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* Andy McKenna, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, had an op-ed in today’s Sun-Times…
Ever since political cartoonist Thomas Nast first featured it in 1870, the donkey has been the unofficial symbol of the Democratic Party. But for the Illinois Democratic Party, another animal has become far more appropriate: the chameleon. How else to describe a party that gave Rod Blagojevich its full-throated support as little as two years ago, despite well-known corruption investigations, but now is trying to convince the people of Illinois that they bear none of the responsibility for his misdeeds?
No Democrat better exemplifies his party’s transparent attempt to rewrite history than Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.
Quinn built his reputation in Illinois as a crusader for the people, a virtuous reformer. He led the charge to create the Citizens Utility Board, and he was one of the first to call for the impeachment of George Ryan. But virtue untested is no virtue at all. And when Quinn’s virtue was tested, he couldn’t throw it away fast enough. He stopped being Pat Quinn, the reformer, and became Lt. Gov. Quinn, the Blagojevich lackey.
Quinn ran at Rod Blagojevich’s side, twice. He directly benefited from the same dirty campaign cash that Blagojevich is accused of illegally shaking down state contractors to obtain.
For six years, he said nothing about a governor who was clearly corrupt. When asked directly about Blagojevich and his crooked dealings, Quinn covered for him. When he was clutching at Blagojevich’s coattails for a second term in 2006, he said the governor was “a person who’s honest and one of integrity” and that “I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time.”
But now that U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald has confirmed what everyone in Illinois has known for six years, and Blagojevich has nothing left to offer him, Quinn has miraculously found his voice. He wants to be Pat Quinn, the reformer, again. He condemned Blagojevich in words that were as powerful as they were politically convenient. He made headlines by announcing a panel to recommend new reforms to clean up Illinois government.
* Kevin McDermott writes about how busy McKenna’s staff has been…
As the Burris story rolled out in Washington this morning, my email (and, I assume, that of other reporters covering Springfield) has been inundated by notes from Illinois Republican Party officials trying to keep alive the idea of a special election.
One note, from state party Chairman Andy McKenna, calls on Democratic Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn to “keep his promise” to seek a special election (in fact, that’s just one of numerous positions Quinn has taken on the issue) and warns that it’s his “first test of leadership.” Another note lists suggested questions for reporters to ask about whether some kind of improper deal was cut between Burris and Senate leaders.
Thoughts?
I forgot to post the Tribune’s editorial today, “Profiles in Cowardice.” It sorta fits in here, so go read it.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:02 pm
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McKenna has his issues but he is right on this one. What a spectacular failure of leadership has the democratic control of Illinois become. I used to think Madigan was the “old fox” and was a master politician. He sure did bungle this one didn’t he? To be associatied with Blago as his re-election chairman and then to completely mis-handle the situation on the impeachment. Why wasn’t there a bill immediately passed to strip the appointment power of the guv. MAdigan just sat back and let it all happen. And don’t even get me started on the complicity of Emil Jones in this.
Comment by Observer Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:10 pm
Spare us the mullarkey Andy!! We wouldn’t be in this mess if the IL GOP hadn’t given us Geo Ryan. Not to mention that anybody with half a brain doesn’t buy your parisan BS and understands that there are/were several GOP members playing in the game with Balgojevich as well.
Again, spare us all the pompous self rightous chest pounding bull #$#^
train111
Comment by train111 Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:11 pm
== Spare us the mullarkey Andy!! We wouldn’t be in this mess if the IL GOP hadn’t given us Geo Ryan ==
So it Ryan’s fault… Governor is that you?
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:14 pm
The republican party needs to give up on the special election talk. It is not going to happen, a few weeks ago the constant press releases about a S.E. were understandable, but give me a break already with the S.E. mantra.
Secondly, Patt Quinn from what I have seen is a reformer and does march to his own drummer. How many republican’s could be quoted talking about George Ryan and how great a guy he was well after everyone knew the man was corrupt.
