Should it be a mystery that Jesus ... |
Madigan,
also the speaker of the Illinois House and Illinois Democratic Party chairman,
is facing an opponent in Jason Gonzales who is trying to take advantage of the
fact that many more Latinos now live in the 22nd Illinois House
district down by Midway Airport, and envisions a Spanish-speaking hoard of
voters who’d rather have “one of our own” rather than some crusty old Irish guy
living in the past.
COULD
GARCIA – THE former alderman, state legislator and current county commissioner –
actually wind up giving Madigan a boost to help him keep his political posts.
And
since Madigan has never really been much of a Garcia backer in the past, what
did he give up in exchange for the endorsement?
All
the political geeks who spend far too much of their lives pondering such
details are convinced that Garcia (who has hinted he’d like to succeed David
Orr as Cook County clerk) must have cut a deal for Madigan’s support toward
that goal – in exchange for holding his nose while saying we should vote to
keep the House speaker in the Legislature.
I
found it interesting to read that Garcia told Crain’s Chicago Business “there
were no quid pro quos,” and that it was Madigan who specifically asked Garcia
to make a public announcement.
BUT
I HAVE never heard of any political person who gives up something for nothing.
I’m sure there is some expectation, even if nothing has been put in writing.
Because if it gets put in writing, some wag will make the argument that it
constitutes a bribe and a conspiracy – and that’s the kind of talk that gets
ambitious federal prosecutors all worked up.
... took Mr. Speaker more seriously ... |
For
the fact is that Rauner, with all of his hostile talk toward Democratic
politicians and his willingness to try to stir up the rest of Illinois against
anything having to do with Chicago, may be the unifying force.
Our
political structure in Chicago has so many different factions and people who
can’t stand each other that it is a wonder the so-called “machine” can work at
all. I’ve always said the difference between Republicans and Democrats in this
state is that the former is capable of unifying together to work against Chicago.
... than some kid politico ... |
WHILE
THE LATTER has so many people who inherently can’t stand each other it is no
wonder there are times when nothing gets accomplished.
But
Rauner has created an environment that may be the unifying factor – even if it
is us against HIM – which will certainly create an interesting 2018 election
cycle when Rauner would have to face re-election.
Rauner
won the 2014 elections largely because many Democratic interests were downright
apathetic about the presence of then-Gov. Pat Quinn that they couldn’t be
bothered to vote.
Is
a Garcia-supporting-Madigan move just evidence of how they’re willing to work
together to achieve the ultimate goal – which is dumping the guy who wants to
view their existence as a criminal conspiracy that must be taken down!
IN
WHICH CASE, a Garcia/Madigan alliance may not be at all unusual. It may even be
good to see the political party that has so many different factions finally
realizing there is a need for them to consider working together.
It
may even be a better Chicago without all the constant in-fighting.
... who compares to a holiday meal? |
They want to be on the side of the winner, who they think will wind up being the incumbent. And maybe Garcia, on some level, just thinks that Gonzales is too much of un pavo to take seriously.
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