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* Sen. Michael Frerichs threw some political jabs at Rep. Tom Cross the other day. The two men are running for state treasurer. From the Champaign News-Gazette…
Cross, [Frerichs] said, is a “Springfield insider” who had “contributed to many of the most hazardous fiscal decisions leading to our current financial crisis.” Cross wants to “cut to the core the very programs that working families” depend on and is specifically aiming at public education and seniors.
Frerichs said he has been trying during his tenure in the Senate, and so far failing, “to clean up the mess Leader Cross helped to create over the past 20 years.”
The CN-G didn’t like the hometown guy’s rhetoric…
To have power in Springfield, you have to be a Democrat. Cross is a Republican, and he’s spent most of his time in Springfield trying to wipe away the sand kicked into his eyes by Democrats.
Here’s a little history lesson Frerichs hopes people don’t remember. Illinois is a solid Democratic state. Democrats control the governor’s office, both houses of the Legislature with veto-proof majorities, and the Supreme Court.
Republicans last controlled both houses of the Legislature in 1994. They last controlled one legislative chamber, the Senate, in 2003. They last had a Republican governor — George Ryan — in 2003. They’re out of power and out of luck, hoping somehow to win back public confidence and begin playing a significant role in the formulation of public policy.
But they’re not there yet. In fact, they’re not even close. That’s why Frerichs’ characterization of Cross is preposterous.
* The Question: Do agree with Frerichs or the News-Gazette? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 12:49 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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Might as well add the fact that before JBT and Rutherford won their respective elections last time, the GOP held NONE of the states consitutional offices.
Comment by the unknown poster Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 12:52 pm
I agree with the CN-G. Kind of hard to pin the blame on Cross for the sorry state we’re in when the Republicans haven’t had any real power for a very long time.
Frerichs hasn’t been in Springfield as long as Cross, of course, but he’s been there the past 6 years…certainly long enough that he can’t try to paint himself as an “outsider.”
Comment by ??? Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 12:55 pm
“Republicans last controlled both houses of the Legislature in 1994.”
CN-G should research and get their facts correct - this actually was January 2007 when the GOP last held both chambers (they won both in 1994, lost the House in November 1996), technically held the majority in the house until January 1997. Still a long time ago.
Comment by Dave Fako Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:03 pm
i dunno, but when you have the nickname as one of the “four tops,” that would seem to be the very definition of “insider.” the speaker makes his counterpart relevant, if only because he won’t take dramatic action without the participation of the minority party. there’s enough blame to go around…
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:04 pm
It’s pretty safe to say that Tom Cross is more likely to give me a kick in the teeth, than a pat on the back, and “Two-Putt” is someone I have had something to say about often, and not very good things to say about a great deal of the time.
However, I voted for the News-Gazette, and it was a pretty easy choice.
At some point, you have to “own it”. The Democratic Party has had power in the state as the Editorial pointed out, and I don’t need to go into the time frames.
I ding My Party often for things like SSM, and a lack of tolerance, but here, in this Editorial, it’s pointing out the “herding of Cats” in the Democratic Party, to move an agenda, any agenda forward, that a Majority of Democarts seem to favor… is not the fault of the Republican Minority Leader of the General Assembly.
For example, I want… I want GOP votes on SSM to inoculate My Party. I am coming from the politcal angle of relevence.
The Editorial is coming from the Governmental Angle of leadership, especially the leadership in the two branches of Government that Democrats control, and control rather easily.
There is a big difference in looking through the prism I have, and the prism this Editorial has, and I have to agree on the Governmental side, they are far more correct than Frerichs is on this one.
In 1994, when Republicans had control of ewverything under the Sun, it was squnadered, and even a Legislative Agenda fell to ruins, by the votes, or by the courts.
It is tough to lead with Majorities everywhere. With great power, comes great responsiblity to lead Governmentally, and to make an agenda … policy and law. It is a bit disappointing that Sen. Frerichs can not see the difference in having… a majority … and governing… in that majority, and all the responsiblity , and all the kudos, and all the blame … it brings.
If Sen. Frerichs doesn’t want his party to have all that burden …
Wanna Switch?
