Illinois' beleaguered Gov. Rod Blagojevich said Monday that he considered appointing talk show queen Oprah Winfrey with President Barack Obama's senate seat.

Blagojevich told Diane Sawyer said on ABC's Good Morning America that a friend of his had suggested asking Winfrey to fill Obama's seat.

She seemed to be someone who had helped Barack Obama in a significant way become president, Blagojevich said. She was obviously someone with a much broader bully pulpit than other senators.

Blagojevich said he figured Oprah, an avid supported of Obama throughout the elections, was unlikely to accept the offer.

She probably wouldn't take it, and then ... if you offered it to her, how would you do it in a way it didn't look like it was some gimmick and embarrass her?

His appearance on GMA was part of the governor's media run on the day that his impeachment trial is to begin in Springfield, Ill. -- without him.

Blagojevich has already conceded that he will most likely be convicted of corruption charges, and as a result, is refusing to resign or to attend the trial to defend himself.

He is scheduled to appear on GMA, ABC's The View, the Today show and Larry King Live.

Watch the full interview on Good Morning America below:

Barack obama Oprah winfrey