Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg takes the stage for his first nationally televised debate with fellow Democratic presidential candidates amid new controversy over a one-minute video in which the billionaire describes farming in overly simplistic and, some say, insulting terms.
The development, many pundits believe, could pose the biggest threat to Bloomberg's nascent campaign yet, on par with Hillary Clinton's 2016 comments dismissing some Trump supporters as "deplorables"—remarks that have been described as a "political gift" to her opponent.
Even more than a recent stampede of negative headlines about Bloomberg—which include tales of sexual harassment lawsuits, insults about black people and women and criticism about allegedly racist stop-and-frisk police policies during his three terms in office—the farming remarks could prove devastating, observers say.
The reason: They provide a powerful visual Trump can use to paint Bloomberg as a condescending coastal elitist to working-class swing voters in the heartland who might otherwise reject the incumbent.
"This is very damning because it'll fit neatly into a commercial where Bloomberg will look uninformed and patronizing compared to Trump, who says he's the man of the people—the people who do the real work in the country," says Kent Redfield, political science professor emeritus at University of Illinois at Springfield, who has long studied the politics of agriculture.
The viral 58-second clip, seen more than 3.5 million times on Twitter alone since Friday, was lifted from a 2016 appearance at the University of Oxford in England in which Bloomberg, speaking to a group at the Said Business School, offered this succinct description of agriculture: "I could teach anybody—even people in this room so no offense intended—to be a farmer. It's a process. You dig a hole, you put a seed in, you put dirt on top, add water, up comes the corn."
In a political world often driven by sound bites, the video clip could prove tough to live down.
"If you've got an hour to sit down and talk about the evolution of work and the role of technology in modern society, you could explain your way out of this," Redfield notes. "But in politics, if you're explaining, you're losing."
Redfield and others say Bloomfield's remarks are of a piece with the way other presidential contenders' comments have become emblematic of alleged disdain for average voters.
This story appeared online in Newsweek on Feb. 19, 2020..
Read the entire article online.
Showing posts with label Redfield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Redfield. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Mixed feelings for Blagojevich retrial, none of them happy
Rod R. Blagojevich, the governor turned prisoner turned reality television star turned radio talk show host, is scheduled to get a new trial starting as early as Wednesday, eight months after proceedings ended with a jury divided on most of the corruption counts against him.
A new trial — and Mr. Blagojevich’s return to the headlines — certainly were not part of the inauguration script for Rahm Emanuel, a fellow Democrat and a former White House chief of staff who takes over as mayor of Chicago next month.
“You don’t know what he’s going to say,” said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois. “If Blagojevich takes the stand this time, he could dirty some people up. If anybody has vulnerability to that, it’s probably Emanuel.”
Redfield's comments were featured in an April 19, 2011, article in The New York Times.
Read the story online
A new trial — and Mr. Blagojevich’s return to the headlines — certainly were not part of the inauguration script for Rahm Emanuel, a fellow Democrat and a former White House chief of staff who takes over as mayor of Chicago next month.
“You don’t know what he’s going to say,” said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois. “If Blagojevich takes the stand this time, he could dirty some people up. If anybody has vulnerability to that, it’s probably Emanuel.”
Redfield's comments were featured in an April 19, 2011, article in The New York Times.
Read the story online
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Topinka, Rutherford put GOP back on state's big stage
Two of the state's new constitutional officers, Treasurer Dan Rutherford and Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, are the first Republicans to hold a statewide office in four years. They are also in charge of the state's financial offices, and they say in charge of carrying out the new spending discipline voters chose last fall.
Topinka is already piping-up, declaring that she's going to pay the state's bills and stop playing games. University of Illinois at Springfield political science professor Kent Redfield said that's exactly what her job is going to be.
"We saw with Dan Hynes what the Comptroller's Office can become, another voice on the budget. The Republicans now have a new voice, and one that carries some weight on fiscal issues.
Redfield adds that the beleaguered Illinois GOP should be very pleased with winning two statewide seats.
