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* Pat Quinn quotes like this have been the focus of recent press releases from the Illinois Republican Party…
“[Blagojevich has] always been a person who’s honest and one of integrity. I have confidence the governor does the right thing all the time.”
Sept. 15, 2006, in reference to when Blagojevich’s daughter received a $1,500 check from a family friend whose wife just got a state job.
Quinn has yet to address that and other quotes, instead pointing to his split with Blagojevich after the election and his strong support for recall.
* The Question: Should Quinn be given a “honeymoon” and therefore allowed a pass on quotes like this until the election season begins? Or, should the quotes be read to him over and over again until he owns up to them?
Explain fully, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:09 am
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No honeymoon. He doesn’t even answer the question. He could at least acknowledge his comments and say he got hoodwinked like eveyone else. Instead he abdicated his responibilities in getting the former governotr elected. The democrat party way is in full force.
Comment by Lake Voter Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:15 am
Pat Quinn has been in politics for over 30 years. I wouldn’t give him a honeymoon. Now is the time for him to back up all of the things that he has championed for decades.
He could have taken on the governor in a public forum. He was never afraid to speak up before. Instead, he sat back and collected his salary along with numerous perks.
Well, let’s see what he can do about getting those people that were wrongly dismissed, back to work and those that were wrongly hired, out of there.
There is no time for a honeymoon.
Comment by Sangamon Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:15 am
He said those things, so it’s fair game. They aren’t taking him out of context.
That said, Pat Quinn did a lot more than anyone not named Patrick Fitzgerald to set the stage for the impeachment to happen.
Whatever opportunity the Republicans have to regain some power in State government is far more due to Pat Quinn’s efforts to reel the Governor in than anything Andy McKenna or Tom Cross have done.
Comment by jerry 101 Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:16 am
No honeymoon period - you reap what you sow, and we’ve given out way too many “get out of jail free cards” to our pols. Own up it your statement, and do it now. Admitting your mistakes would be a refreshing and welcome change here in IL.
Having this storm cloud hanging over Quinn’s head makes the task at hand that much more difficult, and reduces its impact as a point of attack for those seeking the office in 2010.
Comment by The Doc Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:16 am
Frankly, I’m not sure of the relevance of the quotes at this point. Quinn wasn’t elected as Gov, he has inherited the mess from Blago.
At this point, the GOP is coming off as petty and shill. Rather than making an attempt at fixing the giant mess the state is in, it is engaging in sideshow antics.
Save it for the election. Why are they trying to kill the new guy for past sins of someone else? I don’t really see the point.
Unless the GOP is looking to lose yet again in 2010. In that case, I say carry on.
Comment by How Ironic Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:16 am
The honeymoons should be a thing of the past for all politicians. If they can’t stand by their words then stand aside. Now if Gov. Quinn says that he was mislead or was swayed by the ex-govs words, maybe we should believe him and allow him to earn our trust. If he was mislead by Blago’s word, he would have been right there with the crazy Chicago NPR callers that were feeling Blagos pain after his speech Thursday.
Comment by Hearing Voices Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:17 am
Meant to say that addressing his comments reduces its impact as a point of attack…
Comment by The Doc Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:17 am
Was he supposed to say the truth, which is, I need this guy to get re-elected because I am pretty sure he isn’t going to finish the term which will make me Governor so I can run as an incumbent.
It is pretty common knowledge the two couldn’t stand each other. No passes are necessary, just judge the man on what he does as Governor as well as how he got there.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:18 am
I just wish that all of the pols would just sit down, shut up and do some real work and make some sensible decisions instead of constantly running their mouths and contradicting themselves every other day.
Comment by Chanson Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:19 am
I was extremely disappointed to hear the quote when it was originally uttered…Quinn, of all people. But it is really a political perception issue, and nothing else, really. Did any other potential 2010’s offer any similar fodder in the last 6 years?
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:19 am
I’d like to at least hear him admit he bet on the wrong horse. At least.
Comment by So. ILL Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:20 am
On the record: Yes Quinn should be accountable for his statements. This is Illinois after all, and politics ain’t beanbag.
Off the record: After the Jack Ryan, Alan Keyes and JBT fiascos, the GOP would do well to shut the heck up until they can actually offer something substantive. Cheap shots and backseat quarterbacking anybody can do.
train111
Comment by train111 Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:24 am
Should he, just for the sake of being new… no. He’s a big boy and he’s at the top now. If he can’t handle some hecklers what can he handle?
Will he, from Andy McKenna and Crew… no. Clearly.
Do the voters want the bleepin bleepy politicking gamesmanship to stop (ie, to give Quinn a honeymoon)… Yes.
