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* A blast from the somewhat recent past

“I’m prepared to take the responsibility with the partisan division on the committee to make sure that we move legislation that truly does reform state government. I’ll take on that responsibility. And I’ll take the credit or I’ll take the blame.”

That was House Speaker Michael Madigan back in early February promising to take the blame if he didn’t move legislation that “truly” reforms state government.

One wonders whether he’s still ready to take all the blame if everything crashes and burns this week.

* McCook Mayor Jeff Tobolski, who announced his campaign yesterday against Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica…

“For too long residents have had to put up with an unresponsive government and an angry commissioner on the Cook County Board.”

* US Sen. Roland Burris

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman, this is — this is — I mean this is. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m done.”

Yeah, you are. Go read the whole quote in context. It’d be hilarious if it wasn’t so infuriating.

* Douglas R. Roberts, a criminal-defense attorney from Beach Park, who is running for Lake County sheriff

“The sheriff doesn’t arrest people.”

* Kane County Board Commissioner Barb Wojnicki appears to be in denial

“People aren’t running against me; they are running for the seat.”

* Joe Wozniak, who is now in his fourth attempt at winning a DuPage County Board seat in 15 years, is an eternal optimist

“I hope to do it this time.”

* The son of Rep. Art Turner on his own run for the Illinois House…

“I grew up in a political family. I grew up watching Dad.”

* Politically symbolic accomplishment of the week goes to Sen. Bill Brady for his gubernatorial nominating petitions…

“I’m proud to have collected signatures from every single county in this state.”

…Adding… Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich used his WLS program recently to call out Pat Quinn on the current governor’s pace at approving pardons and commutations…

“Hey Pat, ya big wimp. Call the show. Tell me I’m wrong. Am I wrong? Call me and tell me that. Don’t be afraid of me, Pat, Write me, tell me I’m wrong. But you know what? You won’t do it for two reasons. One, you are afraid of me. And number two, I’m right. That’s why you won’t call up.”

I’m so sure that Quinn is afraid of Blagojevich. Sheesh.

And, as Zorn has pointed out before, Blagojevich’s record on pardons and commutations was absolutely horrific.

Par for the course, I suppose.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:09 am

Comments

  1. That quote from Roland is just PRICELESS.

    Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:17 am

  2. One of the candidates running against Melissa Bean is named Dirk Beveridge. What a great name.

    Comment by Scooby Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:26 am

  3. I met Dirk through a friend recently. I think he’d be a good candidate.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:35 am

  4. Oh my head,

    I just read all of Burris’ remarks, and I am think watching MTV all day long would be better for the mind. I agree with him 100% on one part, though: “…every time there was a statement made, there’s a — there’s a new question come to my mind…”

    Ladies and gentlemen, the Senator from Illinois!

    Comment by South Side Mike Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:38 am

  5. I wonder how many signatures we could get in a statement of disgust with WLS for continuing to put Blago on the air. Maybe a web-based document.

    Comment by fisher Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:42 am

  6. CaptFax:
    I think we can all agree that the ethics reforms already in place - procurement, stronger ethics commissions, ig, pay to play, ban on lobbo serving on boards & commissions will do more to limit corruption in IL than any limits.
    The folks who are pushing to weaken caucuses are intnetionally or accidently pushing to strengthen the alreasdy potent power of special interest of all shapes and sizes in the state.
    Madigan opposes that move and is willing to say so.
    In the meantime, lets remember the limits legislation does not kick until 2011 so the notion that this is the “last chance” is more nonsense from people who largley are non contributor to any campaign ever.
    Heeding their advice would like hiring a plumber do brain surgery

    Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:46 am

  7. “That quote from Roland is just PRICELESS.”

    It is priceless.

    It is sad that so many do not get it.

    His free flow thought touched on some of the most important theoretical and applied constitutional principles of the day.

    This is PhD Stuff.

    Comment by True Observer Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:52 am

  8. I wonder if the founding fathers ever conceived of a phenomenon like Roland Burris? If they had, we might have a totally different form of government today.

    Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:55 am

  9. ======
    Ladies and gentlemen, the Senator from Illinois!
    ======

    Listening to Alexi’s and Hoffman’s speeches, you think that another election took place recently and Obama was voted back in as Senator.

    They keep referring to the seat–over and over again-as the “President’s Seat”.

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 11:58 am

  10. With Blago, WLS has reached a new low in talk radio — and that is saying a lot.

    I think Quinn’s only appropriate response to our former, classy, statesman governor would be: “I know you are, but what am I?”

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 12:05 pm

  11. You really have to read the whole Burris transcript to understand what’s going on there.

    I was never a big fan of his, but it’s just sad the position he’s been put in. He should be on the porch in a rocking chair.

    His friends and family should be ashamed for allowing this to happen at such a late age.

    Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 12:13 pm

  12. Maybe Burris can call Blago this Sunday, that would be worth listening to, forget stoogeapalooza…

    Comment by Stallion Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 12:22 pm

  13. Roland seems a bit flustered

    Comment by Levois Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 12:23 pm

  14. “Rod Blaojevich is an honest man. He deserves to be re-elected”-Pat Quinn, 2006
    Maybe Pat is a little afraid.

    Comment by Bill Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 12:55 pm

  15. Blago needs to leave Governor Quinn alone. They both have way too many problems on their plates. Quinn has signaled that he will not engage with Blago, and on this Quinn has made a good decision.

    If Blago had actually spent as much time actually going to work either in Chicago or Springfield as much he does huffing and puffing about the past, he might still be in office right now, or wouldn’t have been booted until after being officially indicted. (I would have preferred the latter, btw)

    My question for Blago is: why didn’t you like being governor? You only cared when it was being taken away from you. What about those quotes where you reportedly said you were “stuck being a governor.”

    Blago need not come crying about things now or bother the current governor.

    Comment by Will County Woman Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 12:59 pm

  16. …I have so many thoughts just rolling through my head, I don’t even know where to start…

    I mean, you can see all the questions that are just flowing through my process here…

    I really don’t have many questions, I just — I got more questions than I have answers, Mr. Chairman, in reference to this, because I — I just sit here and listen to the experts talk, and every time there was a statement made, there’s a — there’s a new question come to my mind, well, what about this?

    You see, Mr. President, I have this song that keeps repeating in my head! A happy, poppy tune! It is itchy, in a very special way. There is a German word for it, but I don’t remember it right now, even though I was the first African American German exchange student in the entire history of my university, or even, perhaps the world!

    The song goes like this…

    I’m living out a dream I thought was only fairy tales, and for someone else, but not for me.

    Destiny was out to get me.
    That’s the way it seemed.
    One Blago phone call started my dreams.

    When I heard his voice
    I became a believer!
    Not a trace of doubt in my mind.
    I’m in Office!
    I’m a believer!
    I shouldn’t leave here if I tried.

    I thought politics was more or less a given thing, but the more I gave, the more I got.
    I’m not even tryin’!
    I’m on top of my game!
    I’m a US Senator without a brain!

    When I was summoned,
    I was a deceiver!
    Without a trace of thought in my mind!
    I’m Obama’s replacement,
    Now he’s a believer, in Trailblazer fever, oh my my!

    And I have so many thoughts just rolling through my head, I don’t even know where to start. I mean, this is — this is the meat that caused us political scientists to even exist!

    Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:03 pm

  17. On the plus side our States Politicians make for great comedy routines, sad part is they get in our pocket doing this.

    Comment by Dan S, a voter and Cubs Fan Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:08 pm

  18. I really think everyone should leave Roland alone. After all, he got to be a US Senator which is more than any you will ever be, including you Cap’n Kirk.
    I hope if I live to be Roland’s age I will be able to communicate as well as he does.

    Comment by Bill Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 1:21 pm

  19. Bill, I thought you were his age?
    And someone needs to tell Roland that it is The Honorable You-Alls!

    Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 2:00 pm

  20. You really think we’ve heard the last from Sen. Burris ? He has stated that he cannot support a health care bill that does not contain a public option. The health care vote will be very, very close.

    I predict he leverages (trades) his vote on health care or some other close piece of legislation in exchange for an ambassadorship or some other plum upon the end of his Senate term. He’s gotten this far, why stop now ?

    Comment by Helm Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 2:00 pm

  21. Tha Blago quote is just hilarious “Hey Pat ya big wimp”. I mean that is laugh out loud funny. And then he taunts him like a 10 year bully trying to pick a fight. I don’t think you guys are giving WLS the credit they deserve. Blago is just pure entertainment. The joke that he was as Governor is nothing to the joke that he is. Good stuff.

    Comment by Jaded Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 4:06 pm

  22. I don’t know about the rest of you but I would love to hear Pat Quinn call Rod Blagojevich on the air. Geeze, that would be really entertaining. I’m a Republican who knows Quinn to be an honest politician. Blago could not do Quinn any harm “no matter what Blago were to say” to or about Quinn. Actually, Quinn would probably pick up some GOP votes by showing Blago that he isn’t afraid to call him out.

    Comment by The Prophet Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 4:22 pm

  23. Psstt…Bill.

    If you really need to be that formal, it’s Commander Kirk.

    And with regard to your abilities to communicate, you’re already there, guy! Congrats!

    Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 5:05 pm

  24. Stuip is as Stuip does

    Comment by Springfieldwatcher Tuesday, Oct 27, 09 @ 10:08 pm

  25. Actually it is COmmando “Crusts” Kirk
    FYI “crusts” comes from the day he told us via Twitter what he had for lunch and that he cut the crusts off the bread

    Comment by CircularFiringSquad Wednesday, Oct 28, 09 @ 9:00 am

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