Considering all the comments on Friday, you’re probably done with this issue, but there were several stories over the weekend, so let’s take another crack at it, shall we?
Here’s some of what led up to the fight over the Western Illinois Unviversity money…
For example, Jacobs said, the governor promised school construction funding for Silvis, but then didn’t deliver because lawmakers didn’t pass a capital spending bill.
“The governor came in and presented a $13 million check that bounced,” Jacobs said. “That’s been in my craw.”
“But on the whole … we’ve enjoyed a pretty good relationship. I don’t want to willy-nilly knock him. But I will tell you that … other people have said to me, `You can’t trust him; you can’t trust him.’ Everybody keeps telling me this … After a while, you begin to think, well, maybe you can’t.”
* As I told you Friday…
Jacobs initially agreed to vote for the [governor’s] health insurance bill [on Thursday], but reportedly changed his mind when he came to the conclusion that he couldn’t trust the governor to keep the promise he made. The governor reportedly offered to release $75 million for a college expansion in Jacobs’ district in exchange for his vote on SB5.
Some might say he came to his senses, others might say he double-crossed the guv, depending on their perspective.
* Much of what was said behind closed doors is in dispute…
Jacobs said Blagojevich specifically threatened funding for a Western Illinois University extension campus. The university is slated to receive $73.2 million in construction funds in Blagojevich’s capital budget for next year — a budget the Legislature hasn’t passed yet. Of that total, $14 million is for a new university building in Moline, which is in Jacobs’ district.
Jacobs said Blagojevich offered to make sure that the $73 million went to WIU in exchange for Jacobs’ support on the health care bill. When Jacobs refused, he said, Blagojevich “blew up.”
WIU Associate Vice President John Maguire confirmed that the governor’s office called university President Al Goldfarb on Friday but denied that the office threatened to withhold any funding. “The outcome of that was the president was asked to call the senator to encourage his support (of the health care plan),” Maguire said. “We did so.”
I’m so sure that the governor’s office routinely calls university presidents to lobby their legislators. Not. This was obviously part of the threat against Jacobs.
* More…
“Senator Jacobs wanted a commitment of a $75 million project in his district in exchange for his vote to provide health care for everyone,” Blagojevich spokeswoman Rebecca Rausch wrote in an e-mailed statement. “The governor refused.”
Told of the statement, Jacobs heatedly denied that he ever asked the governor for $75 million.
“The guy’s a liar,” the senator said. “I dare him to hook himself up to a lie detector test to prove it.”
As I told subscribers this morning, that’s just not true (on both sides). But you’ll have to subscribe to find out why.
* The Sun-Times also had some quotes from Jacobs’ fellow legisltors backing him up…
“That’s wrong, absolutely wrong,” said Senate Majority Leader Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete), who supports the governor’s plan. “I just don’t understand how people think fighting legislators for their votes works. It doesn’t.”
* And Phil Kadner had this observation…
No one else wanted the state to do health care. It cost too much money. The state had other programs in need of funding.
But Baby Blago got so mad Friday at a state senator who refused to vote for his health care plan that during an argument he reportedly used profanity, balled up his fists and threatened to ruin the man’s political career.
If Blagojevich had talked that way to him in a tavern, said state Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline), “I would have kicked his tail end.”
Apparently calling people “fat cats, fat cats,” didn’t work, so the governor has become a potty mouth.
* Raw resources…
*** Download the Audio Here ***
*** Raw video of CBS2’s interview can be found by clicking here. ***
*** And Animal Farm has the transcript of the audio file above. ***
*** UPDATE 1 *** Here’s a photo of the governor, Sen. Jacobs and WIU President Al Goldfarb. Maybe we should add a caption contest to this thread, eh?
*** UPDATE 2 *** One should always read Bethany Carson’s posts with care. I missed this tidbit until a few minutes ago…
Jacobs’ fellow Democrats tried twice to pull him away from the microphones in the Senate press box Friday afternoon.
- WHO??? - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:25 am:
The Rodfather is one sneaky man. I must say that it is obvious which story is truthful. Just ask the President of WIU who received a call minutes after the meeting from the Rodfather himself telling the WIU President he better convince the Senator to change his vote or he would lose ALL funding for WIU. This guy is unbelievable. I applaud Senator Jacobs for sticking to his guns and not being bought!
- He makes Ryan look like a saint - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:25 am:
I have a good Idea on how to raise some money for the Gov’s crazy programs… 10 round bout Jacobs vs GROD put it on Pay per view. It would be great.
- So Ill - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:27 am:
Late June, 2004: Blagojevich goes on southern Illinois radio, blasts State Rep. John Bradley, calling him a “Wallflower” etc.
