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* The setup…
Gov. Rod Blagojevich, worried he would be a “distraction” given the impeachment and criminal charges against him, won’t be going to Washington for President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural festivities, a spokesman said today.
The governor was invited to several inaugural events, but won’t make the trip, Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said.
“He doesn’t want to be a distraction from Obama, and unfortunately he thinks (his presence) would be,” he said.
After his brief appearance at the Democratic National Convention, including the “hug-fest,” Blagojevich returned to Springfield and vetoed much of the state budget, which distracted from Obama’s acceptance speech.
Despite what the governor’s spokesman says, I suspect Blagojevich may do something next week to draw attention to himself.
* The Question: What will the governor do to distract everyone from Obama’s big day?
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:06 am
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Go jogging…
… down Pennsylvania Avenue.
Comment by Anonymous Coward Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:09 am
He will do a big interview with a major new outlet.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:11 am
Resign as Governor
Comment by Froze to the Bone Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:12 am
I realize chances are “slim” and “none”, with “none” being the heavy favorite, but resigning would be nice.
Comment by Cranky Old Man Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:13 am
You’re asking us to predict what he’s going to do next?
Comment by Levois Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:13 am
Shave his head and ‘ditch the football’.
Comment by Name Withheld Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:14 am
announce a major new initiative.
Comment by been there Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:16 am
Sing “I’m a little tea-pot” to a bunch of kids in front of the old state capitol.
Comment by HoBoSkillet Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:16 am
Be on QVC selling Lincoln’s other hand, chairs, and new jogging suits.
Comment by zatoichi Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:18 am
Announce his support for Springfield as the site for the 2016 Olympics.
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:18 am
Streak down Michigan Ave!
Comment by JoBo Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:19 am
Resign…..but then again that is just wishful thinking. It certainly would grab the headlines in large part from Obama, though this is a major event in American politics. Let’s hope he simply hides somewhere, quietly.
Comment by Justice Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:19 am
I think it could be two items: appoint a new chief of the MWRD, and make a flashy statement about how he’s vehemently opposed to any sort of tax increase om working people.
Comment by The Doc Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:21 am
announce that he will challenge Obama in the next dem primary
Comment by heet101 Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:22 am
I think it will be interview on taxes and health care… it will be a lot of the President and I did nothing wrong…
Comment by Bill Baar Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:22 am
I wonder if the Governor is reading this QOTD to get ideas?
But if I had to guess, he will call a special session (ha-ha, even though the GA is already in session!), probably to deal with universal health care.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:23 am
One word: Secession
It solves everything… But Burris is out of a job.
Comment by Greg Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:25 am
I think nothing…he will behave himself, saving it up for the impeachment trial. I think even Rod understands that this is Obama’s moment: for the country and the world. Anything he does to distract from that would just add to the woes. He behaved himself at the Senate, let’s hope it goes past Tuesday.
Comment by Vote Quimby! Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:27 am
Blago’s written response to impeachment is due on inauguration day… I’m sure just following the timeline by the Senate, he’ll be distracting enough
Comment by John Bambenek Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:29 am
Maybe he was too distracted himself to realize going to Washington would be a violation of his conditions of release
Comment by Truth Teller Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:29 am
Get new lawyer…and sue the State for defamation of character…
Comment by Siyotanka Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:30 am
several options
1) Deploy the National Guard to provide health care in poor neighborhoods
2) Send a host of state workers on a one week unpaid ‘vacation’
3) Use the National Guard to deal with the foreclosure crisis
4) Kino
5) Announce a deal to lease the Lottery/Toll Roads/State Capitol/Manson/fairgrounds/His hair
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:34 am
Finger crossed: He’ll resgn.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:36 am
Resign, I mean.
Ugh.
Comment by Macbeth Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:36 am
===I think it could be two items: appoint a new chief of the MWRD=== Doc, he just gets to appoint a commissioner not a new “chief”. The commissioners pick the president from amongst themselves.
