* I expressed some doubt to subscribers yesterday that the iTunes tax was going anywhere, based on conversations I’d had with some high-level players and my own gut feeling that the tax on music and video downloads would make nervous legislators even more nervous because it would attract way too much attention. Quinn backed off today…
Gov. Pat Quinn is backing off a proposal to tax music and video downloads in an effort to plug the state’s massive budget hole, saying he still believes raising the income tax is the best way to generate money for the state.
Quinn floated the idea of taxing downloads from online services such as iTunes in a meeting with legislative leaders earlier this week, but the proposal received a cold reception in Springfield. Today, Quinn said that he was simply offering suggestions on ways to solve the state’s budget crisis and does not support the plan, which would have generated $5 million to $10 million a year.
“We had a meeting with the legislative leaders the other day, we made a list of all the possible things that could happen,” Quinn said. “I didn’t advocate that. I’m not interested in doing that, frankly.”
* We’ve known for some time that there was no way the Senate would approve this bill this year…
Regardless of their income, senior citizens can continue riding Chicago-area mass transit for free after the state Senate Wednesday preserved what a GOP critic called one of impeached, ex-Gov. Blagojevich’s “last and most impulsive acts.”
A Democratic-led Senate panel narrowly rejected a Republican push to prevent affluent seniors from skirting fares on buses and trains and tying the free-rides program to a retirees’ income.
* I wrote weeks ago that it was highly doubtful that McCormick Place would really try to take on the two gigantic contractors which control the big trade shows. Yep…
The trade unions have been pushing for audits of trade-show contractors to ensure they pass along labor cost savings to customers. The McPier board approved a softer version, recommending only that McPier have the right to review and verify contractor billing statements.
The contractors are hugely powerful and the insiders know it. They can very easily direct shows away from McCormick Place to the point where the buildings would be forever empty. And the unions are right that we ought to know how big their markups really are. But, the contractors have the biggest guns in the room by far, so they were coddled.
The board’s biggest decision was to eliminate Focus One…
(T)he board voted 4-3 to recommend eliminating Focus One, the in-house electrical service whose high prices have been a source of customer anger, and to allow trade shows to hire outside contractors.
Mind-boggling markups on electricity, electrical services, Internet, etc. had to go. Problem is, that’s how McPier pays its staff salaries. So, they want an annual operating subsidy and a debt restructuring…
To make the recommended package click, McPier is seeking a $20 million to $25 million annual operating subsidy from Springfield, in addition to a restructuring of its expansion debt.
I was told yesterday that the subsidy probably wouldn’t begin for about 18 months.
The rest of the board’s proposed reforms don’t look too bad, however…
# In terms of new work rules, the interim board recommends making union workers employees of McPier and reducing by half the number of crews required to set up a trade show.
# State and city marketing dollars allocated to the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau to attract trade shows should go directly to McPier, the board decided. […]
# Exhibitors will now be allowed to bring in food from outside restaurants and caterers.
Even the Tribune editorial board was laudatory…
These changes, at first blush, look like they would go a long way to answer the biggest criticisms of McCormick Place customers who have been threatening to take some of the nation’s biggest trade shows to other cities. The customers have been begging McCormick Place to make its operations affordable. They’re tired of getting fleeced.
* Roundup…
* Truth in tuition
* Push to eliminate free rides for seniors fails in state Senate
* All seniors get to keep riding the train for free
* Two lawmakers fight for good government
* State wants every child to have savings account
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* Rod Blagojevich’s attorneys filed a motion today to subpoena President Obama to testify at the former governor’s trial…
“President Obama has direct knowledge to allegations made in the indictment. In addition, President Obama’s public statements contradict other witness statements, specifically those made by labor union official and Senate Candidate B,” the motion said.
The motion is here. Several parts are redacted, but you can easily copy and paste the entire motion into a text file and view all the redacted material. Oops on somebody’s part.
* All of the most explosive allegations in the motion were redacted.
Blagojevich’s lawyers allege that Tony Rezko admitted to violating the law by personally contributing “a large sum of cash” to a public official’s campaign, which the Blagojevich people say is Obama.
The lawyers claim that Obama may not have been telling the truth when he said Rezko never relayed a request from a lobbyist to hold a fundraiser for Obama in exchange for favorable legislative action (Obama, however, refused to agree to the offer, Rezko allegedly says).
