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Question of the day

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Illinois
Blagojevich Trial

* Option one is from commenter Thomas Paine…

Those Blagojevich tapes kinda lose any usefulness in campaign ads if Blagojevich is released.

Can’t really go after Pritzker if Trump is saying Blago was railroaded.

Also included in option one is this from Oswego Willy, who responded to TP…

Rauner can’t attack Trump for doing it. Rauner won’t even say Trump, can you imagine Trump commuting Rod… Rauner would then go after Trump?

The governor probably also wouldn’t be able to praise the president, considering his TV ads during the primary.

* On to option two from Grand Avenue…

If this happens, the Blagojevich media tour would not be the best thing for JB Pritzker’s campaign.

More on option two from Stumpy’s Bunker…

Gosh, do you suppose the RNC & ILGOP are excited about the prospect of an ex-con Democrat former governor running around the state on a “rewrite history & professional victim” tour? I think so. The GOP will certainly need the waters muddied to have a chance for election success this next go-around.

If Rod praises Pritzker… ouch. If Rod tells some negative stories about Pritzker because Pritzker has said he ought to serve out the rest of his term… ouch.

I can see this going either way if RRB gets out, or both ways at once at times. Dude is just so unpredictable and both campaigns are pretty wily. But, I’m not gonna let you cop out like I just did.

* The Question: Option one or option two? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey service

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:27 pm

Comments

The quantum superposition of both at once seems like the best bet.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:32 pm
Option 2 is Rauner’s best hope. He needs chaos and confusion. Trump’s commutation certainly creates chaos.

But in many ways, having Rod live is better than the tapes. At least he can offer some context in real time, assuming he chooses to (big assumption). But if Rod sticks to his “I’m innocent” routine, then what is there for JB to worry about?

The first thing Rod will be worried about when he leaves prison is getting a job. Knowing Rod, he sees two very wealthy men who could benefit if Rod decides to “get in the mix.” That’s a pretty big wild card.

It’s awesome that Rauner’s best hope is a free Rod Blagojevich. We live in very strange times.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:36 pm
Blago getting out seems much worse for JB than Rauner. He will be everywhere telling everyone about everything. That’s the last thing JB needs.

Comment by ste_with a v_en Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:36 pm
In other words, the dagger or the hemlock.
I guess I would drink up Option Two.
JB is on the tape with Blago, not Rauner. He is most likely to be infected.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:38 pm
A sitting governor who points to “corruption” here in Illinois will have the president of his own party commute a “former corrupt governor”.

“Governor Rauner, what do you think of President Trump commuting Rod’s sentence?”

Rauner wants to attack Trump, when he won’t even say the word Trump, and Trump is more popular than Rauner is himself?

The fear is then Trump tweets

“@FakeRealFakeDonaldJTrump - the failing governor in Illinois Bruce Rauner attacked me for pardoning Rod. I’m far more popular that Bruce and he looks like he’s going to lose. Bruce never supported me, still doesn’t.”

Rauner can’t get Raunerites, conservatives, and Trumpers to get together now…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:47 pm
Option 2. First of all his own party turned on him, almost every single one of them. The R’s did also but that was expected. For that he will look to get even by damaging his own party members.
He knows hurting JB hurts Madigan and that itself will be a motivator.
And last but not least, most people know Rauner didn’t use every tape he has in his arsenal. And you can bet he saved the best for last. With that in mind Rod can hurt JB a lot more then Rauner because of who is on the tape taking. Count on Rod wanting his revenge.

Comment by Board Watcher Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:49 pm
Number one he keeps quiet and enjoys his reward for such

Comment by Well then Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:49 pm
This guy has been out of it since 2008. He has no idea how the internet works. You think Trump is bad, wait til Rod gets a Twitter.

Comment by Saywhaaa Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:49 pm
I said Option 1. It’s not going to be too difficult to paint anything Blagojevich says as self-serving and/or fraudulent. And in a campaign that will seek every day to hang Trump around Rauner’s neck, this would be just one more albatross added to that necklace.

Comment by South of Sherman Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:50 pm
It’g going to hurt JB more although I don’t think it matters whether Rod is in or out of prison. We’re going to be seeing a lot of ads featuring JB and Rod anyway. Really, it’s Rauner’s only effective attack.

