*** RAW AUDIO *** WBEZ has posted the raw audio of the entire Blagojevich press conference. Click here to listen.
*** 1:44 pm *** “Rewrite to Do Right” has begun. The governor kicked off his series of amendatory vetoes by AV-ing a health insurance bill and taking a whack at his favorite target…
…Blagojevich rewrote a House measure originally designed to let college students stay on their parents’ health insurance for a year if they leave school due to medical problems. In his amendatory veto, the governor included new language to allow those aged 19 to 25 to stay on parents’ policies. Military veterans can remain insured through their parents until they turn 30.
Sponsoring Rep. Chuck Jefferson (D-Rockford) said shortly after Blagojevich’s news conference that he would try to override the governor’s changes. If that move failed, the legislation would die.
Jefferson said Blagojevich aides asked him ahead of time if he would be amenable to the changes and he told them no, but the administration went ahead anyway. […]
Reinforcing the political bent of his news conference, the governor attacked Madigan, saying the speaker has gone so far as to be “aggressive in preventing access to healthcare.” The governor also went after House Democrats, saying they are all reading from Madigan’s “music book.”
*** 1:51 pm *** Apparently, Gov. Blagojevich took some swipes at Mayor Daley while he was at it. A reporter friend of mine was at the presser and said the guv quoted Desmond Tutu, and said something like: If you are on the sidelines in a war between justice and evil and you remain neutral, you are evil.
Just when you think things can’t possibly get any weirder, they do. I love this state.
*** 1:59 pm *** Something to think about…
Rep. Jefferson says he will try to override the veto. He’s the sponsor, so it’s his call. If the attempt fails, the AV is dead but the underlying bill also dies.
So, in essence what Blagojevich is doing with this and every other bill he “improves” is to risk killing them. He essentially just killed a decent health insurance bill today. More deaths to come.
Yet, somehow, in his own mind, he’s “doing right.”
What a crock.
*** 2:14 pm *** Another Blagojevich quote…
“They kill jobs. They kill education funding. They try and take away health care from people… There is no excuse for us not doing the right thing.”
*** 2:20 pm *** IIS has posted some raw audio. I doubt they’ll have many of the juicier quotes, but give it a listen [fixed] or download it.
*** 2:36 pm *** Another Blagojevich quote, this one from the IIS audio…
“Here’s another thing that Mr. Madigan keeps killing every year, and that’s fundamental education funding reform. There are several ways to invest millions and millions of new dollars in or schools and solve the school funding issue without raising taxes on people. And we’ve tried for six years to get Mr. Madigan and the House Democrats to properly fund our schools.”
Um, really? Yes, he’s put more money into K-12. But he proposed nothing this year other than a few extra bucks.
This statement is a complete, boldfaced lie. He proposed a hinky gaming expansion plan for schools last year. Other than that, he’s never proposed a fundamental restructuring of education funding. Never.
One more Blagojevich quote…
“The only thing Mr. Madigan and those House Democrats support are tax increases on people.”
It’s always all about the Madigan.
Grow up, governor.
*** 2:43 pm *** I agree with every single word that John Patterson just wrote…
Keep in mind, the Illinois Supreme Court has on at least three occasions ruled that governors cannot wholesale rewrite or change legislation via the amendatory veto. Those rulings have been cited over the years by House Speaker Michael Madigan in explaining why certain amendatory vetoes are never considered.
But that’s part of the point here. Blagojevich gets to champion his efforts to expand health care, even if few of them ever result in success. And if his plan is blocked by the House, even for legit reasons, he gets to bang on Madigan, his chief political rival.
All of this misses one important point: because of today’s actions, there’s the very real chance that next year, a college student will be diagnosed with cancer, catastrophically injured in a car crash, or suffer some other ruinous medical condition, have to leave school and, as a result, lose insurance coverage that would have been guaranteed if the state’s Democrats could just get along for five minutes.
Well said.
*** 2:58 pm *** This is a bit odd. As of today, Gov. Blagojevich (or his brother, since the name is “Rob”) is now chairing his own campaign committee, according to the State Board of Elections website.
But if you click the “previous officers” tab you’ll see that Jeanne Arens was named chair of the committee earlier today. Arens is the guv’s campaign advance person. Two chairs in one day? [Hat tip to a commenter]
*** 4:09 pm *** Former Ald. Arenda Troutman pled guilty today. Click here to read the plea. Here’s a brief excerpt…
Defendant used her official position as the Alderman of the 20th Ward to solicit, directly and with and through others, and to obtain, for the benefit of herself and others, including co-defendants Boone and Gilbert, with their knowledge and participation, payments and other things of value from persons who were involved in real estate work, with the implicit and explicit understanding that, without such payments and other things of value, her support for land use requests, zoning changes, alley access, sale of City-owned real estate, and other requests that required local government action would either not be forthcoming or would be delayed.
Defendant and others acting at the direction or with the knowledge of defendant, including Ward Office Worker A, solicited contributions from persons who asked defendant for assistance in her official capacity, such as a letter of support for a specific land use, a zoning change, or alley access.
