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Quinn hands state’s highest honor to political foe

Posted in:

* Bloomberg

Hillary Clinton returned to her Illinois roots to accept her latest award, offering reflections on her childhood while making no mention of a future that could include a 2016 presidential bid.

Speaking yesterday in Chicago, the home of President Barack Obama, Clinton called Abraham Lincoln “the greatest president who ever served our country” as she accepted the Order of Lincoln. She made no mention of Obama — who derailed her in the fight for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination and then named her secretary of state — or the presidency of her husband, Bill Clinton.

* But this choice nugget was buried deep in the story. Emphasis added

Some of the other seven persons who received the award yesterday were Duke University basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski, former UAL Corp. Chairman Glenn Tilton, private equity investor John Canning and attorney Newton Minow, a former Federal Communications Commission chairman. [Emphasis added.]

* Hmm. Newton Minow. Does that name sound familiar? Maybe this recent Tribune op-ed by Minow will jog your memory

President John F. Kennedy once said that “sometimes party loyalty asks too much.”

I believe Kennedy was right as we consider the election for Illinois governor this year. As a longtime member of the Democratic Party, I’m taking a leave of absence from the Democratic Party’s campaign for governor in November and will vote for Republican Bruce Rauner for governor.

I couldn’t find any video or photos of Quinn’s presentation to Minow of the state’s highest award, so we missed out on one heck of a caption contest today. Perhaps you can make something up for us in comments.

Have fun.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:11 am

Comments

  1. Once the cameras have left…And, honorable mention goes to….

    Comment by A guy... Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:16 am

  2. Mr. Minnow is someone to honor. Best do it while he is still alive. His pro-Rauner comments don’t erase his accomplishments over the past half century.

    Comment by VanillaMan Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:22 am

  3. Secretary Clinton called Quinn the “luckiest politician” after Daley dropped out…not exactly a ringing endorsement.

    Still, I doubt she is much of a Rauner fan.

    Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:28 am

  4. It appears that John Canning has not given to Rauner. I find that interesting.

    Comment by Reality Check Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:29 am

  5. In the immortal words of the immortal Bill,

    Whoops.

    Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:29 am

  6. –Still, I doubt she is much of a Rauner fan.–

    Why, did he lose all his money?

    The universe of those who can underwrite $250K for a speech ain’t that large.

    Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:32 am

  7. I had thought Mr. Minow was a man of integrity. I have reason to believe in light of Rauner that he is not. There is too much Rauner pay-to-play taking place around the state and that is when principles go out the window.

    Comment by justsayin' Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:33 am

  8. “Swimming with the sharks, Minnow?”

    Comment by Walker Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:37 am

  9. Think Minow will suddenly find he’s too busy to help out Rauner?

    Comment by W Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:40 am

  10. “After the presentation, Minnow was heard complementing how the award’s neck ribbon had been finely crafted into a noose.”

    Comment by Ken_in_Aurora Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:45 am

  11. The technical Lincoln awards were given out at a Peoria Steak and Shake on Tuesday

    Comment by OneMan Monday, May 5, 14 @ 10:54 am

  12. Minnow: “Quinn gave me this medal and I still have to wait in line to vote.”

    Comment by Pete Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:18 am

  13. == Think Minow will suddenly find he’s too busy to help out Rauner? ==

    Nope, the awards were announced a while back.

    Comment by OneMan Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:25 am

  14. Without video, it is impossible to tell how he handled this. I am also unsure whether he could have done anything to stop this from happening if Minnow was selected by an independent group.

    Regardless, I assume Quinn awarded this with a smile on his face and a hearty “congratulations”. If so, that is a classy move. Good for you, Governor.

    Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, May 5, 14 @ 11:48 am

  15. I was there and it’s Minow’s speech that was really astonishing. He actually put forth the proposition that Lincoln was fortunate to have been assassinated at just the right time in his life! His argument was that if it had happened much earlier, Lincoln would have been seen as a failure as a wartime President, and if it had happened much later he would have been criticized for the ugly post-war reconstruction period. How can anyone question the insight of a man who believes Lincoln was fortunate to have been assassinated at just the ideal time.

    Newton Minow is clearly one exceptionally perceptive intellectual heavyweight—NOT!

    My caption would be PQ with a shocked look on his face saying, “Say WHA…”?!?

    Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:15 pm

  16. The space between Pat Quinn’s lips and the truth is a vast wasteland.

    Comment by Meanderthal Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:22 pm

  17. The number of regular voters likely to even know about this? ~zero.

    Comment by Toure's Latte Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:26 pm

  18. TL, and your point is?

    Comment by Rich Miller Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:28 pm

  19. – His argument was that if it had happened much earlier, Lincoln would have been seen as a failure as a wartime President, and if it had happened much later he would have been criticized for the ugly post-war reconstruction period.–

    Sounds like a late-night dorm room “discussion.”

    (bubbling noise, long exhale) “Hey Newt, (cough, cough) Did you know JFKs secretary was named Lincoln, and (cough, cough) Lincoln’s secretary was named JFK, uh, I mean Kennedy? How messed up is that? (click, bubbling noise……)

    Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:13 pm

  20. - Mighty M. Mouse - Monday, May 5, 14 @ 12:15 pm:

    FWIW, I’ve heard the same basic argument made about JFK.

    Doesn’t mean I necessarily believe either one, but it is a valid point that could be argued back and forth … preferably over some cold liquid refreshment.

    Comment by RNUG Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:31 pm

  21. Somehow I think had Lincoln lived, Reconstruction would have worked out differently.

    Fun Fact–The SS Minnow was named for Newton.

    Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, May 5, 14 @ 1:57 pm

  22. How many Republicans can you endorse and still call yourself a Democrat ?

    Minnow has backed every GOP candidate since George Ryan ! Just say you used to be a Democrat already what’s the point in pretending.

    Comment by siriusly Monday, May 5, 14 @ 2:47 pm

  23. He wasn’t being honored for his politics, but for his work. Whom he endorses is irrelevant.

    Comment by VanillaMan Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:03 pm

  24. @wordslinger -

    I think you misjudge Secretary Clinton. She called Lincoln the greatest president ever…I doubt she is a fan of those who think equality ought to be left up to a referendum. In fact, she spent a good deal of time scolding national leaders who hold the view that minority rights are a question of majority will, rather than inalienable.

    Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, May 5, 14 @ 3:41 pm

  25. Hate to burst the Bubble of some folks and their Comments above, but as far as the Legal Community sees it, here’s just one lawyer’s opinion on who he’s voting for. Whoopie Doo. There are thousands and thousands of OTHER Illinois Attorneys, popular and run-of-the-mill, alike, who will be casting their votes in November for Pat Quinn.

    Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, May 5, 14 @ 6:53 pm

  26. P.S. Oh, and I forgot to mention that, although maybe not many, but some of those same lawyers will be Republicans…!

    Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, May 5, 14 @ 6:55 pm

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