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* WGN interviews Sen. Kimberly Lightford…
And then there’s the issue of America’s longest-serving Speaker of a State legislator, Michael Madigan.
“I’ve got a good relationship with the Speaker. I actually respect him as a legislator. He’s done an amazing job over what 40 years or more? You can’t take it away from him, he’s a political genius,” Lightford said. “But that doesn’t intimidate me. It allows me an opportunity to work with the speaker. I have excellent negotiation skills and I would love to shake up the table a little bit. … Power is in the imagination. It’s what you give him. I’ll have power too as the Senate president so we can balance our power out. “
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** Some of the “thoughts” in comments are clearly lacking on this topic. A legislator pal just texted me this: He has the power you allow him to have over you. Operate from there.
That’s at the heart of what Lightford said, not your own fantasy worlds.
Madigan gets into peoples’ heads. Look at Bruce Rauner, who let Madigan reside rent free in his cranium for four long years.
The best way to deal with Madigan is, first and foremost, not let him get into your head.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:13 am
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“power is in the imagination” can’t wait for McClain and company to used “playing pretend” as their legal defense
Comment by running out of single-use nicknames Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:18 am
–”He’s done an amazing job over what 40 years or more?”–
Compliments for Madigan is a curious strategy. What needed votes is she chasing from outside her caucus? Because if she keeps this up, she’ll talk herself right out of contention.
Comment by Anon y mouse Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:19 am
I can’t believe that she could be that politically naive. She needs to wake up and smell the coffee. She needs to start following this blog a lot closer or have someone under the dome clue her in.
Comment by Ginhouse Tommy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:19 am
Good golly if he can do what he does with power that is in imagination, just imagine if he used actual power and influence, we would have the pension issues licked in a week.
Comment by OneMan Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:21 am
If I had the time and the skills putting Madigan’s face on Mr Rodgers face singing about the ‘Garden of Your Mind’
Comment by OneMan Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:22 am
“Its time for us to have some of those uncomfortable conversations, around relations”
Like ComEd and Exelon maybe?
And if she thinks Madigan is going to “balance” his power with hers…I just don’t see that. Maybe she’s just playing coy for now, but that seems a naive assumption.
Maybe Senator Lightford should give the interviews and media comments a break for a few days.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:22 am
=== I’ll have power too as the Senate president===
“I’ll have power too, if I’m selected as the Senate president”
Reads a bit better, doesn’t it?
To the quote,
This is a bit… troubling;
=== he’s a political genius===
Skipping the “40 years” thing as being a bit, dismissive of long serving leaders, the “political genius” thing, given the issues of *literally* today and really not knowing too much of what any one thing that is swirling around, and Mapes in the recent memory… you can’t be as free-wheeling in praise on any media… all the while ending that quote with an assumption of elevation to Senate President.
Lightford really-really needs to get some coaching to handling questions that right now are lightning rods only if the responses leave that open for confusion.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:23 am
I think it’s an incredibly savvy statement - it shows she has a long game strategy, rather than only short term. You guys bashing it seem to forgot she has an electorate of only 30 Who know you say what you need to say to the media. She needs to keep Madigan on the side lines, and after the Rauner years most Senate Dems don’t want a big public fight, even with Madigan.
Comment by Trackback Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:24 am
=== She needs to keep Madigan on the side lines===
Saying MJM is a political genius right now isn’t sidelining the Speaker, it calls for more questions like… “would you say a genius is someone who…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:28 am
== Power is in the imagination. It’s what you give him. I’ll have power too ==
That sound you’re hearing is Rod Blagojevich and Pat Quinn chuckling.
Comment by SouthSide Markie Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:31 am
Is she actively trying to lose votes? One may respect what the he’s done legislatively over the decades, but his name is toxic to the public. Framing the answer this way was naive at best.
Comment by A bored guy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:33 am
Not sure she’s got the right message during this special time.
Comment by west wing Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:34 am
I don’t think she’s wrong here. Cullerton deferred to Madigan a little too often, allowing him to pass bills out of the House and send his members home and leaving the senate to deal with the fallout. She probably realizes that Madigan is a relic from the time when Illinois was a purple state and campaigns were won with direct mailings, and with his entire circle currently under federal investigation, it’s become pretty obvious that he needs IL dems more than they need him at this point. Past time for a senate president that will stop pretending otherwise
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:34 am
JUST me too-
Madigan fired staff that were involved with sexual harassment. What don’t you understand about that?
