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Mendoza accused of being too political in office

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* A few months after Comptroller Susana Mendoza took office, the Illinois Republican Party dispatched a tracker to follow her around Springfield. Click here if you don’t remember it. That unprecedented move is necessary context to yesterday’s Sun-Times editorial board meeting…

But it was a question on whether or not the job of comptroller is a political one — and the tough financial choices that come with being comptroller — that set off the most spirited debate between Senger and Mendoza.

Senger argued that Mendoza often made the office too political by lobbing criticisms at Rauner. There have been some real concerns about turning that office into a politicized office versus keeping it independent, the Naperville Republican said.

“There’s no question that it’s been taken to a level it hasn’t been taken before, and you don’t see Treasurer [Mike] Frerichs or Secretary of State Jesse White do the same thing that you were doing,” Senger said, addressing Mendoza.

“If you’re trying to go out to say ‘I’m being transparent, I’ve got good information for you to share’ you do your 9-to-5 job, but then after your 9-to-5 you’re totally politics on everything, people are going to start thinking ‘hey, are these numbers political?’”

Mendoza argued she felt her approach was necessary when looking at the state’s finances and after meeting with people who were “on the verge of being disconnected from their life-saving medical services.”

Does Mendoza sometimes go over the top? Heck yes, she does. Should she tone some of it down? Yep. But politics ain’t beanbag.

…Adding… Abdon Pallasch sent along this Mendoza quote that didn’t make it into the story…

“The unanimous vote totals on my legislation show how bipartisan I am and I’ve been about as hard on Rauner as I was on Blago and neither of their parties had anything to do with it. I just don’t suffer lying governors no matter what their parties are.”

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:43 am

Comments

That logic by Senger is excellent and on point. Too bad voters don’t do nuance because that is a great argument against Mendoza. Her after 5 pm strut is super partisan. It’s kinda like advice you would give the fed chairman…be careful what you say at parties because you could crash the entire world economy with one exaggerated statement.

Comment by Ill Annoyed Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:46 am
And what does Senger day about the politics of trying to blame Duckworth for the Quincy veteran deaths?

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:48 am
So elected officials aren’t supposed to address political issues anymore? That’s news to me. I give kudos to the Comptroller for disseminating information about how the actions of the Governor have real impacts on the State. People need to know - and she is the one with the information. If her numbers or information are wrong or misleading, then point it out. But if the shoe fits….

Comment by Powdered Whig Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:50 am
It’s an unprecedented situation. The governor refused to sign a budget for 2 years, resulting in a backlog that approached half of the state’s annual budget. A billion dollars in late interest payment was wasted. Agencies that only existed to help people failed because the state was not paying bills. And in many, many ways those decisions are still impacting us.

I *want* the person writing the checks to be loud and clear as to the damage she witnessed and is witnessing.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:51 am
It is her job to inform the voters of the financial well being of this state. That’s her job! If Rauner was in charge or doing his job then maybe she wouldn’t have to spend her time pointing out the impact of his inaction. Everything an elected official does is political in someones opinion. I for one am glad she was there pointing out the financial problems of this state which again is her job.

Comment by The Real Captain Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:54 am
==Senger argued that Mendoza often made the office too political by lobbing criticisms at Rauner.==

Since when has this been a problem? JBT used to take shots at Blago, and we all loved her for it. This state’s finances have been a mess for three decades, if a comptroller isn’t “lobbing criticisms” at a governor then they’re probably not doing it right

Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:54 am
–It’s kinda like advice you would give the fed chairman…be careful what you say at parties because you could crash the entire world economy with one exaggerated statement.–

LOL, yeah, it’s kinda just like that. Except for the not at all part.

For crying out loud, the backlog of bills got run up to $16B. Vendors were taking on debt or getting run out of business. Munger had raided GRF to pay the IT pinstripe patronage army rather than use their dedicated fund.

