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Governor Rod Blagojevich says he will rock Illinois politics with a sweeping reform of campaign contribution laws.The move comes after the governor and his staff have been accused of giving millions of dollars in state contracts to his campaign contributors. […]
The governor is promising a specific proposal within three weeks to clean up the financing of political campaigns in Illinois at all levels of state government. The proposal aims to eliminate the perception that campaign cash buys jobs, contracts and influence by limiting the amount of political contributions to every elected state official from contractors, lobbyists, and special interest groups, including unions, businesses that get tax breaks, regulated industries like utilities and casinos, even community organizations that get grants from the state.
“It will rock the system in Springfield, but if we get this done, it will fundamentally change the way business is done in Springfield,” Blagojevich said.
Right. The proposal, as I understand it now, is designed to give himself political cover so he can veto a real reform bill while posturing as a reformer. That way, nothing changes. He scares everyone off with a way-over-the-top reform bill that nobody can vote for and never has to alter his own behavior.
He basically gives the game away with this quote:
“You need to have the other branch of government to be interested in doing something on campaign finance reform. They’ve expressed no interest up until now,” said Blagojevich.
Same old, same old. Blame the bad, bad Legislature while painting himself as a reformer.
Give him credit for the political move, but, don’t forget, this IS a political move. Any reporter/columnist/pundit/etc. who falls for this ploy deserves to have his or her license revoked.
I wrote about this weeks ago.
The real question for the governor should be: “If your bill doesn’t pass, will you vow not to take any more money from people who do business with the state?”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 7, 05 @ 10:43 pm
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What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Repubs and Democratic critics can’t criticize the Govenor, and then not adhere to the same standards.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 12:02 am
Except that Judy Topinka, Dan Hynes, and Lisa Madigan have all unilaterally agreed not to take money from contractors that do business with their respective offices.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 12:11 am
If campaign finance reform is such a hot issue in IL right now, it should be dealt with in a comprehensive manner, not ad-hoc, or subjective to an individual office.
Campaigns should have similar guidelines, as that is when the true money trail starts.
Limits on donations would work wonders to control the all-too-powerful special interests in Springfield as well.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 12:47 am
Maybe Rod should divest himself of his 10 MILLION that he raised under the ‘bad old’ way of doing things, before he starts talking sh*t.
BTW, wasn’t he already under enough heat for rocking people’s worlds?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 8:07 am
Good politics….build your re-election campaign kitty by accepting tons of contractor cash, only to “reform” and box out any challengers. What a clown? Does he think the public is that stupid?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 8:32 am
“Does he think the public is that stupid?”
Yes.
Comment by IlliniPundit Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 9:28 am
I thought he said in 2002 he was going to clean up state government? What does he mean: STARTING NOW? He’s had his chance. He has not led.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 8, 05 @ 9:38 am