Comment by Steve Rogers Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:51 pm
Rauner is irrelevant to Trump. Will a free Blago depress Democratic voting enough for marginal Republican House people to win reelection?

Trump still wants a Republican House.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:53 pm
I picked option one. I think if Trump lets a convicted felon walk, it will reflect badly on all of the GOP.

Comment by A Jack Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:54 pm
Rauner refuses to say Trump was wrong in releasing Rod… so now Rauner and Trump support releasing Rod Blagojevich, and they feel Rod was railroaded?

JB or not, yikes, that’s Rauner and Trump and Rauner not saying anything about the felon Rod Blagojevich?

Whew.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:56 pm
I wish there was Option 3, both lol. Without that failback, I think Option 2 is more likely. Rod talking, and he will, all the time, to anyone who will listen, just seems more likely to hurt Democrats than Republicans. Don’t you think Rod will have a few things to say about Madigan?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:56 pm
I voted option one because there’s going to be TV ads tying Pritzker to Blagojevich running 24/7 no matter what, so the argument that Blagojevich being released will hurt Pritzker by bringing more attention to his ties with Pritzker just makes me think “how much more attention can those ties get?”

Comment by Angel's Sword Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:57 pm
I’m leaning more towards two. In my opinion the Governor has probably lost the votes of the hard line base of the Republican Party and those are the people who are the most gung ho about Trump. So I think, if he wanted, Rauner could do some attacking of Trump and get away with it.

Blago has been locked up for years and I’m sure he’s going to come out singing like a canary. I can’t see how that’s good for JB. I keep envisioning a press conference on par with the one yesterday only this time with Blago.

Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:57 pm
Option 2.

Loose lips sink Pritz.

Comment by Amalia Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 1:57 pm
Absent any big event or other change of circumstance, JB is in the driver seat now. The last thing he needs is a ‘guy he used to know’ filling up media space with who knows what nonsense. While a loose Blagojevich could benefit JB in some scenarios, it’s not worth the risk for him.

Comment by Quizzical Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:00 pm
Option 2. Option 1 is just wishful thinking.

Blago’s name back in headlines — especially under these circumstances — only reminds voters why they hated him so much, and why they hate corruption and “insiders.” Even the most loyal Trump supporting types are already up in arms about the notion that Blago might get out of jail early. This can only help Rauner and hurt Pritzker. There’s just no upside for Pritzker at all in this equation.

Comment by Anon312 Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:04 pm
When the news broke, I wondered if Trump is smart enough to talk about pardoning Blago in order to get people talking about Blago again, but then not actually pardon him.

That would have been a brilliant political move.

However, given the options here. #2 is better for Rauner. Blago out and talking is going to remind people even more that Democrats are the party of Blago. It means people are talking less about the current failed governor.

Further, assuming Rauner signs the budget, an argument can be made that we are back on track, at least to some degree. As such, Blago talking makes people want to stay on that track and avoid something new.

Comment by Gooner Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:07 pm
Here is my very humble advice to JB’s campaign:

Reporter: Comment on Blago’s release

JB: No one is more disgusted or disappointed in Blago than those who used to call him a friend.
His stench has seeped into everyone who has ever been nice to him. He has stained the State of Illinois and the many good people who used to trust him.

I have no use for him. He can rot in a prison cell forever, as far as I’m concerned. I can guarantee that he is not going to be calling me once he’s out.

Again, that’s just my very humble advice for Mr. Pritzker.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Blago is a wild card. The Dems threw him to the sharks and he won’t forget. If he can start talking again he’ll burn Madigan. That’s a win for Rauner.

Comment by NeverPoliticallyCorrect Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:16 pm
Option 1 is actually Rauner’s best hope. Nothing says “draining the swamp” Like forgiving the worst “let’s sell a senate seat type.” It gives Rauner a reason to end his silence about the president to whom he has so often been compared.
A pardon will not cleanse Blago it will remind us of the stench.

Comment by Matt Vernau Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:19 pm
Both. Outside of his immediate family nobody wants to see Rod in IL.

Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:19 pm
#2. Rod gets even by holding press conference and endorsing JB. That’s his payback to all the Dems that he thinks screwed them. Just imagine what that endorsement does to the Dems

Comment by Long Time R Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:20 pm
Given the amount of money Rauner and JB have to spend I wouldn’t be surprised if you could not buy a stick of bubblegum with Rauner, JB’s, and Blagojevich’s combined approval number by Election Day.

