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posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 8:52 am

Comments

Chicago Tribune headline;

“Bickering derails Quinn anti-violence probe hearing”

Good job, the bickering gets the print? Yeah, um no.

Make it quick today. Make your points GOP, and stop tainting this whole thing for My Party.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:00 am
“Goofy Mess” could aptly describe Pat Quinn’s entire career.

To think that this benighted state once could elect people like Dixon and Olgivie. Sigh.

Comment by Under Further Review Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:09 am
I would prefer they take another eight plus hours to decide to meet again on Monday.

When you see an political screw up this epic you really want to slow it down to get a good look.

Comment by Toure's Latte Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:10 am
After yesterday’s nonsense, does anyone still think “CSI:LAC” was going to shed light on anything?

That crew struggled mightily to set a lunch break. They couldn’t even get the political theater right. All the stories today are about the confused bickering.

Did Oberweis really call the feds in the middle of the hearings? “Hello, Justice Department?” You can’t make that stuff up. And he wants to be our latex salesman.

The LAC is not an investigative body, they can’t determine criminality. They don’t have the resources or expertise for that. They’re just legislators who are supposed to review audits and findings from the auditor general and make recommendations to the full GA.

It’s a good idea. Maybe they should have done that when the audit came out in February before the federales were on it and everyone clammed up.

Here’s one recommendation that everyone should keep in mind for the future: pass a line-item appropriation budget. In an election year, it’s not a good idea to punt and just throw big piles of money at a governor and let him decide how to spend it.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:13 am
Bickering takes two parties, not just one.

The Feds want 90 days? Give them 90 days. If they end up asking for more? Then give them more.

For all anyone knows, they’ll be done 60 days or 80 days. There is no reason at the moment to delay beyond that moment other than as delay tactic attempting to obfuscate the issue. GOP needs to stay focused, hit hard and move on quickly.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:16 am
==To think that this benighted state once could elect people like Dixon and Olgivie. Sigh.==

To think this state used to have candidates like Dixon and Ogilvie. Sigh.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:25 am
- FKA -,

Keep this in mind;

Anything headline that doesn’t have “Quinn” “Investigation” or “possible criminal” is a win for the Dems. That was their job; keep damage to a minimum.

They love the headline. It also gives no image for an Ad with a headline.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:30 am
–To think that this benighted state once could elect people like Dixon and Olgivie. Sigh. –

That’s a little maudlin, don’t you think? There’s been a pretty mixed bag since 1818. You’re not pining for the good ol’ days of Len Small and Frank Smith, are you?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:32 am
Lest we forget: the GOP doesn’t control this process. They started pointing this out in 2012.

The House passed a resolution for an audit of this program, which the Senate shot down. The GOP concerns over this program were immediately and publicly dismissed by many from the Governor on down. The GOP called for further investigation the day after the report was released. And finally, after all that, Mr. Mautino made it clear yesterday who is truly in control of this hearing and Chairs this commission.

That does NOT excuse the GOP’s poor planning and performance yesterday. Nor does it diminish all the work they had to do fighting obstruction just getting to this point.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:32 am
OW - when all is said and done, we agree there. That is of course the most important point from a political viewpoint, and this is unfortunately all about politics rather than improving our system and oversight.

Anything less than those headlines transforms a “win” for the GOP into a “win” for Dems.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:34 am
And, after yesterday’s performance by Barickman and company, the GOP earned that “loss”.

Maybe they should start the day with a surprise witness of their own, a la Mr. Drury yesterday lol.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:38 am
Well, they got about forty minutes worth of work done, in 8 hours. And that was to confirm that no one’s talking to them right now.

Fred Crespo asked the most sensible questions, without grandstanding. The usual mission for this committee is to review audit findings and recommend fixes in the form of legislation, and occasionally to review the usefulness of the audit functions themselves. Since bills have already been passed and recently signed into law, on the issuance and administration of grants, based on these same audit findings previously reported — “what’s the end game here?” Is there a point to this proceeding, beyond political posturing? The committee is carving out a broader function for itself, with multiple goals.

Getting to the bottom of this problem is worthwhile. This might not be the forum, despite its theatrical opportunities.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:44 am
===Lest we forget: the GOP doesn’t control this process. They started pointing this out in 2012.===

Sorry, lest we forget, a press release allowing what happened already less the horrible political theatre yesterday and no muddying of the issue was an option to consider.

I have no sympathy or feel nothing that the GOP was passive, a passenger yesterday.

