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* Gov. Pat Quinn held a press conference today to announce a six-year, $12.6 billion construction program for roads and bridges. Afterward Quinn took questions on ComEd, gaming expansion and medical marijuana, and talked about gay marriage.
He was also asked about Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who is attempting to poach companies from Illinois…
“I know him. I could give you three reasons why he’s wrong, 1, 2 and 3. I was his roommate when we went to Iraq and Afghanistan. So, he’s a big talker and I think people saw that in the presidential campaign… We don’t need any advice from Gov. Perry.”
Full audio of the governor’s response…
* Right after he talked that trash about Gov. Perry, Quinn was asked how he interpreted the “gap” in fundraising between himself and Attorney General Lisa Madigan. Quinn’s response…
“I’m not going to get into political things. I said that the other day. I do want to say a few words about the people of Boston, the families who are grieving because they lost their family members. That young boy, Martin Richard, who lost his life. What a special soul he was. He was only given eight years by God on this earth, but he certainly made a difference. And I think all of Illinois, all of America, we’re with the people of Boston and the people who were at that race. So I think that’s the important thing to keep in mind right now. I went to the wake yesterday of Anne Smedinghoff. She’s being buried at this hour. She went to my high school and my brother taught her and my nephew went to school with her and she was a moderator of a debate that I was at.
“You know, these special young people, whether it’s Martin Richard from Massachusetts or Anne Smedinghoff from Illinois, we’re blessed to have them. And I think public safety is really what we should focus on in the aftermath of the events of Monday. I called my friend Gov. Deval Patrick, who was born and grew up in Illinois. I think he’s done an outstanding job. And I said that we’re more than ready in Illinois, we have some special experts who can help in any way. If they need them we’ll be there to help.”
Audio…
* Since he took personal shots at Rick Perry and talked about issues other than “public safety,” which he said “is really what we should focus on” this week, the Madigan question was not out of bounds and my initial reaction was that he didn’t have to dodge it by dragging in the bombing victims and Ms. Smedinghoff.
But, politics can most certainly be unseemly, and American political leaders ought to be focusing on national unity instead of divisions, especially with the revelations of ricin being sent to the President and two US Senators.
So, maybe Quinn should’ve just held his fire on Perry, too.
* Raw audio of Q&A…
* Related…
* Quinn ‘open minded’ to legalized medical marijuana: He told reporters Wednesday that he recently met with a veteran suffering from war wounds who was helped by the medical use of marijuana.
* Governor Quinn announces multi-year, $12.62 billion construction program
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:57 am
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Still waiting to hear 1, 2 and 3. Talk about a big talker, we’ve got one right here…
Comment by Burning Down da House Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 11:59 am
Meh, he was asked a question about Perry and called him a big talker. That’s pretty tame stuff when someone is spending money to poach your business.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:01 pm
This is par for the leftist political course. All he did was launch a personalized political attack against a conservative during a time of crisis. Then he did the obligatory use of victims of tragedy as human shields so he could deflect on an issue he is embarrassed about.
Bill Clinton would be proud. This was textbook.
Comment by So. ILL Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:02 pm
Ahhhh
A good old Quinn ramble, got to love those. Kind of wish he worked the Mississippi into it a bit.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:07 pm
===Still waiting to hear 1, 2 and 3===
Play the audio file.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:07 pm
–All he did was launch a personalized political attack against a conservative during a time of crisis.–
He was asked a question regarding state business and answered it. I doubt if Rick Perry fainted.
Our business and lives should not grind to a halt every time some punk sets off a bomb or posts a suspicious letter. Don’t give them that power — they’re nobodies and losers.
This just in this second from the radio — surveillance camera in Beantown has an image of a dude dropping a bag with one of the bombs. Press conference coming this afternoon.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:20 pm
I’m a leftist. Pat Quinn is not, and for that matter, neither is Bill Clinton.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:25 pm
“BIG TALKER”
Wow! Hello Pot? This is kettle!
Comment by Statesman Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:31 pm
===Our business and lives should not grind to a halt every time some punk sets off a bomb or posts a suspicious letter.===
OK, then he should’ve answered the question.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:32 pm
- OK, then he should’ve answered the question. -
He answered several questions regarding issues affecting the state, and offered his support and condolences for victims of recent tragedies. Why does he need to answer a question about fundraising?
Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:36 pm
===Why does he need to answer a question about fundraising? ===
Why not?
