Animal Farm

DC correspondent Camille Le Tallec sends along reaction to the president's financial speech Monday from a group that includes suburban Democrat Milissa Bean.

The New Democrat Coalition, which U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean, Democrat from Illinois co-chairs, praised the administration proposals to strengthen the financial markets, in a statement responding to President Obama’s speech on the financial crisis.

These proposals “are necessary to prevent future downturns from spiraling into a severe system-wide crisis, as the nation experienced just one year ago,” the statement said.

The Web is full of pictures of President Obama and the South Carolina Republican who shouted "You lie!" during Obama's health care address to a joint session of Congress last night.
But if my eyes don't deceive me, that's Wheaton Republican Peter Roskam sitting next to the shouter.
Waiting to hear from Roskam on what he thought about it. He's probably glad the guy didn't point to Roskam when everyone turned and looked to see who shouted.

And here it is:

Digging through my piles of old newspapers I came across a June 26, 1994 Peoria Journal Star. The president may have changed, but the banner headline seems just as timely today as it did then.

"Clinton criticizes 'halfhearted' health reforms"

Here are some excerpts from that 15-year-old Associated Press story.
President Clinton on Saturday denounced "halfhearted" health reforms that would do nothing for millions of Americans. The acting House Ways and Means chairman accused Republicans of trying to scare senior citizens to death over Medicare limits needed to help pay for universal health-care coverage.

Republicans who criticized President Obama's speech to the nation's school children are likely to have their own public appearances scrutinized.

For instance, Democratic campaign officials were sending around information about Republican Congresswoman Judy Biggert recently reading to children at a suburban pediatric center and stressing the importance of reading. And last year Biggert was conducting a workshop at a suburban high school touting Web safety (also a topic Obama touched on Tuesday).

Why is that relevent? Because earlier this month she released a statement calling on Obama to release his classroom speech early and fearing it would be politically themed.

From a news release ...

At its monthly meeting the Milton Township Republican Central Committeemen’s Organization unanimously passed a resolution opposing the installation of Video Poker machines in municipalities in Milton Township.

Milton Township Chairman Mike Formento said, “The 109 member organization wants to be on record opposing Video Poker Machines. We believe strongly that Video Poker machines are not consistent with our desire to maintain a family-friendly environment in DuPage County.”

Formento further emphasized “The installation of Video Poker machines will introduce the potential for gambling addiction, opportunities for corruption and has the ability to change the quality of life we have enjoyed here in our county.”

On Thursday, officials from Gov. Pat Quinn's office met with leaders of the state employees' union to discuss cost savings and personnel moves.

According to the union, Quinn wants the union to re-open its contract and agree to pay cuts upward of 15 percent, which would still require nearly 1,000 layoffs. The union said "no" and Quinn's office put out the following statement:

"By being unwilling to re-open the contract, we are now forced to proceed with the layoffs."

Contrast that to Dan Hynes' budget plan. Hynes is running against Quinn for the Democratic nomination for governor next year.

updated
Hynes just called to I guess clarify or kinda apologize for the way the news conference ended and see what other questions I had. He said the layout of the room made it difficult to determine if reporters were finished and noted he's always been known to take time to address media questions.
Enough about my ruffled feathers, here's a little more detail on his proposed tax brackets that he wants voters to approve via a constitutional amendment in November.
Household income --
under $200,000 would stay at the 3 percent income tax rate.
between $200,000 and $300,000 would be taxed at 3.5 percent
between $300,000 and $500,000 would be taxed at 5.5 percent
between $500,000 and $1 million would be taxed at 7 percent
over $1 million would be taxed at 7.5 percent

Democratic Comptroller Dan Hynes is announcing his bid for governor.

"The question in this campaign is whether we are working ..."
"If we continue down this road trust in us will dry up."

cited Simon, Dirksen, Douglas and Lincoln

"Monday's landmark legislation can't be Tuesday's celebrated veto."
-- that's a reference to Gov. Pat Quinn touting the ethics reform deal only to then veto it.

He said he proposed budget moves a few years ago that would have helped.
"This may surprise you, they weren't super sexy." (reference to his hmmmm ... boring reputation.)

"I believe we can do better."
His plan calls for a "progressive" income tax.
Those making more than $200,000 a year "pay their fair share."

Flags at Illinois government buildings will fly at half staff until the funeral of Ted Kennedy to mark the U.S. senator's service to the country, Gov. Pat Quinn announced Wednesday.
“It's a sad day to learn of his passing,” Quinn said, noting he'd met the Massachusetts Democrat once. Quinn said he learned Tuesday night of Kennedy's death. Quinn said he was in the parking lot of a Super 8 in Joliet when he got a call from a reporter telling him of the news.

As for the University of Illinois admissions scandal and his call for the school's trustees to quit:
“If something goes wrong on your watch you file a resignation,” Quinn said.
All but two of the trustees have resigned voluntarily.
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There is renewed speculation that Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart may run for U.S. Senate.
His campaign spokeswoman tells Animal Farm the Chicago Democrat is "weighing all his options" and discussing it with family this week while he is on vacation. He will return to Chicago next week, but won't put the sheriff's hat back on until early September.
One big factor going against a Dart Senate bid: He has five children, including a newborn.
Certainly his time between family, politics and work is already stretched thin.
Dart has had great media coverage since taking office and his poll numbers are likely high in the Chicago area, but a Senate bid? That would be a major undertaking given an expected fierce battle in both the primary and general election.