105 Comments - Qwerty - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:00 am: His publicist must be slipping… Normally he would be Twitting blow by blow. Gov pauses for pictures. Gov ties shoes. Etc.. - Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:11 am: In the tradition of Rich’s clown show analogies, Blago’s Circus’s clown car trick will be the show stopper with everybody affiliated with his administration who is indicted, in jail or working plea deals pouring out of a Dodge Neon till finally the star climbs out, leaps on the hood to the big Tadaaa! Then the Benny Hill music starts and the clowns run into the crowd performing the usual clown tricks but all the while pilfering wallets, watches and purses in a joyous tribute to pay while they play. Fun for the whole family. - Stooges - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:11 am: He was quick to throw shots at Daley. I think he sounds a little more desperate, and those with something to hide should probably be worried that Rod will say anything at this point. - BigDog - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:15 am: Wow - if he keeps up this line of discussion, prison could be the least of his worries! I don’t know whether to be disgusted or excited about what he may reveal in the future. In a backhanded way, he could be the real impetus for true reform in our state. - Concerned Observer - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:19 am: If I’m Cullerton, my response would be “Well, in the last election, XX% of the people in my district supported me. It’s disappointing to learn this citizen is part of the other YY%, but we live in a democracy.” - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:27 am: ===In a backhanded way, he could be the real impetus for true reform in our state. === Except nobody takes him seriously. - Penelope Pitstop - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:28 am: Great visual, Phineas J. Whoopee! Blago is exhibiting all of the characteristics of a desperate man. He has nothing to gain from anything but still chooses to destroy everything in his path. He isn’t even pathetic anymore. - Downstate GOP Faithless - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:30 am: Wow…excessive drinking in American politics-there’s a real stunner - the Patriot - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:31 am: I thought he would play these cards in his trial to try and keep his job. The fact is many members of those impeaching and convicting him went along for the ride for many of the “abuses of power.” I tend to be pretty hard on the democrats but I think it is fair to point out one reason Blago fell out of favor with some members of his own party was because he gave contracts and jobs to republicans who donated to his campaign over loyal democrats. If he is going to start firing away at people who also profitted from his pilliaging of the state, both parties are going to catch heat. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:32 am: Is he finally going nuclear, a few weeks late and a few hundred thousand dollars in wasted legal fees short? - chiatty - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:34 am: Just when you think that he can’t go any lower… - OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:36 am: Once he starts naming names on the drunk and randy stuff then he has gone nuke, until then it’s still brinkmanship and/or biterness - BandCamp - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:37 am: *thump* *thump* *thump* totally throwing people under personal moral scrutiny…wow. He’s not going to stop talking smack. And Don & Roma indulge this J.O. I know they are nice to get him to talk, but it makes my skin crawl. - Frank Booth - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:37 am: Just wondering, if the former governor thinks lawmakers are a bunch of drunken wife cheaters, what was the former governor when he was a lawmaker? Were his comments observations or personal experience? Where’s Letterman when we need him. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:39 am: Generic Lawmaker Response: “Rod Blagojevich also says he’s not a crook.” - Penelope Pitstop - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:40 am: Hey Frank Booth! You are right! Didn’t Madigan make obscure references to Blago’s behavior as a womanizing legislator when Blago first ran for Governor? - MOON - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:41 am: Blago should have learned long ago “People in glass houses should not throw stones” He talks about the behavior of legislators. He need look no further than a mirror to see one who is guilty of such behavior! - Captain Flume - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:43 am: Legislators have extra marital relations! Legislators drink to excess! No WAY, dude! - From the Sidelines - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:43 am: Maybe he’s just projecting his own failures. - Penelope Pitstop - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:43 am: I am listening to the audio now. He certainly sounds like an “expert” at how legislators “do it on the backs of working people.” If he is so offended, why didn’t he do something about it while he was Governor? - Anon from BB - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:45 am: I had forgotten that the former Gov. was going to be on this morning. Soon as I heard his whining, I changed the