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* The Illinois Review published a letter sent by Richard Porter, the Illinois GOP’s National Committeeman to members of the state central committee…
In chess, a fork is a tactic whereby a single piece makes two or more direct attacks simultaneously. Most commonly two pieces are threatened, which is also sometimes called a double attack. The attacker gains no matter how the opponent responds; the opponent typically can only seek to mitigate the adverse impact, while pursuing his or her strategy. […]
Bear this in mind: Democrats control our legislature, Madigan controls the Democrats and so Madigan controls the agenda. So what does Madigan do with this control?
Madigan, the master player of Illinois politics, used his control of the agenda to set up a series of “forks” to blunt our advance and set the table for next year’s election. Madigan’s agenda is to win, so Madigan’s agenda is to focus attention on anything but what’s actually happening in the state. His game plan: distract, divide and diminish.
Which brings me to SB31, HB40, and the transgender license bill — three issues Madigan put on the political agenda this year. […]
Many on our team are not happy with the choice our Governor made when presented with Madigan’s forks. He ended up making personal choices that many receiving this would not. I am not writing to tell you that you’re wrong. I am not writing to tell you that one choice was good politically — either choice would bring political costs. […]
If you see that these bills are part of Madigan’s strategy then don’t let Madigan play you like some pawn on his board. Channel your anger toward Madigan — don’t fall into his trap of division and distraction.
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 9:53 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: The damage done to higher education
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Madigan didn’t make Rauner promise to veto HB40 and then sign it.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 9:58 am
“Area politician plays politics.”
So apparently it’s rather unfair of Madigan to have and execute a strategy.
Comment by Dornford Yates Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 9:58 am
Mike Madigan and the governors he controls…
Comment by South of Sherman Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 9:58 am
well duh…
but lets be real, the gop legislators (That haven’t retired) are just itching for things to go back to the old days. Back when Madigans super majority made republicans obsolete. They want to be able to have no voice, no influence, no power. just so they can throw their hands up in the air and say I’m pro life, I’m pro gun, and I’m against high taxes. All great things to run on in safe republican districts, but they don’t move the needle forward on gaining new seats. All of this anger at the governor is simply a sigh of relief coming from all the old timers that they no longer need to work in Springfield they can go back to principled positions backed up by zero action.
Comment by Iggy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:00 am
Gotta defend those sacred Rauner Bucks until a wealthier sugar daddy comes along.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:01 am
Only a governor can sign legislation, so there’s that.
If people trusted Rauner’s word, that’s not Madigan’s fault too.
According to that logic, Madigan spoke to Rauner to mislead the likes of a Cardinal and Cosgrove and then force Rauner to sign things to look utterly untrustworthy to the Nth Degree.
Fiction writing is more fun, ain’t it Mr. Porter, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:01 am
The ILGOP’s biggest problem right now is that Bruce Rauner forked himself by promising to both veto HB40 and sign HB40.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:03 am
great observation, not great advice.
Comment by Conn Smythe Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:05 am
Porter’s analysis is actually spot on. Madigan is a shrewd tactician, and Drury, Biss and others have called him out for only advancing bills like these when it serves his political interests.
Obviously, Rauner cornered himself by lying about the HB40 veto. Ultimately, he did the right thing though. Imagine the outcry had he actually vetoed it.
Comment by Mugsy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:05 am
Put Madigan and Rauner in a room.
Ask them if they support X.
Madigan will say either yes or no — and give specific reasons. He will give this answer to every audience, every reporter that asks about X.
Rauner will not answer directly. He will say, “Well, I will tell you this: that …” — and then pretend like his non-answer is obvious to any Illinoisan. He will also give a different answer to every audience, every reporter that asks the question.
This is Rauner’s issue. It’s not Madigan. Rauner is his own worst enemy. He has no moral compass. It’s morality through the lens of the political (at any given moment, any given poll, any given audience.)
Comment by Macbeth Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:07 am
He’s right to a point. Control over the agenda is a strategic advantage, however the AV power affords equally potent political tools. What Madigan can’t control and what mr porter can’t mitigate s the gov’s lack of character. Madigan didnt lie to the cardinal and fellow gop, the gov did. Older than willy’s “gov’s own” I s that the only Currency n politics is your word!
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:07 am
That letter is a perfect reflection of the state’s Republican Party & its lack of strategic thinkers. Rauner Inc bet the house on demonizing Madigan & destroying public AND private sector unions. This isn’t Wisconsin with Republican majorities in the House & Senate; thus, it was a losing strategy from day 1 and the only thing to show is $15 billion in unpaid bills & a horribly divided party. Nice job!
Comment by Wilson Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:09 am
“don’t let Madigan play you like some pawn on his board”
That’s supposed to be Rauner’s job.
