Quinn tries to respond
Monday, May 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Gov. Pat Quinn appeared on several Chicago TV stations on Friday to defend himself after it was revealed that the feds are looking into his horribly botched 2010 anti-violence initiative. Here are some of the links…
* ABC 7: Quinn defends handling of anti-violence program amid probe
* NBC 5: Quinn Responds to Probe of Troubled Anti-Violence Program
* CBS 2: Quinn Takes Blame For Botched Anti-Violence Program — But Credit For Shutting It Down
* I’ve already dissected Quinn’s comments for subscribers today, so I won’t go into too many details again here. Suffice it to say that I wasn’t impressed or convinced.
And this is from the CBS 2 story…
“It was a program that was designed to protect the public safety and violence-plagued neighborhoods and to provide jobs for young people, mentoring,” the governor says.
Spending records CBS 2 obtained tell a different story. In Maywood, where murders dropped from a high of 10 in 2008 to two in 2009, Quinn’s program gave the Village of Maywood millions. In 2010, the Democratic machine in Maywood cranked out more votes for Quinn in 2010 than for Rod Blagojevich both times he won the governor’s race.
Quinn OK’d millions to Healthcare Consortium of Illinois, based in Dolton, to dole out funds to worthy groups. A document CBS 2 obtained shows politicians ruled the advisory board.
It included three state representatives, two state senators and Frank Zuccarelli, the powerful supervisor of Thornton Township.
Oy.
* And the Tribune takes a look at recent history of busts and convictions over state grants…
Last month, Quinshaunta Golden, a onetime top aide to former state public health chief Dr. Eric Whitaker, pleaded guilty in a $400,000 state grant kickback scam. Prosecutors have agreed to request that Golden, niece of Democratic U.S. Rep. Danny Davis of Chicago, be sentenced to no more than 10 years in prison. Whitaker, a close friend of President Barack Obama’s, has said he is fully cooperating with the government and not involved “in any way” with the alleged crimes in the case.
Before that, the daughter of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Obama’s controversial former minister, was convicted of laundering thousands of dollars from a $1.25 million state grant for a Chicago-based job training program. Jeri Wright has said she will appeal. Her attorney argued Wright was a victim of a web spun by longtime friend Regina Evans, the former Country Club Hills police chief who was sentenced to five years on Thursday after pleading guilty to corruption in the case. Evans had secured a state job training grant but allegedly diverted the money.
Two Chicago women were sentenced to prison last October after pleading guilty to diverting grant money intended to encourage more minorities in Chicago to become nurses. One of them, Margaret Davis, said then-state Sen. Rickey Hendon helped secure the grant money. The flamboyant West Side politician abruptly resigned in February 2011, months after revelations that a federal grand jury issued subpoenas for records on dozens of state grants, some of which he sponsored. Hendon has not been charged.
The task force’s efforts claimed the political career of former state Rep. Connie Howard, who pleaded guilty last year to diverting as much as $28,000 from a scholarship fund she created to benefit needy students.
Democratic state Rep. Derrick Smith, already expelled once from the Illinois House, is scheduled to face trial this month in Chicago after federal investigators alleged he pocketed $7,000 from a day care operator who wanted him to write an official letter supporting a bid for a $50,000 state grant in 2012. The operator was working undercover for the FBI. Smith, who lost his March primary election, has denied any wrongdoing.
- Sir Reel - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:32 am:
All of this does not bode well for extending the income tax hike. Let’s see how well Rauner uses these gifts.
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:34 am:
A question I am having is, at what point does a majority of state voters tire of a constant flood of bad political news, before they are willing to consider an alternative?
It wasn’t in 2006 or 2010.
At what point will a majority of Illinoisans vote out a party that has not ended the embarrassment of political corruption they were elected to end?
We are not seeing any improvements since we dumped the GOP back in 2003. How much longer will Illinoisans continue giving the Democrats a chance to fix this government while producing a parade of corruption and filth?
Their white knight turned out to be a repulsive, but charming thief. Their reform champion has turned out to be an incompetent, unable to reform. All the while, we continue bleeding, bond ratings crater, and we look ridiculous.
