I was at a breakfast event that morning and let out a “holy…” before I realized everyone was staring at me and wondering what the heck I was doing.
- Leave a Light on George - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
I always wondered how many others ole Rod would have take down with him if the Tribune hadn’t blown the Fed’s cover and discolosed the fact that they had bugged his office and other places.
Collectors prize the photos of Blagojevich which also featured Rahm Emanuel or Barack Obama.
There were many pictures of Blagojevich with Emanuel because Rahm succeeded him in the US Congress and the Governor lived in the same district. Their homes were about three miles apart. They worked together on a loopy plan to save money by purchasing prescription drugs for Illinoisans from Canada.
I almost finished writing the Capitol Fax when the Tribune alert landed in my email inbox.
I inserted a brief paragraph at the top of the page, something like forget the rest of this stuff, head to the blog because the G has just arrested the governor.
My blog was so overwhelmed with traffic that it crashed, as did the Tribune and the Sun-Times.
I stared helplessly at the computer screen while trying hard not to scream murder threats at my site hosting service (very nice and competent people).
I can’t remember exactly, but I think it was 90 minutes before my site started working again.
Ugh.
- Just Saying .... - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:02 pm:
That happens when someone uses the office of governor to shake down a baby cancer hospital.
It’s like a businessman buying a company that produces the only life-saving medications in the world for premature babies with heart defects and then raises their prices by 1,300%
A mixed bag of feelings. While I’m glad that he is where he is, if Ryan had stayed clean, he would have been re-elected in ‘02, and Rod would still be………………
Rich - I knew several people who paid the $$$$ to ride the bus with him when he was campaigning downstate - and guess what, they all highly paid state jobs.
I would love to see Blagojevich escape from prison and embark upon a cross country trek like David Jannsen in “The Fugitive.” In each small town that he enters, Blagojevich would adopt an assumed name and work at some menial job while trying to convince the locals of his innocence. Patrick Fitzgerald could pursue him from place to place.
He’s still in denial. I wonder if he’s trying for an Obama pardon yet.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
It doesn’t seem that long ago….Wow what a day that was. Rich you did a great job that day even though your web site was slow, but that was not your fault.
I don’t think any work was done in State Government that day. It was second to Impeachment day!
My first thought that day: “He still thinks he’ll run for President.”
- Leave a Light on George - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
===I always wondered how many others ole Rod would have take down with him ===
lol
Do you really think that the big boys talked about doing illegal stuff with him or ever would?
C’mon.
Mrs, Rod would have been caught up for sure. Brother Rob I believe would have been snared by something more than his big toe and unless he appointed himself to the Senate somebody (JJJ?) would have purchased that golden seat.
What a great memory! We blasted “He’s In The Jailhouse Now” at least 5 times in our office. Smiles on everyone’s faces. I got to take down his picture and rip it to shreds. What fun.6
since Kristen McQueary has a piece todayabout “Madigan’s selective memory” - let us all recall who it was that consistently opposed Blagojevich’s hairbrained initiatives.
Initials are MJM. Of course, given this is the same person with the same paper that would welcome a “Katrina style disaster” as the solution to illinois’ problems, I guess we shouldn’t be terribly surprised at the selective memory at the RaunerTribune.
- Christopher - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
And here’s the last of the seven dwarfs…. Dopey.
- Abe the Babe - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:38 pm:
I still remember hearing the news. What a crazy state…
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
Had he pled guilty, he could’ve been out by now.
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:40 pm:
Ah yes. The infamous track suit.
- Just Me - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
And I thought that day was the beginning of our state getting fixed. Boy, was I wrong. We’re even more messed up now.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
I was at a breakfast event that morning and let out a “holy…” before I realized everyone was staring at me and wondering what the heck I was doing.
- Leave a Light on George - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
I always wondered how many others ole Rod would have take down with him if the Tribune hadn’t blown the Fed’s cover and discolosed the fact that they had bugged his office and other places.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:43 pm:
===I always wondered how many others ole Rod would have take down with him ===
lol
Do you really think that the big boys talked about doing illegal stuff with him or ever would?
