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Illinois

If you could ask each of these people a question during a press conference, what would it be?

* Gov. Blagojevich

* House Speaker Madigan

* Senate President Jones

* Mayor Daley

* Cook Co. Board President Stroger

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:04 am

Comments

For all five: “What were you thinking?”

Comment by It makes cents... Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:16 am
Blago — “Why should CEOs relocate their companies to Illinois after hearing the harsh anti-business rhetoric you used to promote the GRT?”

Madigan — “Why should Illinoisans trust you when gridlock makes the Governor look bad, enhancing your daughter’s chances in 2010?”

Jones — “To whom do you answer? ComEd, Chicago State, the Governor, or the people of Illinois?”

Daley — “Why are you attempting to undermine the efforts of IG Robert Hoffman? Are Chicagoans to believe your anti-corruption rhetoric was yet another empty promise to get you through the election?”

Stroger — “Do you believe Cook County citizens are so dumb as to believe your claim that there is no more than one million dollars of fat in the budget?”

Comment by Independent Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:17 am
I would ask Daley why he isn’t showing much leadership in the state and in Cook County?

I would ask the Governor why he even ran for governor in the first place and what he thought he could accomplish? Let’s see if he can come up with a coherent answer though what he really needs is a curveball question.

Todd Stroger I may ask about the same question as I would the Governor.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:31 am
Did you guys get together and decide to screw things up this badly at all levels because you felt sorry for the Republicans after the whole Alan Keyes thing - is this your perverted sense of fair play or something?

Comment by Mr. Luxury Yacht Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:33 am
Blago–

Are you going to run for a third term.

Of course, he’ll punt, but the punt should be interesting.

Comment by Cassandra Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:34 am
Blago — “How much hair spray do you go through in a week?” I don’t expect the Governor to answer any substantive questions, so why bother with one.

Madigan — “Can I get a front row seat for when you finally put the Governor out of our misery?”

Jones — “Where is your backbone?”

Daley — “How awkward did you feel wearing that Cubs hat?”

Comment by jwscott72 Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:36 am
I misread the question. I wouldn’t go to any press conference any of them were having.

Comment by jwscott72 Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:38 am
Daley - “Would you like to fight John Kass? And could you win?”

Madigan - “Would you like fight Blago? Would you pull his hair?”

Stroger - “Would you like to fight Claypool? Would you pull his combover?”

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:43 am
I would ask Blaggo if it was true that his new motto is “We ARE Dumber Than They Think”

Comment by BlunderBoy Biographer Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:53 am
Blagojevich: “Under what circumstances would you resign as governor of Illinois?”

Madigan: “Why did you block implementation of the Democrats 50-state strategy in Illinois?”

Jones: “Do you have anyone in your inner circle who can evaluate whether your skills as a legislator are declining, and would feel safe telling you this? Who is this person?”

Daley: “You took the time and effort to call out Sen. Durbin for criticizing Bush policy at Guantanamo Bay. Do you have anything critical to say of any Bush policies on national security, foreign policy, human rights or civil liberties?”

Stroger: “You have implemented policies that have caused financial hardship for Cook County citizens and employees. You have implemented cuts in mammograms and dental services that will result in people dying who didn’t need to die. Who in your inner circle has experienced hardship as the result of ‘belt tightening’ in Cook County government? Please, explain the hardship in your answer.”

Comment by Carl Nyberg Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:03 am
“Governor, when exactly did you stop taking your meds?”

Comment by Jay Byrd Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:03 am
Interesting question - perhaps the media will ask these questions:

Gov: Why do you not work for Illinois to use the tenth casino license (now tied up in court) instead of advocating for three new casinos, including one in Chicago?

Sen. Prez: I Democrats cannot conduct government in Illinois in a manner that results in solutions, why should not Republicans take over?

Speaker: You have stood firm on issues, what do you see as the solution to this budget impasse that involves, Springfield, Chicago and other parts of the state?

Mayor: You maintain Chicago is short $217 million and you want a city-owned casino. Explain what you are doing with tax increment finance money and Skyway lease revenues that could alleviate the shortfall? What cuts could be done to reduce city expenditures like three-person garbage crews and bloated crews for other city services?

County Board Prez: When will the county begin a housing rental assistance program?

Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:48 am
A question to all five: Do you accept that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely?

