Stepping in to a hailstorm of fire, fallen compatriots all around, nowhere to go but straight into the open arms of a battle that can’t be won…
No, this isn’t the climax of a serial western novel, nor is it the final panel in a comic book whose story is “to be continued.”
Instead, it’s the tale of one “Quasi-Governor”, Pat Quinn*. Or, at the very least, that’s the impression I’m beginning to get from his actions and statements.
As the State of Illinois, like so many others, struggles to get anything even approaching a serviceable budget passed, Quinn stands steadfastly opposed to each and every half-assed (pardon the language) budget that the state legislature throws back his way.
Most recently, Quinn reaffirmed his position that the State needed to make massive budget cuts and fiscal sacrifice, by vetoing the already overdue makeshift budget that was presented to him.
Which, combined with his rather strong statements to the press lately about the State of the State, and his pressure on the State legislature to get on board, brings me to one inevitable conclusion – He knows he can’t win.
I’m speaking not only of the current budget battle, but more importantly, and perhaps more seriously, the upcoming 2010 Illinois Gubernatorial election.
I believe, judging by his demeanor, his actions and his inflammatory statements as of late, that Pat Quinn knows, or at least strongly believes, that his chances of winning reelection are on the Kate Moss side of slim, and perhaps none at all.
The field of potential Democratic contenders who will be challenging current Governor Quinn for their shot at the chief executive’s desk is not short on genuine threats, including Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan*.
Earlier this year Quinn said that he would be running and would seek reelection, after much speculation to the contrary. And of course, at this point, any name tossing and ballot building is all hypothetical.
That being said, there are certainly more than a handful of challengers, and that’s just within Quinn’s own party. Additionally, judging by his recent actions and statements, Quinn may be prepared for the loss, so long as he leaves office with his scruples intact (a feat which has now eluded the last two governors of our illustrious state).
It is also possible, however, that Quinn is banking all of his reelection hopes (or at least his nomination hopes) on the passage of a budget that makes some sort of headway towards pulling the State out of its precarious budgetary position.
If, in fact, Gov. Quinn manages to get a budget passed that reduces the deficit and “keeps the lights on”, so to speak, he’s automatically got a leg up on potential contenders, hanging his hat on the fact that he was able to achieve something that other governors and politicians in Illinois were unable to do.
In a state as politically fickle as Illinois, though, it may not be enough. After all, this is the same state that put Blagojevich in office due, in large part, to the fact that his opponent’s last name was the same as the corrupt, outgoing Governor (Ryan). Never mind that there was virtually no connection between the two – The people of Illinois were not going to put another guy named “Ryan” in office after the last one turned out to be fully corrupt. Or maybe everybody was voting for the hair. It’s tough to say.
At any rate, either scenario could be true. Either Quinn knows he can’t win next November and is putting up one hell of a 12th round effort, or he’s banking all his potential reelection hopes on the passage of a fiscally responsible budget that moves Illinois out of the financial doghouse.
The coming months on the Illinois political landscape should prove to be interesting. Though probably not for the same reasons as California, South Carolina, New York, Michigan, New Jersey, Arizona, or Nevada.
*Note – I use the term “Quasi-governor” for Mr. Quinn simply because he isn’t the one that was elected to hold that office, technically speaking. One can make the argument that his name was on the ballot, but it certainly wasn’t his platform that the people were likely voting for, it was the head honcho. Or, in this case, the “Hair Honcho”.
*Note #2 – It is unfortunate that Madigan isn’t going to get the chance to run against Blagojevich, affording her the opportunity to use the perfect campaign slogan that I crafted for her months back – “Spare the Rod.”
Addendum – Sometimes, I actually know what I’m talking about. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24543.html
