Durkin warns members about… me
Friday, May 12, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a memo sent this afternoon to House Republicans…
Dear Members,
It is with great displeasure that I read today’s Capitol Fax with an article which, by all measures, memorializes yesterday’s “confidential” caucus discussions with the governor’s staff.
This has been an ongoing concern for many years and it is a violation that undermines the sanctity of our caucus meetings, particularly those with high-level members of the administration.
My question to the individual or individuals responsible for this is simple, why would you subvert the caucus, particularly at this time in session?
With few precious weeks before the end of session, we will need to meet more regularly and, most likely, with key members of the administration. How can we expect them to be candid with us ever again? Should I expect this message to show up on the “Blog” this afternoon?
Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader
People occasionally ask why they should subscribe to Capitol Fax. That memo is a pretty good reason.
- OkComputer - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:34 pm:
“Should I expect this message to show up on the “Blog” this afternoon?”
Dumb question
- RNUG - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
Wonder how many people replied “yes”? /S
- Shankz - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:36 pm:
Thanks Rich!
Just a note though…”the sanctity of our caucus meetings”…lol
- Ratso Rizzo - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:37 pm:
Soon they’ll be holding meetings in underground parking garages.
- Anonymous - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:37 pm:
Good one, Jim
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
This is THE place for Illinois politics because of Rich Miller’s tireless work, years and years of trust between himself and members, some trust even greater than leaders have with members.
It’s not as bad as yesterday’s Steve Harvey memo leak, but… lol
Good on you Rich, thanks for all you do.
OW
- Father Ted - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
“How can we expect [the administration] to be candid with us ever again?”
At this point, how can anyone in the state expect that the administration is ever being candid about anything at all?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:40 pm:
It’s is almost Onion-like that anyone thinks you could trust the work of the Rauner Administration.
That’s where I first this was a gag, lol
- Norseman - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:40 pm:
Rich, you naughty boy. Don’t you realize that we’re in the Trump age where the media is supposed to report only what they are told to report. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
Sounds like one of the Superstars tore into Durkin. Lol.
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
===This has been an ongoing concern for many years===
Since about 1993.
- RNUG - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
Trust me on this, the IGOP and current administration have lot bigger internal problems than this.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
===Since about 1993. ===
1990, if you count the Hannah Report days. lol
- 47th Ward - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:43 pm:
So the substance of today’s Fax is not in dispute, they’re just mad that now everybody knows there are cracks in the HGOPs’ firewall.
- thunderspirit - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
When Durkin (or M. Madigan, for that matter) is angry for disclosing something, it’s a pretty good sign that disclosure is a Good Thing [tm].
- Truth Squad - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
This absolutely got sent because Mike Z ripped into Durkin this am, isn’t it?
The Leader has been around far too long to think he can prevent members of a public body discussing their work.
- WSJ Paywall - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
Why is blog in quotation marks?
- The Way I See It - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:47 pm:
Well played, sir, well played.
Asking the question was begging for a “yes” answer.
If they were smart, everyone of those would be different.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
===because Mike Z ripped into Durkin this am, isn’t it?===
Highly doubtful. I talked to Z this morning. He never even mentioned the piece.
- Tommydanger - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
Rich:
I think Durkin should be pointing the paw at Rauner’s dog. Its entirely plausible that the governor’s dog threw Oscar a bone and gave him the inside scoop.
Wag the dog indeed!
- Longsummer - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
Keep it up HGOP don’t be Rauner’s mushrooms. The guy is an idelaogue who is making this state worse. Cut him loose!!!
- Joe Bidenopolous - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:49 pm:
I’m paranoid, but you somehow confirmed that every caucus member got the memo, right Rich? The administration can be pretty Machiavellian, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they concocted something with the Leader to only send it to the people they think might leak it to you, or some other subset of the caucus.
- Honeybear - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
Rich Miller, OG
Original Gangsta
( que gangsta rap beat )
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
Memorandum
5/12/2017
Raunerite Hedquarters
State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL
To: Management Trainees
From: Middle Management / JD
Raunerites,
Our ownership has become aware that you trainees are passing on trade secrets for “Operation Beast Squeeze”, making ownership very upset, so upset, that all middle managers got whistled in with a threat of using that $50 million to find new middle managers and management trainees.
I’m writing this memo at headquarters so ownership will see my commitment, and that will scare the bejesus out each and every one of you.
Stop thinking for yourselves. Do what you’re told, don’t talk to anyone outside your approved list, attached.
A more official-looking, governing, memo will follow…
Do us all a favor, be good Raunerites, or else.
Your middle manager, and EVP of this Raunerite subsidiary,
Jim
- @misterjayem - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
“Why is blog in quotation marks?”
The blog is actually a blog — if anything, “Fax” should be in quotation marks.
– MrJM
- Boone's is back - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
Every year I feel like a different caucus leader freaks out about this. They’re all grown ups and have been around long enough to know this happens. Gimme a break.
- Been There - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
===How can we expect them to be candid with us ever again? ====
Didn’t “them” run for office touting that he would shake up Springfield and stop the backroom closed door decisions?
