Question of the day
Who are you supporting for governor and why?
posted by Rich Miller @ 7/19/2005 02:38:00 AM
145 comments
Who are you supporting for governor and why?
posted by Rich Miller @ 7/19/2005 02:38:00 AM
145 comments
145 Comments...
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I feel like I'm back in the school cafeteria line and being forced to choose between sloppy joe -- when "joe" is of questionable origin -- and spaghetti that's been sitting in a steam bath for three hours.
I'm voting "None of the above" until a candidate announces who has a vision for Illinois other than Salem, MA circa 1634.
Ruff, Ruff, Yellow Dog--could not agree more. The current announced GOP field is just painful.
Immigration Blues (Duke Ellington): Oberweis
Village Ghetto Land (Stevie Wonder): Gidwitz
I Can't Drive 55 (Sammy Hagar): Rauschenberger.
Where, oh, where art thou fine candidates?
Judy, Judy, Judy....
...because she can win.
I can tell you one thing...it is NOT Rod Flip-flopovich.
Most people who read this blog come out in support of statewide candidates early and strongly, particularly if their party holds the office.
I can't. I'm a Democrat, and I already know who I support for AG (Lisa Madigan); SoS (White); Comptroller (Hynes); and even Cook County President (Quigley). Four years ago, I was strongly supporting Blagojevich for Governor.
Today, I just don't know. I want to support Blagojevich for re-election, I really do. And every now and then, I'm almost ready to put the Blagojevich bumper sticker on my car.
Unfortunately, the desire fades fast when there's another pay-to-play story, or another boneheaded statement by the Governor, or I hear yet another story of an early supporter (individual or group) getting screwed.
Please, please, Governor Blagojevich (and "Governor" Tusk): clean up your act. Talk to your supporters. Stop being arrogant and isolated.
Please earn my vote.
Judy Baar Topinka
She is the only Republican who won statewide last time. Her moderate views will help win in the suburbs. We desperately need to replace Blagojevich.
Almost anybody but Blago, because I am not forced to live in a democracy and don't think he should be either.
Losing will offer him an opportunity to leave for a better system of his choice, where he can go rule some island from nowhere. Illinois will be better off without him. A win-win situation for everyone!
Whoever the Libertarian Party nominates :->
It's sad to hear so many Republicans say they support Topinka "because she can win." I agree, she can win, and even I like her positions on some social issues.
But we got socked with Rod "because he could win", and Topinka has yet to articulate her vision for Illinois and her priorities if she's elected. Are we going to get more empty promises about cleaning up state government? Will she still be pro-choice as Governor and support gay rights? What's her position now on education funding reform?
Voters deserve answers to these questions and many others before they slavishly pledge their support to any candidate.
I am in the same mind set as most of the other commenters. I just don't see any candidate I particularly care for or that I think can overcome Blago's money. As bad as he has been, the strongest Republican can't compete withhis money. He will be able to define any one of the current possiblities on the Republican side and none of them will be able to fight back. Where are you Jim Edgar when Illinois needs you---again?
Steve Rauschenberger. He is clean as a whistle, thoughtful and knows state government better than anybody that ever served as Gov.
I'd be tempted to wait to see which primary is closer.
If the Dems are close, I'd vote for Lou Lang or another credible alternative to Blagojevich.
If there's no contest in the Dem primary, I'd take a GOP ballot for the first time and vote Rauschenberger.
I see Rauschenberger as the most serious public policy mind in the field. While I disagree with him on some big stuff--he's the Republican, I'm not--on the day-to-day matters of governing he seems more pragmatic than ideological.
Patrick Daly, the Republican Obama.
LaHood lost me when he attacked Blagojevich on fiscal discipline.
Whatever RB's sins of tapping the pension fund they are trivial compared to the deficit spending LaHood and the GOP have done in Washington.
Anybody but Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich and Lisa Madigan both took money, gave money, their names and support to HDO.
Victor Reyes does a lot of lobbying for the state like Lochner engineering.
Governor Blagojevich.
He has a proven track record of moving Illionois forward.
He has kept hid promise to not raise the income or sales taxes and since people get to keep more of their own money we now see increased tax revenues flowing into state coffers because people are spending their money and creating jobs.
Blagojevich has increased the minimum wage, put more money into education, expanded health care, passed medical malpractice reform and on and on.
Governor Blagojevich gets my vote.
Thank you Lon Monk for your 9:22AM post
Wait until Rod Blagojevich's connections to HDO come out
He called HDO H2O in the Chicago Tribune
Someone who 1) is not Blago, 2) can win and, most important, 3) will credibly promise not to raise my taxes.
Nobody qualifies yet.
What about the new allegations by FBI agent about the mob connections in Rosemont?
Remember that Rod Blagojevich grew up with Emmet Paloian, by his own press people's admission his wife's family was connected to organized crime, he shared offices with Angelo "Skip" Saviano and was close to Rosemont with the new revelations.
Rod Blagojevich may be more connected than we thought.
Rosemont has a lot to answer for.
I'm a Democrat, so my opinion of the GOP field is probably too biased to be relied upon. That being said, I'm not impressed by (or more to the point, concerned about) any of the Republican candidates so far.
JBT? C'mon now. Seriously? She's experienced in state government and all, but she's not ready for prime time, and probably never will be. The only reason she became Party Chairman in the first place was because every other possible candidate was eliminated. Republicans generally cringe at her positions on social issues, which makes them think suburban women will LOVE her. But just as Party insiders find her grating, voters will, too, when she's actually in the spotlight.
In the end, she's as much of an insider as anybody. Republicans need a "reformer" to beat Blago, and JBT simply isn't credible in that role. Sure, she'll "reform" us back to the Ryan days and replace the usurping Democrats with long-suffering Republicans at the state trough, but that's not "reform" to most Illinois voters.
Oberweis, Gidwitz, and Rauschenberger together prove that Barack Obama has inspired politicians with strange names everywhere. They also make JBT look like a statesman in comparison.
