* ABC 20’s Jordan Abudayyeh sat down with House Speaker Michael Madigan the other day. One of the topics they discussed was Gov. Rauner’s election. Here’s the Speaker’s analysis…
I don’t think that Gov. Rauner won the election, I think that Gov. Quinn lost the election.
And let me just explain this. There was an advisory question on the ballot in November of 2014 concerning the minimum wage. And the thinking was that if somebody came to vote for the advisory question on the minimum wage their political thinking would be such that they would go for Gov. Quinn.
Well, there were 650,000 Illinoisans who found their way to vote for the advisory question on the minimum wage, but could not find their way to vote for Gov. Quinn.
And that’s where I would say that Quinn lost the election, not Rauner winning the election.
Lots of folks have repeatedly made that very same point in comments here.
But just as interesting to me is that Madigan all but admitted to Jordan that he put that advisory question on the ballot to help his governor win an election. It’s an obvious point. Everybody knew it. But I don’t think he’s ever actually come out and said it before.
Isn’t it possible that he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do as a matter of policy AND because it would help Gov. Quinn? I don’t think it’s either/or.
It is a mistake for Madigan (or anbydoy else) to think that people will vote for someone because of one issue or one question on the ballot, especially if it is merely advisory. I vote for people all the time that I don’t agree with them on every issue. A lot of people might have voted for the advisory referendum but it might not have been a high priority for them. It’s very possible that someone might want to see the minimum wage increase, but acknowledge that the Illinois Democrats have run this state into the ground.
I do believe that Quinn lost, I also believe that Rauner won and is the Governor. I hope Madigan understands that as well.
=== I do believe that Quinn lost, I also believe that Rauner won and is the Governor. I hope Madigan understands that as well. ===
Thank you for alerting me to this fact. I’ve been trying to figure out who has been governor over these last 8 months. We don’t seem to have anybody who’s actually acting in that capacity.
Specifically….how have Democrats run the state into the ground?
Seems to me the republics rammed the pension holiday up the collective rear “you know what” of the state!
- Joe Biden Was Here - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:31 am:
I think a lot of people who voted for Rauner as an anti-Quinn vote are re-thinking that now. It reminds me of people voting for Bush as an anti-Gore vote. People thinking “what’s the difference ” find out that the winner once in office is really different than expected based on the campaign.
Did the Patriots win the SB or did the Seahawks lose it? Doesn’t matter, the Patriots have the rings and Rauner is the Governor. Some acceptance of that might not hurt
While it’s true - probably true - that “Quinn lost,” I don’t think acknowledging it like this makes Madigan look very good. It would be good for Rauner to understand the reality of the vote totals, though.
Rauner barely survived the Republican primary against a crowded field of underfunded candidates despite his millions of dollars. People weren’t buying (and still aren’t ) what he’s selling. No question that Quinn lost it
This man is someone who the people of Illinois should listen to and follow? He admits to ginning up the ballot to help a hopelessly flawed candidate. Sorry, Mike, your logic doesn’t hold up. Those voters who supported your meaningless measures could have skipped the vote for Governor. They didn’t. They voted FOR Rauner. He can’t accept that voters are intelligent enough to see through his games. And neither can your name calling minions on this blog.
- Almost the Weekend - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:36 am:
The governor’s current problems stem from the fact that he did so by being dishonest about his intentions and priorities.
He did not build public support for his anti-union measures during the campaign and has not done so since.
Now, with most of the budget in the clear, he contends that he’s willing to throw thousands out of work and shut down virtually all social service programs in the state for the anti-union items he’s not even willing to talk about honestly.
Based on his flips to date, I think he’s bluffing and will fold. Only a psycho would eviscerate all those programs and toss that many people out of work for an agenda that has no demonstrated public support.
The discussion of the ballot initiative isn’t putting into focus what we all already knew, or even ginning up discussion as to a post-mortem of the 2014 campaign.
The example is being used, very specifically, very narrowly, and very specifically to, for the first time, marginalize Bruce Rauner. That’s the purpose, that’s why it’s an omission as well;
To make a point of marginalization to the victory of Bruce Rauner. That’s the “wow” factor.
Getting caught up in the merits of the referendums, Quinn as a candidate, Madigan helping…
… it’s about putting front and center that the Speaker is marginalizing Governor Rauner now, and what Governor Rauner wants going… forward.
One thing that Rauner might want to explore is the difference between winning and serving. He won the right to serve us, as Governor. He did not win the right to ram his beliefs down our throats. He’s been told 6 ways from Sunday that his desires for locally controlled collective bargaining will not be met. Donzo, Deal with it. Stop wasting our time.
I agree that Quinn lost. I was hoping that Quinn would have had the common sense to bow out of the race, perhaps stating term limits as an excuse and then continued his public service in some other capacity. He had too much Blago baggage and just wasn’t a very good leader.
I didn’t vote for Rauner, but know several who may have because Quinn was just Quinn.
Actually, MJM statement plays on at least two levels. As -OW- points out, it marginalizes Rauner. It also refutes Rauner’s contention that MJM is an all powerful dictator.
With the Speaker, there is almost always more than one thing going on.
I’m not a fan of cherry picking numbers. Looking for numbers that support your position and ignoring those that don’t isn’t in my mind a smart way of thinking.
That being said, cherry picking the minimum wage advisory referendum numbers has given some a false sense of security.
