A common-sense approach to politics

The more I think about this, the more Lisa Madigan's move makes sense. Let Quinn take the blame for the mess while she builds more political capital in a fairly safe position. In 2014, Lisa will be 47. That still leaves plenty of time for the governorship.

When will she take a stance as the AG on the University of Influence? Her father has been one of the major power brokers in getting students into the school and we haven't heard any substantial comments from her. Overall, she seems to have done well in her job and she is smart enough to lay low during these trying times in our state. Her silence, though, kind of reminds me of Blago's sister-in-law casting a dissenting vote about his ouster. Blood thicker than the truth?

I disagree with Zorn. Lisa and any other politician has to understand that they cannot and should not expect to cherry-pick the conditions under which they serve. many crisis can, do and will occur. politicans must be able to respond and react accordingly regardless, otherwise they should not expect to be elected or re-elected.

Yes, Illinois is facing difficult times, in terms of warring constituencies and budget crisis. It is in such times that the strong politicans should step-up and show that they have the skill and intellect to deal with tough times. After all many campaign using platitudes of "leadership," "fighter" and "tough."

When Lisa does decide to seek higher office, i hope that she doesn't say that she's tough, a fighter or a leader. if she does, someone should ask her where she was in 2010, and why she opted not to run for governor in one of the toughest times in state history and fight to lead the state through? i have no doubt that she really loves being attorney general, as she has said this before on many occassions. however, she seemed to relish the idea of taking on blagojevich before he was ousted. her kids were even younger than they are now, but that didn't seem to phase her ambition to unseat Rod.

zorn writes:
"she appears to lack the consuming, near-delusional ambition and self-regard required of anyone who actually wants to be governor of Illinois in the next few years.Warring constituencies are in bitter disagreement over what to do next. And it's clear that some combination of tax increases and service cuts -- neither of which are popular -- is inevitable..."

Given her stance during Rod's reign , her lack of willingness to now step-up, take the lead and fight during this tough time seems suspect and quite frankly kinda girly. i don't know what she's hiding, but i am of the belief her stated reasons are not the real reasons that she opted not to run. admittedly it's just my opinion, but i am entitled to it.

p.s.
i'm pretty good at detecting a lie when i hear one. i won't be voting for lisa madigan in 2010 or ever!

I think Zorn's peice is more PR work for Madigan than anything else.

I say that because it's interesting that Zorn never bothers to mention some important and key facts - Jan Shakowsky recently came out and said she no longer has interest in seeking the senate seat.

Then, Lisa "do nothing of significance" Madigan says she won't seek the senate seat.

Today, Roland "in the dough" Burris said HE won't seek re-election of the seat HE holds and bribed to get (but he didn't follow through on the bribe - yeah, sure).

That's three major Democrat players in about a month's time that publicly stated they are not interested in Obama's former senate seat.

So what gives? No Democrat wants the seat because the budget will be imploding and there won't be any money to buy...er...give constiuents? Doubt it.

There isn't a stimulus package or tax raise a Democrat never liked.

No, I think the Democrat players behind the scenes who gave us Todd Stroger, Burris and Quinn - have something up their slimy sleeves.

The Dems are going to support a no name fresh faced candidate in hopes the angry, overtaxed and revolting taxpayers will forget is a Democrat.

The Dems want an unfamiliar name in the ring so that candidate can claim they are not part of the politics as usual and will offer change, hope and government transparancy.

Sound familiar?

No Dems in 2010.

No doubt she has time for her family as attorney general. She doesn't do anything. What in the world makes you think we would elect you, Lisa, subverter of democratic values. I would consider it treason actually, but then what do I know. I'm not the dean of the U of I Law Schools. By the way Lisa, how is the crop of criminals your daddy is financing through the U of I?

What is her opinion about Daddy's Class at U of I? Lisa, "Well I'm so cute and fresh that it doesn't occur to me that any crime is taking place. Oh, I encourage everyone to eat lots and lots of cake. I want to go home now and spend time with my beautiful family."

"The next governor will be dismantling programs, not creating them."

OK, so Lisa will finally run for governor when she sees it as an opportunity to create new problems. I can't wait.

Let's get this straight. Lisa Madigan is oh-so-wonderful for caring about her family, but Sarah Palin is a dope for wanting to protect her family from the likes of the Lettermens, Obermans, Douds and assorted other left-wing nutcases in the media. So what else is new?

