* The next gubernatorial election is more than three years from now, yet…
Exactly how bad are things in Springfield? Horrible.
What words do politicians, even members of his own party, use when speaking of Gov. Blagojevich?
Unprintable.
What name is back in play as a possible contender to run for governor in 2010?
Paul Vallas.
That’s how completely crazy it is in the state Capitol. We only just re-elected the current governor 10 short months ago. We’re in the grinding, seemingly endless throes of a presidential campaign that jumped off earlier than we’ve ever seen. And now somebody out there is actually ready to talk up the next governor’s race?
The governor’s bizarre antics, which have led to a never-ending legislative session and tanked poll numbers, are more than enough to make one pine for some grown-up leadership. Paul Vallas would have had his troubles, most definitely, but I highly doubt things would have been this bad.
Still, he lost. A long time ago. There’s no sense in looking back at what might have happened.
* That being said, the story about the state spending over a hundred grand to replace the interior of the governor’s airplane is politically horrifying and is enough to make one fervently wish for a change at the top…
A spokesman for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Mike Claffey, said, “That’s the kind of preventive maintenance that extends the life of the aircraft.”
But we’re not talking about changing the spark plugs or replacing worn tires, as one might on an old car. In this case, the “preventive maintenance” includes replacing carpeting and upholstery that’s “a little frayed around the edges.”
It’s the governor’s priorities - and the nerves of fellow Illinoisans - that are “a little frayed around the edges.”
How can the governor talk about cutting “special projects and other spending that we simply can’t afford” while going ahead with revamping his plane?
* Meanwhile, the SJ-R hosted a “debate” this morning on its op-ed page about the recall issue…
* * Brian Gaines: Voters have brains- let them use them for recalls
Illinois voters have all the defects of modern electorates, but Illinois’s politicians seem to have vices beyond the average, as evidenced not only by the inability of the current government to pass a budget but also by a long, sordid history of corruption and conviction. The Land of Lincoln can use more democracy, not less.
Bring on recall!
* Jim Nowlan: Idea of recall is tempting, but it is best resisted
Voters are good at making big decisions, for example, that the country is headed in the wrong direction and change is needed. Voters are less capable on complex matters, especially on statewide issues where huge sums of money are often spent to propagandize an emotional issue. For example, in 1978 voters enacted Proposition 13 in California, which capped property taxes; in doing so, they eviscerated a once fine public school system, which has never recovered.
Yes, the idea of recall is tempting. But for me, let’s keep temptation out of harm’s way.
I would disagree with Nowlan on this only to the point of saying that recall is one of those “big issues” that he says voters are capable of dealing with. I just don’t think that recall is a good idea. The voters elected them, they should be stuck with them.
Thoughts?