Friday, January 23, 2009

Blago: I'm being railroaded so the bad guys can raise taxes!

According to Eric Zorn:
Gov. Rod Blagojevich's public relations strategy for his upcoming impeachment trial became clear during a 40-minute interview this morning on WLS-AM.

It's to portray the proceedings as an unfair fight between a latter-day Frank Capra hero (him) and the cynical members of the political/industrial complex in Springfield who want to oust him simply so they can raise income, sales and gasoline taxes.

If his lawyers fail in a long-shot attempt to have the courts block the start of Monday's trial (the governor vaguely foreshadowed such an effort when he said "We’re going to do something a little bit later today"),  Blagojevich hopes the public will rise up and shame members of the Illinois Senate into voting against his removal from office.

Integral to that effort will be his "empty chair" defense.
In normal times I could say this is something I can be with the Governor on, not raising taxes. The state is in the red, however and he seems to have a knack for proposing big programs. All Kids or a general health care expansion, a state stimulus package for the people of Illinois, or even free rides for senior citizens. All those cost money and he's trying to do it without making a hard choice not to raise taxes. You can only borrow or hit user fees only so much.

Also this argument seems to avoid why there is a move to impeach and remove him now. He did some corrupt stuff that got him arrested. I highly doubt that they're going after him only because he refuses to raise taxes or because he was getting things done by the people. It may just be that he's simply not playing very well wit hthe people he has to work with.

I was listening to the radio and I understand that he was on WLS this morning. I also understand that WLS offered him a job if he resigns. You can see coverage of that at the Capitol Fax.

While this mornings broadcast is available here with a Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3. You can also tune in to WLS at about 6:30 tonight to hear is on the radio as well.

BTW, Capitol Fax also addresses some of his bogus charges as well here & here.

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