“Sam Yingling’s flustered response to a simple question shows just how loyal Yingling is to Mike Madigan. Yingling knows that a vote for Madigan is a vote against a property tax freeze, pro-growth economic reforms, and term limits, but Yingling will not dare speak out against his political patron.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
Yesterday’s dodge comes after Yingling was asked last week whether he would support Madigan, to which he responded “I don’t know, you should talk to him.”
Yingling should just back Madigan and be done with it.
“Why?!?!”
1) If this is the best Yingling can do, how is he helping himself? Yingling looks like a buffoon, worse than a mushroom, a person who has no clear thought he calls his own.
2) Rep. Yingling, they’re coming after you anyway. K? They’re a-coming. You will get no quarter. So… Stand up, and be done with this idiocy of ridiculous wordplay that hurts you worse than just supporting Madigan.
3) Do your job best, then you don’t have to worry about your job.
This is embarrassingly pathetic.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:22 am:
For crying out loud, Representative…are there other Democrat candidates for Speaker?…NO. Are you going to support the Republican leader for Speaker?…NO. So, let’s see what’s a reasonable answer for you? “I’m working through that…” Please!
I honestly don’t get why some Dems are running from Madigan. Obviously the Dems that are being harassed with this questioning are the same ones who will be challenged in two years anyway. Embrace Madigan and then flip the script: talk about the Raunerites and their support of Rauner. Stop stumbling, mumbling, and generally looking like fools.
- Signal and Noise - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:39 am:
If the answer isn’t an immediate “yes”, he’s already in the soup with his leader. When you do it twice? The confidence meter is on E. He’s pinched either way now. And, it’s his own fault. Seems this question didn’t “come out of nowhere”. He’s kind of a dimwit here.
Tit for Tat. Time to be asking various GPO reps and senators if they still plan on backing Governor Rauner as the State’s finances continue to crumble.
I saw Rep Yinglying last night on WTTW and Rep David McSweeney too. It is interesting Rich that the ILGOP did not make a note that McSweeney on the same program called the meetings between the four tops and governor Rauner “secret meetings” to create a grand deal for a big tax increase.
I also have to say that Carol Marin is out of touch with the situation in Springfield and she should have Amanda Vinicky host all of these segments from now on.
Let me explain why I think Ms. Marin is out of touch, her entering set up tried to pit the vote in favor of SB 2814 the Exelon bailout bill against the failure to override the veto of SB 2822 the CPS pension fund support bill. She assumed because McSweeney and Yinglying were on opposite sides of SB 2814 they would be on opposite sides of SB 2822. She was totally wrong about that because Yinglying was opposed to overriding the veto of SB 2822 and had voted against it to begin with. So Marin’s entire set up fell apart and Yinglying made it very clear that many suburban Democrats were more concerned about funding their own school districts than CPS.
Carol Marin has for years been riding down to Springfield and trying to make herself seem like she has a deep grasp of the inner workings of Speaker Madigan’s mind, it’s become rather sad. I recall her once complaining in a broadcast live from Springfield about the “fat cat” members of the Assembly in her voice over from the gallery of the House, when in truth she likely had deeper pockets than many of the elected members of the Assembly. Well enough of that rant.
==I honestly don’t get why some Dems are running from Madigan.===
The dude is in a form of gun shy by shock. He was on porches for a few months. He didn’t hear it every time, but heard it half the time, “Mike Madigan is the problem with our state. You need to separate from him.”
He probably extolled his independence to a lot of people and those voices are banging around in his head. He needed to do an assessment that 51% would hang with him if he had the Speaker’s money and resources. He hasn’t.
So now…he just mumbles. Looks indecisive and worse than that; weak. Not good. He’s done and he probably knows it. Separation agreement will last two years. Maybe. Might see a mini parachute and an appointment with someone who’s eaten more Wheaties.
Rizzo - because Lake County essentially was Rauner territory two years ago. Rauner nearly doubled up Kirk Dillard in the primary and then crushed Pat Quinn in the general. Yingling needs to be careful.
