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* My Sun-Times column today demonstrates that absolutely nothing the governor says can be taken at face value. Nothing….
One of the biggest challenges reporters have covering Gov. Blagojevich is they have to fact-check every word that comes out of his mouth.
Way too often, Blagojevich ventures beyond the generally accepted boundaries of political spin into out-and-out lies and complete fabrications.
The man just makes stuff up.
For instance, Blagojevich has claimed over and over that a Democratic House member confided that he feared losing his job with the City of Chicago if he voted for the governor’s proposed multibillion-dollar construction bill. Blagojevich says House Speaker Michael Madigan, who opposes the governor’s bill, had used his awesome powers to put the heat on this unnamed legislator.
Blagojevich repeated this claim during a Wednesday press conference.
“They fear their leader, Mr. Madigan, and if Mike Madigan tells them to vote a certain way, they will tell you privately, and I’ve had these discussions with a couple of state reps, one of whom said, ‘I’m afraid if I vote for the jobs bill I’ll be fired from my job at Streets and Sanitations [sic]. I’m afraid I’ll lose my job.’ ”
This was the first time the governor had revealed where that mystery lawmaker worked.
A check showed only one House Democrat works at Streets and San: state Rep. Rich Bradley (D-Chicago).
Trouble is, Rep. Bradley told me he hasn’t spoken with the governor in about two years. Bradley claims he is opposed to the capital plan as written because the House Latino Caucus opposes it.
I had heard from numerous sources, including Deputy House Majority Leader Gary Hannig, that the governor announced during a legislative leaders meeting that Rep. John D’Amico (D-Chicago) was the state representative who feared losing his city job. D’Amico works for the Chicago Department of Water, not Streets and San, but I guess I could see how the governor might be confused.
So, I called Rep. D’Amico.
Turns out, D’Amico did talk to Blagojevich.
As D’Amico tells the story, Gov. Blagojevich asked D’Amico if he was voting against the capital plan because he was afraid of losing his job.
D’Amico said he told the governor that he has been in the union for 26 years and there’s no way he could be fired over a legislative issue unless they first canned a whole bunch of people with less seniority to get at him. Rep. D’Amico said he told the governor he opposed the capital plan because Mayor Daley was against it. D’Amico told me he informed the governor that he didn’t fear losing his job over the capital bill.
Blagojevich also repeated a claim this week that he had asked U.S. Rep. Rahm Emanuel to call the legislator and assure him he wouldn’t lose his city gig.
D’Amico said he did receive a phone call from Emanuel, but he said Emanuel never mentioned the threat stuff. Instead, Emanuel just lobbied D’Amico to vote for the capital bill.
D’Amico asked Emanuel if he knew that Daley was against the capital bill, and Emanuel immediately “backed off.” Emanuel is a Blagojevich ally, but he is a Daley creation.
No way would he want to work against the mayor’s interests.
A source close to Emanuel confirmed everything D’Amico said. Blagojevich’s press office did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
Do you understand a bit better now why it’s so darned difficult to deal with this governor?
When you hear people like Mayor Daley say that there’s a “trust issue” with Blagojevich, it’s because nothing he says can be believed — not even his favorite story about how Mike Madigan’s members fear losing their city jobs.
Discuss.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 7:33 am
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I really wish Rod No-Middle-Name Blagojevich’s parents were still alive to see him today, particularly his sainted mom. I can just imagine what she’d say.
Comment by The Dickens You Say Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 7:39 am
As this state has known for some time, the true Governor of Illinois is the City of Chicago. What the city wants the city gets. Daley just happens to be the mayor.
Comment by Just Asking Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:02 am
And you thought George Ryan was bad.
Comment by shafted Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:12 am
Rich, I thought this blog was a news source. Gov. Blagojevich telling lies is just the old story of “dog bites man.”
Comment by Fan of the Game Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:14 am
The litany of lies should be constantly on major media, billboards and the subject of TV news stories. These are all for his selfish benefit; enhance his power, raise funds and quiet those who oppose him. WE aren’t surprised but the general public has no idea as to what he’s doing.
Comment by North of I-80 Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:15 am
Unfortunately, trust and credibility, once lost, is almost impossible to restore. And, from what I read and see in the media, the Governor places little value in being trusted. In retrospect, it’s hard to fathom how the state political dynamic devolved so far in the past 6 years.
Comment by Budget Watcher Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:24 am
Rich,would the bill still pass if all the house members with city/county jobs would have voted for it? Nope!
