The people Blagojevich left behind
Monday, Aug 1, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Sun-Times published a very good story about several former Rod Blagojevich staffers and insiders. Here are a few excerpts…
Sheila Nix, a deputy governor to Blagojevich who steered clear of his administration’s scandals, for several years after her departure in 2008 worked as U.S. executive director for U2 frontman Bono’s ONE Campaign, a group raising awareness of hunger and poverty. In 2013, she landed a role as chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden.
But on her White House biography Nix left off her Blagojevich job. That’s not uncommon among his former staffers. On their resumes, many say they worked for the “Governor of Illinois” but don’t say which governor. […]
William Quinlan — who was Blagojevich’s general counsel — said his Chicago- and Phoenix-based law practice is doing well, but the Blagojevich experience scarred him.
“My desire to work in public service or run for public office — that desire is gone,” Quinlan said. “There are a lot of people like me who would have stayed in public service, but now there is no desire.” […]
“The governor too often preferred a fight over hard work and coming to a resolution,” [former Blagojevich spokesperson Abby Ottenhoff] said. “His approach was so controversial that eventually nothing got done.”
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:55 am:
“The governor too often preferred a fight over hard work and coming to a resolution,” [former Blagojevich spokesperson Abby Ottenhoff] said. “His approach was so controversial that eventually nothing got done.”
Hmmmm, this sounds eerily similar to someone currently holding that office.
- My New Handle - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:57 am:
Which Governor is Ottenhoff describing?
- Cubs in '16 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:05 am:
As a political outsider, hearing what these former staffers have to say about Blago is fascinating. Because they ‘carried the flag’ for Blago publically I often assumed they thought and felt the same way he did. For me, it will be even more fascinating to hear what Rauner’s former staffers have to say about him if/when that opportunity presents itself.
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:06 am:
I’m sure they were happy to be tied to Blago before everyone found out Blago was a crook. Funny how Quinlan’s “desire” dried up just about when his “chances” were slim to none.
I would hate to be on Rauner’s staff. Those guys and girls probably took that job thinking it would launch their career, and they too will be forever tarnished by his “legacy.”
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:15 am:
Nice to see the former horsewomen of the apocalypse doing well.
- El Conquistador - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:21 am:
All to reflective of the current crew in both style and mentality. Next!
- JT11505 - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:58 am:
I always thought that they should have done an episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike Rowe followed Abby around for a couple of days.
- Ghost - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 12:18 pm:
Alf we may disagree w/ Rauners folks, and they may have not endeared themselves to many, but they have been quit wffective at their different roles in cardying out what the gov wanted. I would hire. I dont like the gov message or his strategy, but people who can effectuate policy and strategy shoild be prized; even if you disagree with what they are carrying out
- thechampaignlife - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
It would be fascinating to look back into the archives to see how that office operated.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:31 pm:
They left out that Tusk is leading an effort against De Blasio in New York.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ex-bloomberg-aide-leads-2017-push-replace-de-blasio-article-1.2663719
It strikes me as more of the same.
- Annonin' - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
Wonderin’ why BGA left out BigBrain $30K per month Stu Levine…he was a Blagoof appointee
and gets “released” on Saturday
- Anonymous - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 3:22 pm:
“Alf we may disagree w/ Rauners folks, and they may have not endeared themselves to many, but they have been quit wffective at their different roles in cardying out what the gov wanted. ”
Except that hugely expensive budget consultant he brought in for 18 months who produced what? One power point presentation of talking points.
- The Historian - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 3:51 pm:
Nice to see David Mendell doing stuff.
- Annonin' - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 4:11 pm:
Mr/Ms The Historian:
Even if he skipped Stu.
The tepid response here bodes well for Stu to be name SFTP Grand Marshall — wonder if they give him his own badge?
- Way Way Down Here - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 7:49 pm:
===I always thought that they should have done an episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike Rowe followed Abby around for a couple of days.===
LoL. I always felt sorry for Abby. Goodness what a job.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 9:14 pm:
If there was ever a “Superstar” on team Blago, that was Abby.
Of course, Tusk would be the one to throw some OPM into a chancy startup and have it turn out to be Über. That guy always had great timing.