"It kind of smells like Nixon and Watergate," the governor told reporters. "But I don't care whether you tape me privately or publicly, I can tell you that whatever I say is always lawful."

The governor's administration has been the subject of a federal probe into whether contracts and jobs were being traded for contributions to Blagojevich's campaign fund.

Blagojevich, who has not been charged with any crimes, put a positive spin on the federal scrutiny.

"The good news is, if they're going to those lengths and extents -- if in fact that's true -- that would suggest that all the past has been pretty good," the governor said.

The development and hosting of Senator Rutherford's web site are not paid for with taxpayer dollars.

The phone line and internet service for Senator Rutherford's e-mails are also not paid for at taxpayer expense.