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It has always been thus

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Illinois

On one hand, [the Rauner folks] say they want Madigan to let the mushrooms vote their conscience, and on the other, they criticize him for not telling his members how to vote like we saw with the CPS bill.

The Rauner people actually criticized Madigan for telling his peeps to vote against the bill, but the Tribune editorial board has also been guilty of this, decrying Madigan’s iron grip on Illinois’ throat, but then demanding that Madigan use his velvet hammer to pass things like pension reform.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 10:58 am

Comments

Willy’s now-banned word for them…

Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:04 am
What, they should be consistent? They are, madigan bad, madigan bad.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:07 am
They also have not discussed Rauner’s iron grip (or at least funding grip) on the GOP and why he should be treated differently in delivering votes to solve problems.

Comment by Orange Julius Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:07 am
Pols wielding large influence will always be subject to such criticism, in any state or political entity. As the post points out ==It has always been thus==.

btw, kudos to Rich for constantly generating compelling headlines. You often hit home runs, but you are really nailing them during OT.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:11 am
Madigan, like beer, appears to be the cause of and solution to all of Illinois problems.

Comment by AC Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:12 am
Madigan is the speaker of the house. Not a governor. He hasn’t even had a governor to work with over the past decade. Illinois has had to jail two of our last governors, and fired the last one.

So, it seems that complainers have reached a point where they have stopped understanding that we can’t solve problems with future felons or that future felons don’t work well as governors? Ryan, Blagojevich and Quinn were problems before they left office. Remember?

I’m quite sure that Madigan would be more than happy to return to the days of Thompson or Edgar - you know, the last real governors. Having a competent governor in office helps any speaker of the house, regardless of party.

Rauner’s whole campaign seemed to have been based upon some mythical Madigan power when all it really seemed to have been is that the only guy in the state with any power or credibility was Madigan.

Get a clue, Governor!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:16 am
==The Rauner people actually criticized Madigan for telling his peeps to vote against the bill,==

The Rauner folks have bought into the minority mentality that any vote in the Dem caucus, Yes or No, must be because Madigan made it happen. Just plain wrong. Usually he leaves members alone to vote the way they want; only if it’s critical, does he push them hard one way or the other. And that is rarely the opposite of the way he personally votes.

He uses the risky votes of his “targets”, to the extent he can, only when their votes are absolutely critical. They aren’t wasted on losing causes.

A fair criticism might be that he chose not to push all his members hard enough in support.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:22 am
I’m a newbie to state politics and to this blog, so go easy on me. Here is my question for the panel:

I don’t get Cullerton. He talks a more liberal line sometimes, than the Speaker does. But then he makes cheap deals. Is the Speaker the only one who knows how to fight?

Comment by History Prof Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:22 am
Walker, you are a real buzz-kill to the Chronic Victim crowd.

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:25 am
I don’t see the hypocrisy - you can decry Madigan’s iron grip and not cut your nose off to spite your face by pretending it doesn’t exist at times when legislation needs passing. The Trib isn’t endorsing the iron grip anymore than a politician who truly wants campaign finance reform still has to play by the fundraising rules that exist.

Comment by lake county democrat Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:29 am
Professor, it would take a long time to give you a complete answer to that question, but briefly: 1. these Senate Dems are much more liberal than the House; 2. Senate Dems have historically been wary of Madigan, who has outmaneuvered previous Senate Presidents and hung them out to dry more than once; and, 3. Cullerton has a personality, likes people and wants to get things done.

I wouldn’t call Cullerton’s deals “cheap,” or even dealing for the sake of dealing. But I do think Madigan sometimes stands on principle when a pragmatic approach could lead to a deal.

Someone here once said about Madigan: “He has all of the power but doesn’t want to use it, and he doesn’t want anyone else to use it either.”

