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Quinn’s balancing act

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* My syndicated newspaper column this week is about the challenges facing Gov. Pat Quinn. It’s not a unique topic these days, but I think it’s still worth a read…

Before Rod Blagojevich came along, Pat Quinn was often ridiculed as a camera-hungry huckster with lots of ideas and little follow-through.

But after six years of Blagojevich’s bomb-throwing, empty promises, flat-out lies, needless political wars and miserable failures, finally topped off with a shocking display of corruption and self-immolation, our new Gov. Quinn looks like a statesman by comparison.

Many of us are so shell-shocked since Blagojevich’s arrest and so thoroughly sick of seeing that awful man on our TV screens 24/7 that Quinn suddenly feels like a rush of fresh air.

It wasn’t all that long ago that Quinn was infamous for using every PR gimmick in the book to attract television cameras. In the process, he alienated pretty much the entire political establishment. But last week, after he was sworn in as our 41st governor, Quinn said that Illinois needed “humble” leadership and promised to work closely with everyone in government to move the state forward.

As Quinn has said, we do, indeed, need far more cooperation at the top levels of government. We need a healthy respect for the process and the principle of separation of powers. We need a more quiet, humble leadership. We need a far more rational, inclusive and open-minded approach to budgeting and policy-making.

I have gained quite a lot of respect for Quinn in the past few years. It started when I learned that he was attending the funerals and wakes of Illinois soldiers who were killed in our two foreign wars. He never tipped off the media about what he was doing. He didn’t speak at the events unless asked. He didn’t glad-hand the bereaved. Quinn just slipped into the somber ceremonies unannounced, paid his respects and left when it was over. And he always asked permission before attending. If the families didn’t want him there, he didn’t go.

Now, that’s a class act, I thought at the time. Still do, in fact.

But some of the “old” Pat Quinn re-emerged last year while he was still lieutenant governor during an intense legislative battle over a constitutional amendment for recalling elected officials.

The recall bill passed the House, but the Senate’s sponsor had been quoted as saying that the proposal was “stupid.”

Quinn shot back that “certain members” of the Senate were preparing a “phony baloney … sneak attack” on the recall proposal, then spent days holding news conferences throughout the state and meeting with newspaper editorial boards.

The reaction was not pretty. The Senate sponsor, Donne Trotter, was so infuriated by Quinn’s publicity tour that he refused to shake Quinn’s hand at a subsequent committee hearing. Trotter overreacted, of course, but Quinn’s attempt to use blunt force to push the proposal through the Senate failed, and did severe damage to his relationships with several members of that chamber.

Still, Quinn didn’t call out senators by name, did his very best to maintain a calm demeanor while the Senate committee members tore into him with relish, and even agreed to support a retaliatory proposal which would have terminated the lieutenant governor’s service if the governor was ever recalled.

So, I suppose that’s progress.

He now has a much larger bully pulpit as governor, however, and legislators are awful tired of being bossed around and publicly humiliated by Blagojevich over the past six years, so Quinn has a delicate task ahead.

One of his first orders of business, he has said, is passing new laws to prevent future Blagojevich-style disasters. Only when the public is satisfied that the state government’s ethics are back on track will they be willing to accept sacrifices in the face of the government’s fiscal meltdown.

But convincing those same legislators who were so hostile to him last year to go along with yet another push for recall and some even broader reforms will require a deft touch. He can’t show weakness, but he must avoid bluster. Another needless showdown could be disastrous, considering the gargantuan task ahead of fixing the almost hopelessly broken state budget and passing an expensive job creation bill, all while avoiding further damage to the state’s tanking economy.

No governor in Illinois history - perhaps even American history - has had to face such widespread disaster and hunger for change on such short notice as Quinn.

For all our sake, let’s hope he’s up to the task.

* Related…

* Obama to tap Duckworth for veterans post

* Quinn meets with Chicago Mayor Daley: New Gov. Pat Quinn is doing something his predecessor, Rod Blagojevich, rarely did: He’s talking to other top elected officials. Quinn met Monday with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley — who has called Blagojevich “cuckoo” and had run-ins with the ousted governor last year.

* Gov. Pat Quinn extends state hand in friendship, cooperation with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley: Asked if he also supports the $150 million [Olympics] guarantee, Quinn said, “I support whatever is necessary,” later noting the Illinois General Assembly must still vote on the issue.

