Welcome to Indictment Week
ArchPundit
It’s pretty much consensus, Blagojevich indictments should be coming down the pike this week.
2009
Apparently, Governors Talk to the Press in Normal Times
Pat Quinn is before the Journal-Register’s editorial board live.
Times have changed. While I think he could be more effective with some message discipline, he’s kind of refreshing.
A Minor Audit of the Auditor General’s Web Site
While I think Holland does a great job and one of the reasons he’s so trusted is that he’s not a grandstander, his office could make their work more accessible with a just a few changes.
First, add RSS feeds for new audits releases. Second, offer an e-mail alert for new audits. Virtually every time I go to the web site I find something fascinating–not always surprising, but fascinating. Creating those minor technical features would allow Illinois citizens easier access to one of the best good government tools in Illinois. I think both methods would also be consistent with the professionalism cultivated by Holland. Instead of grandstanding and sending out press releases or having press conferences, both methods are simple opt-in methods for interested citizens.
And the Damage Assessment Continues
According to a lengthy report issued Thursday by Auditor General William Holland, the number of backlogged cases at the state police labs ballooned during Blagojevich’s tenure in office.
Yet, the audit found the state either didn’t spend or transferred millions of dollars out of the agency that could have been used to hire additional scientists to process DNA and other crime scene evidence.
As a result of Blagojevich’s management decisions, the number of scientists working at the labs declined by 3 percent at the same time the backlog of cases was mushrooming.
“Failure to maintain necessary staffing levels results in cases remaining unsolved and serial criminals could remain free to commit additional crimes,” the audit noted.
In all, there are nine labs across the state processing crime scene evidence. The division offers all police entities in Illinois crime scene services, including polygraph and facial reconstruction.
The audit found that the backlog of evidence has grown by 203 percent at a time when the total number of cases only grew by 10 percent.
But he didn’t raise your income taxes.
For extra fun check out the Governor’s State compliance exam. While U of I is audited and some financial controls were lacking, Governor’s State is essentially not keeping track of federal funds for students. Ultimately, Governor’s State could face loss of federal funds for enough of those violations. Thanks Emil.
Reality Show For Rod?
In any normal world Sneed would be making this up:
Rod’s reality . . .
Yipes! Is embattled former governor Rod Blagojevich eyeing his own reality TV show?
• • To wit: “I’m told a reality show is being discussed by his inner circle,” said a source familiar with Blago’s inner circle.
Ya gotta be kidding.
• • Hmmm. Would the show be patterned after “The Osbournes,” where rocker Ozzy Osbourne and his family were trailed by cameras?
• • Hmmm: Or could it be a spin on the hit TV show “Survivor,” detailing Blago’s struggles to climb out of the fed net?
• • The flip side: “We are focusing on all kinds of things,” said Blago’s publicist Glenn Selig, who flew into town to accompany Blago to his WLS radio gig Wednesday morning. “But there is nothing beyond talk. Not even a reality show.”
• • The book side: “He [Blago] is focusing on his book, despite the fact he joked he’s only on Page 3.”
MSNBC already has an appropriate reality show called Lock Up.
Unfortunately federal courtrooms still don’t allow cameras so much of his life for the next year or so would be off limits.
The Illinois Circular Firing Squad TeamWill Not Be Outdone
ICFST== IL GOP
As predicted, Cornyn’s litmus test bit didn’t go over well with the purity of essence crowd:
Then, quite to my surprise, this past Monday, March 23, 2009 Senator Cornyn of Texas was heard heralding the very same thing—“no litmus test”. And to whom is he speaking of to the Main Stream Media—none other than Congressman Mark Kirk. Cornyn goes on to say “we need a moderate to win in a democrat-leaning State”.
I have a few problems with this “litmus test” rhetoric. First of all, the pro-life plank is part of the National GOP platform as well as the Illinois state GOP platform. Pro-family planks are also a part of the GOP platform, at both the federal and state level. Mark Kirk does not reflect the State party or the National party platform on either of these issues.
Secondly, the fact that party leadership would suggest there be no “litmus test” from one side of the mouth; and then from the other purport a seemingly self-serving statement that only a moderate can win, is in essence a “litmus test”. In other words, according to Senator Cornyn (and others) any viable candidate from Illinois need only apply if he/she is a social-moderate. Is this not a litmus test? But of course it’s your litmus test; and without question, it’s OK.
The answer–run to the right! Median voter theorem be damned.
The Democrats have offered up a fairly good situation even in a reliably blue state like Illinois with Blagojevich, Burris, and a state budget crisis. Yet again though, the IL GOP shows why they are the Washington Generals of Illinois.
But the Democrats aren’t content to let their good fortune go without making a little good fortune on top of it and the effort by social conservatives to mandate the election of State Committeemen gets some help in the form of Lou Lang.
“I’m trying to give the Republican Party what it has insisted for the last six or eight weeks it wants: open and transparent elections,” said Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat who pushed for the change.
On the merits, the Republicans are correct–the state shouldn’t be able to tell a private political party how to operate. However, it sure is fun watching. The funnest bit yet was Chris Lauzen:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fsbf1ClsQY[/youtube]
I’ve often had fun at Lauzen’s expense and I probably will again, but that’s not really so much the point about the above. The two sides of the ICFST dispute hate each other. Lauzen makes very clear what he is doing is to fight internal Republican corruption and just called the other side corrupt and a self-interested. Although, Lauzen does it in a very polite tone. What is funny is that either side thinks they can put together a 50% + 1 coalition with this kind if hatred.
Line of the Day
From Rod’s appearance:
Actor from Rod Blagojevich Superstar to Rod Blagojevich: Springfied. Great town…you been?
Daily Dolt: Roskam
Rep. Pete Roskam (R-IL) paid tribute to the NRCC, which he credited with helping him beat Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat and Iraq war veteran who lost both her legs in combat. He recounted how the media loved to tell Duckworth’s personal story. “Even Al Jazeera came in and covered the candidate debate,” he said. “I’m not making it up.”
But he said “a funny thing happened.” “The good guys have come over the hilltop for me,” he added. “You know who came in and rescued me? You did.”
There are so many other ways to frame that story.
Things I’ve Been Too Busy For
In a report accompanying Mrs. Skoien’s arrest earlier this month, police say Mr. Skoien, the Palatine Township Republican committeeman, claimed his wife beat him with the toy guitar after finding him in their children’s playroom with two prostitutes. Gary Skoien denies he was with two prostitutes when police say his wife attacked him at 1:15 a.m. March 8. Skoien has called the report “absolutely wrong” and said the women were friends.
“No money was exchanged. Nobody was naked,” Skoien, 55, previously told the Daily Herald. “I’m a politician. You think I’d call police if I weren’t afraid for my life?”
No money was exchanged. Nobody was naked.
Afraid for his life because his wife hit him with a toy guitar?
She’s 5’4″ 100 pounds according to Mary Mitchell.
Separated or not, taking two women, prostitutes or not, to you kids playroom and getting hit with a toy guitar is pretty much the best thing that could have happened to Skoien.
What’s most uncredible about the story is that Gary Skoien convinced two women to go home with him at the same time and didn’t pay them.
Rod’s Last Hurrah
While he’s making a fool of himself again, remember, the new indictments are due in a couple weeks.