Mother Tribune morphs into New York Post
Thursday, Nov 1, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Bernie Schoenburg has react on the Tribune’s “recall” editorial from last Sunday…
“Governor Blagojevich is doing what he told people he would - coming to Springfield, fighting for working families including expanding access to healthcare and investing more money in education,” said spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch via e-mail.
She also passed along a statement from former GOP Gov. Jim Thompson, saying the Trib’s idea of adding recall would “introduce only more instability in state government and is not worthy of your editorial page.”
Thompson asks if other elected officials would also be subject to recall, and he questions the logic of blaming the governor for what lawmakers did not do.
“The last time I looked at the Illinois Constitution, the Governor had no power to initiate legislation or vote on its passage,” Thompson said.
“I am as disappointed as any other citizen at the lack of progress in Springfield,” Thompson wrote. “The Governor and the leaders of the General Assembly ought to sit down in the Mansion and not leave until they have come to a resolution of the challenges facing this state and its people, but the notion that we should amend our constitution to enable the removal of one official with one voice in the process is foolhardy and dangerous.”
* Kevin Robinson over at Chicagoist also had his doubts. Robinson first quoted the Illinois Constitution…
Whenever three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the General Assembly so direct, the question of whether a Constitutional Convention should be called shall be submitted to the electors at the general election next occurring at least six months after such legislative direction.
And then added…
This is the flaw with the Tribune’s logic. By their own admission, there is no way in hell the general assembly is going to call a constitutional convention: “it’s doubtful legislators could bring themselves to such drastic action.” Here’s a group of people that can’t even approve a budget. Which brings us back to the reason we are in this situation in the first place: the voters don’t really control the political process in this state. Until the people can put together a democratic movement to remove the governor from office, the General Assembly can’t be counted on. And unless the Tribune is going to make recall the centerpiece of their media activism, editorials like this are barely worth the paper (or pixels) they’re printed on.
I would add that since the governor was elected to a constitutionally mandated four-year term, it’s highly unlikely that even if the Constitution was changed he could be removed during this term.
Essentially, what the Trib did was take the weasel way out. The edit board never actually called for Blagojevich’s recall, they just listed a bill of indictment and then asked for comments about a solution that is likely impossible anyway. Then they hyped the angry responses they received in a tabloid-style self promotion blitz.
* Disappointingly, Chicago Public Radio is even getting into the Tribune-promotion act, belatedly discovering that Pat Quinn supports the recall concept…
Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is making a push to let voters recall elected officials. Quinn’s announcement comes just days after the Chicago Tribune editorial board said Governor Rod Blagojevich should be recalled from office.
“Just days after”? Please.
- Anon - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 9:45 am:
Its horrible what the trib is doing to the governor. If you dont like the man’s methods, fine. If you disagree with his policy priorities, fine. But to call for his removal from office because the process isnt moving to the trib’s liking is absurd. Shame on this rag for taking advantage of its abuse of its first amendment rights. This editorial was borderline slanderous and has led to a lot of BS that the governor has had to deal with subsequently.
Media is supposed to report the news. The editorial page provides opportunity to voice the opinion of the members of the editorial board. What the trib has done here is a pathetic abuse of its power. Also, for the sake of discussion, I think there is too much editorializing in its daily reporting. It is clear that the trib is out to get blago. Damn the facts, they want his head on a platter.
Perhaps Bruce Dold should be our next governor. Im sure that this would solve all of our problems. Coward.
- Fan of the Game - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 9:52 am:
We have a recall mechanism in place. It’s called an election, and it takes place every four years. As much as I dislike the job Governor Blagojevich is doing, the people elected him, and he should stay in office until he resigns, decides not to run for re-election, or is legally removed from office.
The Tribune’s ploy is unfortunate. It has weight, and it is using it in a hit-and-run way.
- Greg - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 9:55 am:
Abusing its 1st Amndt rights? Borderline slanderous?
Really, you can’t just call it a bad or self-promoting editorial?
- Greg - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:01 am:
By the way, I know that most everyone on this board understands the IL constitution 10x better than I, so I’d like someone to explain: out west, where I come from, pretty much all states have recall provisions. In Oregon, something really egregious happens every once in a while (would be every day in IL…) and the provision is used. Its use is, of course, the exception, and I’d argue that we haven’t had any problems with it. Recalls in the West haven’t, from what I’ve observed, detracted from the value of elections, and are rarely pursued. It’s not a “California-style” thing; it’s available in many states.
