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* Three of the four Republican candidates talk about how they’ll deal with Speaker Madigan…
On Wednesday, Brady, Dillard and Rutherford each said they had demonstrated their ability to work with Madigan and Democrats in the past without surrendering their principles.. “I know it might be a populist thing in the Republican primary to not admit that,” [Rutherford] said. “But the fact is they are the speaker and the president, you should be able to have a Sunday afternoon conversation, perhaps even have a meeting in one of the two’s offices.”
Dillard, of Hinsdale, said he sometimes gets criticized “in a Republican primary because I have worked across the aisle with Democrats to successfully move things along.”
He cited his work as chief of staff in the first year of GOP Gov. Jim Edgar’s administration in working with Madigan while keeping lawmakers in extended session and “the state didn’t come to a grinding halt.” Dillard, who also appeared in an early presidential campaign TV ad for then-Democratic U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, said his background showed he had the “bipartisan chops” to work with a “Chicago-led legislature successfully.”
Brady, the unsuccessful 2010 GOP nominee from Bloomington, repeatedly cited his lone support among the four contenders for a new state law aimed at eliminating the state’s $100 billion unfunded public worker pension liability over the next 30 years. Brady served on a special legislative panel that designed the law.
“I’m the only Republican candidate for governor who actually worked with the Democrats, convinced them that we needed meaningful pension reform,” Brady said. “That’s the kind of governor we need — someone who’s willing to take bold positions to work with the Democrats and make sure we pass them.”
* The Question: Regardless of the candidate you support, which of the four Republicans do you think would work most effectively with Speaker Madigan? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:22 pm
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Rutherford has the least baggage at this point.
Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:25 pm
Dillard or Rutherford can be reasonable, Rauner and his money dont mind working with and supporting Democrats, Brady, well cant we all just ignore Brady.
Comment by fed up Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:29 pm
I’m not sure who to vote for. I think in the end all of them realize that they need to work with Madigan. Honestly, I think Rauner would probably do the best job.
Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:30 pm
I think every time Dillard mentions Edgar we all should drink…
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:36 pm
The answer to today’s question is also who you think understands the most that sitting in the Big Chair also means you understand 1/3 of this state’s government rests in the oath they take, and one half of 1/3 of the state government’s power rests in the Illinois House and MJM.
To get things done, understanding these “givens” in the Illinois Political “geometric proof” is essential.
That being said, Brady, Dillard, and Rutherford stand outside Rauner, as Rauner attempts to sell the idea that this “proof” can not be proven.
I voted for one of the “3″, as I recognize Rauner either needs to be like Bruce Rauner, and be that “insider’s insider” to be effective, and govern 180 degrees the opposite as he is running, or govern, truly, as “Bruce Rauner” and be disqualified from being able to work with MJM.
“Bruce” v. Bruce again. Who do you believe?
“Bruce” won’t, Bruce lives his entire LIFE as an insider, so to answer, you need to know which of the two takes the Oath of Office.
Who said you would never use geometry.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:43 pm
I’m still trying to untangle the Raunerian knot (apologies to Gorgon) that OW just tied above.
Rauner could win and could be the acclaimed successor to Jesse, The Body, Ventura, former governor of Minnesota.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:49 pm
There once was a south suburban GOP House member who hated Mike Madigan. She would constantly rail against Madigan, called him corrupt and ran for the Board of Review chiefly so she could expose Madigan’s property tax corruption. When she got to the board, she faded from view, mainly because she didn’t find what she thought she’d find. She ended up asking MJM for some campaign help.
I voted Rauner. Maybe I’m just hoping against hope that he’s just slinging red meat and doesn’t really want to start another Rodlike war to the death.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:51 pm
As to this issue, my first reaction was that Dillard could work best with Madigan. However, if Rauner is elected, with his network of big donors behind him, he could be a serious threat to Madigan by working to turn some D seats R in the future. Perhaps the question should have been phrased: “Who would Madigan most likely pay better attention to?”
