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Madigan on governors, Lee Daniels

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* The Sun-Times has a very good piece on Speaker Madigan’s speech regarding his dealings with former governors…

Madigan was most effusive in his praise for convicted former Gov. George Ryan, calling him “very flexible, very interested in just identifying problems and fashioning solutions.”

Ryan’s favorite approach was to gather all four legislative leaders in a room to work a deal, Madigan recalled. That would include Madigan; Daniels, who invited Madigan to speak and who fondly recalled the “two wonderful years” he wrested power from Madigan; former Senate President James “Pate” Philip, and former Senate Democratic leader Emil Jones.

“George would say, ‘We’ve got problems — what do we have to do to solve these problems?’ ” Madigan said. “A leader might want to evade the question, he might have a strategic plan they’re working and don’t want to answer today. And George would just pursue, persist, ‘I want an answer!’ ”

Recalling one meeting, Madigan said, “George Ryan wanted a capital program. There were going to be fee increases, tax increases. He started with me. I told him ‘I’m for it — I think you oughta make it bigger.’ He got to Pate Philip. There’s a favorite method in the Legislature with the legislative leaders. The leader doesn’t want to look at the governor and tell him ‘No.’ So they blame their caucus members: ‘Our caucus won’t agree to that.’ Pate used to refer to his caucus members as ‘gorillas.’ It’s true: ‘My gorillas don’t like that.’

“There was this pause. Ryan just looked at him and he said, ‘You said that to me after everything I’ve done for you?’ And then he took him out of the room, took him into a separate room, and closed the door. There was a lot of screaming and shouting. They both came back and sat down and George looked at Pate and Pate said, ‘Governor, there will be enough votes to pass your bill.’ That was George’s method — very effective.”

Madigan also talked about Gov. Pat Quinn a bit…

After being asked to describe the governors he’d worked with over the years, Madigan told the crowd that Quinn was “well-intentioned” and that they were working through their many differences. True to form, he didn’t outright say whether he thought Quinn was a good governor.

Instead, he called him a former political “gadfly” who became governor.

* And, by far, the most off the wall portion of Madigan’s speech was when he urged former House GOP Leader Lee Daniels to run for governor…

“Someone earlier today suggested that Lee Daniels is prepared to declare a candidacy for governor,” Madigan said. “He really would make a very good governor for the state of Illinois. Service as a governor of Illinois requires — No. 1 — that you know the operations of state government but especially the operations of the state budget, and that you be prepared to work with people when they make difficult decisions. So, Lee, give it some thought. Give it some thought.”

I could probably write ten thousand words about why I think Madigan said that, but instead I’ll turn it over to you.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 1:09 pm

Comments

Clearest indication to date that Lisa will run for gov. You really thing Lisa vs. Lee would be a contest?
checkmate

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 1:11 pm
1) Would love a “Capiton Contest” with these two.

2) Madigan knows the buttons to push with Lee A. Daniels. After going through relationships with governors, and then hearing what the Speaker said, the Speaker in one swoop is praising LAD, but also taking a shot. “You could be a governor, you have the tools to be a governor … but it’s nice to come to your college.”

On the other hand… another DuPage GOP candidate, possibly primaring each other before someone would go up against Lisa, might give Lisa that favorable match-up the Speaker would want.

“So, Lee, give it some thought. Give it some thought.”

That is why we play checkers, and the Speaker plays chess.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 1:28 pm
Didn’t Daniels get out of government right before his right hand man got indicted for doing political work on state time?
He sure seems to fit the gubernatorial mode here in good ol’ Illinois.

Comment by Bill Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 1:33 pm
Great stuff. Absolutely fascinating to hear about Ryan taking down Pate.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 1:43 pm
The Daniels for Governor comment is interesting. It’s either a dig at Quinn, a light-hearted compliment to Lee or a dig at Kirk Dillard who was there yesterday supposedly. Or maybe all three.