They also claim that Obama allegedly lied when he said he didn’t have any conversations with Rezko about a casino license…
In a recent in camera proceeding, the government tendered a three paragraph letter indicating that Rezko “has stated in interviews with the government that he engaged in election law violations by personally contributing a large sum of cash to the campaign of a public official who is not Rod Blagojevich. … Further, the public official denies being aware of cash contributions to his campaign by Rezko or others and denies having conversations with Rezko related to cash contributions.
Rezko has also stated in interviews with the government that he believed he transmitted a quid pro quo offer from a lobbyist to the public official, whereby the lobbyist would hold a fundraiser for the official in exchange for favorable official action, but that the public official rejected the offer. The public official denies any such conversation.
In addition, Rezko has stated to the government that he and the public official had certain conversations about gaming legislation and administration, which the public official denies having had.
President Obama is the only one who can testify as to the veracity of Mr. Rezko’s allegations above.
A redacted footnote offers further explanation…
The defense has a good faith belief that this public official is Barack Obama.
As its proof, the Blagojevich people reference a 2006 Sun-Times story…
Senator Barack Obama was asked: “Did Rezko or his companies ever solicit your support on any matter involving state or federal government? Did Al Johnson, who was trying to get a casino license along with Tony Rezko, or Rezko himself ever discuss casino matters with you?”
Senator Obama answered: “No, I have never been asked to do anything to advance his business interest. In 1999, when I was a State Senator, I opposed legislation to bring a casino to Rosemont and allow casino gambling at docked riverboats which news reports said Al Johnson and Tony Rezko were interested in being part of. I never discussed a casino license with either of them. I was a vocal opponent of the legislation.”
* The rest of the redacted stuff mostly involves claims by the Blagojevich team that Barack Obama was not totally truthful during FBI questioning. “Senate Candidate B” is Valerie Jarrett, who is now one of three senior advisers to the president…
9. Yet, despite President Obama stating that no representatives of his had any part of any deals, labor union president told the FBI and the United States Attorneys that he
spoke to labor union official on November 3, 2008 who received a phone message from Obama that evening. After labor union official listened to the message labor union official told labor union president “I’m the one”. Labor union president took that to mean that labor union official was to be the one to deliver the message on behalf of Obama that Senate Candidate B was his pick.
10. Labor union official told the FBI and the United States Attorneys “Obama expressed his belief that [Senate Candidate B] would be a good Senator for the people of Illinois and would be a candidate who could win re-election. [Labor union official] advised Obama that [labor union official] would reach out to Governor Blagojevich and advocate for [Senate Candidate B].. . . [Labor union official] called [labor union president] and told [labor union president] that Obama was aware that [labor union official] would be reaching out to Blagojevich.” (Labor union official 302, February 3, 2009 p. 3).
11. According to Senate Candidate B, on November, 4 2008, Senate Candidate B spoke with labor union official about the Senate seat. Labor union official said he spoke to Obama. Labor union official said he was going to meet with Blagojevich and said “he was going to push Blagojevich hard on this.
* There is also an allegation of an attempted quid pro quo on the Jarrett Senate appointment…
Supporter of Presidential Candidate Obama is mentioned in a phone call on November 3, 2008, having offered “fundraising” in exchange for Senate Candidate B for senator (Blagojevich Home Phone Call # 149).
…Adding… Obama allegedly shot down former Senate President Emil Jones’ name when it was floated by the Blagojevich team as a possible Senate appointment. And Rahm Emanuel floated Cheryle Jackson’s name…
President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI that he had a conversation discussing the Senate seat with Obama on December 7, 2008 in Obama’s car. President’s Chief of Staff told the FBI “Obama expressed concern about Senate Candidate D being appointed as Senator.
“[President’s Chief of Staff] suggested they might need an expanded list to possibly include names of African Americans that came out of the business world. [President’s Chief of Staff] thought he suggested Senate Candidate E who was the head of the Urban League and with President’s Chief of Staff’s suggestion.”
*** UPDATE *** The New York Times hasn’t figured out that the redactions can be seen…
Judging from what can be seen of the motion, which is full of blacked-out sentences and words (to comply with rules about sealed information), Mr. Blagojevich’s lawyers are hoping the president himself will point up contradictions in the prosecution case and testify about whether he had sent “emissaries” to Mr. Blagojevich with regard to who the White House would prefer fill the Senate seat.