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:39 pm
- Why not? -
Well, he said he doesn’t want to talk politics, and last I checked the AG wasn’t trashing Illinois like Gov. Perry is. I don’t pretend to know what motivates PQ, but he and Lisa have both been pretty consistent in keeping their cards close about a primary.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:46 pm
CNN reporting an arrest in Boston.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:51 pm
If the Texan met Quinn and is still a poacher, then it sounds like Perry is about as impressed with Quinn as we are.
Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 12:55 pm
Well he does not need to answer anything, now does he.. But when one only wants to answer (or ramble) about that they want to address it is perhaps right to ask why that is.
I have noticed that in general, politicians tend not to answer questions that they don’t have answers to or they don’t like the answers they have for those questions.
I submit that this is case, not Pat Quinn taking the high road.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:02 pm
One Man may have a point. PQ is quick to deflect things which may require a detailed answer. He minimalizes by acting authorative. (”He’s a big talker” and don’t forget the reference that Caterpillar is not going anywhere. I know them and they are not going anywhere…not exact quote)
Fact is Cat is building out of state. Electromotive is in Indiana, and new plant in……..Texas!(Big talk state)
Comment by LisleMike Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:15 pm
Ok, first thoughts after listening to Pat Quinn that’s that’s several minutes of my life that I want back. Secondly, on reflection, Quinn could do a great ‘Lou Costello’ in “Who’s On First”, except he’s got to stay on script.
Oh, wait - this is Pat Quinn….
Never mind….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who%27s_on_First%3F
Comment by Judgment Day (Road Trip) Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 1:49 pm
Silly, Rich. You should know that Quinn doesn’t follow anyone’s advice. Including his own.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:40 pm
This is the thing that irritates me most about Pat Quinn. when he is put on the spot he misdirects the attention and plays this uber caring soft hearted person who is the savior for the down trodden. He trots out that personna as easily as any professional actor. He drops names and speaks of these people as if he personally knew them. To me that is despicable, as he is using them for political gain. And lest anyone think he is really like that just take a look at the vindictiveness he displays when someone crosses him, SIU board etc.
Comment by Irish Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 2:51 pm
Quite honestly, I personally think the most important thing coming out of all of this is the fact about that 12.6 BILlion buck construction bang (program) to improve the many long miles of Illinois’roads and shaky bridges (I was on a thin, 2-laner crossing the Mighty Mississippi last August in Northwest Illinois that rumbled shakily a LITtle more than typically assures me I haven’t crawled onto some decaying wood and steel in dire need of disrepair–it just felt PRETTy decrepit to my wife and I and we literally prayed to make it back into the Illinois side toward the Palisades so…on a realistic note, it sure sounds like our hard-earned Tax dollars that are going to be well-spent, and, shucks, the fella deserves some real CREDit actually for launching a much-needed Program…
Otherwise, gee, quite a bit of psych-analyzing Pat Quinn going on up above. Sure, he was deflecting the LM funds question, and probably should’ve shown some frank courage and acknowledged/answered it somehow, even briefly or dismissively by saying that the last he’s heard, the AG hasn’t made any formal announcements to his knowledge, or ANYthing but simply deflect…but he knows darn well that it’ll be asked again soon and at some point he’s going to have to grapple with that fact and communicate how he plans to overcome the gap politically…
Lastly, hokey and maudlin though it may have come across, I actually aPPREciate his comments about our sympathy for the Bostonian’ victims and outreach to Gov. Patrick. It kind of felt as if he was speaking on behalf of ALL Illinoisans, communicating some of the kinds of feelings millions of us here in the Prairie State WISH we could share on a more widespread Public level if we could–and that the Governor of Illinois CAN, and although his timing in relation to the question asked WAS awkward on his part, he really SHOULD have said something meaningful about the tragedy in Boston…
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 3:21 pm
Oh cmon. Perry is attacking all of us and the gov should speak up. But he doesn’t need to take the bait against Democratic who hasn’t even announced yet. No story here.
Comment by Biz Guy Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 3:34 pm
At least Perry hasn’t trotted out a giant cartoon snake as the voice of a “grassroots campaign.”
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 3:35 pm
Irish - If you question Pat Quinn’s devotion to veterans, those that put themselves in harm’s way, and those that are innocent victims of violence, then you’re despicable. Whine about how poorly he treats AFSCME or poor old Glenn Poshard all you want, but you’re blind or a liar to suggest he fakes compassion for these people.
Comment by Small Town Liberal Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 4:32 pm
STL, I will agree with you 100 percent that Pat Quinn has a genuine concern for our veterans and military. Whatever else I may tweak him for, which is plenty, I appreciate and respect him for caring about our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Apr 17, 13 @ 10:02 pm