An “independent” comptroller should be howling about that stuff. It’s a separate, elected, executive office, not a “wingman” for a governor’s shenanigans.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:54 am
Senger was after all part of the Rauner administration when Rauner spent unappropriated taxpayer funds and did other questionable fund shuffling. Political or taking care of taxpayers? I think Mendoza has done a much better job of taking care of taxpayer accountability than Rauner and Senger.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:59 am
Remember Roland Burris?
Not a shy type right?
He was a comptroller for three terms.
Mendoza makes Roland look like a shy accountant.
She’s obnoxious.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:00 am
Far too much of a corny and way too political

Senior finance people have to very careful on what they say - Susan has an agenda way past this position

Comment by cannon649 Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:00 am
For the better part of two years, the Governor used his office to wage an proxy war against the people of Illinois by starving critical entities of resources. He also used his office to attempt to diminish and attack his political opponents, including Mendoza. She fought back on behalf of the people of Illinois, her party and herself. Just as the Republicans rooted Bruce on, the Democrats were rooting for their people to push back. So where does the gap open for the double standard? Because she’s a woman? Because she was newly elected? It’s an unprecedented situation so maybe the actions for the officer are unprecedented, but what did people expect? She a fighter. The Governor is a month from being out on his tuchus. She fostered that. Good riddance to him and good riddance to these bizarre definitions of what a politician (a female politician) should and shouldn’t be. If Senger wants to push pencils I hear the New York Times has a great crossword.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:02 am
Mendoza’s politicization of the office is a valid concern, and one that I believe is real. I would only hope that she applies the same standards to JB as she has to Rauner. It would be utterly disappointing if she didn’t.

Comment by People Over Parties Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:02 am
Mendoza was the last thing the governor wanted or needed in that office during a budget crisis. Prior to Mendoza he had an indebted partner in his “crisis creates leverage” strategy. Mendoza was willing to remind everyone of the victims in all of this.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:03 am
The trend across the board has been to make everything more political and more partisan. The GOP both nationally and here in the state have been leading the charge for years.

They only complain about this sort of thing when a Democrat like Comptroller Mendoza punches back.

Comment by ChicagoVinny Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:05 am
I like what Comptroller Mendoza has been doing. She has been a fighter for open government. Now, will she be a fighter for open government when JB Pritker is governor? I sure hope so. And if she’s not, this argument will be a whole lot more relevant four years from now.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:05 am
I think it’s a public servant’s duty to point out adverse factors impacting the state even if these adverse factors include dishonesty, malfeasance, and misfeasance by another public servant in the course of their job. The fact that the perpetrator happens to be an elected official shouldn’t matter.
Dishonesty, misfeasance, and malfeasance are all conduct violations for rank and file employees. Why should we look the other way if the perpetrator happens to be an elected official like Rauner, Blago, etc.
It would be more scandalous if she didn’t point these problems out because of partisanship.

Comment by Duopoly Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:07 am
Anyone remember when Bruce wanted to shut down the bond deal and was dragging his feet after the budget override and Mendoza was all ‘noisy’ and ‘mean’ about moving it forward? That ‘fussing’ is going to save Illinois somewhere in the realm of $7 billion. Give me a break and sorry not sorry if she offended your precious sensibilities and rules of political decorum. Open your mind and look at the results.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:08 am
The reporter could not offer a single example of something “political” Mendoza did as Comptroller - I’m guessing Senger never offered an example. Rauner gives false budget numbers such as “I introduced 4 balanced budgets.” Mendoza corrects his false numbers - as Comptrollers are supposed to do - as Judy did with Rod. That’s “political”?!?!

Comment by Sun-Times, do your job Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:08 am
==Mendoza often made the office too political==

As opposed to being Rauner’s budgetary wingman? Darlene sounds like a younger sibling waiting to tattle to a parent.

Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:09 am
Darlene “Let’s Kill Veterans and Blame It on Duckworth” Senger is projecting bigly.