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Question of the day
Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller
[I’ve decided to rename this post and rewrite it slightly to make it our QOTD.]
* We’ve often complained here that the State Board of Elections’ website is a heaping pile of stinking electronic decay.
Well, they appear to have completely revamped their site. I haven’t had a chance to do much with it yet, but I figure we ought to run it through the paces today. So, click here, look around, and pick it apart. Thanks.
* The Question(s): What do you like about the board’s new site? What do you hate the most? Explain.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Campaign 2010 roundup
Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller
* State Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady says fundraising is going well…
When the state GOP holds its annual fundraising dinner tonight, there just may be a little more bubbly in their toasts than usual.
“We’ve raised more in the first quarter than the party did all last year. I think there is a lot enthusiasm,” [Brady said]. “The Democrats keep giving us opportunities every day - bringing in lot of new donors.”
* Bill Brady’s campaign sent out a notice today that Brady’s tax returns will be “made available to the media Friday, April 23rd between 1p.m.-4p.m. in the Citizens for Bill Brady Springfield office.” No word yet on whether Brady will allow copies to be made or if it’s just gonna be a lookie-look. I’ve asked, but haven’t heard back. I’ll let you know when I do.
*** UPDATE *** From the Brady campaign…
Those who go to the office in Springfield will be able to look at 5 years worth the returns, and talk to Bill’s attorney. Everyone will get a summary to take with them.
[ *** End of Update *** ]
* Speaking of taxes, Greg Hinz noticed something about some recent camapaign finance disclosures…
Almost across the board in major races for governor, U.S. senator and Congress, Democratic candidates have put their campaign workers — at least some of them — on the payroll and have been paying FICA and other taxes on them.
But not Republicans. Though some now say they’re changing, they’ve followed a different approach, treating all of their campaign managers, press aides and the like as independent contractors, which makes the individual and not the “employer” responsible for any tax liability. […]
In the race for Illinois governor, during the last six months of 2009 — the latest for which figures are available — Mr. Quinn’s campaign reported paying $52,000 to the IRS and another $5,200 to the Illinois Department of Revenue for payroll taxes. That’s money Mr. Quinn surely could have used for other purposes, like TV ads.
The GOP nominee, state Sen. Bill Brady, reported no such payments. Which means that folks who made as much as $12,500 in the last half of the year worked for his campaign on “consulting” or “contractual services,” as Mr. Brady’s state disclosure put it.
Mark Kirk was the only Republican Hinz could find who paid payroll taxes. Sen. Brady’s campaign has recently put its employees on the regular payroll and is paying payroll taxes.
Gov. Quinn’s campaign responded a few minutes ago via press release…
“Senator Brady talks about lowering taxes. Who realized he was really talking about his own? […]
“By shifting the tax burden to his employees, Bill Brady has once again demonstrated his core belief that the upper class should exploit every opportunity to avoid paying their fair share, leaving hard-working Illinois residents to carry the load. Bill Brady’s actions undermine the safety net of Medicare and Social Security and once again demonstrate his disdain for average Illinois residents. From opposing the minimum wage and equal pay for equal work to allowing discrimination in the workplace, Brady would rather protect his own interests than those of the working class. Illinois residents deserve better.”
…Adding… Thanks to a commenter, here’s the Dan Seals campaign commenting on the Bob Dold campaign’s failure to pay payroll taxes…
“Avoiding taxes is illegal and it is wrong. As a small business owner, Bob Dold should know better.”
According to IllinoisBusinessAttorney.com: “A worker is generally an employee when the business has the right to direct and control his work, even if the business does not actually exercise the right to direct or control how the work is done.” Furthermore, according to the Internal Revenue Service, the burden of proof is on the employer to demonstrate that the workers are independent contractors and not employees, which require business tax payments.
* Speaking of class warfare, a class-action suit has been filed against Gov. Quinn. From a press release…
With free legal aid from National Right to Work Foundation attorneys, a group of home-based personal care providers today filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court against Governor Pat Quinn and union officials for their efforts to force Illinois personal care providers under unwanted union boss control.
The suit stems from an executive order issued by disgraced former-Governor Rod Blagojevich shortly after his election, later codified, in which over 20,000 personal care providers who care for individuals with disabilities were designated as “public employees” of the state of Illinois for the purpose of granting Service Employees International Union (SEIU) bosses monopoly “representation” and forced dues privileges over them.
