* I put together a couple of videos last night that you may want to watch. The first is House Speaker Michael Madigan and Gov. Quinn talking about the governor’s apparent flip-flops. Make sure you watch all the way to the end for the “best” Madigan zinger…
The second video is Madigan answering questions about his poor relationships with Democratic governors in the past and allegations that he has deliberately undercut Gov. Quinn this year…
I’m still learning this video stuff, so be patient, please.
- posted by Rich Miller
- Diamond Dog - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:45 am:
No need to change your name to Rich Coppalla any time soon. Get a tri-pod or a japanese assistant, quickly.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:48 am:
I used a borrowed tripod for the MJM presser. Convinced me I needed one.
- TheCommonDenominator - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:50 am:
How about renaming it Madigan and Quinn vs. the state? While it may seem they are at odds, they are both moving in the same direction.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:50 am:
Flip Video - UltraHD Camcorder
its small, but makes nice video ;) no tapes just uses onboard memory.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:54 am:
Nah. The Flip doesn’t have an external microphone jack. I desperately need that. I’ve got a cam picked out. It’s sweet and can be accessorized.
- dupage dan - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 9:57 am:
Nero(s) fiddling while Rome burns.
- Anon - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:02 am:
Good fax today, Rich. The governor really did approach this job that was thrust upon him with the hope that the good will following the negativity of the Blagojevich administration would lead to teamwork and decisions that were in the best interest of the state. It is unfortunate that the Speaker has chosen to drive this bus into the ditch and point the finger at Quinn as the one at the wheel. The Speaker is the one constant. Things were broke before the leadership changes, and they’re still broke.
Mr. Speaker, please stop playing politics and pass the tax increase that we all know we need? Make it temporary and revisit it in a couple of years to see if the additional revenue is still needed. But acknowledge that we dont have the money we need now to do the things we need to do.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:16 am:
One more time….Madigan supports the tax increase….look to those who didn’t. BTW here is the essence of a memo that went out today. seems to underscore the flipper factor
Quinn to state workers: ‘Do your jobs’ you will be paid. See attached letter. Quinn: Social services that continue service risk not being paid for it.
Quinn to state workers: ‘Do your jobs’ you will be paid. See attached letter Quinn sent a letter to state workers last night reassuring them that a resolution…. .”
Quinn to Community Providers be patient. “They know I am their champion”.
“Until a budget is in place, the state has very limited authority to pay its vendors and grantees. ______________________________________________________________________
Quinn: Social services that continue service risk not being paid for it
BY KURT ERICKSON, The Southern Springfield Bureau
July 1, 2009
SPRINGFIELD — It likely will be at least two weeks before Illinois gets a budget on the books.
Under a game plan that began emerging Wednesday, lawmakers will be called back to town July 14 to try and find some resolution to the stalemate that has left the state without a spending plan for the fiscal year that began July 1…..”
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:16 am:
A couple of things about Madigan as a politician that makes him very different from many:
–He reached the pinnacle of his political ambition — Illinois House Speaker — a long time ago and at a relatively young age.
– He’s not terribly interested in “doing” anything except consolidating and increasing his power. He does that by building, serving and protecting his caucus.
I think that gives him enormous leverage over other politicians — GA members, governors, mayors, etc., who either want to advance to higher office or desperately want to get “something” done that they can attach their names to.
He has what he set out to get. He can take the long-term view.
I think Edgar had more success than other governors in dealing with Madigan in that he, too, had reached the pinnacle of his ambition as governor. He also wasn’t desperate to be seen as a “builder” or have his name plastered over construction signs everywhere.
He could take the long view as well.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:19 am:
=== It’s sweet and can be accessorized. ====
Does this mean more political infrared night video? Or will it have underlighting, flames and spinners…..
Which cam are you adding to the fax technology arsenal, trying to decide on one myself for more mundane capturing of life moments.
- He Makes Ryan Look Like a Saint - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:21 am:
Rich, I didnt think you did too bad on the videos.
For the past years (too many to count) Madigan has blamed everyone but himself anytime there was a stalemate. He is the ONLY common denominator left in the capitol….The BLAME should go on him. I have to believe people are getting tired of his antics. The bottom line is he is making HIS PARTY look horrible.
