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* The Chicago Tribune editorial board on Speaker Madigan’s response to Gov. Rauner’s new TV ad…
How amusing that the patron of scorched-earth politics and endless campaigning tries to paint the other guy as extreme.
Madigan campaigns year-round. Always has, through structured roll calls that allow vulnerable incumbents to take safe votes. By bottling up Republican bills in committee to limit Republicans’ success. By swapping out his members during committee hearings so they don’t have to take controversial votes. By passing legislation that makes it more difficult for challengers or independents to get on the ballot. By blocking term limits. By raising money year-round. All of those maneuvers are designed to protect his majority for the next election. In other words, campaigning.
* More…
[Madigan’s] operatives sent campaign mailers last fall that claimed Leslie Munger, a Republican running for the House, supported child abusers in schools. Ads and automated phone calls claimed she opposed background checks on school workers, which was untrue, and would expose children to pedophiles.
Now that’s extreme. […]
Madigan’s operatives suggested in a separate mailer that Republican Rep. Sheri Jesiel sided with rapists over rape victims.
They make a valid point here. When compared to Madigan’s standard direct mail program, these Rauner ads are pretty darned tame.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:27 am
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Yeah, Madigan should preach about intimidation. We need people in the legislature that worry about our needs, not theirs.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:32 am
The problem is that Bruce Rauner cares less about our needs than Michael Madigan.
“A plague on both houses”
Comment by Mercutio Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:34 am
On point assessment. Regarding the budget, nothing gets accomplished until the last minute and both sides will walk proclaiming a small victory. Meh.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:35 am
The obvious solution is to tax fake outrage, it’s the most abundant resource in Illinois. Seriously, “he did it too” or “his attacks were worse than mine” isn’t much of a defense. It is an interesting point, but also points out that hypocrisy isn’t in short supply either. None of it moves us closer to a budget resolution.
Comment by AC Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:38 am
I wonder how many Illinoisans are engaged in all of this? I rarely watch TV so I miss the ads. I saw a small demonstration Monday in front of the Ogilvie Center and no one stopped to watch.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:42 am
To the negative point,
The HDem Shop that does the direct mail program(s) scare me more than any television ad generated in the micro aspects of district campaigning.
The HDems aren’t unique in their harsh mail delivery, but in contrast to Rauner’s “Please help me, I’m a good guy and you like me” TV Ad out now, and it’s not even close to compare some of HDem’s mail to the TV Ad.
I’d also make note that the mail programs by all four Caucuses are absolutely critical in the micro in winning the contested seats. Even with the advent of cable television as the messenge delivery system in Cook and Collars, the direct mail programs will dictate the tone and tenor more times than not in legislative races.
In this direct compare/contrast, the HDem mail is quite a bit more harsh, to say the least.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:48 am
Trib is right on this one. There is little that Madigan says publically that anyone should take prima fascia. It’s all a game to him, meant to maneuver the pieces and/or press.
Comment by Nick Danger Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:52 am
There is a difference when the most powerful elected official in the state does it, and when a state legislator does it.
There is a difference when the leader of the executive branch in state government does it against the leader of the legislative branch.
When a governor during what has been a traditional honeymoon period, does it - it doesn’t matter how much that governor spends to lower the Office to the state legislator’s level, what matters more in my opinion, is how much public goodwill is spent. What matters here is the display of political poverty coming from an elected official holding the most powerful position in state government, during their peak public “grace” period.
This governor did to his honeymoon period, what Kardashian did during hers - divorced her partner after 72 days.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:54 am
However subtle, this is a different side of the Speaker than we’ve seen before. He’s not experienced, and therefore not proficient in playing the role of a victim.
This TV ad is remarkably tame and measured. It’s pales in comparison to the nastiness of the tamest mail from the HDEM shop. The Leslie Munger example was very telling.
We’ll see just how damaging the association with the Speaker becomes. I know the opinions here will likely swing the opposite way, but there is definitely something brewing here.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 8:58 am
The Rauner spot is tame. It’s a personal image spot for the governor, to portray him as nice-guy-governor-outsider.
Not to advance legislation or flip votes this summer. Not to flip seats next year. Just a warm and fuzzy for the governor (no mention of his GA GOP allies). It’s the only objective that makes sense.
You can’t get mean and nasty at the same time you’re portraying yourself as sweetness and light.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:01 am
Nick Danger you could not have said it better. This is all a game to him and he loves it and so does Brown for that matter.
Comment by CB Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:02 am
Hasn’t the Speaker been saying that the Governor’s proposals or positions are extreme. Not the ad. At least if I remember the press conference correctly.