That’s not entirely true, but it’s true enough to be very funny.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:32 am
The hypocrisy here is just so rich. Even as Rauner attacks “Madigan and the politicians he controls,” Durkin talks about how they “put” 16 GOP votes on the bill. Ummm, excuse me, but isn’t “putting” votes on a bill the same a controlling those votes. Lots of silly posturing all around.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:40 am
Oh, and 47, you might also make it clear to the Professor that the “principle” the Speaker stands on is sometimes simply that all roads must go through him (e.g. yesterday’s CPS vote).

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:42 am
The Trib does ignore the iron-ish grip of Rauner’s money on the GOP. Standard one sided stuff from Rauner’s press outlet.

Comment by The Equalizer Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:48 am
You’re such a cynic Cynic.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:53 am
Same Sex Marriage and Conceal Carry went through the same General Assembly, the same members of the Illinois House, the same members of the Democratic Caucus last session. Please check both roll calls.

Michael J. Madigan was Speaker of the chamber.

So… maybe it’s about pulling together, counting noses, working the bills, and voting when things are ripe.

Maybe.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:01 pm
It looks as though Madigan Cullerton and Rauner are going to let Rham just twist in the wind.
Lets hope they vote an extension.

Comment by Mokenavince Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:02 pm
Chicago Cynic - Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 11:42 am,

So is it your belief that the Speaker was not engaged in substantive fights here and that he was not sending a signal to the other leaders regarding those fights? He was just stroking his own ego. Would that be a fair interpretation of your comment?

Comment by History Prof Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:06 pm
=Madigan, like beer, appears to be the cause of and solution= LOL!

@47th this- “He has all of the power but doesn’t want to use it, and he doesn’t want anyone else to use it either.”

I think that sums it up very well. He is simple and complex at the same time.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:08 pm
===He was just stroking his own ego.===

Madigan was reinforcing the idea that if you’re trying to do an end around him, don’t count on him to help.

That, and “work your bills”, don’t assume.

The end around, the laziness of not working a bill, and the expectations of “given, layup” Democratic votes is more in play than a stroking of an ego.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:10 pm
The GOP has no representation in Chicago. This is all on Democrats

Comment by Lucky Pierre Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:25 pm
Mr/Ms Chicago Cynic:
Good point about puttin’ 16 votes on the bill
But we all know the GOPies only vote on merit not poltics, so nothin’ comparable, nohthin’ at all.
Next thing you’ll be sayin’ Durkie’s law firm makes millions from high property taxes.
We have been assured only Madigan and Cullerton make the millions the property tax practices at Durkie’s firm does not.

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:26 pm
===The GOP has no representation in Chicago===

Rep. Mike McAuliffe (R-Chicago) might strongly argue that point with you.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:27 pm
47, good response to History Prof with an assist from Willy.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 12:48 pm
It doesn’t matter what Madigan says. Every state rep that relies on the $$$ to get elected knows they must bow to the king. So much for democracy.

Comment by Kimly Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:21 pm
Madigan told the Tribune today (front page): “We don’t instruct anybody to do anything.”
He must be cracking under pressure like he has never seen before! Because he doesn’t personally give the orders, maybe he actually thinks he believes this. But even a ’suggestion’ from him IS an order.

Comment by Formerpol Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 1:35 pm
Kimly: In this case they voted the opposite way from Madigan. If he insists, they will listen. Otherwise and usually, they vote how they please.

Formerpol: Must be quite a comforting myth to be held so close. His suggestions are taken as suggestions and often followed if the Rep doesn’t care that much about the issue. If the Rep opposes the suggestion, he votes the other way. Madigan might get forcefully involved one on one on some critical vote to move someone. There’s nothing like if he leans, everybody jumps.

Getting tired of having to point out that constituents retain most of the power, even in our Illinois democracy.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 3:50 pm
===Must be quite a comforting myth===

A surprising number of folks truly and totally believe in cartoon caricatures.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 3:53 pm
Prof,

No, that is not what I’m saying. I’m saying there are times, like yesterday with the CPS situation which Rich and Greg Hinz have written about extensively, where the Speaker flexes his muscles as a way to say “don’t even think about trying to pass legislation without my help. I am part of all legislative decisions.” That is a power principle, not an ideological or even policy principle.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jun 24, 15 @ 4:00 pm