To put it mildly, Blagojevich has been plagued by numerous ethical questions throughout his 3 1/2 years as chief executive of the nation's fifth most-populous state.
Topinka, currently the state treasurer, has been quick to jump on Blago's numerous failings, but in my opinion, isn't doing a very good job telling voters why she'd be a better governor.
From the Chicago Tribune, free registration required:
Sitting side-by-side in the wood-paneled Tribune editorial board room in what is likely to be their last face-to-face meeting before the Nov. 7 election, Blagojevich sought to rebut ethical questions that have clouded his first term, while Topinka tried to make the case that she has the vision to be governor.
But each candidate left voters with more questions to ponder after a 101-minute forum in which Blagojevich stayed largely on message by focusing on his list of accomplishments and Topinka responded with sarcasm and accusations of scandal.
Blagojevich said he didn't know whether his family received additional checks from a longtime friend who wrote one for $1,500 in 2003 to one of the governor's daughters after the friend's wife got a state job. Questioned about federal and state investigations into allegations of wrongdoing involving hiring, contracting and fundraising by his administration, Blagojevich repeatedly would not answer whether he had hired a criminal defense attorney.
"I have all the lawyers that a governor in the modern world ought to have," Blagojevich said.
Each side is blaming the other as to why there won't be more debates.
Technorati tags: Blagojevich Elections illinois politics Politics corruption Topinka Illinois
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