I dont think a case can be made that Quinn is a “Blagojevich Lackey”. So what, he said some things about Blago during the 06 election.
The republicans need to realize that they have to have a plan to fix things. Andy McKenna needs to realize that the Democratic party is destroying themselves, there is no need for Repub’s to jump in and help. Democrats can do bad all by themselves.
As a republican, it is frustrating to watch the party flail away with little or no result. Get a plan together and promote the party, dont just stand around and tell me how bad the other guy is!
Comment by Speaking at Will Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:16 pm
McKenna does have a very valid point. Next Governor Quinn certainly has to step up in many ways including admitting a grave mistake in running with Blago the second time around. His support for Blago and his dishonest campaign tactics in o6 point out some “politics as usual” from the one time reformer.
Comment by downstate hack Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:19 pm
One Man
I’m not the gov, nor am I blaming Ryan, but to me the whole McKenna memo is the pinnacle of hypocrisy given that the IL GOP’s hands are as dirty in all this as the Dems, yet they want us all to believe that somehow they are untainted and untouched. What was the old George Wallace line about the Dems and Reps–”Not a plug nickel’s difference between them” In Illinois, that sure hits the nail on the head!!
train111
Comment by train111 Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:19 pm
It is the job of the political opposition to be the political opposition. The GOP is guilty for not opposing Rod Blagojevich and his flying monkeys effectively. Under Blagojevich and without political opposition, Illinois went off the road, through the ditches, plowed through the corn fields and careened madly.
What Andy and Friends are doing now is what they should have been doing since 2003. While I find them in a similar situation as they claim Pat Quinn is in, we must as Illinoians allow some kind of opposition to form to keep the ruling party in check.
Let’s not allow our partisan knee-jerk reaction to this blind us from the reality that this is how it is supposed to be - lame as it is.
And right now, lame is better than what we’ve got.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:22 pm
How do you have a special election if Burris is seated?
Comment by phocion Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:24 pm
I am a young professional Republican train111 and I ran for office this past cycle. I have no connection to the establishment. Just who is the ILGOP with dirty hands you are talking about train111? It sure isn’t me or the people that I associate with.
Comment by Reality Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:25 pm
Flip Wilson made a saying famous ” the devil made me do it”. According to oneman dose Blago now have the defense ” Ryan made me do it.” Come on one man if McKenna hadn’t of written that comment and another democrat did you’d be greeing with it.
Comment by downhereforyears Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:25 pm
Oneman,
Downhere thinks you are a dem. LOL
Comment by Bill Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:28 pm
train 111,
I too, was prepared to take issue with your first post…but thanks for expounding on it in your second post. Unfortunately, your “Not a plug nickels difference…” quote is probably right on the mark.
Comment by SpfldJimbo Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:28 pm
Hindsight is so nice, but so deceptive.
Pat Quinn will make a great governor - there is no doubt in my mind he is as honest and strong today as he was 25 years ago.
Doug Dobmeyer
Comment by Doug Dobmeyer Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:29 pm
McKenna is failing to take advantage of a golden opportunity. He needs to offer an alternative. Come up with a plan. Show some leadership. Memo after memo saying that the Democrats are messing up is a waste of space.
Comment by montrose Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:31 pm
I so agree with Speaking at Will - The Republican party needs to get a constructive plan together to rebuild with some principles themselves.
With the Illinois Combine ready to give Blago control of another $35 billion for their unfunded capital plan just months ago - I can hardly believe McKenna had the nerve to put pen to paper! and hum…….cannot remember a word from McKenna “the reformer” about that!
Comment by Collar Observer Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:32 pm
I suppose we could blame the voters. After all, if they have elected Poshard instead of Ryan, none of this would have happened. I guess we could go on and on…fer instance, It’s the Tribune’s fault. If the Tribune had endorsed Poshard, he might have beat Ryan. All of this is really a bunch of finger pointing that’s typical of politics everywhere in the 21st century.