Comment by a drop in Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:12 am
Did Richard Porter realize he was saying this gibberish “out loud”?
The only way he could insult the intelligence of Republicans more would be if he dropped his Gs. But I guess he doesn’t want to step on Rauner’s shtick.
Comment by Chris P. Bacon Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:13 am
Madigan has never signed a bill into law. Madigan has never stated to his support base of legislators and a Cardinal that he would veto a bill, then turn around and sign it. Madigan has never campaigned on “not having a social agenda” then signed the mostly highly charged third rail of social politics into law. When you are a Governor, you know (or should know) that issues will arise to which you have opposition. The first line of defense is to work with (not against) the legislature and its individual members. If that doesn’t work, you know (or should know) that you will then have a binary choice on substantive issues–sign, or some kind of veto. Rauner failed his base, failed the process, and managed to fail his message by changing it several times. Welcome to the Big Leagues, where a checkbook can’t solve every problem that you have. Rauner got whooped.
Comment by jade me not Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:15 am
What a forking joke. Rauner boxed himself in. Nobody forced him to make promise to both sides on HB40.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:16 am
===Madigan forked us===
h/t to Rich for nailing the headline
Comment by Mugsy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:17 am
He’s right that GA Democrats forced a series of no-win decisions on Rauner, but it was clear that they would have the means, motive, and opportunity to do so since Election Night 2014. The whole point of the Rauner Project was to *beat* Madigan, not fall into his traps. That project hasn’t just failed, but Rauner, in talking out of both sides of his mouth on school funding and abortion, made the traps much more effective.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:17 am
Dear Rep. Drury,
Read this…
===If you see that these bills are part of Madigan’s strategy then don’t let Madigan play you like some pawn on his board. Channel your anger toward Madigan — don’t fall into his trap of division and distraction.===
Your stance on HB40 and that being “enough” for you…
Mr. Porter wants yo to just forget Bruce Rauner signed a bill into law that has taxpayer funded… abortion on demand.
“But Madigan” is the retort, Rep. Drury.
“But Madigan” is just more important than your honesty that you enabled Rauner and Rauner turned on your enabling and lied to a Cardinal… but it’s fine… “But Madigan”
Dear Sen. Oberweis,
You were an instrumental figure in the required dismissal of Pat Brady for supporting SSM. Your thoughts on Rauner signing HB40…
Yep. “But Madigan”
You are fine with HB40 being signed because of “But Madigan” and support Bruce Rauner, a person who signed, arguably the most liberal abortion law into being, but SSM, well, Pat Brady had to go.
Are you a “Cafeteria Conservative”… Sen Oberweis?
===If you see that these bills are part of Madigan’s strategy then don’t let Madigan play you like some pawn on his board. Channel your anger toward Madigan — don’t fall into his trap of division and distraction.===
“Rauner misled us all, but Madigan, and ignore your own core beliefs”
Oh. Boy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:23 am
Rauner has been outplayed since the day he won and claimed to have called Madigan, but had not.
What is sad is that he could have made gains in governance; stronger management, results focused review of programs, greater ability to remove the small percentage of poor workers. He could have bypassed strongpoints, taken other targets, and positioned himself for a long campaign. Instead, he launched frontal assaults on core targets and lost badly.
Lincoln switched generals until he found some with the will and skill to fight and win. But Lincoln does not run the Republican party in Illinois. Pity.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:24 am
- a drop in - is spot on.
Porter is trying to defend Rauner, but he’s really making an argument for the GOP to dump him by shining a bright light on a great weaknesses: Rauner has utterly failed in his battle against Madigan.
Sure, Rauner’s money and the Blame Madigan message (along with Trump’s downstate landslide) helped flip some House districts outside the Chicago media market. But otherwise, Madigan has beat Rauner at every turn in Springfield. The income tax was raised without any “pro-business reforms.” The Chicago Public Schools have been bailed out. Madigan has united once divided Dem factions to oppose Rauner. Would Medicaid-funded abortions be legal in Illinois today if Kirk Dillard was governor?
Comment by Roman Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:28 am
They are basically saying it does not matter who our Governor is because Madigan.
Comment by cool Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:28 am
Yes, “channel your anger toward Madigan.” Michael would love that, since anger is a distraction in and of itself…which is how the Raunerites got themselves into this situation.
Comment by My New Handle Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:29 am
So you think the governor made the wrong choices but don’t blame him, blame Madigan because it is his fault the governor had choices to make? Thanks Port for your addition to the conversation… not. This is the weakest argument to support Bruce Rauner, or to dislike Mike Madigan that I think I have ever seen.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:30 am
==Sure, Rauner’s money and the Blame Madigan message (along with Trump’s downstate landslide) helped flip some House districts outside the Chicago media market.==
And while we’re on the subject, what did that get conservatives? A tax hike, a CPS “bailout”, a “sanctuary city” bill and publicly-funded abortions. What good was it? By conservative measures, the Rauner Project has failed.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:37 am
“Madigan’s agenda is to win . . .”
