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* What grade (A-F) would you give Gov. Pat Quinn since the end of the spring legislative session?

Explain.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:31 am

Comments

D-. Elected with Rod money, now acting like Rod. Way to go “Governor”.

Comment by bill washerton Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:34 am
Let’s be charitable — Incomplete.
However if he starts with the Blagoof nonsense starting and stopping the crisis then it is F-
(BTW can anyone explain how the “deficit” doubled in four months?)

Comment by Boxing Cross Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:36 am
D+

Today’s “event” in the Bilandic Building should have happened in March. It’s June now, and he’s just getting started. Not good.

Thank God he spent all that time getting his ethics legislation passed though. In terms of an effective legislative strategy, it was bass ackwards.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:37 am
D
Just more political posting and rhetoric.

Comment by Downstater Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:40 am
What kind of curve are we talking about here? As opposed to the bang-up job Cullerton and Madigan are doing?

Comment by Dirt Digger Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:40 am
C (average).

Rich pointed out before Blago’s impeachment and in the days after that recovering from this “perfect storm” was going to be a Herculean task.

Quinn’s been Quinn since the swearing in. He hasn’t done anything more than anyone expected (to earn an A or B) but also hasn’t completely imploded the state (yet — to qualify for D or F).

Comment by Rob_N Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:40 am
D+ He inherited a miserable situation, so the curve helps him a bit. However, he has failed at almost everything. Ethics: He was out-flanked and forced to agree to a weak/worthless bill. Budget: could not lead and get his issues passed during Session. Staff: poor choices for key positions results in poor outcomes. His only bright spot is people in Springfield appeared to want to work together, at least for a couple of months. That may be ending now, but he had that going for some time.

Comment by Red Ranger Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:40 am
B
As in Blagojeviched, or Blagojeviching

Comment by Annon3 Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:42 am
I’m with Rob N. C.

Comment by Greg B. Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:43 am
Anyone following Rod has to start at a C just because they aint him. Quinn has regressed from there to a weak C-. He did figure that half a loaf was better than none on the ethics bill, and sat in Committee declaring a success. That took “some” political moxie, however, with the budget and the capital bill he has flunked. He still has not made the case for an income tax hike, and he continues to live in his cocoon without any real political advise or advisor. He has NO FRIENDS in politics, and therefore is forgetting that the job is part political. He has surrounded himself with NICE people, but they have no idea about running a government and dealing with legislators. Too bad, he had the world at his feet when Rod left, and he just has not figured it out yet. C- dropping like the subprime market!!!

Comment by ivoted4judy Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:45 am
F - As in Filanomics.

Also, we are no closer to a solution than we were when we adjourned on June 1 at 2:30 in the morning. We knew long before Quinn even took the oath we had a budget mess on our hands. Instead of getting to work right away, here we sit with 14 days left before vets, addicts, kids, etc. are kicked out in the street.

Comment by So. ILL Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:46 am
D
He didn’t get his budget passed, he didn’t get his ethics package passed and he didn’t get his capital bill either. If he would have negotiated and compromised and brought everyone to the table perhaps he might have something to show for it.

I would have given him a D+ last week, but the 4 month contract for Filan was an aggravating factor for me.

Comment by siriusly Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:46 am
D In ordinary circumstances he might get a C for effort and good intent.

He has not made his position on the budget a solid one. He started out with a strong position that here was his proposal and if the GA did not agree with it they had to come up with a better one that would deal with the deficit and cover state operation. He would not accept anything else. Then he backed away from that. He said state employees would have to make concessions over and above what they were making as taxpayers. Then he met with the teachers and told them there wouldn’t be concessions. Then he came out with the doomsday budget and threatened thousands of union layoffs. Then he joins the union hotel workers in Chicago in their march against management over fair wages. Now he is asking the GA to come back in session to address the six month budget they gave him. He is hard to take serious when he is all over the place.
He followed Blago, the first governor to be removed from office and pledged to fumigate state government and rid it of all of the Blago appointees. Then he makes the author of Blago’s financial plan, which we know was a disaster, his main budget guru.
It’s almost as if he has a bet with somebody that he can find more ways to cripple himself than they think he can. He almost brings to mind Jimmy Carter. A good guy with good intentions but terrible advisors and a penchant for stumbling and appearing inept.

Comment by Irish Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Dirt Digger wins the most hilarious response, hands down.

Since the end of the legislative session, I’d give him a C-:

Legislative Strategy: B. The easy way out would have been to veto this budget or call it a six month budget, and kick the can down the road. But the Big Easy is usually the wrong choice. By signaling every intent to sign it, Quinn’s controlling the momentum.

