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* UPDATED x2 - Quinn to address the media * “Let’s make the will of the people the law of the land”

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* How many times have we heard Gov. Pat Quinn repeat that line?

I can somewhat understand why Gov. Quinn didn’t concede last night. His campaign repeatedly pleaded with voters to stand in line for hours. Some folks waited until 3 o’clock this morning to vote. I can see why he wouldn’t publicly walk away while people who are loyal to him are sacrificing time away from their loved ones.

* But, it’s now Wednesday afternoon, and Quinn is trailing by five percentage points with 99.5 percent of the precincts reporting. Maybe he closes the gap by a little, but the “will of the people” is obvious.

Governor, you and your opponent tore this state in half with a hundred million dollars in negative advertising. It’s time you helped heal those divisions that you helped create. It’s time to pick up the phone, call Bruce Rauner and concede. I have his number if you need it.

*** UPDATE 1 *** From the governor’s office…

GOVERNOR’S PUBLIC SCHEDULE
**Wednesday, November 5, 2014**

CHICAGO – Governor Pat Quinn will address the media.

WHEN: 3:30 p.m.

WHERE: James R. Thompson Center
15th Floor – Blue Room
100 W. Randolph St.
Chicago, 60601

*** UPDATE 2 *** WGN says they will live stream the event. Click here.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:23 pm

Comments

Maybe Brooke Anderson should slide him a note, reading;

“Stand up straight and concede already”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:25 pm
Agrred.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:25 pm
And agreed, too, lol.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:26 pm
Well beyond time for Quinn to concede. Also well beyond time for him to do it with any remaining possibility of appearing graceful or statemanlike doing it.

As for the folks waiting 9 hours or whatever to vote, while in a way I guess it’s admirable they care that much to take that much time, let’s also remember it’s completely unnecessary. They waited until the last possible moment to vote rather than registering and/or voting early like everyone else and like they had months and months of time to do. It’s kind of like patting the people on the back who are stuck buying the Chia pets at Walgreens at 11:59 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:27 pm
The Forest Gump of Politics days are over. Stick a fork in him.

Comment by Bubba Gump Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:29 pm
He hasn’t lost an election in decades, and this one must hurt very badly. It has been an awful campaign season, and I suspects he hates Rauner and what Rauner represents. But no man is bigger than the people. He will see than soon, I’m sure.

Comment by Percival Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:30 pm
He never conceded, when he was beaten by George Ryan

Comment by voted Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:30 pm
The people of Illinois Good and True(tm) who live in this fine state, the Land Of Lincoln with is mighty Mississippi River and high speed rail, you know Lincoln was knows as the rail splitter, would want us to wait until every last vote was counted. Before I admit the obvious…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:30 pm
Also, no class

Comment by voted Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:32 pm
The will of the people is one thing but the law of math also kicks in. A half percent of 3,400,000 votes is only 17,000. And he’s not going to all of them. Provisional and late mail make up maybe a percent or so. Even 2% is only 64,000 votes, again he doesn’t get them all.
On the other hand Frerichs should be all over this.

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:33 pm
I’m picturing Governor Quinn ironing his trademark purple & black tie - he only has one, of course, because he’s a man of the people - and yelling out load, “MIGHT MAKES RIGHT!” Or something like that.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:37 pm
Maybe he’s waiting until Sunday. He was famous for calling Sunday press conferences so he could always be on the late news (slow day).

Comment by Bogey Golfer Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:38 pm
The bright side is that he will have a lot more time to mow his own grass with that enviromentally correct lawn mower

Comment by voted Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Quinn was just as nasty as Rauner so who cares if he’s “hurt” This time the people judged him to be the worst choice from two bad choices. Retire gracefully already..

Comment by Mouthy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:40 pm
He should barricade himself in the gov’s office, hold press conferences and ribbon cuttings like he is still gov. I hop ehe goes back to doing work for Vets. Also, has Vallas made a peep?

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:40 pm
Quinn needs to finally pick up the phone and concede to Rauner. The concession call is a principle as old as the bible!

