* It’s not a surprise that Gov. Blagojevich wasn’t invited to speak at the convention and Obama protege Alexi Giannoulias was. It is kind of a surprise that both Hynes and AG Madigan will be on the stage, however…
Democratic National Committee officials delivered a high-profile snub to Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Tuesday, announcing that three of his biggest potential rivals for re-election would be given speaking roles on the opening night of the party’s nominating convention.
But the beleaguered two-term governor, whose administration faces multiple federal investigations involving jobs, contracts and fundraising, is not scheduled to speak at the convention.
DNC officials said state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a longtime loyalist of Sen. Barack Obama, will be among the opening night speakers. Also on stage that night will be Comptroller Dan Hynes and Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan.
Approval for the choice of convention speakers rests with Obama’s campaign since he is the presumptive presidential nominee. Convention officials did not respond to a query about how the names were chosen. Obama spokesman Justin DeJong declined to comment on Blagojevich’s lack of a speaking role.
I wonder why DeJong, a former Blagojevich spokesperson, wouldn’t comment? Heh.
* I haven’t really had much dealings with the Obama campaign over the past several months, but this week’s attempt to run down rumors of Saturday’s Springfield rally showed just how secretive and tight-lipped it is. I even resorted to a lighthearted shaming attempt on an Obama spokesperson’s Facebook page in order to provoke a return phone call. Didn’t work.
And check this out…
The Obama campaign said Tuesday the event on Saturday will be free and open to the public, but the exact time was yet to be announced. […]
Mike Daly, chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said the event time he’s been told is 1 p.m., but that may be tentative. As he did a year and a half ago, Durbin will introduce Obama to the crowd, Daly said.
* A spokesman for the state Republican Party gets in a dig…
“I think it’s a shame that our state’s elected senator only returns home when he needs a stage for a political event,” Trover said.
* And another Republican admits the obvious…
McCain plans to focus on states that could be close races in the November election, said state Rep. Dan Brady, a Bloomington Republican helping lead McCain’s Illinois push.
Brady said Illinois probably won’t likely be visited much by the Republican candidate.
“Senator McCain has not seen Illinois as a battleground state,” Brady said.
* Obama’s Springfield event will coincide with the annual Old Capitol Blues & Barbeque music and food event…
“I think both events can work well together,” said Victoria Clemons, executive director of Downtown Springfield Inc., which is sponsoring the event with the Illinois Central Blues Club.
“We see it (Barack Obama’s appearance) as a potential very positive thing for the event,” said Dave Blanchette of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which runs the Old State Capitol. “You’re going to have probably close to 15,000 people downtown who might otherwise not have been here, and many of them will be hungry.”
I suppose they’ll shut down the bands during the speech.
- bored now - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:14 am:
the obama campaign has correctly identified the need to control message and media coverage as a fatal weakness in other democratic (presidential) campaigns. i have no doubt that it rankles illinois media. but they are right. i’d be shocked if they were really shamed by your attempt (but curious if it got you that return call!).
as annoying as this is, it really is all about winning. their discipline is admirable, even if it runs against prior experience…
- Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:23 am:
I think people underestimate both Obama and Madigan when they presume that the Speakers opposition to Giannoulias translates into Obama opposing or not supporting Lisa Madigan. LMadigan is extremly popular and well recieved in Illinois, her inclusion should come as a surpise to no one.
Moore is lobbying for Obama to pick Kennedy as his VP… I doubt he will but it sure would be a good pick if he picked her up.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:32 am:
For Blago, it’s even worse than that.
Daley, Rahm Emanuel, Jesse Jr., and Miquel Del Valle also get to speak, according to Crains. I thought I heard Tammy Duckworth was as well, and that Durbin was going to introduce Obama before his acceptance speech. And MJM leads the delegation.
It’s an internationally televised Illinois Democrat Party PARTAY and the governor is not invited. That’s a stunning humiliation that would test anyone’s testicular virility.
- Speaking At Will - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:40 am:
Barack snubbing Rod? Say it aint so, Say it aint so!
Even if Hot Rod wasnt under investigation and didnt have more baggage than Princess Vespa from Spaceballs who could have taken another Mayor Daley Joke and the yarn about being on Air Force One with Bill Clinton.
