Hey, did we just switch governors in midstream?
Yep. Seems we did.
Why? Apparently on the grounds that nobody in the legislature liked him, and in light of the fact that his nemesis, Speaker Mike Madigan and those who curry his favor have been trying desperately to get rid of this burr in their saddle for literally years.
He kept making them look bad. And he did things without kissing their rings first. Can't have that.
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich gave a meandering peroration before the state senate before they all, to a man and woman, tossed him out of office on his behind.
News networks broadcast the roll-call vote on the matter, including MSNBC, who at least showed enough votes to get up to around the L's before cutting away.
It was a very somber moment, presided over by a black robed official and conducted in silence aside from the clerk calling the names of the senators and them rising to say yea or nay. No one took the opportunity of the grave occasion to act undignified, grandstand or call attention to themselves, much like they've accused Blago of doing.
Except one who just couldn't help injecting crass mean-spiritedness into the affair.
Who? You know who!
Our own senator around these parts, Mike Jacobs, smacking his lips at the chance for some media exposure and as always, even if it's only two fleeting seconds, rose and voted along with all the rest.
But apparently in a bid to stand out somehow, Jacobs decided it would be a really classy thing to lean over the mic during his two seconds on camera and make a thumbs down gesture at the same time, as if he were Emperor at the Roman Colosseum condemning some poor slave to death.
But kicking a guy while he's at his lowest moment, while his entire career goes down in flames and his life is essentially destroyed is the essence of class and maturity on what was, at least to all the others, a time to at least behave as if it was a very serious occasion.
Bravo, senator. We like our politicians to be drama queens, just like Blago. We all think you're mega-cool. Let's hope your stunt gets you noticed. For the good of your constituents, of course.
Perhaps we should count our blessings that Sen. Mike just did the thumbs down deal rather than fliping the bird?
But ya gotta admit, that would have been extra mega classy and made us all proud.
Maybe next time.
posted by The Inside Dope @ 1/29/2009
27 comments
27 Comments:
Have you seen the pictures of Jacobs and Obama hugging at the inauguration last week?
I am proud Illinois Senator Mike Jacobs isn't a "wind-blown cookie cutter politician." Not only did Mike "stand out" he "stood up" to Blago before anyone else had the courage. A year an a half later Sen. Jacobs has been shown himself to be well ahead of the curve.
It seemed to me that most of the Senators tried to maintain some decorum and restraint. This exhibition and one other did not add to that atmosphere.
Continued Success.
Pat Quinn's first act as governor should have been apologizing to the people of Illinois. Quinn stood by while Blagojevich committed the actions that led to his impeachment.
Quinn failed to root out corruption for six years as lieutenant governor under Blagojevich. Those years led to higher taxes, fewer jobs and more corruption.
Quinn once called Blagojevich a man of honesty and integrity!
Anon 11:19, no.
Anon 7:50, that's utter bullshit.
Many pols of both parties had their daggers drawn for Blago far before Jacobs got into his little snit with him.
Nice try at your standard bullshit puffery though.
Anon 8:47,
Hmm. Quinn has a solid, long-standing reputation as a clean politician and good-government reformer.
Wonder what you're afraid of Quinn for? Or is the problem that he's a Dem?
It's hard to understand why anyone would be down on him other than the above reasons.
UMR,
As I said, I only saw a portion of the state senators giving their votes.
You mention that someone else acted undignified, do you recall who it was, or at least what they did?
I suppose I should check the Illinois Channel online and see if the entire vid is posted there. But then again, I'm not raring to watch a couple long roll-call votes just to find out.
I will give credit for the legwork to Matty at another site but if this is true Quinn is as bad as any of them.
Pat Quinn on his two time running mate: "Rod Blagojevich always been a person who's honest and one of integrity…I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time." (Chicago Daily Herald, October 20, 2006)
As Illinois State Treasurer, Quinn's Office Helped Finance An $875,000 Loan To Rezko. "Eight years earlier, during his time as state treasurer, Quinn's office helped to finance a Rezko housing project through a program in which the state places deposits in certain banks that agree to lend money at low interest rates. Rezko got an $875,000 loan through the program." (Susan Kuczka, "Running Mates Run With Purpose," Chicago Tribune, 10/20/06)
"Quinn's Deputy Treasurer, Jack Lavin, Went On To Become Chief Financial Officer Of Rezko Enterprises And Was Recommended To Blagojevich By Rezko For His Current Post As Director Of The Illinois Department Of Economic Opportunity." (Susan Kuczka, "Running Mates Run With Purpose," Chicago Tribune, 10/20/06)
"As recently as October 2006, after Tony Rezko's indictment, Quinn was out stumping for Blagojevich. He held news conferences attacking Republican gubernatorial candidate Judy Baar Topinka. He said he believed Blagojevich did nothing wrong, despite the Rezko indictment." (Kristin McQueary, "Patty-Come-Lately on Recall" Southtown Star, 5/18/08)
This is very problematic for me.
