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* Something seemed vaguely familiar about this Associated Press story released this afternoon…

What a difference a few months can make.

Not long ago, Gov. Rod Blagojevich would rarely venture out in public. When he did, he would bolt afterward, eager to avoid questions about the federal corruption trial of his former fundraiser.

Now the trial is over — although with a conviction for Blagojevich money man Antoin “Tony” Rezko — and Blagojevich is seeking the spotlight again, reminiscent of his early time in office before federal authorities cranked up the heat on his administration.

A feisty Blagojevich has challenged opponents and flaunted his veto power. He has been chatty with the media again after months of ducking when he couldn’t escape questions about Rezko.

It’s a switch for a governor who just a few months ago couldn’t keep Rezko from stealing attention from the issues and agenda he wanted to advance, something that didn’t help the gridlock in Springfield.

* So, I used the Google and found an eerily similar Associated Press story from June 20th by the same reporter…

When Gov. Rod Blagojevich stopped to visit volunteers filling sandbags to fight floodwaters threatening this Mississippi River town, the spotlight was not on impeachment. Or his ongoing feud with lawmakers. Or the conviction of his top political fundraiser. […]

The floods that have devastated the Midwest couldn’t have come at a politically better time for Gov. Rod Blagojevich. After months of staying mostly out of public view, the governor has spent the week touring flood-ravaged areas and lobbying for relief for homeowners, businesses and communities. […]

The attention is a switch for Blagojevich, who has had difficulty getting lawmakers and the media to focus on issues important to him, in large part because of the corruption trial of his former fundraiser Antoin “Tony” Rezko.

* Today also isn’t the first time that Blagojevich has been labeled “feisty” by the AP. This story is from August 7th…

A feisty Gov. Rod Blagojevich lashed out Wednesday at lawmakers he accuses of stonewalling his statewide construction program and even took a swipe at Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, imploring the powerful politician not to side with the “oppressor.”

* One other point from today’s piece…

It’s a move straight out of Blagojevich’s early playbook that draws on the John Wayne Westerns the Democratic governor loves where every hero needs a foil.

That paragraph referred to Blagojevich “casting himself as the good guy and Madigan as his foe in a fight over how to come up with the money to build roads, bridges, schools and other projects.”

* You have to go back to 2006 for the AP’s first John Wayne reference…

Gov. Rod Blagojevich is more than a casual John Wayne fan. When he rattles off Wayne’s movie titles, his list of favorites includes the little-known B-Westerns the Duke made before “Stagecoach” made him a star.

The Western’s world of black hats and white hats appeals to the Democratic governor.

“John Wayne was for truth and justice, the American way,” the governor said on a recent afternoon, taking a break from politics to talk about movies over a fried chicken lunch at a West Side soul food restaurant.

“John Wayne was on the right side against the wrong side in his movies.”

OK, after four stories I think we get it. The governor is having more press conferences now that the Rezko trial is over, he’s “feisty” and he’s back to his John Wayne caricature.

Thanks, AP.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:27 pm

Comments

What - you missed the Trib article from a few weeks ago?

The real question - is this a change in behavior or a change in the narrative? Is this media navel-gazing? A recognition of their exclusive focus on Rezko? Or are they writing this narrative merely as a way to keep the Rezko meme alive while there are no updates from a trial to merit front page attention.

I honestly don’t know the answer. But the trend among reporters does seem to be there, whatever it means.

Comment by GoBearsss Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:40 pm
Apparently the AP has opted to trade their position as respected news organization for Blagoof media enabler.
Might have tossed in some lame excuse for the first self declared African American governor’s decision to skip Obama’s historic acceptance or….
But that might have crimped the puff piece.

Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:40 pm
2ConfusedCrew seems to have missed the lessons of the hug.

Comment by GoBearsss Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:41 pm
“John Wayne was for truth and justice, the American way,” This was the Intro Slogan for the radio Superman Series, not John Wayne. I knew John Wayne and Superman and guv is neither !

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:48 pm
John Wayne also never created his own straw men.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:49 pm
The only “lesson” from the hug was one hugee ran out of the hotel, jumped on his jet and blasted out of the Mile High City.
The huggers stayed to applaud Barack

Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:52 pm
Maybe the western Denver air stirred up the John Wayne factor a little bit. Maybe the AP is taking writing lessons from Zell: word count matters; content doesn’t. Next up should be a revealing piece about how the governor idolizes EAP.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 3:55 pm
I think there are larger questions about the shift. Ok fine the Rezko is over, and some of the spotlight is off. However, the problems still remain, the questions still can be asked. Blago could still answer a question one way, and another way with the feds. This could hurt his credibility at a later (potential) trial, or he could say something that opens up a new can of worms with the Feds. While it doesnt make sense to hideout forever, there needs to be a larger discussion about why he has now gone 180 degrees back to his pre-trial self. Is there the chance he got some good news from the Feds?

Comment by Red Ranger Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 4:02 pm
Kudos to Miller once again (part 9,532,239). AP has drunk the Kool Aid.

I don’t believe in mass media elite conspiracies, but I do believe that some reporters and organizations don’t effectively filter out their own biases - that is the case here.

Comment by Soy Milk - Formerly Known As Napoleon has left the building Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 4:19 pm
Why the name change, SM?

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 4:22 pm
The story IS a repetitive recap, but I don’t necessarily think you can say Deanna Bellandi has “drank the Kool-Aid.”

Comment by WonderBoy Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 4:26 pm
Rich, Soy Milk is distancing himself from Oberweis.

Comment by A Citizen Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 4:47 pm
How many dead movie stars and singers have been insulted by the comparisons to this Gov.? I would think Elvis and the Dukes family’s would be filing suit in their behalf !!!

Comment by NIEVA Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 4:48 pm
It is a sign of the times.

Fewer reporters writing more articles means a higher reliance on press releases from those entrenched in power.

Fewer reporters also means a shorter corporate memory which means for example that it is much harder to pull the wool over the eyes of someone like Rich than a less experiences staffer who can only write about what is in front of them without context.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 5:12 pm
… It also seems to be the truth…

Comment by pro Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 6:44 pm
I love journalist dis tracks. AP and Capitol Fax got beef.

Comment by Ramsin Monday, Sep 8, 08 @ 8:32 pm
Will Blago go back into hiding prior to the Rezko sentencing hearing right before the election…I think so…it’s ok Obamaphiles, Oliver Stone’s W movie is coming out right before 11/04 and I hear it doesn’t paint a flattering portrait of John McCains best buddy…tit for tat…

Comment by Loop Lady Tuesday, Sep 9, 08 @ 7:10 am
I think the Rezko questions should still be asked, as in:

–Why did you give him such an important role in personnel?

–Did he ever intervene personally with you to secure an appointment or job?

–

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Sep 9, 08 @ 8:02 am
Calm before the storm….. Blago’s just flapping his gums and nothing is come out but the same old BS rhetoric.
The Rezko thing hasn’t even reach full stride yet.
Just wait!

Comment by Northside Bunker Tuesday, Sep 9, 08 @ 8:07 am
We, in Illinois, have the best government that money can buy.

Comment by JWR Tuesday, Sep 9, 08 @ 9:15 am
>>

Yeh, and we accept CREDIT cards, TOO!

Comment by Room Monitor Tuesday, Sep 9, 08 @ 4:54 pm