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Greg Hinz makes a very good point in this week’s column.
Since the earliest days of the Blagojevich administration, those who know state government have been warning that Rod Blogojevich apparently missed the central lesson of the George Ryan years: Keep campaign fund-raisers far away from government. […]
If he ever bothered to read anything except the sports page, Rod Blagojevich had enormous reason to keep a close, close eye on his fund-raisers. All he had to do was look at George Ryan and what his friends did.
My syndicated column lays out our options.
1) Blagojevich knows about the corruption and is a very good liar; 2) The governor isn’t curious enough to delve deeper than a headline and seriously question his friends; 3) He is utterly incapable of trusting any information that contradicts his own beliefs; or 4) U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is completely wrong, even though he has yet to lose a corruption case.
The Tribune editorial board weighed in yesterday.
So Blagojevich essentially is channeling George Ryan: In case of crime spree, I knew nothing. The problem with this, three weeks shy of an election, is that it forces voters to ask unpleasant questions: Is my governor clueless? Or worse?
When something as big as the Tony Rezko indictment breaks, reporters will always find a way to keep it in their stories.
Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich touted his senior health-care efforts Sunday while Republican challenger Judy Baar Topinka accused him of distorting her plans for children’s medical insurance, as both campaigns pondered the effects of recent corruption charges against a top fundraiser for the governor.Blagojevich, appearing at a Northwest Side seniors center, said he did not believe his re-election bid would be hampered because his close adviser and fundraiser, Antoin “Tony” Rezko, didn’t show up for arraignment Friday following his indictment on federal charges involving the state’s teacher pension system.
But Topinka said Blagojevich should be concerned about Rezko and the anticipated plea agreement later this month of the man alleged to be Rezko’s co-schemer Stuart Levine.
“I don’t have any Tony Rezkos in my life. We don’t deal with people like that, OK?” Topinka asked. “The fact that we do know that Stu Levine is going to have his plea bargain coming up. … I suspect that that will be very informative.”
And here’s something so out of the blue that it might get some coverage and allow the guv to change the subject: The Illinois State Rifle Association has called on Blagojevich to resign.
Also, Chuck Goudie tries to connect the Rezko scandal with the House page scandal.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:04 am
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Gun nuts talk sense.
Comment by Bill Baar Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:28 am
The Illinois State Rifle Association should be endorsing Rich Whitney. He’s the only candidate that supports an open carry law in Illinois.
Comment by Squideshi Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:29 am
Isnt this interesting? Blagojevich is being criticized for not running a negative campaign and for not finding common ground with jbt on the debates. Yet, he is out there almost every day, continuing to talk about the things that matter to people and it is the press that forces the negative campaigning. Talk about a program to provide additional protections for seniors, talk about rezko. He is trying to tell people about what he has done and what he intends to do, but reporters rarely ask questions about the substantive issue of the day.
Three weeks from tomorrow. I walked precints this past weekend. Looking good for Blago. Nobody talking about Rezko because people see that the Rezko thing has little to do with him. If anything, the press is making people sympathetic to Blago. They read about all the pols who have taken money from Rezko and they ask why the press focuses only on blago. For the next three weeks we will be getting our voters to the polls in droves.
This thing is almost over folks. Three weeks from tomorrow. Goodbye JBT.
Comment by Juice Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:32 am
If Blago was indicted and convicted the feds would have to mace,handcuff and duct tape him to get him out of office.He is that arrogant and stupid.Listen to him and listen to the Blagonuts.Does anyone have the date of Levine’s court date?Someone said it was the week of the election.SQUID if they endorse Also Ran Whitney I will resign.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:39 am
What about all those other candidates who accepted money from Rezko? Do they only read the sports page, too? This cast of characters reminds me of the Aesop Fable “The Stork & the Cranes”, if one keeps the company of thieves, one shares their punishment as well. Of course, this is a moral fable which does not appear to be required reading in government these days.
Comment by CrunchyCon Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:50 am
This Quinn thing is a nice plant.Just need to figure out who done it.The Democrats hoping to capitalize on the LT.GOV.’s following to make sure they vote for Blago or the Repubs who are saying Blago will never finish his term so why vote for him.
Comment by DOWNSTATE Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 8:56 am
Squideshi–Give it a rest. I think people on this blog know who they are going to vote for….
By the way, your canidate has an Ice cube chance in hell of winning.. why through away your vote?
Comment by He Makes Ryan look like a saint Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 9:00 am
Zero tolerance should be forced on elected officials the same way it is forced on the kids at all Illinois schools. Elected officials break the rules and plead they didn’t know. If a kid does this at school in Illinois the administration is quick to say too bad and suspend or expel. Give the officials a three day suspension without pay every time they claim they didn’t know.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 9:08 am
rich
what about the kass story?
this is your chance rich. i know that you know. break it open. Just one more poke and the dam is going to flood the place. make sure you are in position to own the wave then surf it to wherever you want. show those slugs what one pen can do. lots of brutus’s out there. bill says “bring it on.” I don’t think even bill can swallow the truth. If you take this rock to the hoop be sure and dunk it like darryl dawkins because this team does alot of goal tending. most of the refs look the other way.
