No George?
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005 - Posted by Rich Miller
Here’s the list of the attendees for today’s dedication of the Lincoln Presidential Museum, provided by the governor’s office. I had heard that George Ryan would be there today, but he ain’t on the list.
Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich and First Lady Patti Blagojevich
President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D- Illinois), Senate Minority Whip
U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D – Illinois)
U.S. Rep J. Dennis Hastert (R- Illinois), Speaker of the House
U.S. Rep John Shimkus (R – Illinois)
U.S. Rep Ray LaHood (R – Illinois)
Lt. Gov Pat Quinn
Secretary of State Jesse White
Treasurer Judy Barr Topinka
Comptroller Dan Hynes
Senate President Emil Jones (D – Chicago)
Speaker Michael Madigan (D – Chicago)
Senate Minority Leader Frank Watson (R – Greenville)
House Republican Leader Tom Cross (R – Plainfield)
Former Gov. Jim Edgar
Mayor Tim Davlin, City of Springfield
Julie Cellini, chairman, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Foundation
Richard Norton Smith, executive director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Foundation
Brian Lamb, C-SPAN
Mihan Lee, winner of C-SPAN and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum essay contest
Rev. Gordon McLean, First Presbyterian Church, Lincoln
That’s too bad about Ryan because even though he tried to pack the place with hacks, the museum and library wouldn’t have existed without his efforts.
Also, notice that they spelled Treasurer Topinka’s maiden name incorrectly. It’s Baar, not Barr.
UPDATE: I received this funny e-mail a few minutes ago.
On the security walk-through yesterday they gave us the seating
assignments for the stage and Speaker Madigan’s name was spelled “Madigin”. I don’t think Mapes found the humor in it.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 8:51 am:
So the Governor actually put his name before the President of the United States. I’m not a fan of Bush or Rod but that is a bit presumptuous on his part–but then again, it’s Rod.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 9:06 am:
How much did this museum cost? I heard $150 million…is that correct? Anyone got a link?
- crevacis - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 10:49 am:
Word is George is planning a Booth-like surprise for the ceremony
- Cap Sauder - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 1:01 pm:
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- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 2:45 pm:
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- ChicagoDog - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 3:44 pm:
I attended the Museum dedication this AM. The applause for Blago was..how shall I put this..”very restrained”. During his speach Blago once again had to point out that he was a mediocre student at best. Can anyone say “embarassment”.
Obama on the other hand gave a very good speach and seemed to get a favorable crowd reaction. I didn’t vote for B.O but if he remains grounded and continues to be a positive force in Illinois politics, I’d probably vote for Obama for President someday.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 3:55 pm:
I was curious why he wasn’t on stage with the rest of the dignitaries, although I saw him afterwards with his wife, with grandchildren, walking around the southwest corner headed east after the dedication was over.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 4:40 pm:
it was kinda strange. why did obama speak? also was that the Sanagamon co. sheriff on the stage?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 5:04 pm:
Obama spoke to make it 3 Dems (Durbin, Obama, Blagolicious), 3 Repubs (LaHood, Hastert, Bush). That’s what I think.
The guy who got stiffed was Shimkus, the only federal official on stage not to speak. Shimkus also introduced the legislation which authorized the federal funds for the project. Obama was never even involved with the project. As we have seen from the past, Blago’s folks are not smart enough to figure that kind of stuff out though.
By the way, did you notice that W heaped praise on LaHood’s work and then did not even mention Topinka by name. Maybe a little hint to the JBT crew?
- Milton - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 6:09 pm:
You can’t ignore history even though you don’t like it. George Ryan’s name is on the coroner of this building and did more for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum then Edgar ever did.
But he did have his RUSH inaugural the last hours of his administration didn’t he?
- Shelbyville - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 8:47 pm:
GHR refuses to appear on the same stage as GWB (death penalty and the resulting federal subpeona). They are not cordial. When the Ryans are ask to the white house these days (concerning the library) George stays home, Lura Lynn goes.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 9:04 pm:
I figured the crowd for this tilted republican, since many lefty’s ‘fled town’ on account of Bush appearing. Given that, I took notice of the cheering for everyone; Durbin did respectably well, Obama did alot better, and Blagojevich…well…
You could hear a pin drop when the announced him.
Then, he pulled a ‘Bushism’ - when talking about the essay contest winner and her SAT scores, he confided that he had gotten a “18 on the SAT”.
Keep in mind that the lowest POSSIBLE grade on the SAT is a 400…
I think he meant the ACT, which tops at 36(?). Even still, 18 is…not…stellar.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Apr 19, 05 @ 9:52 pm:
Northwestern admissions:
Average SAT: 1389
Average ACT: 30
http://www.princetonreview.com/college/research/profiles/generalinfo.asp?listing=1023956<ID=1
Rod said he got an 18?!?! Hmmm… did he go to a different Northwestern?
- Tessa - Wednesday, Apr 20, 05 @ 4:44 pm:
Question: At the ceremony, on stage, where was the President seated as opposed to the Gov? Someone I know said they caught it on tv and it looked like Bush was behind Rod. Please say this isn’t true. As much as I don’t care for either of them, someone messed up here. There’s a pecking order in life and good hair doesn’t place you top on the list, center stage in front of the President.
Anyone have this info? I’m curious.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 21, 05 @ 8:03 am:
They were in the same row.
- Tessa - Thursday, Apr 21, 05 @ 4:48 pm:
Thanks Rich. I’m actually glad to hear that.
- Anonymous - Sunday, Apr 24, 05 @ 10:31 am:
Now that the hoopla is over, I wonder how long it will be before people start leaving their employment at the museum/library. Word has it that both admins don’t get along and that the bloom is off the rose with RNS’s leadership.
I also thought it amusing that both our guv and GWB took the time to point out their anti-intellectual personas. Blago with his 18 ACT and GWB saying that he only goes to libraries (his disinclination to read is already well documented) when his wife forces him. What a fine pair of leaders we have.