Redfield's comments were featured in a January 10, 2011, article by Illinois Statehouse News.
Download a PDF of the article
Topinka is already piping-up, declaring that she's going to pay the state's bills and stop playing games. University of Illinois at Springfield political science professor Kent Redfield said that's exactly what her job is going to be.
"We saw with Dan Hynes what the Comptroller's Office can become, another voice on the budget. The Republicans now have a new voice, and one that carries some weight on fiscal issues.
Redfield adds that the beleaguered Illinois GOP should be very pleased with winning two statewide seats.
Redfield's comments were featured in a January 10, 2011, article by Illinois Statehouse News.
Download a PDF of the article
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Springfield unlikely to be split again among members of Congress
Since the 2000 Census, the city of Springfield has been represented by three different members of the U.S. House, but that could change now that the first results of the 2010 Census are in.
Illinois has 19 House members, but the state will lose one representative in Congress starting with the 2012 election cycle because its population has not grown as fast as those of other states.
Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, believes it’s unlikely that Springfield will again be divided into three districts after redistricting is complete.
One of those districts is the oddly shaped 17th Congressional District, now represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, although Republican Bobby Schilling takes over in January.
The 17th District snakes around the western edge of the state from the Quad Cities area, picks up Galesburg, Macomb and Quincy and then cuts across Central Illinois to pick up parts of Decatur and Springfield.
“What happened a decade ago basically was an incumbent protection map,” Redfield said. “The only way to get enough Democrats into (former U.S. Rep.) Lane Evans’ district was to do this crazy map picking up the east side of Springfield and the more African American areas in Decatur. This time, you don’t have to protect an incumbent Democrat.”
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 22, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Illinois has 19 House members, but the state will lose one representative in Congress starting with the 2012 election cycle because its population has not grown as fast as those of other states.
Kent Redfield, professor emeritus of political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, believes it’s unlikely that Springfield will again be divided into three districts after redistricting is complete.
One of those districts is the oddly shaped 17th Congressional District, now represented by Democratic U.S. Rep. Phil Hare, although Republican Bobby Schilling takes over in January.
The 17th District snakes around the western edge of the state from the Quad Cities area, picks up Galesburg, Macomb and Quincy and then cuts across Central Illinois to pick up parts of Decatur and Springfield.
“What happened a decade ago basically was an incumbent protection map,” Redfield said. “The only way to get enough Democrats into (former U.S. Rep.) Lane Evans’ district was to do this crazy map picking up the east side of Springfield and the more African American areas in Decatur. This time, you don’t have to protect an incumbent Democrat.”
Redfield's comments were featured in a December 22, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Brady, Quinn remain stuck in limbo
Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican challenger Bill Brady were stuck in limbo Wednesday instead of launching a transition or tackling one of the nation’s worst budget problems, as the Illinois governor’s race dragged on along with a handful of other contests nationwide.
An unsettled election also could slow down Quinn’s progress on the politically risky income tax increase he campaigned on to help relieve the state’s finances. He wants to increase the tax rate from 3 percent to 4 percent to generate more money for education, although lawmakers wouldn’t get behind his previous push.
Lawmakers are unlikely to tackle such a thorny issue until the winner of the governor’s race is finalized, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
“They’d want to be very confident that this is part of a four-year strategy and not suddenly have to be dealing with a Gov. Brady,” Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in a November 4, 2010, Associated Press article.
Download a PDF of the article
An unsettled election also could slow down Quinn’s progress on the politically risky income tax increase he campaigned on to help relieve the state’s finances. He wants to increase the tax rate from 3 percent to 4 percent to generate more money for education, although lawmakers wouldn’t get behind his previous push.
Lawmakers are unlikely to tackle such a thorny issue until the winner of the governor’s race is finalized, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
“They’d want to be very confident that this is part of a four-year strategy and not suddenly have to be dealing with a Gov. Brady,” Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in a November 4, 2010, Associated Press article.