- plainfield liberal - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:24 am:
Sam’s words, “if, if that” are not merely stumbling nor pathetic words. He is trying to say something. Perhaps he will be a NV or he’s working through whether or not to vote.
Cowardly. Why not just answer with yes and also list some good things Madigan has done. Why let the other side completely frame the argument? Call Madigan’s fight with Rauner a principled position to protect the middle class. Tell how he has good leadership skills from years of experience. Good negotiation skills and ability to work across the aisle when the other side is willing to work together.
This is the smart answer to give because presumably he will eventually vote for MJM, so why give yourself unnecessary headaches by announcing it ahead of time.
Still, he shouldn’t put himself in obvious situations where he will be asked this question.
–“I will vote for the best candidate for Speaker available on that day. I’m not running for the post.”–
Spoken like someone from experience, unfortunately. That pat answer, and worse, that mindset, is the very reason Madigan has been largely unchecked for decades. And during that time the State’s finances have dwindled leaving the State insolvent. So while that excuse of a reply worked a few years back, Rauner has alerted Illinoisans to Madigan’s poor, and decidedly self-serving “leadership,” rendering Madigan the most hated politician in Illinois … and Madigan’s caucus members direct targets.
That makes tongue-tied goofs like Yingling totally incapable of responding in a cogent fashion.
The realityn Yingling and his colleagues have to contend with is a media double standard, which calls upon only Democrats to demonstrate independence from party leadership. This despite the record showing that House Dems have been more independent than their Republican counterparts. Who is the Republican Franks or Dunkin?
Leaving Dunkin out of it for the moment, I would say Dave McSweeney, David Harris and occasionally Mike McAuliffe. Two financially independents and a Chicagoan.
12:32 - McSweeney is definitely a wild card. He was very vocal against the stopgap budget and has been proactive in trying to stop pretty much all lame duck session deals.
== This despite the record showing that House Dems have been more independent than their Republican counterparts. Who is the Republican Franks or Dunkin?===
It’s always a little more revealing in the majority where it actually matters. Hopefully we’ll see some day.
It’s been quite a while, but Phil Rock always had a few senators he could go to when he needed to.
Lol, he just got re-elected a month ago. It’s going to be a long two years for you Guy. +++
LOL. Not nearly as long as it’s going to be for Old Sam. Everyday is going to be something less of a picnic for him inside and outside of the chamber.
I’ll be fine.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:22 am:
Yingling should just back Madigan and be done with it.
“Why?!?!”
1) If this is the best Yingling can do, how is he helping himself? Yingling looks like a buffoon, worse than a mushroom, a person who has no clear thought he calls his own.
2) Rep. Yingling, they’re coming after you anyway. K? They’re a-coming. You will get no quarter. So… Stand up, and be done with this idiocy of ridiculous wordplay that hurts you worse than just supporting Madigan.
3) Do your job best, then you don’t have to worry about your job.
This is embarrassingly pathetic.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:22 am:
For crying out loud, Representative…are there other Democrat candidates for Speaker?…NO. Are you going to support the Republican leader for Speaker?…NO. So, let’s see what’s a reasonable answer for you? “I’m working through that…” Please!
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:25 am:
Couple more and they will have a whole 30 second ad of just him stumbling around in his own words.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:33 am:
Why is Yingling on Chicago Tonight if he cannot answer the questions?
- Bothanspied - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:35 am:
How do you not prepare for a response to this question after failing the first time?
- Bogey Golfer - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:35 am:
You would think he would have his elevator memorized by now.
- Ratso Rizzo - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:39 am:
I honestly don’t get why some Dems are running from Madigan. Obviously the Dems that are being harassed with this questioning are the same ones who will be challenged in two years anyway. Embrace Madigan and then flip the script: talk about the Raunerites and their support of Rauner. Stop stumbling, mumbling, and generally looking like fools.
