http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenThu, 05 Jun 2008 10:05:10 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161787<p>Thanks for coming. I wish that I didn't have to be here. Tony Rezko is no longer Barack's and my friend. He had been a big financial supporter of ours but now that he is broke and can no longer financially help us anymore, we want nothing to do with him. Tony who? On a personal level, I am deeply sad for what may be awaiting me. I am profoundly sad for his children and his wife Rita, who profited along with me from Tony's shenanigans. She has also decided to drop Tony like a hot rock since this financial spigot has suddenly run dry. I respect the decision of the jury but wish they had been willing to announce at least a hung jury, instead of the verdict that they arrived at. I was always under the impression that "Justice was blind." Okay, which one of you told it to get Lasik surgery? You are scratched off Patty and my Christmas Card list effective as of yesterday.</p>Mad MaxThu, 05 Jun 2008 10:05:10 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161786<p>Wait a minute, Budgeteer, Greg-</p><p>The capital bill stimulus is likely derived from American Public Works Association and Federal Highway Administration studies that show "job support" of up to 40000 jos for each $1 bn. Invested. This does not necessarily mean those jobs are created out of thin air- it mostly means that those who are working will continue to be employed, and more productively.<br>Also, that the money will circulate in communities, supporting service jobs, etc.</p><p>As a personal anecdote, the economies of all those nearby small towns in IL were certainly humming like no one's business when the interstate highways were being built.</p>Six Degrees of SeparationThu, 05 Jun 2008 09:53:10 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161785<p>Obama's statement is inane. To deconstruct:</p><p>“I’m saddened by today’s verdict. <br>What exactly makes the Senator "sad?"</p><p>This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew, <br>Actually, Senator, these misdeeds were occuring under your nose, and in fact happened before you entered into a real estate transaction with Rezco. That you didn't know, as you claim, speaks poorly of your own judgment.</p><p>but now he has been convicted by a jury on multiple charges <br>Yes, oddly the conviction happened the day after you secured enough superdelegates to win the nomination.</p><p>that once again shine a spotlight on the need for reform. <br>I'm confused by this. What reform is needed if laws already exist that resulted in Rezko's conviction? And if the need has always existed, where were you when you could have done something about it?</p><p>I encourage the General Assembly<br>Of which I was an 8 year member.</p><p> to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent these kinds of abuses in the future.”<br>Such steps that I had no political will, courage, or ability to pursue as I heralded myself as a reformer in Springfield.</p><p>Sorry, Senator, you should have just kept your mouth shut on this one.</p>phocionThu, 05 Jun 2008 09:16:49 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161784<p>Good point, wait a minute. So if the capital bill passes, involuntary unemployment in Illinois drops below zero.</p>GregThu, 05 Jun 2008 09:14:56 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161783<p>The saddest thing &gt;&gt; it was perhaps the governor's worst hair day ever. The heat (if not the humidity) made his bangs curl up in a way that had to displease him. No wonder he didn't take questions.</p>Mr. CubThu, 05 Jun 2008 09:13:05 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161782<p>Blago: "starting tomorrow... I hope to pass a capital construction program that will stimulate [my campaign fund]and create more than 500,000 jobs [to sell]."</p><p>he is going to need cash for those expensive lawyer bills.</p>GhostThu, 05 Jun 2008 09:05:42 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161781<p>I know this guy(governor) is a jerk. He let all the power go to his head. He listened to people who were not his friends. It's no excuse. He's an adult and should have known better. But watching his press conference I had to feel sorry for him. I will say a prayer for his children. Not Patti because she is part of this. They all have an endless nightmare ahead of them.</p>MaggieThu, 05 Jun 2008 08:46:03 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161780<p>The jobs creation number tied to the capital bill is a figment of the imagination of IDOT and DCEO. I think that if you did some research, you would find those estimates to be highly suspect.</p>Former BudgeteerThu, 05 Jun 2008 08:33:58 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161779<p>He "does it for people" not "the" people. What people is he talking about?</p><p>If I was MJM, the first thing I would do today is tell Blago I want to witness him signing the ethics legislation.</p>DiegoThu, 05 Jun 2008 07:44:01 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161778<p>I realize the Governor has a lot on his mind. But the capital bill is going to creat 500,000 jobs? That translates into a job for one out of 25 people in the state -- and that's if we add children and retirees into the workforce. What effect will this have on private employers? Or are we planning to bring in guest workers from Indiana?</p>wait a minuteThu, 05 Jun 2008 07:43:15 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161777<p>Blago's statement: "what’s happened to Tony" as if it's an external event, like getting struck by lightning. Evasive gaze, lack of eye contact. Defiant body language and parting comment.