CapitolFax.com - Latest Comments in Question of the day

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:40:09 -0000

personable, charming, etc etc...played catch football with a kid who still remembers him.

Re: Question of the day

Ahem, The REAL Anonymous — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 02:17:19 -0000

Yes, that was a nice gesture. How was he with the people you introduced?

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:05:25 -0000

I was asked by my county chair to pick up this Congressman from Chicago and bring him to our Labor Day Picnic. I met Rod and 4 people travelling with him that day. I took him and his staff and introduced him around. The one thing that stuck out most from that meeting was Blagojevich's staff asked me to compile a list of people he met. Off the top of my head I sent his staff 50-60 names and addresses. Several days later Blagojevich called me at my work and said the most important person on the list to thank was missing, me. I thought that was a heck of a nice gesture. Only time I ever talked to the guy. Makes me think I am gulible or just WTF went wrong.

Re: Question of the day

Arthur Andersen — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:00:01 -0000

The one-and only-time AA was in the same room with The Defendant was for a bill signing ceremony toward the end of his first year. He was in a hurry to boogaloo out of there to some party at Finkl's and some of the peeps there for the ceremony were not at all in a hurry.

He was antsy, cracking one-liners like Henny Youngman in the Catskills trying to get these people out of Dodge (this was, for the record, a Friday in Springfield in December.)

Once pens were passed, a million pics were snapped, (he touched the hair before every shot FWIW) and the blabbers gone, he grabbed his coat and said to AA and the guy with me, "feel free to use the office. Make some phone calls, take pictures, whatever. Merry Christmas."

AA had been in that office before with three prior Govs but never had that offer.

Re: Question of the day

Zora — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:14:09 -0000

Rich, this QOTD has been like a long cool drink of water after this week's tumult; giving us much needed doses of humor and insight. Thanks for thinking of it.

Re: Question of the day

Spring1 — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 19:07:59 -0000

During his first year in office I met with the guv in his office as part of a group discussing education improvements. I was very surprised when he said, "If I had had any idea what kind of financial shape the state is in, I never would've run for governor." It struck me as true--but weird to announce it.

I'm not surprised that he wanted to leave his post for something cushier like a do-nothing job a titular head of a non-profit or union. He didn't want to serve out his term and now--well, he may be serving an even longer one. Ah, Illinois! May as well put on the state crest "From inauguration to incarceration."

Re: Question of the day

Vote Quimby! — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:38:42 -0000

About four years ago I followed him at a photo op (for which he was actually on time--a rarity) and told him about trying to get an interstate highway named after Senator Paul Simon. He referred me to a staffer, and I never heard back from them. It was later I found out about the friction between RRB & the Simon family.... btw Pat Quinn took over the issue and now we have 4 highways named after Paul Simon!

Re: Question of the day

Belle of the Blog — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 17:09:06 -0000

Most recently at the DNC in Denver... he just seemed really happy that someone was talking to him, since most people at the luncheon were awkwardly looking away, like they hadn't noticed him there.

Re: Question of the day

Boscobud — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 16:00:50 -0000

Blago has far to many screws loose. I thought this was a one time problem, but from what I am reading he is a loose cannon. I was trying to give him a little slack but I am obviously to naive to see this. Sorry for my last post.

Re: Question of the day

Green — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 15:43:17 -0000

Walking up Ashland Ave last year I saw the Gov and three portly middle aged goons outside Fiorentino's. This was in the middle of the CTA's perennial budget crisis so I asked him about it. He was quite garrulous and blamed the whole thing on Madigan. We talked for probably 30 minutes or so, which seemed a very long time, considering it was freezing cold and 9 or so at night. I'm quite certain he'd been drinking as he kept repeating things and would go off on little tirades with his people. Eventually the cook came out because he wanted to meet the star, and I made way out. Though not before letting him know that I'd voted for Whitney.

Re: Question of the day

Anonymous today — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:55:35 -0000

He once told me that he voted for George H.W. Bush in 1992.

Re: Question of the day

Big Mama T — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:52:14 -0000

Uh, I meant he yelled something unintelligible at me.

Re: Question of the day

Big Mama T — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:50:23 -0000

I have had a couple of "encounters" with Blago but have never spoke to him. One day I was having a smoke outside the JRTC. My usual spot was near the door where Blago used to run out and hop into his SUV on the west side of the building. On this particular instance he hopped into his SUV, rolled down the window, stuck his head out and then stuck his tongue out at me. The other instance he did almost the same thing but this time he yelled something intelligible at me and waved. It was a curious wave. He seemed to have all of his fingers in a little fist except for one. And it wasn't his index finger.

Re: Question of the day

Sophie G — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:18:04 -0000

At a news conference following a bill signing a couple years ago, the Gov was asked some questions about the legislation, which was a little complex, and what sort of positive impact it would have on taxpayers. He looked like a deer in headlights and was unable to give any details about the bill he just signed. It was stunning. To his credit, he played it off and said he was going to give a staffer their 15 min of fame by asking them to answer. But it was surreal and embarassing to watch him so unprepared.

