* The Sun-Times reports that Secretary of State Jesse White is concerned that Bruce Rauner may be trying to buy votes in the black community…
“He may be encouraging them to support him … with possible promises or some money they may have received,” White said after a Democratic unity breakfast held by the Illinois Democratic County Chairmen’s Association in Springfield. […]
“Sometimes you go into someone else’s turf, you try to invade them and you try to encourage them to support you and we don’t believe he’s going to be successful in that effort,” White said.
Did he really think Rauner was trying to buy the black vote?
“I do,” White said. “I really was surprised at the number of people who were wearing his shirts…Sometimes when you give a person a T-Shirt, they’ll wear it and sometimes they’re unaware of what it says on the back and wha the message is they’re trying to convey.”
* Meanwhile, from the Tribune…
Gov. Pat Quinn struck a class warfare theme today in a plea to Democratic Party faithful to turn out a big vote this fall to defeat Republicans with pockets as deep as “King Midas.”
The re-election seeking Quinn and fellow Democrats drummed away on the theme of the common-man-versus-the-privileged-class on Governor’s Day at the Illinois State
They sought to rev up support in a year they won’t have home-state Democrat Barack Obama pulling Democrats to the polls but must compete against Republican Bruce Rauner pouring millions of his own dollars into his race against Quinn. […]
Quinn also cited John F. Kennedy in drawing a contrast with Rauner. Kennedy once said “a rising tide will lift all boats,” but Rauner’s philosophy is that a rising tide “lifts all yachts.”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:30 pm:
===Did he really think Rauner was trying to buy the black vote?
“I do,” White said. “I really was surprised at the number of people who were wearing his shirts…Sometimes when you give a person a T-Shirt, they’ll wear it and sometimes they’re unaware of what it says on the back and wha the message is they’re trying to convey.”===
It’s going to be up to the Dems to make that statement true.
Rauner only needs success in the margins of previous vote totals.
- Soccermom - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:31 pm:
There is a disconnect between using a John Kennedy quote to criticize someone for being rich.
- Plutocrat03 - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:31 pm:
Didn’t he say ‘buying votes. too’?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:32 pm:
Yes, Jesse, by all means let’s all point fingers and cast caustic looks at those who would sully our pristine Cook County democratic process. Shame-Shame indeed!
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
Based on what we’re hearing about the NRI, at least Rauner is buying votes with his own money and not ours.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:39 pm:
Rocks and glass houses Jesse.
- Jaded - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
“He may be encouraging them to support him … with possible promises or some money they may have received,”
I think Jesse White just called Bruce Rauner a Democrat.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
You cannot buy something if it is not for sale.
Jesse White just publicly asserted that the black vote in Illinois is for sale. That is despicable claim.
Imho, it is also untrue. People of all races have tired of where Democratic leadership has led them.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
==- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:34 pm:==
Already proven false by the reporting of the Sun-Times, but alas that doesn’t matter in the fact-free world.
- Chi - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:46 pm:
Does anyone disagree that he’s lately been making “investments” in Chicago, hoping for returns in the form of votes instead of money? See the deposit at the credit union for one recent example. It’s only slightly less blatant than folding a fin inside a palm card outside a polling place with a cigar dangling from his mouth.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:47 pm:
I guess only up-front money counts, then.
- Jaded - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:50 pm:
The King Midas Quote was a good one. Unfortunately, his audience was wondering how King Midas got so rich fixing mufflers and brakes.
- redleg - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:51 pm:
Come on Pat.
JFK could have bought and sold the both of you, both politically and with Federal Reserve notes, at least a million times over and still had money left to make their heirs wealthy.
The present day party of Democrat’s would have been rejected by JFK’s so please stop quoting them.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
Yeah, we get it, he’s rich. Most people aspire to be rich. How he got rich is the red meat to nudge independents into your column.
Is the Quinn crew ever going to get around to Rauner as the ultimate pay-to-play insider? The guy who drummed up business by buying up politicians, regardless of party? The guy who made himself and Emanuel fortunes with the hinky SBC deal? The guy who had Stu Levine on the payroll for $25K a month when he was pitching him business? The Medicaid nursing home bustout king?
