8 Comments - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 9:27 am: Part of the problem Madigan brought on himself, as far as his political image. He could have been out there defending the votes he took on revenue, pensions, budgets, SSM, MMJ, workers comp, etc. He had to compare himself with Bruce Rauner and Republicans. It’s about relativity, and Madigan should have seized this and fiercely fought back. The state was on a better path before Rauner, with the bill backlog being reduced, pensions being paid, social services in much better shape—but still, we have to improve much more. But not Madigan, the behind the scenes guy. He lets others define him. He has the best of luck by having Rauner as an adversary, someone much worse than him, per capita. Madigan should be fighting back, but that’s not his style. - Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 10:19 am: If I’m Madigan, I just don’t show up today at all. Not at the county chairman’s brunch, not at the state fair rally. I doubt his ego would allow him to do that, but it’s something every dem would likely prefer happen. - wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 10:40 am: Real “Happy Warrior,” that Madigan, so charismatic and inspirational. No wonder the ILDEMS put him as the face of the state party. - Lurker - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 11:04 am: I do not mean this question as snark but I am not a democrat and I do not have many democratic friends but there seem to be many die-hards on this site so you may be the best to honestly answer this: Do democrats actually see Mike Madigan as a negative to the State or are they just worried about his image because of Rauner’s portrayal of him? I am a bit surprised that some will not proudly stand by the man I think is the most powerful man in Illinois. - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 11:20 am: “Do democrats actually see Mike Madigan as a negative to the State” He is a great negative, no doubt, but I think part of that is his doing, by not defending himself against those who accuse him of terrible things but are worse, like Bruce Rauner. Madigan constantly lets his opponents define him. That’s not what I expect from a leader. - Lurker - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 11:43 am: Thanks gom. I only met him once and I was happy to get my picture with him. Even though I have never been a fan of his policies and how he uses his influence, I always respected his accomplishments. And it seemed over the years many were happy to grab his coattails and hold on tight as it can move you up fast. So I am surprised it has gotten so far as all Democrats want to publicly distance themselves (literally and figuratively). - HIghland Il - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:37 pm: Madigan should start chasing GOP candidates for a picture with him. /s - Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:48 pm: If the GOP had any Young Turks with energy and creativity, they would have a few life-size cardboard cutout Madigans on hand ready to stand around here and there. Back in the day, we took cardboard cutout Reagan to the beer tents, Grandstand, everywhere. The Gipper was in bad shape by the end of the Fair. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.