CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Carl Nyberg — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 13:42:46 -0000

Some activist tried to sign me onto the napalm opposition project b/c I was a member of Veterans for Peace.

I declined. I didn't have to do any research to figure out that a bunch of stuff as flammable or toxic as napalm is shipped by rail every day. Napalm has more cache because of its association with the Vietnam Nam War.

I did notice Blagojevich ran with the issue and got himself in the papers.

But Rich's column is too kind to the media people who are too unsophisticated to separate real issues from grandstanding on something almost entirely irrelevant.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

hensly — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 19:57:43 -0000

Great column and concept. I like the "backbencher" t-shirt idea as well. I'm still waiting for someone to put the Governor in "TIME OUT"!

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

dc — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:17:09 -0000

Steve Schnorf's comments earlier were spot-on. We have significant issues facing the state and, to solve those issues we need pragmatic leaders. Although it was over 11 years ago, I vividly recall being on the House floor listening to Governor Edgar's Budget Address when he used the phrase "... not bigger government, better government." That was a time when the state budget was approximately $36 billion and people were irate that the budget was growing out of control. Eleven years and nearly $20 billion later, people are still screaming that there's not enough money.

Glenn Poshard's analogy in 1998 about the family sitting around the table, balancing its revenue and its bills, is still as accurate today. The state doesn't have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. The Blagojevich people would be well served to take the valuable advice from Steve Schnorf and others who have done it before (and did it well) rather than pointing their fingers of blame at perpetually moving targets.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Napoleon has left the building — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:00:47 -0000

Milorod - "voted for Reagan, not once, but twice!" proudly he shouted.

Jackson - you make a good point that the programs fail because of the messenger not the message. If you heard anyone from the budget office talk about the GRT - it sort of made sense. When the governor himself pitched it - it made you want to puke. This guy can't sell blankets to eskimos because he has absolutely zero credibility. His word is worth nothing - that's why the whole deal with Watson earlier this week was puzzling.

Great column Rich.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

one of the 35 — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 15:00:38 -0000

As long as we are "praising" the governor, permit me to add that he is also a very mean person who does not care one whit if he victimizes state employees to make a point. He has caused great pain and upheaval to many individual's lives just to garner headlines.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Team Sleep — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:44:41 -0000

The only difference between Rod B. and George B. is their names. Seriously. Both "hate" taxes; both have staffs that tell them only what they want to hear; both have increased spending when there is no extra funds; and both have pet projects/plans they want implemented. And when they don't get what they want, they whine about it and try to throw the opposition under the bus.

I agree with Skeeter. I think there is somewhat of an underlying battle between the populist liberal and "Southern Democrat" mentalities. One side wants to spend and create new bureaucracies and the other side wants to help people but find ways to do so other than merely throwing money at the problem and taxing everyone under the sun to do so. But Rod takes it one step further when he clamors for attention and refuses to cooperate. Eventually, something has to give, but he apparently doesn't see that.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Objective Dem — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:20:10 -0000

I agree that this is a very good article particularly because you provide a level of analysis that is largely missing from the mainstream media (with the exception for your syndicated column). You should teach political reporting. The need is there.

As predicted, the majority of commenters use this column to talk about how bad Rod is. I'm not going to disagree, I'm just bored with the obvious.

My interest lays in the issue of media coverage of backbenchers. The media will treat backbenchers and loons with more seriousness and attention than they deserve and more than people with real substance. For instance, my impression is Jesse Jackson Jr. is a classic example of a backbencher, but the local media is building him up to be the next mayor.

Rich, I don't want to put you on the spot, but can you identify any back benchers besides Rod, that are moving up the ranks due to style over substance.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Skeeter — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:14:22 -0000

Massive budget deficits, an administration rocked by scandal -- this does sound like Reagan.

I'm just glad that Blago identifies Reagan as a "former United States President." He may be smarter than I thought.

In all seriousness, his administration has been as unfriendly to business as any administration I remember and it appears to be a matter of policy.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Rich Miller — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:08:23 -0000

Skeeter, the governor told me a couple of weeks ago that he considers Reagan a "great president." I had fun tweaking Jay Hoffman and him about that statement.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

City Voter — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:07:57 -0000

While I agree with your column wholeheartedly, the average person who sees the splashy press coverage will continue to vote for this guy, viola, the cycle continues. The "pick & demonize defined enemy" modus operandi really works for him and all the "little guys" eat it up. No intelligence required. Sorry to be a cynic, lived in Chicago too long.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Skeeter — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 14:02:47 -0000

Captain America,

He says he voted for Reagan. I once voted for Jesse Jackson, Sr. in a primary. Big deal. Unless we were voting somebody off the island, I wouldn't vote for Jesse Sr. for anything and Blago sure wouldn't vote for Reagan.

With regard to the taxes: Blago believes that the income and sales tax are taxes on the individual/consumer, while his GRT is a tax on buiness. Simplistic maybe, but I never said Blago was smart. I said he was a liberal.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Captain America — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:47:34 -0000

Skeeter,
I don't see how you can characterize a self-desccribed Reagan Democcrat as a liberal. His obstinate conservatrive fiscal policy - no income or sales tax increases- dooms his liberal policy agenda. In effect, Balog is trying to have his cake and eat it too, since his fiscal policy contradicts and precludes achievement of his policy agenda.

