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As far as I can tell, nobody except the Post-Dispatch has covered this issue.
As the cleanup from last month’s storms is winding down, Gov. Rod Blagojevich is again facing attacks on the degree of attentiveness he gives to downstate Illinois.Considering the devastation caused by the storms, it might have seemed like the perfect political opportunity for Blagojevich to show up and give his support to the region. But the fact that Blagojevich didn’t visit - and was on vacation with his family in Michigan - has presented an equally perfect political opportunity for his re-election challenger, Republican state Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka.
“Couldn’t he at least come down there and show his face and say, ‘I stand with you and I will help you however I can?’” asked Topinka in an interview on Wednesday. “Show some empathy!”
Those same charges are likely to come up again at a Topinka press conference today in Edwardsville.
The governor was in Marion just last week and he didn’t bother to drive or chopper the relatively few miles to tour the destruction.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:02 am
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“Sigh!” He is sounding more presidential every day.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:06 am
Really though, how could Mr. Campaigner blow this so badly? He really loves to fly in that chopper whenever he can. He showed up in Springfield after the tornadoes and made sure he appeared on the news expressing his empathy. He probably landed in Peoria, Bloomington or Decatur before finding Springfield, but he got there. What happened? Perhaps he was busy sealing deals for more campaign cash? We know he works it like no one since Tom Delay.
This governor’s poor handling of this situation ties in with his other sins regarding Illinois south of I-80. He is not Illinois’ governor, as much as he is Chicago Alderman’s governor.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:12 am
Why JBT / Birkett aren’t spending time down there is what I want to know.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:15 am
Here’s my take, in easy to understand language:
“MAYOR GOOFUS is the mayor of a city that places its fate in the hands of a bureaucrat who lives hundreds of miles away, and has no responsibility for the city or its residents”
“MAYOR GALLLANT is the mayor of a city that accepts responsibilty for its own residents, and has the disclipline to prepare for a rainy day”
Comment by Leroy Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:18 am
Maybe Jay Hoffman told him to stay away. Granberg was probably chirping also about not coming down. Neither men want to be seen down there with him. Those counties will vote for a democrat no matter who they are. Why Go? Whats the point of going? Those people are locked in Democrats!
Comment by muletown Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 9:33 am
I heard it on the radio this morning. So the PD isn’t the only one covering it.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:22 am
Sit down with the local democratic state legislators from the metro east area–Hoffman, Reitz, Haine, Holbrook, Clayborne, Beiser–and you won’t hear anything good about the Gov. Even from his best buds Hoffman and Reitz. They hold their nose when they discuss Roddy…
Comment by illrino Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:28 am
The Southern Illinoisian is running on online poll about whether the additional million Blago promised was good for the state. Overwhelming leaving people are saying no. Hope he wasn’t trying to buy votes with that money.
Comment by paper bag over my head Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:31 am
Bill Barr I agree with you. JBT and Birkett have been MIA in this area. Muletown George Bush got 48% of the vote in Madison County in 2004. Republican Supreme Court Judge Karmeier got 53% of the vote in 2004 in Madison County.
Comment by Lee Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:13 am
My guess is that there aren’t enough TV cameras down there for Blago to be bothered about a few pesky wind storms.
Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:15 am
Left leaner is close. Why should he get on St. Louis TV when about 60% of that market lives and votes in Missouri? I don’t think he is smart enough to know this but his handlers are.
Comment by Eagle I Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:35 am
Bill…JBT has been down there…and is down there again.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 12:24 pm
Specifically, JBT was down there on July 26th — about a week after the storms hit. Rude Bragovich still hasn’t.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 12:52 pm
As if this wasn’t bad enough, Blago’s “security” team didn’t even identify Mid-America airport (you know, somewhere downstate) in the list of “commercial airports” covered in his press release earlier today.
Face it folks, Blags just doesn’t give a rat’s behind about *anything* south of I-72. We could secede, he wouldn’t even notice. Maybe Kentucky would take us in.
Comment by Southern Illinoisian Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 2:07 pm
Eagle I - The 40% of the STL market that is in Illinois is larger than any other media market in Illinois outside of Chicago.
Comment by anon Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 3:37 pm
If there is a big storm that means trees are down, electricity is out, water may have to be boiled. Unless G-Rod is carrying a chain saw, or is ready to climb a pole, his sorry butt can stay in Michigan!! People need help in a crisis not poofy hair and a TV camera!
Comment by BIG R.PH Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 3:38 pm
From today’s Edwardsville press conference…
At the start of her Q&A with the media, Topinka first asked the young woman from Blago’s campaign, who was wielding a camcorder right in front of the podium, if she or the Governor had any questions.
Then she quipped, “the Governor can’t make it to Metro-East, but at least one of his camcorders can make it.”
Comment by Funny Topinka Quote Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 10:35 pm
Why hasn’t the Chicago Media covered this? Who knows, beyond their feeling that Illinois south of I-80 / west of I-39 is limited to a 1 mile strip around I-55 and I-57 … .
Comment by Smitty Irving Thursday, Aug 10, 06 @ 11:16 pm