* I told subscribers about this earlier today. From Rep. Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego)…
Based on my values, I was compelled on July 30th of this year to write a letter to Speaker Madigan stating that the right thing for him to do is to step down as Speaker for compromising the integrity of the office and undermining the public trust. The response from Michael Madigan was to double down and has remained that way. It is clear to me that he doesn’t hold the same values that I do and falls short of what the public expects from an elected official. Therefore, I am announcing today that I intend to seek the democratic nomination for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 102nd General Assembly.
The announcement will be at 10 this morning at the Hotel Allegro in Chicago.
*** UPDATE 1 *** You can watch a livestream of Kifowit’s media event by clicking here.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The video conked out. From her press release…
State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-84th) announced today that she is seeking the democratic nomination for Speaker of Illinois House of Representatives.
“Based on my values, I was compelled on July 30th of this year to write a letter to Speaker Madigan stating that the right thing for him to do is to step down as Speaker for compromising the integrity of the office and undermining the public trust. The response from Michael Madigan was to double down and has remained. It is clear to me that he doesn’t hold the same values that I do and falls short of what the public expects from an elected official. Therefore, I am announcing today that I intend to seek the democratic nomination for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 102nd General Assembly,” Kifowit said in her morning press conference.
“I feel that Michael Madigan’s involvement as “Public Official A” in the recent FBI documents is clear he has compromised the integrity of the Office of the Speaker of the House and undermined the public trust. As each day passes, the people of Illinois have put up with this corruption and manipulation for far too long. Every day we are seeing more and more disrespect and self-serving actions by Michael Madigan and it is my feeling that there is more to come in the upcoming days and weeks,” Kifowit continued.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Here’s the video…
*** UPDATE 4 *** ILGOP…
Every election cycle comes with it a time honored right-of-passage for Illinois House Democratic candidates in hotly contested races: the first time a reporter asks them if they will be supporting Michael Madigan for Speaker. Now, you can imagine the difficult place this puts these candidates in. On one hand, Madigan is a corrupt machine politician who has overseen the complete financial destruction of a once great state. On the other hand, he showers them with millions of dollars to get elected.
What is an ambitious politician to do?
Well, with almost no exceptions, House Democratic candidates of past and present have chosen to take Madigan’s money and either keep their mouths shut or chalk their decision on a vote for Speaker up to a lack of choices in which they are forced to vote for Madigan over a Republican.
In the tight contest between incumbent Republican State Representative Grant Wherli and his opponent Janet Yang Rohr, Rhohr refused to even talk about Madigan.
From the Daily Herald…
“[Yang Rohr] is especially awkward when trying to square her claims to value ethics reform with her unwillingness to take a position on Madigan’s speakership.”
Yang Rohr, unsurprisingly, is up to nearly $340,000 in Madigan money flowing to her campaign account with more than a month to go in the election.
Other Democrat candidates in the past have said they will vote for a Democrat over a Republican regardless of who it is, or like current swing-district State Rep. Katie Stuart, have been confused by such a difficult “hypothetical”.
From the News-Gazette…
“Asked if she intended to vote to re-elect House Speaker Michael Madigan, Stuart pretended to be flummoxed by the question.
‘I don’t know what the options will be,’ Stuart said. ‘You’re asking me a hypothetical question just like I wouldn’t tell you how I would vote on any piece of legislation until I actually read the legislation.’
[…]
That’s why they evade questions on the subject with superficial, glib responses like, “I can’t say whom I’m supporting because I don’t know who’s going to be running for speaker.”
That’s the talking point Democratic public-relations advisers tell House members to give if they’re questioned by reporters or voters. It’s shamefully false, but in politician-world, any answer that avoids an unpleasant subject is worth giving.