Comment by Deep South Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Train111
Well that’s not what you said, you said basically that Ryan begat Blago and without Ryan there would have been no Blago… You were blaming Ryan, just like our governor did and does (I suspect that might even be his criminal defense).
At the end of the day the Democratic party had the option to step away from him. Not to the extent that lets say Stevenson did from the LaRouce folks, but they had the opportunity to step away in 2006. They didn’t, and I look forward to seeing the Illinois democratic party try and paint whomever runs for anything with the Rod brush but it isn’t going to work.
– Speaking at Will
Basically 2 years ago Blago managed to convince the Illinois electorate that Judy was Mrs. Ryan for all intensive purposes. We know that wasn’t the case but he did it and people fell for it all the same.
Also for what it is worth at least under Ryan we were able to pass budgets and pay health care providers. Also the state auditor general wasn’t issuing audits every couple of months showing how his administration was run worse than a high school German club.
Like or not Quinn decided to defend the Governor in 2006 and he should be held accountable for that action. No free pass on that, sorry.
Andy McKenna is a party chair, not an elected official. He should be making hay out of all of this, the party should as well. That’s what parties are supposed to do.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:33 pm
Jesse Whit’s filed another objection to Burris reply.
http://www.state.il.us/court/SupremeCourt/SpecialMatters/010809_mandamus.pdf
Comment by Blago Sphere Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:34 pm
I guess that’s what he has to do, but it’s a lot of hot air at this stage of the game.
Lot of blame to go around here, including the voters who elected him the second time.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:35 pm
Quinn can sometimes get a little goofy and he can be a blowhard.
But, he’s one million times the reformer and leader McKenna is.
McKenna and his staff have been flailing around post-the latest November election disaster, trying to look productive. It’s embarrassing.
Andy McKenna is the single worst person in the entire universe who should be throwing mud at the Democrats. Okay, maybe after George Ryan.
McKenna’s 4 years as party chairman is marked by nothing EXCEPT rigged internal elections, broken promises, lies, state conventions turned into jokes, division, destruction, hypocrisy gone wild, and the loss of nearly every election worth losing.
The IL GOP simply can’t advance with McKenna around. His handlers used up all his credibility. Time for them to find a new stooge.
Only the IL GOP could squander the opportunity handed them on this Blago mess. It’s already happened.
The Dems are moving forward and cleaning house, the IL GOP still spins its wheels and can’t even get rid of its most incompetent players.
Comment by GOP'er Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:36 pm
I think it would be interesting to hear Mr. McKenna’s explanation of why Representative Cross, his party’s leader in the House, had more conversations and more of a substantive relationship with Governor Rod than “Blagojevich Lackey” Pat Quinn, who by all accounts, spoke to the governor approximately once since the 2007 inauguration. Does McKenna feel that Cross should explain why he wanted to allocate north of $30 Billion to this Governor to spend on projects as recently as May?
Comment by Lou Holtz Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:40 pm
Let’s see Andy McKenna longtime member of the Combine, Pat Quinn longtime enemy of the Combine…who would you believe? The fact that they keep trotting out the same quote says it all. The Guv and Lite Guv run separately in the primary. In 2002, Blago put out word about who is favored candidate was, and it was not Quinn. Quinn was one of the first to go public about Blago’s problems. In fact, I seem to remember many GOPers in Springfield lapping at the governor’s feet long after Blago stopped talking to Quinn. Jim Edgar once told me that he was most afraid of a potential run against Quinn when he ran for governor, and that was why he had many GOPers bad mouth Quinn. The GOP chair is now writing OP-ED’s against Quinn almost two years before the election. Geez, I wonder if McKenna agrees with Edgar. They don’t want to face Quinn. Keep it coming, Pat. The crowd seems to be growing anxious.
