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Blagojevich speaks at prayer breakfast, dodges press; Plus: Hynes slams guv * UPDATED X1 *

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Illinois

* We just found out that Gov. Blagojevich was in town today…

The Democratic governor attended a public event Wednesday morning without giving notice to reporters, and he quickly left without taking any questions.

In a brief speech at his annual prayer breakfast, Blagojevich did not address the new allegations.

* Listen to the speech...

[audio:GOV-4-23.mp3]

“It’s not like you get a chance to go to governor’s school.”

*** UPDATE *** Bethany Jaeger has more.

* Meanwhile, Comptroller Dan Hynes gave a speech in Southern Illinois this morning, which included a few jabs at the governor…

Now we know what leadership isn’t. Leadership isn’t having a big title or flying around in an airplane. And it isn’t fighting. As Dwight Eisenhower once said: “You do not lead by hitting people over the head — that’s assault, not leadership.” […]

It’s shocking to think that we’re almost three-fourths of the way through the legislative session – because there’s been very little “getting down to business.” You see, to be committed, you first have to – for lack of a better term – show up. Be engaged. And that starts at the top. A few years ago, the Governor complained that the General Assembly was spending like a bunch of drunken sailors. But I think the real problem is a captain hiding in his quarters.

Think about it.

The economy is slowing. Our revenues are disappearing. The deficit is worsening. Our infrastructure is crumbling. Our backlogs are growing. And our hospitals are closing.

And, all the while, our Governor – he’s hiding.

Read the entire speech by clicking here.

*** UPDATE *** Pat Quinn wants Blagojevich to answer questions on Ata…

Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn is demanding answers from Govenor Rod Blagojevich about allegations that came up in a federal corruption case. In a guilty plea yesterday, Ali Ata—the former head of the Illinois Finance Authority—said he got the job after contributing thousands of dollars to Blagojevich’s campaign.

Blagojevich quickly left a public event this morning without addressing Ata’s accusations. But Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn says that’s no way to handle the situation.

QUINN: To be running away and not fully engaging the people of Illinois, who are the voters, the taxpayers, the people who we are accountable to, I don’t think that’s the right way to go. I think Governor Blagojevich should speak to the public and answer questions about anything and everything.

And if the allegations about the governor are true?

QUINN: Well, if anyone committed wrongdoing, I think they should, uh, turn themselves in and suffer the consequences.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 12:18 pm

Comments

Good speech by Dan Hynes, the Governor in particular and the legislatives leader have all showed poor leadership skills. Though I am not entirely sure if the Governor is hiding from anything, other than maybe reality.

Comment by RMW Stanford Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 12:23 pm
So the Gov deserves an “ata” boy for his speech.

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 12:33 pm
Dan makes another veiled reference to The Caine Mutiny. And it is apropos. Now we need to get Mike Madigan to stop playing the Fred McMurray part from that film and move some agendas.

Comment by tomorrow's news today Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 12:36 pm
When does the impeachment process start, or has it?

Comment by Dan S, a Voter & Cubs Fan Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 12:59 pm
What, no children around for cover? Rich, what’s the over/under on the date this guy gets indicted?

Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:00 pm
Dan Hynes: Hallelujah.

Comment by Reality Check Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:16 pm
Good speech. And just another sign that he is, or really really wants to run for Governor. Too bad he doesn’t have a chance.

Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:28 pm
When will the Senate Dems grow a new pair (women excluded) and tell Emil they won’t be pulled around by the nose anymore? The Senator who steps forward (with a bunch of their colleagues right behind) will be a hero to the long suffering citizens of the State and our public institutions…the State needs to get back on track before things get even worse economically speaking…

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:33 pm
As of today there are, by my count, 993 days left in Blago’s term.
I propose a multi-part QOTD along the lines of those contests where you guess the number of coins, jelly beans, etc. in a jar…
1. Will that number be reduced;
2. By how much; and
3. By what means (impeachment, resignation, criminal conviction, other). This could be an optional tie-breaker.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:44 pm
You mean the reporters weren’t at the prayer breakfast?

Comment by Cal Skinner Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:46 pm
I think many are in agreement with Loop Lady’s comment above. Through parliamentary maneauvers and arbitrary misuse of the powers of the chair, the Senate President has repeatedly refused to allow elected officials to vote on matters which are of great importance to the people of Illinois. He has become a big part of the disfunctional state government problem.

Comment by One of the 35 Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:56 pm
Blagojevich governs by the “Golden Rule?” So does this mean we all get to shake him down for $25,000 checks so he can keep his job???

Comment by S. Illinois Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 1:57 pm
===Through parliamentary maneauvers and arbitrary misuse of the powers of the chair, the Senate President has repeatedly refused to allow elected officials to vote on matters which are of great importance to the people of Illinois. He has become a big part of the disfunctional state government problem.===
Hmmm,
Who else could this aptly describe?

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 2:00 pm
Bill S Pres, I’d say he has an excelent chance if the public is looking for the opposite of Blago. You know, that whole integrity thing.

Comment by 2for2 Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 2:06 pm
Milorod using the ‘golden rule’ as his governing philosophy rings just a little hollow….. be prepared for more earthquakes!