- Signal and Noise - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:39 am:
Were you not expecting that question?
Amature hour
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:42 am:
Interesting the common ground these two legislators from different sides of the aisle have
Both ripping the secret leaders Agenda in the leaders meeting
Both resisting the extra CPS funding and both complaining about high property taxes
1/3 of House democrats voted against Speaker Pelosi
Every legislator should be asked the same question about support for the Speaker and defend their vote
The fact that the Speaker will get 100 percent of the Democratic votes for Speaker after his performance is astounding
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:45 am:
The guy is clearly not too bright
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:46 am:
If the answer isn’t an immediate “yes”, he’s already in the soup with his leader. When you do it twice? The confidence meter is on E. He’s pinched either way now. And, it’s his own fault. Seems this question didn’t “come out of nowhere”. He’s kind of a dimwit here.
- Stumpy's bunker - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:52 am:
He who hesitates is lost.
Displeased the speaker.
Turnaround machine coming after you anyway.
- Joe M - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:52 am:
Tit for Tat. Time to be asking various GPO reps and senators if they still plan on backing Governor Rauner as the State’s finances continue to crumble.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:53 am:
Good job, Sam. Disloyal, and weaselingly stumped by a simple question. Ah, politicians. Why do we despise them so?
- m - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:53 am:
Looks like the R strategy of making this an issue is working.(working toward what I don’t know)
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:53 am:
===Why is Yingling on Chicago Tonight if he cannot answer the questions? ===
Because he got to be on the teevee!
lol
- Anony - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:54 am:
Now I see why democrats are so uncomfortable with Rauner’s painting of each member with the Madigan brush.
- old pol - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 10:55 am:
Good(smart)mushrooms are getting harder to find.
- Rod - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:03 am:
I saw Rep Yinglying last night on WTTW and Rep David McSweeney too. It is interesting Rich that the ILGOP did not make a note that McSweeney on the same program called the meetings between the four tops and governor Rauner “secret meetings” to create a grand deal for a big tax increase.
I also have to say that Carol Marin is out of touch with the situation in Springfield and she should have Amanda Vinicky host all of these segments from now on.
Let me explain why I think Ms. Marin is out of touch, her entering set up tried to pit the vote in favor of SB 2814 the Exelon bailout bill against the failure to override the veto of SB 2822 the CPS pension fund support bill. She assumed because McSweeney and Yinglying were on opposite sides of SB 2814 they would be on opposite sides of SB 2822. She was totally wrong about that because Yinglying was opposed to overriding the veto of SB 2822 and had voted against it to begin with. So Marin’s entire set up fell apart and Yinglying made it very clear that many suburban Democrats were more concerned about funding their own school districts than CPS.
Carol Marin has for years been riding down to Springfield and trying to make herself seem like she has a deep grasp of the inner workings of Speaker Madigan’s mind, it’s become rather sad. I recall her once complaining in a broadcast live from Springfield about the “fat cat” members of the Assembly in her voice over from the gallery of the House, when in truth she likely had deeper pockets than many of the elected members of the Assembly. Well enough of that rant.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:04 am:
==I honestly don’t get why some Dems are running from Madigan.===
The dude is in a form of gun shy by shock. He was on porches for a few months. He didn’t hear it every time, but heard it half the time, “Mike Madigan is the problem with our state. You need to separate from him.”
He probably extolled his independence to a lot of people and those voices are banging around in his head. He needed to do an assessment that 51% would hang with him if he had the Speaker’s money and resources. He hasn’t.
So now…he just mumbles. Looks indecisive and worse than that; weak. Not good. He’s done and he probably knows it. Separation agreement will last two years. Maybe. Might see a mini parachute and an appointment with someone who’s eaten more Wheaties.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:05 am:
Yingling needs to watch tape of Rauner lying about having no connection to the IL GOP yesterday and replicate it.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:07 am:
===Let me explain why I think Ms. Marin is out of touch…===
No need. She’s explained it herself. lol
- walker - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:16 am:
“I will vote for the best candidate for Speaker available on that day. I’m not running for the post.”
