Blagojevich skips meetings, too
Tuesday, May 2, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
This is a good response by Topinka’s campaign. The problem is, Topinka is firing back with earned media (where few will see it) and not with corresponding TV ads (where most will see it).
Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been skipping meetings of some important state boards but criticizing his Republican opponent for similar behavior, leading to accusations of hypocrisy Monday.
Blagojevich’s latest campaign ad criticizes Republican Judy Baar Topinka, the state treasurer, for not attending meetings of the Illinois State Board of Investment, which oversees the money for state pension systems. Topinka has “ex officio” status with full voting powers.
But Blagojevich is also an ex officio member of some boards, and he doesn’t attend their meetings either. The Democratic governor, during more than three years in office, has never attended a meeting of the University of Illinois board of trustees or the Toll Highway Authority.
“That is so typical of Governor Blagojevich,” said Topinka campaign spokesman David Loveday. “He says one thing and does another. That’s why he has a credibility problem with the voters.” […]
But Blagojevich spokeswoman Sheila Nix denied any hypocrisy. The governor appoints university trustees and Tollway directors, Nix said, so he influences policy without having to attend meetings himself. Topinka doesn’t appoint the investment board, so her only influence is showing up and taking part, Nix said.
- Tired Voter - Tuesday, May 2, 06 @ 8:17 am:
God help us if this is what the campaigns are debating in May, it’s going to be a long, long, long campaign.
- Lovie's Leather - Tuesday, May 2, 06 @ 9:37 am:
Yeah, Blago appoints people to boards so that is his influence on them… so… how did that work out with the hate crimes commission, Mr Blagojevich? Was everyone on that board under his influence. No they weren’t. This has to be blatant hypocracy… or he is a total moron. I’ll leave that to debate.
- Scott Fawell's Cellmate - Tuesday, May 2, 06 @ 9:40 am:
Good and valid point by Nix and an important distinction.
And interesting to see Judy still playing defense. Responding and reacting - not leading and not defining the debate. But with no money, message or management of her campaign, what do you expect.
[And now comes the avalanche of responses from the angry state workers and fired Oberweis and Gidwitz staffers who have the time and rage to yell about the Governor…]
- Conservative Republican - Tuesday, May 2, 06 @ 9:41 am:
Revealing comment by Nix; opens the door to other questions if the press had the gray matter to pursue it.
So if Blagojevich is “influencing” “independent” boards and commissions through his appointments, does that mean that appointees must pass a litmus test to be appointed? Are they taking directions from the Governor’s Mansion (oh, excuse me, …Ravenswood) as opposed to employing independent judgment and expertise to craft commission policy and management?
Nix could have given an easy answer… as Governor, you are “ex officio” on numerous boards, and not obliged to attend any, particularly given the scope of one’s obligations as Governor. Whereas the Treasurer does not have so many broad time commitments and has more limited involvement on state boards. Why didn’t Nix say that?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, May 2, 06 @ 10:18 am:
His board members on the Tollway are doing a great job overseeing an agency under federal investigation. What about that, Nix?
- Disgusted - Tuesday, May 2, 06 @ 10:54 pm:
Cellmate - at least state workers are working at 9:40 a.m., unlike you, who has time to blog instead of work. Or is your desk in the Thompson Center?