Rauner won the election: (1) in a blue state, (2) against hostile unions who well funded his opponent, (3) against a governor who was an experienced and tireless campaigner, (4) against the placement of a third party libertarian candidate funded by a union designed to siphon votes away from him, (5) against a series of “referendums” that were highlighting Rauner’s wealth against the “common man values” of Quinn, and (6) a crippled Illinois GOP that could not offer much of a ground game in a substantial area of the state.
Rauner won against all that and more. It is time to give him his victory and stop the sore loser stuff. Like Quinn refusing to concede and refusing to attend the inauguration. Like now Madigan (who should really know better) trying to devalue Rauner’s win.
I often like to point out that Democrats hold supermajorities in the legislature due in part to gerrymandering. Notice the use of the word “in part” because other factors have resulted in those supermajorities.
Look at the entire forest, not just one leaf on one branch of one tree.
I would guess that we agree that the pension ramp was a bad bill and I do not know if the Democrats supported it or not. But blaming a 1994 law while ignoring the past 12 years of Dem rule is not something I’m going along with. A party with that much power could have simply voted to change the ramp. The Democrats have been passing budgets and laws for twelve years, you know what kind of financial condition we are in and you want more proof that we’ve been run into the ground? You know better.
Louis, you can report back that you did your duty to Rauner. Your hero would be absolutely nowhere had he not outspent everyone he faced. This was a billionaire’s win using his and other billionaires money, not a victory for a well enunciated policy.
Well, if Mike Madigan had decided that 2014 was a good time to retire, Lisa Madigan in all likelihood would have been the Democratic nominee for Governor last year and maybe there might have been a different outcome. I guess we will never know, will we Mr. Speaker?
=== If that was the case, he woulda put a minimum wage hike on Rauner’s desk already. ===
Support for minimum wage increase among lawmakers is a little cool downstate, Rich. Particularly around the borders.
And Chicago already has its increase.
I suspect lawmakers will wait until they see the impact in Chicago before taking the increase statewide, and then there will be those repesenting suburban Cook who will want to see it higher than $10.
“Trying to explain it away is something losers do.” Who’s explaining anything away? Continuing with the football analogy, how often do we hear something like “They’re undefeated, but have only played unranked teams.” That provides perspective on how good they might be. Bruce Rauner won, but he has only run against Pat Quinn. Perspective.
More proof that Madigan needs to go.
He is not in it for the people of the State, he proves here, and time and time again, he is in it for one person. Himself.
I really try not to wish I’ll will on any one individual, it goes against my core beliefs, but this guy really tests me.
Why try to legitimize Rauner’s victory. He won, that’s it.
Madigan marginalizing Rauner has you now going through numbers, and talking about cherry picking…
… it’s none of that. None.
The response from Rauner and his Crew, and you should be simple, concise, and relevant;
“The Governor won. The rest, now, is just noise.”
That’s it. Stop. Anything after, that gives the credibility to the attempted marginalization.
To - RNUG -,
Great add.
===It also refutes Rauner’s contention that MJM is an all powerful dictator.===
Marginalizing Madigan’s own power with a single, pointed admittance of a political miscalculation makes all that “Madigan rules Illinois” seem foolish… with one simple, narrow example.
- in a Minute
Right on point! But he couldn’t step away in the middle of the Metra investigation, could he?
Making room on the psychiatrist’s couch for this one - there is a lot to talk about!
At least Rauner’s name has appeared on a statewide ballot, Mr. Speaker. This statement appears to me to show that MJM feels his power to control the agenda is slipping away.
@Rich: Pursuant to Juvenal’s comment, since the Chicago increase vote came AFTER the Nov election, it changed the political calculations around the issue. Most (if not all) of the bills that Madigan has been sending to Gov. Rauner as veto-bait (or to put the Republican GA members on the spot) are on issues that the Governor is specifically trying to reform, but where there is substantial disagreement on how to do so. The Governor has made clear that he’s not interested in any sort of minimum wage increase, so it makes more sense that the Speaker would hold on this issue for the time being to prevent further poisoning the well of compromise (if that’s even possible at this point).
Just because the ILGA hasn’t sent a minimum wage increase to the Governor’s desk doesn’t prove that Madigan et. al believe it’s not a good policy.
I think it’s interesting that Madigan didn’t say that Rauner bought the election. Is that a subliminal message to his caucus and, maybe even the GOP caucus to not fear Rauner’s money. You can win or lose elections based on merits alone.
If Madigan really wants to marginalize the Governor, he should make sure SB1229 gets overridden. The Governor will lose a large chunk of his union busting agenda, since he will have to compromise with the largest public employee union or be forced into arbitration.
Once he sees the attempts to bust AFSCME are fruitless, he may actually decide to give in on his union busting demands and work on a true budget compromise.
Everyone is talking around each other and missing the point. The question she asked was about Rauner’s win as a referendum on his agenda. The Speaker was explaining why he did not believe that the Governor’s election was a referendum and to his credit he gives some data to explain why he believes this. It’s not about being a sore loser or recognizing the Governor or the Governor recognizing the legislative leaders.
If this gridlock hasn’t made them all realize they have to deal with each other, I’m not sure what will. Both sides are waiting to see who bends to the pressure, but there’s not enough pressure on anyone yet.
IMO, what MJM doesn’t understand is that the suburban voters, in 2014, jonied downstate voters and neutralized the Chicago vote , which that put Gov. Rauner into office. The sentiment amongst these voters has been that people are sick of the status quo. 2014 was a referendum on MJM leadership.
