Politics & Government

Mike Madigan Loses the Midas Touch and Blasts Andy Shaw

Who's the kingmaker here anyway?

By Reboot Illinois

House Speaker Michael Madigan "has really been off his game the past several months," writes Capitol Fax publisher Rich Miller. Examples include running away from TV reporter Chuck Goudie, the awkward power play that ended Lisa Madigan's possible campaign for governor, sparring with his Senate counterpart over pension reform and, now, a very public spat with Better Government Association President Andy Shaw. 

"The rich irony of Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan denouncing somebody else for attempting to be a 'kingmaker' is so obvious and laughable that I can’t help but wonder why a guy who’s been a take no prisoners kingmaker himself for so long in this state would ever think of saying such a thing," writes Miller in a great analysis from someone who knows a thing or two about how Madigan has operated over the years.

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Read more of Rich Miller's article at Reboot Illinois

Meanwhile, the BGA's Andy Shaw fires back at Madigan, who last week accused him of being an aspiring "kingmaker" and of using bullying tactics as the BGA investigated the government employment histories of 30 of Madigan's political volunteers. 

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"Dear Mike," writes Shaw, "We haven’t talked in months, so I was surprised to learn that, in your capacity as Illinois Democratic chairman, you recently sent a letter to party leaders condemning the Better Government Association and my tenure as its CEO." 

We'll find out later this week whether Madigan accepts Shaw's invitation to the BGA's 90th anniversary luncheon on Thursday.


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