Comment by Niles Township Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:42 pm
somebody please call me when the Illinois GOP actually comes up with a decent slate of statewide candidates!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by ivoted4judy Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:45 pm
Reading countless people’s opinions here and elsewhere and seeing such a large percentage of those opinions citing “party” responsibility for this or that either with the current or past administration really makes me think our current 2 party system is largely to blame for a lot of this mess. The fact is, we’ve had a wealth of corrupt political leaders and lackies from both sides of the aisle in this state for many years. What we need now is one person that can rise above the fray and get things back on track in this state, using the right people for the right tasks, regardless of political affiliation or fundraising ability. The unfortunate reality is that I actually laughed out loud as I was typing that last sentence.
Comment by BigDog Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:50 pm
GOP’er
– If you can find me 2 people out of 100 who are even remotely aware (or care) about the ultimate inside baseball you are complaining about I’ll buy you lunch. It’s great fodder for the far right who also think the ‘man’ is out to get them, but other than that who really cares about how we elect state central committeemen?
– Niles Township
Show me where Andy McKenna says
the governor was “a person who’s honest and one of integrity” and that “I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time.”
Pat Quinn did, bottom line and if you think that will not or should not be used against him…
Of course the GOP is going to take shots at Pat Quinn right now, it is what political parties do.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:52 pm
A few years ago, when I first got interested in Illinois politics, I went to a Kane County GOP lunchon to see Hastert speak. The guy at the table asked me what Township Organization I belonged too, and I said I was just a guy off the street. He said guys off the street sit at this far table and charged me 60 bucks. I ended up with a couple of vendors who did biz with the state.
When I was a student Radical in the 60s and a kid showed up at a political meeting, organizers would latch on to a potential recruit with some zeal.
Maybe McKenna should worry less about a special election and instead issue an invitation to folks-of-the street in the Illinois to call their local GOP organization and help drive the rascals out come next election.
Don’t need to convert them into some kind of cult, but say hey, here’s your local party organization… if you don’t like what’s happening, give us a hand.
PS McKenna was at this function too and I gave him my phone number if he needed geek kinda help. He looked at me like I was from Mars.
I’m sure I set myself up with that, but believe me in 1968 if you went to an SMC meeting at Circle Campus, the organizer hung on trying to get you into the movement.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:58 pm
OneMan, you obviously wouldn’t be in touch with such grassroots concerns if you’re busy providing aid and comfort to a failed leader like McKenna.
McKenna’s record speaks for itself.
“No one cares, no one is paying attention” - wasn’t that how the likes of Fannie Mae and AIG tried to defend themselves for years?
What else you got?
Comment by GOP'er Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 12:59 pm
Pat Quinn rode the blago dirty money train as far he could ride it. Plain and simple. Nobody but blago got more out of that criminal enterprise known as “friends of blago”. The Madian’s should use that effectively against him in the 2010 primary, oh wait…madigan was his chairman….never mind.
Comment by kidder Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:03 pm
==How do you have a special election if Burris is seated? ==
You enact new legistation that calls for one. Per the 17th Amendment, an appointment to the Senate is only temporary until an election is held.
Comment by anon Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:08 pm
GOP’r
At least out here in the second largest city in the state I can safely say state central committeeman elections and all that sort of stuff never comes up at our party meetings. In the northern part of our county there are some folks who squawk about such things but that’s about it.
Why, because that sort of inside baseball BS doesn’t move anything forward. Normal people don’t vote for nor against the combine nor to they give two shakes about it. Those of us involved and interested in this sort of stuff tend to forget most people can care less who is the chair of either party and what sort of issues people have with that person.
I think I can safely say the number of people in this state who’s votes are influenced by who the party chair is could fit in a central Illinois VFW hall with a lot of room to spare.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:10 pm
I would like to express my true thoughts about McKenna, but I do not wish to be banned from this site. Suffice it to say that someday McKenna will have to answer to a Higher Authority for his lies.
