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Blagojevich unfiltered

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Illinois

* John Patterson has some quotes from the governor’s State Fair press availability this morning…

On the unbalanced state budget lawmakers sent him …
“It’s not only wrong, it’s dishonest.”

On abolishing property taxes as key funding source for schools [the top priority of Sen. James Meeks during the upcoming special sessions] …
“No, I don’t support that.”

On his ability to compromise …
“I don’t support an expansion of gambling.”
The governor said his supporting of gambling expansion to pay for construction shows he’s willing to negotiate. […]

On those who’ve criticized how he cut the budget …
“You know, you ought to walk a mile in my shoes.”

On his public perception …
“I don’t want to shock you, but once in a while I get negative feedback.”

On why residents of Springfield don’t like him …
“They’re mostly angry at the way things are,” (as opposed to him)

On House Democrats …
“They frustrate me. All they’re interested in is playing stupid games.”

On public dissatisfaction with state government …
“Are people angry? Sure. But so am I.”

* The SJ-R has more…

[Gov. Blagojevich] hit on several issues brought up by reporters including moving the Illinois Department of Transportation’s traffic safety division from Springfield to Harrisburg in southern Illinois.

He called it a “done deal,” despite the fact a state facilities panel still has to vote on the issue next week, and repeated that Springfield-based workers who don’t want to relocate will be able to get another state job for the same pay and benefits.

When asked what Springfield officials could do to restore operation hours at state historic sites here, he said they need to get on the backs of House Democrats, who he says are holding up passage of funds to allow that to happen.

* AP…

Governor Rod Blagojevich says the Illinois State Fair is the best place to be in August… The governor says the fairgrounds in Springfield are one of the wonders of Illinois and a beautiful place.

* Another story from the AP…

[Gov. Blagojevich] was asked repeatedly by reporters what education funding proposal or reform plan he supports, but he would not answer.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 12:34 pm

Comments

If I was me, I’d fire me.

Comment by Elvis Not Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 12:43 pm
Yeah, Springfield is so beautiful, that is why the governor is never there… sometimes even when he has to be. And forget the fair, just go across the street to Franny’s.

Comment by Heartless Libertarian Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:01 pm
==The governor says the fairgrounds in Springfield are one of the wonders of Illinois and a beautiful place.==

So are our state parks perhaps he should try visiting one of those if it happens to be open..

Comment by OneMan Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:13 pm
Based on Capt Fax’s earlier column, we can assume Blagoofer really means Springfield is America’s cesspool, IDOT jobs go to S. IL until I move them somewhere else, I am now against gambling cause TR and Chris won’t get their end, etc, etc.
Confused and under a lot of pressure as one spokesperson put it so well.

Comment by 2ConfuseCrew Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:20 pm
He calls in the legislature to reform school funding yet he has no ideas to propose and he’ll veto any tax hike. What kind of leadership is that?

Comment by Reformer Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:21 pm
I’ve had to delete a few comments already for over the top anger.

Tone it down, please.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:33 pm
=== On House Democrats …
“They frustrate me. All they’re interested in is playing stupid games.” ===

Making phone calls to the speaker every day is a better example of playing games. Moving Traffic Safety to reward those who did not back a recall amenemdnet is playing games. Firing the spouse of a polotical opponents staffer is playing games. Refusing to sign Ethics legislation which would bar contractors from being shaken down for 25k checks to get State contracts is playing games. Refusing to comply with JCAR is playing games. Killing off bills which provide greater insurance coverage to try and grandstand is playing games. refusing to mention that you want free ridership for seniors during protected CTA/RTA bailout discussions is playing games. caling special sessions and using them as a threat to try and bully law makers is playing games.

The House dems trying to stop pay to play shakedowns and from giving a corrupt Gov access to 25 Billion is not playing games, its their job. if only the Gov would stop playing games and do his as well.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:37 pm
Reformer –

That, sir, is the leadership you elected. The Democrat machines thought thathe was their sock puppet. They did not pay attention when he broke it off with his father in law.

Leadership was not required with a fair wind and following seas and not enough Republicans to be a sheet anchor on the ship of state.

We have a Senate Majority leader who would rather see layoffs so he can get a pay increase. We have a House leader who would make Cardinal Richelieu look like a scoutmaster.

Nobody is at the helm.

Comment by Truthful James Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:46 pm
So Far the best item given out at the fair: Republican Tent Button Showing Blago saying “I have NOTHING to fear but the Truth.

Priceless!!!

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:51 pm
—“You know, you ought to walk a mile in my shoes.”===

You know something? That could be turned into a Weird Al Yankovic song.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:54 pm
===That could be turned into a Weird Al Yankovic song.===

Considering ticket sales, nobody would hear it.

Just sayin’

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:12 pm
—“You know, you ought to walk a mile in my shoes.”

Isn’t our state motto “Mile After Magnificent Mile”?!?!?

Comment by IllinoisBelows Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:30 pm
hope the fair is fun since half of springfield is here at the Cub-Cardinal game…

Comment by joe schmoe Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:31 pm
Whenever I hear about our Governor’s interaction with the press, I keep thinking about a line from a movie that went something like, “This is supossed to be a press conference damn it! The last thing I want to do is answer a bunch of questions!”

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:47 pm
our gov wants to dominate the appropriations process and get funded what he wants - and now he wants to amendatorily veto bills into whole new proposals, taking away the legislature’s role in passing public policy.

After trying to usurp the entire responsibilities of the legislative branch, he is upset when some legislators resist him???

Comment by Capitol View Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 4:21 pm