The gaffe fallout begins.

Choking back sobs of grief and anger, an Englewood woman who saw her 10-year-old niece killed by stray gunfire said Wednesday that Republican Judy Baar Topinka is unfit to be governor because she joked about using a rolling pin as an assault weapon against Gov. Blagojevich.

“I don’t think that’s government material, at all,” said Deanna Woods, who tried to use her body to shield children at the March 11 birthday party where her niece, Siretha White was killed.

“To someone who has been in this predicament, they are not going to take that as a joke.” […]

They were responding to remarks Topinka made at a fund-raiser last week. She was joking about Blagojevich campaign commercials that feature Topinka explaining her opposition to an assault weapons ban by saying the definition is so vague that a rolling pin could be considered an assault weapon.

And the gift fallout continues.

Topinka had this to say when asked yesterday about her ridiculous rolling pin comments.

“It is a diversion,” Topinka said of the gun victims’ remarks. “And you’re going to see more diversions or as many diversions as it takes to try and bring me into this argument so as to get you off his tail on the $1,500.”

And CBS2 had this bit on their broadcast yesterday.

“The law says if you have any gift over $500, you need to report that right away, you don’t report it after the FBI’s all over you and forces the issue,” Topinka said.

Blagojevich has yet to personally address the issue. A campaign spokesperson said Wednesday that the gift was a personal gesture that stems from a lifelong friendship.

“Gov. Blagojevich and Mike Ascaridis have been friends for over 40 years. I think most people have close friends, and the Ascaridises don’t have children of their own. People understand that friends like to help in terms of college,” Shiela Nix said.

I don’t want to pick on Shiela Nix because she’s doing what she can, with what she has, and she’s usually very good at what she does. But that quote sounds even goofier than it looks on the screen. Go watch the clip at CBS2 or click the play button below. Sound quality is poor here, I’m afraid.

[audio:yknowintermsof.mp3]
Meanwhile, Kristen McQueary sums it up nicely.

So which do you prefer? The blunt-but-offensive gal who excels at theatrics? Or the calm-but-robotic guy who won’t give a straight answer?

*** UPDATE *** After days of staying completely away from reporters, Gov. Blagojevich will make an appearance today in Rockford. We’ll see if the boys and girls there play homers or ask some tough questions. They’ve got some good ones there, so I’m betting he doesn’t get a total pass.