Obama Absent on Ethics

Sun Times:

SPRINGFIELD -- While Barack Obama left an imprint on two major ethics packages as a state senator, he ducked a plea Thursday to use his influence to safeguard landmark state legislation barring big government contractors from making campaign contributions.

In the middle of a simmering Statehouse ethics battle is Obama's "political godfather," Senate President Emil Jones (D-Chicago), who triggered questions Thursday about whether he may allow the legislation to die after the Nov. 4 election.

Barack Obama, absent on ethics in Illinois. Not even voting present on this one.

State Sen. Christine Radogno:

"If he's the reformer he says he is, why would he not encourage cleaning up his home state, which is one of the most corrupt at this point in the United States?" said Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont). "He has an opportunity to really put some action behind his words, and he won't do it.

"If he's so influential and can get people to behave differently, Sen. Obama should be able to persuade the Senate president to call us back in now and get this done," she said.

You would think.