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Katie Stuart Betrays Voters, Backs Madigan for Speaker
House Democrats Re-Elect Boss Madigan
“Katie Stuart today chose to put the political machine ahead of the people. She voted to elect Mike Madigan to a record 17th term as Speaker, extending Madigan’s decades of power for another two years. Stuart’s refusal to stand up to Boss Madigan makes clear that the only way to get a new Speaker in Illinois is by getting rid of legislators like Katie Stuart in Springfield.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
Today, House Democrats ignored the will of the people by re-electing Boss Madigan as Speaker of the House.
The Illinois Republican Party will continue to hold accountable the legislators who protect the status quo and empower the Madigan political machine.
I really do wonder what would happen if you polled the populace and ask voters whether they favored Madigan or a Republican House Speaker.
- Name/Nickname/Anon - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:37 pm:
Republicans are control of one state legislature away from being able to amend the Constitution on party lines. I’m pretty sure what’s worse Madigan or the near irreversible overhaul of the Constitution, I’m betting Madigan wins.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:39 pm:
Pretty soon Steve Yaffe will be a punchline for Spam Emails.
Raunerites do not want a deal.
Until this gets burned into Democrats head, this “both sides” ridiculousness will only help Raunerites more and more.
- HangingOn - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:40 pm:
With the choice between him and Durkin, I would have voted Madigan too. Not that I’m fond of Madigan, but Durkin scares me more with what he could do in a higher position of power. And that’s just from some of the things he’s actually said in public in the past. And I didn’t expect another Democrat to go after the position. Seriously, who would want to volunteer for that?
- Dr X - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
Pollin’ would be interestin’. They may say GOP, but then ask them if they support the turnaround agenda. I’m bettin’ Katie Stuart’s populace rejects the GOP.
- thunderspirit - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
If you polled the populace about Madigan or a burning fence as House Speaker, the fence would at the very least be in the running. We all know Madigan ain’t the most popular fellow in Illinois.
Still, Governor Rauner would need a Democratic bogeyman; that role would then be assumed by Senate President John Cullerton.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
I can imagine that Rauner will poll that info starting this summer - especially if there is another standoff or if Rauner, Cullerton, Radogno & Durkin agree on a “grand bargain” but Madigan does not. My guess is that if the results are poor then Rauner can use them in his reelection bid and the ILGOP can use the numbers against Dem incumbents running for reelection in the House.
- My New Handle - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
And the ILRaunerites demonstrate just how compromises are accomplished. The governor and his lackeys really, really would rather have no agreement on a budget. This kind of grade-school name-calling unlocks that “box” that Madigan is supposedly in. As someone who liked working with Republicans on many issues, I am glad I am not in that loop anymore, since I would have to go out of state to find an actual Republican state legislator.
- Tony - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
I’d love to learn her definition of “the people”. Define ” the people ” please.
- Sir Reel - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
I didn’t know “the will of the people” had been determined. I must’ve missed it on the ballot. I don’t recall it being announced during the election returns news. Thanks ILGOP.
- Straw Madigan - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
The question that the Speaker is either Mike Madigan or a Republican is a logical fallacy. Democrats could have nominated any member as Speaker, but they elected to limit the options.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:47 pm:
===The question that the Speaker is either Mike Madigan or a Republican is a logical fallacy.===
Considering that WAS the choices less than an hour ago, your ignorance is noted and mocked.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:47 pm:
Speaking of juvenile, repetitive and ineffective, how was the IPI event today?
- Shake - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
Madigan Alway’s Winning..
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
Why would members of a political caucus vote in mass for anyone belongIng to a party that trashes them 24/7/365? What possible help would they expect from that quarter?
Stop campaigning- start doing your jobs.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
Define ” the people ” please.
The people - persons for whom 1.4% wear a tie. Persons with net worth in excess of $500 million and can write a check for $25 million and not blink.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
===This kind of grade-school name-calling unlocks that “box” that Madigan is supposedly in===
lol
Nope. But keep dreaming.
