Episode 1: The Golden Opportunity
As Barack Obama burst onto the presidential stage in 2008, American voters saw a candidate who might deliver change they could believe in; but Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich saw a “golden” opportunity that would land him in a world of political trouble.
Listen Now:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Boise State Public Radio.org
Episode Notes:
Key sources used in researching and writing this episode:
Reporting by Jeff Coen and John Chase in the Chicago Tribune and their book Golden: How Rod Blagojevich Talked Himself out of the Governor's Office and into Prison
Jeff Coen and John Chase book signing event for “Golden” on C-Span
“Public Official A” podcast from WBEZ Chicago
NBC Chicago: “The Saga of Public Official A”
Blagojevich’s wild appearance on “The Late Show with David Letterman”
FBI archives: Rod Blagojevich’s sentencing document
FBI archives: George Ryan indictment
FBI archives: Tony Rezko indictment
(AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
