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Madigan responds to impeachment resolution
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Many of you have pointed out in comments that Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood) has sponsored an impeachment resolution of President Bush. The Sun-Times covered it this morning. I’ve been trying to get a comment from House Speaker Madigan’s office since late last week, and it finally arrived in my e-mail inbox a few minutes ago. This is from Madigan’s PR guy Steve Brown: The Speaker said the resolution cleary reflects the groundswell of growing discontent with Bush Administration policies and programs. I wouldn’t bet on this moving too far, but one never knows with Springfield. UPDATE: Senate President Emil Jones has a long-standing policy of not commenting on House proposals unless and until they reach the Senate. There have been a few exceptions, but this one is no exception. No comment.
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Lane Evans open thread
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller From the Passing Parade blog: 17th District Committeeman Don Johnson, who with committeewoman Mary Boland, is steering a path through the unknowns in a never-before-used nominating process, said he hopes the vote can be held shortly after the third forum. [Hat tip: Inside Dope] What else have you heard about this race?
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Dueling press releases
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Topinka: State Treasurer and GOP nominee for Governor Judy Baar Topinka today called on Governor Rod Blagojevich to get to work on easing motorists’ burden from escalating gas prices. While Blagojevich has had time to shoot campaign commercials and host lavish fundraisers, he hasn’t lifted a finger to help motorists. Blagojevich: Topinka Rhetoric: She “supports stem cell researchâ€.
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Rasmussen: Topinka by 6
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller This makes four post-primary polls in a row with a lead for JBT. In the race for Illinois Governor, Republican State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka now leads Democratic Governor Rod R. Blagojevich 44% to 38%. In March, Topinka led 43% to 41%. Discuss.
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Open thread
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller On this light blogging day, use this space to talk about whatever you want, post links to stories, talk about what you’ve been doing on your own blog (or introduce us to new blogs) but try to limit all of it to Illinois government and politics, please. Thanks. UPDATE: Speaking of new blogs, Republican PR spokestype Dan Curry has joined the great Internet discussion universe with “Reverse Spin.” UPDATE 2: Dan’s latest post turns out to be off base, however. It wasn’t Becky.
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Long, link-filled question of the day
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller Expect light blogging today. I’m speaking at the Union League Club tomorrow morning and I have a lot to do before I leave today. I’ll post some stories later this morning. I’ve decided to cover up this lack of blogging with a somewhat long question about WalMart. As this Washington Post story shows, the company and the opposition are hiring consultants right and left (lilterally) and girding for a major battle in DC, the states and all the way down to the store level. Unions and others have geared up in a big way to oppose the giant retailer. The UFCW won’t endorse any candidate who accepts campaign contributions from the company, for instance. WalMart has responded in kind. Under fire, Wal-Mart turned to Reagan adviser Michael Deaver, Bush-Cheney political director Terry Nelson and several Democrats, among them civil rights leader Andrew Young and campaign strategist Leslie Dach. But it has also changed some of its practices. After Maryland’s legislature passed a labor-backed bill requiring companies — Wal-Mart in particular — to spend more on workers’ health insurance, the Arkansas company came out with improvements in its health care coverage. Where do you stand on all of this? Should politicians avoid contact with WalMart, or is this just an overblown issue? Is WalMart a bad company, a good company or somewhere in between? Should local governments stop WalMart from expanding in their areas? Should Illinois require WalMart to pay more for its health insurance plan so that workers can avoid going on Medicaid? Should government just get the heck out of the way and maybe even praise the company for hiring and training workers that few other companies may want? Should both candidates for governor be asked about this topic as well? Let’s try to avoid sloganeering, bumper sticker logic and the like in comments today. Tell us what you really believe in your own words, without all the goofy borrowed phrases from blogs, talk radio, etc. Also, try to note in your comments whether you shop at WalMart or not.
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Monday Ryan roundup
Monday, Apr 24, 2006 - Posted by Rich Miller UPDATE: The Beachwood Reporter has a good roundup here. · My syndicated column on the verdict. · Transcripts · Sun-Times: Plenty of turmoil — but no mistrial ’silver bullet’ · Fornek interviews Dan Walker: When a governor goes to jail · AP: Experts hold out hope that Illinois can shed corrupt image · Belleville News-Democrat editorial: No, everyone isn’t corrupt · Tribune: The U.S. Department of Justice will not discuss whether it is investigating one of its officials who testified in the trial of former Gov. George Ryan. · Tribune: Jury leader faced grilling · Ousted juror arrested on ‘96 warrant · Tense trial had bits of unintentional comedy · Finke: Cleanup may not follow conviction · Copley: Former secretary didn’t want to testify against Ryan · Brown: Did defense set stage for Ryan jury turmoil?
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