89 Comments - Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:15 am: Not only are Quinn’s actions inept, but he gives no sense of confidence that he is able to make a good decision or has the judgement to do so. Perhaps he has a staff that is failing him. If that were the case, he then would lack the administrative judgement to see it and correct course. Perhaps he is out of touch with the people and conditions of Illinois. This would indicate that his many number of years in Springfield has clouded his judgement. It’s time to get out of Springfield, Pat. Has Quinn EVER run anything bigger than a 2-car funeral, or started up (or worked) in the private sector? If he has, he would realize that Illinois Government, and its overburdening regulations, is inhibiting private economic growth. Instead of instilling confidence in the public and the business communities, he has done the opposite with his bumbling approach to the governorship. - tada - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:18 am: I think Quinn is a decent guy with good motives, but I don’t think he has a clue how to run a business, let alone the State of Illinois. - Aldyth - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:21 am: Quinn gets a “2″ because he has managed not to get indicted. However, it is only 2011. - lakeview - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:22 am: What tada said. - K3_Spfld_Chi - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:26 am: I 2nd Aldyth. He hasn’t got indicted, he also got rid of the death penalty. Gay marriage is also moving forward but . . . everything else is an absolute mess. - Retired Non-Union Guy - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:30 am: I gave him a “6″. He’s clueless but honest, so he gets the benefit of doubt. Illinois can and has done a lot worse … - Fed up - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:32 am: I’ll give him a 2. The ineptness, the lies. The giving state jobs to donors and politicians family members. The taking cash and endorsements from labor and promising no layoffs. I didn’t have high hopes for Quinn but I have to admit I’m surprised I figured he would be inept but I expected honesty and I really feel he has been dishonest on many issues from taxes to death penalty to labor issues. - OneMan - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:34 am: I gave him a three, I think he means well, but often times it doesn’t appear he has really thought anything out. He’s kind of like the casual card player who is playing at a table of guys who play a lot at take it seriously. Every once in a while he can appear to be brilliant, but for the most part it isn’t working. - Not a Newcomer - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:37 am: 3, his inability to look past his emotions at any given point in time and instead make rational decisions that make long-term sense makes him completely inept (not currupt, just inept). - 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:37 am: I gave him a 5, and fully expect most Cap Fax voters will go lower than that in their estimation of Quinn’s job performance. It’s easy and fun to take shots at Quinn, he has made himself an easy target with his vacillation, equivocation and consternation over major policy questions. He’s lost more than he’s won in the General Assembly and in the courts. So yes, there is plenty to not like about his performance. But consider the sum of all he’s had to deal with: a tanking economy, historically low tax revenue, skyrocketing healthcare costs, taking office following an impeachment, a contested primary, a Tea Party revolution, a public utterly disgusted with government at all levels. We are in an ugly period in our history, with the forces of globalization tearing apart our 20th century notion of America and Illinois. Into this history Quinn is thrusted, and despite all of the mess and the thankless nature of the job, with friends and enemies alike taking shots at him, he keeps showing up for work. No corruption, no real scandals, just some poor decision-making where there aren’t many good choices to begin with. Quinn isn’t rising to the challenges, but at least he isn’t shrinking away from them either. If you consider the big picture, you’d probably cut the guy some slack. I’m not sure anyone could perform demonstrably better under the same circumstances. - Homer J. Simpson - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:38 am: I’m no Quinn-lover, but come on people. You can’t give this guy a one. Did you forget about a past governor named Blagojevich? - Observer of the State - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:38 am: I have to agree that though Quinn has decent motives he does not think the through consequences of his decisions. He has uneven abilities in his closest staff. He does not seem to have the talent or the stomach to attract talent outside of his inner circle. At a time when he needs fresh thinking he has surrounded himself with his inner circle. I am in agreement with his basic principles and still feel he was a better choice than Brady but can’t help thinking about a statement attributed Hynes after the primary. “No