* John Patterson made an excellent point the other day. After noting this AP story about the governor’s reaction to the Tribune poll…
The governor says his 13 percent job approval rating is unrelated to the federal corruption investigation that’s been swirling around his administration.”
…Patterson digs into his memory bank and realizes that former Gov. George Ryan made essentially the same argument…
When Ryan’s popularity tanked early on, he said it had far more to do with his 1999 decision to push higher alcohol and vehicle taxes – which paid for construction spending – than the federal investigation of his administration. There was also his decision to support O’Hare expansion after telling suburban voters he’d fight against more runways.
The federal proble was merely something of media fascination, he and his aides argued.
In case you forgot, and I doubt you have, that investigation no one was paying attention to ultimately caught up to Ryan. He’s now in prison.
* Patterson adds this thought today…
The Chicago Tribune had an interesting political poll last week that showed Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s approval rating at 13 percent. Of those polled, 75 percent said they don’t want to see him re-elected.
I just happened to be digging through some of my George Ryan files recently and came across the Oct. 31, 2000 Daily Herald story on the poll we did back then with news partner ABC-7. 65 percent said Ryan should not seek re-election.
Oof.
* Our state’s ongoing political gridlock and internecine warfare is now apparently taking a toll on charity events…
Big parties require work. And no one works harder than the volunteer in charge of invitations or seating — not even the chefs who prepare fancy meals for hundreds of picky eaters.
It’s the invitation committee that must navigate the treacherous minefield of contentious relationships.
Consider the Joffrey Ballet gala held earlier this party season.
Organizers were faced with the predicament of waiting for Mayor Richard M. Daley’s RSVP before inviting Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In the end, neither attended.
Though their staffs deny any animosity, party planners say the two politicos aren’t likely to be seen at the same soiree.
* Meanwhile, this is no real surprise…
And Blagojevich, the financial wunderkind who has shattered campaign money records, isn’t even involved in races this fall.
His campaign told the State Board of Elections last week it isn’t giving money to support other candidates or ballot issues this election.
So that means Democrats running for legislative seats won’t reap the rewards of cash from a governor whose administration is under the cloud of federal investigations, whose poll ratings are at all-time lows and whose fights with lawmakers have dominated government in recent years.
No doubt tears are flowing on campaigns throughout Illinois.
A quick check of campaign records shows just one actual campaign contribution to a legislative candidate in 2006 (Rep. Eddie Washington), one in 2004 (Rep. Bob Flider) and none in 2002.
Blagojevich set up an “independent” Move Illinois Forward PAC a few years back, which doled out $30,000 to Emil Jones and about $70,000 to legislative candidates in 2004, but that was the only cycle he really played in.
* House GOP Leader Tom Cross finessed the Blagojevich question in his local paper and it was printed without question…
Cross sets himself apart from the infighting among the state’s top Democratic leaders, including Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He said he works well with Democrats in his district.
“Here in Will County,” he said, “I feel pretty good about the fact that we work in a bipartisan way.”
All of Cross’ House campaigns are blasting Democrats for real and imagined ties to the governor. Ironic, ain’t it?
* Some say the public’s ire at Blagojevich will impact the constitutional convention referendum vote next week…
…the ballot’s convention question could essentially become an approval poll of Blagojevich and the state’s other top Democrats who control almost all aspects of state government.
“That’s basically what they’ve been telling me,” said state Rep. Mike Boland, an East Moline Democrat and convention supporter.
Blagojevich’s position may only help the “Yes” folks…
For his part, Blagojevich is mostly staying on the sidelines of the debate, with an aide saying the governor is “leaning towards no.”
* More…
* Kurt Erickson: Tackling the election, Blagojevich and a constitutional convention
* Gov the wild card in push for Obama’s seat
* If Obama wins, Jackson Jr. should take Senate seat