Download a PDF of the article
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Kirk defeats Giannoulias to win Obama's Senate seat in Illinois
President Obama's former U.S. Senate seat moved into Republican hands Tuesday as U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk narrowly defeated Democratic Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, an Obama protégé and basketball buddy.
The campaign played out in negative TV ads focused on the candidates' credibility. Kirk, 51, acknowledged that he had exaggerated his military record. Giannoulias, 34, defended his management of a state college savings program and the collapse of a bank his family owned.
"The reason the race was very close is that neither candidate was able to take advantage of what should be strengths," says Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Giannoulias is "bright, engaging," and his job as treasurer should have highlighted his economic qualifications, he says. Kirk's win, Redfield says, followed the playbook for how a Republican can win in Illinois: "Don't scare swing voters in the suburbs." Kirk focused on his foreign policy and military credentials as a Navy reservist.
Redfield's comments were featured in a November 3, 2010, article in USA Today.
Download a PDF of the article
The campaign played out in negative TV ads focused on the candidates' credibility. Kirk, 51, acknowledged that he had exaggerated his military record. Giannoulias, 34, defended his management of a state college savings program and the collapse of a bank his family owned.
"The reason the race was very close is that neither candidate was able to take advantage of what should be strengths," says Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Giannoulias is "bright, engaging," and his job as treasurer should have highlighted his economic qualifications, he says. Kirk's win, Redfield says, followed the playbook for how a Republican can win in Illinois: "Don't scare swing voters in the suburbs." Kirk focused on his foreign policy and military credentials as a Navy reservist.
Redfield's comments were featured in a November 3, 2010, article in USA Today.
Download a PDF of the article
Monday, November 1, 2010
Illinois' unique campaign concludes
Illinois heads for the polls Tuesday to close one of the most unpredictable election seasons ever.
The only certainty is that neither of the top two offices — governor or U.S. Senate — will be won by anyone who has previously won either post. There is no elected incumbent on the ballot.
That unusual twist comes as the result of two national political stories in the last two years that had Illinois at their epicenters: the rise of Barack Obama, and the fall of Rod Blagojevich.
"It's a very unusual (governor's) race because you have two candidates who weren't supposed to be there," said Kent Redfield, political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 31, 2010, article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Download a PDF of the article
The only certainty is that neither of the top two offices — governor or U.S. Senate — will be won by anyone who has previously won either post. There is no elected incumbent on the ballot.
That unusual twist comes as the result of two national political stories in the last two years that had Illinois at their epicenters: the rise of Barack Obama, and the fall of Rod Blagojevich.
"It's a very unusual (governor's) race because you have two candidates who weren't supposed to be there," said Kent Redfield, political scientist at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 31, 2010, article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Download a PDF of the article
Control of Illinois House, Senate at stake
Democrat Michael Madigan on Tuesday will try to extend his long run as Illinois House speaker, hoping that the widespread expectation of Republican momentum in this year's election doesn't turn into a sequel to 1994.
That's the year the Southwest Side chieftain tumbled from power, the only blemish since he first seized control 28 years ago, an exile that lasted but two years.
Madigan and House Republican leader Tom Cross, joined by Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno, are dumping scads of cash into the most competitive races, hoping to tip the scales their way.
It's also expected the record for spending on a single legislative seat will fall, with the tab for one downstate Senate race projected to surpass $2.4 million, said Kent Redfield, a longtime campaign finance expert based at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 31, 2010, article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
That's the year the Southwest Side chieftain tumbled from power, the only blemish since he first seized control 28 years ago, an exile that lasted but two years.
Madigan and House Republican leader Tom Cross, joined by Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno, are dumping scads of cash into the most competitive races, hoping to tip the scales their way.
It's also expected the record for spending on a single legislative seat will fall, with the tab for one downstate Senate race projected to surpass $2.4 million, said Kent Redfield, a longtime campaign finance expert based at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 31, 2010, article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Out-of-state money fueling race for governor
State officials may need to review ways to “protect disclosure” in Illinois in the wake of largely untraceable campaign contributions flowing into state campaigns, a leading campaign finance reform group says.
