Report: Proft won’t run
Wednesday, Aug 28, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Twitters…
I’m not sure anyone ever really thought he was gonna run, but whatever.
…Adding… Illinois Review has a statement…
“I feel a bit odd making a statement about something I am not going to do. However, since I have been openly contemplating another run for Illinois governor, it is appropriate I make my decision known for clarity’s sake and for the sake of generous supporters past and present. Therefore, after careful consideration and reflection I have decided that I will not be a candidate for governor in 2014. Instead, I will continue to work in support of selective Republican candidates for office at the local and state legislative levels. And I will continue to work from the platform I am fortunate to have at WLS radio in Chicago to do intellectual battle with the craven Illinois Ruling Class and to advance the flag for policies and personalities in furtherance of free minds and free markets.”
- Adam Smith - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:23 pm:
One less candidate stuffed into the GOP clown car.
Yawn.
- Gregor - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:28 pm:
You couldn’t tell by his on-air talk…
- Amalia - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:29 pm:
be still, my heart.
- Gregor - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:29 pm:
Cameron had to walk all the way down that long hall to get that story…
- Empty Chair - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:30 pm:
#tcot
#NOONECARES
- An important nte - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:32 pm:
You’ll note that Dan didn’t truck up to the Union League Club with a bunch of his supporters and make the press put on their wingtips to make this announcement.
Just sayin’
#ThisIsWhyPhoneBookSalesmenCantHaveNiceThings
- ChicagoR - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:34 pm:
I’m sure both his supporters are shocked, after his huge 6th place “victory” in 2010.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:37 pm:
“you sure Dan?” — Bruce Wolf
- MrJM - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:41 pm:
THIS CHANGES EV…
Wait… nope.
As you were.
– MrJM
- Norseman - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:42 pm:
I’m not running for Governor either. I’m throwing my support to Oswego Willy. I want to thank my supporters for all their efforts.
- Knome Sane - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:44 pm:
Bwaa ha ha ha ha
- OurMagician - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:49 pm:
A tweet from Bill Cameron? Small time to announce you’re not running, right Adam Andrzejewski…
- William j Kelly - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:49 pm:
That can only mean that profts money master dick Uihlein believes Proft is more helpful to Bruce rauner on the radio than dividing the vote in a republican primary, after all that didn’t exactly work out as they planned in 2010.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:50 pm:
Least meaningful non-announcement ever.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:52 pm:
What a scoop!
I hear Bob Bell’s not running, either. He’s been dead for a while, but that Bozo would still make a better candidate than Proft.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:52 pm:
Oh no. Oh no.
- shore - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:57 pm:
opens the field for adam a to make a run.
- Mokenavince - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 12:58 pm:
This is really sad news . Maybe he will rethink it.
A major blow to State politics, say it ain’t so Dan.
- thechampaignlife - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:00 pm:
Good for Proft. And while he’s at it, let me jump in here to put all the rumors to rest. I’d like to formally announce my non-candidacy for Governor of the Great State of Illinois.
That is all.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:00 pm:
“…do intellectual battle with the craven Illinois Ruling Class and to advance the flag for policies and personalities in furtherance of free minds and free markets.”
And pursue no-bid p.r. contracts from mobbed up local governments.
- dogboy - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:01 pm:
Congrats, Dan Profit remains a non-factor in Illinois politics.
- LincolnLounger - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:01 pm:
@William j Kelly: Uihlein + Proft = Dick Morris + you. Talk about not exactly working out as planned!
- Union Thug - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:26 pm:
Does this mean that Jeanne Ives is free to be Bill Brady’s running mate?
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:31 pm:
After several minutes of careful consideration and reflection, I have decided to return to work after a having a nice ham sandwich and a tomato from the backyard garden. I will continue to work from the platform I am fortunate to have while making some phone calls until about 5:00 while looking at Cap Fax occassionally.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:32 pm:
Funny that Bill Kelly would post a snarky response.
Bill is probably angry that HIS announcement that he was not running for office was ignored by everybody.
Poor, poor Bill. Nobody wants to play with him.
- Levois - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:34 pm:
The snark in this thread is hilarious. I should annouce that I’m running only to announce minutes later that I’ve changed my mind and won’t run at all. In which case it won’t even be headline news!
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:37 pm:
Wait. Can I have his supporters? I’m in furtherance of free minds and free markets too!
- Stones - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:38 pm:
…and I won’t be a candidate for President of the United States in 2016 either.
- Skeeter - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:41 pm:
Has anybody asked Danny Davis about this race yet?
