Just got robocalled by the Republican Party on pritzker. They play rod tape of how much he thought jb could raise if he got appointed to the senate seat
I heard that this could be coming so I did a little homework in advance.
* Here’s part of the raw audio of the exchange between Blagojevich and his aide Doug Scofield…
* And here’s the full transcript of the conversation. It’s on pages 6-7 on the Tribune’s site…
Notice how Scofield says it would be hard to get JB to do that and Blagojevich agrees.
Today, the Illinois Republican Party released a robocall highlighting potential gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker’s deep ties to Illinois’ most corrupt political insiders, including Rod Blagojevich and his criminal scheme to sell President Obama’s US Senate seat.
“For years, J.B. Pritzker has worked behind the scenes to screw Illinois taxpayers. Pritzker provided nearly a million dollars to Mike Madigan’s political front group and inserted himself into Rod Blagojevich’s criminal scheme to sell Illinois’ US Senate seat. J.B. Pritzker is just another corrupt political insider.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
JB Pritzker wants to run for Governor. But how well do we really know Pritzker?
We know that political boss Mike Madigan likes Pritzker and his billion dollar fortune as much as disgraced and imprisoned Governor Rod Blagojevich did.
Pritzker told Blagojevich he wanted to be appointed to the U.S. Senate and in exchange Blagojevich wanted JB to personally raise tens of millions of dollars for him.
Here’s Blagojevich on FBI tapes talking about it….
[Audio] I betcha JB can raise me money like that … If I can get JB to do somethin’ like that is it worth, ah, givin’ him the Senate seat? Incidentally, he, he asked me for it. Don’t repeat that.
JB Pritzker. Just another crooked insider who seeks to screw over Illinois taxpayers.
[Audio] $10 million dollars, $15 million dollars … JB can do it, couldn’t he? … Don’t repeat that.
Paid for by the Illinois Republican Party. 872-216-3791
Mess with a guy worth close to $4 billion and you’re essentially inviting him to start spending money soon.
Stay tuned, campers.
*** UPDATE *** From Pritzker’s spokesman…
“You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”
That is taking Pritzker much more seriously than I would at this point, but I suppose when you’ve got the resources, you can cover all your bases…
I think raising the spectre of Blago is a good move (though its probably declining in effectiveness), but they needed to be more creative in editing the audio. With the clip they have, it’s clear that Blago hadn’t even asked Pritzker to raise money for him, let alone that Pritzker agreed, let alone that they actually did anything…
I suppose after Trump, anything goes when it comes to language, but the state GOP using the vulgar “screw” in an official press release is another demonstration of the frat house mentality that suffuses the Rauner boys club.
Also, they might want to check with their libel lawyers, but they’ve made an assertion of fact, hearsay evidence from a convicted felon with regard to Pritzker that is likely not defensible.
I wonder if campaign fatigue will start to set in among Illinois voters. We’ve just wrapped up the most heated campaigns in modern history and Rauner is already starting up for 2018? I guess when all you have is a huge campaign war chest you never stop campaignin’
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:19 pm:
OW seems to be right on target with his take, this is more than just a shot across the bow, it’s an direct engagement.
That Blago audio is devastating will be something we’ll hear quite a bit of over the next 23 months if Pritzker throws his hat in the ring.
Actually, the Blago/money part isn’t what stands out to me, it’s the “he asked me” line. Rauner in 2014 at least had the “outsider” label, but a politically connected billionaire isn’t likely going to get high marks with the Democratic base. Plus, Pritzker’s going to have to have an answer for going against Illinois’ most recent favorite son, Obama, by working with the Hilary campaign in 2008.
== That is taking Pritzker much more seriously than I would at this point, … ==
== If they are this worried this soon… ==
== Would appear someone has hit the nerves of Team Super Star ==
== Wow. It’s all ready starting. ==
Think back to the 2014 primary. That is Rauner’s method of operation, knock out any competition very early on. Plus the first one out with a story gets to try to shape the narrative to their liking.
