From the AP

Blagojevich's cash campaign prompts renewed calls for reform

December 12, 2006

By Ryan Keith The Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- In the governor's race, money meant everything to Gov. Rod Blagojevich, nothing to Rich Whitney and not nearly enough for Judy Baar Topinka.

Blagojevich used a huge campaign war chest to easily beat Topinka and Whitney in Tuesday's election.

In fact, if the candidates spent all $23 million they reported raising for the race, Democrat Blagojevich's total comes out to more than $10 a vote -- dwarfing Republican Topinka's $5 per vote and Green Party candidate Whitney's mere 9 cents a vote.

Even so, the spending paid off for the governor.

Blagojevich, who spent a huge chunk on a barrage of unflattering television ads aimed at Topinka, won with 49 percent of the vote to Topinka's 40 percent, while Whitney came in with about 10 percent, according to unofficial returns.

Despite trailing by a huge margin, Whitney boasted that he definitely got the "biggest bang for the buck" with his campaign.

And now that the big spending is over, campaign reform groups say it's time for Blagojevich and other candidates to more closely follow Whitney's frugal approach.

They're urging the governor, fresh off his victory, to respond to public disgust with campaign mudslinging by zeroing out his big bank account and pushing spending limits he proposed last year.

"This is absolutely the right time to discuss this," said Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. "We know that when the governor puts his mind to it, he can use his soapbox very, very effectively."

But getting Democrats to change a system that has treated them well could be a challenge.

Besides governor, big money also helped Democrats win the four other statewide constitutional offices.

Democrat incumbents for attorney general, comptroller and secretary of state all had about 3-to-1 fundraising advantages and won easily, while Democratic newcomer Alexi Giannoulias bested his Republican challenger in the treasurer's race in both cash and votes.

Democrats also added to their majorities in the state House and Senate, potentially justifying the more than $1 million raised in 10 or more legislative races, a record.

"Since the Democrats seem to have sucked up the lion's share of money statewide, I'm not sure they'll be in much of a mood to change the system because it really favors them," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard, R-Hinsdale.

Canary and her supporters say that's why the governor's involvement is crucial.

In May 2005, Blagojevich proposed sweeping ethics rules that would apply many federal campaign finance limits at the state level.

He wanted to limit how much individuals and political parties could donate, bar corporations and unions from giving money directly and put new restrictions on lawmakers and lobbyists.

Republican critics derided the plan as simply a Blagojevich political stunt, proposing the idea to gain public favor but never really pushing for it to pass. They also said he should give back millions of dollars he collected in what they called "tainted" money because of questions raised about contributions and fundraising practices.

Canary said the governor's lack of follow-up is disappointing, but reform groups hope they can persuade him to push his measure now that the election is over.

"I think that the powers that be will be hearing from the voters," Canary said. "It's not going to go away."

Blagojevich spokeswoman Sheila Nix said the governor stands behind his proposal and will continue to push for its passage, either in the fall legislative session that starts this week or in future sessions.

Nix said Blagojevich, though, can't be expected to carry the measure alone.

"We would hope that the groups would get down to the Legislature and start lining up the votes and we can go from there," Nix said. "I think it might be good if they had feedback from people."

Finding support could be a big obstacle.

Legislators from both parties say they know voter discontent is growing over negative campaigning and allegations of corruption in campaigns and government. But they believe pressure has to grow to prompt any action.

"What's striking is that the same issues that seemed outrageous in past election cycles have only gotten worse," said Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago. "Until there's a sufficient public outcry, it will be tough for us to find additional support for this in Springfield."