Maybe there’s more space than previously thought between powerful and mythical. Hmmm.
Rauner spent a lot of money. So did the interests supporting the other side. In fact, until then the other side dramatically outspent the GOP all the way up and down the ticket. I don’t recall that being an issue in those days way back before 2015. It was just a given.
If Madigan really wants to marginalize the Governor, he should make sure SB1229 gets overridden. The Governor will lose a large chunk of his union busting agenda, since he will have to compromise with the largest public employee union or be forced into arbitration.====
Don’t overestimate your fan base. It’s not like folks are in love with AFSCME. At all. Does anyone in that group ever keep their head down for a day?
So let me get this straight, the speaker of the house basically admitted we put stuff on the ballot (the easy was as it were), not because we really cared about what people thought or wanted but to drive turnout?
We explain it away with the whole Madigan is the master of the chess game thing.
Doesn’t that bother you?
I constantly read people citing the state constitution (and rightfully so) when it comes to their pension benefits. Do you think the framers of the state consitution made it so hard for citizens to get something on the ballot and so much easier for the legislature to do so because they wanted to give the legislature a tool to turn up turnout?
As for Quinn lost vs Rauner won, whatever helps you sleep at night man.
Rauner won as someone who was going to change the status quo. The question now is did people get what they thought? Given his last polls, I would say the answer is no. Rauner is marginalizing himself with his governing.
So based on Madigan’s reasoning-Rauner didn’t win so he isn’t the Governor? Perhaps the speaker needs to get his daughter to file an eviction action. And have Rauner thrown out of the Mansion- Mike, get over it Rauner is governor for three more years - deal with him
I’ve seen other well funded campaigns by wealthy people fail and how they spent their money. Usually with a few well paid campaign experts and tons of TV ads, followed by a loss.
But Rauner took that one step further and spent his money more intelligently building a ground game, regional offices, and rebuilding a political party. He saw the bigger picture. And yes, I was impressed. Still am.
It’s a distinction without a difference; anyone who voted for Bruce Rauner, even if they only did so because they really didn’t like Pat Quinn, was fully capable of finding his stated positions. As far as I’m concerned, that’s enough of a mandate to pursue those positions.
That being said, I use “stated positions” carefully, because the depth of his bizarre obsession with the unions was not clear, he was entirely mush-mouthed on revenue, and his unique incompetence in dealing with the legislature was unknown at the time.
As I stated it was an opinion and I may be wrong, however, I would like you to enlighten me on why suburbanites( many represented in G.A. By D’s) voted for BR in 2014?
There’s no question that Rauner built a network, put together a ground game, and managed to get a win, all of which nobody really expected.
There is also no question that Rauner hid his Turnaround Agenda during the general election campaign. And if you listened closely and attended multiple speeches during the primary (like I did), you were left with the impression he wasn’t above “tailoring” his speech to his audience and not stating what he really believed.
As far as I am concerned, Rauner won though a combination of a decent but far from perfect ground game, hiding his real plans from the voters, and Quinn’s various mis-steps with both the public and the unions.
In some ways, 2014 was a perfect storm of voter dissatisfaction and passable campaigning for Rauner … one I doubt he can repeat in 2018.
Demo—your comment is the equivalent of playing a home basketball game with completely homer refs that you hired and then puffing out your chest that you won the game.
Read this a couple of times and hopefully you will figure it out.
In some ways, 2014 was a perfect storm of voter dissatisfaction and passable campaigning for Rauner … one I doubt he can repeat in 2018.
And I suspect if you said that the anti-union governor of Wisconsin would win re-election easily, and be a serious candidate for President when he was less than a year into his first term, you would have thought that was unlikely as well…
Then again if you had looked at the Illinois State Senate 12 years ago a said a future President sits here, you might have been taken away for a ‘rest’…
==Read this a couple of times and hopefully you will figure it out.==
Oh, I’ve figured it out. What I’ve figured out is that there are goofballs out there who seem to think that the Governor won and that he should get his way because the Democrats super majority was won by cheating. Yeah. Ok. That’s how it works. You want to know what the only thing that matters is? Yep, you guessed it. The Democrats control the General Assembly. And, I’ll add, the Governor Rauner won the election (whether it was a referendum against Quinn or not). Now, can we all accept the reality of the current situation or will some of you continue to whine about how the game was played?
Good thoughts by Mehh and RNUG. Whether Rauner won or Quinn lost is a red herring. The real question is whether Rauner came out of the election with a mandate to implement his Turnaround Agenda. Given that he never addressed specifics during the election, it is hard to see why he would think he has support for those changes, but apparently, he does.
Anything can happen in politics but I don’t think Illinois is enough of a right leaning state to re-elect Rauner with his Turnaround Agenda / anti-union crusade out in public.
+And I suspect if you said that the anti-union governor of Wisconsin would win re-election easily, and be a serious candidate for President when he was less than a year into his first term, you would have thought that was unlikely as well…+
==And I suspect if you said that the anti-union governor of Wisconsin would win re-election easily, and be a serious candidate for President when he was less than a year into his first term, you would have thought that was unlikely as well…==
This is also the party that has Trump leading in the polls, so it doesn’t take much to get ahead. There are also about 20 republican hopefuls, so if your a republican governor, it’s probably not hard to throw your hat into the ring.
- Under Further Review - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
I agree that Quinn lost (another, better Democratic gubernatorial candidate may have sent Rauner to his wine cellar), but Madigan went all in on Quinn.
