Blagojevich says he wants Sen. Menendez to testify

[February 05, 2009]  TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich wants New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez's help in defending accusations that Blagojevich tried to sell Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat.

On NBC's "Today" show Monday, Blagojevich said he'll call Menendez and other politicians to testify at his corruption trial. Blagojevich says he wants those he spoke with about the Senate seat to "tell the truth" under oath.

Menendez is the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

The committee's executive director, J.B. Poersch, says Menendez spoke to Blagojevich in his capacity as chairman, but that specific replacements weren't mentioned.

Poersch said Menendez was not available to comment on the conversation.

[Associated Press]

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