Speaker Madigan fought Gov. Blagojevich more than the Legislative Republicans. The speaker can put his anti-Blago creds against anyone in the Republican party…. And I mean anyone.
If Mr. Pritzker wants to run for Governor, he can expect this treatment. Good response so far, but is he willing to return the favor to Gov. Rauner? If he is, the Gov. might not like it too much.
“You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”
meanwhile, just seeing Doug Scofield’s name in relation to Blago has me sad and shaking my head. once one of the best and brightest, he got burned while others…you know who you are…just seemed to skate away to big money.
===”You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”===
Whoa. That’s about AS perfect as it can be for where Pritzker IS in all this and making the link about Rauner “searching” the rantings of Rod Blagojevich.
I am sure President Obama and his legion of followers will excuse JB for supporting HRC in 2008. After all, he did hire JB’s sister and the goal is to defeat Rauner.
This stuff is so much more believable when it is delivered by a retiree from southeastern Ohio who, with the help a white shoe Cincinnati law firm, forms a committee to run downstate radio ads tearing apart a potential challenger.
Actually, I prefer a regular guy/gal who has political experience get the financial backing from some billionaire like JB and his friends. How will Rauner counter someone like that?
I find it interesting that the Pritzker PR folks cite the “crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich” without actually denying that “he asked [Blagojevich] for it.”
==The speaker can put his anti-Blago creds against anyone in the Republican party…. And I mean anyone.==
“Madigan served as chair of Blago’s re-election campaign.” That’s just one simple statement of fact to go against your statement. Takes me 3 seconds to say, and you’ll spend 10 minutes trying to explain to someone why that isn’t an accurate summation of the Madigan-Blago relationship.
The fight may have been real, but it’s a much easier sell to the public to put Madigan and Blago together than to make them look like enemies. That will be happening as long as Madigan is the Speaker.
Yes, Governor, as my mother used to say, if you spent as much time working on a budget as you do avoiding working on it, you would have it done by now.
==I find it interesting that the Pritzker PR folks cite the “crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich” without actually denying that “he asked [Blagojevich] for it.”==
That’s ’cause when you’re explaining, you’re losing.
==But… we’d have to see what the Ads against Rauner will look like downstate.==
Worth noting that Rauner’s approval ratings are catastrophic downstate. Almost any Dem’s will end up even worse, though.
ILGOV - even a “regular” person would require tens of millions of dollars to play statewide in a gubernatorial election.
Think about Senator Raoul as an example. I think he could win a Dem primary. But would the typical Dem/LIFT/DGA fundraising folks want to ensure he can compete with a guy like Rauner?
We bandy about names like Daniel Biss and Kwame Raoul and Andy Manar but those guys would need tons of cash to pull off a win.
[Audio] I betcha JB can raise me money like that … If I can get JB to do somethin’ like that is it worth, ah, givin’ him the Senate seat? Incidentally, he, he asked me for it. Don’t repeat that.
Repeating the Governor’s words from an FBI wiretap is not slander
In the film “In Harms Way”, Captain Rockwell Torrey (John Wayne) describes in great detail an assult to capture an important island in the South Pacific, Operation Skyhook. He then is made an Admiral (I’m skipping lots to get to the reference) and is instructed to carry out the Operation.
Upon taking the island, the Japanese (WWII) put themselves in the same positioning Torrey had before Skyhook.
Torrey looks at the board, explains the Japanese’s next steps, almost identical to his own. He ends the brief..,
“Skyhook, in reverse”
The reversal of the winning action against the victor.
===I prefer a regular guy/gal who has political experience===
I see that a lot in comments. Never see a name attached, however. You’re dreaming.
State Senator Linda Holmes
State Senator Pat McGuire
State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch
State Rep. Natalie Manley
State Rep. Brandon Phelps (downstate appeal)
State Rep. Emily McAsey
State Rep. Lawrence Walsh Jr.