matter who wins IL will have a bad Governor.” I hated that Hynes ran the ad of Harold Washington criticizing Quinn but now I realize Hynes knew Quinn better than me. - Newsclown - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:39 am: I gave him a 4. While he’s not Blago, he’s kept on too many Blago hacks and they are not making good decisions in his name. He flip-flops too much; I’m for a guy that is open to listen and change, but the sense I get is not that Quinn changes direction in light of better information, but by following the wind and seeing who put the most pressure on him. His most maddening quality is that he seems a good man and an honest and thoughtful man and a true public servant at times, but goes all Jekyl and Hyde and turns back into a ward heeler type at odd times. I guess another way to put it is he seems to lack the nerve to commit fully and go all-out for the things he says he believes in most. In that regard I find him somewhat Obama-like. Finally, I expected greater things from him getting this unlikely opportunity. I score him low because of the missed opportunities and blown expectations. I think when any pol worries more about keeping his job than doing his job, he should lose his job. Not being Blago, and being a nice guy, is not enough. - South of I-80 - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:46 am: I have to give him a one; as it’s been said, Quinn is a good man, but I feel that he’s finding out how difficult it is being on the inside as Governor and having to makes decisions compared to when he was an advocate with all the answers. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:47 am: ===I’m no Quinn-lover, but come on people. You can’t give this guy a one. Did you forget about a past governor named Blagojevich? === Agreed. It seems gratuitous. - Ron Burgundy - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:47 am: A 3. No leadership or sense of direction whatsoever. Seems content to be led by the General Assembly rather than showing any initiative. Seeming willingness to jettison his prior populist stands for short-term political gain (tollways, tax increase, casinos, patronage) makes one question whether he has a backbone or any core beliefs. Does not seem to stand for anything anymore. - in absentia - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:49 am: At this point 73% are giving him a 4 or below; and the bloggers here are pretty knowledgeable folks. To me, this speaks volumes toward his leadership. I gave him a “1″ for the general malaise I feel every time he approaches a topic or gives a speech. - Way Way Down Here - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:50 am: He gets a 4. Quinn and his team were totally unprepared for the political reality of governing. - in absentia - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:51 am: In a while the staffers should start padding his numbers. - reflector - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:52 am: I worked with Pat quinn on veterans issues and liked how he helped us.He was a good Lt.Gov. - reflector - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:52 am: I worked with Pat quinn on veterans issues and liked how he helped us.He was a good Lt.Gov. - PaGo - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:53 am: I gave him a 3 because he’s no leader and I would think as Governor, by definition, you need to be leader. - JL - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 11:58 am: I gave him a 7, for many of the same reasons 47th Ward gave him a relatively high score. I am truly biased being a staffer and admirer of the man’s intelligence and work ethic. He is prone to poor decisions, mostly as a result of poor planning. He is far from perfect, but he is far from Blago. It stuns me when commentors mock his intelligence, he is truly one of the smarter folks I have ever met.There is a key difference between being stupid and being meandering. - Bman - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:01 pm: I gave a 3, while he isn’t as bad as the two previous governors he has not done anything to fix Illinois’ broken government. He had a great opportunity to clean house but dismally failed to do so. - Ghost - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:03 pm: I gave him a 7. The State has a number of problems, most of which are related to a world wide economic crash. So far, no government or country has shown an expertise at addressing the impact of the econmic collapse. BUT overall the trains run on time, so-to-speak. The majority of State operations are working appropriately, he has made some good picks for various jobs etc. For those unhappy with his decisions related to the economic issues please show me who has navigated those waters well? I disagree with many of his choises, but its not your average day running the Governemtn walking that mine field. - PaGo - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:05 pm: JL, being intelligent and applying those smarts to being Governor are not mutually inclusive. Like reflector said, he was great Lt. Gov. It’s a shame he hasn’t been able to apply his best intentions and move Illinois out of