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Madigan: “Goal was to be a strong Speaker”

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* House Speaker Michael Madigan was asked by Amanda Vinicky this week about his dual leadership roles as Speaker and state Democratic Party Chairman. He was pretty blunt about his goals…

“My long-term goal and desire was to be a strong Speaker. Also serving as the chairman of the party means that I’m a strong Speaker or a stronger Speaker. My view is that I take that power and use it to do good things… Well, it’s easier to do those accomplishments if you have significant power in the Legislature.”

Listen to the clip…

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Listen to the full interview…

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Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:24 am

Comments

Yes. Bipartisanship between Michael J. Madigan and the Illinois Democrats.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:26 am
Dear SPEAKER Madigan,

Congratulations, Mission Accomplished.

With kindest personal regards, I remain

Sincerely yours,

Oswego Willy

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:29 am
“Whoa, so, Madigan set a goal to be Speaker …that’s just insane,” said Tom Cross as he was putting on the 4th Green at Medinah Country Club last General Election Day.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:33 am
I wanted to be strong speaker and use that power to become a stronger speaker at which point I would then use my power to become the strongest speaker. And then have my wife appointed to a commission and my daughter elected to the state legislator then the state AG. I would get my son in law jobs and then I will rule the state as a semi benevolent overlord. Mission accomplished.

Comment by Fed up Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:36 am
This is why State Government in Illinois is in the dumper.

Comment by Springfield Dan Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:39 am
At least he is honest about it.

Comment by Jorge Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 11:46 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zn94j5F5YLc

Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:04 pm
“My view is that I take that power and use it to do good things…”

Good for whom?

Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:05 pm
If he had used his power for good it would be ok but since Illinois is the poster child for fiscal mismanagement that doesn’t speak well for his legacy.

Comment by Cassidy Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 12:46 pm
If you’re in politics, and you don’t have a certain amount of admiration for MM, it’s all sour grapes. Love him or not, his accomplishments breed respect. He’s the best of his generation at that job. Chances are, if you have his cell phone number, you do.

Comment by Madison Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 1:19 pm
It will now be very difficult for him to lay the blame for the State’s current fiscal maladies any where else. When you rule like a king, you must wear the mantle as well. They problems with pension issue belongs on his furled brow.

Comment by Pale Rider Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 1:20 pm
Respect him? For what? Please refer to the situation our state is in and then ask yourself whether he deserves unbridled respect. Cell number…..such as one Blago occupies?

Comment by Bitterman Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 1:53 pm
@ Madison

I’m pretty sure he does not own/use a cellphone, not that I would ever be privy to that number.

Comment by dirt diver Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 1:53 pm
Dear Fed up:

I know that Republicans find “facts” and “arithmetic” troubling.

Shirley Madigan has been on the board of the Illinois Arts Council since 1976, well before Madigan became Party Chairman or even Speaker.

She was elected Chair by her fellow board members in the early 90’s, long before Madigan became Party Chairman.

You should see a neurosurgeon about that chip that Pat Brady planted in your head.

With warmest personal regards,

I remain

Yellow D. Democrat

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:25 pm
Dear Fed Up:

BTW, the Speaker tried to convince Lisa Madigan NOT to run for public office, and she remains the most popular political figure in Illinois because she’s the best AG we’ve ever had. And Jordan was ALREADY a lobbyist when he met Tiffany and they fell in love. And a pretty darn good one at that.

But, by all means, don’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.

With warmest personal regards,

I remain

Yellow D. Democrat

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 2:48 pm
Dear Yellow D. Democrat
You’re posts are smarmy and condescending but do not move the discussion forward.

With warmest personal regards,
I remain
Everyone Else

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 3:12 pm
@Anonymous -

Thanks! I was actually going for “smarmy, condescending and factual,” but I guess 2 out of 3 ain’t bad.

When folks have something to add to the conversation besides personal attacks that have zero basis in fact - and instead get the facts completely wrong - we CAN all move forward.

But if we’re going to “move forward”, we need to have a discussion based on the facts, not some alternate reality where Shirley Madigan joined the Illinois Arts Council in 1999 rather than 1976.

Lies, left uncorrected, become repeated, and somehow become fact. Just ask our Kenyan Muslim President. So now, I correct them.

Moreover, I’ve had quite a bit to say about Tom Cross. But I’ve never attacked his family. And I’d expect that anyone who did try to drag his family into a political discussion would at least get their facts straight.

His golfing, however, is fair game as far as I’m concerned. As well as any hobbies the Speaker might have.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 3:25 pm
===As well as any hobbies the Speaker might have. ===

That might be a fun question.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 3:48 pm
@Rich-

Agreed.

I have a hard time seeing MJM taking up stamp collecting.

At the same time, he’s got plenty of outlet for his competitiveness.

Maybe ballroom dancing or ships in bottles?

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 5:21 pm
Making high end, miniature dollhouse furniture to sell, like that one detective on The Wire….

Comment by Happy Returns Thursday, Sep 6, 12 @ 5:49 pm
Dawg, re: 3:12. It aint me, babe. No, no. It ain’t me.

And to prove it, I know that you are, in fact, QUITE “smarmy, condescending AND factual…” when required.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 7, 12 @ 1:24 am
=Maybe ballroom dancing….”

Quite the sport recently in Chicago from what I understand.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Sep 7, 12 @ 1:28 am
I’m pretty sure Shirley Madigan was elected chair of the IAC in the early eighties.

Comment by Way Way Down Here Friday, Sep 7, 12 @ 7:57 am