*** 4:29 pm *** Here’s that Tutu quote…
“I think it’s time for Mayor Daley to start helping to get this done. And when he gets back from China I’m going to seek to talk to him about this…” added Blagojevich, later comparing Daley’s stance with a quote he attributed to Bishop Desmond Tutu about neutrality equating to siding with “the oppressor.”
*** RAW AUDIO *** WBEZ has posted the raw audio of the entire Blagojevich press conference. Click here to listen.
- Mastemind Excello - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 1:55 pm:
A prediction: at this rate, the House won’t just dream up ways to block legislation next year…next year there won’t be any legislation. Why bother to pass any at all if it’s just going to be re-written by the executive?
- tubbfan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:02 pm:
Another profile in courage by our Governor! Talking bad about the mayor while he’s on the other side of the world!
- Hearing Voices - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:02 pm:
ME I hope you are right. A year without any legislation, except for a no increase budget, would be a wonderful thing. I’d gladly pay the folks to sit on thier hands in Springfield for a year.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:04 pm:
The gov’s amendatory veto is likely to be ruled “not germaine,” since it goes beyond the original scope of the bill.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:05 pm:
Or………
They could just accept the changes.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:06 pm:
GoBearsss, if the governor wants to be a legislator, then he should run for the General Assembly.
Failing that, the GA was in session for five months this year. He was rarely in town and mostly invisible. Now he wants to play governor? Please.
- Muskrat - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:08 pm:
That amendatory veto langaue in the constitution is crazy. Line-item cuts are one thing, but allowing “amendatory vetoes” that basically mean adding new ideas to a bill and kicking it back for another vote are pointless– the net effect is a veto and the chance to pass a different bill, which exists anyway in the normal course of business. If people are keeping agendas for a con-con, Article IV, Sec. 9(e) should be on the chopping block. It just feeds the gubernatorial ego and invites posturing.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:10 pm:
Well, Golly. I am just speechless. Wish guv was too!
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:14 pm:
Jefferson will change his mind. He’s a good guy.
- Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:15 pm:
Why, Why, Why does the House not Impeach this head case before he completely shuts down state government?
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:16 pm:
Someone should advise guv that it is better to keep quiet and be thought a fool rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:18 pm:
===Jefferson will change his mind. He’s a good guy.===
And if he doesn’t he’s a bad guy.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:18 pm:
I blame the GOP for this.
Judy Baar Topinka?
Couldn’t you have given us SOME choice?
OK, I admit. As horrible as she was, I should have voted for her.
My bad.
I never thought I would long for the days of Otto Kerner. Or Dan Walker.
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:19 pm:
Rich,
Who is speaking in the 2:14 quote? I can see it from Jefferson’s side, but I can also see it being Blago’s delusions of adequacy.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:20 pm:
Allowing children to stay on parents, insurance policies is an improvment to the original legislation. So is allowing veterans a longer period. Why doesn’t the House just approve the changes that make a good bill better?
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:21 pm:
Rich, if the Governor was interested in passing marginal changes, creating do-nothing task forces and dining at Saputo’s every night, maybe he would have ran for legislator.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:21 pm:
==Jefferson will change his mind. He’s a good guy.==
A good guy is one who changes his mind? After debating and vetting this bill for so long? After being asked if he agreed with the changes?
This administration reminds me of a football team that throws a hail-mary pass every play. Instead of looking at incremental gains, doing what championship teams do: fighting for a first down, huddling up and doing it again until you reach the goal line, this crew is looking for the breakaway touchdown every snap. The odds are not long on a completion, but boy you get to look so pretty high-stepping it into the end zone with the flashbulbs going off! You have to be willing to get your uniform dirty…..
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:22 pm:
DumberThanULook, or he could try working during session for a change.
He doesn’t eat at Saputo’s because he never shows up to do his job.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
Bill,
Because people can BUY insuramce for their kids if they want to.
Who do you think pays for that extended coverage? We do. Rates go up.
The first bill was a reasonable plan for emergencies. It was narrowly tailored.
The second was just grandstanding against health insurers, with the result that we all pay more for coverage.
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:23 pm:
And don’t put words in my mouth like that.
Not appropriate to assume I wasn’t sincere.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:24 pm:
Skeeter - read the bill. They would be “BUYING” coverage for their children still.
They would just be buying it through their pool instead of being forced to buy it on the individual market like they do now.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:26 pm:
DumberThanULook, you had it coming.
- The Doc - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:26 pm:
That’s the governor’s mantra - “doing the right thing”. Put aside the notion that his actions clearly demonstrate a penchant for embracing the “wrong things”, if only for a moment.
