Question of the day
Friday, Oct 21, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Pantagraph editorial board dug up some quotes made by Pat Quinn in 1988 while pushing for a constitutional convention…
It’s time for a pop quiz.
Who said Illinoisans need “a way to bypass smug politicians” and wrote about “the painful fact … that Illinois government has slipped into a dangerous state of decay in recent years”?
That same person also asked, “What job-creating new companies want to do business in a state with an international reputation for corrupt politicians and bad government?” And he referred to the “involuntary ‘corruption tax’” paid because of “the lack of honesty in state and local government.”
I’ve already done one of these where I asked what the old Pat Quinn would say to the new Pat Quinn. So…
* The Question: How would Gov. Pat Quinn justify his current behavior to 1988 Pat Quinn?
Snark is most heavily encouraged, of course.
- soccermom - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:50 am:
He would say, “Hey, the reasons I supported a Constitutional Convention in 1988 are the same reasons I supported one 20 years later.”
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:51 am:
I’m not sure you understand the question.
- unclesam - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:53 am:
Gov. Quinn to earlier version: “Who the hell are you?”
- What's in a name? - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:54 am:
Old PQ to Young PQ: Wait, you’ll see when you get older.
- soccermom - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:57 am:
I’m not sure you understand political messaging.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:58 am:
LOL.
- Irish - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 11:59 am:
Young PQ to old PQ - “Et tu?”
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:00 pm:
New Pat to Old Pat: “In Illinois, we always believed in working together as a team and not kicking somebody in the shins. So, go away, shin-kicker. Don’t bother me.”
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:00 pm:
Irish, you got it backwards. It’s new PQ to old PQ.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:04 pm:
“So, that is what I looked like with a soul …”
- Way Way Down Here - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:07 pm:
I finally found out how it really works, but I don’t seem to know how to work it. Actually, its working me.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:10 pm:
“Hey, I know things look a bit ‘nutzo’ but listen … this Serbian kid is going to run for governor … LET HIM … you … you run for lt. governor … I know, backseat, no grandstanding… but listen … I live in the Governor’s Mansion … ok … that’s all I can say .. you are going to HATE this new you at times … but it’s worth it …and by the way, renew your Best Western frequent stay card, it will come in handy … and stock the fridge, we catch a bit of flack from that Rich Miller about our empty fridge … Miller really becomes important too … Ok, gotta run, heading to China to hand over Peoria, Bloomington, and Cherry Hills to them … Bye!”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:12 pm:
“Pat … one word … Plastics ….”
- walkinfool - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:12 pm:
It’s always easier to say than to do.
- Chris - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:12 pm:
“Shh, you might mess up our pension.”
- 47th Ward - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:14 pm:
Yes, but I’m Governor now. Don’t you get it? I’m Governor! It’s the brass ring, the whole enchilada, it’s everything we worked for all these years.
Why are you looking at me like that?
- Pat Quinn's Brain - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:22 pm:
I object to the premise of the question. I have been completely consistent my entire career. I have always been a supporter of good government. And if I am doing it, it is by definition, good government.
Cynics like you, Rich, are part of the problem. Illinois Government is full of cynics - everyone but me. All we need is a few more true believers in my administration and we’ll be right as rain!
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:27 pm:
“I know this is crazy … but there is this ‘kid’ in Chicago that is going to help this hick governor from Arkansas run for president in 1992 … STOP THAT KID … this guy, if he helps that Arkansas governor win in 1992, we are going to regret it for the rest of your term as governor … I said to much … find Rahm … find him … its for our own good …”
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:29 pm:
Oswego Willy, those are some of the funniest comments I’ve ever seen here. More, please.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:41 pm:
“Ten years from now … There is going to be some WAY out there, Right Wing guy who is going to run for US Senate. Trust us, we WANT this guy to win. He is crazy, wanting to take on everyone here in Illinois to the point Northern Illinois gets this ‘cowboy’ prosecutor as US Attorney … we LOVE this prosecutor … Lincoln will spin in his grave if this guy doesn’t become US Attorney. Make sure the Irish, (that’s a hint to us) Reublican wins …”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:42 pm:
Thanks Rich …
- I don't want to live in Teabagistan - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:44 pm:
This suit looked and fit better on you.
- Waco Kid - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:48 pm:
The bumbling Governor is all an act to hide my secret identity. You will understand soon enough young Pat, when you become “Soy Boy”
- Just Me - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:48 pm:
Slightly off topic, but I lost all remaining respect for Quinn when he signed the map. He doesn’t like the gambling bill because “it only took two days to pass”? Well, it took less than that to pass the map. What is the difference?
Oh, the map is gerrymandered. I forgot.
- Will - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:50 pm:
Come on, don’t look at me that way. Have you tried the carp?
- sal-says - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:51 pm:
“Geez. I might have been hallucinating back then. But NOW I’m not, heh heh heh.”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:53 pm:
“I know we are ethical now in 1988, but I want us to get Cubs season tickets … we want these seats to be right on the 3rd Base side, almost to the left field wall. This is important … do not reach for foul balls … especially in playoff games. We need to have a seat there and stop fan interfence … on its principal. You can understand that, right? It’s ethical … just remember, Cubs season tickets …. “no touch” foul balls in the playoffs, its ok to stop others too … it’s ethical …freedon doesn’t count on fan interference, got it?”
- hisgirlfriday - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:54 pm:
How would Gov. Pat Quinn justify his current behavior to 1988 Pat Quinn?
