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* 12:40 pm - Now, this is pretty darned desperate…
Governor Rod Blagojevich says he fears next week’s vote could be a “Republican trap” to entangle presidential candidate Barack Obama in the gridlock over Illinois’ ethics legislation.
The Democratic governor says he worries Republican John McCain’s campaign will accuse Obama of helping his old friends in Illinois if state senators override Blagojevich’s veto on ethics legislation. […]
If lawmakers go along with the ethics reform measures he wants, Blagojevich says Obama can brag about how he helped change the system in Illinois.
McCain can say whatever he wants, of course, but Obama would have a far tougher time explaining things if he was siding with the most investigated governor in Illinois history and against every reformer in the General Assembly and every good government group that deals directly with Illinois politics, not to mention every Statehouse journalist and every columnist and editorial page editor in the entire state.
* 2:54 pm - Senate President Emil Jones has just informed his members that the Senate will convene a regular session on Monday at noon. He’s also told his members to be prepared to stay until Tuesday.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:40 pm
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I doubt if Obama is looking for the chance to stand with Blago on ethics reform, or anything else for that matter.
The ego and self-delusion of the man is breathtaking.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:45 pm
He can satisfy everyone if he calls on everyone to override AND pass the broader ethics package.
Legislators CAN do both…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:49 pm
===He can satisfy everyone ===
There is no upside, political or otherwise, for Obama to side with Rod Blagojevich.
Period.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:51 pm
Perhaps Obama could do us all a favor and call Madagin and ask him to advance the Impeachment Process - Change we can All believe in !
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:53 pm
The truht is that Governor Pinnochio is feeling cornered and trapped as a result of a multitide of federal investigations, the retirement of his sidekick and Chief enabler, Godfather Jones, and the likelihood that the Seaate will vote overwhelmingly to overide his poison pill revisions to the ethics bill.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:54 pm
A “Republican trap”? Which phantom Republican is pulling the strings here, Rod? Has McCain even mentioned this particular story since its inception? I suppose not even the governor could bash the usual list of scapegoats this time.
Comment by The Doc Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:57 pm
==McCain’s campaign will accuse Obama of helping his old friends in Illinois if state senators override Blagojevich’s veto ==
Does the governor not understand that his amendatory veto has already failed? The only question now is whether the original bill (without his amendments) will become law (if the Senate joins the House in overriding the veto) or nothing will become law (if the Senate fails to override).
Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 12:58 pm
[…] 19, 2008 · No Comments “Governor Rod Blagojevich says he fears next week’s vote could be a ‘Republicantrap’ to entangle presidential candidate Barack Obama in the gridlock over Illinois’ ethics legislation,” AP reports (via Rich Miller). […]
Pingback by Gov. Baloneyvich’s Brain « Division Street Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:05 pm
….could be a ‘Republicantrap’ to entangle presidential candidate Barack Obama in the gridlock….
Seems to me the Gov entangles Obama anytime he mentions him.
Maybe Gov B is sending a message here… back off or I’ll keep talking about you.
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:11 pm
What is Gov. Sleazy worried about? After all, it is the Illinois Senate that will be meeting, not the Illinois House. So Gov. Sleazy doesn’t have to worry about an Impeachment resolution being introduced at this time. When the House reconvenes, that is another matter altogether.
Comment by fedup dem Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:14 pm
I clicked to comment….frankly I’m speechless at the…forget it, I’m just speechless.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:23 pm
Bill Baar nailed it. That;s exactly what I was thinking!
Comment by Anon Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:26 pm
Speaking as a Republican, we are not that clever.. I do however think I know where he got this idea from…
There is an episode of Hannah Montana or perhaps it was the Suite Life of Zack and Cody where the same thing happens…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:27 pm
Lose - lose for Obama. Bummer
I do think maybe Bill B has it right. It’s a shot across his bow.
Comment by Pat collins Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:28 pm
With all that’s going on with the banking industry, I doubt that McCain is going to waste time talking on the campaign trail about where Obama stands on Illinois ethics reform. From from this point forward, until election day, it’s going to be almost exclusively about who’s bears most of the blame for the banking debacle.
Blagojevich is so transparent that it borders on insanity anymore and he just looks pathetic when he makes statements like this.
Comment by I'mTellingYou Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:44 pm
Does Obama really care what is going on in Illinois? He sure hasn’t since he was elected Senator from this state. Blagoof needs to be institutionalized with heavy meds.
Comment by Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:50 pm
Snicker, talk about being stuck between a Ba-rock and a hard place!
Comment by Black Ivy Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 1:53 pm
Rich, The governor’s hair is serious upside. Good, Lord, man! Give him his due!
Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 2:14 pm
When hasn’t he been desperate?
Comment by Levois Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 2:24 pm
Wow!