Maybe the Republicans can invite Rod to speech at the RNC where he can deliver the riveting speech entitled “How I Destroyed the Illinois Deomcratic Party.”
- 2ConfusedCrew - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:41 am:
The GOP (as in MOPE) remark is pathetic and demonstrates why they are consistently left in the dust.
When coupled with VandaliaFrank & StatewideTom playing palsy with Blagoof it is expected that the Keys performance will be a high point.
TTFN
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:43 am:
Hynes, Madigan and Giannoulais are not “enemies” to Blagojevich. While Blagojevich often deals with others as though they are, you don’t usually hear others referring to themselves as enemies of Blagojevich.
Rod Blagojevich came into office in 2003 with more than enough goodwill from others to create an atmosphere of cooperation, team building and problem solving. His failure shouldn’t color our interpretation of other citizens who discover Blagojevich’s political style to be poisionous but continue to lead in their elected offices in spite of him.
Hynes, Madigan and Giannoulais are merely mortal office holders whose civility and ethics stand out in contrast to Blagojevich. Each are nothing very special on their own and if each ran for the same office in 2010, it would be a challenge to decide which of them would be deserving of The Office.
As to the Blagojevich snub, the last person who should be surprised is Blagojevich. He didn’t become governor because he is really as delusional as he portrays himself. He knows why he has no place on Obama’s dance card this weekend.
Obama has “jumped the shark” and needs to regain some footing before the convention. His multi-million dollar staff is retooling for this Fall, if they wish to salvage this campaign. This accounts for the bolted door to inquiries, the reappearance in Springfield, and his VP choice.
48% of Americans do not believe that Obama is experienced enough to be elected president. His failing this objective measurement is daunting because Obama cannot talk around this problem. His European trip was supposed to ease this problem by showing him as presidential, but it didn’t work out as expected. Reminding voters that Lincoln was as inexperienced as Obama when elected works if you believe that Obama is another Lincoln. Hence the Springfield reappearance.
But Blago has no political future offices unless Obama is elected. Then expect Blagojevich to resurrect himself by appointing himself as Obama’s replacement in the US Senate, giving him needed years away from Illinois to remake himself for his White House dreams.
- Fan of the Game - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:45 am:
The snub of the governor? Purely expected. Can’t imagine why anyone would be surprised.
As far as the secrecy of the campaign, bored now is right to a degree. The campaign has to control its own message, and they think clamping down is the way to do it. However, if Sen. Obama is elected, one would hope that an Obama administration would be more open than the Obama campaign.
But don’t bet on it.
- 618er - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:47 am:
Since the Governor has to play by himself in the corner during the convention, I can’t help but wonder what, if any, repercussions will be laid on the state for his lack of inclusion…
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:00 am:
Can you imagine Blagojevich sitting with the Illinois delegates as governor from the home state of the Democratic presidential nominee? Media will be asking a lot of questions about him if they get a chance. They will be “balancing” their bias using Blagojevich as their scratching post.
Jimmy Carter had Billy, but Barack Obama has the Illinois Democratic Party to embarrass him.
- Rob_N - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:49 am:
Random Republican says, ““I think it’s a shame that our state’s elected senator only returns home when he needs a stage for a political event,” Trover said.”
…I think it’s a shame Sen. McCain hasn’t set foot in the Senate chambers since April. At least Obama is going back for votes and doing Senate work. Mac’s been AWOL since spring.
- bored now - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:51 am:
VM, i understand that you’re trying to put a rushian (ala limbaugh — although i do assume you went to college) spin on things, but all the democratic governors will be seated with their delegations. they may, like former presidents, choose to sit in the audience area if they like, but they are all provided seating with their state delegations. this isn’t like the gop convention, where republican candidates right and left are choosing to stay home instead of being associated with the conservative brand. i know it’s hard for you to tell the difference…
- Springfield Alum - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:55 am:
I agree with those who say that the slight of the Governor should come as no surprise. Why would the Obama want to have someone as close to the Rezko issue as the Governor in the limelight. The pundits would make hay. Plus, it spares us from any jokes about how a little girl standing on a street corner mistook the Governor for Senator Obama.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 12:21 pm:
What a boon for Alexi. He’s had quite the meteoric rise for someone who was a relative unknown 3 years ago.
