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Â· UPDATE: ICPR has an analysis of Gov. Blagojevich’s Chicago TV ad spending since the primary.

The first wave, which began immediately after the primary and continued through mid-April, featured 30-second spots. In frequency and distribution, this wave was largely similar to the pattern he established in the primary, with a high concentration in news and public affairs and daytime programming. This wave included 453 ads at a cost of $732,000.

The second wave, which began in late-April and ran for about three weeks, featured 15-second spots bookended during ad breaks, including 1,365 ads at a total cost of $1.2 million.

The third wave, which ran from June 2 through July 3, appears similar in placement to the second: 15-second spots bookended during public affairs, news, and daytime programming. This wave included 1,764 ads at a total cost of $1.5 million.

All told, the governor has now spent more after the primary than before; this calendar year, he has spent nearly $4 million running ads in the Chicago market alone.

The campaign has been “dark” in Chicago since then, but ICPR reports that the ads will crank up again next month.

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Â· The Daily Herald has a long Q&A with Barack Obama posted on its site, along with this story:

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama expressed concern about the growing number of reports of potentially illegal hiring under Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but said he’s willing to help his fellow Chicago Democrat’s re-election bid.

“I have not followed closely enough what’s been taking place in these investigations to comment on them,” Obama told the Daily Herald this week. “Obviously I’m concerned about reports that hiring practices at the state weren’t, at times, following appropriate procedures. How high up that went, the degree at which the governor was involved, is not something I’m going to speculate on.

“If I received information that made me believe that any Democrat had not been acting in the public interest, I’d be concerned.” […]

If the governor asks me to work on his behalf, I’ll be happy to do it,” Obama said.

Â· Topinka wants a special session. Didn’t George Ryan try this one? From a press release:

State Treasurer and GOP nominee for Governor Judy Baar Topinka today called on Gov. Rod Blagojevich to call a Special Session of the General Assembly to provide motorists with tax relief from high gas prices.

As a candidate for Governor, Blagojevich criticized state officials for inaction on gas prices — when gas was $1.99 per gallon. As Governor he hasnâ€™t lifted a finger to help Illinois families fight prices that are as high as $3.30 per gallon.

Â· The governor’s latest press release touts his action to protect those vulnerable from the heat.

As Illinois prepares for the heat of August, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced today that up to $9 million in cooling grants will be made available this Monday, July 31, 2006, to help protect the most vulnerable populations of Illinois including seniors, the disabled, and families with small children, from the dangerous weather conditions by assisting with household energy bills.

Â· The Cook County GOP has started a new website called BlagoWatch. It’s a spoof of the governor’s TopinkaWatch website. Check out the morph image on the main page.

Â· Speaking of morphing, the NorthWest Herald’s cartoonist had the same idea as the Cook County Repubs. Check it out.

Â· From a Radogno press release:

The two candidates for Illinois State Treasurer, Republican Christine Radogno and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, will participate in a candidates forum hosted by the National Association of Women Business Owners Chicago PAC on Friday, July 28. This is the first face-to-face debate between the two candidates. […]

What: Illinois State Treasurer Candidates Forum
When: 8 a.m. Friday, July 28
Where: Maggiano’s Banquets
111 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 3:22 pm

Comments

Obama: “If I received information that made me believe that any Democrat had not been acting in the public interest, Iâ€™d be concerned.”

What are you waiting for Republicans? It’s your time to once again claim that Obama endorses corruption in Chicago.

I’ll get you started, “Why hasn’t Obama spoken out about _____?”

Comment by So-Called Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 3:38 pm
With the amount of money Rod has/had it is absolutely no surprise he is spending at this rate on TV. It’s going to be a lonog Fall for Judy. It will be interesting to see next week how much money she has on hand (my guess, no more than $1.5 millon) which will seriously hamper her already weak efforts.

Comment by Political Hack Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 3:51 pm
He had better save some for his court trial.He spent all that money and he is only 11% per cent with that kind of cash flow he should be at 25% so that says he has problems and they are only going to ger worse.

Comment by DOWNSTATE Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 3:54 pm
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama is just buying time. He isn’t going to endanger his future political career for Rod. Mr. Obama has future, Rod does not.

Comment by Timbuktu Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 4:27 pm
As I said in an earlier post on a somewhat related topic, the big winner this year is/will be Chicago TV stations. Expect spending in the governor’s race, the two main contested congressional races and the Cook County board race to surpass Illinois records. When you throw in ad spending for the treasurer’s race and a couple others, the broadcast executives will have a nice bonus at the end of the year.

Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 4:49 pm
Translation of Obama’s b.s.: “I’m turning a blind eye to what Blago is doing, and you can’t prove that I even suspect what everyone else in this state has already figured out. I need his political and financial supporters and will play dumb until he’s indicted, at which point I’ll express complete shock and lack of knowledge. Remember to vote for me for president, because I’m an outsider.”

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 6:20 pm
Rod generated more than 4-million at the field museum event a few months ago. Heâ€™s got a lot of green left to spend.

Iâ€™d say that Judyâ€™s buddy, George Bush, is in a better position to do something about the gas prices. Maybe his big oil buddies could cut us a break. They are pretty close; canâ€™t she pick up the phone and make a call?

Comment by B Hicks Thursday, Jul 27, 06 @ 7:26 pm
I think Obama will stay away from the Elvis want-a-be. Be careful Obama this guy hates you with a passion. He can’t stand the fact you get all the national press. Watch your back.

Comment by Chinaman Friday, Jul 28, 06 @ 12:15 pm