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:09 am
I also try to think about this in terms of “what would JBT do?” I think Judy would have been a lot more Mendoza and a lot less Munger. And she wouldn’t care if you thought she was being obnoxious.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:12 am
One, for two years, Illinois went without a budget, and we had a comptroller in office who repeatedly allowed the Governor to spend taxpayers dollars on basically whatever they wanted. And since there was no actual budget, this scheme lacked any semblance of transparency or accountability, and is one of the absolute worst ways to run a government. So am I glad that we now have someone in that office actually doing the job instead of just allowing the Governor to do whatever they want.

Two, how many times did the Rauner administration get a complaint about a voucher not being paid and then decide to submit it to Mendoza’s office and immediately complain to the press that she wasn’t paying it? This happened pretty consistently when she first got in. Is she not supposed to defend herself?

Three, bring politics into the comptroller’s office is far less offensive than trying to blame everything that happened at the Quincy Vets Home on someone who hasn’t been director in nearly a decade simply because that individual is now a Democratic Senator.

Comment by Juice Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:13 am
Senger knows Rauner put Munger in the job just so she could be political and cover his disastrous spending. Am I right?

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:14 am
Wingman Munger politicized the office for Rauner’s personal profit motives. It is great to have someone interested in exercising the Constitutional powers of the office and call out our no budget superstars who hold a materially amount of State voucher worth billions from Quarterly Accounts Receivable reports.

Comment by Al Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:16 am
===Should she tone some of it down? Yep===

Compare the success of the Comptroller’s desired legislative reforms to the State Treasurer’s.

Especially when the Governor is intentionally failing to carryout his constitutional duties.

The state is better off for having had Comptroller Mendoza’s term in office, the reforms she championed makes us better off in the long run.

We got a dude in office that wants to spend money with out appropriations and then hide those expenditures in his agency while we rack up really high interest rates.

Not the best time to be like “Leave Governor Rauner alone! He’s not in charge!”

Comment by Anon Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:18 am
Let’s face the facts. No politician ever has said their goal in life is to be a Comptroller. They have to do something to get attention and keep their name out there in what is a pretty ministerial office. That said, a certain level of seriousness and decorum needs to be maintained among our state officers, as the financial community is watching and things such as our credit rating are on the line. Show too much discord or hyperpartisanship in these roles and it could negatively affect us all. Getting the financial facts out there is fine and part of the job. Maybe dial back the rhetoric a bit.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:19 am
Mendoza showed the effects of rauner proudly and callously “starving the beast”, she did it with numbers and examples,

Rauners attitude was “its a business decision”, and “these things happen.”

Comment by Langhorne Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:21 am
Meanwhile, transported through the Way Back Machine, I recall a 2015 speech in which Munger called herself Rauner’s budgetary “wingman.”

Comment by Dome Gnome Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:23 am
==Am I right?==

Yes. The folks who criticize speaking out are probably the same who believe in whistleblower retaliation against rank and file employees because it embarrasses the malefactors.
I am not a member of either political party and I don’t view over one BILLION dollars in unnecessary interest costs as an exclusively political issue.

Comment by Duopoly Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:23 am
I thought ‘transparency’ was the political word of the day. When you are crashing $16B and have a couple of serious budget issues are the financial people supposed to care only that the numbers add correctly and not speak up? If providing factual data is political then more politics. Actual data is not whatever I claim or remember it to be.

Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:32 am
First, Rauner politicizes everything, including the comptroller spending a measly $30,000 on a used SUV for state business while he was ramping up the state’s bill backlog by billions. Second, didn’t Senger try to blame Sen. Duckworth for the Quincy veterans’ deaths?

I need a drink.

Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:32 am
Here’s the reality.

Rauner wanted Munger to be the proxy battle, with Mendoza and Madigan.

Munger lost.

I always felt, by miles and miles, the Munger race was far more important than any and all legislative races in 2016.

Rauner may have gained GA seats… but Rauner lost the political upper hand… keeping in mind that Munger called herself Rauner’s wingman long before Mendoza.

You reap… what you sow.

Good on Mendoza to keep Rauner and government honest… as her legislation for transparency was passed… veto-proofed.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 11:03 am
Kinda of a redundant question. If one runs for a political office, of course politics plays a part. For cryin out loud our Supreme Court has become a political office.