Washington Post "One lawmaker after another rose on the Senate floor to accuse Blagojevich of abusing his office and embarrassing the state. They denounced him as a hypocrite, saying he cynically tried to enrich himself and then posed as the brave protector of the poor and "wrapped himself in the constitution" by decrying the impeachment process as unfair."
I guess this is the class that you were looking for. Thirty six Senators were compelled to speak out and kick Blago while he was down. Not one had a kind word to say.
Anon 10:03
Thanks for at least giving sources and some basis for your opinion.
My only problem with it all is that it tries to paint Quinn as Blago's "running mate" somehow.
In IL, as you know, the Gov. and Lt. Gov. often don't have a lot to do with each other. The Governor does NOT pick the Lt. Governor on the slate.
I see precious little evidence that Quinn was somehow Blago's soul-mate in anything.
Did Quinn ever in history say anything nice about Blago?
Yes, he did.
Does that prove anything?
No.
Quinn hadn't even spoken to Blago for several months prior to Blago's arrest. National pundits were even taken aback by that fact.
Quinn had absolutely nothing to do with any of the Blago mess, and you can take that to the bank.
As to Rezko, there's the Republican boogie-man again.
The guy did some crooked things, got popped, and went to jail.
Yet the Republicans act as though anyone who ever met the man must be just as crooked or worse.
This, of course, is horseshit.
Not EVERYTHING Rezko ever touched is automatically criminal or crooked or even wrong, for that matter.
If the stuff you provided is enough to furrow your brow about Quinn, fine and dandy.
But I'd suggest it's pretty thin gruel.
Anon 10:20,
And this proves.....?
Absolutely nothing.
Does it suggest that Jacobs' grandstanding was correct?
I don't think so.
The fact that Blago was a shameless huckster who'd try anything to sway public opinion and try to save his skin isn't an excuse for boorish behavior by senators.
Not one senator had anything good to say about Blago?
What a shock!!!
These people were so scared of the heat Blago brought into their house that they'd sooner spit on him than say hello.
They couldn't bring themselves to impeach him until he got national attention and became a laughing stock. Then they figured out a way to get it done.
Politicians turning their backs en masse against someone who's tainted in public isn't news, nor is it even noteworthy.
Did Blago deserve to get impeached? Probably.
Should he have been impeached? There's an argument for both sides of that one.
Was he given a chance to defend himself? Was the process run fairly? Or was it a kangaroo court?
I'd say it was rigged. But Blago made it worse. Just like always, the legislature dictated how it would be, Blago disagreed and did it his own way, and ..... the rest is history.
But none of it changes the fact that a stunt like Jacobs, and apparently someone else, was crass and undignified under the circumstances.
Even the national news pundits remarked about how somber and solemn the vote was, apparently not catching Jacobs gesture.
And even someone on the floor that day said that no one should be happy about any of it. It wasn't a cause for chest-thumping or twisting the knife in Blago's back.
Vote yes on whether he should be removed from office, and sit the hell down.
I am hopeful that with Quinn as Governor, things could turn around for our state. I am also glad to know that Mike Boland and Quinn could be a ticket in 2010 worthy of support by downstaters and Chicagoans. That could only be good for WIU and our other local interests.
Are you saying that this is not nice. "Pat Quinn on his two time running mate: "Rod Blagojevich always been a person who's honest and one of integrity…I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time." (Chicago Daily Herald, October 20, 2006).
I will provide further information to show that Lt. Governors have always ran together. even these two blowholes.
If you think Sen. Jacobs' "thumbs down" was "undignified" how about the remarks made on the floor during the impeachment vote itself.
Sen. Sandoval said, "Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich brazenly conspired to sell the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. The man is not fit to be our leader."
Sen. Dillard said, “How pathetic is it that we have a governor who says he’s concerned with healthcare” and then shakes down a hospital administrator of a children's hospital for 50K?"
Sen. Meeks, “We have this thing called impeachment and it's 'bleeping golden' and we've used it the right way."
Sen. Noland said, "No one is above the law, not even Rod Blagojevich."
Sen. Murphy said, “Blagojevich reminded us today in real detail that he is an unusually good liar. A man of little character. Nothing more than a crook!”
Sen. Martinez, "Blagojevich's spellbinding performance before us today belied a devious, cynical, crass and corrupt politician."
Sen. Delgado said,"We’re here to restore that public trust, to make sure that our communities are at the table and not on the menu."
Sen. Raoul said, "It’s a lie for Blagojevich to say that he didn’t have an opportunity to present evidence. It's a lie.”
Sen. Radogno said, “This isn’t about disagreement with the governor, as he would have us believe. The totality of evidence shows the governor abused his power repeatedly and over a long period of time.”
Sen. John O Jones, “The governor put the icing on the cake today when he said ‘I did not intend to break the law.’ He did break the law.”
Sen Bomke, “Instead of cleaning up corruption and pay to play politics, Blagojevich and his henchmen perfected it.”
Sen. Schoenberg, "There is no disputing, as the evidence and testimony has overwhelmingly proved, there is a consistent thread tying all the behavior together that demonstrates an incredible abuse of power."