*Governor Quinn Goes to Washington

* Quinn Meets With Movers And Shakers In Washington

* Quinn plans to meet with Obama adviser in DC

* Gov. Quinn in Washington Tuesday to meet with Durbin and rest of Illinois delegation

* Quinn to seek federal dollars in Washington

* Gov. Quinn has a lot of cleaning up ahead of him

* Alum Offers Illinois Clean Slate

* Obama, Quinn must do more than promise transparency

* Advice For Pat Quinn: ‘Grease The Wheels’?

* Executive Mansion gets some respect

* Another look at Pat Quinn

* Governor Quinn Gives Central Illinois Hope

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 9:56 am

Comments

It will be interesting to see if the GA works with Quinn, or if they try to bully him. It will be interesting to see how Governor Quinn reacts when legislative leaders begin talk of tax increases. This good will could go downhill quickly.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:13 am
Kind of hard to believe that Quinn was sitting in the cheap seats for Obama’s inauguration just two weeks ago. I don’t know if he turned down better seats but you would think someone from Illinois would have made sure to move him up to the podium. Amazing how quickly some things can change in politics and others never do.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:17 am
I want with all my heart to see Governor Quinn succeed. I am hoping he can bring the necessary reforms needed to a state absolutely worn out with corruption and people so disillusioned that they refuse to believe any politician could be honest.

His committee for ethics reforms headed by Patrick Collins was a great start, however, his announcement of moving the primary to September is an unnecessary political distraction that will only poison the atmosphere and accelerate partisan in-fighting.

Two steps forward and one step back is still a big improvement over never moving forward-as with Blago-but the mighty one will really have to walk gingerly as if on rice paper to succeed.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:17 am
Given the amount of time he has had to prepare for the real possibility that he would become Governor, I am surprised that we have not heard more from him about the authority that current staff in the Governor’s office have over the day-to-day operations of the state and an upcoming budget proposal. Going to DC is fine, but was hoping to hear more of cleaning up the backyard.

Comment by Captain Flume Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:24 am
Listen, I don’t mean this to sound as an attack on her. Consider me a political newcomer for the purposes of this question. But…

Would someone please fill me in on what Tammy Duckworth has done to climb the ladder so fast, besides actually being a disabled veteran?

Again, don’t get me wrong — I have a great amount of respect for her because of her service. But…what accomplishments have I missed?

Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:25 am
I think that we and our elected reps owe him considerable good will as he attempts to deal with
the extraordinary and simultaneous problems of a huge influx of federal cash, accompanied by the risk of massive corruption in Illinois’ largely unchanged pay to play political environment, and a significant budget deficit exacerbated by a major recession.

I was, however, not encouraged by his appearance
yesterday on Chicago Tonight. When Carol Marin asked about the Illinois budget deficit he was extremely vague, and when pressed as to whether it could be even 5 billion or double that he allowed as how it could. I have never heard any numbers close to 5 billion for this fy deficit but that’s not the point. He said he had met with the state’s budget director several times….shouldn’t he have a better handle on the problem? Shouldn’t the budget director, who, after all is a Blago holdover and presumably has access to the numbers? Or is all this talk about budget deficits supposed to scare us into a tax increase.

He may be honest but if he can’t count, or at least hire people who can count, we taxpayers are in trouble,

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:28 am
Cassandra, from the Daily Herald yesterday by Patterson & Milstead’s article:

“The current state budget, which covers spending through the end of June, is predicted to be short by nearly $2 billion. But that’s only the start of the problems. Continued economic sluggishness likely will drain $1 billion more in tax revenues from the next budget. At the same time, the state must spend another $2 billion to keep up with mandated pension and Medicaid payments”.

“Add it all up and Illinois could be nearly $5 billion in the hole before the debate even begins about increasing school funding or financing road, bridge and school construction to spur job growth, said state lawmakers who focus on budget issues.”

Comment by Princess Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:37 am
Cassandra: I have never heard any numbers close to 5 billion for this fy deficit

If you haven’t heard the $5 billion number then you haven’t been paying attention.

AP, Feb. 1: “A crushing budget deficit — between $2 billion and $5 billion”

Daily Herald, Feb. 1: “Illinois could be nearly $5 billion in the hole”

Trib, Feb 2: “a state budget deficit approaching $5 billion”

Etc.

Comment by Reality Check Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:39 am
Also, don’t forget this: people like Comptroller Hynes have a general idea of how big the deficit is, since he sees that the state is, in general, spending money faster than it’s taking it in. However, he likely does not know exactly where this money is “leaking” from since Blago’s agency heads and others were so secretive or evasive about it. There are several agencies I suspect were among the worst offenders and it’s going to take some time to dig through their books.

