Archive for January 16th, 2008
January 16th, 2008
State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias keeps a low profile, which in the climate of Illinois politics is probably a prudent approach.
He’s just beginning his second year as treasurer, his first public office. The treasurer is the state’s banker, so a treasurer’s opportunity for public exposure is relatively limited.
Moreover, Giannoulias is the newcomer Chicago Democrat on a scene dominated by Chicago Democrats with huge egos. (Specifically, I’m referring to Gov. Blagojevich, Senate President Emil Jones Jr. House Speaker Michael Madigan.) It doesn’t serve Giannoulias’ political interest to make a fuss, potentially alienating powers that be, right off the bat.
Nonetheless, this didn’t stop him from having some fun today with a hot, politically-charged topic: Blagojevich’s decision to amend a mass transit bailout bill by inserting language requiring mass transit districts around Illinois to grant free rides to seniors.
Blagojevich’s move took the Capitol by surprise and is overwhelming the discussion here. It’s classic Blagojevich: To deflect attention from a point he’d rather not see played up (the fact that he violated his no-tax-increase pledge by accepting the regional sales tax hike embodied in the mass transit bill), he created a diversion (loudly insisting on free rides for seniors, without first consulting with legislators or mass transit officials).
Giannoulias on Wednesday called a news conference to discuss his office’s handling of a state loan made to a Springfield hotel, and he kicked it off with a joke.
“We’re here today to announce that all senior citizens are gonna get a free hotel stay,” he said, drawing laughter from reporters.
Hey, at least the guy has a sense of humor.
Later, on a more serious note, Giannoulias described his impression of the governor’s move.
“Listen, I love my grandma. I love senior citizens,” he said.
“I don’t think it was done in the best way possible. It’s not like they’ve been talking about this for six months or a year, about senior citizens. So to throw it on someone, and a vote (inaudible) takes place, to me seems a little disingenuous. But I’m new to this whole political world so I’m learning every day.”
January 16th, 2008
In Illinois, there’s often little distinction between politics and government. Where does one end and the other begin?Virtually every action by Gov. Blagojevich appears designed to benefit him politically. In the General Assembly, legislative leaders structure votes to help protect their members most vulnerable in the next election.
Then again, there are some hard rules, such as this one: Public officials are not supposed to conduct campaign activities on state property. They shouldn’t be making campaign phone calls and printing campaign brochures and so forth.
But should they talk about politics when they show up in the Blue Room, a room set aside in the Capitol for news conferences, to address government matters?
Such was the question today when state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias appeared in the Blue Room to talk about his office’s handling of a state loan made to a Springfield hotel. Near the end of his news conference, reporters asked him about his campaigning for Barack Obama, the U.S. senator from Illinois and presidential candidate who was instrumental in helping Giannoulias win the treasurer’s office in 2006.
Giannoulias began answering the questions when his general counsel, who joined him at the news conference, approached him and whispered: “We prefer that you not, during state time, talk about politics.”
“Oh,” Giannoulias remarked aloud, “we’re not allowed to talk about politics on state time.”
Reporters weren’t having it. My colleague Bernie Schoenburg, the SJ-R’s political columnist, informed the treasurer: “This is the Blue Room. People do come in here and discuss campaigns.”
At least one other reporter backed him up on that.
Schoenburg was right. Politicians and government officials do routinely appear in the Blue Room and discuss politics, even on state time. This is Illinois. As I said, the line is blurred.
Giannoulias proceeded to answer a few questions about the Obama campaign.
But let’s give credit where credit is due. In Illinois, where public corruption is endemic, at least one state official is concerned about the appearance of misconduct. I’m beside myself.
January 16th, 2008
The Illinois Supreme Court has posted video and audio of yesterday’s oral argument concerning Alan Beaman’s appeal from his murder conviction.
Video is here. (Yes, in the opening shot, that’s my big head on the bottom right.)
Audio is here.
Background on the case is here.
January 16th, 2008
Blago really outdid himself this time.
During an townhall-style meeting that his people staged yesterday to make him look like a hero for pushing free mass transit rides for seniors, the governor took a series of especially nuanced questions from seniors. More here.
Frankly, some of these seniors asked better questions than reporters ask of the governor. Then again, the governor tends to simply ignore our questions as soon as he can sense that a truthful answer on his part might contradict his feel-good, everything-is-under-control message. The governor didn’t dare blow off the seniors yesterday in the way he blows off reporters.
In response to one lady who asked a lengthy question about the governor’s policies on mass transit and taxation, the governor finished with this:
“It’s not so bad. Just hold your nose and take a bus for free.”
Translation: “Listen lady, just shut up, go along with the plan, and let me get some good TV time.”
There ya go. Insult and patronize the folks you’re supposedly trying to help.
Chicago Public Radio has the audio of the governor’s fracas. I highly recommend it.
