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* The person who ran Gov. Pat Quinn’s Springfield office has abruptly resigned under very curious circumstances…
A top aide to Gov. Quinn has left her $119,158-a-year job amid a state government probe into whether she had done political work on state time.
Carolyn Brown Hodge, Quinn’s deputy chief of staff, resigned late Friday after the Chicago Sun-Times asked the governor’s office about the situation.
Hodge’s state computer was seized by the Office of the Executive Inspector General to determine whether the equipment might have been used for any political purposes, a source said.
There are always going to be a few bad apples in the barrel. There’s just no way to keep them all out. For the past 11 years, though, it’s often seemed like you’d have to look long and hard to find a non-spoiled apple in that state barrel.
* The revelation comes at a time when Gov. Quinn is airing a new TV ad that seems to tie Comptroller Dan Hynes to Rod Blagojevich and George Ryan, and accuses the comptroller of lollygagging. Have a look…
Rate it.
* “But as comptroller for twelve years, [Hynes] signed off on every state check,” the ad claims. Zorn wonders aloud…
(I)t strikes me that it wasn’t that long ago that Quinn was harrumphing at Hynes to do his job and sign the checks that paid to promote Illinois against Hynes’ better judgment. Which checks is Quinn talking about that he didn’t think Hynes should have signed?
The Quinn campaign responds to Zorn…
The “he signed off” refers to the Comptroller’s promise to go “line by line” through the state budget. Given that he has had the opportunity, and the responsibility, to do precisely that task for 11 years, it is hard to understand why he now suddenly promises to start to examine the budget as Governor.
Yes, but he has to sign the checks, doesn’t he? This ad suggests that he could have not signed the checks, yet the moment he got up on his hind legs and said “I will not sign these checks,” Quinn scolded him to do his job. If you want to say he didn’t put forward his own proposals often enough over the years, fine. But can you really say he shouldn’t have signed the checks?
What about the “spa” claim in the ad? From the Tribune…
The Hynes campaign said the comptroller was getting a haircut at a less-than-luxury “spa” near his home, and contended Quinn’s camp was trying to divert attention from the governor’s failed efforts to deal with the state’s budget problems.
And the Hynes campaign goes full-on Blagojevich throttle in its response to Quinn. From a press release…
“… Dan Hynes has done his job and signed all Illinois checks since taking office as Illinois Comptroller in 1999,” campaign communications director Matt McGrath explained. “Over the years, he has consistently raised questions and sought clarification on certain spending priorities, but ultimately he is required by law to issue checks on legal and approved disbursements, and he has done so.”
By running this ad, however, and casting an apparently disapproving light on Hynes’ tenure as Comptroller, the Quinn campaign has opened the door to a discussion of who really stood for fiscal responsibility during the Blagojevich Administration. While Dan Hynes repeatedly warned of overspending and pending fiscal catastrophe, Quinn stood silent. As recently as September, 2006, Quinn said of his two-time running mate: “He’s always been a person who’s honest and one of integrity. I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time.” [Daily Herald, 9/15/06]
“If Pat Quinn wants to have a discussion of who stood up to Rod Blagojevich and who stood silent, we’re happy to oblige,” McGrath said. “The record is clear. As late as September 2006, Pat Quinn ‘refused to say even one bad word about [Blagojevich],’ and that he ‘did the right thing all the time.’ Meanwhile, Dan Hynes let it be known that the consequences of overspending were potentially catastrophic, and has unfortunately been proven right. While Illinois’ fiscal health, and ultimately its future, hung in the balance, Pat Quinn was Rod Blagojevich’s biggest cheerleader.”
Here we go, campers.
…Adding… A commenter points out something I failed to notice. The “iStock” watermark is on two video clips used in the Quinn ad. Usually, when you purchase something from iStock, the watermark is removed. If you don’t buy it and use it without permission, the watermark stays on. Oopsie?
…Adding 2… The Quinn campaign just e-mailed to say that the ad above was an earlier version. It has since been changed to remove the watermarks.
* Related…
* Governor Quinn Inspires Area Democrats
* Candidates test tactics at start of political races
* Doctor in the House?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 10:31 am
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et tu, Carolyn?
Comment by Montrose Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 10:39 am
Blagojevich’s Lt. Governor is accusing the State Comptroller of being Rod Blagojevich’s pawn?
Quinn’s ad makes no sense at all. Hynes predates Blagojevich. Quinn arrives with Rod, hand in hand as a team. Who is referring to whom as Rod’s lackey?
This was a very poor move for the Quinn campaign. It opens up a closet door for all Illinois Democrats that trumpeted Rod Blagojevich.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 10:49 am
When I saw that over the weekend it struck me as the single most disingenuous claim I had seen in an Illinois political ad in a long time.