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:05 pm
==Frerichs said he has been trying during his tenure in the Senate, and so far failing,==
The portion of this sentence actually says it all. Editorial interviews and endorsements still matter to guys nobody really knows in the most populous part of the state. The first “search” every pub does is within its own archives. This guy is stocking fodder against himself. If he shuts up for a little while and accepts the gift of no primary, he’ll be doing himself a huge favor. He can use the time to find a college student who can help him with communications. He sounds like a stereotypical rube to me. Two putt is best off not responding and letting this goof do himself in.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:13 pm
I sided with Frerichs. You don’t have to be in the majority party to have contributed to the mess. Seems to me a refusal to participate is an abdication of responsibility to the other party, and therefore a share of its blame. That’s exactly what Cross did in many important instances.
Comment by Ray del Camino Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:19 pm
The News-Gazette is right, and Frerichs himself almost gives it away by saying that Cross’s ‘contributed’ to the current mess. Someone should press the Senator to elaborate. What other “Springfield insiders” contributed? Did the Speaker? The Senate President? We know that Frerichs thinks that Cross’s role should disqualify him from being Treasurer, but what consequences should the other responsible parties face? Should they step down? Please, Senator, tell us more…
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:23 pm
Neither party is blameless that’s for sure. Dems have had majorities more years than Repubs during these past 20 years. However, most of what Dems passed needed Repub votes. Republican govs got what they wanted by working with the Dems.
Comment by Nearly Normal Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:29 pm
I voted New-Gazette. If Frerichs really felt like Cross was a political insider who has wrecked Illinois, then he should be glad he is relinquishing his position as Leader to run for Treasurer so the General Assembly can finally get some work done. I mean, we all know the GOP have been nothing but obstructionist to road to making Illinois a better place.
Apologies for the snark.
Comment by Phenomynous Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:31 pm
If the operative expression is “contributed to,” then Frerichs is not incorrect. He’s not quoted as saying Cross “wholly created” these problems. (And I happen to respect and appreciate both of these legislators, Frerichs and Cross.)
Comment by Linus Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:32 pm
Probably won’t be the last time Frerichs losses a vote to Cross. Pretty lame to be in the largest majority caucus in history and try to cast blame elsewhere. Accept responsibility.
Comment by Paul Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:32 pm
I voted for Frerichs. I don’t buy into this “woe is me” argument from Republicans. I’m annoyed by the constant whining. They can’t win elections, so then they blame all of the woes on the Democrats. Win an election and you won’t have to whine anymore.
==Kind of hard to pin the blame on Cross for the sorry state we’re in when the Republicans haven’t had any real power for a very long time. ==
Anybody that knows history would realize that is a ludicrous statement. The state didn’t get in this shape overnight. Both parties have contributed plenty to the mess we are in. But, if people want to play the blame game that is fine. Doesn’t seem to be winning any elections for the Republicans, though.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:33 pm
===Cross is a Republican, and he’s spent most of his time in Springfield trying to wipe away the sand kicked into his eyes by Democrats.===
They say to be a good hitter in baseball, you need a really short memory. I’d say the same for editorial writers.
Does the Champaign News-Gazette still have a beat reporter in Springfield? Does anyone there remember Tom Cross kicking around a lot of sand when Rod Blagojevich was Governor? Because I remember.
Being a member of the minority party in Springfield does not relieve one of a duty to the citizens of the state. If Tom, Rod and Emil Jones had their way, our problems would have been much worse. Cross isn’t responsible for every problem, but crying about how impotent the poor minority leader is (boo hoo) does not absolve him of his rightful share of the blame.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:37 pm
At least Cross is running on fiscal issues. All Frerichs wants to talk about is global warming and SSM. I think we need a Treasurer that’s a little more Gifford and a little less San Francisco.
Comment by Tiara Chucking Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:37 pm
“I’m annoyed by the constant whining”
So am I, and I’ll be the first to admit that if the GOP spent ½ has much time and energy developing a credible alternative they might be in a better position to influence the debate. But, as others have pointed out, the only thing more annoying than the GOP’s whining is the Democrats complete and utter lack of accountability for the mess we are in. True, it didn’t happen over-night, and the GOP governors of the 80’s and 90’s did, indeed, have a hand in creating some of the systemic problems we still face today. But it’s 2013 for heaven’s sake! It’s been a full 10 years since the GOP wielded any meaningful power. Maybe the Democratic Governor(s) and legislative leaders could have used that time to chart a new, better course instead of engaging in a decade-long match of “whose is bigger.” So, I’ll second Oswego Willy’s sentiment: Own it!!
