Courage and Conviction from Bill Brady Draws Criticism from Jim Edgar

Thomas F. Roeser 11 November 2010

Ah, I see Jim Edgar has just criticized Bill Brady for losing the governorship because he is too conservative for Illinois. I’m sure that the act of standing up for a belief that hasn’t tested as supported 10 to 1 in the polls is unthinkable for Vanilla Jim whose successful public career has been marked with caution, dexterity, flexibility all delivered with a mewing voice bearing clichés that don’t offend anyone. True, they don’t cause anybody to think, either, but that’s been Vanilla Jim’s trademark.

In all he’s been a nice appearing, slim chap with a southern accent who never rocked any boat or never failed to get along with any of his superiors—be they the bellowing, cigar-chomping, hard-drinking conservative Lion of the State Senate, mega-millionaire W. Russell Arrington…or the expansive, liberal governor now power lobbyist Jim Thompson whose tastes rivaled Suleiman the Magnificent, who built a psychedelic monstrosity bearing his name…impossible to heat in the winter and cool in the summer, a legendary collector of modern art who never promised tax increases—in fact assured there would be none—but who twice after electoral victories said oh, er, I just decided, guess what? We need a tax hike.

Jim Edgard got along with those two and many more besides. His secret was that he never assented, never dissented, never caused waves….meaning that he sits still while others do the advocacy. When one opponent Dawn Clark Netsch ran against him she came out with a colorful TV commercial showing her shooting 8-ball pool while Edgar’s were just blah.

Emboldened by her success, she came forth with a tax swap idea. Jim attacked it. After he beat her, his administration toyed with her idea and came very near embracing it—and, in fact, Edgar’s lieutenant governor came out for it. Edgar stayed mum. In the next election the lieutenant governor got walloped because he was identified with it. Edgar stayed mum. Not that Edgar should have endorsed it, mind you—but his success has always been that he takes no risks with ideas or stands. Nosirree.

The idea that anyone should embrace an idea or proposition that is popular with some but unpopular with others has always been shunned by Edgar.. After all, he’s gotten places never taking a stand beyond the latest cliché. But those of us who know that politics demands bravery will thank him for courageously standing in defense of unborn life. You’d never catch Jim Edgar doing that or suggesting any ideas or programs that may be controversial.

Which may lead some to suggest a monument be erected to Vanilla Jim. It should be a bust made of plastic and mounted on a weathervane. That way his image will turn first left and right as he always has in life—reflecting the cross-currents of the slightest breezes. And the bust should be inscribed with one of his quotes. You know—quotes that may be mundane, forgettable, clichés—but never offend.

Like…oh let me think…”When folks are out of work, unemployment results.”

Those of us who fought to elect Bill Brady are proud of his distinctiveness that has always set him apart from pols like Jim Edgar….for his valiant campaign and his forthrightness. Thanks Bill and Nancy from this volunteer in your army.

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Tom Roeser is the Chairman of the Editorial Board of the Chicago Daily Observer

http://www.cdobs.com/archive/featured/courage-and-conviction-by-brady-draws-criticism-from-edgar/