How did craven Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich outfox his fellow Democrats on the eve of Barack Obama's historic inauguration — and why did they let him?

Read Matt Taibbi's story from the new issue here:

• Balgo's Revenge

Illustration by Tim O'Brien. Based on photograph by Shawn Thew/EPA/Corbis

George W. finally leaves the White House on January 20th. But before he escapes, Rolling Stone nabbed an "interview" in which Bush came clean — on his daddy issues, Condi's farts and the time Dick waterboarded the houseboy:

Let's talk about August 6th, 2001. That's the day you got a memo warning about plans for possible attacks by Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda. What were you doing that day? I'll be honest with you. I was at the ranch, on vacation. I was watching the Hall of Fame game on TV. First NFL preseason game of the year, hate to miss it, you know?

Get started on Matt Taibbi's cover story here: • Bush Apologzies

More Taibbi on George W. Bush:

• The Top Five Bush Rumors • Bush Like Me • Post-Bush Syndrome • The Great Iraq Swindle • The Magical Victory Tour