Obama returned to Springfield, the place where his presidential career began, to mark the ninth anniversary of his entrance in the 2008 presidential race.
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State Sen. Bill Haine, a Democrat from Alton, said the president took some of the blame for extreme partisanship in Washington, a partisanship Haine said he believes is seeping into more state general assemblies.
President Obama says he feels that he should have done more during his time in office to reach out to Republicans in an effort to smooth the political polarization in Washington. “When we know whatever the final resolution is and what the impacts are we’ll deal with it and in the meantime … we’re just trying to keep things status quo while still doing things”.
President Obama has arrived in Springfield to meet with state lawmakers.
Obama acknowledged his disappointment that partisan discord has gotten worse during his presidency and, hinting at his post-presidential plans, said this work “will be a focus of mine over the course of this year and beyond”. U.S. Representative Peter J. Roskam served alongside Obama in the state senate from 2000 to 2004.
The president sat down with the LA Times and three former colleagues, IL state legislators, Republican Kirk Dillard, and Democrats Denny Jacobs and Larry Walsh, to further discuss the gridlock in Washington.
The tone of Obama’s speech to the Illinois General Assemly wasn’t exactly a scolding, but more a lamentation of the polarized nature of current American politics coupled with a hopeful sentiment that Americans can and should be encouraged to do better. Party lines usually held, and they still disagreed – but he says the relationships helped lawmakers to compromise.
“This is an important part of the issue – we have an importation of our politics nationally on cable and talk radio and it seeps into everything”, Obama said.
“But it’s also an opportunity for us to remind ourselves that actions speak louder than words”, Barickman said.
Obama’s speech in IL sounded a hopeful note.
Though he did not mention any of the presidential candidates by name, his message to them, and to all politicians, was clear. He plans to deliver an address to the Illinois General Assembly at the Illinois State Capitol.
The president’s speech, which is not open to the public, is expected to address themes of bipartisanship and cooperation.
State Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, said she didn’t see the speech changing any positions in Springfield, but at least it started a conversation. Dunkin has sided with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner on several key votes denying Madigan the supermajority needed to override gubernatorial vetoes.
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According to a statement released by the governor’s office, Rauner remains optimistic about the president’s visit. He suggested as an IL voter, the state should look at redistricting reform and pass a bill allowing for automatic voter registration.
