He's kidding, right?

Gov. Rod Blagojevich discounts a recent poll that showed his popularity ratings were lower than journalists. Lower than used car salesmen. Lower than Wall Street bankers. Lower than President Bush. He's kidding, right?

Blago's approval rating, according to the poll, hovered around 13 percent. His rating could be lower, could be higher depending on the margin of error. The Hound, being a pessimist, figures they're lower. Blago's ratings are lower than governors who have done time ---Otto Kerner and Dan Walker, both Democrats, and George Ryan, currently a guest of a federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind.

But Blago said Friday it's not the reported federal investigation looking at everything Blagojevich, including his wife's real estate dealings, or his job as governor. People don't
like him because of the current state of the economy.

He may have something there. Under his watch, we've lost lots of businesses to Wisconsin because the governor of the Badger State returns phone calls from company owners. The state's jobless rate increased across Illinois in September. Lake County's rate skipped from 4.7 percent in September 2007, to 6.3 percent last month. That's not good, Governor Rod. Did The Hound mention the state has lost 14,000 jobs since January?

Meanwhile, Illinois home sales were down 8.7 percent in September and the median housing price dove 9.7 percent to $179,650. A year ago, housing prices were $199,000. Still not good.

So, the governor thinks people don't like him because of the economy. People don't like George Bush because of the economy. Illinoisans don't like Blago, because, well, he's just Blago.

Except for seniors. He gave them free mass transit rides. But those seniors will turn on you faster than a rattlesnake. Things aren't looking good for a third term in 2010.