The Capitol Fax Blog » Morning shorts

Monday, Jul 31, 2006

Â· If this really happened, the debate’s sponsors shouldn’t ever be allowed to host another one. [Emphasis added]

Republican state treasurer candidate Christine Radogno on Friday questioned the experience level and judgment of her Democratic opponent, Alexi Giannoulias, whose family bank has made loans to convicted felons…. Both candidates appeared at a political forum sponsored by the National Association of Women Business Owners but saved their most biting comments until after the tame event… Radogno, a 53-year-old Lemont resident, said she pulled her punches onstage because organizers asked her not to be confrontational.

Â· Birkett says governor hides behind inspector general. More here.

Â· Editorial: How your tax money is spent deserves public scrutiny, something the governor seems to have forsaken and forgotten.

Â· Governor signs law expanding college grant program

Â· Green Party supporters under fire

Â· “There’s been a clear violation of state law, according to the inspector general, but there’s been no criminal referral. If a criminal referral comes, it’s only going to be because it was brought to light by the Sun-Times, not because the administration is saying this is something we need to do,” said [state Sen. Peter] Roskam, who is running for Congress in the 6th District.

Â· UPDATE: Responding to the above story, Topinka’s campaign issued this release today:

…Just a day after his campaign spokeswoman said that Governor Rod Blagojevich refers all Inspector General allegations of corruption to law enforcement agencies, the Sun-Times reported that serious allegations against an Illinois Tollway official never were referred to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s office, Illinois Attorney General, or U.S. Attorney.

“Instead of aggressively targeting corruption where it occurs, Rod Blagojevich is hiding investigations so they receive the least scrutiny and prosecution possible,” said Topinka. “Instead of rooting out wrongdoing, he is encouraging more.”…

- posted by Rich Miller

13 Comments

- wndycty - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 6:44 am:
Let’s be honest, Radogno is full of crap on this. The fact that organizers supposedly asked the candidates not to be confrontational should not have kept Radogno from bringing up what she feels to be the other candidates short comings, is she a seasoned politician or what? If these are legitimate issues I’m sure she could have raised them without being “confrontational.” Sounds to me like she knows that had she brought those issues up in a forum where Alexi COULD RESPOND TO HER he would have shot her down. Radogno is acting like a coward on this one, she has nothing to run on and she knows her legislative experience does not qualify her for this position.

- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 6:52 am:
â€œThereâ€™s been a clear violation of state law, according to the inspector general, but thereâ€™s been no criminal referral.”

What Democrat Inspector General? What Democrat Attorney General? What Democrat inspired “ethics”?

Just because the Democrat gooburner signs a law only one month before to address exactly that issue does not mean that Democrats have to pursue that illegal activity by another Democrat.

Just another clear violation of state law and nobody in charge cares. Sound familiar? It’s the Chicago Democrat machine’s turn, dammit!

- Shallow Pharnyx - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 7:22 am:
If the governor is so concerned about the health and lives of Illinoisans, how can he allow a $1.4 billion backlog in health-care bills? Health-care providers serving Medicaid recipients often wait several months for state reimbursement.

The state should pay existing bills before money is diverted to new endeavors.

Let’s remember this and remind the rest of the nation when Blago runs for the big one. This is only one example of how Blago circumvents any and everything (much like our current president)in order to get his way.

- Walking Wounded - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 8:32 am:
Hmmm. In my neck of the woods (South of I80), we’d take a case like Martin’s to the County Prosecuter to determine if charges should be filed. Doing anything less would make it appear to be a cover up.
Oh, I get it.

- Niles Township - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 8:52 am:
Did anyone catch the debate between Stroger and Peraica on Fox 32 Sunday morning at 8 am. Now, that was entertainment! Cook County is going to be even more of a joke regardless of who wins. That being said, I’ll probably punch for Tony because I believe people, not power brokers should choose “elected” officials.

- fedup dem - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 9:23 am:
Sleazy party spokesmen like Steve Brown, who supports the Democratic Party’s efforts to keep the Green Party off the ballot, are another of the many reasons why I’m fed up with Mike Madigan and the state Democratic Party!

- steve - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 9:35 am:
Anyone who thinks Steve Brown is sleazy is just showing their ignorance.

- Dan Vock - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 9:45 am:
I also got a kick out this story in the Daily Herald about how the gov’s signs on the tollway are four times as expensive as the regular signs…

http://www.dailyherald.com/search/searchstory.asp?id=212871

- So-Called "Austin Mayor" - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 10:41 am:
â€œThereâ€™s been a clear violation of state law, according to the inspector general, but thereâ€™s been no criminal referral. If a criminal referral comes, itâ€™s only going to be because it was brought to light by the Sun-Times, not because the administration is saying this is something we need to do,â€ said [state Sen. Peter] Roskam, who is running for Congress in the 6th District.

A violation of state law that was not pursued by the party in power — for a minute there I thought that Creepy Pete was addressing the criminal charges of campaign money laundering facing his political patron Tom DeLay.

But maybe Pete will speak out about that tomorrow…

- NW burbs - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 10:42 am:
said she pulled her punches onstage because organizers asked her not to be confrontational.

Don’t most (all?) debate hosts ask their guests to remain civil? If Radogno had the will to throw punches, without holding back, then she would’ve done so.

This is excuse-making spin to cover up her lack of will and nothing else. I thought she was supposed to be a tough candidate… Doesn’t sound like it from this episode.

—

Fedup ‘Dem’ — what do you think of the Republicans’ efforts to toss the Constitution and Libertarian candidates off the ballot? Are Republicans “double-sleazy” since they’re going after two 3rd parties?

After all, Constitution Party candidate Randy Stufflebeam is now reduced to campaigning for votes at 9-year-olds’ birthday parties… Is this a result of the GOP’s “double-sleaziness” Fedup ‘Dem’?

PS candidate Stufflebeam: 9-year-olds can’t vote. But if you can make a dog out of a balloon they might vote for you for most favorite party guest. ;)

- BuckTurgidson - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 11:58 am:
Did no one else catch Meeks stepping in it, walking through it, tracking it into the house and then stepping into it again with his comments that, while said weeks ago, were buried in a story in the Sun Times just this past Saturday?

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-meeks29.html

“”The slave master never wants the slave to learn how to read and never wants the slave to learn how to write,” Meeks said in the earlier speech. “So now we don’t have slave masters. We got governors. We don’t have slave masters. We got mayors.”

He went on to denounce black politicians and preachers who support such politicians as “house n—–s.”"

- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 12:45 pm:
The refusal to refer the criminal charges are just another example of blogo in action - Friend does wrong - give pat on back.

- Snidely Whiplash - Monday, Jul 31, 06 @ 6:11 pm:
Radogno isn’t very confrontational to begin with. She’d better start, seeing as she’s got an opponent just begging to be slammed, and it’s really the only way she has a shot at winning.

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