80 Comments - WOW - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 10:58 am: She would make a good Governor. - Lefty Lefty - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 10:59 am: Wow, 13th voter and first poster? You’re not following directions, people! I think she’ll run because it will be the easiest path to the mansion in the next decade. Who knows who would be governor in 2018 that she would have to deal with? - How Ironic - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:00 am: If she runs, Quinn won’t make it out of the primary. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:03 am: Lisa is running… ===As a result, Mr. Daley has told friends, it’s highly unlikely he will run if she does.=== Daleys don’t say things “privately”. It is TOLD as something “private”, but is meant for the public. Daley bowing out, and giving a fair amount of time that Daley was “looking” still give Daley the appearance of saving face. Daley probably has known for a while what the score was and now, with the Funder scheduled, why not bow out, passively, and give Lisa the stage. It’s not like Daley is going to support Quinn… Lisa goes, and now, who is going to be Lisa’s Number 2???? Lisa Madigan and “Who”? Who chooses their #2 first, Lisa Madigan or Pat Quinn? - shore - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:04 am: the madigan story came the night the politico reporter spoke at a panel hosted by david axelrod. I would assume that means there will be only 1 political scion taking on quinn in the primary. - Statesman - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:04 am: As a result, Mr. Daley has told friends, it’s highly unlikely he will run if she does. —— You really have to respect the Dems on this type of collaboration. Far be it from the ego-driven field of 7 that will circle fire themselves in the GOP primary to remotely consider holding back. - Montrose - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:05 am: Lisa will win. Maybe Quinn will decide not to run and can operate with the freedom of a lame duck until his term ends. Some things might actually get done. - shore - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:05 am: this whole episode now allows us to use the line for every gubernatorial election ever going forward, “bill daley also considering a run”. - downstate hack - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:06 am: I voted yes, because the ego of almost all Illinois politicians seems to overwhelm common sense. Why would anyone want to take over the mess most likely left behind by the Quinn regime? - Irish - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:07 am: I don’t believe Lisa is the type to be a perennial candidate. In other words she is not going to insinuate strongly that she is running and then not run. I think she has said enough for voters to believe she is going to run, so she will. - Bardo - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:12 am: I believe that she will run. And I believe that she will win. And I believe that she will make an excellent Governor. Oh, and I believe that just about everybody on the Democratic side of the equation not named Pat Quinn sees it the same way. - Chi - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:15 am: -You really have to respect the Dems on this type of collaboration.- Democrats are primarying a sitting governor. Not much in the way of collaboration. There is ambition and hard-heads on both sides of the aisle. - FormerParatrooper - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:22 am: She is part of the machine, of course she will run. The problem will be if she wins, will her father retire? If he doesn’t it could lead to accusations of improper conduct. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:23 am: ===accusations of improper conduct. === Elaborate, please. - Amalia - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:24 am: why not run? Quinn is toast. - cassandra - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:26 am: Seems probable not just possible now. With Hillary probably running in 2016, this could another example of the year of the woman in state and national politics. Unfortunately, we have no idea what her policies would be, or at least, i don’t and I try to keep an eye on state politics, most folks probably don’t have the time. No reason to think we wouldn’t be looking at even higher taxes, pricier squiffy contracts, more attacks on government employee retiree groups, and more Democratic patronage. Or not. Who knows. But Quinn will have had 5+ years and his accomplishments have been modest at best. Should he get almost a decade in office? Still it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the prospect of a real primary contest. Will he spend all instead of much of his time doing ceremonial governor things, to be on the safe side. Or will he make some real decisions. How will he court the big unions and what will the effect be on our pocketbooks. Speaking of ceremonial, if Lisa runs, the Republicans should save their money and run a ceremonial campaign. They’re toast. Their only chance, and it’s a modest one at best, is a Quinn candidacy. As I’m sure they well know. - Precinct Captain - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:30 am: I think she’ll run because she wants the job, believes she can win, and believes she can accomplish goals in a vision she has for the state. - OneMan - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:30 am: At this point I think it is a go. She seems to smart to do the is she or isn’t she thing too hard. - ILPundit - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:37 am: I voted no. Here’s why: 1. I think it’s obvious that they are going to the wall right now to increase the pressure across the board on Quinn to back out of the race, because the numbers say he can’t win. 2. Quinn will not back out. It’s simply not in the man’s nature. 