…Explaining fully:
Friday afternoon I was at a luncheon for a statewide conference and Gov. Quinn made a surprise appearance. Five-minute standing ovation replete with cheers and whoops.
This was a mix of a few hundred Repubs and Dems and indies. All were on their feet clapping. Even the GOP State Rep at my table pulled out his Blackberry and was snapping pictures of Gov. Quinn.
Both before and after the lunch I heard from different folks — some brought topic up with me, some I brouhght the topic up — that they’re just tired of the bickering and just want the people in charge to do some friggin’ work.
One, a Republican, made a point of saying that McKenna needs to shut up.
Will the game go on? Yes.
Do the voters want it to? No.
Comment by Rob_N Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:26 am
Those kinds of statements are ‘politics’ as opposed to what former gov. goofy [FGG]called ‘politics’.
Honeymoon? Give hime the 2 years he’s got left; he won’t be as bad as FGG and the State’s got REAL problems as opposed to statemetns from past years.
Comment by sal-says Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:26 am
I took this comment by Pat Quinn more as a statement of, “He’s the governor, he is of my party, I do not KNOW he has done anything wrong and he says he has not.” rather than a strong endorsement of Blago’s integrity. I think Pat Quinn should own up to his statement after the Senate Dems apologize to the citizens of the state for following like timid rats every time the Pied Piper Jones played his tune. They and the all the other legislators that allowed this man to get away with what he did had a far deeper impact on the citizens of this state than did this comment from Pat Quinn.
Comment by Irish Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:27 am
It’s in his best interests to deal with this now…
Comment by OneMan Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:28 am
He should answer the question and move on.
I think it’s a fairly innocuous comment by one politician about another of his party during an election campaign. I didn’t think JBT was corrupt because she called Ryan a “helluva guy” or danced with Dick Cheney.
Lot of GOPers had good things to say about Nixon til the bitter end.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:29 am
As a past Republican County Chair, I think it is time the State Party get a grip on reality. Let’s be pragmatic and work with Quinn. We can go after him during the election. This State has important work to do and whinning will not get it done.
Comment by Middle of the road Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:30 am
No honeymoon, but I think it’s the wrong tactic for Republicans right now. I think they should be pledging to work with Quinn and the rest of the elected officials to dig the state out of the big Blagojevich hole, both fiscally and ethically. Then pull out the quotes in seven months, when Quinn et al. begin their campaigns.
I just don’t understand what they’re trying to gain, right now. Quinn’s not going to get tossed from office. The general public is focused on bigger issues right now (the economy, etc.) than political skirmishes. *(I don’t consider the Blago stuff a ’skirmish’)*
This is a golden policy opportunity for the Republicans. Play an anti-tax, pro-reduction-in-government, fiscally-responsible card and you can gain a lot of ground in two years. But play “politics as usual” and you’re gonna get pounded, again.
Comment by Concerned Observer Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:31 am
I’m honestly not sure that it matters anymore. There’s nothing positive that can be gained by throwing those statements in his face, and it further demoralizes the public with respect to the political process. If there’s a greater goal of proving that Pat Quinn is an opportunist or dishonest or was looking to ride Ron Blagojevich’s coattails in any way possible, or some other character flaw that illustrates that Pat Quinn is a poor governor/politician/representative for the people - then fine. But if the goal is to throw something in his face just because he said something that in hindsight looks like poor judgment, then let it go.
Comment by Name Withheld Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:32 am
Quinn deserves a bit of honeymoon when it comes to governing — he should be given a chance to prove that he can be effective and make positive change. It will take time to undo some of the errors of the previous administration and legislature and for Quinn to pursue his own agenda.
However, in terms of campaigning for re-election, this is not only fair game, I think it’s a central issue. Quinn knew Blagojevich was a bad governor, and he still supported him because it served Quinn’s immediate needs. Same could be said of Madigan. Why did he help elect someone with whom he had a very poor working relationship with?
It’s all party above progress with these guys. The clock is ticking now for them to prove otherwise.
Comment by PFK Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:33 am
I remember this quote, and I thought it was sarcastic at the time. Not sure what anyone gains by bringing it up now.
Comment by Doubful Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:34 am
Of course Quinn does not get a pass.
Dems rightfully ties JBT to George Ryan, and if the GOP can do the same to Blago, more power to them.
Of course, if Gov. Quinn acts in an honest and competent manner for the next year or so, those quotes will become completely irrelevant.
Comment by Skeeter Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:35 am
No honeymoon.
I think in time the public will see this guy for the self-serving grandstander that he is.
Comment by stones Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:36 am
Politics is a contact sport. Whether he should or should not, does not matter.
Comment by Loyal Whig Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:39 am
The republicans yelling about Patrick Quinn supporting Blago might ring true if it wasnt for George Ryan’s sins. How many quotes could be dug up from Republican leaders supporting G.R. after everhyone knew he was smelling worse than ten day old fish?