I was going to suggest that a photo of the two new friends Lee and Madigan would make for a great caption contest Rich, but this item is far more interesting.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:03 pm
Lee Daniels. And Mitch Daniels.

Whew. Pass me the Jack Daniels.

Comment by Dooley Dudright Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:03 pm
Another FACT to consider.

The next time Speaker Madigan says something that has no meaning to it … will be the first time.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:35 pm
I don’t think Lisa factors into it. Everyone I’ve ever talked to about Lisa’s intentions do not point to her running for governor.

The whole thing is bizzare. Why Madigan would give such a long speech at the invitation of his former opponent in the first place just seems bizzare.

Comment by Dirty Red Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:43 pm
I once heard George Ryan put a loud and long stream of expletives together railing against Senator Busby on some appropriations issue. Ken folded and George got what he wanted. Evidently the tactic worked well for him in dealing with both sides of the aisle.

Comment by Kerfuffle Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:49 pm
After the Speaker said this:

“So, Lee, give it some thought. Give it some thought.”

What was not reported was the Speaker’s very next sentence…

“Now … go get your shine box.”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:52 pm
===Why Madigan would give such a long speech at the invitation of his former opponent in the first place just seems bizzare. ===

Partly, it’s the former Speaker thing. Very small club. Partly, it’s because Lee is one of the few who are still around from back in the old days. Partly, it’s nostalgia. Partly, it’s a dig at Cross, who forced Lee out (remember that MJM gave Lee a committee chairmanship after Lee lost his leadership job to Cross). And they’ve become fairly close over the years.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 2:56 pm
When Madigan touted Daniels for governor, Sen. Dillard was sitting in the audience.

Comment by reformer Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 3:11 pm
The other Madigan just did something very interesting: suing S&P.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 3:11 pm
Rich,

I was being snarky with the Goodfellas reference, but I wanted to post I really think you are on to something big with the shot at Cross. By just being there for Lee speaks to the point of a lack of respect for Cross.

Also, looking at it again I agree with the nostalgia angle too. I, too, miss the old days of Lee and Emil, and Madigan and Pate …At least there was open bi-partisanship coexisting with raw partisanship and everyone went to Sam’s and did it all over again the next day.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 3:16 pm
one term with Lee, many terms after with Lisa. A great Chess master is always two moves ahead of everyone else. Who is old enough to want 1 term, yet able to get elected? and MJM scan deal with.
He needs another George Ryan.

Comment by frustrated GOP Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 3:22 pm
Back in the days when Lee Daniels cast the deciding vote for Bill Redmond as speaker, Madigan and Daniels were actually good friends. Someone who knew them both back then said they even vacationed together (alhtough I don’t know if that is true or not). They even got along well when Ryan was Speaker and Daniels was one of his lieutenants. It wasn’t really until they were both the top dog in the caucuses (Madigan being the alpha dog of course) that they really grew to dislike each other. My guess is Madigan did it 1) as a favor to an old friend whom is no longer a threat but is an extremely bright guy whom Madigan always enjoyed besting; and 2) as a shot at Cross whom Madigan has never really thought of as an equal.

Then again, if anybody ever tells you they know why Madigan does something and their last name is not Madigan, or McClain, they are probably pulling your leg.

Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 3:39 pm
Not sure if this is relevant but there is a billboard of Kirk Dillard for Governor on 290 heading into Chicago. I don’t know if he just hasn’t taken it down or has kept it up on purpose or whatever. It seems weird and I wanted to know if anyone else has seen it?

Comment by Curious Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 3:43 pm
I first thought it was just jovial courtesy for an old colleague. I’m still clueless.

Comment by mark walker Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 4:16 pm
with our current governor and former gov bye-bye blago he’s probably right.

Comment by jt Wednesday, Jan 25, 12 @ 5:07 pm
I really wish you’d write the 10,000 words, Rich. Your take would be fascinating.

Comment by LincolnLounger Thursday, Jan 26, 12 @ 10:01 am