We aim to help Rep. Stuart (beneficiary of over $1.3 million in Madigan money) and any other confused House Democrats with the choices they have before them. With Kifowit’s announcement this morning, the choices, in no particular order, are:
DEMOCRAT 1. State Representative Stephanie Kifowit
2. Current Speaker of the House Michael J. Madigan
3. Minority Leader Jim Durkin
That’s it! Now that the choices are clear, every House Democrat candidate should be made to go on the record and answer the very simple question of who they would support for Speaker of the House.
“House Democrat candidates have been playing games with voters for years. They’ve ducked and dodged ‘The Madigan Question’ at every turn because when Madigan money means you get to outspend your opponent 5 to 1, the answer doesn’t matter. The time for games is over. A favorite excuse is gone. They have a choice. House Democrats can be complicit in Madigan’s corrupt ways destroying Illinois and their party, or they can turn the page and vote for the other Democrat running.” - ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider
- NIU Grad - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:12 am:
This eliminates the ability for Democratic lawmakers to lamely say “I’ll vote for the Democrat running for Speaker” to justify their Madigan vote.
However, Rep. Kifowit is about to get a mountain of oppo research thrown at her.
- Powdered Whig - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:17 am:
You know what is not a good start to your bid as Speaker? Putting candidates in hot suburban races in a jackpot by making them address the issue in their campaigns. Bad politics by Kifowit. And if she thinks she has a chance to be Speaker, I want to know what dispensary she frequents because that stuff must be extremely potent.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:17 am:
Nothing… happens in Illinois, until Oswego has her say.
Maybe? No.
To the post,
If Kifowit can get some to rally around her, then the Demmer-Durkin theatre looks more partisan and less about governing,
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:18 am:
My tinfoil hat says we’ll have a new Speaker come next GA. Rep. Kifowit will not be it.
- frustrated GOP - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:18 am:
May the odds be ever in your favor.
- Hilarious - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:22 am:
Kifowit has neither the temperament nor intellect to be speaker. She does what’s best for her and no one else. She’d make a great minority leader.
- Nagidam - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:22 am:
This is a big deal. The next crack in Speaker Madigan’s armor. Does she have a chance to win? No I do not think she does and most of those reasons are not about her and are out of her control. But she has laid the groundwork for others to follow, and that folks is leadership.
- Graybeard - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:24 am:
I could see Durkin throwing some votes her way to put her over the top.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:27 am:
Also, it’s a numbers game.
Kifowit finding 60, today, is equal to me starting at 2nd base at Wrigley this afternoon. That “equal”
But, here we are.
- OneMan - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:28 am:
Considering all of the perks Madigan’s district seems to get for him being speaker (including ComEd internships!) I am 4 square behind this.
The first person to announce for this sort of thing never wins however…
- Nagidam - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:29 am:
Reporter: Who are you going to support for Speaker should you get elected? Rep. Kifowit of Speaker Madigan?
HDEM Candidate: I…um…well…ah…lets see here
Man this is going to be interesting is she pulls the trigger. Every union head and trial lawyer in the state is trying to talk her out of this ahead of the election.
- Colin O'Scopy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:31 am:
=I could see Durkin throwing some votes her way to put her over the top.=
Seeing how the House Rs will have something like 40 votes in the next GA, Kifowit will have approximately 45 votes for Speaker if you add the Rs and the few Ds that have spoken out against the Speaker.
- Colin O'Scopy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:33 am:
=To the post,
If Kifowit can get some to rally around her, then the Demmer-Durkin theatre looks more partisan and less about governing=
OW, can you expand on this thought, please? I don’t follow your logic. With apologies.
- The Ford Lawyer - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:34 am:
Huh. Maybe her going first is the excuse somebody else needs to their their hat in the ring.
- Gravy Bond - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:34 am:
For children all things are a “game.” Thank you Kifowit for showing leadership.
- Moonraker - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:35 am:
Being a Marine doesn’t qualify you to be Speaker or a caucus leader. Where’s the fundraising? Where are the folks on the ground? Where is the substantive legislation carried?
