Rauner endorsed by several black ministers
Monday, Sep 22, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Skipping the Economic Empowerment Forum’s July meeting was either a mistake or Gov. Quinn figured he wouldn’t get the endorsement anyway. From a press release…
Illinois gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner today proudly accepted the endorsement of the Economic Empowerment Forum.
“My wife and I have devoted much our lives to improving opportunities for families throughout Chicago and have had an intense focus on improving schools for African-American students and parents. As governor, I will continue to do that,” said Rauner. “I am honored to accept the endorsement of the Economic Empowerment Forum and will go to work for every person in Illinois. It is clear that Governor Pat Quinn has failed the African-American community - African-American unemployment remains scandalously high and all too often African-American children are stuck in failing schools. As governor I will change that.”
“This year we have an opportunity to change directions,” Dr. Willie Wilison said. “We have a candidate, Bruce Rauner, who has been working in our community for many years.”
The Economic Empowerment Forum consists of American American ministers in the South and West Sides of Illinois who endorse Bruce Rauner for governor.
* A “partial” list of forum members…
Dr. Willie Wilson - Chairman of the historical Chicago Baptist Institute International (CBII)
Pastor Corey Brooks - Founder of New Beginnings Church of Chicago
Reverend Marshall Hatch, Sr - Pastor of the New Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church
Pastor Stephen Thurston—Former President of the National Baptist Convention of America, Pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church & Exec. Assist to the Chairman of CBII
Pastor Dr. Robert Patterson—President of the Baptist Pastors Conference Chicago and Vicinity and Pastor of Spirit of Truth Baptist Church
Pastor Dr. Willie Cotton—President of the Baptist Ministers Union Chicago and Vicinity
Pastor John Gray—President of CBII and Pastor of Holy Zion Baptist Church
Pastor Michael A. Harrington—Liaison for CBII
Mr. Andre Fair—President of Omar Medical Supplies
Mr. Percy Coleman—Deputy Chairman Chicago GOP
Quinn has courted Pastor Brooks, who endorsed Jim Oberweis for Senate.
- Knome Sane - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:31 pm:
Can we expect to see the “Rauner Community Center”
at Pastor Corey Brooks’ church soon?
- 47th Ward - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:31 pm:
===African-American unemployment remains scandalously high and all too often African-American children are stuck in failing schools. As governor I will change that.===
Note to self: clip and save in case Rauner wins. This will come in handy in four years.
Good for Rauner for going after the African American vote. Seems like Jim Edgar was the last Republican who made a real effort. But other than the good people at Omar Medical Supplies and CBII, was anyone else at this event?
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:40 pm:
Cue comments from Jesse White and others implying these individuals either can’t think for themselves or must be corrupt in 3…2…1…
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:41 pm:
==Cue comments== should be ==Cue more comments== after those statements made during Governor’s Day at the State Fair
- Bogart - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:47 pm:
As an AA, I welcome the GOP overtures.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
===”…all too often African-American children are stuck in failing schools. As governor I will change that.”===
“Unless another one of my Children needs to get into Payton Prep, then all bets are OFF!”
Wonder how that “Zero” Ad is playing?
- Walter Mitty - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:48 pm:
I think it’s a good thing. His actions speak louder than his words to help the community. What has PQ done?
- Gooner - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:49 pm:
Coincidentally, the Illinois Review has a piece today by a social conservative recommending a vote for Quinn.
I suspect that in the end, that sort of thinking will have more of an impact on this race than the endorsements of these ministers.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
It is good to see all Illinoisans courted by both political parties.
- Norseman - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:56 pm:
Having tons of money is a great thing.
- anon - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 1:56 pm:
Thank you for your donation, Mr. Rauner. Hmmm… Just put that in the collection box.
- ChinaTown - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:01 pm:
Did he get the list of which collection plates to drop bricks of cash into from his pal Blair Hull?
- I'm May Be Stupid But - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:04 pm:
Gooner, what might have more impact are the Republicans who only want smaller government as long as it doesn’t affect their government jobs.
- austinman - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:10 pm:
those love offerings must be great
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:11 pm:
Republicans should be running on the South and West Sides. Last I checked, and despite the chronic “secessionist” yabbos in some quarters, they are and will remain in the state of Illiois.
