Finally, 18 months after the arrest of Rod R. Blagojevich, the ousted former governor of Illinois, he found himself seated at a table in a courtroom here Thursday, staring at the people who may decide his fate. As a judge questioned potential jurors on the first day of Blagojevich's corruption trial, the former governor, who also happens to have a law degree, frenetically jotted notes -- more, it appeared, than were taken by the half-dozen other lawyers at his defense table. For a politician who has never passed up a hand that might be shaken, this would be the ultimate campaign. Complicating the matter of finding a jury to consider 24 criminal charges against Blagojevich is the fact that every last person around here has, of course, heard of him and his woes. 'When it all came out, it was just like, 'Wow!'' one prospective juror told the judge. On a questionnaire for the lawyers, that potential juror had put it simply, 'I already believe Blagojevich to be guilty.' Others among dozens of potential jurors were less conclusive. Still, one woman said she recalled something about Blagojevich's wife, Patti (who sat in the first row of the courtroom gallery), and a reality show. 'Something about bugs or something,' the prospective juror told the court, alluding, apparently, to Patti Blagojevich's appearance on the show 'I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here.' Another potential juror told of jokes she had heard about Blagojevich on Jay Leno's television show, and another recalled Blagojevich's own appearance on a reality show, 'Celebrity Apprentice.' So, as the first day wore on, it seemed clear that it may take a while to seat a jury here. There are other hurdles, too -- avoiding those who might have sometime worked for the state (and thus for Blagojevich), those who were deeply involved in local politics or political donations, and those (many, it seemed) who said they just do not believe politicians, any of them. A circuslike feel, meanwhile, has already taken seed here, though the trial is expected to last for months. On Thursday morning, the courtroom was packed, and many curiosity seekers were turned away. Outside the courthouse, cameras whirled and a crush of people surrounded all those involved. People stopped to stare, snapping photographs on cell phones. 'Today is a good day because today begins the process of clearing my husband's name,' Patti Blagojevich told a tangle of microphones. Blagojevich, still in campaign mode, hugged a passer-by. 