I remember thinking Jim Thompson would be governor-for-life. I remember believing Jim Edgar was a force of nature that could never be stopped. I remember fearing the George Ryan machine. I remember being impressed by Jim Ryan. I even remember being worried about Jack Ryan.
The current crop simply makes me smile. Blagojevich is vulnerable, sure. He hasn't changed business-as-usual in Springfield, which is what a lot of us had hoped for. But he's a tough campaigner, and whatever Republican goes against him will have to be someone who can beat the best.
As a Dem, I don't think any one of the announced candidates fits that bill. Re-elect Rod in '06!
Blagojevich. Because he'll be unopposed in the primary and the worst Democrat you can possibly imagine is better than the dream Republican, 9 times out of 10.
-howtown
Good qotd Rich. There are a lot of us Democrats who will not vote in a Republican primary, but would vote against the Governor if there was a credible opponent on the Dem side.
If not, then it depends on who the GOPpers nominate. I don't think JBT could win, but I would probably vote for her over the Governor, the rest of the Republicans are not tolerable to me.
Of course, I will still have a Blago yard sign and have to write my check to him too.
Rod has alienated college students everywhere by significantly cutting their funding. The University of Illinois was once a symbol of pride in this state, but now our ranks are slipping and all of the alumni in the state are facing the problem that their degrees don't mean the same thing that they used to. There is just so much wrong with Rod that I think a serious GOP candidate can win.
That being said, I think Rauschenberger is the only serious candidate. Judy is way too liberal to get the conservative base that she would need to have a chance. Also, she is tied to the hip with our beloved George Ryan. Too big a liability nominating her.
No one else has the potential to carry a wide range of GOP voters like Steve because he is conservative, yet experienced and not crazy. No one else has the name rec in Cook County except for Judy, and we can't let her run.
I think when it all is said and done, the only shot the GOP has is if Rauschenberger takes on Rod.
I am voting for Lon Monk for Governor and Bradley Tusk for Lieutenant Governor
No, the real governor is
Chris Kelly Governor
and Tony Resko Lieutenant Governor
Edgar, because he will run.
Is Death an Option?
Think Steve Rosenbloom's Death is not an Option choices.
Rod Blagojevich supported and signed the legislation to extend civil rights protections to gays and lesbians.
Rod Blagojevich marched in the Gay Pride Parade this year.
No other Governor of any state has so clearly demonstrated his support for gays and lesbians.
I will be voting for Rod Blagojevich.
Anyone who runs against Blago in the primary. His faux reformer routine makes it embarrassing to be a Democrat in this state. Sorry anon 9:22, I don't buy the "He has a proven track record of moving Illionois forward" campaign commercial BS (and please learn to spell the name of our state).
If nobody serious (i.e. Lou Lang) runs in the primary, then Steve Rauschenberger gets my vote. Steve would be able to get our fiscal ship back on course, would be good for attracting business to our state, and with a Democrat House and Senate would not be able to get any of his right-wing social agenda passed.
JBT! It is high time to have a wild woman in Springfield as governor. If you want to change the system, change the gender of the governor. JBT and Halvorson will clean up what Rod and George refused to.
JBT will win in 2006. Rod has worn out his welcome.
Rod
Because he is so sincere, honest, and ethical.
ABB: Anybody But Blagoavitch!!!
If any of you bloggers have been upset with the way the Blagojevich Administration has stumbled with the awarding of pay-to-play contracts and the rest, don't vote for Topinka because she'll accelerate politic-as-usual. She learned that at George Ryan and Jim Thompson's knee. That's not voting for change or improvement.
I voted for Rod Blagojevich last time, and want to this time but sure wish his team were less arrogant. They need to overhaul the inside team and come up with a new team for the second term. If I see evidence of that, I will back Blagojevich again. If not, I'll be shopping for another Democrat in the primary.
You can see from what is happening on 5 we need to clean out the barn. The only way this can happen is to bring in someone who has no ties and cannot be bought. Jim Oberweis is that guy.
In the fall, when all the trials start and both sides are shown to be in cahoots the time will be right.
Hastert and Lahood,Thompson, G Ryan, Edgar and Da Mayor all attacked Senator Fitzgerald when he picked Patrick Fitzgerald. They forced the Senator to announce his appointment on Mothers day eve because he was going to be called into the Oval Office monday morning and told to appoint a real insider JM. (check the dates if you think I am kidding). Now we see why.
This job has got to be finnished and the only an outsider can do it.
Judy, of course. She's a tough bird that has a public personna that people like. She's moderate, so she's attractive to the Chicago Dems. Add to that the fact that she really knows government and how it works, and can get the job done, and she's a show-in to pin Blahgo's ears.
I am voting for Rod Blagojevich. I dont know that I believe what I read in the papers. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty. Healthcare and Education are my voting issues and the Governor has done more for those two areas than any other Governor. I also liked that he raised the minumum wage and funded stem cell research. Thank you.
Prairiestatedem, 4 years ago I would have agreed that Dart would bring honest and virtue to the table. That was until he let the Speaker bully him out of the AG race to make room for daddy's little girl. The only virtue that demonstrated was self-preservation. Dart would have to do something pretty bold and courageous to shake the label of Madigan hack after that.
Charlie Johnston writing in Illinois Leader (I like Charlie's work) says Brady could have a chance..the young knight, fresh face, David vs. Goliath (Hairdo and his campaign chest being Goliath) concept I guess.
I have a family member with Parkinsons Disease. I always kinda liked Blago, but voted for Jim Ryan last time. Now that Blago has put money towards Stem Cell Research he will have my vote always.
I am from Southern Illinois and all the Governor had to do was fight for Med Mal reform to get my vote. He did it (along with Madigan and Emil) so he gets my vote. Despite what people say I know he cares about southern Illinos.
