Illinois' governor - Rod Blagojevich

[ChairmanAgnostic]

For a man clinging to presidential aspirations, you would think he would be more careful.

First, he has a Rezko problem. (Rezko is a corrupt Illinois developer who cultivates profits, deals and crooked pols. One of his trainees happens to be running for president)
Rezko managed to get friends and allies into offices. The Feds are investigating - watch for indictments, perhaps this year.

Second, he is an ass. He hates Springpatch, the capitol of Illinois, so he wastes Illinois money flying back and forth every night when the legislature is in session. It cost taxpayers $76,000 just during May and June.

Third, his wife is an ass. Today's Suntimes reports that she has 24/7 bodyguards - something that bloggo insists on. (Who the HELL wants to harm Bloggo? or his wife?) She refuses to let them use the toilet at their home.

Fourth, he is a pathetic pol. The budget crisis in Illinois (Fer gawd's sake, both houses and the Governorship are all Democrats, and they can't agree on anything) is 100% his fault. He did not try to work with the dem leaders. To the contrary, his fund-raising for a future presidential campaign is still more important.

Fifth, he is a pathetic son in law. His daddy in law is one powerful CHicago pol, and helped get bloggo elected. Bloggo then screwed him on an investment, and worse, and daddy in law spilled the beans that Bloggo sold political offices in Springfield to campaign donors. The feds are mighty interested.

Why can't Illinois have a clean, effective governor?

[terrya]

1. He's my governor.

And I am loath to admit it, but I can easily see him indicted for something down the road. There are some questionable, to put it mildly, ethical situations he's involved in.

The not living in Springfield thing is something I have problems with. Yes, I know Springfield isn't anything like Chicago. Yes, I know that he doesn't want to uproot his family and move to Springfield. But still...as you said, it's taxpayer money. Plus, it's taxpayer money for the upkeep of the Governor's Mansion, which is largely vacant.

[Tammie]

3. Yep, he's my governor too

It grinds me the money he's wasting flying back and forth to Springfield. If he didn't want to uproot his family and move to the governor's mansion, he shouldn't have run for the office. In my circle, we call him Blowjobovich. It fits.

[genie_weenie]

2. Also in 2002 as a Representative he voted FOR the

Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution. But, he's got a D after his name, so I guess I have to support him. :shrug:

[KharmaTrain]

4. So Judy Bozo-Topihnka Would Have Been Better?

First...Rod's chances of running for President are as good as mine. It's been a joke here in Illinois since the idea was first floated.

Next, Rezko is a major problem for a bunch of people...not just Blago, but Barack. It's been a shame how Blago has played the same shitty games the Repughnicans did in Springfield...and that he wasn't smart enough to keep his nose clean. If there are indictments, they're deserved and must be prosecuted. It won't be the first time an Illinois Governor has ended up in the grey bar hotel.

Regarding the Springfield crap...Jim Thompson also commuted. In the 80's, I had the chance to ask Thompson why he didn't live in Springfield and he claimed that the "big business" happened in Chicago and he got more accomplished up here than down there.

I'm far from defending Blago...I had to hold my nose last year to vote for him, but sadly, there are few good alternatives. His handling of the budget gets mixed grades as a lot of the problems were ones he inherited from Ryan and Edgar, but after 5 years, those excuses wear thin.

I've long hoped Blago would get appointed as an Ambassador or kick upstairs some other way so Pat Quinn...a true Progressive...could take over.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

5. you make great points. and not "but"

So how do we fix the nominating process that allowed Bloggo in, anyway? the system appears to be a tad fractured.

[KharmaTrain]

6. You're Asking To Take On The Power Of Daley

Ya think Blago even wipes without calling Richie first? Richie has made Mayor of Chicago the most powerful political office in the state and if you want changes, it's gonna have to start there.

I'm seeing a lot of grassroot Democrats starting to rise up here...most of it has been around the Congressional Races, but hopefully this will reach down to the state level as well.

Unfortunately, when you control 1,000,000 votes, you can "fracture" those rules.

Cheers...

[ChairmanAgnostic]

7. rod just pissed off the leadership - again

after promising them to reconvene on July 10, (they passed a temp spending and budget bill) he forced them back last night.

The dem leaders are irate. the GOP is laughing itself silly, except they hate the early return as well.

Bloggo has as many friends as a double amputee has fingers.