Madame Governor One-Two

Judy Baar Topinka has taken a lesson from her running mate and Golden Gloves Champ, Joe Birkett, and delivered a one-two punch to Governor Blagojevich. In a previous post I had opined that once the numbers start coming out, things will start looking up for her. Polling numbers are yet to appear, but Judy has come out with a jobs plan... with numbers. It doesn't look so good for the Governor.

A brief look at some of the numbers she quotes -

• Illinois ranks 45th out of 50 states in job creation.
• Since Governor Blagojevich has been in charge starting in January 2003, the jobs growth rate is 1.2% compared to a national average of 4.7%.
• Illinois is dead last among the 5 most populated states.
  STATE JOBS CREATED GROWTH RATE
  California 526,600 3.6%
  Texas 553,800 5.9%
  New York 148,000 1.8%
  Florida 815,000 11.3%
  Illinois 67,900 1.2%
  (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)
• Illinois is dead last among its border states.
  Job Creation Rates (January 2003 – May 2006)
  State
  Job Creation Rate
  Iowa 4.3%
  Kentucky 3.3%
  Wisconsin 3.2%
  Indiana 2.4%
  Missouri 2.3%
  Illinois 1.2%
  (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Judy then provides a plan to help manufacturing, agriculture, small business, etc. The Governor's campaign ads ask "What's she thinking?". My guess is she is thinking about ways to put the people of Illinois back to work!