As 47 pointed out, Edgar worked it better than most.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:15 pm:
Man, some of you Dems are awful bitter about this development. Tone it down, please.
- Living in Machiaville - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:26 pm:
I find it disturbing that commenters are saying black ministers endorsements can be bought. Seriously, WTH.
- Knome Sane - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:38 pm:
Let’s put it this way: “I can’t be bought, but I can be rented”.
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:41 pm:
The real question is what have these guys ever done proactively for their congregations? For a lot of these names, the answer is nothing but spouting hot air.
- Living in Machiaville - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:42 pm:
@Ducky, you sound cynical. I am disturbed at the number of commenters with blanket indictments of the listed black ministers and now, of course, your follow up comment. Call me sensitive.
- Irked - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:50 pm:
I find myself very skeptical that Rauner will act on any sort of pro-AA initiative.
Voucher schools and private schools - the crux of Rauner’s educational scheme- are downright underwhelming in educating and employing AA individuals.
I’ve seen his campaign bouncers escort any minorites not wearing a suit away from meet n greets.
Color everyone in the world skeptical.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:53 pm:
–I’ve seen his campaign bouncers escort any minorites not wearing a suit away from meet n greets.–
I don’t believe that for a second, for no other reason than it would be insane politics.
- JS Mill - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:54 pm:
I think we all know endorsements can be bought, to deny that is naive. However, what is good for the goose is good for the gander. The Chicago machine has bought and paid for innumerable endorsements and votes over the past century. If these endorsements were bought, then they were but you cannot support one group doing it and condemn another for beating them at their own game. It should never have gotten this far and fault lies squarely at the hands of Pat Quinn. You do not think the IEA endorsement was not bought and paid for? Right, there is always something at the end of the rainbow, services, projects, funding, something. This has to hurt Quinn and he has no one else to blame but himself.This is a coup for Rauner and shows that the Forum members are not going to sit on the bench.
- walker - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 2:57 pm:
Rauner competes where Brady feared to tread.
Good for him.
- Irked - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:34 pm:
-wordslinger-
Ok, you got me. It wasn’t just minorities. It was anyone not wearing a suit at all. It just so happened that a large group of those individuals were black.
But seriously: not to steriotype, but who hosts a chicken dinner and turns away black people?
- A guy... - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:43 pm:
It’s an excellent development for Rauner. Every vote these guys give him takes one from the other side at the same time. That’s a formula. Good for him. Good for them.
- circularfiringsquad - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 3:52 pm:
MR./MS. 47th Ward
“Good for Rauner for going after the African American vote. Seems like Jim Edgar was the last Republican who made a real effort….”
Of course BlinkyJim was best know for creating “literacy grants” ( kinda like anti violence in the good old days) as his entrée. Mitt of course has rented a credit union to dole out “small business loans”
Now all he needs is ‘Lexi and this will be a dream day — except for the Killing Grandma Trial, Dead Heat Poll and Mr. Harmony@Home (aka Daddy ReBooter) spending his allowance.
- Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:01 pm:
Good for Rauner.
The thing that I cannot figure out is Oswego Willy’s absolute distant for BVC. All this talk about “my party” on this blog and it’s nothing but bashing and bus-throwing for his party’s nominee. OW, why all the hate? Help me understand here man! Is Gov. Jello a better option to you? Just looking for some ed-u-cation here…
- Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:02 pm:
Distant = distain
- low level - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:10 pm:
OK, I’ll take them at their word. I’d like to know exactly how Rauner : “as Governor I will change that” end of last paragraph.
What is he going to do differently?
- Investing in the future - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:17 pm:
I agree it’s worth a shot for BR to throw money at the pastors, especially with the cash he’s got on hand. But as an investment banker, he must know this is losing bet.
Those 10 endorsements will likely translate into maybe 10 votes for Rauner (at best). Remember when Chicago was “lobbying” the Olympic Committee members to host the 2016 Olympics? I’m thinking BR will be about as successful as they were.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:22 pm:
I have said it before and I will say it again:
I do not think this sits too well with rank and file Republicans.