An unprecedented amount of out-of-state money is financing the race for governor, one expert added.
“That’s pretty unprecedented for Illinois to have that huge amount of money coming in from out of state,’ said Kent Redfield, political science professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Redfield raised another point.
“The Democratic group discloses (contributors), the Republicans don’t,” he said.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 27, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
An unprecedented amount of out-of-state money is financing the race for governor, one expert added.
“That’s pretty unprecedented for Illinois to have that huge amount of money coming in from out of state,’ said Kent Redfield, political science professor emeritus at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
Redfield raised another point.
“The Democratic group discloses (contributors), the Republicans don’t,” he said.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 27, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Big names hit Ill. in campaign's waning days
In the final days before the Nov. 2 election, Democrats and Republicans are leaning on party heavyweights, energizing their bases and looking for swing voters in the high-profile races for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat and Illinois governor.
Democrats have more work to do than Republicans to energize their base, but both sides need to sway independent and swing voters, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
While Republicans are charged up ideologically, some Democrats aren't happy with Obama because they've been hurt by the slumping economy, are dissatisfied with his progress on gay rights or think he settled for too little change in health care reform, Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 26, 2010, article by the Associated Press.
Download a PDF of the article
Democrats have more work to do than Republicans to energize their base, but both sides need to sway independent and swing voters, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
While Republicans are charged up ideologically, some Democrats aren't happy with Obama because they've been hurt by the slumping economy, are dissatisfied with his progress on gay rights or think he settled for too little change in health care reform, Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in an October 26, 2010, article by the Associated Press.
Download a PDF of the article
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Barack Obama's old senate seat in danger of becoming Republican
In what would be perhaps the most symbolic defeat for the president in the November midterms, Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic senate candidate for Illinois, is only a percentage point ahead of his Republican opposition Mark Kirk.
Mr. Obama has already made one fundraising appearance in Chicago to rally support for Mr. Giannoulias, 34, a former state treasurer who has suffered from his inexperience and the revelation that his family's bank, now failed, lent money to mobsters.
"He is not as popular nationally or in Illinois as he was two years ago," said Kent Redfield, a professor political science at the University of Illinois. "There is a national mood, a worry about the economy and the country's future, that is bleeding into Illinois.
"It says a lot about how bad he and the Democrats are doing that this seat is in play. It's not a seat they should have to worry about."
Redfield's comments were featured in a October 13, 2010, article by the London Daily Telegraph.
Download a PDF of the article
Mr. Obama has already made one fundraising appearance in Chicago to rally support for Mr. Giannoulias, 34, a former state treasurer who has suffered from his inexperience and the revelation that his family's bank, now failed, lent money to mobsters.
"He is not as popular nationally or in Illinois as he was two years ago," said Kent Redfield, a professor political science at the University of Illinois. "There is a national mood, a worry about the economy and the country's future, that is bleeding into Illinois.
"It says a lot about how bad he and the Democrats are doing that this seat is in play. It's not a seat they should have to worry about."
Redfield's comments were featured in a October 13, 2010, article by the London Daily Telegraph.
Download a PDF of the article
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Democrats face tough fight to keep Obama's old senate seat
Illinois Democrats are locked in a dogfight to retain President Barack Obama's troublesome former U.S. Senate seat.
A Chicago Tribune poll released this weekend has first-term Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias up by two points over five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, 38% to 36%.
Last month, the same poll found the candidates tied at 34%. Democrats enjoy as much as a 10-point margin over Republicans among registered voters in the state.
"Kirk has got to win moderates and independents in order to win as a Republican in Illinois," said Kent Redfield, a professor at the University of Illinois in Springfield. "Giannoulias has to get enthusiasm within his base."
Redfield's comments were featured in a October 4, 2010, article in The Wall Street Journal.
Download a PDF of the article
A Chicago Tribune poll released this weekend has first-term Democratic state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias up by two points over five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, 38% to 36%.
