Democratic dysfunction
Monday, Sep 17, 2007 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’ve been surprised that the national media has yet to write much about our Democratic circus here in Illinois. Dan Vock, writing for Stateline, makes a good point today in an article entitled “Democrats’ dysfunction hobbles Illinois”…
Illinois isn’t the only state in the throes of a high-stakes budget standoff. Wisconsin lawmakers are now debating whether and how to greatly expand health insurance coverage, while Michigan legislators are trying to jumpstart the state’s moribund economy at a time when revenues are falling.
But for drama, the Oscar goes to Illinois.
* He doesn’t know the half of it…
Several African-American House members are starting to worry about potential primary opponents backed by Senate President Emil Jones and Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but it’s unclear right now how many will get opponents and how involved the two leaders will be. Jones and Blagojevich have engaged in open political warfare with House Speaker Michael Madigan pretty much all year, and it looks like they may be taking another big step by attempting to take out some of Madigan’s people. […]
For many of these challengers, the big question may be whether Jones, the governor and the governor’s surrogates, particularly the Service Employees International Union, dump big bucks into their races. The governor’s campaign fund doesn’t have much money in it, but his top fundraisers are gearing up in a big way. SEIU will be making endorsements sometime in November after the petition filing deadline ends, so we’ll know more by then.
The House Democrats say they’re ready for anything. But if any of these challengers can put together a credible effort, voter anger over the botched session could make for some interesting contests.
And it will make the war between the state’s top Democrats a whole lot more intense.
* Aaron Chambers takes note of the battle in his latest column and concludes his thoughts this way…
But as Blagojevich and Jones near the end of their fifth year with real power in Springfield, they have done little to undermine Madigan’s power. Madigan has by far the most sophisticated organization in Springfield. If there is a king of Illinois Democrats, it’s Madigan.
We’ll know soon whether Blagojevich, with Jones, can sustain the cuts he made to the local grants — and knock Madigan back on his heels.
But so long as the three egos from Chicago fight for power, those who depend on state services may be the casualties of their war.
Who’s winning?
- OneMan - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:00 am:
Who is winning?
Not the people of Illinois thats for sure.
Right now I would say Rod, but I still would put my money on Madigan.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:14 am:
Winners: Michael Madigan
Losers: Rod Blagojevich, Emil Jones
Siding with the Winner but getting little traction out of it: Tom Cross and Frank Watson
Biggest Losers: The People of the State of Illinois.
- Crimefighter - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:22 am:
There are no winners…we ALL lose.
- Ghost - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:26 am:
Madigan. The governors actions have so far had the effect of coating Madigan with teflon instead of scratching up his image.
- Leigh - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:30 am:
The Governors street brawl tactics have made him look like a fool. Look at his approval numbers- worse the Bush. Jones is crazy to stay lock step with Blago and if I were hoping for any political future as a democrat, I would not want my name attached to a sinking ship. Indictments are still a possibility for this gov as well, nothing like having the “friend of recently indicted” to bury ones political ambitions. So Madigan emerges the winner.
- Pat Collins - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:34 am:
Surely two can play that game? Can’t Madigan “quietly” help some opponents of Jones’ caucus? Even, dare I say, Republican ones?
Imagine this: Mike Madigan electing Rs, and it increases his power. Only in IL.
- Captain America - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 10:56 am:
Objectively, I think Maidgan is winning - because the Governor has appeared to be politically irrational and intransigent during the last 4-5 months alienating almost the entire State legislature. I do give the Governor some credit for creative thinking. Senator Jones looks like Blago’s fool.
I agree with previous bloggers who suggest that the real losers are the citizens of Illinois.
- Napoleon has left the building - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:16 am:
Let’s not forget that Blago has tried this before. Remember when Chris Kelly and the Blago fund-raising machine started the MILF-PAC, to Move Illinois Forward. This was a PAC that he wanted to raise money just to back legislative candidates against Madigan’s people. I think all the money just ended up going to Hoffman.
Sure Blago is a great fund-raiser because he is the governor. It’s another ball of wax to try and raise money to go after another leader. What lobbyist or organization would be stupid enough to give money for that?
Blago has never demonstrated that he has the ability help elect anyone but himself, and he only got 49% last year. Emil would be foolish to get involved in such a tactic.