laughing stock status. To his semi-defense, he can’t do it by himself. - retired - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:07 pm: I gave him a 2. He’s the most inept individual I’ve ever seen with the exception of Blago. - Dr. Health - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:09 pm: Way to run an unbiased pool…bash those who give a low score with an ad homimen not relevant to the question. You need to accept the possibility that those participating really do this Quinn is doing a lousy job regardless of who or what his predecessor was. Quinn is a lousy Governor…this doesn’t mean Brady would have done better (Full Disclosure - I held my nose and voted for Brady). Truth is, he probably wouldn’t be doing much better, but at a minimum there would be a two-sided dialogue as opposed to the one-sided governance (thanks Uncle Mikey) we’ve experienced over the last several years. - Levois - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:10 pm: Quinn is an honest man and he’s gotten some things done this year, but not enough for me to give him a 5. So I gave him a four for ending the death penalty, civil unions, and his income tax hikes. He still leaves a lot to be desired unfortunately. - Boone Logan Square - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:14 pm: Best governor Illinois has had this century. Has an utter inability to develop or adhere to a strategy, has no concept of message discipline, and is a poor negotiator. That said, Quinn is actually attempting to manage the affairs of this state, unlike his predecessor. Also abolished the death penalty, formalizing the one accomplishment of Ryan’s administration. Give him a 5. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:15 pm: ===bash those who give a low score with an ad homimen not relevant to the question.=== Um, it’s called putting things into context. Adults can usually do this. Children can’t. - Esteban - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:19 pm: I give him a “6″. He’s a very nice person with a good heart but he seems unfocused and inconsistent at times. - lincolnlover - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:19 pm: I agree with those who said he seems to be honest but clueless. I gave him a 3 because he has not provided the leadership or initiative that we need as a governor. He does NOT think his actions through and he clearly deems the citizens of Chicago to be more important than those from the rest of the state. - titan - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:20 pm: “the people who are giving the governor a “1″ really need to get a clue or stop being so knee-jerk partisan. Did you completely forget Rod Blagojevich already?” That is the sole factor in boosting his rating above that - OurMagician - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:22 pm: 3-way too many flip flops and sticking your finger in the wind on decision making. Finding out it’s much easier to run CUB and have ideas on everything and no idea on how to implement them. - transplant - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:25 pm: I gave him a 5. His heart seems to be in the right place, and sometimes he makes a good decision. But too often he back pedals on both good and bad decisions, making him entirely unreliable and completely squishy in his leadership. - Skeeter - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:25 pm: I give him a 3 on the basis that he’s not Blago and on the death penalty. There is nothing partisan about it. I did some campaign work for the guy and generally vote for Dems (I campaign only for Dems). However, he has failed to show any leadership at all. In addition, he’s on the “Hire A Hack Program.” I’ve seen comments saying he’s honest. Really? Do you really believe his claim that Burke was the most qualified for the Pollution Control Board was “honest”? There are probably 10 different things that come to mind regarding his alleged honesty. The big difference on that issue from Blago is that so far he has not made any statements to the feds or under oath. I didn’t believe a word Blago said and I never a believe a word Quinn mumbles. His single virtue is that so far nothing that he’s done will cost the taxpayers a trial. I only hope my kids never learn the sad truth that I campaigned for the guy. - Lil Enchilada - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:25 pm: I gave him a 5 because he’s not Blago. He doesn’t seem to know what he’s doing a lot of the time. - bored now - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:26 pm: i gave him a 10. you know why? because it’s absolutely unbelievable to me that anyone would give a governor who is honest and has that much integrity a “1.” y’all may have pounded into me that illinois is different, but the message i see from this poll is that not only is corruption and abuse of power tolerated by good people in illinois, it’s actually celebrated. that’s disgusting. while i’d love to blame all of illinois’ current problems on blagojevich, illinois is not the only state that is struggling and struggling not just because of the current economic downturn. state (and local) governments have been using gimmicks and