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Quote of the day

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Illinois

* From an interview of Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon, who announced earlier this year that she won’t be Gov. Pat Quinn’s running mate…

Will you vote for Gov. Quinn?

Sheila Simon: Way too early to say. We don’t even know who’s running for governor.

No respect.

* But it wasn’t all bad…

Why does Pat Quinn poll so badly? Jim Warren, writing in Chicago magazine, called him “the Rodney Dangerfield of Illinois politics.”

Sheila Simon: He is just what we needed; totally honest. This is a really challenging time for our state. Anyone who’s involved in government is not going to be particularly popular.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 7:28 am

Comments

I am eager to hear other potential candidates weigh in on the question of pension reform.

The silence has been deafening, particularly on the question of Constitutionality.

Do you agree that “consideration” must be part of the package?

Should local employers pay their own portion of pension costs?

Its fun to be a candidate-in-waiting. But serious candidates should answer these questions sooner rather than later.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 7:42 am
I personally look forward to Sheila Simon’s endorsement and will support whomever she supports. She has a long record of high level service to this state, so her opinion and insight are extremely valuable.

/snark/

Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:04 am
Sheila Simon, Bad Form.

It’s one thing to NOT endorse the “man who brought you”, its another to completely dismiss Pat Quinn, saying you don’t know who is running, and therefore giving a not so subtle impression that there ARE people better than Pat Quinn out there, and you are waiting for them to emerge.

Bad Form, indeed.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:29 am
I like Sheila and her family a lot, but this comment was unbecoming, and it shows a real lack of respect and gratitude to the man who elevated her to her current position. She needs to come up with a much better answer - one that can show loyalty while being independent (I don’t think “yes” would have been such a bad answer). Her current answer hurts more than it helps her.

Comment by Silent majority Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:51 am
It’s not surprising to see her act this way. From the LtG’s office to the 2010 campaign, Sheila thought that she was better, smarter than everyone on team Quinn (including PQ), always convinced she had a better strategy. It’s important to remember that she’s never won any election larger that Carbondale city council. Her own town wouldn’t even elect her as it’s mayor.

I’m somewhat glad that image of Sheila Simon is beginning to emerge. She’s been able to hide behind the folksy charm and the story of her parents for far too long. How does the old saying go - “We don’t want no one no one sent.” Who’s got Sheila’s back today?

Comment by Former SS staffer Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:53 am
Completely agree with skeeter and Willy. Personnally, I am not the biggest Quinn fan. I supported Hynes in the primary, and will probably be a Lisa Madigan voter assuming she decides to run. At least Sheila was correct in her statement that he was the right man at the right time. Quinn is ethical, a characteristic that many Illinois governors have not possessed.

It is hard to swallow Simon’s comments, given the fact that she is only vaguely revelant in Illinois politics because of the man she is snubbing. Many people raised eyebrows when Quinn replaced Cohen with Sheila Simon. There is no other way Sheila could have ever won a statewide office, except in the way in which it happened. Sheila, step to the side now, you are irrelevant. Don’t bite the hand that fed you and who allowed for your flirtation for a statewide office to be more than a pipe dream.

Comment by Dirt Diver Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:56 am
= Sheila thought that she was better, smarter than everyone on team Quinn (including PQ), always convinced she had a better strategy =

I just couldn’t resist after reading this. I have never paid attention to any comments made by Sheila Simon, because quite frankly, cronyism paved the way for her to become Lt. Governor, the most worthless statewide office. For her to think that she is politically smarter than someone who actually won a statewide race (and carried the 2010 ticket for that matter) is just delusional. Now I am actually looking forward to her running and getting creamed in the primary.

Comment by Dirt Diver Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:02 am
Sheila Simon is a not ready for prime time player. And not in the good SNL way. THis response demonstrates a total lack of ability to think on her feet and answer tough questions. She hasnt even announced her plans. What will happen when she does? How will she answer questions when facing opponents in a debate? The people of Carbondale were right. She is not worthy of holding elective office, and she will lose whatever race she runs. Speaker Madigan better think hard about the possibility of losing whatever democraticly held seat Simon runs for. She will lose.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:02 am
===The people of Carbondale were right. She is not worthy of holding elective office, and she will lose whatever race she runs.===

True statement

Comment by Dirt Diver Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:11 am
I think her dad would have put it a bit differently…

But then again, the Banjo fan voting block is huge…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:13 am
I suppose she sounds callous, but does she have a political future clinging to Quinn? She must not think so, why she decided not to run with him again.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:27 am
I like the answer. Honest.