C’mon.
- True Dat - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:44 pm:
Collectors prize the photos of Blagojevich which also featured Rahm Emanuel or Barack Obama.
There were many pictures of Blagojevich with Emanuel because Rahm succeeded him in the US Congress and the Governor lived in the same district. Their homes were about three miles apart. They worked together on a loopy plan to save money by purchasing prescription drugs for Illinoisans from Canada.
- Jordan - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:45 pm:
Free Rod! Can’t believe he got 14 years. Seems highly disproportionate for what he did.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:45 pm:
No worries. The fix is in. Obama will pardon him just like he did Trips and Rezko.
- Hoping for Rational Thought - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:46 pm:
Oh HAPPY DAY!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:46 pm:
===Free Rod!===
As long as they ban him from my teevee and from my state, I don’t care.
Otherwise, he can sit right where he is.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:48 pm:
“Is that you Jimmy?”
Still laugh thinking Rod answered the phone think it was DeLeo.
- okgo - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:49 pm:
in the immortal words of “Bill” -
WHOOPS!
- Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:49 pm:
Mizuno: Your passion is our obsession.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:50 pm:
===Free Rod!===
No, I believe he preferred payment up front.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
I looked at his photo again for several minutes in an attempt to conjure up happy memories or anything that would create some empathy.
I got nothin’
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:54 pm:
There was a definite sound of an inevitable hammer falling.
- DuPage - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
I used to see that picture and think no one could be a worse governor. That was before Rauner.
- Barton Lorimor - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
Some kind of day that was.
- Get a Job!!! - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:55 pm:
What a crazy day that was on the capitol complex….people were going crazy!
- Don't Worry, Be Happy - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:58 pm:
===I looked at his photo again for several minutes in an attempt to conjure up happy memories===
What about those idyllic, off-the-record days you shared together on the bus?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:58 pm:
Leave - yeah, I’m kinda shocked by that, too - especially after the clout lists started being leaked.
- Just Saying .... - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:58 pm:
I wish I could say this was the worst day in Illinois politics, but then again our pathway today does not give me much optimism.
- Excessively Rabid - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:00 pm:
Stolen from the people of Illinois….
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:00 pm:
I almost finished writing the Capitol Fax when the Tribune alert landed in my email inbox.
I inserted a brief paragraph at the top of the page, something like forget the rest of this stuff, head to the blog because the G has just arrested the governor.
My blog was so overwhelmed with traffic that it crashed, as did the Tribune and the Sun-Times.
I stared helplessly at the computer screen while trying hard not to scream murder threats at my site hosting service (very nice and competent people).
I can’t remember exactly, but I think it was 90 minutes before my site started working again.
Ugh.
- Just Saying .... - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:02 pm:
“I should have listened to Jay more often.”.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:03 pm:
===What about those idyllic, off-the-record days you shared together on the bus? ===
If I was dishonest and sneaky, I would’ve worn a wire and made a fortune off the book. Alas, I do my best to keep that stuff off the record.
But, man, the things he and his wife told me off the record was ****ing golden.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
He had a good run, but we all foresaw the day that he’d end up in the pokey.
He became governor - amazing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
–I got nothin’–
That happens when someone uses the office of governor to shake down a baby cancer hospital.
It’s like a businessman buying a company that produces the only life-saving medications in the world for premature babies with heart defects and then raises their prices by 1,300%
- Bogey Golfer - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:11 pm:
A mixed bag of feelings. While I’m glad that he is where he is, if Ryan had stayed clean, he would have been re-elected in ‘02, and Rod would still be………………
- LizPhairTax - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:14 pm:
You think Kelley Quinn had a worse day then or now?
- Stones - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:17 pm:
The definition of a deer in headlights
- illini - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
Rich - I knew several people who paid the $$$$ to ride the bus with him when he was campaigning downstate - and guess what, they all highly paid state jobs.
- Cubs in '16 - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:20 pm:
I do have empathy for his eyebrows.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
Will never forget pulling into the parking lot at my state office that morning and seeing AFSCME members cheering and high fiving the news.
- downstate commissioner - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
This is what you find when you look up “punk” in the dictionary…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:25 pm:
The only true empathy I have/had for Rod Blagojevich was and continues to be for his daughters.
Period.
- AC - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
If we had a museum of America’s Worst Governors, this is one of the pictures I’d want on display.
- Been There - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
===- okgo - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 1:49 pm:
in the immortal words of “Bill” -
WHOOPS! ===
Funniest line ever on this blog. It gave some levity to the situation.
And I agree with Willy about his empathy for the daughters.
- phocion - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
Barf.
- True Dat - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:03 pm:
I would love to see Blagojevich escape from prison and embark upon a cross country trek like David Jannsen in “The Fugitive.” In each small town that he enters, Blagojevich would adopt an assumed name and work at some menial job while trying to convince the locals of his innocence. Patrick Fitzgerald could pursue him from place to place.
- Wensicia - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:06 pm:
He’s still in denial. I wonder if he’s trying for an Obama pardon yet.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
It doesn’t seem that long ago….Wow what a day that was. Rich you did a great job that day even though your web site was slow, but that was not your fault.
I don’t think any work was done in State Government that day. It was second to Impeachment day!
- walker - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
My first thought that day: “He still thinks he’ll run for President.”
- Leave a Light on George - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
===I always wondered how many others ole Rod would have take down with him ===
lol
Do you really think that the big boys talked about doing illegal stuff with him or ever would?
C’mon.
Mrs, Rod would have been caught up for sure. Brother Rob I believe would have been snared by something more than his big toe and unless he appointed himself to the Senate somebody (JJJ?) would have purchased that golden seat.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
“I wonder if he’s trying for an Obama pardon yet.” The heck with the pardon, he’s probably banking on a Hillary VP nod.
- Rusty618 - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
…just after Rod’s last treatment of “Just For Men”!
- siriusly - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
Bad hair day.
- mokenavince - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
One of the thing I don’t miss in life Blagojevich Sundays on WLS and Joe Walsh any where. I hope he tries a jail break.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 4:09 pm:
They should just make that picture the gubernatorial portrait - http://wuis.org/post/whos-afraid-gov-blagojevich
- Ghost - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 4:25 pm:
the new line of Axe prison hair care and body spray products gets a mascot.
- Big.Ern McCracken - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 4:37 pm:
That was some day. It rivals JBT’s death and the morning of 9/11/01.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 4:52 pm:
I think the guy simply lacked a moral compass. From the books I read, it seems that Obama’s ascendancy only accelerated Blago’s moral decline.
- DuPage Dave - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 7:01 pm:
What a great memory! We blasted “He’s In The Jailhouse Now” at least 5 times in our office. Smiles on everyone’s faces. I got to take down his picture and rip it to shreds. What fun.6
- Doane - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 8:09 pm:
Hastert and Farham did far worse. The sentence of 14 years is criminal.
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:14 pm:
Just remember, Rich, that Blago’s antics paid a LOT of bills for you!
- Lynn S. - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:16 pm:
And I also agree with what Willy said about Blago’s daughters.
- Blago's Hare - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:46 pm:
He’s had better hair days, for sure.
- cannon649 - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 9:58 pm:
The pardon will here shortly.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Dec 9, 15 @ 10:22 pm:
Word@2:11…”and revieve EDGE tax credits to finance it”.would that be snark or sarcasm.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 8:13 am:
They could hang that picture in the Governor’s hall at the Capitol. We could have a special wall of mugshots of past Governors.
- low level - Thursday, Dec 10, 15 @ 9:16 am:
Time for the “somewhat way back machine”.
since Kristen McQueary has a piece todayabout “Madigan’s selective memory” - let us all recall who it was that consistently opposed Blagojevich’s hairbrained initiatives.
Initials are MJM. Of course, given this is the same person with the same paper that would welcome a “Katrina style disaster” as the solution to illinois’ problems, I guess we shouldn’t be terribly surprised at the selective memory at the RaunerTribune.