They “own” it. Never should have happened at all yesterday.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:44 am
== Never should have happened at all yesterday. ==

Agreed. Which is why I capitalized the “not” in “does not excuse”

Disappointing to see both sides failed to come to terms last night and now we don’t even know what time we’re starting today.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:52 am
And away we go…

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:53 am
The victory (and the loss perhaps) of yesterday was that it was transparent. Everyone could see what was happening, and whose intentions were what. Both sides of this will tell the same story with 2 different tones to it. While you may not want to enter the sty for fear of getting the same dirt on you, occasionally you have to if that’s one side’s home field. The Dems are better at this kind of thing because they’re voters being more liberal in nature are far more forgiving of their trespasses.

The GOP has trumpeted righteousness so much, they’ve left our side and their side with a zero tolerance position on everything from spitting to jay walking. Our side doesn’t forgive, and their side knows it. So the threat to drag anything into the sty is always formidable.

It wasn’t a great day for anyone. But I’ll give Barickman some credit for not backing down and making the other side “rationalize their nutty positions” out loud. We had plenty of nuttiness of our own, but this is a quest for facts of a very serious matter.

Transparency in government can provide for some very ugly victories. Seeing this in broad daylight wasn’t pretty, but it was transparent democracy at work.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:53 am
All good, - FKA -, lets see if something is salvageable.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:59 am
== the horrible political theatre yesterday ==

In the eye of the beholder. It was FABULOUS political theater!

Comment by Toure's Latte Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 9:59 am
=== The Dems are better at this kind of thing because they’re voters being more liberal in nature are far more forgiving of their trespasses.===

Raunerites forgive everything Bruce Rauner has ever done, ever! Pick an issue, “it’s baloney, it’s nothing”

===It wasn’t a great day for anyone. But I’ll give Barickman some credit for not backing down and making the other side “rationalize their nutty positions” out loud. ===

Was that before… or after trying to wrest control of the chair from Rep. Mautino, I forget with all that credit for Barickman being showered.

You “guy” - A Guy … - had caricatures heckle clergy. Was that good?

You are right, no one looked “good “, but it looks real good for Dems who got the theatre headlines they wanted, and Bruce got little of what he hoped.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:09 am
What a waste of tax payer money.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:14 am
Willie, is it possible for you to consider that anyone viewed this differently than you? You can’t see anything beyond your own biases. My point was that it’s a victory (I stipulated it was an ugly victory) for transparency. We all got to see it.

And I seriously doubt Mike Pfleger needs you to come to the rescue. He puts himself in the game, so he’s fair game. He wouldn’t have it any other way. I know Fr. Mike. I like him. Worked with him on a number of things. He accepts being reminded that he gets a little too far out on a limb sometimes. That’s a price he’s willing to pay for speaking out on things that really matter to him. Despite being too predictable at times, he always discovers a way to remain relevant. He doesn’t need your help.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:25 am
===It wasn’t a great day for anyone. But I’ll give Barickman some credit for not backing down and making the other side “rationalize their nutty positions” out loud.===

I commented,

“You “guy” - A Guy … - had caricatures heckle clergy. Was that good?”

Optics. So because you “know” Fr. Pflager, the optics of heckling ministers including Fr. Pflager, that is good optics?

=== You can’t see anything beyond your own biases. My point was that it’s a victory (I stipulated it was an ugly victory) for transparency. We all got to see it.===

To see what? A train wreck? Let’s not forget the 180 degree difference after the 3 hour, “30 minute” break…

That was not a surging ahead, it was limiting the losses.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:33 am
Looks like Jumpin’Jason got new cue cards and he agrees to check with USA BEFORE next meeting…that was the Mautino request.
Viewers should remember that Jumpin’ has had the audit since Feb. and could have been calling for witnesses for months…months
But remember he never even looked at Auditor General files until MAY — he was praying for summer stock theater. Now that he has strolled to stage even Brady2010 admits it was a disaster.
Now back to BizWiz track record

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:35 am
And you got to see it Willie…that was the victory part. BTW, Mike doesn’t hide behind the frock in these affairs. He’s a social warrior with a limited wardrobe.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:38 am
Twitter
===Dave McKinney
@davemckinney123
Barickman said US Atty Lewis “made a commitment” this morning he wouldn’t seek to block witness testimony beyond 90 days.===

That’s a positive development. Even a small victory. Maybe not so small.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:42 am
== What a waste of tax payer money. ==

Credit HRO Super Minority Leader Jim Durkin and his Deputy Leader Ron Sandack for this total waste of time and money. It was on hold, then those two demanded it be kick started, and every GOPer on the LAC just voted to not proceed.

Can’t wait to see the price tag for this.

Comment by Toure's Latte Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:43 am
and here goes Brady again…. sheesh, this guy just can’t let it go. If he is convinced NRI was THE reason he lost, he is seriously deluding himself. NRI or no NRI, brady still loses.

