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* The headline on this Sun-Times story is “Daley defends Blagojevich,” but the only defense offered by hizzoner is about impeachment. Daley is against impeaching someone over political disagreements. Not surprising. He was against recall as well.
* The real meat of the story, however, is a blistering assault on the governor’s capital plan…
Daley accused Blagojevich of trying to sell his stalled, $34 billion capital plan with bogus claims that it’s vital to Chicago’s bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.
“They’re not involved. Don’t throw it on the Olympics. . . .I don’t know who’s telling you these stories,” Daley said.
Oh, baby, don’t mess with hizzoner’s pet project.
* Daley also explained why he was against the Chicago casino proposal…
Daley said he nixed plans for a land-based Chicago casino — not because the governor’s demand for an up-front payment was too big, but because the legislation was sprung on the city as the clock was winding down on the spring session.
“No one knew about it. It was the last minute thrown in there with a lot of changes. . . . Our people had no discussion whatseover about the bill. Never heard about it,” Daley said.
“This is a business. You just don’t put something on the table at the last minute and sign an agreement. You just don’t do that — without even reading it or discussing what ramifications that one sentence has or five sentences or 22 paragraphs have? No.”
* Daley again brought up the “trust” issue, or “lack of trust” issue, and was not pleased that the governor’s people had leaked the claim that Daley did not return a phone call from Gov. Blagojevich about the capital bill on the last day of session…
“How ‘bout getting a call at 3 o’clock on the same day? You know what [a set-up] that is,” Daley said.
* The governor’s office probably didn’t help matters with this response to CBS 2…
Sources close to Blagojevich countered that they have, in fact, kept the mayor’s people fully informed in every step of this year’s budget negotiations – on a possible casino in downtown Chicago and everything else.
That’ll go over well.
* Related…
* Bipartisan group rallies for passage of a capital plan
* Hearing on IDOT move set for July 31
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 9:12 am
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Who backed Blagojevich unlike previous Democratic gubernatorial nominees? Who not only worked to get Blagojevich in office by sending out the troops to bring in voters, but also was Chairman of the Blagojevich for Governor campaign?
Thank you Mayor Daley for giving us Rod Blagojevich as our governor. Thank you for all the years we’ve had with him “in charge”.
Everytime I hear Mayor Daley cough up a comment about Rod Blagojevich I remember how hard he worked to get him elected.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 9:35 am
As far as getting Rod elected, Daley, like a lot of people, has been made a fool. But Da Mayor has always complained about the governor’s infamous last-minute, poorly researched, and consistently underdeveloped proposals.
Comment by Lurker Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 9:58 am
Moreover — to add to VanillaMan’s post — the gov’s inane method of communication (inane is a kind way of saying, well, “nutty”) was well established and very much entrenched by the time Blagojevich was travelling to his beloved steel mills and announcing re-election.
I think all of this talk — Madigan, Daley — is disingenuous at best. These are the guys that put Blagojevich in office a second time — and the same guys who knew full well about the ineffectiveness of Blagojevich’s administration.
That’s why I’m concinved — absolutely convinced — that when it comes time for Blagojevich to roll up to the steel mill and announce a run for a third time — these guys will be standing by Blagojevich and urging the voters to vote him back in a third time.
It’s all political play. Impeachment isn’t about impeachment. Recall isn’t about recall. It’s cover for the next election — and then forgotten until the next one after that.
The only person that will sink Blagojevich is Blagojevich. It’s his election to lose. The voters will vote the same way — and will continue to vote the same way. It doesn’t matter what audit gets announceed as a blazing failure, it doesn’t matter what programs get cut or what prisons close. It’s all playtime until the chads get punched and this guy gets another four years. Then it’s playtime again for three years after that.
Everybody had their chance but they swept him — and his nutty administration — back into office a second time.
Comment by Macbeth Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 10:03 am
Hopefully Fitz will take care of Blagoof before the next election.
Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 10:12 am
Daley was consulted on the capital plan–Poshard and Hastert met with him. His staff was made continually aware of the legislation and were begged to participate. Daley’s line doesn’t add up and is pretty disingenious and disrespectful of Hastert, another call he did not return. The Olympics are very much in play. Mayor’s public transit system would see $4.7 billion in the capital bill and the 4,000 positions in a Chicago casino would pay for itself in less than 6 months. Weakest part of Chicago’s bid is the transportation piece. Don’t let Daley get away with saying the bill was sprung on him at the last minute–absolutely not true.
Comment by Please, Mayor Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 10:27 am
Of course Daley is against impeachment and recall. Rod and Todd are the best things he has going.
There’s only so much ink and airtime that can be devoted to government and politics. Rod and Todd draw a lot of heat that could be directed at the mayor.
Daley’s not going to stick his neck out for Rod on a capital plan or gambling unless he has irrevocable guarantees written in blood. Please — he grew up in the “business,” to borrow the mayor’s Freudian slip, has been at it a lot longer, and it much better at it than Rod.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 10:47 am
Rich: Could you post that IMA letter you mentioned this a.m.? Should make for interesting reading. Thanks!
Comment by Linus Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 11:29 am
soon
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 11:35 am
I actually agree with Daley, who I greatly dislike.
Though there are a lot of allegations, is there any actual evidence of criminal misconduct?
I don’t think someone should be impeached and removed from office for simply being really bad at their job. That is what elections are for.
High crimes and misdemeanors, on the other hand…
Comment by jerry 101 Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 12:15 pm
===High crimes and misdemeanors, on the other hand===
1) There is no such language in the Illinois Constitution.
2) The only recourse against a governor who violates statutes and the Constitution on a regular basis is removal from office.
3) A governor who is incapacitated or otherwise unable to do his/her job should also be a consideration.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 12:22 pm
Wordslinger hit the nail on the head. The Rod & Todd Show has received a relatively disproportionate amount of scrutiny in regards to corruption, patronage, and bad government. Daley’s certainly in the mix vis-a-vis Hired Truck, building inspectors, Shakman, etc., but has mitigated these scandals with enough positives to escape serious ramifications (to this point) on city hall’s 5th floor.
Comment by The Doc Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 1:44 pm
Rich Miller wrote, “Daley again brought up the “trust” issue, or ‘lack of trust’ issue, and was not pleased that the governor’s people had leaked the claim that Daley did not return a phone call from Gov. Blagojevich about the capital bill on the last day of session…”
Please. Daley seems unable to even preside over Chicago City Council meetings in a democratic fashion. For example, not too long ago, he simply refused to recognize a Council member, who had a right to speak in defense of the Foie Gras ban.
Comment by Squideshi Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 3:06 pm
Heard the special will not be held until the week after July 4th. Should be interesting!!!!
Comment by Boondoggle Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 4:52 pm
Wordslinger: Business–Freudian slip?
Check out what I said yesterday on the “Firing Squad” thread.
Maybe the Mayor had it on his mind if he read it.
Even more so, if he didn’t read it, which is more likely, it proves my point.
Like it even needed to be proven.
Comment by Wisdom Wednesday, Jun 18, 08 @ 6:18 pm