Lisa Madigan's common sense approach is to NOT do her swarn duty as the top law enforcement official of this state. She has bypassed investigating the corrupt city of chicago, county of cook and the corrupt antics of her daddy's house of representatives as they conspired and sandbagged to install Roland Burris denying the people their right to a fair election. Apparently Mr. Zorn is smitten with L. Madigan but the rest of the state will hold her accountable!

Note to Lisa: lose the father and then we can talk.

Is she really smart or did Daddy get her into school?

Goldberg wrote:

Let's get this straight. Lisa Madigan is oh-so-wonderful for caring about her family, but Sarah Palin is a dope for wanting to protect her family from the likes of the Lettermens, Obermans, Douds and assorted other left-wing nutcases in the media. So what else is new?

Why YES, I think you finally get it. Sarah Palin is indeed a dope for so many reasons too numerous to cite but protecting her family is not one of them. By her own admission she is leaving office to protect her own state which apparently has turned on her like that proverbial pit bull. Fortunately, her ONLY assets, her lipstick and well coiffed babe looks are still intact. Letterman is the least of this woman's problems. Comparing Palin to Madigan is like calling a trailer park a high end community.

Lisa has a softball job with a huge salary, plus it is too hot for her daddy right now. The word is finally getting out that her father has been the problem all along. Lisa's father is the guy who bankrupted the state and if she was to run it would get very ugly for her. So Lisa will sit back and take complaints from little old widows who have been cheated by scumbag criminals and play nice and also ignore all of her fellow Democratic corrupt friends as usual.

DSI wrote:

No doubt she has time for her family as attorney general. She doesn't do anything. What in the world makes you think we would elect you, Lisa, subverter of democratic values. I would consider it treason actually, but then what do I know. I'm not the dean of the U of I Law Schools. By the way Lisa, how is the crop of criminals your daddy is financing through the U of I?

What kind of idiot are you with this "subverting of democratic values" nonsense? "Treason"? Are you kidding? How do you expect to be taken seriously with nonsense like that? You asked what you know? Obviously not much.

Daddy Madigan told her not to run so Chris Kennedy could run unopposed.

Lisa realized that she is a failure and she never would have won the governership anyway. BTW - her father has to go.

Joe wrote:

<quoted text>
What kind of idiot are you with this "subverting of democratic values" nonsense? "Treason"? Are you kidding? How do you expect to be taken seriously with nonsense like that? You asked what you know? Obviously not much.

I know that the state has been crawling with criminal activity on the part of our elected officials. I also know that Lisa is paid to do something about this. I also know that she did nothing.(If she did do something, let's hear it.) I also know that a democracy is supposed deal out justice evenly. I don't see that happening. I see the clouted individuals dealing with one set of laws and the rest us getting squat. I see gerrymandered districts in Chicago that no one seems to mind. Least of all Lisa. The fundamental voting rights of citizens are being toyed with like a game of Risk. I would say that is an attack on democracy.

DSI wrote:

<quoted text>
I know that the state has been crawling with criminal activity on the part of our elected officials. I also know that Lisa is paid to do something about this. I also know that she did nothing.(If she did do something, let's hear it.) I also know that a democracy is supposed deal out justice evenly. I don't see that happening. I see the clouted individuals dealing with one set of laws and the rest us getting squat. I see gerrymandered districts in Chicago that no one seems to mind. Least of all Lisa. The fundamental voting rights of citizens are being toyed with like a game of Risk. I would say that is an attack on democracy.

What you don't seem to know is that Lisa, as attorney general, has limited legal resources and authority, far less than the feds have, to investigate corruption. One of the "reform" issues that was not passed in Springfield this past term would have given her more authority to investigate official corruption. She also has no law enforcement authority over political actions, no matter how much you dislike them, if they are legal--she's a law enforcement official, not a legislator. "Treason" is an inappropriately strong word for what you have described and undermines your arguments, even though I understand your concerns. Fairness dictates you actually educate yourself on her statutory authority before you accuse her of "subverting democracy."

She can't pick up the phone and call the feds? She must have a lot of inside information that she is sitting on.

DSI wrote:

She can't pick up the phone and call the feds? She must have a lot of inside information that she is sitting on.

I hope that kind of pure speculation isn't the basis of your "treason" accusation.