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TechnographGovernor, meet microphone
By The Daily Illini Editorial Board
Posted: 7/7/08 Section: Editorials
The Fourth of July was last Friday, but the fireworks began a little earlier for Gov. Blagojevich and the Chicago press corps. What began as a typical gubernatorial PR event ended in one of the most heated and revealing exchanges between this administration and reporters in some time.
While Blagojevich wanted to talk about his ground-breaking announcement of new efforts to make sure gas stations were properly calibrating their pumps, he immediately was questioned about the ongoing federal investigation surrounding disgraced fundraiser Tony Resko.
When asked whether he was a target of the investigation, Blagojevich dismissed the question as "absurd" and "ridiculous." When pressed further about his characterization of the question, the governor responded like any respected leader of Illinois:
"Because it's stupid."
Anyone who's ever run for fifth-grade class president can certainly appreciate the smackdown the governor just laid down on those silly reporters whom he chided for being more interested in sensationalism than the truth.
As if the truth behind what's really been going in the Blagojevich administration the past few years really needs a dash of sensationalism. For months now, the governor has provided journalists and the public they serve with little reason to embellish or exaggerate. The truth, when it mistakenly finds its way out of the alternate reality that the governor seems to be living in, is more galling that anything that could be made up.
Case in point is another exchange at the same event that in a nutshell, describes everything that's wrong with Illinois politics. Ben Bradley of WLS-TV asked, "Governor, since you answered it 10,000 times, what's the answer? How did Rezko wield so much influence?"
"I've answered that."
Bradley: "What's the answer?"
"The answer is the price of gasoline is really high."
It's long past time for the Governor to start taking his critics seriously. Such action may help his chances in 2010. Of course, if he thinks he has a chance in 2010, he's more divorced from reality than anyone ever imagined.
While Blagojevich wanted to talk about his ground-breaking announcement of new efforts to make sure gas stations were properly calibrating their pumps, he immediately was questioned about the ongoing federal investigation surrounding disgraced fundraiser Tony Resko.
When asked whether he was a target of the investigation, Blagojevich dismissed the question as "absurd" and "ridiculous." When pressed further about his characterization of the question, the governor responded like any respected leader of Illinois:
"Because it's stupid."
Anyone who's ever run for fifth-grade class president can certainly appreciate the smackdown the governor just laid down on those silly reporters whom he chided for being more interested in sensationalism than the truth.
As if the truth behind what's really been going in the Blagojevich administration the past few years really needs a dash of sensationalism. For months now, the governor has provided journalists and the public they serve with little reason to embellish or exaggerate. The truth, when it mistakenly finds its way out of the alternate reality that the governor seems to be living in, is more galling that anything that could be made up.
Case in point is another exchange at the same event that in a nutshell, describes everything that's wrong with Illinois politics. Ben Bradley of WLS-TV asked, "Governor, since you answered it 10,000 times, what's the answer? How did Rezko wield so much influence?"
"I've answered that."
Bradley: "What's the answer?"
"The answer is the price of gasoline is really high."
It's long past time for the Governor to start taking his critics seriously. Such action may help his chances in 2010. Of course, if he thinks he has a chance in 2010, he's more divorced from reality than anyone ever imagined.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Brian
posted 7/07/08 @ 1:20 AM CST
We shouldn't overlook the best part of the entire exchange, coming from the brilliant governor himself:
"Let me tell you something, I know the truth of things and I have nothing to fear but the truth, OK?"
--Rod Blagojevich
I swear I did not make that up. (Continued…)
George
posted 7/07/08 @ 11:59 AM CST
Need we be reminded that Governor Rod's ACT composite score (senior in high school) was a 20. He's simply not smart enough to know that he's not very smart. (Continued…)
Illinois Resident
posted 7/07/08 @ 2:08 PM CST
http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=26342
That link has the entire recorded press conference. Hilarious.
What I Know
posted 7/07/08 @ 4:05 PM CST
What's really hillarious about the Blago "photo and press op" at a Chicago gas station is that Chicago has their own inspectors for gas stations inside the City limits. (Continued…)
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