We’re going the wrong way

Add comment October 23rd, 2008

This poll shows 75 percent of Illinoisans think the state is heading in the wrong direction.

Not surprising

Add comment October 23rd, 2008

A Chicago Tribune poll shows Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s popularity at 13 percent. That doesn’t surprise me because none of the candidates we’ve interviewed for state rep or state senator have had anything nice to say about the governor. Most have said they favor impeachment.

That brings me back to something I’ve written a couple of times. If Barack Obama becomes president, Blagojevich gets to pick the replacement. My theory has been that he’d pick himself to get away from the mess state government has become. I’ve mentioned my theory to quite a few elected officials and although they think it’s unlikely the governor would appoint himself U.S. Senator, they don’t dismiss the idea.

If Blagojevich stays and runs for a third term (two more years), he’s likely to face tough competition within his own party. Dan Hynes, Lisa Madigan and Bill Daley are just three of the high-profile Democrats whose names have been mentioned as possible challengers.

If Blagojevich were to survive the primary, and he could if votes were split among enough other candidates, Republicans are likely to have a strong candidate from a field that might include state Sen. Bill Brady and Illinois Chamber of Commerce President Doug Whitley.

Yes, I know we haven’t even finished with this election, but the way folks run for office these days campaigning seems to be more of a job than legislating.