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:36 am
She can take her banjo or whatever she plays and go back to C-Dale now, her 15 min are up…no class answer period.

Comment by Rudykzooti Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:59 am
I’m with Oswego, he deserves better than that from her and from Durbin and the rest of the state Democrats. He brought her to the dance, I don’t think he needed her or she did any favors for him in that race.

On her own sheila simon’s success is more a function of her last name than her charisma or her political skills.

Comment by shore Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 10:32 am
- We don’t even know who’s running for governor. -

Yes we do, Pat Quinn is running.

It seems Sheila is having problems with her memory.

Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 10:42 am
Now that the Bears have lost Urlacher and Roach, Sheila can return to her glory days on the grid-iron and play linebacker for the bears. She’d be a great run stopper.

Comment by Paul Lyin Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 10:55 am
You dance with the one that brung you. Bad form.

Quinn’s a handy whipping boy for the Eternal Usual Victim’s Club, but it’s time to move on. Put on the Grownup Pants and get to work.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:00 am
Sheila Simon = amateur hour on this one.

Again, the Democratic Party in this state has become one of royalty for too many families. Too many are elected simply because they’re the sons and daughters of the politically connected. The Democratic Party has allowed this to become a family business. It’s out of hand. It’s bad form. Simon is only one consequence of her party’s failure to police the program.

Comment by NW IL Democrat Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:17 am
Working with and/or knowing Pat Quinn breeds disloyalty to Pat Quinn - to know the man is NOT to love the man!

All just ways of saying when it comes to Pat Quinn, familiarity breeds contempt.

Comment by Mike Huntoon Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:20 am
To me this shows two things about Sheila Simon. Her integrity is questionable and her political judgment is completely off. Nobody will respect her for abandoning Pat Quinn completely. As Word said, “you dance with the one that brung you.”

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:22 am
I actually knew her Dad. Although our politics were opposite, I respected him for taking a position and sticking with it. He once politely told me, “Mike, if you don’t like my position, don’t vote for me, I don’t change horses in the middle of the stream.” It was not haughty, but a statement of conviction and belief. I respected it. It seems that same sense of conviction did not pass on. Lightweight in a heavyweight bout!

Comment by LisleMike Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:25 am
Totally classless. She would still be a SIU law professor if not for Pat Quinn. Pat Quinn may not be the most popular politician, but he does have a lot of friends. Look at who endorsed him in the primary vs. Dan Hynes, who had just about everyone’s endorsement against Barack Obama in 02.

It’s one thing to not want to be Lt. Gov anymore, I get that. But it’s a whole different thing to diss the person who made you relevant.

You got hired even though you wore a Hawaiian shirt to your job interview!

Comment by WizzardOfOzzie Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:29 am
that banjo don’t strum, Lite Gov Simon.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:30 am
I think her father might have put it this way:

“Pat Quinn is a good man, but I don’t endorse in primaries. He has a strong case to make for re-nomination and I’ll leave it to him to make it.”

Paul was famous for saying he did not endorse in primaries (except for all the times he endorsed in primaries).

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:36 am
Heck, it wasn’t that bad, after all it could have been something like “Are you s#%**%+g me?”
If he doesn’t get beat in the primaries then the republicans should have a pretty good year if they run someone to the left of the puppy killer bill sponsor.

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 11:59 am
== Speaker Madigan better think hard about the possibility of losing whatever democraticly held seat Simon runs for. She will lose. ==

If she’s running statewide against a Republican opponent, anything can happen! All she’d have to do is say her GOP opponent hates dogs and wants women to have back alley abortions, and POOF, 12 years as a constitutional officer.

Comment by So. ILL Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 12:06 pm
Well played Ms. Simon, well played. Separate the infected limb cleanly. Leave no doubts. Your name assures a place in the living pantheon of Illinois politics.