Re: Question of the day

Randall Sherman — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:08:23 -0000

the last time I spoke to Gov. Sleazy was when I attended the wake of his mother-in-law, Margarget Mell, two years ago. He actually sounded like a normal human being for once as he introduced me to the brother of the deceased. Unfortunately, it has become apparent that Rod is incapable of acting like a decent person for an extended length of time.

Re: Question of the day

shouldaknown — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:03:49 -0000

The real RRB is best illustrated by the following, which I know from personal experience: The gov's chicago office is on 16 at the JRTC, but part of the staff is just down the stairs on 15. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but to my knowledge he has never set foot on 15 and never met a number of staffers who have worked for him for years. He has never attended an office function or a holiday party, almost never thanked anybody for their service, never invited junior staff to a function of any kind, never convened a staff meeting, etc. etc. etc.

Re: Question of the day

WAR DOG — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 13:54:49 -0000

I have spoken to him up close many times--One I remember was him asking me about whether I thought he should have a certain security person promoted. I said to him that he should not be a person that would be making decisions over others. The next day he made a two step promotion of that person, which later on he was fired. About three days later the Gov asked me what I thought of what he had done and I said it didn't make any difference what I thought that he was the Governor. He looked at me kind of funny and flipped his hair and went into his office. He never asked me anything again. He is highly PTSD and has a 1000 yd. stare like you can't beleive.

Re: Question of the day

Snidely Whiplash — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:50:55 -0000

Several years ago, before he was a congressman. I only recall commenting to someone after he had left, "What an idiot!"

Re: Question of the day

2ConfusedCrew — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:46:41 -0000

I have spoe with a number of times but this anecdote is an event I witnessed
GRod was running late for a bill signing and a another attendee encountered retired judge/ friend who was in the building for another event. When GRod finally arrived he was introduced to the retired judge. GRod asked what is doing. The judge said mediations. GRod turned to his stooges and said "we got to find this guy some business"
That issued had not been raised.
Everyone was embarrassed. Even the stooges.
A slice of life

Re: Question of the day

Paris — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:17:57 -0000

At the St. Patrick's day parade last March, the governor was feverishly shaking every single hand in the crowd. I asked him who he'd name to the senate seat should Obama be elected president. He responded "send me your resume," to which everyone laughed (except me). I should've told him I'd send him a check instead.

Re: Question of the day

Been There — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:13:26 -0000

I have spoken with him muliple times since he started running for gov and being elected. Been in meetings and small fundraising dinners with him also. Those were all the same with him never turning off the standard lines and telling the same stories (black girl who thinks he is Daley, something about the Cubs, etc.). But one time that sticks out was during the fair one year. He was with his family in the grandstand area and he was playing with his daughter by chasing her up and around a short handicap ramp. He kept this up for at least a half an hour, maybe more. I kept thinking of how devoted of a dad he was to keep chasing after his girl in a very repetitious game. Then I realized one of his press persons was off to the side giving him updates on which media outlets were picking up the story about the state planning to buy prescription drugs from Canada. He was very good at mixing the job of father and governor.

Re: Question of the day

Shelbyville — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:13:01 -0000

My nephew was working, parking cars at the last inaugural. The governor came out to talk to the boys and said "How the f*** are you guys?" I am not lying.

I met Richard Mell when the governor elect was being shown the governor's mansion. He told me that Rod is a "Bill Clinton with morals." All I could do was sort of nod my head.

Re: Question of the day

anon — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:04:29 -0000

yes, regarding the "rules amendment" scenario, to paraphrase, he stated that "JCAR could meet in the middle of the night and undo a law, you would never know what happened..."

Re: Question of the day

Bookworm — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 12:02:07 -0000

As a newspaper reporter I happened to meet him in person a couple of times. Both instances were basically photo ops -- one spontaneous and one staged -- involving kids.

One instance involved a young boy and his family whose neighborhood urgently needed a grant for a new water system. The boy's grandmother (who had once been a legislative staffer) hit upon the idea of having the boy's classmates write "valentines" to the gov and having the boy deliver them in person at the Capitol on Valentine's Day. They ended up doing it the following day, when Blago was giving his budget address.

Blago invited them (and me, with notebook and camera in hand) into his second floor office, and listened to them explain the situation. Then he posed for pictures with the boy and his collection of valentines. He said he'd have COS Harris look into what could be done. A week later, they did get their grant.

I do remember the office being packed wall-to-wall with very well-dressed staffers and other people and a bunch of sandwich and snack trays set out as if some kind of reception were going on.

The three of us also happened to meet Lt. Gov. Quinn that day. His office was much more quiet, and he took the time to talk to them (and me) at greater length than Blago did. He seemed to me to be more sincerely interested in what they had to say, and a bit more courteous.

My second Close Encounter With Blago occurred when he visited a local woman's home to promote the All Kids program. He was only about 20 minutes late, which other reporters present said was pretty good for him. The woman's 5-year-old daughter had carefully colored a picture which she wanted to present to the governor. He accepted it and said he was going to put it in his office.

I wonder what those kids and their parents are thinking today. Those kids should be able to cherish the memory of having met the governor of their home state; but will they ever be able to now?

Re: Question of the day

wordslinger — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 11:58:44 -0000

Uh, Boscobud?