Comment by fedup dem Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:13 pm
As an independent, it’s hard to fully discount what McKenna says - what would you expect? But Republicans can only be energized it seems when its sole purpose for being is piling on todays losers. They were the losers, (Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Keyes, et.al.), and have no bench from which to draw a winning team/agenda. Two losers pointing fingers at each other, snarling and yelling, all the while losing the confidence of the average voter of either party.
Comment by You Go Boy Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:17 pm
YGB
– Well it seems some are also energized by complaining about the party chair
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:19 pm
The dems have done a fine job of embarrassing themselves but McKenna is single handedly doing a fine job of embarrassing the IL GOP at a time when our stock should be rising. I am embarrassed by the crap his office is emailing - not to mention being annoyed at the volume of emails. Yeah, Blago needs to go but McKenna needs to follow. And he really needs to give us a break on all his Quinn-bashing. Quinn had more negative things to say about Blago this past year than any GOPer. And if McKenna wants to go back into history and point fingers, maybe he should remember that it might not serve the GOP well either. C’mon Andy, find a platform and find some decent candidates. Otherwise, please shut up and stop embarrassing those few IL GOP members that are left.
Comment by ChiGal Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:32 pm
The IL GOP is the equivalant to the 0-16 Lions. Talk all you want, but you keep losing. Throw out McKenna and get new real conservative leadership. O wait… average Republicans don’t get to pick their leadership. Can we pick another team then? Not in 2 party IL. Thus my disenfranshisement.
Comment by DisenfranchisedConservative Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:43 pm
If the conspiracy theorists nutjobs bashing McKenna are looking for someone to blame for the GOP fall, this is a perfect example of why the first place they should look is in the Mirror. McKenna comes out with a dead on accurate commentary, and the conspiracy theorists (all five of them statewide) instinctively feel it’s better to attack the messenger for than back the message.
Comment by anon Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:44 pm
One Man from 12:33
You are right. The Democrats did nothing to seperate themselves from Blago until the FEDS stepped in. In fact Madigan and Jones teamed up as his campaign chairs to scare off any potential rival from running against him in the Democratic primary.
Again, you are right that anybody who runs as a Dem in 2010 will be painted as being tied to Blagojevich, just like the adds with JBT doing the polka with George Ryan.
The truth of the matter is (the way I see it anyway)that in reality the GOP really has little wiggle room. There are plenty of GOP operatives knee deep in dealings with Blagojevich, and as a minority in the legislature it seems that they were plenty willing to go buddy buddy with Blagojevich to get some bones handed to them.
Neither side seems to have had the ‘testicular virility’ to stand up to Rod Blagojevich and his nonsense until he was arrested. Now everybody is jumping on the bandwagon proclaiming how they were always against him from the start.
Heard it all before–please spare me the plolitical games!!
train111
Comment by train111 Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:45 pm
Great point. Madigan was his campaign chair, Quinn was his Lt Guv and they all rode his coattails. Similar to the Cook county board members (D) acting like they didn’t support Stroger from Day 2.
Comment by Wumpus Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:46 pm
Illinois Republicans need to come up with a Newt Gingrich type contract with Illinois that lists several objectives for putting Illinois back on the correct path. Term limits, Ways of Bringing more businesses into Illinois to name a few. They have every right to criticizes the democrats for their complicity in this mess but that is not going to carry the day.
As far as a few republicans voting with Blago on some of the budget issues - Ho Hum. Their in the minority right now and their going to take their shots where they can. I’m sure that a democrat would never play the game that way.
Comment by I'mTellingYou Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:49 pm
anon - The problem is that McKenna appears to have no message. Getting in the mud and getting dirty isn’t really providing direction and leadership. This crisis was the perfect opportunity for him to come forward with something of substance. For days, for weeks, we’ve waited. But no, just more mud-throwing. No conspiracy beliefs here - just plain old disappointment.
Comment by ChiGal Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:52 pm
whoever coined the phrase GOP as in MOPE is right on track….RYAN.RYAN Brickhead Joe,TugBoat Anniee.
Let’s dub McKenna TugBoat Andy.
