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* 1:17 pm - AP: Kelly to remain free and was ordered to get treatment…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s chief campaign fundraiser pleaded not guilty to federal tax charges Friday and was allowed to stay free on bond provided he gets treatment for his gambling problem.

Christopher Kelly, 49, a roofing contractor who was Blagojevich’s chief fundraiser in both of his campaigns for governor, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sidney I. Schenkier to enter his not guilty plea.

* 1:39 pm - Kelm & Kirk at WMAY radio have recorded one of the songs that won Eric Zorn’s parody songwriting contest. “Get packin’, Rod Blagojevich” was written by John McHugh and is sung to the tune of “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”…

[audio:KELMKIRK.mp3]

Get packin’, Rod Blagojevich
The state’s in disarray
The Tribune wants you unemployed
At least by Christmas Day.
The TV pundits want your head
Could there be pay to play?
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good riddance Rod Blagojevich
Your Elvis look’s inane,
The Senate’s mad, so’s Lisa’s dad.
You drive us all insane.
Our transit’s broke, the state’s a joke,
The Tollway’s one big pain.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

Good luck old Rod Blagojevich
The feds have quite a place.
Fitzgerald’s poked his nose around
And if he has a case,
George Ryan’s moving stuff around
Creating extra space.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy
Save Illinois!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

* 1:52 pm - 3rd Congressional District Democrat Mark Pera has a new mailer that whacks incumbent Dan Lipinski for siding with “Big Oil.” Click the pic for the full mailer…

By the way, some of the Daley people are much more worried about Jerry Bennett’s Democratic candidacy in this district than Pera’s. Bennett has lined up a ton of suburban mayors and that’s grabbing plenty of attention.

* 2:17 pm - The IL GOP has announced the schedule for its “Governor For a Day” contest winner, Mike Messuck…

GOVERNOR FOR A DAY SCHEDULE
Wednesday, December 26, 2007

9:40am
Arrive Kiva Day Spa
196 East Pearson Street, Chicago

10am
50 minute Deep Tissue Massage for Mike Messuck
Manicure for Ms. Messuck

11:30am
Lunch at RL – Ralph Lauren Restaurant
115 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago

Free time to browse Michigan Avenue

2pm-5pm
Metropolitan Limo Tours
Driver will meet Messucks at the Wrigley Building circle
410 N Michigan Ave., Chicago

7:30pm
Chicago Black Hawks vs. Nashville Predators game
United Center, 1901 W Madison St., Chicago,

They’ve included Messuck’s daughter in the festivities, which may end up being characterized as an unnecessary cheap shot at the guv’s family.

UPDATE: From a pal at the IL GOP…

We allowed Mr Messuck to bring a guest - he chose his daughter. Simple as that.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:17 pm

Comments

reading between the lines, the court seem somewhat unimpressed with this case. Kelly, like whats his name with Ryan, may make them try the case and previal before he considers it to be leverage.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:23 pm
R.Kelly… Chris Kelly… this is all very confusing, Rich.

Comment by anonymiss Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:36 pm
That is most unfortunate- if Ghost is right- which wouldn’t surprise me)- as I don’t think he will turn on his dear ole buddy- dear ole Blago- until he knows he is going down the river- BIGTIME- even then, we can only hope and pray that he takes this “joke of a governor” down with him.

Comment by Tunes Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Ghost - That would be the biggest mistake Chris ever made. The government does not bring these charges without proof and they do not lose.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:41 pm
Perhaps Kelly can later serve as a consultant (sole source) on gambling addiction that results from the state’s expanded gambling/casinos. A win win, so to speak!

Comment by A Citizen Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:47 pm
Dashing through the snow,
In a big white cadillac,
Back to Springfield we go,
Laughing all the way - ha! ha! ha!

Bells for session ring,
Calling all reps in sight,
Oh what fun it is to laugh and bring,
Our paycheck home tonight…

Oh session calls, session calls,
Sessions all year long,
Oh what fun it is to call
The Assembly back to town.
Session calls, session calls,
Sessions all year long,
Oh what fun it is to call
The Assembly back to town.

Emil calls, Madigan growls,
Steve Brown lays an egg (stinky!),
The Democratic party,
Is real naughty,
But Blago gets his wayyyyyyyyyyy

Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:55 pm
i’m not surprised that daley is worried about bennett. the question is, will they spend the resources to stave off the challengers. the difference between bennett and pera, and kelly and sullivan (in 2006) is that these guys are raising serious money and doing some significant field work. they may indeed divide up the anti-incumbent vote, but they have the potential to eat into the lipinski vote, as well. by being visible, and getting into voter’s faces, they show that lipinski is vulnerable. the dissension (if it exists) in the lipinski campaign that we talked about here a week or so ago seems to be about how to respond. the fact that there is more than one credible challenger may confuse the lipinskis in trying to address that question…

Comment by bored now Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 1:59 pm
So now that he is indicted he has a gambling problem. Huh, funny how that works. I think rather than a gambling problem he has a money problem, that is TMM (Too Much Money).

So let me get this straight, the Governor’s appointed gaming czar is a problem gambling. That is a hoot.

