* I ran into one of the governor’s spokespeople at the State Fair last night. She wasn’t really pleased with my Sun-Times column, which was posted on the paper’s site in the early evening. But, hey, them’s the breaks…
‘I think you want a governor who’s thoughtful and thinks of everything before deciding an important matter.”
That’s Gov. Pat Quinn, speaking to reporters Thursday afternoon in Chicago.
Yes, that’s the same governor who seems to be best known for his policy flip-flops and his disjointed, ad-hoc style than any sort of coherent, sound governance.
Remember Quinn’s pledge not to raise the income tax by more than a single percentage point? He said he would veto anything above that. But then he signed a 2 percentage point tax increase into law months later.
Quinn’s business policy seems to be to hand out tax dollars to every big corporate executive who walks into his office and threatens to move to another state.
His budget proposal this year was so full of pie-in-the-sky dreaming that the General Assembly — which has not exactly been a bastion of fiscal conservatism — was forced to drag him back down to Earth by making big cuts.
But there are those who strongly believe he really does spend a lot of time thinking things through.
Several weeks ago, I had a long conversation with someone who knows Quinn far better than I do.
We talked not long after Quinn vetoed part of the new state budget.
Among other things, the governor eliminated salaries for regional school superintendents, even though they are elected officials and have several duties under Illinois law.
“ ‘Bad Pat’ does things he doesn’t want to do, like cutting education, cutting human services and cutting the regional superintendents,” she said. “Then ‘Good Pat’ swoops in and saves the day! He thinks this makes him look like a heroic problem solver.”
I tried to pass off her comments as a joke. I had never heard anything like that before, and I figured that the budget veto was just pure incompetence. But she said she was serious.
“He keeps setting up crisis situations so he can jump in with the diving catch. He doesn’t understand that people remember the crises a lot longer than they remember the catch — especially when the diving catch requires spending money we don’t have.”
“He keeps trying to play 3-D chess when the situation only requires checkers,” she concluded.
Again, this person has known Gov. Quinn a whole lot longer and better than I have.
And if she’s right, then we’re in bigger trouble than I ever thought.
I mean, Illinois has enough problems without creating new ones for sport.
Now that the federal government’s bond rating has been lowered and the markets have gone all nutso, Illinois can ill afford more drama.
What we need is clear-headed thinking and a firm resolve not only to get the state’s still shaky budget in order but also to somehow improve our job climate. Yes, that’s a tall order. Even the federal government hasn’t been able to figure that one out.
When Quinn patted himself on the back for being “thoughtful” and “thinking of everything,” he was referring to the weeks he has spent considering what to do about the gaming expansion bill.
No matter what else you may think of it, gaming expansion will undoubtedly bring in more revenue to the state and create jobs.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel really wants a new casino for Chicago for those very same reasons.
Quinn doesn’t mind giving Chicago a casino, but he doesn’t want Downstate communities such as Danville and Rockford to have their own, which makes little sense.
Instead of trying to look like a dramatic superhero, he ought to just fix the regulatory shortcomings in the bill and start putting some people to work.
* No quick help offered for regional superintendents: Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday repeated that his administration is working on a plan to pay regional school superintendents out of local funds, but he still offered no immediate relief for the superintendents and their assistants, who have gone without pay since July 1. Speaking before the start of the Illinois State Fair parade, Quinn talked of developing a plan “to help them out in the short term,” but did not elaborate.
* Illinois gambling bill still up in the air
* Arlington Park chairman hasn’t forgotten friends lost in WWII
* Report: Overcrowding worsens conditions at Vandalia prison: Gov. Pat Quinn’s decision to halt an early prisoner release program has led to woeful living conditions for inmates at the Vandalia Correctional Center, a new report concludes. In a scathing review of the 90-year-old minimum-security lockup, a prison watchdog group said the state’s rapidly growing inmate population has forced prison personnel to house offenders in areas of the facility that periodically flood, causing mold and mildew and potential health problems for the prisoners.
* Economy is focus of Illinois Black Chamber of Commerce conference
* Quinn delivers millions for IVCC Tech Center
* Visiting the Illinois State Fair without breaking the bank
* Illinois State Fair preview
- Observer of the State - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 8:31 am:
That is probably the best explanation of the erratic behavior from the Governor ever given, but I think it still gives him way to much credit for thinking ahead. Perhaps on some level it is correct but he also seems to make off the wall decisions like 24 furlough days for non-union staff without giving much thought to consequences.
