Illinois governor calls legislators 'drunken sailors'

[Padraig18]

BLAGOJEVICH CALLS ILLINOIS LAWMAKERS 'DRUNKEN SAILORS'

BY MATT ADRIAN
FOR THE SOUTHERN


SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod Blagojevich lashed out Thursday at the Illinois General Assembly, which is controlled by his fellow Democrats, calling lawmakers "drunken sailors" for attempting to reinsert $146 million into the already tight state budget.

Blagojevich's remarks came on the third day of the scheduled six-day session where legislators can opt to override the governor's vetoes on a variety of proposals, including the budget.

"We have an agreed upon budget, I crafted it so that it did not increase the income tax or the sales tax but increased funds for schools, health care and public safety," Blagojevich said.

<snip>

"I vetoed those bills and now the legislature is at it again," Blagojevich said. "It's the type of irresponsibility that got us into this mess in the first place. We are going to keep fighting to change and reform the system and give the people the type of government that stops spending their money like a bunch of drunken sailors."

<snip>

more: http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/2003/11/07/build/top/TOP003.html



In light of Gov. Dean's most recent statements, I posit that perhaps governors tend to speak more plainly, and with less Wahington-esque 'finesse' than do politicians from inside the Beltway; I do know that local reaction to Governor B's remarks has been decidely positive.

Your thoughts? :)

[JackRiddler]

1. What does this guy have against sailors?

Stop perpetuating *hic* that image!

A Sailor

[Padraig18]

2. LOL!

:P

[Gin]

3. Is his legislature mostly Dem or Rethug?

gin

[Padraig18]

4. Solidly Dem

We reversed the nationwide trend and captured all 3 branches of state government in 2002. :hi:

[in_cog_ni_to]

5. People who live in Illinois

appear to be HIGHLY intelligent voters, wouldn't you agree? :7

[Padraig18]

6. I would indeed agree!

We did not run a 'let's play nice' campaign, either; we ran a very Truman-esque campaign--- we told the truth and the Repukes *thought* it was hell.

Hello, fellow Dems--- are you 'getting it' yet? :hi:

[lovedems]

7. I can be a smart Illinois voter too!

:) I live in Springfield :)

[mopinko]

11. don't make too much of bloggo's victory

george ryan was a crook, and a disgrace of such magnatude that even rethugs could not hold their nose tightly enough to vote for him. now, granted, there are plenty more like him in the gop, and much hay could and should be made of them. but, i don't think too many other dems will be able to campaign against a backdrop of a flaming minivan full of roasting children. and the first guy to do it (poshard) lost anyway.

[davsand]

13. Poshard was wrong on abortion.

THAT is why he lost. He was acceptable enough in many areas but he was pro-life and that killed him, IMO.

I've got numbers from that election for our local area and I was amazed at how it dropped off on Poshard and then went back up on down the ticket.

Illinois Dems may be more progressive than you might think...

Laura

[Padraig18]

14. I felt bad for Poshard

Democrats deserted him because of his private, personal belief that abortion is wrong, and never listened to the rest of what he had to say on the subject, which was that he would abide by and enforce Roe v. Wade, since it is the law of the land.

IL passed up a chance to be governed by one of the most honest, intelligent, charismatic and fundamentally decent politicians to ever run for governor of our state, and settled for Ryan instead. :puke: It made we want to beat my head on a rock until I lost consciousness. :cry:

[veganwitch]

8. yeay rod!!!

hes done a great job with the mess that ryan left for him.

[Padraig18]

9. Am I the only one who's noticed that...

... in this day and age, it is Democrats who arte becoming the party of fiscal responsibility? Why do we continue to let the Repukes paint us as 'tax--and-spend liberals'?

[Brian Sweat]

10. The Democrats have always been the party of fiscal responsibility.

Back in the day, we told the Republicans that their massive spending combined with huge tax cuts would result in skyrocketing deficits. They said don't worry, the deficit is smaller than the growth in the GDP. 12 years later we were $5 trillion in debt and they try to blame it on us, because we controlled the house even though they are the ones that voted for the spending bills.

I guess it is our fault for not saving them from themselves.

[Padraig18]

12. Kick