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Apparently, the DNC got the full Blagojevich treatment last week. The Hotline’s blog was not impressed.
Ask any IL Dem to explain why Gov. Rod Blagojevich faces a rocky reelection bid, and they’ll reply that his troubles are self-inflicted, personality driven and, most importantly to them, not reflective of the state party’s overall strength.That response has always seemed a tad defensive (”it’s Rod’s fault, not ours”). But if the gov’s performance at the DNC meeting in Chicago this weekend is any indication, that response is also spot on.
Blago started off his 8/19 a.m. performance by keeping a room packed with hundreds of Dem activists and donors waiting — for 20 mins — forcing a visibly irritated DNC Chair Howard Dean to stall. When he finally arrived, Blagojevich breezed through an apology and into a stock ice-breaker “joke” about driving in his motorcade and being mistaken for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley by a little girl. “And that’s not because my last name’s hard to pronounce,” he quipped.
Late? Check. Story about little black girl? Check. There’s more. Read the whole thing.
Speaking of Gov. Lateness, Blagojevich is so into the Indian-American vote these days (he gets a lot of money from that particular ethnic group) that he’s now cutting ribbons at South Asian bridal fashion store grand openings. He was, of course, late.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 4:20 am
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Actually, this isn’t too far from how he treats Illinoisians. It’s not “blah” it’s pathetic.
Comment by We deserve better.... Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 7:00 am
That guy really needs some new material. He keeps repeating the same stupid jokes and “the golden rule” schtik.
Comment by Shallow Pharnyx Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 7:26 am
Why was Blago late? Did he go jogging beforehand?
Comment by Ravenswood Right Winger Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 8:06 am
I wonder how late Blagojevich will be when Rich Whitney debates Topinka. We’ll have to put out a sign on his empty podium and start without him.
Comment by Squideshi Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 8:20 am
Surely his Mama taught him better manners than that. . .
Comment by Still Anon Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 8:22 am
Rod did not mention the ethnicity of the little girl this time but don’t let the truth stop you.
Comment by Bill Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 8:33 am
Time to take a page from the Boston Red Sox…instead of “Manny being Manny” we now have “Rod being Rod.”
So when are Lon, Sheila, and Doug going to hammer it home to him that he can’t keep throwing those tired (and in some cases over 4 years old) jokes out there?
Comment by Nice Suit Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 9:09 am
Interesting that other negative posts about Blago yield almost instant denial/counterpoint posts by the ubiquitous “anon,” but the issue of this shtick has yet to receive support or defense from the pro-Blago set.
Comment by Jack Blades Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 9:19 am
Blago is always late!!! He has been gov for 3 years and hasn’t gone to work yet!!!
Comment by Lovie's Leather Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 9:44 am
It is typical Blago. He has no regard for anyone except himself and his agenda. He is an embarrassmemt as the governor of Illinois.
Comment by Downstater Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 10:04 am
I don’t see 20 minutes late for a political event as too bad. I’ve never seen a political event run on time yet, regardless of party or official. If that’s the major complaint people have about a governor, he/she is in pretty good shape–look at JRT.
Comment by steve schnorf Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 12:12 pm
Never, Steve? Oy.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 12:39 pm
For a guy ostensibly running for future President or Veep, this was a really stupid thing to do. Seems like Rod is running on autopilot and every appearance has become a blur to him. Apparently the one place he DID cut the budget was on professional speech and gag writers.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 1:01 pm
steve,
when jrt arrived it was entertaining. when blago arrives its a joke.
Comment by chinman Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 1:15 pm
Steve - You should try working for George W. Bush. He is always early due to the fact that he believes tardiness to be rude. The moto of his staff is “On time is late”.
Comment by Land O' Lincoln Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 1:25 pm
Doesn’t Howard Dean realize he is dealing with the NEXT VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES?