At what point does the fear of having the wrong party in control over social issues, is overridden by the fact that it can’t help anyone regarding fiscal ones?
This is Illinois, so I can’t tell you. Democratic branding may be overriding other basic voting factors which would change other bipartisan states.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:36 am:
This is good as it’s going to get for Quinn on this issue. And it could get a lot worse, depending on where the prosecutors go and what they find.
When a plea of disorganization and incompetence is the best outcome, you have big trouble.
Plus, the whole issue is out of his hands. The prosecutors drive the process on their timetable. And who knows what new stuff reporters will be able to dig up, inflicting new cuts who knows when.
In the meantime, Quinn needs to change the subject somehow and cast a negative light on Rauner, let him take some heat for a while.
If he has any cards to play there, I wouldn’t hold them too long. Quinn can’t take too many weeks like last week.
- anon - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:48 am:
Vanilla Man, why is this the voters fault? The better question is why do republicans have a message that continues to lose to the democrats? Its pathetic that republicans cannot win with the record of corruption in this state. Republicans cannot help themselves but to repulse anybody who isn’t white and male. And straight, for the most part.
- Walker - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:52 am:
It’s certainly smells bad.
I look forward to the investigation of who, what, and why.
So far, just to say money went to a place where more Dem voters came out, or where organizations had politicians on their boards, ain’t sayin much.
We can all have our guesses and assumptions. The key question is: How was the money spent, and what were the outcomes?
- Angry Republican - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:52 am:
Hey VMan, if Marion Barry can be caught smoking crack on camera AND get re-elected in DC, Quinn can get re-elected in IL. Partisanship knows no bounds in IL (see polling post).
- A guy... - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:00 am:
All the king’s horses and all the king’s men have a decision to make here. The timing of this could be utterly devastating.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:05 am:
$192,000 paid to a Church or Church group. $146,000 of it paid in salary and benefit to Dorothy Brown’s husband, who apparently had past issues with financial irregularities. So less than 25% of those funds were directed to those in need? Subtract other expenses, and that figure decreases even more. This makes this one example highlighted by the Tribune is even more disgraceful.
Is this “disorganization” and “incompetence” or is this the poster child for wasteful government spending? Or both? There is no real positive spin here.
And why are religious organizations receiving taxpayer monies? What happened to the separation of Church and State?
Maybe some laws were broken. Maybe not. Time will tell. But the examples in the various newspaper articles written up last week keep showing insiders profiting from State Grants and not fully accounting for it. The victims of violence? They got crumbs, or nothing at all.
Pretty disgraceful stuff.
- Responsa - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:13 am:
This scandal features in bright technicolor everything that tax payers most despise about politics and politicians –and at a very bad time for the governor:
-Large sums of utterly unaccounted for/wasted money.
-No government oversight or management of an agency/bureaucracy/grant program.
-Spouses/children of officeholders and partisan activists feeding from the public trough because of who they are or who they know.
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:17 am:
Vanilla Man, why is this the voters fault?
I’m not saying it is. I am asking at what point will voter patience end. I am not questioning their decision.
Voting the GOP in 2002 was a good move.
Reelecting Blagojevich was understandable, but a bad move. Electing Quinn was understandable, and it has turned out to be another bad move. The election results are understandable, what the voters wanted is fine - I am not questioning that.
I am wondering when their patience will end for the Democrats like it ended for the GOP. It took a long time to throw out the GOP. Will we end up with decades of Democratic rule when all we get is this craptastic economy and a continued string of corruption?
Voters are not the problem. Our political parties are, however. I agree with you on that.
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:18 am:
Voting the GOP in 2002 was a good move.
That should have read - “Voting the GOP OUT in 2002 was a good move!”
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:21 am:
–Voters are not the problem.–
Clueless.
Who decides elections? Those that vote.
Blago had the federales all over him, yet 1.7 million voters chose him for a second term. Are they blameless?