Comment by Generic Drone Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 11:13 am
Senger complaining about this rings hollow in light of her Duckworth blaming for Quincy. Mendoza has been justifiably in the governor’s face for his financial mismanagement. She’s not using the Comptroller office to hit him on his other shady dealings. She should be commended for her actions, not criticized. I trust she would do the same to a Pritzker administration. If not, she opens herself to this criticism. She’s pretty much been a Democratic JBT. That’s a compliment.

Comment by Original Rambler Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 11:21 am
“What would Judy do?”

That’s the question we ought to ask. What would Judy do? If Pat Quinn had been elected governor, and Topinka were with us serving out her term, what would Topinka do if Quinn had gone two years without a budget, nonprofits were closing, 70,000 college students had fled the state, and we were spending $1 billion on interest on unpaid bills.

Topinka would be apoplectic. And not just after 5 pm.

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 11:40 am
==. The folks who criticize speaking out are probably the same who believe in whistleblower retaliation against rank and file employees because it embarrasses the malefactors.==

Laughably overplayed.
LOL

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 11:40 am
Okay I’ll play
Two words for the Raunerites

Murashko Memo

Politics is fine after hours for a political elected office.
Using state employees for political purposes violates the Hatch act.
Murashko got fired for pointing that out.

A lot of people know where specific bodies are buried.
You can’t tell me that the SPSA’s aren’t fleeing the sinking ship.

Comment by Karma Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 12:26 pm
The Hatch Act applies to Federal employees. The state has the requirement that political work not be done on state time and must not use State resources.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:32 pm
==. The folks who criticize speaking out are probably the same who believe in whistleblower retaliation against rank and file employees because it embarrasses the malefactors.==

===Laughably overplayed
LOL ====

Cynically sad VM.
Embarrassed by the $74m Munger mischief and the debt-for-fun costs? (Are you LOLing like Rauner?)

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:36 pm
Shorter Darlene Senger: “That watchdog barks too much”

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 1:54 pm
==. The folks who criticize speaking out are probably the same who believe in whistleblower retaliation against rank and file employees because it embarrasses the malefactors.==

===Laughably overplayed
LOL ====

How so?

Your conclusions would be even more dazzling if you ever offered any specifics or reasoning whatsoever as to how you arrived at them.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:02 pm
If she wanted to appear less political, she could have stopped at the 12th word of the quote sent by Abdon.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 2:58 pm
Is this seriously being raised by Senger? Mendoza rightfully called out Rauner time and time again in the context of her role as comptroller. She’s supposed to be the fiscal watchdog of our state’s dollars. I guess this is why Rauner wanted Munger so badly in this office because Mendoza almost singlehandedly knocked him off his perch instead of staying in her corner like a good little girl.

Comment by Shytown Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 3:46 pm
Will be interesting to watch Susana run for Mayor. She has already run for Comptroller strictly running against Rauner. What will happen when Pritzker is the nominee and she is actually asked to present a vision for Chicago? Crickets, methinks.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:01 pm
===asked to present a vision for Chicago? Crickets, methinks===

And you base that on what? She’s run for several offices, you know.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:05 pm
I think she has only had two tough races - Comptroller and her first race for the House. In both cases, she was able to battle against an incumbent. Clerk was open and she was slated and won 60-40 or thereabouts.

She is really good at being an agitator and beating on the incumbent (and the Governor) but loses that advantage in the Mayoral. Her current position is almost entirely ministerial (as was clerk) but she has used it to beat on the Governor some more and agitate.

Being Mayor is a different skill set. Can she set a vision and lead? Can she manage all of those moving pieces? I think many will see her as doing someone else’s bidding thus far in her political life and that will be an uphill battle for her.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:13 pm
===but loses that advantage in the Mayoral===

Nope. Rauner ain’t popular in the city now and he won’t be in February, even if he loses. Not saying she’ll win, just saying you should never underestimate her. That’s what Rauner did. She’s got mad skills.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:17 pm
Too political? Please.

Because we’re not used to hearing much from the Comptroller, that person is supposed to turn a blind eye and be silent while witnessing blatant fiscal mismanagement. That’s her job!

