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Tone it down, please

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[House Speaker Michael Madigan’s press secretary Steve Brown] was asked about former Hawaii Gov. Linda Lingle, who now serves in the governor’s administration as chief operating officer. Rauner has named Lingle among his “superstars” who would help fix the state’s financial mess. Lingle’s hire caught headlines both because of the high-profile nature of having a former governor on board — and her salary. At some $200,000 a year, Lingle is earning more as a Rauner aide than she was as governor of Hawaii.

– Brown suggested — and we’ve heard whispers of this in the past — that Lingle’s hiring had something to do with ties to a close Rauner adviser and strategist Nick Ayers and “dark money” that flowed from groups tied to him and attacked Lingle opponents. Background on that here: http://bit.ly/1RSlisr. Ayers is a Georgia-based political operative and past head of the Republican Governors Association.

– Ayers’ Target Enterprises, which handles campaign ads, was one of the biggest payees during Rauner’s record-breaking, $65 million campaign for governor.

– An audience member asked Brown what evidence he’s seen of her work in the Legislature: Brown said so far she organized a parade for the state fair.

– The Governor’s office slices into “pitiful” Brown: “It’s perplexing why high ranking House Democrats continue to unjustifiably attack top females in the Rauner administration,” spokesman Lance Trover said in a statement to POLITICO Illinois. “It is especially pitiful coming from someone who doubles as a lobbyist while serving as the Speaker’s spokesman. No wonder he’s pathetically protecting the old boys club.”

Brown was out of line. She doesn’t do legislative work, so he wouldn’t really know what her duties are.

Even so, this administration’s staff has singled out several Democrats for attack many times in the past. Just because Lingle is a woman doesn’t make her exempt. This is 2015, not 1955.

Then again, the Democrats have complained about those administration attacks on them, so turnabout should be avoided.

What I’m trying to say here is that everybody ought to just take a chill pill or something and try to show at least a modicum of respect for the other side.

…Adding… Text from a friend…

I was there. Brown made it very clear that she doesn’t work in the legislature, “So I wouldn’t be in the same meetings she is in and know what she does.” That part of the quote didn’t make it.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:03 am

Comments

Rich, you are so right. Unfortunately, your admonishment will fall on deaf ears.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:08 am
This is an unforced error by Brown. Silly comment.

And for a messaging guy he sure was off message. Every breath that Dems have should be used to educate the public on Rauner’s demands.

Comment by Abe the Babe Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:08 am
When forced to play defense the Rauner administration has thin skin and overreacts, such as the above. As I’ve said over and over I think it would be to the advantage of the Governor’s adversaries if they more often made this administration play defense. They were able to solicit this response with the most minimal of effort, a spokesman made a comment at a forum hosted in the back of a bar. If they made a more concerted effort to put the administration on the defensive it seems very likely to bear fruit.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:17 am
Brown and Madigan have lost touch with the real world and are in an echo chamber of long ago. It is way past time for them to exit the game.

Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:18 am
Brown was asked a question regarding what evidence he has seen regarding Lingle’s work in the legislature.Brown answered the question. Assuming his answer to be correct I do not think he was out of line.

Whats the dig deal?

Comment by MOON Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:18 am
It is unfortunate that both of their comments became the story. Did anyone answer the question though, what does Governor Lingle do as Chief Operating Officer of a state with no budget?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:20 am
What is the division of labor between a COO and a chief of staff?

Comment by Wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:22 am
Actually, Lingle is running the show. So if she is backed by political operatives, she has a political angle. Word is that she has a huge say in who’s hired and who’s fired.
But, reporters ask questions, and don’t like it when the response is “no comment.”

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:23 am
Brown’s comments help no one, and get us even further from any sort of deal.

Trover’s are an annoyingly cynical use of feminism as a shield, and referring to “women” as “females” is not a good look in 2015.

They’re finding new ways to dig deeper and deeper into this hole everyday.

Comment by Served Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:27 am
Decorum could be much better by all when addressing officials, staff, and crews.

I think what’s disappointing isn’t the one instance of Brown responding, or even Trover retorting.

The “Goldberging” of Illinois government, within Illinois government, the Exevutive and Legislative both, has made the poisoning of the governing the end product of many instances similar to the one last night.

Also, as an aside…

This woman “1950s” meme that the Rauner Crew pushes pit is degrating to women as they try to defend women close to their Administration. Please do better, the women deserve it.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:31 am
I’m with MOON. Brown was asked a question and answered it.

This is quite different from the superstars who unleash their attacks on anybody who disagrees with them. They initiate attacks out of nowhere.

Comment by Jordan Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:32 am
Does the chief operating officer live in Springfield?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:33 am
$200,000 salary

Isn’t Rauner the same guy who as a candidate criticized Quinn for purportedly spending too much on staff?