I think he should be commended. At least these attacks took place behind closed doors. It only took three years, but the Gov has learned some sense of decorum.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:34 am:
So. Illinois - while you are praising Hot Rod, how about calling the Carterville school district and ask them how much money they have received for their school construction. Remember this was the school Hot Rod visited and bumped them up to the top of the list for school construction funding. I think they are in the same category as Rochester - still waiting. How sad for this state. How sad for our children.
- Shelbyville - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:41 am:
Caption - The governor paticipates in his own “neck tie” party.
- So Ill - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:42 am:
Hey, Little Egypt: That post was very, very, very heavy on sarcasm.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:45 am:
There is no benefit for Blagojevich to make news like this. He is the governor. He has the power to have changed things.
He can no longer point fingers at George Ryan for the fiscal disaster we are seeing around us. The Illinois GOP does not have the political power to derail any of his wishes. Mr. Blagojevich and his fellow Democrats have control over everything.
So the horror show making the news last week, and for days to come is no one’s fault but Mr. Blagojevich’s.
He wanted the job. He sold his soul for the money to get elected. It is his show - no one else’s.
So after five years, there are no more excuses, are there? The truth is clear:
Mr. Blagojevich does not do his job well. Some would go so far as to say he is one of the worst governors currently serving. Some would say he is one of the worst governors of Illinois.
I’ll let history figure that stuff out. But right now it is quite painfully clear - I’d rather have probably anyone else as governor right now than Mr. Blagojevich. He is a failure.
- Shallow Pharnyx - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 9:57 am:
Blago- That tie is too cheap for my tastes.
- Number 8 - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 10:01 am:
Two things. First, there is a need for an expansion of health care coverage. Everybody acknowledges that (although they may disagree how to pay for it and who should get it). I’m not a budgeteer, but I’ve heard that it costs the state more to provide health care to the people without health insurance who allow ailments to go untreated and visit the emergency room than it would be to implement some of the governor’s health care recommendations. If this is something that can save the state money, while at the same time improving people’s lives, shouldn’t we do it?
Second, Senator Jacobs is a big boy. Why is he surprised that a governor who has pushed for health care expansion (to the point of invoking God and morality) gets royally peeved when the Senator promises his vote then changes his mind at the last minute. Has it fallen on deaf ears that Jacobs made his pledge, then changed his mind because he decided that the governor is trustworthy? What the heck is Jacobs for doing that? Doesnt this action make him a hypocrite?
LOts of public blustery talk from a man who was given his seat in the senate without earning it.
- This Guy - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 10:16 am:
The whole argument that one did not earn one’s position is moot; that person has that position, so either deal with it or get a platform and start knocking doors.
The finger-pointing and playground mentality are detrimental to the responsible management of this state and its citizens.
We need grownups in office, people. And right now, it seems like Jacobs is acting like one and Blago isn’t.
- (618) Democrat - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 10:17 am:
In Sen. Jacobs rant to CBS2 he said the Governor or his office called Dr. Goldfarb and threatened to take the money for WIU out of the budget if Jacobs didn’t vote for the Health Care bill.
Dr. Goldfarb said no such threat was made.
Is Jacobs also calling Dr. Goldfarb a liar?
- OneManBlog - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 10:42 am:
Caption
Wow, I know we will not be getting the 75 million, but this tie. Thanks Governor, and you are right my tie is purple and yellow and this tie is yellow and purple.
Anyone else you want me to call?
- i d - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 10:57 am:
Even thinking about Blago, Jones and Madigan’s style of government causes me emesis x 3.
- Man w/ThePlan - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 11:27 am:
1. Caption “Hey I am squeezing Jacob’s *^&&%^* as hard as I can…and it ain’t working. Maybe I should try extortion with the university egghead”
2. Let’s ask the WIU spokesman
— who called, and
— if they have ever had a call from the Governor oor his staff before.
Then ask what DID the Gov./Staff say?
Something like: “Sen. Jacobs tried to shake us down, but you have not hired Wyma or Monk so we said stuff it”
BTW, what did the Senate do with the 7% solution?
We rich northsiders need our tax break.
- Jaded - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 11:31 am:
I think Jacobs is a whiner. If Miller and other sources are correct, he cut the deal with Blago and then backed out without calling to let them know ahead of time. Now, I don’t have a problem with the Governor getting a taste of his own medicine, but if Jacobs is going to play that game with the Governor, then he should have been prepared for what came next.
I can guarantee you one thing, Mike Jacobs is not the first legislator (nor will he be the last) to have a Governor (or legislative leader for that matter) scream and yell at him and threaten him politically. You’re playing in the big leagues now Mikey, so don’t be surprised when someone buzzes one under your chin!
