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* Speaker Madigan at his media availability today…
I think what you saw with Republicans engaging in bipartisan support of the [tax hike] bill, in my judgement, was a reaction to the positions adopted by Gov. Rauner; the tactics employed by Gov. Rauner and his staff over several months.
So, we have not had a normal legislative process in the Illinois legislature. There’s been an undue level of intimidation by the governor and his staff relative to people in the legislature. […]
Despite what the Tribune says about me, I only engage in persuasion. I work with my members. We thoroughly discuss these issues in our caucus. My method is to use intellectual persuasion, to persuade Democratic members and sometimes Republicans on the wisdom of a position or a vote. I don’t engage in intimidation. I don’t engage in threats. And you won’t find one member of the legislature who would ever tell you that… I’ve been here long enough to know that it doesn’t work.
“Persuasion” can sometimes be in the eye of the beholder. Also, he doesn’t have to issue threats because people already know what crossing him entails.
Anyway, your thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:10 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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He said that with a straight face?
Comment by Shemp Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Scott Drury still hasn’t emotionally recovered from not getting that clock.
Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:14 pm
What would be the benefit for Rauner giving in at this point? I think his reelection becomes dimmer by the day with the lack of direction in Illinois. Why give in to something he does not believe in? He is stubborn and has not showed the will to compromise, but he does want legitimate change.
There are a variety of sources out there that would question Madigan’s persuasion techniques.
Comment by QC Teacher Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:16 pm
Wow, okay….. I have to say I have a hard time believing that. Honestly I don’t think I could hold Madigans gaze without feeling intimidated. I know, I know snowflake.
Comment by Honeybear Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:16 pm
He is such a nice man.
Comment by Nieva Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:17 pm
Meh. When you’ve been doing it as long as he has, you don’t need to intimidate. When you are a clueless billionaire that doesn’t even bother to read the newspaper or care what previous successful governors have done, yeah, you buy and intimidate. Works for awhile. But then when you burn the state down, the jig is up.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:17 pm
You’ll be fine.
Comment by Casual observer Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:18 pm
Hey; he is their duly elected leader. He leads, often times he wins. He is the head of the Democrat organization and he has it organized. You don’t want a leader or organization, join the anarchist party. Pate ran his the same way.
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:18 pm
Much of it sounds factually true. The governor shouldn’t intimidate legislators the way this one does. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth in a post-citizen’s united world.
Welcome to the 21st century; where term limits might do away with any non-rich approved politicians.
Comment by 33rd Ward Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:19 pm
Presidents don’t threaten Jack, they don’t have to. And if you don’t like the EPA, then try the IRS. - Nixon, 1995
Comment by Baloneymous Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:19 pm
==previous successful governors==
Who did you have in mind? Adlai Stevenson?
Comment by astuishin Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:21 pm
His managment style has always been fear and intimation, I hope you don’t have a family, I will make you radioactive
Comment by Rabid Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:22 pm
For the umpteenth time: Almost no one on the left in IL likes Madigan, but we can’t even begin to combat his lack of progress with the worst Gov in state history making things much worse.
Comment by Blue Bayou Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:24 pm
=== My method is to use intellectual persuasion ===
We all intellectually understand that if we don’t acquiesce to the Speakers persuasion, terrible things will occur.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:25 pm
” I don’t engage in intimidation. ” Mike Madigan.
“It’s not about the money.” Variously attributed.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm
Persuasion comes in all forms. Madigan’s is the unspoken kind. Rauner’s is the green (as in money) kind. Both can be just as effective.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm
Ducky - We haven’t had a successful governor in over 4 decades.
Comment by Hickory Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:26 pm
Madigan - the master of the velvet glove.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:33 pm
” but he does want legitimate change” you as a teacher should know that his ” legitimate change” includes starving out local school boards from giving you a decent wage. There is little ” legitimate ” about the change he desires
Comment by Redraider Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:35 pm
Mike commands respect, Rauner demands respect
Comment by Rabid Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:39 pm
What about the outside income on which Mike has his fingers?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 4:45 pm
I’m pretty sympathetic to his statement. We’ve always had stalemates. But we’ve always had a budget.
If the speaker doesn’t have the votes, it doesn’t happen. People aren’t usually resigning and the state isn’t usually tanking.
Comment by State worker Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:02 pm
Who knew the Speaker was a Damon Runyon fan.