Not only does he have no credibility becuase of the past, his legislative lunks were in the middle of the pay to play with GRod.
Make em cough up the MOUs Tugboat Andy or get out of the game.
Comment by Nose For News Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Yes, chi-girl….quinn finally found his voice again. AFTER he did all blago’s grunt work in 2006 and benefited from all his dirty money. When Rezko got indicted a couple of weeks before the election did you hear your boy pat make a peep? Of course not, seems he found his voice after he benefited from the dirty money. In my book that makes him an co-conspirator.
Comment by kidder Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:01 pm
it’s good to see “Speaking at Will” posting on here. Will Stephens wouldn’t have anything for his Southern Illinois talk radio show if it weren’t for CapFax.
Comment by cr Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:05 pm
DisenfranchisedConservative
Ok tell me who you would run statewide? We tried Al Salvi and Lauzen and we know how that turned out.
So I am waiting for your list of candidates who could play statewide.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:06 pm
I’m telling you, I agree that Republicans should campaign similarly to the Contract with America. In March 2010, republican candidates should promise that, if the state elects a republican governor and republican majorities of the state senate and house, they’ll pass about five bills, including cutting all tax rates and fees to their 2002 rates, repealing the 2003 law which states that illegal aliens may attend state universities and pay in-state tuition, and consolidating school districts.
Comment by Phil Collins Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:06 pm
the wild conspiracy theories flowing are fascinating, but irrelevant. Madigan, jones endorsed Rod, helped him get elected twice, approved his wily budget schemes and now have to deal with a mess they helped create–Rod and the disastrous state Illinois is now in.
Comment by Easy Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:10 pm
Maybe this is really a golden opportunity for the Greens, Libertarians or even a revived Solidarity Party, since apparently “everyone” in the 2 majors is tainted. Come on now, T.I.I., throw in the towel already.
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:13 pm
The Illinois GOP is a little bigger than McKenna by the way. He’s the mechanic. He’s not the idea guy. Cross has done well I think on National shows.
Have to admit there is no real script on how to react when the opposition puts on a three ring circuls like this.
Comment by Bill Baar Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:14 pm
NfN…your nose is in something but its not news. It seems to be up the backside of the blago cochair. Say want you want about Mckenna, Topinka and Birkett but they were right and your guy and his statewide blago appologist were loving up on him. That isnt an MOU it is an I Love You.
Comment by kidder Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:14 pm
Folks, get real. Stop pretending this is some kind of Democrats vs. Republicans thing.
Both labels are in this thing up to their filthy eyeballs.
Yes, plenty of Dems like Mike Madigan and Pat Quinn have lots to be ashamed of and plenty to explain.
But for crying out loud, don’t forget GOP boss Bill Cellini (now under indictment) was a big fundraiser for Blago. And one of McKenna’s main advisers, and members of his State Central Committee, was a Blago contributor and even served on Blago’s transition team! That’s Skip Saviano. This is all the tip of the dirty iceberg.
And Andy McKenna is so hostile to reform, he was reportedly ready back in 2004 to run against Senator Peter Fitzgerald in the primary because he was a reformer! We wouldn’t be in this mess regarding this senate seat in the first place if McKenna and his henchmen didn’t try to undermine the few good Republicans we have had.
My point is, there are no white hats in this thing. They are all (D’s and R’s) running around looking for cover, being opportunistic, dishonest and hypocritical beyond belief.
Unfortunately, in a state as blue as Illinois, it’s not good enough for the Republicans to just break even on the hypocrisy front.
A month or so from now the Dems will have cleaned house of Blago. They’ll be moving forward. Meanwhile the IL GOP will be back to square one, getting ready for its next huge embarrassing statewide blowout.
I would say one last thing to OneMan and whoever else who want to write off internal governance as “meaningless” or “it doesn’t matter.” I would just ask, how has that Fannie Mae-style attitude worked for the IL GOP?
