Illinois' "governor who cannot govern" doesn't seem to even work

I've always been a proponent of the maxim, that the government that governs the best is the one that governs the least.

But what about a governor who doesn't seem to govern at all? That seems to be what we have with Governor Rod Blagojevich, a Chicago Democrat.

In a recent editorial, the Chicago Tribune called Blagojevich "the governor who cannot govern." But based on a CBS 2 Chicago report by respected journalist Mike Flannery that I watched a couple of hours ago, the Tribune was being easy on "Blago," who once boasted that he had the "testicular virility" to run Illinois.

But Blagojevich can't even show up to work. And if he works at his Chicago home, or at his nearby campaign office, there's little to show for it, based on what political insiders have to say.

Meanwhile, state legislators met in Springfield last night in a special session to maybe fix the mass transit budget shortfall that the governor has "kicked the can" on for months. Blago called for the special session. But Blagojevich wasn't anywhere near the capital last night--he was sitting in the 100 section of the United Center watching the Chicago Blackhawks game.

Blagojevich doesn't even speak on a semi-regular basis with his lieutenant governor, who figures prominently into my post two entries down.

When asked earlier this month when was the last time he spoke with the governor, Quinn replied, "I don't know, couple of months, probably."

From CBS 2 Chicago:

According to his own records, in the last four months Blagojevich made an average of one public appearance every five days, only taking questions from reporters two or three times a month.

The governor does make unannounced appearances, but his office would not reveal how many.

By comparison, Mayor Daley typically faces reporters three or four times a week; Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin almost every day.

The governor's staff told CBS 2 he's often in the State Capitol, but others we spoke to call that laughable. Those sources say the governor is rarely seen in Springfield or at his Thompson Center (in Chicago) office.

Although there is no provision for a recall in the Illinois constitution, there is a move to amend it, just so voters can have the chance to remove Blagojevich from office.

Let's hope it succeeds. Amazingly enough, Blago wants to run for re-election in three years, according to CBS 2 Chicago.

Of course, since US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is investigating Blagojevich's campaign apparatus, Blago may have other concerns on his mind by then.

After all, three of the last seven Illinois governors have served time in federal prison, including his predecessor, Republican George Ryan, who moved to his confined quarters in Wisconsin earlier this month and is currently pondering why men have no sense of aim when they use the facilities he's cleaning.

Thanks for the link:

It's My Mind

Technorati tags: politics Blagojevich illinois Chicago Patrick Quinn Democrats Springfield Illinois Politics