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*** UPDATE *** From Speaker Madigan…
“Last week I was advised of inappropriate behavior by a volunteer toward a candidate and staff during the 2016 election. I quickly made sure the individual had no participation in any activities my committees are involved in. I offered to refer the matter to outside counsel and that offer was declined. The complainant and I met with the individual and the complainant assured me that the situation had been appropriately resolved. The individual will no longer be involved with any activities of my political committees. I reaffirm my commitment to change the culture. I do not tolerate inappropriate behavior or abuse of any kind and remain committed to ensuring all individuals can do their work without fear of harassment, abuse, or retaliation.”
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* You may have seen this bubbling up on Twitter today…
Pritzker needs to do so much better on this stuff.
* Anyway, I’m told that Decremer was abruptly removed from four House Democratic campaigns after complaints were made late last week by four campaign workers, who haven’t yet come forward. The allegations at least partly involved Rep. Deb Conroy’s 2016 campaign. I asked Rep. Conroy for comment (including whether she’d also been harassed) and she sent me this image via text…
…Adding… Mary Ann Ahern’s story is here.
* From the Biss campaign…
Today, Daniel Biss and Litesa Wallace released the following joint statement in response to the continued sexual harassment allegations within Mike Madigan’s political operations:
“Time’s up for Mike Madigan and the political machine he controls. After Alaina Hampton bravely came forward, Madigan had an opportunity to lead, and chose to make more backroom deals. These actions demonstrate he cannot and should not lead our party, and also cause us to seriously question his role as Speaker of the House.
“In the best interest of justice and truth, and to protect the women who have bravely come forward, Madigan should immediately resign from his position as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois. And to ensure a truly independent investigation, we call on the Office of the Inspector General to conduct a swift and thorough investigation into these allegations.”
I’m not sure how the state’s Legislative Inspector General can investigate campaign behavior.
…Adding… From tonight’s forum…
…Adding… I think this is correct…
…Adding… Tribune…
For the second time in a week, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has parted ways with a top lieutenant in his Democratic political organization, this time citing “inappropriate behavior by a volunteer toward a candidate and staff” during a 2016 campaign.
While Madigan’s statement did not name the operative, sources familiar with the circumstances confirmed that it is Shaw Decremer. Democratic state Rep. Deb Conroy and several other staffers approached Madigan within the last week with complaints about Decremer’s behavior, one of the sources said.
Reached late Monday, Conroy declined to detail the behavior, saying she is focused on moving forward.
“In this case, it was an abuse of power. That’s all there is to it. It’s not sexual harassment per se. I guess it’s harassment, but I feel like it’s been handled from my perspective,” said Conroy, a three-term lawmaker from Villa Park. “We change the culture by calling out the bullies, by saying this behavior is not acceptable, and it needs to change.”
- Just Visiting - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 7:52 am:
“I do not tolerate inappropriate behavior or abuse of any kind and remain committed to ensuring all individuals can do their work without fear of harassment, abuse, or retaliation.” Speaker Madigan
Ask anyone who has ever gone against the Speaker on anything if this is true or ever will be true. The man is a power-crazed bully who ain’t ever gonna change.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 7:53 am:
This might be death by a thousand cuts. Thirty five years, countless campaigns and scores of young women working them adds up to trouble for Mr. Madigan.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 7:56 am:
I think he got in front of this quick enough, and has taken the appropriate action given what we know. He’s not going anywhere.
- Lunchbox - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 7:57 am:
Time’s up, Mike Madigan.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:02 am:
Hmm….
Sexual harassment in the campaign staff of the Democrat Party Chairman. A culture of wide spread sexual harassment in Springfield. A culture at the ward level that attempts to dig up dirt on a victim.
What is the common denominator?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:03 am:
=I think he got in front of this quick enough, and has taken the appropriate action=
Sadly, this got ahead of Speaker Madigan a long time ago and he
didn’t know it.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:05 am:
@Downstate 8:02. If you think this is solely a “Democrat problem” you’re gravely mistaken.
- Not It - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:06 am:
Calling one of your top politicalal operatives a “volunteer” shows just out of touch these people are.
- Stand Tall - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:06 am:
As OW says, he’s the leader he owns it. His strong arm tactics are exactly what harassment of all types is about. Keep them in line using all measures available.