Comment by Salty Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:02 am
I’d slow down on the “Madigan is definitely in trouble now!” talk. Nobody likes Madigan, and nobody has liked him for a long time. Hasn’t mattered, and that alone won’t matter. Can $50 million poured into a negative campaign against him matter? Maybe, with the right message, but that ad (which, the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced is about boosting Rauner’s favorables, which indicates that the Governor thinks *his own* numbers are too soft) ain’t gonna do it. If the money can buy the right message and put it on blast, that might change things, but let’s be clear that that’s the money doing it, not some kind of populist revolt.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:05 am
I’d also say that “Madigan is in trouble!” misses the point of the dispute here. Replace Madigan with BFC or Lou Lang or anyone else and the Democrats will be just as opposed to the Governor’s proposals. Maybe Rauner drops more of them, because he clearly cares the most about pantsing Madigan, but absent that, we’d be in the same state.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:09 am
For all the co-equal mumbo jumbo I read here, does anyone really think that the Speaker doesn’t have a hard time adjusting to that? This is the first time in a long time anyone has pressed the point about being co-equal with him. He’s been the chess player for a long time. He’s not used to someone across the table who isn’t compliant with letting him win.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:15 am
To me, what no one here seems to see is it isn’t, in the long run, about Madigan himself being “in trouble”. He clearly has entrenched himself in his district and isnt going anywhere, absent a big scandal, until he is ready. The attacks on him may, however, start to impinge on his caucus, and there are plenty who are nowhere near as safe. So don’t think he needs to only worry about himself in this battle. Arsenal, while those substitute speakers may remain opposed to the governor, it remains to be seen whether they can “herd the cats”, as many here like to say, as well. Rauner is looking to develop a crack in the caucus - I don’t think he or anyone else thinks they are going to “fire” MJM.
Comment by Kodachrome Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:18 am
Wow sorry the Tribbies got their feelin’s hurt. Wonder if they noticed the ad is funded by their former boss who had one of their colleagues caught on the Gs wiretap — guess that nothin’ to worry about.
BTW how does an independent expenditure SuperPac get on camera of TeamBunlge Headmaster talkin into the camera.
Most remember extreme being unlimited nite games
Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:20 am
===He’s not used to someone across the table who isn’t compliant with letting him win.===
Rauner has no budget. Rauner is preparing for a shutdown of state government that Rauner himself touted as needed. Rauner may not get schools open on time.
Rauner needs Madigan more than Madigan needs Rauner.
Why do I say that? I know 47 isn’t 71, and I also know 20 isn’t 36 in “Step 2″
- A Guy -, what is “winning” worth to Rauner if he can’t do his own job?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:22 am
House dem mailers are nasty, and make the govs (first) tv spot look tame by comparison. So…..what? House dems should magically decide to pass rauners latest must haves, loaded w poison pills? The basic dynamics havent changed. No one is budging. Gov nice guy is still willing to slash and burn people and programs unless and until dems betray their core beliefs.
Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:26 am
Willy, your passionate and consistent in your message. That just doesn’t make it right. If the Speaker sees the slightest cracks in his ranks, he’ll act. Keep an eye on members 60-71. Maybe even 60-68 at this point. He’s a very shrewd guy. He’ll patch the roof at the first sign of dripping.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:26 am
It’s true Dem campaign mailers can be brutal. But that’s also true of GOP mailers. I recall several designed to stoke racial fears and resentments over the drivers-license-for-illegals bill, (which Cross voted for when it finally passed.) As far as passing laws to keep third parties off the ballot, that has always had bipartisan support.
Comment by nona Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:30 am
Or - A Guy -, Rauner is running the Blagojevich playbook;
Own a Raunerite Caucus outside the Democratic and Republican Parties.
You are blind to what is going on in the political, and willfully ignorant to Governors owning their decisions.
You can join us all in reality any time.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:33 am
== Arsenal, while those substitute speakers may remain opposed to the governor, it remains to be seen whether they can “herd the cats”, as many here like to say, as well.==
When you go after the unions, the trial lawyers, and the caucus itself, the cats herd themselves. Don’t give Madigan special powers.
==Keep an eye on members 60-71. Maybe even 60-68 at this point.==
“At this point”? The first wave hasn’t even budged yet (much to my surprise). Not sure what the basis to expand the scope is.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:54 am
==To me, what no one here seems to see is it isn’t, in the long run, about Madigan himself being “in trouble”.==
When I speak of Madigan being “in trouble”, the last thing I’m thinking about is his district. C’mon, Madigan without the Dem caucus isn’t Madigan. I just remain unconvinced that Rauner can destroy the Dem caucus or ruin Madigan’s relationship with it. Rauner’s current attacks certainly aren’t going to do it. Maybe he’ll try something else in the future.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 9:59 am
Who reads junk mail?
