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One of the more popular items that was distributed at Republican Day at the fair was a bumper sticker. It read “Blagojevich. No longer our worst governor.”

I was given one of the bumper stickers, but I put it in my back pocket and it got a bit crumpled…

Say what you want about Pat Quinn, but worse than Rod Blagojevich? C’mon.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:23 am

Comments

Not there yet, but seems to be trying hard.

Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:26 am
That’s more than a tad extreme.

Comment by Joan P. Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:27 am
What a pathetic statement about the IL GOP. It cannot even beat the worst governor in Illinois history? These losers should take a good look in the mirror.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:28 am
Who were the big brains that came up with that one? I’d like to see the ideas that were rejected in favor of that.

And these guys wonder why they can’t win the big one.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:31 am
Felon - Not Felon…

Well, I hope My Party tries to “Fire Quinn” when we are at it with bumper stickers and slogans and hyperbole…

Perspective, please.

Let’s beat Quinn or whoever we in My Party get to run against, then we can focus on slogans that others will mock.

Felon - Not Felon.

Yikes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:31 am
Spot on.

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:32 am
Can only imagine that time could be better spent.

Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:33 am
A bit much, but also kind of funny….

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:34 am
Is that just the union bug at the bottom of the sticker? Anyway, stupid sticker. I voted against them both. I was shocked when Quinn won, but disgusted when Blago was re-elected. I’d take shock over disgust.

Comment by HoosierDaddy Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:35 am
Not funny, not clever, not accurate by a long shot; just dumb. It’s hard to take my own party seriously when the creative thinkers come up with this kind of dopiness. If you want to criticize Pat Quinn, there’s more than enough low hanging fruit. This just makes us look dumb. Anyone who’d put this on their car is even dumber.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:37 am
I just hope that doesn’t come back to bite anyone in ten years.

Hey ILGOP, can you guys spend some more time on development and recruitment? I’m kind of tired of seeing the local Dems run unopposed.

Comment by ChrisB Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:38 am
I guess they finally used up all their “Fire Madigan” items.

Comment by Bluefish Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:41 am
From criminal to clueless.

Comment by What now Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:42 am
The more I think about it, the more it honks me off.

Blago, as governor, shook down a kiddie cancer hospital. He was the lowest of the low. It’s a g-d disgrace to equate Quinn with him.

There were plenty of Illinois GOP heavy-hitters that thought Blago was a-ok to do business with. Big Bob K. Stu Levine. Cellini. Sam Zell and the Tribbies. His jogging buddy Cross. Those guys weren’t rogues — they were the Illinois GOP establishment and they thought Blago was just swell.

It’s a crying shame what’s happened to the Illinois GOP.

Twenty years ago — was it conceivable that Pat Quinn could be elected outright as governor? In a historic GOP national landslide year? In the worst economy since The Depression? With Blago hanging around his neck?

Illinois GOP has no game. That’s why they get beat by Blago and Quinn.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:43 am
Worse than Blagojevich?

Ryan? No.

Walker? Wrong.

Kerner? Nope.

Len Small.

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-07-21/opinion/ct-oped-0721-zorn-20100721_1_state-chief-executives-otto-kerner-rod-blagojevich

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:45 am
The IL GOP is quite the paradox. A party of mostly old white guys who behave like juveniles.

Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:45 am
Not worst governor, but not competent. I could get behind that humor, though.

Comment by Aldyth Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:46 am
Everyone knows Ninian Edwards was our worst the Governor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninian_Edwards

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:48 am
Quinn will never go to jail, but he doesn’t have floor leaders and Blago did have them. Blago also never vetoed the legislator’s pay. Honestly, it is a pretty close call at this point.

Comment by Kruse Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:55 am
That bumper-sticker is a stark reminder that the Illinois Republicans couldn’t even out-poll the state’s most loathsome governor.