State Rep. Michael J. Zalewski
I highly doubt the public will pay attention to any of this. If anything the attack served as a preview of a TV commercial. One could say that Pritzker would appreciate the heads up, but any decent research would have turned up this attack anyway. I can’t see today’s release having any positive or negative consequence for either candidate. Normally I would have said it was a waste of money, but who cares when you have that much of it.
Team Sleep, if the D’s had billionaires who would be willing to bankroll a ‘regular guy/gal” like the ones I put forth, they might have a chance. I think many of them have some pretty good “regular guy/gal” appeal/stories that can be relatable to the voters.
Unless Rauner has something on Pritzker like he did on Aaron Schock, this shot over the bow is the mere equivalent of a childish spitball from the Rauner frat boys.
Grow up, boys. You too, Brucie.
Wow, this seems like a really dumb move on the part of the Rauner GOPies. I mean, maybe there’s some hidden Ooda-Loopery going on, but on the face of it, if your main political advantage is your money, it looks unwise to deliberately bait a guy who is 4x as rich as you, and arguably better-regarded. Among other reasons: if anyone has the $$ to dig up previously suppressed, damaging dirt on BVR, it’s JBP.
Man, I really hope this turns out to be the incident about which the Super Stars will soon say, “I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve.”
Fine, ILGOV2018, you came up with a list. Now go convince even one of those folks to pull the trigger. I haven’t heard a bit of interest out of any of them.
Also, too, the lead plaintiff in the legislative pay lawsuit probably isn’t your best work. I like the guy, but just sayin…
How did Rauner come to pass? How? Here’s how the ILGOP got Rauner…
===billionaires who would be willing to bankroll a ‘regular guy/gal” like the ones I put forth, they might have a chance. I think many of them have some pretty good “regular guy/gal” appeal/stories that can be relatable to the voters.===
… and…
… the “Uihleins”, “Grifffins” and Bruce and Diana Rauner had “enough” of propping up Pols, and decided “to have one of their own as a ‘made’ member”
The reality? The wealthy felt funding someone to do what they wanted was counter productive. Get one of their own as Governor, no middle man.
The co-opting the GOP GA was the bonus, (and so cheap too!)
Not sure Pritzker is better-regarded, or really regarded at all.
But I have for a while been saying that with Rauner’s approval rating, it’s his money that’ll drag him across the finish line, if anything does. So someone who can match it is intriguing.
Since he became Governor of New Jersey and even more so during his presidential campaign, Chris Christie’s weight was the subject of ridicule by the national media and comics.
Since JB is also a plus size guy, do we think he gets the same kind of treatment if he actually runs or is excess weight off limits to barbs from Illinois media?
==“You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”==
==Since JB is also a plus size guy, do we think he gets the same kind of treatment if he actually runs or is excess weight off limits to barbs from Illinois media?==
I don’t think it’s off-limits so much as our media is a little more provincial than what Christie dealt with. Remember, Christie was in the NYC media market. That’s part of why he rose so quickly.
Also, too, the lead plaintiff in the legislative pay lawsuit probably isn’t your best work. I like the guy, but just sayin…
I hadn’t thought about that. But, I think most everybody here knows, not one current legislator who really isn’t a big name is going to jump into the Gov race. The way elections are today, with all the sniping, mud-slinging and nobody actually coming up with a plan that will work, nobody wants to take on someone like Rauner.
ILGOV - the LIFT efforts showed that a “regular guy” can make a big fundraising push. But the results were mixed - in a presidential year, no less, when the D nominee creamed the R nominee in the suburbs.
Hope JB got a tax write-off and happy feeling from bailing out the Ounce of Prevention Fund. He obviously didn’t receive any gratitude from the Rauner family.
JB is a good & decent guy who a lot of hustlers like Blagojevich have seen as a mark & tried to shake down. The fact that Blago & others have sought to take advantage of him makes them corrupt, not him. While I like his response to the first of what may be many crass cheap shots, I’d rather he walked away now than spend the next 2 years in the mud with the Super Stars.