- Will County Woman - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:29 am:
@ Anon - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:02 am:
are you serious?
last i heard the capital bill is being held hostage. not putting people to work, as promised, helps or hurts people? last i checked it was not madigan holding the capital bill hostage. the capital bill has nothing to do with the budget issue.
if sparing the unions from the painful “shared sacrifice” in the interest of campaign endorsements and cash is not political, i don’t know what is, do you?
doesn’t want a budget that “decimates” funding for social services, but is willing to make them suffer nevertheless rather than take 50-70 percent until a long term budget can be worked out!?!?!? huh? i thought that he said last week he wouldn’t make them suffer. when things become politically expedient what was said last week goes out the window, i guess.
when the senate dems passed a 67 percent tax increase on may 31st, the gov supported it. Why? it was 17 percentage points higher than what he requested. he didn’t say no to 17 percent surplus—he was content to take it and do what with it anon?
knew the reform commission’s hard work was going to fall on deaf ears, yet stood idly by and let it happen. even undermined (aka sold out)the commission himself in the process. why? for purely political reasons. ok. fine. understood.
of course ther was that political stunt with the pension bill the other night, but you probably think he was right to blind side cullerton.
let’s not be disenginous here…to be sure there are politics being played by EVERYONE involved.
the tax increase will get passed eventually, he just needed to be a little more patient as the 4 legislative leaders worked with their caucuses, or should have done what they are now having to do himself BEFORE may 31st (if the tax increase and the vulnerable really meant that much to him).
i agree with madigan that overall he looks the least credible of everyone else involved. madigan has never said or pretended that he wouldn’t play politics–neither did the other 3. politics are what they do as legislators. they know how to play the game and get things done. he doesn’t.
- Scooby - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:33 am:
With the upward facing camera angle, the Speaker looks like something out of a Kubrik film.
One of the developments that’s often overlooked is that at the end of regular session last May after the capital bill drama as everyone was heading off to the end of session party the Speaker made a rare Blue Room appearance and stumped for an income tax increase as the only option to fund a capital bill. How times change.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:45 am:
===Which cam are you adding to the fax technology arsenal===
One of the cams that can use this accessory.
- Macbeth - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 10:58 am:
What’s interesting is that these overtime budgets seem only to rely on the *pain* caused by the overtime to find a solution. In other words, a deadline without suffering will be missed.
This, to my mind at least, is despicable. I don’t care who’s at fault either — Madigan, Quinn, Cullerton — whoever. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that these overtimes cause real pain and suffering — and it’s this pain that drive the solutions.
If there was no suffering, there would be no budget — period.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 11:09 am:
ooooh wireless mic, very spiffy!
- Amy - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 12:13 pm:
rich, you’re doing just fine. giving us the good stuff when no one else will. and this is good stuff….one Madigan who does not hide, even if he is behind a podium and controlling the tempo of the exchange. thanks again, Rich, and happy 4th of July, contributing to our freedom in Illinois with your coverage.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:30 pm:
Mount all those gadgets on a hat and you’ll have something! :)
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:31 pm:
Yeah. As if I don’t look goofy enough as it is.
- Ghost - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:43 pm:
==== Mount all those gadgets on a hat and you’ll have something! :) ===
I would say conceal them in the beard!
- A Citizen - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 2:55 pm:
I particularly appreciated your point counter point style in the video. It blows away a lot of the smoke and mirrors they like to swirl around when addressing issues. Thanks for the hard homework last night - glad the dog didn’t eat it.
- 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Thursday, Jul 2, 09 @ 6:42 pm:
If you don’t need a total hand-free tripod–I highly recommend a monopod. It is much easier to handle, even for an amateur like me. Spouse uses it to shoot his video podcasts on skyfullofbacon.com . Try Manfrotto Digi Monopod (I do not own the company)
- Inhumanimal - Saturday, Jul 4, 09 @ 10:37 am:
Everyone knows that Madigan is undermining Quinn to help set Lisa up for a governor run (or senate run). He’s playing politics with Social Services in Illinois, all for the benefit of his own family while state services get cut to the poor, hungry and elderly.
Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.
Quick Links