- Huh? - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
When will tricky Dick’so plumbers be deployed to plug the leaks in the IHOP?
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
Well that worked out well, didn’t it?
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
This reminds me of that saying “loose lips might sink ships”.
- frisbee - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
great work Rich, another sign the your blog is second to none when it comes to IL politics
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
How soon before we get a leaked copy of the who leaked my anti-leaking memo?
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Meh,
I liked it better when it was written as “who threw the palm tree overboard”.
Boy, no Liberty for that Crew.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Rich, do you still fax out any editions?
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:01 pm:
===do you still fax===
Yep.
- Hit Em With the Hein - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:01 pm:
If i was him you send that email to each person at the meeting with a slight change to it. When it gets posted you know who sent it. But hilarious!!!! Love You Rich and love the “blog”
As if that was a slander?
- Hamlet's Ghost - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:05 pm:
Oswego Willy, are you saying:
. . . Jim Durkin is to Ensign Pulver as Bruce Rauner is to Captain Morton? . . .
- 100 miles west - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
Didn’t Fritchey live-tweet house dem caucus meetings?
- Hamlet's Ghost - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
And Michael Madigan doesn’t look anything like Henry Fonda.
- The Captain - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
Meh, I’ve been warning people about you for years.
- Reality Check - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
Durkin should’ve put the scare quotes around “Leader”.
- Saluki - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
In the history of this blog, this is one of those unforgettable posts. Print this one off and frame it.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
Just tell them that the Russians leaked it.
- Valvino - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
Just do your job Jim, or do what the Governor wants you to do.
- Anonymous - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
Jim, a “Blog” is something you get on the “inter-net”. But I agree, they are both fads.
- Phenomynous - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
Where is the warning?
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
Hysterical. But seriously, this was only 100% predictable. What was Durkin thinking????
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:12 pm:
Jim Durkin is “Doc” - blase’ about the Captain, really just riding the tour out
There is neither a Frank Thurlowe Pulver, or a Mister Roberts.
Just the Old Bucket
- Hamlet's Ghost - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
Doc wouldn’t have sent out this afternoon’s email.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:16 pm:
Doc woulda warned the Crew… so they’d stop hearing bells…
“Ding-Dong, Dong-Ding, or Dong-Dong”
Doc was about Doc
- illini - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
This thread only confirms the value of this Blog for anything and everything if importance regarding Illinois politics.
For all the news and political junkies like me, thank you Rich for sharing and for allowing us ( and even the trolls ) to participate.
- AlfondoGonz - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
On the second day of my time as a Madigoon, we were explicitly warned not to let you buy us drinks, Rich.
- Markus - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
LOL, it’s good to know there is at at least one independent thinker in that caucus. Term limits will create a continuous stream of independent thinkers. Rauner and his $50 million will be long gone and wasted after 2018. The Raunerite caucus ought to reflect on that.
- Citizen A - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:23 pm:
Dueling can go. Miller stays!!
- Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
“- AlfondoGonz - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
On the second day of my time as a Madigoon, we were explicitly warned not to let you buy us drinks, Rich.”
Yes, but they were smart enough not to put that in writing. Durkin????????
- Hello - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:36 pm:
So Rich can talk with Mike Z today (& probably other Rauner higher ups) but Legislators can’t speak to Rich. It’s hilarious hypocrisy!
- Anon221 - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
To Leader Durkin, some advice…
“Don’t write anything you can phone. Don’t phone anything you can talk. Don’t talk anything you can whisper. Don’t whisper anything you can smile. Don’t smile anything you can nod. Don’t nod anything you can wink.” Earl Long
- wordslinger - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
What a hypocritical phony. Like he never violated the “sanctity of the caucus” by leaking to the press.
I’m guessin’ Boss Rauner gave him a $50M spankin’.
Maybe he should have a pro-rata burning at the stake to show he means business.
- Observant27 - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
Glad this is all one big game for you, Richie. Expect when you’re playing Madigan’s shill. Fortunately no one listens to the “politicos” of IL. They have made this state a basket case. We can claim success in one area: pumpkins - thanks to the very same people and communities the established powers are destroying. I can’t wait to watch the coming revolt. It’s happening in DC. It will happen here. Keep all your well-compensated heads in the sand…
- ZC - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
>> Fortunately no one listens to the “politicos” of IL. They have made this state a basket case.
… Such as Governor Bruce Rauner?
- Kippax Blue - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
[The following is way more better than paid advertisement.]
Dear Members, It is with great displeasure…
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
Observant27, bite me.
- The Facts - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
Just Great. Totally Agree with “Saluki” this one’s getting a spot on the wall.
- Sigh - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
I thought republicans advocated for transparency?
- Hit Em With the Hein - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
Observant27,
Congrats on your nomination to be the Ambassador to Kenya! #MAGA #amirite? #youarecrazy
- wordslinger - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
–I thought republicans advocated for transparency?–
Boss Rauner, his Frat Boys, his frightened GOP caucuses and his bought-and-paid-for outside propagandists are painfully transparent if you pay attention to what they do, not what they say.