If it’s not MJM come January, it won’t be Kifowit.
And study up on the coalition legislatures in other states, nothing gets gone. If you thought the Rauner years were dysfunctional, you ain’t seen nothing yet.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:38 am:
===If Kifowit can get some to rally around her, then the Demmer-Durkin theatre looks more partisan and less about governing===
I think - Nagidam - goes that step you’re looking for from me;
===Every union head and trial lawyer in the state is trying to talk her out of this ahead of the election.===
To get even 3 or 4 to say they could/would support Kifowit, in this campaign season, with that heat, that’s 3-4 also going beyond the worry of partisanship, that Demmer and Durkin want the theatre framed.
What, they couldn’t get Kifowit to join them, Kifowit is literally taking Madigan on, and in his role as Speaker too.
- Moe Berg - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:45 am:
This isn’t some genius move that puts House Dem candidates in a trick box. If anything, it helps them.
“I know Rep. Kifotwit, respect her, and will consider her and any others who may step forward to stand for speaker.”
Sounds very reasonable and open-minded.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:49 am:
Not sure if Representative Kifowit will get the votes she needs to win outright but she along with the reps in her camp could be critical to one who has a larger base. Very likely the only one that could beat MJM is a representative from the Minority caucus.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:51 am:
Good for her. It’s time for a change, even without ComEd. Leadership should reflect the party of 2020, not 1974 and the Chicago Machine, in terms of women and POC leadership. But does she have the chops? Can she raise money and intimidat—I mean convince—party members, etc?
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:52 am:
thank you for stepping forward, Rep. Kifowit!
if other house dems don’t like her as the madigan alternative then they can throw their hats in too. regardless it is time for MJM to go.
my gut is that things get a lot messier for illinois dems if/when they no longer have the Trump factor to unify and mobilize Dems.
- Nagidam - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:52 am:
Moe Burg:
===This isn’t some genius move that puts House Dem candidates in a trick box. If anything, it helps them.
“I know Rep. Kifotwit, respect her, and will consider her and any others who may step forward to stand for speaker.”===
I do not think this helps them. Every Democratic candidate will ask if they support the Veteran or the guy named in the criminal conviction of ComEd. I believe this is about what happens between now and the election. HGOP may not have the cash to make a play on this if she pulls the trigger but the earned media potential is through the roof.
- Powdered Whig - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:55 am:
=== This isn’t some genius move that puts House Dem candidates in a trick box. If anything, it helps them…
Sounds very reasonable and open-minded ===
If you believe that, then you must not spend much time talking to voters in these suburban districts.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 9:57 am:
Q: Every Democratic candidate will be asked if they support . . .
A: Not all potential candidates have announced yet. It’s premature to commit and I pledge to consider her and any others who may step forward to stand for speaker. I am very concerned about the Com Ed allegations and need to know more before I make a final decision.
Next question, please.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:01 am:
This won’t flip a single competitive House seat
- Hamlet’s Ghost - has the pat answer.
- low level - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:01 am:
The relationship w her staffers will be interesting
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:02 am:
=== Very likely the only one that could beat MJM is a representative from the Minority caucus.===
15+ Dems won’t give the gavel to Durkin.
Nope.
- ILPundit - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:06 am:
The hour of 10:00 having come and gone without a press conference starting….the honorable Rep. Kifowit confirms that, like every other legislator, she lacks the ability to be on time for anything.
- Tsunami - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:08 am:
If Greg Harris runs he wins speaker in a landslide. Experience, Intelligence, Diplomatic, Inclusive and a truly wonderful person. The historic nature of his selection would serve as another reminder of how far we have come as a society.
- Wondering - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:09 am:
What would make Kifowit a good Speaker and leader of 70 plus Democrats? She doesn’t appear to be well respected by her colleagues, and she’s definitely not on anyone’s top 10 list to be the next Speaker. I would think Harris, Hoffman, Welch, and others would have a lot to say about that at some point.
