* The Libertarian Party’s battle to stay on the ballot isn’t over yet. An attorney affiliated with the Illinois Republican Party has filed a motion for judicial review of the State Board of Elections’ ruling allowing the Libertarians ballot access. You can read the motion by clicking here.
Rauner foe Doug Ibendahl is not amused…
The appeal was filed the day before Rauner told reporters he was “outraged” and “appalled” over multiple reports that Rauner supporters employed openly armed men in an effort to get Libertarian Party petition signers and circulators to recant their previously sworn representations.
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The Libertarian Party last week filed criminal complaints with the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. Governor Pat Quinn has also called for a full investigation.
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Meanwhile, Mr. Rauner apparently hasn’t lifted a finger to clean up his own house. At his August 28 press conference, Rauner claimed ignorance and pointed all fingers at the Illinois Republican Party – despite the fact that at least one of Rauner’s salaried campaign staffers was working closely with the armed muscle.
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Now that Rauner’s camp has moved the ballot access fight to Springfield, it will be interesting to see what kind of “ammunition” his muscle employs next.
* The Libertarians don’t have much time left to file a response. We’ll see what happens.
But, as they say, never bring a knife to a gun-fight. And this obviously is one.
- Juvenal - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:44 pm:
Someone ought to call Rauner out for this hypocrisy…he should instruct the party to withdraw their challenge.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
Rauner bought the Illinois GOP. Whatever they do, is on him.
Like the state GOP would act independently of the gubernatorial nominee in an instance like this, anyway. Even if you’re crazy enough to believe that Rauner is not behind the effort, you must know he could shut it down in a moment.
He really thinks voters are fence-post stupid.
- train111 - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
Rules for being an Illinois Republican:
1. Whine incesantly about Chicago Democrats and their corrupt tactics.
2. Follow those ‘corrupt Chicago Democratic tactics’ to the letter
3. Go back to rule #1 and repeat
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 2:16 pm:
This is from a Rauner foe - OK.
I was wondering who is making a big deal out of it.
It isn’t news to a whole lot of supposed news people.
- Skeptic Cal - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 2:23 pm:
But the SBE overruled the challenge. So the challengers need a court order to have that decision overturned. I expect that the judge assigned to it will require briefs and argument which will take time. Meanwhile, the Libertarians are ON the ballot unless stricken. I predict that they will remain on the ballot on election day despite the fact that the assigned judge will almost certainly be a Republican. It is just one more option for voters who want anybody but Quinn.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:01 pm:
–“Bruce wants as many people engaged in the political process as possible,” Rauner spokesman Mike Schrimpf said–
Not so you’d notice.
Not only are Rauner peeps running the show here, but they’re charging fat stacks to do it. Everyone wants to ride the gravy train while they can. Don Tracy’s law firm is handling this bit, but Morrison and others are cashing in, too.
VMan, just because you don’t read the papers, doesn’t mean things aren’t reported.
http://politics.suntimes.com/article/springfield/rauner-firing-blanks-flap-over-hired-gun-ballot-challenge/tue-08262014-837pm
- Obamas Puppy - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:08 pm:
If Rauner does not own it he does not want it on the ballot.
- A guy... - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:17 pm:
Entire Human Race foe Doug Ibendahl is not amused…
It’s really scary to imagine what would amuse him…
- westsider - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:22 pm:
Doug I?—-calls himself former general counsel of the illinois republican party—–come on guys, we can do better than citing him
- A guy... - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:30 pm:
You can’t b-slap the tea party and in the next breath quote this goon.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:38 pm:
A Guy, what are you talking about?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:48 pm:
For someone who considers himself a Republican, Doug Ibendahl sure spends a lifetime doing more to harm his own party than he does trying to actually elect Republican candidates.
I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’.
- Downstate Weed Chewing Hick - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 3:56 pm:
Once again I am confused, which is of course nothign new but do Doug Ibendahl and the Libertarians not understand that they only thing they could possible achieve here is the reelection of Pat Quinn? I get that they dont like Rauner but they can’t really think they have a snowball’s chance to actually win a state-wide race.
- leprechaun - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:06 pm:
I predicted this last week. The libertarians made a serious mistake filing that complaint before it was to late for the state party to appeal. Don’t kick a desperate man when he is down and then celebrate before he is knocked out. Doug knows this is not a for sure win for the libertarians. Don Tracey is a excellent lawyer and knows his way around Sangamon county and his is very respected by the courts. The fact its in Sangamon and not Cook county very well could be the difference. 50-50 they stay on.
