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* This question may seem odd since he was just indicted yesterday and he’s pretty much universally reviled, but what is your fondest memory of Rod Blagojevich?

Try your very best to avoid snark and save your hate for other posts. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 8:35 am

Comments

His great self-deprecating sense of humor

Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 8:37 am
Rod: [Smiling, down on one knee] What do you want me to do? How do you want me to change?

Me: [Long pause] Don’t change a thing. You make me too much money.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 8:42 am
I always loved watching his press conferences. He was so self-assured, even in the face of insurmountable odds and overwhelming public opinion. You’ve got to at least respect someone with such confidence, even if you don’t admire them.

Comment by Sonic Infidel Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 8:43 am
When he said yes when my daughter asked if we could see his office.

Comment by OneMan Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 8:52 am
As a newspaper reporter I twice saw him in situations where young kids (ages 5 and got to meet him and really felt honored to do so. One of them gave him a picture she had colored. It was touching to see their simple excitement about meeting an “important” person. I wonder what those kids think of him now that they are older…

Comment by Secret Square Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:04 am
Rod’s calling me “Maud and Lila’s dad.” He really seems to be a caring and loving father and saw the world through that lens.

Comment by Rod sez I'm pork Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:04 am
In 1996, back in the States on break, I saw his campaign commercial on television. He was holding a sign with his name phonetically spelled, and explained how to say his name. It was unforgetable, cute and charming. I remember packing up to return to school thinking that this Blagojevich guy was someone to watch.

I’ve never turned my back since, and rue that day.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:04 am
I’m really sorry Rich. To paraphrase a famous comment of President Eisenhower, if you give me a week I might come up with something.

Comment by fedup dem Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:05 am
He was sort of funny during the Bartman incident in 2003.

Comment by Signal Man Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:13 am
His testicular virility. His poetry quoting. His references to Elvis songs.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:13 am
My favorite Rod memory is the press conference about the birthday check to his daughter. Priceless.

Comment by chicountryguy Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:15 am
Standing up to Missouri’s then-Gov. Blunt to make sure the new St. Louis bridge did not have tolls.

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:29 am
Vanilla Man’s first person account of Rod and the four-tops at the scene of the fire.

Classic

Comment by trafficmatt Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:31 am
During a phone interview, talking about the perils of “carbon deforestation” in regards to global warming, then hearing the sound of a toilet flushing.

Pretty funny.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:31 am
No snark intended. I loved the way he handled the “Blagojevich Sucks” T-shirt thing, saying if the protesters gave him one, he would wear it jogging. For a long time, he could totally disarm the critics, at least in the eyes of the general public. But he forgot that “…all of the people all of the time” thing.

Comment by Downstate weed chewing hick Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:39 am
Standing for photo ops in my community during a flood and promising aid that never materialized.

Comment by Plutocrat03 Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:42 am
His quaff out of sorts due to sweat on Governor’s Day after the parade two years ago. Maybe that’s the reason he didn’t march last year.

Comment by Ken Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:42 am
When I caught him staring at my wife’s chest which proudly displayed his button and without a moments hesitation he blurted, I love your button. I knew then he was a polished campaigner who would go places.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:45 am
dancing with his very pregnant wife, who looked amazing, at the inaugural ball. there was, or so we believed, so much promise.

Comment by Amy Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:45 am
Those jogging suites!!

Comment by Boscobud Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:45 am
This event must have happened sometime during the 2006 campaign…. Rod was speaking at some public forum, aimlessly speaking whatever came to his mind, and claimed to be a corruption fighter, helping rid the world of George Ryan and others like him… and then saying, “I never asked for any credit.”

Comment by Heartless Libertarian Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:47 am
The Miller/Blago bus tour.

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:48 am
Turning the mansion over to him, the last night the Ryan’s lived there and he said “Come back, anytime.”

Comment by PPHS Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 9:51 am
In the midst of growing controversy, watching him aggressively work the crowd at a parade in DuPage County, smiling and shaking hands. Amazing “testicular virility.”

Don’t get me wrong. I couldn’t stand the guy, but the guts it took to do that the way he did was impressive to me.

Comment by Amuzing Myself Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:04 am
When Rod and Mike Madigan hugged at the convention I really thought things just might change and some things would actually get done to turn the state around. That feeling lasted about a day.

