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* Zorn writes about House Speaker Michael Madigan’s alleged cloak of invincibility…
And Rauner, the political novice who was ostensibly going to be overmatched by the savvy Madigan, didn’t suffer a single Republican House vote in favor of the override. The Democratic failure Wednesday strengthens Rauner’s position with AFSCME and negotiations over terms to begin budget talks.
Ah, but is Madigan simply trying to lure Rauner into overplaying his hand? Does he plan to use Wednesday’s anti-union votes to turn Republican seats Democrat in next year’s election?
Some hopeful chatter on the message boards is saying yes, he’s still playing the long game and is going to win. But that’s still his reputation speaking, not reality.
Reality is that he lost. The game has changed. It’s from Rauner that the satisfied chuckle emanates: “Bwa-ha-ha!”
That’s true, except that the governor was far more magnanimous in victory than Zorn gives him credit for.
* Madigan does not exert absolute control over his members, and that has been on clear display time and time again. Remember his pet project millionaire’s tax? The constitutional amendment was defeated when Reps. Franks, Drury and Dunkin voted against it - the same three Democrats who didn’t vote for the AFSCME bill override motion…
Just about everybody from the governor (”legislators that Madigan controls”) all the way down to the most casual political observer constantly say that Madigan can do whatever he wants. He’s the grand puppet master. For years and years, people said he was fighting with Governors Blagojevich and Quinn because he was not so secretly setting up his daughter for a run at the big office. But then she said she wouldn’t run because he wouldn’t step aside. So much for that theory.
* Madigan has carefully cultivated this perception of invincibility. It’s part of his schtick. I think I’ve told you the story about why he never played golf at his golf outings. He told me that he had this illusion of power, and if people saw him futilely hacking away at a golf ball that illusion would be damaged. (Later on, he learned to play golf properly because his son was interested in the game.)
I remember sitting on the Republican side of the chamber in January of 1995 when Lee Daniels was elected Speaker. Back then, I was allowed to roam around wherever I pleased, so I sat next to some House Republicans that day to get a feel for the moment. As is tradition, both Madigan and Daniels were nominated for Speaker. The nominating speeches dragged on for a while and then Madigan asked to be recognized. An audible gasp rippled through the GOP side of the aisle. What was he up to? What trick did he have up his sleeve?
Turns out, it was nothing of the sort. Madigan said that Daniels had waited long enough and asked for a unanimous roll call. The relieved Republicans stood and cheered.
* But occasionally, as with the AFSCME bill, reality creeps in and people who previously thought that Madigan was all-powerful are now saying either that he’s lost his touch or that he’s up to something else that we mere mortals can never comprehend.
Meh.
What happened on Wednesday was just one more illustration of the difficult reality of herding cats. Madigan is an expert cat herder, for sure. Likely the best who ever was. But occasionally some cats will scamper away.
* Madigan runs his Statehouse office like he runs his ward office - he’s a consummate fixer, he does favors large and small, he protects his people from every sort of possible harm.
And every once in a while he does things to show that he is capable of serious retribution, both to keep his own people in line and to warn away anyone who might mess with his people. You’ll recall how he stripped a committee chairmanship from Rep. Jay Hoffman for being too close to Rod Blagojevich. And then there was this…
John Bills’ career at City Hall wasn’t without its series of bumps, like the time in 2000 when Bills took it upon himself to support the campaign of then-Ald. Patrick Levar, 45th, against Dorothy Brown in her successful run for Cook County Circuit Court clerk. He made the mistake of not seeking Madigan’s approval.
“Unbeknownst to John, I guess Madigan didn’t think Levar had much of a chance, so there wasn’t a lot of support,” Ryan said. “Anyway, when Madigan found out that John was working for Levar he wasn’t too happy and called him in. They had a bit of a falling out.”
Bills, then an assistant commissioner in the electricity bureau, was exiled to a trailer in a South Side quarry.
“The next day, John was moved to the quarry and handed a tape measure,” Ryan said, adding that Bills spent about a year measuring offices for renovations. “Eventually, they let him back in.”
“He absolutely hated it,” another friend said. “I remember he had to go down to (13th Ward Ald. Frank) Olivo’s office with his tail between his legs begging to get back in good graces.
“Eventually, Madigan let him back in,” the friend said. “For one thing, he raised a lot of money for Mike.”
* His members love him and fear him, and he prefers it that way. I’ve used this example before…
Hundreds of guys depended on Paulie and he got a piece of everything they made. And it was tribute, just like in the old country, except they were doing it here in America. And all they got from Paulie was protection from other guys looking to rip them off. And that’s what it’s all about. That’s what the FBI could never understand. That what Paulie and the organization does is offer protection for people who can’t go to the cops. That’s it. That’s all it is. They’re like the police department for wiseguys.