- Downstate - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:12 am:
Anon @ 8:05,
Absolutely agree that the sexual harassment problem is Springfield cuts across party lines. But, MJM, as THE LEADER in Springfield, for so many decades set the “tone at the top.”
I’m hoping Republican leaders are taking note, as well.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:16 am:
Between waiting for more tapes of J B and Blagoevich and more harassment victims to come out it is going to seem like a long long time till elections.
- Too Much to Handle - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:20 am:
The comments calling for Madigan’s removal as, well everything from Party chair to state rep, are incredibly absurd. He is not the harasser, nor did he sanction the harassment or abuse. He is taking responsibility for this happening in his shop, and he is making serious changes to address them.
The way I look at it, those that are coming at him the hardest are those that have been wanting him gone for other reasons and are using this as the vehicle to try and do it.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:24 am:
Of the 12 million people who live in Illinois, the Speaker is only concerned about 59. That’s all.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:26 am:
Would that they be as vociferous in their condemnation of actual abusers. Hrrrrmmmm, Trump and good ol’boy Roy Moore come to mind. Moore still hasn’t conceded by the way.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:26 am:
Some of the political establishment, including Dems, would love to find a way to dump him. That being said, he is addressing sexual harassment within his ranks. He wasn’t the harasser. If no evidence he buried it, he’ll be fine.
- Responsa - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:28 am:
== coming at him the hardest are those that have been wanting him gone for other reasons and are using this as the vehicle to try and do it.==
Yeah. Are you brand new to how this whole politics game for power thing works or something? lol
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:30 am:
Can’t wait for the Speaker’s next press conference where he can defend this beauty ” …and remain committed to ensuring all individuals can do their work without fear of harassment, abuse, or retaliation.”
- Just Visiting - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:31 am:
TMTH said =He is not the harasser, nor did he sanction the harassment or abuse.=
He is the enabler.
Any proof he didn’t sanction this? He has a long history of using his, now aptly named Madigoons, to make life real hard on people. Harassment isn’t just sexual ya know.
- Too Much to Handle - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:31 am:
=== Yeah. Are you brand new to how this whole politics game for power thing works or something? lol ===
No, but I am pointing out what nobody has been saying publicly, or at least in the media.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:32 am:
Like Al Capone went down for taxes and not his many other criminal activities, how ironic that Speaker Madigan may be brought down by failing to adequately address females being sexually harassed in his organization. This will be the end of him. This will drip, drip, drip, and eventually he will become such a drag on the ticket that democrats will abandon him in drives. There is blood in the water.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:36 am:
===Speaking of spin, why is self described Republican Oswego Willy suddenly AWOL on any thread that involves Madigan and sexual harassment from his staff?===
Your want to make this subject a partisan thing does a disservice to what is actually being called out.
Look *exactly* what you typed…
“Speaking of spin, why is self described Republican Oswego Willy suddenly AWOL on any thread that involves Madigan and sexual harassment from his staff?”
… so… what are you more concerned about?
Like others so consumed, it appears the partisanship drives you.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:38 am:
So in other situations where there have been problems, you feel the folks in charge as long as they were ‘unaware’ are fine as long as they promote change, regardless if they appointed, hired and directed those who were the ‘problem’? Do they own no responsibility for the culture that allowed this to happen? Wow, as long as you were unaware and after the fact and just go ‘my bad’ and appoint a committee it is cool.
Unless I have misread my Tom Peters that isn’t management or leadership.
Does anyone think the issues are limited to these two guys?
True, considering how the speaker and his folks have treated some people and have tried to pick and have picked winners and losers that there are some folks with long memories or even short ones who are looking for a chance to strike. It’s politics, everyone has an agenda.
- Too Much to Handle - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:38 am:
=== He is the enabler. ===
Please. The speaker is being held to an unrealistic standard. Almost every type of business or organization has had instances of sexual harassment. Name one executive that has been forced to resign because of sexual harassment that he was not directly involved in?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:39 am:
–“In this case, it was an abuse of power. That’s all there is to it. It’s not sexual harassment per se. I guess it’s harassment, but I feel like it’s been handled from my perspective,” said Conroy, a three-term lawmaker from Villa Park.–
So, was he yelling at people?
