Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Breaking down this week’s comedy gold
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Breaking down this week’s comedy gold

Friday, May 7, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* If you didn’t watch it yesterday, I highly recommend taking a look at the hugely entertaining, crisply edited Mark Maxwell story on the House Democrats’ “secret” map room

It really should win some sort of award.

* Maxwell certainly knows how to sweeten a story. Here he is saying that in order to get from the Capitol Building to the Stratton’s secret map room, he had to walk through a tunnel. He could’ve just walked across the lawn and parking lot, but that wouldn’t have been nearly as dramatic as tunnel video

The knock at the end is priceless.

* Rep. Bob Morgan’s deer in the headlights reaction is hilarious

* Rep. Nick Smith gets the Vince Demuzio “Well, we’ll sit down and draw a very fair map” prize this year

“I don’t have the key, either.”

* And the call to the Speaker’s office was just perfect

Again, if you can, go watch the whole thing.

       

37 Comments
  1. - Just Me 2 - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:48 pm:

    What amazes me is how these legislators walked into such an obvious trap. Their priority is clearly participating in the corrupt process to draw this map, not on the bad PR they’re getting.

    I suppose that is because the corrupt mapmaking process renders the bad PR moot.


  2. - Oswego Willy - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:48 pm:

    It’s is so tasty and exceptional… like I said…

    The HRaunerites couldn’t have edited and packaged it better.

    Comedy gold… and the cast of characters… even better than Ashton Kucher’s “Punk’d”


  3. - CubsFan16 - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:48 pm:

    That was awesome. Big tip of the hat to Maxwell.


  4. - Bud's Bar Stool - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:49 pm:

    The responses from Reps. Morgan and Smith are a great study in communication contrast. Morgan tried to be evasive; he looks nervous and feeble. Smith (not the in the short clip that Miller posted but in the full vid) just calmly and candidly answered the questions. He acknowledged they’re looking at draft maps - and why not, it’s obvious. He looks cool and collected.


  5. - Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:52 pm:

    Maxwell sometimes does good work but more often than not he’s a schlockmeister like this. What a joke.


  6. - AD - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:58 pm:

    Not a great look for anyone in the video. I laughed at the tunnels part like Rich said, but then again I’m in the .001% of Illinoisans that know he could’ve walked outside. The stacked furniture, dark hallway, nervous legislators and door with no window could be something from the Daily Show though. You can’t make that stuff up.


  7. - 10th Ward - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 1:59 pm:

    @Bud’s Bar–100% spot on regarding Nick Smith


  8. - Donnie Elgin - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:08 pm:

    As Rod Stewart said “every picture tells a story, don’t it”, these unforced errors by the House Dems will make great campaign fodder


  9. - Publius - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:09 pm:

    If these guys were in Republican controlled states they would find the same room run by Republicans. I know we shouldn’t be doing it but does it really matter? Honestly I would go back to at large districts with nothing smaller than a county. However if you don’t modify the US Constitution it won’t get you anywhere.


  10. - One hand //ing - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:13 pm:

    Maybe next week Maxwell can walk into a Republican caucus meeting with a camera and see how committed to transparency they are.


  11. - Anyone Remember - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:14 pm:

    Wonder if Maxwell will continue to allow himself to be used by the GOP on this topic? The GOP wants to wait for census data so they have a chance at winning the draw from the hat.


  12. - Huh - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:16 pm:

    == Maybe next week Maxwell can walk into a Republican caucus meeting with a camera and see how committed to transparency they are.==

    Got video of House Republicans bragging about how committed they are to transparency in the caucus process? Go ahead and find it. I’ll wait.


  13. - Give Me A Break - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:18 pm:

    Next week Maxwell will “discover” a small room in the back of the Senate chamber with restricted access that goes by the code name “Antichamber” where secret plots about committee assignments are hatched and the Knights of the Mezzanine Level meet.


  14. - Carbondale Chronicle - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:18 pm:

    It will be interesting when news stories start appearing when members of the Republican Party in Texas are drawing their map behind behind close doors and the Texas Democrats cry how this isn’t a fair and transparent process. Both parties need to stop being hypocritical criticizing the process for the benefit of the immediate moment. Does it make for good television? Sure, but this is just another reason people don’t trust political leaders. Although it may not be popular, someone needs to stand-up and say, “To the victor, goes the spoils and that is how are county works.” Again, not popular, but it is better than the political theatrics that place another black eye on the system.


  15. - Just Me 2 - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:27 pm:

    One hand //ing - Big difference: the Republicans don’t say they’re have open caucus meetings. In this example, House Democrats claim they are using a transparent map making process.


  16. - NIU Grad - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:28 pm:

    It’s always fun to see which state reps are comfortable walking past a camera without comment and which ones just can’t help lingering by it.


  17. - Kittycakes - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:44 pm:

    =Got video of House Republicans bragging about how committed they are to transparency=

    lol. i bet you are fun at dinner parties.