Comment by GOP'er Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:18 pm
The hypocrisy of the Republicans is stunning. Silently they sat by while allegations and evidence of corruption involving former Governor George Ryan piled up. They supported his re-elections and quietly watched him get farther and farther into legal troubles without saying a word.
Fast forward. The Democrats are leading the effort to impeach a Democrat Governor.
Huge difference. GOP hypocrisy in full force early this new year of 2009.
Stay tuned.
Comment by there he goes again Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:19 pm
I too sometimes have issues with the State GOP leadership, more towards their demand for total control of everything in the Party.
But it is good to see McKenna come out swinging. That is his job right now, so don’t knock him for it.
His other job is to sit down with GOP leaders and potential candidates across the state to create that “Contract with Illinois” concept for 2010. It is a winner, and the only way back to political relevance.
Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:19 pm
===You enact new legislation that calls for one. Per the 17th Amendment, an appointment to the Senate is only temporary until an election is held. ====
anon @ 1:08, the Illinois law that relates to the U.S. Constitution reads
“the Governor shall make temporary appointment to fill such vacancy until the next election of representatives in Congress, at which time such vacancy shall be filled by election”
The US Constitution give the state the ability to say what election would apply. In Illinois we would need all of the Congressmen to resign at the same time and then have the governor pick the same date for an election to their seats. Then we could have an early special election for the Senate seat. I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a bad idea if they all resigned but don’t hold your breath. Roland keeps on rolling until 2010.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:24 pm
There he goes again, what Republican supported George Ryans reelection?? I can’t think of a single one. Not even his LG.
Comment by kidder Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:28 pm
== Fast forward. The Democrats are leading the effort to impeach a Democrat Governor ==
Because he was friggin arrested by the FBI for trying to sell a senate seat, lets not pretend this is some sort of ‘profiles in courage’ moment for the IL Democratic party
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:32 pm
Been There,
Yes, and the requirement that the appointee serve until the next congressional election is statutory, not constitutional and can be changed if the legislator wants to act, hence the part where I said a new law be enacted.
Comment by anon Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:33 pm
I don’t know that the GOP needs a brilliant contract with IL scheme at this moment. I think if they can bring forth some non-sullied, non-ideologue moderate candidates they could do quite well. Where the GOP has gone off the track in IL has been to follow the national GOP move to the right on social issues (abortion, abstinence, GBLT issues) without convincing their fellow citizens to lurch that way as well. Part of the reason G. Ryan won out over Poshard was that Poshard was seen as being too conservative on some of those issues.
Get away from those issues (as the IL Dems have done on guns) and the IL GOP should be able to recover.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:37 pm
Oh, and as for McKenna’s fight with Peter Fitzgerald goes, don’t forget that Peter Fitzgerald chose not to run again because he had succeeded in antagonizing just about the entire state region by region. He didn’t have a snowball’s chance and knew it.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:39 pm
anon @2:33. You can’t pass a law like that retroactivly. Once he’s in, the law in place at that time would apply.
Comment by Been There Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:40 pm
This is an interesting Illinois Issues article from February, 1980 about the “Honest Quinn”.
http://www.lib.niu.edu/1980/ii800204.html
and I also know a former agency director who can vouch for this.
“During 1975, Quinn was considered one of the infamous “ghost payrollers” of the Walker administration. The former governor placed dozens of assistants on agency payrolls where the employee did little or no work and did not report to supervisors there. Walker was accused of attempting to disguise how he had expanded the number of employees in the governor’s office because of his campaign pledge not to do so.
Quinn was one of those employees. He was hired in January 1973 as an $18,000 a year assistant and was given a title indicating he would be a liaison to the public. The following year, he was given a pay raise to $20,000. The next year, he was shifted to the payroll of the Illinois Industrial Commission and received a raise to $23,000. At that point, Quinn became the target of legislative inquiry. Legislators, many in open confrontation with Walker, grilled agency directors about their payrolls when they appeared before appropriations committees. The chairman of the Industrial Commission, during one question session, admitted Quinn did not work full time for the agency. The lawmakers also accused Quinn of being “in conflict of interest” because he telephoned legislators seeking support for proposed constitutional amendments while on the commission payroll.”