station. I wanted to start my day off right, and listening to a madman rant and rave was not my idea of starting the day off right. On a side note, I can’t believe Don & Roma coddle him like they do. Although, is it possible that a directive is coming from higher up to lay off when they do interviews? - roscoe - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:46 am: This past weekend I spent some time reading the U.S.House version of the “stimulus” bill…on page # 14 was the provision that Illinois would not get any funds from the “stimulus’ bill if R. Blagovich was still governor….In all of the discussion of the ex governor, this was the first time I had seen this…did I miss something?? - montrose - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:46 am: I think this is just his way of creating interest in a book deal. No one wants to hear “I am not a crook” for 300 pages, but I am sure a few publishers take notice when he hints at a willingness to name names and pull others down. - ILPundit - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:48 am: If he writes a book, I’ll be buying a copy. He’ll be like the Jose Canseco of Illinois politics - wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:50 am: I listened with guilty pleasure. I’m so ashamed. But he ought to give some sober thoughts as to whether he wants to start talking about others personal indiscretions. To quote the great Homer J. Simpson: “I’m not worried that Marge knows what I’ve done. But there’s so much stuff she doesn’t know!” - Qwerty - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:50 am: @ILPundit Wait a week and buy it used.. - Nearly Normal - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:50 am: If Blago is going to make accusations about immoral/questionable behavior, there are others who claim to have the dirt on him. Now that he is out of office, the restraints are off. Mudslingers often get pelted with the same mud. I think Blago could be dunked in a trough of mud of his own making. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:51 am: You did, Roscoe. Actually, the stimulus bill clause provided that the General Assembly would determine where the funds went if A-Rod were (still) governor when the funds arrived. - Stooges - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:52 am: Its hard to listen to Roma on a normal day, but she was so weak today. Rod said the legislature changed the ethics bill that prohibited companies that have state contracts from contributing to the governor. I know the Feds had a problem with a portion of the law and the legislature was going to fix that part, but did they really change it back as Rod said, or was he lying again? - Anonymous45 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:52 am: wow, Rod thanks for the info on the behavior of our duly elected legislators…I remember the first time I met RBB, he (in the lingo of good looking women) undressed me with his eyes and gave me a big lecherous smile…ewwwww! - wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:53 am: Blago did have a good bit about writing a book. When Don and Roma first started pressing him to do so, he said “I’ve got my crayon ready.” - ILPundit - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:53 am: Fair enough, maybe I’ll just go to the library. Like wordslinger…guilty pleasure - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:02 am: ===did they really change it back as Rod said, or was he lying again?=== He was lying again. The GA changed the law to exempt federal projects at the request of the US Dept of Transportation. - Oswego - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:10 am: How about a Howard Stern interview? Then the bleeps wouldn’t be bleeps. - Nuance - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:14 am: Montrose is spot on! - Stooges - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:25 am: There is no doubt he wants a radio or TV show so he can expose his enemies and expound on the vast knowledge he has of how things work. The problem is he will be facing a trial and his attorney won’t want him yapping away with everything he says potentially use later in trial. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:36 am: Bozo’s Circus Is On The Air! ———————————————– Ringmaster Ned: And now boys and girls, the world’s greatest magician - Magnifico The Great! Magnifico: Magnifico needs an assistant! Wow! Look at those waving hands! You? Sir? You are making a fool of yourself! Blago: I used to be the governor Magnifico! Can we talk? Magnifico: Uh - Look boys and girls! It’s former governor Blagojevich to assist Magnifico! BOO! That’s not fair Mommy! Shhh! Honey! Let the weird man be Magnifico’s assistant! Blago: Magnifico, I was strung up like a innocent cowboy by a group of drunken womanizing legislators who executed a coup on the will of the hard working people of this great state! I was elected twice… Magnifico:…hold this in your left hand… Blago:…and they didn’t give me the chance to call witnesses… Magnifico: And now boys and girls! You see this empty bucket in our disgraced governor’s hand? Voila! Dump it out Mr. Corruptovich! Blago: Hey? How did you do that? Is that money? Magnifico:…uh, yes it is! It’s gold! Chocolatety golden coins straight from this slush bucket! Blago: oh. Like I was saying… Magnifico: Now I will saw our former governor in half! Lay down in this box - and keep talking… Blago: You know sometimes