Last month, the same poll found the candidates tied at 34%. Democrats enjoy as much as a 10-point margin over Republicans among registered voters in the state.
"Kirk has got to win moderates and independents in order to win as a Republican in Illinois," said Kent Redfield, a professor at the University of Illinois in Springfield. "Giannoulias has to get enthusiasm within his base."
Redfield's comments were featured in a October 4, 2010, article in The Wall Street Journal.
Download a PDF of the article
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Big '08 win boomerangs on Democrats
In Washington, where short-term political gain often morphs into long-term political pain, the breakthrough victories of President Obama and the Democrats in 2008 are coming back to haunt them in 2010.
In Mr. Obama's home state of Illinois, where Republican Rep. Mark Steven Kirk is in a dead heat with Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois state treasurer.
The Illinois race seemed unlikely two years ago after Mr. Obama resigned his seat to move to the White House. Filling it in such a heavily Democrats state with a Democratic governor seemed to be a mere formality.
Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said that if Mr. Obama still held the Senate seat, "he would essentially just be cruising toward re-election" and that Mr. Kirk likely would not have run.
"The Senate seat would not be in play," Mr. Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in a September 30, 2010, article in the Washington Times.
Download a PDF of the article
In Mr. Obama's home state of Illinois, where Republican Rep. Mark Steven Kirk is in a dead heat with Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois state treasurer.
The Illinois race seemed unlikely two years ago after Mr. Obama resigned his seat to move to the White House. Filling it in such a heavily Democrats state with a Democratic governor seemed to be a mere formality.
Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield, said that if Mr. Obama still held the Senate seat, "he would essentially just be cruising toward re-election" and that Mr. Kirk likely would not have run.
"The Senate seat would not be in play," Mr. Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in a September 30, 2010, article in the Washington Times.
Download a PDF of the article
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Chicago's 'mayor for life' decides not to run
Mayor Richard M. Daley dropped the bomb at a routine news conference at City Hall on Tuesday. With no prelude or fanfare, Mr. Daley announced that he would not seek re-election when his term expires next year.
“The Daley legacy is political continuity, economic development and revitalization,” said Kent Redfield, a political scientist from the University of Illinois, Springfield. “Having stability and continuity in local government has been a big plus in terms of developments, and there’s been a strong relationship with big business and big labor. It was certainly also a hallmark of the first Daley administration, being able to bring economic interests together.”
Here in Chicago, the news of Mr. Daley’s imminent departure was greeted with near universal shock. “Oh, my God! We know we knew it would happen someday, but I certainly didn’t wake up thinking it would be today,” Ms. Canary said. “It’s very exciting and a little scary.”
Professor Redfield added, “It is remarkable when you see people walk away from power.”
Redfield's comments were featured in a September 8, 2010, article in the New York Times.
Download a PDF of the article
“The Daley legacy is political continuity, economic development and revitalization,” said Kent Redfield, a political scientist from the University of Illinois, Springfield. “Having stability and continuity in local government has been a big plus in terms of developments, and there’s been a strong relationship with big business and big labor. It was certainly also a hallmark of the first Daley administration, being able to bring economic interests together.”
Here in Chicago, the news of Mr. Daley’s imminent departure was greeted with near universal shock. “Oh, my God! We know we knew it would happen someday, but I certainly didn’t wake up thinking it would be today,” Ms. Canary said. “It’s very exciting and a little scary.”
Professor Redfield added, “It is remarkable when you see people walk away from power.”
Redfield's comments were featured in a September 8, 2010, article in the New York Times.
Download a PDF of the article
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Quinn official's violations like 'jaywalking,' ethics advocate says
The director of a reform group who pushed the 2003 ethics law that Gov. Pat Quinn’s former chief of staff ran afoul of said Jerry Stermer’s resignation over three prohibited e-mails was “overkill.”
“In terms of whether this is a hanging offense, absolutely not,” said Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “People make mistakes. As far as I know, we’re still hiring human beings. This wasn’t a mistake I couldn’t see myself doing.