Regardless, like I said last week, I suspect the minimum price that Madigan will pay is giving up the state chairmanship — or face a likely serious challenge for it.
He’s never done anything with the position when it comes to party building, anyway. A fresh face with post-Guttenberg communication skills would be welcomed by virtually all Dem officeholders, I imagine.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:44 am:
“a fresh face with post-Gutenberg communication skills…”. Aw, man, that is a great line.
- One hand //ing - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:49 am:
Dear Dan Biss, save the drive-by commentary for the facts to even come out belongs in the Tribune comment section. I don’t see how this could have been handled differently, but of course Dan didn’t wait to know how it was handled before he shot off his mouth. People need to stop using this as a chance to score cheap gotcha points and start thinning about what they’re doing to address harassment that inevitablely is happening on their watch.
- BothSidesofHisMouth - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:50 am:
I keep waiting for someone to bring up the now retired House GOP member who female staffers and interns were for YEARS literally warned about (”don’t get caught alone in the elevator with him”) as part of our unofficial orientation.
- ILPundit - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:51 am:
It’s not entirely clear what Decremer is accused of here. Coming into a campaign that is not performing well and cracking the whip is not a prescription for making friends. In fact, in many cases, if the candidate and other staff don’t hate you by election day, you probably aren’t doing your job right.
Again, its possible there was more to it in this case. But if this is the new standard for removing political operatives, it would seem to aim right at the heart of the Speaker’s campaign method.
- Jefferson - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:51 am:
well said, OW. ” see ya”–get back to the rauner campaign.. or, prep some more bots for wehrli.
- Just Visiting - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:52 am:
Too much,
What you fail to see or at least acknowledge is that this is Madigan’s MO. It is what he is KNOWN for. Harassment. Intimidation. Control. His character is what has seeped down the ranks in his outfit. He set the tone all these years. It isn’t pretty.
- Sugar Corn - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:02 am:
==now retired House GOP member who female staffers and interns were for YEARS literally warned about ==
Inquiring minds want to know more
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:04 am:
@Just Visiting: what Madigan is known for is winning elections. He rewards people who do (even when they oppose his first choice) and disregards those who don’t. Maybe you lost too many times?
- Jeez - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:14 am:
I get the moral outrage and battle cries to do more. Cullerton was told about a sexual harassment scandal and he buried it for more than a year. Madigan was told of a sexual harassment scandal and he did an investigation and fired a guy. Maybe the timing wasn’t great but he took action. A member complains about Decremer’s treatment and says it’s not sexual harassment, he takes action. What more do you want him to do besides bleed?
Why is Madigan responsible for sexual harassment? Because he’s been around for 40 years? He’s also brought in more women legislators than any other caucus, hired more women than any other caucus, and put more women’s issues on the board for a vote than any other caucus. Spend more than 5 mins on the rail and you know about the many sex scandals in the GOP caucuses. This isn’t a D issue.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:15 am:
@Too Much To Handle -
Lots of execs have to resign when PR scandals develop due to bad people being hired or poor supervision of bad hires occuring, or simply because of scandals that happen on their watch.
Lots of people are calling or have called for Chief of Staff John Kelly’s job because of his handling of underlings accused of domestic violence. No one has accused him of domestic abuse.
Lots of people have called for or are calling for Nirav Shah’s job because of the Quincy Legionnaires crisis happening on his watch. No one has accused him of personally infecting anyone with Legionnaires.
Look at the Larry Nassar scandal and all the people at Michigan State and USA Gymnastics who have had to resign even when not having had knowledge of what Nassar was doing.
Lots of people in Hollywood have lost jobs even if not sexual harassers themselves but because associations with those harassers demanded their jobs as PR sacrifices.
PR matters. MJM may have operated as if it doesn’t for decades and gotten away with it until now but PR matters. And PR could dictate that his chairmanship be a sacrifice.
MJM is a public figure and not some special snowflake immune to the laws of PR gravity that affect everybody else so his backers need to stop their whining already.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:15 am:
The time of the Madigoons has passed. Welcome to 2018. Madigan’s time is running out too. Biss/Kennedy need to hang Madigan around JB’s neck/toilet.