Republicans, doomed again in 2010.
Comment by Speaking At Will Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:40 am
OK, the guy was trying to be a ‘team player’, whether he knew the real background or not, and he was spoutting the team lines. After being cut out of personal meetings for a couple of years by RRB, I would hope PQ got on the ‘bleep’ you agenda and stopped. He can easily say “Yes, I said that. Then I found out the real story and could not take it any more. I did other things (like all the vet funerals) to try to put some integrity and respect back into the system. I wanted to believe him like many others did. We were duped. Now here is what I think we should do…..”. Hopefully, PQ has used his time over the last year, knowing this was eventually coming, to plan and make good relationships with the other principles. The honeymoon should be very short due to time, the immediate need, and he was the next in line. Not like he just walked in.
Comment by zatoichi Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:40 am
As a repub, I can honestly say that the non-stop senseless press releases and emails from McKenna have done nothing but make us look petty. Regardless of your political affiliation, the state is falling apart. McKenna had an email out ripping Quinn before his hand was even lifted from the bible. The repubs have given us few candidates worthy of supporting, a platform that is weak at best - if you can actually figure out what it is. I think most repubs would like to see Quinn be successful these next two years - if they care about the state more than their own party. I haven’t lived in IL all that long. How did McKenna get this position and how is one removed after showing such incompetence?
Comment by ChiGal Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:41 am
I think it is silly. You could come up with a long list of Dems & Repubs that said somewhat-ok things about Blagojevich at one time or another. Quinn would be smart to simply say, “I said it. I was wrong. My actions over the past couple have shown that I saw that stance was wrong. Now let’s get back to work.”
Comment by montrose Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:42 am
He gets a honeymoon when he gets elected in his own right! I think it’s only fair!
Comment by Levois Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:46 am
No honeymoon, but this is a silly thing to be talking about with the state in the shape it’s in. Hold him accountable for his job performance now, and forget what he or anyone ever said about Blago. In fact, just forget about Blago. We have more pressing worries.
Comment by Excessively rabid Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:58 am
A honeymoon is unnecessary. It’s kind of a piddling issue anyway, and surely Quinn and his staff can come up with a good answer to it.
Comment by colby Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:00 pm
*Yawn*. Is ANYONE listening to the Illinois GOP? They remind me of little children jumping up and down, screaming “Look at me! Look at me!”.
They’d be better off addressing the issues and suggesting some smart solutions to our state’s problems rather than acting like petulant children.
Comment by Undercover Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:03 pm
To answer the question, groups like the IL GOP should lay off Pat Quinn for the time being and start trying to be part of the solution. That’s a way to build real credibility.
Additionally, Quinn should address their ridiculously petty behavior.
Comment by Undercover Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:05 pm
As a Republican, while I don’t think there should be any honeymoon, I also don’t think that the State GOP should focus on these comments. They should work with Quinn to solve the State’s huge budget crisis–it isn’t as if Tom Cross and company have a lot that they can say for themselves–they worked with Blago as well. I wish someone at the STate GOP would tell McKenna to shut up and come up with some viable candidates and alternatives to business as usual.
Comment by ChampaignDweller Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:06 pm
==until the election season begins?==
It has…
I think your question answered itself today. First it was the state GOP yelling that the Dems couldn’t respond appropriately after the arrest, now they have an actual face to attack in Quinn. Not to throw the state GOP under the bus on starting the campaign, I’m sure everyone is working behind the scenes.
To answer the QOTD directly…no honeymoon on this one. More because honeymoons are for post-campaign breaks to reign in the rhetoric and switch to policy. Plus, these jabs shouldn’t be that difficult to address. I agree with those suggesting responses in the realm of “we were fooled…we must not let it continue or happen again…the citizens are #1.”
Also, what’s the “Ill. Dem. Party” considering? I’m not saying Madigan should react to every ankle bite the R’s throw out, but when the R’s attack Quinn, they are attacking the party.
Comment by COPN Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:09 pm
Governor Quinn should should make one statement on the issue, translated appropriately for each age group, and then everybody can forget it and move on. Some suggestions:
60’s plus: I’m shocked! Shocked! to discover there was corruption in G-Rod’s administration!
50-ish — Well, excuuuuuuse me!
30-ish — Whatever.
Comment by Anon Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:12 pm
Phineas J. Whoopee hit the nail on the head. Politics is a game of survival. I believe Quinn could see a light at the end of the tunnel and knew he would be in the driver’s seat before Blago’s term ended. So what? Put him in line with every other politician who plays the game - and that would be a long line.