</p>AhemThu, 05 Jun 2008 06:32:01 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161776<p>All this speculation about the implications of the Rezco conviction and Obama are completely ridiculous. There isn't any evidence that Obama did anything illegal or unethical in terms of his relationship with Tony Rezco. None of the<br>allegations or convictions had anything to do with Obama.</p>Captain AmericaThu, 05 Jun 2008 05:42:26 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161775<p>Suddenly, they can't find the "Reform and Renewal" banners they've been plastering behind Rod at every cooked-up public appearance, and went back to the plain blue curtain for this Nixonian "I am not a crook" statement? Well, count my system as rocked, and my hound's tooth is suddenly aching....</p><p>OTOH, I think it may count as the shortest formal speech Rod has ever given. See, a little sunshine behind every cloud.</p><p>I don't see how he gets out of this hole, he's got no more moral authority, the completely adversarial press is stalking his bully pulpit, the surrogates will now be dropping away like rats from a plague ship, and the campaign fundraisers may as well roll up the carpet. And we have not yet begun the other trials already scheduled. I give him about 60 days, as the Jenga pieces continue to fall out, then one way or another, its hello, Governor Pat Quinn!</p>GregorThu, 05 Jun 2008 03:10:28 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161774<p>Bill is replaying the "emo Blago" clip over and over while ripping down all the Rod posters from his bedroom walls tonight. Actually, tomorrow's QOTD should be, guess or venture a suggestion for Bill's first remark about this upon his return. He's actually a pretty good sport and had a good comeback the last time Rod made him have to facepalm.</p>Fightin' EnnuiThu, 05 Jun 2008 02:46:14 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161773<p>Where's Bill?</p>Yellow Dog DemocratThu, 05 Jun 2008 02:28:02 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161772<p>No good deed goes unpunished! So, if, as he insists everything he does is to enrich the lives of the citizens of Illinois, he is inline for one helluva punishment - like maybe a nice long field trip to the SLAMMER.</p>Sweet Polly PurebredThu, 05 Jun 2008 00:40:13 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161771<p>The reason all of you vultures don't like him is because he is doing everything for the PEOPLE. The people, I say, the people. There seems to be a whole lot of shakin goin on.</p>ShooookThu, 05 Jun 2008 00:28:40 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161770<p>A Citizen ... It's like Heroin to a political junkie like me! Yes, I believe that Pat Fitzgerald, good citizen that he is could not live with himself if he did not do everything in his power to insure that there are no "FATAL" skeletons in Obama's closet BEFORE he is elected. I don't think that Obama would replace Pat - remember he promised the Trib that if elected, he would reappoint Pat and if he is the honest agent for "CHANGE" that he proclaims, he will honor his promise.</p>Sweet Polly PurebredThu, 05 Jun 2008 00:27:46 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161769<p>- Sweet Polly Purebred -<br>Fitz needs to get Obama before Obama has the power to get Fitz. Indeed, the clock is ticking. This is the stuff of Greek Tragedies.</p>A CitizenThu, 05 Jun 2008 00:20:45 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161768<p>If this cancer growing on guv's admin. was thought to be a tumor it has just turned into a threemor.</p>A CitizenThu, 05 Jun 2008 00:14:07 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161767<p>Thinking ... Patrick Fitzgerald will most definitely be "vetting" OBAMA. As methodical as Fitz is, if there is anything to find he'll find it and in a hurry. The clock is most certainly ticking. All we would need now is for Obama to get elected, indicted and convicted in his first year as president - as if Illinois hasn't already set the pace for political corruption.</p>Sweet Polly PurebredWed, 04 Jun 2008 23:36:18 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161766<p>PS - Sure glad I took my ethics test - it seems to have worked so well for the gov!</p>Sweet Polly PurebredWed, 04 Jun 2008 23:30:31 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161765<p>So, at the moment all signs point to Obama being a frontrunner. Doesn't this mean that Fitz's time is going to be up shortly after the new year? Me thinks Fitz is kind of racing against the clock here too.</p><p>Sure, a sitting Gov is a pretty big fish, but Fitz already has one of those on the resume... but getting the goods (if any) on a major party's Presidential nominee???? Priceless.</p><p>I think it's a foregone conclusion that Rezko delivers the goods on the Gov and that the Gov's indictment will come before the end of the year. But, I also think that one of the areas that will be explored in depth with Rezko will be Obama to see if there is anything hidden under the rocks.</p>ThinkingWed, 04 Jun 2008 23:29:46 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161764<p>Truth ... While that may be true, the others did not have quite as much invested in the gov as 'Becca did. And she did have the good sense to get out. Ottenhoff and the other mouthpieces are still hanging about. God what I would not give to be a bug on the wall in Blago's office tonight. Wonder if he's called "BIG JIM" Thompson yet? And what will this do to his $20,000 a plate fund raiser? For $20,000 you can become a co-chair of what - his legal defense team?</p>Sweet Polly PurebredWed, 04 Jun 2008 23:26:18 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/06/04/and-some-of-the-bad-news-for-blagojevich/#comment-18161763<p>I think we should forgive Rod and just stare into his beedy eyes and brush his hair</p>Patty MeltWed, 04 Jun 2008 23:23:46 -0000