* Speaker Madigan at his media availability today…
I think what you saw with Republicans engaging in bipartisan support of the [tax hike] bill, in my judgement, was a reaction to the positions adopted by Gov. Rauner; the tactics employed by Gov. Rauner and his staff over several months.
So, we have not had a normal legislative process in the Illinois legislature. There’s been an undue level of intimidation by the governor and his staff relative to people in the legislature. […]
Despite what the Tribune says about me, I only engage in persuasion. I work with my members. We thoroughly discuss these issues in our caucus. My method is to use intellectual persuasion, to persuade Democratic members and sometimes Republicans on the wisdom of a position or a vote. I don’t engage in intimidation. I don’t engage in threats. And you won’t find one member of the legislature who would ever tell you that… I’ve been here long enough to know that it doesn’t work.
“Persuasion” can sometimes be in the eye of the beholder. Also, he doesn’t have to issue threats because people already know what crossing him entails.
Anyway, your thoughts?
- Shemp - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
He said that with a straight face?
- Grand Avenue - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
Scott Drury still hasn’t emotionally recovered from not getting that clock.
- QC Teacher - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
What would be the benefit for Rauner giving in at this point? I think his reelection becomes dimmer by the day with the lack of direction in Illinois. Why give in to something he does not believe in? He is stubborn and has not showed the will to compromise, but he does want legitimate change.
There are a variety of sources out there that would question Madigan’s persuasion techniques.
- Honeybear - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
Wow, okay….. I have to say I have a hard time believing that. Honestly I don’t think I could hold Madigans gaze without feeling intimidated. I know, I know snowflake.
- Nieva - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:17 pm:
He is such a nice man.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:17 pm:
Meh. When you’ve been doing it as long as he has, you don’t need to intimidate. When you are a clueless billionaire that doesn’t even bother to read the newspaper or care what previous successful governors have done, yeah, you buy and intimidate. Works for awhile. But then when you burn the state down, the jig is up.
- Casual observer - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
You’ll be fine.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
Hey; he is their duly elected leader. He leads, often times he wins. He is the head of the Democrat organization and he has it organized. You don’t want a leader or organization, join the anarchist party. Pate ran his the same way.
- 33rd Ward - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:19 pm:
Much of it sounds factually true. The governor shouldn’t intimidate legislators the way this one does. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth in a post-citizen’s united world.
Welcome to the 21st century; where term limits might do away with any non-rich approved politicians.
- Baloneymous - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:19 pm:
Presidents don’t threaten Jack, they don’t have to. And if you don’t like the EPA, then try the IRS. - Nixon, 1995
- astuishin - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:21 pm:
==previous successful governors==
Who did you have in mind? Adlai Stevenson?
- Rabid - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
His managment style has always been fear and intimation, I hope you don’t have a family, I will make you radioactive
- Blue Bayou - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:24 pm:
For the umpteenth time: Almost no one on the left in IL likes Madigan, but we can’t even begin to combat his lack of progress with the worst Gov in state history making things much worse.
- Norseman - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:25 pm:
=== My method is to use intellectual persuasion ===
We all intellectually understand that if we don’t acquiesce to the Speakers persuasion, terrible things will occur.
- Saluki - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
” I don’t engage in intimidation. ” Mike Madigan.
“It’s not about the money.” Variously attributed.
- Demoralized - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
Persuasion comes in all forms. Madigan’s is the unspoken kind. Rauner’s is the green (as in money) kind. Both can be just as effective.
- Hickory - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm:
Ducky - We haven’t had a successful governor in over 4 decades.
- Wensicia - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
Madigan - the master of the velvet glove.
- Redraider - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
” but he does want legitimate change” you as a teacher should know that his ” legitimate change” includes starving out local school boards from giving you a decent wage. There is little ” legitimate ” about the change he desires
- Rabid - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:39 pm:
Mike commands respect, Rauner demands respect
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
What about the outside income on which Mike has his fingers?
- State worker - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:02 pm:
I’m pretty sympathetic to his statement. We’ve always had stalemates. But we’ve always had a budget.
If the speaker doesn’t have the votes, it doesn’t happen. People aren’t usually resigning and the state isn’t usually tanking.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:03 pm:
Who knew the Speaker was a Damon Runyon fan.