Comment by Patriot Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:53 am
* Gov. Blagojevich - How do you expect to bring together a majority of legislators to pass legislation when you seem to spend most of your time attacking them? How much longer do we have to endure your politics of personal destruction?

* House Speaker Madigan - What part of the current budget do you believe could be expendable in order to repair our economic situation?

* Senate President Jones - What do you hope to accomplish with Debbie Halvorson doing your bidding in the US House and do you believe voters in Will County are willing to allow you to expand your power base through her? If she is elected, what do you want her to do for you regarding the South Suburban Airport and Jesse Jackson Jr.?

* Mayor Daley - Chicago is broke, Cook is broke and Illinois is broke. What can you do as Mayor to become less dependant on other governments for the City’s funding?

* Cook Co. Board President Stroger - People are moving out of the County faster than ever. Just how do you intend to have Cook County government reflect this new reality so that the last millionaire living in Chicago doesn’t leave too?

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:54 am
The Governor- How much airplane fuel have the taxpayers paid for in the past 5+ years? Is it more than the cost of upkeep on the Governor’s Mansion? Just curious.

Mr. Madigan- Is your assault on the governor’s mansion nearly complete? And why did you pick on Mike Flannery for his choice of shirt? Don’t you feel responsible for giving bad ideas to Jerry Weller’s staffers?

Mr. Jones- Does ComEd throw some wicked parties or what?

Mayor Daley- May I please have one of those no-bid contracts or no-show jobs that I keep hearing about? Does it help that I have an Irish surname?
I can learn to love the White Sox.

Mr. Stroger- Please provide the identity of your Marionette.

I’ll admit that my stint as a political beat reporter would indeed be a short one.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 11:58 am
blagojevich: when can we expect you to grow up?

madigan: when can we expect you to retire? followup: when are you going to either take down this site: http://www.ildems.com/Candidates.htm or add alexi’s name to it? your choice…

jones: isn’t it time for you to exert some leadership here? grow a pair! obviously, rod and mike need someone to intervene in their feud, and the state would be much better if you’d actually show some leadership and defuse the situation…

daley: have you given up on your olympic dream yet?

stroger: would you retire now, please???

Comment by bored now Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:11 pm
Blago: What exactly will you do to make sure the state doesn’t lose out on the fed grants that Sen. Durbin recently talked about?

Madigan: Why exactly has Dem control of this state resulted in such dysfunction?

Jones: Why is ComEd so important to you?

Daley: Why have you been relatively silent on the mass transit issue?

Stroger: Exactly what steps have you taken to identify real and potential waste in the county budget?

Comment by tom73 Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:15 pm
Blago Whatcha gonna do when they come for you?

Madigan will lisa be gov or senator

Jones how much money does your family jobs and contracts cost the state

Daley how much is enough

Stroger have you no shame

Comment by FED UP Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:20 pm
Blago: Are you willing to admit you never passed math without cheating and then return your degrees and diploma and go back to school?

Jones: Under what circumstances would you be willing to work for the good of the state?

Madigan: What changes will you be looking to make in the Constitutional Convention in 2009?

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:28 pm
Van Man: I suspect that after Halvorson takes her seat in Washington, it will be “Emil who?”

Comment by Pot calling kettle Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:34 pm
Gov: You are opposed to “taxes on people,” please tell us which non-people should pay more in taxes? Follow-up: aren’t corporations people?

Madigan: You were a delegate at the last Con-Con in 1970, what are you most concerned with regarding a potential new Con-Con in 2008?

Jones: If fundamental reform of education funding in Illinois is your top issue, assess your progress?

Daley: What if anything are you accountable for? Follow-up: do you realize it’s pronounced “bay-sik-lee?”

Stroger: Choose one: you’re stupid or you’re lying, which is it?

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:45 pm
Rod: Why have you tried to hurt everyone who has ever helped you politically starting with your father-in-law and moving on down the food chain even to lowly precinct workers? Don’t you know that your whole staff is paranoid that they might be next? Won’t it be hard to find anybody stupid enough to replace them when they bail?

Mike: Is it really worth ruining the whole state just to get Lisa elected Governor? Did you ever think to ask her if she even wants to be governor? Do you really play chess or is that just more of the myth spewed forth by Brownie?

Emil: Is it true that the Shaw Bros. want to locate their new riverboat casino under the flooded viaduct on Sibley Blvd?

