How About Some of that Blago to Go?

Give me some of that! Wow! What line was the yet unborn Governor Blagojevich in that most of us missed trying to order a better looking nose or an endearing smile?

I've met many extremely talented and intelligent people. I've never ceased to be amazed at how many of them are modest, even insecure. After presenting a great speech they ask, "How did that go?" "Was it okay?" "Are you sure?" I've coached and advised people with extreme talent. Many lacked one thing - self-confidence.

Then there are people like Governor Blagojevich. Now, I don't know how guilty this man is, but it's difficult to make as many enemies as he has without doing some questionable things. Some may think he's been framed. Others that he's a scapegoat. In any case, he is a piece of work.

Statistically speaking, you have to wonder how often extraordinary confidence conjoins with exemplary character and how often it partners with immorality. I'd like to submit that research proposal for funding.

We need to know how to foster in our most promising, honest, capable people a strong sense of confidence so that they exceed the levels to which the less deserving often rise simply by believing in themselves.

Blagojevich, by any reasonable standard, ought to be beside himself with embarrassment over the Illinois legislature 114 to 1 vote to impeach him. Yet he stood up in front of cameras, told us how he saved a life and then recited from Tennyson. He promised to fight on.

After you finish being amazed or appalled, you have to wonder how many people like this are running our country -- simply because they thought they could.

Dr. Reardon also blogs at bardscove.

Comments

[grammology]

And he really surprised you with his blatant attitude of innocence? Isn't this what pathological liars do and didn't we experience the same with our X Governor of New York...(not worth mentioning his name) who prosecuted for the same crimes he committed...

The arrogance of these people doesn't surprise me it continues to entertain me as I truly believe most of our politicians have similar habits fed by the power the career politician status breeds. When will we learn to limit terms and demand leaders with the morals and qualifications to have the job of representing us the constituents?

Dorothy from grammology
http://grammology.com

[Manx]

When Bleep-o-vich recites poetry, it's like whistling in the dark.

[Vige]

Narcissism knows no Embarrassment.

[illinoisan]

He's like a Clinton on steroids.

[PennP]

Actually, he made me smile. He happens to embody the quintessentially American values of unabashed ambition with an enormous ego, and he expresses himself earnestly and boyishly, which is almost endearing in a perverse way. Frankly, of the two, I vastly prefer his creative if outrageous behavior to the overreaching and hypocritical judgments being rendered by the Senate's resident Ichabod Crane, Harry Reid. Blago might be seen more clearly as the worthless player he seems to be were it not for the offset of the Senate's attempt to preempt process--rendered more suspect when it turns out that Reid himself and Rahm Emanuel were communicating with his office about the selection. The Senate's high'n'mighty tantrum helped to fuel a backlash of sympathy toward the rogue governor, and the Senate has only itself to blame for once again putting PR above the rule of law--and getting the PR wrong, to boot.

[moAb]

People like you are the reason he got into office in the first place.

[DuPageDem]

Great comment, you've pegged him.

[AnnfromCA]

Blago's ridiculous speech had the hysterical edge to me of a man on a rant. Poetry, indeed.

[infopathologist]

Some people are tormented by doubt, but not me. I'm tormented by certainty - other people's certainty.

Which is not to say that I'm in favour of being indecisive or that I don't know the difference between right and wrong.

But there has to be room for doubt. The people without any doubt, who are simply certain that they're right - perhaps because they were born to it or because a supernatural power told them so - those people are the most dangerous of all.

[JFaye]

Unfortunately, Mr. Blago's behavior is not all that uncommon. His behavior playing out on a national stage, more or less gives us pause to consider the how's and why's of people who exhibit such intense narcissism. We all know a Blago or two; perhaps we have worked with these characters or worse yet, we may have a family member who behaves in a similar fashion.

What I have learned is those who exhibit Blago'ism usually grow up with a supporting cast of enablers: Family members who overkill on building self-esteem; those who openly laugh at the often extreme behaviors, thus reinforcing the behavior; the avoiders of conflict (like me) signaling to their pea brains, they have won resulting in an annoying persistence of the conduct. Then, of course, there is the challenger who dares them (Reid) and that juvenile rebellion rears its monstrous head.

Generally, they depend on the reactions of others to embolden them... Yes, perhaps we would have all been better served had the governor chosen the Arts and become an actor of some sort.

Regardless, this is America and until proven guilty ... there is the presumption of innocence.

[cobobs]

Blago is us.

Our culture values success and confidence and positive thinking and thought over being good, moral, sharing, selflessness.

Your admiration of his moxie is common, and promises that in the not too far future, he shall be redeemed by us all.

Blago is us.

[mjc]

The supreme self-confidence I was impressed with was Burris'. He plunged ahead in spite of the problems with his appointment. Think Blago lives in his own world, fortunately populated with great Romantic poets who give him his rationalization for living.

[jazzycafe]

I enjoyed your post Kathleen. Most people I know have bouts of self confidence problems. I don't know too many really confident people. Blago seems to have an excessive amount of confidence. It is sort of amazing to watch. Not in an admirable way - just amazing.

I get the feeling, after viewing the press conferences, that Blago would have liked to have been an actor. He has that actor thing going on. He seems to love being on stage, reciting poetry, playing to an audience. Also, I'm wondering if he is making as much out of this as he can, (sort of milking the attention), so that later on when he writes a book about his life it will be so much more interesting.
Then, after the book comes out there will be a cheesy made for tv movie about his adventures. He could play himself.

[magen]

"Statistically speaking, you have to wonder how often extraordinary confidence conjoins with exemplary character and how often it partners with immorality. I'd like to submit that research proposal for funding."

That would be interesting research.

But I can tell you the results without a gazillion dollar study.

Extraordinary confidence conjoins with immorality 95% more than exemplary character.

You can't see that from everyday life??

[moAb]

Blagoobavich falls somewhere on the behavioral spectrum of Machiavellian-Narcissist-Sociopath-Psychopath. Take your pick. These people are not present in great numbers in our society but more than one might like. They not only seek gratification in politics but like to perform their magic acts in the world of business. They do not process emotional signals like the vast preponderance of humans. They are essentially "hardwired" differently to varying degrees depending on the actual diagnosis. Often this detached approach to problems and crises is lauded and seems desirable (until they turn the tables on you). It will be interesting to see what future studies in functional MRI and positron emmision tomography show regarding these types of people.

[jemma]

I think a Palin/Blago match up is just the ticket. at least on SNL.

Comedy gold

[nellyb stl]

Same for Madoff, etc etc etc and how about Harry Reid and all the rest of Congress with their hand out to grab a piece of the pie re earmarks????????????????????????????