* Lede of the day…

Not even a former United Nations ambassador could quell feuding among Illinois Democrats Wednesday.

With former diplomat and current New Mexico governor Bill Richardson on hand for a day of Democratic rallies, the sniping that’s marked Democrats tenure at the helm of state government continued.

* The “first African-American governor of Illinois” continued the schtick…

“Like the civil rights activists who’ve given Barack Obama a chance to run for president, they didn’t take no for an answer. We shouldn’t take no for an answer when we push to create jobs and give every family in Illinois a chance to be able to have a job and live the American dream,” the governor said.

* The governor did his best to avoid direct confrontation with Speaker Madigan. The two men started out on a positive note…

‘’Let’s come together, put aside our differences,'’ Blagojevich said. […]

‘’Our goal is to bring Democrats together. That’s always my goal. Division just helps the opposition,'’ said Speaker Madigan.

* And…

House Speaker Michael Madigan says he’s taking a new look at the governor’s idea of privatizing the Illinois lottery to pay for a statewide construction program.

* The Republicans didn’t see things in such a “positive” light…

But as Madigan spoke optimistically, state Republican leaders held a rival news conference to blast the Democrats for calling special sessions then taking no action. They even drew up a “Help Wanted” sign with a picture of New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, inviting him to take over here because there is an executive mansion in Springfield “available for immediate occupancy … hasn’t been used in six years.”

* But later in the day…

Blagojevich has suggested bringing lawmakers back to work throughout September to get education funding and the capital program resolved. But Madigan stressed his chamber won’t be rushed in its work.

“Speaking for the members of the House, we’re not prepared to have things dictated to us, and everybody in the building ought to understand that,” Madigan said.

* And, of course, there was this…

Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair, featuring an afternoon rally of the Democratic faithful, indeed had Gov. Rod Blagojevich in attendance.

Missing, though, was the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who has had sharp differences with the governor for the past two years.

Also absent were Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Comptroller Dan Hynes. Quinn was attending the funeral of an Illinois soldier killed in the Middle East. Lisa Madigan said she had to tend to work at her office. Hynes said he simply didn’t want to go.

“I really don’t want to participate in some sort of campaign demonizing Democrats,” Hynes said. “It’s lost its traditional role of being an event where Democrats come together and unify and speak of our common values and goals. Now it has become the governor’s latest tactical maneuver.”

Hard to argue with that.

* And don’t forget the protest…

Hundreds of state government workers showed up at Governor’s Day at the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday to protest the Blagojevich administration’s demand that they pay a lot more for their health insurance.

Members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees clustered around entrances to the fairgrounds passing out leaflets detailing their objections to paying higher health insurance costs. […]

“They’re lucky to have a job, and they have health care,” Blagojevich said of the state workers. “They’re going to keep their jobs and keep their health care. Now, start helping us create jobs for other people and provide health care to other people.”

After his speech, Blagojevich said AFSCME’s complaints about health-care coverage “is a negotiating ploy. There’s no question they will keep their health care.”

It’s not about losing health care, it’s about paying a whole lot more for the health insurance they have.

* The last word…

Richardson, meanwhile, deflected questions about the discord in Illinois, saying the Democratic Party is always in a state of ‘’controlled tension.'’

‘’We’ve got a lot of strong personalities,'’ Richardson said. ‘’Sometimes there’s a little rivalry, a little debate, and that’s good.'’

Richardson said he doesn’t believe the dissension in Illinois will rub off on Obama as he travels the country in search of votes.

‘’I see no effects of maybe some divisions within the party,'’ Richardson said.

Speaker Madigan agreed.

‘’I think the people of America are going to decide about Barack Obama and McCain without regard to the Illinois Democratic Party,'’ Madigan said.

* Related…

* Madigan taking new look at leasing Ill. lottery

* Madigan coming around to infrastructure plan