This won’t happen next week but I can see him appointing himself. He resigns which stops the impeachment and he keeps a goverment salary until he his convicted.
Comment by Been There Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:37 am
“Accidentally” crash the Gubernatorial jet into the Potomac River at 11:55.
Comment by Muskrat Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:39 am
Maybe he could just FIRE HIMSELF???
Comment by sal-says Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:40 am
Macbeth, I assume you also meant “fingers crossed” and not “finger crossed.” Kinda tough to cross one finger. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:40 am
Sign or AV some bill he has on his desk, and issue some splashy press release or hold a press conference to explain why.
Most likely candidates for this dubious honor are the amendments to the Smoke Free Illinois Act to provide for due process and other stuff, and the bill to restore funding for SOS, AG, etc.
If he vetoes or AV’s either one of these, nothing can be done about it since the 95th GA is no longer around to override him.
Comment by Bookworm Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:41 am
Call out the National Guard and arrest the members of the Illinois Senate.
Comment by Loyal Whig Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:42 am
Float an inflatable Greyhound over D.C. — everyone under the bus!
Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:44 am
He did break his word on not appointing a senator, so I’ll predict he’ll break his word and resign an hour before Obama gets sworn in.
Comment by Ben S. Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:46 am
He could commute the sentences of the 25 Black men doing time in Illinois based on confessions tortured out of them by Burge and his crew.
Blagojevich could use the occasion to lambast the moral inadequacies of Richard M. Daley, Dick Devine, Lisa Madigan and past U.S. Attorneys for lacking the moral courage to do the right thing.
He could also attack the media for blowing up allegations of favor trading into impeachable offense when no major figures (besides Burge) have ever been held accountable for their malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance in the matter of torture by rogue police officers.
Here’s a draft for Blagojevich’s press conference.
“Politicians trade favors. I am accused of trading favors in a way that is unseemly and according to my detractors, illegal.
“But Richard Daley, Dick Devine and many public officials, including past U.S. Attorneys, have turned a blind eye to torture. They knew it happened and prosecuted the victims–all Black men–while protecting the perpetrators.
“The Chicago media, which has castigated me, has only focused on the small fish, a police commander who committed and ordered torture. Why are the editorial boards able to muster so much outrage over foul language and trading favors and so little outrage when 25 Black men–25 men who are in all likelihood innocent of the crimes for which they were convicted–spent a total of 500 years in the Illinois prison system b/c politicians like Dick Devine and Lisa Madigan fought against releasing these men who were tortured.
“Why is it the media ignores or downplays torture? Is it too boring to connect the dots? Or are these self-righteous editorial boards afraid of challenging Mayor Daley? Or is it that the victims were too poor or too Black?”
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:46 am
My previous prediction assumes, however, that those bills will have been sent to him. The GA might want to wait the whole 30 days allowed by law to send bills to the Governor, in hopes (of course) that there will be a different Governor by then.
Comment by Bookworm Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:47 am
here’s a list from least likely to most likely distractions the guv will try…
1. resign
2. special session the day before or after the inaug
3. Announce he’s running for the 5th CD seat
4. Announce the annulment of his marriage
5. Call out the national guard to shelter the homeless from the bitter cold
6. File his objection to illinois’ impeachment clause in federal court
7. File new rulemaking and hold a splashy press conference to prevent home foreclosures
8. Go joggin in Obama’s neighborhood
9. Give out a “Governor’s Hometown” award to cities in each of the 59 senators district
10. Hold a press conference demanding George Ryan NOT be granted clemency
Comment by anonymous Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:51 am
How about a live appearance on Saturday Night Live
Comment by anon Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:55 am
His lawyers will file a myriad of paperwork requesting delaying the trial for time to prepare/review documents, etc. and/or try to find another way to cause a constitutional crisis that would involve court interference.
Comment by Amuzing Myself Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:56 am
I realize this isn’t the ideal time to finally get our wish, but why not invade Missouri? Let’s be honest, they have it coming.
