Shields up!
Thursday, Jan 15, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a January 12th Daily Herald story…
Both Sanguinetti and Rauner greeted well-wishers at Illinois’ Old State Capitol Monday. Sanguinetti said there she is not answering any questions at this time, but will “very soon.”
* Assistant managing editor Jim Slusher takes gentle exception today…
As a Wheaton resident, Sanguinetti holds special interest for us at the Daily Herald. She’s a local product, now a heartbeat — or, perhaps taking the less-often-considered Pat Quinn route, one felony conviction away — from becoming the chief executive of the state. We’ve wanted to ask her a few questions since she and her boss Bruce Rauner won the election last November but we’ve been repeatedly left to place our hope in that phrase “very soon.”
We can live with that. She is the lieutenant governor, after all, and the Pat Quinn experience notwithstanding, the likelihood is not strong that she will soon become a household name outside of the West and Northwest suburbs. We’re confident that soon enough she’ll sit down with reporters from her hometown newspaper to discuss what it’s like to make the transition from local city councilwoman to the center of political power in the state and perhaps provide some insights into how she’ll shape an office that has few official duties. […]
So far, during the campaign and in the weeks since it ended, the Rauner reputation has become one of fierce control, though it’s important to point out that the governor and his staff are still at the very early stages of a long transition and have made some obvious attempts to cooperate with us pesky journalists.
But is so much control a good strategy? Time will tell. Pundits are quick to point out that too much of it can lead people to wonder what a politician really has to offer — or what he or she may be hiding. Perhaps sometime “very soon,” we’ll see more detail inside a camp that so far has been very cloistered and realize our worries and speculations were unfounded. For now, we’ll count on that.
- Nick Naylor - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:50 am:
I cringe at the thought that she could be Governor. No, I don’t come by this opinion because “she is a Latina” or because “she is a woman”, or because she “is a Republican”. I come by this opinion because “she is uniquely unqualified” to be Governor. Plain and simple.
And before the Raunerbots jump all over this comment, and ask me to explain “why she is unqualified”, I ask them first: “why do you think she IS qualified”?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:51 am:
She’s my favorite constitutional officer.
- Tony Strupac - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:55 am:
Asking to explain why Sanguinetti is qualified to be Governor is like asking why water is wet.
- Responsa - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 9:58 am:
I agree that the new admin needs to be careful with how they manage this and how they introduce her role and use Evelyn. But for perspective maybe somebody can point to all the reporters who were clamoring to get Sheila Simon’s thoughts and opinions—on any subject–ever.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:01 am:
==why do you think she IS qualified?==
From the Illinois Constitution: To be eligible to hold the office of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller or Treasurer, a person must be a United States citizen, at least 25 years old, and a resident of this State for the three years preceding his election.
U.S. Citizen, over 25, resident for more than three years. It’s a low bar, but she would seem to be qualified.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:01 am:
===Asking to explain why Sanguinetti is qualified to be Governor is like asking why water is wet.===
Executive Order -ES11344
There will be no discussion, sentence, phrase or the intended or unintended coupling of the words, in any order or combination of; Evelyn, Sanguinetti, Lt. Governor, water, ice, forzen, litigation, personal, injury, “personal injury” or any and all phrases that even suggest these words in a paragraph or verbal communication.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:03 am:
I sent the new LG a book entitled “Cows; All You Need To Know” but haven’t received a thank-you yet.
- Nick Naylor - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:05 am:
=It’s a low bar=
With Evelyn Sanguinetti as Lt. Governor, no truer words have been spoken.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:05 am:
- Pot calling kettle -
You are 100% correct.
So…you want Evelyn running the state, if need be, is the next question…
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:07 am:
Censorship
- Walter Mitty - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:08 am:
Rather telling. Also, makes you wonder what the other choices for the position knew? Did they know it was going to be so controlling?
- Great Caesar's Ghost! - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:11 am:
For the next four years our first order of business should be to pray for Gov. Rauner’s good health.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:12 am:
People who engage in censorship ultimately hurt themselves, especially when the comments that are deleted are HILARIOUS!