In his lengthy political career, Madigan has not been too successful in backing winners in gubernatorial contests. It is an anomaly in an otherwise successful career as a party boss.
@Louis G. Astaves ==I was impressed. Still am.== Clearly you are. And you want the governor to have his never ending victory lap. Feel free to continue to applaud him on a well done campaign. He won and that’s all that matters.
Now can we get back to the reality of running the state? Rauner knew the hand that he was dealt. He knows that his anti-union rhetoric wouldn’t fly on the campaign trail and that’s why he put it on mute during the general election. His fair share and right to work initiatives are going nowhere. With all due respect, at what point do we end the campaign and commence to governing?
- Madigan went all in on Quinn -
Nothing could be further from the truth.
‘I can deal with a Governor Rauner’, is more like it.
Be careful what you ask for.
It doesn’t take a rocket science to know AFSCME’s PR impulses are weak at best. They need a lot of help. But in my opinion, they’ve been rather quiet. Unlike Rauner and his nasty little lie machine/press shop.
I don’t see how your response had anything to do with that, though. The fact is if SB1229 passes, Rauner’s dream of a Scott Walker IL will vanish and everyone knows it. Perhaps that’s hard for you to swallow.
This post is a classic example of a distinction without a difference. Rauner sits in the governor’s chair; Quinn (bless his heart, as Joe Biden’s mom would say) does not. What a waste of time you 90 or so posters have given this….and I guess I will include myself in that characterization.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:21 am:
For me, this is the very first time Speaker Madigan has come out and said something to actually marginalize Governor Rauner.
Wow.
- Doofman - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:22 am:
Isn’t it possible that he did it because he felt it was the right thing to do as a matter of policy AND because it would help Gov. Quinn? I don’t think it’s either/or.
- Skeptic - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:24 am:
For you Raunerbots: Next time you find yourself typing “Rauner was elected to…” stop and watch this video.
- Ahoy! - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:25 am:
It is a mistake for Madigan (or anbydoy else) to think that people will vote for someone because of one issue or one question on the ballot, especially if it is merely advisory. I vote for people all the time that I don’t agree with them on every issue. A lot of people might have voted for the advisory referendum but it might not have been a high priority for them. It’s very possible that someone might want to see the minimum wage increase, but acknowledge that the Illinois Democrats have run this state into the ground.
I do believe that Quinn lost, I also believe that Rauner won and is the Governor. I hope Madigan understands that as well.
- nixit71 - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:27 am:
What was the breakout of votes for those who voted yes for map redistricting? Oh, wait…
- Casual Observer - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:28 am:
Was he also thinking that a vote for the millionaires tax would be a vote against Rauner?
- Lucky Pierre - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:29 am:
They also would vote for term limits and redistricting so in that sense are against Madigan’s position.
What does this prove?
- so... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:29 am:
Know who else lost?
Madigan - who moved heaven and earth to lard up the ballot with Democrat base-stoking referendums and keep Rauner’s off
The Unions - who spent millions upon millions of their members’ dues money in a desperate bid to beat Rauner.
Say “Rauner didn’t win, Quinn lost” all you want. At the end of the day, Rauner was elected Governor and Quinn was not.
Trying to explain it away is something losers do.
- Norseman - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:30 am:
=== I do believe that Quinn lost, I also believe that Rauner won and is the Governor. I hope Madigan understands that as well. ===
Thank you for alerting me to this fact. I’ve been trying to figure out who has been governor over these last 8 months. We don’t seem to have anybody who’s actually acting in that capacity.
- Jack Stephens - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:31 am:
@ahoy:
Specifically….how have Democrats run the state into the ground?
Seems to me the republics rammed the pension holiday up the collective rear “you know what” of the state!
- Joe Biden Was Here - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:31 am:
I think a lot of people who voted for Rauner as an anti-Quinn vote are re-thinking that now. It reminds me of people voting for Bush as an anti-Gore vote. People thinking “what’s the difference ” find out that the winner once in office is really different than expected based on the campaign.
- Georg Sande - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:32 am:
Of course Madigan ran that ballot question to help Quinn’s re-election; everyone paying attention knows that.
So using the Speaker’s logic, Quinn lost despite Madigan’s help (and there was much more help than just this ballot question, by the way).
Therefore, Rauner beat Madigan.
P.S. Madigan’s non-stop media touring proves this point all the more.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:32 am:
It is far easier for anyone to blame their strategy for failure than their ideology or party ==brand==.
One is a fluke. The other requires great self-examination.
Speaker Madigan may be right, or he may be facing a larger problem than even he realizes.
- Bakersfield - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:33 am:
Did the Patriots win the SB or did the Seahawks lose it? Doesn’t matter, the Patriots have the rings and Rauner is the Governor. Some acceptance of that might not hurt
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:33 am:
While it’s true - probably true - that “Quinn lost,” I don’t think acknowledging it like this makes Madigan look very good. It would be good for Rauner to understand the reality of the vote totals, though.
- Truthteller - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:34 am:
Rauner barely survived the Republican primary against a crowded field of underfunded candidates despite his millions of dollars. People weren’t buying (and still aren’t ) what he’s selling. No question that Quinn lost it
- Rich Miller - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:34 am:
===as a matter of policy AND because it would help===
If that was the case, he woulda put a minimum wage hike on Rauner’s desk already.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:35 am:
==Well, there were 650,000 Illinoisans who found their way to vote for the advisory question on the minimum wage==
This also completely avoids giving Rauner any credit for an effective, though expensive, campaign.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:35 am:
+Illinois Democrats have run this state into the ground+
Bruce?