I will vote for Rod B with the announced list of Repubs payday will come when they are held up to the critieria they now want to use for the Gov, when that happens and with the Ryan fiasco happening in Sept everyone will have an ill stomach when those details are made public. And what does Rosemont have to do with this except they was more racketeering going on in the Ryan admin. than the Chicago mob, the testimony at the Ryan trial will make G Ryan and the local Rep. org. look like the Sopranos except Tony was smart enough so far not to get caught, but \i guess if you compare D Bauer and Uncle Junior they are in big trouble
I live in the suburbs and really like the Governors stand on social issues and the fact that he kept his promise not to raise my taxes. I respect that. I also like the fact that he is fixing the toll system. Kudos on education funding too!
Governor Hairdo has to his credit: decreased college funding; not as much increased funding to education as he promised; still "business as usual" as evidenced by his "pay to play" program; NO TAX HIKES but this has come at the expense of cities and counties who have had to raise their taxes; plenty of fee hikes in a lot of areas (but he still didn't raise taxes); revenues have not been increased in the state or we would have a balanced budget WITHOUT having to raid the pension funds and raise a multitude of fees; med mal reform which won't pass muster with the Supreme Court, an expanded health care program that includes a sinking ISaveRX program (by the way do you all now know that the drugs in Austrailia and New Zealand are safe - stay tuned for a news release from Governor Hairdo where he declares that all drugs in all countries on the face of the earth are now safe for Illinois residents to illegally purchase); a foreign flue vaccine fiasco; and last but not least, a freshmen staff that should have by now had grades good enough to be promoted to at least their junior year but are still a bunch of bumbling, stumbling freshmen (yes that includes you Tusk).
If I were part of the gay community, I wouldn't be too impressed with what he has done for you. Do you see him at any other function when a news camera is not present or when a function won't benefit him in his re-election bid? And the same goes for every other special interest group in this State.
Am I disappointed with Hairdo? You bet because he lied his way into my polling booth and I voted for him. And he will lie his way again into all of our polling booths and say he is sorry and he's learned his lesson and all the other rhetoric that we want to hear. Let's just please not buy it this time.
I'm going to have to wait until election day before I know who I will vote for, IF I even vote for the Governor's office, but I can assure you that I will not be hoodwinked again. There is absolutely nothing Hairdo can say that will change my mind. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
If Hairdo had not said so emphatically that it was not going to be "Business as usual" in the State when he became Governor, I wouldn't think so badly of him. But he has definitely run his mouth off before thinking one too many times for me. He was not an inexperienced politician who fell off of a turnip truck when he rode into Springfield on inauguration day. He knew the system and knew the perks that awaited him. So why didn't he have sense enough to keep his mouth shut about "business as usual" is beyond me. That should show us that he's not smart enough to earn re-election.
Well now, I feel a lot better.
Anon 8:38 said "I just don't see any candidate...that I think can overcome Blago's money."
to which I would remind the readers that there is no shortage of losers in Illinois with a lot of money (campaign or personal).
A Blagojevich loss that comes after spending a record amount on his campaign will be all the more enjoyable.
Looks like the Blago team sent out the alert. To all my fellow Dems posting their support for the Governor, please remember that our children will be paying later for the mess he is creating now. Don't fall for what amounts to a cheap soundbyte style of governance. You will be sold down the river once you write your campaign check and cast your vote.
R's split, get a nut
No dem challengers come forth
Yuck, Blagojevich
JBT can’t win
GOP, so lost and sad
Rod the Bod for us!
Tony Rezko for Governor.
He is a private sector businessman.
He runs state government anyway.
He can make Chris Kelly his chief of staff.
Pat Quinn can stay as LG for perceptual reasons.
Rezko can work with both parties.
It would go to elect a person of Middle Eastern descent to show how diverse we are.
"Governor Mike Madigan" sounds nice.
...except, why would he take a demotion?
Quite a choice, eh?
On the RPI side, JBT is a creature of the former Republican, Governor Jimbo. Actually he could run as a Dem without changing his skin, hmm.
As for Edgar, there is no way that he can be nominated. The Eunuch of Charleston outed Jack Ryan for having illegal sex with his wife (which his wife had yet to repeat outside the child custody suit.) Then he refused to run in his stead.
Oberweis proved he could manage his own business well, and has campaigned throughout the state. He has the personality of 2%.
Rauschy can bring both the moderate and conservative Republicans together, but how does he sell in Cook and downstate. He is o.k. in the collars.
And then we have the Democrats
Blago is already running hard. The bennies from the omnibus budget bill have given him a public warchest, in view of the 11% increase in State revenues.
There is a growing resentment at the local level regarding the lousy but terribly expensive public schools.
That's the major issue and the people may be getting tired in shovelling moolah into the mouths of the teachers to support early retirement. Philly Vallas would be ideal.
Jobs will also be a screaming issue, as the tax policies and lack of savvy in the present administration have insured that Illinois lags behind the rest of the midwest in economic recovery. Don't know who can get on top of that.
Roads are also a major issue. Eminent domain problems, and internal security follow. How is the State (plus the locals) working with the Feds to prevent terrorist acts?
Embryonic stem cells will be a hot button. If the Koreans can do it, why can't we? Oh, yeah, they did not use embryos.
The young Dem legacies, Hynes and Madigan are in play. Depends I guess who far distant from the Cook County party is young Danny. Lisa has a demonstrated independence. Perhaps they are the future.
Did no one mention Pat Quinn, who has moved inside the Party?
Jack Ryan for Governor.
Rod Blagojevich cannot use the sexual issues effectively.
I am voting for Senator Bill Brady. I saw him on MSNBC Coast to Coast yesterday. He did a great job!
I love it when people rip the Governor by repeating whta they read in the paper that morning. You know what? If you want to criticize fine, but do your own research. You'll find that the Governor has done alot of things to help middle class families. Blago has my vote in what I hope will be a loong line of Dems as Governor...
It will be impossible to find a R candidate that cannot and will not be connected to the past. somewhere it will be mentioned that they helped a constituentget a job, helped a friends co get a contract, helped a local real estate guy get a lease and yes some will get mentioned for calling the Ryans boys while at SOS and trying to help a dirt bag
keep his liscense. Here is the big differnce the current Gov has had a few problem employees who will be dealt with they were either very stupid or did something illegal at worst, the problem with the Rayn admin. was the then gov himself was leading a corrupt organization breaking laws for personal gain that is called racketeering(running a criminal organization) there is a hugh difference I know what side i want to stay on.Stick with Rod
"Other Anonymous",
Can you itemize some "early supporters" that Blago screwed?