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:14 am:
Smartest thing the Rauner administration has done. Keep a lid on her.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:20 am:
FakeLG - The Governor’s Office calls my personal office the “Prop Room” #DoNotCallWeWillCallYou
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:22 am:
She’ll answer questions as soon as they figure out what she’s actually going to do.
- anonymoose - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:22 am:
First order of LG business, study OW’s cow book for the really tough questions. Even heard there was an inter-library loan quest for the tome, “Cow Tipping for Fun and Profit” - making good use of time and resources while down in Springfield. Plus, the LG is so busy, she’s had to turn down countless Snipe hunting invitations. No LG time to thank OW - and The Daily Herald will have to wait.
- northshore cynic - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:24 am:
If Rauner doesn’t repair the Executive Mansion quickly, he runs the risk of a personal injury lawsuit from the LG the first time she is invited to visit. Can she sue him personally?
- Streator Curmudgeon - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:25 am:
While her answers to journalists’ serious questions might be amusing, I suspect that in another sense, they also might be extremely scary. Illinois residents are scared enough as it is.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:26 am:
Michelle made a good point the other day; if you’re truly looking for “non-essential spending,” the l.g. office is low-hanging fruit.
And that’s for any l.g., not just the new one.
- Amalia - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:27 am:
wait, WHAT?!? not answering questions? insulting not just to the press, but to the public. she was elected. start talking or leave.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:27 am:
@FakeFredoCorkeone - even I think she may need to realize she should get passed over #HowPopSawIt
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:32 am:
Too easy.
I’ll wait along with the Daily Herald and everybody else. I’m sure she’s working on new material and it is guaranteed to be comedy gold.
Soon. Very soon.
- MrJM (@MisterJayEm) - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:34 am:
“Sanguinetti said there she is not answering any questions at this time, but will ‘very soon.’”
Newspapers should appreciate the new administration’s decision to wait to expose Sanguinetti to press scrutiny, instead of immediately rubbing their editorial boards’ noses in their endorsements.
– MrJM
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:37 am:
Wait. People are standing in line at the Old State Capitol Building on a freezing day having walked a few blocks to shake hands with the Governor, Lt. Governor and their families and the reporter wanted to interview her right then and there? And then complained when informed that was not an appropriate time? Is that the appropriate interpretation of “Sanguinetti said there?”
Good for her for responding to that reporter that way on that day at that moment.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:40 am:
- Louis G. Atsaves -,
Let’s not kid ourselves, about a 1/3 were hoping the new LG needed a witness in a new suit against all the agencies in case a “mishap” happened…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Even Chuck Goudie won’t chase her down in fear he might be a mitigating factor in a “mishap”
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Louis, try reading:
“We’ve wanted to ask her a few questions since she and her boss Bruce Rauner won the election last November but we’ve been repeatedly left to place our hope in that phrase “very soon.”
The Old State Capitol was simply the most recent attempt to get her on the record.
- Hit or Miss - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:52 am:
===she is not answering any questions at this time, but will “very soon.”===
Answering questions “very soon” is also the policy of Rauner. Specific details on what the new governor and his administration will do/will not do when in office have been very limited during the entire election campaign. I for one am eager to hear the details.
- Soccertease - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:58 am:
Simmer down, she’s only about 3 days into her administration. Probably hasn’t had time to fill out her W-4’s for tax withholding yet.
- DuPage - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:00 am:
Her only significant job is to take over if anything happens to the Governor. We have heard it all before, every Lt. Governor says how they will make a big difference in state government, it doesn’t happen.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:06 am:
===Her only significant job is to take over if anything happens to the Governor. We have heard it all before, every Lt. Governor.===
So is this like when someone gets a brand new car and your insurance policy for a replacement is a bus pass and a habdshake?
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:13 am:
===”The Old State Capitol was simply the most recent attempt to get her on the record.”===
I read it. I stood in that line. That was not to time to ask questions. I’ve seen the press pester public officials at the wrong moment. It’s part of their job. And she appropriately answered them at that time.