Comment by one to the dome Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:32 am
This is why they need to impeach this guy. What continues to astound me are the republicans and others who are trying to force this huge capital bill which ultimatley requires the Gov to keep his word. They can put money in the plan for specific projects, but the Gov can refuse to release those funds! That anyone thinks we should hand the Gov 25 Billion dollars to dole out tells alot about the republicans, Jones and supporters of the Capital plan. This guy is jut not releasing false statments, he is messing with peoples jobs and damaging the and needs removed. I just wish somone would have the guts to boot him. .
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:33 am
Kudos to Rich (again) for being the only journalist to question the Governor’s over the top claims and not just repeat them.
If more reporters would question his BS, he would hold less press events like this weeks because the truth would show that he’s a liar.
Comment by Soy Milk - Formerly Known As Napoleon has left the building Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:48 am
The mayor or speaker is not going to get someone fired because of the way they vote. Only Rod does that.
Comment by Bill Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 8:54 am
Bill !??
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:00 am
Definition of a Pathological Liar, source Wikepedia:
A pathological liar is someone who often embellishes his or her stories in a way that he or she believes will impress people. It may be that a pathological liar is different from a normal liar in that a pathological liar believes the lie he or she is telling to be true—at least in public—and is “playing” the role. It could also be that pathological liars know precisely what they are doing. “Pathological liar” is a synonym for symptoms. Even though pathological lying is not recognized as a clinical disorder, legal court cases often require that the plaintiff prove that the defendant is aware that he or she is lying.[dubious – discuss] This proof is most important in cases of slander and/or liability. Pathological liars often actually convince themselves that they are telling the truth, which in turn can alter polygraph tests and other questioning. When caught in a lie, pathological liars tend to become hostile or try to disregard the fact they lied; often playing it off as a joke.
I’ve dropped a link below for another site that gives answers the question, “How can you tell if someone is a pathological liar.” It is very interesting reading. Dudley definitely is the poster child for such. I invite anyone to simply “Google” Pathological Liar. It’s amazing reading for sure. I’ve said for years now that this is Dudley’s problem. I worked with a woman who was the same and it is nervewracking to keep track of their stories. My sympathies to the press in trying to do so.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_can_you_tell_if_someone_is_a_pathological_liar
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:08 am
What’s left to discuss Rich, your article pretty much said it all.
Comment by Jaded Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:08 am
Hey Rich,
Doesn’t Arroyo work for streets and san…couldn’t it have been him?
Comment by Borinquen Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:14 am
“D’Amico works for the Chicago Department of Water, not Streets and San, but I guess I could see how the governor might be confused.”
Aha, Capt Fax has finally caught on to the governor even in this tentative way….”might be confused” A clear understatement, but media confirmation of the most recent medical diagnosis.
This was a nice bit of reporting. Too bad it eluded others TeeHee.
Now. Let’s go to work getting copies of the MOUs signed by the crews of StateWideTom, Vandalia Frank and The Presidents posses…..Of course they are probably dead meat now that Rod killed the casino deal( again — a moment of silence for the loss of fees by TR and Chris), but I bet it would be some good readin’.
Come on newsies get those FOI requests flying.
Comment by 2ConfuseCrew Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:18 am
It is about time John D’Amico is getting the press he deserves. John D’Amico was covered up for during the Hired Truck Scandal. John D’Amico has a hide and go seek job at over $85,000.00 at the Jardine Plant. So he can work downstate and double dip. John D’Amico and his family broke Shakman rules during promotions at the Water Department. The old Inspector General cover-up for this family time and time again. John D’Amico’s job at the Jardine plant was Utility hits! John D’Amico is a puppet for James Sullivan and Plumber’s Local 130 and the Madigan Daley crime machine. How much money is enough! Please don’t give me cement shoes, I telling the truth!
Comment by Deep Water Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:22 am
Sociopaths and con men are often charming and personable pathological liars.
Great column, Rich. I don’t know why the rest of the media doesn’t aggressively report the truth about Governor Pinnochio. Maybe becasue Rod’s hair grows, instead of his nose, when he lies.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:22 am
Deep does bring up a good point. That’s double-dipping to the Nth degree! He will retire with two super-stout pensions.
Ghost, the GOP want a capital plan so badly because they need to win seats in the Senate and keep seats in the House. What better way to do that than tout school construction, highway construction, job creation and civic pride.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:29 am
What I find fascinating is the reasons that Bradley and D’Amico said they were voting against the capital, i.e., because the Latino Caucus or the mayor opposed it. Neither seems to have had much to say about his own analysis of the merits, or his constiuents’ positions. Comforting to know who our “representatives” are representing.
Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:32 am
And still millions of people in the Chicago area will vote for democrats again. Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. The definition of insanity.
Comment by Lee Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:35 am
How did this man get a second term again? Was having a unified front worth all this slaps in the face?
Comment by Levois Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:42 am
To those who voted for him either time: What were you thinking?
Comment by Southern Illinois Voter Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:47 am
Can’t help but wonder how this trait helped him during those interviews with the FBI.
Comment by Leave a light on George Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:56 am
In marriage, most counselors would tell you that if there is no trust between the partners, there’s hardly a relationship woth having. And that seems to be the case here. Unfortunately, it’s a relationship where the partners didn’t choose each other, and no “no-fault divorce” on the horizon.
I doubt anyone in the GOP honestly can say they trust the gov. I think they are pinning their capital hopes on 2 things-
1. Team Sleep’s astute observation that “announced” capital projects in your district are a good source of votes.
2. The fact that many, if not most, of these capital projects have a lot of lead time, and commitments can be solidified after 2010 with a trustworthy executive.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:11 am
“I don’t know why the rest of the media doesn’t aggressively report the truth about Governor Pinnochio.”
Carol Marin calls blago out on his BS pretty regularly.
Comment by Lurker Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:13 am
As much as we could use the capital bill for “700,000 jobs”, how can anyone trust what he will spend the money on. The only way would be for Blago to sign MOUs for dollars for each project, but then how do youknow he will follow through with that.
Comment by James the Intolerant Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:15 am
Lee, give us a solid, moderate Republican who doesn’t like guns and knows how to balance a budget and we might consider it. As long as he’s not loony like Peraica.
Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:16 am
Oh, and by the way.. John D’Amico forgets his job seniority is based on “Time and Title”. When he took the promotion to district foreman which is now called “Assistant Superintendent” he lost his seniority. In fact, in late 2003-early 2004, the Department of Water Management was going to lay off workers including John D’Amico a newly made foreman. The Hired Truck Scandal saved many workers jobs because the City of Chicago had nothing to stand on. Wrong again John “Caulker” D’Amico. Luis Arroyo and John D’Amico are two Department of Water Management goons serving Mayor Daley and not the people. Chicago is broke thanks to double-dipping, waste, and mismanagement. Please do not shoot me for telling the truth.
Comment by Deep Water Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:24 am
Lee,
We’ll continue voting for Democrats because there are few socially moderate “country club” Republicans running for Statewide office.
For all practical purposes, there is no Republican Party in Cook County - the best they can do is Tony Peraica for Cook County Board President??? I did read that Paul Vallas might be considering running as a Republican in either the next gubernatorial or Cook County Board President. Now there’s a respectable, credible, and moderate Republican that Democrats and independents could be proud to vote for!But Vallas might have a problem winning a Statewide Republican primary becasue he’s not a social conservative.
Metropolitan Chicago voters are not interested in the conservative social agenda promulgated by Phyllis Shaffly and her ideological cohorts and successors.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:25 am
I’m certainly not one to defend the Governor, nor do I really think he is telling the truth, but just because a legistlator doesn’t admit to saying something to Blago doesn’t mean it never happened.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:41 am
John D’Amico gets a salary of $91,520 from the city, according to the Sun-Times’ new public employee database.
How could the city possibly justify that salary, given the fact that D’Amico spends half his year hanging around Springfield and much of the other half (I’m giving him the big-time benefit of the doubt, here) serving the constituents of his legislative district?
Nice work if you can get it.
Comment by DeepFriedOnAStick Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:43 am
The lying and the obsfucation is, now, de rigueur and whether news outlets report more frequently on this or not, we’re slated to wait-out this term. Unless, of course, Mr. Fitzgerald sweeps in with a resignation-inducing indictment.
But a legislator with two public-service jobs? Two jobs that pay enough to raise a family of four? Two jobs that comport benefits, including health insurance and a pension(s)? No wonder we’ve come to call the public well “the trough.” Grrr . . .
Comment by Suzanne Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:48 am
Captain-
Here is the statewide GOP candidate list from 2006:
Judy Barr Topinka Gov
Joe Birkett Lt Gov
Stu Umholtz Atty General
Dan Rutherford Sec of State
Carole Pankau Comptroller
Christine Radogno Treasurer
Excepting for Birkett and his DuPage County prosecutor baggage, seems like a fairly middle of the road group to me.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:50 am
Why doesn’t the main stream media take each press conference (god knows there is one each day) and follow up on the outcome of each new initiative. My guess would be that few have been implemented or followed up on. He leaves a trail of unfinished business. As my mother said “he is like a bull in the china chest what he don’t break he poops on!”