- Ok - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:11 am:
I think Speaker Welch might have something to say about this.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:12 am:
===I think Speaker Welch===
Would you stop with that, please?
- Nagidam - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:14 am:
===This won’t flip a single competitive House seat
- Hamlet’s Ghost - has the pat answer.===
You maybe right and we will find out in the next month. But this is indeed an unforced error if she pulls the trigger.
- Pundent - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:15 am:
=What, they couldn’t get Kifowit to join them, Kifowit is literally taking Madigan on, and in his role as Speaker too.=
Because it’s not really about the speaker. That seems clear. What Durkin, Demmer, and others are doing is using “Madigan” as a proxy for “Democrat.” If they were truly interested in having the speaker step down they would have joined forces with other like-minded Democrats who have called for it. That is after all how you build consensus. But at the end of the day simply replacing Madigan doesn’t change anything for the ILGOP. They still have the Eastern Bloc and Darren Bailey as their standard bearer. Durkin knows this. The committee hearing is nothing more than an attempt to translate Madigan’s lack of popularity to the Democratic party as a whole. It hasn’t worked in the past and it won’t work this time around either.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:16 am:
===But this is indeed an unforced error===
That I concur, to the politics of timing.
Yep.
- Subway Train - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:18 am:
Good luck. But unless Madigan is indicted there’s no way this will work. The 60 votes aren’t there.
- walker - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:18 am:
“”Maybe her going first is the excuse somebody else needs to their their hat in the ring”"
Yep. The hole in the dike. Probably not her intention, though.
- Inverted Pyramid - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:20 am:
99th General Assembly
Senate Bill 2814
The Future Energy Jobs Act
Representative Kifowit: Yea
And as a side note, Representative McSweeney: yea.
- Eire17 - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:21 am:
To low level I would say her staffers will look like Bill Murray tip toeing away from the Bishop after the Bishop was struck by lightening.
- Dupage progressive - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:22 am:
is the headline “Failure to Launch”??
- Moe Berg - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:23 am:
=== If you believe that, then you must not spend much time talking to voters in these suburban districts. ===
And, you must not have much experience with how candidates and campaign staff actually respond to voters’ questions.
But, do keep the faith that anti-Madigan in a year when Trump is the dominant question, the election is nationalized and Dem early vote is surging is the sure ticket to beating Dems or dislodging Madigan as speaker. We’ll know soon enough.
- Someone you Should Know - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Michael J. Madigan and the Internet Service Providers he controls. Obviously
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:26 am:
Not sure about the odds, but I do know you should never underestimate what a Marine can accomplish.
- DoubleDown - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:28 am:
Kifowit is not a leader. I question the respect (if any) she has earned from her colleagues and staff. What a joke.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:28 am:
Any democrat will be better than Madigan. But I’m firmly in the Guzzardi camp if he announces for Speaker.
- Fav human - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:31 am:
I think there’s a lot of house D members who would be happy to oust madigan.
And as far as madigan being too powerful well, I just wonder how many back channel discussions and calls are happening right about now…
- walker - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:32 am:
Side note:
As soon as Kifowit called some House members to discuss this move, many turned around and immediately notified Rich Miller. That’s the central position he’s responsibly earned, and why this site is invaluable.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:35 am:
= Where’s the fundraising? Where are the folks on the ground? Where is the substantive legislation carried?=
Those efforts evolve and they come with a price to pay. A new leader will use persuasion, loyalty, and legislative influence to build them up over time, then inevitably if left in power long enough an old bill like MJM eventually sees them as easy tatgets for corrupt purposes.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:38 am:
Frumpy here, respectfully asking Speaker Madigan to please retire.
- Willie - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:39 am:
What box does she check? Can she raise money? Can she recruit candidates? Can she organize campaigns? Can she get organized labor and trial lawyers in her corner? Has she drawn a map? Can she get to 60? None of the above.