- Pat Collins - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:21 am:
started the MILF-PAC
Permission to snark?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:23 am:
The person who came up with the name “Move Illinois Forward PAC” had only a few minutes to devise a moniker. Oops.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:27 am:
And the money didn’t go to Punkinhaid. The last bit of funds went to Doug Scott’s mayoral campaign and to taxes and legal fees.
- Lil Petunia - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:27 am:
Madigan needs to go! He has had control of the House for ever and still has done nothing to help state agencies to their basic functions; he has not put forth any legitimate ideas on how to attract business to Illinois (because God knows we need more jobs and a REAL source of tax revenue); he could care less about any social issues most Illinoisans care about; and as head of the Democratic Party of Illinois he has done sod all to help out local democrats! He is a self serving old fool who is still stuck in the 1950’s. Hell, Rep. Flowers would even make a better Speaker than him.
- Anon - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:32 am:
Its easy to jump on one bandwagon or another, but I think its too early at this point to name clear winners and losers. The Speaker has always been viewed as the master strategist — any attempt to knock him from this perch will be a long and bloody battle. However, one cannot say that he has not suffered a few chinks in the armor over the past five years.
As it stands, I would say that the Governor could be the winner of the current skirmish if he and Emil can withstand the Speakers negitive publicity campaign over the budget cuts. Moving that money to health care allows the governor to say that he did live up to his promise to expand health care to middle class Illinoisans (by the way, this issue is really picking up steam nationally. Could this provide wind for the Governor’s health care sail?). By the way, how does the Speaker get such a pass in the media for ignoring the constitution by not entering into the record the governor’s veto message on the first day the House came into session? Why is it that everything the Governor does is a “Constitutional Crisis,” but its overlooked when its the Speaker? True media hypocricy.
- Little Egypt - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:45 am:
The constitutional crisis is Rod’s making, plain and simple. I’m still trying to figure out how this guy got re-elected and I’m really tired of hearing our choice was ONLY him, green party or JBT. So at least there was a choice and there were 2 other candidates who could have easily done what he is doing. Heck my dog could do that poorly (sorry about that Tanner). Who’s winning? No one. Who’s losing? Every single one of us - individuals, businesses, government, and politicians. Right now in Illinois there is only a consolation bracket, pure and simple.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:57 am:
Losers:
Blagojevich. Look at his poll numbers.
Senate Democrats. They’re taking hits for their Leader’s actions (tax increase votes), inactions (electric rates), and bad headlines.
Winner:
Madigan. Unscratched and unscathed, and his Caucus is more united than ever.
Undecideds:
Jones. Until we know what he got from Blagojevich in exchange for his support, we won’t know how Emil made out personally.
Republicans. Still unclear whether they have the talent and timing to take advantage of the Blagojevich/Jones debacle. House Republicans will be defending alot of open seat races, and Senate Republicans have very few competitive seats to challenge Democrats for. 2010, not 2008, may be their year.
- OneMan - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 12:08 pm:
However use of and discusion of MILF-PAC on a blog might increase traffic.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 12:09 pm:
52% of Illinoians blame Blagojevich for the current state meltdown. So, the longer this is the case, the more likely Blagojevich will lose support.
So, the slow-roasting of Blagojevich’s vetoes in meetings being held across the state keeps the governor looking bad. Even if the vetoes hold, the price paid for them is high. While Blagojevich can tell voters he increased health care funding, voters know the ugly details on how that had been accomplished. Furthermore, I think the more Blagojevich talks about health care, the more voters remember his single-minded descent into lunacy this summer over that issue, so I don’t believe he will increase support even if he jabbers on.
Jones doesn’t look like a leader. Instead he looks like part of the problem. It was refreshing to see him take a stand against the Governor for a week to pass the budget out of the Senate, but Jones overall, looks predictably opportunistic.
Madigan is still the one to watch. This isn’t because he is an evil genius, it is because he isn’t Jones or Blagojevich. When Jones and Blagojevich did a “Thelma and Louise” during the summer, they gambled and lost. Their loss was complete. Blagojevich’s vetos last month was the only thing salvagable from the smoldering wreck of their ‘64 T-Bird.
When your opponent paints himself into a corner as Blagojevich did all summer, you have to try and lead him out of it by pretending he can win by taking your position. So, I believe Jones let Blagojevich out of his corner by his 180 degree turn against Madigan, thereby letting Blagojevich pretend to win his $500 million via vetoes.
But Blagojevich still proving his inability to learn a lesson, has returned to trumpeting his pyrrhic victory as though it was intentional.