Comment by Guzzlepot Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:21 pm
Patti Blagoevich talks to Rod Blagoevich almost every day per what she tells reporters. Between Pritzker and Rauner the only one she has been bad mouthing has been Rauner.. So I doubt Rod would turn on Pritzker if he is released. If anything he would be getting revenge on Rauner for attempting to destroy his image with constant political ad’s.

Comment by Real Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:24 pm
===In my opinion the Governor has probably lost the votes of the hard line base of the Republican Party and those are the people who are the most gung ho about Trump.===

If that is possibly true, Rauner beating Pritzker, Blago or not, is in severe jeopardy.

Had Rauner inoculated himself as a Kasich “anti-Trump” Republican a long time ago with already ingrained bonafides, Rauner could make the possible Blago release a windfall and a run to the center even conservatives that would still respect Rauner could appreciate.

Rauner lives in fear of a few things with Trump;

Saying Trump’s name
Seen as a Trump ally
Seen as a Trump foe

While Blago being released will be harmful for Pritzker, that’s not up for discussion either, the politics, for me, is Rauner has no constituency outside this 26% approval, and a divided GOP. If Trump goes after Rauner or Rauner praises Trump for releasing Blago “who was railroaded”… Rauner, who is the sitting governor and ran on fighting corruption will have the president of his party releases Rod Blagojevich.

Try to get Rauner to comment on Trump when that happens.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:24 pm
Went with Option 2. Every media outlet on this planet will want an interview with this media hound.

A commutation means he remains a felon. Rauner can still run his wiretap ads featuring the voices of Blagojevich and JB without a problem.

I was impressed over how the Lang accusations yesterday captivated the media. I can’t even imagine how much stronger the media will be captivated by a freed Blagojevich, who will instantly gravitate to all the microphones and cameras thrust in his face.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:31 pm
Is anyone else upset that the chance of more tapes coming out that would have made it harder and harder for democrats to say the forgive JB may not come out? Sure Blago may do some damage just saying stuff but I think people would put more weight on the tapes then the publicity seeking former gov talking would do. Think of it, if more tapes came out with JB talking about AA’s or maybe even a woman in not the best of ways, watching some of our elected officials squirm trying to defend him would have been fun.

Comment by BigLou Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:39 pm
(Picture of Rod, grainy, black and white)

VO - Rod Blagojevich. While governor, Rod extorted a children’s hospital and tried to sell President Barak Obama’s senate seat. Rod was impeached and removed as our governor and was found guilty of his crimes in court and went to prison.

(Picture(s) of Rod and Trump on “The Apprentice”)

VO: Donald Trump let Rod out of prison, saying Rod was railroaded, and ignoring overwhelming evidence and convictions.

Bruce Rauner? Bruce Rauner says nothing, not to offend Donald Trump

(Pictures of Trump, Rod, Rauner, in that order)

VO: Rod is free now, thanks to friends like Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner.

That’s if Rauner is so scared that Trump will tweet something angry at him for disagreeing.

Blago being released isn’t all that great for Rauner, “because Trump”

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:40 pm
And the winner is: Option 3. Trump will not commute or pardon Blago. He is garnering press and teasing a notorious Democrat.

Comment by TAXRATE62 Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:43 pm
Willy nailed it. I would be willing to bet that commercial will air with exactly that script

Comment by Regular democrat Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:46 pm
One. The more our muddy waters are roiled by the returning bull shark, the more it’ll be “Throw all the bums out.” Rauner will try to maintain an Outsider status, but won’t evade bumhood.

Comment by walker Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Blago is far more krytonite to the Pritzker campaign. They have a far more interesting history.

Blago could add some color commentary to what wasn’t taped that might be more interesting than what was; and that was damning enough. If I were on the Pritzker staff I’d be hoping this didn’t happen until after November.

Comment by A guy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:52 pm
I just want Rauner to ask during a debate:
When the President commuted Ron, did you feel like you also received a Get Out of Jail Free card?

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:55 pm
I voted one. Blago out of jail would be because of Trump. Pritzker can spin it that way easily, because it would be true. If one is a Republican and Trump supporter, as many voters are, one could be conflicted. Blago is a corrupt guy who plotted with Pritzker, but he was treated very unfairly by the corrupt system.