3. No matter how much money she has, and no matter how popular she is at the outset, the AG (and daughter of the Speaker and Party chair) challenging the incumbent will be the equivalent of WW III. The primary would be nasty, mean, ugly, and it will split the party. 4. Even though Lisa still probably wins that primary, she enters a 7-month General Election race where Quinn is still the incumbent Governor. He will continue to command a large megaphone. He will not play nice, and one should presume that he will take every opportunity to undermine Lisa, her message, etc. Remember, he’s a “maverick”. Further — for those that doubt this point, keep in mind, the man still hasn’t called George Ryan to congratulate him for his victory in the 1994 election. He can be very bitter and hold deep grudges. 5. The fact that this is a Presidential off-year, (and the fact that 12 years of Democratic control have created a real sense of crisis fatigue across the state), make the General Election anything but a gimme, despite the conventional wisdom. Because of all of these points, team Madigan will have to make an assessment of risk vs. reward. If the Madigan’s are known for anything, it is picking their battles wisely. There is far more risk in mounting a challenge, without enough certainty of victory. And a failure to win would not just damage Lisa, it would undermine the Speaker and his control of the party. Just as Mike Tyson was never the same after Buster Douglas knocked him out, if the Madigan’s roll the dice and lose, they’ve lost a lot more than just one primary. Bottom line: Reward is not great enough to take the risk, so she bows out at the 11th hour. - Loop Lady - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:41 am: Lisa will run and win because it’s time for a generational/gender shift in IL politics, and the incumbent is highly unpopular. Not much else to say… - phocion - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:41 am: The only other gig (than Governor) that the AG was interested was US Senator. Once Durbin publicly said he’s running for re-election, it was clear to all who follow this that Lisa is going to do the race of Governor. The only issue is whether Quinn decides to pull and LBJ and publicly announce early that he will not seek re-election, or whether he will be a long-term lame duck. - Concerned Citizen - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:45 am: So, Daughter is Governor, Father is Speaker and Godfather is President of the Senate. Do we really believe that can happen in the 21st century. ONE family controlling ALL of State Government. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:49 am: ===if the Madigan’s roll the dice and lose, they’ve lost a lot more than just one primary.=== Completely agree, except on the primary. They will win that one. It’s the general they need to worry most about. - ILPundit - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 11:57 am: I agree she wins the primary, I just think it will come at a price — and that they know this, and will price it into their final decision. - Raising Kane - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:02 pm: I totally agree with Rich….she will roll right over Quinn in the primary. But the indy’s in the general are the problem. My vote was that she wouldn’t run because she is too cautious…..but she should. - D P Gumby - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:07 pm: The irony is that Lisa is qualified and would be a good governor…much better than Quinn or most of the Repubs. - MrJM - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:09 pm: I said, no. She waits and lets someone else do the fiscal/financial heavy lifting that the state still requires of a governor. Then she rides in after someone has done that work and paid the political price. Or at least took the blame. – MrJM - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:12 pm: In the end, she doesn’t run. She has never given the vibe that she truly wants to do it. - cassandra - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:13 pm: I’m not so sure there will be mass voter outrage about her relationship to the Speaker. How concerned are folks about political dynasties in this state, really. After all, we have others. A lot of folks, when learning that the Speaker and gubernatorial candidate are related, might say, well, at least maybe she can get something done. Folks aren’t as concerned about concentration of power as they probably should be. Or, meh….that’s going to make me vote for a Republican? When I could be voting for a future Democratic Prez? I think the Democrats might have ways of neutralizing Quinn if he loses the primary. They probably control access to various prestigious do-nothing gigs for ex-office-holders. Or not. - Mouthy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:18 pm: Yes. This one was easy. - AC - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:26 pm: Voted yes, too unlikely that she would have floated the idea without planning on running. - Susiejones - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:27 pm: I voted Yes. She should and will run. Primary will be easy; hopefully the Republicans will run someone strong and make the general election interesting and not a blow out by Ms. Madigan. Lisa will be a good governor and now seems like the best time for her to make the leap. - NW IL Democrat - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:31 pm: Why would she want to run and have to take action on massive fiscal problems facing the state … - Ruby - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:31 pm: Lisa is likely to run for governor in either 2014 or 2018. - Dirty Red - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:32 pm: Yes. There are too many wheels in motion. Plus, where else can she go that would peak her interests? - Darienite - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:40 pm: Voted yes. She