Message: C. Focusing on cuts to services is the way to go, but I’d focus less on programs that sound like things “for the poor” and focus more on things like college scholarships, elder abuse and child abuse, rape services and domestic violence.

Messengers: C-. Quinn looks good on t.v., but these threats of cuts to programs are MUCH more credible if they come from leaders of the AARP, Illinois PTA, etc., on camera, with Quinn standing behind them.

Targets: D-. Quinn’s spending WAAAY too much time in Democratic districts, especially in Chicago, and way too little time if any in Republican districts.

He should have had press conferences at SIU-C, SIU-E, ISU, EIU, WIU and NIU by now announcing cuts to student financial aid and impact on universities.

Pontiac and Stateville should be aware that they’re about to be closed, along with every single state veteran’s home.

Statesmanship: D? We really don’t know what really goes on behind close doors, but in tomorrow’s legislative meeting, Quinn should shoot straight and say: “Republicans, you’ve told us to cut and cut, but you’ve never said how much or really even where, and I for one am really BLEEPING tired of negotiating with myself. So tell me right now how much you’d like us to cut and where, and how many votes I can count on you for to pass the tax increase that’s needed to fill whatever remains of the $9.2 Billion budget hole.”

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:05 pm
B.

Huge improvement over predecessor in the areas of trying to work with the General Assembly and the legislative leaders and trying to confront long-term fiscal problems. Needs to delegate more.

Comment by There you go again Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:06 pm
At least a D and quickly rushing toward an F. This guy had so much good will after the ousting of Blagoofball and he has squandered it ridiculously. Gutless is charitable.

Comment by KGB Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:08 pm
B-; would be a C or C+, but he still gets a little extra credit in my book for not being Blago.

Comment by Niles Township Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:09 pm
F- Just when you think he is a true reformer. He makes goofyy political moves. IE Everyone should return thier campaign contributions and Lisa should become co governor and help get the income tax hike approved. Pick a side Pat.

Comment by rukidding Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:18 pm
D. He has yet to make any kind of a case that is convincing to the electorate with regard to increasing the state income tax. Quinn needs to stop advocating his case in front of African-American Church audiences where he is just preaching to the choir, both figuratively and literally, and start addressing the concerns of middle class Illinoisans who are poised to vote out of office legislators who vote in favor of an income tax hike. The Governor needs to get out of his comfort zone and risk taking some boos.

Comment by Felix Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:24 pm
The grade a C. Pat Quinn doesn’t understand that Illinois’ anti-business reputation isn’t helped by talking about higher taxes. Pension reform, union reform, and political reform are needed right now. Quinn is at least honest that he wants to raise taxes.

Comment by Steve Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:27 pm
For a supposed unconventional guy, Governor Quinn has become very conventional at a time when convention has been exposed as broken. Where are the fresh ideas? Where is the courageous truth telling? He became governor after we impeach and convict his predecessor, yet he forms a committee for ethics and reform in the General Assembly? He inherits one of the worse budgets in state history, has witnessed broken state government for three years, but he delivers this line of crap in mid-June?

If Governor Quinn was a fireman dispatched to a five alarm blaze, would he show up with an empty beach pail? Sure, Blagojevich would have claimed there was no fire, but Quinn’s approach is embarrassingly amateur. What did this guy do for the past thirty years in government, and the last six as Lt. Gov? Did he learn nothing?

He might have been a refreshing goo-goo back in the olden days, but he appears increasingly out of his league regarding leadership and effectiveness. At a time when Illinois is roasting on an open fire, we don’t need a governor who insists on training us on fire dangers.

D-

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:28 pm
D-
Either lead, follow, or get out of the way! Fence sitting does not get the job done.

Comment by A Citizen Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:29 pm
C - Better than Rod, but that’s not saying much. Did not get a budget but is still having conversations with all players. He needs to remember not to make threats that he isn’t willing to carry out.

Comment by make it so Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:32 pm
Grade D—Pat Quinn is a very decent human being, but he seems clueless when dealing with the legislature. A good example was the press conference today which focused on human service providers. Here’ a clue…Any legislator that really cared about Human Service providers has already voted for his budget. Quinn needed to address issues that will put new votes on the board for his budget priories. YDD raised some good points…student loans…prison closings…ect… Perhaps Steve can tell us when state government’s tax receipts cash flow runs out and when we either can’t met a payroll or risk defaulting on a bond payment. Illinois will be functionally bankrupt with the current budget, whether the state can seek bankruptcy protection or not.