bulls*it for decades to cover up their deficit spending habits and the chickens have come home to roost. it will take quite a bit of time to fix all the problems that these bad habits have left behind. if you’ve got some good ideas about how to fix the mess that’s been left on our front door steps, i’d bet the governor’s office would love to hear ‘em! besides that, brady would have made it worse. and not by just a little… - Pelon - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:28 pm: I gave him a two for his continual poor decisions and basic lack of management skills. From a leadership and management perspective, is he really much better than Blagojevich? Most of the recent improvements have come from the legislators, not Quinn. - Wensicia - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:31 pm: I would have to say “5″, neither bad or good, but he hasn’t corrupted the job for reasons of self-interest like his predecessor. He has integrity, except when making political appointments. - spartanmeg - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:31 pm: A 7 for raising taxes and realizing you cannot cut yourself out of a hole. @Pelon, you gotta be kidding me. NOT the same as Blago. - anon - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:33 pm: I give him an eight for recognizing that the Speaker’s way is the only way and that once you succumb to that concept the Governor’s gig is a pretty good ride–as long as you understand its a short ride! - titan - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:34 pm: bored now - a 10? Seriously? Just because he isn’t corrupt? That’s as clueless, if not more so, that the “1s” - Anonymous - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:35 pm: I voted a “1″ and stand by it, despite Rich’s attempt to blame it all on partisanship. Quinn’s rampant ineptitude and utter lack of leadership qualities combined with his consistent dishonesty have combined to create a performance every bit as destructive to the state as Blago’s criminality and laziness. At least (some of) Blago’s senior team could keep the state running while Quinn’s team is a failure on all levels. - Irish - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:35 pm: I gave him a one. No I have not forgotten Blagojevich but what has Governor Quinn done that has made the State better than it was before? In the same two week period that he reneged on agreements he had with employees because there was not enough money to fund personnell, he appointed the daughter of a major donor to a lucretive position, who also happens to be the daughter of a Illinois Supreme Court judge who will probably hear several lawsuits against the Governor. He is denying the frontline working state employees their contracted step increases yet giving generous raises to his inner circle. He boasts about job creation yet has not pushed the borrowing that would pay off many service providers who would hire back people they have klaid off because of the non payment. The state continues to be the biggest drag on a failing economy. He has eliminated funding for the Regional School Superintendents and shoved that responsibility off on local taxpayers. In essence that move has raised taxes again on citizens. He goes out of his way for press ops yet does nothing substantial to earn them. While his motives are not for personal gain, which drove Blago, his ineptness, and vacillation, along with his concern for self preservation are no less destructive to the State. I voted for him and had high hopes for him. Suffice it to say I am very disappointed and will not make the same mistake again. Anyone would be better than him at this point in time. - Mongo - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:36 pm: I gave him a 4 because of the missed opportunities and the failure to pick the right staff (or if they are there to goddang listen to them). The waffling is a killer. He’ll get a good idea and then back down when the GA doesn’t give in. He is honest and unlike another commenter, I think he does get out of Spfld. Please Governor…lead us. Negotiate with the GA before you shoot yourself in the foot by announcing a grand scheme that never sees the light of day. - Clouded Judgement - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:38 pm: Soemtimes we like to jump on Blago and make him the floor in a poll, but say what you want he did have some victories (All Kids).. What has Quinn done? - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:38 pm: ===yet has not pushed the borrowing that would pay off many service providers=== Where have you been for the past year? - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:39 pm: ===despite Rich’s attempt to blame it all on partisanship=== Not true. - Justice - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:39 pm: I gave him a 3. I think he isn’t secure in his direction, loses focus easily, and jumps on issues that could well be left alone for far, far more important issues. I think he is a decent person but he simply does not instill confidence. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:41 pm: ===say what you want he did have some victories (All Kids).. What has Quinn done?