- Rabid - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:15 am:
strongarm tactician that hopes you don’t have a family, makes you radiactive , bury you in legal fees needs to go
- TaylorvilleTornado - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:16 am:
Attempting to pin all of this on Madigan himself smacks of political opportunism…but it would be pretty great to be able to shed Madigan and Rauner in Illinois’ bicentennial year.
- A guy - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:24 am:
It’s dripping more feverishly now. I believe there will be more. This dam has broken. I think Rep. Conroy is right about this being a “culture”. And I think there are more people who are part of it who will come to light with more regularity.
- Texas Red - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:27 am:
Conroy represent a modern approach to politics, and she has the high ground that can not to assailed by the MJM machine. Her statement is so powerful:
” In this case, it was an abuse of power. That’s all there is to it. It’s not sexual harassment per se”.
Madigan built up his political machine by exercising such power. Time to step down Mr. Speaker
- m - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:30 am:
=Name one executive that has been forced to resign because of sexual harassment that he was not directly involved in?=
Try Google, it’s easy. here’s the first one that came up https://www.theverge.com/2017/12/13/16771610/netflix-firing-andy-yeatman-danny-masterson-sexual-assault
And then it also popped up a nice article arguing that enablers are worse than harassers https://www.technewsworld.com/story/85032.html
Yes, much of the loud voices right now are motivated by far more than the harassment issues. When you make lots of enemies over a lot of years, at some point you will be weak and wishing you had made more friends.
- Rutro - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:38 am:
@ILpundit
“if the candidate and other staff don’t hate you by election day, you probably aren’t doing your job right” I strongly disagree with this, but my guess is Madigan & Co. would agree.
Now if JB called Madigoons “crass” I think politico may give him an 80% truthful.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:40 am:
LP, you might want to worry about your own side of the street. It would be unwise to presume that your boss is immune to getting caught up in this movement.
“…a Chicago Tribune reporter got in an elevator with Rauner and several aides and asked the governor a series of questions about the state budget Democrats were preparing. Rauner didn’t answer, but eventually looked at the reporter and said, “Can I give you a hug?” The reporter declined.”–
–“I will bury her,” Rauner is alleged to have told Gilman. I will make her radioactive,” Rauner allegedly told Gilman, according to the complaint. “She will never get another job anywhere, ever. I will bankrupt her with legal fees. I don’t know if she has a family or not, but if she does, she better think twice about this.”–
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/hardball-tactics-alleged-in-lawsuit-against-bruce-rauner/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-bruce-rauner-illinois-legislature-met-0529-20150529-story.html
- Anonymizing to speak freely - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:42 am:
==now retired House GOP member who female staffers and interns were for YEARS literally warned about ==
More than a few, on both sides of the aisle. Most are gone I think? But then, I don’t run with the member social crowd so I wouldn’t know for sure.
- Anonymizing to speak freely - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:44 am:
===It’s not entirely clear what Decremer is accused of here. Coming into a campaign that is not performing well and cracking the whip is not a prescription for making friends. In fact, in many cases, if the candidate and other staff don’t hate you by election day, you probably aren’t doing your job right.===
I couldn’t agree with this more. And also agree the statement make it unclear as to what exactly Decremer did. There has to be more “there” there, right?
- Soothsayer - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:47 am:
Steve Bannon was recently quoted mentioning the burgeoning anti-patriarchy movement that is sweeping the nation. I am not sure we have a more patriarchal figure in IL than MJM. MJM is supportive of women in many ways. Nonetheless, the way his office runs campaigns is patriarchal in and of itself and makes it difficult for women who wear multiple hats to conform to the program. I can not speak to Rep. Conroy’s harassment but I would not be surprised to learn that little respect was paid to the other commitments in her life. The time has come to evolve by many of our institutions, including the House Caucus.
- Anonymizing to speak freely - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:48 am:
hisgirlfriday- Kelly and Shah are still on the job right? As for the Nassar people, most if not all of them were alerted to him being a predator, some in the 90s, and they continually covered up. It doesn’t sound like there’s a cover up here.
m - your google search found someone who didn’t believe a rape accusation and dismissed it. Is that what happened here too?