If g ryan and s fawell were in jail sharing a cell and g r looks over at sf and says lets play house what do you think sf would say, get over here you are better looking than JBT and you won the gov race.
If this goes to Claypool, he is done. Toast!
All the singing may lead up to Daley swan song
John Kass
Advertisement
July 19, 2005
Canaryville is a neighborhood near Mayor Richard Daley's Bridgeport.
But these days Canaryville is also a state of mind at City Hall, as top former mayoral cabinet members sing to the FBI, cooperating with U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald in the investigation of rampant patronage abuse.
And while his former underlings talk to FBI agents and federal grand juries, Daley has apparently run out of fall guys.
He's a political one-way street, who has demanded so many people fall on their swords for him that all he's got left are swords. The wounded are probably calling the FBI right now.
"The dam has broken in terms of a number of people coming forward and cooperating," Fitzgerald said Monday in announcing federal charges against city officials Robert Sorich and Patrick Slattery of Daley's Bridgeport neighborhood.
"More than 30 cooperating witnesses are cited, more than five former commissioners, four former personnel directors and two current personnel directors," hesaid.
There was so much delicious information about City Hall in the charges. How drunks are promoted and the unqualified get jobs and even a dead man was given a spot because he had served Daley nobly in life, and about job candidates making the "blessed list" and so on.
Naturally, you have questions, like: How high does it go?
I can't answer that. But it may reach Tim Degnan, Daley's political brain who came to City Hall with Daley in 1989. He ran the Intergovernmental Affairs Office for years before leaving gradually in the mid to late 1990s, going into the construction supply business and putting his wife in as a "disadvantaged" minority investor in the Rosemont Casino. Though he formally handed the day-to-day operations to his proteges like Sorich, current IGA boss John Doerrer, and "Whispering" Victor Reyes, he was always a phone call away.
Degnan has not been charged with any wrongdoing, but he was on the minds of most folks who understand City Hall. And if this gets to Degnan, I don't see how Daley runs for re-election.
At Fitzgerald's news conference about the Daley administration's gutting of the federal Shakman decree prohibiting political hiring and firing, I asked the prosecutor if the alleged period of criminal activity included the time before Degnan left City Hall.
"Rather than discuss someone not named in the complaint," Fitzgerald said, "I would simply say that the complaint alleges that Mr. Sorich exercised authority over the last 12 years. So, from 2005 to 1993."
Bingo.
Several weeks ago, when another Degnan guy, Water Department boss Don Tomczak was indicted in the Hired Truck scandal, I called Degnan. I wanted to know if Degnan felt as if a federal net was tightening around him.
"That phone call you made to me is pure baloney," Degnan said, not using the word baloney. "Absolute baloney. What? Do you make this stuff up? Talk to you."
Then, click.
I knew Degnan when I covered City Hall. I liked him and he was always fair to me and didn't baloney me too much when talking politics.
And I've always been interested in two things about him: his brains (do you really think Vic Reyes started the Hispanic Democratic Organization?) and his loyalty to Daley, who demands loyalty but doesn't give it.
Now Sorich and Tomczak have been charged. The FBI is going deeper and deeper into Degnan's old IGA. So I called him again on Monday after leaving Fitzgerald's news conference.
He didn't call back. I understand why. What could he say?
And Daley?
What can he say that he hasn't said? We've all seen the act, ranging from pouting anger to tears and veiled threats that he'll just quit and leave Chicago to the Jacksons.
Fitzgerald was asked if the mayor can still play dumb after this one.
"I'm not going to describe the state of mind of anyone not charged in the complaint," Fitzgerald said.
Well, let me try.
Picture a frightened guy who has always felt alone, the boss of a big city who relies only on a small never changing posse: his brothers Mike, John and Bill, and political brain Jeremiah Joyce of the 19th Ward, and Jeremiah's partner, Degnan, from Bridgeport.
If Degnan's next, Daley has got to be panicking, and has got to be seeing something crawling up the walls, something scurrying just out of his vision.
On Monday, the mayor's office released a careful statement, meaning he didn't write it, saying "if there are individuals who have violated the law, they should be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions."
You know something, mayor, about individuals who may be prosecuted and held accountable?
If and when they sing, they can hit the high notes too.
----------
None we all working and cleaning up this mess created by the courupt previous administration
Good Day
9:30 AM,
Blago 2) can win and 3) will not raise taxes.
He is not 1) "not Blago", but 2 out of 3 ain't bad.
Neef
What other problems does Rauschy have?
who is this guy? Sounds like a scoop for Rich Miller!
Jeremy Cole for Lieutenant Gov 2006 Campaign
Purpose: The nomination & election of myself, Jeremy B Cole, for the Spring 2006 Republican Primary for the Office of Lieutenant Governor, & subsequent General Election.
Jeremy B Cole
21236 E County Highway 17
Canton, IL 61520-9352 Active
State 8905
I dont see why anyone would want Edgar back. He raised my taxes and was more corrupt than what we have! He didnt run again because of the MSI scandal. Too bad we didnt have blogs when Edgar and his MSI scandal was going on. Then we the taxpayers could have gotten some answeres! Go JBT!
I am voting for Rod Blagojevich so that when he becomes President in 2008 Pat Quinn will be Governor of Illinois.
Lou Lang He's one the best Representatives this state has to offer. Seriously, how can anyone not like the man?
1:52 pm Anonymous asked me to list some of Blagojevich's early supporters who have been screwed.
This isn't exhaustive, but consider:
AFSCME -- screwed on pension reform proposals and layoffs
Pro-choicers -- screwed on abstinence education
Downstate -- screwed on promises of venture capital, and they're generally ignored by this Gov
Gays -- it took two years for the Gay Rights bill with Dems in charge of the GA? Even with overwhelming pubic support?