Dave McKinney was disciplined by Sun Times management, for an investigative piece into then-candidate Rauner’s dealings. Note that candidate Rauner was once business partner with Sun Times’ management. The Sun Times eventually endorsed Mr. Rauner, reversing a public commitment they’d made to not endorse in gubernatorial races. Interesting.
All Gov. Rauner really has going for him is his wealth and the power that purchases. A Pritzker bid would be a good thing if it allowed the public to hear more about businessman Rauner. Mr. McKinney could do op research.
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:02 pm:
This reeks of the same tactic Rauner used on Schock
Bruce Rauner was the CEO of Choose Chicago and previous to that a member of the MPEA board.
Rauner hired Don Welsh to run Choose Chicago then spent $34 million a year and we got absolutely nothing in return.
Since Rauner joined the MPEA, McCormick Place has lost 14 trade shows, gave away all of their profit centers to private connected contractors , gave away its Cash Cow - Navy Pier for $1 a year, has a $1.4 billion deficit (without FY 2016’s losses) and is has $13 billion in debt service with a backloaded payment schedule which is about to double.
If history is any guide, the State of Illinois is in deep trouble.
- Not Rich - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:03 pm:
when the super rich start a peeing match, us little folk better get some big umbrellas…..
- illini97 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
Election Season 2018…is it over yet?
- Colin O'Scopey - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
=political boss Mike Madigan likes Pritzker and his billion dollar fortune=
Let me put it in perspective: Mike Madigan loves JB Pritzker money like the GOP likes Rauner and Griffin and Uhlein money.
I agree with Rich: if you want to goad a billionaire into running, this is how I would play it.
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:06 pm:
Ooh…let the fun begin…
If they are this worried this soon…
- Rocky Rosi - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:07 pm:
WOW. It’s all ready starting. JB has a good name and is a nice person. This is why the good ones never run for office. We are better than this people!
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:08 pm:
Would appear someone has hit the nerves of Team
Super Star and their followers in the state GOP.
What do they have to fear? Rauner and his friends in the GA are loved by the voters who will quickly rally to their side.
- Reality Check - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
“Screw” is part of our political discourse now? I hope Steve Yaffe’s family is very proud.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:09 pm:
That is taking Pritzker much more seriously than I would at this point, but I suppose when you’ve got the resources, you can cover all your bases…
I think raising the spectre of Blago is a good move (though its probably declining in effectiveness), but they needed to be more creative in editing the audio. With the clip they have, it’s clear that Blago hadn’t even asked Pritzker to raise money for him, let alone that Pritzker agreed, let alone that they actually did anything…
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:12 pm:
==Would appear someone has hit the nerves of Team
Super Star and their followers in the state GOP.==
OR, ILGOP just has enough money to put out early hits on *every* Dem candidate.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:12 pm:
Welp, Mr. Pritzker…
“Your move”
The question is… are you IN or are you scared?
That’s what Raunerites are saying.
I’ll be watching how this plays out. Closely.
How scared can the Raunerites make Pritzker?
How much of attacks like this is Pritzker willing to lay down for?
- Moe Berg - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:13 pm:
I suppose after Trump, anything goes when it comes to language, but the state GOP using the vulgar “screw” in an official press release is another demonstration of the frat house mentality that suffuses the Rauner boys club.
Also, they might want to check with their libel lawyers, but they’ve made an assertion of fact, hearsay evidence from a convicted felon with regard to Pritzker that is likely not defensible.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
The Illinois GOP has officially adopted the national GOP/Tea Party playbook. Maybe they are getting help from Russian hackers.
- MOON - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:14 pm:
Rauner must really be worried about JB
Rauner is Governor because of his and his friends money.
If JB enters the race and is willing to spend the money Rauners advantage disappears and his poor showing to date will be a real problem for him.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:15 pm:
This should be enough to keep everyone from talking about how awful that fb live debacle was. Yeesh.
