Frerichs calls out Cross on gay marriage
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Alexi Giannoulias used his Democratic primary opponent’s anti-abortion stance against him during the 2006 Democratic state treasurer’s primary, so I suppose it was inevitable that gay marriage would come up this time around…
Illinois Treasurer candidate state Sen. Mike Frerichs (D-Champaign) is calling on his Republican challenger to support same-sex marriage.
Frerichs had accused Republican Tom Cross — the former 10-year Illinois House minority leader — of not coming clean on the issue. “Illinoisans deserve to hear his stance on a critical human rights issue,” Frerichs campaign urged. […]
Chicago Sun-Times columnist Carol Marin wrote in April that Cross’ stance was ambiguous: ‘It’s easy to take issue with Illinois House GOP leader Tom Cross if you are for same sex-marriage in Illinois. And easy to be angry with him if you’re against it. ‘ […]
When the Sun-Times reached out to Cross’ campaign, however, a spokesman said the state Rep’s stance is clear.
He’s against it.
“Last Spring when the issue came up he told people he was opposed to the bill,” said Cross spokesman Kevin Artl. “He hasn’t changed his view. He’s not supporting it.”
By contrast, Frerichs says:
“I am proud to be one of only two Downstate Senators to co-sponsor and vote for both marriage equality and civil unions,” Frerichs said.
I’m not sure how this issue directly relates to the treasurer’s duties, but running solely on the treasurer’s duties might make for a pretty darned dull campaign.
- Bill White - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:25 pm:
=== I’m not sure how this issue directly relates to the treasurer’s duties, but running solely on the treasurer’s duties might make for a pretty darned dull campaign. ===
Well, yes.
However I’m getting plenty of targeted Google Ads telling me that Tom Cross will be a “fiscal watchdog” who will fight to balance the IL budget.
I’m not so sure how that fits into the Treasurer’s job description, either.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:32 pm:
This is oging to stain the ILGOP this entire cycle.
So, let’s say Jim Oberweis is not 90% but 100% “in” for US Senate…
Beween black helicopters and the Pat Brady vote, that never happened, but Jim Oberweis wanted intolerance …
No add to a possible GOP Gov opposed to SSM. Sounds as though the AG running is a “family” orientated guy according to what I read, and Cross opposed to SSM…
Where does that leave Comptroller Topinka?
Where does that leave a diverse list of GOP Nominees recruiterd by Leader Durkin?
A good Dem ploy to stain the entire ILGOP as intolerant is this SSM, even though it has nothing to do with being the state Treasurer.
I said it a while back, “it’s a process, it’s a process, it’s a process”…
The Dems will systematically taint the entire ILGOP as intolerant Blood Oathers and Litmus Testers forcing the likes of Comptroller Topinka and others to cause a rift, to save from being steamrolled for “Purity” and being “Right”
This is just the beginning of the narrative against My Party. Get them all on the record, paint that brush of intolerance, and watch the ILGOP fall.
It is beginning.
- Bill White - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:33 pm:
Actually, being Treasurer is pretty darned dull.
Which probably is why Dan Rutherford spent his time traveling around the State, staying at the Red Roof Inn, and building local political infrastructure.
- Raising Kane - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:34 pm:
I am disappointed in Tom….I had higher hopes for him.
- Bill White - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:41 pm:
Obviously, this also is about gathering as many GOP votes as possible for the marriage equality bill that may be voted on before the primary.
Not only does this vote put GOP House members in a bind, but every GOP vote frees one Democratic House or Senate member from the obligation of voting “Aye”
Maybe Tom Cross should vote “Present” if the “Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act” comes up for a vote before the primary.
- Mary Sunshine - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:42 pm:
Yeah, well Treasurer is a stepping stone to higher office, so I think the candidates’ views on this issue are important to note. Another lost opportunity for Cross…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:45 pm:
- Bill White -
Can’t vote the “Coward” Yellow button on SSM now … we are all in the heat of Primary Season and the General Election looming, and … Cross’ opponent “called” him on SSM and will probably call Cross out on any and all social issues from this point on.
“Yellow” is more than a color on a voting button.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 1:51 pm:
Traditionally, the lower state constitutional offices are the farm system for governor or senator, where the real action is.
That is, unless you’re Jesse who’s happy to be where he’s at with the AAA Iowa Cubs, or Lisa, who’s now Jesse Jr. with the AA Tennessee Smokies.
In any statewide race, all issues are in play. If you can’t play the game down in the bushes, you won’t make The Show.
- Frank - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:05 pm:
Methinks Frerichs is looking to box Cross in and create difficulty for him in the GOP primary. If Cross comes out for SSM, Bob Grogan’s primary challenge becomes more legit. If Cross is against SSM, it’s harder for him to position himself as an Edgar/Thompson-style Illinois Republican in the General Election. Smart move by the tall guy from Champaign.