I feel like I’m being sawed in half by the allegations against me…it’s not right…that Cullerton guy drives around in a Jaguar, while I’m like a good old cowboy, strung up by accident like in “The Oxbow Incident”… Magnifico:Boys and girls! Notice this chainsaw! YEAH! Wild applause from cameramen, clowns and Ringmaster Ned Blago:Aren’t my legs supposed to be all scrunched up in this half of the box with the rest of me? Magnifico: Don’t worry about a thing Mr. National Embarrassement Former Governor! I’m as good a magician as you were a governor! AAAAHHH!!! - Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:43 am: Another example of Blago the Clowns problem with the truth. - Anonymous ZZZ - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:51 am: ==The problem is he will be facing a trial and his attorney won’t want him yapping away with everything he says potentially use later in trial.== No decent attorney would, anyway. But Sam Adam, Jr. doesn’t seem the least bit bothered that Blago has been doing this for the last few weeks. - Pat collins - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:51 am: Really, he’s becoming like Madonna. He wants and needs the spotlight so much, he is oblivious as to the harm he does himself when he does get it. Well, soon enough he’ll have all the attention he can handle. - honesty in government - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:53 am: We will see these things till the trail in April starts. In the meantime there should be an accountability of each person that did unethicial behaviors. The ax just feel on L. Peters today so her two side kicks the deputy of inter-governmental affairs and the Chief of Staff from DCFS is not far behind. Bring in the clowns - anon58 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:09 am: I really wish that the trial would begin in april but isnt that just when briefs are filed and who ever ends up his attorney would most likely push back the start date as long as possible because of the many charges that fitz has allegedly backed up with the people coming forward to save their own necks. I really dont even know if the trial would start by the end of this year. - You Go Boy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:17 am: I agree with Big Dog above…Blago is like a drunken cowboy (wannabe) careening out of the saloon doors with both guns a blazin’…soon you will be stopped. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:18 am: VM- A true coffee-spit-on-screen classic. Of course, the dialog could follow: Bozo: “Who’s your favorite clown?” Audience: “Blaaaaaa-gooooooo!” Blago’s top half: “Heey….thats……. ………………………. me.” Plunk. - dupage dan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:18 am: I have family in Wisconsin and I can say that other parts of the country are bemused by this. They don’t say much about Blagojevich except in the context of “how did you’all vote for this guy?”. Not a pretty picture but, unfortunately, on the mark. I can see one term but we should have realized after the first term that this person should not be our governor. It’s easy and fun to make fun but I wonder if this electorate can judge a good prospect for high office or not? - Anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:20 am: Vanilla Man - I heard a “prediction” that Blago’s address to the Senate was going to be a “Harper Valley PTA” soundalike. Maybe you could write the lyrics? And regarding whether he was ever a womanizer when he was a legislator, I’m sure Patti has a memorandum of understanding regarding his marital vows that spells out exactly what he could and couldn’t do. - Confused 2B - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:25 am: It will be amazing to see how many politicians are getting nervous about the AFFAIR and cheating on spouses! I’m sure there’s a lot! Lets hope they all get their act together and get to work and do what needs to be done to clean up our state! Maybe now they will do their jobs and think about their families! People wont re-elect officials that are cheating on families! What a SHAME!!!!!!!!!!! - BannedForLife - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:25 am: even a cuckoo clock is right once in a while would this be a good time for someone to jump in and explain how Madigan’s and Cullerton’s day jobs have absolutely nothing to do with their activities as citizen legislators? - Wacker Drive - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:28 am: Your holier than than thou attitude is amusing. Bring it on Blago! - Gene Parmesan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:29 am: Property tax relief for homeowners means that more of the tax burden will fall on the commercial properties that Madigan, Cullerton, and all the other property tax attorneys represent. So that means they make more when they get them savings. I don’t believe Rod quite thought this one through. Though he is correct that there are wanton abuses in the property tax system in Cook County and throughout the state. Both illegal and ethically resprehensible. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:30 am: Shows over, move along. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:32 am: a “Harper Valley PTA” soundalike I want to tell you all a story ’bout a Ravenswood impeached gov Who had 2 daughters who attended pre-school in the hood. Well his daughters came home one afternoon and didn’t even stop to play They said, “dad, we’ve got a note here from the pre-school P.T.A.” The note said, “Mr. Blago, you’re wearing your hairpiece way too high It’s reported you’ve been drinking and a-runnin’ ’round with men and going wild And we don’t believe you ought to be bringing up your little girls this way” It was signed by the secretary, pre-school P.T.A. Well, it happened that the P.T.A. was gonna meet that very afternoon They were sure surprised when Mr. Blago wore his hairpiece into the room And as he walked up to the blackboard, I still recall the words he had to say She said, “I’d like to address this meeting of the pre-school P.T.A.” Well, there’s Radogno sittin’ there and seven times he’s asked me for a date Mr. Radogno sure seems to use a lot of ice whenever he’s away And Mr. Madigan, can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town? And shouldn’t Emil Jones III be told to keep his window shades all pulled completely down? Well, Mr. Fritchey couldn’t be here ’cause he stayed too long at Kelly’s Bar again And if you smell Jim Thompson’s breath, you’ll find he’s had a little nip of gin Then you have the nerve to tell me you think that as a guv’nor I’m not fit Well, this is just a little Peyton Place and you’re all pre-school hypocrites No I wouldn’t put you on because it really did, it happened just this way The day my daddy socked it to the pre-school P.T.A. The day my daddy socked it to the Harper Valley P.T.A. - GOP'er - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:33 am: Go baby go! Sing like a canary. Take the whole rotten bunch down with you. Filling more empty prison cells also helps with the stimulus. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:33 am: Gene - Lest you and others who’d like to blame Madigan and Cullerton forget, it was ROD who blocked property tax relief for ALL of Cook County by so adamantly campaigning AGAINST the tax swap bill. YDD - Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:34 am: dupage dan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:18 am: , Don’t blame me, I am PROUD to say I did not vote for the bumbling Blagoof either time. - Gene Parmesan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:46 am: YDD, I’m not blaming Madigan or Cullerton for not getting Cook relief at all. I’m saying their property tax firms would actually benefit from shifting the burden from homeowners to commercial property (which the Homeowner’s Exemption does). And that tax swap legislation is just feel-good non-sense. If people want real property tax relief in Cook County then oust the Assessor and every Board of Review member. They’re grossly incompentent and corrupt. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:02 pm: You wonder how Balanoff can consider himself a “strong witness” for the prosecution and not be a “target,” “subject,” or “worried one bit.” At the very least, you would think they must have been dancing pretty close to the edge if he’s such a strong witness. - Nuance - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:03 pm: Any book he writes should be required to be classified as fiction. - Justice - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:10 pm: Wouldn’t it be fitting to indict Blago and his minions on April Fool’s Day!! He is finally starting to realize he is done-in and is lashing out and trying to wreak as much havoc as possible on those who ‘betrayed’ him. Next he will defiantly stand before the judge and plead his innocence. After realizing the real likelihood that he will be away from the limelight and freedom to move about the country for a very, very long time, he too will start singing; but to no avail. Looks like the good that will come out of this, in addition to getting rid of this sissy, will be to clean up a few cheaters. If you can’t trust a person to be faithful to their spouse, do you think you can trust them to be faithful to their constituents? Not likely. So…this ‘clown’, in addition to providing suspense and entertainment, will help do out of office, what he originally promised to do while running for office; clean up State Government! - Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:20 pm: wordslinger, I believe Balanoff has less exposure b/c the U.S. attorneys rely on charging public officials with denying taxpayers “honest services”. Team Blagojevich had an affirmative obligation to provide value to Illinois taxpayers; Balanoff didn’t. So, a public official soliciting a bribe exposes himself/herself to legal jeopardy earlier in the process than the private citizen being shaken down. - If It Walks Like A Duck... - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:20 pm: Why are we surprised by the “ex-gov-soon-to-be indicted” words about the GA. He already called them a “bunch of drunken sailors; remember? - Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:29 pm: What qualities does it take to be successful in politics? 1. charisma 2. a craving for approval 3. a knack for making a quick sale And the lifestyle requires travel, irregular hours and attending functions where booze is served. Add to the mix that a bunch of people (teens and 20 somethings) who get into politics have a mentality similar to groupies, e.g. “ooo, I met so-and-so…” Politicians have sex with a bunch of partners. Getting married stops this for very few. If Blagojevich snitches on people, it will be entertaining, but I won’t be surprised. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:48 pm: Everyone! - Let’s sing! B-L-A-G-O ! We have a former governor, And Blago is his name-o. B-L-A-G-O! B-L-A-G-O! B-L-A-G-O! Corrupted to the core-o! He’s arrested selling Obama’s seat, And brought before a judge-o. (Clap)-L-A-G-O! (Clap)-L-A-G-O! (Clap)-L-A-G-O! Who forced him to post bond-o! Democrats throughout the land, Demanded he resign-o. (Clap)(Clap)-A-G-O! (Clap)(Clap)-A-G-O! (Clap)(Clap)-A-G-O! Instead he picked Roland-o! He was impeached by the House, But he refused to attend-o. (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)-G-O! (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)-G-O! (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)-G-O! He claimed the rules were rigged-o! He was removed unanimously, No longer is he govn’-o. (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap)- Oh! (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap)- Oh! (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap)- Oh! In debt and with no job-o. Still he appears on tv-land, Indict him! convict him! jail-o! (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap) (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap) (Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap)(Clap) The end is here for Blag-o! - Scooby - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 12:48 pm: Perhaps a trip down memory lane is in order. In 2002 there was a very strong whisper campaign going on that Blagojevich got arrested in Springfield for solicitation and that Ald. Mell had to drive down in the middle of the night to bail him out and keep the whole thing quiet. Now that made no sense, and none of the reporters were willing to report it, until Mell went on a radio station and denied the rumor and talked about how much it was hurting his family. Once Mell broke his silence all the papers reported his denial, it gave them a reason to write about the rumor. Then in 2004 after Blagojevich had cleaned house in his security detail after a number of embarrassing mishaps there was a rumor campaign that he had an affair with a staffer. Again the story only got minimal attention because it was coming from disgruntled former detail guys with a bone to pick. Today seems like a good day to remember the lesson that it’s very easy to alledge that people engage in certain behaviors when they’re down in Springfield and away from their families. The law of averages says that with the number of people that travel to Springfield for session some of them will misbehave. But making such broad accusations hurts the families of the innocent and that’s a lesson he should have already learned. - steve schnorf - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:02 pm: Let’s focus on the fact that no one is perfect, and that even imperfect people do good things. - Leave a light on George - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:07 pm: I was quite tickled by a previous commenter comparing Blago to Jose Canseco. Let’s remember that most of the dirt dished by Jose has proven to be true. Also Anonymous45 would it be too much to ask you to post a picture? - anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:20 pm: This should be fun. If anything good comes of this mess, perhaps Blago will the system of many others who should not be in office or who should not be using this as a chance to get press for themselves or try to move up. We all know that there are a lot of lawmakers that should be concerned if Blago goes down this path. Too bad he was the only elected official with taped phone conversations. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:25 pm: ===We all know that there are a lot of lawmakers that should be concerned if Blago goes down this path.=== Why would he know anything much? I mean, the guy never palled around with very many legislators, even when he was in the GA. And why would anyone believe him? The man is clearly a pathological liar. But there are stories about him. Just sayin… - Anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:33 pm: Does the Megalomaniac get to keep his campaign “stash” fund? - Dan Vock - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:50 pm: Along the unemployment lines, there was a case of a campaign manager for a Kansas gubernatorial candidate trying to get unemployment benefits after his side lost. If I remember right, he never got anywhere. http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/oct/05/excampaign_manager_fights_unemployment_benefits/ - Bill - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:58 pm: There was a reason that Rod had to be home every night and was not allowed to spend all night in the patch. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 1:59 pm: Very true, Bill. He was reportedly on a very short marital leash after DC. - Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 2:00 pm: But there are stories about him. Just sayin… MJM’s “indiscretions” statement about Blago was made in, what, 2006? Never heard too much of a follow-up to that one. - dupage dan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 2:21 pm: Dan S - voter and cubs fan, I, too, didn’t vote for Blagojevich either time. Doesn’t matter. He was elected twice. It is a reflection on this state as a whole no matter what. I hear people make fun of Minnesotans for electing Jesse Ventura. Few make the distinction about how many voted. He was elected by a majority. That’s all that counts. - Anonymous45 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 