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AG Madigan, Genson trade barbs

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Illinois

* AG Madigan traded barbs with Ed Genson yesterday…

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who lost a bid this week to have the state Supreme Court consider removing Blagojevich, said she’s disappointed in the attitude of Genson, a renowned defense attorney. She zeroed in on Genson’s statement earlier this week, saying that he’s taking the potentially expensive Blagojevich case partly for “fun.”

“You know what? This isn’t fun,” Madigan shot back in an interview with CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery. “This isn’t fun for the people of the state of Illinois. It’s not fun to see your governor arrested and taken away in handcuffs. … Unfortunately, Mr. Genson seems to have an attitude that is not appropriate for the circumstances.”

Madigan said Genson should act more professionally when he addresses the House committee.

Genson responded later in an interview with CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine. “When Lisa Madigan pays me, she’ll have the right to say what she thinks is appropriate,” Genson. “I am paying her salary, and I don’t think what she says is appropriate.”

Oof.

* As I told you yesterday, Genson may have gotten himself into hot water with the impeachment committee. The governor’s attorney apparently didn’t notice his microphone was on when he made a wisecrack to an aide who told him about a phone message…

“Tell her the truth, I’m stuck in this stupid hearing.”

Yikes.

* Related…

* Blagojevich Attorneys Consider ‘Walking Out’ of Impeachment Proceedings

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:46 am

Comments

He is a defense attorney hired at the last minute by an unpredictable client in a heap of trouble….she expects manners, too?

Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:49 am
I have yet to be impressed by Gensen. I think Blago could have done better with anyone else. But then again, there’s an old saying, “you get what you pay for.”

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:51 am
I think it is much ado about nothing that he said this. Even if the committee takes exception to his comments, it won’t make them treat him with any less deference. That wouldn’t be possible considering the fact that they act with such contempt towards him during the proceedings. To him, it probably is a stupid hearing and he wouldn’t have much trouble explaining away his comment and moving forward using the argument that he believes the grounds for the hearings fall short of the standards they need to meet. It was a stupid thing to say, but probably not that big of a deal.

Comment by So ILL Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:53 am
As much as I detest the Gov, I gotta give Round One of the Genson/Madigan spat to Genson. Absolutely brilliant comeback.

Comment by Cynic Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:55 am
Genson is the right person to represent Blago - they seem to be made of the same cloth. Considering this process “fun” is Genson’s way of saying this is all and all, a good day.

All I want for Christmas is some mature leadership!

Comment by Collar Observer Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:55 am
I haven’t been impressed, either. This is all about him and free advertising.

For the impeachment proceedings, Rod would have been wiser to hire an attorney who had served at the constitutional convention. I think there are a few around still practicing.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:58 am
While I agree with the comments from the AG, I think it was unprofessional of her to make them. She needs to be above these kinds of personel comments and act as a true Statemen. We need leaders not zingers.

Comment by Ghost Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 12:07 pm
Mr. Genson apparently feels that Springfield, the House Committee on Inquiry and the statehouse press corps is beneath his dignity. I’m beginning to wonder if the Governor had to promise Genson he could stay in the Executive Mansion at no cost to get him to travel to “Hicksville”. Oh well, at least SOMEBODY is staying in the mansion these days.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 12:07 pm
Cynic, I would agree with you IF we knew that Gensen paid taxes. Gensen’s not going to walk out of any of these proceedings. He will be in Springfield for each and every day because he’s getting to live the high life in the Mansion at night, and WE are getting to pay for it.

Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 12:15 pm
A news story on the radio claimed that Genson received a $100,000 retainer from guv - I wonder where that money came from, in these difficult economic times.

Comment by A Citizen Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 12:39 pm
oops. maybe MJM shouldn’t have said the SAME thing when he was interviewed on msnbc earlier this week. wasn’t his quote something like “it’s fun, you should come on down”.

everybody needs to focus a little,
and maybe get off the high horse.

Comment by glass houses Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 12:43 pm
Has everyone forgotten over the last three years of scandals at DCFS,CMS and Governmental Affairs where the austral Joe “the patronage King” Cellini held court. We could go to each Department with scandals and waste that was covered up. Need not mention Patti “the potty mouth” hefty commissions on real estate deals. Who can forget the infamous Robin Stagger’s of DCFS. Let the games begin and after send the King and his cronies to a long vacation at Club Fed

Comment by concern Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 12:56 pm
Watching these pols fall over themselves to distance themselves from Blago is fun for me, so maybe that’s why I side for Genson. Of course, waiting for Blago to get his comeuppance is fun too.

Concern - Is anything happening with the infamous Robin Staggers? Last I heard, she waqs promoted(!) to DCFS Chief of Staff.

Comment by Cynic Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 1:21 pm
I don’t think the AG was out of line. And the “I pay your salary…” line is quite stale. Unless Gensen is underwriting her ENTIRE salary, he contributes less than .0001% of it.

WE all pay the AG. She represents all of us, not just a select few overpaid big mouth suits from Chicago.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 1:34 pm
Genson must believe that he knows so much of the law, everything else is beneath him.

How can he fit that big head of his under the Capitol dome?

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 1:36 pm
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk
You’re a jerk

Comment by Jerk Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 2:08 pm
Did he lose the ‘football’?

Comment by Jerk Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 2:09 pm
Sam Adam is going to give a campaign commercial?
Hyper little fellow isn’t he?

Comment by Jerk Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 2:13 pm
This whole thing is fast becoming - or perhaps it already has - a big joke. Wake me up when he’s out of office.

Comment by starthrower68 Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 2:46 pm
Were any shoes thrown at him?

Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 3:01 pm
Is he trying to sound like Elvis in that first line, or is it just second nature with him? LOL

Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 3:25 pm
*sigh* Posted in the wrong thread.

Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 3:34 pm
I thought Lisa Madigan’s comments were completely appropriate. She’s speaking for the people, which few others seem to be doing.

Is Genson really staying at the governor’s mansion? If so, unreal!

Comment by Cheswick Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 4:18 pm
Not only is Genson supposedly staying in the mansion in Springfield (guess we should be happy that someone is) but he also received a $100,000.00 retainer…hey, I know, since he says he would do the job representing “his” Governor for free and the current legal situation that the Governor is facing is “fun”, why doesn’t he give the retainer back and/or donate it to the State to help with the balancing of the budget since he to is concerned with the state of affairs that Illinois finds itself in at this time.

Comment by Sherrybear Friday, Dec 19, 08 @ 11:22 pm