- Not again - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:39 am:
Don’t know if you can recover after how unprofessional and unprepared that presser was when you are courting a group of people with huge egos that hate to be embarrassed.
- Powdered Whig - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:41 am:
=== I think there’s a lot of house D members who would be happy to oust madigan. ===
Be careful what you wish for. The House GOP must be licking its chops.
- Disgruntled IL Democrat - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:42 am:
Anyone but Madigan.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:45 am:
Great news, hopefully it’ll encourage others to throw their hat in the ring. If nothing else, it finally gives dems outside the city an option to actually answer the question when they get asked whether they’ll support Madigan for speaker. JB ought to get asked about this soon, I sure hope he has a good answer ready. If he flubs it, or spends ten minutes hemming and hawing without giving a straight answer, he’s never going to live it down. A lot of downstate dems are depending on JB getting on the right side of this
- A Guy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:45 am:
A Migraine in search of hosting opportunities. Ugh.
- Donnie Elgin - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:53 am:
Her values - Honor, trust, integrity, and service above self. MJM offers us the velvet hammer.
- Nummy yummy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:59 am:
None of the networks showed up for her press conference.
- Moe Berg - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:00 am:
She announces for speaker with no other House members supporting her?
That alone is disqualifying in terms of ability to organize or run a caucus.
- Failing NYT - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:01 am:
I just find it funny that Kifowit literally takes a walk anytime anything ‘controversial’ comes up on the board, yet she wants to lead the caucus in the age of Trump? Where was Kifowit on the minimum wage, many of the gun safety bills, certain immigration bills, etc.
- Rutro - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:06 am:
I’m not voting for my D rep unless she comes out against Madigan for speaker, and I don’t know a thing about Kifowit, but this is a positive step.
- Amalia - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:13 am:
lol that Greg Harris would be historic, as if a woman would not be historic. this probably helps her in her own election, and if I were running I would answer, well, the Dems have a choice for Speaker and may have more so I will be able to choose when all the candidates present themselves.
- John Lee Pettimore - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:14 am:
Laughing so hard it’s crying emoji
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:16 am:
=== I’m not voting for my D rep unless …===
So you’ll vote for a person who supports Trump instead?
“Ok”
- Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:22 am:
She’s ex-military, but in that video, the America Flag is on the wrong side of the room. Any veteran would point that out.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:22 am:
It took some stones to announce that, I’ll give you that.
Organization is key. What does your organization look like?
Do you have the team to get people elected? Can you raise dollars for those races? How many folks do you have available to gather petitions? How many staff for each race? Who is doing mail? Who is your video person? Who runs the social media strategy? Lots and lots of things to consider. Day to day in Springfield is a small part of it.
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:23 am:
Already seeing some sexist comments about her candidacy. By default, she will already be better than Madigan.
- Bigtwich - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:24 am:
I trouble believing that the revolution starts at the Hotel Allegro.
- Chicagonk - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:27 am:
@OW - Do you support Madigan for speaker? Who do you want to be speaker?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:34 am:
=== Do you support Madigan for speaker?===
Since I said since July 18th Madigan should resign, I’d hope that stance is self-explanatory. (No) …
===Who do you want to be speaker?===
I will not be seated in the next General Assembly, so my opinion is as good as that. It’ll be up to the majority caucus to find their Speaker, Madigan or another.
Also…
Not a soul I can think of would want me to say who’d I think, as it would torpedo that poor soul. I’m “Mush”, a bad omen.
There are “more than a few”, not more than “many”, that I can see doing an incredible job, and I wish whomever the next Speaker is… success. Illinois needs good things happening, wishing ill to the next Speaker is fatally flawed to helping Illinois.
Appreciate the ask, wish the Dems (unless Durkin gets 16 seats) the best in this.
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:36 am:
Feeling like I had a different view of her talk than most contributors.