- Retired Non-Union Guy - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 8:51 am:
Could be what is happening. Quinn still seems to act more like the outside agitator he’s spent most of his life as; that kind of job / viewpoint / approach requires you to set up a strawman so you can knock him down.
- Kerfuffle - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 9:16 am:
Wow, a classic sign of someone with low self-esteem.
- Kyle Hillman - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 9:26 am:
“but he doesn’t want Downstate communities such as Danville and Rockford to have their own”
Wow, I am from Chicago and I don’t even think Rockford is downstate.
- dupage dan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 9:30 am:
Stunning analysis of our esteemed governor.
Consider the last 3 governors we have had in this state (including PQ). This is the best of the best? Really?
Let’s all take a moment of silence in memory of the great state of Illinois.
- Tribble - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 9:34 am:
Rich, was that woman you were talking to named Mother Tribune?
- Tribble - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 9:46 am:
Forgot the link: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-24/news/ct-edit-quinn-20110224_1_pat-quinn-cuts-social-services
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 9:57 am:
I don’t often disagree with your analysis Rich, but I have to say I think you, and whomever your source is, are being a little unfair. From those I’ve spoken to about the Governor’s style, one of his tactics is getting people involved in ginning up support by showing them the consequences of cuts to their agencies or departments. I don’t know if this is an extremely prudent method, but I don’t think it warrants labeling him a schizophrenic.
- dupage dan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:07 am:
To be technically correct, STL, the condition would be a multiple personality disorder as opposed to schizophrenia, which is a disintegration of thought processes and of emotional responsiveness. Just sayin’
- TwoFeetThick - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:13 am:
With respect to Governor Superhero, didn’t we have another governor who used to do things like this? Man, what was that guy’s name again? Ugh, it’s right on the tip of my tongue! I hate when the word is right there but you just can’t come up with it.
Oh well, at least it’s Friday.
- Small Town Liberal - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:13 am:
Thanks DD.
- downstate hack - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:18 am:
Great analysis Rich,
Gov. Quinn may have his heart in the right place, but his mind and therefore his actions seem to wander in a convoluted and disorganized manner.
- Way Way Down Here - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:24 am:
I once worked with a guy who exhibited the behavior described above. Always starting fires so he could put them out and blame others. Huge waste of time and energy for everyone else. For our sake, I hope this analysis is off the mark.
- Responsa - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:42 am:
Well, if this analysis of Quinn’s modus operandi is true then it pretty much negates the last of his defenders’ arguments: that he’s a good, honest guy whose heart is in the right place, but just a little too disorganized and in over his head to be a strong leader. Very troubling.
- TwoFeetThick - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 10:59 am:
Don’t we have enough crisis going around already, without manufacturing more so that one can save the day? If this analysis is correct, it’s more than a little disconcerting.
There is crisis everywhere one looks; pick something and give it your best to try and fix it, Mr. Governor. I know it’s difficult, the risk of failure is high, and it doesn’t look very good to go into your next election with nothing but a string of failures behind you.
But, people do respect it when a leader at least makes an effort at doing something, even if they’re not completely successful. Heck, it was pretty obvious after his first term that Bush II was mediocre (and, I think that’s being kind) but he got re-elected. What no one can say about him is that he gave the appearance of not trying. He tried all right, just not necessarily at the right things or in a very successful manner. However, people respected that he strongly gave the impression of trying to lead, even if they questioned the direction, his intent, and who was actually calling the shots.
There is something to learn here (which applies not only to Quinn, but to Obama as well): stop floundering, pick a direction, and lead. This state and country are loaded with real problems that need solving. Pick something and give it your best, and that will earn the respect of people, and their vote.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 11:28 am:
Quinn would last about five minutes in the real world. Only in politics is his type of ineptitude accepted with a wink and a nod.
I don’t care where his heart is. I am glad he is concerned about the “little people,” but he is the governor of many millions of people, not just the most disadvantaged. His thoughtless approach to governance will soon make us all worthy of his concern.
And we should all be outraged if this long-time friend is even close to the truth. Can you honestly say you would vote for a guy that intentionally creates crises simply so he can save them with his own hair-brained approach to the problem? Quinn lacks any level of gravitas needed for the chief executive of this state.
