Democrat Day at the Fair

Nothing gets Democrats moving like an announcement that a massive thunderstorm is 30 minutes out from Springfield. Bam! Democratic Day rally was over. Gotta remember that for next year's session.

Here' s a quick look at some quotes, notes and observations from the annual rally. Republicans get their day tomorrow.

The question of the day for Democrats was whether the upcoming primary -- especially for the governor's office -- would be divisive.

"No. I think there's going to be a health debate ... a necessary debate," said Comptroller Dan Hynes, who's running against Gov. Pat Quinn, who got the job with Rod Blagojevich was removed from office.

"Primaries are always good for political parties, ask Barack Obama," said House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat and head of the state party.

"Hey, I don't have an opponent. We're all unified as one," joked Attorney General Lisa Madigan. DuPage County State's Attorney Joe Birkett was going to run against her but then backed out of making the bid.

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During a Springfield radio appearance Madigan reiterated that one of the reasons she didn't run for governor was she wanted to be able to spend time with her two young daughters (4 1/2 and nearly 18 months).

Just about everyone thinks she'll run in four years so I asked her if she thought that issue would change or alleviate in four years. I ask because I've got two boys -- ages 5 and almost 8. Sure, they start school and are gone during the day but there's soccer and baseball and basketball and swimming and numerous other events ...

"I have no idea what my life and my family life will be like in four years. But I appreciate the question," Madigan said.
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Madigan's office gained a new power this week when Gov. Quinn signed a law prohibiting ousted officials from profiting off their illicit activities in public office. That's a way of saying lawmakers wanted to try to go after Rod Blagojevich's upcoming book. Anyway, the law gives the attorney general the power to pursue action.
So, is Attorney General Lisa Madigan going to use it in regards to Blago's book?
"We're always prepared to enforce the law," she said.
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Speaker Madigan was asked how he thought his day would go now that political thorn Blagojevich was no longer around.
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. I'll think about that. I look for a good day," said Speaker Madigan.
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Senate President John Cullerton, a Chicago Democrat, said after the next redistricting, he wants Democrats to win 58 or the 59 state Senate seats. I think he was kidding.
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Gotcha: Quinn has called for University of Illinois trustees to voluntarily resign in the wake of a scandal over political clout tilting who got into the school. Asked what he'd do if they didn't all resign, Quinn told the media to take it one step at a time. "You don't take an aspirin until you have a headache."
To which a reporter said: Hasn't this already become a headache?
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Snark Attack:
The featured speaker at the morning meeting of county Democratic leaders was Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. Culver said this was the first time he'd been to Springfield. So that makes him nearly on par with former Gov. Blagojevich.