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* Rep. Art Turner talked to reporters today about his ongoing campaign for lt. governor, the governor’s choice of Sheila Simon, why he thinks he ought to be picked even though the governor wants somebody else and what the whip count looks like at the moment. Watch it…
Rep. Karen Yarbrough has been a strong Turner supporter and is on the central committee. She emphatically expressed her support for Turner today…
Rep. Will Davis is the chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus. He talked about the Turner/Simon situation as well…
Both Yarbrough and Davis said they’d support the ticket no matter what happens tomorrow.
Even Rep. Jay Hoffman got into the act…
* Those who said they’re surprised that this LG selection process isn’t completely fair are either naive or skewing reality for their own purposes. They should also look at what just happened over at the Tollway. They also had an open applications process for a new director and a top aide to Gov. Quinn was one of those who applied. She won. It was a no-brainer of a prediction, although she’ll most likely do a good job over there and has bipartisan support…
Sen. Kirk Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, said Lafleur’s “background in economic development and transportation is well-suited for the tollway.” And, “as a suburbanite I want the executive director of the tollway to have the governor’s ear.”
State Sen. Susan Garrett, a Lake Forest Democrat, said “she’s on top of the issues and also is aware of past problems and seems determined to address those.”
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:24 am
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“They also had an open applications process for a new director and a top aide to Gov. Quinn was one of those who applied. She won. It was a no-brainer of a prediction, although she’ll most likely do a good job over there and has bipartisan support…”
Really? if it was such a no-brainer why do they even bother putting on a charade like an open process? why not just pick the person wanted in the first place, instead of making a circus out of it and wasting people’s time and getting people’s hopes up. why not just get down to the point and be upfront?
the way the words open and transparent get thrown around in politics and by politicians these days have caused these words to be empty and no longer have any meaning/value.
Comment by Will County Woman Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:33 am
From the limited I know of her, Kristi LaFleur is quite capable.
And, she is at least 5 years older than the rest of Quinn’s agency head picks.
Comment by George Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:34 am
interesting that the democratic state central committee members are becoming more public and more vocal. they largely held their tongue for awhile, and now they must be sick of quinn asking for them to choose whoever he wants, all the while changing who he wants.
Comment by Robert Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:42 am
Well, from where I’m sitting, the perfect storm ending to this enitre Lt. Gov debacle would be for the committee to pick Turner over Quinn’s objection. Or worse, Boland. Does Quinn control any votes on the Committee? Is he talking to Committeemen?
This only amplifies Quinn’s lack of leadership, indecisiveness and irrelevance just in time for bad poll numbers to go public.
Not an auspicious start for Team Quinn’s general election campaign.
Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:44 am
The Governor’s office is THE seat the Democrats want. The committee will go with whomever Quinn wants.
Comment by George Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:46 am
What if they go against Pat’s wishes?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 11:54 am
“What if they go against Pat’s wishes?”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O789amyaMvw
Comment by George Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:00 pm
After Representative Bill Black’s statement just now on the Floor - he should get Black to pull a “Dillard” and film an ad for his campaign.
Comment by Good Thinkin' Lincoln Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:11 pm
If Simon is not in Chicago today, but is in Carbondale, it kinda seems like it won’t be her. I am thinking about presidential elections and how when the runningmate is chosen he/she has always been at the nominee’s side in person when the announcement is made.
Comment by Will County Woman Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:12 pm
**After Representative Bill Black’s statement just now on the Floor**
What did Black say?
Comment by dave Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:12 pm
Patience. The video is processing. It takes YouTube awhile to do that these days.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:17 pm
**Patience**
Patience is not my strong suit.
Comment by dave Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:19 pm
What makes Art Turner think that his legislative experience will be considered a plus by voters?
Isn’t the state $12 billion in the hole because of irresponsible decisions by the legislature that took place over years?
What did Art Turner say or do to prevent this mess from developing? When did Art Turner warn about irresponsible spending or the need for modest revenue increases? Was Turner doing anything about the pension funds?
Quinn is asking for a big increase. He can credibly claim that he inherited a mess made by other people. But Art “I have the most experience” Turner owns the mess more than any of the other ltgov candidates.
What does Turner bring to the ticket? What money will he be able to raise that others won’t be able to raise? Which Democratic candidates are helped by Turner being on the ticket? Who comes out to vote because of Turner?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:19 pm
@ George. Where’s the “like” button on your link? hehe
Comment by chitownhv Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:26 pm
Yarbrough endorsed Quinn over Hynes in the primary. She’s a state central committeeman and a state rep. And Quinn didn’t bother to talk to her. And she’s publicly trashing Quinn.
When Black politicians complain about the possibility of Art Turner not getting selected, do they always use the passive voice? Who, specifically, is going to withhold his/her vote from the Democratic Party b/c Art Turner is not the candidate? Does this person have a name?