For crying out loud, the poll the other day had Rauner as the “reform” candidate. If the Quinn crew can’t just lay out the facts to paint Rauner as the antithesis of reform, they deserve to lose, and badly.
- walker - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
Stupid statement by White. Reflects the mentality that says one can “buy votes.” It seems to be a lazy fear to embrace, if your opponent spends a lot of resources. It’s just not true.
Buying a ground game, and name awareness with plenty of money — they can be done.
Smart tactics by the Rauner crew to play in every game and leave no base uncovered.
- DateNight - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 2:57 pm:
Now that corrupt efforts by Rauner to buy votes in the black community have come to light do you guys think the FEDS will do something about it, or do you think the FEDS will wait for a more credible source than Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White to tell them about it?
- anon - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:00 pm:
All Jesse has to do is remind people of Rauner’s ties to Rahm. That will nip that in the bud.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:10 pm:
@Wordslinger- Exceptionally well stated!
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:10 pm:
Today we get… name calling?
“Quinnochio” and “King Midas”.
More of the same from two candidates offering cartoons and silliness during times of great consequence.
- Rhino Slider - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:10 pm:
Um…Its Rauner’s money, he can do what he wants. If it was gov’ment money, that would be corrupt. That is what Quinn is doing.
That quote from White is so funny, because it screams to me, isn’t that what Democrats have been doing for years.
BTW, I’m no Rauner fan, what seriously, some of this has started to get weird.
- Mr. Big Trouble - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:11 pm:
Sometimes when you give a person a T-Shirt, they’ll wear it and sometimes they’re unaware of what it says on the back and what the message is they’re trying to convey.” Umm, well, I think they can take the shirt off their back and see what it says, or doesnt say. And if they cant figure out what it conveys, I guess they can ask one of their fairly elected officials for an honest and unbiased explanation. How many more days before the election and this nonsense ends?? God help us all!
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:14 pm:
== Already proven false by the reporting of the Sun-Times ==
Hardly. If you remember correctly, there were a number of glaring flaws with the Sun-Times approach as pointed out in the comments section here, among other places https://capitolfax.com/2014/07/21/breaking-an-nri-paradigm/
- OneMan - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:16 pm:
I used to hear that a yard sign was worth X votes and I would also hear that yard signs don’t vote.
If all it took was a t-shirt to get someones’ vote there would be a lot of depressed TV station general managers and a lot more happy T-Shirt company executives…
Also if that is it true it says some not so nice things about voters….
- OneMan - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:17 pm:
The Sun Times said it didn’t work, not that it was tried. Big difference in both a fact free and fact filled world PC
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:19 pm:
=== Sometimes when you give a person a T-Shirt, they’ll wear it and sometimes they’re unaware of what it says on the back and wha the message is they’re trying to convey.” ===
Just what is Sec’y White saying about members of the AA community? Is he accusing them of being willing to sell their votes? Is he accusing them of being “low information voters”? If Sec’y White was saying these things about me and my community I would be highly insulted at the paternalistic attitude. Breathtaking.
- dupage dan - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:20 pm:
Hey, my yacht needs some lifting. I should give Rauner a call. Maybe he’ll spring for some new oars.
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:29 pm:
Did he really think Rauner was trying to buy the black vote?
“I do,” White said. “I really was surprised at the number of people who were wearing his shirts…Sometimes when you give a person a T-Shirt, they’ll wear it and sometimes they’re unaware of what it says on the back and wha the message is they’re trying to convey.”
Gosh - you don’t seem to hold these voters in very high esteem, do you?
They don’t understand what is printed on the back of them? Would you recommend that the t-shirts come with instructions on how to wear them too? What kind of citizens are you describing? Aren’t you also concerned that they wouldn’t know how to wear a t-shirt and which holes to put their head through, and those terribly confusing arms? Why! - There are TWO of them! How frustrating it must be for them to know which end is up!
Jesse, do you recommend that the shirts come with instructions, so these voters know that there is an outside of the t-shirt and an inside as well?
What do you recommend we do with these citizens Jesse? Thank GOODNESS, they support you! Lord knows someone may put out a ball cap that stumps your voter base tomorrow!
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:33 pm:
King Midas was bleeping golden
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:33 pm:
–Jesse White just publicly asserted that the black vote in Illinois is for sale. That is despicable claim.–
What’s that make the GOPs NRI-theme dealio? Double-secret-probation despicable?
