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* RIP…
2002 Illinois State Fair on Willie Nelson's tour bus. I'll have more on Big Jim on Monday. pic.twitter.com/v4sXGW77d2
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 15, 2020
When he was on the road, he would often walk into random taverns and just hang out with people. I wrote back in the day that he loved every square inch of Illinois.
— Rich Miller (@capitolfax) August 15, 2020
posted by Rich Miller
Saturday, Aug 15, 20 @ 2:09 pm
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Big Jim was to Illinois what Ronald Reagan was to the nation, optimistic, forward thinking, knew our best days were ahead of us not behind and governed like and as a friend to the common man.
Comment by The Old Man Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 8:50 am
Wasn’t big Jim in the 911 Commission?
Comment by truthtopower Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 9:18 am
I gave a presentation in 4th grade on the Thompson-Howlett race when he first ran. He loomed like a presence over Illinois since then, in my mind at least. As a Democrat, he personified for me what a Republican was and I respected him for his optimism and his vision. He remained in or near the political arena for the rest of his life, despite the fact that his politics grew much closer to my own and he watched his party drift away.
An optimist who loved people, and loved to tour the state. He had fun as Governor and you could tell he was enjoying himself. He was a giant and his mark on the state will last a generation.
When Republicans decide they want to win again statewide in Illinois, perhaps they will remember that this guy did it four times. Maybe there’s something to his brand of Republicanism?
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 9:54 am
—When Republicans decide they want to win again statewide in Illinois, perhaps they will remember that this guy did it four times. Maybe there’s something to his brand of Republicanism? —
47th, I fully agree. Big Jim recognized the value of a Big Tent, not only for the party, but for the entire state. We were all better off for it.
Party (in)actions have continued to reduce itself to superminority status and they keep doubling-down on the same strategy.
Unification is always more productive than division, I wish someone in the party leadership would wake up and remember that.
Comment by Animus Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 11:13 am
I thought of myself as a Thompson Republican, suffice to say I don’t think of myself as a Republican anymore.
Growing up he was the governor, it was just a thing. He truly seemed to love the job.
Comment by OneMan Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 11:26 am
Big Jim was one of only a handful of IL pols I’ve been around that I would call a ‘Good Politician’…and mean it as a compliment.
The guy could work a room, comfortable in his own skin, compared to the more recent examples that make you feel like they’re an actor playing a part.
Big Jim could make each person feel important (even if you were just a dumb kid at the time). He set a good good example for others to follow.
RIP sir.
Comment by Animus Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 11:36 am
A giant, both in height and historical influence. I frequently disagreed with him, but never questioned his capacity to do his job, nor his enthusiasm for that job. Did any Illinois governor love being governor more?
I don’t read Kass, so I don’t know if he made any idiotic combine references upon hearing this news. Thompson knew how to govern, and frequently was a better partner for Harold Washington that many of the Democratic aldermen who battled the mayor.
He was governor for so long it is easy to forget he was only in his early fifties when he went into the private sector. I was surprised upon hearing the sad news to be reminded that he was only 84, but then Big Jim had the power to stop the hands of the clock. The building at 333 W. 35th is proof of that.
Comment by Rich Hill Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 2:01 pm
The best way for me to begin with Jim Thompson?
The number of people I have/had known where Jim Thompson was the genesis of their political and /or governmental career.
If you take an honest look at the politics of JRT and how he survived his own statewide races, you can appreciate, (I can, as a Thompson/Edgar/Topinka Republican), the reach in Chicagoland and downstate JRT had and his masterful way of the politics and governing within both.
JRT was never disingenuous to his love for our state, he loved Illinoisans, he loved the politics and making big deals and doing big things. Big Jim, for me, always had to include the big Thompson things accomplished beyond his big stature of natural size. Beloved? He was loved.
My strongest and hardened memories are with Edgar, but I “grew up” with too many Thompsonites, I couldn’t begin to explain how they shaped my politics, my thoughts, my beliefs to governing, and the hope of “magic”, so strong it stops clocks at 11:59pm. Edgar, yep. Thompson, yes.
Something I cherished in my friendship with “Arthur Andersen” were his Thompson stories. Jon would tell this or that about the Thompson days and we’d chat about the party, the fiercely loyal and partisan JRT but how Thompson knew how to work the members of the GA, and how to enjoy this state.
Jon and I talked about this too;
Govern like an Edgar.
Politic like a Thompson.
That’s a sweet spot in Illinois to the ball game.
The GOP here… they ain’t near that mentality.
What is a shame now is… look around… tell me who on this landscape that can be the next GOP “Big Jim”
The small minded, the regionally stifled, the coalition-less members… I don’t have enough time to explain all that… but to say…
… those now who think they can lead a rebirth of a GOP party… they can’t grasp or understand JRT… because if trey did… the last six years would’ve put them as a leader… that person isn’t around.
My condolences to all the friends and Thompsonites, some so gracious to teach me a thing or three. My condolences to Mrs. Thompson, daughter Samantha, and the Thompson family.
Illinois could use a lil more Thompson in governing, from the party that seemingly doesn’t understand that.
The legacy of JRT is one of a giant, whose real size isn’t measured in his height or presence, but will forever be how this state stood with his leadership and with the love he had for all things Illinois, mostly the people whom he loved most.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Aug 17, 20 @ 4:14 pm