- Nonplussed - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:06 pm:
Oswego Willy, If you don’t want “Your Party” being painted with the brush of intolerance, maybe it should stop being intolerant.
Paul Krugman, surprisingly, said it best. The GOP are “mean spirited class warriors”.
- Reader - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:17 pm:
I wouldn’t put much stock in the idea that SSM will get major play in an off year election, in a state with the financial troubles the IL has, AND where the GOP is a super-minority unnecessary to pass legislation, AND when the reason that SSM is not law is due to opposition from black Democrats. If Cross puts that fact back on Frerichs, what’s Mike going to do? Go on record calling black Democrats bigoted? That would cut a nice ad for Cross to play. Basically any GOP candidate on the ticket opposed to SSM could use the same defense. Politics makes strange bedfellows.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:19 pm:
Reader, that’s just way too complicated to explain in a campaign that nobody cares much about anyway. Voters tend to look for markers in these sorts of races.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:22 pm:
Reader-
So you’re saying Cross strategy should be, “hey, Republicans have no power, besides, it was black democrats who tanked marriage equality”?
That’ll play well with the press…and the public in a general. Totally agree with Frank - smart move by Frerichs
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:45 pm:
- Nonplussed -,
I “own” it, doesn’t mean I have to like it, and it doesn’t mean I am not trying to change it.
With kindest personal regards, I remain.
Sincrely yours,
Oswego Willy
- Reader -,
Also,
If you are making an arguement like you are suggesting, then more likely than not, the voters are thinking you are losing the arguement.
Just saying.
- Reader - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:53 pm:
Joe -
Actually, yes. Pointing out that Frerich is actually critizing black Democrats when he speaks about SSM opponents won’t hurt Cross with his supporters, but would effect Frerich’s turnout among black voters. It would take some specific messaging, but I think it could work, and Cross has nothing to lose.
That aside, Frerich is running for Treasuer on climate change and SSM? Seriously? The tall guy seems short on actual ideas for the Treasuer’s office.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:56 pm:
- Reader -,
If the Dems can say;
The ILGOP is intolerant. Look at their US Senate, Governor, AG …all these Nominees are too extreme for Illinois…
The GOP is too Extreme for Illinois.
No one cares if you part and parcel the intolerance. Campaigns don’t work that way.
Get a narrative that can resonate, hammer it home.
Explaining is losing. Trying to then say, “yeah, well what about…” … that equals to losing the arguement, and not just about SSM
- Reader - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 2:57 pm:
Ah… “The tall guy’s short on ideas”
Good tag line to use against Frerichs. Feel free to use it, Tom.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 3:15 pm:
- Reader -
===Pointing out that Frerich is actually critizing black Democrats when he speaks about SSM opponents won’t hurt Cross with his supporters, but would effect Frerich’s turnout among black voters.===
You base this on … what?
- otoh - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 5:05 pm:
Cross’ response to Frerichs: Ask Mike Madigan and get back to me.
- Juvenal - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 5:45 pm:
Frank and Willy are correct: if Democrats make the election about “Who shares my values?”, it is lights out.
There’s a bit more going on here though.
Cross has a reputation as a “moderate”, is geographically closet to and better known among Chicago donors.
Frerichs is boxing Cross out of the money and reminding the Chicago media that Tom Cross is has his Republican demons.
As for Grogan, he doesn’t need help finding votes by Cross to hit him in the primary. What he needs is the money to deliver that message and a professional campaign.
- Reader - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 9:08 pm:
@Oswego Willy
“You base this on … what?”
Ugh, common sense.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 15, 13 @ 9:15 pm:
===Ugh, common sense. ===
Where do you see the vote totals hurting Frerichs?
Do you have results that show where in the AA community that this will directly effect the voting of Frerichs?
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 8:20 am:
Reader:
Frerichs hasn’t criticized the Black Caucus.
Last time I checked, there were more Republicans than Black Caucus members in the General Assembly.
In 2010 and 2012, the Republicans campaigned on the platform that everything that was wrong with Illinois was solely the Responsibilty of Democrats to fix.
That was a losing strategy then and it is a losing strategy now.
History is on the side of Marriage Equality. Frerichs is a smart guy, and is no doubt planningon turning his youthfulness to his advantage.
In a presidential election, voters under 30 actually outnumber voters over 65. Following the Obama campaign plan, if Frerichs succeeds in connecting with younger voters and increasing turnout even slightly among younger voters, Cross is doomed and the whole ticket sinks with him.
800,000 college students in Illinois. 1 in 11 adults. And Frerichs represents U of I.
Cross not only opposes marriage equality, he even voted against civil unions. Good luck defending that.
- So. ILL - Wednesday, Oct 16, 13 @ 8:35 am:
I can just tell by the opening salvos in each race that the Treasurer and Comptroller’s races run by the Democratic candidates will be among the dirtiest in history for those respective offices. Sigh.