Comment by nona Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:34 am
Hey Rich “chill pills” are not on the menu. Look for more hyperbole, hypocrisy and spin.

Comment by Obamas Puppy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:41 am
None the less, the question of what work Linda Lingle has actually done for $200,000, is a legitimate one. It needs to be asked of Rauner though, and not Brown.

Comment by Joe M Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:43 am
Lingle’s hire signaled to many of us that perhaps Rauner was interested in an experienced bipartisan former governor as a councilor. Yet, we haven’t seen any experienced governing from Rauner. We haven’t seen any bipartisanship. We haven’t seen a whole lot of interest in listening from Rauner. When Lingle was a governor, we saw a level of governing, we aren’t seeing with Rauner.

So, what happened? What happened to this proven superstar? We haven’t seen her beyond organizing the parade at the State Fair.

Yet, don’t attack Linda. She has governing credibility Rauner can’t even begin to understand. I just don’t recommend that Madigan’s spokesman throw darts at one of the only adults in Rauner’s administration.

I’ve given up with Rauner. Nearly a year into his term and he’s been a disaster. Yet, there is someone named Linda Lingle who ought to be doing something about this ridiculous administration’s amateur hour, but seems to have disappeared under the grease paint and clown shoes we see Rauner’s staff wearing daily.

I don’t believe she is running Rauner’s show. What we’re seeing from this administration appears to be polar opposite of what we saw during the Lingle administration in Hawaii.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:44 am
I’ve had two occasions to interact with Lingle so far. She was much more adept at understanding our agency’s issues than anyone in the Quinn administration was. Trying tio wrap your head around Illinois illogical and disjointed budget and fiscal situation has to be a tough job. Not sure where she lives, but she works in Springfield.

Comment by LTSW Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:47 am
I think someone should ask her for an interview. I respect her, and followed her as Governor of Hawaii. I was excited about her hire. But what are her thoughts as COO of Illinois - when operating without a budget. Was she told this would happen? Did she have a contingency plan? Has she submitted a plan for operating agencies in FY16 and FY17 if the state has no budget?

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:49 am
So how is any of this, by either side, move us closer to having a budget in place and getting the State obligations to social service providers, vendors, and universities paid in full?

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:49 am
===The “Goldberging” of Illinois government, within Illinois government, the Exevutive and Legislative both, has made the poisoning of the governing the end product of many instances similar to the one last night.===

Decorum really is great and that’s why I think OW raises a point here. The Governor’s office should expect to get what they serve and their legislative strategy has been an abandonment of respect for the authority of the legislature and the legislative process in general.

Where is Linda’s work?

Someone should FOIA her time sheet.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:50 am
Good to see no one denies the plant by Ayres after a little set back in HI….many thought the parade was great
i

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:53 am
Brown’s comments may have been a little snide, as he is wont to do, but I don’t think they were over the top. Trover and co. really need a better counter-punch to these hits. Hiding behind crocodile tears about attacks on their “females” is lame and transparent.

Comment by Horse w/ No Name Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:55 am
While I would tend to agree, Rich, let’s not forget that it was rauner himself who has held her and others like her up as an example of hiring Superstars to get great work done. If he really feels like this was the right move, it should be very easy for him to provide proof of that. Steve Brown, Michael Madigan, and any of the other Democrats questioning her abilities or anyone else’s, never made the claim that paying someone $200,000 a year to be the CEO of the governor’s office was the right move. If rauner wants to be believed. He better put his money where his mouth is.

Comment by Harvest76 Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:57 am
==I don’t believe she is running Rauner’s show. == All I want to know is why she is earning a superstar status salary when there was criticism from candidate Rauner about what was paid to his advisors? I’d expect a solid, no, a rock solid answer. Something far more than our overall payroll is less than theirs.

I say this as someone who has absolutely no reason to think she isn’t earning every penny. But this is a story they could nip in the bud very easily with a substantive response.

Comment by Dilemma Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:57 am
With Blago, the GOP wailed and howled, and the Dems followed suit. And it was ok. Every news reporter and editor was on board.
Maybe It’s just too soon for the Dems to wail and howl the way the GOP did against Blago.
But Rauner is in the process of destroying Illinois’ institutions at a pace the puts Blago to shame.
If Lingle is a fine upstanding individual many claim her to be, she won’t be around too long.
Then again, $200k is $200k.

Comment by Austin Blvd Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:59 am
Or should I say, put his mouth where our money is?

Comment by Harvest76 Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 10:59 am
“Someone should FOIA her time sheet.”

Really?! That would open a massive can of worms. There are thousands of political employees in this state. Every executive office, legislative caucus, legislator and even courts have them. So are we going down that road? If so, what’s the endgame? Gotcha?!

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:00 am
–She doesn’t do legislative work, so he wouldn’t really know what her duties are.–

Brown acknowledged at the forum that Lingle’s job does not bring her in contact with the legislature and he couldn’t provide a useful assessment.

