I would expect they had conversations about it.
In fact if they didn’t discuss the subject, I would think that odd. But did they put a price on the senate seat? From reports and Blago’s own expletive terms, about Obama, I will be surprised if they did.
I think in isolation, maybe that statement is exculpatory as to Obama, but reading the whole thing, it looks like maybe there was going to be a promise of something in 2 years - and that is what ticked Blago off. So, when he’s saying all they’ll give him is appreciation, that’s his interpretation of a payoff that starts 2 years down the road. Obviously team Obama had to nix the appearance of a payoff by keeping it to a 2 year trigger. But Blago wanted something more immediate.