There’s no money, governor, to pay for this health care extension. If you so enjoy suspension of disbelief, and clearly you do, go see the Dark Knight in IMAX. Otherwise, get out of the way, right now. Good riddance.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:27 pm:
GoBearsss, they won’t be buying anything because this is going nowhere.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:29 pm:
Skeeter,
Children in that age group are the least likely to have a claim and their inclusion in a group would actually cause the premiums for that group to decrease. The bill doesn’t say that the coverage has to be free merely that they would remain covered under the terms of the group. There would be no cause for us all to pay more.That is just a scare tactic argument used by insurance lobbyists.
- Downers Delight - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:30 pm:
Bill, how should we pay for that? I know, let’s raise taxes… oh wait, the Governor made a promise he wouldn’t.
If you want to expand programs, you need funds to pay for those programs. The Governor (and GA) should find the courage to do the right thing. Either don’t increase spending or increase revenues.
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:30 pm:
The Doc - this isn’t state-provided health care. It’s parents being able to keep their kids on their own insurance policies if they want to. So, its something that can be done despite the budget situation.
Targets the age group most likely to be uninsured - those 19-25 year olds.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:30 pm:
GoBearrs,
You are still increasing the risk to the pool, which will drive rates up.
Every time you mandate more coverage, rates go up.
The problem is, our Gov. doesn’t have a clue about insurance other than “it is popular to bash insurance companies.” Or maybe he just doesn’t care. I’m not ruling that out.
Of course, he doesn’t seem to understand any industry, so his lack of knowledge of insurance is to be expected.
Did I mention what a great guy Kerner was? And did we ever have some great times under Walker. We couldn’t hope for the sanity of Thompson or Edgar, but maybe in 2010? Both are alive and well.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
Rich, I may be mistaken, but it sounds to me like guv is on your very last nerve !
- ChampaignDweller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
Bill, if there’s more coverage, how do your figure that someone won’t end up paying more?
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
Again, Downers Delight.
This doesn’t involve state money.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:33 pm:
Wow, Bill…that would have been great to have in the original bill? Did the governor’s staff communicate this to legislators while the bill was being debated? Did he go to bat for these beneficiaries then, or just come up with this information now? I’m not privy to committee hearings, just curious….
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:33 pm:
Skeeter - adding young, healthy people to a pool will INCREASE risk?
There are arguments you can make against this, but that probably isn’t one of them…
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:34 pm:
==Children in that age group==
This refers to the 19 to 25 year old ADULTS?
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:37 pm:
VQ,
You nailed it.
If this was such a great idea, why not try and lobby for the changes BEFORE they were passed?
Of course, then he would not be able to hold a press conference about Rod and His WonderPen!
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:39 pm:
Of all the hacks who post on here (on all sides) - I ain’t one of them.
So, no, I didn’t have it coming.
- Dan S. a Voter and Cubs Fan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:41 pm:
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:31 pm:
Rich, I may be mistaken, but it sounds to me like guv is on your very last nerve !
Let’s send Rich over the edge, the Cubs just scored 8 in the bottom of the 3rd and lead 9-4.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:41 pm:
If the Governor did call the Mayor evil he will get his wish because Daley won’t remain on the sidelines anymore. He’s swallowed a lot but that would be the last gulp before he explodes. Watch out Rod, cause it’s gonna blow.
- pro - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:42 pm:
You forget, Rich, that education funding reform was included in the GRT.
That is often lost in the shuffle (or deliberately left out).
Same amount as the tax increase crowd is proposing.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:43 pm:
- DumberThanULook -
Hey! Dumber, I am not a hack. Well, at least if I am I’m consistent. And professional like!
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:44 pm:
I know this boat sailed a long time ago, but could “Rewrite to Do Right” finally unite the House and Senate legislators? I’m not looking for “Impeaching for Overreaching,” but rather both Dem and GOP legislators to put their foot down on the governor’s actions. i.e., when the government pens new bills like this one, both chambers vote unanimously to override (even if you voted against the bill initially).
Rich, is there any spark of life left in the Joe and Jane legislator, which shone so brightly during the GRT fiasco, or has last year’s endless session and this year’s intrangency suck all hope out of the chambers?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:44 pm:
pro, that’s one year. The governor claimed he has pushed for “fundamental” education funding reform EVERY YEAR. That’s a complete, absolute lie.
- Captain Flume - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:45 pm:
it seems to me that the additions that the governor made to the bill are new information and that the ideas had been discussed some time ago when jefferson’s bill was either passed or near passage. maybe there was a discussion on this blog about it. i don’t remember. but it sure does not seem like a freshly-sprung idea.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:47 pm:
They are considered dependents for the purposes of remaining on their PARENTS insurance. There is not “more” coverage. There would be no reason for anyone’s premuims other than the parents to increase and no reason that the state or “we all” will have to pay anything. This isn’t my issue and I’m not privy to the committee hearings either and I don’t know what the governor’s staff did or does. I’m just saying the changes sound like a good idea and make a good bill better. The Constitiution allows AVs. Why not approve or override the changes based on the issues and not make every piece of legislation about Rod.
