Madigan Memo Stops Progress

It's your move, Madigan

June 12, 2008

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Mike Madigan doesn't want to impeach the governor. Except he secretly does. He has never said it out loud. But he really has.

On Wednesday, the Sun-Times reported that the Democratic Party of Illinois, chaired by House Speaker Madigan, sent out a scathing memo laying out arguments for initiating impeachment proceedings against Gov. Blagojevich.

Madigan's spokesman, Steve Brown, says these were just talking points for candidates who are asked about impeachment. The memo, he insisted, doesn't necessarily reflect the views of Madigan, who cannot take a position on an impeachment effort because of his role as speaker.

But the tone of the 14-page memo, including an oblique reference to the governor as a "tumor" that should be excised, says otherwise.

The memo spells out in great detail Blagojevich's alleged sins as governor and urges candidates to call for impeachment proceedings in the strongest of terms. The memo also drips with hypocrisy.

"This has nothing to do with Mike Madigan," candidates are urged to tell constituents. "I've researched this issue on my own and after careful consideration believed that now is the right time to do it."

Remember: This memo comes directly from Madigan's staff.

Enough with the games. Mike Madigan has to make a choice.

He must either forge ahead with an impeachment effort, which this page doubts would succeed. Or he must start cooperating with the governor, who has engendered great mistrust but has made small efforts of late to repair that.

Right now, Madigan refuses to work with the governor, preventing movement on a gaping budget deficit and a capital bill.

The fight between Madigan and Blagojevich has left Illinois without a functioning Legislature.

Mr. Madigan, it's up to you.