from 7 a.m. until 9 a.m. The station had offered Blagojevich his own weekend show in January if he resigned as governor -- he didn't quit and he didn't get the show.

Selig said there's no concern Blagojevich's appearance will hurt his legal case.

"He's going to be the interviewer in this capacity and have a good time on the radio," Selig said.

Newly retained Blagojevich attorney Terence P. Gillespie did not immediately return a call for comment. Gillespie said earlier Tuesday that Blagojevich's defense team was "still in flux" after the former chief defense counsel quit in January. Edward M. Genson had hinted Blagojevich, who publicly complained about the federal charges, didn't listen to him.

U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Fitzgerald has until April 7 for a federal grand jury to indict Blagojevich, but it's possible his office could seek a deadline extension. The Chicago Democrat was arrested Dec. 9 on corruption charges that accused him of, among other things, trying to sell President Barack Obama's former U.S. Senate seat.

In recent weeks he has blasted his successor and former lieutenant governor, new Gov. Pat Quinn, for proposing an income tax increase and has called lawmakers drunkards and adulterers who don't know how to do their jobs.

It's anyone's guess what he'll say when he has the radio mike to himself.

But there's good reason for Blagojevich to seek the publicity. He has a book due out in October and attention -- good or bad -- can drive sales. Selig has promised the book will expose the seamier side of politics.

"He just has to be out there to keep his name alive," said DePaul University marketing professor Bruce Newman.

But Blagojevich also must be careful.

"Anything that's broadcast over the air can be subpoenaed and used against you at trial. ... They're trying to put him in prison for a long time so the stakes are very high," noted Beal, the attorney not on Blagojevich's case.

Blagojevich could face other pitfalls as a talk radio novice, said Hope Daniels, an associate professor in the radio department at Chicago's Columbia College.

"He has to allow his guests to actually speak and not speak for his guests," Daniels said.

Selig said Blagojevich has done his homework.

"This is an opportunity for him to get into some dialogues with people, have a good time, have fun and sort of be out there," Selig said.

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