Comment by Little Egypt Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:14 pm
McKenna won’t give him a pass, of course. However, the voters will if he performs well over the next year. Right now, people want progress, not politics. They want reform, not rehash of the same old same old. I’m not sure many in the state have better qualifications on reform than Quinn.
Comment by Niles Township Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:17 pm
If there are no significant top level staff changes in the Governor’s office, then I think we are in for more of the same. Micro-management and refusal to listen to, or even consider other points of view of, the long-term professionals in the agencies has been a hallmark of the past six years of “governance.” Without a paradigm shift in this area, a honeymoon will serve only further entrench the status quo.
Comment by Captain Flume Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:18 pm
I think the GOPs should be encouraged to ask away.
They usually sound petty and shrill — which is what they really are.
They (actually TugBoat Andy McKenna) should also be asked about how he can tolerate StateWide Tom in leadership when he abandons the party platform against the gamblers?
Getting answers to that and other questions will be more amusing as the ever agile IL GOP begin to ressemble their famous circular firing squad for ‘10.
Speaking of looking dopey what is the “spin” on why it took six, long, agonizing votes to elect the new National GOP chair? Nixon & Cheney would be so proud.
Comment by Nixon Gnats Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:19 pm
None of this should matter as Pat Quinn is a reformer. First, even if Pat did say these things, he didn’t mean them. Second, Pat couldn’t have been aware of the corruption going on around him because he is a nice guy. Heck, Pat Quinn hardly even knew Blagojevich. And that Pat collected money from the same gangsters that tried to purchase the Senate seat from Blagojevich for Jesse Jackson doesn’t matter, as Pat was merly running a sting to push along his reform agenda.
What people need to understand is it is not what Pat Quinn does, it’s what he believes!
Comment by Huntingwithaswitch Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:24 pm
Haven’t we learned our lesson yet? Now what happens when nobody asks, asks, asks till the question gets answered? Right. We replace one corrupt politician with one that is even MORE corrupt! I may be jaded but I really don’t see how any pol can not expect to be grilled.
Comment by Belle Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:25 pm
Why should Quinn get a pass on those comments? He and Rod got elected promising to clean up Illinois. They didn’t. Quinn helped them get reelected by saying Blago was honest when everyone knew he wasn’t. He’s Governor now partially due to those comments. They are absolutely in play and he should be called on them.
Comment by R_K Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:28 pm
I’m with the other posters…politicians shouldn’t have to answer ’shrill’ questions.
Now fix the state’s problems!
(I won’t ask the question of what those solutions might be, on account of being called ’shrill’.)
Comment by Leroy Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:29 pm
Unless he is going to be impeached leave him alone and get to work and try to fix this freakin mess. Come campaign time all bets are off.
Comment by Dan S, a taxpaer, a voter and a Cubs Fan Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:29 pm
Time to work together? Democrats didn’t feel the need to work together when refused to strip Blago of his power and call a special election. Democrats run the entire state and they can do whatever they want… Republicans should not work together on raising taxes nor should they work together to absolve Blago’s Lt. Gov. of his six years of failure to act.
Ryan was used in campaign ads 4 years after he left office… Blago’s face will be everywhere because it represents the Democrats failure to do things differently.
Also, Blago isn’t going quietly - appearances like Letterman tonight will only continue… Asking Quinn why he helped this guy get re-elected when everyone in the state knew he was under investigation is fair game because his actions contributed to the mess we’re in today.
Comment by underdog Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Honest men make honest mistakes, and own up to them. It isn’t even a matter of a honeymoon, it is a matter of Governor Quinn demonstrating who he is to Illinoians.
If Pat was politicking when he said these stupid things, he should tell us. If he actually believed these stupid things, he should tell us that too. If he was having a mild stroke when he said these stupid things, he should see a doctor.
But if he is comfortable with himself after saying these stupid things, then we need to know that too.
As to you folks who want to complain about the GOP, well stop the complaints. What they are doing is what they should do - oppose the Democrats. One of the problems we have is a lack of political opposition to the party in power. If the GOP was doing what it was supposed to do for the past six years, perhaps we wouldn’t have gotten so screwed up by Blagojevich, since he could have had some partisan opposition.
So let’s have a healthy political environment for a change. Let the GOP do what they are supposed to do, and let the Democrats do what they are supposed to do. Either/or just hasn’t cut it, has it?
Those who wish to mock the political opposition must be extremely happy with our current situation. It doesn’t matter who is in power, political opposition is necessary and important.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:35 pm
We need to focus on the present and the future - the huge deficit/fiscal/economic problems in Illinois, as well as ways to minimize corruption opportunities.
Hold Quinn accountable for what he does and doesn’t do as Governor, nothing else. We all really need him to do a good job regardless of our party affiliation or who we might support for Governor in 2010.