James Wright, the state’s former executive inspector general, sent Quinn an investigative report on the e-mails earlier this month and urged Attorney General Lisa Madigan to refer the case to the Executive Ethics Commission.
Kent Redfield, emeritus professor of political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, said the incident shows that more transparency is needed regarding what inspectors general are doing.
Redfield's comments were featured in a August 26, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
“In terms of whether this is a hanging offense, absolutely not,” said Cindi Canary, director of the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform. “People make mistakes. As far as I know, we’re still hiring human beings. This wasn’t a mistake I couldn’t see myself doing.
James Wright, the state’s former executive inspector general, sent Quinn an investigative report on the e-mails earlier this month and urged Attorney General Lisa Madigan to refer the case to the Executive Ethics Commission.
Kent Redfield, emeritus professor of political studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, said the incident shows that more transparency is needed regarding what inspectors general are doing.
Redfield's comments were featured in a August 26, 2010, article in The State Journal-Register.
Download a PDF of the article
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Pawnbroker campaigns for redemption
The last time Illinois voters got a good look at Scott Lee Cohen he was sitting in a bar, choking back tears. But if he has his way, Democratic leaders might be crying come November.
Mr. Cohen withdrew as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in a weepy February press conference at a local tavern. Now Mr. Cohen is running again, this time for governor as an independent.
Part of Mr. Cohen's strategy is to appeal to African-Americans, who generally vote overwhelmingly for Democrats.
"If he starts making inroads among blacks...that's just a nightmare" for Gov. Quinn, said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois, Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in a August 19, 2010, article in The Wall Street Journal.
Download a PDF of the article
Mr. Cohen withdrew as the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in a weepy February press conference at a local tavern. Now Mr. Cohen is running again, this time for governor as an independent.
Part of Mr. Cohen's strategy is to appeal to African-Americans, who generally vote overwhelmingly for Democrats.
"If he starts making inroads among blacks...that's just a nightmare" for Gov. Quinn, said Kent Redfield, a political scientist at the University of Illinois, Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in a August 19, 2010, article in The Wall Street Journal.
Download a PDF of the article
Monday, August 9, 2010
Quinn accentuating positive, burying negative this summer
Gov. Pat Quinn is spending the summer polishing his image for voters this fall. He's toured jail cells, navigated rubble at construction sites, met with dental students and even shared the podium with his Yorkshire terrier, Bailey, all while signing routine bills into law.
Quinn's not the first governor to accentuate the positive. For Quinn, the steady stream of carefully orchestrated, TV-friendly events allows him to conserve campaign cash and appear gubernatorial. They provide the public with a can-do view that contrasts with Quinn's inability so far to pass the major tax increase he covets and make enough cuts to balance the state budget.
Republican foe Sen. Bill Brady questions Quinn's approach, saying it's a concern that the governor is using state resources to stage elaborate bill signings when he can just as easily take action from the comfort of his office.
As the Nov. 2 election nears, the issues Quinn seizes on are just as telling as those he lets quietly slip by, said Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
"Mixing business with politics is as old as the Republic," Redfield said. "How you handle these things is going to depend on whether you can use them for your advantage and gets you coverage in terms that are generally favorable for the narrative you're mapping. And other issues, you do them late on a Friday because you want to minimize the coverage and you don't want the attention."
Redfield's comments were featured in a August 8, 2010, article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
Quinn's not the first governor to accentuate the positive. For Quinn, the steady stream of carefully orchestrated, TV-friendly events allows him to conserve campaign cash and appear gubernatorial. They provide the public with a can-do view that contrasts with Quinn's inability so far to pass the major tax increase he covets and make enough cuts to balance the state budget.
Republican foe Sen. Bill Brady questions Quinn's approach, saying it's a concern that the governor is using state resources to stage elaborate bill signings when he can just as easily take action from the comfort of his office.
