A "Tie" to Politics

VIDEO: Yepsen on Gates, Vilsak, Stermer, Blagojevich

Tags: barack obama, blago, blagojevich, david yepsen, illinois, obama, pat quinn, paul simon, paul simon institute, rod blagojevich, shirley sherrod, tim vilsak

Lawrence: Avoiding the next Ryan, Blagojevich

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

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

Tens of thousands of Illinoisans in cities and hamlets throughout the state relish the intellectual stimulation, companionship and shared humanity of book clubs. Why not voter clubs?

They could use the dung of the George Ryan-Rod Blagojevich era to fertilize grassroots energy and empowerment. They could galvanize voter remorse over helping to elect one or both of the disgraced governors in a resurgence of responsible citizenship. They could engage the outraged. They could convert anger, exasperation and frustration into action, enlightenment and fulfillment.

Folks could gather in living rooms, in coffee houses and online.

CONTINUED AT THE ST. LOUIS BEACON >>

Tags: george ryan, mike lawrence, paul simon institute, rod blagojevich

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

VIDEO: Yepsen discusses Blago trial fallout, Kirk’s presser

Another week in the federal trial charging former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich of political corruption brought out names in the White House and the Democratic Party’s U.S. senate nominee.

However the Blagojevich trial does not seem to be having as much of an impact on the party’s popularity among voters, said Institute director David Yepsen.

Yepsen was featured in this week’s video commentary. He said polls suggest voters offended by the Blagojevich incident seem to have already left the Democratic Party.

Yepsen also touched on Republican U.S. Senate candidate Mark Kirk’s press conference in which he apologized for exaggerating on his past accomplishments.

Here’s this week’s commentary:

Tags: alexi giannoulias, blago, blagojevich, david yepsen, election 2010, illinois, mark kirk, obama, paul simon, paul simon institute, rod blagojevich, valerie jarrett