Following the Rod Blagojevich blueprint of forced unionism, Quinn signed an executive order last June that made an additional 4,500 home-based personal care providers susceptible to unwanted union boss bargaining and political “representation.” Not coincidentally, Quinn received the SEIU union bosses’ political endorsement and support during his recent closely-contested primary campaign for the Democratic nomination for Governor.
The additional 4,500 home-care providers who are not yet under union control soundly rejected union membership by a two-to-one margin in a mail-in vote. However, per Quinn’s executive order, the home-care providers may again be subject to out-of-state SEIU and American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union organizers making “home visits” attempting to organize the home-care providers through coercive “card check” unionization tactics.
The complaint can be downloaded by clicking here.
* Quinn’s campaign also issued a press release today touting the governor’s environmental record and blasting Sen. Brady’s…
…Senator Brady has displayed a hostile attitude toward environmental protection and sustainability. He claims that human activity doesn’t contribute to global warming, no matter what scientists say. His outdated thinking matches his 17-year record, which includes votes against reducing Illinois’ greenhouse gasses, emissions testing for diesel trucks, and the prohibition of sludge treatment plants near Lake Michigan.
That’s an environmental vision from 1910 — not for 2010.
Nice line at the end.
* Related…
* Broadway Bank Looms Over Illinois U.S. Senate Race: A big deadline is just a few days away for Chicago-based Broadway Bank. The family of U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias owns the bank, which has been ordered by regulators to raise millions in capital.
* Hare Refuses to Release Poll Results
* Houlihan’s office responds to Berrios’ “blatant falsehood”
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* As I told subscribers this morning, the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute has a released a poll of southern Illinois voters…
For the first time, a poll has been conducted solely of Southern Illinois residents, showing how people in the region feel about many important issues. And the general consensus is they don’t feel good.
The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute released on Tuesday the first results of the Southern Illinois Poll, which focuses on an 18-county region spanning the southern part of the state. It is the first such poll conducted on a local level by the institute. […]
“I’m struck by what a bad mood people are in,” said institute Director David Yepsen said. “People think things are headed in the wrong direction in the country, overwhelmingly so in the state, and it’s pretty clear to me that people of Southern Illinois are in a bad mood.”
Toplines are here.
The counties polled…
Alexander, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Saline, Union, Washington, White and Williamson
* Some questions…
The election for Governor of Illinois… if the election were held today, would you vote for…
Quinn 25.4%
Brady 48.6%
Whitney 5.2%
Someone else 1.5%
Other/Don’t know 19.2%
Next, the election for the US Senator from Illinois… if the election were held today, would you vote for…
Giannoulias 24.7%
Kirk 42.1%
Jones 4.5%
Someone else 3.0%
Other/Don’t know 25.7%
Those who thought that Kirk wouldn’t do well in the deep south may be in for a surprise.
* Approval ratings…
Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives Mike Madigan
Strongly approve 3.2%
Somewhat approve 20.2%
Somewhat disapprove 15.5%
Strongly disapprove 23.2%
Other/Don’t know 37.9%
President Barack Obama.
Strongly approve 17.5%
Somewhat approve 19.2%
Somewhat disapprove 14.0%
Strongly disapprove 45.6%
Other/Don’t know 3.7%
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn.
Strongly approve 3.7%
Somewhat approve 27.2%
Somewhat disapprove 25.2%
Strongly disapprove 29.4%
Other/Don’t know 14.5%
While 38 percent don’t know enough about Madigan to rate him, his disapproval numbers are certainly ominous for his candidates.
* Right track, wrong track…
Generally speaking, do you think things in our country are going in the right direction, or are they off track and heading in the wrong direction?
Right direction 22.7%
Wrong direction 69.8%
Other/Don’t know 7.5%
And what about the direction of the State of Illinois?
Right direction 6.5%
Wrong direction 85.3%
Other/Don’t know 8.2%
And how are things going in your city or area of the state?
Right direction 47.6%
Wrong direction 41.9%
Other/Don’t know 10.5%
Regardless of what you think about the direction in your part of the state, tell us what you think about the overall quality of life in your area.
Excellent 4.5%
Good 31.9%
Average 35.9%
Not so good 18.5%
Poor 9.2%
Translation: The direction of the country sucks, the direction of the state sucks way more, but we’re more positive on the direction of southern Illinois and find it a decent place to live.
