Speaker Madigan responds to Kifowit challenge
Thursday, Oct 1, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Background is here if you somehow need it. From a Madigan spokesperson…
I have spent my entire career supporting Democrats, regardless of differences in perspective within our party. We are at a critical juncture in our country, and all of us should be focused on coming together to defeat Donald Trump and repair the hate and division he has sown in our communities. We have a lot of work to do, and I’m focused on the November election and addressing the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the workers, families and people of Illinois.
- Flat Bed Ford - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:11 pm:
Not requesting she return the clock then?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:16 pm:
Savvy response that both ignores the person and the action you’ll read.
Didn’t even give her the “courtesy”… of *any* acknowledgement.
- Nagidam - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:17 pm:
Expected and not necessarily wrong response from the Speaker. Subtle shot to his challenger about timing without addressing her or her challenger. Doesn’t look good the Speaker has ducked the Investigative Committee and now a direct challenge to his power. Oh and adding in the Governor’s shot yesterday.
- Frank talks - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:28 pm:
Noted
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:30 pm:
You. Go. Lady.
- Rasselas - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
And here I expected him to threaten to pump a broth of Legionella into her water system so her loved ones can be infected and ultimately die.
Or this.
- Tsunami - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
Kifiowit is grade D candidate for Speaker. Very very light and just a little odd. She is however serving a very useful function by getting the Democratic House Caucus focused on the tremendous potential of getting behind a grade A candidate who replace Madigan as speaker.
- City Zen - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
==We are at a critical juncture in our country==
A challenge wouldn’t be prudent, at this juncture.
- Cool Papa Bell - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
Basically I wish her “the best”
- Powdered Whig - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:44 pm:
=== You. Go. Lady. ===
I know that you dislike the Speaker. I am just wondering what your vision is for a post MJM world and what does Kifowit bring to the table that moves this vision forward?
- bogey golfer - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 12:53 pm:
With credit to W.C. Fields “Go away kid, you’re botherin’ me.”
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
===Savvy response===
It ain’t just savvy, savvy is an understatement. Taken out of context he could be saying that about just about everything or in just about any setting.
He could be saying this at the start of a fund raiser, he could be saying this about someone in the Democratic caucus putting ketchup on a hotdog.
If he just randomly said this aloud he could just be reflecting on his time in public service after watching the debate.
If they came up with this on the spot, I want to take their classes on political communications.
- Hilarious - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:07 pm:
I think I would have said, “On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, thank you for thinking of yourself before the 20 plus Democratic members and candidates fighting for the right to represent their communities.”
- Joe - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:16 pm:
Didn’t Madigan install Kifowit into her seat with a million bucks? Now she is going to send him broth?
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:27 pm:
—I think I would have said, “On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, thank you for thinking of yourself before the 20 plus Democratic members and candidates fighting for the right to represent their communities.”—
Come across as whiny and MJM doesn’t do whiny. The subtlety is much more effective.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:32 pm:
Approve of what the Speaker says but it’s time to let go of power. The DPI is diverse today and needs that kind of representation in leadership, or a new leader without the baggage (especially the baggage).
I hope that in his unquenchable love of power Madigan is smart enough to not be stupid and do something indictable with ComEd or anyone.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:42 pm:
==And here I expected him to threaten to pump a broth of Legionella into her water system==
Or take away her and her family’s supply of Apples.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 1:52 pm:
It reminds me of the story of when Clarence Thomas was appointed to SCOTUS. When told of the appointment, Justice Thurgood Marshall turned to his wife and asked, “Have I ever heard of this man?”
- AD - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:23 pm:
===I think I would have said, “On behalf of the House Democratic Caucus, thank you for thinking of yourself before the 20 plus Democratic members and candidates fighting for the right to represent their communities.”===
Couldn’t every democratic legislator (or any democratic candidate in Illinois based on the Rodney Davis ads I’ve been receiving) ask MJM the exact same question?
- Bear Down - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
Kifowit is thought of as an abrasive oddity . . . . . . .she’s not the one.
- SandyC - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
That came across like he flicked a speck of dust off his shoulder…🤷♀️
- Back to the Future - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 3:42 pm:
“he flicked a speck of dust off his shoulder…” seems a little harsh in the current political environment.
I think it is safe to assume that any statewide preference poll that simply asked whether the voter preferred Rep. Kifowit or Michael Madigan to be Speaker of Illinois House of Representatives would show the current Speaker getting clobbered by the her.
Of course, I know voters only get to vote for Speaker through their elected Representatives. I also know a lot of Democratic leaders are asking the Speaker to step down and his old pal Gov. JB appears ready to throw him under the bus.
I am from a union family and Mike Madigan has been
the best friend labor families could ask for, but he is in some big trouble and now he has an opponent that can cause him to hit a big bump in the road.
She is going to be a lot harder to deal with than flicking a piece of dust off a shoulder.
- Forget Me Knott - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 3:52 pm:
It must be difficult for Kifowit today to see how little support she is receiving. I am sure her robust staff and organization prepared her. I am also sure that her dynamic personality will result in a flood of fundraising now. Get real.
- northsider (the original) - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 4:16 pm:
Not even “Noted”. Icy.
- Lincoln Lad - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 4:30 pm:
The Speaker chose Kifowit for her seat over a Naperville Township favorite. He ran and funded her campaign, though not without hurt feelings in the Naperville organization. Now this. Betrayal best served cold..
- Shytown - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 5:28 pm:
Not entirely surprised by those who are already taking jabs at Kifowit. That’s expected when you’re the first out of the gate, but let’s not besmirch her reputation. She doesn’t deserve that. Now that the gate is open, lets see who else that might walk through it who think more of themself.
- Hilarious - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 5:40 pm:
== Not entirely surprised by those who are already taking jabs at Kifowit. That’s expected when you’re the first out of the gate, but let’s not besmirch her reputation. She doesn’t deserve that. ==
Sounds like you’ve never worked with her.
- Bear3 - Thursday, Oct 1, 20 @ 5:41 pm:
The speaker is alway on tract and a man of the party. It is business and not personal. Speak and know what you do not know. She should have stayed in the service. Take the orders until you can give the orders and not before.
- Loop Lady - Friday, Oct 2, 20 @ 6:44 am:
Whig: Kifowit will never be Speaker…she is just part of the beginning of the end of Madigans reign. I’m not exactly sure what will happen in Springfield after he is gone, but it is time for him to ride into the sunset…