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:23 am:
The rahmner owened and operated media is on the attack, WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT?!!! Lol
- Pingu - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:24 am:
I see the Michigan Democratic Party is following the Baron’s lead: http://tiplinemichigan.com
- anon - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:37 am:
Wordslinger, the problem is that the republican party is so bad that voters prefer corrupt democrats to illinois republicans. if republicans would spend less time vilifying different segments of the electorate, voters may actually chooses to get rid of corrupt democrats (by the way, I’m not suggesting all democrats are corrupt, but i am generalizing to make my point). if i were a republican, i would be ashamed that i lacked the brains and discipline to seize this opportunity to lead illinois back to prosperity. the republican brand is just awful. own it and fix it.
- VanillaMan - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:37 am:
What is the difference between, “Everyone did it, why blame me?” and “Voters are to blame?”
It is vital that we hold someone accountable. This is what we do when a cop pulls over a motorist among a pack of speeders, when we decide that junior is to be punished for being a part of a fight, and why we hold elected officials responsible.
Becoming elected into office does not mean an elected official or the political insiders and party becomes unaccountable for what happens during their tenure.
Voters do the best they can to choose between Candidate A or Candidate B, often the only two choices for an elected office. The fact that they voted one of them into office, does not mean that they are to blame for what happens.
No one forces you to sign a note of responsibility in a voting booth that if your candidate turns out to be a dud, you are partly to blame. If we did - fewer would vote than already do.
It is the responsibility of leadership to assume the mantel of accountability the moment of inauguration - and no one else. A leader does not expect voters to allow them to finger point at others as reasons for a failure while in office. The facts and open mindedness and fairness among voters can do this without needing for a leader to blame others.
You don’t blame voters.
- Walker - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:44 am:
===You don’t blame voters”===
Unless you really don’t believe in Democracy American style.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:44 am:
VMan, I understand you like to be a victim and unaccountable, but voters are ultimately responsible for those they elect.
You can spin yourself dizzier all you want, but you can’t change one fact: they who get the most votes, win.
- Upon Further Review - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:44 am:
I am really getting tired of state grants to not for profits that were created on the spur of the moment almost solely for the purpose of accepting a state grant on behalf of a worthy cause. Illinois has been scammed too easily and too often.
- Soccermom - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:52 am:
Governor Quinn needs to go on the offensive, and Rauner gives him plenty of ammunition. As Axelrod says — in politics, you’re either the stick or the pinata. PQ needs to start beating Rauner until the candy falls out.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:55 am:
Politically, the Governor needs to get ahead of this scandal and dissembling (as Rich pointed out to subscribers this AM) is a hell of a bad way to go about it. I’ve predicted for quite sometime that this would be his undoing, but this is going way worse than even I expected.
PQ, you’re running out of time to fix the PR on this.
- Responsa - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:03 am:
==PQ, you’re running out of time to fix the PR on this.==
I get where you’re coming from, but focusing on “fixing” PR and/or “going on the offensive” as soccermom advises, can often be dangerous when a federal investigation is afoot.
- Anonymous - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:06 am:
==You can spin yourself dizzier all you want, but you can’t change one fact: they who get the most votes, win.==
I don’t know why, but this conversation reminds me of a line from an old Simpsons episode:
“Don’t blame me, I voted for Kodos”
- Walter Mitty - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:06 am:
I change my vote to toast from the other day… It’s early and the upside is bad enough that what would or could PQ change the narrative? This IS the platform Rauner is running on. Even with a change in subject, it all comes back to this.. If there is some dry powder.. Quinn best fire now… This ain’t going away..
- Black Ivy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:10 am:
The abuse, misuse, and misappropriation of State grants by members of the Illinois General Assembly is certainly nothing new. I am very disappointed to see so many Black Caucus members (or close relatives of them) caught up in the fray, but it doesn’t surprise me. Governor after governor seemingly believe that the best way to secure the Black vote is to throw money at alleged community leaders through State grant-making. For shame, folks, for shame!
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:24 am:
Anyone who knows about the black arts knows it’s called ‘turn your opponents strength into a weakness.’ Quinn has a twenty plus year history as a reformer that Rahmner must destroy by November. The question is can Rauner with all of his questionable history and associations waltz by the Rahmner owned and operated media thru November without a scratch?
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:27 am:
“going on the offensive can often be dangerous when a federal investigation is afoot”
Why? Worked for Rod.
