DAN HYNES AND THE LOAN IMPASSE

First, Full Disclosure: Your ever cordial Basin Considers Dan Hynes a friend and occasionally enjoys his company.

Dan Hynes has made a career out of making slow, cautious and wrong career decisions. He didn't make the leap ('98, Governor) when he should have. He did make the leap ('02--Senate) when history indicated he couldn't win a hydra-headed race. He didn't.

Still, he's a solid custodian of the public funds, a moral, decent guy and, at this moment, has nothing to lose. Everybody else in Springfield wants to borrow a boatload of money. Dan takes the quite sensible position that no has ever borrowed himself out of debt. That this happens in the context of Gubernatorial primary is interesting and adds more heat than light. It really, really annoys Pat Quinn--you know, the populist, consumerist, anti big government gadfly, That Pat Quinn.

Dan has the high cards in this hand. They can't borrow the money without his signature. He may be right. First, get a "big boy" solution. Then borrow the money has part of the comprehensive plan.

Doubt that he will get to be Governor. Still, it's interesting to contemplate how much different this loan would look from the Governor's chair.

Stay tuned to the adventures of the "Loan Ranger"