Sen. Thompson asked about whether Blago believed the story told by former Rep. Eric Massa, D-N.Y., that Emanuel had accosted him naked in the shower about voting against President Obama's budget.
THOMPSON: Does that sound like the Rahm Emanuel you know?
BLAGOJEVICH: The idea that Rahm Emanuel would be in the House gym...lobbying another Congressman, whether he had clothes on or not, is the reason why I wanted him to be the guy to cut the deal [regarding the appointment of a U.S. Senator.]...That story about him in the shower with Congressman Massa sure sounds like the Rahm I know.
Blagojevich claimed that because Emanuel is tougher than other Illinois politicians, like Dick Durbin, he wanted Emanuel to cut the deal for who would take the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by President Obama.