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The people Blagojevich left behind

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Illinois
Blagojevich Trial

* The Sun-Times published a very good story about several former Rod Blagojevich staffers and insiders. Here are a few excerpts…

Sheila Nix, a deputy governor to Blagojevich who steered clear of his administration’s scandals, for several years after her departure in 2008 worked as U.S. executive director for U2 frontman Bono’s ONE Campaign, a group raising awareness of hunger and poverty. In 2013, she landed a role as chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden’s wife, Dr. Jill Biden.

But on her White House biography Nix left off her Blagojevich job. That’s not uncommon among his former staffers. On their resumes, many say they worked for the “Governor of Illinois” but don’t say which governor. […]

William Quinlan — who was Blagojevich’s general counsel — said his Chicago- and Phoenix-based law practice is doing well, but the Blagojevich experience scarred him.

“My desire to work in public service or run for public office — that desire is gone,” Quinlan said. “There are a lot of people like me who would have stayed in public service, but now there is no desire.” […]

“The governor too often preferred a fight over hard work and coming to a resolution,” [former Blagojevich spokesperson Abby Ottenhoff] said. “His approach was so controversial that eventually nothing got done.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:45 am

Comments

“The governor too often preferred a fight over hard work and coming to a resolution,” [former Blagojevich spokesperson Abby Ottenhoff] said. “His approach was so controversial that eventually nothing got done.”

Hmmmm, this sounds eerily similar to someone currently holding that office.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:55 am
Which Governor is Ottenhoff describing?

Comment by My New Handle Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 10:57 am
As a political outsider, hearing what these former staffers have to say about Blago is fascinating. Because they ‘carried the flag’ for Blago publically I often assumed they thought and felt the same way he did. For me, it will be even more fascinating to hear what Rauner’s former staffers have to say about him if/when that opportunity presents itself.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:05 am
I’m sure they were happy to be tied to Blago before everyone found out Blago was a crook. Funny how Quinlan’s “desire” dried up just about when his “chances” were slim to none.

I would hate to be on Rauner’s staff. Those guys and girls probably took that job thinking it would launch their career, and they too will be forever tarnished by his “legacy.”

Comment by AlfondoGonz Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:06 am
Nice to see the former horsewomen of the apocalypse doing well.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:15 am
All to reflective of the current crew in both style and mentality. Next!

Comment by El Conquistador Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:21 am
I always thought that they should have done an episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike Rowe followed Abby around for a couple of days.

Comment by JT11505 Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 11:58 am
Alf we may disagree w/ Rauners folks, and they may have not endeared themselves to many, but they have been quit wffective at their different roles in cardying out what the gov wanted. I would hire. I dont like the gov message or his strategy, but people who can effectuate policy and strategy shoild be prized; even if you disagree with what they are carrying out

Comment by Ghost Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 12:18 pm
It would be fascinating to look back into the archives to see how that office operated.

Comment by thechampaignlife Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:14 pm
They left out that Tusk is leading an effort against De Blasio in New York.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ex-bloomberg-aide-leads-2017-push-replace-de-blasio-article-1.2663719

It strikes me as more of the same.

Comment by ArchPundit Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:31 pm
Wonderin’ why BGA left out BigBrain $30K per month Stu Levine…he was a Blagoof appointee
and gets “released” on Saturday

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 1:39 pm
“Alf we may disagree w/ Rauners folks, and they may have not endeared themselves to many, but they have been quit wffective at their different roles in cardying out what the gov wanted. ”

Except that hugely expensive budget consultant he brought in for 18 months who produced what? One power point presentation of talking points.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 3:22 pm
Nice to see David Mendell doing stuff.

Comment by The Historian Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 3:51 pm
Mr/Ms The Historian:
Even if he skipped Stu.

The tepid response here bodes well for Stu to be name SFTP Grand Marshall — wonder if they give him his own badge?

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 4:11 pm
===I always thought that they should have done an episode of Dirty Jobs where Mike Rowe followed Abby around for a couple of days.===

LoL. I always felt sorry for Abby. Goodness what a job.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 7:49 pm
If there was ever a “Superstar” on team Blago, that was Abby.

Of course, Tusk would be the one to throw some OPM into a chancy startup and have it turn out to be Über. That guy always had great timing.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Aug 1, 16 @ 9:14 pm