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:57 pm
Rich,
The “son” learned from Mom?
Could explain the endorsement…
The correct “Mo”, just not Moe Green. lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 1:59 pm
Maureen Murphy…Mike Madigan…same initials…just saying.
I voted Rutherford simply because I think he is the only guy who could actually win the primary and the General. Otherwise it doesn’t really matter. You either work with the Speaker, or you get run over.
Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:02 pm
That would be Gordian, not Gordon knot
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:04 pm
Rutherford is the one most likely to be able to work with MJM. I think Rauner would figure out very soon when/if he wins the general that he REALLY needs to work with MJM, but I think Rauner will bad-mouth MJM so much during his campaign that MJM would refuse.
Comment by Oswego Lite Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:11 pm
Voted for Rutherford for basically the same reason as Jaded put forth.
As for Rauner, can’t believe that his ego will allow him to back down; he apparently wasn’t paying attention during Blago’s terms.
From the tone of your comment Rich, it would appear that you think Rauner will win… hope you are wrong…
Comment by downstate commissioner Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:16 pm
I (perhaps naively) voted for Rutherford. A) Process of elimination. B) Less history of personal clashes. C) Less tempremental than the others.
I was tempted to vote Rauner, but I’m just not sure that political compromise, etc. is in his DNA.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:19 pm
Sorry, but I’d imagine some like me are still looking at the question and asking “to what end?”
Not a reflection on any one particular individual. Just an observation that the various combinations could possibly produce difference results depending on the objectives, both stated and otherwise.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:24 pm
@Louis G. Atsaves==Agree that Dillard would probably work best with MJM having actually worked in the Executive branch for Edgar and Thompson.
But on Rauner–He might turn some R seats to D in the future.
Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:34 pm
the party wants someone who will be batman destroying madigan’s joker, not his alfred bringing him tea on a silver tray.
And my answer is none of the above because madigan is the 1992 dream team and those guys are all rec league bench players and madigan will destroy them.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:44 pm
Rutherford. Madigan is acting at a different level than everyone else. Dealing effectively with him requires a high level of intelligence, a deep knowledge of the sprawling State government as well as sophistication in the workings and procedures of the General Assembly. It is not a job for blowhard rookies. Populist confrontation goes nowhere, as Blago learned.
Comment by Percival Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:45 pm
Not sure anyone wants to win this survey — just another Rauner campaign commercial ready to expose the survey results. Then again, it could play well with independents and moderates who understand, unlike Quinn, that the Governor and the Speaker need to be in rooms together more often than just inaugurations and State of the State addresses.
Comment by woodchuck Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 2:59 pm
Rutherford ha statewide credibility. That ought to give him some leverage with the Speaker.
Dillard…nothing except some collar counties.
Rauner…bad news like today and he is slipping.
Brady…OK elsewhere but very little in the metro area.
Comment by Mongo Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 3:09 pm
Rutherford would get run over by Madigan, no real experience in legislative actions. Dillard would be most effective by far.
Comment by downstate hack Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 3:26 pm
I attended today’s candidate forum at the Union League Club. I don’t know any of the candidates well, but my takeaway is:
BRADY - Still an empty suit. Having permanently damaged himself with women in 2010, he can’t win in the General and really should drop out. Regardless how many times he quotes Jeb Bush needing two races to win FL’s gubernatorial race, Brady is no Jeb Bush.
DILLARD - Nice enough guy and all, but still doesn’t understand how to connect. Came across like gooey white bread: Okay, but hardly satisfying. Kept championing his running mate’s family’s business, but couldn’t remember if it employed 2,000 or 3,000 or 4,000 employees. If you’re going to cite, CITE. Otherwise, leave it alone. I agree with OneMan, every time he mentions Edgar, we should drink.
