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* UPDATED x1 - Rauner responds * Chuy Garcia endorses Madigan for another term as party chairman

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During the last few months, House Speaker Michael Madigan has been assailed by governor candidates in his own party and beset by accusations of sexual harassment in the political organizations he controls.

On Monday, he’s expected to be re-elected leader of the state Democratic Party, 20 years after he first won the job.

The party’s central committee is scheduled to meet at a Springfield hotel near the Capitol to elect its officers, including a party chairman. […]

Madigan’s backers to keep the chairman job now include leading progressive Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, who on Friday called the longtime speaker the “clear choice.”

* From Garcia’s Madigan endorsement…

I will support a chair who, above all, knows that our goal as a Democratic Party and as a progressive movement must be to build a broad coalition that can deliver this change. Michael Madigan is the clear choice.

As chairman and as a legislator, Madigan is building an ideologically, racially and geographically diverse coalition, and will turn a statewide majority into progressive action.

* Sun-Times…

And it’s not the first time the two have had each other’s backs. Garcia in 2016 endorsed Madigan over a heavily-funded opponent. Garcia, who was named a Bernie Sanders national delegate, appeared in mailers endorsing Madigan. […]

Garcia said Madigan “puts first the interests of the people of Illinois and the progressive principles of the Democratic party.” […]

If there was any opposition from progressive politicians to Garcia’s decision to endorse Madigan, it was hard to find on Friday. But some social media users voiced their opinions: “Of course, he [Garcia] knows the deal.” Another tweeted: “Chuy falls in line.”

“What the f— is Chuy smoking on 4-20?!?” tweeted one self-described “enlightened free thinker.”

* Greg Hinz…

I guess Garcia and Madigan have to live together. And there is no sign that anyone is about to topple Madigan when Democrats meet soon for this year’s coronation. Why fight when everyone can get together to bash Donald Trump?

Says Madigan spokesman Steve Brown, “Mr. Garcia’s support, like that of other members of the central committee, is appreciated.” I’m sure.

Like the old expression goes, the more things change. . . .

* Bill Cameron…

As party veteran Ed Burke likes to say, “As my political idol and political philosopher Edmund Burke once said, in politics there are no permanent enemies, no permanent friends, only permanent political interests.”

*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign…

In advance of today’s Democratic Party of Illinois’ State Central Committee meeting and state party chairman vote, the Rauner campaign issued the following statement:

“Today, Mike Madigan will be re-elected as Chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, but we won’t hear a peep from JB Pritzker. Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike are sick of Madigan’s corrupt system, yet Pritzker’s campaign is based on giving Madigan total control of the state. This November, a vote for JB Pritzker is a vote for Mike Madigan and the same broken system that’s hurt Illinois for decades.”
-Rauner Campaign Spokesman Will Allison

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:29 am

Comments

Maybe this is the year they’ll have a convention to actually set a platform, right?

Comment by Anon Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:45 am
The words “progressive movement” and Madigan don’t seem to combine well. Oh well, did not expect anything different.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:48 am
The Madigan-Chuy alliance maybe never happens if not for Bruce Rauner. Yes, the Speaker needed to gather Latino allies because of demographic changes to his district. But unified Dem opposition to Rauner joined the Speaker with CTU and created the political momentum behind HB 40, among other things. Madigan now has some progressive street cred, which makes it easier for Chuy to back him without upsetting the Bernie-wing too much.

Comment by Roman Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:51 am
Yes, its much easier to attack the Dems chairman when your own Republicon Party is bashing you ability as govenor openly

Comment by low level Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:54 am
What part of progressive is the problem, Anon?
Under Madigan:

-same sex marriage
-early voting and same day registration now
-minimum wage increases
-social service providers finally getting paid after Rauner 2 year refusal

Plenty more others that have worked w his office can comment on

Comment by low level Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:58 am
Can’t wait to see who walks the plank and gives the nominating speech for Democratic party chairman.

Perhaps they can wear a wig and have their voice disguised and stand in shadow.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 9:59 am
Part of the calculus is that Chuy needs to get jobs for his volunteers.

It’s not what it used to be, but Madigan can still make that happen.

Comment by Grand Avenue Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 10:07 am
===Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike are sick of Madigan’s corrupt system===

This is what a failed Governor sounds like when s/he has no constituency…

“Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike”

Rauner needs people to forget he is a failed governor… Republicans, Democrats and Independents.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 10:12 am
==-minimum wage increases==

The minimum wage is clearly something that should be held against Madigan, not touted as a point in his favor. Illinois has one of the lowest minimum wages in the country. Of course he oversaw SOME raises because he’s been in power for so long and it would be impossible not to raise it at least a little because of inflation, but there’s really no good excuse for it not being higher.

And yes, I know Madigan likes to use it as a political carrot to dangle over people’s heads, but you could raise the minimum wage to 9.50 and people would still want it raised further. I don’t see a good reason for why it’s been so low for so long or why Madigan has been resistant to raising it.

Comment by Angel's Sword Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 10:13 am
Mr/Ms Low Level
One might add repeal of the death penalty and development of the renewal energy portfolio to the list too.

Meanwhile GovJunk might want to focus of sain’ the CarWashKing as GOPies chairman. Not sure that is the done deal some claim.

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 10:18 am
“Can’t wait to see who walks the plank and gives the nominating speech for Democratic party chairman. Perhaps they can wear a wig and have their voice disguised and stand in shadow.”

Maybe Bruce will don that costume — without the specter of Madigan, his campaign doesn’t amount to much.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 10:28 am
Perhaps the ILGOP should worry about their own side of the street.

Quite a mess there these days, what with gaping party splits, a possible Conservative Party, no GOP Cook countywide candidates, a no-name state slate and an avowed Nazi as a GOP Congressional primary winner to boot.

They’re really not in a position to advise the Dems on how to run their show.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 10:43 am
1.) We just had an election for Democratic State Central Committee. There were candidates who ran who openly opposed Speaker Madigan as State Party Chair. They lost. This has been decided and the Democratic voters decided it. There is nothing else to talk about.

2.) Why would Democrats give one flying potato(e) about what a Republican Governor thinks about their party chair. As the great Kenny Williams once said “Stay out of Whitesox business”.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 11:09 am
My comment was pertaining to the update.

Comment by Try-4-Truth Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 11:09 am
–Can’t wait to see who walks the plank and gives the nominating speech for Democratic party chairman.–

Rauner’s not doing anything else, except posing for pictures. Maybe he’s available.

Comment by Christopher Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 11:50 am
Edmund Burke didn’t say that. It was William Clay, paraphrasing 19th century British Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston.

Comment by Southside Markie Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 11:51 am
I’m thinking the Illinois GOP has problems of their own, what with Rauner at 26% approval, Ives, McCann, Proft, IPI, Uiehlein, no GOP Cook countywide candidates, a no-name statewide slate and that avowed Nazi who won the GOP primary for Congress.

They’re really not in a position to tell the Dems how to run their show.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 12:32 pm
For a governor that cries a lot about the other party messing with his party’s elections, he has quite a habit of sticking his money and his nose in Democratic Party activities.

Comment by JS Mill Monday, Apr 23, 18 @ 12:46 pm