What was president thinking on Blagojevich?

Throughout Rod Blagojevich’s race against my late mother, Judy Baar Topinka, for the post of Illinois governor in 2005, campaign advertisements would state, “What is she thinking?” as if to indicate that Judy Baar Topinka was mentally unfit to lead. Rod Blagojevich’s defamatory campaign against Judy Baar Topinka was treacherous and untrue.

Legal proceedings against Blagojevich came too late not only for Judy Baar Topinka’s campaign for governor of Illinois but also for the state which still suffers from many of the dismal policies that Blagojevich espoused while Illinois governor. The rule of law was mocked by Blagojevich, who embodied the “pay for play” politician.

Many agreed with Judy Baar Topinka that Blagojevich was unethical and corrupt, including his own Democratic leaders that led the impeachment and removal of Blagojevich from the position of governor in 2009.

My late mother often told me that people would come to Blagojevich’s office when he was governor asking various constituent questions. His office was less than accommodating. These people were just your average Illinois citizens trying to get help from their governor. They often ended up at Treasurer Topinka’s office for help instead. Judy Baar Topinka never turned people away whether they contributed money to her or not. Blagojevich was the model of making money off his elected position with a resulting campaign “war chest” of more than $20 million when he ran against Judy Baar Topinka.

Mr. President, you have now allowed a cancer from Illinois to regenerate and possibly spread to another country. What were YOU (emphasis added) thinking, sir?

Joseph Baar Topinka

Riverside