Comment by Captain America Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:37 pm
What PQ said about Blago was that “the governor has always been honest WITH ME. . .” But they hardly ever talked about anything substantive. They were from opposite places in the political world. As our now-president Obama has said, some people consider politics a business, other people consider politics as public service.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:38 pm
Rod Blagojevich used the George Ryan Bogeyman from his 2002 election all the way up to his 2006 race with Topinka. Every time something went wrong it was George Ryan’s fault. If a taxpayer stubbed his toe in the Capitol it was because George Ryan made the walls too hard. He even blamed George Ryan for his own political hiring.
To go after the Republicans because they are raising the very legitimate concern that Pat Quinn was Rod Blagojevich’s full and willing partner in two campaigns is absurd and unfair.
Comment by Amber Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:40 pm
If you desire a reputation of honesty and integrity you must own up…as citizens/taxpayers, WE get no honeymoon, why should some politician?
Comment by You Go Boy Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:45 pm
I had posted this in the wrong thread, here it is again in 3-d:
McKenna just shows how tone-deaf he is, or he’s taking bad advice from out of state consultants or in-state grumpy old men. This is like when your crosstown rival has a huge family tragedy, you put aside petty squabbling and show some solidarity for a higher cause. What he’s doing with this line of action is to alienate his party from an electorate that wants healing, not more bickering and campaign style rhetoric.
Andy is jumping the gun on getting back into campaign mode, and his calling out Quinn on this issue of support for a guy from his own party has little weight when the easy comeback is that there were plenty of House and Senate republicans that dealt with Blago plenty of times, angling for some kind of crumbs when Madigan held the line. They in fact made asses of themselves when Blago’s promises kept falling thru. So desperate were they to bring home some kind of bacon, they forgot that’s not he only job a senator or rep has in government.
I know it is hard when you’re the decidedly minority party, but Andy, your guys dug the hole over many years and you can’t expect to just pogo-stick your way out of it in a hurry. And not with PR flack tactics. You need to re-build public trust as “the loyal opposition”, that means acting diplomatic but being clear on where your views differ, and actually offering up new ideas instead of talking smack. It may endear you to the red-meat hard-right members of your party, but Andy, you guys tried that for a couple years now and it really isn’t working for you. Like it or not, Illinois is a centrist state with a strong moderate core. Your best bet is to pick up Quinn’s trail and pursue being the new fiscal watchdogs and bloodhounds, not the snappy, whiny poodles on the sidelines.
We are headed into tax increases, can’t be helped. How much and what kind CAN be helped. Your guys need to position themselves as engaged in the control of expenditures and tough but fair dealing on where the new revenues come from. Oversight. Ethical supervision. Stewardship. You can surf the wave or let it pound over you.
Your last ten years of history indicate you will not heed the advice, so watch out for the coral as the wave hits you.
Comment by Gregor Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 12:45 pm
Proft is a grade A numbskull, but his descriptiong of the new Senate GOP Leader is too good to leave buried in SW Herald Online….
Good Government Era Is Off to Rousing Start
By DAN PROFT
Within minutes of upgrading from the Springfield EconoLodge to the governor’s mansion, populist Pat Quinn proposed moving the 2010 primary election from February to September.
To signal a new era of executive branch-legislative branch camaraderie, McHenry County legislator and Mike Madigan suck toy Jack Franks filed legislation last week to similarly move the primary …..
When asked to explain the rationale behind this idea, Quinn and Franks contained their snickering long enough to squeeze out a few insincere bromides…..Are you ready to chomp down on this lure cast by Chicago Democrats?
Well, if you are, then you must be a Republican legislative leader like state Sen. Christine Radogno. She is easily identified by the hook protruding from her upper lip and is currently being reeled to shore…….
Fire ,Aim, Ready GOP marksmen
Comment by Nixon Gnats Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:01 pm
After their standard bearer ran on the slogan “Country First” national and state Republicans are showing what a horrible lie that was. At a time when we need to come together to recover as a state and nation, Republican leaders are staying in perpetual campaign mode. They have no shame.
Comment by Will Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:02 pm
For the record, I think that these attacks can wait until at least this fall, and the first order of business should be fixing the budget. But, can you blame the Republican leadership for flailing away like this? They honestly don’t know what people want/expect/will- potentially-accept from them as a response to anything anymore.
I mean - if one went just off the commenters here, it’s clear that it doesn’t really doesn’t matter what the GOP does – they’ll be belittled and derided for any response they offer to any development.