- Judgment Day - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:42 pm:
I’m surprised Jesse would say that. If I’m in the Rauner camp, I just got a message that their efforts in the AA community are making headway.
I take Jesse White’s statements as more of a warning to Democratic leadership that they had better take Bruce Rauner seriously and compete for the AA vote.
Rauner seems to be testing out the concept that the Democratic party leadership is taking the black community for granted. It’s not just talk with him - he’s making investments.
Interesting approach….
- Bakersfield - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:45 pm:
If Rauner is King Midas, then Quinn is def King Midas in Reverse
- pundent - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:46 pm:
I wouldn’t be particularly concerned about having your constituents wearing t-shirts Jesse. If they’re unable to understand what’s printed on a shirt you probably wouldn’t want to trust them to read a ballot.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:50 pm:
Everything King Midas touched to to gold.
When Pat Quinn touches things things what do they turn into?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:53 pm:
Everything King Midas touched turned to gold.
When Pat Quinn touches things what do they turn into?
When I touch my PC keys, same thing.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:54 pm:
–I wouldn’t be particularly concerned about having your constituents wearing t-shirts Jesse. If they’re unable to understand what’s printed on a shirt you probably wouldn’t want to trust them to read a ballot. –
Since White is a long-time statewide elected official, I guess we’re all his “constituents.”
But I get what you’re trying to say. You’re not subtle.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 3:58 pm:
Mr. White just questioned the integrity of an entire racial community, not to mention the fundamental integrity of our electoral process itself.
The black vote can be “bought” in Illinois?
The black community cannot understand what their T-Shirt says?
A candidate can “buy” votes either directly or indirectly in Illinois? Sufficiently so that the Secretary of State is worried about it being a problem in this election?
If he cannot understand why the black vote may not turn out for Democrats in “normal” numbers, that simply provides more evidence of the disconnect that has developed in recent years between Illinois Democrats and the African American community.
Either that, or “buying votes” has become a real thing and legitimate cause for concern in Illinois under his watch. Whether the purchase is direct or indirect, if the Secretary of State is worried about it then perhaps we should all be worried about it.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
–If he cannot understand why the black vote may not turn out for Democrats in “normal” numbers, that simply provides more evidence of the disconnect that has developed in recent years between Illinois Democrats and the African American community.–
What was the previous evidence? And how has that “disconnect” manifested itself?
You know it’s an election year, don’t you? Take a breath. There’s more to come. You don’t have to swallow every statement hook, line and sinker.
- Anonymoiis - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 4:25 pm:
==I’m surprised Jesse would say that. If I’m in the Rauner camp, I just got a message that their efforts in the AA community are making headway.==
This.
And I echo the comments stating how ridiculous and insulting it is for White to basically state that African Americans are somehow too stupid to read a t-shirt. If that’s true, I guess White is saying he’s taken advantage of ignorant voters as well the last few decades?
- Not it - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 4:38 pm:
“Other people’s turf”?
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 4:45 pm:
–Mr. White just questioned the integrity of an entire racial community, not to mention the fundamental integrity of our electoral process itself.–
LOL, no, he didn’t, but your Otter-like line of reasoning took me to a happy place, so I thank you.
It’s all good, but the logical analogy comes in about 1:06.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSyHFk4PB9s#
- Shemp - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 4:55 pm:
These two are running for governor, right, not county chairman? Amazing how the cream in fact does not rise to the top.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:05 pm:
Word:
Word.
YDD
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:06 pm:
Rauner says community investment. Jesse’s worried about a hostile takeover. Investment vs Takeover. I forget. Is this blog about the AA vote, Rauner taking control of the Republican party, or his business practices?
- phocion - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:07 pm:
Jesse White, please go away. Your comments are racist and offensive. They demean the African American community. They demonstrate the contempt that the Democrats have held for this hostage constituency. Take the African American voters for granted, spout out the same tired and failed policy “solutions,” and then wonder why many in the community are finally starting to look elsewhere. Good for Rauner for reaching out and investing his own money in struggling areas. Shame on Jesse White for what he said about it.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:17 pm:
–Your comments are racist and offensive. They demean the African American community. They demonstrate the contempt that the Democrats have held for this hostage constituency.–
Uh-oh, a hostage situation. Call in the SWAT team.