Enviros -- the Illinois Environmental Council doesn't think much of him.
Teachers -- screwed on education finance reform.
Trial lawyers -- just plain screwed.
Now, I'll admit that a lot of the examples I've given are based on these groups' hopes that they'd get more out of Blagojevich than he gave them. But the fact is, that even when he furthers some of these interests, he only does it because it seems politically helpful. Most notably, he doesn't really consult much to see what's important to the groups that supported him.
I'm not even listing all the individuals who have helped the man throughout his career who have been either thrown under the bus, or just ignored.
Other,
You forgot about another crucial Blago voting block from '02: non-ideological/issue oriented voters who bought into his "end of business as usual" rhetoric.
I know that this is not a big group (how many people really bought into the idea that Dick Mell's son-in-law was gonna be the one to end corruption in Springfield?), but there is a sizeable group of people out there who are non-partisan, don't belong to a union, and don't know or care about social or economic issues who voted for Blago because he was the least associated (though unfortunate coincidence or party id) to George Ryan and his scandals. This constituency has also been let down, and will not vote for him again. Sadly, many of them will be so disguested that they will simply not vote at all. Which could mean an Election night victory for Blago that leaves everyone - even Democrats - a little queasy Wednesday morning.
Rod has not screwed the teachers, that's crazy talk.
They have almost complete control over his legislative agenda and the state board of education. The IEA and IFT have more control over education in Illinois now then they did at any point even before CSR.
He may not be the education funding governor, but he sure is the IEA governor.
On this date in 2007 we will be discussing Blagojevich's campaign for president.
Other anonymous... I will admit that all these groups may not have gotten ALL they want from the Governor, but screwed? Not like they would be under a Republican Governor!
AFSCME -- Best contract in the nation. Layoffs were bound too happen. Most AFSCME members laid off were given an option to stay on in another position.
Pro-choicers -- Abstinence Education? Are you serious? This Governor is a strong advocate of pro-choice and has done alot for female healthcare. This is not to mention that femail contraceptives are now covered under state insurance.
Downstate -- If the Republicans would let the Governor pass a Capitol budget, downstate would see alot more projects. Opp Returns has already done alot downstate. The Republicans dont want a capitol budget because they want to make the Gov look bad and are putting politics ahead of economic revitalization.
Gays -- This Governor has always been a strong advocate of the gay community. Who cares how long it took to pass a gay right bill? It happened didnt it? The Downstate Dems were the ones holding it up, not the Governor.
Enviros -- the Illinois Environmental Council doesn't think much of him.
Teachers -- This Governor has given more money to education than any other Governor. Money that goes to the kids. Teachers may be upset about the pension reforms, but it make sense fiscally. If we pay the teachers more at the beginning of their career instead of giving 30% raises in the last year to boost their pensions the state could more accurately predict pension cost.
Trial lawyers -- Med Mal will hurt the Trial Lawyers, but this was a political necessity. The Trial Lawyers lost the public relations battle and the public turned against them leaving no choice but to do Med Mal. Look what happened to Magg and even the backlash that the metro east legislators felt over the issue.
Forgot the enviro issues
The Governor has closed down hospital incinerators that pollute the air, is leading the midwest governors association in cleaning up the air we breathe in the midwest, and has increased incentives for enviro friendly technology for companies in Illinois. It always difficult to balance economic development vs environmental concerns. I think the Governor has done a fine job walking the line.
I guess he didn't screw the teachers.. unless you count what he did to the pensions.
The only way Blago wins is if the GOP runs an even bigger idiot.. but then, with their track record...
Virtually anyone except Rod "One-Term-ovich."
To Anon 12:40
If the populace is not supposed to use what is reported to them by the media as a basis for political decision making, for what purpose does it exist? There have been examples of government where the only information available upon which to make political decisions was what was meted out by the powerful. The Nazi propaganda machine is one excellent example.
Those who saw on and on about the bias that the media shows never fail to aggravate me. It’s astounding to me that the same media the R’s claim are out to damn their beloved Bushy is actually the same exact media which the D’s claim to be responsible for the downfall of Hairdo’s (applause for whomever coined the nickname) approval ratings. Obviously individual reporters have their leanings, but when they begin to impact on their reporting of the truth, or they flagrantly lie, they lose their jobs. Think the NY Times reporter a few years back…AAARRGH
Now, I know that this administration never, ever, ever puts out press releases, but if they did, should we not believe them? You know, since they are in the newspaper??
When the NEWS RELEASE about the stem cell money was released, which post about the wonders wrought by the administration was yours? I guess only the unbiased members of the news media came to work that day. Thank God some of the truth can slip out occasionally…
The Blago crew wouldn't have a means of governance without the press. They threw pushing sound public policy and staging press conferences on the scale to decide how to run the State, and the State of Illinois has seen which way the scales tipped.
I’m going to go slam my head against a wall now so that maybe, eventually, my brain can work the same way that yours does…
Daily rant done. Big sigh, all better.
Teachers can still get their end of career raises, but instead of the state being left with the burden the district has to pay for it. Teachers are underpaid and are one of the most important people in our society. We need to pay them more over the long haul. They deserve the salary from the beginning not just in the last two years of their career.
Enviro issues... you didn't read the stuff Rich posted here about the fund sweeps, did you? LOTS of money PULLED from various environmentally-oriented funds, all to plug the deficit.
And massive DNR cuts. One reason Southern Illinois is up in arms.
Not a great track record in terms of substance, Quinn himself has done way more.
Go back and read the list of swept funds yourself, make a liar out of me.
The Republican Primary winner will not be able to win by just bashing Blago. They will go after each other. Its the nature of the beast. And the only way to win.
Anon 3:16, I could not agree more. The reason Kerry lost was that he couldn't articulate a clear message on what he would do, other than that it would be different from what Bush was doing. American voters have always believed that the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. Even the last minute attempt at a message of "remember how much better things where when our party was in charge" couldn't save Kerry. And it won't save the Illinois GOP.