And then this elected officer is supposed to combat that mismanagement against a very political Governor by…not being too political? Sounds like a healthy double standard to me.

If she’s too political, why the near unanimous overrides of Rauner’s vetoes on bills that made solid fiscal sense (and were based on complaints that Rauner had campaigned on)?

Mendoza isn’t afraid to call a spade a spade, and some people seemingly don’t like that style in their Comptroller. In my opinion, it’s exactly what we want in a Comptroller.

Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:44 pm
Last Bull Moose
Hatch act covers the states as well and is what Murashko was pointing out.
But don’t take my word for it
Call the Office of Special Counsel Hatch Question line
800-854-2824
Ask them if work can be done by a state agency with state workers on state time with state resources for an outside private political organization using highly confidential information.

Comment by Karma Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 4:48 pm
Rich - love you love your show but we will have to agree to disagree. I think she is a paper tiger and would be exposed as such when probed for substance on these deep issues.

Rauner won’t even be the slightest blip on the radar in the mayor’s race. People are worried about taxes going up. People are worried about safety. I dont think anyone is focused on Rauner (or Trump for that matter) when it comes to Chicago’s actual issues.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:54 pm
===Chicago’s actual issues===

Because campaigns are always only about issues.

Have you looked around this blog today?

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 5:55 pm
Dismissing Mendoza, her political acumen, and those around her now…

She’s won city-wide, she has shown a bipartisan streak to solve problems, and is tireless.

The best the GOP could find to run against her, out of anyone in Illinois is Darlene Senger… few want to take her in.

Why is that?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:00 pm
I take your point.

I think what did Chuy in was his lack of a vision for the City and nobody saw him as being a capable manager. I really believe the mayoral electorate seeks (or has been conditioned to seek) a very specific skill set and tends to find it.

Part of that is convincing everyone that you can make the tough calls and can manage the whole beast. I think people will view her as highly energetic and positive but the negatives will be that she is a machine candidate and will owe people. Thats an accurate negative.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:05 pm
A valid accusation. But she is an elected official with a party affiliation. And she was facing a Governor (and assembly) that escalated the State’s ability to pay.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:06 pm
OW:

Folks should stop parroting the “she has won citywide line.” She ran for clerk against someone who barely blipped when running for alderman, cook county board and probably senior class president once upon a time. Not exactly an accomplishment.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:07 pm
===Folks should stop parroting the “she has won citywide line.” She ran for clerk against someone who barely blipped when running for alderman, cook county board and probably senior class president once upon a time. Not exactly an accomplishment.===

Folks should realize you can only beat who is on the schedule.

K? K.

That’s how elections work.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:10 pm
OW:

You hold up the clerk’s race as some indicia of potential performance in the mayoral. That’s why the analogy doesn’t work. The “you can only beat who is on the schedule” line is pedantic and inapplicable.

The Mayor’s race is the big leagues. She can play in that league, no doubt. The question is whether the voters will entrust her with the responsibility and I think the answer is a definite no.

Its sort of like nobody about Kavanaugh when he was up for the DC Cir. but everyone keyed in on SCOTUS.

Nobody focused on her when she ran for clerk or comptroller (as much as people here wanted to make it into some proxy war). The Mayor’s race will be different and I doubt she rises to that.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:15 pm
===You hold up the clerk’s race as some indicia of potential performance in the mayoral.===

No. I hold up that she ran and won. Please keep up.

She ran. She won. Like Notre Dame beating Eastern Michigan. Still a win.

===The Mayor’s race is the big leagues. She can play in that league, no doubt. The question is whether the voters will entrust her with the responsibility and I think the answer is a definite no.===

This is why we have campaigns.

She has taken on a governor, some might say bested that governor with bipartisan leadership and working harder than just about anyone around her.

===Its sort of like nobody about Kavanaugh when he was up for the DC Cir. but everyone keyed in on SCOTUS.===

Um… what did Munger *not* go after her on?

