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* Truer words were never written…
There is a difference between power and obstructionist. Name me a lobbyist who wants to give their bill to Ken Dunkin right now to pass?
— Kyle Hillman (@kylehillman) November 18, 2015
Passing a bill is a whole lot more difficult than killing one. The governor proved last week that he could kill a bill backed by Speaker Madigan. He has yet to show how he and Rep. Dunkin can pass a bill over Madigan’s objections. Why? Because they can’t.
* So, keep that in mind when you click the link to read this one…
Whew.
Care to do a caption contest?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 9:57 am
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Wait, Madigan and Rauner are on the same side?
Comment by Confused Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 9:59 am
” … and the horse you rode in on”
Comment by Dave Dahl Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:02 am
Shouldn’t Dunkin be the pawn?
Comment by very old soil Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:02 am
We have a new queen?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:03 am
Curiously, Rauner, Madigan and Dunkin are all on the same (white) side here in this chess match.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:03 am
Great tweet by Kyle, and it’s important to this post that Rich framed the article as he did.
To the Post,
Rauner’s life raft was counting to “one” not cobbling to 71 or even 60.
It’s critical in watching the Rauner Legislative Shop to understand the adding done by them (”Yellow” lights, NVs) has been ensuring damaging legislation does not stop Rauner from “Hanging In There”.
That’s been the ball game since a newly minted Givernir Rauner found himself in Decatur to talk about lowering wages, and ending Collective Bargaining.
If you know you can’t get to 71, make sure the other side can’t get there too.
Sad way to be a governor, but…
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:04 am
I can’t wait for Rauner’s famous “Checkers” speech.
Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:05 am
The Political Editor of the Defender is Maze Jackson. This isn’t surprising at all.
Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:06 am
Dunkin’s head is on the wrong end of the horse.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:06 am
Rauner to Dunkin: as my knight you can take 2 steps forward then turn right.
Comment by Casual observer Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:07 am
A horse control by strings…..
Comment by budget please Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:09 am
Of course nobody can pass a bill in the House over Madigan’s objections, so…..
Comment by Jaded Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:12 am
Rook…it rhymes with took…
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:12 am
“Um, where can I put my pocket square?! I have no pocket!”
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:12 am
This whole episode outlines what is wrong in this country. We all know that compromise is needed, and that nothing gets accomplished without it. However we are quick to vilify the person who actually puts his foot forward and does it. This whole thing has taken on the air of ridiculousness with Madigan and Rauner both wanting to politically defeat the other to such an extent that they’d let the whole state go down in the process.
Personally, the people of Illinois should be the pawns subject to the political whims of Madigan and Rauner.
If I were in the 5th, I’d vote for Dunkin because he at least took a public stand-which is a lot more than can be said for a lot of other legislators.
Comment by train111 Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:13 am
“…..and Ken Dunkin reprising his role as Bruce’s favorite My Little Pony(TM)”
Comment by How Ironic Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:14 am
Only one of these three truly understands how to engage in legislative chess.
Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:15 am
“Checkmate”
Comment by Empty Suit Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:15 am
Long term, cand Rauner get Dunkin re-ellected. that to me is the pentultimate, or umtimate question here….. i.e what happens if you break with your party on some major issues.
if Dunkin loses, he becomes a folk tale warning….. if he wins…. he becomes a folk tale lesson on the power of extreme wealth to buy govt…..
Meeks and Dunkin….. because it turns out money can buy you love after all…..
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:16 am
Train - well said.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:20 am
Oh look Dunkin’s not playing checkers anymore! He’s been promoted.
Comment by siriusly Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:22 am
The odds are with Ken Dunkin, today, as more and more “heroes” line up to run against him, with IllinoisGO money parked to aid in an avalanche of pro-Dunkin media and mail for the Primary Sprint.
Unless the Democrats get Dunkin one-on-one, Dunkin will prevail. Today.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:23 am
Just wait until Rauner wakes up in the morning with a certain prized knight’s head in his bed.
Comment by Ok Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:27 am
==Why? Because they can’t.==
Bingo. Saying since February: Rauner and Madigan need each other, and must deal with each other. In this case, if Rauner says ==veto== or Madigan says ==no== right now, each lacks votes to overpower the other.
To the caption ==We put them on the same side because they all think they are =winning===.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:28 am
I paid $1 for this?
Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:28 am
Dunkin is really a pawn.
Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:28 am
Would madigan’s endorsement of dunkin have a negative effect?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:29 am
Hmm… There appears to be something is wrong with this picture. Rauner’s head should be on the far- right, Madigan on the left and Dunkin, should be in the middle.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:31 am
**If I were in the 5th, I’d vote for Dunkin because he at least took a public stand-which is a lot more than can be said for a lot of other legislators.**
LOL - by not even voting? Looks to me like the other legislators took an EXPLICIT stand and voted for or against the legislation, while Dunkin cut a deal but didn’t even have the courage to vote.
Comment by AlabamaShake Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:31 am
Ken Dunkin is a “strategic budget broker” in much the same way that that magazine has an “expertly photo-shopped cover”.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:31 am
==No winners or losers, only limbo as chess pieces with big heads circle each other unable to win or lose==
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:32 am
My opinion, neither one of them deserve another term. We as “THE” people of Illinois deserve better leaders. Point Blank!
Comment by budget please Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:34 am
A man in my position cannot afford to be made fun of.
Comment by Hedley Lamarr Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:34 am
==obstructionist==
==Another name for John Boehner and Mike Madigan==
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:34 am
==- Ghost - Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:16 am:==
Good one Ghost!
However, big money does not buy love it takes away our freedom to elect the best person to represent the people (the voters/taxpayers).
Comment by Mama Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:36 am
The solution to Dunkin is for Madigan to secure 72 seats.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:38 am
So not voting at all on important issues is “taking a stand”?
Comment by morgan Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:38 am
What lobster would have given Dunkin a bill before? No change.
Comment by anon Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:50 am
As if Dunkin didn’t need another boost to his already overinflated ego.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:51 am
“King me…Oops…wrong game….”
Comment by Mouthy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:51 am
dunkin’s got to take two steps to the right for every step forward.
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:52 am
Why are they all white pieces? Who has the first move?
Comment by Andy Nymous Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:55 am
Maybe they mean “broker” the same way my kids did when they were really little. i.e. Dunkin is strategically there so any deal is broken (he is the broker) before it has a chance.
Comment by archimedes Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 10:59 am
Only in an alternate universe would the state legislator who has been in office for 45 years be affixed to the “rook”.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:01 am
One progressive legislator with a bill that could help the budget by $1 BILLION per year by legalizing cannabis, and two old, out of touch white guys that don’t care that cannabis prohibition is being used to expensively target minorities.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:04 am
Jett trigg, BINGO!
Comment by budget please Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:09 am
== This whole episode outlines what is wrong in this country. ==
you are exactly correct
Comment by NOTFUNNY Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:12 am
“Caption?”
“By Rook or by… “
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:14 am
==Name me a lobbyist who wants to give their bill to Ken Dunkin right now to pass?==
If I wanted something in the budget I would go to apprope chair and friend of the governor, Ken Dunkin.
Comment by NOTFUNNY Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:15 am
btw, according to ilga.gov, Ken Dunkin passed several very serious pieces of legislation this year.
Comment by NOTFUNNY Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:21 am
Do not feed trolls.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:26 am
The Speaker’s strategy from the beginning in dealing with Gov Rauner was to obstruct any meaningful action he’d seek to make. He said so much prior to the election that delivered a Gov Rauner. It’s not at all unlike DC, only the Republican House is the obstructing entity.
Dunkin is primarily a story in all of this because he has caused the Speaker’s one-up-man-ship strategy to fail. Yet, the end result of his and Toi’s and other’s efforts is a positive result for the people.
That it was accomplished despite the Speaker instead of because of him is the biggest failure to date.
It’s past time to strategically retreat, claim victory, and hammer out a legitimate budget compromise. There are only losers here at this point, no one will have the complete victory they want (though both sides can claim one), and move on to the business of the State and its citizens.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:29 am
LL, that’s an interesting story. Specifics, maybe?
The way I remember it, the governor has said for months no budget until he got his anti-union agenda.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:32 am
One of these things doesn’t belong here, one of these things just doesn’t belong…
Comment by burbanite Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:33 am
- Lincoln Lad -
How do explain “Hang In There” less than two weeks ago?
That will be fun.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:36 am
By the same token voting ‘present’ or being unwilling to vote against the speakers’ wishes is hardly taking a stand either
Comment by train111 Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:37 am
To be clear;
You can’t ask someone to “Hang In There” and not surrender to the “Surrender Caucus” without making a choice and having a position to “Hang In There” and deny the “Surrender Caucus”.
