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*** UPDATED x2 - Quinn to address the media *** “Let’s make the will of the people the law of the land”
Wednesday, Nov 5, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller * How many times have we heard Gov. Pat Quinn repeat that line? Google returned 8,900 results. I can somewhat understand why Gov. Quinn didn’t concede last night. His campaign repeatedly pleaded with voters to stand in line for hours. Some folks waited until 3 o’clock this morning to vote. I can see why he wouldn’t publicly walk away while people who are loyal to him are sacrificing time away from their loved ones. * But, it’s now Wednesday afternoon, and Quinn is trailing by five percentage points with 99.5 percent of the precincts reporting. Maybe he closes the gap by a little, but the “will of the people” is obvious. Governor, you and your opponent tore this state in half with a hundred million dollars in negative advertising. It’s time you helped heal those divisions that you helped create. It’s time to pick up the phone, call Bruce Rauner and concede. I have his number if you need it. *** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…
*** UPDATE 2 *** WGN says they will live stream the event. Click here.
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- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:25 pm:
Maybe Brooke Anderson should slide him a note, reading;
“Stand up straight and concede already”
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:25 pm:
Agrred.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:26 pm:
And agreed, too, lol.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:27 pm:
Well beyond time for Quinn to concede. Also well beyond time for him to do it with any remaining possibility of appearing graceful or statemanlike doing it.
As for the folks waiting 9 hours or whatever to vote, while in a way I guess it’s admirable they care that much to take that much time, let’s also remember it’s completely unnecessary. They waited until the last possible moment to vote rather than registering and/or voting early like everyone else and like they had months and months of time to do. It’s kind of like patting the people on the back who are stuck buying the Chia pets at Walgreens at 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
- Bubba Gump - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:29 pm:
The Forest Gump of Politics days are over. Stick a fork in him.
- Percival - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:30 pm:
He hasn’t lost an election in decades, and this one must hurt very badly. It has been an awful campaign season, and I suspects he hates Rauner and what Rauner represents. But no man is bigger than the people. He will see than soon, I’m sure.
- voted - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:30 pm:
He never conceded, when he was beaten by George Ryan
- OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:30 pm:
The people of Illinois Good and True(tm) who live in this fine state, the Land Of Lincoln with is mighty Mississippi River and high speed rail, you know Lincoln was knows as the rail splitter, would want us to wait until every last vote was counted. Before I admit the obvious…
- voted - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:32 pm:
Also, no class
- Been There - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:33 pm:
The will of the people is one thing but the law of math also kicks in. A half percent of 3,400,000 votes is only 17,000. And he’s not going to all of them. Provisional and late mail make up maybe a percent or so. Even 2% is only 64,000 votes, again he doesn’t get them all.
On the other hand Frerichs should be all over this.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:37 pm:
I’m picturing Governor Quinn ironing his trademark purple & black tie - he only has one, of course, because he’s a man of the people - and yelling out load, “MIGHT MAKES RIGHT!” Or something like that.
- Bogey Golfer - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:38 pm:
Maybe he’s waiting until Sunday. He was famous for calling Sunday press conferences so he could always be on the late news (slow day).
- voted - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:40 pm:
The bright side is that he will have a lot more time to mow his own grass with that enviromentally correct lawn mower
- Mouthy - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:40 pm:
Quinn was just as nasty as Rauner so who cares if he’s “hurt” This time the people judged him to be the worst choice from two bad choices. Retire gracefully already..
- Wumpus - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:40 pm:
He should barricade himself in the gov’s office, hold press conferences and ribbon cuttings like he is still gov. I hop ehe goes back to doing work for Vets. Also, has Vallas made a peep?
- Treefiddy - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:42 pm:
Quinn needs to finally pick up the phone and concede to Rauner. The concession call is a principle as old as the bible!
- Becoming real now - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:43 pm:
I think the reality of the loss is just settling in. They thought they were going to win till the late surge of results hit like a hammer. It’s called denial.
- Kerfuffle - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:43 pm:
Hey, he is on this voter count 24/7 so let him be!
- Walter Mitty - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
I think the way the thread was introduced say’s it all… It’s the law… Stay Classy Pat….
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:47 pm:
“Attention Illinois Elected Officials!”
“We shall now read the names of those of you unworthy of being retained in your offices.”
“Pat Quinn”
“Thank you, that is all”
Governor Quinn is a little embarrassed about his public firing.
- Kasich Walker, Jr. - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
I’m not sure why candidates declare victory or concede.
There are people paid plenty to figure out who won and who lost.
- RMWStamford - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
Agreed, I worked on Brady campaign four years ago in a far closer election, he choose to do the right thing and not draw it any longer.
- Dan - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
Not conceding sort of reminds me of withholding legislators’ pay. Not enough common sense to be an effective governor.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
It is not even an original line: Pat Quinn lifted it from “Fighting Bob” La Follette of Wisconsin (a governor, US Senator and unsuccessful presidential candidate).
Time to concede PQ.
- Tsavo - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:54 pm:
Maybe he is waiting for the November 21st court date on SB1 to see if he gets to keep the 3% COLA on his pension.
If he loses the COLA he may ask Bruce for a job when he concedes.
- Rod - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
Rich I think you misunderstand that Pat Quinn’s class warfare strategy was not political BS to get elected, he and many other Democrats believe Rauner is the harbinger of a full scale assault on both organized labor and the poor of Illinois. Seen from that perspective healing those divisions could well be not possible.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
I think Pat bought too much into his own Schtick. That and faulty polling will likely have him hiding for awhile longer. I am thankful it wasn’t a 2% lead we’d be going through the ‘04 Florida Mess.
