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It’s more than just a website and e-mails

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* AP…

Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, who has ruled the state party for over three decades, has become the Republicans’ favorite target for attacks, even as they try to get him to capitulate to Rauner’s conditions for a budget.

Last week, after Madigan cited a scheduling conflict for missing a negotiating session, the Illinois Republican Party launched a “Boss Madigan” website criticizing his tenure as the country’s longest-serving state House speaker and highlighting lawmakers loyal to him to pressure them to break ranks with their leader. Republicans have also urged House Democrats not to support Madigan for another term as speaker next month.

The media has reported on that website several times. But reporters haven’t even mentioned the startling introduction of Republican Party video trackers at the Statehouse. And Rep. Sam Yingling wasn’t the only legislator targeted by the trackers. He was apparently just the only one who said something goofy enough to post on YouTube. If this continues, it will do infinitely more damage than any website or e-mails.

Republican operatives also hand-delivered an anti-Madigan packet to Democrats’ Statehouse offices last week, which was odd and took some Dems by surprise (and kinda creeped them out).

GOP types have also been actively trying to privately convince Democrats to vote against Madigan’s reelection. So far, to no avail.

* Meanwhile, here’s the latest ILGOP press release…

* Mike Madigan Says State Government is a Democracy, but Runs it Like a Dictatorship

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:04 am

Comments

Isn’t this accurate? I’ve been around this for 35 years and it seems to fit my observations.

Comment by DuPage Moderate Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:11 am
Speaking of projection, is there anything more pathetic than the guy who’s running the state like a dictatorship saying that Madigan is a dictator?

Shut it all down Mendoza and let’s get this over with.

Comment by Chucktownian Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:11 am
“BossMadigan.Com” proves positive that Rauner has NO desire to govern, but to continue to have an impasse, and blame Madigan for the impasse, and cripple the Democratic Party…

… while the Rauner 2012 quote is playing out for real before our very eyes.

Until Rauner owns the job as governor, or the job’s failings stick to Rauner… this IS all Rauner wants “working”.

24, 7, 365.

This is the only thing Rauner wants functioning…

… and the Democrat Diana Rauner is also funding it, as all of social services, less, well… less one… has Diana’s business decision deference.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:11 am
To those affected by the impasse, these tactics by the GOP are geared to gain political advantage not to end your suffering. To those oblivious to the damage created to your state, this spectacle is for you. Hopefully you will seek more information than was is being fed to you.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:14 am
This isn’t helping, so anyone *cough* Governor Rauner *cough* thinking this isn’t an issue in governing… they are refusing to ignore the 2012 quote and Rauner wanting the state to implode.

This isn’t helping. Don’t wave it away as “standard”.

Not this time. Not this funding. Not this continuing. Not this ending.

Nope.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:14 am
Trackers in the Statehouse. Formal campaign activity in the legislative office building. Attack messaging for the entire 24-month term of a House member. Republicans will say they’re just “leveling the playing field.” Actually I don’t recall the Dems ever doing these things. Plus new levels of campaign funding. These are unhelpful shifts to a new style of governing.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
==GOP types have also been actively trying to privately convince Democrats to vote against Madigan’s reelection.==

No matter what you think of MJM, a vote against him is a vote for Rauner. Good luck getting any Dem to do *that*

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
I am by no means a MJM fan, but I have always respected how much he values and protects the institution of the General Assembly. However, someone needs to point out to him that his continued presence is now damaging the institution that he has spent his entire adult life protecting.

Comment by Not It Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:18 am
I can’t believe the people who started IllinoisGO don’t understand what motivates Democratic legislators. /s

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:24 am
Democratic House members other than Currie, Lang and a few others, have much to be worried about. Their upcoming vote for Madigan as Speaker (and the vote approving his onerous, yes quasi dictator-like, rules) will be truly noted, recorded and soon etched in the memories of their constituents for 2018.

Yes, some House Dems will lose re-election over these votes. See Ex. A, soon to be former Rep. John Bradley.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:24 am
DM, do you really believe you can run the state as a dictator out of the House?

How? By awarding grants? Signing contracts? Deciding what bills are presented to the comptroller for payment when? By signing or vetoing legislation?

It’s amazing the number of people who think Speaker or Mayor of Chicago are the power centers in Illinois.

Governors are the big dogs.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:26 am
The Speaker gets re-elected because when he speaks with his members and shakes their hands it means something.
The Sham Governor of course is an Orwellian walking contradiction. Sometimes when he has a tie on, he finds g’s in his diction. Even his diction is a phony fabrication.

Comment by yeah Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:27 am
Why would the right want to get rid of Madigan? Their whole strategy would go kaput? If Madigan reallllly wanted to screw with Rauner he would announce his retirement around June of 2018. Then the GOP would be stuck with all the anti-Madigan ads with no Madigan to pin it on (snark)

Comment by Rogue Roni Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:28 am
To OW’s 10:11 point, I doubt that whomever the 2037 Paul Green/Charlie Wheeler is will be pointing back to the time that campaign staff with GoPros descended on the statehouse as the moment when the sleeves got rolled up and the hard work of governing got done.