Comment by bing bell could catch these losers Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 9:20 am
Rich,
I agree with your column with one exception and that is Blagojevich is anything but a good liar. Get him off script and he doesn’t have a clue on what to say.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 9:29 am
Everybody voting in this race should be given a clothes pin to put on their noses as they go into the polls. Where is “None of the Above” when you really need it.
Comment by Truthful James Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 9:56 am
Every election lazy voters say the same thing. They don’t like either candidate. We had a primary and these two are your choices. There are clear choices here. One is an honest public servant and the other is a self pomoting liar. Clear choice. Which is which ?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 10:34 am
Downstater you are correct. Governor Aquanet is a poor liar. I’m writing myself in a sGovernor.
Comment by Milorad Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 10:49 am
I’m tired of Blagojevich’s excuses. This is a man who promised no excuses. He wasn’t just another politician. He was the guy who was supposed to clean up government. He promised.
So, I’m tired of excuses. We don’t care who else took money from Rezko. We don’t care who else is involved. Blagojevich didn’t deliver on his key purpose in office. He is an utter failure, and should not be re-elected.
I’m also tired of listening to Democrats trying to save their bacon on this. You people nominated him. Even after YEARS of credible scandal news, you re-nominated him. The Illinois Democratic Party failed the people of Illinois doubly. They didn’t care how badly Blagojevich stunk. They don’t care how badly Giannoulais stinks now. They don’t care how ridiculous Stroger is as a candidate. They are willing to sell us all down a river, just to win.
The Illinois Republican Party is paying the price for dealing with the devil. The Illinois Democratic Party will find Lucifer just as tough when their candidates walk before our cameras wearing handcuffs.
The world will survive without Blagojevich in office. As a matter of fact, we will all be better off. It is time for Democrats to stop finding excuses for this sham of a governor.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 11:20 am
I really think Blago is that stupid - he has never shown any intelligence not any desire to be a statesman - only a desire for power.
He has no inside friends, with the exception of Jay Hoffman, who have been allowed to talk to him or tell him what problems may be in wait. While Hoffman is better than nothing - he really wasn’t/isn’t quite enough.
I can’t believe I waited more than 20 years for a Dem to get office, and this is what I got! I have never been so contemptous of government officials in my life.
I would love for one of these corrupt politcians to step up and admit they have lost their way and will do the right thing.
I would love for Fitzgerld to hammer enough of them that all the creepy thieving self rightous people would get out and leave the citizens and government workers in peace.
Comment by Scared Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 11:32 am
Question: Rezko, leaves with family on business trip, Rezko is traveling in Middle East, How likely is he to come back if living in a country without fear of extredition ? Did some of these ill gotten funds go to pay for protection for him and his family to live somewhere else, Say Syria? Just some question I think now worth asking since he hasn’t reappeared.
Comment by Frustrated GOP Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 11:42 am
While listening to WLS radio on my way home Friday I was amused and shocked with Ron Magers who sometimes visits with Roe. They were talking about Tony Rezko and this Governor. Ron Magers stated we keep voting for these pigs that feed at the public trough. He sounded absolutly disgusted. Wonder who he was talking about?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 11:47 am
word of the day
ab·squat·u·late (ăb-skwÅch’É™-lÄt’)
1. To depart in a hurry; abscond: “rezko has absquatulated!†(bing bell)
verb
To break loose and leave suddenly, as from confinement or from a difficult or threatening situation: abscond, break out, decamp, escape, flee, fly, get away, run away. Informal skip (out). Slang lam. Idioms: blowflythe coop, cut and run, give someone the slip, make a getaway, take flight, take it on the lam. See free/unfree.
Comment by bing bell could catch these losers Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 12:24 pm
I read the gun guys press release. It was interesting that they never mentioned guns or gun issues in that press release. They hit the nail on the head as far as I’m concerned. That is, they pointed out clearly that this Blagojevich is not qualified to be governor.
Let’s look at his career. Didn’t he admit someplace that he was a “C” student at Pepperdine and that he liked to hang on out on the beach?
What about his time in the state’s attorney’s office. Did he win, lose, or even participate in any notable cases?
What did he accomplish when he was in the Illinois House?
I tried to find something noteworthy in his record in the US House. He authored a couple of resolutions to rename post offices in the city, and only got half of those resolutions passed. The rest of his record is painfully sparse.
Putting all the controversey about corruption aside, his career performance paints him for what he is - sort of a mix of a good time charlie and Eddie Haskel. A likeable guy to have around but woefully incapable as a pubic servant. He’s gotten where he’s gotten by cruising the slipstream created by his connected relatives. I guess the bottom line is that he is something of a “Governor Zoolander.”