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:14 am:
===”Let’s not kid ourselves, about a 1/3 were hoping the new LG needed a witness in a new suit against all the agencies in case a “mishap” happened…”===
OW: I honestly need you to translate this for me.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:15 am:
===And she appropriately answered them at that time.===
Methinks you’re deliberately missing the point here. What you’re countering with is mere spin - and not very good spin at that.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:18 am:
Oh - Louis G. Atsaves -,
You’re a smart guy, if I have to explain a joke you don’t “understand”…maybe your train left the train station
- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:20 am:
===”Methinks you’re deliberately missing the point here. What you’re countering with is mere spin - and not very good spin at that.”===
No I’m not. She was supposed to stop the program at that moment to talk to a reporter? Hold up the line of those wanting to greet her? At the expense of everyone there? There were a bunch of little kids in line as well.
I’m not anti-press, and scheduling interviews should be part of her job. But that act at that moment in my mind seems inappropriate and not subject to a complaint.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:23 am:
=== There were a bunch of little kids in line as well.===
lol.
- Louis G. Atsaves -, here’s a tip;
When you bring the kids into it, you’re not losing you lost.
Best laugh of the day!
- Northsider - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:31 am:
“We’d like you to answer some reporters’ questions at some point but we’re okay that you’re not, and haven’t since November. But please do, or we’ll ask politely again sometime soon.”
Taking a strong stand there, eh, Daily Herald?
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:32 am:
Does it matter what she says anyway?
- SAP - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:40 am:
She was supposed to answer the questions at some point between November 5, 2015 and January11, 2015.
- Arizona Bob - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:42 am:
It simply makes sense to ensure that important policy information is put out in a controlled manner from the proper authoritative sources, especially early on an administration.
You’ve got to make sure there are no “loose cannons” out there, no matter how well meaning.
There should be few on the record sources of information in the administration at this point. There are probably a lot of folks out there looking for a “gotcha!” moment.
- Sunshine - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:42 am:
Smart strategy on Rauner’s part to limit misquotes by the Lt. Gov. Do not feed the beast. No need to start off with any more bad press than he will already get, with good governance or not.
- walker - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Sorry to be repetitive, but Rauner’s ex-campaign staff in his new administration are having real trouble transitioning to a new mindset. Hope they get there soon.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:49 am:
=== simply makes sense to ensure that important policy information is put out in a controlled manner from the proper authoritative sources, especially early on an administration.===
So Lt. Governor Sanguinetti isn’t a … “proper authoritative source…”
Got it.
===You’ve got to make sure there are no “loose cannons” out there, no matter how well meaning.====
So…Lt. Governor Sanguinetti is a “loose cannon” out there, no matter how well meaning.
Got it.
===There are probably a lot of folks out there looking for a “gotcha!” moment.
Lt. Governor Sanguinetti has had so many…. moments… already, there really isn’t a “need” for another, but as the state’s “#2″ it would be nice to hear a thought.
Note: “a thought” can be taken in whatever context amuses you most.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:50 am:
Right now, all she needs to do is have her name in print and a lot of the folks here go ape-crazy and rave like loons.
So, she needs to let the new governor make the news and to stay out of it. Rauner is going to catch heat from anything he does, and she can only help by keeping her mouth closed.
- Nick Naylor - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 11:51 am:
=Does it matter what she says anyway?=
Sadly, it does matter. What if, God forbid, the Governor is incapacitated, terminally ill, killed in a fall or car crash?
We need to know so we can brace ourselves against the depths of her ineptitude.
- Gooner - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
OK. let’s be clear about this.
Nobody really cares what she has to say. She’s the Lt. Gov. She has no formal power of any kind. Who really cares what she thinks? She can’t take any action on those views. There is no indication that she has any influence in this administration.
They want to interview her in hopes that her lack of qualifications — which are obvious to anybody — will cause her to say something stupid, creating a story.
People voted for Rauner and her. If her lack of qualifications were a problem, they could have voted for Quinn. Now that she’s in, why pursue it?
There really is something that almost approaches cruelty here. They want to beat on somebody with no gain, just for the fun of a story.