- Responsa - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:31 am:
==Why? Worked for Rod.==
Really? I was under the impression he’s still in prison.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:42 am:
Responsa, you’re not making sense.
Blago won, big, because he went negative on JBT early and often, while he was under investigation.
He’s not in prison for a winning election strategy.
- Responsa - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:48 am:
Oh, I did not realize we were limiting our discussion here to “winning election strategy”, Mr. Word. Sorry to upset you.
- Walter Mitty - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:49 am:
Because of that strategy and the last 4 Gov’s… Going negative on Rauner unless there is som SERIOUS dirt… Ain’t gonna stick.. The culmination of all of these headlines are not going to be overcome….Certainly not easy. JBT didn’t have unlimited funds to counter and bring it back. The more interesting piece to watch is when the National money makes the decision to withhold and say it’s good money after bad to support PQ.
- Whistle - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:50 am:
Quinn????
How did all the big shots from the Illinois Tollway get tickets to the recent Blackhawk games?
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:59 am:
Responsa,
You are suggesting that if Quinn gets ahead of this, discloses what he can, investigates what he can and fires who he can, that he might be in some legal jeopardy. I know there’s a fed investigation but I know nobody that suggests he might personally be in LEGAL trouble. What we do know is that he is in serious political trouble that he is making worse. That’s what I was referring to that he needs to fix…and quick.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:04 pm:
With the rahmnerization of Illinois republicrate party can you even imagine how quickly Rahm’s mayoral opponent will be ‘investigated,’ charged, convicted and sent off to jail? My guess would be 30 seconds into his campaign announcement! Lol
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:08 pm:
–With the rahmnerization of Illinois republicrate party can you even imagine how quickly Rahm’s mayoral opponent will be ‘investigated,’ charged, convicted and sent off to jail?–
By whom?
It’s Monday, dude. Weekend’s over.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:15 pm:
Wordslinger, I don’t understand your question.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:23 pm:
I have a question, why isn’t anyone investigating Rahm’s donation of I million dollars to Quinn’s primary opponent tio?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:24 pm:
===The rahmner owened and operated media is on the attack, WHO COULD HAVE PREDICTED THAT?!!! Lol===
You are a Dope.
The report that has led to this investigation was done by;
William.
Holland.
Auditor General of Illinois.
Get a clue. The press here in Illinois has a story with the Auditor General passing his report to the US Attorney.
You trying to drag in … others…as the driver of this is pretty pathetic.
- Soccermom - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:31 pm:
Mr. Kelly, please post a link that substantiates the Mayor’s contribution to Mr. Hardiman. I could use a laugh today.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:42 pm:
Oswego, before you spend valuable time and energy acting out against me I recommend you look in the mirror, make peace with you dad or who whoever it was that hurt you and do something your life. But I must tell you whatever is wrong with your life I am not responsible. That is the best advice I can give w/out knowing all the fact, I wish you well.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:47 pm:
So… you have no response to Auditor General Bill Holland, one of the most well-respected people in any branch of Illinois Government, and his Office, taking a report and giving it to the US Attorney for further investigation? Holland is now beholden to…whom? I dunno, your theory seems to be crumbling…
Dope.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:04 pm:
Soccermom, get ready to start laughing! http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-06-14/opinion/ct-edit-crime-0614-jm-20120614_1_murder-rate-chicago-police-homicide-toll
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:19 pm:
How about responding to Bill Holland, the Auditor General Report, and handing that over to the US Attorney, and your Dopey conspiracy?
Got anything on that, lol
- roscoe tom - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:36 pm:
Look for Dorothy Brown’s Husband Benton Cook III to be Quinn’s Willie Horton as more information comes out on this “suspect’ clinical psychologist.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:39 pm:
Didn’t count on that Holland “wrinkle”.
You get back to us where Bill Holland fits in. Use more tin foil if needed.