Those people just don’t know what’s good for them.
Why they don’t flock to an Illinois GOP that in recent years has proven itself to be more concerned about the content of their urine rather than their character is beyond me.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:18 pm:
== no, he didn’t ==
Really? If he does not believe votes are for sale, why does he worry about them being bought?
His comments most certainly question the integrity of voters in that specific racial community, as well as the process itself. His comments about people not being aware of the message on their T-Shirt are also condescending and bizarre.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:21 pm:
== Those people just don’t know what’s good for them. ==
An apt summary of Mr. White’s view of African American Rauner supporters.
- Casual observer - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:30 pm:
Jesse also said his office is now “squeaky clean”. When your election is a forgone conclusion you should not bring attention to yourself or your office.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:31 pm:
Votes for Sale.
Appetizing young Votes for Sale.
Be it Republican or Democrat.
Politicians know where it’s at.
It’s Votes for Sale.
(Sorry Cole Porter)
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:35 pm:
King Midas better than Mr Potato Head
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:48 pm:
FKA:
I don’t want drug dealers standing on my street corner, and it is not because I think my neighbors are bad people.
Vote buying, like drug dealing, is a felony.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 5:53 pm:
FKA, you’re off your rocker. Where do you see that White is talking about “an entire racial community,” as you put it? Could he, in fact, be talking about some?
Some of you all don’t feel a little bit brain-damaged in accusing Jesse White of being racist toward blacks? Please, take the bus, leave the car at home, for all our sakes.
And how is it you can rail for months that Quinn was trying to buy some black votes with NRI yet be scandalized when Rauner is accused of trying to do the same?
- Phenomynous - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 6:14 pm:
Well, can’t argue that White definitely through the integrity of some voters underneath the bus on this one. Protect your “turf” from outside interests that could, god forbid, maybe change some political views, just don’t insult the people you are trying to protect while doing it.
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 6:20 pm:
Word, “trying to buy the black vote” is a broad phrase, not a narrow one. It is a reference to black voters as a whole. It is not a reference to “some” or “a few bad apples” or even “a handful of corrupt voters of all races”. With your experience as a copywriter, you likely already caught that.
I understand from your past posts that you care about racial equality. In the past, we have always been in lockstep on these sorts of issues here.
White’s comments are not “racist”, but they are definitely insulting, condescending and odd, specifically in regards to the community of people comprising “the black vote”.
== Some of you all don’t feel a little bit brain-damaged == to be defending this sort of mindset and these comments? Black people disagreeing with Mr. White must not be aware of what they are doing or wearing? Any African American voter supporting Bruce Rauner over Pat Quinn must not be doing so on the basis of their own judgment, but because they have sold their vote?
His comments are a terrible way to look at other people, regardless of race.
- Anon - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 10:25 pm:
Off topic just a tiny bit…but I laughed out loud when I saw the front page story about Karen Lewis’ vacation townhouse in Hawaii. How rich was that?
Any financial success is officially a negative for any candidate. Only the poor are virtuous and worthy. It’s okay if you have a nice six-figure salary like PQ so long as you live in just one modest house (Gov Mansions not included).
This class warfare stuff is tiresome. Love the comment made earlier about the irony of involving a Kennedy to make a class warfare remark.
- siriusly - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 11:06 pm:
I don’t think Rauner is buying votes. But he is buying the endorsements and the support of leaders in the black community. it’s not criminal, it’s just smart politics.
Quinn would buy lots of black churches air conditioning too if he could afford to!
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 8:22 am:
Siriusly - unless you are arguing he is not trying to influence those black leaders to vote for him as well, it is still a felony.
See 10 ILCS 5 Sect. 29-1.
Rauner has made it explicitly clear that he is making these “investments” in the black community to influence people to vote for him. A state’s attorney may see that as a crime.
- Bogey Golfer - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 8:33 am:
Attention Mike Webster:
You now have some material to go after Jesse. Go for it. Get your name. There actually may be some people who would vote against Jesse White if they only knew if anyone is running on the Republican side. 3 months left. Best of luck.