I think this legislative session has been a naked struggle for power and control, rather than a struggle for the soul of the Democratic Party. Blagojevich lost the struggle due to blatant politcal and governmental ineptitude.

Madigan, who I consider a pragmatic fiscal and social conservative, would have supported a combination of sales/business/personalincome tax increases to fund programs and eliminate the State's structural deficit. The Governor would not support any sales and income tax increases, and his untransigent unwillingness to compromise fiscally and in terms of policy intiatives,like his health care proposal,has prevented him from achieving his policy agenda.

I'm looking forward to a generational change of leadership in the Democratic Party and Illinois government in 2011. The first step will be for the Semate Democratic caucus to induce Senate President Jones to step down, involutarily if necessasry. Madigan will retire after in 4 - 5 years or so. Blagojevich will either be indicted and resign or be defeated in the next Democratic primary. And the rest of us will keep muddling through as best we can.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Milorad — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:28:04 -0000

Skeeter, that was a well thought out analysis but I don't buy it. I think Blagojevich's personality is at issue here. I think he just can't help being combative. If Madigan were the one wanting massive social programs Blago would take the opposite tact. After all Blago admitted to having voted for Reagan.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

nino brown — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:18:19 -0000

way to go rich. some of your best work. rich miller is becoming a brand name.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Chicago Cynic — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:14:19 -0000

Skeeter, I think you're giving Rod waaaaaaaayyyyy too much credit on this one. He has always been willing to cut deals to promote business if that suits his interest. I still think this is more of his "reach exceeeds his grasp." He wants to go down as a bold, history making leader because he can see that about himself in the history books. But his maturity, intellectual and personality flaws are so deep as to prevent that from happening.

BTW - I know this is off-topic (though there are similarities with Rod), but I thought it was funny that Edwards made a big deal about not appearing on the cover of Fortune at the same time he appeared on the covers of Esquire and MensVogue. What moron campaign guy told him it would be ok for Mr. $400 pretty-boy haircut to appear on a men's fashion mag. Kind of like spending $600 on makeup for a budget address...

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Captain America — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:14:01 -0000

Amy.
The bungalow dwellers need mass transit more than Julie's so-called superrich constituency. Julie's liberalism had nothing to do with the failure to pass a mass transit funding bill, it was the Governor's obstructionism that was the impediment. My understanding is that the transfer tax was more problematic that the sales tax, except in the Governor's mind. Madigan/Hamos would have passed a mass transit funding bill,if it had not been for Governor Strangelove.

By the way, Julie Hamos has been a very strong Blagojevich supporter from the beginning of his quest for the Governorship. So it's probably not inaccurate to cite this as another instance of infamous political ingratitude on the Governor's part.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Rich Miller — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:01:40 -0000

Skeeter, you may have a point, but I think you're overthinking this. It's not a battle for the soul of the national party writ small here. It's a battle for ownership.

The back-bencher mentality is just part of the problem, but it's a big part, and it's why he's losing the ownership fight as well.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Shallow Pharnyx — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:01:32 -0000

Lou Hartz/Anon
Great pschoanalysis of Blago!!

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Skeeter — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:59:29 -0000

Blago may be a backbencher, and a complete inept leader, and many other things, but I disagree with the idea that his backbencher mentality has caused the current problem.

At risk of giving Blago more credit than he deserves, I genuinely feel that this is a battle for the soul of the Democratic Party, which you also see playing out on a national level (the analogy being Edwards v. Clinton).

Blago, like Edwards, is an old line "liberal" in the worst FoxNews version of the word. Those two have never seen a problem that cannot be solved by throwing money. Edwards said that his picture would never be on the cover of Fortune Magazine (as opposed to Sen. Clinton), and Blago seems to view matters the same way. Business is bad. Government is good. That is the worldview of Blago and Edwards.

Madigan and Clinton, on the other hand, realize that programs have a price and the taxpayer must pay that price. Madigan wants to help those who cannot help themselves and he would like to have better transportation, better schools, etc., but he is not going to bankrupt the state or drive business out of the state to accomplish that goal.

Ultimately, this is a fight that matters for Illinois. The winner will determine what the Democratic Party stands for. When Blago called the Speaker a Republican, he was serious, since Blago believes that limited government and a business friendly environment are only for Republicans.

Sure Blago is a backbencher and a horrible leader. Those are serious character flaws and are useful for explaining to some extent how Blago was elected. But I don't think it summarizes what this battle is all about.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

steve schnorf — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:56:57 -0000

My house has a whole lot of glass in it, and for that and many other reasons (not the least of which is, unlike some of you, I have a decent understanding of just how hard a Governor's job is) I am reluctant to throw stones. Given that:

I don't think the Governor's health care proposal suffered because it was his, I think it was harmed by the fact that it was very expensive and the proposed means of paying for it were seen as adding to the already proposed business tax increases called for by the GRT.