2:39 pm: Leave a Light: I don’t think so…just use your imagination… - Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 2:43 pm: So, womanizer can be added to Blago’s list of accomplishments. I remember him staring at the chest of one of his pretty campaign workers who was wearing his button and when it got uncomfortable he simply said, “I like your button”. I thought that was pretty slick. - Qwerty - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 2:56 pm: The stain is on the move… I repeat, the stain is on the move. Twits: Gov blagojevich is in nyc. ‘Hannity’ airs at 9pm et on fox newschannel. Folks recognized gov at the ny airport and showed their support for him. - Stooges - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 3:52 pm: I hope he talks about his chance to play minor league baseball tonight on Hannity. Ever been to a minor league game? While I appreciate the game at any level, Blago will fit right in with other stunts such as cow-milking contests, spin around with your forehead on a bat and try to run, and other zany ideas that even Bill Veeck would avoid. - Charlie Wheeler - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 4:02 pm: Point of Information: Blagojevich did NOT receive a majority of the votes cast for governor in 2006. Blagojevich 1,736,731 Topinka 1,369,315 Whitney 361,336 Stufflebeam 19,020 McCoy 476 11 others 851 TOTAL 1,750,998 Source: Illinois State Board of Elections, Ballots Cast, General Election - 11/7/2006, Governor and Lieutenant Governor. - Secret Square - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 4:11 pm: Thanks, Charlie, for pointing this out… also worth noting that RRB’s failure to get a majority of the vote occurred despite his having spent gazillions on ad nauseum campaign commercials painting JBT as a corrupt stooge of George Ryan. - Anon III - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 4:33 pm: I didn’t read this RRB item. I skip all RRB items. Everybody should. - Penelope Pitstop - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 4:46 pm: Vanilla Man! I am roaring at your Magnifico sketch. Do you watch alot of TV? Magnifico should be made into a cartoon. - Anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 4:57 pm: A rolling pin is an assault weapon? What is she thinking? - steve schnorf - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 5:11 pm: Charlie, I have always enjoyed making the point, though, that almost 75% of the registered voters in Illinois didn’t oppose his re-election. - Huh? - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 5:14 pm: How would blago know what was going on in Springfield - he was never there. - Bookworm - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 5:19 pm: “Almost 75 percent of the registered voters in Illinois didn’t oppose his re-election”. What do you mean by that? Are you referring to the number of registered voters who did not vote at all (in either the primary or general elections) plus the number who actually voted for him? - Charlie Wheeler - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 5:19 pm: Steve: Also true, and a valid point. - Bookworm - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 5:26 pm: I have also suspected for some time that RRB’s aversion to staying at the mansion was because he didn’t want to make the same mistake Bill Clinton did, particularly if he planned on running for president someday. He didn’t want security people or staff at the mansion to see him doing things that were questionable (not just morally but legally) and then spill the beans on him later. - Mike - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 5:52 pm: Once again the former Gov is doing the right thing for the wrong reasons, we all know the leadership in Springfield are making millions using their political clout, Madigan, Deleo, Cullerton… The people get what they deserve. - Marianne North - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 6:16 pm: Cullerton is not a man of the people because he drives a Jaguar? Yet, it’s not bourgeois for Carol Adams, Secretary of the Department of Human Services to have a chauffeur paid for by the taxpayers? - Little Egypt - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 6:47 pm: I was an election judge in 2006 and paid particular attention to some statistics: 2006: Less than 50% of people in Illinois eligible to register to vote did so. Less than 50% of people in Illinois registered to vote did so. Blago was elected by a little under 50% of the popular vote. You can look at this two ways. A little under 12.5% of the people in Illinois actually voted for this bozo, thus giving him a second term. OR, taking into account the over 50% of the people who were too lazy to get off their butts and register to vote and to go vote, that means that 87.5% of the people in Illinois put this guy into office the second time. If you fall into one of the above categories (haven’t registered or didn’t vote), then you share as much blame for putting Blago back into office as the -12.5% who actually voted for him. - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 6:53 pm: =You wonder how Balanoff can consider himself a “strong witness” for the prosecution and not be a “target,” “subject,” or “worried one bit.” At the very least, you would think they must have been dancing pretty close to the edge if he’s such a strong witness= Well said, word. You would also think that the G and/or his