Again, he’s a powerful man, and a true legend. But buying into this theory of invincibility perpetrated by so many is merely buying into Madigan’s own personal spin. He’s extremely talented, but he’s still just a man.
This is real life, not a cartoon fantasy.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 9:56 am
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At this point I really think Zorn thinks Rauner is C. Montgomery Burns, literally some sort of evil one-dimensional cartoonish rich guy.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:01 am
Good points. However, his “Schtick”, that he perpetuates, has still worked more often then not. And look at the fiscal condition of our state because of it.
Comment by modest proposal Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:02 am
Rauner’s money can buy alot of things and it has but Madigan isn’t where he is for nothing and he’s dealt with big money before. It’s unfortunate that other than obstruction Rauner had no plan to begin with and isn’t offering one now. The upshot is that the taxpayers will be left holding the bag. Chicago taxpayers are finding that out now with Rauner’s good friend Rahm Emanuel and his historic property tax hike. This is not the CHANGE voters voted for.
Comment by Take that Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:03 am
The all-powerful dictator claim has always been a crutch for the eternal victims and those looking to avoid responsibility.
It was never based in reality, or made any sense, for that matter.
An Illinois governor’s range of veto options is by far the most powerful tool in the bag. And that’s just for starters when it comes to governors.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:05 am
It has also been real handy for him as well I would argue.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:06 am
Oswego Willy, I think Rich is raining on your Fire Madigan 2.0 business. What, Madigan isn’t the all knowing and all-powerful wizard of Illinois? People may actually start expecting Rauner to start governing if they think that Madigan can’t control everything.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:07 am
If Paulie and Michael could be morphed in perception and reality, you’d have Michael J. Madigan.
Great post Rich, the institutional knowledge and context you brought is needed at these times to reset the hyperbole of all sides.
Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:08 am
Could you please forward this to the Trib editorial board and Katrina McQueary? Maybe they can read it while they are taking their medications.
Comment by Willie Stark Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:12 am
- Norseman -,
I’m hoping the illusion stays long enough to break even.
I had to get a 3rd storage unit.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:12 am
So Durkin didnt give him a poisoned apple which weakened his powers until he was able to regenerate in the light of our yellow sun?
Comment by Ghost Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:13 am
In chess, you don’t finish a match with all 16 pieces on the board. You sacrifice some to 1.) Protect the king, and 2.) Improve your overall positioning to checkmate the other king.
It will be interesting when MJM retires, passes, etc. if anyone else will assume that much power/influence whether real or perceived.
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:15 am
“This is real life, not a cartoon fantasy.”
Amen Rich! The problem with Zorn, Kass and a few other Chicago media types is when they try to cover Illinois state politics from the comfort of a Chicago loop office building, they really don’t understand it and rely on silly stereotypes. The sad part is they unfairly feed the “myth” of Springfield instead of giving people the full picture. There are issues with state government, no one would deny that, but Zorn’s piece today is just lazy journalism plain and simple.
Comment by Red Ranger Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:17 am
GOP legislators are more homogeneous than the Democrats and vote more in lockstep. That has been true for many years. Which is ironic considering the accusation that Dems supposedly lack independence and take orders about how to vote.
Comment by nona Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:19 am
He has gotten what he wants more than often which has a lot to do with the fiscal condition of this state.
Comment by Very Fed Up Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:22 am
I expect retractions from the Rauner camp any minute about Madigan’s power.
Comment by LIberty Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:25 am
All true. Funny how people of all stripes like to buy into mythical characters, so they can better hate or worship them, and use them as symbols for other realities. Also interesting to watch smart individuals like Madigan just let the myth ride when useful.
Still curious why Mike recently chose to make himself more regularly available to the press, when previously his elusiveness supported his mythical image.
Comment by walker Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:26 am
Reminds me of one rare occasion when MJM was talking to a reporter about some bill they were trying to pass, and he said something like “It’s not going to be easy. These people are Democrats.” Like the oft-repeated Will Rogers quite: “I’m not a member of any organized political party. I’m a Democrat.”
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:26 am
“Reps. Franks, Drury and Dunkin…the same three Democrats who didn’t vote for the AFSCME bill override motion…”
A bit OT, but does anyone know why Dunkin didn’t stick around to vote for the the override?
Comment by curiouser and curiouser Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:27 am
“There are issues with state government, no one would deny that, but Zorn’s piece today is just lazy journalism plain and simple.”
Zorn is a columnist, and yes, there’s a difference.
Comment by JG Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:27 am
==does anyone know why Dunkin didn’t stick around to vote for the the override? ===
Yes.
Subscribe.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:29 am
The fiscal condition of this state has more to do with Thompson signing the perpetual 3% COLA bill in 1989 and Edgar’s pension ramp that kicked the can down the road from his $600 million a year state contribution in 1995 til they exploded to $7 billion a year in the 2010s.
Comment by markg8 Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:30 am
A number of years ago I was working for an elected official when Mike Madigan personally called me — he didn’t like that we were conducting certain government/political efforts in one of his ally’s district against the wishes of his ally. I remained polite but firm and explained it is our district too and would not cease our activity. Ultimately Madigan ended the conversation saying I was a “nice young man.” That was the last I ever heard of it. I didn’t go missing. My car tires weren’t slashed. Irish thugs didn’t show up at my door. I wasn’t banished from politics or future employment.
Comment by Just Observing Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:32 am
Again, no one takes issue with GOP members not voting or being irrelevant. Of course, they are interchangeable, particularly since they belong to Rauner.
To a Rauner, it is best when GOP members don’t show up.
But SOON, it will matter because they will SOON be on the side of Fixin’ Rauner’s mess.
Comment by Austin Blvd Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:36 am
It’s akin to the legend of Richard J. as presidential kingmaker, that he stole the election for JFK.
The reality is, JFK still would have prevailed in the electoral college if Nixon had won Illinois (and there was plenty of vote stealing for Nixon in Illinois, too). Daley’s biggest contribution to JFK was telling Adlai at the LA convention that he wouldnt support him for a third bite at the apple.
But Richard J used the legend to his advantage til the day he died, although his actual influence on presidential politics after 1960 ranged from nil to disastrous.
Comment by Wordslinger Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:36 am
“GOP legislators are more homogeneous than the Democrats and vote more in lockstep.”
LOL. Remind me how many Democrats voted against the override?
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:37 am
Madigan doesn’t get upset with votes like the failed AFSCME Override. He knows the dynamic shift puts more onus on Rauner to be proactive on the budget.
With a major win under his belt, Rauner becomes less of a victim. And he will need his Raunerepublicans to take some tough votes.
Madigan understands the meaning of “go with the flow”.
Comment by Austin Blvd Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:40 am
==- Robert the 1st - Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:37 am:==
Examine votes over the last 5 to 6 years.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:42 am
@Bob1 ==LOL. Remind me how many Democrats voted against the override?==
Comment by Nickname#2 Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:46 am
Whoops - Move voted against it than there were Republicans who voted for it.
Comment by Nickname#2 Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:47 am
“Remind me how many Democrats voted against the override?” more than Republicans that voted for it.
Comment by burbanite Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 10:55 am
I think the next big point of leverage is OCT 1 when the AFSCME tolling agreement has expired.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:14 am
“more than Republicans that voted for it.”
Yep. One versus Zero, in the House anyway. Quit a testament to the Democrats’ independence as opposed to those lock-step Republicans.
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:15 am
The all-powerful dictator claim has always been a crutch for the eternal victims and those looking to avoid responsibility.=
This is very well stated. The GOP is a wholly owned property of Rauner inc. now. They really should throw stones if they are in anyway interested in being honest.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:28 am
JSMill: be careful you don’t step into your own trap
Comment by walker Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:33 am
==I think the next big point of leverage is OCT 1 when the AFSCME tolling agreement has expired.==
First of all the agreement doesn’t expire then necessarily. It can continue on so long as neither side declares an impasse. Read the agreement again. Not being flippant, but read it.
Secondly, the Governor has said in writing that he is willing to extend it indefinitely. I’ve actually been waiting for that bit of information to show up somewhere. Not sure if there is a reason it hasn’t because I can’t believe those that were told could keep this a secret.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:35 am
Doesn’t this very website bear some the responsibility of enabling this “myth” that it is now chastising?
Comment by Keep it Simple... Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:36 am
Except that you can make a very good argument this all worked to Madigan’s advantage and thus he may have been behind it all. You know how Oswego Willie loves to say “governor’s own.” Heaven help the Democrats if that ever changes. With ALL the budget problems, with Toni’s sales tax hike, with Rahm’s “biggest property tax increase in history” on the horizon, with Dave Orr’s promised Cook County property tax increases, did the Dems really want to “own” the arbitrator’s decision(s) in the next 3 years? After the media was screaming how terrible the veto override was.
Or how about this question: “Mr. Speaker, if you’re willing to use your supermajority power at the union’s beckon call, why don’t you use it for a budget?” And don’t tell me about Representative Franks - that was a specific, unserious (about the deficit) budget, not an attempt by Democrats to deal with the budget deficit and negotiate amongst themselves (and any Republicans they could pick-off)).
