* AP…
Illinois Democratic leaders are considering a move Thursday that’s opposed by Republican Gov.-elect Bruce Rauner despite pledges of bipartisanship as the state enters its first divided government in more than a decade.
* Finke…
Republicans generally oppose the idea, pointing out that 2016 is a presidential election year in which Democratic voter turnout is generally higher, giving a Democratic candidate an edge. Topinka was a Republican, as is Leslie Munger, the woman Rauner said he will appoint to the job Monday.
Republican state Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove said he considers the special election proposal a slap in the face to Rauner, who he said has spent recent weeks trying to meet individually with legislators on both sides of the aisle.
“On the heels of that graciousness and openness, to all of the sudden pivot and snub him and say, ‘We have the ability to jam this down your throat,’ it smacks of overt partisanship,” Sandack said.
* But Munger herself says it’s no big deal either way…
Munger says if Democrats move forward with a special election in 2016, she’d “absolutely” run statewide for the post.
“Whatever they do, they’re going to do,” she said.
And…
Munger said Wednesday she’s not worried about the outcome of the vote [today in the General Assembly].
“If that comes to pass, hopefully the fact that I’ve done a good job will help me get elected,” she said in a phone interview from Florida, where she has been vacationing with her family.
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- SkeptiCal - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:56 am:
This is a tempest in a tea pot. Back in 1970 the ConCon delegates knew of the problem including delegate Madigan. Since then the possibility of such an unfortunate timing was easily predictable. Yet no legislation addressing this was passed.
Now we have a real situation that leads to the OMG exclamations and a rush to fix a problem that may never arise again in 100 years.
The GA never takes the time to properly ponder legislation and try to get it right the first time. Instead it is to the advantage of members to govern by reaction to a crisis and then claim, “I introduced (or supported) a bill to fix this terrible problem.”
We should give less attention to the GA on this issue no matter what they do today and move on.
- Bill White - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 8:58 am:
Republican chirping sets a nice frame for Leslie Munger being reasonable. And yes, she is being reasonable and smart about all this.
But I do wonder if they all met with Mike Bost, to rehearse.
- Montrose - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:03 am:
Very smart of Munger to take the high road on the special election. She would have gained nothing by opposing it, but she looks like the grown-up in the room right now.
- Del Clinkton - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:04 am:
= The GA never takes the time to properly ponder legislation and try to get it right the first time. =
**************
Please name some examples of this. Very curious to learn about this legacy.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:06 am:
===Please name some examples of this===
The temporary income tax is the biggest example of this.
- Sir Reel - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:09 am:
I guess Sandack doesn’t see it as a slap in the face of voters to have a 4 year appointment.
He would be OK with a more costly election some time other than 2016?
It’s only about making sure Republicans get the best shot to keep the office.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:15 am:
Ron Sandack continues to look less of a thoughtful legislator and more of the Dopey leader of the Parliament of Owls.
“Who says we need an election?”
“Who thinks we need this bill?”
Who …who…who
Ron Sandack is becoming very disappointing, but if you need a lemming right now in the HGOP Caucus, all you need to do is hoot.
The only Dope pointing out partisanship here…is the Owl Sandack.
Munger dosen’t mind.
Speaks volumes to Sandack and his disappointing “evolution”
- Wensicia - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:17 am:
It seems Munger is interested in a political career after all.
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:32 am:
I don’t have a strong opinion on the issue and in fact probably prefer the 2016 election. However, let’s at least all admit the obvious. If a Democrat was making this appointment, it would be a 4 year term. This is pure politics.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:40 am:
so the person who is “not a politician” has just announced her candidacy for election, even before she is in office for a day.
with all due respect,judy was 70, jesse is 81. if something happens to jesse with rauner as governor, good to have it settled requiring an election for at least half of a term.
- SO. ILL - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:41 am:
==It’s only about making sure Republicans get the best shot to keep the office.==
Ha. Like the special election legislation isn’t about Democrats thinking this will help them take the office back? C’mon man. I know Munger says she doesn’t care, but at this point in her career she has to say that. This is only, only, about partisan hackery and political jobs. What else is MJM about? Well, his majority first, yeah…then the political hackery and patronage. It’s like 1a and 1b.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:45 am:
===This is only, only, about partisan hackery and political jobs===
Not totally, because who’s ever heard of a four-year appointment to an elected statewide office?
But partially, yes. On both sides.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:48 am:
If you want a career in elected office, it would be crazy to assert some entitlement to a four-year appointment.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:49 am:
But what about all the energy RapidRonny Sandeck has used huffing and puffing…getting all BossToss on us….apparently Mitt & Co. not giving out cue cards yet.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:50 am:
Let’s hope dick Uline gives Proft 1 million dollars to run munger’s campaign in 2016, that way she will lose for sure.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:54 am:
The succession legislation applies to all of the Constitutional offices.
Who thinks that, god forbid, if something were to happen to Frerichs, Madigan or White in the next few months, Governor Rauner ought to get to pick their replacement for 3 and a half years?