Caption Contest
Western Illinois President presents Governor Rod Blagojevich with a Western Il. neck tie. Governor Blagojevich said he would wear the tie if Jacobs would vote for his bill. Jacobs said he would vote for the bill if Blagojevich would wear the tie. Both men were given a timeout with their nose in a corner by Mr. Goldfarb.
- A Citizen - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 11:32 am:
For Pure political comedy theater it would be so much fun if Jacobs sought an “Order of Protection” against the governor. At least it would give the gov a legitimate reason to stay out of Springfield.
- jwscott72 - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 11:55 am:
I have had the honor to know and work with Dr. Goldfarb during my time in Western’s student senate. Dr. Goldfarb has more integrity in his left thumb than those two pictured with him could ever possibly hope to have. His word is his bond and that’s something that is lacking in public service today.
What a shame that this great man and a great school is being used in this way. If I had to vote for any of the three in that picture, I’d quit my job today and help get Al Goldfarb elected Governor.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 1:04 pm:
True, Sen. Jacobs should have thought the negotiations through a bit more before he agreed to vote for the Gov’s health care bill.
“Governor, I’ll be happy to vote for your health care plan AFTER the $75 million is released to WIU.”
That said, Jacobs was right not to trust Blagojevich. Atleast when you make a deal with the Devil, He keeps it.
Rod on the other hand has reneged on more pledges (gambling expansion is the latest) and promises (note the proliferation of Memoranda Of Understanding, or MOU’s) than any elected official I can think of. It’s no wonder he’s so impotent in the budget negotiations, where the whole process depends on people keeping their word.
- Huh? - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 1:05 pm:
Caption: blogo: “That sure is an ugly tie for $75 million.”
- Papa Legba - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 1:36 pm:
Really, just what an you say about Rod these days?
A completely, totally ineffectual mess who has more loose screws than a 1962 Rambler?
I’m at a loss. He has become scary in a very different way than he was before.
- Senator from Naboo - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 2:08 pm:
Caption: “Is that a Zegna?” “Authorize the money, and we’ll put any name you want on it, bubby.”
P.S. Look at the “deer in headlights” Vogue photo pose the governor always puts on when the photographer gets lined up. Those eyes are a million miles away.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 2:21 pm:
Southern Illinois - I obviously have no sense of humor left when it comes to Hot Rod. Sorry.
- Concerned Voter - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 2:41 pm:
Caption - I voted for the Governor’s Budget plan and all I got was a lousy tie!
- Team Sleep - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 2:46 pm:
Looking at Blago’s smile is ridiculous. Does he really think he can fool people while cheesing like that?!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 2:59 pm:
Jeez, people. Criticizing his smile? Isn’t that a bit much?
- Team Sleep - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 4:43 pm:
Rich, he looks like he’s trying bit too hard to seem interested. I’m sure he probably thinks that any place outside of Ravenswood is the Seventh Circle of Hell but does he have to overcompensate that much?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 4:47 pm:
Dude, there’s plenty of stuff to work with here. The smile comments reveals more about you, I think, than him. Sometimes, a cigar is just a cigar and a smile on a politician is just a smile.
- Dr. Papa Legba - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 5:38 pm:
Senator from Naboo -
Wouldn’t that look in Rods eyes be more like “A million miles from Monday?”
Oh, sorry. That was the states last multi-million dollar slogan.
My apologies.
- westernillinois cynic - Monday, Jun 4, 07 @ 8:54 pm:
Goldfarb wanted to get involved in the political process-to get a perfroming arts center and the QC Campus
He got burned
I have a couple of questions
Did Goldfarb volunteer to lobby?
John Sullivan voted for it and While Jacobs distrcit is dem and went Blago -Sullivans is one of the most anti-Blago district -Quincy
Did Goldfarb lobby him?
Did Blogo threaten to wipe out WIU Completly-it gets 56 million/year?
Are we going to see the end of the Macomb by-pass and the overdesigned Peoria Macomb road?
Sorry for all the questions But I feel there is much more than meets the eye. I dont see any saints here also WIU is being invetigated in the student loan scandal
- Beowulf - Tuesday, Jun 5, 07 @ 7:43 am:
My 83 year old father is a Republican who lives out in Senator Jacobs area. My dad told me last weekend that he and his other senior buddies are now going to vote for Senator Jacobs the next time he runs for office. It is simply because Jacobs was willing to stand up to his party leadership and say “no” to something that he considered to be wrong. My father and his friends were very impressed with Senator Jacobs and his code of integrity. It was a brilliant political publicity move made by Jacobs if nothing else.