As I have posted several times over the summer, we can’t afford to watch any governor’s administration implode as we have seen Blagojevich’s do. When we have a governor incapable of presenting his constituent’s views or building consensus to meet his constituent’s needs within his own party, he is an albatross around the neck of his state, and he is worst than useless. Blagojevich’s pugilist politics seem more important to him than being governor. As a result, it doesn’t matter who voted for him, everyone loses as he plays political games to satisfy whatever petty whims irritating him.
Bottom line - There are NO winners, and this is a very bad thing!
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 12:15 pm:
LOL OneMan. But I’m not interested in that sort of traffic.
- MOON - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 12:20 pm:
There are no winners in this fiasco created by Blago and nurtured by Jones. The loosers without a doubt are Blago and Jones. From what I hear and know the Dem Caucus would like to replace Jones; Blago’s actions make him unelectable for a third term. Then you have to consider the Feds probe of Blago. For these 2 guys it’s just amatter of time.
- A Citizen - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 12:43 pm:
Perhaps the taxpayers are winning (while services recipients lose bigtime) - while this drags on and on a lot of money is not being spent. We are almost 25% through FY2008, Rod and Emil’s leadership is anemic if not on life support and Madagin is looking like the only statesman capable of controlling the lunacy of those two.
- Napoleon has left the building - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 12:48 pm:
But it’s fun to point out the foolishness of their acronym. The point I wanted to make about MILF-PAC is that it was typical Blago bluster with no follow through. He announced the that he was going to change Illinois government - in part with this PAC at an upscale downtown club over breakfast to a room full of top lobbyists, and I believe Cong. Emanuel as well. He asked everyone there for money. As soon as the lobsters figured out what they were funding, those checks never appeared.
If any candidate for those House seats is counting on real help from Emil and Rodney, they should think twice. Those people will get hung out to dry.
- Ghost - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 1:19 pm:
Rich instead of a caption contest, you could have an illustration contest. Have folks submit illustartions, pg-rated, for the MILF-Pac logo
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 1:20 pm:
You’re about two years too late.
- one of the 35 - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 1:33 pm:
Of course there are winners. Just think of all the business the governor has generated for Winston & Strawn. And how about all those other firms which have made big political contributions? They are rewarded with lots of state business contracts! I’m sure glad its no longer business as usual.
- Objective Dem - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 2:39 pm:
Both Mike and Lisa Madigan are winning. The stunts of the Spring and Summer will make it next to impossible for Blago to win a third term. Thus the setup for Lisa.
As pointed out earlier, Mike comes off too often as a caretaker rather than the problem solver. But Blago makes us happy to have a competent caretaker.
Blago is the big loser. I generally agree that people don’t pay much attention to politics and will base their votes on the ads campaigns. However, Blago has seriously alienated so many groups and inspired so little confidence, that he is not going to be able to turn it around. The dem establishment is ready to actively support a serious opponent in the primary, and a large number of his supporters will jump ship to save their jobs. Yes, he may be able to campaign on expanding health care. But the point he misses is it isn’t enough to increase the budget for health care and issues press releases, he has to make the program work well. And I don’t see that happening.
I think Jones is a winner in his own eyes. Emil was born in Oct. 1935 which makes him just under 72 years old. I am speculating, but Jones must realize that with age and health, he isn’t going to be Sen. President for that many more years. I suspect his main goals are getting friends/relatives jobs and contracts and setting up a legacy as the guy who expanded health care. And he is successful at this.
- pc - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 3:44 pm:
Even Governing magazine gets in a slam against Rod’s style. See the second item in this, the “shorts” section from the September issue (hit my mailbox today):
http://www.governing.com/archive/2007/sep/observer.txt
- It's 5 O'clock somewhere - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 3:44 pm:
Biggest loser is Rod, next is the Senate Dems that keeping electing Jones as their leader. I think all Senate Dem runnig for re-election will be asked if they plan to vote for Jones, and if so that might turn many to vote GOP.
- Levois - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 4:33 pm:
I’ll give this round to Michael Madigan. He seems the most sensible. He can stick around as long as he wants. Jones and Blagojevich needs to go somewhere.
Oh and that Governing.com article was very good. Enjoyed reading it.
- In the Sticks - Monday, Sep 17, 07 @ 11:37 pm:
The Governing issue was in my mailbox on Friday - quite enjoyable. Wonder if The Gov was in Iowa over the weekend at the steak fry? Should have been if he really thinks he is a national player.