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:16 am:
Rizzo - because Lake County essentially was Rauner territory two years ago. Rauner nearly doubled up Kirk Dillard in the primary and then crushed Pat Quinn in the general. Yingling needs to be careful.
- plainfield liberal - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:24 am:
Sam’s words, “if, if that” are not merely stumbling nor pathetic words. He is trying to say something. Perhaps he will be a NV or he’s working through whether or not to vote.
- NoGifts - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:26 am:
Cowardly. Why not just answer with yes and also list some good things Madigan has done. Why let the other side completely frame the argument? Call Madigan’s fight with Rauner a principled position to protect the middle class. Tell how he has good leadership skills from years of experience. Good negotiation skills and ability to work across the aisle when the other side is willing to work together.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:29 am:
===He’s done and he probably knows it.===
Lol, he just got re-elected a month ago. It’s going to be a long two years for you Guy.
- Not It - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:33 am:
This is the smart answer to give because presumably he will eventually vote for MJM, so why give yourself unnecessary headaches by announcing it ahead of time.
Still, he shouldn’t put himself in obvious situations where he will be asked this question.
- JoeMaddon - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:37 am:
===Why is Yingling on Chicago Tonight if he cannot answer the questions? ===
Great question.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:44 am:
Geez, dude, you’ve had enough time to come up with something coherent before you go on the tee eve box.
Look at what Walker wrote and just go with that.
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:46 am:
–“I will vote for the best candidate for Speaker available on that day. I’m not running for the post.”–
Spoken like someone from experience, unfortunately. That pat answer, and worse, that mindset, is the very reason Madigan has been largely unchecked for decades. And during that time the State’s finances have dwindled leaving the State insolvent. So while that excuse of a reply worked a few years back, Rauner has alerted Illinoisans to Madigan’s poor, and decidedly self-serving “leadership,” rendering Madigan the most hated politician in Illinois … and Madigan’s caucus members direct targets.
That makes tongue-tied goofs like Yingling totally incapable of responding in a cogent fashion.
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:00 pm:
He could have just said no since Michael Madigan is not running for Majority Leader.
If Carol had asked whether he was going to vote for Michael Madigan for *Speaker*, well, that’s a more relevant question.
I second having Amanda handle all state government discussions on WTTW from now on.
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:32 pm:
The realityn Yingling and his colleagues have to contend with is a media double standard, which calls upon only Democrats to demonstrate independence from party leadership. This despite the record showing that House Dems have been more independent than their Republican counterparts. Who is the Republican Franks or Dunkin?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 12:35 pm:
=== Who is the Republican Franks or Dunkin? ===
Leaving Dunkin out of it for the moment, I would say Dave McSweeney, David Harris and occasionally Mike McAuliffe. Two financially independents and a Chicagoan.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
12:32 - McSweeney is definitely a wild card. He was very vocal against the stopgap budget and has been proactive in trying to stop pretty much all lame duck session deals.
- IfIfIf - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
It gets me thinking too when I can hear him say “If, if that…” If he has to vote for Speaker? Of course he and they do. Unless…
Is there some way they could do a voice vote or something where he wouldn’t have to personally vote?
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
== This despite the record showing that House Dems have been more independent than their Republican counterparts. Who is the Republican Franks or Dunkin?===
It’s always a little more revealing in the majority where it actually matters. Hopefully we’ll see some day.
It’s been quite a while, but Phil Rock always had a few senators he could go to when he needed to.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 1:41 pm:
+++- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 6, 16 @ 11:29 am:
===He’s done and he probably knows it.===
Lol, he just got re-elected a month ago. It’s going to be a long two years for you Guy. +++
LOL. Not nearly as long as it’s going to be for Old Sam. Everyday is going to be something less of a picnic for him inside and outside of the chamber.
I’ll be fine.