=== There ain’t no money. And as long as there ain’t no money, there ain’t gonna be no big, new programs. Get used to it. This is gonna last a long while. - bored now - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:47 pm: titan: sue me. pat quinn isn’t necessarily the governor i’d hoped he’d be, but i find it alarming to realize that i live in a state where corruption is celebrated and even considered a necessary thing. i know, i know, you might not even be able to conceive of a place where politicians are typically honest and serve the public (instead of the private) good. which is just sad. yep, a “10.” pat quinn stands above probably 95% of the politicians in this state, just because he’s honest and not using government as a way to line his pockets or that of his family. someone should stand up and celebrate *that* — so i did… - Irish - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:47 pm: = = = Where have you been for the past year? = = = Has he really gotten behind it and made it a goal of his and tried to get the legislators to get it done? Has he taken the issue to the people and presented numbers on what the State is giving away in interest when they are paying 12% instead of 5%? Has he held an in depth press conference in it? Does he continue to work on it? Has he worked as hard to get the money to the little companies and service providers as he has in getting the big bucks to the giant corporations? Or has he just paid it lip service and once it looked like it might be hard has walked away? - Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:47 pm: “How would you rate Gov. Pat Quinn’s job performance on a scale of one to ten? One being the worst, ten being the best. Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments. Thanks.” This poll says to rate Quinn’s performance, not to compare his performance to other Governors. He will have to score many future meaningful successes to not be counted a failure. Rich, did you get my email? - Louis Howe - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:53 pm: Quinn is topping out around 3. He will never become an average Chief Executive (4-6) because Quinn’s political profile doesn’t include executive talents and he doesn’t feel comfortable hiring experienced managers. It’s difficult to perform well by mixing fiscal crisis and with management chaos. - lincolnlover - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:54 pm: I wouldn’t call All Kids a victory, more like a spoiled brat demanding his own way or else. When he couldn’t get the GA to go along with his proposal, Blago stole the money to fund it from special funds from various agencies and by shutting down parks and historic sites. And just how many children have been helped by All Kids? Does anybody know? Has there been any accounting? - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 12:57 pm: Yes, to most of that, Irish. The borrowing vote takes three-fifths in both chambers. That ain’t easy, especially when the out party is refusing to cooperate on anything borrowing-related. - OneMan - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:05 pm: i gave him a 10. you know why? because it’s absolutely unbelievable to me that anyone would give a governor who is honest and has that much integrity a “1.” The Burke thing alone kind of takes him out of the 10 range. But it that is your only metric and lets assume the Burke thing pure coincidence and she is the most qualified attorney in the world for the job… How do you refer to the guy who signed a contract with a union in order to get concessions (and help get himself elected, lets not kid each other) then turn around and SIGN A BUDGET that did not contain funding for those raises. It’s isn’t like it was a Rod contract, it was a Pat Quinn contract. That’s a 10 in ethics and honesty? Is that what passes for a 10 in this state now? If so I honestly weep… Also please note I don’t see anything on the poll that shows an average so your 10 didn’t help his GPA so to speak. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:06 pm: ===It’s isn’t like it was a Rod contract, it was a Pat Quinn contract.=== Actually, it was a Rod contract. - Champaign Dweller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:12 pm: I gave him a one–I realize that Blago was bad, but the question didn’t ask us to compare the two. Quinn is a waffler; he rarely sticks to a position; he has appointed many cronies or their relatives to positions; he tries to lay responsibility for things on others–ie the regional superintendants. I think he’s a sincere person, but sincerity isn’t going to get us out of this mess. - jerry 101 - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:19 pm: I gave him a 9. He’s the Governor of a State that’s been run into the ground by previous administrations, in the middle of the worst economic climate since the Great Depression and he is doing a bang-up job. Given the hand that Quinn’s been dealt, anyone would struggle enormously, but Quinn’s risen to the occasion better than just about anyone could be expected to, especially most any other politician in this day and age. The budget is still in the dumps, and we’re