- Thoughts Matter - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:52 pm:
Second, the democrats still hold a majority in that house- is it really the will of the people to put a Republican in as speaker of that same house?
- Huh? - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
And this is supposed to help how?
When asked about the recent IPI email, 1.4% responded that he doesn’t know what they are doing because he is concentrated on getting his agenda passed.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
Meh, the kids have to put something on their time sheets. They have to show The Boss that they’re doing something for the money.
- c'mon, man - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
Still no minorities on the list.
- Carharrt Union Negotiating Team - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:02 pm:
I’m beginning to get the sense that Republicans are trying to make Madigan the single issue in campaigns and stuff. Is it just me? I wonder if they’ll use members’ votes for Speaker Madigan against them? I wonder if the Governor or the Illinois Propaganda Institute (IPI) is aware that this?
I’m betting that we’re gonna see a lot of anti-Madigan stuff from now on out.
Call it a hunch…
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
Despite the picture yesterday of Radogno and Cullerton standing on the podium together smiling, don’t believe for one minute that the former GOP party (now Raunerite party)wants to get along with Democrats so that they can accomplish great things for the state together. They can’t even suspend the non stop campaign mode until a budget deal is done.
It’s obvious that a budget deal still isn’t the top priority with the Governor and his yes men in the Legislature. Killing off Unions and becoming the majority party are higher priorities.
I hope there’s a budget done before the end of the month. Between Rauner and Madigan I look for one or both of them to throw a wrench into the process of compromise.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:04 pm:
Go Representative Katie Stuart!
- TominChicago - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
Since the sole argument that the Raunerites had against any Dem House candidate was that a vote for him or her was a vote for Madigan, and in light of the fact that the Dems held their majority in the House, wouldn’t retaining Madigan as Speaker be the real will of the people?
- Hillary - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
When a man does a great job, you keep em.
- Joe M - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:29 pm:
Whatever. But, it still looks like more members of the Illinois House back Boss Madigan than back Boss Rauner. And for those in the House that didn’t back Madigan, pouting will not produce a budget. Time to move on.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
The voters in Katie Stuart’s district just soundly rejected Bruce Rauner’s agenda when they voted his rubber stamping state rep, Dwight Kay.
I would say Stuart is off to a good start when it comes to the “Will of the people”.
Moreover, Stuart appears to be headed to voting against a 52% tax hike supported by Governor Rauner and his spokesperson Steve Yaffe. In 2018, she will be running on her record of opposing the Rauner tax hike. I think she will be fine.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
The will of the people is there is more of them than you
- Fixer - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
Yaffe, the master of copy and paste
- A Jack - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
Are these the same people who put their wishes in a Illinois state constitution that Rauner keeps violating by not presenting a balanced budget proposal? Or are these like people in Indiana?
- Old Shepherd - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:31 pm:
What about the Republicans who said their first order of business when they got to Springfield was to “Fire Madigan”? Since Madigan wasn’t fired, does that mean they broke their first campaign promise?
- Trapped in the 'burbs - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:56 pm:
Bruce just doesn’t get it.
- Professor - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
What has the Republican Party come to? The Republicans I used to know, Henry Hyde, Ed Derwinski and the like must be turning over. This is Donald Trump stuff - welcome to politics in 2017. It is a disgrace.
- Up North - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 5:20 pm:
Since you asked, as a voter I favor Madigan.
- Dr X - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 6:56 pm:
Didn’t the will of the people want a millionaire’s tax?
- A-town - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 7:00 pm:
Stay strong Speaker Madigan
- burbanite - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 7:23 pm:
My rep was hit with a lot of antimadigan mailers and was reelected by a significant margin, so…
- The Equalizer - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 7:53 pm:
I would like to hear how the ILGOP defines the ‘will of the people’. Is that total votes? Representatives and Senators? Polls? Define please.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 8:02 pm:
Bruce will follow the Trump strategy; attack, attack, attack.
- low level - Thursday, Jan 12, 17 @ 9:36 am:
If the voters wanted a vote for Durkin or any Republican, they would have elected….a Republican.
Was that hard?