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[Posted by Kevin Fanning]
* Yesterday’s leaders’ meeting was quite the exercise in relentless finger pointing and political futility that is our sad state of Illinois politics.
The Governor and his allies on the capital bill continued to hammer Mike Madigan, and Madigan’s surrogates railed about their caucus’ distrust for the Governor. My favorite line by far was this though:
“He sends minions who admittedly say they have no authority to negotiate or make any decisions,” Blagojevich said. The governor said he would try to pass a law requiring Madigan to come to meetings if he could.
classic.
* Shortly after the meeting a memo from the Speaker to John Coli, president of the Teamsters Joint Council 25, was leaked to the press.
The Governor’s spokesman, Lucio Guerrero, said the letter reveals Madigan as “angry and isolated.” He’s partially right. The short, blunt letter doesn’t reflect well on the Speaker, and he’s definitely “out on a limb” as Rich wrote in the Cap Fax today.
However, Madigan still holds Mayor Daley as the ace up his sleeve in this fight, and judging by the Governor’s own admission yesterday that he hasn’t talked to the Mayor since officer Francis’ July 7th funeral, he still holds that ace pretty tightly.
* The Governor’s people claim that Madigan is being stubborn and downright obstructionist in his war against the capital bill. In many ways they are correct.
According to an inside source at the meeting, Representative Currie had told the Governor’s office beforehand that she wanted to personally see the individual reductions in the compromise capital bill. When presented with a box of over 600 line item reductions at the meeting, she quickly dismissed them.
Clearly the Speaker wants to do capital his way, but the pressure tactics employed by the administration seem childish at best.
The Governor has been on a PR blitz against the Speaker, but even that has come to backfire. The person he desperately needs to win over is Mayor Daley, and he all but severed that chance with his brash suggestion of using the Illinois National Guard to curb violence in Chicago.
And this letter? It was sent over 20 days ago. If that’s the best that they can do to turn the heat up on Speaker Madigan, than their chance for a compromise capital plan looks truly bleak.
* Related…
* Blago’s Meeting With Leaders Turns Sour
* Governor Proposes Shrinking Capital Plan, Abandoning Gambling Expansion
* City casino dealt out of the game
* So, the message is Madigan was right?
posted by Kevin Fanning
Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 9:34 am
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Instead of leaking letters to the press how about the Gov do something meaningful, like sign the ethics law that would bar him from shaking down 25k checks from all the contractors who would be getting chunks of the extremly high pay to play pot of money that is the capital plan. Until that ethics legislation is in place no elected official should be talking about giving the Goc even more money.
Any elected official pushing for this capital plan before we have signed protection from further shake downs by the Gov should be impeached.
Then again they should impeach the Gov as well.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 9:49 am
In this battle between the Gov and Madigan, I vote for Madigan!
Comment by Watch out now Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 9:49 am
It’s a bit ironic that the spokesperson for a Governor with a 13% approval rating would call anyone “angry and isolated.”
That said, I was pretty surprised by the letter. It’s not like MJM — the velvet hammer — to be so crass. I can only surmise that the letter followed one hell of a contentious conversation with Coli.
Comment by the Other Anonymous Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 9:53 am
What was the benefit of leaking here? We all know Blagojevich leaked this letter, so how could Madigan’s comments in it be a bigger deal than knowing that we have a governor who leaks private information for political retaliation?
13% approval? What is he shooting for -13%?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:00 am
I love the response by Madigan’s office:
“I’m not aware of the letter, and as you know the administration is run by very confused people,” spokesman Steve Brown said.
Note that he doesn’t deny the letter.
I don’t know that Blago looks any better by trashing Madigan, but I will say he may be starting to succeed in sullying Madigan. Whereas last summer and fall Madigan was the man leading the resistence to the governor’s cerebral cortez misfires, now he just seems to be another stubborn politician with a grudge.
Comment by South Side Mike Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:01 am
With his poor handling of this budget, a capital bill and the pay-to-play bill, Blagojevich is proving to Illinoians that Madigan is correct in not dealing with the Governor.
