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It could always be worse

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Illinois

* Eight years ago today…

The electricity meeting dominated the statehouse activity on Thursday and kept Jones and Madigan away from a meeting Gov. Rod Blagojevich had called with Cook County Assessor Jim Houlihan over how best to renew a property tax relief plan. Jones and Madigan, both Chicago Democrats, have passed different versions of a plan.

The governor halted the meeting after the two legislative leaders sent deputies instead, leading to the latest round of personal rancor that has marked interactions between the governor and his fellow Democrats since they pushed the legislative session into overtime.

Madigan sent Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (D-Chicago) to the meeting. Madigan spokesman Steve Brown said “it appears to be a sexist thing” that the governor would not recognize Currie as Madigan’s proxy.

Deputy Gov. Sheila Nix vigorously disputed Brown’s assertion, saying “there was nothing sexist about” the governor’s decision. She called Brown’s remarks a “smoke screen” for Madigan’s absence.

Currie called Blagojevich’s actions “very bizarre behavior.”

We recently had a “sexist smear campaign” allegation, but by this date in 2007, things were far worse than they are today.

Then again, the governor’s TV ads haven’t yet started airing.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:00 am

Comments

Couldn’t this be a lesson as to “what does not work” with the Speaker?

Whether anyone likes the Gov’s approach or not, there is only history out there on what doesn’t work.

Comment by A guy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:06 am
Blagojevich was an obvious joke of a governor, whom everyone already knew by this time, needed some serious incarcerating.

Any meeting with him was a waste of time.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:08 am
The TV Ads could be a “point of constant contention” for the next 3 years, let alone 2016 and it’s election ramifications.

Rauner IS Rod, with the money to try unlimited avenues Rod Blagojevich could only dream about.

Raunerites will love this.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:09 am
Finke had an interesting take on Sunday. Rauner basically calls out Madigan and Cullerton as crooks in public, but apparently is a lamb during the rare private meetings he has with them.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:15 am
===Rauner basically calls out Madigan and Cullerton as crooks in public, but apparently is a lamb during the rare private meetings he has with them.===

Bullies are known to act differently when faced with the reality thise they bully in front of others are then made equal due to circumstance.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:22 am
“Rauner basically calls out Madigan and Cullerton as crooks in public, but apparently is a lamb during the rare private meetings he has with them.”

The Governor is such a good & experienced negotiator, he can play Good Cop and Bad Cop at the same time.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:23 am
The only reason things aren’t that bad yet is that it’s early.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:27 am
==It could always be worse.==

Anyone want to predict when it gets worse? I’ll say right after Independence Day weekend.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:38 am
The Governor never promised that he would make the state government run or that things would get better. All he really said was “Shake up Springfield” Great. Excellent.

Comment by siriusly Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 10:48 am
LOL-Good point, siriusly. Guess he is delivering on his campaign promise, after all…

Comment by downstate commissioner Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:23 am
And when you shake things, you usually break them …

Comment by RNUG Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 11:30 am
“The Governor is such a good & experienced negotiator, he can play Good Cop and Bad Cop at the same time.”

And when he does drink beer, he prefers Dos Equis

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jun 15, 15 @ 12:20 pm