Comment by Louis Howe Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:34 pm
F for Failure to exorcize Filan and Ostrow from his budget process. Also turning a 6 month budget into a 12 month disaster. Who’d have thought Quinn would oversee the dismantling of the Human Service Agencies. Nice guy eh?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:39 pm
A for proposing a very necessary tax increase.
B for not being Blago.
C- for strategy
F for no results in resolving budget crisis.
C-minus overall, but if the fiscal crisis is not resolved without doomsday cuts to human services, then his final grade will be a D-

Comment by Captain America Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:39 pm
D+ No reform, OT session, using scare tactics, and is being told what to do by Madigan.

Not what I expected out of him back in January.

Comment by scoot Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 12:41 pm
C

Average, he’s not doing superior A, good B, or worse D, or failing F.
So he’s not making things better or worse.

Comment by Third Generation Chicago Native Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:00 pm
D. As far as getting anything accomplished in a meaningful way, it’s the same as it was under Blago. He avoids an F for not being a blatant criminal like his predecessor.

Comment by BigDog Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:02 pm
D- Not failing, but close. I expected MORE…I expected more cooperation and negotiation with the top 4. I just see that with a mop of hair or without hair, things are still pretty much the same. I looked for leadership and there is none. I looked for change, not. Very D-isappointing. Madigan still controls and still mucks it up. Time for him to go…. Quinn can’t control him either.

Comment by anon36 Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:05 pm
Since the end of the session? C-. The effort’s there, but the timing is terrible because no one’s listening.

But he should have been barnstorming the state back in February when he still had the Blago Goodwill.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:10 pm
A - He hasn’t increased government waste

Comment by Leroy Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:13 pm
Incomplete.

If I were his teacher I would not let him sit for the final exam. No budget agreement. No meaningful changes in Blagojevich hires. No other meaningful proposals. It’s as if he wakes up each morning and says to himself “Hmmmm, I wonder what I should do today.”

Comment by Cosmic Charlie Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:14 pm
F- All he had to do was maintain until the next election and he’s just continueing the Blaggof legacy with Blagoof clowns.

Comment by Dan S, a Voter and Cubs Fan Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:17 pm
I would give him an incomplete, because he was just recently tossed into the Governor’s office. BUT, he has been involved in(some might say gadflying about) state government in Illinois since the 1970’s. He ought to have been able to do a better job over the last four-five months of getting through the budget crisis.

It should have been framed as a “Rod got us into this” crisis (even though it is soooo much more than that). He should have been called the four tops in for a weekly dinner at the mansion starting week one. (Topic of discussion: the budget.)

The Rod thing gives everyone cover, throw in some cuts, declare a structural deficit, propose a choice of tax increase OR serious cuts in March at the budget address and start sending out the notices then, not in June.

He should have known all that and acted on it immediately.

Also, if he really cares about the state the way he has always said he does, reelection concerns would have taken a back seat.

D- (and I’m being generous.)

Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:22 pm
Attendance - A
lives in the mansion - A
Hasn’t been indicted - A
Plays well with others - B

In all seriousness, Quinn had little going for him in the first place. He is the accidental governor. I thought that maybe all of the enemies that he made 30 yrs. ago would be gone by now, but evidently people have long memories.

Comment by Shelbyville Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:36 pm
I give Quinn an A for trying to do the right thing.

His legislative session was an F though. I dont think he has the right people around him.

Comment by Maximus Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 1:57 pm
D - He talks big a lot, and always backs down.

Comment by doc Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 2:16 pm
Man, some of you people are brutal. How about at least a ‘B’ for, well, for not making all of you so crazy and hungry for blood like the previous Governor did? And why no accounting for that budget the legislature tossed Gov. Quinn’s way? I know it wasn’t in the question but still, that should at least make this a grading scale with a curve don’t you think?

Comment by Wow Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 2:20 pm
===Man, some of you people are brutal.===

You just noticing this? lol

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 2:28 pm
Haha, actually no Rich

Comment by Wow Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 2:30 pm
C- some minor reforms passed, but budget still not passed on time. Hard to do when working with Boss Madigan.

Comment by avarus Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 2:36 pm
For not being Blago - A
For sometimes forgetting the lessons of Blago - D
For having his heart in the right place - A
For administering, assembling a management team and doing the grunt work and negotiating required of a CEO of a 70,000 employee empire- D-

Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 2:48 pm
A “B” for good intentions and honesty. An “F” for poor judgement in retaining the products of the corrupt previous administration. (Filan and Lavin)
An “F” for faulure to understand that huge cuts and program roll backs, in addition to a huge tax increase are all necessary to plug the budget hole. It would appear that he does not have either the intention or the stomach to roll back programs.

