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This job is tougher than it looks

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Illinois

* Remember how those high school students in the Junior State of America said they’d ask the tough questions of Rod Blagojevich which the media had failed to ask?…

We expect the chance to ask potent questions, something at which JSA excels. It is a tradition in JSA to queue behind a microphone to ask speakers questions that make them squirm, pause or clearly attempt to skirt the issue.

Um, not so much…

Blagojevich took questions from the students, who asked his opinion on tax increases, the deficit and working for Donald Trump. The former governor revealed his predictions for the NFL draft and said, “the economy sucks,” to the delight of those attending.

It ain’t as easy as it looks, kids. But at least one of them was inadvertently honest about the event’s failure…

Naperville North High School student Anastasia Golovashkina, who invited Blagojevich to the event, said it was interesting to watch the former governor work the room.

“People really enjoyed hearing his speech not so much for its content but for the way in which he presented it,” she said. “He kind of wants to overwhelm his audience with such a long speech, that in the end people forget what they wanted from the speech in the first place.”

* Blagojevich also had this revelatory insight…

“It’s a cesspool of cynicism in Springfield,” he said

Maybe so, but the cesspool is a whole lot less deep than when he was governor. Pat Quinn isn’t holding up appropriations so he can shake down a children’s hospital CEO for a big campaign contribution. Then again, if he did, WLS Radio might give him lots and lots of airtime to make his case. Those kids got used for one day. WLS has eagerly offered itself up countless times.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 5:54 am

Comments

The mendacity of that man…. epic.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 6:52 am
I’m shocked he didn’t somehow get on stage with Charlie Sheen last night.

Comment by Gregor Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 6:53 am
–“It’s a cesspool of cynicism in Springfield,” he said.–

The dude’s a living embodiment of cynicism.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 7:47 am
and the living embodiment of a cesspool.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 8:26 am
“Pat Quinn isn’t holding up appropriations so he can shake down a children’s hospital CEO for a big campaign contribution.”

No, Pat Quinn prefers making pay-or-play deals with the unions at the expense of taxpayers.

Our last three governors are a little bit difficult for many people to take, I guess.

Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 8:29 am
Odd that someone like him got elected to multiple offices in Illinois.

And was elected governor. Twice.

You’d think maybe, just maybe there would have been some warning signs or some checks and balances so someone like him couldn’t get elected to office. Multiple times.

Comment by Leroy Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 8:56 am
The kid’s comment is priceless.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 9:07 am
What’s tough, asking real questions or not being played like a violin?

Comment by Jake Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 9:49 am
I was looking forward to the students putting it to Blago (as promised by the young lady a few weeks ago), but the fist was actually a powder puff. They missed a great opportunity after making the mistake of ever inviting the scoundrel in the first place.

Comment by GMatts Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 11:46 am
==Maybe so, but the cesspool is a whole lot less deep than when he was governor.==

Not for state employees, it hasn’t.

Comment by Pat Robertson Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 12:29 pm
“Blagojevich also took part in a ‘Jeopardy!’-style game against students that aimed to raise money for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. He was criticized days after the disasters for appearing on a radio program and comparing his legal woes to that of a personal tsunami. In the end he was declared the game’s winner, though his total points were not announced.”
I especially enjoy the last line.

Comment by Timmeh Monday, Apr 4, 11 @ 2:36 pm