Governors in the Industrial Heartland

Formal and Informal Powers & The Case of Ron Blagojevich

Overall Formal Power

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

5

IL IN OH PA 50 Stateavg.

Source: Beyle Ratings

Source: Beyle Ratings

5 = 4 year term, no term limits

4 = 4 year term, only 2 terms (8 years total)

Tenure Potential

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

44.5

5

IL IN OH PA 50 State Avg.

Appointment Power

00.5

1

1.52

2.53

3.5

44.5

5

IL IN OH PA 50 State Avg.

Source: Beyle Ratings

5 = gov. appoints, no approval 2 = appointed, gov+ approves

4 = gov. appoints, approval needed 1 = appointed, no gov approves

3 = appointed, gov approves

Veto Power

00.5

1

1.52

2.53

3.5

44.5

5

IL IN OH PA 50 State avg.

Source: Beyle Ratings

5 = item veto, supermajority needed to override

2 = no item veto, supermajority needed to override

Budgetary Power

00.5

1

1.52

2.53

3.5

44.5

5

IL IN OH PA 50 State avg.

Source: Beyle Ratings

3 = governor has full responsibility, legislature has unlimited power to change

Strickland (OH)

Blagojevich (IL)Daniels (IN)

Rendell (PA)

• Governor since 2003

• US House of Representatives (IL-5): 1997 - 2003

• Governor since 2005

• Director, OMB: 2001 - 2003

• Governor since 2007

• US House of Representatives (OH-6): 1993 - 1995, 1997 - 2007

• Governor since 2003

• Mayor of Philadelphia: 1992 - 2000

Strickland (OH)

Blagojevich (IL)Daniels (IN)

Rendell (PA)

House: 57% Dem

Senate: 63% Dem

House: 49% GOP

Senate: 66% GOP

House: 54% Dem

Senate: 36% Dem

House: 50% Dem

Senate: 36% Dem

Strickland (OH)

Blagojevich (IL)Daniels (IN)

Rendell (PA)

2006 Election

• Blagojevich (D) 50%

• Baar Topinka (R) 40%

• Whitney (G) 10%

2004 Election

• Daniels (R) 53%

• Kernan (D) 46%

2006 Election

• Strickland (D) 60%

• Blackwell (R) 39%

2006 Election

• Rendell (D) 60%

• Swann (R) 40%

Strickland (OH)

Blagojevich (IL)Daniels (IN)

Rendell (PA)Source: SurveyUSA (Nov 2006)

Ron Blagojevich - Priorities

• Veterans Care program for health care for low-income veterans & other health care plans

• Capital Construction Plan to create 230,000 jobs

• College tuition tax credit ($1000 per student)

• Other smaller programs

Source: 2006 State of State Address

Blagojevich’s Powers

• Formal powers may exist, but very self-inflicted limited informal powers

• Corruption– Jobs for contributions

• $1500 birthday check• $25,000 club

– Rezko

• Alienated self from legislators, few friends• Impeachment, recall movements• Appointment of new Senator