You cannot point fingers at the Democratic Machine and accuse them of vote-buying one day — which really does mobilize the GOP base, and then have a presser two months later with folks you say are all on the take.
- wordslinger - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:36 pm:
Big Muddy, keep trying. Third’s the charm.
- Anonymoiis - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 4:55 pm:
==But seriously: not to steriotype, but who hosts a chicken dinner and turns away black people?==
Seriously? You imply some sort of racist intent on Rauner with one breath, and in the next post this?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 5:19 pm:
- Big Muddy -,
First and foremost, I am running as a write-in, so there’s that…
To your Question, with respect, Rauner is the Blago My Party complained about when we would slam Dems for backing Rod…
There are two Rauners; how he lives, how he wants to be seen.
Promised myself I wouldn’t be one to support a Blago of My Party, keeping that promise to myself.
I ding Rauner, but if he was true to himself or to voters, I would have heard…
“I clouted my daughter. It was wrong. I am sorry.”
“I donated to Dems and Republicans. I followed the rules and donated like any company.”
“I am an insider. I know the game well. Knowing all I know, I can change the system more by that, than any amount of money u can spend to influence it.”
I am not perfect. I win in business more than I lost. I never wanted to be known for the money I made, but the difference I have made. I made plenty if mistakes in business but I never had to worry about anyone questioning my honesty.”
“I trust people. We all trust people. People we know let us down. Every day. When some let me down, they let more than me and my company down. As governor, I’ll trust people them too. I will do my best, and expect that of those I have help me too.”
Governing is a ‘We’ thing. Problems of Illinos go beyond one or two elections. I will a government in Illinos that is willing to reach out with hands, than spend time trying to slap the other’s hand. I want to be a partner, not a pariah.”
That is a Rauner I could’ve back.
That is neither of the two Rauners I got.
- Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 6:10 pm:
Oswego Willie,
Appreciate the honesty. I hear where you are coming from now and see your points but don’t agree with all of them.
I’m looking at BVC’s election providing just one thing that is sorely missing, oversight over the Madigan cabal. Left unchecked Madigan will continue to scorch Illinois and leave nothing but charred remains of a once great state.
I guess I’m just willing to overlook BVC’s faults in hope that we can at lest ride out the firestorm until Madigan goes away.
Then we can rebuild.
Much respect ~ Big Muddy
- Big Muddy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 6:11 pm:
And you got my write-in vote.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 6:23 pm:
- Big Muddy -,
Thanks. There’s yard signs too.
I appreciate your honesty as well. If you go in “eyes open” as opposed to drinking the kool-aid that what he says is real and unquestionable, then your choice is more about your expectations, than masking the realities of what you deny.
This place is a dialog too, glad I was able to clarify my stance in that framework
OW
- Norseman - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 6:30 pm:
=== Governing is a ‘We’ thing. Problems of Illinos go beyond one or two elections. I will a government in Illinos that is willing to reach out with hands, than spend time trying to slap the other’s hand. I want to be a partner, not a pariah.” ===
Willy, you’ve got to include that in your inaugural address.
Big Muddy, now you see why Willy’s been my guy for awhile. The following has a pix of our Willy button that you can print off on you color printer and proudly wear.
https://capitolfax.com/2013/07/30/question-of-the-day-1640/
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 22, 14 @ 6:53 pm:
(Tips cap to my friend - Norseman - humbly, and to “Sam” from Frank)
I am excited about the H&SGOP and what they believe their futures will be, and building upon understanding the outreach, like Rauner is doing here, that addition of partners is stronger than being the second choice of a terrible first choice.
I look forward to the legislative building, starting November.
- econ prof - Tuesday, Sep 23, 14 @ 11:34 am:
Pretty disturbing to see the bitterness from the Dems in this thread. In fact, you’ve crossed the line into racism, IMO. So, if black pastors endorse a Republican, it must be because those pastors are corrupt, unethical men who were bribed? Very sad.
- Gooner - Tuesday, Sep 23, 14 @ 11:41 am:
Econ Prof,
You may be right. Democrats may be a bunch of racists.
Or, in the alternative, some of the comments may be based on the fact that Rauner has been known to write million dollar checks in an apparent attempt to obtain favor.
So it might be racism, and it might be simply observing Rauner’s methods so far.