Unless she’s given a task, she’s not news. The fact that coverage of her passes as “news” is disappointing and is a sad comment on the news sources involved.
- Mama - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:07 pm:
LG will speak only after she is given talking points by Rauner. You want LG’s thoughts - its not going to happen as long as she works for Rauner.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:16 pm:
- Gooner -,
It comes with the gig.
What, is elected office criticism measured by their ineptness?
“Oh, be nice to them, they’re unqualified…”
No sympathy. She’s cashibg the checks, right?
Evelyn ain’t taking $1, and even if she was taking a “bean” a year, she answers to the voters.
Do you think participation trophies are important too?
- Gooner - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
Oswego, while it may come with the gig, that doesn’t make it right.
What difference do her views make?
During the campaign? That was legitimate. Now, however, she’s a person with a nice salary for no work. Her insights are no more relevant than my own.
The Lt. Gov. has no authority on any matter. Questions to her now are just beating up on the weak. It is saying “I’m smarter that you.” There is no other purpose to the questions.
She’s completely unqualified. We all know it and have since Rauner chose her. There is no new story. We need to move on.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:29 pm:
===Oswego, while it may come with the gig, that doesn’t make it right.===
If it comes with the gig, it makes it right.
That’s how it goes.
What - Gooner -, you admit it comes with it, but give her a break? lol
Lt. Gov. Quinn became governor…keep that in mind.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:31 pm:
===What difference do her views make?===
It reflects on the judgement of the man who selected her to be his running mate and possible successor. For example, a lot of people lost a lot of respect for John McCain because he selected an utterly unqualified person to run as his vice president. Cue up Game Change on your Netflix account and you’ll see what difference it makes.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:31 pm:
==- Great Caesar’s Ghost! - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:11 am:==
If only I were still in my religious days.
==- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:26 am:==
As part of her great love for this state, I’m sure Evelyn will resign the position to save taxpayer dollars.
==- Louis G Atsaves - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 10:37 am:==
When is the right time? There certainly wasn’t one during the year Bruce and Eveyln were running for governor.
==She has no formal power of any kind.==
State statute says otherwise.
- Gooner - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:40 pm:
47th Ward, the election is over. As you noted, the choice of Paul was relevant to the 2008 election.
The voters judged McCain and Rauner in part based on the VP/Lt. choices. For one the voters thought it mattered and for the other it didn’t. But it is over. The voters reached their decision.
This sort of talk is like bashing the President for sitting in the pews of a church for 20 years before he took office. After the election, it doesn’t matter.
Let’s judge Rauner on what he does in office.
We know he appointed an incompetent to run with him. That’s long been established. Until she takes action, there is no new story. Her views mean nothing at all.
Time to look forward. The campaign is over. No need to relive campaign issues for what comes down to nothing more than our amusement.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:53 pm:
- Gooner -,
Rich put up the Post, about the article…
We’re commenting on that.
- scott aster - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 12:57 pm:
Rauner was only looking for a Latina from the very start. Wish Rich would let us discuss the goofy Daily Hearld.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
Gooner, if you want your elected officials to remain silent, fine. Me? I prefer to hear from them from time to time, you know, so I know what they’re up to and how they’re spending our tax dollars. And you’re right, the election is over. It’s a shame no one forced this issue before the election so more Illinoisans could have made an informed choice.
Rauner selected her to be Illinois Lt. Governor, not a GTCR corporate flunky. She’s working for all of us and it’s not asking too much to have her say something about her plans.
It’s clear they are keeping her away from the media because they are afraid she will say something that distracts from their message. Her first attempt at describing her role was a disaster and it looks like she hasn’t improved enough to let her back out in public.
Sheila Simon, arguably as qualified (or not) as Sanguinetti, at least was able to speak for herself and did so often. How long are they going to keep Sanguinetti under wraps? What are they hiding?
- Gooner - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
Yes Oswego Willy, Rich did put up a story saying that the Rauner Admin is protecting her, and an editor is angry about it.
But that does not mean that the questions to her were in any way relevant.
Oswego Willy, let’s say a reporter could sit down with her for an hour and ask her about the budget. Would you read the full story? Why? Show us how the views of a person with no authority make any difference at all.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:06 pm:
I agree with Gooner 100%.
Nice to read balanced and mature comments about the Lt. Governor around here, for a change.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:14 pm:
VanillaMan, do you really want me to go back and re-post all of the (stuff) you said about Sheila Simon? Really?
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind. Some of you people better grow some thicker skin.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
The LG said she was a “partner” during the campaign. I believe she made a specific statement to that effect during the Trib Editorial Board discussion.
The longer they try to put off the worse the noise gets, they need to figure that one out, sit the LG down and prep her so she can get this over with.
@L Atsaves- the idea that this was literally the only exact, specific moment to answer questions is disingenuous at best. She or her people could have pulled the reporter aside and set a different time and you would not have this article today. And, with any public official, it comes with the territory. If any one is making something out of nothing it is the LG by not talking. Get on with it and get over it.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 1:17 pm:
===Yes Oswego Willy, Rich did put up a story saying that the Rauner Admin is protecting her, and an editor is angry about it.
But that does not mean that the questions to her were in any way relevant.===
Read that back again, it’s relevant that’s we comment, until…it isn’t…
Jeez…lol
- VanillaMan - do we want to get into the Republican “light blue” Rauner thing?
- Gabe - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
Lets hope the sidewalks aren’t too slippery in Springfield this time of year.
- D.P.Gumby - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
Sanguinetti Motto: As Lincoln said: “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
VanillaMan, do you really want me to go back and re-post all of the (stuff) you said about Sheila Simon? Really?
All in fun. I never insulted her sincerity or intelligence. I was a fan of her father. I loved making up songs about her to play on her banjo.
I attacked Quinn as he sat and twiddled his thumbs and defended Blagojevich. Then Quinn pretended not to be aware of the mass corruption of his twice-running mate.
You have me confused with someone else.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
OW - You seem confused between a comment made about the governor, Bruce Rauner, and this post about the lt. governor, Evelyn Sanguinetti. Rauner is the governor, and Sanguinetti isn’t. She is a completely different person in a completely different elected office.
Just so you know that!
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:51 pm:
VMan, you’re all on board with “balanced and mature” now (and personal historic revisionism)?
Way to shake things up, governor!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 2:58 pm:
- VanillaMan -,
I just found irony in congratulating “balanced” with you’re confusion on things.
Tomorrow…you may rail on all the things you praise now…
- A guy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
Declaring up front: I like her a lot. I served as a fellow precinct captain with her. We’re friends.
I know her to be a lovely person and very intelligent. She goes well out of her way to be nice to people.
The Rauner team runs a very tight ship. Sometimes it’s so tight that it causes some of this hardship on itself. Rauner himself is a quick learner and cautious with the media as his early campaign stumps were criticized. The communications structure there have tightened it up considerably from Bruce on down. To date, they’re disciplined and watch everything closely. It does take some of the spontaneity out of it, but their efforts are to not get mired in petty battles over speech parsing.
I think they are erring on the side of caution. Probably even a bit too much. Evelyn is a team player, as is everyone else in the structure. They agree to a policy, and so far they all follow it.
You’ll hear more over time, but this team isn’t going to shift the focus by dealing with any lack of clarity or misspeaks if they can avoid it. In the meantime, a terrific person simply lets it roll off her back. That ain’t weakness.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jan 15, 15 @ 5:14 pm:
- A Guy… -,
I am depressed for Evelyn…
===You’ll hear more over time, but this team isn’t going to shift the focus by dealing with any lack of clarity or misspeaks if they can avoid it. ===
When your “Co-Governor” who was “hired” to do “magic” is defended, no snark, ably by you, that her speaking is indeed a liability, I sm depressed for Evelyn.
It’s sad.
I respect your remarks, but she now sounds feeble as well as inept.
- Fed up - Friday, Jan 16, 15 @ 8:10 am:
Maybe it’s a Chicago thing… Seems like Obama is rather tight with the press as well. Unfortunately for him, Biden doesn’t always play along.