I alternate between two positions on the Governor's proposals. By nature I am moderate, and therefore inclined toward gradualness and incrementalism, and that's how Governors Edgar and Ryan approached expanding health care coverage (successfully I might add, but on a far smaller scale). That piece of me saw the Governor's big proposals this year as trying to bite off too much at one time.

But another piece of me was very impressed by the very scope and boldness of what he proposed this year; expanding to virtually universal health care coverage, solving the pension underfunding problem, and dealing with education funding reform. It was, IMHO, a masterwork of comprehnsiveness, something far grander than even a Thompson ever proposed. It said here are 3 great current problems in Illinois, and here is a proposed solution. And I don't see as much unwillingness to compromise as some of you do (witness property tax relief).

The proof, I guess, is in the pudding, and we haven't (so far) ended up with any. At this point I'm still wondering whether the same proposals, funded by a two point increase in the income tax rather than GRT, could have been accomplished. I suppose we'll never know.

I reiterate my statements that I like most of this Governor's agenda. Expanded early childhood education, expanded health care coverage, addressing the pension problem, education funding reform, are I believe, good things. But they have to be paid for and I guess I think that's where this administration has been caught up. Pledging to not increase the income or sales tax may be good politics (Edgar did it during his first gubernatorial campaign), but it probably isn't good government from a moderate point of view. A conservative can make that pledge, because he/she will propose no grand program initiatives. I think the administration has governed on the spending side as if it was willing to substantially increase base revenues, but hasn't been able to find a way to do so within the limits of the pledge.

Don't lose site of the fact that the current legislative budget, which is being denounced left and right as inadequate, raises GRF spending by close to 8%, a huge (unprecedented?) increase by historical standards . Without getting into whether such increases are good or bad, I can flatly guarantee you that they can't be sustained within the state's current tax structure.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Captain America — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:56:04 -0000

Anon.

If the Governor had had the good political sense to make this compromise before May 31, the scaled back health plan might have passed. Overtime, which requires supermajorities and hence Republican support,doomed the Illinois covered proposal. Thereafter, the Governor compounded his problem by attacking Democratic leaders and rank-and-fle legislators repeatedly,and alienating all but his small group of die-hard legislstive supporters. His irrational political behavior and rhetoric during the entire overtime session, negated any remote chance that Illinois covered might have had in overtime. In terms of political capital, my guess is that the Governor's political net worth is negative.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Team Sleep — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:55:35 -0000

Great article and summation, Rich. Bankbenchers in Congress are a dime a dozen, and the leadership's relationship with their rank-and-file is not much different in D.C. than it is here in Illinois. Rod did very little during his time in D.C. and he wanted people to ignore that fact when the 2002 primary and general were at hand. To me, a politician should actually do something or have a good track record to prove to voters that he or she should move up in the government food chain. Rod did not have that, and it is evident in his style of "governing" and "negotiations".

YDD's 10:52 post hits the nail right on the head. I don't see the governor as a capable leader. He does not strike me as too terribly bright; he does not get along well with others; and he is selfish. He does truly fit the cynic's view of a politician.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Nickname — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:52:35 -0000

"actually, maybe we can blame Julie on this one.
a sales tax increase and a transfer tax, both
taxes on consumers and weâ€™re supposed to like
that?"

Those taxes bring in SUSTAINABLE revenue.

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Garp — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:51:07 -0000

Man Mr. Miller that is a good column.

When Blago first was elected Governor I was very happy and had high hopes. I had known him for years and was eager to see him use his high energy and gregarious manner to implement programs to help people. I didnâ€™t realize that this â€œback bencherâ€ mentality you so ably describe would cause him to immediately alienate the individuals needed to succeed. Instead of learning from his early mistakes, he keeps getting progressively more obstinate and ineffective.

His failure to even speak to his Lt. Governor speaks volumes, at least to me, about how his mind works. He believes he is better and smarter than his fellow elected officials. This lack of humility and need to claim all credit makes it impossible for him to govern effectively. He wants to out-politic the leaders, out reform the reformers, embarrass the republicans, discredit his mentors and punish legislaturesâ€™ whom donâ€™t go his way. He is trying to be all bad things to all people and it is working.

That is a shame because a well thought out and constructive healthcare and transportation program would be a huge benefit to our state. It would attract businesses. I have to believe that his leadership is stunting progress and repelling potential growth

Re: Blagojevich can’t stop being a backbencher

Ghost — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:50:57 -0000

Jackson, the problem with the healthcare reform is the Gov setup a great idea to fail. He did not rally concensious and support before making his press announcements. he did not have proposed language ready to go before touting the plan. I still think the 3% payroll tax is a fantastic idea, but the govs approach is still the problem.

He takes a grandiose idea, runs to the press with it for publicity, then trys to figure out how to do it later. Just imagine if he came up with the structure before the big announcment; had submitted his idea with actual language and garnered support for it before he went to press; and then came forward with lnaguage and support in hand.

His whole methodology is almost childlike in its simplicty. Announce a big idea, with little detail, to the public that he thinks the public will want. Then try to get the public to put pressure on the GA to make the idea a reality. A true leader would have a detailed plan to work from and get support from the GA instead of governance by press release.