Dec 17, 2008 9:55 pm US/Central
Truth In Politics: Gov's Win-Some, Lose-Some Day
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (L) waves from his back alley outside of his home on Dec.15, 2008 in Chicago, Ill.
Tasos Katopdis/Getty Images
While his lawyer raised loud objections to impeachment in the state capitol, Gov. Rod Blagojevich won a big victory across the street, at the Illinois state Supreme Court.
But CBS 2 learned Wednesday night that the feds have notified Blagojevich that they might be moving to freeze his campaign funds. That $3.6 million fund is what Blagojevich has been using to pay his huge legal fees.
Remarkably enough, the governor's Web site is still soliciting contributions as of Wednesday night, preferably "by check to avoid credit card processing fees."
In another segment of Truth In Politics, CBS 2 Political Editor Mike Flannery reports on the governor's win-some, lose-some day.
Wednesday provided a flash of the smiling, public Blagojevich, instead of the private and profane raging schemer the FBI claims to have secretly recorded. He was once again quoting Elvis Presley songs, advising reporters to "hang loose," in lyrics sung by The King.
Emerging from his Northwest Side home to go jogging Wednesday morning, the governor said nothing about the astounding corruption charges be faces, but did offer the most extensive public comments since the FBI arrested him last week.
With his job approval rating in single digits, the governor has a lot to explain to most voters.
"He a crook," Elliott Cummings said. "[He] should get treated like all other crooks."
Some people CBS 2 talked to Wednesday night were stunned to hear that the seven members of the Illinois state Supreme Court refused even to hold a hearing on a petition by Attorney General Lisa Madigan. She wanted to ask the court to declare Blagojevich unfit in the wake of his corruption arrest to serve as governor and to force him to step down, at least temporarily.
Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn would automatically become governor, if and when Blagojevich is ousted. He said he's worried that nothing's being done about the state's worsening, multi-billion dollar budget shortfall.
Wasted tax money's a concern of viewers who e-mailed CBS 2, too.
Dan wrote: "With all the scandal surrounding the governor and his obvious refusal to resign, why now must the taxpayers pay for this extra security around his house and his quick rides to work in a nice Suburban?"
Since his arrest last week, Blagojevich has signed multiple pieces of legislation. He's suddenly showing up at his official office at the Thompson Center, a place he only rarely visited. He sent his lawyer to chew out the general assembly. It looks as if the governor is saying to all the people who want him out: I'm still in charge. And I plan to stick around.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Celebrity Watcher: Real Or Fake?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