Comment by Scooby Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:02 am
Scooby wins.
lol
I’m for that war. Always have been.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:02 am
I don’t have a clue. There are some good postings though and I really like the one that he will resign (hope springs eternal). Whatever he does, and we know he will do something, it will be good and will definitely get the attention of the national press. There are no limits to his egocentrism.
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:07 am
Rich,
Lots of Cards fans are Sox fans, too. Let’s invade the north side together, rather than war with each other.
Comment by raisin Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:08 am
===Let’s invade the north side together, rather than war with each other. ===
The idea is to annex the St. Louis stadia, the casinos, etc. into Illinois. So, your beloved team would then be put on the public dole like mine (and like the Cub folks want). lol
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:16 am
Rod could pull his lower lip over his head and swallow himself.
Comment by Wacker Drive Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:16 am
Things I wish he would do:
1. Resign
2. Get a hair cut
3. Reopen the parks
4. Sell of his Cubs stuff on ebay and become a Mets fan.
5. Plead guilty
6. Just go away.
Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:20 am
Send the White Sox to Omaha, they need a big league baseball team…..Oh wait, they still won’t have one. (bet this gets yanked)
Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:27 am
Very borderline. Very.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:35 am
Appear on the Tonight Show. Jay Leno always has something to say about our Guv. He could let John (the announcer) touch his famous hairdo!
Comment by Obamalac Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:43 am
Unfortunately, The one thing he CANNOT do is resign his office…it is the only chip he has left to bargain with the US Attorney in hopes of keeping his wife out of the pokey.
As he might (so eloquently?!?) put it “I’ve got this thing and it’s f***ing golden, and, uh, uh, I’m just not giving it up for f***in’ nothing. I’m not gonna do it.”
Comment by McLean Farmboy Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:45 am
I can go over the border.
Announce that he’s getting a sex change and marrying Ozzie Guillen.
Comment by IrishPirate Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:47 am
grab the mic from David Gregory and challenge Joe Biden to an arm wrestling contest
Comment by You Go Boy Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:47 am
Announce his bid for Governor in 2010.
Comment by Speaking at Will Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 11:58 am
First, can Mr. Lucky produce an actual invite?
Word is Blagoof was scratched from all event lists a la the Illinois Society
Next his routine will include an effort to burn Down Obama’s Hyde Park crib
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:12 pm
McLean, that’s true, but he’s fast running out of time to use that chip. He has to know by now that he doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in heck of avoiding conviction and removal from office in the Senate trial. The reception he got at the swearing-in should have convinced him of that if nothing else would.
If he’s to have any hope of the feds showing him any mercy at all, he has to resign before the trial gets under way.
Some argue that if he resigns, it looks like an admission of wrongdoing and would hurt his chances of acquittal in the criminal trial. I don’t think that’s necessariliy the case.
If he resigned next week or on Inauguration Day, he could portray it as making a noble sacrifice for the good of the state, so that Illinois will be in a position to deal with the bad economy and claim whatever federal aid the incoming presidential administration can provide without the cloud of his impeachment hanging overhead, etc. etc.
A resignation on Inauguration Day itself would also give him one last chance to stick it to Obama by stealing the spotlight from him, as I am sure he believes Obama did to HIS presidential aspirations.
Although I’m not betting the farm on this, I do believe it’s a possibility.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:18 pm
Fire his Inspector General for not catching the corruption? Call for Lisa Madigan’s resignation for not trying to protect us from corruption. I’m sure there is a state law Blago has broken that she could use to arrest him on state charges and at least try to keep him behind bars and out of the Governor’s seat. And don’t tell me she’s letting the Feds handle it, Lisa Madigan is accountable to the people of Illinois, not George Bush’s Justice Dept.
SNL or Leno would be good too, although he should drag his kids out with him instead of trying to hide behind others’ kids.
