* The Sun-Times editorial board published a diatribe against the governor today. Go read the whole thing…

When a leader can’t win enough support for his pet programs, do you blame the leader or those who refuse to follow? That’s the question that has to be asked about the situation in Springfield, where Gov. Blagojevich proposed expensive schemes to expand health insurance and boost school aid but failed to get lawmakers, not even the fellow Democrats who control the House and Senate, to agree on a way to pay for them. […]

He says he’s willing to compromise but rules out all options but his own. He attacks lawmakers for not spending enough time in Springfield but has barely spent any time there himself this year — just eight nights since January, according to a Daily Herald report. He claims to be watching the public purse but spends thousands of taxpayer dollars flying between Chicago and Springfield. He refuses to recognize that his plans don’t have enough legislative support, and that’s because they don’t have enough public support.

Blagojevich’s main nemesis in the budget debate has been House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago), who seems to relish foiling the governor and should be doing more to patch up their rocky relationship. But because the governor was the one proposing the expensive new program, the onus was on him to make his case. He hasn’t made it, and until he recognizes that failure of his leadership it’s hard to envision a solution to the gridlock.

[Emphasis added.]

* Speaker Madigan had some harsh words as well yesterday…

When asked what it would take to make real progress in the budget talks, Madigan answered: “Good leadership. And it’s not here.”

* And this is the next point of contention…

Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix said the administration challenged Madigan and Republicans to show areas in the budget they would cut if they opposed the governor’s proposals for raising more money. Madigan said House Democrats and Republicans want to review the budget in detail to find possible nonessential spending cuts, which Nix said the governor is willing to consider.

* Meanwhile, the State Journal-Register editorial board tackles the issue of the governor’s sanity…

The hang-up here is not insanity but rather a governor who passionately believes in the lofty goals he has set but who approaches achieving those goals like a bull in a china shop or sometimes like a despot in a deep bunker. While we suspect even Rep. Lyons would acknowledge some hyperbole in his “insane” comment, Blagojevich’s approach has been crazy at times.

And then blames the governor’s inner circle for the problem…

We have to join the chorus of those who wonder if things would be going so badly if former Deputy Gov. Bradley Tusk were still around. Tusk pushed the governor’s agenda as hard as anyone, but he also knew a lost cause when he saw one and was not averse to accepting something rather than going down in flames while demanding everything.

Most importantly, Tusk was willing to incur the wrath of Blagojevich by disagreeing with the governor and pushing unpopular — but practical — solutions. Maybe only someone as trusted and valued as Tusk could get away with that treatment of the governor. But when Blagojevich is acting crazy, he ought to hear it first from his trusted inner circle, not on the House floor.

I created the “Where’s Tusk When We Need Him?” buttons as a joke. What’s become evident since Tusk’s departure is that while Tusk might have done a slightly better job of reining in the governor, the real problem is the governor, not his staff.

* More budget stories, compiled by Paul…

* Gambling boat revenue eyed in Illinois

* Editorial: Time for politicians to stop digging hole in Springfield

* Sweeny: What part of ‘no’ does Blagojevich not understand?

* Bethany Carson: Iron out the differences

* Still the promised year for school reform?

* Audio from the postgame show yesterday…

* Sheila Nix

* Mike Madigan

* Tom Cross

* Lou Lang