Now this. Would you want to sit down and discuss anything important with Rod Blagojevich?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:02 am
You go Ghost–is the Guv’s staff aware that Comptroller Hynes is traveling the State trumpeting Rod’s refusal to sign the pay to play legislation sitting on his desk for a month? Blago needs to extend the olive branch still further–but he will not do it cuz he thinks he will run again in 2010–after he collects hefty donations from contractors to rebuild the State’s infrastructure–
Comment by Anonymous45 Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:02 am
So no capital until the Gov. is politcally dead..a fight to the end, but most of us have always presumed the Speaker would survive..but this battle might end both of their careers. So what if Pres. Obama tells his surrogates in IL to get the statehouse mess cleared up because congressional reapportionment depends on it. So Emil sticks around… Barrack gets a new Gov and then what–they continue to put up with a Speaker that worked against both of them–I don’t think so. Just remember the discipline Harold Washington demanded of black legislators. Speaker might look into his caucus in a couple of years and not recognized anybody.
Comment by Crystal Ball Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:04 am
Is Madigan out of his mind putting THAT in a memo on his letterhead? I’m no fan of Blago but that is an embarrassment. Illinois deserves better.
Who else is desperately hoping it comes out that the memo’s fake?
Comment by Lurker Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:09 am
please. give me a break.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:12 am
Wow
It took the Blagoofers 20+ days to lay their hands on this alleged important document!
BTW at no time did Mr. Lucky or the other BoyToys deny the substance of the alleged document.
Yes friends look for a mid day release from the Blagoofers proclaiming they are not full of Bul%&**^*$&!
Remember they have aldready denied he is a sociopath.
Keep up the good work
Comment by DumberThanUThink Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:21 am
Kevin, what’s the break we need to give?
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:30 am
Also, just curious: what would the reaction have been if that letter had been sent on governor’s letterhead? Would the sarcasm towards its importance be replaced by puritan furor? Instead of dismissal, would we zero in how the expletive proves how juvenile the author is?
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:35 am
Well, this for starters…
===I’m no fan of Blago but that is an embarrassment===
But more importantly the issue, really? He said the word bullsh*t.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:35 am
CB–President Obama? Have you seen the polls of late? It’s a dead heat…methinks you’re bein’a bit presumptive…
unfortunately discipline must come from within the legislative branch…
Emil’s minions obey him, and Mike’s do the same…
maybe Emil and Mike should work tigether togo around the Guv on this one so they both appear to be working towards the State’s best interests instead of their own political gravitas…
Comment by Anonymous45 Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:39 am
Kevin, I’ll agree it’s a non-issue, but you can’t dismiss the fact that it is embarrassing. If Obama, or Blagojevich, or even Judy Baar Topinka had sent out a silly spiteful letter like this, it’d be embarrassing for them as well.
But Madigan is a certain hero around these parts and I guess we all really don’t want to be reminded he’s as much of a problem in Illinois as everybody and everything else.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:41 am
===Would the sarcasm towards its importance be replaced by puritan furor? Instead of dismissal, would we zero in how the expletive proves how juvenile the author is?===
Doubtful. What new information does it give us? They’re both at war with each other, that has been evident for a while.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:41 am
It’s a non-starter, and further proof that the gov is grasping at straws in his quest to remain marginally relevant.
And now Blago’s dangling the pay-to-play legislation in an effort to pass a capital bill. These two items are, and certainly should be, mutually exclusive - and by this I mean no piece of additional legislation should be considered until the pay to play ban is signed.
And assuming that a capital bill is approved, including the so-called lockboxes, what evidence exists that the gov will not thumb his nose at these provisions and unilaterally spend the $$$ as he sees fit? He attempted it with healthcare, and completely disregarded JCAR and the GA. The end result, of course, will be litigation, tying up the capital bill for a very long time.
Comment by The Doc Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:49 am
===Kevin, I’ll agree it’s a non-issue, but you can’t dismiss the fact that it is embarrassing. ====
Definitely agree, I said so in the post…
===The short, blunt letter doesn’t reflect well on the Speaker===
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 10:58 am
hmmm, I’m not having a problem with the memo. It’s much nicer than some of the things I think towards the governor’s plots n plans from time to time.
Comment by Princeville Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:06 am
lol
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:07 am
“Doesn’t reflect well.”
You’re quite right, that really is taking the guy to task for being as silly and stubborn as everyone else. With that out of the way, let’s get back to slinging around words like sociopath and childish and goofy.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:22 am
If the shoe fits…
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:28 am
Hey, I think I see a new revenue source to support the budget items vetoed or reduced by the Governor. For $1,000, to be deposited into the General Revenue Fund, you can have a suitably-framed letter from the speaker expressing his regret that you fell for the governor’s bs. Or get the deluxe edition hand signed with a little personal note for only $10,000! But the big money will come from auctioning off the order forms submitted by Emil and all the other legislators who feel the need for someone to validate their regrets over taking the Governor’s word for anything.
