Democratic infighting continues at state fair

SPRINGFIELD - Not even a former United Nations ambassador could quell feuding among Illinois Democrats Wednesday.

With former diplomat and current New Mexico governor Bill Richardson on hand for a day of Democratic rallies, the sniping that's marked Democrats tenure at the helm of state government continued.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich made thinly veiled criticisms of House Speaker Michael Madigan, the chairman of the state party, challenging him to uphold Democratic ideals rather than talk about them.

Democratic faithful were greeted by a labor protest at the Illinois State Fair.

State Comptroller Dan Hynes told Democratic officials that Illinois was in the best of times with presidential hopeful Barack Obama, but the worst of times with state government.

And numerous top state Democrats stayed away from the Democratic rally at the fair.

Blagojevich tried to downplay the infighting even as he peppered speeches with lines about Democrats needing to do more than talk about what they stand for.

"It's one thing to stand for things, it's another to stand up for things," he said.

Blagojevich has been trying to win approval of billions worth of construction spending, which he says will trigger thousands of jobs, only to be thwarted by Madigan and Illinois House Democrats.

When repeatedly asked who he was talking about, who needed to stand up, Blagojevich refused to answer.

Told of Hynes' Charles Dickens' imagery, the governor said he believes the author would support his health care and educational policies, had the prolific English author not died in 1870.

"And I think if Charles Dickens were alive today, he would in many ways echo the fact that those achievements as well as others like raising the minimum wage, twice, are in many cases the best of times," Blagojevich said

For a while Wednesday it looked like the state government logjam was breaking.

During a speech to Democratic officials, Madigan announced progress was made at leasing the lottery to help pay for construction. But he added that concerns remain.

Getting at least $10 billion from such a lottery lease is the lynch pin of the governor's construction program.

However, Madigan's comments had Democrats and Republicans scratching their heads.

"I don't think there are any serious talks or serious negotiations going on," said state Rep. Bob Molaro, a Chicago Democrat.

Republicans, meanwhile, roundly criticized the governor for bringing lawmakers back to the Capitol at 5 p.m. Wednesday, after the Democratic rallies, effectively giving them $129 for meals and housing when many were there anyway.