“I believe there are a lot of Republicans who share numerous same values as me even through they disagree on the means we achieve them”, the president said.
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The former U.S. Senator from IL addressed a joint session of the General Assembly during an hour long speech inside the state capitol building in downtown Springfield.
The White House recently posted a desultory answer to the petition that quotes Obama as saying that “We have to reduce the influence of money in our politics” – but doesn’t acknowledge the petition’s demand that Obama, not “we”, take specific action. Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, Democrats who control the Legislature, and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel have exchanged criticism – sometimes uncomfortably personal – over the state budget mess, Chicago’s schools, Rauner’s appointments and more.
“All of you know it could be better and all of you could feel prouder about the work you do if it was better”, he said.
Obama’s remarks were delivered from the same spot where Abraham Lincoln – that great unifier – declared “a house divided against itself can not stand”.
Rather than reward the most extreme voices or whoever is best at “launching schoolyard taunts”, the president told IL lawmakers in Springfield that “we should insist on a higher form of political discourse that is based on respect”.
“He talked about voter participation, which I think is at the root of our democracy”, Gabel said.
“All that does is prevent what most Americans would consider actual accomplishments like fixing roads, educating kids, passing budgets and making our streets safe”, Obama said. U.S. Representative Peter J. Roskam served alongside Obama in the state senate from 2000 to 2004.
“There is no doubt that every step of the way, every day that I’m in that office, maybe I could have done that a little better”, he said. But after Obama was finished, about the only thing Republicans and Democrats agreed on is that the speech wouldn’t change things.
In rare comments about being the country’s first black president, President Obama said some opponents have used “dog whistles” of racism against him, but his race has helped him in other ways.
The president returned to the motorcade and was taken to the Statehouse, where he will address the General Assembly this afternoon.
Obama’s first stop in Springfield was at The Feed Store restaurant, in the Old State Capitol Square, where he greeted patrons and ordered food. A man who actually worked in Springfield as a state senator and then was elected president – twice – on a message of unity.
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IL has been without a budget for several months because of the standoff between Rauner and Madigan, forcing social service agencies which contract with the State to cut back their services, and prompting IL colleges and Universities to threaten layoffs. With a rich history rooted in IL, most of Obama’s visit will be among old friends.