- Uh, wait a second? - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:48 pm:
Busy day for the GOV. He filed paperwork with the Board of elections to rename himself as the chairmen of his committee (he has had other people serve in that role since 2003.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:51 pm:
===Of all the hacks who post on here (on all sides) - I ain’t one of them.===
Name: DumberThanULook Posted Jul 21, 2:04 PM
Looks like Foul Mouth Franks has his hopes dashed. Better luck next time Hillary man.
Name: DumberThanULook Posted Jun 27, 11:54 AM
Now I see why they call you Kevin “the fan” Fanning with all that spinning you are doing.
No mentions of the crowd cheering him as covered by every newspaper. No mention that the 1,000 reported attendees filled the room.
Trying to make it sound like all state employees, when it was the same number of “appointeds” as are always at these things.
And completely wrong about Governor’s timetable - everyone saw him working the crowd and taking photos for over an hour until the event was over.
Maybe you showed up at the McCain fundraiser by accident and didn’t realize?
Name: DumberThanULook Posted Jun 13, 8:43 AM
Sounds time and time again that speaker MikeyMouse is more interested in his own power than the good of the party.
Will Dems suffer another 18-seat loss now that his dem candidates don’t stand for anything except being SockPuppets?
What happened to campaigning on those Democratic values the voters seem to want this year.
Oh, sorry, the puppetmaster killed all those plans.
Name: DumberThanULook Posted Jun 12, 7:22 PM
Looks like Speaker MikeyMouse’s favorite summer, fall, winter, and spring retreat might be unreachable north of the border.
He might have to stay in Illinois this year.
- Captain Flume - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:54 pm:
The way I read the Illinois Constitution, if the legislature overrides an AV and returns the bill to the Governor with the AV overridden, then the Governor can either accept the overrides or hs/she has to return the original bill to the chamber of origin as a vetoed bill. If the Governor does return the bill, then the legislature can override the veto of the original bill. Of course, that would take BOTH chambers to accomplish. Or is my interpretation of the process mistaken?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:55 pm:
DumberThanULook, the only harm in being a hack is denying that you’re a hack.
- Downstater - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:56 pm:
Gee, the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled that these types of vetoes are unconstitutional. The governor swore to uphold the Constitution when he took office. He’s now violating that oath.
Let’s make this simple. Impeach him for violating the oath of office. He’s out of control. He’s a boil that needs to be lanced.
Lawmakers need to stop tiptoeing around the big pink flaming elephant crapping in the middle of the room and do something about it.
When it comes to education, this is the governor who railed against the State Board of Education, was given the power to do something about it, stripped it down to its bare essentials, added almost nothing in its place, and whines about the feds, Madigan and everyone else when as governor he’s more in control of the system than any governor in the state’s history.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:57 pm:
I live and post in FEAR of Rich’s archive and more so his ability to retrieve stuff!
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:59 pm:
Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Looks like I need to pick up the rhetoric a little more to keep pace with DumberThanUThink.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 2:59 pm:
lol citizen….this is the age of politics of fear. That, readers, is known as a ’smack-down’!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:01 pm:
DumberThanUThink never denies being a hack.
But, as usual, you RRB people have to lie and point fingers elsewhere.
Y’all are so predictable.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:04 pm:
Rich,
Thanks for the DumberThanULook retrospective. Rhino records would be proud. It brought back some great memories. My favorites are calling Franks HillaryMan and, of course, MikeyMouse. By the way, I proudly admit to being a hack. Please erase my archives.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:05 pm:
===Please erase my archives.===
Never. I’m submitting them to the Hack Hall of Fame.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:06 pm:
A smack down is one thing but worse than anything, to be called “RRB people.” Ouch!
- WonderBoy - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:07 pm:
Rich, a little rough on your commentators today?
- South Side Mike - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:07 pm:
Bill, great try, but I doubt Rich is giving up that material that easily.
Besides, I can’t wait for the day he releases the side-by-side compilations of “Bill’s Greatest Posts” and “Vanilla Man’s Greatest Posts.”
Those would be Capitol Fax Best Sellers!
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:07 pm:
Bill,
You wrote: “They are considered dependents for the purposes of remaining on their PARENTS insurance. There is not “more” coverage.”
That means more claimants. Unless none ever has a claim, that means more claims against the pool.
That means an increase in rates.
If this was better for the pool, don’t you think the insurers would have done it on their own?
They are trying to SELL (a business term — Blago wouldn’t understand) a product. If they could SELL more of a profitable product, wouldn’t it make sense for them to have done so already?
According to Blago and Bill, the insurers, faced with a product that will increase their profitability, have declined, apparently because they don’t like young people.
Is that really your argument?
Or is it more likely that this change will make the product LESS profitable?
Which could it be?
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:07 pm:
==Please erase my archives.==
Can’t—might get a subpeona someday. Better hang onto them.
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:11 pm:
Boy, do you have me pegged! Haha!
I do find this pretty funny though. Maybe I should ask to be put on the payroll so I CAN become a hack!
I’ve earned it, don’t you think?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:11 pm:
WonderBoy, they know the rules, as should you.