Notice they didn’t say, “signed off on every expenditure, every budget, every bit of proposed spending.” And why not? Because it would have been a lie. So instead, Mr. Clean resorts to the biggest BS distortion this side of Rod “I didn’t have due process” Blagojevich.
Cmon Pat. I like you. I respect you. And I expect more from you.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 10:50 am
I rate the Quinn ad a D.
The ad is a gross distortion of the facts; it’s easily refuted, and frankly I expected better of Quinn in terms of the quality and substance of his [attack] ad(s). For the amount of money that his campaign is reportedly generating, it seems that the money being spent on ads is money not well spent.
Also, two big issues with the Quinn ad for me are:
1. using his own budget address as a source of “factual” information. that’s kinda like using your own polling data. hardly credible.
2. stockophotos labeled as such
Rich, I take your tactful point on Carolyn Brown Hodge and I agree, to some extent. I am concerned about the press coverage on that issue. It seems to me that the Sun-Times buried that story yesterday. It didn’t appear on the paper’s Web site until about midnight and it was the third or so story link from the bottom of the home page news links. The Tribune didn’t have it all from 12-3am, and at 9am still didn’t have it. If it had been someone in the Stroger administration, it would have been blasted front page-front center by both papers, I suspect. I’m just sayin.’
But, our being in the midst of an election cycle, I wouldn’t blame Quinn’s opponents be they democrat or republican for bringing up the Carolyn Brown Hodge issue from time to time. There is a penumbra factor at play here, and it would be fair game. I’m just sayin’.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 10:57 am
Am I missing something? the Istock stamp is still on the pictures they purchased or failed to purchase from Istock. Look at it again.
Comment by Black Bird Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:02 am
From what I understood CBH was basically running the Gov’s reelection campaign until a few weeks ago when he finally hired up a staff.
Comment by midstate dem Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:03 am
Classic negative ad. First, bemoan your opponent’s negativity, then rip him with cynical distortion.
I wonder what we’re supposed to infer from the “Chicago spa” “revelation?”
Before it’s over, this could end up like the legendary George Smathers/Claude Pepper race in the 40s. Smathers went around the backroads and swamps of rural Florida informing the rubes that Pepper was a “known extrovert” who had been a “practicing thespian” in college.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:07 am
wordslinger, the “thespian” thing was about Pepper’s sister.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:14 am
Got you. Now I understand, even more.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:16 am
Good point, Black Bird, and the post has been updated to reflect your astute observation.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:18 am
I don’t remember the istock stuff when I saw it on TV. And I usually notice that stuff too.
That’s odd.
Comment by George Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:21 am
George, check the update.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:28 am
I wonder if Carolyn had to take the same ethics training, some call it the ethics test, that the rest of the state employees have to take?
Comment by Deep South Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:31 am
This is pretty bad, it’s hypocritical and it doesn’t make much sense.
Where have all the good ad’s gone?
Comment by ahoy Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:32 am
Talk about leading with your chin? PAT QUINN once called Rod Blagojevich “a man of honesty and integrity” and clamied to be “confident [Blagojevich] did the right thing all the time”? Sheeeshh!
Comment by Whatwhat Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:34 am
CB Hodge must not have paid attention to her State Ethics Test. At least she resigned.
Comment by Mr. Ethics Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:36 am
I have a hard time beleiving Hodge was guilty of the charge being discussed in the press. She surely knew better …remember: folks are innocent until proven guilty…
It is true that Hynes was out of town on a family vacation during recent budget wrangling…
BTW, it’s true that Hynes went on a family vacation during the height of the budget negotiations
Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:38 am
Well, given that this is Illinois, I am encouraged by the fact that Ms. Hodge actually left, although I would predict a soft landing, Quinn style.
Leaving after the S-T inquiry is not good though.
We really can’t be depending on the occasional whistleblower or blogger and our shrinking mainstream media to ride herd on our ethically challenged pols and the governments they run. The media companies just don’t have the resources to police a political system like Illinois.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:44 am
The thing that was jarring to me was Quinn’s complaint that Hynes had a “negative ad,” placed right in an ad that goes on to be negative about Hynes. It was distracting to me that Quinn’s ad obliquely referenced people’s dislike of negative ads, during one of his own. What’s the message, exactly?
Comment by Thomas Westgard Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:47 am
wow anonymous45, wow!
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:55 am
btw…hynes has a new campaign ad out. it’s a real zinger. it has quinn supporting a tax increase for people making $14k, as per his response to the Trib editorial board.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:58 am
Something strange about the Quinn Ad — Notice the “istockphoto” watermarks? Those watermarks only appear when you download “comps” of their materials for design purposes. Once you actually pay for the use of the materials you get a copy without the embedded watermark.
Surely the Governor’s campaign isn’t stealing materials off the internet. Now THAT would be a story!
Comment by Old Elephant Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:58 am
Old Elephant. Read the updates.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:01 pm
Sorry. I didn’t see the update.
Comment by Old Elephant Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:08 pm
both Democratic candidates for Governor know that a tax increase is the only real way to help IL dig out of the financial hole it is in…at least they both agree on that…the rest is splitting hairs…
Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:09 pm
Hmmmm Where have I heard that “bad apple” defense before? Has Quinn retained Rod’s campaign staff as well?
Now that they have “opened the door” watch the negative stuff on Quinn, that is actually true, flood the airways.
This ad shows that there is no substantive negative stuff on Hynes that they can use so they are just going to make stuff up.
I went on vacation during these stupid “budget negotiations” too because everyone knew what was going to happen and because I got exhausted watching Quinn flip flop.
Marin has it right. Quinn cowers in a corner waiting to be told by the leaders what he will say and do.
Some negotiations!
Comment by Bill Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:23 pm
at the end of the day mike madigan really only cares that democrat wins the governor’s race. it doesn’t matter which one in the end. so, does he have the ability, in terms of number of people, to move the republican primary in the direction of the weakest/worst gop candidate?
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 12:44 pm
The more I learn about Quinn, the less I like. Hynes at least seems to understand that the State is broke. As an independent, I don’t get to choose between the two of them, but I hope the Democrats take electability into account when they go to the polls. A lot of independents will never vote for Quinn. He is basically Blagojevich without the pay-to-play schemes (at least as far as we know). We can do a lot better than that.
Comment by Pelon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:11 pm
Pelon,
You are certainly able and welcome to pull a dem ballot just this once for the good of our state.
Comment by Bill Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:25 pm
The best defense is a good offense seems to be Quinn’s strategy. Tie Hynes to Blago because he knows he’ll be tied up too. The risk is they will all be tied to the same fire stick and burn together. At least that is what the Repubs will hope for.
Looking at the Blogo clout list recently released by the Sun times, it is obvious that neither candidate was in the inner circle of Blago’s spree. But who cares about that, Hynes has adopted a slash and burn campaign strategy and Quinn is responding by putting it out with gasoline.
This is where the party leader could provide some discipline but he has his own agenda.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:35 pm
Has Quinn retained Rod’s campaign staff as well?
If he did, he completely forgot how well you defended Rod on CapitolFaxBlog! Quinn obviously missed one of Rod’s best when he overlooked you!
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:39 pm
Thanks, but there is no way I’d work for or support that guy. Even I have some standards.
Comment by Bill Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:41 pm
Just got another one CHB’s regular grants/job openings/etc emails (its sent from her state email account) - I’m sure its an automated distribution, but someone should probably turn it off.
Comment by SickNtired Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 1:57 pm
I got the same email from CHB - am told she is working @ home and may try to rescind her resignation? Rich - how have your posters been able to post from the future? Comments are at least one hour ahead of my clock!
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:03 pm
might CBH be working on Quinn’s camapaign staff?
Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:22 pm
I cannot spell/type today…my bad!!!
Comment by Anonymous45 Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:22 pm
i hope she does not try to rescind her resignation. she left under a serious cloud [of suspicion], and as such seriously self-inflicted damage to her professional credibilty/reputation. i hope she doesn’t try to claim that she resigned under duress. also, i’m guessing that her return, or prospect thereof, would not be greeted all that enthusiastically by the gov’s office, which would hardly making for a good workplace environment and workplace relations.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:27 pm
The ad is ok. I like the shots of Quinn interacting with the people. That seems to be one of his strengths- is that people like him and relate to him. Other than that, one thing that caught my attention was did Hynes really take off on vacation during the State Budget Crisis??? I remember back then everyone was worried or not about when their next paycheck would appear…I don’t think any state constitutional officer would take off out of town when this mess was going on. Maybe I am wrong.
Comment by Big Policy Nerd Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:29 pm
Are we going to see pictures that originally contained Blago, Quinn and Hines, photoshopped to remove Hines from the versions that appear on his campaign sites and literature and photoshopped to remove Quinn from the versions that appear on his?
And is there a video of Topinka dancing with Blago anywhere?
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:31 pm
BTW, under the heading of, “well, that didn’t take long.”
I was recently at the SOS office and upon checking in, I was handed a brochure from the Dept of Financial and Professional Regulation with Governor Quinn’s name on it and a letter from the Governor informing me how bad identity theft is, ect.
Our Governor even tells us in his letter and provides the phone number to call the Attorney General if we have a problem. So the SOS is in cahoots with the Governor who refers us to the AG.
So much for not using the taxpayers to fund a campaign. The more things change….
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:39 pm
Maybe she could get the trade job that Carol Adams is not taking. Presumably, it’s all set up on the personnel system and ready for the next Quinn appointee in need of a soft landing. Nice gig too.
Meanwhile, why the DuSable board would put Ms. Adams in charge of an organization whose stated main priority is accreditation (national museum accreditation in this case) is beyond imagining.
Didn’t they read about the Howe Developmental Center’s loss of federal accreditation. And all the critical audits of DHS during her watch.
Comment by cassandra Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:48 pm
@Big Policy Nerd
yeah, i’m sure that is exactly what the Quinn camp wanted you to get out of the ad. quinn likes people and people like him.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 2:52 pm
===So much for not using the taxpayers to fund a campaign. ===
Not sure what you mean about that.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:11 pm
“Thanks, but there is no way I’d work for or support that guy. Even I have some standards.”
Pat Quinn = BAD BAD BAD.
Rod = …good?
lol.
Comment by JonShibleyFan Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:22 pm
I mean, Quinn’s first move was to take down Blago’s signs from all over the highways and remove his name from the multitude of hand outs for programs like Kidcare ect. It appeared to me to be a precedant of modesty and of not plastering his name all over the place. I took it to mean-he would let his job performance speak for itself.
To have the taxpayers pay to print brochures with a letter signed by him advising us to call the Attorney General and have SOS employees distribute them to all SOS patrons seems contrary to his initial and, in my opinion, positive start in office.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:25 pm
A letter signed by Quinn to a relative handful of SoS employees? Seriously?
When he starts plastering his name all over everything, a la “Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s KidCare Program,” etc. then I’ll get upset.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:28 pm
Quinn has made it his mission to screw retirees, veterans, disadvantaged children and everyone else without a loud voice from who he can squeeze a few dollars. Who will vote for a man who wants to increase everyones taxes? Will Illinois elect another liar? Won’t be the first time.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:38 pm
Your missing my meaning-it is the SoS employees who are handing out the letter to virtually all the people in Illinois. This letter goes out to the public distributed via the SoS.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 3:39 pm
That my friends is a very effect ad…Dan Hynes better be careful. If this has money, watch it move numbers. Rich gets into trying to be a fact checker…1000 gross rating points behind this baby and here’s the truth Mr. Fact Checker–Quinns wins.
Comment by Tom Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 4:14 pm
Tom, please. You are way late. Even the Quinn campaign has conceded that this ad was bad, and in no way its best effort.
Comment by Will County Woman Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 4:37 pm
If I was Hynes, I’d be pushing the staffer resigning angle. It reeks of Blago, whether fair or not. Having a computer siezed by the Inspector General on suspicion of doing political work on state time is a big deal.
Quinn’s ad is fairly good, even though it is a REALLY big stretch, to put it liberally. I still don’t think it hits as hard as Hynes’ attacks on Quinn’s tax proposal. People tend to vote with their wallets.
And Quinn should be leery of the Blagojevich connections. If the quotes cited by Hynes don’t kill him in the primary, they most certaily will be damaging in the General, should Quinn make it that far.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 4:42 pm
A truce is a very good idea-let’s remember that Hynes started the negative crap.
They do not need to tear each other down-their Republican opposition will be doing their best to do this.
Comment by LoopLady Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 5:35 pm
loop lady– this is politics.. if you can’t manage your own people from abusing their computers at the state during work–you deserve to REALLLLY get called out for that one.
Comment by publius Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 6:02 pm
The answer to the question of whether or not Quinn has retained Blago’s campaign staff is yes he has…
Comment by Brother Darryl Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 9:38 pm
Quinn sends out pink slips. AFSCME gets the court to block the layoffs. The state job posting board swells from no jobs to many. One has to wonder what the hell is going on at the Capitol? Here’s an idea..dump the Blago holdover appointees and use some of the cash saved to pay down some of the debt the state is incurring??? Then live within our means.
Comment by Anon Monday, Nov 2, 09 @ 11:19 pm
Sadly, Quinn has eliminated VERY few Blago appointees.
You can find them at most agencies. At DCEO, the Entrepreneurship program is filled w/ Blago hack field staff who have done little or no work over the last 5 years. They are supervised by Jaime Viteri who should have been gone a long time ago.
But when you retain and promote Jack Lavin who Directed DCEO and the Entrepreneurship Program as well as the $Million grant to nowhere, that is what is to be expected. They will be Quinn’s downfall.
Comment by Larry Mullholland Tuesday, Nov 3, 09 @ 10:15 am