Former Sun-Times Saturday columnist and current Sunday night WLS-AM talk show host Tom Roeser caught a Sunday WLS-TV interview of former Governor Jim Thompson that I missed. His writing is excellent, especially the part about the 2006 gubernatorial campaign, which follows:
“I just want to ask you. I’m sure you watched this from the sidelines, obviously. I’m talking about how the state is being run, currently.”
>From the sidelines, eh? Big Jimbo held a fund-raiser for Blagojevich and was a co- chair of his transition team.
“Not putting you in the position of critiquing a current governor, but what do you think about the way Illinois is being run?
”Said His Hugeness: ‘I think you know, obviously, that that’s a question that will be answered by the voters next November and I have to tell you that my law firm represents Governor Blagojevich so I can’t.‘
”But he could. And did. Praise the governor for the All Kids program. ‘He had to borrow from the pension funds but that’s not unheard of. That’s been done by prior administrations. And he’s gone without a major tax increase. He’s kept his promise…But it’s refreshing to see a guy come into office and keep the promise that he made.’
Then the former U.S. District Attorney said: ‘I know he’s having his problems with personnel and the feds and subpoenas and things like that. We’ll see where it all shakes out…This is not only-not just at the state level, either. This is part of politics.’ Patrick Fitzgerald will be glad to hear his predecessor pronounce his allegations in that tone.
”Reportorial conclusion: ‘All right. Former Governor Jim Thompson, great to have you here this morning. So great to talk to you about a number of different things.’
”And there you have it. The managing partner of a law firm retained by Gov. Blagojevich giving his unvarnished views about Gov. Blagojevich. Too bad, Judy Baar: Thompson’s remarks are suitable for inclusion into the best little Blagojevich TV commercial you ever saw.
”And this is Tom Roeser, saying to Judy Baar Topinka, good night and good luck.”