Comment by Trapped In The Metro East Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 2:13 pm
Governor A knows how to campaign, but Dan Hynes knows how to govern. What a shame we’re stuck with an indefatigable campaigner instead of a competent Governor!

Comment by Captain America Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:03 pm
Can we begin impeachment soon!!! Does the house start it off like at the federal level? Would he be tried in the Senate?

Comment by independent Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:20 pm
Another QOTD - Will the legal heat get high enough to force Blago to resign? Right now I’m putting chances of him being forced out of office at 50%.

Comment by Crimefighter Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:22 pm
Question of the day - if the Blago ship continues to take on water at the rate it is currently doing so, how long before Emil “the mouthpiece” Jones bails on Cap’n Blago and the gang? We are starting a pool in our office and so far 10 -14 days has been very popular.

Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:27 pm
If what is going around is true that Madigan would like to help the AG get into the governors office, and I believe the articles of impeachment start in the house, then this creates something interesting. As much as Quinn rode the coat tails of ARod, he would probably make a better govenor at this point… my 3 year old would at this point. But Quinn might get things accomplished and seems to have more downstate priorities than the Chicago 3 (+ how many). This might make it harder to defeat him in the primary than ARod. So the speaker might not be in any hurry to bring this to the floor.

Comment by T.i.w.i.t. Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:29 pm
[…] Dan Hynes blasts the Governor […]

Pingback by ArchPundit » Blog Archive » And the Wall Starts to Crumble Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:31 pm
It is kinda sad that Quinn is the only high office holder taking on Blogo for corrupt hiring. I don’t think Madigan, Hynes, Daley or anybody else could keep a straight face while blasting the Governor for selling jobs. It is a shame, because Quinn could appear self serving and thereby lose some credibility.

Comment by Garp Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:36 pm
Want to win that Congressional seat Senate Majority Leader Halvorson?

Be the first to lead on impeachment! It will help you appear divorced from those albatrosses around your neck and Illinoians will love it. And if you don’t win in November, you will be able to use the good-will you created by leading on Blagojevich’s impeachment to go after a statewide office in 2010.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:41 pm
The Gov is just like Hillary.

He ain’t going until they rip it out of his cold dead hands. And he will do whatever necessary to keep his power.

You can wish all you want but this shall remain rule #1 for the next 900+ days.

Comment by BIG R.PH. Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 3:57 pm
That was a great speech but he wasn’t exactly practicing what he preached.

Comment by Levois Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 4:27 pm
I think Quinn knows that he’d have a difficult time winning the 2010 primary unless he’s already acting Governor. Petitioning for the 2010 primary starts in 16 months. Even at the breakneck speed Fitzgerald is moving at, a Blagojevich indictment in that time period isn’t a forgone conclusion. Getting Blagojevich to resign out of humiliation or some other emotion he doesn’t possess is probably the only way Quinn gets to be Governor. I just can’t see Blagojevich resigning though unless he’s actually indicted. He’s the only politician insane enough where I would believe it if he ran for reelection (not saying it’s going to happen, just that he’s insane enough).

Comment by Sacks Romana Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 4:36 pm
If you listen to the unfiltered interview of Quinn, at the very end he says people who are not part of the mission to clean up state government should “resign”!!

Comment by Trapped In The Metro East Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 4:41 pm
I don’t believe the governor would resign even if indicted, and he doesn’t need to resign unless convicted. I can see him actively running for reelection under indictment, claiming it’s all a bunch of Madigan lies and the charges are trumped up to thwart his plans to give health care to all.

He is as delusional as Hillary Clinton. It will take more than an indictment to be rid of him.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 5:31 pm
Channel 20 in Springfield just showed his speech on the news and he said he couldn’t stay at the prayer breakfast. He had to get over to the governor’s mansion (probably had to ask for directions) and meet on the capital spending plan. They closed the piece by saying the governor was back in Chicago by 9:30. That must have been an efficient meeting!

Comment by Fed Up State Employee Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 6:15 pm
If you resign, it’s very, very difficult to raise funds for your legal defense. The governor is not resigning unless things get extremely dire.

Comment by Fan of the Game Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 7:28 pm
Governor Blago’s support is very strong in the Black Community. I am unsure if he will ever lose that support,and as such, he will be tough to beat. Am I wrong about that?? All the same…I have to say after listening to that speech, he sounds delusional. This man has lost it!!

Comment by anon Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 8:20 pm
If they actually start impeachment proceedings, will it kick off with a band and cheerleaders?

Comment by North of I-80 Wednesday, Apr 23, 08 @ 9:40 pm
He’s been at Governor’s School for 5 1/2 yrs now. Maybe he needs a little extra tutoring.

Comment by Budget Watcher Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 6:30 am
Wow.
Blaggoof almost sounded scared in those remarks….rambled worse than ever…Hank Williams…The Ata Rollover must have been a shocker.

Comment by WayDumberThanYouThink Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 7:38 am
I’m surprised that he showed up at all. It won’t be the first time he blew them off!

Comment by South of I-80 Thursday, Apr 24, 08 @ 7:56 am