If the prison release is good enough for Trump, who is Rauner to say otherwise?

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 2:57 pm
If, If he gets out it will come down to what it always comes down to with Rod. Who can give him the most cash for his help.

Comment by Spliff Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:01 pm
I don’t think people will care what Rauner does or doesn’t say about Trump comnuting Blago’s sentence. More interesting will be what Blago and JB say about each other.

JB is the clear leader and likely winner, but he can’t be happy about Blago being front page news again.

Comment by SSL Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:05 pm
==VO: Rod is free now, thanks to friends like Donald Trump and Bruce Rauner.==

I don’t understand why anyone except the strongest partisan would believe that Rauner was part of the effort to get Blagojevich out of prison.

Comment by Chris Widger Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:07 pm
===I don’t think people will care what Rauner does or doesn’t say about Trump comnuting Blago’s sentence.===

No one will care what the sitting governor of Illinois thinks about the president commuting Rod Blagojevich, who was convicted of crimes while being governor?

Hmm.

Rauner taking on Trump would make sense since many Republicans that either tired and/or voted to convict Rod in his impeachment are still around.

Rauner is afraid of Trump. The name, to be seen as a friend, as a foe, Rauner is scared of Trump.

Can you imagine Rauner being the subject of a Trump twitter rant?

Rod’s possible release, “not too great” for JB, but Rauner… yikes… can’t choose a side on Trump.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:14 pm
Rauner needs to learn the prison number and, during a debate or answering a reporters question, only use it instead of Blago’s name.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:14 pm
There should be an option #4 - complete fantasy. Some of y’all are off your rockers, whistling past the Winnetka graveyard. Trump and his actions, along with Rauner’s prolonged war against labor (which he completely denied being an goal of his in the 2014 race) and human service orgs guarantees huge turnout by dems, for dems, in a state where dems have the overwhelming number advantage. It won’t matter whether or not Rod gets out of prison, holds press conferences, endorses one guy or the other, or stars in a broadway musical - Rauner is toast. Does anyone think 100% of independent voters are going to support GovJunk? Heck, even 100% of republicans aren’t going to support him. Just look at the primary numbers, Rauner would have barely beaten the third place dem candidate. Not sure whether to file this under “missing the forest for all the trees” or “slow news Friday”.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:15 pm
===I don’t understand why anyone except the strongest partisan would believe that Rauner was part of the effort to get Blagojevich out of prison.===

Has Rauner said that he’s against Rod being released early?

Did I miss that?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:16 pm
===guarantees===

With respect,

Nothing in campaigns or elections are guaranteed, especially statewide races… when it comes to turnout.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:18 pm
Yes but Willy is the strongest possible partisan “Republican” who never criticizes Democrats.

Rational people wouldn’t blame Governor Rauner for a Democratic Governor crimes or potential early release from prison because he would have absolutely nothing to do with it.

if you think this would cost the Governor a single vote you are delusional

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:19 pm
===the strongest possible partisan “Republican” who never criticizes Democrats.===

(Sigh)

You vote in Dem primaries. Rauner is a Raunerite. I vote in GOP primaries, I stand with those like Kasich, McCain, and Boehner. So… stop… or pull a GOP ballot.

===Rational people wouldn’t blame Governor Rauner for a Democratic Governor crimes…===

A sitting Illinois governor who wouldn’t criticize the early release of Rod would get serious heat.

I can freely say “Rod should be commuted”

Why? I didn’t spend $40+ million to actually BE the governor of Illinois, running on “anti-corruption”

===if you think this would cost the Governor a single vote you are delusional===

If you think Trump isn’t costing Rauner votes already…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:32 pm
A commutation of Blago works to Rauner’s benefit and hurts JB.
Lots of ways for Rauner to finesse this on the day the commutation is issued. Then its over for him.
But for JB, and more likely Madigan, they will have to deal with RRB insanity and chaos every day until voting is over.

Comment by The Sheriff Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 3:47 pm
2 - Blago just re-inforces the “corrupt Chicago democrats” theme that non-Chicagoans believe in.

Comment by Just Me Friday, Jun 1, 18 @ 4:03 pm