18 July 08 - 14:02Blagojavich shoot chicago in foot.
St Louis Today
Governor veers off script, creates image problem for Chicago
07/18/2008
It started out as a mostly harmless bill signing ceremony Wednesday.
By the time it was over, the Blagojevich administration was backpedaling so furiously they were tripping over the tassels on their loafers.
During a press conference to herald the approval of a gun control measure, Gov. Rod Blagojevich veered off script.
The governor suggested that maybe he could call in the Illinois National Guard or the state police to help Chicago Mayor Richard Daley help bring order to the city's violent streets.
"I'm offering the resources of the state to the city to work in a constructive way with Mayor Daley to do everything that we possibly can to help them end this violence," Blagojevich said.
Suddenly, Chicago, which is vying for the 2016 Olympics, is so dangerous that the governor believes armed soldiers should begin patrolling the streets.
On top of creating that global image problem, as well as undermining Daley, comes the fact that the Democratic nominee for president just so happens to call Chicago his home.
When it comes to hacking off politically powerful people, the governor got a two-fer Wednesday.
It became clear the administration realized the miscue when a press release was issued in an attempt to clarify what the governor had said.
Spokesman Lucio Guerrero downplayed the National Guard talk and said the governor and others would hold a meeting about how to deal with the violence in Chicago.
Kiss statewide construction program goodbye -- for now
"The National Guard will only be attending the meeting today for informational purposes. The only way the National Guard would be involved, if they are involved, is with the use of tactical helicopters that are currently used in narcotic operations. No National Guard troops are being considered."
But the controversy over the governor's remarks only intensified.
Almost four hours later, Guerrero issued another statement.
This time, there was even an asterisk included in the statement.
"Governor Rod Blagojevich and top state law enforcement officials met this afternoon during a productive two hour meeting.
"The meeting included leadership from the Illinois State Police and the Illinois National Guard.*
"A variety of plans were discussed that would both have an immediate impact in helping Chicago deal with the violence and long term solutions to curb gang activity. The governor will present the ideas later this week to Mayor Daley and looks forward to working with the city in finding ways to help put an end to these senseless killings. Details of the plans are not being released."
"*As mentioned before, there are no plans to use National Guard troops."
Few who cover state government can remember a governor using an asterisk in a press release.
Here's the situation:
It is well known that Blagojevich has been pushing a statewide construction plan that includes a gambling expansion plan that Daley opposes.
Now he's further alienated the mayor, thus eliminating one more potential ally in his attempt to get a public works program on the books.
He also raised questions about Chicago's Olympic bid and we can only assume U.S. Sen. Barack Obama wasn't too happy about the governor's comments.
Maybe there's a reason Blagojevich enters the Capitol through a basement door when he makes those rare visits to Springfield.
Perhaps he goes down there to check on his approval ratings No comments No trackbacks
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