still backlogged on bills to an incredible degree, but the problems that he’s facing weren’t created during his administration. But he is taking responsibility to try to fix them, and without destroying the State in the process. He pushed through the income tax hike. How many politicians would even think about that - a recession is a really bad time to hike taxes, but Blagoof and Ryan didn’t exactly push through needed tax hikes during the boom years of their terms, and there wasn’t much choice left. Instead, Blagoof and Ryan played games with the budget and skipped out on funding the pensions. Which remains the core of the crisis we face now. Who woulda thunk it possible that we’d end up in a pension funding crisis in 2011 back in the nineties when Ryan decided to underfund the pension in order to avoid hiking taxes? Or in the last decade when Blagoff made the same call. Any reasonable person would realize that the price was going to have to be paid. Civil unions, abolishing the death penalty (I know that he wasn’t exactly the driving force there), no real scandals of note to date (I know that the Tribune and the Republicans try to make up scandals, but there hasn’t been anything there). Ethics reform, pension and education reform (neither of which I’m fond of, but these were major accomplishments). The capital bill. He’s not a great speaker. He’s not charismatic. But he’s also not an empty suit. There’s still a lot that desperately needs to be accomplished (Workers Comp Reform, the bond issuance to get the state current on its bills, getting the budget situation into whack), but he’s the best guy we’ve had in a long time. He doesn’t deny the fact that we’re in a crummy situation. He didn’t get us into the situation, but he’s doing what it takes to dig us out. And it ain’t making him popular. Blagoof tried to make himself popular by offering up lots of goodies and avoiding paying the costs, but was laid low by his corruption. Quinn’s working in the real world. I’d rather have a leader who sees that we’re in a crummy situation and does what’s needed to dig us out, than someone like Rahm or Blagoof who wants us to believe we can have our cake and eat it too. Yeah Rahm, you need to raise taxes too. Toni Preckwinkle seems to operate in the real world, but she was a bit too quick to roll back Toddler’s tax hikes, I’m afraid. She could be a bit more Quinn-like herself. So, a 9. Because he’s effective and gets the job done. It ain’t pretty, but we’ve had enough pretty. - Anon from SI - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:21 pm: I gave him a 3. The man has no focus on the big picture and seems to be like a child with ADHD. Now on the positive side, I don’t believe that he is actually out to rob the state blind like his predecessor. - jerry 101 - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:27 pm: Skeeter: “However, he has failed to show any leadership at all. In addition, he’s on the “Hire A Hack Program.” I’ve seen comments saying he’s honest. Really? Do you really believe his claim that Burke was the most qualified for the Pollution Control Board was “honest”? ” There are probably at least 50 people, maybe 100, maybe 1000 people int his state that are highly qualified for that job. He picked one that is a political supporter. That political supporter has the appropriate background for the job. Sure, he’s rewarding a supporter. That’s what politicians do. It’s not like he appointed someone with a background in Arabian Horses to the pollution control board. He appointed an environmental lawyer. Seems like Burke probably has the right background. Same thing with many of his “questionable” appointments. He picks the supporters for the jobs that they are qualified for. If only more politicians worked that way. There may be cases where he did appoint people who weren’t qualified for the job, but I don’t know of any particular instances. - bored now - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:32 pm: OneMan: i long ago realized that there were no purists in illinois. it seems to me that all reformers who are successful (meaning, able to actually win elections) have made accommodations with the machine, as it were. now i don’t know enough about ann burke to say how much of an accommodation that would have been, but that’s not a disqualifier in my mind to stating that pat quinn is honest and does his job with integrity. but i’m always eager to being enlightened. the union thing is still being played out, but i don’t see anything that is dishonest in the way it’s being played out. iirc, the operating assumption for democrats in 2010 was that the economy was going to pick up and that would save the day. while i was doubtful of this assumption, i can’t say i fully understand what the state’s revenues would have been had this been the case. you’d have to show me that quinn knew the state’s revenues wouldn’t pick up and that he knew that he’d have to reverse himself on this before i could reach the same conclusion you have. === Also please note I don’t see anything on the poll that shows an average so your 10 didn’t help his GPA so to speak.