Blagojevich was often at odds with members of both parties in the state legislature . Democratic legislator Jack Franks said that the reason Blagojevich had problems passing laws with the cooperation of the General Assembly is that he did not spend enough time with the legislature . " That 's a real reason he has such poor relations with the Legislature and ca n't get any of his agenda passed , because he does n't talk to anybody . " When lawmakers working on a budget during a special session met at 10 am rather than 2 pm , and Blagojevich 's attorney threatened that the Governor was considering legal action against the involved representatives , Democratic Rep. Joe Lyons told reporters , " We have a madman . The man is insane . " Although Barack Obama served as an adviser to Blagojevich 's 2002 gubernatorial campaign , by all accounts , Blagojevich and Obama have been estranged for years . Blagojevich did not endorse Obama in the 2004 United States Senate race , and Obama did not invite Blagojevich to speak at the 2008 Democratic National Convention , as he did Lisa Madigan , Hynes , and Giannoulias . Blagojevich has had a " friendly rapport " with the man who took over his congressional seat , Rahm Emanuel
2008 Democratic National Convention
2008 Democratic National Convention
Rod Blagojevich