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When you try to win by making others lose, you lose

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Illinois

Political campaigns are, by necessity, winner take all. Somebody wins, somebody loses.

But nobody ever “wins” everything when governing. It’s a constant series of compromises. And very often when you try too hard to win, you end up losing.

Exelon is a prime example.

Last spring, the Chicago-based energy company, which owns six nuclear power plants in Illinois, swooped into the Statehouse, hired a bunch of Springfield lobbyists and unveiled shiny new legislation.

Exelon claimed that several of its nuke plants were unprofitable and that it would have to shut them down soon, so it proposed a large, consumer-financed $300 million subsidy program for low-carbon sources of electricity, like wind, solar and—nuclear.

But as Steve Daniels wrote in Crain’s back in March, “The bill’s language is so restrictive on which sources could bid for the cash that Exelon’s nukes are virtually certain to get the lion’s share.”

In other words, Exelon wins, everybody else loses.

The non-nuke alternative-energy folks had their own, far more inclusive bill, but Exelon refused to cut a deal—right up until the end of the spring legislative session, when the company was told it would have to wait.

Then on Nov. 7, Daniels wrote about how Exelon’s nuclear plants were suddenly profitable or at least projected to break even.

If the company hadn’t tried to win at the expense of everyone else, it might have consumer subsidies right now. Exelon got greedy and blew it.

Until not that long ago, I would’ve said that Gov. Bruce Rauner was making the same mistake.

Go read the rest before commenting, please. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:43 am

Comments

Excellent article. There seems to be no end to this politcal/economic warfare.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 9:59 am
The threat of nuclear power plant closure is bluster. The decommissioning costs would be too great.

Comment by Beaner Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:00 am
While the governor’s recent retreats due to pressure from GOP legislators is welcome, let’s give it some time before we’re certain that any “lessons” have been learned.

It’s been no-brainer stuff so far. Lot of heavy-lifting to come.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:04 am
Well said Word.

Comment by Norseman Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:19 am
===He also asked permission from the federal government to cut vital social services for the elderly and disabled and connected their reinstatement directly to his legislative demands. -Crain’s Chicago Business===

It’ll be fun to see that quote on tv ads come 2018.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:28 am
Hard to argue with anything you have put there, Rich.

The “it’s gotta be a win - win for everyone” phrase really applies here. Or have truly shared pain for both sides.

Rauner will have to realize he did not gain a single seat when he was elected. No coattails. Likewise, Madigan will have to realize that despite best efforts to the contrary, Rauner won.

The sooner that happens, the sooner an agreement can be reached. Given the history of Madigan’s working with Republucans I think he is fully prepared to accept that.

Like Word alluded to, it seems like Rauner still views this as one of his business ventures.

Comment by low level Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:34 am
And now it appears that Madigan might be making that mistake?

Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 10:37 am
So Madigan, the master of spin and form over substance hasn’t figured that out in about 40 years?

Comment by justacitizen Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:03 am
I agree for the most part. But it might be a tale more about “starting off on the wrong foot”. Exelon’s bill was terrible and they shopped around the proposal like it smelled of roses when it really reeked of corporate subsidies.

Perhaps if they had started out with a more reasonable bill people would have been more interested in working with them.

Same goes for Rauner. He started off by asking for non-starter proposals that would have garnered several century club trophies. And then he got mad when no one gave him credit for dropping them.

Yes its a story about greed. But its also a story about political miscalculation. Both for Rauner and Exelon.

Comment by Abe the Babe Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:07 am
To the Post,

Governing in divided government is best done trying to compromise to get as much as you can, while giving what all know can be achieved.

I’ve never heard of divided governing working when either or both sides require absolute victory.

The failure isn’t the “want”, the failure is thinking the “want” is absolute, abd that absolute win is required to governing.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:22 am
Madigan lost, but Rauner didn’t win. GOP House members drove his capitulation, though they’re hiding behind Dunkin’s vote. Sooner or later, they’ll have to take a more public stand with their own votes.

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Nov 16, 15 @ 11:31 am