Who cares if he swept environmental funds? They were surpluses that werent being spent anyway. The funds were left with more than enough money to operate. Of course, the enviro groups protested it. That is their job, but even they knew that there was still enough money to get by. Has our environment gotten any worse because some money was transferred to help plug a 5 billion dollar republican deficit? The answer is no.
Hurting the environment is Bush and the other Republicans drilling in the Alaskan Reserves.
1:05 pm: Not sure about the no taxes part. If he really does plan to run for President, not raising them would probably be part of his campaign plan. But he has been evasive when asked, I believe. To be fair, JBT and Gidwitz, his moderate Repub potential opponents have also been evasive.
US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. Will he run as a republican or in the primary against Blago? Whichever, he's got my vote.
it may be that our only ethical public servant is pat firzgerald----idf he bags a former governor he looks as appealing as jim thompson did after a similar win---except fitzgerald is probably going to be too busy because of ROVEing reporters
Yep, it's Gidwitz who is doing the TV buy. Starting on Wednesday according to Crain's.
You warned him Rich.
the other other anonymous (heh!)wrote:
Other anonymous... I will admit that all these groups may not have gotten ALL they want from the Governor, but screwed? Not like they would be under a Republican Governor!
You're right. Except the last Republican Governor was George Ryan, who delivered for a lot of these groups. So, perhaps their expectations from a Democratic Governor were high (i.e., that he would deliver more than George Ryan). Blagojevich ended up delivering less than George Ryan.
Politics is often a game of expectations. Blagojevich came in with high expectations, and he disappointed. Maybe that's unfair; but life is often unfair.
Rich, congratulations on yet another post that drew almost 100 comments.
I too love the nickname Hairdo. I'll vote for anybody but it.
I am a Democrat. And I am sticking with Blagojevich.
100th Comment! I WIN! I WIN!
And so does Blago in the General.
Just so things are fair, why dont ALL the candidates get their staff to come on here and duke it out......Blago is. Welcome to the party folks. I cant wait to watch your supposed "PRESIDENTIAL" hopeful get swept for governor. Take care then. Bye bye now.
It must really be embarassing to Blago supporters that most commonly used justification for re-electing him isn't that he's been a great governor, rather that he hasn't been as bad a governor as his predecessor(s). Nothing like reaching for the stars.
It is so funny to see people say they think Rod could possibly win again. Anyone who believes he can is a very, very right wing Liberal who is lock step with these people.
Anybody could beat Rod! He has given everyone a warehouse full of ammunition to beat him with, not to mention the indictments that will be comming out of IDOT & other agencies. Sit back & enjoy watching Rod & all his trash go down together.
Don't miss the State Fair Parade, he was booed all up & down the parade route last year. Everyone was talking about the negative reception he got here & deservably so.
All Jim Edgar would have to do is say he is running & people will come out in droves to help him. He would slaughter One Term Rod !
What the hell is a "very very right wing liberal?"
Is that another way of saying "a moderate?"
And really, were things so great under the silver fox? He lied through his teeth to beat the most honest person to run for the office in modern history.
If he was so fantastic, why did he retire?
buck, are you refering to Hartigan or Netsch?
Maybe Edgar retired because he was exhausted from spending 8 years fighting back MJM and Daley's attempts to mismanage the state to the benefit of their Chicago constituents.
Now look, after 4 years of Ryan playing footsie with Daley and Madigan, and then another 3 under Blago, the state is right back in the financial mess it was when Edgar came to office.
Buck, i'll take your bait and declare very confidently that - while not perfect - things were alot better under Edgar than they are now.
interesting to note that when there are more anti-blago notes everyone is fine and dandy but now when there are pro-blago comments it must be his staff log on, get over it republicans! this blog seems like a republican forum where bitter state workers come and whine.
The guv will win the general against the REPo's 58%-42%... you heard it here first. And no im not a state worker just in case ppl are wondering. I'm a community activist and have seen the positives, which outnumber the negatives. Now ppl get out and NJOY this beautiful weather, election season is coming up soon, which means bitter cold weather.
Ditka. He's got my vote.
Buck
I almost voted for Hartigan (It would have been the first time for a Dem) because he wanted to RAISE the limits on drinking and driving to 1.2 or keep it at 1.1 or something he showed guts and got ripped for it(pardon the pun)
7/19/2005 10:55 AM, Judy couldn't possibly accelerate politics as usual any worse than Hypocrovich. He's the master at politics as usual.
I wouldn't consider any of the repub candidates..There really needs to be some rebuilding..As for the Governor, he has been true to the issues I care about adn done a great job with the cards he was dealt.
Rod-all the way...I hope the giantic egos that pretend to care about the party stop with relentless threats to run.
Blago..He's been good on issues...The others offer criticism but no solutions.
I concur with anon 6:13. For those implementing the hairdo nickname is hilarious, just shows their insecurity about their baldness/thining hairline.
Lou Lang
ABB. Why? He has made a bigger mess out of this state than when he came in. Plus he doesn't even have the "testicular virility" to admit he may have had a hand in a contract scandle when his finger prints are all over it.
For those of you who believe that the "Media" is reporting lies about our Napoleonic little goof, you are delusional. I don't believe you can fill out a ballot correctly because you sound so stupid using that excuse.
Again. Enough of the "look at the republican mess he inherited!!!" With all the money he has begged, borrowed and swept, why do we constantly have such big deficits? Is it due to a bigger budget every year? Possibly.
Reddbird said "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Holy crud Batman, I must have been sleeping when the state was fixed.
The Gov is in over his head, way over. When your best assets are hair, the ability to lie with a straight face and screwing those who helped you, we are in trouble as a state.
I guess the people who can't spell the word "a lot" correctly deserve what they get/got.
I will vote against anybody opposing Fraudojevitch in the primary. Otherwise I will stay home and wash my cat.
6:46,
I guess the people who can't count how many words are contained in "a lot" ...
I too crack up when critics of the governor accuse his supporters of "being on staff". Get it through your warped little minds that the Governor does have support out there. Granted, most of us are not as fanatical as some of the right-wingers and irrational dems on this board, but our opinion counts too. Go Blago Go!