Comment by One of the 35 Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 3:16 pm
Incomplete…and that may be the best grade he can get. It doesn’t seem that he has any ability to close a deal on his proposals or form any alliance w/ Madigan. But one must doubt whether anyone between Lisa and the Gov’s office would be able to do any better.

Comment by Abe's Ghost Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 3:54 pm
C+. Quinn has good intentions and has honesty and personal integrity. He has not been forceful or proactive in dealing with legislative leaders. His newly hired top staff is intelligent and sincere, light years ahead of their counterparts in the Blagojevich administration. His greatest failure is his inexplicable refusal to remove John Filan. But the bottom line is that Madigan is not giving him a chance.

Comment by State Worker Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 4:05 pm
F - for not (F)umigating, not (F)ollowing up on ethics and bowing to the powers that run our state, (F)ailing to remove BLAGO HACKS, and also (F)ILAN, (F)ISCALLY IRRESPONSABLE, (F)URLOUGHS by state workers only, (F)ollowing Blagos lead, and (F)INALLY…..(F)ORGETTING THE LESSONS OF PRIOR ADMINSTRATIONS!

Comment by Justice 2 Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 4:30 pm
B+ Quinn inherited the budget crisis. He proposed a responsible way to address it, with significant spending cuts combined with an income tax hike. He was too trusting, however, that he could cajole some Republicans into supporting the tax hike. He should’ve insisted on no capital bill until after the budget was passed.

Comment by Refoemer Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 4:33 pm
C- of course he’s starting from behind, but I’m not impressed that he’s done his homework. Maybe we need to elect a movie star, they don’t do any better in the office, but they get more press so we’d get more pity.
The questions should be, how much are Illinois residents willing to take before they actually do something?

Comment by K-Verity Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 4:42 pm
F. He is less effective than Blagojevich.

Comment by Bill Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 4:48 pm
F … He’s as schizo as the consultants he’s surrounded himself with. He was given a gift and has trashed it: No plan, no accomplishments, no leadership. The state is a mess and there’s no way he has the skills to clean it up.

Comment by p Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 5:12 pm
I am unimpressed, D. As noted, we cannot ignore the role of Madigan, Cullerton and Cross in this mess. Govenor Quinn is showing nothing in the way of political savvy or courage. If he fails to pull away from this game of chicken, the consequences for the human service infrastructure are catostrophic, not to mention a huge jump in abuse and neglect of children, unemployment numbers, psychiatric hosptial admissions, foster care admissions, etc.

Comment by I am not a crook Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 5:30 pm
C+ He is much better than his predecessor, and he came into a tough situation. However, he is having trouble moving from the gadfly role he has played for so long. I don’t know if he can function as an administrator or if he has the political skills to make things happen. Right now I’m doubtful.

Comment by Quizzical Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 7:17 pm
F for not completing his work ON TIME.

Comment by state employee Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 7:48 pm
A for good intentions, honesty

D for not having and implementing an effective strategy to make the case for doing what is necessary to move towards solving the state’s problems.

But two things need to be said:

1. The Governor had lots of company in not getting the necessary done. This could include all the Republicans, the Democrats in the House who voted against the tax increase, the Speaker who did not do all he could do to pass the tax increase, and the Attorney General, who has the popularity and the credibility such that her voice in support could have made a difference.
2. The game is not over yet, so the grade is not final for the course.

Comment by jake Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 8:06 pm
I would have to say a D. If I were in the same situation, I would have went to the Legislature, admitted that there were gross inefficiencies in the exective branch, blamed it on Blago, and asked for a temporary 2-3% increase until I could get Blago’s mess cleaned up. The “temporary” increase would expire after the 2010 election and get reduced down to a permanent 1% increase after the election when the economy was likely better. Then I would take credit for the tax reduction as my first major accomplishment after winning the 2010 election

Comment by Jack-Athens Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:35 pm
“Better than Rod”

That’s setting the bar pretty damn low.

D-

Comment by Wondering Tuesday, Jun 16, 09 @ 11:37 pm
Quinn gets a B for having the courage to push for an income tax increase which hasn’t been done since Ogelvy. Dawn push for it in 1994 and was beat by Jim Ryan. The next three Republicans and then Dem Blago helf the line. After 40 years of regressive taxation on the backs of property owners and sales tax what do you expect? Check out the records for Democrats who voted no against an income tax hike—they listen mostly to the powerful leaders M & Curie. They should go to detention with failed grades

Comment by Churchhill Wednesday, Jun 17, 09 @ 7:21 am