* Bloomberg…
Hillary Clinton returned to her Illinois roots to accept her latest award, offering reflections on her childhood while making no mention of a future that could include a 2016 presidential bid.
Speaking yesterday in Chicago, the home of President Barack Obama, Clinton called Abraham Lincoln “the greatest president who ever served our country” as she accepted the Order of Lincoln. She made no mention of Obama — who derailed her in the fight for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination and then named her secretary of state — or the presidency of her husband, Bill Clinton.
* But this choice nugget was buried deep in the story. Emphasis added…
Some of the other seven persons who received the award yesterday were Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, former UAL Corp. Chairman Glenn Tilton, private equity investor John Canning and attorney Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman. [Emphasis added.]
* Hmm. Newton Minow. Does that name sound familiar? Maybe this recent Tribune op-ed by Minow will jog your memory…
President John F. Kennedy once said that “sometimes party loyalty asks too much.”
I believe Kennedy was right as we consider the election for Illinois governor this year. As a longtime member of the Democratic Party, I’m taking a leave of absence from the Democratic Party’s campaign for governor in November and will vote for Republican Bruce Rauner for governor.
I couldn’t find any video or photos of Quinn’s presentation to Minow of the state’s highest award, so we missed out on one heck of a caption contest today. Perhaps you can make something up for us in comments.
Have fun.
- A guy... - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:16 am:
Once the cameras have left…And, honorable mention goes to….
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:22 am:
Mr. Minnow is someone to honor. Best do it while he is still alive. His pro-Rauner comments don’t erase his accomplishments over the past half century.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:28 am:
Secretary Clinton called Quinn the “luckiest politician” after Daley dropped out…not exactly a ringing endorsement.
Still, I doubt she is much of a Rauner fan.
- Reality Check - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:29 am:
It appears that John Canning has not given to Rauner. I find that interesting.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:29 am:
In the immortal words of the immortal Bill,
Whoops.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:32 am:
–Still, I doubt she is much of a Rauner fan.–
Why, did he lose all his money?
The universe of those who can underwrite $250K for a speech ain’t that large.
- justsayin' - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:33 am:
I had thought Mr. Minow was a man of integrity. I have reason to believe in light of Rauner that he is not. There is too much Rauner pay-to-play taking place around the state and that is when principles go out the window.
- Walker - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:37 am:
“Swimming with the sharks, Minnow?”
- W - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:40 am:
Think Minow will suddenly find he’s too busy to help out Rauner?
- Ken_in_Aurora - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:45 am:
“After the presentation, Minnow was heard complementing how the award’s neck ribbon had been finely crafted into a noose.”
- OneMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:54 am:
The technical Lincoln awards were given out at a Peoria Steak and Shake on Tuesday
- Pete - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:18 am:
Minnow: “Quinn gave me this medal and I still have to wait in line to vote.”
- OneMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:25 am:
== Think Minow will suddenly find he’s too busy to help out Rauner? ==
Nope, the awards were announced a while back.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:48 am:
Without video, it is impossible to tell how he handled this. I am also unsure whether he could have done anything to stop this from happening if Minnow was selected by an independent group.
Regardless, I assume Quinn awarded this with a smile on his face and a hearty “congratulations”. If so, that is a classy move. Good for you, Governor.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:15 pm:
I was there and it’s Minow’s speech that was really astonishing. He actually put forth the proposition that Lincoln was fortunate to have been assassinated at just the right time in his life! His argument was that if it had happened much earlier, Lincoln would have been seen as a failure as a wartime President, and if it had happened much later he would have been criticized for the ugly post-war reconstruction period. How can anyone question the insight of a man who believes Lincoln was fortunate to have been assassinated at just the ideal time.
Newton Minow is clearly one exceptionally perceptive intellectual heavyweight—NOT!
My caption would be PQ with a shocked look on his face saying, “Say WHA…”?!?
- Meanderthal - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:22 pm:
The space between Pat Quinn’s lips and the truth is a vast wasteland.
- Toure's Latte - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:26 pm:
The number of regular voters likely to even know about this? ~zero.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:28 pm:
TL, and your point is?
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:13 pm:
– His argument was that if it had happened much earlier, Lincoln would have been seen as a failure as a wartime President, and if it had happened much later he would have been criticized for the ugly post-war reconstruction period.–
Sounds like a late-night dorm room “discussion.”
(bubbling noise, long exhale) “Hey Newt, (cough, cough) Did you know JFKs secretary was named Lincoln, and (cough, cough) Lincoln’s secretary was named JFK, uh, I mean Kennedy? How messed up is that? (click, bubbling noise……)
- RNUG - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:31 pm:
- Mighty M. Mouse - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:15 pm:
FWIW, I’ve heard the same basic argument made about JFK.
Doesn’t mean I necessarily believe either one, but it is a valid point that could be argued back and forth … preferably over some cold liquid refreshment.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:57 pm:
Somehow I think had Lincoln lived, Reconstruction would have worked out differently.
Fun Fact–The SS Minnow was named for Newton.
- siriusly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:47 pm:
How many Republicans can you endorse and still call yourself a Democrat ?
Minnow has backed every GOP candidate since George Ryan ! Just say you used to be a Democrat already what’s the point in pretending.
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:03 pm:
He wasn’t being honored for his politics, but for his work. Whom he endorses is irrelevant.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:41 pm:
@wordslinger -
I think you misjudge Secretary Clinton. She called Lincoln the greatest president ever…I doubt she is a fan of those who think equality ought to be left up to a referendum. In fact, she spent a good deal of time scolding national leaders who hold the view that minority rights are a question of majority will, rather than inalienable.
- Just The Way It Is One - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 6:53 pm:
Hate to burst the Bubble of some folks and their Comments above, but as far as the Legal Community sees it, here’s just one lawyer’s opinion on who he’s voting for. Whoopie Doo. There are thousands and thousands of OTHER Illinois Attorneys, popular and run-of-the-mill, alike, who will be casting their votes in November for Pat Quinn.
- Just The Way It Is One - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 6:55 pm:
P.S. Oh, and I forgot to mention that, although maybe not many, but some of those same lawyers will be Republicans…!