- Rogue Roni - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:17 pm:
I wonder if campaign fatigue will start to set in among Illinois voters. We’ve just wrapped up the most heated campaigns in modern history and Rauner is already starting up for 2018? I guess when all you have is a huge campaign war chest you never stop campaignin’
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:19 pm:
Ready…Fire….Aim…
- Been There - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:19 pm:
===Scofield: I think its worth explorin’. ===
I like that the stenographer catches that Doug is also just a downhome guy just like Bruce.
- Disgusted - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:20 pm:
Surprised they didn’t splice the audio. They’re good at that. Remember those commercials in Springfield’s 99th this year?
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:21 pm:
How nice. And after JB cut that lovely check to Diana’s organization to help offset its lack of state funding.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:22 pm:
“Screw Illinois taxpayers”? First of all, way to be as gross as your presidential nominee, IL GOP. Secondly, got any evidence to back that up, guys?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:23 pm:
===How nice. And after JB cut that lovely check to Diana’s organization to help offset its lack of state funding.===
Aw! You missed the real irony.
Diana Rauner donates to the ILGOP.
You gave the story, but you buried the lede
- Jon - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:29 pm:
OW seems to be right on target with his take, this is more than just a shot across the bow, it’s an direct engagement.
That Blago audio is devastating will be something we’ll hear quite a bit of over the next 23 months if Pritzker throws his hat in the ring.
Actually, the Blago/money part isn’t what stands out to me, it’s the “he asked me” line. Rauner in 2014 at least had the “outsider” label, but a politically connected billionaire isn’t likely going to get high marks with the Democratic base. Plus, Pritzker’s going to have to have an answer for going against Illinois’ most recent favorite son, Obama, by working with the Hilary campaign in 2008.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:31 pm:
== That is taking Pritzker much more seriously than I would at this point, … ==
== If they are this worried this soon… ==
== Would appear someone has hit the nerves of Team Super Star ==
== Wow. It’s all ready starting. ==
Think back to the 2014 primary. That is Rauner’s method of operation, knock out any competition very early on. Plus the first one out with a story gets to try to shape the narrative to their liking.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
RE the update; great response.
- Try-4-Truth - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:32 pm:
To the Update……
Speaker Madigan fought Gov. Blagojevich more than the Legislative Republicans. The speaker can put his anti-Blago creds against anyone in the Republican party…. And I mean anyone.
If Mr. Pritzker wants to run for Governor, he can expect this treatment. Good response so far, but is he willing to return the favor to Gov. Rauner? If he is, the Gov. might not like it too much.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
To the Update…
“You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”
A BIG AMEN!
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
Ok, more of the same back and forth.
meanwhile, just seeing Doug Scofield’s name in relation to Blago has me sad and shaking my head. once one of the best and brightest, he got burned while others…you know who you are…just seemed to skate away to big money.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:34 pm:
(hat tip to - Jon -)
===”You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”===
Whoa. That’s about AS perfect as it can be for where Pritzker IS in all this and making the link about Rauner “searching” the rantings of Rod Blagojevich.
That’s just about… perfect.
…
…
… for “Today”
- Loop Lady - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:35 pm:
Moon: Yes indeed!
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:36 pm:
@Jon…
I am sure President Obama and his legion of followers will excuse JB for supporting HRC in 2008. After all, he did hire JB’s sister and the goal is to defeat Rauner.
- Sam Weinberg - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:37 pm:
Team Rauner is slipping.
This stuff is so much more believable when it is delivered by a retiree from southeastern Ohio who, with the help a white shoe Cincinnati law firm, forms a committee to run downstate radio ads tearing apart a potential challenger.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:38 pm:
Actually, I prefer a regular guy/gal who has political experience get the financial backing from some billionaire like JB and his friends. How will Rauner counter someone like that?
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
What’s next Bruce? You gonna tell us how JB was payin’ Blago’s boy Stu Levine $25k a month to get that Senate seat?