Comment by casual observer Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:06 am
I’m going to be boring and pick a policy move — cutting through the Republicans’ Abbot and Costello act regarding the tollway system and actually getting it lined up to be fixed, within months of taking office. That and the no-nonsense push for gay housing and employment rights.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:07 am
When he was elected, I believed him when he said he was going change the “corrupt culture” in Illinois.

Comment by Rufus Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:11 am
When I saw him speak at the Refectory at Columbus Park right before the 2006 election, I got why he connected with voters on the campaign trail.

Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:14 am
I have good memories of him as my Congressman. I don’t know about other constituents’ experiences, but I always felt welcome when visiting his office in DC.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:14 am
Back when he was a congressman, I almost ran him over when he was jogging down the middle of the street behind the foundry where his dad once worked. I remember being astounded that this guy wouldn’t give way to oncoming traffic. I realized who it was only as we got closer. We made eye contact as we passed and I remember thinking, “This can’t be good.”

Comment by anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:20 am
You know, when I first read your QOTD, I thought, “oh, oh,” Rich is taking Happy Pills, but having read some of the honest replies, you’ve done a service: reminder that we all have two sides (although most of us don’t get indicted)Jeez, I can’t stop….sorry.

Comment by You Go Boy Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:22 am
Although his name on the signs irked me, getting Open Road Tolling to happen was a good thing. I don’t miss waiting in line to pay tolls or having to stop even with an I-Pass.

Comment by cynically anonymous Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:26 am
His ability to live completely in an alternate world, like he is Calvin and implicitly believes that Hobbs is real. It’s always an “up” day and cannot be otherwise.

Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:30 am
Rod attended ground breaking ceremonies for the renovation of SIUC’s Morris Library. He was about the last person to leave because he shook hands and chatted with everyone who came up to him. I really thought he really wanted to hear what everyone had to say.

Comment by Deep South Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:30 am
His passions for pop-culture icons–his love of the Cubs and Elvis, especially. That kind of devotion and tenacity can both build and destroy.

Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:36 am
The man made you feel like the most important person in the world. What a flirt!

Comment by Miss Pratt Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:56 am
When he showed up two hours late to a grand opening event 10 minutes from his house!

Comment by anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:03 am
my group had a meeting scheduled with him his first year in office. We were kept waiting for 15 minutes, but it was because he had 40 chairs brought into his Governor’s office so that we all could be seated!

Comment by Capitol View Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:07 am
I was just amazed at how easily he destroyed Topinka in the last election. With all of the dirt on him he somehow made it appear that he was an angel.

And the GOP just stood by and took it over and over. What were they thinking?

That was one thing that I found amazing about him.

Comment by How Ironic Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:07 am
Bill !

Comment by A Citizen Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:08 am
I first me him and got to know him a little when he was a state rep. Later, when he was running for congress, my friend Joe Cini began working for him. We were in Springfield, in Jay Hoffman’s office drinking beer, and I asked him how Joe was doing. Rod said he was back in Chicago at an event with Patti. I told Rod he should be more careful, because Cini, you know, is a pretty handsome guy, was a hit with the women. Without missing a beat, Rod says, “That’s what Mell said! He said, hey Cini, if I met you 10 years ago, you would’ve been the next congressman in the 5th.”

So yeah, the self-deprecation was charming. So was the fact that, though we were never close, he always remembered me.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:19 am
His first Press Conference where he announced the people who were fired only to have one of them in the room who they asked to set up the room for the Press Conference. At that point I knew we were in for a bad trip.

Comment by He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:21 am
I loved the interview of him “dumbfounded” as to what to say when he was being questioned by the female reporter about the $1500 gift to his daughter. His cheek was twitching so much..he was stumbling all over himself, duh, duh, duh and then a blank look staring off into “his” space. So great!

Comment by Toni H. Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:21 am
Seeing his Hairness jogging by Graceland Cemetery a few years back around Halloween. Down Irving Park Road with only one trooper with him. Where were the undead when you need them?

More recently prior to the impeachment and after the “Senate Seat” business I saw him jogging nearby. I just looked at the State Trooper in the lead SUV and shook my head and the Trooper kinda laughed.