- Bored Chairman - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:36 am:
This man is someone who the people of Illinois should listen to and follow? He admits to ginning up the ballot to help a hopelessly flawed candidate. Sorry, Mike, your logic doesn’t hold up. Those voters who supported your meaningless measures could have skipped the vote for Governor. They didn’t. They voted FOR Rauner. He can’t accept that voters are intelligent enough to see through his games. And neither can your name calling minions on this blog.
- Almost the Weekend - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:36 am:
Pat Quinn the accidental governor
- Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:36 am:
Meh, Rauner won.
The governor’s current problems stem from the fact that he did so by being dishonest about his intentions and priorities.
He did not build public support for his anti-union measures during the campaign and has not done so since.
Now, with most of the budget in the clear, he contends that he’s willing to throw thousands out of work and shut down virtually all social service programs in the state for the anti-union items he’s not even willing to talk about honestly.
Based on his flips to date, I think he’s bluffing and will fold. Only a psycho would eviscerate all those programs and toss that many people out of work for an agenda that has no demonstrated public support.
God help us if I’m wrong.
- Jack Stephens - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:37 am:
@so:
Bruce’s “term limits” referendums were done for the same reason…to whip up the base.
FYI….there is no such thing as “Right to Work”. It’s a figment of Bruce’s imagination!
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:39 am:
The discussion of the ballot initiative isn’t putting into focus what we all already knew, or even ginning up discussion as to a post-mortem of the 2014 campaign.
The example is being used, very specifically, very narrowly, and very specifically to, for the first time, marginalize Bruce Rauner. That’s the purpose, that’s why it’s an omission as well;
To make a point of marginalization to the victory of Bruce Rauner. That’s the “wow” factor.
Getting caught up in the merits of the referendums, Quinn as a candidate, Madigan helping…
… it’s about putting front and center that the Speaker is marginalizing Governor Rauner now, and what Governor Rauner wants going… forward.
That’s the ball game…
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:41 am:
One thing that Rauner might want to explore is the difference between winning and serving. He won the right to serve us, as Governor. He did not win the right to ram his beliefs down our throats. He’s been told 6 ways from Sunday that his desires for locally controlled collective bargaining will not be met. Donzo, Deal with it. Stop wasting our time.
- A Jack - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:43 am:
I agree that Quinn lost. I was hoping that Quinn would have had the common sense to bow out of the race, perhaps stating term limits as an excuse and then continued his public service in some other capacity. He had too much Blago baggage and just wasn’t a very good leader.
I didn’t vote for Rauner, but know several who may have because Quinn was just Quinn.
- a drop in - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:45 am:
=== I do believe that Quinn lost, I also believe that Rauner won and is the Governor. I hope Madigan understands that as well. ===
Agree. I also believe that the Democrats won the Senate and House. I hope Rauner understands that as well.
- RNUG - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:46 am:
Actually, MJM statement plays on at least two levels. As -OW- points out, it marginalizes Rauner. It also refutes Rauner’s contention that MJM is an all powerful dictator.
With the Speaker, there is almost always more than one thing going on.
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:48 am:
I’m not a fan of cherry picking numbers. Looking for numbers that support your position and ignoring those that don’t isn’t in my mind a smart way of thinking.
That being said, cherry picking the minimum wage advisory referendum numbers has given some a false sense of security.
Rauner won the election: (1) in a blue state, (2) against hostile unions who well funded his opponent, (3) against a governor who was an experienced and tireless campaigner, (4) against the placement of a third party libertarian candidate funded by a union designed to siphon votes away from him, (5) against a series of “referendums” that were highlighting Rauner’s wealth against the “common man values” of Quinn, and (6) a crippled Illinois GOP that could not offer much of a ground game in a substantial area of the state.
Rauner won against all that and more. It is time to give him his victory and stop the sore loser stuff. Like Quinn refusing to concede and refusing to attend the inauguration. Like now Madigan (who should really know better) trying to devalue Rauner’s win.
I often like to point out that Democrats hold supermajorities in the legislature due in part to gerrymandering. Notice the use of the word “in part” because other factors have resulted in those supermajorities.
Look at the entire forest, not just one leaf on one branch of one tree.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:48 am:
+ It also refutes Rauner’s contention that MJM is an all powerful dictato+
Wow! Astute.
- Ahoy! - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:51 am:
Jack,
I would guess that we agree that the pension ramp was a bad bill and I do not know if the Democrats supported it or not. But blaming a 1994 law while ignoring the past 12 years of Dem rule is not something I’m going along with. A party with that much power could have simply voted to change the ramp. The Democrats have been passing budgets and laws for twelve years, you know what kind of financial condition we are in and you want more proof that we’ve been run into the ground? You know better.
- Norseman - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:52 am:
Louis, you can report back that you did your duty to Rauner. Your hero would be absolutely nowhere had he not outspent everyone he faced. This was a billionaire’s win using his and other billionaires money, not a victory for a well enunciated policy.
- In a Minute - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:54 am:
Well, if Mike Madigan had decided that 2014 was a good time to retire, Lisa Madigan in all likelihood would have been the Democratic nominee for Governor last year and maybe there might have been a different outcome. I guess we will never know, will we Mr. Speaker?
- Juvenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:54 am:
=== If that was the case, he woulda put a minimum wage hike on Rauner’s desk already. ===
Support for minimum wage increase among lawmakers is a little cool downstate, Rich. Particularly around the borders.
And Chicago already has its increase.
I suspect lawmakers will wait until they see the impact in Chicago before taking the increase statewide, and then there will be those repesenting suburban Cook who will want to see it higher than $10.
- Skeptic - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:55 am:
“Trying to explain it away is something losers do.” Who’s explaining anything away? Continuing with the football analogy, how often do we hear something like “They’re undefeated, but have only played unranked teams.” That provides perspective on how good they might be. Bruce Rauner won, but he has only run against Pat Quinn. Perspective.
- Wondering - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:55 am:
More proof that Madigan needs to go.
He is not in it for the people of the State, he proves here, and time and time again, he is in it for one person. Himself.
I really try not to wish I’ll will on any one individual, it goes against my core beliefs, but this guy really tests me.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:56 am:
- Louis G. Atsaves -,
You are falling into the “trap”;
Why try to legitimize Rauner’s victory. He won, that’s it.
Madigan marginalizing Rauner has you now going through numbers, and talking about cherry picking…
… it’s none of that. None.
The response from Rauner and his Crew, and you should be simple, concise, and relevant;
“The Governor won. The rest, now, is just noise.”
That’s it. Stop. Anything after, that gives the credibility to the attempted marginalization.
To - RNUG -,
Great add.
===It also refutes Rauner’s contention that MJM is an all powerful dictator.===
Marginalizing Madigan’s own power with a single, pointed admittance of a political miscalculation makes all that “Madigan rules Illinois” seem foolish… with one simple, narrow example.
- psychiatry - 5 cents - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:57 am:
- in a Minute
Right on point! But he couldn’t step away in the middle of the Metra investigation, could he?
Making room on the psychiatrist’s couch for this one - there is a lot to talk about!
- Jack Stephens - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:57 am:
@ahoy:
So you have no specifics.
Thanx.
- anon - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:59 am:
Should the Cubs ever win the World Series because the opposing team played lousy, the Cubs would be World Champions.
It doesn’t matter how you achieved it. Sour grapes because it isn’t business as usual for MJM.
- Joe M - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:59 am:
==Rauner won the election:==
Wasn’t there a famous quote about fooling people?
- William - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:01 am:
At least Rauner’s name has appeared on a statewide ballot, Mr. Speaker. This statement appears to me to show that MJM feels his power to control the agenda is slipping away.
- Lincoln Lad - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:06 am:
Wow. So blame Pat Quinn, and admit you ginned up the political process publicly.
Makes me think Bruce is winning the war of wills.
Makes me think David Ellis is missed more and more each day.
- Doofman - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:06 am:
@Rich: Pursuant to Juvenal’s comment, since the Chicago increase vote came AFTER the Nov election, it changed the political calculations around the issue. Most (if not all) of the bills that Madigan has been sending to Gov. Rauner as veto-bait (or to put the Republican GA members on the spot) are on issues that the Governor is specifically trying to reform, but where there is substantial disagreement on how to do so. The Governor has made clear that he’s not interested in any sort of minimum wage increase, so it makes more sense that the Speaker would hold on this issue for the time being to prevent further poisoning the well of compromise (if that’s even possible at this point).
Just because the ILGA hasn’t sent a minimum wage increase to the Governor’s desk doesn’t prove that Madigan et. al believe it’s not a good policy.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:08 am:
=MJM feels his power to control the agenda is slipping away.=
Ugh
Rauner’s anti-union agenda has NO chance. Zero.
Trust…Madigan ain’t worried.
- Emanuel Can't - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:10 am:
Obama didn’t win. Romney lost. There. All better.
- Casual Observer - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:11 am:
I think it’s interesting that Madigan didn’t say that Rauner bought the election. Is that a subliminal message to his caucus and, maybe even the GOP caucus to not fear Rauner’s money. You can win or lose elections based on merits alone.
- Langhorne - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:11 am:
Last week rauner said mjm owned the budget impasse. So this is the payback. Madigan has been very patient, but maybe he has had enuf.
- A Jack - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:12 am:
If Madigan really wants to marginalize the Governor, he should make sure SB1229 gets overridden. The Governor will lose a large chunk of his union busting agenda, since he will have to compromise with the largest public employee union or be forced into arbitration.
Once he sees the attempts to bust AFSCME are fruitless, he may actually decide to give in on his union busting demands and work on a true budget compromise.
- mehh - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:14 am:
Everyone is talking around each other and missing the point. The question she asked was about Rauner’s win as a referendum on his agenda. The Speaker was explaining why he did not believe that the Governor’s election was a referendum and to his credit he gives some data to explain why he believes this. It’s not about being a sore loser or recognizing the Governor or the Governor recognizing the legislative leaders.
If this gridlock hasn’t made them all realize they have to deal with each other, I’m not sure what will. Both sides are waiting to see who bends to the pressure, but there’s not enough pressure on anyone yet.
- Huey Louis - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:15 am:
IMO, what MJM doesn’t understand is that the suburban voters, in 2014, jonied downstate voters and neutralized the Chicago vote , which that put Gov. Rauner into office. The sentiment amongst these voters has been that people are sick of the status quo. 2014 was a referendum on MJM leadership.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:19 am:
===The sentiment amongst these voters has been that people are sick of the status quo. 2014 was a referendum on MJM leadership.===
Based on?