* Party ID…
Strong Democratic 14.2%
Not-strong Democratic 14.5%
Independent-Democratic 5.2%
Pure Independent 7.7%
Independent-Republican 14.5%
Not-strong Republican 16.2% Strong Republican 16.7%
Other/Don’t know 11.0%
* Also, 53 percent say the new national health insurance law is a “bad thing,” while just 27 percent say it’s a “good thing.” 55 percent identify as conservatives, 24 percent say they’re moderates and 18 percent say they’re liberals.
* Details…
The poll of 401 registered voters in the area was taken April 5 to 13 and has a margin of error of 4.9 percent. The poll was conducted for the Institute by Customer Research International of San Marcos, Texas. It reports no Illinois political figures as clients and was paid with non-tax dollars from the Institute’s endowment fund.
* Your thoughts?
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The anger isn’t only on the Right
Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some of the rhetoric by speakers at yesterday’s big “Save Our State” rally was pretty heated…
“We are going to be there this afternoon, and we are going to find you (lawmakers),” [Henry Bayer, director of AFSCME Council 31] told the crowd while pointing at the Capitol. “And if you try to leave town without doing your job, we are going to chase you. And when you come back home, we will be there.
“We will keep delivering this message till the job is done … until there is a responsible budget.”
But things went pretty smoothly yesterday and the protesters all seemed very well behaved, even if there was some doubt about the crowd estimates…
The secretary of state’s office agreed with rally organizers that about 15,000 people were at Wednesday’s event.
Well, OK. Perhaps it was the location of the gathering, but I think a previous rally — on June 2, 1981 — was bigger. In that rally, the largest I had ever seen, just about the entire east lawn of the Statehouse was a sea of people. Folks were even in the trees. The State Journal-Register estimated that crowd at 5,000 to 15,000.
There was no doubt, however, that the protesters were mad as heck. Carol Marin had a spot-on analysis…
But this protest is a sign of what the recent Pew poll shows….almost 80% of voters are fed up with government, regardless of party affiliation.
Yep. It seems like everbody’s angry.
* Then there was this…
Maria Whelan, executive director of the child-welfare group Action for Children, told the sign-waving crowd that its voice was louder than anti-tax rallies involving the Tea Party despite getting less attention in the media.
“Isn’t it interesting that when 300 people who call themselves … the Tea Party show up, they’re on the cover of the New York Times? They’re on national television. And when 15,000-plus people show up demanding a responsible budget, we’re nothing?” she said.
Actually, they got a lot of attention yesterday. Most of the state’s big media was there to cover the event. And that coverage was generally favorable, although the opposition was afforded equal treatment…
“I like having [the rally participants] come here because there is not better way for me to explain my position on what’s going in this building and the way I think this state works its way out of its fiscal mess than to talk one-on-one individually with those people,” said Sen. Dale Righter, a Mattoon Republican.
Righter said many of his constituents were at the rally but the message of chants such as “Raise our taxes” did not echo the opinions of the majority of the people he represents. “I don’t know that that kind of theater is necessarily representative of most the people in my district.”
Righter’s district includes Eastern Illinois University, among other facilities. Until the past few years, he was considered a Downstate moderate. No longer.
* At one point, protesters were asked to turn around and face the Statehouse to shout “Raise my taxes!”…
“Raise my taxes! Raise my taxes! Raise my taxes!” they chanted, lined up shoulder to shoulder for a few hundred yards stretching a street in front of the Capitol.
Chuck Sweeny responds…
The state should raise their taxes, and anyone else who wants to volunteer to pay more money to this state.
As for me, I prefer not to pay more to a corrupt government that can’t or won’t get its fiscal house in order BEFORE making the case for more money.
So, anyone who wants to donate more money, call the Department of Revenue and tell them you’d like to make an extra donation on top of the income tax you already gave.
* In related news, the Sun-Times likes a new budget proposal by Gov. Pat Quinn…
…we’re intrigued by a bill Quinn floated Tuesday to work around the Legislature. Though the particulars are in flux, Quinn’s “Emergency Budget Act” would give him new powers for one year to make some unilateral budget decisions, with an eye toward finding an additional $400 million in budget cuts, according to Quinn’s budget director.