Comment by lake county democrat Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:39 am
Even Bobby Fischer lost a game now and then. Madigan isn’t losing any sleep.
Comment by Touré's Latte Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:48 am
Keep it simple: Quite the opposite. This blog is one of the few sites where the all-powerful Madigan myth is regularly debunked, at least by some.
Comment by walker Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:53 am
Are you new to this website? Yes, there have been occasions of him being “debunked”, but you would think the guy could walk on water from reading this blog.
Comment by Keep it Simple... Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:58 am
==but you would think the guy could walk on water from reading this blog==
Then you haven’t been paying attention
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 11:59 am
People can have their cake and eat it too. I guess I should know better by know.
Pardon thee Intrusion.
Comment by Keep it Simple... Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:03 pm
@Wordslinger Good point about the Daley/Kennedy myth. Daley and the “river wards” were more concerned with beating Ben Adamowski’s Cook County State’s Atty campaign than electing Kennedy.
Comment by The Middle Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:10 pm
Well said Rich. He’s good, probably the best, but he loses too. Key is he doesn’t hang on to defeats too long, he moves on to other work that needs to be done.
Another mortal side, I’ve heard stories of how he may try to persuade his caucus into a position he is pushing, if a strong majority of the caucus is adamant about not going along he comes around to the caucus position and moves on.
Comment by nadia Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:14 pm
===Doesn’t this very website bear some the responsibility of enabling this “myth” ===
Only in the comment section.
lol
Seriously, please provide links backing up your contention that I have attempted to argue that Madigan is some sort of super human.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Madigan is in one of the best possible positions, regardless on what happens with individual bills. There are 71 Democrats in the House. That’s super-strong, from a partisan standpoint.
As Labor Day approaches, I credit Madigan very much with his recent pro-labor stances. He and Democrats have been bulwarks against Rauner’s anti-union agenda. Illinois is a union stronghold, as other states run by Republicans are stripping union rights. I like a lot of things Madigan has done in my relatively short time of following Illinois politics. There are bills he helped pass that were and are great for the state.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:19 pm
I can tell you one of the reasons the myth perpetuates, Madigan is a master of controlling his own emotions. I would never play poker with him. If he has a superpower, it is self control.
Comment by burbanite Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:20 pm
Demo @ 11:35
Would you be so kind as to point me to where the gov. stated the indefinite tolling agreement. I apparently missed that and it seems pertinent.
Comment by State Engineer Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Seriously, when did I say that “you attempted to argue that Madigan is some sort of super human”. I said this website is guilty of “enabling this myth”, plain and simple. Comments are part of this website.
If you want to create an argument for yourself about what I typed, go ahead.
Comment by Keep it Simple... Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:27 pm
Given what happened with this override, maybe we should be discussing who has a better hold on their chamber — Madigan or Cullerton? Cullerton had a little slip up on that property tax freeze bill, but it was quickly corrected. One could argue Cullerton is in a stronger position. At the very least, maybe it’s fair to say Cullerton is vastly underrated while Madigan is somewhat overrated.
Comment by The Middle Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 12:33 pm
==At the very least, maybe it’s fair to say Cullerton is vastly underrated while Madigan is somewhat overrated.==
If you’re talking about the way the media and political-types outside of Springfield view Madigan and Cullerton, I agree 100 percent. But I would still argue Madigan has a better “hold” on his caucus.
Comment by T.T. Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:08 pm
Pat Levar had worked for years in the Office of the Circuit Court Clerk (under Morgan Finley) before being tapped for 45th Ward Alderman. When he ran for Clerk, he explained to his loyalists that the job would be easier for him than being a member of the City Council. He ran a lazy and uninspired campaign and lost to Brown who has been one of the worst Clerks in recent memory.
Comment by Under Further Review Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:11 pm
I was in high school when Lee Daniels was Speaker. So forgive my ignorance, but how did MJM act when he had a minority? I’m curious how the votes (and whipping) went in 1995-1996.
Sometimes, when people put out hypotheticals, that makes me really scratch my head. What if the House Dems were in the minority - even by a 60-58 count? How would things be then? Would a couple members drive off the range? Would leaks of “caucus positions” run rampant? Would MJM’s face look more like a black jack face than a poker face?
Speaker Boehner gets ripped on by neocons and TEA Party types, but he’s got a tough job and he has 246 (soon to be 247 with Darin Lahood) members to control. MJM’s got a tough gig.
