Blagojevich: I'm Lawful, 'Feel Free' To Tape Me (VIDEO)

Gov. Rod Blagojevich responded today to the Chicago Tribune's report that he has been recorded by federal investigators, saying people should "feel free" to tape him because everything he says is lawful.

The governor's comments to reporters were the first since the Tribune reported Friday that John Wyma, one of his closest confidants, had cooperated in the federal corruption probe of him and his administration, and that Blagojevich has been taped as part of the investigation.

"I should say if anybody wants to tape my conversations, go right ahead, feel free to do it. I appreciate anybody who wants to tape me openly and notoriously, and those who feel like they want to sneakily and wear taping devices, I would remind them that it kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate," Blagojevich said.

"But I don't care whether you tape me privately or publicly, I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful and the things I'm interested in are always lawful and if there are any things out there like that, what you'll hear is a governor who tirelessly and endlessly figures out ways to help average, ordinary working people," Blagojevich said.

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Watch Blagojevich respond to questions about the alleged taping: