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Scott Fornek picked up on something yesterday that a lot of people missed.
Gov. Blagojevich repeated it over and over Tuesday, saying Republican rival Judy Baar Topinka “didn’t lift a finger” to stop the scandals of former Gov. George Ryan.If that sounds familiar, it should.
The Northwest Side Democrat used the same political strategy — and the exact same phrase — four years ago against his GOP opponent. […]
In 2002, Blagojevich lambasted his GOP opponent, former Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan, for not investigating the outgoing governor. He used the “finger” mantra in television commercials, interviews and joint appearances — five times in one debate alone.
“[Jim Ryan] didn’t lift a finger to investigate the biggest scandal in Illinois history,” Blagojevich said in one 2002 debate.
Read the whole thing.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 7:48 am
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What will he say when one of the many investigations on him and his people becomes an indictment.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 7:54 am
That won’t happen since the Governor hasdone nothing wrong. If someone in his administration has broken the law, inform the inspector general immediately and he or she will be gone. The Governor insists that everyone who works in his administration does things right, legal, and ethical.
Comment by The original Bill Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 8:00 am
Sorry Bill but if it happened under his watch then he allowed it to happened.One standard for all.Plus how could she stop it she wasn’t the Attorney General and if she shares the blame then all elected politicans on both sides of the asle are guilty.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 8:13 am
What did A-Rod have to say in 1996 when he was running for Dan Rostenkowski’s seat?
Comment by Rick Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 8:13 am
Perhaps the good people of Illinois should collectively raise a finger to the governor so he knows we’re still awake and watching.
Comment by Jack Blades Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 9:06 am
Hmmm. What fingers did Blago lift to investigate the “other” biggest scandal in Illinois history, Chicago? Is Blago going to demand Mayor Daley resign for not lifting a finger to clean up the mess under him since he’s been Mayor? And why haven’t any reporters asked Blago about his view on Mayor Daley not lifting a finger to clean up Chicago City Hall? If Topinka isn’t qualified to be Governor because she didn’t lift a finger, why is Daley qualified to be Mayor when he didn’t lift a finger?
Comment by Jeff Trigg Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 9:12 am
Seriously, some reporter needs to ask Blago that next time he uses it. Think of all the headlines if Blago and Daley got into it or if Blago called for Daley to resign. Come on reporters, do your job. Sell newspapers.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 9:15 am
people missed
A TON of people knew Rod would wrap GR around JBT like a beach towel. That was Oberwiese’s main campaign point. I don’t think we can say that this is a “new” point.
JBT could have spoken out. She didn’t.
And in 1996 Rod was running against a NRA loving right wing extremist, not DanR. I suspect he said a lot of things about that.
Comment by Pat C (not a gov emplyee) Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 9:24 am
Rod was criticizing Lisa Madigan and Dan Hynes. They aren’t lifting a finger while his corrupt administration operates.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 9:38 am
Jeff and Anon 9:38 make good points.
This is a Governor who, everytime allegations are made against a department in his administration, claims that he had no idea and/or he should not be held responsible for it in any way. How can he now turn around and say that Topinka bears any responsibility for what Ryan did?
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 9:50 am
If the governor were here right now, I would lift a finger….
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 10:05 am
Good point Rod, what is Lisa Doing to stop you???
I have been on this for more then a year on the blogs. Lisa and Rod lambasted Jim Ryan for not prosecuting George. Not only did Lisa never launch an investigation into George, she has sat by letting Rod do the same and worse.
Would our current candidates please go back to the 2002 campaigns and find the footage of Lisa hammering Jim Ryan for not prosecuting a corrupt governor. This is what can keep her out of the mansion in 2010.
Stewart, not sure you can win now, but you can press Lisa on this issue and either maker her go after Rod now and help Judy or create a record for her 2010 challenger. You my friend hold the key to the next 12 years for the state.
Get on the podium today and ask Lisa, 1. Where is her investigation of George Ryan. She asked Jim Ryan for one in 02, she could have launched one in 03. She will say the feds had it under control but she knew that when she went after Jim.
2. Where is her investigation into Rod? If you don’t think he has done anything wrong start with Millette’s office at IDOT. 15 FBI agents don’t ascend on IDOT headquarters when nothing is wrong. Press her and create a record to hammer her on on 2010. This will prove she has been propped up by daddy and doesn’t have the moxy to go it alone, even when it is clearly the right thing to do and a clear majority of voters what it done.
Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 10:09 am
Just watched the CBS2 video, http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/local_story_108190323.html
I think Mike Flannery’s reaction says it all….
Comment by Lovie's Leather Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 10:20 am
Patriot,
“You my friend hold the key to the next 12 years for the state.”
Stewart is lucky when they let him hold the keys to his own car….
Comment by Bill Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 10:26 am
Lovie you hit the nail on the head. That was a great reaction by Mike Flannery, something I’ve never quite seen from a serious reporter before. Blago looks the stooge trying to play the wise, honest, thoughtful Statesman. What a goof.
Comment by Papa Legba Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 11:10 am
Rick (8:13), more importantly than what he said in 1996 while running for the seat is what Rod did or didn’t do in 1994 while Rosty - under the cloud of federal investigation - was running for re-election with the help of the Democratic Ward organization headed by Rod’s father-in-law.
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 11:25 am
Rod should be careful. If he thinks that keeping your mouth shut is a bad attribute for a governor then he is a mute.
Has he ever said a word about fixing jobs in the city? Has he ever condemned his father-in-law’s ward organization for being able to get hundreds of jobs and promotions for the captains that put him in elected offices? Did he ever attempt to investigate the Coalition for Better Government for being able to get so many truck driver jobs and promotions while they worked precincts for him? As he accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions, did he ever question how his patronage chief could start up a new company and immediately land millions of dollars in roofing contracts at O’Hare? Has he ever shown any real leadership in preventing corruption or has he paid lip service to honest government while engorging himself in unfettered financial gluttony?
People in glass houses should not throw stones and our governor’s house in as transparent and brittle as anyone.
Comment by Bob Wednesday, Apr 19, 06 @ 1:10 pm