Comment by IrishPirate Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:25 am
The fact that he ran as the reform candidate after George Rayn makes me both laugh and cry.
Read an excerpt from “One Hundred Percent Guilty,” @ http://consulthammer.com/page8.html

Comment by consulthammer Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:29 am
“There are times I consider myself the first African-American governor of Illinois.”

Comment by anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:30 am
When he was a state Rep. we would joke, “Hey, I think Rod’s hair just winked at me.” I also had the privilege of telling a Rod hair joke in one of the last Gridiron’s put on by the Capitol press Corps. Also some good moments at Boone’s or the top of the Hilton when he was out with the boys. Will he include those nights in his new book?

Comment by DC Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 11:51 am
Blago; “Today was an UP DAY”…after a crushing defeat. oh my

Comment by Larry Mullholland Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:02 pm
I only met the man once; in a chance encounter when I happened upon him greeting the large crowd at the entrance coming into a non political event I happened to be attending, which was less than a week before the 2002 Primary. I was waiting at the entrance for a friend to meet me and I had about 10 minutes of casual conversation with him between groups of people that were coming in.

I asked him about the campaign; and I specifically asked him about the breadth and scope of his support and political activity in Madison and St. Clair Counties. He told me ” I’ve spent a lot of time down there and I’ve got people there as well, and I think I’ve got that pretty well covered”

The margin of victory there; and Vallas’ reluctance to fly and campaign there, could arguably be cited as the difference in the outcome of that election.

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:03 pm
All the other d legislators supporting him despite the obvious. They rode his coattails

Comment by Wumpus Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:11 pm
without a doubt, open road tolling was a great success. I can’t point to one other accomplishment he can claim in his 6 years as Governor.

Comment by It's Me Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:13 pm
After the 02 election I went to a grant annoucement at some farm in central ill. It was a beautiful day, the mood was great, everyone was getting along and there was tremendous excitement about a Dem. governor and what the future holds…..if only we knew then.

Comment by L.S. Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:16 pm
What’s most amazing to me is that he tried to do his version of the right thing–better access to health care, better highways, closing landfills, etc.–that would be considered great accomplishments for a Democrat. And he screwed the whole thing up in a manner unprecedented in US history.

Comment by Lefty Lefty Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:28 pm
This is not intended to be snarky. This is truly my fondest memory of him because it allowed me to see him for what he really is.

After negotiating his very first budget in ‘03 but before the final vote was taken, he was talking to me about some things that were in it. In doing so, he lied to my face about a relatively important aspect of the agreement, and one in which he assuredly knew the truth. Quite literally seconds later, Tusk came over to me, said he overheard the conversation and wanted to set the record straight.

I’m proud to say I never voted for him, either in a primary or a general election, but I did give him a chance and I really did hope he would succeed with what he said he wanted to do. That episode, however, confirmed my worst fears and I never trusted a thing he said again.

Comment by Former Staffer Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:44 pm
I will remember Rod as a court jester, a half-wit, rather than a nit-wit. Offering to send in the State Police to help Mayor Daley, ect…

He was smart enough to operate state government with 13,000 fewer state employees than Governors Thompson, Edgar and Ryan, but not engaged enough to care about efficiently managing the 57,000 state employee enterprise. Taxpayers will pay billions to fund bloated AFSCME contracts while citizens remain short changed in public education and infrastructure improvements.

Comment by Rexford Tugwell Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 12:46 pm
His having nothing to fear except the truth.

Comment by Chanson Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 1:15 pm
It was mid-summer 2001, Rod and Cong. Jesse Jackson were attending a GOTV event at the Carver Center is Peoria. After the event Rod pulls me aside and asks “I am thinking about running for Governor, do you think my last name will be a problem?” I told him that with all the money and focus the governor’s race generates that his name wouldn’t be a problem, then I asked him the Ted Kennedy question—Why are you running for Governor? His response was astounding—”Well, I am tired of traveling to Washington and want to spend more time with my family.” I knew Rod from the state legislature but never spent much time with him. He sounded sincere but not serious. I ended up backing Vallas.