- Colin O'Scopey - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:39 pm:
=Rauner in 2014 at least had the “outsider” label=
Look how that’s turning out for everyone.
- Almost the Weekend - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:41 pm:
Put this is in a commercial… I can’t see him doing better downstate or in the burbs compared to PQ.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
===I prefer a regular guy/gal who has political experience===
I see that a lot in comments. Never see a name attached, however. You’re dreaming.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
I find it interesting that the Pritzker PR folks cite the “crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich” without actually denying that “he asked [Blagojevich] for it.”
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:44 pm:
Sleazy. I don’t know Pritzker or much about him but this is low, even for Rauner/Trump and that is truly a low bar.
The knuckle-dragers eat this stuff up though, it really appeals to the base.
A small amount of analytics would note that Pritzker is not on the tape and Blago was a bit of a “dreamer”.
If I was Dianna Rauner, I would cash Pritzker’s check ASAP.
If I was Pritzker I might make a quick call to the Ounce president.
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:46 pm:
That is a textbook non denial denial about the offer to “buy” the Senate seat.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-denial_denial
JB Pritzker would be a typical Illinois politician, not an outsider by any means.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:46 pm:
- Almost the Weekend -
There’s a great amount of truth in what you are saying…
But… we’d have to see what the Ads against Rauner will look like downstate.
By that time, Eastern could very well be closed…
… UIUC could be $1 billion behind in actual funding.
… state parks? SIU? Western’s accreditation?
You are on to a real problem that may play out, but Rauner’s record… “Pat Quinn failed.”
Skyhook, in reverse.
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:48 pm:
LP, your table at Comet Pizza is waiting for you.
- m - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:48 pm:
==The speaker can put his anti-Blago creds against anyone in the Republican party…. And I mean anyone.==
“Madigan served as chair of Blago’s re-election campaign.” That’s just one simple statement of fact to go against your statement. Takes me 3 seconds to say, and you’ll spend 10 minutes trying to explain to someone why that isn’t an accurate summation of the Madigan-Blago relationship.
The fight may have been real, but it’s a much easier sell to the public to put Madigan and Blago together than to make them look like enemies. That will be happening as long as Madigan is the Speaker.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:49 pm:
Yes, Governor, as my mother used to say, if you spent as much time working on a budget as you do avoiding working on it, you would have it done by now.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:49 pm:
Rauner was never an outsider, Rauner sold that he was, and that’s to his credit, but Rauner was an insider all the same.
- Shameonbruce - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:51 pm:
Clearly Rauner’s folks see Pritzker as the only real threat on the democratic side.
- Centenial - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:51 pm:
To the update… Damn, JB mighta come to play after all. I like it.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:52 pm:
==I find it interesting that the Pritzker PR folks cite the “crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich” without actually denying that “he asked [Blagojevich] for it.”==
That’s ’cause when you’re explaining, you’re losing.
==But… we’d have to see what the Ads against Rauner will look like downstate.==
Worth noting that Rauner’s approval ratings are catastrophic downstate. Almost any Dem’s will end up even worse, though.
- MissingG - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:52 pm:
How long before DeGroot starts following Pritzker around with a camera?
- A Jack - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
The Democrats impeached Blago, while the ILGOP was wringing its hands.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:53 pm:
“Rod Blagojevich was impeached by Speaker Madigan and the General Assembly!”
That’s the pivot. Less than 3 seconds to say too.
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:56 pm:
===JB Pritzker would be a typical Illinois politician, not an outsider by any means.===
So he would govern more like Thompson and Edgar and less like Blago and Rauner. Sign me up!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:57 pm:
- Arsenal -
Point taken. I also feel that unmistakable damage downstate can’t be explained away with millions… spent to point out the failings.
Again, Skyhook, in reverse.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:57 pm:
==“Madigan served as chair of Blago’s re-election campaign.” ==
And then he impeached him.
But sure, Madigan will have a Blago problem when…he runs for…Governor? Why are we talking about this again?