I do think that President Cullerton has the harder job. One of his chamber’s approp bills almost failed in late May. That’s saying something. Quite a few of his suburban members are worried, and fear can easily takeover any attempts to corral a super majority and support something as crucial as the caucus’s spending and revenue plans.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:19 pm
==Madigan is a master of controlling his own emotions==
Obviously, he’s a Vulcan.
Comment by HangingOn Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:20 pm
C'’mon folks, this was the first inning in a nine inning game…
The demise of Madigan has been greatly overstated…
He finally has a nemesis that will test his ability to hold forth…
Comment by Loop Lady Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:24 pm
==Would you be so kind as to point me to where the gov. stated the indefinite tolling agreement. I apparently missed that and it seems pertinent.==
You haven’t missed anything. It hasn’t been published. But the letter does exist. You have no reason to believe me since you don’t know me but I truly have seen it.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:30 pm
He may not control 71 votes, but consider what we just confirmed he does control.
He controls at least 68 votes in the House, which is more than enough to approve or end any bill he chooses.
He controls what bills even make it from committee.
He controls the ability to get public workers reassigned to a rock quarry overnight.
He controls the Democratic Party campaign apparatus as party chairman.
He controls one of the most influential legal firms in Chicago
He does not control, but has notable influence, over the main LEO in Illinois who is also his daughter.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:30 pm
==He controls at least 68 votes in the House==
Or, another possibility, and I know it may seem crazy, some of those legislators actually voted how their constituents wanted them to vote. I know it’s a long shot, but isn’t it possible?
Comment by HangingOn Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:33 pm
==I know it’s a long shot, but isn’t it possible?==
Anything is possible, @HangingOn, but it seems too optimistic imho.
That would seem to give the members too much credit. We see some Dem and Rep members occasionally split from their ==leader==, as with the heroin bill override yesterday and other examples from both parties, but ultimately it seems Rauner and Madigan both have significant control over ==their== members. When they draw a line, it is rarely crossed.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 1:55 pm
Did they really split from Rauner on the heroin bill, or did they beg for, and ultimately receive permission to vote to override? They obviously held firm with the gov on the one that counted.
Comment by 3rd Party Needed Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 2:17 pm
===or did they beg for, and ultimately receive permission to vote===
Subscribe.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Tolling Agreement - I’ve read the Rauner letter to House GOP members, he has offered to extend it indefinitely in that letter.
Currently the contract extension (tolling agreement) expires on September 30th. That means either side could take action post 9/30. Of course the other side could challenge the legality of such action.
It is somewhat disingenuous to state, as the Governor has, that impasse and implementation of a last, best, and final offer can only be done via mutual agreement; the employer can declare impasse and implement, it would be up to the union to challenge whether it was a legal impasse and implementation. If, and that’s a big if, the Union agrees they are at impasse and agrees the terms of the implementation are in line with the employers last, best, and final offer, and this is a stretch, one could say the parties have mutually agreed there is an impasse and that the implementation is legal. Been in the negotiations business for almost 40 years, I can’t recall ever hearing a Union call an impasse and implementation a “mutual agreement”.
But again in the letter I read the Governor said he would extend the tolling agreement indefinitely, which to me means he is willing to extend the current contract indefinitely.
Keep in mind the letter was written to House GOP members prior to the override vote on Wednesday. To make it really mean something it would have to be offered to the other bargaining party, AFSCME.
Comment by nadia Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 2:27 pm
Zorn must be so proud. He and Raunet fund ,dark money lobbying writer Scott Reeder picked the same theme
Comment by Anonin' Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 2:48 pm
nadia
Thank you. I hope if it is offered AFSCME retains the wisdom to jump on it.
Comment by State Engineer Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 3:17 pm
Oh.
We thought you were saying something factually incorrect when you were actually expressing a banal tautology, i.e. “Some on this website say ‘A’ and some say ‘Not A,’ therefore this website says ‘A’.”
We regret the error.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 3:23 pm
MrJM +1
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 3:26 pm
There is an abundant amount of praise due to Madigan for his skills at cat-herding.
However, all that power has beenput towards what? There should be an equal amount of analysis dedicated to how he’s used those skills to maintain his throne in what can be charitably described as a horribly governed state.
There’s a difference between cunning leadership and leadership bent on the well being of those governed. Madigan is not magical, he is the combination of the absolute best skills at maintaining governmental power combined with an absolute disregard for the well-being of his state.
Comment by Waucondan Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 3:26 pm
Well MrJM you have sent me to the dictionary on that one.
Hope you’re not taking this all too seriously.
Comment by nadia Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 3:29 pm
@MrJM- That may have been a bit to deep for the target.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Sep 4, 15 @ 3:35 pm