Look, I get it. He fostered a culture that became entrenched and had some people get way too big for their britches, but he’s doing something about it. If he has to go, that’s fine. But don’t equate him with someone who covered up for sexual predators and rapists
- Rabid - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:55 am:
you got that good red dress going on could be harassment
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 9:56 am:
Ok Wordslinger I guess anyone who asks before giving a friendly hug to someone in the workplace is a sexual harasser? Is that the new standard?
If that was the case me that would certainly change the breadth of the me too movement exponentially. Are you accusing the Governor of sexual harassment or just jumping the shark?
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:10 am:
The real problem i have with Decreamer is that he paid the asking price for his $1.1 million home. Dude, never pay what they ask — where are your negotiating skills?
- Rabid - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:11 am:
madigan has strong armed my govenor for the last three years, needs a chiropractor for his dislocated shoulder
- Downstate - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:16 am:
Was Shaw Decremer really just a volunteer?
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:28 am:
LP, I’m pretty sure politicians not asking reporters for hugs from reporters is an old standard.
But please, expand on your thoughts on the subject.
- SSL - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:29 am:
I’m no Madigan fan but I think he’ll survive this storm. He’s taken action and he says the right things. Unless there is someone who accuses him directly it will all pass.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:30 am:
=== he paid the asking price for his $1.1 million home.===
Yes, well it’s a really nice place in a great neighborhood.
- low level - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:34 am:
So Madigan lived up to his word. A situation was brought to his attention and he dealt with it.
The far left & fat right’s criticism seems nonsensical. Both have agendas and are upset it has been resolved.
- Birdseed - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:39 am:
=== - low level - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:34 am:
Both have agendas and are upset it has been resolved. ===
You really think this situation has been resolved?
- A Jack - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:40 am:
Quinn asked someone to go out for a beer. Rauner asked someone for a hug. Which of the two actually requires bodily contact?
- Abraham Obama - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:42 am:
==the minimum price that Madigan will pay is giving up the state chairmanship==
Madigan will not give up the chairmanship. That would require him to give up control of the purse. He aint doing that. They will have to take it from him!
- Chicago Cynic - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:51 am:
“Ok Wordslinger I guess anyone who asks before giving a friendly hug to someone in the workplace is a sexual harasser? Is that the new standard?
LP, let me break it down for you since you seem a bit dense on this. Would the governor have asked a male reporter if he could give him a hug? Yea, didn’t think so. It was inappropriate and sexist. Does that help?
- Interested observer - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 10:53 am:
===Madigan will not give up the chairmanship. That would require him to give up control of the purse.===
That purse is only as fat as it is because Madigan the Speaker is chairman. Money flows there mainly because of who he is. Do you think there will be a huge receiving line if some lower level elected official or non elected was at the helm? He can easily leave this post and the money will just simply flow to other committees.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 11:03 am:
–Madigan will not give up the chairmanship. That would require him to give up control of the purse.–
He has other purses. Like QEII, with the purses.
- Appleseed - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 11:04 am:
==== Too Much To Handle ====
What a surprise we got a Madigan fanboy.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 11:21 am:
Hugging in the workplace now inappropriate and sexist and is defined as sexual harassment now? You might want to watch the Governor’s last speech in the General Assembly where 1/2 the chamber of both sexes could now accuse him and Diana and many others of this.
This is an obvious false equivalence and you are minimizing true sexual harassment by expanding the definition so much.
Rauner derangement symptom at its finest.
- ZC - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 11:26 am:
Withholding judgment until we see how many shoes drop.
- Too Much to Handle - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 11:36 am:
“==== Too Much To Handle ====
What a surprise we got a Madigan fanboy.”
I just think the calls to resign are absurd, and quite frankly unrealistic. People are salivating at his perceived weakness, and think it opens them up to obtain more influence in the party. At the end of the day, they are significantly overestimating the weakness of his position, politically.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:07 pm:
====He’s never done anything with the position when it comes to party building, anyway. A fresh face with post-Guttenberg communication skills would be welcomed by virtually all Dem officeholders, I imagine.
Please….maybe an actual web site and ways to get involved instead of nobody wants nobody sent.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:10 pm:
====That purse is only as fat as it is because Madigan the Speaker is chairman. Money flows there mainly because of who he is. Do you think there will be a huge receiving line if some lower level elected official or non elected was at the helm? He can easily leave this post and the money will just simply flow to other committees.
