Mr. Un-Popularity
From our February 2008 issue: Rod Blagojevich was something of a golden boy when he became the governor of Illinois—a young, charismatic champion of change with powerful backers and presidential aspirations. Now he may be the most unpopular governor in the country. A look at how things fell so completely apart
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Over a span of six weeks I tried repeatedly to get Blagojevich to respond directly to this question but was rebuffed by his press secretary, Abby Ottenhoff, who said the governor was too busy to give an interview. But I interviewed more than 20 other people—from current and former members of the governor's administration and his campaign staff to state lawmakers, Democratic benefactors and operatives, academics, pundits, and political prognosticators. My sources included both Blagojevich's critics and supporters—yes, there are a few. (Many people asked not to be identified by name in the article because they wanted to avoid further conflict with Blagojevich or because they still had dealings with the governor.) Several people I spoke to resorted to colorful, four-letter language when describing the governor. The list of printable insults included "greedy," "dumb," "paranoid," and "phony." Even some of Blagojevich's backers are befuddled by his behavior. "I like Rod personally," says one supporter, a prominent Chicago businessman. "But he just hasn't cut the mustard as a governor."
Nearly everyone I spoke to agrees that Blagojevich is facing a career-threatening political crisis. Still, no consensus explanation emerges for his spectacular fall from grace, though several reasons were mentioned over and over. They are, in no particular order:
It's the corruption, stupid! Despite Blagojevich's repeated promises to "change business as usual" in Springfield—meaning, rid state government of pay-to-play politics—he has shown an inability or unwillingness to do so. On top of that, his own administration has been marred by alleged illegal hiring and political kickback scandals.
- His guns-blazing, iron-fisted style with state legislators has resulted in all-out war and, consequently, political gridlock. Blagojevich doesn't want to make deals; he wants a dogfight.
- He picked bad enemies and possibly even worse friends.
- He has never shifted his mindset from campaign mode to the reality of governing—favoring grandstanding photo ops and public-relations blitzes to the serious policy duties of the office.
- He has failed to right the state's fiscal ship, in large part because of his dogmatic refusal to raise income or sales taxes.
- The credibility factor: Lawmakers and voters don't trust Blagojevich—he has broken or reneged on too many promises.
- The buck doesn't stop with Rod. He never accepts blame for his—or his dministration's—mistakes.
- How rude! Even some of the governor's friends gripe about his chronic tardiness, his absenteeism in Springfield, and his enduring aversion to returning phone calls.
This article appears in the February 2008 issue of Chicago magazine.
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anyone who knows Rod knows he's a fraud. It's a shame but mark my words, the Feds will get him.
Excellent piece that sums up the horror that is our infamous governor. Narsissistic, sociopathic, remorseless bully just about sums it up. It might have been different if he had the brain power and business smarts to back up his ego but he's an empty balloon. If he was smarter, he would resign and save his children the embarrassment of seeing their father do the perp walk. But the stroking of his ego takes precident over all else.
I'd like to recommend a sports related process to the solution of the problems of Governor Rod. My wife and I recently moved back to Illinois after living for 28 years in New Jersey. New Jersey has an excellent Democratic Governor, John Corzine, an Illinois native (Talorville area). How about a trade, Blago for Corzine. We could throw in a supply of Vienna Beef hot dogs or whatever it would take to seal the deal. New Jersey is as comfotable as Illinois with flakes and corruption so I think this is a deal that could definitely be done.
Sounds like a fair trade to me!
anyone with a manicured pompador should NOT hold public office
I thought that part of the job description of the Governor of Illinois was that you had to do time in the "slammer" once you were out of office. It would appear ol' Rod is going to carry on the tradition.
I thought that part of the job description for the Governor of Illinois was that you had to serve time in the "slammer" after you were out of office. It would appear that ol' Rod will be carrying on that tradtion.
The Governor of Illinois is a prince compared to the idiot who is running Wisconsin. Jim Doyle takes millions of illegal donations to help him make decisions, is "in bed with" any Indian who wants a new casino and the teachers union, stated that he would raises taxes then raises every fee in the state, wants to tax every business out of the state, has a desire to force "universal health care" on Wisconsin taxpayers, etc...
Count your blessings you don't have Jim Doyle as your Governor.
Definition for Narsissistic is Rod Blagojevich,
How prophetic must the author of the 1st anonymous post feel after this exciting morning?
From outside the state looking in - why on earth do you people keep electing candidates like this???
It's not our fault, we try to elect people with back-bone and spine. . . it just so happens that their spine grew in crooked.
>Dec 9, 2008 01:33 pm
>Posted by Anonymous
>
>From outside the state looking in - why on earth do you people keep >electing candidates like this???
And from what fine state are you from? No skeletons there?
"why on earth do you people keep electing candidates like this???"
I for one did not elect this man, I'd have voted for a statue made of horse poop before I'd have voted for him. Both times.
At least, congratulations are in order: You're going to be rid of him.
Now, let's hope he doesn't name himself Senator from his jail cell...
"From outside the state looking in - why on earth do you people keep electing candidates like this???"
They elected this asno and we elected Obama!
It is too bad that our rulers are so corrupt.
Anybody or entity can give any amount to anyone running for this office. No limits! On Jan 1, state contractors will have limits, but not anyone else. How corrupting must this be? We have to determine to get this law changed, for starters.
Wow, what a psycho. Thank God for Pat Quinn, and especially for US Attorney Pat Fitzgerald. Obama better not even THINK of taking him out.
Is Blagojevich a Democrat or a Republican?
>Is Blagojevich a Democrat or a Republican?
He's a democrat