has been AG for 3 terms(?), so if not now, when. She will win Dem. primary handily. The question is who will be her running mate - will she attempt to find a downstater or stay Chicago. My guess is a Hispanic to solidify that voting block. - Peoria Pete - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:47 pm: As someone who follows the AG’s office closely, I think she’s running. She’s held off on giving her assistant AGs raises for something like six years now. Still manages to get a lot of things done for the state. Seems like she could hold herself out as a solid fiscal manager and strong executive, arguing that that’s what Illinois needs now. My two cents . . . - Knome Sane - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 12:51 pm: I vote no. The day she is sworn in as governor, the proverbial clock starts ticking to the day she is no longer governor. There is no such clock ticking in the AG’s office. Would she get four terms, I doubt it. Would she be picked as someone’s Vice-president? Who knows? But with the moves our governor must make to solve the state’s problems, one thing is clear: “the people” are going to get hurt from program cuts, fee and tax increases, etc. And when “people” get hurt, they get angry. And when “people” get angry they vote against the one that is bringing the pain. I propose that Kirk Dillard will be the next governor. He does the heavy lift to solve the problems and is beaten by Lisa in 2018, about the same time Speaker Madigan hangs up his cleats and calls it a day. Or in his case, 12,045 days (that’s about how long he will have served as Speaker in 2018). - VanillaMan - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:00 pm: Is this Illinois, or a modern state? Nepotism is celebrated here, and in other backwards places. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:14 pm: ===Nepotism is celebrated here, and in other backwards places.=== If Lisa wins the Primary and the General Elections, that ain’t nepotism …that 2 elections. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:30 pm: I have no insight, at all. But I think IL Pundit and MrJM make good points for “no,” so I’m with those fellers. - Kasich Walker, Jr. - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:38 pm: There is finally an IL Governor above indictment and his fellow party members can’t wait to challenge the incumbency. Ted Kennedy II. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:41 pm: ===There is finally an IL Governor above indictment === If that’s the bar you’ve set, then woe is us. We can do a lot better than this. I’m definitely not saying that LM, or Rauner or anybody else could do better, but, geez, man, “Never been indicted” is not what I’m looking for in a governor. - Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:42 pm: ===She waits and lets someone else do the fiscal/financial heavy lifting=== Not sure you know LM too well. - Kasich Walker, Jr. - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:54 pm: –Never been indicted” is not what I’m looking for in a governor.– You gotta admit, it’s a step in the right direction. I’d like to hear the compelling arguments for voting for the AG over the incumbent. - Skeeter - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:54 pm: Lisa will run and win. And nothing will change. The GOP will throw a fit about the Speaker, but their complaints about the Speaker will be drowned out by Republicans accusing miscellaneous Dems of treason and ranting about Rev. Wright, Benghazi, and and other new conspiracies being discussed on Fox or Breitbart. When it comes to outrage, the GOP has a tough time staying on point. They are not very good at actually using it to win elections. - Chicago Cynic - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:55 pm: Unless she has something catastrophic happen, she’s running. From what I hear, Gov. Quinn personally doesn’t believe that she is which makes it an even greater certainty. Only thing that stops her from winning is Spkr not agreeing to step down if she wins combined with a Rauner primary victory and $50 million in anti-Madigan ads. - soccermom - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 1:56 pm: I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing Astroturf and the designated hitter. I believe in the sweet spot, in opening your presents Christmas morning rather than Christmas Eve and in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days. I also believe that Lisa Madigan is running for Governor. - Sinister - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:01 pm: Explanation: Pat Quinn ineffectiveness. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:03 pm: - soccermom -, “Oh MY, you do make speeches!” - Louis Howe - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:10 pm: It’s time to make a move. Lisa could wait but MJM can’t afford to wait another 5 years. Knuckle heads that believe Madigan should promise to resign if Lisa runs don’t understand power politics. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:14 pm: Rich, I was under the impression that Kevin Costner quotes rated a lifetime ban. Please let Soccermom off with a warning. “Dances with Wolves” won the Best Picture Oscar over “Goodfellas.” Costner won Best Director over Marty. I do not forget. I do not forgive. And I do not “wanna have a catch.” - Kasich Walker, Jr. - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:15 pm: “Explanation: Pat Quinn ineffectiveness.” At Sinister: I’m not a big fan of “Parks & Recreation”, but this scenario reminds me of an episode involving a campaign in which the father of one candidate threatened to leave town with his ownership of leading employer if his candidate lost. Are Cross, Radogno, & Quinn still waiting? It may or not be a gross exaggeration of the situation, but if it came to my simple mind there are plenty more like mine in Illinois. That’s tough for the AG to overcome. - Crazy Like A Fox - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:19 pm: I voted no. 1. Why would anyone want the job at this point in time? 2. Lisa Madigan has the potential to be one of the most influential and inspirational women in a generation. She has the opportunity to be a role model to young women the way Dawn Clark Netsch was. Why spoil it when everyone is going to be talking about your Dad? Power may be great but glory lasts forever… What would the “Fire Madigan” people do if MJM came out and said he would resign if Lisa won… - titan - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:19 pm: If I were her, I’d wait (she’s young, and only going to get more popular) - the state is in a horid mess that will be very painful to clean up. Why make yourself the (possibly very unpopular) public face of he misery to come. That said, I think she’ll do it. - soccermom - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:23 pm: Word, I am absolutely laughing out loud. Although a technical point: I am not quoting Kevin Costner; I am quoting Ron Shelton. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:24 pm: - wordslinger -, I have coffee on the keyboard! Bad Oscar Night for Marty, the only “saving grace” was Costner had gone MIA after getting his statues. Scorsese should have about 4, and the Departed win, with Spielberg, Coppola, and Lucas presenting … who didn’t see THAT coming? - Albert... - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:24 pm: Lisa would be a good choice for Governor. I do believe that her Father should step down…. If for no other reason…Lisa will lose votes if he stays. Pat Quinn…. He needs to take a good hard look at things…. Lisa or no Lisa….I highly doubt he stands a chance at being re-elected no matter who runs against him in the primary or in a general election. - Angry Chicagoan - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:32 pm: It’s definitely time. And she’ll run less risk of being collateral damage from her father than she would have in 2010. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:37 pm: Soccermom, Willie, I get pretty honked when it comes to Marty. It’s a question of which was the greatest robbery: “Dances with Wolves” over “Goodfellas” or “Ordinary People” over “Raging Bull.” After not watching it for a number of years because it’s so heavy, I make a point of watching “Raging Bull” every year. It’s beautiful. It’s perfect. It’s so heavy. I haven’t gotten to that point yet with “Taxi Driver.” Still disturbing, the madness of old, ungovernable New York. As far as “Ordinary People” goes, Donald Sutherland and Timothy Hutton should have gone to a strip club to celebrate Mary Tyler Moore leaving. North Shore angst as art, from Robert Redford. Yeah, buddy. - soccermom - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:43 pm: Word, OW — here’s a poem that seems appropriate to this thread on a number of levels: http://writersalmanac.publicradio.org/ - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 2:56 pm: Soccermom, that’s welcome and sweet on a dreary, damp day. The irrationally hopeful days of April are just around the corner, aren’t they? I’ve told my wife and kids that when the time comes, and if they decide to not just chuck me in the ditch on the outskirts of town like an old couch (my idea), Steve Goodman’s “A Dying Cub Fan’s Last Request” needs to be a part of my sendoff. Who has a better gig right now: The Chicago reporters at spring training in Arizona, or the Chicago reporters in Rome waiting on the new Pope? On the company dime, definitely Rome. Arizona I can swing myself. - Kasich Walker, Jr. - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:02 pm: One thing candidates with name recognition have going for them: they often lose once or twice, then win again. Don’t tell Dan Hynes. - soccermom - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:10 pm: Word — Steve Goodman was the first person I ever interviewed, and his mother became a friend over the last few years. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:29 pm: Agreed on the “Greatest Robbery” discussion, I have been in that discussion too. I go “Raging Bull” as my choice, because I think that film on its merits against “Goodfellas” on its fil merits, is the better work. “Uh, which one do you quote more?” Yes, “Goodfellas”, but “Raging Bull” …tough call but, got to go with Jake. - socermom -, thanks! You still owe me, and the “class” the Woody Allen Casablanca story sometime … - qcexaminer - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:32 pm: Can’t wait to hear how Lisa will fix the pension mess. Quinn gave Big Labor a 2% raise—will Lisa promise Big Labor a 10% raise and insist taxpayers take it in the shorts? For the common good, of course. lol - Capitol View - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:35 pm: Lisa would be a great governor, but she would be wise to wait six years to give her father the full six years he will need to modernize our revenues systems - so that she can enjoy her governorship and not be saddled with the tax restructuring that is long overdue and needed: state income tax for retirees other than the first $25 or 50 k constitutional amendment for graduated income tax broadly expand sales tax on to many services, a user fee because it only applies as services are episodically utilized Also, Lisa’s kids are too young — and downstaters would rightfully demand that she as governor live in Springfield, the alleged state capitol. Rod didn’t, Quinn said he would but does not, and few persons cared. But Lisa will have to show she is not just another Chicago pol — and being based in Springfield will help make that point. Six years from now is better than two years, despite how well the Obama kids are doing. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:46 pm: Soccermom, back when I was a kid, I went to a John Prine/Steve Goodman show at Rock Cut State Park. Early June, I think. David Bromberg and John Hartford showed up, and they brought Jimmy Buffett with them. This was before the Parrotheads made Jimmy a gazillionaire, and he was just another guy. They all played — everything — in the park until about 2 a.m., when the Winnebago County Sheriff was finally forced to shut them down. Those sheriff deputies were in no hurry to enforce the law. They were having as good a time as anyone. I ran into Prine right before Christmas at the Toys R’ Us on North Avenue in Melrose. He still has peeps in Maywood. - soccermom - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 3:57 pm: Word — Prine used to come to Rockford on a fairly regular basis to play at Charlotte’s Web. He used to hang out with an old pal who worked at the Register Star. (I think it was one of the photographers.) I miss my days as a folkie. (I married outside the faith…) - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 4:03 pm: ===The Chicago reporters at spring training in Arizona, or the Chicago reporters in Rome waiting on the new Pope?=== Concur on Rome. If they are paying to be in Italy, how is that not the better deal? Also, Spring Training is happening, and will happen next year, and the year after that. Electing a Pope doesn’t happen on the calendar too much… A thought on Costner… There is a small film he did with Jason Robard’s son Sam, and a young Judd Nelson, called … “Fandango” It takes place in 1971, with the fellas living in a house at Univ. of Texas, leading to a “road trip” …the rest you have to see for yourself. College, life after, and Vietnam play a large part of the plot. It was originally a short student film with limited scenes, but a guy named Steven Spielberg saw it, liked it, and wanted to make it a feature for a film company, Amblin … http://www.ultimatefandango.com/ - FormerParatrooper - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 4:25 pm: Rich - what I mean is the Gov and Speaker would be of the family. In her position as Gov she could give special deals to her fathers district, veto anything thet her father is against that passes, the lust could go on. Whether anything happens or not, people will be wary and scrutinizing everything. It may not be fair but that is the nature of politics in our State. There are - FormerParatrooper - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 4:27 pm: Please pardon misspelling thet is that and lust is list. On mobile device and it is acting crazy today. - Muffin Man - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 4:53 pm: Lisa runs in Primary and easily wins. Not even a close race there. Lisa runs in the General and and wins handily by a 3 or 4 point margin. She did not have a GOP heavy-weight to contend with and from the very beginning she knew it. Otherwise, she would have taken a pass on running in the Democrat Primary. She realized that the reality is “there are no Republican heavy-weight contenders” out there anymore.Most Republicans can only wish Lisa was a Republican. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 4:58 pm: Soccermom, Charlotte’s Web is a blast from the past. I can’t remember the last time I thought about that place. Geez, I’m old. Best Haggard show I ever saw was there. He was ready, the place was small and he laid that Bakersfield Sound down with a fury — “Workingman’s Blues,” “If We Make it Through September,” “Hungry Eyes,” (not the song some of you are thinking). Opener was Asleep at the Wheel, starring the great Ray Benson, a man, along with Charlie Daniels, who, another time, once got me uncuffed and set free by an Illinois State Trooper. Merle and Ray did a lot of Bob Wills that night. They had fun, and a lot fun was had. - Mama - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 5:53 pm: I voted No - (I agree with Capitol View - 3:35 pm) Everyone would assume her father would be the real Gov and Lisa would only be considered his puppet as long as he is the speaker. Lisa will be a good Gov after her dad retires. Therefore, she should wait and run in 5 years unless MG is planning on stepping down sooner than later. - Boone Logan Square - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 7:15 pm: If Mike Madigan didn’t sink Dems in 2012, he’s certainly not going to sink the most popular Dem in the state in 2014. Illinois does not shy away from brand names (though Bill Daley will not be governor in 2015). Given the public polling (both head-to-head and her favorables across the state), the conspicuous visit to DC, and the hints she’s already dropped, I think Van Morrison said it best. Too late to stop now. Lisa Madigan is already running for governor. I would bet lunch she’ll win the primary and dinner she’ll win the general, and I’m willing to make those bets before we see the rest of the field take shape. - Boone Logan Square - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 7:29 pm: Also, I can’t believe a reference to Merle Haggard in a post about Illinois governors made no mention of “Swingin’ Doors.” - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 7:43 pm: Boone, I was off-topic talking about Haggard. But I acknowledge my shortcomings. What can I tell you? “Mama Tried.” - Stating the obvious - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 7:58 pm: I voted no. Does anyone really think Michael Madigan will step down? He lives for this stuff! The vast majority of voters, both Repubs AND Dems, have no idea how much power he wields in our state. If Lisa runs, it’ll not just be Illinois news but national news. - hope not - Monday, Mar 11, 13 @ 8:56 pm: LM has had an easy time of it. After only one term as a senator her father paved the way for her AG spot. Since then, there has not been a real challenge. The negatives to be exploited if she runs will come as too high a cost. Lets hope that ego and greed to not overrule common sense. The Dems do not need a civil war. She is young and can wait. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.