Comment by Scott Lucas Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 1:16 pm
When he and Patti took Snowwhite and the seven dwarfs hostage and barricaded themselves in the Enchanted Castle. Oh wait, that hasn’t happened …yet.

Comment by Prairie Wind Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 1:25 pm
During the 02 general, while at a Fundraiser in Hamilton county at the end of a very long day, rod was telling a story that he had told repeatedly throughout the campaign. However, in this particular instance, a new part of the story emerged where his mother told him that if he sneezed too hard he would get a brain tumor. It was one of those moments where we were all laughed so hard that we couldn’t stop. Looking at each other only made us laugh harder. We were so tired and road weary that we were practically crying.

I’ve spent a lot of time with him, and he is one of the funniest, most light hearted people I ever met. I also believe that while he had the capacity to be narcissistic, he also had a very genuine love for people who didn’t have it easy in life. I think he saw his parents in those people and they had his instant admiration.

Comment by anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 1:37 pm
The 13-second pause when McKinney asked him if he’d ever smoked pot. I think that was his last trip to the blue room.

Comment by Dan Vock Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 2:01 pm
In small groups, he was the most charismatic politician I’ve ever met - funny, self-effacing, seemingly genuine. It was difficult to remember that you were only seeing a facade.

Comment by ExPress Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 2:08 pm
When Rod won in 02 he hired a guy who worked a low wage job at a restaurant he frequented. This was a guy who seemed personable and hard working and Rod said something to the effect of “there’s no way I can keep all of the promises I made while running but one thing I do want to do is to give somebody like that guy a chance.” So they hired this guy into an at will position in the Governor’s office working the front desk and answering the phones. The guy was great with people, worked hard and I think he even went back to school.

Comment by Scooby Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 2:09 pm
Casual, I too witnessed “the hug” between Blago and da Speaka at the Denver Convention. It was the most hilarious thing ever, the way MJM sped across the floor with that big smile toward Rod-man, the brief hug. Madigan got the joke. Rod never did. Seems like you didn’t either. Ah, fond memories.

Comment by yorfriend Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 2:23 pm
When asked why he flew to Chicago daily from Springfield he responded, “because I want to kiss my baby goodnight.” He always seemed to enjoy his daughters.

Comment by make it so Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 4:08 pm
Last year I had the weekend of St. Patrick’s Day off work so the Saturday before the parade in Grant Park, I went out with friends downtown only to get home at 5 a.m. the next day (Sunday). I got a call at 7 a.m. telling me I had to be at the parade to walk with the Gov.

I rushed quickly downtown and barely made it to the drop site before the Gov. got there. I tried to hide my hangover behind some sunglasses, but as soon as Rod arrived, the TV cameras had surrounded us, and without missing a beat, he shook my hand, gave me a wink and said on air “I hope you’re not driving today.”

Comment by another former staffer Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 4:10 pm
- VanillaMan - Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 2:46 pm:

He didn’t raise taxes.

I didn’t write that, btw.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 4:26 pm
Another former staffer I love your story. Rod wasn’t one for the formality of office. While some say that he didn’t work hard, he really did. And he demanded a lot of his staff, but, in return, he allowed us to have fun, and had fun with us.

Comment by anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 4:40 pm
My favorite Milorad moment was yesterday reading that my patients had been rewarded.

Comment by Dan S, a taxpaer, a voter and a Cubs Fan Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 4:52 pm
When during the Christmas (oops “Holiday”) tree lighting ceremony at the JRTC his daughter flipped the switch to turn the lights on and it didn’t work. He made a joke that the State hadn’t paid it’s electric bill. I think this was during a time when there was a lot of press about the state not paying its bills. The second time she tried it worked.

Comment by Anon Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 5:04 pm
I have none!

Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 6:03 pm
Either the picture of him looking like he was afraid the frog at the State Fair was going to eat him, or his interview with Jon Stewart when he thought The Daily Show was legit…

Comment by Shoeless Joe Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 7:36 pm
Open road tolling.

Maybe any governor in this time frame would have done it. (and with fewer kick backs)

But it needed doing.
____

I would agree with Vanilla Man save for the fact that one dollar of debt is more than one dollar of tax increase.

Comment by Bruno Behrend Friday, Apr 3, 09 @ 10:01 pm