Dunk the Blago? Take the Challenge, Illinois; Update 1: Blago Responds

August 8th, 2008 at 01:15pm Aaron Chambers

Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s relations with so many Illinoisans are so horrible that some wondered recently whether somebody might physically assault him had he decided to attend the Thursday parade marking the start of the Illinois State Fair. He didn’t show at the parade, but the point stands: His unpopularity among Illinoisans, particularly those outside of Chicago, is extraordinary.

Is that you, governor?

It’s unlikely Blagojevich will turn that image around any time soon, if ever. But in the spirit of State Fair fun, I hereby propose a way for Blagojevich to begin the healing: He should find a dunk tank at the State Fair, climb in, take a seat and hold his breath. If there’s no dunk tank at the State Fair, his people certainly could arrange one on the fly. If they do anything well, it’s manage a gimmick.

Yes, there would be complications to having Blagojevich in a dunk tank:

1) Hordes of people would make a special trip to the State Fair and line up for their chance to dunk the Blago. State Fair staff would have to work overtime — maybe around the clock for the entire fair — to manage the giddy, ball-carrying crowd.

2) The dunk tank would need a heavy-gauge grate over its face to guard the guv against errant balls. Hey, accidents happen. Maybe lots of them.

3) The governor’s mane might absorb all the tank’s water the first time he drops, rendering the tank not so much a tank as an empty box. A backup supply of water is a must.

Each point is surmountable. And the benefits are vast.

Ordinary folks could ventilate their pent-up anger with Blago and state government, generally. The governor could raise a bundle of cash for state coffers, potentially restoring much of the spending he recently cut from the budget. And most importantly, the governor would have a chance to show some true humility — a trait sorely lacking from his character.

It’s been a long time coming. Take the challenge, Illinois.

Update 1

Blagojevich, at the State Fair this morning, responded to a reporter’s question about whether he would climb into a dunk tank to help raise money for the state.

“Gimme a number. How much could we raise? I’ll look at it,” Blagojevich said.

The audio clip is on this page, which also includes other Blago audio.

Entry Filed under: Rod Blagojevich, Illinois politics