To the Post,
Quinn’s only saving grace out would be the swift completion of the USA and then move on. The US Attorney has a timetable based on where the trail takes the case, not election calendars.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:43 pm:
Oh, and it is going to take a real serrrrious journalist to get to the bottom of Rauner’s half billion dollar SBC deal that Rahm and Quinn’s OTHER primary opponent bill Daley were apart of. But where will we find a serious journalist in Illinois who isn’t on rahmner’s payroll. Lol
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:47 pm:
Bill Holland, not Bill Daley…
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
Soccermom, please google the Rauner SBC deal that made Rahm a multimillionaire that is unless you are still laughing too hard from Rahm giving tio a million dollars to solve the crime problem in Chicago! Now we are both lol! Lol lol lol! No really I am laughing out load, take my word for it.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:56 pm:
- william j kelly -, is the only person I can think of that has me defending Rauner and the Chicago mayor.
I looked for you, can’t seem to “link” Holland.
Maybe your tin foil hat is that “no stick” kind?
- Soccermom - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:03 pm:
The City of Chicago gave a $1 million one-year contract to CeaseFire in 2012. It was not renewed the following year. CeaseFire let Hardiman go in June 2013 after his contract expired (and after his arrest on domestic violence charges.) Not exactly a $1 million contribution to the Governor’s 2014 primary opponent.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:06 pm:
- Soccermom, don’t confuse him with facts. Dates seem to be a struggle too.
- Soccermom - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:09 pm:
OW, I just wanted to set the record straight for other readers.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:16 pm:
Oswego, this comment is directed at you and only you, in a sincere attempt to help you reconnect with your spirit I am asking you to please take a moment click this link and sing along like no one is watching! It will make you feel better! http://youtu.be/P5vz6iwV38U
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:23 pm:
- Soccermom -, I was just enjoying your fact-based refute. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Apologies if you thought my tone was to the negative.
Far from.
Look, when you get that Holland part as part of your Dopey, ignorant narrative based on Tin Foil, and lacking anything close to reality, - wjk -, you let us all know. We can read, facts allude you. Pathetic, but your lack of facts is consistent.
- Soccermom - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
OW - no worries. I understood. And yes, I do occasionally have to be reminded not to feed the trolls. As my husband sometimes says, “Gee, honey, is somebody wrong on the internet?”
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
William -
If you want a pen pal, get a pen pal. This isn’t the place for attacking other folks.
VanillaMan -
Your point is well taken, and I agree with you to a point. Except that it is rather pointless to argue that the economy would have faired any better under Republicans or would fair better under Rauner.
There is, in fact, a strong argument to be made that what is holding our economy back is the failure of Republicans to govern. If we had passed a bipartisan plan four years ago that addressed the structural budget deficit, eliminating uncertainty in the tax climate, it probably would have been a boon.
And it is irresponsible to ignore the fact that independent analysts largely blame massive cuts in public payrolls for Illinois’ lingering unemployment.
Yes, it turns out unemployed government workers have a negate impact on our economy.
To your question, when will the public tire of Democrats? Not any time soon, although I think it quite possible Illinois will elect a Republican governor and a Democratic legislature this year.
That largely depends on Rauner’s ability to cast this election as a referendum on Quinn rather than a choice between two brands, and visa versa.
Quinn, BTW, seems to be playing right into Rauner’s hands. He rarely talks about Democrats v. Republicans and largely portrays the campaign as a choice between his leadership abilities and Rauner’s.
Team Quinn should drop the “I” talk.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:45 pm:
=== And yes, I do occasionally have to be reminded not to feed the trolls…===
You and me both (mostly me! Actually me…)
Maybe it’s Quinn that needs that bus tour right about now. Fresh air might do him good, and keep him away from the press.
- Cassandra - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:07 pm:
Back to state grants. According to the S-T, Rep Crespo has a legislative proposal to improve the monitoring of the 1/3 of state grants whose current monitoring he describes as loosey-loosey.
The other 2/3 are supposedly monitored under more stringent federal standards. I don’t know if the non-violence initiative funds were the loosey-loosey kind or not, but in the interest of future tax bills, maybe Quinn and the leaders should support Rep. Crespo, who also wants to put limits on administrative costs. Just like the $9 million in DCFS grant funds, I suspect most of the $54 non-violence funds are, like, gone, investigations notwithstanding. But we can improve.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:28 pm:
Yellow dog, I think that comment would be better directed to Oswego.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:35 pm:
William J. Kelly -
Be the change.