Period.
The revisionist history of these nearly 10 months, ignoring email after email, signed “Thanks! ck” told us time and time again;
Turnaround Agenda.
The call to “Hang In There” is about not surrendering the most needy and those most hurt by the stalemate until wages are lowered and collective bargaining is a thing of the past.
There’s nothing to interpret.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:41 am
Why did they use glamour shots for Dunking and Rauner, but a surprise shot for Madigan? Seems a bit biased.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:51 am
And the SuperStar “triumph” only cost $3 billion and got zero SuperStar issues approved…Did Dunkin’ get to go to Vegas too?
Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 11:51 am
==he has caused the Speaker’s one-up-man-ship strategy to fail==
Those of us who expected this to go any differently may be fools.
Madigan’s time honored strategy is to wait out his opponent, as has been discussed in posts and comments. He does not ==give==, he ==waits==.
With a Governor now who is also willing to ==wait as long as you like==, should anyone have expected this to go down differently?
A tiger does not change its stripes after 4 decades.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Will Rauner ask that Dunkin be at any future meetings with legislative leaders or will he be thrown away with the other used Trojans?
Comment by Roscoe Tom Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 12:19 pm
Rahm’s Middle Finger is on point, so to speak.
Comment by Bill F. Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 12:23 pm
==CORRECTION Today’s front page forgot to photoshop a chessboard on fire, representing Illinois.==
Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 12:34 pm
What’s a nice Rep like you doing on a knight like this?
Comment by a drop in Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 12:35 pm
Should have put the Dunkin head on the pawn.
Comment by bluecollargal Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 12:53 pm
Ken Dunkin is trying to make the fight all about Mike Madigan when the speaker was only standing up for working family’s trying to prevent Gov Rauner form his evil plans.
Republican Ken Dunkin cut a deal with his new boss Rauner and didn’t even have the courage to vote. but if truth be told this deal with Ken Dunkin and Rauner is hurting and affecting not only daycare’s and unions but working Family’s Ken Dunkin is a sellout closet Republican and is on his way to find a new job but it want be in the 5th district. SMITH FOR 5TH …… stay tuned
Comment by ANDRE SMITH Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 1:13 pm
- ANDRE SMITH -
I’ll be out in the open and say please stop. You know what I mean.
If you have all that evidence your harped about, either drop it now or please go away.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 1:42 pm
Dunkin auditions for his new River North/Streeterville constituents.
Comment by Angry Chicagoan Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 1:46 pm
Mr. Smith,
It’s always nice to have someone demonstrate that wordplay isn’t as easy as it looks.
Now go away.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 2:14 pm
“Compromise” implies a mutual shift from the past positions, irrespective of “hang in there”, or “turnaround agenda”, or “waiting the other out”.
If both sides don’t give a little and seek to compromise, the past hardened positions will be nothing compared to what comes next.
I think the Gov is willing to deal, and I fear the Speaker is thinking he wins by not giving an inch.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 2:18 pm
LL what makes you think the Gov. is willing to deal? b/c he changed course the day before the vote on daycare knowing if he didn’t he would lose some of his power?
Comment by burbanite Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 2:39 pm
Ken Dunkin, the white knight… really? Clayton Bigsby would be proud.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 3:32 pm
-burbanite-
The Gov wants to capture support in voter’s eyes as the one willing to compromise. It’s strategic.
He is wanting to isolate and paint Madigan as inflexible and completely self serving - and have the public see him as such. He wants constituents to call on their representatives to not be part of the Madigan power base, or to elect new candidates who say they won’t be. It’s in his interest long term to compromise, or demonstrate MJM is the obstacle to a deal being done.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 3:37 pm
Well - Lincoln Lad -
If “Hanging In There” is really… “Fire Madigan, 2.0″…
…Rauner retreated.
How do you like them apples?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 3:48 pm
Ducky - nice Bigsby reference!
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 4:31 pm
Does anyone still have one of those phony $100 bills Dunkin handed out with his picture in the middle back when he was first elected?
Comment by low level Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 5:25 pm
Ok Oswego Willy I told you that it is a hit list.
I told you the names of some of the elected officials that is on the list, why do you think everyone is talking about it now only when I told Chicago sun times news paper column Mary Mitchell the story called blood in the water, look it up then I was on 1570 am radio station talking about the hit list and the black room deal with Pastor c Brooks and mike z, ken Dunkin and Rauner.