Comment by yo Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:43 am
===Twitter…
Dave McKinney - @davemckinney123
Barickman said US Atty Lewis “made a commitment” this morning he wouldn’t seek to block witness testimony beyond 90 days.===

Could have done that on Friday, no bad optics, theatre, could have even issued a release hammering Quinn. Instead, they had to look like Dopes for the benefit of Rauner, and they are no further than where they could have been without the mud.

===That’s a positive development. Even a small victory. Maybe not so small. ===

So, is it an “Up” day? lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:48 am
===”being more liberal in nature, are far more forgiving of their trespasses”===

Had to laugh. They can be extremely indignant and intolerant of some “trespasses.”

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:52 am
It’s another down day for Quinn. A whole new round of stories referencing the criminal investigation into his Administration. If the Audit Commission wasn’t meeting, that wouldn’t have happened.

Did everybody get a little mud on them? Yes.

It may not be perfect, but on balance, it’s bad for Quinn. This story keeps going. You may not like exactly how it’s playing out, but I’ll bet you Quinn doesn’t see it as a plus.

I would think it would be hard for anyone, including full time blog commenters, to disagree with that.

Comment by Befuddled Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:55 am
===And you got to see it Willie…that was the victory part.===

You might be the only person who is claiming a victory out of yesterday in that manner. I guess when Rauner calls 1/3 of the ILGOP GA corrupt, having those legislators spend some integrity being blown is nothing.

===BTW, Mike doesn’t hide behind the frock in these affairs. He’s a social warrior with a limited wardrobe.===

So a campaign that sends caricatures to mock clergy, and actively participating in a farce is ok to be seen by TV cameras?

Do you read your comments? There were more clergy than Fr. Pflager, and if you want to call out those clergy, or make a point, you need costumed characters?

That is what the guy who wants to be governor…does… in this specific instance? Yikes!

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:56 am
Brady just cannot help playing the faux strong guy. Let the better-informed carry the ball for you Senator. They’re doing it better this morning.

Comment by walker Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 10:57 am
Reis and other GOPies now trying to reexplain their bonehead plays…not going well…check out Blueroom feed

Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 11:19 am
Listening to Mautino, it sounds as though much of what happened the past 2 days could and should have been taken care of by Mautino, Barickman and the US Atty in advance with a simple phone call or two.

Yes, this was theater, but it was wasted theater. Neither side put on a good show or gained much. If you are going to put on a show, then put on a show. What a ridiculous waste of stage time.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 11:48 am
Friends, I sometimes think many of you are genetically imprinted with a need to blame things that are bad on one political party or the other (either that or you are on the payroll of one party or the other). I see very few things happen in this arena where one party is culpable and the other blameless. Why do you insist on doing so?

Comment by steve schnorf Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 12:11 pm
FKA, ugly as it may have looked, even eerily uncomfortable at times, they held themselves accountable by doing it all in the open. Not a gracious moment to put on the highlight reel for anyone, and despite the winding road they took, they got there. It might prevent another such clumsy process. As spectators to it, we can handle it. Schnorf is right about the Partisanship lens. It’s reached a dangerous point.

Comment by A guy... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 12:38 pm
It was clear from the beginning that both sides were concerned that they looked ridiculous yesterday. They just weren’t sure who would pay the price, so they made nice. Too bad they wasted a day to get to that point.

Comment by orzo Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 1:35 pm
Steve Schnorf - puts it perfectly. The Raunerbots and Quinnites will only multiply between now and Nov.

A guy… - partisanship can indeed be dangerous when it comes ahead of the state.

It takes both parties to combine and create this level of dysfunction and distrust.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 1:36 pm
== What a waste of tax payer money. ==

Oh, I don’t know. What kind of trouble would the LAC have been getting into if they weren’t busy hamming it up for the cameras?

Comment by Anon. Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 1:55 pm
Public schools need property taxes in order to keep their doors open. Most schools need to increase property taxes in order to provide the kids with a decent education. The Feds and the State keep funding less. How are the schools supposed to function? They can’t! Most people do not have the money to send their kids to a private school. School vouchers are out of the question for several reason.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 5:25 pm
So after all the HYPE, they basically cave, defer overall to the U.S. District Attorney’s 90 day request (at a Minimum) and admit they will most definitely show “flexibility” in their response toward any further requests by the Feds for more time beyond Oct. 8th’s next meeting, and/or to lay off certain subjects as the Justice Department has directed…!

So, put differently, the GOP Members abruptly and totally unnecessarily raising Cain about respecting the U.S. District Atty.’s earnest request, just turned out to be a fairly quick and loud M-80 going off about it the other day, which caused us all to quickly turn our heads and take note of their brashness in DOing such a silly thing, rather than bringing on any REAL Fireworks show to ooh and ah at…! Ugh.

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Thursday, Jul 17, 14 @ 7:47 pm