Comment by JG Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:36 am
“Does she have a crush on the Speaker or something?”
Seriously? You can disagree with her statement on the merits or underlying strategy, but that comment is disrespectful of a female leader. At best.
Comment by Centennial Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:39 am
OW, She didn’t say he was a saint or helluva guy or a friend or ally. She said what people have literally said for decades. The current drama, and the McClain emails, don’t negate that history. Would I have recommended she say that? No. But there is value in her statement.
Comment by Trackback Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:41 am
===
- Just Me 2 - Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:24 am:
Does she have a crush on the Speaker or something? She can’t say one negative thing, especially his recent tolerance for harassment of women? ===
Seriously? What an inappropriate comment to make about a female elected official. Is your screen name in jest, because the #metoo movement shouldn’t be about criticizing other women or making baseless accusations about women’s sexual thoughts. You’re promoting the very stereotype and assumptions women are fighting against.
Comment by Southsider Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:45 am
Sometimes highly competent, respected people do not adapt well to a sudden brighter spotlight or open microphone. This appears to be the case with Lightford and her recent communication -for lack of a better word- “fails”. She needs to understand that she is currently being seen and heard and scrutinized by a larger and different audience than she may be used to.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:46 am
===She said what people have literally said for decades.===
The times, they are a’changin’
=== The current drama, … , don’t negate that history.===
Lacking a total sense of the present isn’t a great quality *any* leader of either chamber. Nothing is in a vacuum.
=== But there is value in her statement.===
… that she thinks the Speaker, right now, is a genius? Yikes. It’s a head scratcher in the “now”
“I think, if I’m chosen to be Senate President, I can work with the other 3 Tops, the Governor, and if I’m Senate President my concern and worry needs to be and will be Senate focused, and I’ll let the House worry about the House”
That might be a tad better, and more bland to it, too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:49 am
“You’ve fallen for one of the two classic blunders/ The first being never get involved in a land war in Asia but only slightly lesser known: never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line/” - Vizzini
Why would a candidate for Senate president and the proxy of the governor want to go on WGN and define her candidacy as a power struggle with Madigan, after the governor himself and his communications office have worked so hard for so long not to get dragged into that fight?
Comment by Charlie Brown Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:53 am
I don’t read this as a horrible statement. She is saying she respects him as a politician. She will need a good working relationship with the Speaker if she gets this, and everyone knows it. And then I hear her saying she will use the power that comes with being President of the Senate to match his. I hear her saying she isn’t scared of him, that he’s only as powerful as you let him be in your mind (aka he puts his pants on in the morning just like the rest of us). I I think her audience for this statement is mostly insiders. The public just isn’t that invested in the election of a Senate President. Anyone who knows Leader Lightford knows, she can’t be rolled. She would prevent a unique challenge to the Speaker. Going into that, I’m okay with her starting out with compliments so that first meeting is on the right foot at least. Then from there, she will be the strong, smart and fiercely determined legislator we have all witnessed.
Comment by ugh Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:56 am
“I actually respect him as a legislator.”
Interesting qualifier. What there an implication otherwise?
Comment by City Zen Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:56 am
Very true comment by Sen. Lightford. You’d imagine one of Speaker Madigan’s closest associates would never write an email about a magic list of lobbyists, but that apparently is not the case. See, it’s all about the imagination.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:57 am
With all respect to Sen. Lightford, this (senate presidency) position is something she needs to really think about undertaking. It’s no small task. It comes with an enormous responsibility which includes fundraising, campaigning for her caucus members, addressing the statewide press and media. Yes, it’s a wonderful position but it requires expertise, passion, and a complete understanding of the legislative process and how/when to handle the power as notes. Mr. Madigan will outmaneuver her wherever possible during leadership meetings, etc. This interview says a lot…
Comment by Billy Sunday Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 11:57 am
This reads like early Rauner. If you have to talk about your power, you don’t have any. Her judgement is really suspect.
Comment by Missouri Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:06 pm
Billy Sunday
Senator Lightford doesn’t need your (assumed) mansplaining of this position to her. This interview doesn’t say a lot compared to her accomplishments and her history of running the show in just about anything and everything she has decided to do legislatively over the years. Obviously you haven’t ever spent much time in a Lightford negotiation if you’re concerned for her getting outmaneuvered. My experience is there aren’t usually any ways to get around Lightford when she’s set her mind on something. I’m guessing people have tried and failed her entire life with that. When you start with “all due respect” oftentimes, you should just stop there. Also, do you think Steans and Manar are unaware of the job description, considering they are publicly backing her?