Unlike any other politician or political organization in the history of ever, including ILGOP and Rauner.
Sheesh.
Comment by JoanP Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:42 am
As in chess, for better or worse …
The governor was up against an experienced and gifted player with umpteen games played and a mastery of tactics fully demonstrated. A Grandmaster of politics, if you will.
Anybody who has followed MJM in action knew what was coming pretty much from the start.
It’s hard to imagine there wasn’t some magical thinking among the governor’s retinue involved.
Comment by dbk Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:43 am
Speaker Madigan has spent the past two and half years pursuing a political agenda and not working cooperatively and professionally solving Illinois many problems he has enabled for decades.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:43 am
” Madigan’s agenda is to win, so Madigan’s agenda is to focus attention on anything but what’s actually happening in the state. His game plan: distract, divide and diminish.”
Dude, I think you got Madigan confused with Rauner but I will agree with you on one thing, the ILGOP with Rauner at the helm is forked.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:45 am
===Speaker Madigan has spent the past two and half years pursuing a political agenda and not working cooperatively and professionally solving Illinois many problems he has enabled for decades.===
… and yet it was Bruce Rauner that signed into law an abortion bill you said was even too liberal for California. Remember that?
Only a governor can sign.
While Rauner, rightly, owns and touts his signature on SB1, because even HE knows governors own the good their good signatures… Rauner personally owns the signature of HB40 and all that bill entails, and all that you wrung your hands about.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:47 am
“Channel your anger toward Madigan. Feel the Force. Join the Dark Side.” Oops, sorry, couldn’t resist.
Comment by G'Kar Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:50 am
Deep Thought by Jack Handy.
Comment by Saluki Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 10:58 am
Rauner failed.
That’s what this is clearly saying.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:11 am
It’s always Madigan’s fault. Rauner is never responsible for anything. Even signing legislation he promised to veto into law.
Comment by Ignatius J. Reilly Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:15 am
Couldn’t figure out from the excerpt what the “fork” intro had to do with anything, so I went to the article/letter, which finally tied it together:
“Each bill presents a cultural fork — if his opponent goes one way, his base will be distracted and divided. If he goes the other way, he riles the cultural liberals, some of whom we must convince to join us to carry Illinois.”
Translation: if the Republicans (and I include the Governor in that group) react to this bill like Democrats, they’ll upset their base. If they react like Republicans, they’ll upset the Democrats.
Is this really deep and I just can’t see it, or is this just the most shallow analysis ever?
Comment by Whatever Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:38 am
Only a Governor can sign legislation?
Complete nonsense, another unbalanced budget containing zero reforms of our business environment or government but containing a record 32% permanent income tax was passed by the legislature and vetoed by the Governor.
By that definition, the Speaker owns the tax increases that caused a number of legislators from both parties to not run for reelection because they would face strong headwinds defending an unpopular vote.
After two and a half years of the Governor telling the Speaker if he wanted another unbalanced budget that contained no reforms and just revenue he would have to pass it without his signature.
What took him so long for that clear message to sink in and how can the Speaker honestly say no reforms are necessary?
I think you are saying the Speaker is incredibly gifted and is not responsible for his record which most illinois residents and Democratic candidates for Governor soundly reject.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:51 am
===Only a Governor can sign legislation?===
Unless the constitution changed over the weekend… only a governor can sign legislation.
===Complete nonsense, another unbalanced budget containing zero reforms of our business environment or government but containing a record 32% permanent income tax was passed by the legislature and vetoed by the Governor===
Then I expect you, along with me, will remind others “Rauner vetoed that”
That’s funding for agencies, higher education, social services… I expect you every time the Phony Rauner tries to claim a budgetary success you’ll be the first to remind us all…
“Rauner vetoed that”
===By that definition, the Speaker owns the tax increases that caused a number of legislators from both parties to not run for reelection because they would face strong headwinds defending an unpopular vote.===
The Speaker, along with bipartisan members of the General Assembly saved social services, funded higher education, heck, Speaker Madigan funded Rauner’s own agencies, LOL
Yep, Rauner wanted continued state destruction and a bipartisan group of legislators said “Enough governor. We love Illinois and you’re destroying our state”.
Yep. Rauner vetoed it. Everything… ecerything but the “Chicago bailout” of schools.