- Who Cares? - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 1:52 pm:
Seriously - this is news??? He’s owned by the Rauner/Griffin cabal now. He’ll serve and get paid to continue to feed his ego by the new corrupter’s.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 2:26 pm:
==to advance the flag for policies and personalities in furtherance of free minds and free markets==
Isn’t he against free stuff?
- siriusly - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 2:29 pm:
craven Ruling class vs. Free Minds
I think they were the opening game last time the Globetrotters were in town.
- Just Sayin' - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 2:49 pm:
Lincolnlounger’s comment makes no sense. Please try to do better next time.
- reformer - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:04 pm:
The race will be less entertaining due to Dan’s absence.
- ChicagoR - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:10 pm:
Reformer, I think WLS will be less entertaining due to his presence.
- Wallendar - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:12 pm:
OMG - what an ego! To think such an unlikeable person would even consider it is mind boggling.
- Cook County Commoner - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:13 pm:
Craven? The Ruling Class doesn’t seem craven. It’s out their running things in the open like it has for decades. And every one knows it, and now it has amassed enough voters to probably keep on running things.
Intellectual battle? Proft is shadow boxing. Illinois politics isn’t about intellect. It’s about power, clout, jobs, pensions and votes. It’s about gaining and retaining power. It’s about seeing how much taxpayers will pay without revolting and leaving.
You’re either a plucker or a pluckee in this state.
- A guy... - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:22 pm:
Oh.
- tominchicago - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:34 pm:
I defy Proft to show me someone in the ruling class who is more craven than Larry Dominick.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:37 pm:
Does everyone not running for Governor need to announce?
Also, I think we need to know what else Proft is not running for. Just to be clear.
- Mondo - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 3:47 pm:
Proft is a real reformer, look at the great work he did in Cicero.
- low level - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 4:26 pm:
Sorry but it looks like I need to remind people that everyone pays taxes, including govt workers.
constantly invoking the “taxpayers” label does you no good.
- Dan Bureaucrat - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 4:54 pm:
Who are these selective Republican candidates he is going to work for? Perhaps those who pick someone besides Jason Plummer as a running mate?
- bureaucrat party - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 5:09 pm:
“After much reflection, consideration and consternation, I have decided to switch from Coast to Ivory Spring soap. I just know the voters will want to know about my critical decision”
- Just The Way It Is One - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 8:07 pm:
Probably a good idea…particular after how low he ended-up in his 2010 try–with little reason to seem somehow inCREDibly so much more appealing to the Voters now….
- Just The Way It Is One - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 8:08 pm:
That was meant to read: “…particularly after….”
- 1776 - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 9:13 pm:
Wonder why there is a poll in the field asking about Kinzinger for Governor? Maybe Dan will be the Lt. Governor for Rauner.
- Michael Westen - Wednesday, Aug 28, 13 @ 11:42 pm:
How could six percent possibly be wrong?
- Grumpy Gus - Thursday, Aug 29, 13 @ 6:38 am:
While I don’t think Proft would be a contender, can we all agree that being host on a top rated Chicago morning show would have greatly increased his name ID? I’m willing to bet more suburban GOP voters know his name than Kirk Dillard ’s.
- South of Sherman - Thursday, Aug 29, 13 @ 9:39 am:
“…to do intellectual battle with the craven Illinois Ruling Class and to advance the flag for policies and personalities in furtherance of free minds and free markets.”
Someone is VERY impressed with the size of his own, um, microphone.
- The Dot Connector - Thursday, Aug 29, 13 @ 11:49 am:
Personally, I thought Proft was being “a class act” by making a clarifying statement taking himself out of the race. There were some within the GOP who have been reluctant to make a campaign contribution to one of the remaining GOP gubernatorial candidates because they weren’t sure if Proft was going to run or not. I was one myself. No matter how you slice it, Proft got almost 60,000 votes once before when he ran in the GOP primary for Governor of Illinois. The remaining GOP candidates would love to have those Proft votes (and their campaign contributions). Keep in mind too that when Proft ran before that he was not really known south of I-80. Today, thanks to time spent in the political arena and to his WLS exposure, Proft would likely command quite a large number of additional votes in those areas south of Chicago. He would be at the very least a huge “spoiler” and quite possibly a very formidable GOP opponent to Rauner, Dillard, Brady, and Rutherford. He would have been a great Lt. Governor pick for one of those individuals. But, as Proft said, he believes that he can better serve the Illinois political landscape in the role of a political analyst as he has been doing on WLS.