* Tribune…
But on the eve of the vote, as lawmakers closed out a two-day, lame-duck session and some hurried back to Chicago for President Barack Obama’s farewell address, even the lone Democrat who had once publicly suggested finding an alternative to Madigan had backed away from the idea.
“I think everybody who’s voting … has to be aware of the fact that there could be severe consequences if you don’t fall in line, and that’s just a fact of the way in which the General Assembly seems to be run,” said Rep. Scott Drury, a Highwood Democrat who said last month that he was “studying” options for challenging Madigan’s speakership candidacy.
By Tuesday, Drury said he was still considering voting for a candidate other than Madigan should one emerge, but he acknowledged that there was no coordinated effort to put forward an alternative.
Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and top Madigan deputy, dismissed the notion of a coup.
“We decide as a caucus who our candidate for speaker is going to be, behind closed doors,” Lang said. “And once we decide who our candidate for speaker is, the members of the caucus support the caucus decision.”
That’s true. Democrats are locked in. If Drury votes for someone else despite the caucus vote by acclamation, there will likely be ramifications.
* Meanwhile, the Quad City Times lashed out at Representative-elect Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) today…
Chances are Mike Halpin will today support Mike Madigan. In so doing, he will delegitimize any previous claim of autonomy.
Make no mistake, even ceremonial opposition to Madigan could damage Halpin’s constituents. Suddenly, the 72nd District finds itself written out of budget lines. Suddenly, Halpin has no power within his caucus. Suddenly, Halpin is isolated and feckless.
But, at the very least, a protest vote for any Democrat willing to challenge Madigan would prove that Halpin meant what he said. Even a simple abstention, should no challenger rise, would send a powerful message.
Madigan won’t release his grip on Illinois voluntarily. Only a rank-and-file rebellion will do.
* Related…
* ADDED: When Republicans Voted For Speaker Madigan
* Despite GOP pressure, Phelps likely to support Madigan for speaker
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:06 am:
=he will delegitimize any previous claim of autonomy.=
So, submitting to Rauner is..independent? Bold?
Also, they seem pretty ok with hurting the people of the district. Interesting.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:10 am:
For reference the Q-C Times is certainly not some right-leaning media outlet. If anything they bend left and they are no fans of Terry Brandstad and the Iowa GOP.
- facts are stubborn things - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:14 am:
MJM delivers majorities for the Dems, that means chairmanships etc. MJM is one big dog that will outlast the GOP’s big dog, and I think the Dems get that.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:15 am:
===Rep. Lou Lang, a Skokie Democrat and top Madigan deputy, dismissed the notion of a coup.
“We decide as a caucus who our candidate for speaker is going to be, behind closed doors,” Lang said. “And once we decide who our candidate for speaker is, the members of the caucus support the caucus decision.”===
@FakeLTrover - hey Rep. Lang (talking point, talking point) Speaker Madigan’s Iron Grip (talking point) #WordOfTheDay
To the Post,
Rep. Drury is so well liked that he could only count on a “maybe” from himself.
It speaks volumes that arguably the most unlikable member in the House is the member that thinks going against their caucus still seems “thoughtful”.
The foolish Democratic members will be the ones thinking they can avoid Rauner’s wrath by not voting for MJM.
Rauner is comin’ after ya anyway, why seem weak in the meantime. Hang together, or you most assuredly will be targeted anyway…
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:19 am:
Hang together or be hung together.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:21 am:
Drury’s decision must be a huge disappointment to all the voices inside his head that encouraged him to run.
- Deft Wing - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:24 am:
Today the camera and audio for the vote to re-elect the most unpopular politician in Illinois as Speaker of the House will be especially focused on all of the Dem placaters, but particularly certain downstate Dems where Trump won big. So too for certain suburban Dems where Madigan is considered the main culprit for Illinois’ financial woes.
I predict there will be few smiling Dems as they vote — for all to see and hear — for Madigan’s continued control over the Legislature … and the continued descent of Illinois.
This evidence will be preserved and used for more Bradley-esque cleansings. Book on that.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:31 am:
===So, submitting to Rauner is..independent? Bold?===
Well, in my estimation, giving Rauner the person he needs to campaign is giving in to him. The entire Democratic house is giving in to Bruce Rauner by electing Mike Madigan speaker. You get rid of Madigan, you get rid of the governor’s entire campaign to date. Democrats keep around the old guard (Pelosi, Madigan, Shumer) and keep losing elections and just can’t figure out why.
- Trapped in the "burbs - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:31 am:
How long does it take for Drury to mention that he is a former federal prosecutor in any conversation? Good idea Scott, while engaged in battle with Rauner, frag your leader. Maybe Drury should be assigned to the agricultural and farming committees?
- Try-4-Truth - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:41 am:
I suggest the Quad City Times grow up a little bit.
Their statements boarder on silly.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:52 am:
“I think everybody who’s voting … has to be aware of the fact that there could be severe consequences if you don’t fall in line, and that’s just a fact of the way in which the General Assembly seems to be run,”
Looks like someone got their delivery from deadseafood.com. /s
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 9:55 am:
===This evidence will be preserved and used for more Bradley-esque cleansings. Book on that.===
Oh - Deft Wing -, LOL!
Rauner is coming after all of them anyway. Your own ridiculousness only makes sense if you believe cowering to Rauner’s demand (Rauner is personally funding the Raunerite Party operations) of not voting for Madigan will call off the attacks.
I know you felt better typing it, or spinning this, or pretending that this “choice” of a Speaker will dictate how Raunerites will go about attaching Dems, but these attacks are 24/7/365, going after links, real or flimsy, to Mike Madigan.
It’s not going to stop today after a vote against Madigan. If you believe that, you’re not being honest with anyone, including yourself.
That’s why I laughed reading your comment.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 10:13 am:
BIG FAN of QC’s logic there. “The only way to prove your independence is to do EXACTLY AS WE SAY, Mike.”
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 10:19 am:
So Halpin should vote against Madigan or abstain and kill the district?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 10:34 am:
Deft & Willy - you two are both correct. Deft is correct in that perhaps Reps who are likely to be targets should not stand up and deliver a “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” type of passionate speech. I have no doubt that Mr. Bradley had the best intentions when he did it - but it became a hammer that Rauner and Co. used against him. Willy is correct because it would be ridiculous to expect someone like Rep. Halpin or Rep. Stuart to vote against or abstain their votes considering that Speaker Madigan gave them tons of cash and staffers.
- A guy - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 10:37 am:
===Drury’s decision must be a huge disappointment to all the voices inside his head that encouraged him to run.===
What makes you think all those voices came to a consensus? /s
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 11:26 am:
@A guy
To quote George HW Bush, “I have opinions… strong opinions… though I sometimes don’t agree with them.”
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 11:28 am:
@Ducky- I get your point, but I think that anyone that fills the speaker role or any other role that does not submit to the wishes of the governor will meet the same fate.
From the ILDP perspective why not let MJM be the guy? I would guess he is one of the few that can withstand the onslaught. Which would happen no matter who the speaker is if that person is a democrat.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
As long as Rauner is governor of Illinois, we will need a strong Democrat as Speaker of the house. Madigan will fill that role so that middle class workers rights are protected from the anti-union governor.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Jan 11, 17 @ 12:51 pm:
…middle class workers rights are protected. Maybe. But he leads the way into raiding our wallets.