- a drop in - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
“Rich better hope the tap with him and me doesn’t come out”
better Durkin quote /s
- Nick Name - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
“I can’t wait to watch the coming revolt. It’s happening in DC.”
Yes, the President of the United States threatening to blackmail the former director of the FBI on Twitter this morning is quite the revolt.
- Flynn's mom - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
The “sanctity of our caucus meetings”??? OMG is Durkin the Pope now??
- Cubs in '16 - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
“We would’ve gotten away with it too…if it hadn’t been for that darn kid and his “blog”
- wordslinger - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
Websters:
Sanctity, noun, the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly.
Yeah, I don’t think so, with any partisan Springfield caucuses that I’m aware of….
- Politix - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
This absolutely made my week. Thank you, Rich.
- JoeMaddon - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
**Fortunately no one listens to the “politicos” of IL. **
Clearly Leader Durkin does.
- JS Mill - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
Rich, it’s official, you are a subversive!!! Celebration time!
“sanctity of our caucus”?? Durkie, it’s the state house not he United States Supreme Court. Get over yourself. I have.
- Fiercely Independent - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
So the caucus meeting was “memorialized”? Interesting choice of words…
- Cubs in '16 - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
I triple-dog dare the ILGOP members to all bring a Rich Miller ‘Fat Head’ to the next caucus meeting.
- efudd - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
A Republican lamenting a free and open press.
Go figger.
Observant 27-how much is a subscription to Pravda these days?
- Norseman - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
=== I triple-dog dare the ILGOP members to all bring a Rich Miller ‘Fat Head’ to the next caucus meeting. ===
LOL. Love the idea. Perhaps we can entice someone with promises of donations to Lutheran Social Services.
- Dirty Red - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
I can’t decide which is the identifier between the “confidential” and the “Blog.”
- efudd - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:24 pm:
When did the party of Charleton Heston and Clint Eastwood become so spineless and whiny?
- State worker - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:26 pm:
I keep re-reading this and laughing. I’m imagining Durkin kicking Lucy’s football again.
- Been There - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:26 pm:
The funny thing is that Durkin is comfortable enough to meet in the Capitol and expect it to be private. Heck Madigan probably has it bugged anyway.
- Norseman - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:27 pm:
=== I thought republicans advocated for transparency? ===
Only for Democrats.
- Rich Miller - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:29 pm:
AS far as the “sanctity of the caucus” stuff goes, Durkin didn’t invent that. I’ve been hearing it for years. Always thought it was goofy, which is why I decided early in my career to “violate” it. Madigan even stopped having caucus meetings for a while because I had people in there taking notes. lol
- Slippin' Jimmy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
Speaker Durkin: Word on the street is your ‘Operation’ has been hacked.
May be time to wise up and cut your losses. (While it’s still possible)
- Kyle Hillman - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:36 pm:
This post wins the internet today.
- Curl of the Burl - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
Rich - your new site/subscription tagline should be “Leaks - they’re not just for basements!”
- DuPage - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
The caucus members trust Rich more then they trust Rauner. It’s no wonder, Rauner has given them (and EVERYONE else in the state) good reason not to trust Rauner at all.
- A guy - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:45 pm:
== Should I expect this message to show up on the “Blog” this afternoon?===
Just sayin’ man, but you practically willed this to happen by daring ‘em to do it.
- Mama - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:09 pm:
Dear Rep. Durkin, it is not hard to figure out why the person(s) sent the info to Rich. They want their peeps back home to know they have grown a spine since last year, and can stand up for what is right for the people of IL.
Rich, you are the top banana in reporting on IL’s political game! Keep up the good work.
- Mama - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:11 pm:
==- Curl of the Burl - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:39 pm: Rich - your new site/subscription tagline should be “Leaks - they’re not just for basements!” ==
Love it.
- Lance Mannion - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:12 pm:
And the House GOP wonder why they aren’t taken seriously.
- Mama - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:15 pm:
=- Rich Miller - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 3:29 pm: =
Rich, I love it that you are an equal opportunity Blog Master for the Left and the Right Leakers.
- RNUG - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
== “Don’t write anything you can phone. Don’t phone anything you can talk. Don’t talk anything you can whisper. Don’t whisper anything you can smile. Don’t smile anything you can nod. Don’t nod anything you can wink.” Earl Long ==
And even then you may not be safe because, when you ask someone to do something questionable, there will be people who will email you back with your request in writing to create an audit trail to cover their rear end.
- Soccermom - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 4:42 pm:
Rich, Observant27 will have to bite through me first.
And RNUG — that is true and true again. (And they may send you that email even if that wink they thought they saw was just a dust speck under your contact lens.)
- Ma'at's Feather - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 5:14 pm:
Right; because THIS is the major problem in the state…Rich and his dastardly penchant for bringing us the news!!
- walker - Friday, May 12, 17 @ 5:26 pm:
In the Dem caucus we pretty much knew who was texting somebody else during the meeting. More than one person. The occasional pointed complaints to them didn’t come from Madigan, but from other reps who thought the culprits were “grandstanding” and “showboating.”
To think Rich Miller wouldn’t quickly find out something was laughable.
“Sanctity?” What is this the Masons?