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:47 pm
Frerichs was a Republican until Tim Johnson wouldn’t step aside for him. I trust Frerichs to do whatever’s expedient for him, and heaven help Tom Cross or whoever else is in the way.
Comment by T.J. Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:48 pm
“If Tom, Rod and Emil Jones had their way, our problems would have been much worse.”
Well, it’s a good think the Speaker was there to save us all from utter ruin!
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:49 pm
*thing, not “think”
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:50 pm
@ Demoralized,
The downward trajectory of the fiscal health of this State begin under Blago and has been continuing apace under Quinn. The debt and deficits since then have dwarfed even George Ryan’s hefty budgets. And ever since day of of Blago, the Dems have controlled the GA. To suggest that you can lay the fiscal problems of the State at Cross’s feet is laughable.
Comment by Conservative Republican Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:52 pm
I voted Frerichs, with two points in mind.
1. Cross was bosom buddies with Rod and enabled him in the early years of the administration more than anyone else in the legislature.
2. “Being a member of the minority party in Springfield does not relieve one of a duty to the citizens of the state.” - 47th. Couldn’t have said it better. For the remainder of the time Cross wasn’t chumming up with Rod, he was an obstructionist who abdicated his responsibilities in order to boost his political prospects and pick up seats. How did that work out? He went from minority to super minority, a net loss of what, 6 or 7 seats over 10 years?
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 1:58 pm
Addendum - Ok, maybe Emil enabled Rod more, but Cross was right there with him…
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:00 pm
From the Editorial;
“…But Frerichs’ rhetoric was so over-the-top…”
That is another reason I chose the CN-G.
Tom Cross shares blame, heck I have said that many times. I have also said My Party needs to stop whining and and start winning.
But, the over the top rhetoric and the rationale that Tom Cross shoud wear the collar for a whole bunch of people, given the quote, its context, and the context of the Frerichs response.
Yeah, its over the top, and Sen. Frerichs needs to have his party “own” some of this too, and in that over the top rhetoric, Mike Frerichs has seem to forgot that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:08 pm
I don’t know. The frame from C-NG editorial board isn’t quite accurate. Frerich’s responding quotes to Cross’s initial jab seem to be an attempt to create distinction between him and Cross. Pointing out the difference of Cross being in leadership and serving for 20 years and being more complicit (just by being there longer and being in leadership) in the current financial mess is indeed a difference between him and the former leader.
The C-NG editorial board took this as an opportunity to remind readers that Democrats have all the power and should shoulder all the blame all the time.
Noting really to see here other than a false argument set up between Frerichs and C-NG. C-NG editorial board is simply spinning its typical worldview fodder on two politicians trying to distance themselves from each other.
Comment by Hamilton Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:10 pm
Joe Bidenopolous – there may be some truth to your first point, although I think I think you are greatly overstating the dynamic. On your second point, I think it should be noted that the loss of seats under Cross can’t be entirely blamed on his leadership. Most of those losses came in 2012, when he had to fight on a new Dem-drawn map against a ticket headlined by Obama. As I said earlier, I think Cross can be legitimately knocked for failing to provide a more coherent alternative, but Frerichs’ attempt to attack Cross over the state’s current situation without breathing a word about the other 3 tops is the very definition of disingenuous.
Comment by grand old partisan Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:10 pm
“Anybody that knows history would realize that is a ludicrous statement. The state didn’t get in this shape overnight. Both parties have contributed plenty to the mess we are in. But, if people want to play the blame game that is fine. Doesn’t seem to be winning any elections for the Republicans, though.”
Demoralized, the Republicans HAVEN’T been in power for a very long time, that statement itself is not “ludicrous.” You’re right, this mess didn’t happen overnight. I’m not saying that Cross bears NO responsibility - of course he does. But there are a lot of others out there who contributed to this mess, too. As you said, both parties are responsible. Perhaps it would be more accurate (although clearly not as politically expedient)for Frerichs to say he wants “to clean up the mess that Senate Presidents Cullerton, Jones, Philip, and Rock, and Speakers Madigan and Daniels, and everyone who served on their leadership teams, and everyone who followed them blindly over the years, helped to create over the last 20 years.”
