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Guv doesn’t dodge all reporters * Updated x6 and item renamed *

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Gov. Blagojevich was in southern Illinois yesterday to kick off several new Amtrak routes.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and a who’s who of top-ranking city and university officials were on hand Monday for the official announcement of Amtrak’s new Saluki line Tuesday at the Carbondale Amtrak Station.

Transportation from Chicago to Carbondale will be easier for students and Carbondale residents because of another round-trip service that will be offered beginning Oct. 30.

~~But the governor refused to take any media questions.~~ I received this e-mail last night from a reporter friend in the region.

1) He issued a prepared statement.

2) He left.

No q and a…ignored reporters’ questions on his way to the car…not even the patented Hot Rod mirth.

He’s running from the SOUTHERN Illinois reporters now…not just in Chicago.

*** UPDATE *** My reporter pal may have been in error. The guv’s office just sent an e-mail claiming he did take some questions, at least from the Southern Illinoisan. I’m gonna keep the post up but close comments ~~for a while~~.

*** UPDATE 2 *** A TV reporter claims that the guv did not answer questions. I’m waiting for a reply from the Southern Illinoisan’s reporter who was on the scene.

*** UPDATE 3 *** A different reporter who was there, from the SIU paper, said that the governor’s media spokesperson wouldn’t let a TV person talk to him (it turns out the reporter may not have had a camera during the first go-around and they wouldn’t let her get another shot at asking a question when he was doing a grip and grin), but at least a couple of other reporters did talk to him.

*** UPDATE 4 *** The Southern apparently got to ask at least one question. From the hard copy edition:

Following Monday’s press event, The Southern asked Balgojevich about the status of the ongoing negotiations between his campaign and Topinka’s regarding the scheduling of debates, particularly a southern Illinois debate that was proposed for today in the Marion Civic Center.

The governor said part of the agreement is he won’t discuss specifics of the conversations between camps while scheduling is taking place. He did say he felt “very good about the discussions.”

Blagojevich also noted once a schedule for debates is in place, southern Illinois should be primed for an event.

“Assuming there are debates, I’m sure there will be a governor’s debate in southern Illinois,” he said. “I have every reason to think there will be debates.”

*** UPDATE 5 *** From the reporter above.

Apparently he shouted that statement out as he was getting into his car, and referred reporters to his spokespeople.

I’m glad that’s cleared up.

*** UPDATE 6 *** From the Southern’s Caleb Hale, who covered the visit:

He took one question from me about the subject of debates, but I had to go to him. His handlers didn’t appear to be setting up time to take questions, then again Blagojevich was scheduled to appear in a union hall in Marion at 5 p.m. too.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:17 am

Comments

Good decision by the Governor. From now on he will speak directly to the people.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:24 am
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Blagojevich went to Carbondale to talk about Amtrak. Rich Whitney is from Carbondale, and he’s an ardent supporter of high-speed rail in Illinois. The irony is that Rich was in Springfield during this!

Blagojevich has no respect for the media. By refusing to debate, and refusing to answer questions, he’s also showing disrespect for the people of Illinois. He has made it clear that he is not going to let people have the information that they want to have, so he doesn’t deserve to be Governor. Vote Rich Whitney!

Comment by Squideshi Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:24 am
He’s running from reporters because he fears the questions being asked. He fears the questions because he has no honest answers. There are no honest answers because he knows he’s been caught in a lie. The walls are closing in around him, and he retreats further and further from those that would challenge his credibility.

You know, this reminds me a lot of the Nixon days back in ‘71. I’m just waiting for Blags’ “I am not a crook” moment. At this rate, it won’t be long now.

Comment by Southern Illinoisian Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:25 am
My guess is campaign staff has told him to keep his mouth shut for the rest of the campaign. And just hope his lead stays where it is.

What a class act.

Comment by Wheres the leadership??? Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:26 am
There is no reason for the Governor to subject himself to abuse from obviously biased, rude and disrespectful reporters. He has answered questions regarding all items of interest to the voters and will continue to do so directly. If he cannot get a fair shot from the media he will use personal appearances and media buys to get his message out. It is an excellent strategy.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:32 am
I would think part of the reason he didn’t want to answer questions would be because he knew what the topic would be: “Why did the Marion Debate fall through”?