Comment by What we have to look forward to Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:48 pm
DisenfranchisedConservative
How about Larry Bomke. He seems like a straight shooter. Just a thought.
Comment by I'mTellingYou Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:50 pm
Someone said, “don’t forget that Peter Fitzgerald chose not to run again because he had succeeded in antagonizing just about the entire state region by region. He didn’t have a snowball’s chance and knew it.”
That’s just absurd, but it’s typical of the kind of destructive, dishonest talking points that the Hastert/Cellini/Kjellander wing (of which McKenna is a part) was putting out back then. They made it clear to Peter that if he ran for reelection, he would have no “party” support. He would have to rely solely on his personal fortune.
Peter Fitzgerald “antagonized” some people alright, people like Bill Cellini, Dennis Hastert, George Ryan, Mayor Daley, the McKennas, Bob Kjellander, etc. etc.
But the citizens of Illinois view Peter as a hero.
If the likes of Andy Junior had their way, Blago wouldn’t be under arrest today, because Peter wouldn’t have been allowed to bring in a real independent prosecutor like Patrick Fitzgerald in the first place.
Comment by GOP'er Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:53 pm
Cermak-
The “Contract” concept is not just for the voters, as the GOP will need it for unity. As “GOP’er” shows, unity is in short supply. The Conservative vs. Moderate feud has been ripping the party apart for years, and doing the Democrats’ job for them.
A list of concrete proposals that all can rally around would do a lot. It’s best to keep abortion, gay rights and such off the list. That will drive certain obsessed elements crazy, but it will be better to speak to the average citizen and state what the GOP will do to repair all the damage. There is so much damage at this point.
With George Ryan in jail, Bob Kjellander gone, and Cellini and Vrdolyak looking at jail time, 2010 represents a vital chance to break the Combine and remold the Illinois GOP into a vehicle for positive change for Illinois citizens.
For sure, there are elements in the GOP that like the Combine and do not want that change, as well as faux “reformers” that want change on their own self-promoting terms.
But it can be done if the State leadership is willing to set the goal.
Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 2:57 pm
Memo to Illinois Republican Party:
If you want to capitilize on this, start recruiting better candidates and have a legislative agenda.
Comment by Ahoy Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:01 pm
A “contract” just represents more lip service. You have to have officials of integrity, or a piece of paper is meaningless.
The GOP already has essentially the same thing as a “contract” - it’s called the Platform. Illinois Republicans actually adopted a pretty good one this year at their state convention.
One of the first things many Republican state reps and senators did this year was to shamelessly violate the no new gambling plank.
When some people talk about “unity” what they really mean is “just shut up and let the same misfits keep conning voters.”
Comment by GOP'er Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:08 pm
I wonder if Andy would apply the same standard he applies to Quinn to the last Lt. Gov, Corinne Wood? The former has been quite critical of the Governor over the years, while Wood never said a peep about Ryan’s corruption.
Comment by reformer Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 3:29 pm
GOP’er:
Whiny rubbish. You are obsessed with intra-party infighting. That is part of the problem.
Gingrich didn’t hand people a platform, he identified issues that would be voted on if the GOP obtained control of the House. That is what people what to hear about.
Comment by Bubs Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 4:46 pm
Bubs, the chief dealer of “whiny rubbish.” LOL
Comment by IL watcher Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 5:27 pm
Let’s face it, both sides of the aisle need to be held accountable for the mess we are in. Lots of new representation with integrity and backbone is in order.
Comment by Reclaimillinois.com Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 5:29 pm
The IL GOP party platform this year was not something the average IL voter is going to support. Besides, party platforms are things the activist base (of either party) knock together in order to make them feel like their in control of the party. Then the candidates come along and ignore them. It’s what happens.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Jan 8, 09 @ 6:01 pm