Comment by Anon Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:35 am
So, if we like words like that, how about words like dead-eyed, psychopathic, mobbed-up obstructionist?
Sorry, this is all so silly; it’s just a testament to this site that the vitrol and sarcasm (both in the posts and in the comments) never seems to go both ways. I understand the target readership, but it doesn’t make it any less one-sided.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:40 am
I think it’s a testament to your boss. What kind of comments are you expecting from a Governor with the lowest approval rating in the country. Pretty sorry excuse.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 11:50 am
I’m pretty sure the proportion of comments on this site supportive of Blagojevich exceeds the proportion of the state’s general population that supports him.
Comment by Greg Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:10 pm
Might testy, Kevin.
Well, you’ve proved your point and proved my point, can’t ask for mor than that. Call it a truce, then?
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:11 pm
Naw not testy. I’m blasting “why can’t we be friends” right now though. I may disagree, but I still have love for you guys.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:17 pm
Ha, then we’ll see you at the next presser. Also, notice I’m not denying or trying to squelch whatever you say about the guy. It’s just the whole thing is getting kinda repetitive and boring, no? The same commentators saying the same things about the same issues. Perhaps one of the reasons readership and comments have been down? Not trying to stick it to you guys, but Cap. Fax shouldn’t be such a one trick pony.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:24 pm
See I say something nice, and then you have to go and ruin the love. Unfortunate. Readership is down because we’ve been gone for a week and everyone else is on vacation. Maybe if your boy gave us a clear idea of when we were heading back to Springfield things would be different. He’s the proverbial one trick pony.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:27 pm
Oh Kevin, please don’t condescend; I may be a jerk, but I don’t fake nice while running the lamest caption contest this side of Highlights magazine.
I agree with you, I see your point, just wish you’d settle down enough to see mine.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:34 pm
1) Settled, you may consider the same.
2) Was being genuinely nice.
3) That caption contest is hilarious.
That is all.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:37 pm
Lol, alright, I was being unnecessarily snarky. I just wanted to make a Highlights magazine reference. You’re a nice guy, Kevin, and whoever wins the contest will make for some good conversation at Portillo’s.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 12:56 pm
fair enough. Gotta love Highlights.
Comment by Kevin Fanning Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 1:00 pm
And you gotta admit, this back and forth has made for a fun Friday, lol.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 1:00 pm
I was able to confirm the letter is authentic, so at least we know the administration has not resorted to forgery - whew
BTW as DumberThanUThink pointed out the administration has not disputed the essence of the letter.
Have a great weekend.
BTW Kevin you may not want to get into a dimly lit room with WonderBoy I think there is an atraction.
Comment by Steve Brown Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 1:31 pm
Ah, Steve Brown, our go-to guy for racist/misogynistic/homophobic comments on Cap. Fax. Nothing better than a good gay panic joke. We missed you Steve.
Comment by WonderBoy Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 1:42 pm
WB
lot of big words
I just wanted KFan to be aware of the opportunity
Comment by Steve Brown Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 2:31 pm
So why was this memo leaked?
Comment by Captain Flume Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 2:31 pm
MJM sure has a way with words - succinct and directly to the point. Sure is easy to follow his drift. lol !
Comment by A Citizen Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 2:53 pm
The letter makes Madigan look like what he is — Leader.
Comment by franny Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 2:57 pm
Once the house passed a balanced budget and the senate refused to also pass it, it would seem that the speaker cannot take the blame for any of this. And I am not a Madigan fan.
Comment by Chanson Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 5:02 pm
The federal government needs to declare Illinois a financial disaster zone and send in auditors, remove the elected officials from office and run the state for a year. Then they need to vet people to run the various agencies, such as a physician for Healthcare and Family Services, an accountant for Revenue, etc. People who have experience the the type of work the agency does. What does an attorney know about running a healthcare agency? Once the state is solvent again, have an election.
Comment by Disgusted Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 5:53 pm
I was not going to comment because I thought the letter was a joke. Frankly, I am disappointed. Not that he said it, but that he put it in writing on letterhead. Call the guy on the phone or drop by his office to express displeasure, but an official letter? I’m speechless.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 9:07 pm
And, apparently, naive.
There’s another good selling point for the CapFax: “The cure for naivety.”
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, Aug 1, 08 @ 9:12 pm