It’s just a dumb game.

Comment by LizPhairTax Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:28 am
I love how Rauner tries to disassociate himself from the tactics with “I have nothing to do with that” statements to the media — and he largely gets away with it.

Imagine Jerry Reinsdorf standing in front of a wall of cameras today saying he has “nothing to do” with trading Chris Sale. Pretty much the same thing.

Comment by Roman Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:31 am
We’re two years into Rauner’s term and I continue to be amazed that he thinks he’s going to get what he wants by opting for a 24/7/365 war against Madigan. Is he really any closer to his policy objectives than he was when he was first elected?

Comment by slow down Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:32 am
Video tracking opposition lawmakers under the Dome is an intimidation tactic straight out of the Putin playbook.

Not surprising. This is the crew that sent armed “private investigators” to “question” Libertarian petition-passers at their homes at night.

Like then, I’m sure Gov. Sgt. Schultz knows “nothing, nothing,” about what that political operation he’s spending tens of millions on is up to.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:33 am
But Madigan and Democrats need to tone down their rhetoric. Politicians are the jobs everyone has chosen. Rauner isn’t involved in politics; he doesn’t know anything about it. He’s too busy governin’ and doing the people’s bidness.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:35 am
(Tips cap to - LizPhairTax -)

I have no idea what 2018 will 100% look like, electorally, but with Munger losing and Rauner picking up House seats, Rauner could very well take out more Dems and lose his race statewide.

Possible, but December of 2014 doing these things will NOT allow governing to happen.

#TaxHikeMike is but one vote away…

This site allows Rauner to tell ALL Dems… “Don’t trust Me!”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:37 am
The next time Sam Yingling is cornered by trackers, maybe he should say: “I am Spartacus”

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:43 am
=Rauner has NO desire to govern, but to continue to have an impasse=
I think you’re mixing up desire and good strategy.
BTW, saw your post from last night, apologize if you felt I was mocking. Thought first post didn’t go, posted again. We never agree, so I thought it was a fun moment to note agreement.

=these tactics by the GOP are geared to gain political advantage not to end your suffering=
Whether you agree with the end or the means, the goal is policy. And let’s keep in mind how the Capitol has been run for decades, everything has been for political advantage, but the final policy goals generally remained elusive. We can pass a min wage referendum but no actual min wage change? We can pass campaign finance reform, but only after Madigan guts its impact with an amendment(that is helping everyone fund this mess right now). etc.

=It’s just a dumb game.=
Agreed. I think making a big deal out of the Speaker vote now is foolish as well. Unless you can actually stop it from being Madigan, then you’ve just tipping your hand. Better play is keep quiet, then you get all those votes and more nominating speeches for ads. Outside of the Curries and Langs and other safe seats, my guess is this vote will be very quiet. Don’t expect Yingling to give a great toast to the fearless leader.

Comment by m Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:44 am
I wish the IL GOP would focus on solving the problems facing IL citizens instead of attacking political opponents. The could spend some time working on the pension issue and balancing the budget.

Comment by Seymourkid Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:45 am
Guerilla campaign tactics at their worst.

I wonder what Durkie and Radagno would say if the ILDP did this very same thing? My guess, big crocodile tears.

The downstate republicans would decry the lack of values and decorum.

But, it is happening to the other guys so it is cool.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:46 am
The ironic thing is, if the Dems did ditch Madigan, the Republicans’ entire political strategy would collapse with absolutely no benefit to their governing strategy.

I dunno, maybe that’s the brilliant part of it, though.

Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:51 am
Strategy to make impossible governing isn’t good strategy, it’s the willfull and purposeful hurting of the possibility of governing and running the state.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:54 am
–We’re two years into Rauner’s term and I continue to be amazed that he thinks he’s going to get what he wants by opting for a 24/7/365 war against Madigan. Is he really any closer to his policy objectives than he was when he was first elected?–

Therein, I think, is a fundamental miscalculation many are making.

If squeeze-the-beast is the real agenda, and I think it is, then everything Rauner is doing makes perfect sense.

By his own (since disowned) calculation, Rauner estimated that his “agenda” would generate $500 million a year in extra state revenue.

So, do you push an FY17 budget with an $8 billion deficit (now estimated at $13 billion), and triple the backlog of bills to an estimated $14 billion by June 30, to hold out for an extra $500 million a year?

That would be the act of a lunatic. And Rauner ain’t crazy. He knows what he’s doing, and he’s accomplishing what he set out to do.

He just didn’t tell anyone what that was, for good reason.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 10:55 am
Last time GOPies brought the campaign into the State House Tristano went to the joint. Hmmm

The other thought is while the Simon Institute Poll is a lovable grab bag, the respondents also want to pay no taxes, but get a full bucket of services and other goodies. Citing that source was a serious gaffer Mr/M Yaffer.

Comment by Annonin Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:06 am
GOP video trackers… who wants to bet James O’Keefe is hiding in Madigan’s dumpster?

Comment by James Knell Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:12 am
== * Mike Madigan Says State Government is a Democracy, but Runs it Like a Dictatorship ==

First The Governot raised ‘Projection’ to an art form. Now the whole IL Repub Party is following suit as wannabes.