Post lies or deliberate obfuscations here and you risk confrontation. Throw down on someone in comments and you risk retaliation.
It’s been this way since 2004.
- Princeville - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:11 pm:
Bill says “There is not “more” coverage. There would be no reason for anyone’s premuims other than the parents to increase and no reason that the state or “we all” will have to pay anything.”
Looking under the surface that statement would not be entirely true. If one considers 19-25 year old dependents when it comes to state employees with dependents that could continue coverage. The state QC has the large share of liability with this healthplan, extended more to stay on until 25 would expand the state liability. No?
- GoBearsss - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:11 pm:
I’m a hack, too.
But unlike Bill, I am proud of my archives. Just like Dumber is…
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:13 pm:
Does anyone know who “Rob Blagojevich” is and why is he chairing the governor’s campaign committee?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:13 pm:
===Besides, I can’t wait for the day he releases the side-by-side compilations of “Bill’s Greatest Posts” and “Vanilla Man’s Greatest Posts.”===
Nah. What he’s worried about is when I cherry pick his nicest pro-Rod comments and post them next to his harshest anti-Rod comments. He can be a bit on the schizoid side. lol
- WonderBoy - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:16 pm:
Rich,
Sure, I’ll agree to that; you’ve rightly deleted me before for my overzealousness in the past, lol. Your site, your rules.
But come on, these shotgun personal attacks kinda reflects poorly.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:18 pm:
===shotgun personal attacks ===
1) They are precise, not splatter gun.
2) They’re not personal in any way.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:19 pm:
Oh, geez, they misspelled his name. lol.
- WonderBoy - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:19 pm:
Hack, schizoid, “you had it coming.”
Sounds personal to me.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:19 pm:
My first hat tip?
- Captain Flume - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:19 pm:
Can the Governor draw a salary from his campaign fund as its chairman?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:20 pm:
He can draw a salary as a candidate.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:22 pm:
Maybe they decided to start fresh, new name-new ideas. I can hear the commercials now.
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:22 pm:
I never lied, Rich. Your recent temper has gotten the better of it.
I will freely admit I am a Rod supporter, brainwashed fool, or political animal.
But my dictionary would says I have to get paid to be a hack.
Sorry for your confusion.
They may be precise attacks, but they aren’t accurate.
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:22 pm:
Just think of all the road signs we’ll have to pay to change one single letter….
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:23 pm:
Funniest part is that RRB always jokes about how Sen. Gary Forby refers to him as “Rob.”
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:23 pm:
If guv is chairman of his campaign fund AND it is declared by the feds to be a criminal enterprise (RICO) what impact does that have on him? Versus not being “chairman”?
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:23 pm:
Dumber,
If you ever are offered a spot at Rod’s trough don’t quit your real job.
- pro - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:24 pm:
His brother’s name is Rob, you sure it isn’t him who is the chairman?
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:24 pm:
==what impact does that have on him?==
I’d still vote ‘guilty.’
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:26 pm:
You post like a hack, you’re a hack. I refuse to debate semantics. If your little feelings are hurt, then you are free to post wherever else will take you. You’re more than welcome to stay, but don’t start sobbing after all the nasty crud you’ve posted (some of which I can’t display because it’s been deleted).
If you’re gonna dish that ugly stuff, you’d better be willing to take a bit of mild criticism.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:27 pm:
WB,
I thought “schizoid” was a compliment.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:28 pm:
pro, Rob doesn’t live in Rod’s house.
And, Bill, I meant it as such.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:29 pm:
- Bill -
Our standards are higher - we view schizoid as a resume builder.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:30 pm:
I bet the uncut version of Dumber is even funnier. I hope you saved it.
- Captain Flume - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:31 pm:
As long as the Governor gets a headline like the ones appearing on the media links on this blog site (CBS2 and SJ-R: “Gov. rewriting bill to improve health care access”), ones that use his own press release headline, or at least the agenda he is promoting, he will continue to do what he does. It doesn’t take much to sway a listener or reader when the lead says just what you want it to say.
- WonderBoy - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:32 pm:
Oh come on Rich, did that really deserve deletion? Didn’t that just prove my point? Dishing and then taking mild criticism?
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:32 pm:
Captain,
Maybe they are just being objective.
Pingback ArchPundit | Teh Taxes, Teh House, TEH MADIGAN! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:33 pm:
[…] […]
- Please stop him - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:34 pm:
Someone has to try to impeach this guy, or at the very least introduce something to start an investigation. If the feds can’t work faster, then the members of the house of representatives need to step up and do it.
I understand Madigan can’t do it - it would like he is doing it for revenge.
I even understand if other democratic members can’t do it - they don’t want to be viewed as Madigan’s puppet or accused of hurting the democratic party in Obama’s big year.
But why hasn’t a single republican filed anything? Could it be that Cross - Blago’s new best friend - is telling them not to do it?
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:35 pm:
Ladies and Gentlemen! Presenting the Honorable Rod Blagojevich!
“Have I got a deal for you!”