Comment by Living in Machiaville Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 1:04 pm
Perhaps Sheila’s greatest moment was in 1976, the year she assumed the role as leader of the Steelers after “Mean Joe” Greene, Terry Bradshaw, Lynn Swann, and others went down with injuries. After a 1-4 start, she led the Steelers to 9 straight wins as her defense only allowed 2 touchdowns over that span. She was named NFL Defense player of the Year that year. Personally, Sheila’s tackle on Cliff Harris in Super Bowl X is one of my favorite moments in Super Bowl History. If she played football today she would just have to hand over her paycheck because she would get fined so many times for playing real old school football.

Comment by Frank Reynolds Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 1:12 pm
Rich, how about a blog poll?

Is this statement a bigger indictment of Quinn for his stunning lack of popularity and political gravitas, or Simon for her shameless lack of loyality?

Comment by Frank Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 1:21 pm
Frank, I’m not sure how to poll a question when both answers are probably right. lol

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 1:22 pm
Wonder where Simon stands on so-called pension reform?

Have not heard anything from her. Has anyone else?

Am I missing something or is she playing hide and seek?

Comment by Fultonfarm Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 1:57 pm
She was a feel good candidate after the Blago corruption years…we all thought she was cut from the same cloth as her Dad. Guess not. Pat chose the daughter of Mr. Good Government in IL and apparently she didn’t learn much from Dad.

I have met her several times and she lacks her father’s warmth and political largesse.

Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 3:09 pm
I also don’t like her answer, but it was a tough question and I am frankly not sure how she could have honestly answered the question without sounding callous towards the Governor.

Maybe her answer could have been, “I have supported the Governor in the past and am keeping all of my options open as we move forward.”

Comment by Endangered Moderate Species Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 3:16 pm
Endangered,

See 47th Ward (above):

“I think her father might have put it this way:

“Pat Quinn is a good man, but I don’t endorse in primaries. He has a strong case to make for re-nomination and I’ll leave it to him to make it.”

Paul was famous for saying he did not endorse in primaries (except for all the times he endorsed in primaries).”

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 5:30 pm
Look up ingrate in the dictionary and you’ll find a photo of Sheila Simon. If it weren’t for Pat Quinn she’d be strumming her banjo on the back benches of the Carbondale city council. She suffers from delusions of political competence. This is horrible bad form. And Rich please note that she used the past tense when talking with Warren about PQ.

Pat Quinn has been nothing but good to her. She should be ashamed of herself.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 5:48 pm
Wow? What is SHE thinking? Ms Simon is only in office because Quinn picked her. Perhaps the name attracted him. I cannot think of anything else. (The woman cannot raise money and could not even win a race for Carbondale’s mayor.) Let her run statewide. Virtually democratic challenger or Judy will destroy her. Quinn got lucky when she dropped out. Luck or no luck, though, misjudging her character has to hurt.

Comment by Luka Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 6:43 pm
Prediction: Shelia will be back to writing songs about Martha Stewart in due time. She is done.

Comment by Diamond Jim Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 6:57 pm
Man-talk about blatant, utter disloyalty–she can’t even find enough within herself to say something truly classy like the traditionally diplomatic response that she’d most definitely back the Party’s Nominee and if that is Pat Quinn, then most assuredly…?! Sheez–a bit too heady on her part if ya ask me–and coming from one who reportedly has WELL under 100 G’$ in her meager campaign fund…Recall–if it wasn’t for then-Dem. Gov.-Nominee and other high-level Dems.’ support for her candidacy for Lt. Gov. 3 years ago, she wouldn’t even be in the position, really, to say anything important about ANYthing…the NERVE!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:15 pm
Actually she just reported quite a lot of new money.

Memory sure is fleeting. The party was happy to have her rescue it from the Scott Lee Cohen debacle one short cycle before the GOP messed itself on how to (not) appeal to the Woman Voter.

And did you expect her to freeze in place? Or maybe play banjo while Rome burns?

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 8:43 pm
She didn’t rescue the Democratic party. She was rescued from political obscurity. Her words represent deep disloyalty that … kind of hard to figure.

Comment by chubs mahoney Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:33 pm
Never said she rescued the party in toto, just from a situation that was deeply embarrassing and that would have alienated a key part of the base.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 27, 13 @ 9:51 pm
=== The party was happy to have her rescue it from the Scott Lee Cohen debacle ===

Hahahaha, that’s the funniest statement I’ve read in a long time on this blog.

Comment by Dirt Diver Thursday, Mar 28, 13 @ 8:41 am