The parade remark was a humorous aside in a long stream of levity by Brown during the evening.

Comment by Fly on the Hideout Wall Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:02 am
Brown was out of line and over the top. Why is that so difficult for so many here to comprehend? The response of the Rauner administration was also out of line and over the top.

I keep asking everyone to put their Big Boy Pants on. Sheesh!

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:06 am
- Louis G. Atsaves -

You, personally, have used the 1950s defense of Mrs. Rauner.

If you’d like, I can point out where you did.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:15 am
Taken out of context. MJM and his staff have been on the high road compared to Rauner.

Comment by Facts are Stubborn Things Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:19 am
I think it is funny that a Madigan spokesman was asked about the Gov’s COO. Hey, here’s a novel idea with the mess that is going on, why not ask the COO about what is going on with her job instead of the Speaker’s spokesman?

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:23 am
“Rauner has named Lingle among his “superstars” who would help fix the state’s financial mess.”

As appropriations can easily be seen as falling under legislative duties how is Brown’s response to a question asked by an audience member out of line?

Comment by Franklyspeaking Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:24 am
===You, personally, have used the 1950s defense of Mrs. Rauner.===”

I have Willy. Never denied it. The exact quote from today “This is 2015, not 1955″ comes directly from Rich Miller himself. I used similar language last week in defending Diana Rauner from the ridiculous over the top insane attacks she was subjected to, including yours.

Perhaps since i am married to a professional female of exceptional qualities and abilities, I am extra sensitive to 1950’s cavemen attacks on them.

Pay attention, please.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:25 am
Brown should said, “Regardless of gender, what are the members of Rauner’s cabinet DOING?”

Other than Goldberg, Lance, and Catherine, everyone else is saying “Hang in there!” and cashing checks.

Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:29 am
===Diana Rauner from the ridiculous over the top insane attacks she was subjected to, including yours.===

Nah, Diana Rauner was being judged as ineffective, and being called out for vouching, like a professional does in Ads, in the 21st century. Protecting her kind you did was very 1950s.

Please pay attention.

What went on with the exchange, and “to the Post”, is part of a critique like that, making the gender first and foremost a reason not to criticize.

You and Mr. Trover did a disservice to both women.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:37 am
“as you did”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 11:38 am
@OswegoWilly, your comments speak for themselves. And in an unflattering way to yourself.

Back to the 1950’s “Pillow Talk” effectiveness argument, are you?

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:18 pm
- Louis G. Atsaves -,

How can you say Mr. Trover was over the top and you defend the ineffective President of Ounce of Prevention using Mr. Trover’s tact?

Diana Rauner is a 21st Century president of an Advocacy organization that had a paragraph saying they’re ineffective. Diana is the president. Diana vouched for Bruce Rauner. Diana should be embarrassed for doing so after how Bruce is decimating social services.

Using Mr. Trover’s tact, even acuity condemned it, doesn’t change Diana’s ineffectiveness under her own’s group’s assessment.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:25 pm
Aloha leave my governor’s wife alone she has been effective as everyone else,I pity the fool that hides behind a grass skirt

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 12:46 pm
Does anyone have a view into what function Lingle has been performing for the administration? What has she worked on? That would add to this discussion, and benefit all readers. Personally, it seems that many of the superstars are invisible, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t active. Someone here must know, if so, chime in!

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:07 pm
@Lincoln Lad -

You have to wonder why Trover failed to offer a single accomplishment.

Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Maybe he should have questioned whether or not Governor Lingle’s administration awarded any contracts to GTCR… Just sayin… Why not? If Governor Rauner can start whispering campaigns against the Senate President and the Speaker claiming business interest in keeping property taxes high.

Comment by Triple fat Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 2:25 pm
Brown out of line? I’m shocked.

Comment by Georg Sande Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:11 pm
Perhaps the superstars exist to keep telling the Gov to stay strong and hang in there. Maybe that’s what they do.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 3:47 pm
I’m an optimist. I truly believe things will get more civil once the campaign ends and people start governing.

Comment by Earnest Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 4:02 pm
Earnest - with all due respect this campaign has been going on for over 2 years but to honestly believe that -
” I truly believe things will get more civil once the campaign ends and people start governing.”
- BVR has never stopped campaigning as evidenced by his state wide tours and public speaking functions the past months.
The BVR campaign has never ended and his offensive polemics and demagoguery is doing nothing more than divide this state in a way that is totally counterproductive.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 5:31 pm
BVR is just like BO & Rahm…always campaigning. I thought Steve B had graduated from high school.

Comment by scott aster Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 5:38 pm
Hearing about Brownie throw some shade is about as revelatory as the news that there was gambling in Casablanca.

Up your game, Natasha.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 4, 15 @ 6:52 pm
Sorry, illini, it was meant as snark. I’ll add the label in the future.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Nov 5, 15 @ 8:24 am