Comment by Treefiddy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:42 pm
I think the reality of the loss is just settling in. They thought they were going to win till the late surge of results hit like a hammer. It’s called denial.

Comment by Becoming real now Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:43 pm
Hey, he is on this voter count 24/7 so let him be!

Comment by Kerfuffle Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:43 pm
I think the way the thread was introduced say’s it all… It’s the law… Stay Classy Pat….

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:44 pm
“Attention Illinois Elected Officials!”

“We shall now read the names of those of you unworthy of being retained in your offices.”

“Pat Quinn”

“Thank you, that is all”

Governor Quinn is a little embarrassed about his public firing.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:47 pm
I’m not sure why candidates declare victory or concede.

There are people paid plenty to figure out who won and who lost.

Comment by Kasich Walker, Jr. Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Agreed, I worked on Brady campaign four years ago in a far closer election, he choose to do the right thing and not draw it any longer.

Comment by RMWStamford Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:48 pm
Not conceding sort of reminds me of withholding legislators’ pay. Not enough common sense to be an effective governor.

Comment by Dan Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:51 pm
It is not even an original line: Pat Quinn lifted it from “Fighting Bob” La Follette of Wisconsin (a governor, US Senator and unsuccessful presidential candidate).

Time to concede PQ.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:51 pm
Maybe he is waiting for the November 21st court date on SB1 to see if he gets to keep the 3% COLA on his pension.

If he loses the COLA he may ask Bruce for a job when he concedes.

Comment by Tsavo Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:54 pm
Rich I think you misunderstand that Pat Quinn’s class warfare strategy was not political BS to get elected, he and many other Democrats believe Rauner is the harbinger of a full scale assault on both organized labor and the poor of Illinois. Seen from that perspective healing those divisions could well be not possible.

Comment by Rod Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm
I think Pat bought too much into his own Schtick. That and faulty polling will likely have him hiding for awhile longer. I am thankful it wasn’t a 2% lead we’d be going through the ‘04 Florida Mess.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm
===he choose to do the right thing and not draw it any longer. ===
Actually it doesn’t really matter if he concedes or not. Not really his decision as to whether he lost or not. As Kasich says above there are people paid to figure that out. He has options when it comes to asking for a recount but he hasn’t done that.
That being said, he should man up and concede just to quit lying to himself.

Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm
It’s a point well taken not to concede last night when people were still voting. Wasn’t going to help Quinn, but it might have helped Frerichs.

In 1980, Carter conceded to Reagan while voting was still open on the West Coast. Tip O’ Neil about plotzed.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 1:55 pm
“The concession call is a principle as old as the bible”. I didn’t know the phone was as old as the bible

Comment by Golfman_r Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:05 pm
=Rich I think you misunderstand that Pat Quinn’s class warfare strategy was not political BS to get elected, he and many other Democrats believe Rauner is the harbinger of a full scale assault on both organized labor and the poor of Illinois.=

What a bunch of nonsense. Rauner’s ability to get something done with a Democratic controlled House and Senate is about the same as Quinn’s. The inflammatory rhetoric works on the campaign trail but Quinn knows that Rauner is powerless against the established interests in this state. In fact attempting to govern in the Scott Walker style would only make him look foolish given the obstacles he faces.

Now to the matter at hand. What happens if Quinn doesn’t concede? It doesn’t change anything. Unless we expect Pat Quinn to barricade himself in his office on behalf of union workers and the poor.

Comment by pundent Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:07 pm
Congratulations, President Obama, for losing the Senate and ILL Gov. With his strategy, maybe the Russkies can take back East Berlin soon.

Comment by What is to be done? Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:08 pm
VanillaMan made me LOL.
At this point I think that the lack of concession speech only solidifies Quinn’s career as an elected official as being over. The people will move on an ignore it, unless he decides to run for something and then it will be blasted across the mediaverse. A poor decision by Quinn, but there is a bright side…. this one’s not ending in an orange jumpsuit. So kudos to him.