own mouthpiece would have told him to dummy up, no exceptions, until court time… The difference between Cullerton and Blago? Cullerton drives a Jag, Rod is a.., well, you all know the rest… - Bookworm - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 6:59 pm: Ok, I get it. The 50 percent of Illinois registered voters who didn’t bother to vote at all in 2006, added to the half of the other half (25 percent) who voted FOR Blago, equals 75 percent of registered voters who did not oppose Blago’s re-election. It is my theory, however, that after months of Blago’s endless hammering on what JBT was thinking, combined with the endless revelations of corruption in his administration, most Illinois voters just threw up their hands, decided both major candidates were equally crooked, and at that point, decided to either 1) not vote at all or 2) vote for the crooked pol who at least promised not to raise their taxes. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 8:04 pm: ================== In a backhanded way, he could be the real impetus for true reform in our state. =================== Or, desensitize the public even further. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 8:21 pm: ================== And regarding whether he was ever a womanizer when he was a legislator, I’m sure Patti has a memorandum of understanding regarding his marital vows that spells out exactly what he could and couldn’t do. ============== If she does, she’d better sharpen her pencil and begin revising it now. This boy ain’t gonna be the same after he goes through this latest experience, and the admirers surrounding him are going to be a completely different crowd. 2009 is going to be very interesting with so many “saviors” in our midst. Stock up on popcorn. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 8:57 pm: ==Gov blagojevich is in nyc. ‘Hannity’ airs at 9pm et on fox newschannel.== Be good to yourself, skip it. Duke’s playing Carolina right now. Doesn’t get much better than that. - Little Egypt - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:23 pm: Wordslinger - You missed a good interview. Hannity at least didn’t suck up to him. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 9:42 pm: Lil E, whale of a ball game going on right now. I’ll catch up with Blago later. - Quizzical - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:07 pm: I hear some of the legislators sing poorly (often after drinking to excess) and wear bad ties (maybe gifts from their mistresses). What’s next from Blago? Is there nobody with any sense who can stop him? - Ahem...The REAL Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 10:20 pm: Anonymous 9:59, have you ever been to Springfield? I can assure you that not EVERYONE in Springfield is “chasing after politicians to sleep with them”. Amazing how some might choose to believe that an entire town is full of floozies, rather than questioning the motivation of someone in a hot seat. - Lynn S - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:03 pm: Dang, I’m almost 2x the legal age, and I’m questioning how I’ve missed all the Blago sex scandals over the years…I’m very disappointed… and wondering what sort of “agreement” Patty and Rod will come to if Rod gets sent to the big house. This may be the time for Roddy to beg to have George Ryan as his cellie… - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:15 pm: Too funny, Quizzical! The tie question might be a good Letterman Top 10. Most obvious answer being that perhaps the politicians are buying the ties on their own after having a couple of drinks after a long day at the office. With regard to who can stop him, you never know. Maybe Mrs. B. will decide to put him in the dog house for a while. - Bookworm - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:17 pm: Anonymous 9:59, I am female and I work for the General Assembly, and I am also happily and FAITHFULLY married to a non-politician, as are most of my co-workers. There are and always will be some who “chase after politicians”, but I would venture to say that most don’t. Between the actual work we do (there is plenty of it) and our families, we just wouldn’t have time. Rod was threatening to do this months ago and frankly I thought he would drop this “bomb” (which will probably turn out to be more of a cherry bomb than a nuclear bomb) before or during the impeachment trial. It’s also an extension of the policy he always followed while governor, of painting Springfield as the source of all corruption and state workers (other than those who paid him for their jobs) as burdens on the taxpayer. - Fed Up State Employee - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:22 pm: What happened to the second part of the Hannity interview when he said he was going to nail him on the WLS comments from earlier this morning? - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 09 @ 11:45 pm: ================ Rod was threatening to do this months ago and frankly I thought he would drop this “bomb”…. ================= I honestly do not understand how he thinks he’s going to win ANY support whatsoever with this latest strategy of his. Attacking marriages with rumor and innuendo? Does he seriously not realize that with just a few phone calls, D AND R women across this State will pack up their kids’ camping gear, hop into their cars and head directly for his front lawn? WHAT is this man thinking?!!!! 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