Cassandra -
I like Crespo, and his proposal. I’m not sure that having GOMB monitor grants provides any sort of independent accountability.
If you wanna add an extra layer of bureaucracy, at least house it in the Comptroller’s office.
Frankly, once fully implemented, Budgeting for Results ought to address the problem of grants not addressing specific problems and delivering measurable results.
I’m not sure I agree with the assessment in this particular case, however, that the problem was poor management by the nonprofit organizations.
If as Rich claims, violent crime was already on the decline when the anti-violence program was launched, the problem was conceptual, not managerial.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:36 pm:
- YDD -,
Couple points,
Well thought out,
===That largely depends on Rauner’s ability to cast this election as a referendum on Quinn rather than a choice between two brands, and visa versa.===
That is about the size of it. Rauner knows he needs Indies and Dems, and at the same time not embracing the ILGOP; “it’s me or Quinn…” which seems smart enough until you read/see/ hear the rhetoric, and Rauner having no vase like Quinn has to try a significant GOTV base to start from.
These US Attorney issues walk Rauner through the door of. “Me v. Him” under his rules. Still gotta vote his “Me’s”
Again, nothing on Bill Holland.
Get back to us when you get that Holland/Chicago Mayor stuff.
- William j Kelly - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:54 pm:
Amen, yellow dog, the wisdom of the ages, be the change!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 4:27 pm:
Thanks Willy.
I believe it was that well-respected political pundit Rich Miller who once pointed out that voters are oftentimes like a bunch of drunk Cubs fans: if the guy on the mound is giving up a bunch of walks, hits and runs, you don’t stop to ask yourself whether the guy in the bullpen is any better. You want someone new. Now.
If your the guy in the bullpen, you want voters to have that mentality, to be focused on the incumbent’s performance.
That’s why I think Quinn starting sentences with “I…” is a mistake.
We v. Them.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 5:14 pm:
- YDD -,
===That’s why I think Quinn starting sentences with “I…” is a mistake.===
It’s like the Royal “We” Rauner slips sometimes, but not nearly as often.
Being May, this is the time to work out the message delivery bugs.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 5:51 pm:
Willy:
It isn’t just a slip of the tongue.
In a style reminiscent of Rod, Quinn issued a news release today calling on the Senate to pass Crespo’s bill as if he has been fighting for it singlehanded since 2012.
Never mind it passed the House with 89 votes.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 6:00 pm:
- YDD -,
I will say this, along those lines, the voting public, now maybe more than recent memory, are going to be bombarded with hyperbole against the blatant political rhetoric that is the Quinn narrative, and the same exact hyperbole is going to try and taint the blatant rhetoric that is Rauner too.
These two, their “ways”, their cadences, their turns of phrases and “extremes” in describing anything done, liked, not liked, supported, opposed, whatever, is going to grate on both these guys, against the other, but will the voters tune them both out at some point as “education” on these nuances becomes more visible to more and more voters?
We might know on a Friday news dump… Or the emergence of more “adamantly” spoken video.
How fun for us all(?)
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 6:45 pm:
“Republicans have accused Democrats of standing up for the Middle Class. Republicans call standing up for your neighbor ‘Class Warfare,’ Democrats call looking out for your neighbor the American Way.”
- Just The Way It Is One - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 7:01 pm:
Quinn just didn’t TRY to respond to all of the garbage being flung wildly about by his opponent at him–he responded. And he did a good job at that. It’s not about HIM, but rather the administration of a Program with good faith and good intent. Nothing’s perfect. He’ll easily weather this storm.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 8:17 pm:
BTW, it seems to get lost in the mix, but the idea that jobs and positive role models can help foster good citizenship is not exactly radical socialism. Even if the implementation was a little botched, we probably still got more
bang for our buck than the Sears tax
break.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 9:41 pm:
–Even if the implementation was a little botched, we probably still got more
bang for our buck than the Sears tax
break.–
The fatal final word.
Dude, you have to know when to not defend the indefensible.