Yeah, how does any other state ever survive without Mike Madigan. I mean, no one can do anything as well as a guy who runs 1980s type of campaigns in the 2010s. Eventually he’ll retire or die. At that point there are going to be a lot of hacks without skills to run a modern campaign nor anyone who will still hire them.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:18 pm:
I wouldn’t hold my breath for that one.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
====“if the candidate and other staff don’t hate you by election day, you probably aren’t doing your job right” I strongly disagree with this, but my guess is Madigan & Co. would agree.
Exactly. Thinking that being a belligerent jerk is the way to get your staff to work is more than a little outdated. It tears teams apart. But if their management style stopped with the Mad Men era they may not realize that.
====The far left & fat right’s criticism seems nonsensical. Both have agendas and are upset it has been resolved.
One of those agendas is that women ought to be treated as professionals in the workplace. Has that been fixed?
- Soothsayer - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:20 pm:
1980’s style campaigns reinforce the status quo. Modern campaigns build the voting base and bring diversity into the party. A woman could run for State Rep without an overseer demanding she walk 12 hours a day. People like Decemer might become obsolete in such a system.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:20 pm:
====I wouldn’t hold my breath for that one.
I know, I’m a dreamer for 2006 technology.
- walker - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
“” It’s not sexual harassment per se”"
I will take her word for it. It is harassment though, and something to fix.
I’ve seen a lot of bullying in campaigns by paid staffers, of and by both genders, including at the presidential and congressional levels. I have had to intervene and correct some folks for doing it, even in other candidates’ campaigns. It is abusive, inappropriate, and destructive. Any candidate can put a stop to it, if they care enough and pay attention to what’s going on around them.
Is it especially prevalent in the political culture of Madiganworld? I honestly don’t know — but he’ll wear the coat for it.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:46 pm:
ok, so what was it? way past time with these incidents to say what happened, whether it is criminal under the state laws, or if a pattern of employment harassment (for example, hey, you were offered this assignment, we want you to turn it down so our guy can have it). I’m for smashing the patriarchy, but I want to do it with procedure and facts and law in mind.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 12:56 pm:
LP, I think you’re doing a terrific job defending the governor’s actions of asking female reporters for hugs.
How is it you’re not on the A-Team? Keep up the good work.
- BothSidesofHisMouth - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 2:41 pm:
Senior staffers used to try to make legislative intern candidates cry during the legislative hearing / inquisition-style interview process. It was jerky. But it was just the way it was. And it had nothing to do with gender or race. In fact, many times female staffers were the worst instigators/interrogators. I would love to see the bullying cut down on… but this is electoral politics too. I mean, it will never be puppy dogs and rainbows. You don’t get candidates to a win by telling them they can stop walking as soon as they get tired, everybody loves them and they don’t need to worry about raising money if it is too much stress.
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 3:36 pm:
Wow, change a could of words and it could be the defense of Uber or all sorts of other entities with start-up culture issues.
We got to be A–H— because that is what it takes is kind of a terrible defence.
- low level - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 5:57 pm:
=“You don’t get candidates to a win by telling them they can stop walking as soon as they get tired, everybody loves them…raising money” Both Sides of His Mouth
Indeed. And frequently they will stop doing such things despite your recommendations. Not sure how asking a candidate to do actions necessarily to win equals a lack of inclusion?
- much ado about? - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:46 pm:
We can all respect calling out bad behavior, but something tells me this is now morphing into creative ways to go after MJM. Many of the people calling for him to step down are people who constantly complain about him. Trying to understand why he should step down as Speaker for a couple arrogant and out of touch idiots who worked for him. Go ahead, punish the idiots, but check yourself before calling on someone 2 levels up to quit - are you doing it for other reasons separate from this situation?
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:51 pm:
====Not sure how asking a candidate to do actions necessarily to win equals a lack of inclusion?
Funny enough no one is suggesting such a thing is the source of the dispute. It’s been made up as the source of the dispute by those who seem to think everything is hunky dory.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 20, 18 @ 8:54 pm:
===It’s been made up as the source of the dispute by those who seem to think everything is hunky dory===
People often see what they want to see.