Comment by Secret Square Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:43 am
Does anyone know if Quinn took a commercial flight or the state plane? I saw a story that he was landing back at O’Hare at 7:55. I would assume if it were the state plane they would probably just say 8 o’clock. Knowing his reputation and what the auto guys went through when they took their private planes to DC I’m again guessing he is on a commercial flight.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:53 am
===what accomplishments have I missed?===

Accomplishments aren’t the whole story when hiring somebody. She’s an incredibly able person and much liked administrator.

We’ve got a president who was in the state Senate four years ago. Perhaps you should reassess why you believe decades of “accomplishments” are necessary to move up the ladder.

Plus, if that was the case, only old people would ever get the big jobs.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:54 am
Been There: Quinn took a commerical flight in coach.

I am impressed with Quinn’s first days in office. Meeting with the constituionals, Mayor Daley, the congressional delegation. These are good moves. Blago never worked well with anyone, and barely talked to these folks, if ever.

I did note that while Durbin’s name got play, Burris was not even mentioned. It will be interesting to see if he is present for the avail.

Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:57 am
Why wouldn’t the governor take the state plane?

The problem with Blagojevich is that he abused the service, not that he used it for legit purposes.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:57 am
Ah, now I see what you mean. Did he take the plane to DC? Thanks, NT, for clearing that up.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:59 am
I believe Quinn flew United-Coach.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 10:59 am
OK, I stand corrected, but there’s a big difference between 5 billion and “double that.”
My point is the same…if he and his budget director. a Blago holdover who presumably has had plenty of time to crunch the numbers–don’t know, who does? And who can we believe?

We can’t blame everything on our departed guv.
Are we saying that the Illinois state budgeting system is so backward or so opaque even to government officials that millions (or billions) could be “leaking” and nobody would know it? If so, maybe the feds should hold up on those massive stimulus dollars and dispense them directly from Washington.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:00 am
===if he and his budget director. a Blago holdover who presumably has had plenty of time to crunch the numbers–don’t know, who does?===

1) Would you trust the Blagojevich holdover?

2) One of the real problems is at the agency level. They had no direction for two months and it’s not clear how much they may have spent and on what they may have spent it.

Take a breath, Cassandra. Seriously. We’ll know soon enough.

Sometimes I think you complain just to complain, and the schtick is getting as old as Blagojevich.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:03 am
Sorry Rich. I was reading a linked story about Quinn going to DC and I was thinking it was mentioned in your above story. I agree its ok for him to take the state plane if it makes sense. I was just pointing out the possible negative PR hits.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:14 am
Rich, I didn’t suggest “decades” were necessary. I simply asked what accomplishments she had so far put forth. She’s obviously well-liked, and I have no problem with able people being put in jobs where they can do some good. Far from it, in fact.

President Obama was in the state Senate four years ago, sure. But Tammy wasn’t in business, or in government. She hadn’t run a political race or held a state job. She was promoted to major in the Illinois Army National Guard at the end of 2004, so for all intents and purposes she was still a Colonel. That is nothing to sneeze at, but it’s vastly different from a General or something of that nature. I will grant that she may have been on her way to an extremely high post before the accident, but I think it’s also fair to argue that she wouldn’t be in this position without the accident, either.

So my question was, what has she done to earn what I believe are rapid promotions, to lead Illinois’ Department of Veterans’ Affairs and to merit consideration to head up the US DVA, in just three years? There has to be something besides “she’s a good story”.

If the answer is, “she’s an incredibly able person and much liked administrator”, then fine. She may not have been my choice for the position, but I can respect that.

Again. I was asking, for my own edification, what she had done in the past four years to merit elevation to a high federal post. I didn’t mean to start a shooting war over “accomplishments”.

Comment by Concerned Observer Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:15 am
I really don’t complain just to complain. On the other hand, I don’t think public officials should be praised for doing what they are hired/elected to do. That’s why I rarely spend blogging time praising them.

I really do think that the best defense for the average citizen is to keep a close, critical eye on whatever our government is doing. And to speak out if you don’t like what you see.

Comment by Cassandra Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:25 am
Concerned Observer, I think the answer to your question is that some smart and talented people such as Emmanual, Obama, Durbin and others who have been tasked out to staff certain positions have decided to put their trust in her. That is how life works, if you are talented and it is recognized you move up.

She has been elevated quickly and it is not through nepotism-I give her credit.

Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:31 am
When’s the last time Rod flew coach? And did he ever as governor fly commercial?

Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:43 am
Your article:
Right as usual, Rich!

2003 was Blagojevich’s moment to shine.
2009 is Quinn’s.

Let us pray that our new governor is capable.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:44 am
It isn’t a typical day unmless Cassandra manages to rub people including me the wrong way…I thought Quinn did an outstanding job with Carol Marin on CT.
If you think that all the fiscal info will be flaoting at the top of the scum pond that was state government finances for the past six years Cassandra you are dead wrong. Let me list some of the the the things that Quinn has to get to the bottom of: how far behind payments are to service providers, (i.e. daycare) medicaid backlog, fund sweeps in the agencies, dummy political appointee hires, general hinkyness @ CMS, and fund raids…give me a break sister will you please back off a bit?…God forbid you find any of the public servants in IL worthy of just a little praise…

Comment by Anonymous45 Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 11:56 am
Quinn has a difficult set of choices to make. If he swears off campaigning of any sort (what I’d like him to do), the careerists in the government look at that as being “lame duck”, and so won’t feel as compelled to make deals and compromises.

If Quinn gets on the re-election bandwagon, he loses a lot of public favor and generates more in-fighting amongst the Madigans, the Gianoulii, the Hynes’, etc. all of which is non-productive.

I think sooner or later Pat will sit down with Mike and have “the talk”. Not about how babies are made, but about what it takes to have a smooth running dem administration and agenda for the next two years. I believe what it takes is for Pat to stay “above the fray” for the 2011 race and concentrate on steering the ship of state best as he can for two years. Mike’s side of that understanding will be to not block the guy that’s doing a lot of the dirty work his daughter would just as soon not have to do. Taxes, painful cuts, etc.

I think Pat should take the two years to make a way in the wilderness for the other gubernatorial aspirants… be John the Baptist, so to speak. If he’s successful at repair and reforming for his short term, he’ll get his reward one way or another. The folks that think of him as a lame duck will find out he has Mike Madigan and John Cullerton behind him, and they’ll soon get in line. (I’m talking to YOU, Senator Hendon).

With budget deficits and taxes ahead in the new sessions to be dealt with, the dems have no business squabbling for two years. It is time to show a really united and progressive front, so that there will be a list of accomplishments and a track record of competence to show in 2 years.

Or, you can hand it all over to the Republicans, if people can’t make a clear distinction between gridlockers and successful workers by then.

If Lisa runs, I’d like to see Mike step down as Speaker and party chair, and maybe Quinn could take the party chair reigns at that point, having demonstrated he has a higher calling. And yes, I HAVE had a beer while writing this, but still….

Comment by Gregor Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 12:39 pm
Anonymous45, holiday pay from the first week of September for Labor Day was just paid out on the January 28th paycheck for a DNR worker and I’d go so far to bet the time did not lay around on Hynes desk anywhere near that time frame

Comment by Princess Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 2:53 pm
===maybe Quinn could take the party chair reigns at that point====
Buy Gregor another beer. In order to take over the party chair you first need to be a State Central Committeeman. I can’t tell from my map if Quinn lives in the 4th or 5th District. If it’s the 4th he needs Ricardo Munoz to step aside. If it’s the 5th he would need DeLeo.

Comment by Been There Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 4:40 pm
God forbid you find any of the public servants in IL worthy of just a little praise

Just remember, one “aw shoot” (clean version for RM) cancels out 1000 “attaboys”.

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 5:13 pm
My understanding from some who work for Ms. Duckworth is that she is an exceptional person.

However, she suffers from many of the same problems as other Blagojevich appointees: Wants to do lots of good things, wants to certainly be recognized for those good things, but doesn’t have a clue how to accomplish anything, doesn’t care if it is really within rules, guidelines or the law, and doesn’t really want to work at understanding how to get something done within the system. She just wants it done, and wants to take credit.

Comment by In the Sticks Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 5:41 pm
Duckworth might survive the vetting-unlike those “old” people who Obama initially chose-eliminate those “old” choices-remember this is the era of change,or else

Comment by red dog Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 6:30 pm
Dear Six: Maybe for you pal…

Comment by Anonymous45 Tuesday, Feb 3, 09 @ 8:29 pm
Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must Have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:
‘Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The response:

Regarding ‘A wake-up call from Luke’s jets’ On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day..

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer’s recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I’m sure you didn’t hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son’s flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, ‘Whom do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you…..Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

USAF

Comment by Quinn T. Sential Wednesday, Feb 4, 09 @ 2:07 am