State Auditor Rips Blagojevich Administration

The constant refrain of Rod Blagojevich's successful 2002 campaign for Governor of Illinois, was that as a Democrat and a reformer, he'd make sure that politically connected firms (ones that dole out campaign donations to politicians such as Blagojevich), would not enjoy unfair advantages when bidding on state business.

The days of "business as usual" would be over, candidate Rod promised.

Well, it's not happening the way Rod said it would. Earlier this week, another Democrat, Auditor General Bill Holland, charged the state's Central Management Services office with not following state laws and regulations, and Holland's report claims that politically connected firms are still cutting into the front of the line when the state's cash spigot is opened.

What is the Central Management Services office? Well, they pretty much buy or lease all things the state needs to operate.

Holland didn't flat out say that CMS is breaking the law, but he sent a copy of his report to the Illinois State Attorney General, Lisa Madigan. Although she's Democrat too, Lisa and Governor Rod have chilly relations at best.

Supposedly, CMS had saved the state over $600 million dollars over the last two years by streamlining purchasing operations.

But Holland's report couldn't verify that claim.

Joe Birkett, DuPage County State's Attorney and potential Republican candidate for governor, called the report "The Magna Carta of Mismanagement."

Back to Blago. He looks like a young Dennis Kucinich. Same black wavy hair. Same financial management skills, too?

Bill Holland's scathing report should put an end, at least for now, to Blagojevich's 2008 presidential dreams, as his re-election chances next year are beginning to look dicey. Blago has over $10 million dollars in his campaign fund--no doubt significantly flush with cash from firms doing business with the state. But $10 million--or even $20 million--may not be enough to prevent Blagojevich from becoming a 0ne-termer. The candidate with the most money doesn't always win.

And that is the way it should be.