For some reason I’m picturing a scene like this:
http://youtu.be/0pwjGWUrlHM?t=6m50s
The problem is that no one has ever been able to shame the legislative leaders (MIKE MADIGAN) the way they have been able to shame the governors of this state over the last 35 years eventually driving them over the deep end.
In Quinn’s defense though, he did support the 2008 ConCon just the same as he did the 1988 ConCon didn’t he?
- OneMan - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:05 pm:
Dude, we have a lot more power and less hair, so a man has to do what a man has to do.
By the way, if anyone says something about a ComEd executive and stockholder becoming the head of a regulatory entity for utilities, it might be better if you just ignored that.
- OneMan - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:12 pm:
Hey I still have that same tie.
- OneMan - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:15 pm:
When the time comes get the pawnbroker off the ticket, win it all…
- Timmeh - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:18 pm:
“Don’t forget to wind your watch!”
- JustMe - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:18 pm:
“How’d you get in here? We don’t want nobody nobody sent.”
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:22 pm:
“Look, me … I know you want to get back to 1988, you don’t like this new us, you think we are a “sell-out” and these “ends” didn’t justify the “means” … but the only thing that can generate the 1.2 Gigowatts you need to get back to 1988 is a bolt of lightning …”
- Stooges - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:22 pm:
I’m not me!
- Dooley Dudright - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:29 pm:
In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now.
— Bob Dylan, “My Back Pages”
- Roadiepig - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:53 pm:
Oswego Willie - all of your posts here brought a smile to my face but the one at 12:53 (Cubs season tickets) - that one had me laughing til my stomach hurt
- Rich Miller - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 1:56 pm:
Roadiepig, the problem with that OW comment is that PQ is a White Sox fan.
- NIref - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 2:11 pm:
2011 Quinn: It’s the 80’s, in ten years you’ll understand.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 2:13 pm:
I was going for the “easy” joke … sorry!
- Newsclown - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 2:14 pm:
New Quinn to the old:
“What happened to you, man? It used to be all about the MUSIC.”
“Did you have one of those Star Trek transporter bean accidents, and if so, where is your goatee beard?”
- AFSCME Steward - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 2:17 pm:
New Pat to Old Pat
I became Governor how ??? I ran with as a running mate with who ??? Are you sure about that ??? By the way, you’re gonna love the Governor’s mansion. It’s in the heart of Illinois. A great state. A state full of farmers, factory workers, clerks, lawyers , people that work hard. Honest people. Fields of tall corn and hard working farmers who harvest the corn and the soybeans from the fertile soils of Illinois….
Old Pat to New Pat: Would you shut up already
- Fed up - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 2:26 pm:
Hey I still have the same briefcase, they call me soy boy now. I was elected gov by lying about taxes, the death penalty and taking an endorsement and money from the unions then stabbing them in the back. I’m thinking about walking across the state ,chinas nice we need jobs not gambling well ok maybe some gambling, if you vote for my plan I’ll give you a job on a state board where’s Simon oh it’s his daughter does she where a bow tie. Did you know you can eat carp and they fly damnedest thing I ever did see. God I hate Elvis. Let’s blame Pate that will still work.
- Anonymous - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 3:27 pm:
Hey I’m the old Pat Quinn, now you’re an old Pat Quinn. Can the future be altered? I’m doomed.
- Anonymous - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 3:28 pm:
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 12:53 pm:
“I know we are ethical now in 1988, but I want us to get Cubs season tickets … we want these seats to be right on the 3rd Base side, almost to the left field wall. This is important … do not reach for foul balls … especially in playoff games. We need to have a seat there and stop fan interfence … on its principal. You can understand that, right? It’s ethical … just remember, Cubs season tickets …. “no touch” foul balls in the playoffs, its ok to stop others too … it’s ethical …freedon doesn’t count on fan interference, got it?”
=====
But what does that do for ball booted by the shortstop and the 8 runs that crossed the plate as well?
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 3:37 pm:
“In the words of my good friend Ron Ziegler, a good man from a hardworking family in Kentucky, the state that gave us here in Illinois our favorite son Abraham Lincoln…you know Lincoln loved Illinois and he was an honest man with a hard job who tried hard to solve our real problems, and Ron Ziegler had a hard job too and so what he said comes to mind…
This statement I am making today is the operative statement. The one I made in 1988 is inoperative.”
- Trowing Stones - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 3:39 pm:
–How would Gov. Pat Quinn justify his current behavior to 1988 Pat Quinn?–
With an hour of ramblin till he forgot what he was talking about.
- Boone Logan Square - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 3:48 pm:
Eh, Carol Marin also made the mistake of thinking Quinn is a Cubs fan on WTTW. He just projects that aura.
- Judgment Day - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 4:17 pm:
Ok, it’s 1988 - buy some Microsoft stock. Sell it around 2001. In 1997, buy some Amazon when it goes public. Hang onto it. In 2004, buy stock in this company called Google.
Trust me.
- Cincinnatus - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 4:22 pm:
Soy never spoils…
- Judgment Day - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 4:27 pm:
In 2001, if a guy with a Serbian last name comes up to you and talks about his running for Governor, even though you might think it’s a joke, encourage him and talk up his chances. It will all work out for you.
- jake - Friday, Oct 21, 11 @ 4:57 pm:
New Pat Quinn to old Pat Quinn, “You forgot to push for a constitutional amendment to put all the power with the Governor and eliminate the legislature. If only I were accountable to nobody, everything would be all right.”