===After two and a half years of the Governor telling the Speaker if he wanted another unbalanced budget that contained no reforms and just revenue he would have to pass it without his signature===
So, no trips to Northern Illinois University. Rauner vetoed their funding. How about a state park. Can’t go there. Rauner vetoed their funding too. Social service providers? Can’t go there, Rauner vetoed paying them, yet again.
You keep touting those vetoes. That’s fun.
You keep hoping those vetoes are enough…
… that was before HB40.
Right? Exactly right.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:05 pm
Rauner forked himself. That’s what the untrustworthy do. Love or hate Madigan, his word means something. Rauner flat-out lies.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:18 pm
Look at our terrible population, economic growth and unemployment numbers compared to the rest of the nation.
This is despite he fact that Illinois has one of the great cities in the world. Not passing any reforms and just raising taxes contributes to the destruction of Illinois economy
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:31 pm
===Look at our terrible population, economic growth and unemployment numbers compared to the rest of the nation.
This is despite he fact that Illinois has one of the great cities in the world. Not passing any reforms and just raising taxes contributes to the destruction of Illinois economy===
“What would be different in a Rauner second term”
Thanks, - Lucky Pierre -, you sold us all I guess, Rauner failed Illinois. Rauner got nothing done.
#PatQuinnFailed
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:34 pm
==Only a Governor can sign legislation?
Complete nonsense,==
He certainly was the only guy who could sign the sanctuary state bill and the taxpayers funding of abortion bills. Lucky, Port and Mrs Rauner will be the last lonely defenders of this maroon. Reminds me of when Bill was still with us, defending Blago to the bitter end on Cap fax comment boards.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:36 pm
=== defending Blago to the bitter end===
To his credit, Bill realized the error of his ways when RRB was arrested. lol
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:38 pm
==Look at our terrible population, economic growth and unemployment numbers compared to the rest of the nation.==
Yes, Bruce Rauner is doing a truly terrible job.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 12:52 pm
==Speaker Madigan has spent the past two and half years pursuing a political agenda ==
lol. What do you think the Governor has been doing.
==Only a Governor can sign legislation?==
Umm, yes.
Once again LP is here telling us all how the Governor is nothing but a victim and nothing is his fault.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:01 pm
Amazing how a post about Speaker Madigan boomerangs into criticism of Governor Rauner and not Speaker Madigan who you are all defending. When will the bitter end of his reign end?
Could you detail some more of his bipartisan work with a straight face?
Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:02 pm
What Porter failed to mention is that Rauner was winning the battle (see 2016 elections) but his outright contempt fo the speaker blinded him to what was going on under the dome. A win is a win. Take them move on. He wanted(s) it all at once, and thats not the way this match is played.
Comment by the Cardinal Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:04 pm
- Lucky Pierre - on another post, today…
===don’t think a single Republican member of the Illinois General Assembly would describe the Speaker as bipartisan.===
Hmm. Here?
===Could you detail some more of his bipartisan work with a straight face?===
Is it “more” or none on that bipartisanship?
Oh, - Lucky Pierre -, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:06 pm
==Amazing how a post about Speaker Madigan boomerangs into criticism of Governor Rauner and not Speaker Madigan who you are all defending.==
Rauner’s name is right there in the title of the post, dude.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:13 pm
New ILGOP Slogan: Fork Madigan.
Comment by SAP Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 1:58 pm
It’s the same-old, same-old GOP line: Madigan is totally to blame, and Rauner is totally exonerated.
Comment by anon2 Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:28 pm
And, in news critical of Rauner…
http://prairiestatewire.com/stories/511244022-rauner-and-our-illinois-republican-future
Comment by Chris Robling Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:51 pm
“When will the bitter end of his reign end?”
In the end?
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 2:55 pm
“Madigan and the utensils he controls.”
Comment by Dome Gnome Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 3:12 pm
==criticism of Governor Rauner and not Speaker Madigan ==
Criticism of the Governor is not a defense of the Speaker
And you’re a riot. You boomerang everything into criticism of the Speaker. So there’s that.
LP my big problem with you is that you continue to peddle this narrative that the Governor is simply a victim in all of this. It’s nonsense and as long as you continue peddling it you’ll be called out on it.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 3:57 pm
“Look at our terrible population, economic growth and unemployment numbers compared to the rest of the nation.”
LP…you might want to read what Rauner said:
“Illinois Remains the Economic Powerhouse of the Midwest and Continues to Grow […]”
When you figure out which is the truth, come on back.
Comment by Skeptic Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 4:48 pm
New tv series. Victim Governor
Comment by Generic Drone Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 4:51 pm
Maybe what we need is a good independent third party candidate. Hopefully with good conservative background. Downstate conservative democrats distrust JB because of Madigan connection….Republicans don’t trust Rauner. Possible Demo’s and republican will vote for the Independent…Our problems solved.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 16, 17 @ 11:40 pm