Comment by Jaded Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 2:33 pm
Gee, has anyone told Pera that George Bush is NOT running for re-election? Isn’t it time he come up with something new? You have to be pretty simple minded to swallow the crap on that flyer.

And the “Governor for a day” schedule failed to include time for temper tantrums.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 2:36 pm
Rich -

The Republicans must have copy and pasted that from an old George Ryan daily schedule.

Comment by GoBearsss Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 2:37 pm
State and County employees who worked with Pera
do not respect the guy for his intelligence or
his work ethic. If Bennett really has that support,
he would be worth a look as the real alternative
to Little Lipper. Pera is all flash and little
substance, re those who did all the work for him.

Comment by Clarice Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:04 pm
Hope that it includes a good replica wig and that the media covers it. This should be followed by all media since Mike Messuck will be just as productive as Governor Blagojevich… actually it’ll be cheaper since he won’t be flying.

Comment by North of I-80 Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:10 pm
Here’s my treatment: stay out of casinos. That will be $300, please.

Comment by Anon Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:16 pm
And maybe stay away from those mobbed up bookies! They don’t pay taxes and don’t withhold yours.

Comment by A Citizen Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:18 pm
The creativity behind the Gov. for a Day event gives me hope that one day the Republican Party will return to life in Illinois … and that might hold the Dems. accountable.

Comment by Mr. Cub Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:24 pm
This shedule is preposterous….

Rod never gets up and going before 10 AM and it begs the question will they provide the entourage of lackeys to accompany him?

Comment by prairiestatedem Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:34 pm
Texas just started a ‘Pole Tax”. I am not sure if we have many of those sort of clubs in Illinois, but perhaps the tax could be used for health care?

Comment by leigh Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:45 pm
I hope the family gets to sit with the Blackhawks president at the game Wednesday night. I’m sure Mike and his family will have a blast. Perhaps the the media will follow them for the day - you can bet the GOP will with videocams in hand.

Merry Christmas Guvna from Mr. and Mrs. Little Egypt. We are definitely laughing all the way.

Bill, Merry Christmas and congrats on blogger of the year. LE appreciates your honorable mention but I’m not worthy at all of this honor.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:46 pm
Christmas gift from Andy McKenna and his State GOP to the Democrats: silly stunts and no reason for any Democrat to worry in Illinois.

What a ridiculous waste of contributor money.

Most people would probably rather be one of those Fat Cat Republicans for a day. Blago may be lazy, but at least he’s not lining his pockets, as far as we know.

Comment by yawn Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 3:50 pm
I found Pera’s claim in the mailer that he fought against big oil to be hilarious. That’s actually funnier than claiming that big oil owns the Little Lipper. $42k in 2 terms is peanuts to those guys, and I’d suspect that most centrist Dems garner similar such contributions.

Pera needs to present a real platform. “Lipinski sucks so vote for me ’cause I’m not Lipinski” is hardly convincing.

Comment by Snidely Whiplash Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:04 pm
That is a great song!

Comment by Levois Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:10 pm
Lame schedule and completely off base. This is closer, no?

Wake up at 5 am and work the phones and e-mail.
5:15 - back to bed (no one seems to be at work)
10:00 - head out for a jog
10:30 - call in to local sports station to discuss Cubs
11:00 - black suburban to airport, fly to Springfield
12:30 - arrive at Capitol Bldg loading dock, take back elevator to office
1:00 - Have press conference in Rotunda outside of office. DIscuss how Mike Madigan is hold back progress on something.
1:15 - retreat to office, call Jay Hoffman
1:16 - call Emil Jones
1:20 - take back elevator to loading dock and exit Capitol via black suburban, fly back to main office location
3:00 - meet kids at home
6:00 - dinner & drinks with Sen. DeLeo (gov’s treat)
7:30 - Blackhawks game

Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:18 pm
So you’re saying that picture of Dan Lipinski isn’t funny?

Comment by P. Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:29 pm
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody. Rich, thanks for a great year. You make all of our jobs so much easier. Get some rest and fugettabuutit all for a while.
Have fun and remember we will all be back on Jan.2…and a special Southern Illinois holiday greeting to Little Egypt.

Comment by Bill Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:31 pm
Since this is our last chance to post for the year, just wanted to say, it’s been one heckuva year and thanks Rich for keeping us up to date. Merry Christmas and Happy 2008… even though ‘07 never really ended

Comment by Bookworm Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 4:32 pm
Merry Fitzmas, Bill.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 5:46 pm
Taxing Poles? We should do way better than texas. Seems a little unfair, though, maybe we ought to throw in the irish, too?

As a consitituent in Lipinski’s district, I can say I still feel robbed of a vote in this matter and intend to keep voting against him any chance I get. I feel the same way about Todd Stroger, and by the way, doesn’t Hastert have any children? Oberweis?

Comment by NoGiftsPlease Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 6:24 pm
I think a simpler answer for Mr. Kelly would be to just deny bail. There is really not a huge problem with out of control gambling in the State Pen.

Comment by Trafficmatt Friday, Dec 21, 07 @ 7:31 pm