Did Emil Jones just call Mike Madigan a Republican?

[Radical Activist]

Sorry if this is old news but I just read it.

Q: Sounds like you’re pretty ticked off at the speaker. Is that …?
A: No, I’m not ticked off. No. I’m not ticked off. We just have a philosophical difference, you know. The speaker says he has his newfound coalition. Now, he’s also the head of the Democratic Party and the Democratic principles we stand for and the values and so forth. And I think that’s the wrong approach to take...
I don’t let emotions enter into the picture. I don’t get angry. I don’t believe in doing that. I believe those energies could be better used in something positive, you know. So the speaker and I have (had) a good working relationship in the past, but maybe this new coalition, maybe they’ll draft him to try to run him for the U.S. Senate seat, you know?

http://www.sj-r.com/extras/transcripts/jones.asp

The article is very interesting. I was just asking in another thread what good is it to have power if we don't use it? Madigan did a good job of getting the House back in the 90's and keeping the party going, but is he accumulating power only for the sake of power itself?
Where is the progressive agenda now that Democrats control Illinois government? Where is campaign finance reform to take power out of the hands of corporate interests? Where is universal healthcare for Illinoisans? Why isn't sexual orientation part of the human rights code? Why don't we have meaningful school funding reform?
Jones kept mentioning a basic difference in values between Madigan on one side and Jones and the Governor on the other side. So what is that difference exactly? Is he saying Madigan has become Republican-lite?

[chiburb]

1. Yep, that's what he's saying...

"Is he saying Madigan has become Republican-lite?"

Briefly, because Madigan is/was objecting to the budget that "borrowed" money for things like education and healthcare. Madigan thinks a balanced budget is more important.

Just goes to show that Jones is wrong though... a Repuke would borrow AND cut social services! (See Ca. and D.C.)

[stevebreeze]

2. Madigan is swill

He cares more about his own power then in using that power to help the people of IL. He passed many relatively decent campaign reform bills when the GOP held the Senate including public financing for the constitutional offices.None that passed the house however touched on his power in election house members. Now no campaign reform at.
Remember back in the spring Blago announced he was starting his own fund to help elect legislative members? Madigan has been the big Dem fish in the pond and does not like the competition.

[Norquist Nemesis]

3. I'm with Steve on this one

Madigan's been in power for so long he doesn't know how handle anything but making certain that he gets his way. It will be interesting if Lisa runs against the current Gov. Interesting, and mudslinging dirty.

I just read that the budget passed with record stalling. That was due to Madigan more than anything else.