“hold your nose and take a bus for free”

January 16th, 2008 at 07:32am Aaron Chambers

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.

Entry Filed under: Transit, Illinois politics