Does its existence (and in my opinion lack of abuse) across the west not allay any of your concerns?
- Anon - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:03 am:
Greg, its obviously both of the things you’ve described. And then some.
- Cassandra - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:16 am:
Recall is a tool, that’s all. It’s cumbersome so rarely used but given the rampant corruption and
misfeasance in Illinois state government at all levels, the ability to recall the person who is supposed to be managing all this (the governor)
hardly seems excessive.
As to the Trib…it’s a newspaper. Why anybody
would get all bent out of shape because of what somebody said on the editorial page is beyond me.
If you are that easily upset, don’t read it. Editorial pages are supposed to provoke discussion and controversy.
Politicians’ professed outrage over this less than revolutionary editorial is a red herring. While Illinois’ ever-gullible citizens emote over the recall concept, our Democratic politicians and their relatives and business pals are pushing their hands deeper and deeper into our pockets.
There is a reason why Illinois taxpayers are getting less and less from state government for more and more money.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:16 am:
Can you people read?
From the first editorial, it was quite clear that the Tribune was not advocating recall. It was an open-ended editorial that requested feedback and it was enormously successful. That is what editorials are supposed to do - ignite conversation - so why get upset with the Tribune for doing what it is supposed to do?
Blagojevich is a horrible governor. So we are seeing the 5% who think he is not angry at the Tribune? Listen, the “emperor had no clothes”, and in the story the child that pointed this out was not stoned, right? Good thing bloggers like “Anon” was not there or they would have chucked rocks at the kid!
To say that the Tribune was being tricky is giving this paper too much credit. It sounds to me as if there are a bunch of Blagojevich partisans who are angry over being duped by this man, and are too emotional to discuss the obvious.
- Holdingontomywallet - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:23 am:
I would like to see the Gov removed as much as anyone, but recall doesn’t look like a good option. A better option would be campaign finance reform. It is obvious that our current Governor won the past two elections because of the amount of money spent during the campaign from his bottomless treasure chest. The TV commercials are misleading and somewhat “goofy”, but they resonate with a lot of voters who aren’t totally engaged. Even the playing field and we will probably get better public servants in the legislature and Governor’s Office.
Seems like a better option to me.
- Bill - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:35 am:
Who cares about what the Trib board and Bruce Dolt write? Noone reads that rag anyway. Once it is sold expect the Red Eye to look like the New York Times in comparison to the “new Trib.”
- Lucas - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:52 am:
Why is everyone beating up on the Tribune? They made and reported news, just like every other newspaper and newsletter, so let’s move on already.
As for the recall, yes let’s have one…and it’ll take place in 2010. Maybe if the GOP had a better field than JBT and a bunch of right wing white guys Illinois would be spared from supporting a clown like Rod.
- Lucas - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 10:52 am:
Oh and Bill…if no one reads the Tribune, why has it been the topic of discussion here for three days? Try a better argument than “it’s a rag” that’s clever.
- Bill - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:00 am:
I don’t know why it has been a topic here. Probably because people here remember when it was a decent paper, sometime in the 1950s, I think.
- Question - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:25 am:
Isn’t Thompson being paid by the gov now? Would that have anything to do with his statement, by chance?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:27 am:
Good point, but I doubt that he would’ve said anything different.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:49 am:
let’s not get hung up on recall-the focus should be on putting Jones, Madigan and Blagos feet to the fire and cut the extended game of chicken…
- North by Northwest - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:50 am:
Is Jim Thompson speaking as a former governor or as the chairman of a law firm receiving millions in fees from Mr. Blagojevich?
- Peter Zenger - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:59 am:
In the good old days the Tribune would have ulneashed all the dogs on their project. Kass and Zorn would have done columns. All hands would be babbling at their side radio gigs. The TV station would jump on the story too.
And the follow the leader media would following up on the Trib.
But alas that was the good old days
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 12:13 pm:
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch huffs-and-puffs on every issue known to man. They have called for Bush’s impeachment and Governor Matt Blunt’s resignation. They were first for tort reform and then they were against it. They hate some taxes and can’t get enough of others. The ed board writes editorials that are sometimes more shocking than an on-point snippet.