As the Nov. 2 election nears, the issues Quinn seizes on are just as telling as those he lets quietly slip by, said Kent Redfield, a political science professor at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
"Mixing business with politics is as old as the Republic," Redfield said. "How you handle these things is going to depend on whether you can use them for your advantage and gets you coverage in terms that are generally favorable for the narrative you're mapping. And other issues, you do them late on a Friday because you want to minimize the coverage and you don't want the attention."
Redfield's comments were featured in a August 8, 2010, article in the Chicago Tribune.
Download a PDF of the article
Friday, July 30, 2010
Quinn's veto pen not packing permanent ink
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has been busy with his veto pen, although it likely won't be permanent.
Quinn issued his second veto of July this week, adding a provision to an ethics law that would allow voters to petition lawmakers for a vote on dormant legislation. Quinn said he's right by both the state Constitution and by voters.
Quinn said he is using his power to empower the people of Illinois. But University of Illinois at Springfield professor Kent Redfield said Quinn more likely is playing a bit of politics.
"These are pure posturing-before-the-election (vetoes)," Redfield said. "When we get to veto session it's unlikely that either would pass on their merits."
Redfield's comments were featured in a July 29, 2010, article by Illinois Statehouse News.
Download a PDF of the article
Quinn issued his second veto of July this week, adding a provision to an ethics law that would allow voters to petition lawmakers for a vote on dormant legislation. Quinn said he's right by both the state Constitution and by voters.
Quinn said he is using his power to empower the people of Illinois. But University of Illinois at Springfield professor Kent Redfield said Quinn more likely is playing a bit of politics.
"These are pure posturing-before-the-election (vetoes)," Redfield said. "When we get to veto session it's unlikely that either would pass on their merits."
Redfield's comments were featured in a July 29, 2010, article by Illinois Statehouse News.
Download a PDF of the article
Friday, July 16, 2010
Bashing by Blagojevich a badge of honor for many
Jesse Jackson Jr. isn’t likely to lose sleep over Blagojevich’s unkind words. But a potentially far more serious revelation about the 14-year congressman came out at trial.
Prosecutors told the presiding judge that a witness, if asked, would place Jackson at a meeting where a businessman offered to raise $1 million for Blagojevich if the governor appointed Jackson to the Senate.
Jackson hasn’t been accused of wrongdoing and said in a recent statement he was “never part of any improper scheme with Blagojevich or anyone else.” A spokeswoman for Jackson, Theresa Caldwell, said Thursday that he wouldn’t comment further.
Still, it could lead some in the Democratic Party to consider Jackson damaged goods, said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois Springfield.
“I’m not sure Jesse Jackson’s biggest problem is Rod Blagojevich offering a moral judgment on his character,” Redfield said.
Redfield's comments were featured in a July 15, 2010, article by the Associated Press.
Kirk outraises Giannoulias in Ill. Senate bid
The Republican running for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat has four times as much money in the bank as the Democrat in the race, although controversy has dogged both their campaigns.
Democrat Alexi Giannoulias announced Thursday that he has about $1 million in the bank compared to Republican Mark Kirk, who reported to the Federal Election Commission that he had more than $3.9 million in cash on hand when the quarter ended June 30.
"I don't think we've reached the point yet where the Democrats might decide they've got a better chance of picking up a seat somewhere else than holding on to Illinois. This can contribute to that kind of talk," said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in a July 15, 2010, article by the Associated Press.
Download a PDF of the article
Democrat Alexi Giannoulias announced Thursday that he has about $1 million in the bank compared to Republican Mark Kirk, who reported to the Federal Election Commission that he had more than $3.9 million in cash on hand when the quarter ended June 30.
"I don't think we've reached the point yet where the Democrats might decide they've got a better chance of picking up a seat somewhere else than holding on to Illinois. This can contribute to that kind of talk," said Kent Redfield, a professor emeritus of politics at the University of Illinois-Springfield.
Redfield's comments were featured in a July 15, 2010, article by the Associated Press.
Download a PDF of the article
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)