And childish behavior is a big reason for their record of electoral failure.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:56 am
Seems kind of dumb to me, but if you read it strictly it is true. Rod Blagojevich, our worst governor, is our governor no longer.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 9:56 am
Well, let’s give Blago credit for Allkids, a huge step forward for poor and middle class children in Illinois. It’s important to remember that politicians who are really awful people can do really good things for people. And really nice guy, “ethical” politicians can do nothing good of substance–and often do nothing good of substance.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:00 am
The bumper sticker is just wrong. Most inept does not necessarily make you the worst!

Comment by one of the 35 Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:02 am
–Quinn will never go to jail, but he doesn’t have floor leaders and Blago did have them. Blago also never vetoed the legislator’s pay. Honestly, it is a pretty close call at this point.–

Unbelievable. Blago was a sociopath, a vile criminal.

Who was elected twice, by the way — the second time when no reasonable, informed person could have any doubt as to what he was all about.

So the voters are no bargain, either.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:02 am
Blago: I-Pass, All Kids, No tax increases, got along with senate, stupid in fundraising, desperate in the end.
Quinn: Incompetent

Comment by Anon2 Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:03 am
This is the problem with the GOP….in Illinois and nationally. Constantly trash the guy in office, but never offer an alternative, let alone a quality alternative. And when they do finally rustle up some sort of candidate, they campaign as if they’re trying not to lose instead of campaigning as if they’re trying to win. I really do believe the Republicans have given up on policy making and instead now believe their best way forward is the manufacture of conspiracy theories.

Comment by Deep South Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:03 am
@Word–He was the lowest of the low. It’s a g-d disgrace to equate Quinn with him.

I don’t disagree with your point; however, the fact is that PQ said a lot of nice things about Blago on the campaign trail when everyone saw the writing on the wall (except, apparently, the voters who re-elected Blago). PQ kind of “equated” himself with Blago on his own.

For the record, I declined a bumper sticker. It wasn’t a State GOP thing (they were too disorganized to even order enough hot dogs.) It was just some eager beavers.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:09 am
How about some “truth in advertising” for the GOP mantra? Instead, maybe for a future GOP bumper sticker one that reads—–”Pat Quinn–A nice guy but inept and not qualified for the job.”

At least, it would be truthful.

Comment by A Casual Observer Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:16 am
To follow up on anon at 9:28 - the GOP ought not to be talking until they beat Quinn. Blago beat them twice and Quinn once (so far). So what does that say about the Repubs? Nothing good, that’s for sure.

Comment by paddyrollingstone Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:17 am
Rod Blagojevich was, and is, a horrible human being. But he had a more able staff, and they got more done than Quinn’s people, at least in RRB’s first term.

Comment by Ishmael Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:17 am
- he doesn’t have floor leaders -

That says more about those legislators than Pat Quinn.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:21 am
=== It’s like the liberals who kept saying Reagan was dumb. If Reagan and Obama were so dumb, how come they cleaned the other guys’ clocks — twice? ===

=== Who (RB) was elected twice, by the way — the second time when no reasonable, informed person could have any doubt as to what he was all about. So the voters are no bargain, either ===

I copied these posts - one from yesterday and the second one from today. Wordslinger asked the question yesterday and then answered it today.

Probably an unfair comparison but it highlights the issue. The issue is not so much whether or not RB was the worst or Quinn is now. It is the perception on the part of the voters, good bargain or bad. Knowledgeable folks, like many who post here (and likely in the minority), pay attention to the true differences. Those taken in by the populist message, displayed by both governors in their own unique ways, will not likely even be aware of the differences, let alone pay attention to them. That’s the bargain we have to live with. Perhaps that’s why bumper sticker slogans are so popular. Snappy sound bite - no thinking necessary.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:22 am
If all they’ve got are bumper stickers and slogans (Fire Madigan anyone?), 2014 ought to be a breeze. Coming up with juvenile slogans is fun and all, but it doesn’t help you win elections.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:30 am
Please stop beating up on voters. I voted for Rod, knowing that he was a sociopath, because I thought he had assembled an able staff who could keep the train on the tracks. (Most notably, Bradley Tusk.)

I like Judy Baar Topinka, but she didn’t seem to have any vision for the state and she has a dismal — or at least spotty — track record when it comes to picking staff.

And it seemed pretty clear in 2006 that a vote for RRB was probably going to be a vote for Quinn, although it took longer than expected.

Comment by Ishmael Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:34 am
=== - he doesn’t have floor leaders -

That says more about those legislators than Pat Quinn.===

Typical Quinn spin. legislators don’t apply for these spots. Leaders seek them out. Quinn is no leader.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:44 am
Wait a minute–Joel Matteson was indeed found guilty of fraud and swindling the state out of at least $388,000 after his term (1853-1857)?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joel_Aldrich_Matteson

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/teaching_packages/abraham_lincoln/doc28.html

Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:49 am
IMO, interesting.

Tells me that at least part of the Republican party thinks Quinn is going to come out of the primary as the candidate, and they want to get a head start demonizing Quinn. They have a lot of material to work with. And in the eyes of many potential voters, it’s probably going to be a short push to reinforce that perception of Pat Quinn.

Maybe a future GOP bumper sticker that reads:

”Pat Quinn – Vote Incompetent”

Comment by Judgment Day (Road Trip) Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 10:50 am
Oswego Willy,

This is great! We now have a whole new line of clothing and accessories to collect…

Comment by Cincinnatus Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 11:01 am
==Coming up with juvenile slogans is fun and all, but it doesn’t help you win elections.==

What were you thinking?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 11:05 am
The ability of Blagojevich to ascend to be governor demonstrated the breakdown of the media and Democratic Party to screen candidates. And the fact that the GOP had expended trust and goodwill supporting the radical agenda of Bush/Cheney.

Getting rid of Blagojevich didn’t fix these underlying problems in our society.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 11:13 am
- Leaders seek them out. -

So Blago is an example of a leader, eh? I’ll take Pat Quinn.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 11:48 am
Well, ol’ Roddy didn’t attack the retirement security of the employees of the State. He didn’t indirectly equate us to snakes squeezing the State to death by simply asking for what we were promised when we were hired. When I look at what he really wants to do to the people who serve the citizens of Ilinois, the ethics and morals of it, I have to say I’m not so sure the bumper sticker is so very, very stupid.

Of course, the GOP is not going to agree with my reasoning, which in the end makes it all even more humorous.

Comment by Realist Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 12:01 pm
Quinn: Incompetent

Blago: willfully stupid, incompetent,and brazenly sleazy crooked. He only got 14 years…..for what he did, life would have been more just

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 12:57 pm
I will take the question seriously. Blagojevich’s failings were worse than Quinn’s, because they undermined the integrity of government more explicitly and more deeply. Quinn is incompetent at the mechanics of governing and is, in my opinion, a phony rather than a real populist. (A real populist actually fights, argues, and advocates for the people. Quinn just postures, but never engages in the fight.) But Blagojevich actually sought to turn governing into a criminal enterprise, which had the potential to do much more lasting damage. Fortunately he was also incompetent.

Comment by jake Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 1:06 pm
==it wasn’t a state GOP sticker==

And it’s just a bumper sticker. Relax. There are a lot of stupid ones.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 2:02 pm
anon 2:02 above was me. new computer.

Comment by walkinfool Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 2:03 pm
to Wordslinger at 10:02am:
Thank you for saying exactly what was on my mind when I read this post.
You post some very good comments here and I appreciate your thoughts. Keep it up.

Comment by Richard Afflis Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 2:10 pm
- Cincinnatus -,

I hope they have Golf Shirts!

To the Post,

Slogans don’t win elections, voters win elections.

Even a good slogan, can’t make a voter … vote.

When you have a “bad” slogan, bitter, Dopey, petty, sad, and pathetic … you expect in return …bitter, Dopey, petty, sad, and pathetic results.

- Cincinnatus -…hope Dorgan got the copywrite to this, so he can NOT have others try this again.

Dopes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Aug 21, 13 @ 4:06 pm

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