Little Dick: Why not tell the truth and declare yourself a Republican? I’m sure that that would make Gigi and the girls happy.

Todd: Can’t you find anybody better to carry your water than old Beavers?

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:46 pm
For Blago: How can you look yourself in the mirror every morning, knowing who and what you are, and what you’ve done.

For Jones: How do you sleep at night? What with the ghost of Cecil Partee wailing at you and all.

For Mike Madigan: Would you be willing to step down as Speaker if Lisa made a gubernatorial bid?

For Stroger: What makes you think you deserve this job?

For Fitz: WHEN???????????????? For the love of GOD, WHEN?????

Comment by Gregor Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:47 pm
* Gov. Blagojevich - What will you do to pass the time in prison?

* House Speaker Madigan - When do you think Illinois will be rid of Blagojevich?

* Senate President Jones - What do you really do?

* Mayor Daley - Chicago Marathon = No Olympics?

* Cook Co. Board President Stroger - Are you being investigated?

Comment by All on the taxpayers backs Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:47 pm
King Rod: Why is it that you only seem to learn the hard way, and very painfully at that as you’ve become a total pariah?

Madigan: When will you bring articles of impeachment against the governor?

Emil: Why are blocking King Rod’s vetoes so important that you are willing to lose all your political clout and Senate Presidency over them?

Daley: Why are you allowing aircraft to fly over Chicago after you closed Meigs?

Stroger: Who are you supposed to be again?

Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 12:52 pm
For Daley: Given your length of time in office, do you ever intend to take responsibility for the condition of the schools and the CTA?

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 1:08 pm
What VanillaMan said.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 1:10 pm
Blagojevich: In what shoe box did you hide the $10 BILLION you borrowed in your first term?
Daley: Don’t you think Detroit could use your abundant skills?
Stroger: If Daley moves to Detroit will you go with him?
Jones: When you get to federal prison will you ask for a room with a window?
Madigan: How mad will you be when Pat Quinn takes over upon Blagojevich’s fraud conviction?

Comment by The Mad Hatter Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 1:28 pm
gov - Have you considered stepping down?

Madigan - when was the last time besides this one that you were able to get the membership of the house to all agree and vote yes on a budget during the Gov 5 years in office?

Jones - Exactly how much is Governor’s State receiving if a budget passes?

Daley - how much can you legally tax the people of Chicago and all that visit there?

President Stroger - how’s this new job going???

Comment by game plan Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 2:45 pm
The same question to all five:
Please list all of the current federal investigations that are directed at you and/or your administrations/offices.

Comment by wallace Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 3:05 pm
Governor: 1. Why did you opt for inauguration instead of “coronation”? 2. Do you understand that many of the things you do out of political expediency, hurt people?

Comment by one of the 35 Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 3:07 pm
Gov- Would you consider putting the boxing gloves aside and taking the Dale Carnegie course on “How to Make Friends and Influence People”?

Mad Again- Has Tom Brown ever considered a career in comedy? Say something like the Colbert Reort?

Jonesy- Do you have any family members that DO NOT have state jobs or contracts?

Daley- Have you ever considered retiring?

Stogey- Do you have higher aspirations?

Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 3:14 pm
G-Rod: Why didn’t you build good relationships with legislators?
Emil: Should legislators keep their words?
Richie: If there is no extension of the assessment cap, who will you blame?

Comment by cicero Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 5:34 pm
To Blago - Have you ever considered taking conflict resolution courses?
To Jones - Do you look in the mirror in the AM, if you do, Do you like who you see?
To Daley - Stop whinning, the rest of the state is tired of hearing how the wealthest people can’t afford to pay for their own transit.
To Madigan: Have you ever hear of choosing your fights? Also, why did Lisa drop her lawsuite against the utility companies when you all knew the people of IL were being cheated?
To Richie - Did you know that when you point fingers one points back at you?

Comment by Babe Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 8:34 pm
to all:
How’s the family, how’s the business? Have you no shame? CAn I get a job?

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Oct 10, 07 @ 10:21 pm
For Madigan: Don’t you wish that Jim Edgar had come out of retirement?

For Blago: When? Are you going to realize that even Madigan non-fans are supporting him?

For Jones: As long as you have been around, why do you seem to believe that Blago will beat Madigan?

Comment by Township Commissioner Thursday, Oct 11, 07 @ 8:59 am