“You’ll be saying “Wow!”, everytime I use my veto pen to “do right!” for the working people of Illinois. Yes! I mean you little working people!”
“A Madigan bill doesn’t work well, my “do right” bills work even better wet or dry. This “do right” veto pen works for the house, the boat, the car, the RV. My vetos hold 20 times their weight in BS! Look at this! It just does the work! Doesn’t drip! Doesn’t make a mess. Wring it out! Just spin it in my political machine!”
“It is made in Ravenswood, so you know it’s good stuff!”
“I can cut the budgets in half, walk on it like a bath mat, roll up pay-to-play friends with this “do right” legislation and watch the fun!”
“Here is another Madigan bill. Look at it all stained with compromise, team work and pet stains. Not only is the damage visible only to me, but watch how my “do right” veto pen absorbs this! This would mildew, imagine the smell! Now I just apply my patented “do right” veto pen right on top of it, without putting any political pressure, I just absorbed 50% of it’s budget right there.”
“Are you following me Mayor Daley and camera guy?”
“The other 50% is now available for you little working people of Illinois! What other governor is going to do that? I’m like a vacuum! Look! No money left - Illinois is now virtually dried up economically!”
“Listen to these unbiased testimonials!”
Debbie Halvorson: “I can’t live without it!”
Emil Jones: “Just love it!”
Carol Ronen: “Oh my gosh! I don’t even think we should consider legislation anymore!”
Ricky Hendon: “If you need cash fast, like for a church organization, we can expect fast results with “do right”!”
“We waste our money on traditional legislation, “do right” is better! The new “mini-do rights” are for everyday messes and spills.”
“Although I boosted my office’s budget by robbing other state officer’s budget, “do right” legislation is economical. By allowing me to “do right” by you, you also allow me to “do right” for me too!”
“I come with a ten year warranty, as I will run in 2010. Don’t delay - support me now!”
- correction - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:35 pm:
Rich 3:20 - No, the Governor cannot pay himself a salary out of his political fund for being the candidate.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:37 pm:
WonderBoy, I tire of your whining.
Hack is a term of endearment - or at least neutral - in my world.
Bill is my friend.
You apparently have no idea what you’re talking about.
Sometimes, in particularly paranoid states, I think y’all deliberately try to distract me from my bidness.
Except I’m not publishing tomorrow.
If you want to preach such values as peace, love and respect, I’d ask that you first speak with our governor. Get your own house in order.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:38 pm:
You other people are so hack-like!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:38 pm:
correction, I could be wrong, but I know the law was changed to allow legislative candidates to pay themselves a salary, and I thought it applied to statewides as well.
- WonderBoy - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:38 pm:
VM, I gotta say, that was pretty good, lol.
- 2ConfuseCrew - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:39 pm:
Did Ms. Arens follow the SpinSisters out the door?
BTW DumberThanUThink asked we pass along to Capt. Fax and DumberThanULook that he/she knows quite a few hacks and is does not appear Dumber…Look even qualifies.
Who else did Blagoof drag to the Confuse & Lose presser besides The Dunk? Any camera phones?
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:42 pm:
Has Mount Daley erupted spilling forth it’s evil, venomous poisons yet? It’s gonna come and it should be fun to watch-from a safe distance.
- WonderBoy - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:43 pm:
Rich, jeez, thought you might be more thick-skinned about it all, particularly the way you’ve been posting today. I’m not trying to be too serious, just commenting on the grumpy way you’re coming off. If my whining distracts you, then just ignore me. But fine, I’ll be good and quiet.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:43 pm:
YESSSSSSSSSSS
100 hits
- correction - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:44 pm:
A political party cannot make payments to a public official or candidate, or family members, unless to reimburse or pay for services rendered (i.e. cost of hosting a website). A candidate cannot pay himself for simply being a candidate, knocking on doors, or filling out campaign forms in compliance with the law.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:51 pm:
-Quiz of the Day-
“I know the truth of things, and the only thing I have to fear is the truth”. What color tie was he wearing?
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 3:55 pm:
Am I the only person who thinks he’s chairing his own committee because he could not find anyone else to do it?
Could Hendon do it? He’s great at following orders.
- Bill - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:00 pm:
A,
blue
- Captain Flume - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:06 pm:
But can/does a campaign fund pay its chairman/woman, or does that depend on the candidacy status of the chair?
And Bill, yes, maybe objectivity is the rule of thumb for the press.
- Gene Parmesan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:13 pm:
Skeeter, even Rod’s not dumb enough to put Hendon in charge of that much money. Wait…
- Anon III - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:14 pm:
You have 105 comments here. They are probably all great, but I don’t have time to read them all. Rich, can you get someone to edit this?
- pro - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:15 pm:
Rich, I don’t think Rod lives at that address either. Unless he moved into an office building…
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:16 pm:
Would the chairman of the campaign fund be subject to criminal charges or civil liability if the campaign fund itself were busted as a RICO organization or if it was frozen? Could the possibility of such action be one possible reason why no one but Rod himself would want the job?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:18 pm:
===can you get someone to edit this?===
LOL.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:24 pm:
- Secret Square -
Perhaps it is a protective ploy - He and the campaign fund can invoke their Fifth Amendment protections.?.!
