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After a 10-second countdown and with the flip of a switch, the giant holiday tree in the James R. Thompson Center atrium is supposed to light up.

Unless, of course, a circuit breaker blows. Then you’re in the awkward position Gov. Rod Blagojevich found himself in Wednesday, explaining to dozens of people gathered in expectation of a tree-lighting why nothing happened. [Snip]

The lights came on after a couple of minutes, and after the ceremony, Blagojevich jokingly assumed it was a state worker’s fault.

“That’s just a good old-fashioned human error. A state employee was just a little bit behind schedule and if you can’t have compassion and love in your heart during the holiday season, you can never have it,” he said. [Snip]

Blagojevich, who is chronically late to public appearances, also took some ribbing for showing up about 25 minutes late. Payne started the event by saying she would buy the governor a Big Ben clock for Christmas.

Blagojevich got the last laugh, even if it was at his own expense: When the tree finally lit up, he quipped, “Just like the governor. Late.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 1, 04 @ 5:41 pm

Comments

The tree has connections to big Blagojevich campaign contributor/lobbying firm, so there will be no repercussions for the tree’s tardiness.

In an unrelated note, in an effort to balance the budget, the Governor’s office is sacking the Menorah and replacing it with a private lamp-contractor with ties to a big Blagojevich campaign contributor/law firm.

Comment by So-Called Austin Mayor Wednesday, Dec 1, 04 @ 6:15 pm
I hear the circuit breaker was fired. Turns out, he was originally hired by George Ryan and was therefore considered a corrupt Republican operative.

The circuit breaker was replaced with an old fuse that was found on the floor of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Gracie Mansion basement.

The fuse reportedly has longstanding ties to Blagojevich’s deputy governor, Bradley Tusk, and is expected to bring with it several potential contributors to Blagojevich’s campaign fund.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 1, 04 @ 6:25 pm
Illinois State Police dispatched a fleet of black Suburban SUV’s to NYC to pick up the replacements — it was cheaper than flying them back……

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 1, 04 @ 11:07 pm
According to the AP, the Governor went on to say about the tardy state worker, with the compassion and love of this administration, “I’m thinking maybe that guy ought to get a raise.” This confirms what ‘front-line’ employees have known for some time - Government rewards incompetence.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 2, 04 @ 1:52 pm
What is the penchant for today’s politicians always having to blame someone if situations do not go exactly as planned–to pass the blame to others (of lesser stature) than themselves?

I’m sick of the “it’s not MY fault” or “I didn’t do it” mentality I see among today’s youth. It’s that much more pathetic to see politicians (adults, presumably, in positions of responsibility), at both the state AND NATIONAL levels, constantly do the same thing. It’s not a real good lesson for the next generation.

Let’s see: did anyone ever suggest that the buck should stop with them? And wasn’t that person from the same political party as Governor Hairbrush?

Randy Fritz

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 3, 04 @ 9:22 am