NOW - Oswego Willy one of the question you should ask is what Democrat is helping Rauner Ken Dunkin and Pastor C Brooks that person who i will name at a later time is still making deals in the back room he came over to Pastor C Brooks church in SECRET to show Pastor C Brooks and Rauner the Atwell jobs that the Democrat’s was holding in told him that he could replace them immediately with his own people then and only then was the jobs gone who was that person ???
Food for thought Gov Rauner staff and Pastor C Brooks is incompetent it would have taken them a long time to fine the key Democrat’s …. let’s start there ….
Comment by Andre Smith Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 6:15 pm
===I was on 1570 am radio station talking about the hit list and the black room deal with Pastor c Brooks and mike z, ken Dunkin and Rauner.===
What did you say? I’m not stopping you. What very specifically did you say. Specifically. Dates? Times? What?
===NOW - Oswego Willy one of the question you should ask is… ===
“Why am I wasting my time with - ANDRE SMITH - talking in circles and telling me nothing?”
That’s a good question I have… for myself.
Unless you have something…
Haven’t heard anything. I haven’t. No one is stopping you.
Specifics, please, specifics.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 6:23 pm
Ugh.
From the Mitchell piece…
http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/971773/cuts-social-programs-blood-water
===Andre Smith, a former personal assistant to the Rev. Corey Brooks, is threatening to dish dirty details about the clergy’s efforts to help Gov. Bruce Rauner attract black voters.===
“Threatening” to dish.
You didn’t say anything. At all. Nothing.
Please stop unless you have something real to say, not threatening, something to actually say.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 6:34 pm
Whew. That’s a lot. Well…
I’d suggest don’t worry about what people say here but keep knocking on doors and meeting voters. People here (for the most part I would assume) don’t have a vote in that district.
What is the latest with Juliana Stratton? Is she still considering running?
Comment by low level Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 6:59 pm
That was the beginning or what I will call round 1 at that time i revealed about the hit list and guess what it’s just about time for round 2 I moved 2 battleships in the water to set the position for the destroyer stay tuned , but only because you captured my interest I would give you a hint I was saving this for the newspapers maybe Mary Michell again
Comment by Andre Smith Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 7:07 pm
New horse racing board member
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 7:10 pm
You were saving another hint for Mary Mitchell?
You know, in naval tactics, it’s not the “surrounding” that sinks battleships, it’s hitting the hull at the weakest point. There’s no need to surround.
When you have something to say, just come out and say it.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 7:14 pm
Juliana Stratton and Pastor Corey Books have been working together for a long time they are close friends and when Pastor Corey Books and Ken Dunkin and the person that gave up the key Democrats jobs when they knew that I was running aganist Republican Ken Dunkin they had put a girl name Burnett and the race she was not strong enough so they went to his old friend Juliana Stratton they still are trying to help Republican Ken Dunkin and they suppose to be DEMS this is their second candidate only to try to spilt the votes and the Democratic party BACK ROOM DEAL WORKING FOR THE MAN……GOV RAUNER
Comment by Andre Smith Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 7:36 pm
low level I could writ A TELL-ALL BOOK if I wanted to but it’s not about me it’s all about protecting Unions and working families
Comment by ANDRE SMITH Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 8:06 pm
Would these back room meetings be on the governor’s calendar?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 8:27 pm
- Andre Smith -
I have no idea what you proved.
Adding candidates to take away votes?
That’s it?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 8:33 pm
Respectfully, - Andre Smith -,
Adding candidates to help an incumbent, especially Ken Dunkin, is expected.
No disrespect, it’s an old tactic, and it’s up to whomever is running against Dunkin to make the case on that to win, saying Dunkin is doing it probably won’t be enough.
Dunkin will have the IllinoisGO money too, That’s a given now.
Time will tell if it works this time for Dunkin.
Again, respectfully.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 19, 15 @ 9:20 pm
Mr. Smith, If you are going to write a book please hire an editor. I am sorry but your grammar is very distracting and makes it difficult to follow the point(s) you are trying to make. You may want someone to proof your posts and tweets as well.
Comment by burbanite Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 7:52 am
Mr. Smith,
I agree with burbanite. Please stop with the run-on sentences. Bad grammar makes you seem like a bad candidate. Not saying you are. It is the impression it gives.
Comment by Kurt in Springfield Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:39 pm