Comment by foster brooks Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:06 am
===Or - A Guy -, Rauner is running the Blagojevich playbook;====
You can sell that all day Willy, I’m not buying.
===You can join us all in reality any time.===
Or you can. We’ll see.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:08 am
- A Guy -,
Your blind loyalty is that. Facts elude you, and there’s always a “story” to back up what you claim as true.
Bud, when Rauner starts to fund Democrats with ILGO, I hope you see it for what it truly is.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:16 am
So, from a layman’s perspective:
The Dems stated objective is that they want to spend 12.5% more than they have (36bn/32bn) on their passed budget bill, but in order to get there, a tax increase is needed. The Dems want GOP votes on that tax increase to make it bi-partisan (which politically means 1 or more GOP votes, lol). Now, with politics being the art of compromise, at least theoretically, it would seem that meeting half way might be described in the abstract as settling on a $34bn budget, since compromising on the money might be palatable to both sides. The Dems could claim they blunted Rauner’s “attack on the middle class”, and preserved many of the compassionate programs that mean so much to so many citizens of this state, and the GOP could claim that they blunted the Dem’s constant thirst for more taxes, and remain the protector of the taxpayer. I say in the abstract, because I’m not sure how much the Dem’s have already cut to arrive at their 36bn budget, and another 2bn is likely a heavy lift in reality. Speaking of reality, the pain from the cuts is going to be real and palpable, but that, unfortunately, is just an abstraction to most of our current crop of politicians.
Now the GOP (for the most part, in deference to Willy), want to cut, and many GOP believe it’s necessary, while some have apporoximately 0bn as their target government spending objective. They seem to be more immune to the pain caused by those cuts than most people. But they don’t want to get the blame for the cuts they want ,whatever the reason that they want them.
The media, for the most part (in deference to Rich), having been impoverished by the paradigm of the internet, seem to be no longer purveyors of the impartial truth, but propagandists, whose pens are for sale to the views of their current owners. Others attempt to call themselves members of the media, but are even worse propaganda mills (Shout out to John and his ilk!). In the aggregate, the citizens of the state that care to be as informed as possible, have fewer and fewer places to turn to get information that they can trust. Those who don’t have the time, are easy swayed by the propaganda that Bruce and his superstars seem particularly adept at generating. Many of the Pols that we have today, got where they are via propaganda, otherwise known as lying to the people.
To say it’s a mess is an understatement. What to do about it? I wish I knew, and I really, really wish the people who could do something about it, knew. One thing I do know, is that all of the citizens of this state will suffer because of the current games being played in Springfield, and many will suffer greatly.
I’m truly sorry for that.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:19 am
Rauner has no budget.
+Because the GA hasn’t passed the deficit spending plan.
Rauner is preparing for a shutdown of state government that Rauner himself touted as needed.
+Needed when the plan is deficit spending.
Rauner may not get schools open on time.
+Illinois may not get schools open on time. Checks and Balances. 3 branches of Government.
Rauner needs Madigan more than Madigan needs Rauner.
+Illinois needs Leadership. This isn’t a game of chicken. There is no winning strategy yet.
Why do I say that? I know 47 isn’t 71, and I also know 20 isn’t 36 in “Step 2″
- A Guy -, what is “winning” worth to Rauner if he can’t do his own job?
+How can Rauner do his job if the GA doesn’t do theirs? The debt Illinois has is due to a breakdown in the checks and balances.
Comment by Pete Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:19 am
Anoninin makes a funny point about Zell bankrolling the Rauner spot. The Tribbies probably should have mentioned that, considering he used to sign tneir paychecks.
I imagine Zell would have thought Madigan a great statesman if he would have gotten on board with the Blago scheme to lay off the liability and costs of renovation for Wrigley Field on the taxpayers.
The failure of that boondoggle cost Zell about $150 million on the sale of the Cubs, according to published reports.
By the way, anyone heard from Circular Firing Squad lately, lol?
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:20 am
Those mailers are brutal and dishonest.
The Trib isn’t wrong.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:28 am
Pete - well said. They need each other. And the GA passing two consecutive unbalanced budgets hurts them more than Rauner.
If anything, it gives Rauner the chance to hammer the message this is no longer ==business as usual== by not signing such a budget as his Dem predecessor did.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:33 am
- Pete -,
With respect,
Governors are required to submit a budget. Pleas see; Illinois Constitution.
Rauner can’t get his budget passed.
That’s on Rauner, not the General Assebly.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:37 am
The Trib is right that Madigan’s mailers can be very harsh. And though it is rare, they sometimes do go out in periods not right before elections.
But to claim that structured roll calls, and managing bills through committee equals year round “campaigning,” is a ridiculous stretch of that term.
Comment by walker Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 10:39 am
The governor’s personal op ed Board does have a point, and it is valid. How short is the public memory? story will the majority of the voting public buy into. That is what remains to be seen.
The governor can run his message for a long time, probably until it becomes the accepted story line.
But, A Guy, as you have warned some not to underestimate the governor’s team, I would not underestimate the speaker. he didn’t last this long for nothin’. If, and I am not sure he is, but if he is actually on his heals a bit Madigan is more than capable of righting the ship and turning the tables.
In any case, I doubt Illinois will be better off if either side wins a clear “victory” what ever that might be.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 11:42 am
Word, no decoder ring required.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 11:54 am
Strawman argument from the Chicago Tribune.
Madigan never tried to “paint the other guy as extreme.”
In fact, he has bent over backward to not personally criticize the governor.
The Tribbies need to put on their listening ears.
Comment by Juvenal Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 12:25 pm
===But, A Guy, as you have warned some not to underestimate the governor’s team, I would not underestimate the speaker. he didn’t last this long for nothin’====
JSM, if you’ve read many of my posts, you can most assuredly assume that I never underestimate the speaker.
What we’re seeing now is something rather different than what we’re used to. There’s a little wobble there. A little.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 1:07 pm
===Juvenal - Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
Strawman argument from the Chicago Tribune.
Madigan never tried to “paint the other guy as extreme.”
In fact, he has bent over backward to not personally criticize the governor.===
Juvy, when did your ship land? You have to try to be this nutty. He used the word extreme constantly.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 1:09 pm
=JSM, if you’ve read many of my posts=
I hate to admit it, but I have and do.
Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 1:53 pm
Michael Madigan as noble victim? Please. Just please.
Michael Madigan as not painting Rauner as “extreme”? I listened to him do it at least seven times in fifteen minutes on a radio show in the last two weeks.
Comment by Percival Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 1:57 pm
“Rauner can’t get his budget passed.
That’s on Rauner, not the General Assebly (sic).”
Wonderful logic here. It is not on the party that controls the G.A. Right.
Comment by Striketwo Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 2:19 pm
AA, you got it, lol.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 2:48 pm
== It is not on the party that controls the G.A.==
Why would Rauner’s failure to do his job be someone else’s responsibility? Don’t pretend it was a surprise that he had a GA that likes social programs.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 3:49 pm
+++ JS Mill - Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 1:53 pm:
=JSM, if you’ve read many of my posts=
I hate to admit it, but I have and do.+++
Who knew you Ed guys had a funny bone? lol. Thankyou for your loyal readership.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 4:01 pm
I may be somewhat naive, but the fact he is willing to let the state go down the financial tube rather than addressing the situation he more than anyone helped create is pretty pathetic.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 4:24 pm
===Wonderful logic here. It is not on the party that controls the G.A. Right.===
Governors need budgets, not the General Assembly.
Please learn.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 5:17 pm
It is on the Governor to ==prepare== a budget and then either sign or veto it.
What happens in between is on the GA.
Neither can implement a budget without the other, or we obviously would have had a budget months ago. They share this failure, and the sooner they figure that out the better.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 5:47 pm
- FKA -,
With respect.
I commented governors need budgets.
“Why?”
1) the Illinois Constitution says its a governor’s duty.
2) the Agencies of Illinois government are under the governor.
It’s up to the Governor to get a budget passed. It’s not a Rauner thing, it’s a constitutional duties thing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jun 18, 15 @ 5:50 pm
Question: is there a difference between campaigning for an elected position (i.e legislative seat, governors seat) versus campaigning for a legislative or governmental result? Running campaign ads for an electoral result versus government “policy” seems to me to be what separates Rauner’s ad and Madigan’s electoral ads.
I don’t care to debate when the campaign ends (we know campaign/political decisions are factored during governing/legislating). But the difference seems to me that during a campaign, someone wins and gets to make decisions. When folks have to govern & legislate -yes you have winners and losers - but you seemingly have to “work together.”
Maybe I’m oversimplying, or maybe I’m not agreeing with or seeing a point being made elsewhere…
Comment by cal city crew Friday, Jun 19, 15 @ 12:21 am