Case in point: one of the most frustratingly ridiculous spins from commenters over the past few weeks is that the GOP can’t use Blago as rallying point against the Dems in 2010 because the House Republicans ‘worked with him’ on some budget issues and the capital bill, despite having fought bitterly against the united Democratic effort to elect and re-elect him as Governor. Fine – whatever…I think that’s an obsurd concept, but, whatever. Now you want us to work Quinn, who you’ll probably rip yourselves apart trying to take the nominate away from?
Comment by grand old partisan Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:10 pm
Quinn stood by and knew exactly what was going on… he chose to say nothing… That isnt leadership.
Comment by get real Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:13 pm
>I’d like to at least hear him admit he bet on the wrong horse. At least.
But isn’t that just it. He bet on the RIGHT horse, and now, he’s being forced to ride it. In Sept. 06, Quinn wanted Blagojevich to win, perhaps regardless of his deeper judgment of the man. He was willing to overlook some already apparent flaws because Blagojevich was his running mate. He may have even thought - if we just had recall, or if the quiet talk of impeachment gets louder …
In general, you probably just mean that you want him to acknowledge I was wrong. I hope he doesn’t do it by saying “I bet on the wrong horse” That’d just be lying.
Comment by lincoln street Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:14 pm
It’s absolutely fair game. He quietly rode the coattails of a crook for his own gain, and he needs to answer for it. Should the Republicans let off the gas now and try to bring it up later, they’ll be hit with the old “bringing up the past, we need to move on line”. Politically they need to keep the hammer down and make sure the public doesn’t forget just what Pat Quinn did NOT stand for in 2006 when he could’ve helped prevent all this.
Comment by anon Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:15 pm
Get real — get real! Just what do you think PQ could have done.
Comment by ChiGal Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:17 pm
To Nixon and Proft:
I don’t really get why a late primary is horrible for Radogno or the Republicans. It seems to me that given the likelihood of an at least somewhat divisive Dem primary, it might not be such a bad thing for the GOP to have the regular election soon after.
You clearly disagree. What makes it bad for the GOP?
Comment by lincoln street Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:18 pm
As for the argument that “we need to focus on the State’s problems”…one of those problems, one of the BIGGEST problems, is politicians standing by and ignoring corrupt mismanagment of this State. Those Pat Quinn quotes are representative of that problem, and the GOP is smart to keep reminding people of them.
Comment by anon Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:23 pm
chigal-
what could he have done! Quinn endorsed the Blago for reelection even while he was under investigation by the FBI! geez
Comment by get real Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:25 pm
I guess the other key is can it stick?
In real terms, what’s the charge against Quinn? Is it that he’s part of the same old pay-to-play regime? I can’t see that sticking.
Is that he’ll say and do absolutely anything to get elected? This is something that I think some of the insiders may believe, going all the way back to the cutback amendment. But I don’t think this quote helps paint that picture very well. And I’m not sure you can make the charge stick with voters. They could care less about the cutback amendment, and they don’t and won’t see Quinn as a major Blagojevich apologist. So I just don’t think it leads anywhere.
Comment by lincoln street Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:25 pm
Convicted governor + impeached governor = No Honeymoon!
Quinn could just say ‘it was all politics’ and keep moving forward. At least we know Quinn is not on any of the wiretap tapes…
Comment by Vote Quimby! Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:29 pm
There’s no honeymoons in politics.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:39 pm
It is suspect because he knew of the investigation. He could have kept along parties lines without using the language he used. Something along the lines of, “I have no personal knowledge that would make me think there is anything wrong with this check/appointment”. The way he worded it seems very supportive to me.
Comment by Cranky Old Man Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:39 pm
That this is even a question is a testament to pro-Dem bias in this state. Of course he should be held responsible for taking a dive for Rod in 2006. He sold out Illinois.
Comment by Morton Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:55 pm
Morton, try to read the comments a bit more closely. Some Republicans are also expressing the sentiment you so despise.
Instead of lashing out at others without taking the time to think, why not just think and give us your opinion? Thanks.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 1:58 pm
Rich,
Am I somehow “unworthy” of contributing? Can you please provide a more complete explanation of these rules of engagement:
{Inappropriate or excessively rabid comments, gratuitous insults and “rumors” will be deleted or held for moderation. Profanity is absolutely not acceptable in any form. All violators risk permanent banishment without warning and may be blocked from accessing this site. Also, please try to be a little bit original.}
and advise how my earlier comment somehow represents a violation; especially compared to many others here?
I enjoy coming here when I can because you have some pretty smart and witty contributors here,but maybe I just can’t fit in somehow; then so be it. This is a time waster as a spectator sport though I have to say; and I can’t be benched all season.
I am starting to get the sense though that you are getting some perverse pleasure out of erasing my posts without cause and I am not sure how I got in; or how to get out of your dog house.
Throw me a bone and let me know.