Are you from Illinois? You remember that race? Clinton and Duckworth won by 16, Mendoza fough, won by 4.

(Sigh)

===Nobody focused on her when she ran for clerk or comptroller (as much as people here wanted to make it into some proxy war). The Mayor’s race will be different and I doubt she rises to that.===

“Nobody focused on her when she ran for clerk or comptroller (as much as people here wanted to make it into some proxy war).”

Mendoza got a pass against Munger? You go with that, lol

===The Mayor’s race will be different===

All races are different. Munger/Mendoza was not a picnic, and I thought Mendoza was let down by her Crew, to be honest, but she showed grit.

===and I doubt she rises to that.===

Opinion. That’s why we have campaigns.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:22 pm
OW:

Yes, I am from Illinois. Yes, I am from Chicago. You should visit sometime.

Nobody here cares about who Susana ran against for a position that the vast majority of people do not know exists and those that are aware of it believe it should be combined with another position. Nobody outside of your echo chamber followed that race.

She did not run against the Governor. She ran against a very weak candidate, let’s be serious.

Also Notre Dame has never played EMU.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:31 pm
===Nobody here cares about who Susana ran against for a position that the vast majority of people do not know exists and those that are aware of it believe it should be combined with another position. Nobody outside of your echo chamber followed that race.===

… and yet, when Clinton and Duckworth won by 16, and Mendoza won by 4, enough people followed to make a choice that differed by 12 points.., but no one was following, lol

===She did not run against the Governor.===

This last legislative session, she bested Rauner, time after time, including bipartisan legislation that, while is good government, went after Rauner and his governing… and won.

===Also Notre Dame has never played EMU.===

Which cupcake do you want me to point out?

Ball State?

Feel better?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:37 pm
I get to Chicago, sometimes, but Naperville is too big of a city for me…

We just got 2 stoplights near downtown Oswego. We’re all adjusting to the hectic pace.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 6:39 pm
OW:

Help me understand - you bring up the fact she won by 4 statewide when the two other dem candidates won by 16 as some sort of statement of her prowess?

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:08 pm
===Help me understand - you bring up the fact she won by 4 statewide when the two other dem candidates won by 16 as some sort of statement of her prowess?===

I though you knew all about that race, apparently you know very little.

The “because Madigan” deluge, the less than stellar campaign apparatus… now swapped out with different talent… Mendoza overcame both her campaign failings and “Madigan”… with labor, Dems staying with her… and Mendoza being herself.

You use the google. I wrote all about my thoughts. Find those thoughts, get back to me.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 8:17 pm
How bad would Mendoza look for being a hyperpartisan if Rauner was a reasonable Republican who worked across the aisle, didn’t demonize opponents and sabotage the state?

Unfortunately I didn’t follow or know much about JBT, but I can imagine her being vocal and an ally against Rauner’s anti-union policies. She seems like a huge loss—the only GOP candidate I ever voted for in 2014.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 9:48 pm
OW:

So her MJM baggage, which is substantial, cost her 12 points in a solidly blue state against an unpopular candidate. And you think this shows strength. Got it.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:04 pm
===So her MJM baggage, which is substantial, cost her 12 points in a solidly blue state against an unpopular candidate. And you think this shows strength. Got it.===

Aw, you forgot.

She won. So there’s that… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 10:07 pm
OW:

4 pts in a solid blue state against someone running for the first time. Oh what a win.

Comment by 5th Floor Thursday, Oct 4, 18 @ 11:17 pm
===4 pts in a solid blue state against someone running for the first time. Oh what a win.===

I thought no one was paying attention to that race, LOL

Now you’re just not impressed… that Mendoza won?

Munger was the incumbent. Beating an incumbent statewide… it matters. Beating who is on the schedule matters.

Had Mendoza lost, you’d have an arguement.

You have no argument, lol.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 4:38 am
Pretty sure the Tribune lovingly embraced partisanship in their endorsement of Bruce so riddle me how that jibes with the Mendoza is too partisan blabber.

Comment by Sonny Friday, Oct 5, 18 @ 9:06 am