http://www.sj-r.com/news/statehouse/2007/12/02/bernard_schoenburg_strong_reaction_to_story_about/

Strong reaction to story about governor's work ethic

December 02, 2007

State Journal Register

By Bernard Schoenburg

Needless to say, Gov. ROD BLAGOJEVICH's style of governing(?) has generated some heated reactions from folks in Springfield for all of the nearly five years he's been in office. But similar strong feelings are showing up in Chicago following a television news story that raised questions about the governor's attention to his job.

About 200 comments were sent to WBBM-TV in Chicago following MIKE FLANNERY's report that, with the governor's help, ended with a bang. The help was the governor's quick trip to Chicago so the story included video of him attending a Chicago Blackhawks hockey game at the same time the Illinois House was debating - and defeating - the latest bailout plan for Chicago-area mass transit systems.

I've often said these past five years that state government is not the top story in the Chicago area. People pay far more attention to Chicago Mayor RICHARD DALEY and Cook County government. But Flannery's story - which ended up running almost eight full minutes - clearly struck a chord with many people, and the comments were telling.

Here's a sampling:

"Blagojevich is a lightweight that somehow fell into a high position. ... It would be laughable for him to run on his record."

"...The industrial world would not tolerate such ineptness. Blagojevich serves as a living example of the 'Peter Principle.'"

"Can't believe you had footage of Blago at the Hawks game while RTA is going in the tank. Awesome."

"The report ... definitely reinforces the belief by many that he is a totally incompetent governor. He shows the same interest in the state of Illinois and its problems as King George did when dealing with the colonies."
Some commenters discussed a gubernatorial recall, some wondered why the station hasn't gone after President GEORGE W. BUSH in the same way, and some criticized the station for not believing the governor can conduct business adequately from anywhere, given modern technology. But by far, the people who took time to respond were not happy with what they saw.

The governor's office has called the piece "sleazy journalism" and said the governor is in touch with staff and doing the state's business around-the-clock.

The story and follow-ups are available at www.cbs2chicago.com. The comments are at http://cbs2chicago.com/politics/rod.blagojevich.feedback.2.598510.html.

Meanwhile, the Republican Party of Illinois is taking a cue from the story. On Friday, it announced a "governor for a day" contest.

"The winner ... will begin the day at the hour of their choice. From there, they will be ushered to a salon for a haircut and massage. Following their time at the salon they will be treated to a first-class lunch, which will be followed by a tour of the City of Chicago including visits to the Sears Tower and other Chicago landmarks. Ensuring they are treated just like our current governor, the winners will end their day by attending a Chicago Blackhawks game."

Entry tickets were handed out near the Statehouse and the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago Friday. Others who want to enter can do so via e-mail at GovernorforaDay@ilgop.org. The winner will be announced at noon Wednesday at WeAreIllinois.org, a party Web site.

Who says politics isn't fun?

Blagojevich spokeswoman REBECCA RAUSCH, however, was not amused.

"If Republicans spent as much energy on trying to pass a long-term funding solution for mass transit and a capital infrastructure bill as they do on silly gimmicks like this, then their work in Springfield would be done by now," she said. "An idea like theirs is indicative of why they still have unfinished business."