  18. - Three Dimensional Checkers - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:47 pm:

    Pretty great. Rep. Rita sounded like he has trouble with the general concept of caring about anything. I thought he was the worst of them all.


  19. - 62468 - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:47 pm:

    This reminds me of Mark’s stakeout hit piece against the IPPFA at a conference they hosted several years ago. I’m still waiting for Mark’s stakeout, drive-by reporting hit piece on the Illinois Municipal League. Fingers crossed and popcorn at the ready…


  20. - ;) - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:51 pm:

    Amazing. Morgan, what an amateur. Still cracking up at him, what a fool. Mark, job well done.


  21. - JJJJJJJJJJ - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:53 pm:

    Someone correct me if I’m wrong, but I think most legislation is drafted behind a close door. Ya don’t see many legislators with a white board out in the rotunda.


  22. - Lefty Lefty - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:54 pm:

    I don’t get it. Are these the final maps? If not, what’s the problem? They have to start somewhere.

    Do Mr. Maxwell and the Republicans want them drawn in the sand on the beach in front of everyone? Whiteboard the possibilities?


  23. - Etown - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:58 pm:

    It really is a classic piece by Maxwell. Smith is a cool cat and he has the voice to back it up.

    No need to defend or criticize the process just enjoy the comedic value of this piece and leave it at tha6


  24. - Snarkie from Schaumburg - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 2:58 pm:

    If only there were cigar smoke wafting from behind the closed doors.


  25. - Responsa - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:02 pm:

    That’s a truly great video from Maxwell and a great thread here where the comments demonstrate why pols know they can get away with non-transparency while they pretend to be transparent.


  26. - Big Beef - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:02 pm:

    Could be that a grand jury from the federal court in Chicago just decided it would be nice and cut down on the travel time for these folks…


  27. - Chicago Cynic - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:04 pm:

    Someone has to get Maxwell on camera and ask him to make all his story drafts public and allow us to watch him in the editing process. It’s weird that I find myself defending the mapping process but this is kind of ridiculous.


  28. - Bigtwich - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:11 pm:

    I’m shocked, shocked to find that Legislative meetings are going on in the Stratton Building.


  29. - K3 - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:13 pm:

    That Bob Rita appearance, that’s where it’s at lol


  30. - One hand //ing - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:13 pm:

    === Big difference: the Republicans don’t say they’re have open caucus meetings ==

    Actually assuming they’re using the closed door caucus to privately discuss items affecting the public it’s no different at all from what Dems are doing.


  31. - Skeptic - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:14 pm:

    This reminds me a lot of what Arthur Dent had to go through to find the plans that called for the demolition of his house.


  32. - Dysfunction Junction - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:28 pm:

    Reminds me of Geraldo’s similar stunt in the basement of the Lexington Hotel circa 1986. It’s the archetype for segments like this.


  33. - Hahaha - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:33 pm:

    I’m not sure what is so hard to understand about this. The comparisons to Republicans in Red states doing the same thing (which doesn’t make it okay!) is fair except for one giant problem - those Republicans did not run for office supporting Fair Maps. Dozens of these Democrat legislators, including Pritzker and Welch, have made support for Fair Maps a central plank of their candidacies. And now they have all gotten collective amnesia. It’s a truly laughable amount of chutzpah. That’s why the media - including this great story - is so easily exposing them.


  34. - Huh? - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 3:50 pm:

    The doppelganger 2:16 pm struck again.


  35. - Blue Girl in Red County - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 4:01 pm:

    - JJJJJJJJJJ I agree. I am currently working on legislation that has gone through more drafts than I care to count. I don’t think the public wants to sit through revising, proofreading, and fixing typos.


  36. - Been There - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 4:11 pm:

    ==== Smith (not the in the short clip that Miller posted but in the full vid) just calmly and candidly answered the questions. He acknowledged they’re looking at draft maps - and why not, it’s obvious. He looks cool and collected.====

    Also possibly the funniest and one of the smartest legislators down there.


  37. - Curious citizen - Friday, May 7, 21 @ 4:24 pm:

    I have amnesia too. I don’t remember any Democrat who ran in 2018 or 2020 with “transparent redistricting” as their central issue. I remember Pritzker pushing legal weed in 2018.
    (Yes, I know that in response to a question he pledged to veto a politically-drawn map but it was not a central plank of his candidacy.)


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Update to today’s edition
* Uber’s Local Partnership = Stress-Free Travel For Paratransit Riders
* IEA releases member poll, with eye on major pension upgrade
* Finally, a CTU fiscal proposal that doesn't involve magic beans
* Go read the rest
* As lawsuits and strike threats fly, Pritzker calls on Stellantis to live up to its commitments on Belvidere plant
* Today's quotable: George McCaskey
* Buried nugget and magic beans
* Open thread
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Supplement to today’s edition and some campaign stuff
* SUBSCRIBERS ONLY - Today's edition of Capitol Fax (use all CAPS in password)
* Live coverage
* Selected press releases (Live updates)
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
October 2024
September 2024
August 2024
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller