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Raoul tackles “the Madigan question”

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Illinois

* Sen. Kwame Raoul took questions from reporters today…

Reporter: Lisa Madigan wasn’t here. Mike Madigan bounced after his speech. Is it wise for them to stay away? Are they a liability to the party?

Raoul: My name is Kwame Raoul. Next question.

Um, OK.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:00 pm

Comments

Hmmm…sounds like an Illinois Policy Institute question.

I don’t know about you but every time I hear Madigans name it reminds me about how big a failure Rauner is.

He can’t run on his record so he goes after the only thing that can get him head nods in the roo m he is in.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:06 pm
He was very clear. He’s not playing that game. Next question.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:07 pm
That was one missed tackle and someone will run for a TD(hint, it won’t be Kwame)

Comment by Pick a Name Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:08 pm
He is not trying for Mr. Congeniality,is he?
One party rule breeds this type of arrogance.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:10 pm
“He was very clear. He’s not playing that game. Next question.

So a non-answer is acceptable for Raoul. good to know.

Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:11 pm
I don’t want Mr. Congeniality as AG.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:13 pm
Didn’t know Richard Sherman was running for AG here.

Comment by Fixer Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:15 pm
Where is Bernie to ask the tough follow up questions?

Comment by Pick a Name Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:18 pm
I’d like to see a Ditka-Raoul debate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIbNb1RZzlU

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:19 pm
My name is Virginia Slim Shady.

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:22 pm
he’s got such a complex. just like when he would breakdown and scream, “I am the chairman” in committee. You catch more flies with honey Kwame.

Comment by Charry Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:26 pm
I kind of like that answer.

Comment by Molly Maguire Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:43 pm
It’s a legitimate response to a dumb question. He’s running for attorney general, not for Madigan.

Comment by flavius217 Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:43 pm
No debates, no honest answers. It’s tough off that Senate floor, ain’t it Kwame?

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:52 pm
Weak sauce

Comment by Doooode Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 12:55 pm
I’m a fan of Kwame’s, but he’s gonna have to develop a thicker skin. Yeah, it’s annoying to have to answer Madigan-related questions all the time, but that just part of the job these days. You gotta come up with a boring stock response that doesn’t making any news.

Comment by PTP Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:00 pm
Why is the press obsessed with this?

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:05 pm
===So a non-answer is acceptable for Raoul. good to know.===

Next Question.

Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:06 pm
Taking the high road on fairly silly questions has some appeal, but as most of the commenters have said it just looks like a dodge. Voters are quite often silly and care about this, even though it really shouldn’t matter.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:06 pm
When your opponent has one talking point, and that is you are a patsy for the speaker, you need a better answer about the liability of the speaker.

For crying out loud, your opponent has most people wondering if she has ever read the constitution, but they may vote for her because they are tired of the AG being in the Speakers pocket.

Dems must have some crazy poll numbers that are so good they don’t have to address the Madigan question.

They may be right, but relying on favorable polls and not addressing obvious issues does not always work…right Hillary.

Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:31 pm
Kwame is an awful candidate. Sexist comments about his opponent whom he will not debate and now this? The fact that Democrats refuse to denounce Madigan just shows how scared they are of him and how much power he has. Cowards.

Comment by Flat Bed Ford Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:47 pm
==Why is the press obsessed with this?==

The better question would be, why doesnt the press ask republicans this same question about Bruce Rauner? Rauner’s approval rating is only 3% points higher than Madigan’s (as unbelievable as that may seem), and he’s just as big a millstone for republicans in Chicago and the suburbs as Madigan is for dems downstate.

One can only assume the avoidance of this question stems from the fact that the majority of Illinois media is owned/operated by friends of Bruce, and the reporters employed by said media outlets don’t want to lose their jobs. They all remember what happened to Dave McKinney in late 2013.

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Seems like Team Kwame isn’t used to the give and take of a statewide campaign — the need to go on offense in the free media. Take risks. Debate. He knows the policy and the office - so debate and win instead if handing her an issue.

Comment by West Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 1:55 pm
Right answer….

Comment by JDuc Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 2:07 pm
If reporters are going to expect to question Rauner about the President (often on matters unrelated to the governorship) then Kwame and others running on his side of the aisle are going to have to expect reporters to ask about Speaker Madigan’s influence. Kwame better get used to it because it’s not going to stop and his thin skin and short fuse are already part of his public identity. To the extent that’s not already baked in, he is certainly not helping himself to shed the image.

Comment by Responsa Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 2:27 pm
Great response by Raoul. He’s a senator. Madigan didn’t blow up the grand bargain.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 2:36 pm
I have to wonder, had he said he denounces Madigan as the devil incarnate, what would be the next question? Or just a smirk? And the point is? Talk Rauner record, folks.

Comment by wondering Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 3:06 pm
You should address the madigans with your query

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 3:30 pm
They need fresh bait?

#next question

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 5:14 pm
I’m the one who knocks

Comment by Bothanspy Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 5:16 pm
“Madigan doesn’t tell me what to do. Cullerton does. Next question please.”

Comment by Toure’s Latte Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 5:53 pm
It’s a fair question. Same is asked about Trump to Republicans and how he brings down the party. This was a dumb response, other electeds have done a better job dancing around this question. Looks like Kwame doesn’t have the makings of a varsity athlete.

Comment by KeepingItReal Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 6:11 pm
Sounds more like “Madigan question tackles Raoul”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 6:16 pm
By asking every Democratic candidate about Madigan, the media are doing Rauner’s bidding. Madigan is his only talking point.

Besides, Raoul is running for an office that is not legislative, so the “Madigan question” is moot to begin with.

Comment by flavius217 Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 8:10 pm
Brilliant. Still voting for Harold though.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 16, 18 @ 9:54 pm
Wake me up when he actually “tackles” that question.

Comment by A guy Friday, Aug 17, 18 @ 9:19 am