IL Republican marginalizes Gov Quinn's new Chief of Staff as "African-American, Asian woman"

[wndycty]

From an e-mail from Shelia Simon, Democratic candidate for Lt. Gov.:

Today, Governor Quinn appointed Michelle Saddler as his new Chief of Staff, asking her to bring her years of economic and managerial experience to a critical role as we keep Illinois on the path to recovery.

Ms. Saddler brings a wealth of experience to the position. She was appointed as Secretary of the Illinois Department of Human Services last year, and also helped create Governor Quinn's successful Put Illinois to Work program, which has put 26,000 people back to work this summer.

But within minutes of her appointment, the Brady Bunch was up to their usual, divisive tricks.

Senator Brady's chief ally, State Senator Kirk Dillard, had this to say about Ms. Saddler's appointment:

"While she, as an African-American, Asian woman, is a political choice, it remains to be seen if she can govern state government."

When we talk about the political games the Brady Bunch plays, this is what we mean. Governor Quinn chose the most capable person to fill the position of Chief of Staff as he continues to guide our state through this difficult economic period.

But Republicans never stop doing the political calculus and trying to divide the electorate. The Brady Bunch's craven calculations should offend every woman and person of color in this state, as well as anyone who believes in good government over divisive wedge politics.

According to the Illinois GOP, the appointment of competent women and people of color is always political; they are never actually competent.
-snip-

I have met Michelle and we share a number of mutual friends. She is a graduate of Princeton University and holds a Masters from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. This is absolute insulting.

Video of Dillard's statement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9nVRS9fmNw

Here is a picture of Michelle with Governor Quinn

[marmar]

1. A little off topic, but she's a total babe......

:loveya:

[wndycty]

4. I struggled not to say that. A mutual friend wanted to set us up until he found out she was married

. . .after meeting her the first time he was blown away called his wife and they started their plans to introduce us and then after digging further he found out she was married. I have since met her on a number of occasions and she is awesome.

Another thing to mention is to point out that she is 50, which is only relevant because she looks so young. . .as they say "Black don't crack!"

[tanyev]

2. Did State Senator Dillard ever say that Sarah Palin was a political choice?

Because we know the answer as to whether she could "govern state government".

[dkf]

3. The way to win over people is to do a good job.

Excellence is the best response to charges like this.

[atreides1]

6. You live in another dimension, don't you?

In the current political climate, it wouldn't matter to the Republicans if she found the cure for cancer, was to come up with a solution to the energy question, and play a piano concerto blind folded.

They would still think that she was nothing more then an "African-American, Asian woman"!

[dkf]

9. Everything must be a protest right?

Well I have my philosophy and you have yours. In my eyes demanding respect doesn't work as well as earning respect but hey you all are free to march on the place should you wish.

[CanonRay]

5. Well, if it wasn't political, you'd appoint an old white guy

Naturally!

[Brewman_Jax]

7. The repubs don't quit, do they?

To them, not-white is the same as not-qualified. I'm sure they had nothing but praise for those unqualified intellectual lightweights GW Bush and Sarah Palin. :eyes:

[madrchsod]

8. my head hurts every time i think about our choices this year...

the republicans are pretty much batshit crazy and the democrats are nothing to write home about.

she certainly is a hell of a lot smarter than brady...