I cant get over the idea of Gov. Blago actually thinking that this was some sort of “republican trap.”
Perhaps a reporter should have followed up and asked “exactly who would be perpetrating this sort of conspiracy?”
On a lighter note, saw “Burn after reading ” last night at the Austin Texas Draft House. The head man at the CIA in that movie reminded me of Rod, not in appearance, but in intellegence.
Comment by Speaking at Will Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 2:36 pm
I called this problem out on the original thread a couple days ago, but it was too late in the evening. (Rich could verify)
I think Obama did the right thing here. But McCain’s camp has already shown they don’t care about their claims being anyting like truthful. I can hear the ad now:
“The Governor of his own state tried to create stronger ethics bill, but Barack Obama convinced his Chicago Machine pals to override the veto”
It’s no differnt than the sex ed for kindergarteners B.S.
Comment by bad call Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 2:43 pm
Blago has been mentioning obama every chance he gets from Rezko to campaign reform. He is either hoping the good will rubs off or to stupid to see he harms the Obama campaign everytime he opens his mouth.
Comment by fed up Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 2:44 pm
Maybe Obama should shoot across Blago’s bow.
Comment by Ahem Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 2:56 pm
How about they meet for a dual at sunrise, may the both hit their target.
Comment by Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:01 pm
Oh Rod, Yawn…where’s Fitz? Is that him right behind you? Ha! made you look…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:05 pm
Kids: “Uncle Blago! Uncle Blago! Tell us another scarey story!
Gov: “As scarey as the Cub’s season 1984?”
Kids: “Yes! Please!”
Gov: “Gather ’round, my little friends and you will hear a spooky tail about Republicans, Conservatives and Alaskans!”
“It’s Ethics Reform! It’s Ethics Reform!
The moon is full and bright
And we shall see what can’t be seen
On any other night.”
“Madigans and Quinns are ghouls,
Grinning House Democrats fighting a duel,
McCain’s rising from his political tomb,
Palin’s on her magic broom.”
“In masks and suits
we run from SwiftBoats,
And knock on doors
to buy up votes.”
“Tonight we dine with
Rezko and Kelly,
Watch him slither
across on his belly!”
“We pay and play,
from dusk til dawn,
But then we discover
our trough is gone!”
“The GOP entraps,
our nation’s messiah!
They call him a fraud!
They call him a liah!”
“But no one will listen!
They don’t give a fig!
The knives will a-glisten!
Like lipstick on a pig!”
“So whatever you do,
Don’t mess with success!
Ethics reform is nothing,
But a giant mess!”
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:11 pm
Vanilla Man, you’re killing me…softly…
Comment by Black Ivy Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:13 pm
When did Gov Blago become Admiral Ackbar (Star Wars)?
Comment by Wumpus Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:16 pm
Rod reminds me of the lion in “The Wizard of Oz.” Upper lip.
Comment by Ahem Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:39 pm
I cannot decide who to thank more for the belly laugh - you guys or Blago!
Comment by Collar faithless Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:45 pm
And then I put in the wrong link, bad Scooby, bad.
Here’s a better link.
Comment by Scooby Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 3:49 pm
This one initially threw me for a loop, but I think I’ve figured it all out at last. (Unindicted Official) A-Rod is actually a Republican! That would explain why he’s always fighting with such stalwart Dems as Madigan and Daley. That would explain why he’s now chosen to put Saint Barack in a lose-lose situation (either way the Senate votes he looks like he’s anti-reform). That explains why he loves Elvis and Hannah Montana rather than AC/DC and South Park. That explains why he carries on “business as usual” in a manner that makes even George Ryan blush. That explains why Fitz hasn’t indicted him yet. Yep. He’s a closet Republican.
Comment by The Mad Hatter Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 4:01 pm
I wonder if Blago really believes it has to be a conspiracy against Obama, since no one in their right minds would question his AV. It’s kind of pathetic…this all-out attempt to thwart or at least delay the implemention of the passed ethics bill.
I hope Blago was at today’s Cubs game
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 4:01 pm
VM,
Brilliant!
Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 4:04 pm
We can’t repel Ethics Reform of that magnitude!
Comment by Admiral Akbar Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 4:23 pm
Many staffers died to bring us these amendments.
Comment by Admiral Akbar Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 4:24 pm
Mad Hatter,
He voted for Reagan in 1980 and 1984, and proudly admits to being a former “Reagan Democrat” to this day. But he uses the state’s barely breathing state Republican Party as an occasional whipping boy when convenient.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 4:28 pm
Good press, bad press - it’s all good! Did my hair look nice? Did I shave close enough? Maybe I’ll get a cabinet post! Yeah, that’s the ticket.
Comment by Disgusted Friday, Sep 19, 08 @ 6:39 pm