Given the Bertuca performance, who thinks that Governor Quinn should have had the same power to fill a Constitutional vacancy for 3 and a half years?
And I think we all know the answer when it comes to Blagojevich.
As for the whole “This gives Democrats a huge advantage” argument?
My response:
That’s the Republican Party’s choice.
The GOP chooses to support slashing programs that help the working poor. The GOP chooses to be anti-gay and anti-choice. The GOP chooses to support cuts in school funding, higher education funding.
There is absolutely no reason the GOP cannot be more competitive in presidential election years.
So take a lesson from Leslie Munger, and instead of looking out the window to blame everyone else for your own failures, look in the mirror to decide what you can change about yourself.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:56 am:
BTW, unless I am mistaken, this is almost the exact same process for filling a lengthy vacancy by a state senator.
- A guy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:57 am:
Let’s see what happens. Nice approach from Leslie. If the one day session is where the precedent setting legislation is passed, it’s disappointing, but not a surprise. That’s how these cats roll.
Let it go and just win the damn thing, Presidential year or not. I’m truly wondering why so many folks are believing that this next election is so decidedly tilted toward the Dems. That’s fixable. As the God of Swoosh says: Just do it.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 9:57 am:
Anybody that doesn’t think there is partisanship on both sides has an inability to be honest.
- Joe M - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:05 am:
“’I’m not interested in a political career,’ Munger said in a statement Monday, while pledging to watch out for Illinois taxpayers.” - from an earlier State Journal Register article.
I’m trying to figure out if her now deciding to run for office in 2016, contradicts her previous statement? I guess if Rauner asked her to serve a 4 year term, then maybe it doesn’t? What does anyone else think?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:10 am:
===I’m trying to figure out if her now deciding to run for office in 2016, contradicts her previous statement? ===
LOL
C’mon. Serving just two years and then running for election doesn’t constitute a “career.”
- Del Clinkton - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:13 am:
Thank you Demoralized. Bruce, former laundromat magnate, has his own axe to grind. As does MJM.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:15 am:
Joe, politicians asserting that they are not politicians is the oldest gag in the book. I dont know why anyone buys it, but plenty keep selling it.
One of the biggest long-time financial supporters of the political status quo just dropped tens of millions on a political campaign selling that he was an outsider and not a politician. Worked for him.
- walker - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:15 am:
Sandack should rethink this.
The longer the Speaker drags this out, the worse it could be for Rauner, and for bipartisan relationships in the Spring. Best to get it out of the way.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:48 am:
I like mungers approach. Take the windmfrom the saild by downplaying it instead of puffing up the drama.
Even keeled response that bodes well for her decision making process
- D.P.Gumby - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 10:51 am:
Interesting that Republicans consider holding an election a slap at Brucie…can’t he afford to buy Munger one?
- Gooner - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 11:15 am:
Oswego Willy is right about Sandack.
A year ago, Ron had a reputation as a thoughtful and independent voice. I’ve known Ron for about 15 years and thought the reputation matched the reality. He’s a genuinely smart guy.
The last six months or so, he’s gone from that to hyper-partisan attack dog.
Bad move. His support was never that strong with the GOP base. However, he didn’t need that base because between Republican moderates and soft Dems, he kept his seat and he had a real chance if he decided to run state-wide.
I’m just not seeing that anymore. As a moderate who leans Dem, I’ve gone from somebody who a year ago might have volunteered for him to somebody who can no longer imagine voting for the guy for anything.
If he wants a future, he needs to calm down about the party line. He can be a leader without being the pit bull.
One last note — given his attack dog role, there are going to be a heck of a lot people laughing when he casts the vote for Rauner’s inevitable tax increase. It will be like when Marjorie Margolies voted for Bill Clinton’s budget — expect Dems to chant “Bye bye Ron” as he votes for it. Liz Chaplin might just show up to enjoy the show.
- Norseman - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 12:34 pm:
### = The GA never takes the time to properly ponder legislation and try to get it right the first time. =
**************
Please name some examples of this. Very curious to learn about this legacy. ###
Del, Rich gave you the biggest example, but it’s not a unique example. This is a consistent problem. We’d be better off if the General Assembly spent more time on analyzing legislation.
To the post: Good reaction on Munger’s part.
- Toure's Latte - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
==Ron Sandack is becoming very disappointing==
Becoming? You did keep up on the NRI debacle, right? He was great wrecking the HRO’s credibility. I love the guy.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 1:18 pm:
- Toure’s Latte -,
Where do you think I came up with Parliament of Owls?
Sandack had to admit it was probably bad administration of duties if anything.
Pathetic.
- Enviro - Thursday, Jan 8, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
Munger is likely to win over the voters with her level-headed personality and be elected in 2016.
What a good example she is for Springfield.
I look forward to voting for her in 2016.
- anon - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 4:57 am:
Both parties are seeking political advantage. Given human nature,however, we see partisanship more readily in our opponents that in ourselves.