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:59 pm:
Oswego Willy
“Skyhook, in reverse.”
Using that quote from The Duke ranks alongside “Leave the gun, take the cannoli.” Well played sir, well played!
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:59 pm:
==Again, Skyhook, in reverse==
I don’t understand this one. Little help?
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:01 pm:
ILGOV - even a “regular” person would require tens of millions of dollars to play statewide in a gubernatorial election.
Think about Senator Raoul as an example. I think he could win a Dem primary. But would the typical Dem/LIFT/DGA fundraising folks want to ensure he can compete with a guy like Rauner?
We bandy about names like Daniel Biss and Kwame Raoul and Andy Manar but those guys would need tons of cash to pull off a win.
- Colin O'Scopey - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:02 pm:
@Lucky Pierre
=That is a textbook non denial denial about the offer to “buy” the Senate seat.=
I have never read or heard JB Pritzker offer to buy a Senate seat. I’d be careful tossing around comments like that. It could be considered slander.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:04 pm:
JB Pritzker would be a typical Illinois politician, not an outsider by any means.
LP,kinda like Rauner is and always has been?
- Lucky Pierre - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:08 pm:
[Audio] I betcha JB can raise me money like that … If I can get JB to do somethin’ like that is it worth, ah, givin’ him the Senate seat? Incidentally, he, he asked me for it. Don’t repeat that.
Repeating the Governor’s words from an FBI wiretap is not slander
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:08 pm:
(Tips cap, humbly, to - Anyone Remember -)
- Arsenal -
I give you this one, no worries.
In the film “In Harms Way”, Captain Rockwell Torrey (John Wayne) describes in great detail an assult to capture an important island in the South Pacific, Operation Skyhook. He then is made an Admiral (I’m skipping lots to get to the reference) and is instructed to carry out the Operation.
Upon taking the island, the Japanese (WWII) put themselves in the same positioning Torrey had before Skyhook.
Torrey looks at the board, explains the Japanese’s next steps, almost identical to his own. He ends the brief..,
“Skyhook, in reverse”
The reversal of the winning action against the victor.
See the film. It’s with the time.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
===I prefer a regular guy/gal who has political experience===
I see that a lot in comments. Never see a name attached, however. You’re dreaming.
State Senator Linda Holmes
State Senator Pat McGuire
State Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch
State Rep. Natalie Manley
State Rep. Brandon Phelps (downstate appeal)
State Rep. Emily McAsey
State Rep. Lawrence Walsh Jr.
State Rep. Michael J. Zalewski
- Lil Squeezy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:12 pm:
I highly doubt the public will pay attention to any of this. If anything the attack served as a preview of a TV commercial. One could say that Pritzker would appreciate the heads up, but any decent research would have turned up this attack anyway. I can’t see today’s release having any positive or negative consequence for either candidate. Normally I would have said it was a waste of money, but who cares when you have that much of it.
- GOPgal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:13 pm:
Why is Rauner wasting his time campaigning for 2018?
He’s freely chosen not to do the job of governor. Reelection is a pipe dream.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:15 pm:
Team Sleep, if the D’s had billionaires who would be willing to bankroll a ‘regular guy/gal” like the ones I put forth, they might have a chance. I think many of them have some pretty good “regular guy/gal” appeal/stories that can be relatable to the voters.
- Winnin' - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:17 pm:
Unless Rauner has something on Pritzker like he did on Aaron Schock, this shot over the bow is the mere equivalent of a childish spitball from the Rauner frat boys.
Grow up, boys. You too, Brucie.
- Crispy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:17 pm:
Wow, this seems like a really dumb move on the part of the Rauner GOPies. I mean, maybe there’s some hidden Ooda-Loopery going on, but on the face of it, if your main political advantage is your money, it looks unwise to deliberately bait a guy who is 4x as rich as you, and arguably better-regarded. Among other reasons: if anyone has the $$ to dig up previously suppressed, damaging dirt on BVR, it’s JBP.