Although it would be harder to fit all of that on a mailer.
Comment by ??? Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:12 pm
The Democrats have been in power for FRERICHS’s entire career in the Senate. It’s the Democrats who have failed to lead Illinois out of its fiscal crisis. If Frerich wants to see who is at fault, he shoudl look in the mirror and at his fellow Democratic legislators.
Comment by Champaign Grad Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:16 pm
Frerich showed he can say dumb things with the best of them. The only thing Cross’ team should allow him to do is buy some popcorn to munch on. No response allowed. Okay, maybe an eye roll.
Frerich’s didn’t have to say a word or spend a dime for months, and instead he starts digging. Not impressed.
Comment by otoh Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:22 pm
At this moment, there must be 32% of you that despise Tom Cross so much that you’ll excuse any idiotic statement that comes out of anyone’s mouth. The great Frerichs could not, with the handicap of a super majority take on the ferociousness of Tom Cross in the House who was greatly benefited with a super-minority (very much aided by his own actions and decisions). All this time the GOP had them right where they wanted them and didn’t know it.- Chock full of super snark. The Dems might want to consider a primary for this sharpie.
Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:34 pm
Spending two decades in Springfield means Cross has a share of responsibility. He played footsie with Blago early in the former’s governor’s first term and in his second. Cross voted for some of Blago’s fiscal measures in ‘03. Cross participated in structured roll calls throughout his career.
Comment by reformer Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:42 pm
Oops…left out the minority party leaders over the last 20 years in my last post (at 2:12). They should be included, too.
Comment by ??? Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:49 pm
A Republican can’t be an insider these days? Let Cellini go!
Comment by Anon. Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 2:50 pm
“Frerichs said he has been trying during his tenure in the Senate, and so far failing, “to clean up the mess…”
Specifically, what has Frerichs tried to do to make things better? Who has stopped him from succeeding?
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:04 pm
Well, Tom Cross was an insider. And he did participate in some bad decisions. But Frerichs, as others pointed out, was with the party in power for most of those 20 years, and he doesn’t scream “maverick” at me for whatever perceived reason.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:17 pm
A Republican can’t be an insider these days? Let Cellini go!
You’re only a Republican “insider” if you’re caught. TII.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 3:19 pm
I’m not suggesting that it is Cross’s fault. But some of you have proved my point about the blame game. That seems to be working out oh so well for the Republicans. They need to win elections. Whining about things is getting them nowhere. They need to own that.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:36 pm
==The downward trajectory of the fiscal health of this State begin under Blago and has been continuing apace under Quinn.==
Just because you say it doesn’t make it true. You either lack understanding of the state budget over the past few decades or are being purposefully obtuse.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 4:37 pm
Mike Frerichs stands tall for average Illinois taxpayers Republican leader Tom Cross has never stood up for anyone other than the rich and powerful! It’s time for Frerichs to stand up and clean up the fiscal mess created by career politicians like Cross.
Comment by dogboy Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 5:11 pm
dogboy, y’all need to stop the drive-by bumper sticker “tall” comments or I’m gonna start issuing automatic lifetime bans. Enough already.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 5:13 pm
I like Mike but this was a bit over the top for many reasons mentioned here. Probably not a smart idea to note that he’s failed. If he can’t get it done in the majority, why elect him to statewide post?
Comment by 4 percent Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 5:35 pm
The Tall guy is off the mark. He should return to his campaign message.
l. He is tall.
2. He is tall.
3. He is tall.
Comment by Golly Gee I,m Tall Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 5:44 pm
Voted against Cross because I saw him cave too many times to IFT and professors on pension reform and refuse to put votes on. Self-preservation ‘IN THE MINORITY is kinda crazy. Get something done, man. Your leadership role clearly wasn’t worth that much to you.
Comment by Vibes Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 6:33 pm
Demoralized - you say that it’s not Cross’ fault (or at least not his alone) and that people shouldn’t play the blame game. Frerichs is blaming Cross (at least in part), and yet you’re agreeing with him? Which is it?
Comment by ??? Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 9:02 am