I actually thought she did a very good job at highlighting her strengths as a candidate and concerns many people have about House leadership.
Living in the here and now, the difference between Rep. Harris and the other people that have been mentioned is that Rep. Kifowit has “stood up” while the others have “stood down”.
If my counting is correct, not one Democratic State Representative has come out publicly to endorse Speaker Madigan for another term and several Democratic leaders have suggested he step down.
No doubt the Speaker has done a lot of good things during his service to the people of Illinois. It is hard to believe anyone has put in as much time or will ever put in that much time in the public eye as the Speaker has. Respectfully, maybe it is time for a deserved victory lap.
- Helm - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:38 am:
Questions to be asked by other members of the caucus for anyone thinking about being Speaker
How much money do you have to help fund my race in the event I get a challenger ?
How many “volunteers” do you have to send into precincts to work competitive races ?
Do you have legal staff who (at no cost to me) will prepare my petitions, review my petitions for legality and challenge the petitions of my challengers and provide the volunteers to do such challenges ?
Where is organized labor ?
This is before you even get to tech review of legislation; balancing factions within the Dem caucus; having the experience to know which targets to put on and off bills, etc.
Have actual answers to the above questions and then maybe, maybe you can be considered as the next Speaker.
Until then, they are all show-horses and not workhorses. As distasteful as the Speaker may be, he is a workhorse and has answers to all of the above questions.
- Eloy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:44 am:
the symbolism of standing up there alone says a lot. Its a rorschach test in terms of what you take away from it.
- SAP - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:48 am:
==She’s ex-military, but in that video, the America Flag is on the wrong side of the room. Any veteran would point that out.==
Good catch.
- Just Me 2 - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:48 am:
A bit of history: Lee Daniels was brought down by a scandal, but only after his Deputy challenged him. The fact that his Deputy was the one taking him out brought legitimacy to the attempt.
Daniels announced he wasn’t going to run for Leader again in the middle of the campaign season, and tried to rally the troops around his other Deputy.
The House Republican Campaign was fractured with members, candidates, and donors declaring sides (or trying to play both). It was a very unpleasant experience for all.
- High Socks - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:50 am:
There may come a day, in the near future even, where House Dems assess the cost benefit of MJM and decide they need to choose a new leader. This ain’t that day and Kifowit ain’t that leader.
- Frumpy White Guy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:57 am:
Step one, Several members call on MJM to resign. Done. Step two, Candidate announces a run for speaker. Done. Step three, JB lends his support for a challenger and provides cover and resources for members who seek liberation from MJM’s rule and retribution. To be determined.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 11:58 am:
==the symbolism of standing up there alone says a lot. Its a rorschach test in terms of what you take away from it.==
lol judging from most of the posts above, the takeaway is “I’d better get to Capfax and trash Kofowit/support Madigan like my job depends on it”
- A Guy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:08 pm:
She did take questions from all the reporter…there.
- High Socks - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:22 pm:
- low level - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 10:01 am:
The relationship w her staffers will be interesting
DING. DING. DING.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
She has a lot of guts, and I echo what his girl Friday said…
To quote John Mellencamp: “The walls keep tumbling down“…
- Anon - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:44 pm:
So, the GOP think Kifowit is a real choice for Speaker? Maybe I am recalling incorrectly, but didn’t they want Kifowit reprimanded for her floor threat to Breen and his family?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:12 pm:
===“House Democrat candidates…”===
And Raunerites… words like that are *exactly* why you fail, have ZERO statewide offices, no US Senators, and at most after this remap… 4 of 17… Congressional seats.
Raunerites, like Tim Schneider, who supports a racist president who won’t condemn white supremacy…
Sit down, Tim Schneider, haven’t you done enough damage to the Illinois political process supporting Donald Trump?
Haven’t you done enough, Tim Schneider, imploding a party in this state for Bruce and Diana Rauner?