Comment by ugh Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:38 pm
And Senator Harmon would do what? Let’s be honest, he would literally give him the Senate as a playground because it would be so fractured under Harmon that Madigan would have his way.
Comment by Opening Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:40 pm
Despite what she believes, she’s playing checkers while he’s playing chess at a 5th dimension. Although that chess board just imploded this week.
Comment by Just Sayin ... Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:41 pm
>>
Good luck with that.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:47 pm
Just imagine… https://chicago.suntimes.com/2019/1/25/18408621/cta-broke-law-by-hiring-legislator-s-housemate-who-rarely-showed-up-inspector
Comment by Observe Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 12:47 pm
=And Senator Harmon would do what? =
Good question. IIRC, Harmon was on Speaker’s staff once upon a time
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:02 pm
== You guys bashing it seem to forgot she has an electorate of only 30 ==
Yes. This is spot on and we should always keep that in mind as we watch this play out.
Having said that, one of the things she’s auditioning for is the job of being the voice of the Senate Dems. Based on this interview and the ComEd story in Crain’s, she needs some real work in that area. It’s only one part of being senate president, but it’s an important one.
Comment by Roman Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:08 pm
== You guys bashing it seem to forgot she has an electorate of only 30 ==
==Yes. This is spot on and we should always keep that in mind as we watch this play out.==
The senate caucus will elect. But do you honestly think that voters will not be contacting their senators about the issues related to the ascension of a new senate leader? This is not the small town few vote vacuum some want to make it out to be.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:48 pm
=== But do you honestly think that voters will not be contacting their senators about the issues related to the ascension of a new senate leader?===
How many do you think, maybe a dozen or so, total?
If voters cared so much about who votes for what leader is presiding in a chamber, the Dems would be the ones with 44 in the House and not 74 and MJM polling as he does.
Lightford, or whomever can cobble 30 votes, they will find the caucus strength will be the strong relationships within, and rallying around the eventual President isn’t as much of a worry, ask HDems.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 1:57 pm
===But do you honestly think that voters will not be contacting their senators about the issues related to the ascension of a new senate leader?===
I honestly do not think that more than a tiny handful will do so.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:00 pm
== But do you honestly think that voters will not be contacting their senators ==
If you ask an average Illinois voters who the president of the state senate is, he or she will likely say “isn’t it Mike Madigan?”
This race is mostly an inside game.
Comment by Roman Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:17 pm
All majority legislative leaders are equal, but some are more equal than others.
Comment by Tommydanger Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 2:52 pm
I think some of you are allowing something else to get in the way of a clear analysis of some of what she said.
A legislator pal just texted me this: He has the power you allow him to have over you. Operate from there.
That’s at the heart of what Lightford said, not your own fantasy worlds.
Madigan gets into peoples’ heads. Look at Bruce Rauner, who let Madigan reside rent free in his cranium for four long years.
The best way to deal with Madigan is, first and foremost, not to let him get into your head.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 3:22 pm
Rich is right on. Someone is only as powerful as you allow them to be and that’s her point. I have a feeling that the speaker will meet his match in a strong woman like Lightford.
Comment by Shytown Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 3:29 pm
=== I think some of you are allowing something else to get in the way of a clear analysis of some of what she said. ===
I think that’s right. A lot of people have been losing their minds the past few weeks which has made Springfield a very difficult environment to operate in.
Comment by Powdered Whig Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 3:31 pm
Is it unreasonable to ask that a potential Senate President candidate use her words more wisely? I can understand some pushback to the hot takes flying around here, but that’s 2 gaffes within 24 hours that could have been easily avoided. She’s no rookie either. I expect better from leadership…I don’t think that’s unreasonable as a citizen. We shouldn’t have to try so hard to interpret what she’s saying to get to the heart of her message. Just be better.
Comment by AnitaThrowaway Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 4:17 pm
===that’s 2 gaffes within 24 hours===
It isn’t a gaffe. It’s the right approach.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 4:23 pm
== Power is in the imagination.==
Yes it is. This is why “Because Madigan” and “Madigan and the ____ he controls” became running gags. Because some people imagine him to have more power than he actually has.
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 4:36 pm
What Rich said. I found Lightford’s statement realistic and refreshing.
Comment by walker Friday, Nov 22, 19 @ 4:46 pm