I’d be very disappointed in the southern IL press corps if that’s not what they wanted to know, but I’m pretty sure it was.

Comment by RickG Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:32 am
Yea, his new “media strategy” also frees up plenty of time to prepare for other “interviews” that are more important–like the ones critical to keep him out of the federal, um, retirement home for illinois governors…

Comment by Animous Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:44 am
Good for Blago. Until the Illinois media starts doing their job, instead of acting like they are on Topinka’s campaign payroll, he should ignore the reporters. Most of them will just spew out a recycled “check” story anyway.

Blago can buy more exposure than any of their outlets can provide anyway.

Comment by RealClear Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:48 am
I dont blame him. The media has gone too far. I would shut them out totally.

The tabloids do a better job of reporting the facts. Its sad.

Comment by Roomie Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 8:57 am
Gander-wise, this is good sauce from the goose.

Really, gentlemen, the same press that fawned over him in the last election has sonehow — in the light of the full moon, perhaps — turned into a pack of werewolves? Or is there more to it than that?

Why do some of you keep insisting that the governor should be exempt from public scrutiny? What could he possibly say or do which would impinge upon his impregnable lead?

Comment by Truthful James Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:03 am
Now, the Rod has clammed up they will probably start hassling his wife and kids. Maybe they could ambush Amy on her way home from school and ask her about the “check”. I guess that is much easier than working for a living.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:05 am
Oh, Bill, you’re so clever.

You know a campaign is getting desperate when the candidate ignores the press and their operatives attack it.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:11 am
Hi Blago staff!

Wow, didn’t think you’d flood this post as much as you have. Are you going to the Bagdhad Bob school of Public Relations?

Comment by Southern Illinois Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:11 am
Rod Blagojevich, always the victim, eh, Bill?

Comment by Centrist Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:12 am
I’m with Bill and Real Clear on this one. What is the point of Blago speaking to the press? For four years now, he has allowed the media throughout the state to distort his message of the day. The Amtrack issue is important and will mean a lot to southern illinois. But, rather than report on the substance of the press event, the press instead asks questions about alleged corruption in his administration. Why would a governor regularly volunteer to face such a blood thirsty mob of reporters when he doesnt have to?

Columnists complian that the campaign is negative and nobody discusses the issues. Well, how can issues be discussed when the reporters focus only on the negative stuff? Doesnt this make the press a bit hypocritical?

For four years, Blago has taken all the questions. He is finally getting the message — send out a press release, have the event, then leave.

Comment by Juice Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:13 am
Thanks,Rich.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:13 am
Hey Juice. CHARACTER is an issue. If the Governor is a half-witted crook, I want to know it before I vote. If he’s not, just answer the question and explain the check. The questions are fair. If there was a reasonable answer, those check questions would go away. This is not the media’s fault. It’s his own #$@% fault.

Comment by Centrist Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:20 am
Oh, please! Roomie and others are blaming the media for the governor’s dodging of legitimate questions concerning his actions as governor? Demonizing the press is becoming a new way of distracting the public from the real issues. In Blagojevich’s case, the issues are pretty clear: He refuses to make public the nature of all those federal subpeonas that have been served on state agencies run by his cronies. He can’t seem to settle on a single explanation of that $1,500 check. He announced that he was going to expand his prescription drug program after an audit revealed it is a fiscal disaster. He refuses to debate the other gubernatorial candidates. And that’s just a start. Don’t blame the media. I think Illinois government would get cleaner if the media outlets devoted more resources to investigative journalism. Then it would be up to voters to get responsible about their choices at election time. So far, too many seem to accept corruption as a normal part of doing business. And one thing is for certain: Blagojevich is conduting the state’s business the old-fashioned way–using our tax dollars to further his own political career.

Comment by It ain't the media folks Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:20 am
No need to avoid the press if you just provide straightforward answers to the very simple questions they ask. Unfortunately for Blago it is probably too late for that.

Comment by Bluefish Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:24 am
Great example of history repeating itself. George Ryan did exactly the same thing.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:26 am
Just how long can he hide from the press? His attitude is only making things worse. He needs to clear the air with a press conference and answer all of the questions - which now will include why aren’t you licensed to practice law?

Comment by Shelbyville Tuesday, Sep 26, 06 @ 9:29 am
[…] UPDATE: Apparently, the press got the cold shoulder of sorts — depending who you ask. […]

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