This traveling theme park --- Blago's World --- that Illinoisans have introduced to the rest of the nation continues its journey with the last stop in Springfield as state legislators continue on message to boot Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the curb.
Blago opened Monday on NBC's "Today" show, which trumpeted the Peacock Network had the first interview with the (battling, embattled, fighting, combative, struggling, wacky, contentious, brawling --- you choose the adjective), Illinois governor. Then he journeyed to "Good Morning America" to be interviewed by one-time Nixon administration functionary, Diane Sawyer. Is that irony, or what?
Then it was on to the ladies of "The View." Blago was scheduled Monday night to be on "Larry King Live" on CNN and "Nightline". Everybody has promoted his appearances. What, these TV folks think Blago is going to boost ratings?
The Hound can't figure why his handlers didn't try to get him on "The Daily Show" with Jon Stewart or the "Colbert Report" or Leno or Letterman. Wouldn't those guys have fun? Guess Jimmy Kimmel already was booked with too many guests for the governor to squeeze in. Could "Dancing with the Stars" or "The Mentalist" be next?
Another thing The Hound can't understand is who's advising these legislative Republicans? If The Hound was a GOP strategist there would be no hanging with the Democrats on convicting him at his impeachment trial. Senate Republicans should vote "present" when the roll call comes.
Why? Well, minority party members, Blago is a Democratic problem. Let the Democrats deal with it. They campaigned for the guy in 2002 and 2006. Let them undo the damage. Republicans could sit on the sidelines, considering they already got stung by their Dem colleagues over seeking a special election to fill the Obama Senate seat.
This is why Republicans will remain in the minority come 2010. They play ball with Democrats when they should be just fans rooting of getting rid of Blago, like the rest of Illinois. .
The Illinois GOP 'leadership' became too cozy with the Dems, and instead of trying to keep taxes low and expeditures down, made too many deals for special projects so they could stay in power.
Blago's impeachment is something that has to be brought up again and again. The Chicago deal-making that ruined Illinois' finances and the all too common practice of kicking the problems down the road with 'temporary' solutions like selling off toll roads or parking meters. These are things that the GOP could hit the Dems with hard. But too many subscribed to the George Ryan philosophy of just rolling over as long as your project was funded.
Until the leadership changes to one where there is more backbone, the Il GOP will remain the 98 pound weakling on the Springfield playground.
THE HOUND SAYS: Hermie, The Hound likes your reference to the Illinois GOP the "98-pound weakling" in Springfield. You are correct, too, about the GOP rolling over when it came to budget deals. The Hound doesn't expect them not to once Blago is gone. After all, they've had their bellies rubbed enough by Mike Madigan, et al.