The bill would, for example, let Quinn override the law that gives retired state employees free health care — rather than wait for legislators to reverse the law. It also would let him roll back some entitlement programs if revenue falls short. Options include increasing co-pays or reducing benefits.
Given the General Assembly’s profound unwillingness to do what’s necessary to balance the budget, we’re open to Quinn’s idea.
* If you missed our videos from yesterday’s event, just click here.
Thoughts on all this?
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Judge punches back hard
Thursday, Apr 22, 2010 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Our quote of the day goes to boxing trainer Pat LaCassa, even though it’s an old quote from bygone days. LaCassa coached Rod Blagojevich during his short-lived Golden Gloves career…
“[Blagojevich] wasn’t a very good boxer, but he liked to fight.” LaCassa said Blago lost his second and final Golden Gloves fight because he kept his gloves up to defend his face.
In other words, he loved to fight, but was afraid to take a punch to his pretty face. Some things never change.
* Blagojevich took a hard right to the chin yesterday…
What began with a bombastic news conference Tuesday — at which Rod Blagojevich summoned U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to show up in court and explain why his office opposed playing all the secret FBI recordings at trial — ended with a federal judge handing down a dose of reality, using boxing analogies.
“I will not allow the legal equivalent of a head butt,” said U.S. District Judge James Zagel, who made it crystal clear that he — and only he — will decide which secret FBI wiretaps will be played at Blagojevich’s trial.
“I will not have the time of these jurors needlessly consumed,” Zagel said of playing all 500 hours of recordings.
Zagel invited the defense to privately submit to him the recordings they would like to play at the June 3 trial so he can rule on what the jury can hear.
He also took a nasty jab to the nose…
Blagojevich can’t insist on playing just any tape, and Fitzgerald doesn’t get to decide either, the judge said. It’s like boxing — there are rules, he noted. The rules say you can’t shove, bite, kick or head-butt your opponent.
“Those rules are enforced by the referee, not by the boxers. I am that referee, no one else,” Zagel told lawyers in the case and Blagojevich, who stood directly in front of the bench, nodding slightly at times. “I will not permit the legal equivalent of head butts.” […]
The judge said the defense can generally air undercover tapes of its choosing at trial in two ways: to counter evidence introduced by the prosecution, and if Blagojevich testifies as he has pledged to do.
While the former governor is on the witness stand, tapes could be played that corroborate his defense. That’s allowed because Blagojevich could then be cross-examined, Zagel said. But the tapes must be relevant.
And the court decides what’s relevant. “Not the defendant, his lawyers, nor the prosecutors,” the judge said.
Kass’ observation was almost brilliant…
Zagel: “Stop with the press conferences and talk of fighting people, before I get medieval on your behind.”
Rod: “How’s that, my friend?”
Zagel: “You ain’t my friend, palooka.”
Rod: “What did you say?”
Zagel: “You heard me just fine, punchy.”
* The brother wasn’t spared, either…
Earlier, Zagel turned down a request from Blagojevich’s brother, businessman Robert Blagojevich, to be tried separately.
Robert Blagojevich’s lawyer, Michael E. Ettinger, had argued that the evidence against the former governor could “spill over” and bias jurors against his client.
* Blagojevich’s bombastic attorney defended his punch-drunk client…
Sam Adam, Senior is one of Blagojevich’s attorneys. He says he didn’t discourage his client from making that challenge.
ADAM: It may have been too personal. I don’t know. I can’t say. I think it was not. I think it was well deserved.
Here are a few of Blagojevich’s quotes from earlier this week…
- “In their proffer of lies, they are now hitting below the belt and attacking my wife.”
- “They are cowards and they are liars.”
- “The government is sneaking into court tomorrow to file a motion to keep all the tapes from being heard.”
- “There’s a smoking gun on those tapes.”
- “They’re covering up that big lie that foreseeably led to a chain of events that stole a governor from the people of Illinois and undid the will of the people.”
- “I’m here today to issue a challenge… I challenge Mr. Fitzgerald. Why don’t you show up in court tomorrow and explain to everybody, explain to the whole world why you don’t want all those tapes that you made played in court? I’ll be in court tomorrow. I hope you’re man enough to be there too.
Not insulting, eh? Sheesh.
* Meanwhile, some reporters who covered yesterday’s events suspected that a small crowd of Blagojevich well-wishers may actually have been Astroturf…
Press in attendance openly mused whether the scene was staged.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, would surprise me about this guy.
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