Gov signals desire to run for third term

DENVER -- Gov. Blagojevich today signaled his desire to run for a third term in 2010, brushing aside scandal, deep disdain within his own party and a growing field of possible challengers.

"I love my job. I think I am a great governor. There is more to do. I like my job and there is no reason to think I don’t want to keep doing this job," the governor said.

Despite speaking of a third term in his strongest terms yet, Blagojevich stopped short of a formal re-election announcement. There is still significant time before he has to file nominating petitions.

But his statements at a morning meeting of the Democratic National Convention put the roster of gubernatorial wannabes on notice that he expects to be a factor in the 2010 primary and is not contemplating a ride into the political sunset.

The scandal-tarred governor ran through the list of what he considers accomplishments from his first two terms, including an expansion of health care for children, hikes in the minimum wage, broadened state-subsidized preschool programs, free bus rides for senior citizens and a new breast and cervical cancer program he helped create.

"If this was just some non-contact sport and that’s how you approached it in getting things done for people, half — not even a quarter — of these things that I’m proud of wouldn’t have happened for people," the governor said. "I feel like these accomplishments are real and meaningful for real people."

But his past association with convicted fundraiser Tony Rezko, ongoing federal investigations into his administration and the strained and hostile relationships he has cultivated with most of Springfield’s political establishment puts any re-election campaign in serious doubt.

Some Democratic polls place his approval at less than 20 percent in some regions of the state, and some of his past backers, particularly labor unions, don’t appear ready to jump out of the gates, as they have in the past, with quick endorsements.

"We’ve endorsed Rod the last two times. He’s obviously the incumbent," said Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael T. Carrigan. "But it would be difficult for me to say what labor would do."

The governor would appear to stand the greatest chance of emerging successfully from a primary if there is a large field to carve up what figures to be a significant anti-Blagojevich vote, relying heavily on a base of African-American support.

This week, Mayor Daley’s brother, former Commerce Secretary William Daley; Attorney General Lisa Madigan; Comptroller Dan Hynes; Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn made the rounds in Denver, gauging support for their own possible challenges to Blagojevich.

"Rod Blagojevich couldn’t be elected dog catcher in Illinois," said state Sen. Mike Jacobs (D-East Moline), reflecting the broad legislative discontent with Blagojevich.

"The governor has some real serious issues and among them is that he’s had difficulty keeping his word. He’s been a terrible leader. He hasn’t built any bridges. All the opportunity he promised eight years ago? Where’s it at?”