Today’s quotable
Wednesday, Aug 14, 2024 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Speaker Chris Welch to Politico…
“I do believe 78 is great, but that we can pick up more” in November, he said, referring to the 78 Democrats in the House. “We’re seeing districts in play that were not in play before. We’re seeing anywhere from four to six districts that are currently held by Republicans” that could pivot to Democrats in November, he said.
- TJ - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:24 am:
The only thing better than a supermajority is a bigger supermajority.
And sorry, but absolutely clown-pounding this version of the GOP until they realize the need to moderate back to sanity is the only way to actually force them to do so, otherwise they’re going to keep doubling down on nonsense at best and treason at worst.
- Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:31 am:
“moderate back to sanity”
Sorry, that train pulled out of the station in 2016 and the rails bringing it back have long since been removed.
Those believing there can be a return to Thompson and Edgar are simply whistling past the graveyard.
Don’t know what the next big political party will be in this state, but it won’t be the GOP.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:35 am:
“but that we can pick up more”
This is what happens when Republicans are led by MAGA/Uihlein or IPI/Griffin. Throw in the “Awake Illinois” types and electoral disaster is complete.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:38 am:
Dem to gop - you’ve had your say, now go away.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:41 am:
Agree with TJ. I wish we had a 2-party system in this state. But until we get a second party that is capable of responsible government, what’s left of the GOP needs repeated, escalating defeats.
- MOE - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:42 am:
Curious what districts the Speaker feels are in play??
- Oldtimer - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 10:57 am:
Would it be better for the Speaker to have 80+ seats and a minority party of almost all downstate conservatives or a few less seats and a few more Republicans open to compromises?
I’m sure he’s not targeting any Freedom Caucus members.
- James - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:02 am:
Until you can win back Latoya Greenwood’s District I would be highly skeptical of the Speaker’s statement.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:03 am:
With a super majority already in place, it’s the prime opportunity for Democrats to show the perfect prescription for delivering a level of taxation, safety, economic prosperity, and education in a way that keeps people from fleeing the state.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:03 am:
“Republicans open to compromises”
That is an oxymoron.
- Mason County - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:03 am:
Increasingly a one party state. Not good for a democracy. Best when there is a check and balance with neither party having solid control.
- Mason County - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:05 am:
The GOP in this state has dug its own grave on multiple fronts. They are totally leaderless and without a plan.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:11 am:
It’s good to be the (legislative) King. Yes, but caution is in order to prevent the hubris of a ridiculous supermajority leading to crazy legislation and actions that can create a backlash.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:22 am:
===that train pulled out of the station===
Yep
===Best when there is a check and balance===
The check and balance is in elections. If you do not the powers that be, primary them or create a new party. It is not like being a member of a single party means they all think and vote alike.
- Felix - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:25 am:
No doubt the House Dems are poised to pick up a couple of seats. Not sure that’s such a good thing. Seems like the caucus is already too big to manage.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:25 am:
The Speaker is dreaming. With Trump at the head of the ticket all the collar counties will be Republican and the women will be out in droves to pull him over the top. The Democrats will go down in flames. Boy it is really early to be this drunk. As was said there is no Republican Party I hope when Trump loses it doesn’t fall to Abbot or Cruz to carry on
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:32 am:
==that keeps people from fleeing the state.==
This commercial brought to you by the Illinois Policy Institute.
- Six Degrees of Separation - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:34 am:
===Don’t know what the next big political party will be in this state, but it won’t be the GOP.===
For now, the different factions within the dominant party will have to make do for “competition”.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:35 am:
=and education in a way that keeps people from fleeing the state.=
Education is delivering in Illinois. Bigly. Maybe work on parents.
People are not “fleeing” Illinois. Maybe you didn’t get the memo.
Also…@Norseman +1
- Victor - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:36 am:
Would a jungle primary help to weed out the crazies from both right and left?
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:39 am:
I would be curious if Brad Stephens district is in play..
- TJ - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:43 am:
== Increasingly a one party state. Not good for a democracy. Best when there is a check and balance with neither party having solid control. ==
I agree. But the reason why Illinois is a one-party state is because the GOP has alienated huge swaths of Illinoisans with their inanity and insanity. Gotta be functional before you can be a functional counterbalance.
- Barrister's Lectern - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:52 am:
=== I would be curious if Brad Stephens district is in play.. ===
It is not. Look at the historical vote returns for Rosemont. You can’t overcome those types of numbers in that district.
- Give Us Barrabbas - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 11:58 am:
I’m hoping we do switch to multiple choice primaries.
A supermajority is not always monolithic: it tends to factionalize internally, between progressive and centrist in the dems case. And also along racial lines, as communities fight for more representation and equity.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:18 pm:
Honestly the gaslighting here is at record levels and that is saying something
https://www.craincurrency.com/compliance-legal-and-regulation/illinois-ranks-last-keeping-rich-people-moving-out
- Bob - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:20 pm:
==I would be curious if Brad Stephens district is in play..==
He’s unopposed.
- thisjustinagain - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:24 pm:
Where’s the Dem majority when property taxes continue to climb? Despite their hammerlock on Illinois they refuse to address the issue when they could easily get a bill through and signed by J.P.
- Who else - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:25 pm:
I’d sure like to focus on quality over quantity at this point. Having an entire chamber of Democrats means little to me if members of that party are busy playing footsie with the right on social and economic policy. Get me a solid pro-choice, pro-LGBTQ majority in both chambers who get that you have to raise revenue to pay for things you like before you get me an even larger super-majority in either.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:37 pm:
===Honestly the gaslighting here is at record levels and that is saying something===
Says the person peddling references from a two-year-old website with a paltry 85 Google search results.
- Barrister's Lectern - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:39 pm:
=== who get that you have to raise revenue to pay for things you like ===
So you are basically asking for a unicorn.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:40 pm:
===Where’s the Dem majority when property taxes continue to climb?===
It is almost as if a supermajority does not make a monolithic voting block to tackle complex century-old issues in a fiscally-responsible and equitable way.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:45 pm:
=when property taxes continue to climb? =
Tell me you do not understand property tax and who levies is without telling me.
Also, just say “you kids get off my lawn”.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 12:52 pm:
“This commercial brought to you by the Illinois Policy Institute.”
Always nice to throw in a “red herring”.
Illinois was one of only 8 states that lost population last year.
The long term trajectory is most evident in NW IN and NE IL. Along the border, one state can’t build schools fast enough, while on the other side, consolidation is the rule of the day.
Schools that are losing enrollment are the canary in the coal mine offering a picture of the future holds.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 1:17 pm:
Thanks for the clarification, Bob.
- low level - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 1:22 pm:
==Having an entire chamber of Democrats means little to me if members of that party are busy playing footsie with the right ==
What on earth are you talking about? You would have loved the mid to late 90’s.
- Larry Bowa Jr. - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 1:59 pm:
“Schools that are losing enrollment are the canary in the coal mine offering a picture of the future holds.”
And my kid’s school in suburban Chicago is overcrowded.
What is your suggestion to keep people from moving from rural IL to rural IN?
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Aug 14, 24 @ 2:03 pm:
“Increasingly a one party state. Not good for a democracy.”
The party that made itself unelectable by backing wildly unpopular programs and revolting bigots is bad for democracy.
– MrJM