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Topinka slams guv

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Illinois

This is the classic way of keeping a story alive. You mention a news outlet’s work in your press release. Then the news outlet makes that a story. AP:

Gov. Rod Blagojevich should “come clean” about how his administration hires people for state jobs, state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka said Monday.

The Republican candidate for governor chastised Blagojevich for “yet another different answer” on his employment practices after an Associated Press report that raised new questions about the administration’s procedures.

A Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman responded that the first-term Democrat has answered questions and can’t get into details because investigations are secret.

Except when disclosing those secret investigations helps them, of course.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 4:28 am

Comments

Are these administration hires corrupt? Some of Blagojevich’s administrative departments are involved in assisting AFSCME the union in their contract negotiations with Gateway/Sheridan Correctional Center. This is an unfair labor practice. Check my blog at: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/

Comment by C.L.I.C.K. for Justice and Equality Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 5:51 am
Get in the game JBT !!!! Keep it up !!!!!!!!

Comment by anon. Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 6:16 am
You go, girl!!!

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 6:28 am
ahh, a fresh dose of cynicism in the morning! that’s why i like waking up to a cup of coffee and capitol fax blog every morning!

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 6:34 am
Like I said the Topinka Express is picking up steam.Another HOMERUN for JBT.

Comment by DOWNSATE Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 6:35 am
Picking up steam? Judy is still playing up the Blago corruption meme without offering new ideas of her own. He great idea about DCEO fell FLAT ON ITS FACE. Her supporters should be concerned that her only asset is not under her control, but the control of the US Attorney. Sad, just sad.

Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 7:00 am
Wndy - Thanks to Rod there won’t be enough money for a lot of new ideas. Well, except this one - PAYING THE DAMN BILLS WITHOUT BORROWING BILLIONS OF DOLLARS!!

Or this one: NOT SELFISHLY SPENDING MILLIONS TAXPAYER DOLLARS ON PERSONAL POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS!!

Or this one: WORK WITH THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE ILLINOIS A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE!!

Or this one: GETTING RID OF THE DCEO STRUCTURE THAT ONLY GIVES MONEY TO ROD’S PERSONAL PET PROJECTS!!

Or this one: OBEYING THE LAW REGARDING THE HIRING OF VETERANS!!

Oops, sorry, Wndy. I guess there will be room for some fresh ideas.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 7:12 am
You are a moron, wndycty. Save that stuff for your Chicago Democrat machiners.

I mean, you name says all Southern Illinois needs to know about your priorities.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 7:15 am
Blago says his office does things the right way.

Inspector General said Blago’s patronage office violated the law and operated with complete contempt for the law.

Blago has yet to answer how his patronage office’s behavior is doing things the right way.

Then again, he and his patronage bad apples are from Chicago where it appears violating hiring laws is looked at by many as doing the right thing. Maybe that is what he means: Violating hiring laws is operating the right way.

Blago just needs to clarify this for us. Then we’ll all understand.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:17 am
About time. Now take the news item about the highest deficit in the nation (-$17.5B) and start working the crowd. Keep pushing here is reality and here is what the Governor said. New theme: “Was he thinking we would not figure it out?”

Comment by zatoichi Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:25 am
Dejavu - Dejavu - Dejavu

Comment by Dejavu Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:26 am
Calling someone a moron reflects poorly on the region that you claim to speak for. If you had more votes in your beloved Southern Il. maybe Judy and Rod would pay more attention to that region. As it is now it doesn’t matter much what you think!

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:47 am
wndyshty is right, she needs ideas, but I still bet he voted for one of the 7 dwarves who had no ideas outside of we hate Bush.

What role is Rove playing in her campaign? Who is in control? They cannot be this incompetent. She has rolled out a jobs plan, perhaps they are waiting soaking up the free press and saving their ideas and money. If Rove is anywhere near this campaign, it will not be a cakewalk for Blago. Of course, this would be Rove’s first time campaigning in IL.

Comment by Wumpus Extremus Maximus Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:48 am
Details of the investigation are secret. Details of hiring practices are protected. Money allocated in the budget is in lump sum form with no description. Money is diverted to stem cell research with no appropriation.

Comment by Marvelous Wonderful Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:49 am
I wasn’t done, sorry. This message of “A Blagojevich campaign spokeswoman responded that the first-term Democrat has answered questions and canâ€™t get into details…” is getting very very very tired. Time them to all go.

Comment by Marvelous Wonderful Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 8:51 am
blago administration and responses are now starting to sound a little defensive with a hint of frustration. topinka is slooowly getting her messaage out there and people in our area are starting to listen and take note. note no matter what poll blago can not get above the mid 40’s. now the latest on the highest debt in the country. of course, all these democrats love the debt, because that gives them a reason to have to raise taxes in the future.

Comment by ron Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 9:22 am
Doctor, we’re feeling a pulse.

Comment by BuckTurgidson Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 9:30 am
This election is about Blagojevich. He refuses to tell the truth. We don’t need new ideas. We need an honest governor. This one isn’t, so it is time for a new one.

Like the Tribune said: Rod Ryan.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 10:42 am
If Blago is re-elected - and there will certainly be another Dem majority in both the Senate and the House - it’s safe to assume that any policies he wants will be pushed through. The same thing is happening in D.C., and one-party rule is not going to well in either Springfield or D.C. Balance is a good thing, and JBT would represent that balance. The deficit is too high, bills aren’t being paid, investigations are raging on and these MOUs really make our state look bad. People have to wake up and see the writing on the wall.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 10:52 am
Blago says he is hunting down and eliminating corruption. Yet, his Inspector General said his patronage office violated the law and operated with utter disregard for the law.

Blago should explain why Cini, his Chicago based counter part, and their corrupt staffs are still employed by the state? Blago needs to explain why he not eliminated these bad apples?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 10:53 am
TeamSleep,
Were you whining about one party rule in 1995?

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 10:57 am
Joe was only following orders from Rod and Lon. Sources say he has already stated he will not go down for Rod or Lon. Future looks very promising in this regard. We just need to practice patience. Justice will be served.

Comment by Dejavu Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 11:54 am
George Ryan had Scott Faywell. Chief of staff and campaign manager.

Rod Blagojevich has Lon Monk. Chief of staff and campaign manager.

Anyone else think that is not all they will have in common?

Comment by BigBob Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 12:03 pm
Speaking of the hiring scandal(s), did the gov’s office ever explain the reasons for firing the two supposed grade changers? It is now way past the July 19 deadline.

Comment by Jack Blades Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 2:10 pm
Bill: Last I knew - it still was one state, both north and south of I-80.

Comment by Peaches Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 5:28 pm
Bill, are you aware of how arrogant you sound? Might does not make right. Just because Cook County has numbers, doesn’t make it the center of the universe. Believe it or now, those south of I-80 can speak, write, have educations, but mostly they know right from wrong and can recognize a flim-flam man from a mile away. In other words, we have brain power and street smarts when it comes to recognizing a stinker when we see one.
Try not to be so smug and self-rightious and try thinking of this state as your home, not some place to practice nasty partisan politics. Most politicians are the same, egotists, and there is no celebrating that. Serving the people has gone the way of the horse and buggy.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jul 25, 06 @ 9:03 pm
Memo to Judy Baar Topinka’s campaign people: Wake up and smell the coffee! Can you run a campaign any worse? Why don’t you just hand the office to Rod on a plate? I have NEVER seen such a lackluster campaign. Judy: tune in PLEASE - fire these morons and hire someone who knows what they are doing! McFadden may be the only one with a clue in that office…but this office/race is yours to take! Take it! Quit screwing up and watch your mouth! And, how about a few more formal positions, like on EDUCATION like you promised to Dick Kay? I can’t believe how this campaign is blowing it. Could there be an easier candidate to beat than “Official A”? Money ain’t everything, you know. Or, you should know by now. Sheesh….

Comment by Criminal Enterprise Called Illinois Wednesday, Jul 26, 06 @ 12:19 am