Marathon Pundit: Unpopular governor will skip Obama rally in Springfield

As I noted a few days ago, a number of Illinois politicians--some with questionable backgrounds--will speak at the Democratic National Convention on behalf of the Cult of Change leader, Barack Obama. One who wasn't asked to speak was Governor Rod Blagojevich, whose deep ties to jailed felon Antoin "Tony" Rezko could lead to the indictment or impeachment of the unpopular Chicagoan.

Probably as an afterthought, "Blago" was invited to Obama's Springfield soiree, in front of the Old State Capitol, where the presumptive Democratic nominee is expected to showcase his running mate. But Blagojevich will be in Obama's part of Chicago, the South Side, where the North Sider will honor a previous commitment to attend the deployment proceedings for 200 troops headed to Iraq.

Funny, why won't Obama be there?

Michael Sneed of the Chicago Sun-Times, who broke the story, has more:

Sneed hears Gov. Blago didn't want to muddy the Obama waters with pesky reporters asking him questions about convicted influence-peddler Tony Rezko, who was this/close to both Blago and Obama, despite Obama's protestations.

Pictured above is Rezko whispering in Blagojevich's ear.

That's not all. Last month, Blagojevich slashed the budget of Illinois' state historical sites--seven months before the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. So the building Obama and his running mate will speak in front of, which is drenched in Lincoln history, is now open just five days a week, not seven.

Related post:

Bad choice: Obama reserves Old State Capitol to show off running mate

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