Edgar is a little weasel and I hope he runs to we can get to the bottom of what happened with his MSI scandal. There is something bad enough there linking him to the scandal which prevented him from running that last term. This money for contracts stuff is a bunch of unproveable baloney and the critics know it. Anyway, Rod eliminated a bigger deficit without raising taxes. Edgar took the easy way out by raising taxes and ALSO SKIPPED PENSION PAYMENTS!
I would vote for Lou Lang over Blago but I won't support him openly. If Blago gets out of the primary he gets my support. As bad as he has been at times I think he is starting to work more with other dems. None of the repubs stand a chance against him except Edgar. With Daley having other things to deal with he just sits tight and probably has to go with Blago all the way through.
You can forget about any other post I made because I forgot about McDerrmot. I am with MIKE all the way
Where are all the Halvorson supporters when she needs them?
other, other anonymous 2:44
Don'blame the Repubs for the lack of a capitol budget. I my memory serves me correctly the same democrats who passed the "Enron" FY '06 budget could also pass a capitol budget. The only problem is that no one has identified a funding source because the downsate dems can't stomach any tax or fee increases or gambling expansions.
If Governor Rod announced he was hiring a professional manager to run the state (not Brad or Lon), to free his time for his 4 year - 24 hour a day campaign, I'd be more inclined to vote for him. But he'd have to hire the right person. Being a figurehead rather than a leader and manager suits him well. It's amazing how many people would jump at the chance to replace him with someone relatively inexperienced like Lisa Madigan...although I'd probably consider her if she jumped in to the primary.
Nobody on the R side excites me. They've got a lot of work to do. If they can build an organization that has some credibility, instead of running a goof like Alan Keyes for US Senator, they may be able to someday take more than one statewide office.
I can understand why the ABB sentiment scares Tessa...but most people in politics who are polarizing to several constituencies develop a backlash AB_ movement at some time in their career. The alternative is a relatively bland, get along type like Alan Dixon or Jim Thompson who always put a friendly face on everything; even when Alan Dixon lost partly due to the Anita Hill thing, people didn't seem to really be angry at him. I can't tthink of one potential candidate that fits that mold from either side.
Red State spewed forth about Rauschy...
"Raising good money with Fitz, and in good enough on the social issues to keep the religous right happy."
Is the religious right a force to be reckoned with in IL? They seem to be nonexistent, save for a few rants on the IL Leader message board. Name one statewide officeholder they have delivered in the last 30 years.
I will vote for Rod Blagojevich and I am happy & suprised to see so many on this blog say the same.
Here are my reasons and points that I think most voters will take into consideration when voting for Blagojevich.
- He expanded kidcare & familycare programs to help over 300,000 more Illinoisians have healthcare.
- Raised the minimum wage to give over 300,000 workers a 26% raise
- Invested 2.3 billion dollars into our public school system. More than any other previous Gov.
- Helped seniors get low cost drugs from abroad with ISaveRx and passed "No Senior Left Behind" ensuring all seniors have health coverage despite cutbacks from Washington D.C.
- I liked his partnership with Hynes on the 10 million dollar stem cell funding.
- Eliminated 8 billion dollar deficit WITH OUT RAISING OUR SALES OR INCOME TAXES.
And even though critics will argue that he raised many fees, he still kept true to his word that he wouldn't raise any taxes. I also agree with others on this blog that so many are quick to criticize Blago but no one offers any other solutions. With a nice campaign chest and a factual list of achievements to look too - Blago will be unstoppable. Oh yeah, and right around the time the election occurrs all the Republicans (especially JBT) will be answering questions on TV regarding the corrupt Ryan administration. Leading right up too the election, Blagojevich will also spend time mending fences and he will retain the Governorship.
At 7/19/2005 7:52 PM, Anonymous said...
"Edgar is a little weasel . .."
You want to talk about a "weasel" what about the short guy with the beady eyed "Lyndie England" look-alike face . . .Blago something or other???
- He expanded kidcare & familycare programs to help over 300,000 more Illinoisians have healthcare.
EXPANDING WELFAIR
- Raised the minimum wage to give over 300,000 workers a 26% raise
CHASING JOBS OUT OF ILLINOIS
Helped seniors get low cost drugs from abroad with ISaveRx
BROKE THE LAW
"No Senior Left Behind" ensuring all seniors have health coverage despite cutbacks from Washington D.C.
EXPANDED WELFAIR
I liked his partnership with Hynes on the 10 million dollar stem cell funding.
"SOMETIMES YOU ARE FORCED TO LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY"
Eliminated 8 billion dollar deficit WITH OUT RAISING OUR SALES OR INCOME TAXES.
ONLY A DEMOCRAT CAN FEEL BETTER PAYING HIGHER TAXES BECAUSE THEY CALL THEM FEES
Does anyone know if there is record for the highest number of primary candidates for governor and if we are close to beating it if everyone who says they are "considering" a run actually runs?
I am so confident in Rod i think i'll order new carpet for my office and I'll use the exorbitant license and title fees passed by ryan and edgar if those arent taxes my friend your party is in for a big surprise. Oh and who has raised our other taxes couldnt have been rod he wsnt in office for the past 25 years. And im so confident i might order a new desk with the money im saving on the $2.35 gas and my w tax refund that was a loan on my refund and the Dow going down 3000 points thats worth some money to those retired people isnt it and i use the tax money i saved by not bailing out the savings and loans that one of the w bros was right in the middle. And im so confident that all the whiners on here our sang co reb that still havent accepted the defeat i might have my office painted with the property tax money i've saved the last 10 years oh wait they went up i'll have to cancel the paint. And the money im saving on the city tax(sales) because hasara left the town broke and the money my dept is saving on celini leases im gonna keep it and save it for a rainy day imagine that now say the rainy day i dea is some left wing garbage, well friend its raining and you aint got no umbrella id buy you one but you just dont get it. And before you go there clinton did mess around with the intern but nobody cares but you. and when all said and done you guy will be in jail and our will still be gov. do you get it losers
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
rich, any evidence that soccer mom, southern illinois and anonymous 11:23 are posting from the same computer? They seem pretty suspiciously similar to me...