- anon - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 12:28 pm:
VM, if one of these civil people you talk of becomes the next governor, remember your tone about how blagojevich has conducted himself. people love to blame him, but i think that the state democratic party is a circular firing squad right now and MJM has a lot to do with that.
Lets see how magnanimus Governor Madigan or Governor Giannoulis will be when they are being stuck with hot pokers by the GA. Anybody in that position has two options: fight back, or give in. Rod doesnt give in.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 12:33 pm:
===Anybody in that position has two options: fight back, or give in. Rod doesnt give in.===
And therein lies the fundamental, gross misunderstanding of the legislative process by this failed governor and his hopelessly clueless sycophants.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 2:51 pm:
I want a good governor, regardless of the little partisan letter appearing after their printed last names.
I don’t like blaming anyone, especially a governor - any governor. Regardless of party, we all depend on a successful governor. It is a sad chapter in our history that Blagojevich ever ended up as governor, and it is sadder to even say this. There are no winners.
As to Rush comments - I listen to him once 12 years ago because my German friends forced me. I have no patience for anyone who can talk endlessly about themselves on a daily basis. So naturally I am very cynical about any politician who feels a need to write autobiographies before they are 45 years old and haven’t accomplished anything to write about. Save it for Oprah.
College has nothing to do with it.
- Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 3:45 pm:
I agree with VM
What kind of crazy society wants to feel connected with its leaders by being provided glimpses of theirs lives and struggles. Its pretty foolish of people to seek out role models in the experiences of others who have done well for themselves before turning 45.
Whats worse is the crazy idead that information and knowledge about politcians is somehwo useful. No politcian under 45 should be giving us glimpses into their life or thought process. That might lead to us getting a better idea what they are like and helping voters to make informed decisions, and thats just crazy. AFter all only those people who have achived greatness are worth knowing, right “vanilla” man? Those whose accomplishments are more commone or average are not worthy of inspection, after all, who would want to consider the perspectives and life experience of an avergae or vanilla man.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 4:26 pm:
If you are looking for the things you just listed, the last place you would find them would be in their autobiographies. Politicians don’t write honest autobiographies, just abuse the purpose of autobiographies in order to champion themselves.
As per accomplishments, name three accomplishments Obama attained by the time he wrote his first autobiography while sunning himself in Bali on the publisher’s retainer.
Save it for Oprah where how you feel is considered more important than facts.
- Captain America - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 6:58 pm:
Almost everyone believes there are indictmetn in Governor Pinnochio’s near future. It’s no wonder Blago is considered radioactive and is being shunned by Obama/the Democratic Party at the convention.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 7:13 pm:
I’ll save a seat for Rod in the gallery. It would be an honor to sit with a man who has done so much to advance the cause of working people. If anyone has advanced the liberal agenda during his terms in office it is Rod Blagojevich, probably more so than anyone on the podium or any other dem governor in the U.S.. It is not easy to be a visionary and a populist when the powers that be and have always been view you as a threat to their fiefdoms.
Rod promised to end business as usual and, no matter how you feel about him, you have to admit that things have changed and it will never again be the way it was.
Rod should hold his head high at the convention. We accomplished more in the last six years for people than they did in the previous twelve.
He did it his way!
- bored now - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 8:25 pm:
there’s the bill we’ve come to know.
as for your comments about rod’s accomplishments, all i can say is that i must have *much* higher standards…
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 10:23 pm:
Bill, isn’t Rod a superdelegate? One way or the other, I think he gets a seat on the floor.
Your steadfast loyalty is admirable. Except for the occasional 180s that make old AA’s melon hurt.
- Little Egypt - Wednesday, Aug 20, 08 @ 11:57 pm:
Bill will be easy to spot. He and Rod will be the only ones in the Gallery. Bill will be the other guy who doesn’t have helmet hair and doesn’t look like Mayor Daley.
- Ghost - Thursday, Aug 21, 08 @ 8:20 am:
=== Rod promised to end business as usual ===
yes he has by way far increased the amount of folks paying bribes into the State for contracts and jobs. But I am not sure growing corruption is the same as ending business as usall.