Caption contest!
Monday, Sep 23, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Illinois Democrats’ state central committee met in Springfield yesterday and slated Gov. Pat Quinn and the rest of the unopposed ticket…
It took less than a half hour for the party’s state central committee to slate candidates in six statewide primary races. Five candidates currently are unopposed. […]
Gov. Pat Quinn touted the party endorsement as significant even though Daley, his main challenger, withdrew last week with a parting shot — predicting that Quinn would be defeated by a Republican. The only other announced gubernatorial primary candidate is Tio Hardiman, former director of a Chicago anti-violence group and who is little-known outside the city. […]
“The Democratic party is like a family and in any family you’ve had differences,” party chair and House Speaker Michael Madigan said after the meeting. “What I’ve learned about Democrats is that when they have differences, they’re able to work through the differences, and when it’s time for a general election they unite.” […]
Only three of the six candidates — Quinn, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin and Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, who is making a bid for comptroller — were present to make a pitch for the committee’s endorsement.
* Bernie Schoeburg was there and tweeted a pic…
Funniest commenter wins a free state legislative mobile app that I’m preparing to unveil.
Our last winner was Michelle Flaherty.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:09 am:
“Now Sen. Durbin … hem might be the only one I haven’t aggravated …”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:11 am:
“If I don’t get the endorsement, and remember, I have no opposition … I might move to reduce THIS body by 1/3 …”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:15 am:
“Now, I am going to ask the one person who can say something nice about me to speak on my behalf, Sen. Durbin …”
“I scared off Lisa, I scared off Daley, and you still want me to pitch myself as the slated candidate?”
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:15 am:
I won’t tell that you gave a speech against the first Gulf War at Sangamon State.
- RNUG - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:15 am:
“I’ve improved things to where our backlog of bills is only this deep …”
- Tom - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:15 am:
Durbin “I thought I moved the podium far enough away to be out of the picture”
- John A Logan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:19 am:
“So there is this little girl on the side of the street. I am there in the back of the limo, and she keeps staring at me. So I roll down the window and wave and say hello there little girl, how are you? Then she puts her hand over her mouth and says, oh my lord its Mayor Daley!”
- John Bambenek - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:20 am:
“Speaker Madigan looks on as Governor Quinn admits he took his apple.”
- Amalia - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:20 am:
Quinn between two rocks, in a hard place.
- Kilroy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:21 am:
“If it were up to me, in order to save money, I would have made those expensive statehouse doors only *this* tall.”
- Eskimo - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:22 am:
“You’ll not see nothin like the lucky Quinn!”
- PublicServant - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:27 am:
On the award podium after the political incompetency state olympics, Governor Quinn, the victor, rubs it in to the 2nd and 3rd place finishers.
- Try-4-Truth - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:28 am:
“Well, enough about why the Speaker doesn’t like me.. now let’s talk about the ‘96 US Senate primary and the things I said about Dick Durbin’s family.”
- Darienite - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:33 am:
“Kind of feel like Allen Ludden…..the password is ‘reelect’.”
- Champaign - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:38 am:
So the sign on the ride at the State Fair said ‘must be this tall to ride’. Neither Speaker Madigan nor Senator Durbin were permitted to join the rest of the slate on the Octopus, when the legislature returns to Springfield this fall I will push legislation lowering the required height for amusement rides to 48″. This is important because Illinois is a diverse state with many county fairs and people of all heights should be able to enjoy the rides.
- Reformed Public Servant - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:38 am:
Well this guy here works in Washington DC, so I can’t withhold his salary…
- zatoichi - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:41 am:
I told these guys a white shirt makes a better picture, but no…….
- Stones - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:44 am:
PQ (Jesus) speaks to his apostles Peter & Judas at The Last Supper.
- ToddAF - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:44 am:
“I’d like to thank Manti Te’o’s girlfriend for casting the deciding vote on my endorsement over Tio Hardiman. I know it must have been a tough choice, but you made the best decision for the party.”
- Wensicia - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:48 am:
Durbin to Madigan: Got an extra set of earplugs?
- dupage dan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:51 am:
Jedi Knight Quinn uses The Force to overcome his enemy Darth Daley and leads the Alliance to victory!
- bored now - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:53 am:
“it’s good of you to let the state central committee meet. even if you only do it once every eight or so years, i’m glad you’re doing this for me…”
- sal-says - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:55 am:
Quinn: “I’m thrilled to be here; see my smile? These two guys don’t seem to be that thrilled.”
- Publius - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:56 am:
When i finish these few remarks, it will be piled this high.
- Anonymous - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 9:58 am:
“I’m happy to report my approval rating is up this much!”
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:01 am:
“I’ve got this really, really long speech ready to give if you don’t endorse me right now. Don’t make me use it!”
- N'ville - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:02 am:
“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you…”
- the unknown poster - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:09 am:
Madigan to Durbin: At least you get to hang out in Washington D.C, I have to listen to this guy on a regular basis.
- Norseman - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:09 am:
“Dick Durbin goooood! Mike Madigan baaaaad!”
- Snucka - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:17 am:
Bill Daley? Won’t see him no more.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:26 am:
“Lisa Madigan is out. So is Bill Daley. Kwame Raoul and his buddy Cullerton. Legislative salaries. Today I settled all family business so don’t tell me that you’re innocent. Admit what you did.”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:30 am:
Quinn: A man becomes preeminent, he’s expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms, enthusiasms… What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy? Baseball! A man stands alone at the plate. This is the time for what? For individual achievement. There he stands alone. But in the field, what? Part of a team. Teamwork… Looks, throws, catches, hustles. Part of one big team. Bats himself the live-long day, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, and so on. If his team don’t field… what is he? You follow me? No one. Sunny day, the stands are full of fans. What does he have to say? I’m goin’ out there for myself. But… I get nowhere unless the team wins.
Central Committee: Team!
- crazybleedingheart - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:35 am:
“And, in conclusion, Keep Calm and Quinn On.”
- Judgment Day - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:37 am:
“Now if the water doesn’t rise up above this level, I’ll be ok….”
- siriusly - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:39 am:
We are a one united party. Sure Dick, I ran against you once, and well Mike there’s that salary thing. But we are united.
- siriusly - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:40 am:
Good one Rich, I love the “enthusiasms” quote.
- Ucster - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:46 am:
You may have noticed that the ship is listing and we are sinking. Man the lifeboats - dems, women, and children first.
- Dirty Red - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 10:47 am:
Touchable?
- zatoichi - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 11:19 am:
At the 15 minute point:
Q: So history shows our great state has always…..
D: Please God, speed this up.
M: What are you looking at?
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 11:27 am:
“Our combined 120 years of Illinois leadership doesn’t need an introduction, but for those folks who may not have been around during this time, Dick Durbin is here and Micheal J. Madigan is to my right. Together we will continue to do for our state what we’ve been doing over those past 120 years.”
- Dan Linn - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 11:28 am:
I like my hotcakes stacked this high and sopping with butter and syrup. Boy are they good like that!
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 11:38 am:
“We promise a fresh new start as the guys who have been doing just for over 40 years!”
- William j Kelly - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 11:50 am:
“Come on guys, I don’t care what Rahm told you, endorsing rauner is not an option!”
- Mokenavince - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:04 pm:
I trust this guy on my right, I don’t trust the scmuck on my left.
- x ace - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:15 pm:
” And on the Far Right, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin”
- Some Other Anonymous - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:16 pm:
“Now, if one of you two would care to step up to the podium I will demonstrate Twerking for our audience.”
- thechampaignlife - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:16 pm:
Puff Daddy said it best: “Can’t nobody take my pride, can’t nobody hold me down”
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:25 pm:
Rich,
Great posts!
“I am not saying that Squeezy is in a box under Sen. Durbin’s feet, ready to pounce on Sen. Durbin…. if I am not endorsed…. I am not saying that … I am saying that Squeezy knows everyone in this room is going to do the right thing … and make Squeezy a very happy Cartoon Snake …”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:28 pm:
Ì don’t know much about dancin’, that’s why I got this song
One of my legs is shorter than the other and both my feet’s too long
‘Course now right along with ‘em, I got no natural rhythm
But I go dancin’ every night, hopin’ one day I might get it right
- Dazed and Confused - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:37 pm:
Can’t we all just get along? (see Rodney King)
- roscoe tom - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:38 pm:
This is realy not the gov.but just a cardboard figure paced there by his staff while he went to the washroom more than an hour ago and still ahsn’t found his way back.
- The Lowly LA - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 12:42 pm:
As you all know, I have been using the same briefcase since I was THIS TALL, and by the look on the Speaker’s face I can tell that you are all excited for me to keep bringing it to the Governor’s office in Chicago for four more years…
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:00 pm:
“I finally top Mr. Durbin’s bid and got the Michael Jackson autographed photo, but lost out to The Speaker bidding on Congressman Jackson’s moose heads.”
“Like Michael Madigan needs any more heads over his fireplace mantel, eh?”
- mm - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:01 pm:
The people have spoken, I have been nominated over my non-existant challengers. This indcates they want me around for another four years. Why else would no one want to run against me? Together we will make the will of the people the law of the land!
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:05 pm:
Sit Down We’re Votin’ the Slate
I dreamed last night I got on the plane to Springfiled
And by some chance I had brought my speech along
And there I stood
And I hollered “Someone slate me”
But the Committeemen, they knew yes from no.
For the committeemen all said sit down, sit down, we’re votin’ the slate
Committeemen said sit down
Sit down we’re votin’ the slate.
And the speaker will drag you under
By the sharp lapel of your checkered coat,
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down,
Sit down we’re votin’ the slate.
I flew away on that little plane from Springfield
And by some chance found note cards in my fist
And there I stood, Nicely passin’ out the note cards
But the Committeemen were bound to resisist
For the Speaker, he said beware
You’re on a Pat Quinn rant trip
Committeemen all said beware
Beware, you’ll scuttle the slate.
And the Speaker will drag me under
By the purple tie ’round my new white shirt
Sit down, sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down, we’re votin’ the slate
And as I laughed at those Committeemen in springfield (laughs)
(gasps!) A great big snake …came and squeezed me from behind!
And as I stood And I hollered “someone slate me!”
That’s the moment I woke up Thank you all
And I said to myself, sit down, sit down,
They’re votin’ ….the Slate!
Said to myself sit down, sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat
And the devil will drag you under With a soul so heavy you’d never float,
Sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down, sit down, sit down, you’re rockin’ the boat
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:09 pm:
Said to myself sit down, sit down, they’re votin’ the slate
And the Speaker will drag me under With a gavel so heavy it might leave a mark,
Sit down, sit down, sit down
Sit down, sit down, sit down, they’re votin’ the slate
Sorry …
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:19 pm:
“Remember Rod Blagojevich? I mean what was with that? The Speaker here was even Rod’s co-chair, and I was his running mate! Can I get a testify on that whole thing?”
“And Congressman Jackson! Haven’t heard from him in a while, and now he’s not on our slate? What’s up with that?”
“They say that politics makes strange bedfellows. What no one seems to says too, is that those beds are usually bunks at Tamms-am I right?”
“But Blagojevich?! I mean, how the hell did we get away with that guy on top of our slate? We must be awesome because we can’t seem to screw up so badly to not get reelect end, right”
“What’s wrong Dick? Getting way too honest here for you?”
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:25 pm:
I, for one, am opposed to another Scott Lee Cohen slate placement. That last one, well to put it mildly, sucked as bad as the last Lt. Governor candidate.
- oneofdem - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:30 pm:
I am just as suprised as these two.
- Brass Doors - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 1:51 pm:
It’s 2006 all over again. Didn’t Democrats learn that you’ve got to take out the trash in the primary or else it will come back to bite you?
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 2:33 pm:
We’ve all been around awhile. When Dick won his first election, Mike was only this tall!”
- walkinfool - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 2:41 pm:
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 4:02 pm:
“Oh, I like this one… One Pol looks one way, the other Pol goes the other way, and this guy’s in the middle, sayin’, “Whadda ya want from me?’ Guy’s got a nice purple tie, it’s beautiful.”
- Just Me - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 4:34 pm:
When Mike Madigan became Speaker of the House I was only “this high.”
- Just Me - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 4:36 pm:
“I simply made Daley an offer he couldn’t refuse…”
- Just Me - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 4:41 pm:
“…and if I ever need any guidance, who’s a better consiglieri than Senator Durkin?”
- Nearly Normal - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 4:56 pm:
“Why, I was this tall when I first heard the Rolling Stones and today I was floored to hear that Mick Jagger is going to become a great-grandpa!”
- Just Me - Monday, Sep 23, 13 @ 5:15 pm:
Senator Durkin plays poker on his iPhone while Speaker Madigan gives the “look of death” to the committee members to remind them to vote for the guy rambling at the lectern about making sure “everyone is in and nobody is out in this, the great State of the Land of Lincoln.”
- Casey - Tuesday, Sep 24, 13 @ 12:48 pm:
Contrary to what John Kass writes, I not only like Jello brand geletain, I also like Jello Pudding.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 25, 13 @ 2:39 am:
The little-known secret of how we conduct our primaries in Illinois, a la The Voice: If they like him, they’ll press their buzzer and turn around.