RUTHERFORD - Knew the least about him, but he was by far the most impressive today. Thoughtful answers. Came across as both credible and authentic. Think he would be the most effective of the three opposite Quinn in a debate. Will pay closer attention to him.
RAUNER - No show today, of course. I’m not a big fan of CEOs who think they can “straighten out” the political process as that usually means only that they don’t understand how the political process is supposed to work. I fear his resources will let him outlast his R opponents and win the nomination, but I don’t see how he can win in the General Election. To do that he needs the support of swing voters, but to do that he needs to be meeting them at every opportunity, including events like today’s. He’s running a Rahm Emanuel ignore-my-opponents campaign, but he overlooks the fact that Rahm was a known entity when he ran. Rauner is not. And when he stumbles badly as he has on unforced errors, well, that hardly builds confidence among those swing voters.
Comment by Cook County Republican Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 4:05 pm
Due to his fine answer on Chicago Tonight and diligent work on/loyalty to the much-needed Bi-partisan pension bill, my first inclination was to lean Brady. But Kirk Dillard has been known over his many years to be willing to compromise and move to the middle to get something done while working in good faith with Democrats–even going so far as to publicly complimenting the Democrat President Obama–and REALLY taking a lot of heat for it…so Mr. Dillard does get the nod for the “best” one of the group from me as to this question.
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 4:14 pm
Rutherford isn’t a hard liner. He seems like the one most who would want to cut a deal. I think he’d get out of Madigan’s way and try and negotiate a face saver before he’d get run over.
Comment by hmmmm Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 4:28 pm
==Rutherford would get run over by Madigan, no real experience in legislative actions.==
Yea you are right. He only started off in Thompson’s patronage office; served in both the House and the Senate (20 years); is one of maybe 5 Republican legislators still holding a state elected office that served in the House Majority in 95-96; and is the only one of the four running that has actually won an election for a constitutional office. Madigan probably likes Dillard the best out of all of them, but to say Rutherford has absolutely no experience in legislative actions pretty much makes you clueless.
Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 4:55 pm
None would do exceptionally well with Madigan.
Voted for Dillard, because he’s literally the only one who fully understands the state budget, and the workings of the executive branch. I don’t think he’ll make it through.
Rutherford has some strengths too.
Rauner, knowing nothing, and assuming all is easily learned, would take three years to figure out how Madigan outmaneuvered him.
With a deeply-experienced coach, and a strong right-hand hammer, Rauner just might pull it off with his native intelligence. He also would have to figure out how and when to partner with Madigan, and not just contend with him.
I just don’t see Rauner deferring in those ways.
On the other hand, Madigan responds to strength, intelligence, firm decisions, and a good challenge. He might relish Rauner in the role.
Comment by walker Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 5:08 pm
I think Dillard has the same bluster that Quinn does and he’s the least likely to negotiate with Madigan. He’d take things personally when Madigan goes against him and wouldn’t compromise when it makes sense.
Rauner is second last because I don’t think he really wants to compromise. I think he has ideas in his mind and those aren’t going to change.
Brady is second most likely because I think he, at his heart, is a statesman. Just not the most likely to embrace the middle ground that he is going to have to embrace. His position on taxes are the most glaring example.
I think Rutherford will compromise. He’s got the savvy and the will to get things done. He doesn’t have much baggage. I think that he’s the least likely of the four to see Madigan as the enemy.
Comment by Timmeh Wednesday, Jan 22, 14 @ 7:49 pm
Voted for Rauner because I feel that his past shows that he is more aligned with Madigan and the Democrats than it does with Republican values. I believe Bruce is simply telling Republicans what they want to hear so he can make it through the GOP Primary. Once elected, he will help Madigan deal with the state’s problems.
Comment by Henry Clay Thursday, Jan 23, 14 @ 7:30 am
Rauner and Madigan, cut from the same cloth, would get along wonderfully. It’s the rest of us who would suffer.
Comment by kmbd Thursday, Jan 23, 14 @ 8:49 am