Comment by TaxMeMore Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:27 pm
BTW the impeachment ticket on sale a Ebay has zero bids. That is about what Blagoof is worth these days
Comment by 2ConfusedCrew Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:28 pm
Now that the feds have unveiled their state bailout plan and restrictions obviously aimed directly at Blago are included, that gives Blago even more reason to cast his resignation as a heroic sacrifice rather than a surrender.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Invade Missouri? After the month Illinois has put forward we should be hiding in the hall of shame.
As far as guessing what Rod will do next is like predicting the Cubs 09 season, who knows…
Comment by sneaker Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:34 pm
Establish a chair in poetry memorization and recitation at Chicago State University and appoint himself to it. He would hold the CSU Chair of Bleeping Poetry.
Comment by Cogito Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:38 pm
What makes anyone think for a second we could actually win a war against Missouri? With the quality of leadership in this state I think we’d go down quick.
Now, trying to bribe for or buy parts of Missouri might be possible. Maybe Blago should sell parts of Illinois to pay for his child healthcare programs? There’s gotta be a good 30-40 border counties Blago and the Chicago Dems have no use for anyway.
Comment by TaxMeMore Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:41 pm
Make a deal with the feds and tell all.
Comment by Chanson Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:41 pm
He will announce that he is going into drug rehab. He will also say that for the last 7 years he has actually been smoking crack and it has been the drugs “doing all the talking”.
Now your left with a Governor who has been impeached, who is now in rehab and because of HIPAA cannot be prosecuted in the Senate and cannot be removed from his job because of “Health” reasons.
Front page of every paper in the country!!
Comment by BIG R.PH. Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 12:43 pm
Shave his head and do a press conference announcing a new program “for the people” to help kids with some deficiency. No questions, just a 30 min monologue and he’ll rattle off an e.e.cummings poem.
Comment by North of I-80 Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:01 pm
Resign would be best, but why start doing the right thing now? Barring that, here’s the Governor’s tick tock for 1/20/09:
6:15:47 AM: Hears knock on front door. Assumes fetal postition fearing the worse.
6:16:18 AM: Patty opens the door. It was the paperboy. Rod goes back to sleep.
8:15:07 AM: Rod comes down for breakfast and gets agitated that he is not front page news. Uses several expletives on the phone arranging an 11 AM press conference.
10:59:47 AM: Rod has a hair out of place. Press conference delayed an additional ten minutes.
11:10:07 AM (CST): President calls on “an end to corruption throughout the land” and re-appoints Patrick Fitzgerald during his inaugrial address.
11:47:14 AM: By ten minutes, I meant Blago time which means presser won’t start until 2ish.
12:07:52 PM: Rod has a craving for Portillo’s, heads to lunch, but notices three black SUVs behind his car.
12:18:23 PM: Rod re-assumes the fetal position when Fitzgerald and seventeen FBI agents enter Portillos. Patty pays for their lunch.
Comment by jwscott72 Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:05 pm
I was just wondering…since the Governor was released on a recognizance bond, I wonder if the real reason he’s not going is because he fears the judge won’t let him leave the state? Saying he doesn’t want to be a distraction is pretty magnanimous by itself (and made the news).
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:05 pm
He will annex Graceland through an O’Hare style strip annexation.
Comment by Jake from Elwood Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:08 pm
==No questions, just a 30 min monologue and he’ll rattle off an e.e.cummings poem. ==
Such as “I sing of Olaf, glad and big”:
“I will not kiss your [bleep]ing flag”???
Comment by Anon Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:19 pm
An admittedly hypothetical and silly question here: if Blago did resign as governor and appoint himself to the MWRD board, would that necessarily stop the impeachment trial?
It’s my understanding the Senate will actually vote on two questions: whether to remove him as governor AND whether to disqualify him from holding any other public office. If he resigned and took the MWRD position, the first question would be moot, but what about the second?
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:28 pm
mcgreevy x spitzer = attention
Comment by copernicus Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 1:53 pm
I’m kinda worried. Lets see… Almost everybody will be in DC, and the Governor wants to stay behind? Will he be in Chicago or Springfield during this time? Somebody had better stay back and mind the store. Just sayin.