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:24 pm:
At risk of having this comment deleted, or being barred permanently:
Am I the only one who thinks Hendon is reminiscent of the people who used to ask for money to “watch” your car when you parked by the old Chicago Stadium?
That seems to be just the guy that Blago needs. Sure, he charges a fair price, but things are taken care of.
- Overtimer - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:27 pm:
I’ve got a new quote for the Gov:
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.
-Juvenal
Yep, he’s proven that one time and time again.
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:30 pm:
So much for all the self rightous indignation
-you go girl-to jail.
OK, that was mean, maybe you can plead out, but for the grace of God go I and stuff like that.
- Scooby - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:38 pm:
FYI, they made his brother Rob the chairman, it’s not a typo.
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:40 pm:
Maybe I should change that to “why no one but Rod himself or someone in his immediate family would want the job?”
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:43 pm:
You mean there really are two of them. Aaaaahhh!
- DumberThanULook - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:43 pm:
Ouch.
- Levois - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:52 pm:
A lot of things going on today. He just can’t get out of fighting mode!
- Vote Quimby! - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:53 pm:
I’m going to need to see some credentials from this Rob Blago….
- Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 4:54 pm:
Well, if Blago didn’t call the Mayor evil, I don’t think he’ll blow up. “The oppressor,’ heck he probably has that on one of his license plates.
- Dan S a Voter and a Cubs Fan - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 5:02 pm:
Cub Win, Cubs Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Oneman - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 5:08 pm:
so I am assuming the state will be offering this to it’s employees? Any estimates on how much that is going to cost?
Heck I was married at 23 would I still have been able to be on my parents policy after I got married?
Could someone stay on their folks policy if their own employer offered coverage?
- some former legislative intern - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 5:08 pm:
So, basically what happened with Jefferson’s bill is that MJM and the House Democrats showed leadership on health care, and Blagojevich yet again played politics with the issue while doing nothing to help solve the problem. He knows it will be very difficult to override the AV, hence I have to conclude he is not serious about the issue. Blago is a really bad guy, not to be trusted, and I understand completely why he is unable to advance his capital program.
I will vote in favor of the constitutional convention come this fall solely on the Amendatory Veto issue itself. Even if nothing else is accomplished at a convention, eliminating the AV would be a huge step forward towards good government in Illinois.
- Justice - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 5:19 pm:
Is “Rob” Blagojevich going to marching in the twilight parade in place of his brother?
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 5:30 pm:
Hi !, Bill, I am Milorod and this is my brother Milorob.
Is there a sister Miloruby?
- Plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 5:59 pm:
This brings gridlock to a new unprecedented level.
Each bill is (or at least should be) the result of a lot of hard work which in many cases requires some hard choices. Having someone waltz in and ‘improve’ something can change the structure of the underlying compromise.
If the Gov was above board, he could participate in the construction of the bill and truly create the ‘best’ deal possible.
It is easy to look at something and alter it to improve it. Look at the costs of his ‘improvement’ in the transit package. The costs are way out of line, and except for the poor, the elderly transit rider could afford to pay. The budgets of the transportation entities are more strained than they need to be as a result of the ‘improvement’
Next year there may be no legislation and no budget to improve.
- Frank Booth - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 6:21 pm:
We should have lawmakers meet only once every two years on the off chance it would give us a one-year break from this crap.
- Princeville - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 6:36 pm:
50 bills? The man is planning to ‘rewrite-to do right’, 50 bills over the coming days n weeks? He’s on a roll. Daley and Madigan are evil and the legislatures are incompetent fools incapble of writing bills in the manner the gov sees as ‘right’. Does this rate right up there with calling Madigan every few days to for kicks and to see if he will call back?
- jwscott72 - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 6:54 pm:
When this whole sickening lesson in how government should NOT work is over, maybe we can write a screenplay and shop to the soap operas. We have all of the standard characters.
Too bad we can’t canel this show!
Pingback Real world casualties begin to mount in Democrats personal/political war : - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 6:56 pm:
[…] (Hat tip: IlliniPundit and Capitol Fax) […]
- pro - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 7:33 pm:
“So, basically what happened with Jefferson’s bill is that MJM and the House Democrats showed leadership on health care…”
Hahahahahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahahaha…
Ummm, no. Nice spinning though.
- Cornerfield - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 8:39 pm:
All day I haven’t been able to shake the mental image of the Governor as a 5 year old holding a bright red crayon drawing pretty pictures on the living room walls. “Look mom! I’ve improved the house with my do-right pen!”
- confused - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 8:43 pm:
so lets review. Blago has terrible approval ratings. Basically he has been demonizng MJM and now he is demonizing MJM AND the House Dems?