Sen. Watson, “Yesterday’s testimony by Auditor General Bill Holland focused the attention of all of us to what was going --- Rod Blagojevich was stealing anything not fastened down."
Sen. Clayborne, "The governor talked about how he wanted to call Rahm Emanuel, Dick Durbin, as witnesses for his defense. But why didn’t the guv want to call his brother? Why not others mentioned as co-conspirators? The governor has stretched the truth beyond recognition."
According to an October 2006 Chicago Tribune report, "Quinn accepted $17,000 in campaign cash from convicted felon Tony Rezko, after the State Treasurer handed him a state loan in the amount of $875,000."
Quinn also took $5,700 from Harrish M. Bhatt, $4,000 from Raghuveer Nayak, and is closely associated with Blagojevich aide Rajinder Bedi all three who are at the heart of the Blagojevich pay-to-play scandal, key actors in the attempt to auction off the Untied States Senat seat vacated by Obama to the highest bidder.
Obama saying that he won is one of the most arrogant things I have ever heard. This arrogance willbe the end of him.
If you were not so lazy we could return your blog, once valued at $10,000.00 back to prominence. Right now I doubt this blog is worth more than $5.00. If you want me to build up your blog and make it worth something again start posting comments in a timely manner.
"He kept making them look bad. And he did things without kissing their rings first. Can't have that."
Once again, you capture the essance of it all in one small sentance.
I admit I do not know much about now Gov, Quin, some how I feel that is the way it is suppose to be right now. Illinois is to just sit down and be quiet for a while.
Blago would have none of that and he got things done. Yes, Illinois politics is a whole different world, everyone who has lived here very long knows that.
The thing is Blago new how to work it, but he got sloppy. I think some body felt a bit uncomfortable, as well they should.
The news people I listened to sounded a bit like they were sticking up for him. Chris Matthews and his guests, interjected repeatedly that "doing favors" is common everywhere in politics.
Dirty politics is a bad but common thing. I think it is so common that in order to get things done one must just see it as "normal".
It is my true belief that Illinois was being told to sit down and shut up. I predict Illinois will not do much of anything for a while.
I think "Mike Rowe" from "Dirty Jobs" should come to Illinois and be the Gov. for a day.
TID you get my two thumbs up for your comments about our Mike Jacob's thumb down.The Senator lacks graciousness.
Bishop's wife,
I think a lot of Illinoisians feel the way you and I do, that though the Gov. brought a lot of it on himself, that it's unfair to hold him up as if he's some abomination, as if he's the only corrupt pol in the state. For the legislature to collectively toss him out and run from him the second he got held up as a national laughing stock, regardless of what the evidence may or may not show about any criminal wrong doing, has a whiff of shame about it.
At the moment, I feel that they'll likely be able to convict Blago of some crimes, but then again, if you threw the entire weight of the FBI and Justice Department against all of the pols in Springfield, you'd find at least half just as, if not more, guilty than Blago. And that might be a conservative estimate.
So Blago will be off to jail, the press, regarding politics as some sort of entertainment for their amusement, will continue to snigger about him and give him coverage whenever he emerges to spout some of his patented cloying attempts to garner sympathy and cast himself, literally, as akin to Ghandi or Mother Teresa.
He'll be packed off to jail for something or other, which will turn out to be nothing approaching the heinous crimes he was convicted of instantly in the press, and life will go on.
The pols in Springfield can get back to their money game, raising unlimited funds from anyone and everyone who wants their way, and we'll be back where we started.
And yes, if Quinn is able to calm the waters it would be good. Let's hope he's blessedly boring. We could use some of that about now.
Anon 1:14
A list of negative comments about the Governor during debate over throwing him out does not AT ALL have anything to do with what Jacobs did.
A child realizes that.
Because there were senators who had dim opinions of Blago or supported the impeachment conviction somehow is proof that everyone was as loutish as Jacobs?
Are you on crack?
Anon 8:21
Piss off Mike.
You couldn't buy me off back then, and you can't now.
Give your power trip a rest. You can't control everything. Why should you?
And yes, I have been slow to get comments posted. I'll try to do better, but life gets quite busy sometimes.
I like Madigan/Jacobs better than the Quinn/Boland.
Yeah, the guy at the root of all this Blago mess and one of the prime prima-donna's that have lead to the breakdown in state government with a legacy guy who is anti-reform and the essense of the same old worn out money politics that has caused all this.
Just what we need. More of the same.
Jacobs-another embarrassment for the state of Illinois! I'm a Democrat and I'd like to impeach him.
Ya, the last thing we need is Mike Boland, Pat Quinn, Lisa Madigan or any of these other locals!
Although you might not support IL Sen. Mike Jacobs most do. In fact, IL Sen. Mike Jacobs defeated Paul "Eddie Haskell" Rumler in the March Democrat primary and Mercer County Treasurer Mike Bertelsen in the November General election. To impeach a quality public servant simply because YOU don't care for him or her is wacky. Consequently, until Sen. Mike Jacobs runs for reelection in 2012, you are left baying at the moon!
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