Comment by Say WHAT? Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 2:01 pm
Perfect time for a pre-emptive strike from Missouri. Maybe Blago’s done the deal and they will provide him immunity after they overthrow us.
Could he call a Special Session on Inaugeration Day? That would be funny, and kinda serve them right for partrying with Obama instead of taking care of Illinois.
Comment by TaxMeMore Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 2:25 pm
He will use a little known codicil in the Faber College Charter that gives the dean unlimited power in times of campus unrest…
He will claim the same thing about the Illinois state constitution and go all Dean Wormer on the Illinois Senate and revoke their charter.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 2:40 pm
I say he’s going to make up with his ‘Pappy-In-Law’ and then declare world peace.
Comment by Macoupin County Kid Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 2:41 pm
Copernicus’ formula should read:
(Spitzer - hookers + hair) + Senate seat + (Other appointments x $25,000) = Blago
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 2:44 pm
the REAL question is what is blago going to do BEFORE (maybe even hours before) the impeachment vote? It is clear that this man is going out with a bang and NOT a whimper.
So this begs the question, what will he do just before the most important vote concerning his life occurs (that is of course excluding those 12 jurors he will be facing in 2 years)?
My answer is that he is going to do as much damage to his enemies as possible. The leaking of the Jack Franks job request info is the tip of the iceberg. If a senator asked for a job for a relative, the media will here about it. If a married senator has a springfield girlfriend, his wife will here about it. If they ever cheated on their taxes, he’ll call up the Revenue department.
My point is, what is the big bang going to be? He is going to terrorize these senators until it becomes clear they still will vote to convict AND then what?
My answer is that whatever is the worst damage a governor can afflict on the state and its elected officials is the path this man will take.
A bang not a whimper folks.
Rich, you have any insights?
Comment by anonymous Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 3:00 pm
Move himself and his family into the governor’s mansion. Enroll the girls in Springfield public schools. Paints the heated driveway “sunshine yellow.” Erect a statue of Nixon on the Statehouse lawn.
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 4:19 pm
Take a tour of the federal prisons to see where he may be calling home?
Comment by walkinmyshoes Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 4:23 pm
The day before inauguration: Pardons everyone who was put on Illinois’ death row since George Ryan.
Erects statue of Elvis on Statehouse lawn.
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 4:35 pm
What will Blago do to distract from Obama’s inauguration?
*He won’t resign, as he is convinced he “did nothing wrong” (Perhaps an echo of Nixon?, but definitely a narcisisst’s view)
*He will do something to grab headlines, but it won’t be anything altruistic, rather something that fits his personality, ie “what’s f%^&ing in it for me?”
*It will probably be something ineffective, since his lawyers bailed and he has no one with any “sense” to advise him, but himself.
*I predict he will “temporarily” step aside, so as to keep his salary, while the criminal trial proceeds. This guarantees his income until the criminal trial is over, which will take years.
Comment by Southern Gal Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 8:41 pm
Whatever he does, he will announce it from the steps of the old state capitol, on the coldest day of the year.
Comment by PPHS Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:39 pm
Throw the kitty under the bus???
Comment by Sweet Polly Purebred Friday, Jan 16, 09 @ 10:50 pm
===*I predict he will “temporarily” step aside, so as to keep his salary===
The Senate trial will almost undoubtedly continue, so he’ll be removed from office anyway.
Comment by Rich Miller Saturday, Jan 17, 09 @ 12:50 pm
Will claim diplomatic immunity for all his actions as he is in reality an emissary from the planet Mongo. Explains a lot.
Comment by wordslinger Saturday, Jan 17, 09 @ 9:42 pm
If Blago recites any more poetry, it should be Ozymandius, as a reflection of his own years of public service and how he will be viewed in future years.
(Don’t know it? Shame on you!)
Comment by Capitol View Monday, Jan 19, 09 @ 1:42 pm