Please explain. Thanks.
- A guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:23 am:
Maybe there’s more space than previously thought between powerful and mythical. Hmmm.
Rauner spent a lot of money. So did the interests supporting the other side. In fact, until then the other side dramatically outspent the GOP all the way up and down the ticket. I don’t recall that being an issue in those days way back before 2015. It was just a given.
Now it’s an issue. Funny really.
- A guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:27 am:
=== A Jack - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:12 am:
If Madigan really wants to marginalize the Governor, he should make sure SB1229 gets overridden. The Governor will lose a large chunk of his union busting agenda, since he will have to compromise with the largest public employee union or be forced into arbitration.====
Don’t overestimate your fan base. It’s not like folks are in love with AFSCME. At all. Does anyone in that group ever keep their head down for a day?
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:35 am:
So let me get this straight, the speaker of the house basically admitted we put stuff on the ballot (the easy was as it were), not because we really cared about what people thought or wanted but to drive turnout?
We explain it away with the whole Madigan is the master of the chess game thing.
Doesn’t that bother you?
I constantly read people citing the state constitution (and rightfully so) when it comes to their pension benefits. Do you think the framers of the state consitution made it so hard for citizens to get something on the ballot and so much easier for the legislature to do so because they wanted to give the legislature a tool to turn up turnout?
As for Quinn lost vs Rauner won, whatever helps you sleep at night man.
- Liberty - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:40 am:
Rauner won as someone who was going to change the status quo. The question now is did people get what they thought? Given his last polls, I would say the answer is no. Rauner is marginalizing himself with his governing.
- Huh? - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:42 am:
“It’s not like folks are in love with AFSCME.”
The actions of the governor are sure making it easy to love AFSCME and all the other unions that represent State employees.
- Sue - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:42 am:
So based on Madigan’s reasoning-Rauner didn’t win so he isn’t the Governor? Perhaps the speaker needs to get his daughter to file an eviction action. And have Rauner thrown out of the Mansion- Mike, get over it Rauner is governor for three more years - deal with him
- Louis G. Atsaves - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:43 am:
@norseman,
I’ve seen other well funded campaigns by wealthy people fail and how they spent their money. Usually with a few well paid campaign experts and tons of TV ads, followed by a loss.
But Rauner took that one step further and spent his money more intelligently building a ground game, regional offices, and rebuilding a political party. He saw the bigger picture. And yes, I was impressed. Still am.
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:44 am:
It’s a distinction without a difference; anyone who voted for Bruce Rauner, even if they only did so because they really didn’t like Pat Quinn, was fully capable of finding his stated positions. As far as I’m concerned, that’s enough of a mandate to pursue those positions.
That being said, I use “stated positions” carefully, because the depth of his bizarre obsession with the unions was not clear, he was entirely mush-mouthed on revenue, and his unique incompetence in dealing with the legislature was unknown at the time.
- Huey Louis - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:45 am:
@ O.W.:
As I stated it was an opinion and I may be wrong, however, I would like you to enlighten me on why suburbanites( many represented in G.A. By D’s) voted for BR in 2014?
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:49 am:
==Mike, get over it Rauner is governor for three more years - deal with him==
And Madigan is the Speaker, Governor. Deal with him. I don’t think some of you even listen to the things you say.
==2014 was a referendum on MJM leadership==
And it gave him a super majority. Seems like a good referendum to me.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:49 am:
Sorry . . . seems like a successful referendum to me. I have no commentary about whether it was “good”
- walker - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:50 am:
One Man: Good comment. If only.
It’s pretty hard to separate governing from politics.
- RNUG - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:53 am:
There’s no question that Rauner built a network, put together a ground game, and managed to get a win, all of which nobody really expected.
There is also no question that Rauner hid his Turnaround Agenda during the general election campaign. And if you listened closely and attended multiple speeches during the primary (like I did), you were left with the impression he wasn’t above “tailoring” his speech to his audience and not stating what he really believed.
As far as I am concerned, Rauner won though a combination of a decent but far from perfect ground game, hiding his real plans from the voters, and Quinn’s various mis-steps with both the public and the unions.
In some ways, 2014 was a perfect storm of voter dissatisfaction and passable campaigning for Rauner … one I doubt he can repeat in 2018.
- anon - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
Demo—your comment is the equivalent of playing a home basketball game with completely homer refs that you hired and then puffing out your chest that you won the game.
Read this a couple of times and hopefully you will figure it out.
- OneMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:03 pm:
And I suspect if you said that the anti-union governor of Wisconsin would win re-election easily, and be a serious candidate for President when he was less than a year into his first term, you would have thought that was unlikely as well…
Then again if you had looked at the Illinois State Senate 12 years ago a said a future President sits here, you might have been taken away for a ‘rest’…
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:09 pm:
==Read this a couple of times and hopefully you will figure it out.==
Oh, I’ve figured it out. What I’ve figured out is that there are goofballs out there who seem to think that the Governor won and that he should get his way because the Democrats super majority was won by cheating. Yeah. Ok. That’s how it works. You want to know what the only thing that matters is? Yep, you guessed it. The Democrats control the General Assembly. And, I’ll add, the Governor Rauner won the election (whether it was a referendum against Quinn or not). Now, can we all accept the reality of the current situation or will some of you continue to whine about how the game was played?