=== you got me there. i was trying to boost the average, apparently with no effect… - Tommydanger - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:36 pm: I’d score it a 5. He has something of a relationship with the Legislature and is passionate about education. Having said that, he vacillates too much and seems to either change his mind for expediency’s sake or formulates a position prematurely prior to thoroughly considering all the ramifications, including political ones. He then changes his position and appears indecisive, wishywashy and becomes further emasculated by the Speaker. Despite his years of government service he seems to be in over his head. - lake county democrat - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:39 pm: I gave him a “2″ — anyone BUT Quinn I’d give a 3 or 4, but given the extent he betrayed his (alleged) reformist principles, that’s all he gets. Saved from a “1″ for being a White Sox fan. - Anonymous - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:41 pm: I gave him a 1 and figured he might get better with age and I can rate him higher in the next poll if he escapes recall or prison. The people that live south of Chicago just don’t think and live like city folks. We never will and I guess we just will have to live under the oppressive rule of the liberal masses.Pat is their leader and is doing their work. All we can hope for is a change in leadership at all levels but then I can count even though my spelling is lousy. - Skeeter - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:49 pm: Come on Jerry. Did Burke have an advanced degree in chemistry that I have not heard of? She was just another Corp. Counsel. The idea that she’s somehow “qualified” is sort of a joke. If she is, then just about any lawyer is and if that’s the case, hire some first year attorney who will do it for $50,000.00. The thing that I’m bitter about when it comes to this is not necessarily that it is Burke. What bugs me is this “there is no place to cut the budget so now we have to cut funding for education and old people.” This is a perfect example of my tax dollars being wasted on political hacks and I’m really tired of it. - Alexander cut the knot. - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:51 pm: Not a 1, he is not Rod. Not a 2, because he at least means well. A 3, because despite 1 and 2, those parts of government he is responsible for - agencies - are not working and he appears oblivious to the depth of incompetence and disfunction they have sunk to, and the lack of depth in the bench of those running these agencies. - Sonic Infidel - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:52 pm: I give him a 5 because I think he has the best of intentions, and he’s generally a good guy. He just isn’t a good leader. He makes political threats but never follows through, so no one takes him seriously. He him-haws around on early prison release, ROE superintendents, school district consolidation, AFSCME raises, and a variety of other issues. He was all over the map on what we wanted out of the tax increase, and as Rich has pointed out in past columns, Quinn was pretty much irrelevant in this year’s budget negotiations. I like Quinn as a person, but he has a lot of room for improvement as a leader. - Earnest - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:56 pm: 5. Not easy to be in favor of a tax increase these days. I also appreciate death penalty elimination and civil unions. He loses points on consistency in the positions he takes. I’d like to credit him there for being reasonable and able to be swayed by arguments, but I don’t think that’s the case. I also respect the fact that he’s got a tough job in a challenging time. If I hadn’t read the comments first, I would probably have rated him a 4, for what it’s worth. - Regular Reader - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:58 pm: I give him a 3. How do you call a guy honest whose broken just a handful of pretty significant campaign promises? It hasn’t even been a year. I agree that Quinn’s a nice guy, but as our governor, he seems to be either disingenuous or somewhat incompetent. I hope the best for him, but tend to think he’s in over his head. - Bluefish - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 1:59 pm: 3 We need leadership and vision. He possesses neither. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:03 pm: ===Rich, did you get my email? === When was it sent? - A.B. - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:05 pm: 3 he’s better than the last two….Blago and Ryan - Cheswick - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:13 pm: I remember that cold winter night, standing on the sidewalk outside the Capitol Building, looking up at the lights shining brightly through the windows on the second floor, listening on the radio as Quinn got sworn in, and as the tears welled up in my eyes, I turned to the other bums all huddled together for warmth, and said, “it’s going to be all right, everything is going to be fine, we’re going to make it.” And we rejoiced. Well, things haven’t gone exactly as we’d expected, but they sure aren’t as bad as they were. So, I gave Quinn a 5 — a good rock steady number for a rock steady governor, with room for improvement. - aufjunk - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:14 pm: I gave him a 3 before looking at the results, and it looks like a lot of people agree with me. All I know about him, I learned after he became governor, except that everybody seemed to agree that he was a nice guy with a desire to do the right thing. His desire to do the right thing is too easily overcome by outside pressure and his own whims. 