Comment by Quinn T. Sential Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 2:29 pm
Not sure why. I delete a lot of comments every day.
You’ll just have to deal with it.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 2:35 pm
Compare Lt Gov. Quinn’s comments — favorable and critical — about his governor to the comments of his predecessor, Corrine Wood, who never said one critical word about Gov. Ryan.
If Republicans applied the same standard to Lt. Gov Quinn that they applied to the last GOP lt gov, they wouldn’t be nearly as pejorative. Of course they won’t apply the same standard.
Comment by reformer Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 2:46 pm
- Quinn T. Sential -
Sometimes it’s just an honor to be deleted by Rich - I have been, and very recently too. But to receive the dreaded “Bite Me” admonition is reserved for the true offendees. It should be avoided at all costs!
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 2:47 pm
Let him have his honeymoon. Unleash the quotes at election time, when they might matter.
Comment by Bemac Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 2:57 pm
Gov. Quinn can’t have it both ways.
Either he knew what was going on and chose to do nothing about it. (in which case he has abbrigated his oath of office)
or
He is dumb as a box of rocks and had no idea what was going on in which case he does not deserve to be the leader of the State of Illinois!
No Honeymoon!
Hold his feet to the fire!
Comment by BIG R.PH. Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:02 pm
Rich doesn’t delete - he edits. It is good to have an editor like Rich.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:07 pm
VM, That is a relief to me! I thought I had been deleted those many times, only now do I see the light - I was “Edited”, truly a much more honorable thing. Thank you for the uplifting and positive observation in these troubling times. Now, if we could only “Edit” Andy McKenna’s comments.
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:20 pm
BIG RPH writes, “Either he knew what was going on and chose to do nothing about it”
…Is that what you call advocating for recall and being as supportive of the legislature’s impeachment proceedings as he could be?
Funny definition of “doing nothing ’bout it”.
Comment by Rob_N Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:20 pm
What did he / we expect from Springfield? A new Gov does not mean the children will play well together.
Comment by Highland, IL Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:27 pm
I don’t want to sound angry about this, because I really am not, just tired of the squirming and ducking on this issue.
But . . .
After holding office for nearly 30 years, Quinn should not get a honeymoon. He is not new to the scene like Obama is on the national level. He is an old hand who has worn many hats in State government.
I say this with all due sincerity. Quinn has had two years to explain those statements and his blind support of the governor through 2006. If he had said “I blew it big time” or “I screwed up” I would give him his honeymoon.
But Quinn spent his entire career as a “reformer” and then quite often put his “reformer” credentials on the back burner from 2002-2006 so he could get himself elected and then reelected as Lt. Governor. His silence during that time was the subject of many comments on this site and elsewhere over the past few years.
He needs to prove his “reformer” credentials before I take the quotation marks off. And one way of doing it is by admitting he was wrong or admitting that he strayed and is now sorry for such actions. That would place him in front of the pack of the rest of the Blagojevich enablers in this state in my eyes and in the eyes of the voters.
Republicans are prepared to work with Quinn with solving the state problems that exist. We live in this state too and have steadily complained of the worsening conditions while certain Democrats pretended otherwise. The comments by some to the contrary are a little over the top in some respects. I don’t see why supporting Ryan is always a horrible badge of shame to wear for the rest of your life, but supporting Blagojevich is always explainable and not shameful. It isn’t.
But a honeymoon to an old hand who decided after 25 years to swim with the tide instead of usually swimming against it? Sorry. I’m not ready to do that right now. If he wants to be a “reformer” again, he will need to show those of us who became skeptical over his actions that he is back on that track.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:34 pm
To my good friend Lou, give him a break. Both he and Obama are now charter members of the “Be Careful What You Wish For, You May Get It” Club. There are difficult times ahead with difficult decisions to be made. They will be “Damned If They Do and Damned If They Don’t” on a host of issues. Let’s not get partisan and run up the Party flags on either the state or national level. We are all in this boat together and it is taking on water.
Comment by MikeintheSuburbs Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:48 pm
No I do not think he gets a honeymoon.
Although, I do think he deserves the respect and honor the office deserves.
He will be held accountable for his past Blago support prior to the ‘06 election. Everyone who paid attention knew full well that serious Fitzgerald issues were pending for Blago. Quinn stayed on board anyway and won his LTG spot. It is what it is.
Quinn will also have to account for keeping people like Jack Lavin at the table even though he was a Rezko CFO as well as a funnel for Rezko appointees at DCEO and other hot spots.
DCEO is a wreck….Many Chicago staff are nearly ghost payrollers all under Lavin’s “leadership”
Comment by Larry Mullholland Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:53 pm
lol It sucks to get deleted by Rich. I got used to it.
“A person who has never made a mistake (According to Miller) has never tried anything new.”
