A "Tie" to Politics

VIDEO: Yepsen talks Blago, campaign contributions

* Related from the Southern Illinoisan…

Despite Democrats being better off without Blagojevich in the headlines, Yepsen said the trial has had a much smaller impact on the party than he originally though. He said voters who chose to punish the party for Blagojevich’s actions had already made up their minds not to vote Democrat and few were swayed by the actual trial.

“This is not a voting issue for some people,” Yepsen said.

He said surprisingly Democrats have seemingly improved their positions in spite of the trial.

Tags: alexi giannoulias, bill brady, blago, david yepsen, mark kirk, pat quinn, paul simon, rod blagojevich, SIU, SIUC

Lawrence: Less talk, more action earns political respect

By Mike Lawrence, Director (retired), Paul Simon Public Policy Institute

The following is an excerpt from Mike Lawrence’s weekly syndicated column.

Soon after taking the reins as Illinois’ 40th chief executive, Rod Blagojevich outed and ousted dozens who had been embedded in state jobs through the shenanigans of the 39th.

Blagojevich named and nailed his targets as he condemned George Ryan’s administration for flouting personnel rules in a vain attempt to shield loyalists from the incoming governor’s firing squad.

“This is the type of backroom, underhanded deal that has marked state government in recent years. It’s a business as usual approach that has been winked at and allowed to go unchecked but will not be allowed in my administration,” Blagojevich declared.

CONTINUED AT THE ST. LOUIS BEACON >>

Tags: bill brady, blago, illinois, jim edgar, mike lawrence, pat quinn, paul simon, paul simon institute, rod blagojevich, SIU, SIUC