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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Sometimes you need a decoder ring to figure out Steve Brown. Mine doesn’t appear to be working today. From Sneed…

So what does powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan think of Gov. Bruce Rauner’s decision to block new Syrian refugees from Illinois?

“The speaker is out of town at the funeral of his father-in-law,” said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown. “But I think it is safe to say most people understand the governor has no power or authority over who crosses the border — especially if people keep leaving Illinois!”

So, is he talking about how the governor is in Las Vegas for the RGA convention right now, or the exodus of people retiring out of state or leaving to look for work elsewhere? Or… ?

* The Question: Your translation?

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 12:59 pm

Comments

Fairly certain he is referring to Rauner’s constant claim that businesses and citizens are leaving the state in droves because the economy is so bad.

Comment by Politix Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:06 pm
The Question: Your translation?

“Lishen — When Mike’sh outta town… we drink. Oh-hic-oh-hic-okay?”

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:10 pm
Good that you asked.
What I told her was that if the Governor has the power to control the borders (which most doubt) he might want to keep people here — thus stemming the exodus so many worry about.

Hope that helps

Comment by Steve Brown Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Mr. Brown,

Yeah? Well, I still think I’m right.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:21 pm
He’s taunting Rauner, saying the Governor has no more power to prevent people from crossing into Illinois than it does to prevent the supposedly fleeing hordes that Rauner loves to talk about.

Comment by Senator Clay Davis Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:30 pm
@Mr. Brown

The game is no fun if you give away the answer early on…

Comment by HangingOn Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Brown ruined it, new question please.

Comment by BOOOOO! Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:50 pm
Translation: “Cubs in 6.” Oops.

Comment by Skeptic Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:55 pm
What Brown said.

Comment by Austin Blvd Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 1:56 pm
Translation:

Focus on your job, Governor.

I know that Rich is tired of the Blagojevich comparisons, but Rod had the same short attention span and same habit of glomping onto national headlines instead of focusing on, you know, his job.

It’s almost as if this governor who swears he doesn’t read newspapers and has no plans of pursuing a VP nomination is reading clips every day of national newspapers to bulk up on his foreign affairs knowledge in hopes of being picked for VP.

Comment by Juvenal Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:15 pm
There is really a lot there -

What Steve did was show that he didn’t want to answer the question and was uncomfortable by it.

He hid immediately behind two emotional words - funeral and family - in order to lower any expectations his response could have towards his boss. Mr. Madigan’s priority was not politics, but family.

“But I think it is safe to say most people understand… There you go. Steve is answering this question out of courtesy, but he won’t be allowed to put words into Mr. Speaker’s mouth on this issue at this time….and most people would understand.

The next sentence was a zinger against the man who forced the question to be asked…
…the governor has no power or authority over who crosses the border — especially if people keep leaving Illinois!

So Steve really didn’t want to answer a hypothetical question about his currently grieving boss’ take on a gadfly governor’s daft publicity stunt.

Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:18 pm
You could have said that the first time. Brownie, you’re doin’ a heckuva job!

Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:19 pm
I think he was yanking the reporter’s chain.

Comment by DuPage Dave Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:19 pm
Steve Brown’s words are like a prism. Some people see “purple” reflected back at them and others see “red”. That is the beauty.

Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:20 pm
” gadfly governor’s daft publicity stunt ” - well stated!

Comment by illini Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:34 pm
Humor just missing the mark.

Comment by walker Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 2:38 pm
Sorry….did not mean to wreck the contest…and if you have talked with Sneed as much I have you can be sure the answer I gave here is the same answer I gave her…now we can prepare for the storm of the century

Comment by Steve Brown Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:02 pm
Mr. Brown,

I wanted to guess and see how far off I’d be.

Thanks for saving me my own embarrassment.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:06 pm
Madigan and the QOTD-wreckers he controls…

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 3:26 pm
Our worst response rate to a QOTD in a very long time.

Heckuva job, Brownie!!!

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 4:15 pm
So Brownie, who ya got for the Sprint Cup?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Nov 20, 15 @ 4:22 pm