Dictatorship? If not that, exactly how has Ruiner been (not) running IL for two years?

Comment by sal-says Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:13 am
Man with no governing experience or ability to compromise, boasts he is a persistent rascal, fails as governor. Rauner would rather be “right” (as he defines it), than be a governor.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:13 am
Good grief, Dems! If Rauner and IL R’s want 24/7/365 messaging war, then give it to them! Use trackers to corner suburban and downstate members, confront them with the stats of how many of their voters are being hurt by the Governor’s hostage taking and record their responses! Follow around the R’s with colleges or large numbers of union workers in their districts and ask why they want to damage the earning power of the voters they supposedly represent! Ask them repeatedly, on video, why they support Rauner’s war on our poorest citizens. If they decline to answer, ask them why they refuse to answer. Hasn’t the election of Trump taught you anything? At the very least, have some pride and stand up for yourselves, for crying out loud.
For what seems like my entire life, D’s stand around whining about the R’s hardball tactics, refused to respond in kind, and lose because of it. Quit whining and complaining about how very unfair these tactics are, and get to work offering the voters an honest glimpse of their own plutocrat-owned representatives and senators. They’re using these tactics against you, turnabout is only fair play here. If you don’t, then Rauner and his lackies deserve to win in 2018.

Comment by Lincoln Clay Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:26 am
Honest question- if these “trackers” are not legitimate press, is this legal under Illinois’ recording law(s)?

http://www.dmlp.org/legal-guide/illinois-recording-law

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:30 am
It’s more than just a website and e-mails. It’s also the talking-point merchants who have infected this blog and are ruining what was once a great, open forum for interested political geeks of all stripes and backgrounds.

Now, for some, it’s just another tool in the permanent political war. They bring no original thoughts, no original contributions, no humor, no creativity. They aren’t here to learn or to teach, they are only here to drive Bruce Rauner’s political agenda.

It’s not personal for them, it’s just bidness.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:30 am
Look, this isn’t a good governing strategy. It’s a total war strategy, which is exactly where things are and where they’ve been for approx. two years now.

Total war means (read, excuses) using technology (in a range bordering on inappropriate) to bring a new level of transparency (which cleanses any stench of inappropriateness, right?).

Yingling & Costello know this is a real issue. They are being publicly asked who they are going to support for Speaker. Costello has responded far better than Yingling (duh).

But remember there are LOTS of House Dems who regularly tell their constituents at the door-step they think Madigan’s been around far too long, has accumulated too much power, and they do not support him … only thereafter to quietly vote for Madigan as their Speaker and retain the status quo. These instances of saying one thing and doing the exact opposite — with respect to Madigan as Speaker/tyrant — have been almost always kept away from voters after the door-steps conversations aforementioned. If you want one example of a quasi-Yingling misstep, Google Anna Moeller’s public diss of Madigan about this very topic.

Remember, things are different now. Madigan has been publicly beaten down and trashed during the last election, state-wide. He’s a detested politicians in the voters’ eyes and that campaign against him will continue. So the John Bradley guilt by association treatment is in store for others. Every House Dem where Republicans vote (so nix most of Chicago), will have their vote for Madigan as Speaker (and the vote for his Rules) memorialized for the 2018 election … and they will be reminded of their support for Madigan on subsequent visits to their constituents’ door-steps.

And some House Dems will be defeated because of their votes for Madigan.

Comment by Deft Wing Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:32 am
== The could spend some time working on the pension issue and balancing the budget. ==

There is no pension issue other than figuring out who / how to pay the pension debt.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:37 am
—GOP video trackers… who wants to bet James O’Keefe is hiding in Madigan’s dumpster?

Oh the excitement of digging through apple cores.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:47 am
===They bring no original thoughts, no original contributions, no humor, no creativity. They aren’t here to learn or to teach, they are only here to drive Bruce Rauner’s political agenda.===

The term “Raunerbot” isn’t an accidental term…

- Deft Wing -

What’s so sad about your comment is that the cheering you have and the “this is the new normal, get use to it, get over it” sounds like you are really in-tune, but the reality is your “deaf” to the needs of a state, but hear the dog whistles of the politics.

If you think you aren’t cheering, your lack of focus on the need to govern in all those words make it very clear all by itself.

You’re not “exposing” the problem, you’re engaging to heighten the levels of its negative impact.

But you know that. That’s why it’s sad.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:50 am
The strategy in response should (as someone mentioned yesterday) pass a budget every day and make Rauner veto it every day. Or 30 in a day after a month. I don’t care, but make him veto the budget constantly.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 11:51 am
I’m beginning to wonder whether the Republicans are trying to get Dems to bounce Madigan or to double down in protecting him. It’s awfully tough to defend anyone, no matter how big a talent, who has held political office for as long as Madigan has held the Speakership.

Comment by Angry Chicagoan Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 4:01 pm
Look at it all as a preview of the national Kellyanne Conway effort to be rolled out in parallel with the inauguration. Talk about frightening…

Comment by stateandlake Wednesday, Dec 7, 16 @ 6:06 pm