What’s my point? Each ed board can do as they please. And bias clearly exists in each ed board room and decision table. As long as the Trib doesn’t publish something that is 100% libelous, they have the right to print it, put in on the web and thus help create the discussion we are currently having.
It would be nice to have a recall in place, but there would need to be safeguards attached to the amendment. For instance, the ILCon. would have to limit or ban so-called “527 groups” on each side from pumping untold riches into the cause. I think you would also have to limit or ban commercials for and against it; let the public decide on their own. We are inundated enough with election year spots without having to worry about seeing the same bull during odd-number years. And any group of petitioners would have to have a good, valid, foolproof reason for wanting to recall an elected official. “We don’t like him!” and “He’s a bum!” aren’t rational.
It’s sad this is even an issue.
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 12:28 pm:
If the reasons of “We don’t like him!” and “He’s a bum!” aren’t valid for a recall, then that would seem to imply some sort of grounds for recall. If that’s the case, then why not use impeachment which is already in the IL Constitution?
- Dollar USA - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 12:31 pm:
An election is not a recall! A 4 year term with an inept gov is approximately 6% of my adult lifetime.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 12:35 pm:
===A 4 year term with an inept gov is approximately 6% of my adult lifetime.===
And your point is what, exactly? The Constitution was not written for the benefit of a single individual of a certain age with a particular political viewpoint.
- Bruno - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 2:25 pm:
I’m somewhat shocked that no one here has commented on the Constitutional Convention Vote that will automatically be on a separate ballot in 2008.
Unless the folks here already have found a way to circumvent the rest of Article 14, there is no way to stop a “Constitutional Convention Vote.”
Did Y’all forget that?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 2:28 pm:
That vote is a year from now, Bruno. Nobody forgot it.
- Bruno - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 2:50 pm:
My mistake, Rich.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 2:54 pm:
:)
- Captain America - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 3:18 pm:
Looking forward to the Con-Con -seems to be the only way we can change the way business is conducted by stte and various local governmeents.
Recall should be an option available to voters at all levels of government. Blago and Stroger are the political “poster boys” for recall, but I would not use recall on Blago or Stroger for this term. The effective date of the recall provision should be after the 2010 elections.
- Bill - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 4:21 pm:
There won’t be any con con. The voters are too smart to fall for any of your reactionary nonsense, Bruno. Watch for the referendum to fail by a large margin.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 8:56 pm:
“Then they hyped the angry responses they received in a tabloid-style self promotion blitz.”
I’m starting to believe that this is all boiling down to an inability to measure themselves as a Business against their competitors–who they can’t even seem to identify anymore.
It’s obviously no longer enough to hang onto your integrity while publishing the news or expressing even the most off-the-wall opinion to promote thought and discussion among your readers.
It’s a race to see who can come up with the most inflammatory statement or ridiculous question to generate the most letters and posts on your website. The quality of a response doesn’t even seem to be a factor anymore in determining what gets published and what doesn’t.
It’s a new numbers game that, in reality, probably does very little to help them succeed or to measure their success. Unfortunately, though, they’re buying into it when I’d like to think that they–and papers like them–are still in a position to actually define it.
Very sad to see. I truly hope they and the other papers can work through what they’re in business for, who their audiences are, and more importantly against whom they’re competing and why.
The thought of what is going to replace them frightens me. (”Soma” anyone?)
I also hope that this isn’t to what Zell was referring when he spoke of complacency and missed opportunities in the Industry.
(And I agree with Rich regarding Thompson’s statement. I, too, believe he would have made it either way.)
- Disgusted - Thursday, Nov 1, 07 @ 11:15 pm:
“If the reasons of “We don’t like him!” and “He’s a bum!” aren’t valid for a recall, then that would seem to imply some sort of grounds for recall.”
You bet there are. Try hiring practices for one.
A state employee is assigned to do some special work that would take him a few extra hours a day in overtime, which could amount to less than $5K in overtime pay. After sending him to training for this project, the gov’s office decides they will hire contractors to do the work for hundreds of thousands. I hope someone checks the Comptroller’s new site to see if they fed the gov’s money fund prior to their contract.
Let’s see - less than 5K vs. $100,000 plus of your hard-earned tax dollars. Add the fact that State government broke. Hummm - this is a no-brainer, folks.