Haven’t you done enough, Tim Schneider, dividing Illinois?
- AD - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:33 pm:
=== What box does she check? Can she raise money? Can she recruit candidates? Can she organize campaigns? Can she get organized labor and trial lawyers in her corner? Has she drawn a map? Can she get to 60? None of the above.===
And this is what’s wrong with politics. All these questions are about benefiting the party and self. Not one question about good government. The job of Speaker is big enough, leave those questions to the Head of the Democratic party which should be a separate person.
- JB13 - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
– “I feel that Michael Madigan’s involvement as “Public Official A” in the recent FBI documents is clear he has compromised the integrity of the Office of the Speaker of the House and undermined the public trust. As each day passes, the people of Illinois have put up with this corruption and manipulation for far too long. Every day we are seeing more and more disrespect and self-serving actions by Michael Madigan and it is my feeling that there is more to come in the upcoming days and weeks.”
This is what every politician in Illinois knows is indisputably true, but is too afraid to say out loud, lest they lose money or influence or- horror! - give Republicans a handhold.
Country over party (unless, you know, you or your party might get hurt, then, whatever, we’ll sort it out later.)
- anon - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:50 pm:
the flags at her press conference are placed improperly. when facing the flags, the US flag should always be to the viewer’s left. if you’re going to talk up your military background at least get the flag etiquette right.
- anon - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:51 pm:
“When flags are displayed in a row, the U.S. flag goes to the observer’s left. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. State and local flags are traditionally flown lower.”
https://www.military.com/flag-day/flag-ettiquette-dos-and-donts.html
- Eloy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:06 pm:
“And this is what’s wrong with politics. All these questions are about benefiting the party and self. Not one question about good government. The job of Speaker is big enough, leave those questions to the Head of the Democratic party which should be a separate person.”
AD - that’s about as pollyanna’ish a sentiment as it gets. You can be against MJM and understand the job of a caucus leader.
- SAP - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:09 pm:
Unless Kifowit has an arrangement with the Governor or some other deep pocket-type to bankroll her plucky band of rebels yearning to shed the yoke of allegiance to Michael J. Madigan and breathe free, rolling this announcement out today, rather than 35 days from now, is the very definition of epic blunder.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:18 pm:
Somewhere in Macoupin County Sam McCann is smiling and laughing.
IIRC he said during the governor’s debate two years ago, in reply to Rauner, that he was “here to take out” both him and Madigan.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:25 pm:
===… and Madigan.===
Sam McCann isn’t part of anything with Madigan or taking MJM out.
It’s like Rauner smiling about MJM.
Rauner got so humiliated, Bruce left the state with the worst loss of an incumbent “Republican” governor in 100 years.
Kifowit’s strategy here is a head scratcher.
An announcement like Kifowit made usually is made with a show of strength and/or position of leverage. I’m not seeing either.
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:58 pm:
== AD - that’s about as pollyanna’ish a sentiment as it gets. ==
In AD’s defense, that argument is no more “pollyanna’ish” than the multiple assertions today that Kifowit is unqualified because some assistant put the flag on the wrong side of her podium.
- Eloy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 3:43 pm:
touche, @mustache.
- Betsy Ross - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 3:44 pm:
The flags are displayed incorrectly
- Quenton Cassidy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 3:57 pm:
I can’t believe it took as many comments as it did for someone to mention the President, even though this is a post about the State of Illinois’ House of Representatives.
Kifowit’s candidacy will likely not flip any House races; believe it or not, people in Voterland tend to worry more about their family, jobs, the kids’ schools, etc than the issue of who a candidate will support for Speaker.
Having said that, good for Kifowit. The Speaker needs to be challenged, and most Democrats support that view. The next couple of weeks will be critical to see if she can gain any traction.
- Right Field - Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 1:57 pm:
“Speaker Kifowit” is only slightly more plausible than “Speaker Stava Murray”