Comment by lifer Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 10:51 am
If I remember correctly, back in February when Blago announced a plan to give NIU $40 million to replace Cole Hall, that prompted some other reporters to ask “Hey, what ever happened to that Chicago church that burned down that he promised a million bucks to…” and the rest, as they say, is history. I think the media has been a little more vigilant about his monetary promises ever since.
Comment by Secret Square Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 11:24 am
“Announced” capital projects in your district are a good source of votes. However, just because they are announced doesn’t mean they will be started or completed.
If you have two liars making statement and Dudley is one of them, I would tend to believe the other person. Dudley has lied so much and with such gross exaggeration, he will never again enjoy a reputation for telling the truth about anything. Too bad the Chicago area dems don’t realize this before they elect him to a third term.
Comment by Little Egypt Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 11:34 am
===I think the media has been a little more vigilant about his monetary promises ever since.===
I think they have been pretty good about it all along. This piece wasn’t a blast at the media.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 11:36 am
Thanks for the examples six degrees of separation.
To Captain America and Bill S. Preston, you guys need to watch “One flew over the cuckoos nest”
In the movie Nicholsan finds out most of the patients in the asylum are there volunterily!
They were there way to long to know reality.
Comment by Lee Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:01 pm
Captain, with all due respect to your political leanings, someone like Bill Brady as governor would not have as much influence over social issues as you think. He can’t overturn Roe v. Wade; the state supreme court is 4-3 in favor of Democrats; and the GA looks like it will remain in Democratic hands for a while, which would freeze a social conservative’s moves when involving social and family issues. But if someone like Brady runs, how could people not support someone who’s will to actually tighten the belt and make tough decisions?
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:29 pm
=== Doesn’t Arroyo work for streets and san…===
Dept. of Water.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 1:47 pm
Want to help put an end to the current Springfield logjam?
Simple. Vote for the Republicans who are running and vote against the Democrats currently in office.
Insanity would be to reelect the same group again based upon their performance. Then things will make more sense and Public Official A will distrust the Republicans and vice-versa, as it should be.
The current system of Public Official A distrusting Madigan who distrusts him and Jones and of Jones who distrusts Madigan, etc. etc. etc. and they all belong to the same political party is just too complicated to follow or repair.
It’s time for voters and activists like me need to see Illinois Politics return to a normal Democrats vs. Republicans again!
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:28 pm
Six Degrees
I stand partially corrected! But I was talking about gubernatorial candidates rather than the other constitutional officers.
Topinka is a relative political lightweight and not a “reformer.” But she is a decent person, and we’d all be better off if she had been elected. If I had known Governor A was going to go completely beserk in his second term, I would have voted for Topinka. Even if I didn’t vote for Topinka,in retrospect, I should at least have voted for Whitney as a protest vote. What was I thinking??? Maybe I thought Blago might
ight have learned something during his first term and do a better job. I was wrong!
Umholtz was a token candidate never taken seriously even by himself. Lisa Madigan had been a great Attorney General for the people of Illinois.
Rutherford was running against the most popular politician in the State considering Jesse White’s proven State-wide vote getting ability.
Pankau never had any chance to defeat Dan Hynes given his reputation and performance - competence, integrity, and bipartisan appeal.Pankau was a sacrificial lamb.
Radagno seems ok, but I was not impressed with her postion last year with respect to resolution of the RTA crisis, so I’d probably be less likely to vote for her in any future race.
So let me qualify my remarks; You are correct that they were moderates.Social moderation is necessary but not sufficient to be elected Governor. You also need need poltical stature,fundraisng ability, a message, and some luck.
The Democrats top-to-bottom were better political candidates. All were popular. except Blago. All were incumbents, except Alex G.
Of the whole group, Rutherford might have the greatest potential for higher office. I don’t know what his position on the social wedge issues might be,since it isn’t really relevant to the Secretary of State’s duties.
Personally, I think Republicans may start to bounce back in 2010 after the Obama landslide. But they need moderates like Edgar and Thompson. Social conservatives like Bill Brady don’t appear viable because their positions are not attractive to moderates and independents in the Chicago suburbs - the “swing voters.”
I’m a hard core liberal Democrat, but I believe that the Democratic party should be punished by the general electorate for the miserable performance of its top three leaders during the last two years,and the complete meltdown of State government.