Comment by FrostyDaSnowman Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 2:03 pm
If your looking for Tony you might want to check the Governors Mansion in Springfield. Perfect hide out. He knows the layout since he’s been there many times and is well acquainted with the staff.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 2:17 pm
Did someone mention “states attorney”?
Guess it is time to remind all of the big anchor dragging JudyBore to the bottom — Brickhead The Executioner.
Just think if she had just picked some other right wing hater to be her running mate.
She might actually be ahead.
Well..probably not, but maybe. Instead the campaign is sinking as fast as GRod.
Anyone notice Fast Tony P’s flack on the news at noon….the long, slicked back hair is not for TV dudes. Unless you are hosting TRL on MTV.
But it did make everyone forget what was being said.
GRod ahead. Todd ahead. Looks all is right with the heavens.
Now let’s get some runs.
Go Cards.
Comment by Reddbyrd Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 2:22 pm
To anon 12:07pm. When I say that people arent talking about a Blago/Rezko connection, I mean the real people on whose doors I knocked and spoke with not the insiders who read this blog. People don’t fully understand this thing, nor does it break through as something new. Most don’t understand it enough to blame blago and those who do are far outnumbered by those who say “I just cant stand Topinka.”
The commercials clearly worked. That’s why Topinka and the Executioner are out there dismissing the poll saying that people are being influenced by all of his campaign money and his slick negative ads. EXACTLY!! I would love to ask Judy what the heck she was doing all summer while Blago was raising money and tattooing her with negative ads. She was out playing the accordian, or dancing in fashion shows, shopping at estate sales, or just plain complaining. Whatever she was doing, she clearly doesn’t want to do the work successful campaigners must do.
In three weeks whe will be a funny red headed memory
Comment by Juice Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 2:23 pm
What a shame this has all become! It has become a vote against, instead of a vote for, election!
And at this point all Dems should save face and not vote at all,,,,,they hate JBT and can’t honestly vote for a shameful crook….thats what happened to the Repubs in 04″ and at least they saved themselves embarrasment,,,, but I forgot the Dems have no shame if its got an ass beside it the Blue-Bloods come running to vote no-matter the shame!
Comment by Big W Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 2:43 pm
What is wrong with the Republicans? All of a sudden they can’t support Topoinka because she’s a little too moderate/liberal. So what at least vote for a your party name. Plus she really isn’t that bad of a politician. Here are my takes on this whole governor election:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHfxrAfWpek
http://youtube.com/watch?v=062HKRhZEZE
Comment by JakeCP Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 3:23 pm
When will you Blago sycophants finally accept that the Governor is dirty? Will it be when he gets indicted (which looks inevitable) or when he gets convicted?
What will it take? Or will Rod just become a victim of the press and an over zealous US Attorney who obviously must have made a “mistake” in your closed little minds?
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 4:59 pm
Juice - if the people whose doors you are knocking on don’t understand what’s going on, they have no business voting. If you are not informed on the issues on all sides, then you are not qualified to vote, period. Mindless partisanship is foolhardy.
Comment by Martha Mitchell Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 5:53 pm
I just read the 65 page indictments document. Wow! I’ve NEVER seen that much corruption documented down to the gnat’s arse. If you are near Blago right now, slowly distance yourself from him as far away as possible! He and his co-conspirators are absolutely radioactive. Fitzgerald and staff certainly do earn their money.
Comment by Citizen A Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 6:14 pm
The quote above astonishes me: “He wasn’t just another politician. He was the guy who was supposed to clean up government.” The idea that any grown-up human being could look at Blagojevich and believe that statement blows my mind.
Comment by Max Maxwell Monday, Oct 16, 06 @ 9:18 pm
This is one of the first times I have ever agreed with the “gun guys”. They hit the target right on the bullseye. Is there anyone left besides a handful of hacks that actually still like or support this train wreck of a governor? If the people of Illinois, and the blacks especially don’t “get it” before the election, they surely will when the indictments are handed down. And you know they will be. Bring em on.
Comment by Sick Of It All Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 12:20 am
Sick Of It All wrote that people don’t “get” it. No, they do not.
Rod spins some baloney about how–hey! lookie here at how we’re cleaning up the mess, and so you’re gonna see some of those roaches go scurrying out of the corners and into the light (meaning if the Feds are busting the crooks that somehow Rod is to thank for the corruption busting instead of Fitz, the true hero), and his polls are up. I mean…wow. Unbelievable.
If they elect this loser, then hey–they deserve what they get. Keep voting for a mess.
I’m voting JBT, and if she can’t clean it up, that’s it. I’m not voting for another Illinois Governor again. May vote for AG (I’m liking Madigan’s work on pushing for a charity care mandate with the hospitals), but this may the last gubernatorial election I bother with again unless Fitz runs, or something.
So! With so much state government corruption, who wants even MORE federal government now? If you do, you’re insane!
Comment by Angie Tuesday, Oct 17, 06 @ 2:59 am