Thats great. The HGOP must be begging rod to stop this. Look at just this presser he did, enough quotes for an entire campaign. Why is Rod helping MJM, or is he just not smart enough to realize the more his lips move the closer MJM moves to more members…
- State worker w/ an MBA - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 8:56 pm:
At the Willard Ice Building we no longer have paper towels to dry our hands on in the bathrooms. They have been empty all week and we have been told by the janitors that the Sec of State office is not ordering any more since Rod cut 22 mil out of Jesse’s budget. I guess we will have to rotate bringing in toliet paper next. Each area will have a different day of the month when they bring in a 4 pack.
Why would anyone want to elect a politican from Illinois to be president as messed up as this state is?
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 8:59 pm:
I used to think we had hit bottom and there was no way but up. guv has introduced me to a new realization of bottom . . . sorta. We may have seen nothin yet!
- Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:01 pm:
How could the reporters stand by and listen to that baloney and not ask him: Why he won’t sign the pay to play bill? Why he is still collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions from state contractors? Why he didn’t propose this change to this bill when it was moving through the legislative process?
The Governor’s staff never comes to committees, never weighs in on bills (afraid that their boss will change position 180 degrees in 12 hours), and they never state objections until its too late. No wonder he needs the magical crayon, he never turns in his homework on time!
What a baby!
- Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:05 pm:
Holy cow - we need the capital bill because the price of Soy Milk has increased? Ken Duncan is the ultimate policy wonk.
- Napoleon has left the building - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:06 pm:
For The Record - I am from this point forward changing my CapitolfaxBlog nickname to “Soy Milk” - thank you Representative Dunkin.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:34 pm:
- Napoleon has left the building -
Soy Milk is code for Anti Oberweis.
- Levois - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:56 pm:
LOL! What does Dunkin have to do with soy milk?
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:56 pm:
So the Gov is going to call Daley after he gets back from China. Were the phone systems in Illinois not working before Daley left or is this concept just so new that he missed Daley. I was just talking to some friends in Europe using Skype. Sounded like they were in the room next to us. My son plays COD4 with people all over the world with Internet audio/video. I assume Daley must be in a highly restricted and remote area of China where all forms of phones are simply not available.
- Bookworm - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 9:57 pm:
MBA, it could get even worse. I’ve noticed some other empty dispensers recently too — the kind that I presume are only found in the women’s room.
- Gregor - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 10:01 pm:
“If you want a do-right, always woman, you’ve gotta be a do-right, all-night man.”
Regarding the nickname of his little policy play, it needs a slight edit.
When Blago suggests he’s going to improve a bill, we all say:
“Yeah, right”.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 10:35 pm:
Bookworm, I hope you’re female or on the maintenance crew, k?
AA has heard that those dispensers are empty for a reason. Filan saw that area as a potential revenue raiser for the State, hired Deloitte and Maximus to no-bid $100,000 contracts to evaluate the potential cash stream and optimal product pricing. After CMS weighed in and added on their overhead, markup, and chargebacks, the price had to be raised to $3.50 per item to break even.
CMS unfortunately forgot that the dispensers were not equipped with dollar bill changers and quietly abandoned the initiative, sealing the files in a secret cabinet labeled “Operation Plugged Nickel” hidden deep within the bowels of the Stratton Building.
- A Citizen - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 11:09 pm:
AA - EPA by law must be called before they even think of flushing the bowels of the Stratton Bldg. Film at Eleven!
- Bubs - Wednesday, Aug 6, 08 @ 11:27 pm:
I am insulted that the term “Hack” is being thrown around and no one is mentioning me.
Troutman is only the beginning. Zoning will be out next big scandal, and it will be ugly for a lot of powerful people. The Federal Juggernaut is slowly, oh so slowly, moving up the food chain.
It would all be a big headache for “President Obama”, so it is a blessing to him that he will lose to McCain in the end.
- Bookworm - Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 6:47 am:
AA, I’m female, as are about three-fourths of the people in my office. (That’s why I noticed.) The secret cabinet would more accurately be called “Operation Plugged Quarter.”
- Ghost - Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:25 am:
Just imagine how the Gov could improve a capital plan with specific spending requirmenets; he could improve all of those limitations on his control of the money right out of the bill leaving only the phrase, The Gov gets 25 Billion to spend on whatever he likes.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:45 am:
It could be worse. Until recently, the governor of Wisconsin had been known to cobble together single words and even individual letters of the alphabet from bill text to form entirely new provisions. This was known as the “Frankenstein veto” and was recently abolished by their legislature.
- Secret Square - Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 11:18 am:
Actually, the “Frankenstein veto” that allowed cobbling together of words and numbers was abolished in a statewide (Wisconsin) referendum held in April. The use of individual letters, called the “Vanna White veto”, was abolished in 1990. However, the Wisconsin governor is still said to have the strongest veto powers in the nation.
- Frank Booth - Thursday, Aug 7, 08 @ 8:29 pm:
But surely no one in Wisconsin would ever abuse such power and authority. I mean c’mon, it’s Wisconsin. The only thing that stinks there is their cheese.