- Been There - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
===he choose to do the right thing and not draw it any longer. ===
Actually it doesn’t really matter if he concedes or not. Not really his decision as to whether he lost or not. As Kasich says above there are people paid to figure that out. He has options when it comes to asking for a recount but he hasn’t done that.
That being said, he should man up and concede just to quit lying to himself.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
It’s a point well taken not to concede last night when people were still voting. Wasn’t going to help Quinn, but it might have helped Frerichs.
In 1980, Carter conceded to Reagan while voting was still open on the West Coast. Tip O’ Neil about plotzed.
- Golfman_r - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:05 pm:
“The concession call is a principle as old as the bible”. I didn’t know the phone was as old as the bible
- pundent - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:07 pm:
=Rich I think you misunderstand that Pat Quinn’s class warfare strategy was not political BS to get elected, he and many other Democrats believe Rauner is the harbinger of a full scale assault on both organized labor and the poor of Illinois.=
What a bunch of nonsense. Rauner’s ability to get something done with a Democratic controlled House and Senate is about the same as Quinn’s. The inflammatory rhetoric works on the campaign trail but Quinn knows that Rauner is powerless against the established interests in this state. In fact attempting to govern in the Scott Walker style would only make him look foolish given the obstacles he faces.
Now to the matter at hand. What happens if Quinn doesn’t concede? It doesn’t change anything. Unless we expect Pat Quinn to barricade himself in his office on behalf of union workers and the poor.
- What is to be done? - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:08 pm:
Congratulations, President Obama, for losing the Senate and ILL Gov. With his strategy, maybe the Russkies can take back East Berlin soon.
- A.B. - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:15 pm:
VanillaMan made me LOL.
At this point I think that the lack of concession speech only solidifies Quinn’s career as an elected official as being over. The people will move on an ignore it, unless he decides to run for something and then it will be blasted across the mediaverse. A poor decision by Quinn, but there is a bright side…. this one’s not ending in an orange jumpsuit. So kudos to him.
- haverford - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:18 pm:
Smart to honor the voters and to try to save the Treasurer’s race, but today, it’s time. Fought hard, got beat, bow out gracefully.
- orzo - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:24 pm:
This latest stunt is consistent with his whole career.
- archimedes - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:24 pm:
Quinn conceding would begin the process of building bridges to the future. His lack of conceding leaves the chasm created during the campaign.
- Anon. - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:26 pm:
==Retire gracefully already..==
He can’t afford to, unless the SCt tosses the pension reform law.
- Euphoric - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:38 pm:
In the words of the big man….
“Free at last, free at last. Thank god almighty I’m free at last”
Now we can begin to clean up the corruption and massive waste.
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:40 pm:
Given the way his speeches ramble, if he starts his concession speech now he could probably keep it going until February maybe March. Keeps him in for another month or two.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:41 pm:
It brings his governorship full circle: from the moment he realized Blago was history Pat Quinn changed - tossing aside the “will of the people” in favor of the power of picking Barack Obama’s successor without a special election (Blago then pulled the rug out from under him). Once the ultimate reformer, he became a pedestrian hack -when you give up that much of your soul for power, it’s hard to admit that power is coming to an end.
- kj - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Governor, in the words of the Lord and the 12th congressional district’s congressman-elect, “Let my people go”
- Sage - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Do not forget. The president has a phone and a pen. With executive action, the president could cancel the results and give Quinn a do over.
- Try-4-Truth - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
- Sage - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Do not forget. The president has a phone and a pen. With executive action, the president could cancel the results and give Quinn a do over.
Please tell me where you believe that power would come from. I mean, specifically. Dope
If this was snark, please label as such, and if it wasn’t, please stop being a crazy person
- Oneman - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:01 pm:
Would he concede at a government office?
- Amalia - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:03 pm:
it was a particularly messy voting day in Chicago, what with someone’s dirty trick of calling the election judges, and this, apparently, will be investigated by the Chicago City Council. I’m sure Quinn, in addition to his Quinness, is looking at the action in Cook County and wondering if votes went missing.
- Bobio - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:03 pm:
How dare the Governor concede the governorship in the Governors office. An investigation is warrented.
- Sage - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:06 pm:
The president himself has claimed all kinds of executive authority he does not have. Just ask all 9 US Supreme court justices. They have voted 9-0 that Obama exceeded his constitutional authority more than any other president in history.
- Impressed - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:10 pm:
He was checking with Jesse Jackson to see if a lawsuit would help. Nothing puts the brakes on like voter disfranchisement
- Try-4-Truth - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:10 pm:
- Sage - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:06 pm:
The president himself has claimed all kinds of executive authority he does not have. Just ask all 9 US Supreme court justices. They have voted 9-0 that Obama exceeded his constitutional authority more than any other president in history.===
So, you’re going with the crazy person route. Congrats!
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:13 pm:
Sage, goodbye.
- Tasty Grouper - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:16 pm:
If this press conference is concerning the campaign, it should not be held at JRTC and it shouldn’t be promoted by state employees. If he is conceding and discussing the election, campaign employees should promote it and it should be held outside official state offices. He’s probably broke and this is all he can afford.
- Anonymoiis - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:18 pm:
The Senate race 4 years ago was arguably just as personal, the results were closer, but by this point it was agreed it was over, and both were on their way to the Billy Goat to meet and move on. Shame that couldn’t have happened here.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:21 pm:
Sorry said ‘04 meant ‘00 Florida mess.
- Mikah Bates - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:25 pm:
He is going to announce immigration reform just to honk Republicans off.
- Presley Crawford - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:27 pm:
He is going to announce day-after voter registration and voting.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:32 pm:
172K down, you gotta be kidding. And yes, why is this press conference occurring at the JRTC?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:34 pm:
https://capitolfax.com/2014/11/05/gov-quinn-concedes/