Edgar all the way! He's never declined yet!!!!!!
I will vote for Rod Blagojevich and I am happy & suprised to see so many on this blog say the same.
Careful there, you might ruin this blog's reputation among Blago supporters as a site full of sore Republican state employees.
Paul Vallas
I'm supporting Governor Rod Blagojevich for re-election. Bring em on!
Well, it's interesting that so many Blago supporters read this blog.
Tired of the Blago PR machine? Looking for some honest debate?
Anon 7:52pm: "Edgar is a little weasel and I hope he runs to we can get to the bottom of what happened with his MSI scandal.... This money for contracts stuff is a bunch of unproveable baloney and the critics know it. Anyway, Rod eliminated a bigger deficit without raising taxes. Edgar took the easy way out by raising taxes and ALSO SKIPPED PENSION PAYMENTS!"
Time to check you history. The MSI controversy was an alleged money for contracts thing too.....do you think maybe the reason it never broke or merited criminal investigation is that it was unproveable baloney?
Second, Rod did elimiate the deficit without raising taxes....this year. The skipped pension payments mean that somewhere down the line the state will either have to raise taxes or cut spending. You call Edgar's tax hike the easy way out? It took alot more testicular virility to do that than to simply punt the tough decisions to the next guy. Which is the real "easy way out?"
And when the GOP was skipping pension payments, they were using that money to pay down debt and NOT increasing spending at the same time like Rod and MJM are doing.
Thats right, Edgar had the testicular virility to lie to the people telling them that it was a temporary tax and then made it permanent.
Regarding MSI, at the very least, Edgar wont be able to criticize the Governor on contracts since he had similar problems. I am not sure that either are guilty. Its too hard to prove.
So is Blago our punishment for having not elected Netsch? It would be poetic justice to be sure. The Democrats actually nominate an honest, decent public servant and she loses in largest landslide in state history. So now, we're stuck with Blago.......where is Glenn Poshard when you need him?
JBT wont run till edgar decides? sounds to me like shes not polling real well or shed jump in like a whale
At this point, I'm convinced that even Scott Fawell would make a better governor than Blagojevich...
That said, make mine Vallas, Lang or Franks...they can all criticize the governor with a straight face and with very legitimate reasons.
Bill Brady for Governor! Fresh-face, successfule businessman, effective legislator..and clean as a whistle! I am voting for the Brady Bunch!
7/20 11:11,
Glenn Poshard is cutting deals with Blago to become President of SIU for $1/4 million per year and get John Simmons $3 million for his baseball stadium.
Blagojevich has strong connections to HDO.
Lou Lang will run for governor and he will have the money.
I hate to show my stupidity so I'll comment as Anon instead of my real name. 1) What is HDO? and 2) isn't 1/4 mil a little low to pay Poshard to be SIU President or is that the going rate these days for a position like that? I agree though that Blago is buying Poshard's support. Actually it's called entrapment.
As a voter who gave a check and a vote to the current governor, I have been incredibly disappointed by his administration . His staff and he seem in over their heads on any number of issues, and he has failed to utilize the democratic control of the house and senate as the Republicans did a decade ago. A few unearned runs at the end of the last session doesn't change his overall performance. I'm hoping Vallas could somehow get back in.
I believe the Republicans would have a chance if they Pitted Commissioner Tony Peraica against Gov. Blagovich. Imagine a Croat vs a Serb, and two smart anbd great campaigners working the state, and there debate would be great theater and would be reminiesnt of the great Kennedy and Nixon debates, and the grat Lincoln- Douglas debates! Those two men, from different parties , but from the same city and decendents from the Balkans are the next great National polticians for their respective parties and the voters of Illinois should demand that they square off, we the people would be better off with either canididate, we could'nt lose!
Rich,
Does Marybeth Johnson know that her PR minions are leaving an IP address trail as they make comments on this blog from thier state computers in CMS?
Especially since it is an organized activity being conducted per Bradley's instructions.
We all know you will never reveal the IP addresses of your true anonymous contributors.
But what about the Blogo flaks???
I try to stay out of the partisan stuff, but there is a limit to the amount of personality-specific misinformation that should be tolerated.
Edgar did not raise the income tax, or lie to people about it. He campaigned for Governor in 1990 on a platform of making the then-temporary income tax surcharge permanent, and after election he did so.
A Dem friend of mine warned me in the last election that if I voted for Jim Ryan, the state would see continued unethical government, nepotism running amok, questionable contracting procedures, and state jobs exchanged for campaign contributions.
Well, he was right. I voted for Jim Ryan, and that's exactly what happened. Give me any of the R's over Governor "Game-the-System". We can't do much worse than what we have now.
Jeff Isbell, I think you'd better go back and recheck your "rather extensive list of sources" because that bit of false gossip just got your comment deleted. I'm sure the Oberweis campaign is proud of you.
Thanks for playing.
Jeff Isbell - stick a sock in it and get back to scooping the Abominable Milkman's ice cream for unregistered voters.
Never much liked Jim Edgar - but really dislike people who spread unfounded, mean-spirited rumors.
Jeffrey Isbell
* Gender: male
* Industry: Student
* Location: Illinois : United States
About Me
I am 18 years old from Illinois. I recently graduated High School and will be attending the University of Illinois at Springfield in August. I will be majoring in Political Studies with my degree goal being a Doctorate in Public Administration
I have always been interested in politics, especially after a trip to Washington D.C. I have hopes of starting my political career earlier and one day hold a high political position. Some folks already have my political career planned out for me which usually isn't too bad... they put me at running for President of the United States sometime soon after 2024.
Per Steve's 9:16 pm comment, don't you remember Edgar pummeling Netsch for supporting a "43%" increase in the income tax in the 1994 campaign? Within two years, he was supporting his own increase in the income tax. It was only a "25%" increase, so I guess that made it ok.
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