Can someone explain how Blago got to be governor of Illinois?

[brentspeak]

Let alone a 3-term congressman, among other things? He sounds like someone Al Capone would be proud of.

[rucky]

1. I think we just found that out.

He likes to scratch backs.

[JVS]

2. wikipedia says

2002 election
In 2002, Blagojevich ran for his party's nomination to become governor. Blagojevich won a close primary campaign against former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris, whose base was largely African-American voters, and Chicago Public Schools Superintendent Paul Vallas, who ran strong in the suburban "collar" counties of Chicago. Blagojevich ran strong in southern Illinois, winning 55% of the primary vote downstate, enough to win a primary victory by a thin margin.<12>
In the general election, Blagojevich defeated Republican Illinois Attorney General Jim Ryan.<12> Blagojevich's campaign was helped by his connected father-in-law, Chicago alderman Richard Mell.<12> Ethics scandals had plagued the previous administration of Republican George Ryan (no relation to Jim), and Blagojevich's campaign focused on the theme of "ending business as usual" in state government.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rod_Blagojevich#2002_election

Also he was the first Democrat to win the governorship of IL since 1972

[Critters2]

3. That explains how he got elected the first time. By the second time,

we knew he was corrupt himself. I voted Green (was still in Iowa when he ran the first time), and couldn't believe anyone voted for him. HIs win in the primary shocked me! I'm a committed Dem, but couldn't vote for him. So, I still don't know how he won a second term.

[Robbien]

11. His primary win was over corrupt inept Mary Jo Topinka.

Does that clear up your question about how he won the primary?

A choice between corruption and corruption with one corrupt candidate being also a stumbling idiot about being able to run a campaign.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

13. Actually, it's Judy Baar Topinka and she was the GOP candidate, not a primary opponent.

I also don't think she was particularly corrupt for a repub, either. Granted she looked the other way when serving with Ryan but I don't recall any investigations into her or her treasurers office. I could be wrong on that, though.
Topinka was basically the last repub standing when the IL GOP imploded. She was a reluctant candidate and didn't have a lot of conservative support.

[camera obscura]

5. Very similiar situation to Palin actually, except she ran against her own party

Just replace Ryan with Murkowski.

[Critters2]

4. The Repug gov before him was indicted on corruption charges,

a proud tradition in Illinois, so people voted against the Repugs more than they voted for the Dems. How he got re-elected is what I don't understand.

[randr]

6. Just like Palin, on the heals of a scandal

[AngryAmish]

7. There once was an Alderman named Mell, and he had an ugly daughter

Alderman Mell was thankful to get his daughter married off, so he pulled a lot of strings to get his son-in-law elected to office.

Blago married a girl with a very powerful daddy and has had everything handed to him every step of the way.

[Occam Bandage]

9. She's not hideous.

[AngryAmish]

10. But she sure ain't good lookin'

[Gidney N Cloyd]

14. Amazingly successful realtor, though.

But that's another story...

[AngryAmish]

15. She has a nice touch with the customer

mind you, she does not, technically, meet with customers, but that is another story...

Seems like she is sure pissed at the Cubs for getting swept, tho...

[Occam Bandage]

8. I think you just answered your own question.

He's someone Al Capone would be proud of. That's how he managed to gain so much support within the party. As for how he won election? Well, it's not like he told everyone that he was a corrupt slimebag. In fact, he was running as the voice of reform against the party that was responsible for the convicted felon George Ryan, so that was pretty easy. As for his re-election? It's pretty easy to keep power as a Dem in IL.

[theboss]

12. It's Illinois

The one favor Fitzgerald gave us is not bringing this out prior to the election. Because Illinois is - and has always been - a poltiicial cesspool.

In a lot of ways, it is good that Obama rose so far and so fast through the ranks there. Because it is next to impossible to spend 20 years in public service there and not be involved in something hideous.

[WildEyedLiberal]

16. Al Capone was from Chicago, too - should tell you something about the political atmosphere

4 of our last 8 governors have been arrested/indicted/charged in corruption probes. It's just the Chicago way :eyes:

[SoCalDem]

17. youthful-looking....nice hair? and after Ryan..well..n/t