- leprechaun - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:08 pm:
Also Rich very well said. Don’t bring a knife to a gun fight and this is going to be like the (Gun fight at the OK corral )
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:09 pm:
===we can do better than citing him===
He broke the story, he gets the props.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:12 pm:
The ILGOP is Rauner’s now, - wordslinger - is right about that.
Bruce Rauner could stop it, like stopping armed investigators to intimidate people.
This is Tom Hagen style of intimidation. Rauner lacks all credibility to being anything than what he is, which is the complete opposite of his campaign persona.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:13 pm:
LEP, are you saying the GOP wouldn’t have asked for judicial review if the Libs hadn’t filed criminal complaints about the pistoleros?
I don’t get it. It seems to me Rauner wants them off, period, and would have worked it regardless of the criminal complaints.
- Fair & Balanced - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:20 pm:
- leprechaun - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:06 pm:
I predicted this last week. The libertarians made a serious mistake filing that complaint before it was to late for the state party to appeal.
I have to agree; now the republicans will have the opportunity to present their evidence openly and perhaps place the libertarian witnesses under oath … with actual criminal ramifications for perjury as a result.
Also the Democrat talking points that have been put out there via press releases so far have only come from Quinn’s camp and libertarian spokespersons.
Perhaps now some actual facts can come out on exactly what was discovered, likely throwing a great deal of yolk onto some people’s faces.
Frankly I don’t see this as a good thing for the Quinn camp, they should have waited. To where no response could have been given.
- Fair & Balanced - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:29 pm:
one more thing,,,,
In fairness to rauner, I do not see anywhere where it says Rauner is challenging the decision, where did you see that??
In fairness to Quinn I don’t think he was directing the timing on the libertarian filing either from his camp.
- Leprechaun - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:32 pm:
wordslinger, They more then likely still would have but don’t pour gas on a open fire. By making those very serious allegations the State party had to respond in a way to get their story out not the way the Dems have put it out. A full hearing in court, open to the public is far different then at the BOE. Good witnesses at the BOE don’t always do so good in a court room. That’s why Doug is worried and upset and rightfully so, he is a good lawyer and knows this is problematic for the Libertarians.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 4:37 pm:
Also folks remember, Rham was off then on now just the opposite could easily happen on then off.
- Mason born - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 5:26 pm:
Isn’t this politics as usual? Had the Libertarians been not on the ballot and the Greens on does anyone think MJM wouldn’t have lawyers in court to stop??
It’s dirty pool but hey this is IL. Lets all stop acting like Captain Renault.
Please make a note that the whole gun things was stupid, offensive, and should be prosecuted.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 5:51 pm:
Just read the brief, now I know why Doug is worried. On the face of brief it seems the plaintiffs couldn’t produce three circulators for questioning at BOE. If the Libertarians cannot produce them for a hearing in court the Judge more then likely will kick all the signatures of those circulators. I just asked a very respected election lawyer from Suburban Cook his opinion. He said that more then likely if they don’t show to be questioned under oath the signatures will be tossed. W/O those three its over for the Libertarians, they need those three in court.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 6:18 pm:
Anon, what makes you think a court is going to rehear all the evidence? I don’t recall that happening in Emanuel’s residency dustup.
Just how quickly do you think that can happen? People have to be served before they can be compelled to appear in court, for one thing. Then there are hearings as to what is admissible evidence, chain of evidence, etc., etc., before you even get to testimony.
The ballot is on the clock. The way I read the motion, Rauner’s crew wants the judge to overturn the SBOE decision for misapplying the law. Even that’s going to take time.
Right now, the Libs are on the ballot until a judge says they are not — then come the appeals. I’d say time is on their side.
- Befuddled - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 6:48 pm:
Rauner is fighting fire with fire - doing whatever the Democrats would do - to win. And it’s driving them bananas.
The fact that it’s got Ibendahl all worked up is just icing on the cake.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 7:38 pm:
The Libertarian Party will stay on the ballot.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 3, 14 @ 10:33 pm:
awkward debate?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 4, 14 @ 6:51 am:
@Downstate Weed Chewing Hick, it seems that you are not really knowing about the LP and need to put the strawman away. First, as the most recent polling shows, the LP is pulling almost equal amounts from both parties. Additionally, recent elections show more liberal-leaning individuals turning to the LP as a true option.
- James - Thursday, Sep 4, 14 @ 6:15 pm:
“Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight” ?
Here is one “The pen is mightier than the sword”
In other words in the long run the Republicans will loose. Since do not appear to have the very many ideas.