Who is the voter who will stay home and allow Robin Kelly and David Miller to lose rather than go to the polls? Which committeeman will fail to implement a GOTV plan in his/her ward or township b/c Turner didn’t get the nod?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:28 pm
Both Turner and Simon lost recent races to weak candidates. Simon especially was shown to be a poor candidate when she lost a small mayoral race in 2007 right in the heart Simon country.
Surely the Dems can do better.
Comment by just sayin' Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:29 pm
Dave - It was about Rep Turner, he gushed about him and compared the LtGov race to Miss America in that the runner-up should get the “Crown.” His statement received a round of cheers.
Comment by Good Thinkin' Lincoln Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:31 pm
Being merely a fed-up citizen and not a politico, I have to ask in all seriousness why the Lt. Governor candidate is left to choice by anyone? The taxpayers, not the parties, paid for the primary elections. Since we the tapayers paid for them, the parties ought to be held to the outcome. The democratic winner changed his mind about running, so the next guy in line should be the candidate, and that is Turner. I know the process doesn’t work this way in good old Illinois, and the political parties feel they have a God-given right to use the taxpayers money in any way benefical to them, but frankly I think this is wrong, and only one more example of the utter corruption of Illinois politics.
Comment by Skirmisher Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 12:48 pm
If Art Turner introduces a bill to replace convicted Chicago aldermen with the #2 vote getter in the last election, let me know.
Art’s playing the “I placed #2″ card a bunch because it’s the card he’s got to play.
If Rickey Hendon was the #2 vote getter, would Turner be singing the same song?
Comment by Carl Nyberg Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 1:02 pm
honestly, I think Quinn could name betsy to be his gov lite running mate and still come out ahead. To win against Brady he need only let Brady discuss brady’s policys and ideas for Govt.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 1:09 pm
With both parties in the House showing support for Turner, and Quinn supporting Simon even though she is not there in Chicago, it is clear that absolutely no one knows what will happen with the vote. If Quinn knew his choice would win the vote in advance, he would have a big presser in Carbondale/Marion to announce his choice (after all, if Simon will win, Quinn would need to max out the effect in So. Ill). And, if Quinn knew Simon would lose the vote, he would say nothing. And, if the House knew Turner would win, they would not say anything as to not make downstaters and women mad . .. . Thus, all the fun on Friday.
btw ghost and GTL, since Quinn most likely will win, that is why Black is supporting Turner. If Turner became Gov., the House GOP would prefer to work with a former legislature than a former small-city councilwomen who has never directly dealt in the legislative process. In other words, this lt. gov. decision is important.
Further, the idea that Simon could not attend due to law school class is laughable. I went to SIU-Law, and Profs took off all the time because the Profs would always require the students to make up the missed class. The idea that you would not attend a press conference to be announced as a major party candidate for a statewide office if silly.
Comment by Cuban Pilot Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 1:27 pm
CP - while I don’t doubt Black’s respect for Turner - this has more to do with beating up Quinn and the Dems than a preference should the LtGov succeed the Gov.
Comment by Good Thinkin' Lincoln Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 2:11 pm
All Leann Redden was worried about when she worked for the Illinois Tollway was her 3-4 hour lunches and shopping excursions with her girlfriends at Oakbrook Center. Ask anyone who worked for her she was never around. Plus her massive amount of vacation time she was only there a couple years
Comment by "Stupid is as stupid does" Friday, Mar 26, 10 @ 9:01 pm
Quinn’s announcement was nothing short of an apology and perhaps foreshadowing his position as underdog since Simon is probably not likely to be the pick of the Committee. It’s like watching Blagojevich implode and then having him blame other people for his lack of leadership, and quite frankly, competence. What will be really interesting to watch-particularly if Turner wins the votes, is how Quinn will address his loss. If he’s anything like Blagojevich (and more and more he is), he will claim it’s an “up day” for Illinois democrats. Maybe not those exact words, but he will echo the sentiment.
Comment by dznuts Saturday, Mar 27, 10 @ 1:05 am
What a Joke
Vote these BLAGOITS OUT OF OFFICE
THEY ARE JUST TRYING TO HOLD
ONTO POWER
/ ACCOMPLISHED NOTHING PAST
8 YEARS
NOT MAKING PAYMENTS !!!!
WAKE UP VOTERS / GET READY FOR NOV 2010
THEY WERE THE PARTY OF ” REFORM ”
AND HAVE CHANGED NOTHING !!!!!
Comment by grategul Saturday, Mar 27, 10 @ 6:34 pm
I’m wondering iof there has been any comment from Black eladers to Quinn’s statement that he “fears NO backlash from Black supporters” for his process of choosing Simon over Turner??
Comment by Mark Allen Saturday, Mar 27, 10 @ 10:27 pm