How rude of Dean to be upset. After all, saving the world takes time and effort on Rod’s part. When it comes down to providing insurance to all kids in Illinois, or getting open road tolling, or balancing that budget, versus a little political speech - gosh darn it the politicos are just going to have to wait!!!!
After all, ROD BLAGOJEVICH HAS A FAR GREATER POLITICAL DESTINY THAT WE MERE PEONS ARE ONLY JUST NOW BEGINNING TO APPRECIATE!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Bubs Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 3:10 pm
GoverNOT Hairdo is such a loser, he should have no trouble giving a concession speech on election night - and showing up late for it.
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 3:27 pm
Egypt,
Just go ahead and move to kentucky because we will be back for 4 more years. Tardiness, hairdo and all.
Seeya in November.
HUNKA HUNKA BURNIN LOVE!
Comment by Bill Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 4:00 pm
The man is more to be pitied than laughed at. He really is pathetically egotistical with nothing to back it up. Doesn’t anyone on his large staff of sycophants know a good joke writer? Sad, sad, sad for us all.
Comment by Disgusted Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 6:00 pm
“Some people’s lives may serve no real meaning, except to serve as a warning to others”.
He’s certainly an example of “something”. Hope the DNC takes the free warning.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 6:50 pm
Great idea, Bill. Vote for Blago or move to Kentucky. Just like Randy Dunn did.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 9:12 pm
knock the gov all you want you stil cant beat and thats what counts
Comment by anon again Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 11:07 pm
Rod needs to update the car/girl joke to say she mitook him for a reformer who wanted to bring integrity and honor back to government.
He may just barely win (buy) reelection, but I’m convinced he’ll never finish the term. I’m expecting great things out of Governor Quinn when he takes over.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Aug 21, 06 @ 11:29 pm
Rod Blagojevich is a major embarassment to Illinois. He is incredibly unpopular. After 26 years of Republican rule, he has broken the mold for bad government in Illinois. It isn’t just his ridiculous comments about his “mama” or his inferior intellect or his stupid Elvis references, replete with a bad Tennesse accent - its his policies. He was elected and came out swinging at everyone in public office and quickly alienated just about everyone in government. He even has had a public feud with his father-in-law, who engineered his gubernatorial win. He is listed as “Public Official A” by federal prosecutors and has several federal investigations of his office and administration in process. Don’t worry about having to sit through another Blago speech at the national level too soon though. We are all expecting indictments against him soon. Illinois has sunk to a new low, from the City of Chicago, to the county of Cook, to state government. It is rotten and needs to be rooted out! Governor Quinn, please!
Comment by Criminal Enterprise Called Illinois Tuesday, Aug 22, 06 @ 1:18 am
Anon Again: For your information, beating Topinka or whomever the governor opposes isn’t “what counts”. Integrity, honesty and following the wishes of the people who elected you are what counts.
And please, learn your grammar and how to spell before you start crowing.
Comment by Disgusted Tuesday, Aug 22, 06 @ 7:37 am
Come on Steve. You have to know as well as everyone else posting here that this is not the first time that this Guv has been late to an event, political or not. Regardless of it being a major complaint is not the issue the issue is that it is a valid complaint.
There are times to give the other side their kudos, but this time it is not prudent especially when some have benefitted greatly from the past years of Republican rule and have had their day-in-the-sun. Recently, some very hardworking, competent and credible state employees have been treated quite shabilly by this administration and for anyone to minimalize in any way shape or form this guys behavior is not in good form.
Comment by Not Steve Schnorf Tuesday, Aug 22, 06 @ 9:10 pm
Not Steve Schnorf -
Right on! You said it perfectly. If I could add one more thing, in politics its not what you know, but who you know. You summed up the state of Illinois quite nicely.
BTW. I was at the state for 16 years. I saw the old guard at work and left after two years of this moronic crew. The great example was when Dillard skipped into his jobs and then the Senate seat.
Comment by Buck Flagojevich Tuesday, Aug 22, 06 @ 11:27 pm