Today's AP article on Gov. Pat Quinn's WTTW appearance takes an odd angle.  The version that appeared in the Daily Chronicle is headlined "Quinn won't discuss backup plan" and reports: "Gov. Pat Quinn refused to say Monday whether he has a plan to avoid deep cuts in education if lawmakers resist his call to raise the state income tax."

During the Democratic gubernatorial primary, we criticized challenger Dan Hynes -- who was pushing a progressive income tax system as a solution to the budget crisis -- for not offering a "plan B" if legislators didn't go for his plan this spring.  But the current situation is quite different.  Unlike Hynes, Quinn is talking candidly about the specific types of cuts he foresees in lieu of an income tax increase.  You can disagree with what he's targeting; but you can't deny that it represents a "plan B." 

The AP's assumption seems to be that Quinn should provide a menu of revenue options that lawmakers can pick from.  What it misses is that those criticizing Quinn's plan aren't themselves offering any serious alternatives.  GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Brady, for instance, won't even put his vague budget proposal in writing.  Where's the AP article on that?