C’mon, Sheila
Wednesday, May 3, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller
I missed this one yesterday. They really should at least try to tell some semblance of the truth at Blagojevich Central.
In the advertisement, an announcer says Topinka “sits on a board that oversees $10 billion in state pension investments,” and that “for 11 years, she’s never attended a single meeting. Not one.”
“That’s the kind of no-show job I’d like,” a man says in the ad, followed by the announcer saying, “Eighty missed meetings. What’s she thinking?”
Dave Loveday, Topinka campaign spokesman, said Monday it is “hypocritical of them to throw this out when she sends a representative, when he (the governor), too, is an ex officio representative” on boards he does not attend.
Sheila Nix, spokeswoman for the Blagojevich campaign, said “the key difference” is that Topinka is a voting member on the pension board, while Blagojevich appoints members of the tollway and university panels, but “he’s non-voting,” at least on the U of I board.
“If you appoint people to the board, … they carry out your priorities,” Nix said.
Actually, the governor is on each board “ex officio,” meaning by virtue of his office, but spokespeople at both boards say he is a voting member.
[Emphasis added.]
- stateelm - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 6:45 am:
Truth, they can’t handle the truth.
“If you appoint people to the board, … they carry out your priorities,†Nix said.
Does that go for appointments of Sister Muhammad and Stuart Levine also Ms. Nix?
- Lloyd Dobbler - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:17 am:
How quick can JBT turn around Nix’s statement to reflect on the Hate Crimes commission. I see the campaign ad now: Blago split/screen with Farrakhan.
- Mongo - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:48 am:
I am later than the first 2 posts, but ohmygosh what a stupid thing to say! Yes, yes, what about the Hate and Discrimination Commission?
- NumbersGuy - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 7:49 am:
perhaps the phrase “ex officio” is a bit above the comprehension level over there. Quite a few folks see that and jump to the conclusion it means “non-voting.” The devil’s in the details, Sheila.
- Costanza - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:24 am:
It’s’ not a lie, if you believe it.
- the Patriot - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:26 am:
This is a bad point to pick on for Blago. Top officeholders, as he knows, have many responsibilities and cannot attend every meeting, for every board and committee under their control. Blago has failed miserably to appoint people who can be depended on to act responsibly in his absence time and again.
Not to mention the number of meetings allegedly missed by Topinka is 80. I belive this is roughly the number of days the Governor has been in Springfield since being elected. Talk about a no show job!
- Making The Wheels Turn - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:27 am:
Look, this is just a case of very simple three step ‘logic’ justifing the Governor’s position:
Line 1: Governor Blagojevich does not attend the meetings of the pensions board.
Line 2: If Governor Blagojevich does not attend the meetings of the pensions board, he does not vote on any of the issues comming before the pensions board.
Line 3: Therefore, the only “rational” conclusion one can reach is that “Governor Blagojevich is NOT a voting member of the pensions board”.
Rich, and if that is indeed their logic, you need to be back to considering your career choices (again!).
- frustrated GOP - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:27 am:
What is a Dictionary? Somthing the Freinds of Blago doesn’t have in their office. It’s not like they are needing to get ads out in a 24 hour cycle before the end of a campaign to be this careless, they’ve had a lot of time to put these together. And this is the crap we get, wow they really must have a low opinion of the oters of Illinois.
He wants to run for what next? Good luck
- Wumpus - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 8:30 am:
Are they stupid in Spring…er Chicago? Blago has not been at his office in Springfield much at all. Is he trying to lose?
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 9:23 am:
What kind of attack ads are these? You spend a fortune putting together an ad, then spend the next week defending yourself from them?
Way to go, idiots!
- Dan Vock - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 11:04 am:
Not only that, but Blagojevich knows he’s a voting member of the U of I trustees. A few years back he was trying to dance around the Chief issue, saying he wanted to leave it up the Board of Trustees. So I asked him what his position was, as a MEMBER of the Board of Trustees.
He hemmed and hawed and said he was a “different kind of trustee” or something to that effect. But it was clear he knew he had a vote.
- Remember when... - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 12:23 pm:
Mr. Vock:
Good point on the Chief. It apears like the honored symbol of our state’s land grant university is hanging by a thread. I would love to hear whether Blago agrees or not with the NCAA.
Better question is why hasn’t JBT coming out against the NCAA. Nothing like rasing a red meat issue like the Chief to secure downstate Illini fans for the fall.
- 'The Gay Governor' - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 1:10 pm:
Truth from Blagojevich?
C’mon, Rich!
- Skeeter - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 1:43 pm:
That is typical of Blago.
After four years, nobody likes the guy.
No wonder, after ads like that, which will blow up in his face.
If I didn’t so much enjoy seeing the ILGOP lose, I might actually vote for JBT. There is also the Birkett/Send An Innocent to Death Row thing.
- Damon - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 1:46 pm:
Way to put the people first there Skeeter.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 2:10 pm:
Not sure what you mean by the comment, Damon. Share your wisdom.
- Papa Legba - Wednesday, May 3, 06 @ 4:12 pm:
“What’s she thinking?” I can see this easily becoming “I’m thinking that our current governor isn’t qualified for the job.” Followed by a series of “What was he thinking?” ads. Just too much campaign fodder provided by the junior staff in the governors office.
- the Other Anonymous - Thursday, May 4, 06 @ 8:56 am:
This is a great response by the Topinka staff. However, they need to work on their timing. The ads have been on for a couple of days, haven’t they? If Topinka wants to win, her campaign has to start putting out this kind of response within 24 hours, if not the same day.
Nevertheless, great response to the ad.