Comment by lake county democrat Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Madigan will also give his members movement on bills they might find advantageous in their particular districts to sponsor. He will make sure these bills pass the House, even if they aren’t such great legislation in some cases. It is up to the member to push it through the Senate, but Madigan will do his part for his members. It is a quid pro quo but has been very effective.
Comment by My New Handle Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:04 pm
What else would he say ?
Comment by Texas Red Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:14 pm
I guess persuasion means running someone against his foes and banishing those that don’t comply with mister speaker .
Comment by Lech W Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:17 pm
Meh, I think the GOP members in question have already given very thoughtful and compelling reasons for their actions independent of the governor.
Curious to see if any GOP senators have the stomach for it. Based on recent history, I have my doubts.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:38 pm
History is full of very effective persuaders.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:56 pm
Yes, I agree, his management style is fear, intimidation, and threats. If people would do research on Rauner there are plenty of articles out there on his business ventures. Employee interviews are shocking from the businesses his group bought.
Comment by JJ59 Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 5:59 pm
Madigan shouldn’t speak for what motivated GOP Reps to vote for the bills. They are speaking better for themselves.
Madigan treats different personalities, and reps with different constituencies, differently. Outsiders would be surprised how often he defers to the will of his caucus members.
Comment by walker Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:03 pm
-Mike commands respect, Rauner demands respect-
Best laugh line I have heard yet. Madigan commands fealty and power through control of Democratic campaign money. He wouldn’t know how to conduct a fair negotiation if his career depended upon it.
Comment by μολὼν λαβέ Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:14 pm
Madigan understands what is realistically possible and can count if he has the votes.
Rauner wants what he wants, but hasn’t bought enough votes yet.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:20 pm
==Madigan treats different personalities, and reps with different constituencies, differently. Outsiders would be surprised how often he defers to the will of his caucus members. ==
That is the key to Madigan’s success. What caucus members learn is that if they can convince the Speaker (and/or his staff) that a vote is bad (or good) for their district (and, therefore, impacts their reelection chances) they can usually take that vote the way they need to. Rauner, so far, has been “my way or the highway.” Madigan’s intimidation is tempered with understanding of the need to be able to get reelected (and vote for the Speaker). Rauner’s intimidation is not so tempered.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:29 pm
Interesting dig, Rich. I’ve known many current and former representatives, from both sides. Not one has ever described the Speaker as intimidating or threatening. It’s always been within the lines of above board negotiations wherein both sides stand by their word. Period.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 6:53 pm
Rep. Bryant’s experience since her vote, as related in her own words.
Keep with it, they’ve buried the lede.
http://www.newsbug.info/news/national/illinois/rep-bryant-feels-the-heat-for-breaking-ranks-on-tax/article_9e531492-1ad4-5e69-840e-3205995e595b.html
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 8:19 pm
If any representative got a threatening text from the executive branch, maybe the attorney general can get a restraining order
Comment by Rabid Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 8:38 pm
Wordslinger, thanks. That lead is quite a few paragraphs from the lead, isn’t it? I would have that quote about people not realizing how deep this is, should have been headline.
Comment by My New Handle Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 8:50 pm
With rare exceptions, Madigan demands only two votes from his caucus: The vote for Speaker and the vote for House rules.
Comment by Quiet Sage Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 10:53 pm
Actually, the tax increase should be more than what they are asking for.
Comment by TaxesTaxes Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 11:08 pm
Ken Dunkin and Scott Drury would disagree with this historical fiction.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 11:57 pm
Rep. Bryant and any other Rep or Senator who has been “informed” that projects for their districts may hang on their votes, should keep detailed notes on such inneuendos. Although if the three budget bills don’t pass, there won’t be any projects anyway. Kinda takes the oxygen out of the fire.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Jul 3, 17 @ 11:57 pm
Mike builds power within his party.
Bruce buys it…
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 6:16 am
The Republican leaders skipped the meeting because they knew damned well that Madigan had played them again. Much of the conciliatory talk that took place on the previous Friday was a con job. Madigan was gaming the system to use the crisis to deliver another ultimatum to the GOP and expected them to fold.
Comment by Sigh Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 7:25 am
Dunkin, Drury; thats ancient science, cause and effect
Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Jul 4, 17 @ 8:55 am