Are any of Blago's defenders from Illinois?

[liberalpragmatist]

Just curious...

... cuz it seems like Illinois Dems are mostly asking "what took so long?"

... while others (not from IL) simply see a D after his name and assume this is a partisan hit-job.

Note: Blago is corrupt. And an idiot. A really big idiot. As in, probably one of the dumbest people in politics. In IL, it's often joked that Blagojevich is like Bush, only stupider.

[Jack Sprat]

1. Blago, it's all over for you.

The last time I saw Tuco (Eli Wallach) in "the good, the bad, and ugly", he seemed in better shape than you are now, Blago.

See you Blago. Wouldn't want to be you.

[Radical Activist]

2. The only Illinoisans I know of who defend him

are ones he gave six figure state jobs to.

[live love laugh]

6. I don't have a six figure job. While I don't defend him, I don't condemn him either.

Let the facts unfold. There are way too many from the LPC brigade (Low Post Count) who are happily jumping on the bandwagon to condemn him. I don't take things at face value--people should look at all of the facts before proclaiming him a crook, the worst governor ever, etc.

As for him being the worst governor ever, there is no accounting for that based on his policies. Not one poster has identified why his approval rating is so low--other than the fact that has has been incessantly investigated. After being investigated for years people have come to equate the investigation with him being crooked even though there had not been any convictions or charges until now and the current charges are very recent. So what was it they were investigating back then? Or was this a witch hunt?

[ProfessorGAC]

7. I've Got Over 20,000 Posts. I'm Not Defending Him At All

So, am i a bandwagon jumper too? I've lived here my whole life. (52 years)

So, i've got standing as a citizen of the state, and i'm certainly not LPC. (Your term, and a good one!)

I don't think that's got much to do with it. He's dirty and reckless. What happened to him was inevitable. He thought he was invincible and found out he wasn't.

Corrupt and stupid is not a combination that serves the interest of the people.
GAC

[live love laugh]

10. I respect your opinion. Sincerely. I may be wrong but I will question until

I am convinced. I am not totally convinced because I have seen too many political dirty tricks to accept anything at face value.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. I Certainly Understand

But, like i said, i'm an illinoisan, and we have seen this type of dirt for so long that it appears likely to be accurate. And, i don't think Fitz wanted to do this yet. He did it because of the "Senate sale" thing. Something had to be done to a guy who was already under consideration of impeachment by DEMS in the Assembly. (They have a pretty solid majority there and in the state Senate.)

They could not allow Blago to appoint a person illicitly to fill Obama's Senate seat.

I think that has LOTS to do with the timing. Much more than dirty tricks, and part of that reasoning also includes my understanding of Pat Fitzgerald's political dispassion.

But, i completely understand your view.
GAC

[AngryAmish]

16. I'll take a shot at why his approval rating is so low - he is terrible at his job (and stupid)

The Ds have controlled Illinois politics for many years. Since the last R governor left office we have controlled everything. Every statewide office and both houses of the legislature.

Yet this state is one of the worst run states in the nation. Illinois has not passed a capital bill in six years - which means Illinois has lost literally billions of dollars in infrastructure money from Washington. (Actually from fellow Americans but you get my drift).

It is Blago's fault we lost that money. He has held the entire state hostage to his whims over and over again. If he does not get his way 100% then everybody gets screwed.

Another example - last year a budget was passed. Taxes not really raised and everything was ok. Then he used a line item veto to say all seniors ride public transportation for free. Alrighty, but he never consulted the transit agencies which now have a giant hole in their budgets and no new money to pay for it. It was a blatant political play (and unfair considering that seniors are the richest segment of the population on average). Mind you, this is not poor seniors ride for free - anyone would be for that. All seniors.

Plus the guy is really creepy. His cronies have been going to jail for years (see Rezco, Tony).

[Radical Activist]

22. Your profile says you're not from Illinois.

Anyone who knows what's going on in this state wouldn't write a post like yours. People probably don't name his other faults as Governor because it would take at least an hour to list them all. But I'll throw out the fact that he spent the last six years shitting on state workers which is what you would expect from someone who still calls himself a "Reagan Democrat." State government is completely dysfunctional and mismanaged. That's what happens when you put in a bunch of unqualified cronies who don't even leave Chicago to visit the offices they're supposed to be managing.

[Tatiana]

15. Yep. I hope they are exposed like his chief of staff, too.

We're sick of corruption and being governed by crooks. What part of that don't people understand.

There were such high hopes for Blago after Ryan.

What a fucking disappointment.

[Skittles]

3. oh, fuck no

[JVS]

4. As a FIB of several years, I must say that he never seemed too popular.

[madrchsod]

5. 13% approval rating

thank god and greyhound he`s gone....

[terrya]

8. And if he still continues to hold on to the Governorship, that will be in single digits in days.

Easily.

He's politically dead.

[ProfessorGAC]

18. I Saw This Morning. . .

. . .that an overnight poll by the Sun-Times (and i think Channel 5 News) had him at 8%.

So, it happened even faster than you expected!
GAC

[Orsino]

9. He has defenders?

They don't seem to be in evidence...but perhaps I'm not looking hard enough.

oops: just found one on DU! :shrug:

[nemo137]

12. One? Most of the defenders are taking the "it's a plot" or "why's it matter" route

The overwhelming majority of Illinoisan DU'ers are going "what took so long?"

[Orsino]

13. Oh. Well...

..."it's a plot" isn't quite the same thing as a defense of Blagojevich--though that does seem to be a subtext in threads I've now found.

[nemo137]

14. There was one claiming that Blago was taken down for opposing the BoA

Which, you know, bullshit. I'd like to think he was arrested yesterday because the day before he claimed to be made out of sunshine and roses, and openly asked investigators to record his convos.

[AngryAmish]

17. The complaint was filed Sunday I think

Or at least signed by the US Attorney.

They could not get their ducks in a row to arrest him Monday (early morning raids almost always go easier). So they did it Tuesday morning. The BofA thing had nothing to do with it.

[nemo137]

19. I know his dare didn't get him arrested

but that doesn't mean I can't savor the timing, right? Anyone claiming that the BoA thing had anything to do with it is severely ignorant of the situation.

[Orsino]

20. I'm guessing that Fitz isn't so easily provoked...

...though the temptation must have been enormous.

That looming Senate appointment was too important to leave hanging.

[KharmaTrain]

21. Yes...His Lawyers...

Blago's rise and fall will be a movie some day. It'll show a super ambitious kid who kissed ass, used and moved on...living a bigger and bigger lie every time he reached a new level. His father-in-law helped him get his foot in the door, and they now don't speak...and he's alienated allies and voters every step of the way.

Yesterday I made a rare listen to WGN Radio...John Williams (one of the few good ones on the station) really nailed this dude by saying his wasn't just politically corrupt, he was corrupt to himself...so self absorbed he felt he was in full control while he had no control within.

For most of his career Blago has been an empty suit...and that helped. He flashed a pretty smile and kissed the right asses (that he'd later kick) and this helped him. Also an inept and corrupt repugnican party who fielded just as dumb and corrupt candidates, but while we didn't know Blago, we sure knew them.

Bottom line is that Blago screwed with virtually everyone in this state...teachers, business, other politicians. To his credit, he extended health coverage to the poor and children when boooosh yanked it, but it was an election year, so you determine the intent. I didn't vote for Governor in '06...I didn't like Blago and just took a pass on the race.

What's amazing for many of us in Illinois is not that this dude was stupid, arrogant and corrupt, but to what degree he was and how quickly this appears to be destroying him.

Cheers...