He may not be corrupt in the traditional sense (although he does show a penchant for breaking his word when he can coincidentally benefit his supporters), his thought process is corrupt in that it is a rotten way to manage.
- Michelle Flaherty - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 12:12 pm:
STL,
I want to offer polite disagreement with those you’ve spoken to.
The gov has a habit of ginning up support by threatening to slash funding and then appearing with the effected groups to denounce the slashed funding that he himself proposed.
That was the case with social service providers last year. His administration sent out the letters, then he went to news conferences with the providers and said he wouldn’t let it happen.
The only thing missing was the cape.
- Wensicia - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 12:28 pm:
After reading this, the vision of Andy Kaufman performing that little SNL skit popped into my head. The one where he’s playing the “Mighty Mouse” record, standing immobile, then raises his hand and lip synchs the line “Here I come to save the day!”
Scary. I wouldn’t call it a self-esteem problem, rather narcissism wrapped up with perceived control issues, “I’m deciding these issues for the good of Illinois, not the General Assembly.”
- dupage dan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 1:33 pm:
Spot on, Wensicia. PQ comes across as paternalistic in his attitudes towards the issues facing Illinois folk. This additional insight from a friend shows that it is deep rooted - PQ has operated this way for years and won’t likely change. Given the voters’ propensity for electing people who eventually hurt the state doesn’t give me much hope for the future.
At least the jury for the recent RB trial wasn’t taken in by his bombast. Maybe they could start a voter education program.
- James - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 1:38 pm:
“Several weeks ago, I had a long conversation with someone who knows Quinn far better than I do.”
Her saying so don’t make it so.
You’re reporting an unnamed source’s psychological analysis as if it were unbiased and factual.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 1:48 pm:
Would Brady have faired better as Governor? LOL. Imagine what Moody’s would be saying today.
Quinn became governor at the worst possible time.
Could he be doing better? Sure.
But we could be doing a lot worse.
Our last governor was booed out of the State Fair.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 1:53 pm:
===psychological analysis===
Nah. More like years of watching a behavior pattern.
- dupage dan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:04 pm:
YDD,
We’ll never know if Brady could have done better. However, past voting patterns indicate that the next governor won’t likely be much better. That says as much about the electorate as it does the elected, no?
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 2:18 pm:
Not sure if you think Rich is saying that she said she knows Quinn well and that might not be true and/or that her observations are biased.
Rich doesn’t say it’s true..
- Anon - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:16 pm:
Creating crises in order to jump in and fix them fits the profile of the classic bad middle manager. They thrive in government, large corporations, any bureaucracy with enough subordinates and rival departments and divisions to spread the blame around.
These managers tend to settle in and survive, without getting promoted into positions that require more direct accountability.
I’m not saying that this is PQ, but if it is, it helps to explain why he was fine as Lt Gov but not so fine as Gov.
- Cheswick - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 3:18 pm:
Pat Quinn’s mom?
- steve schnorf - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 4:03 pm:
C, all you have to do, if you are so unhappy, is what PQ did. You circulate petitions, get a certain number of signatures, and then get a plurality in 2 elections, and then YOU get to be the big guy. Not much chance of that happening, though; it’s too much fun to complain.
PQ didn’t seize the office in a midnight coup, he won it in an election over our guy, whom we nominated thru the same process. He’s our Governor for 3 1/2 more years.
You’re bright. Stop raging, light some candles.
- Shemp - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 4:25 pm:
I almost get a sense of buyer’s remorse reading this.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 4:52 pm:
Steve,
Next election is just around the corner… I’m patient. I also hope that Quinn continues on as is, that he decides to run again, nobody in the Democratic Party primaries him.
I am not unhappy at all, but I am not going to give Quinn a break whenever he screws up, like he did with the ROE Superintendents. I am surprised you think he is doing a good enough job to attack me, instead of highlight his incompetent record.
- steve schnorf - Friday, Aug 12, 11 @ 6:58 pm:
C, I’m simply reflecting the fact that he is our legitimate Governor, chosen thru a democratic process, so he is, by choice or exclusion, who the people wanted to govern them.
- Cincinnatus - Monday, Aug 15, 11 @ 9:04 am:
Steve,
That’s precisely my point. So now, govern, Governor.