3 is as high as I could go. - Robert0117 - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:20 pm: I gave him a 3. He comes across much like Jimmy Carter did. A good decent man totally out of his depth. Carter was actually better than his image, I’m not sure about Quinn. He provided no leadership in the budget negotiations. He got out in front of a couple of parades, but a case where he was actually leading the effort on a significant piece of legislation does not come immediately to mind. - Small Town Liberal - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:25 pm: - We never will and I guess we just will have to live under the oppressive rule of the liberal masses. - Yes, with a flaming liberal like Mike Madigan at the helm it’s a wonder we’re not all forced to wear Birkenstocks, smoke dope, and perform civil unions in our backyards. Get a grip. I voted 8 because while I think Quinn isn’t the best at negotiating with the GA and could work on focusing his energy more productively, he’s presided over some major changes and I have absolute faith in his integrity. He’s not in it for the money, he’s in it for the people. Some of those people might not agree with him, but he’s absolutely in this business for the right reasons. - Flaming Liberal - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:30 pm: 10. He’s a democrat. - Seriously??? - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:33 pm: I gave him a 5. I think he has good intentions, but is way too easily swayed. I always say if I wanted something from him I would want to be the last person he spoke to before he made his decision. I think he just goes with what he hears last. - Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:47 pm: To those justifying that he was handed a bad situation I say this: Democrats have been in charge of all branches of government for years AND he choose to run for Governor after being in charge for a couple of years after Blago. No excuses please. To the, “But he’s a nice guy” crowd. Who cares? He was elected to lead. Being a nice guy doesn’t qualify or disqualify a Governor. Nor does it make him good at what he does. Judge on his actions, not his personality. Rich, I sent you an email yesterday. It has an attachment, so it may have been SPAM filtered. I resent just no. - 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 2:56 pm: ===No excuses please=== Cinci, you’re a GOP township committeeman. Of course you don’t like Quinn. Rich asked us to explain our rating, so you can’t tell anyone not to explain. That would undermine the whole QOTD concept, wouldn’t it? - Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:09 pm: 47th, I hear you. But it is a weak explanation to say Quinn was dealt a bad hand, no? It isn’t like he didn’t know the troubles before he decided to run for Governor. And on another important note, did Rich get my emails? ;-{)> Have a nice weekend, 47th. If you are at Republican Day at the state fair, Look me up. Rich will know where I’ll be, if he gets the emails. - Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:12 pm: ===did Rich get my emails?=== I already replied to this. No. - LJC - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:21 pm: 6. Heart’s in the right place, he’s gotten some done, but I think he’s being kneecapped. - Responsa - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 3:29 pm: Gov. Quinn was unimpressive, uninspiring, and seemed very weak upon being handed the gift of governorship at Rod’s impeachment. Based on his early performance I feared Quinn didn’t have it in him to improve or to be a leader. (But I sincerely did hope he might become more of a leader after he won the election and therefore could be less “careful” whom he offended in making decisions and filling job appointments.) Hasn’t happened. Quinn may be trying his best but it is not good enough. He looks like he is phoning it in. Pat Quinn is the exact opposite what this state at this scary economic time needs in a governor. I’m feeling generous, so I give him a 3. I wish for all our sakes he deserved to be rated much higher because Illinois desperately needs a savvy and effective governor. - southern illinoisan - Friday, Aug 5, 11 @ 4:34 pm: I give him a 1 for a number of reasons and they are all related to his poor governing ability. How about the ROE line item veto, refusing to honor the AFSCME contract and blaming the GA, blatant patronage hiring of former GA losers, support of civil unions, abolishing the death penalty, did not support concealed carry, etc… Rod B was a lazy corrupt Chiacago political hack. Pat Q supported him and said that he was an honest decent man. That is what I call poor judgement and it continues today. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.