- Pelonski - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:19 pm:
Good thoughts by Mehh and RNUG. Whether Rauner won or Quinn lost is a red herring. The real question is whether Rauner came out of the election with a mandate to implement his Turnaround Agenda. Given that he never addressed specifics during the election, it is hard to see why he would think he has support for those changes, but apparently, he does.
- RNUG - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
OneMan -
Anything can happen in politics but I don’t think Illinois is enough of a right leaning state to re-elect Rauner with his Turnaround Agenda / anti-union crusade out in public.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:21 pm:
+And I suspect if you said that the anti-union governor of Wisconsin would win re-election easily, and be a serious candidate for President when he was less than a year into his first term, you would have thought that was unlikely as well…+
Depends on what your definition of “serious” is.
- Mouthy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:21 pm:
It was a sham then and is still a sham today. Notice the minimum wage issue has gone nowhere except in Chicago..
- anon - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
I had no comment on how the super majority was won until your comment. You invited my comment, a perfect analogy if I say so.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:27 pm:
==It is not absurd to blame one side==
Perhaps. My point is that it’s irrelevant. The current situation is what it is. Complaining about the rules of the game doesn’t change it.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
==Sour grapes because it isn’t business as usual for MJM.== ==Makes me think Bruce is winning the war of wills.==
Also curious is the timing of this attempt by Madigan to ==marginalize== Rauner, which others have explained well in comments.
It comes immediately after Rauner’s first major, public victory over Madigan on the GA pay raise.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:33 pm:
- Huey Lewis -
Use the “search” key, Rich had many post-mortem Posts, and I commented my thoughts there. If you have specific questions after that, ask away.
I called you out on your opinion, if you have something to substantiate it, no one is stopping you.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:07 pm:
A Guy ==Does anyone in that group ever keep their head down for a day?==
What does this mean? Why should they? Why should we keep their heads down?
- anon - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:08 pm:
==And I suspect if you said that the anti-union governor of Wisconsin would win re-election easily, and be a serious candidate for President when he was less than a year into his first term, you would have thought that was unlikely as well…==
This is also the party that has Trump leading in the polls, so it doesn’t take much to get ahead. There are also about 20 republican hopefuls, so if your a republican governor, it’s probably not hard to throw your hat into the ring.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
==Why should we keep their heads down?==
It depends on what they are saying.
- Under Further Review - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:22 pm:
I agree that Quinn lost (another, better Democratic gubernatorial candidate may have sent Rauner to his wine cellar), but Madigan went all in on Quinn.
In his lengthy political career, Madigan has not been too successful in backing winners in gubernatorial contests. It is an anomaly in an otherwise successful career as a party boss.
- A guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:30 pm:
+++= Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:20 pm:
==Why should we keep their heads down?==
It depends on what they are saying.++++
Demo, explain it to Politix please. AFSCME is it’s own worst enemy most days. Their PR impulses are sorely mis-wired.
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:37 pm:
==I don’t think Illinois is enough of a right leaning state to re-elect Rauner with his Turnaround Agenda / anti-union crusade out in public.==
A weak Dem nominee (which is a real possibility) and Rauner’s money would make him at least even money, I think.
==Rauner’s first major, public victory over Madigan on the GA pay raise==
That…seems like a bit of an overstatement.
==Madigan went all in on Quinn==
Madigan has never gone all in on anything besides the HDem caucus, and he certainly didn’t go all in on Quinn in 2014.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:50 pm:
A lot more people voted for Rauner the votes for Mike Madigan, or any other Governor candidate in many years.
- pundent - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
@Louis G. Astaves ==I was impressed. Still am.== Clearly you are. And you want the governor to have his never ending victory lap. Feel free to continue to applaud him on a well done campaign. He won and that’s all that matters.
Now can we get back to the reality of running the state? Rauner knew the hand that he was dealt. He knows that his anti-union rhetoric wouldn’t fly on the campaign trail and that’s why he put it on mute during the general election. His fair share and right to work initiatives are going nowhere. With all due respect, at what point do we end the campaign and commence to governing?
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
==A lot more people voted for Rauner the votes for Mike Madigan==
Yeah, it helps that they ran in different elections.
- Lincoln Lad - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:12 pm:
- Madigan went all in on Quinn -
Nothing could be further from the truth.
‘I can deal with a Governor Rauner’, is more like it.
Be careful what you ask for.
- Politix - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
It doesn’t take a rocket science to know AFSCME’s PR impulses are weak at best. They need a lot of help. But in my opinion, they’ve been rather quiet. Unlike Rauner and his nasty little lie machine/press shop.
I don’t see how your response had anything to do with that, though. The fact is if SB1229 passes, Rauner’s dream of a Scott Walker IL will vanish and everyone knows it. Perhaps that’s hard for you to swallow.
No one’s standing down.
- Juvenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
Sue -
I think the point Madigan is making is that there is no mandate for the Turnaround Agenda.
He is correct.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 3:11 pm:
==there is no mandate for the Turnaround Agenda==
He seems to be taking a mandate for reform, which he does have imho, as a mandate for evisceration.
- walker - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 3:20 pm:
There was a mandate for change, just not all the changes in the Turnaround Agenda.
- DuPage Don - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 4:13 pm:
This post is a classic example of a distinction without a difference. Rauner sits in the governor’s chair; Quinn (bless his heart, as Joe Biden’s mom would say) does not. What a waste of time you 90 or so posters have given this….and I guess I will include myself in that characterization.