Blago Blitz: Illinois Gov. Hires Drew Peterson PR Firm to Tell His Side

CHICAGO, Jan. 24, 2009 — -- Illinois' embattled governor has hired the samepublic relations firm that represents another much-in-the-newsIllinoisan -- former suburban Police Sgt. Drew Peterson.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to employ the Tampa, Fla.-basedPublicity Agency comes amid a newly launched media blitz, whichwill include a Monday appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America."

"The governor has decided that he wants to speak and tell hisside of the story, and he enlisted us to help," Glenn Selig, thePR firm's founder, said on Saturday.

Blagojevich's impeachment trial in the state Senate is also setto start Monday, though the governor has said he won't show up ormount a defense, complaining the trial rules are unfair.

Blagojevich becomes the Florida agency's second high-profileclient after Peterson, who has been named a suspect in thedisappearance of his wife, Stacy Peterson.

Otherwise, Selig said there's nothing to link Peterson andBlagojevich, accused of scheming to benefit from his power to namePresident Barack Obama's replacement in the U.S. Senate.

"They are totally different cases," Selig said. "They eachoffer their own challenges for the individuals. The only thing theyhave in common is they are both big stories in the news."

After keeping mostly out of the public eye since his arrest lastmonth on federal corruption charges, Blagojevich has given a seriesof interviews over the last few days.

On Monday, Blagojevich will appear on ABC's "The View"and "Good Morning, America." Peterson, too, has been interviewedon "Good Morning, America."

"We aren't doing any other morning shows," Selig said aboutthe governor's Monday appearances. "We are not going to go show toshow. We don't want to overdo it."

Blagojevich will fly to New York and appear on the TV shows inperson, Selig said. The governor's wife, Patti, is expected toappear with him on "The View."

In recent days, Blagojevich has been careful not to answerquestions about specific federal allegations, but Selig said thegovernor would still have plenty to say.