But it isn’t going to happen because Democrats have a much better farm team/talent pool
than the Republicans, and the Republican Party is split asunder between the hard right/social conservatives and social moderates.Blago and Jones seem like temporary abberations to me.
Despite my personal progressive/liberal political philosophy I believe that the public interest would be better served if there were healthy competition between the Democratic and Republican Party at all levels of government.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:31 pm
PS No personal disrespect is intended towards Bill Brady or other socially conservative candidates. I just march to a different drummer than they do.
Despite my liberalism,I myself supported Glen Poshard, an honest man, but a social conservative on a couple of key issues ,in the primary and the general elections. I wish other “lakefront libersls” had done the same. I wish downstate labor had supported Paul Vallas in the primary instead of Blago.
May the best person win in 2010, whoever they are, and maybe we can begin to recover from the political insanity that has aflicted our body politic the last two years, and the endemic criminality and corruption of the last two Governors. Regardless of our political ideologies, I hope we can all agree that we will do better after 2010.
Comment by Captain America Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:47 pm
speaking of lies and the lying liars who tell them, I hope reporters start questioning Rod’s claim that his capital plan will create 700,000 jobs.
The numbers just don’t add up.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:53 pm
Captain America -
The GOP primary electorate doesn’t want moderates. Not in Illinois, and not really anywhere in the Midwest.
Until social conservatives realize that the GOP is only paying lip service to their agenda, or the GOP realizes that lip service makes them unelectable, their toast.
Ironically, once the GOP moves to the middle, Democrats are likely to abandon some of their more hot button issues as well.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 2:57 pm
Louis the republicans had a Gov improsned for pay to play and then decided to back the next corrupt Gov and push for him to get 25 Billion to increase pay to play dollars in play. The logjam exists becuase house democrats are standing up to the republicans and thier support of a corrupt Gov. The best way to help Illinois would be to get rid of the republicans who are running to further reduce the Govenors support. Until the republicans stand up agianst corrupt governors, instead of supporting them, they should never win an election.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 3:24 pm
Re Your Sun-Times column about Blago’s lack of veracity:
If there is one thing Gov Blago can point to as a mark of his administration, it’s increasing the frustration level of every voter in the state of Illinois. Whether you are one of his supporters or not, there seems to be little doubt that he is out of touch with the reality most of us inhabit and is comfortable in the make-believe world he has created, where the “truth” can be fabricated at a moment’s notice.
I shudder to think of the amount of cynicism he has engendered in all of us.
One of the most deleterious effects he is responsible for is the reinforcement, among younger citizens, of the belief that politicians are solely in politics for themselves and that “politician” equates to “crook” and “imbecile”. I don’t subscribe to that generalization, but each day Blago is in office brings forth new evidence that the cynics are correct.
I sincerely hope Blago actually takes the medication that has undoubtedly been prescribed for him.
Comment by BobW Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 3:43 pm
Gee I never even liked Madigan, but the fact that he is the only Leader opposing Blagojevich I will make it a point to vote Democrat for whoever is the “evil House Member” in Hanover Park. Question of the day……Blagojevich, “Mike Madigan is the cause of the rising gas prices as well as the War in Iraq.” Is anyone else getting a little sick of Blagojevich constantly trashing Madigan, the recluse that he is..
Comment by anon Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 5:50 pm
Captain America: Judy Baar Topinka is hardly a “relative political lightweight” regardless of yours (or anybody’s) personal views against her.
Comment by Wot? Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 6:55 pm
Also, Captain, Rutherford will not win a statewide election, even though he may be a better candidate than Bill Brady, Joe Birkett and everyone else.
Also, at this point, the only chance the GOP really has is to nominate real conservatives. Forget about suburb-this, suburb-that, swing-this, swing-that, soccer-this, soccer-that;
Given the choice between a Democratic liberal or a Republican RINO–most of the General Assembly today–they’ll take the Democrat every time, unless the race becomes a referendum on someone like Rostenkowski or Moseley-Braun.
The only way the GOP can come back is if they define the differences betwen the parties. They are not doing so. Democrat-lite is not working for them.
Most don’t care; the get the salary, the ceremoniality, prestige (subjective) and all attendant perks without shouldering the responsibility of being in the majority.
Comment by Wot? Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 7:05 pm
I’m surprised no one picked up Bill’s point.
The Governor thinks this is so, because it is what he would (and does) do. He routinely threatens and fires the friends and relatives of those legislators & staffers who do not do as he likes.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Aug 8, 08 @ 9:59 pm