Comment by A.B. Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:15 pm
Smart to honor the voters and to try to save the Treasurer’s race, but today, it’s time. Fought hard, got beat, bow out gracefully.

Comment by haverford Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:18 pm
This latest stunt is consistent with his whole career.

Comment by orzo Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:24 pm
Quinn conceding would begin the process of building bridges to the future. His lack of conceding leaves the chasm created during the campaign.

Comment by archimedes Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:24 pm
==Retire gracefully already..==

He can’t afford to, unless the SCt tosses the pension reform law.

Comment by Anon. Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:26 pm
In the words of the big man….

“Free at last, free at last. Thank god almighty I’m free at last”

Now we can begin to clean up the corruption and massive waste.

Comment by Euphoric Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:38 pm
Given the way his speeches ramble, if he starts his concession speech now he could probably keep it going until February maybe March. Keeps him in for another month or two.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:40 pm
It brings his governorship full circle: from the moment he realized Blago was history Pat Quinn changed - tossing aside the “will of the people” in favor of the power of picking Barack Obama’s successor without a special election (Blago then pulled the rug out from under him). Once the ultimate reformer, he became a pedestrian hack -when you give up that much of your soul for power, it’s hard to admit that power is coming to an end.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:41 pm
Governor, in the words of the Lord and the 12th congressional district’s congressman-elect, “Let my people go”

Comment by kj Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:46 pm
Do not forget. The president has a phone and a pen. With executive action, the president could cancel the results and give Quinn a do over.

Comment by Sage Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:46 pm
- Sage - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:46 pm:

Do not forget. The president has a phone and a pen. With executive action, the president could cancel the results and give Quinn a do over.

Please tell me where you believe that power would come from. I mean, specifically. Dope

If this was snark, please label as such, and if it wasn’t, please stop being a crazy person

Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 2:48 pm
Would he concede at a government office?

Comment by Oneman Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:01 pm
it was a particularly messy voting day in Chicago, what with someone’s dirty trick of calling the election judges, and this, apparently, will be investigated by the Chicago City Council. I’m sure Quinn, in addition to his Quinness, is looking at the action in Cook County and wondering if votes went missing.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:03 pm
How dare the Governor concede the governorship in the Governors office. An investigation is warrented.

Comment by Bobio Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:03 pm
The president himself has claimed all kinds of executive authority he does not have. Just ask all 9 US Supreme court justices. They have voted 9-0 that Obama exceeded his constitutional authority more than any other president in history.

Comment by Sage Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:06 pm
He was checking with Jesse Jackson to see if a lawsuit would help. Nothing puts the brakes on like voter disfranchisement

Comment by Impressed Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:10 pm
- Sage - Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:06 pm:

The president himself has claimed all kinds of executive authority he does not have. Just ask all 9 US Supreme court justices. They have voted 9-0 that Obama exceeded his constitutional authority more than any other president in history.===

So, you’re going with the crazy person route. Congrats!

Comment by Try-4-Truth Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:10 pm
Sage, goodbye.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:13 pm
If this press conference is concerning the campaign, it should not be held at JRTC and it shouldn’t be promoted by state employees. If he is conceding and discussing the election, campaign employees should promote it and it should be held outside official state offices. He’s probably broke and this is all he can afford.

Comment by Tasty Grouper Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:16 pm
The Senate race 4 years ago was arguably just as personal, the results were closer, but by this point it was agreed it was over, and both were on their way to the Billy Goat to meet and move on. Shame that couldn’t have happened here.

Comment by Anonymoiis Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:18 pm
Sorry said ‘04 meant ‘00 Florida mess.

Comment by Mason born Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:21 pm
He is going to announce immigration reform just to honk Republicans off.

Comment by Mikah Bates Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:25 pm
He is going to announce day-after voter registration and voting.

Comment by Presley Crawford Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:27 pm
172K down, you gotta be kidding. And yes, why is this press conference occurring at the JRTC?

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:32 pm
https://capitolfax.com/2014/11/05/gov-quinn-concedes/

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Nov 5, 14 @ 3:34 pm