- My New Handle - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:04 pm:
Madigan will also give his members movement on bills they might find advantageous in their particular districts to sponsor. He will make sure these bills pass the House, even if they aren’t such great legislation in some cases. It is up to the member to push it through the Senate, but Madigan will do his part for his members. It is a quid pro quo but has been very effective.
- Texas Red - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:14 pm:
What else would he say ?
- Lech W - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:17 pm:
I guess persuasion means running someone against his foes and banishing those that don’t comply with mister speaker .
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:38 pm:
Meh, I think the GOP members in question have already given very thoughtful and compelling reasons for their actions independent of the governor.
Curious to see if any GOP senators have the stomach for it. Based on recent history, I have my doubts.
- A guy - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:56 pm:
History is full of very effective persuaders.
- JJ59 - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:59 pm:
Yes, I agree, his management style is fear, intimidation, and threats. If people would do research on Rauner there are plenty of articles out there on his business ventures. Employee interviews are shocking from the businesses his group bought.
- walker - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:03 pm:
Madigan shouldn’t speak for what motivated GOP Reps to vote for the bills. They are speaking better for themselves.
Madigan treats different personalities, and reps with different constituencies, differently. Outsiders would be surprised how often he defers to the will of his caucus members.
- μολὼν λαβέ - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:14 pm:
-Mike commands respect, Rauner demands respect-
Best laugh line I have heard yet. Madigan commands fealty and power through control of Democratic campaign money. He wouldn’t know how to conduct a fair negotiation if his career depended upon it.
- RNUG - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:20 pm:
Madigan understands what is realistically possible and can count if he has the votes.
Rauner wants what he wants, but hasn’t bought enough votes yet.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:29 pm:
==Madigan treats different personalities, and reps with different constituencies, differently. Outsiders would be surprised how often he defers to the will of his caucus members. ==
That is the key to Madigan’s success. What caucus members learn is that if they can convince the Speaker (and/or his staff) that a vote is bad (or good) for their district (and, therefore, impacts their reelection chances) they can usually take that vote the way they need to. Rauner, so far, has been “my way or the highway.” Madigan’s intimidation is tempered with understanding of the need to be able to get reelected (and vote for the Speaker). Rauner’s intimidation is not so tempered.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:53 pm:
Interesting dig, Rich. I’ve known many current and former representatives, from both sides. Not one has ever described the Speaker as intimidating or threatening. It’s always been within the lines of above board negotiations wherein both sides stand by their word. Period.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 8:19 pm:
Rep. Bryant’s experience since her vote, as related in her own words.
Keep with it, they’ve buried the lede.
http://www.newsbug.info/news/national/illinois/rep-bryant-feels-the-heat-for-breaking-ranks-on-tax/article_9e531492-1ad4-5e69-840e-3205995e595b.html
- Rabid - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 8:38 pm:
If any representative got a threatening text from the executive branch, maybe the attorney general can get a restraining order
- My New Handle - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 8:50 pm:
Wordslinger, thanks. That lead is quite a few paragraphs from the lead, isn’t it? I would have that quote about people not realizing how deep this is, should have been headline.
- Quiet Sage - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 10:53 pm:
With rare exceptions, Madigan demands only two votes from his caucus: The vote for Speaker and the vote for House rules.
- TaxesTaxes - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 11:08 pm:
Actually, the tax increase should be more than what they are asking for.
- Lucky Pierre - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 11:57 pm:
Ken Dunkin and Scott Drury would disagree with this historical fiction.
- Anon221 - Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 11:57 pm:
Rep. Bryant and any other Rep or Senator who has been “informed” that projects for their districts may hang on their votes, should keep detailed notes on such inneuendos. Although if the three budget bills don’t pass, there won’t be any projects anyway. Kinda takes the oxygen out of the fire.
- Anon - Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 6:16 am:
Mike builds power within his party.
Bruce buys it…
- Sigh - Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 7:25 am:
The Republican leaders skipped the meeting because they knew damned well that Madigan had played them again. Much of the conciliatory talk that took place on the previous Friday was a con job. Madigan was gaming the system to use the crisis to deliver another ultimatum to the GOP and expected them to fold.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 8:55 am:
Dunkin, Drury; thats ancient science, cause and effect