I’ve never fully understood Madigan’s reluctance to doing media. He’s actually pretty good at making his case.
The mistake was trying to force these all or nothing solutions in one session. You have to pull legislators along to get them to understand, and their constituents to understand, the wisdom of the policy. The Governor’s introduction of the GRT was a bad political move made worse by demonizing those who disagreed. The way to pass it would have been to introduce it, sell it, and then campaign on it throughout the year to build up support from voters.
There are plenty of things to criticize Madigan for, but one thing that’s often overstated is how he runs everything. He certainly is strong and does crack down when he feels it’s necessary. However, his role is often more like a watchful parent who guides decisions within the caucus instead of forcing discipline. Part of the reason he’s so effective is he listens to the concerns of the Members and reflects their collected position. I might agree with a GRT, but it was never sold to the public and it spooked the Lege. The Chamber killed it very quickly and instead of working to build that consensus, the Governor went on the attack which is the certain way not to win.
The continuing attacks only look to divide Senate Dems against anything the Governor wants and could well lead to a brokered solution that will all, but cut out the Governor.
Arch said, “Part of the reason he’s so effective is he listens to the concerns of the Members and reflects their collected position.”
Another part of the reason is that he’s been there so long he knows how to work his members and has a fair number of them who are (for lack of a better term) beholden to him to a degree, so they reflect his positions as well.
For better or worse, Madigan has never really seemed to have a “position” on anything, other than whatever is in the best interests, politically, for him, his caucus, and his daughter.
Grand Old,
Do you live in a cave? Seriously, do you?
Just because you are ignorant of his positions does not mean he doesn’t have any.
Settle down, Rob. What I mean is that Madigan is not an ideologue; he’s a pragmatist. For example: Why hasn’t Madigan tried to pass SB1007 through the House? What is his position on gun control?
He knows he doesn’t have the votes on it and that he isn’t pushing the issue clues you in to his position on gun violence.
Madigan, while not a “right-wing conservative” or whatever Blago called him, is a good deal more conservative than a lot of folks on your side of the aisle give him credit for.
PS: Your second comment in no way reflects what you actually wrote in your first comment, GOP.
Let me take a crack at the question why Madigan doesn’t do more press. I think his entire political life is centered around running the House. For the most part, that means concentrating on House members, not on the general public. So, why waste precious time and resources working the press?
Now, in the overtime PR battle, it’s become necessary to protect the reputation of the House publicly. So, I expect we will see him become active in the press. If Blagojevich continues to demonize the House, we’ll see a lot of him; if not, I expect Madigan will revert to avoiding the press and concentrate on running the House.
Madigan is an interesting politician in that his ego does not need to be fed through public recognition. He doesn’t need to be recognized on the street (and I get the impression that he doesn’t like it much); rather, he wants to make sure that his power and influence get recognized.
As for whether Madigan has an ideology: I’ve also thought that he has a set of principles rather than an ideology. Recently, though, it’s become rather clear that he is exhibiting a strong political ideology on certain issues. For example, he’s become the consumer’s strongest advocate in the thorny thicket of utility regulation.
And last, I think he’s successful as the velvet hammer because he uses his power wisely. More importantly, the man has the best poker face in Illinois politics — members end up believing that he has a grand strategy, even if they don’t understand it. It’s served “the velvet hammer” well.
Of course, this sort of armchair analysis probably drives him crazy. Or amuses the hell out of him.
Rob –
I’ll grant you that Madigan is more fiscally conservative than most Chicago Democrats, but his voting record as a legislator is still firmly pro-gun control (who’s “ignorant” of Madigan’s positions now?). As a Speaker, however, he pragmatically chooses not to place his downstate Members in the position of choosing between his views and those of their constituents.
PS: that does reflect my earlier comment. Madigan (usually) doesn’t publicly take strong positions on issues; he simply does what is in the best interests, politically, for himself and his caucus.