- Albert Einstein
Comment by Larry Mullholland Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 3:56 pm
let the “kids” hound him - the adults have much more important things to take care of - like a nearly $5 Billion dollar deficit.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 4:12 pm
The 2010 election should play out as the perfect storm for the Republican party in Illinois. But it appears that the current party leadership is totally out of touch with the mainstream.
People are so fed up with Blago that they want a break before the next on-slaught of negativity. Saying that, I would give Quinn a honeymoon period and then give him enough rope to hang himself, which he will surely do.
The state is in a fiscal mess, which will require budget cuts and tax increases. Guess what, when taht happens nobody will be happy. He is in a lose - lose situation. Plus Mike Madigan will not let him prosper for long when he has his daughter waiting in the wings.
Quinn should do what is right for the state and the voters over the next 2 years and not worry about re-election. He could leave state government on a high note, knowing that he made tough choices and started the ethical reform that the state so desparatelt needs.
But if he is planning to keep the job, then he better look out in about 6 months. Because everybody will be looking to hang this mess on him.
Comment by southern illinoisan Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 4:56 pm
Time to move on and get Illinois business done. The republicans need desperately to start focusing on what good they can do rather than hiding behind developing contentious blabber about someone else. We need to turn this financial chaos in a more positive direction and win votes on what WE can accomplish.
Comment by Justice Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 5:26 pm
“Miller, Miller, Miller, Miller….Ha! There I said it and didn’t get deleted. Or did I?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 5:36 pm
honeymoon? we don’t need no stinkin’ honeymoon. not for Quinn, not for Obama, and while we’re at it, how about holding the feet of the Speaker of the House (Illinois and for that matter U.S.) and everyone else in office, to the fire. everyone in every job gets a day or so to find the office and the supply closet and then…..get at it. politics is the business of governing public institutions. be about the business.
Comment by Amy Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 5:58 pm
It is hard to see how ripping Quinn personally gets the GOP any points. The public wants Quinn to succeed, and the attacks look mean-spirited. Even if the attacks have effect, the GOP just leans into the left hook of “Lisa in 2010.” Why doesn’t the GOP want Quinn over Lisa as an opponent: he certainly has some very tough questions to answer.
One has to wonder if the average citizen is not only totally sick of Blago (I know I am), but wants leadership, not accusations.
The better path for the GOP is to start talking in earnest about the truly staggering problems now facing this state. Take a cue from the Congressional GOP - respectfully opposing the popular new guy on substance of his proposals and policies is fair game.
Comment by Bubs Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 6:23 pm
Quinn himself, as a Leader, should NOT expect a honeymoon. Perceive it as a potential risk, attack it head on, mitigate it, and move on with business.
Comment by Ahem...The REAL Anonymous Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 8:01 pm
Quinn T., Citizen’s right about the deletions or “being edited”, and application and meaning of the “favorite” and reserved phrase.
I must admit, however, that I’m stumped by the response (or lack thereof) to the Anonymous 5:36 posting. That seems to be something quite new.
Comment by Ahem...The REAL Anonymous Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 8:28 pm
why did george ryan wait until he wanted out of prison to to say he was sorry. Move over big george rods on his way to live with you. GO PAT GO .
Comment by quincy Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 9:18 pm
Andy McKenna really needs to get off the stage.
Yeah, Blago is so bad, that’s why McKenna had the state gop get behind a candidate for Congress who had given tens of thousands of dollars to Blago (Ozinga).
It’s time for McKenna to acknowledge he doesn’t know what he’s doing.
Comment by GOP'er Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 10:01 pm
Give the guy a break. I mean honestly. The state is in absolute turmoil, the economy is in the tank, the deficit is ballooning by the minute and the state’s not paying its bills. Give the guy some lattitude. There are much bigger fish to fry here than statements made on the campaign trail 2 1/2 years ago. I mean honestly, we just kicked the biggest embarrassment of this century out of office because he’s not only a crook but helped put the state in the position its in and we’re going to hound Governor Quinn, who is charged with the daunting, if not impossible task of fixing this stuff, over quotes made 2 1/2 years ago. Come on, keep your eye on the ball and focus on the important stuff and give the guy a chance to do his job.
Comment by It's over Monday, Feb 2, 09 @ 11:55 pm
No honeymoon is earned, so no. A politician earns a honeymoon via the mandate given to him or her by the electorate. Pat Quinn, like Buress, was not elected to the position for which he presently holds. Pat Quinn ran with Blago in 2006 and therefore should be treated like the taint that he is. He will have to live with the presumption of taint until he proves otherwise. Ignoring his own past words and deeds serves only to strengthen the presumption, not rebut it.
Comment by pmels Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 8:26 am