Man, I really hope this turns out to be the incident about which the Super Stars will soon say, “I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant, and filled him with a terrible resolve.”
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:19 pm:
So the “reverse” is downstate punishing Rauner for facility closures, like they did to Quinn?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:20 pm:
Fine, ILGOV2018, you came up with a list. Now go convince even one of those folks to pull the trigger. I haven’t heard a bit of interest out of any of them.
Also, too, the lead plaintiff in the legislative pay lawsuit probably isn’t your best work. I like the guy, but just sayin…
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:21 pm:
How did Rauner come to pass? How? Here’s how the ILGOP got Rauner…
===billionaires who would be willing to bankroll a ‘regular guy/gal” like the ones I put forth, they might have a chance. I think many of them have some pretty good “regular guy/gal” appeal/stories that can be relatable to the voters.===
… and…
… the “Uihleins”, “Grifffins” and Bruce and Diana Rauner had “enough” of propping up Pols, and decided “to have one of their own as a ‘made’ member”
The reality? The wealthy felt funding someone to do what they wanted was counter productive. Get one of their own as Governor, no middle man.
The co-opting the GOP GA was the bonus, (and so cheap too!)
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:23 pm:
==and arguably better-regarded==
Not sure Pritzker is better-regarded, or really regarded at all.
But I have for a while been saying that with Rauner’s approval rating, it’s his money that’ll drag him across the finish line, if anything does. So someone who can match it is intriguing.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:24 pm:
- Arsenal -
Think more broad based.
“Pat Quinn failed”… is Skyhook.
“Bruce Rauner failed”… is “Skyhook, in reverse”
Rauner proved the already proven “Governors own”
The totality of Rauner’s failures, like Quinn is Skyhook, just reversed on Rauner now.
- Marie Osmond - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:25 pm:
Since he became Governor of New Jersey and even more so during his presidential campaign, Chris Christie’s weight was the subject of ridicule by the national media and comics.
Since JB is also a plus size guy, do we think he gets the same kind of treatment if he actually runs or is excess weight off limits to barbs from Illinois media?
- So_Ill - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:29 pm:
==“You would think a governor who has failed to pass a budget for two years and has allowed human services to be gutted would have better things to do with his time than to dredge up the crazy rantings of Rod Blagojevich.”==
That is AWESOME!
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:35 pm:
==Since JB is also a plus size guy, do we think he gets the same kind of treatment if he actually runs or is excess weight off limits to barbs from Illinois media?==
I don’t think it’s off-limits so much as our media is a little more provincial than what Christie dealt with. Remember, Christie was in the NYC media market. That’s part of why he rose so quickly.
- ILGOV2018 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:44 pm:
–Rich Miller…
Also, too, the lead plaintiff in the legislative pay lawsuit probably isn’t your best work. I like the guy, but just sayin…
I hadn’t thought about that. But, I think most everybody here knows, not one current legislator who really isn’t a big name is going to jump into the Gov race. The way elections are today, with all the sniping, mud-slinging and nobody actually coming up with a plan that will work, nobody wants to take on someone like Rauner.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:51 pm:
===Repeating the Governor’s words from an FBI wiretap is not slander===
No, but believing everything Rod Blagojevich said to Doug Scoville is definitely delusional.
- Team Sleep - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:52 pm:
ILGOV - the LIFT efforts showed that a “regular guy” can make a big fundraising push. But the results were mixed - in a presidential year, no less, when the D nominee creamed the R nominee in the suburbs.
- Colin O'Scopey - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:54 pm:
@Lucky Pierre
Dude, read your own post at 1:46. Please show me where JB Pritzker offered to buy anything, even a stick of gum? JB didn’t “offer” anything.
- Oneman - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 2:57 pm:
ILGov2018
Oh please, please, please nominate Linda Holmes…
Please, please, please…..
- Winnin' - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:00 pm:
ILGov2018–
You forgot Sen Andy Manar, who is rumored to be interested. He should fit your criteria.
- Sue - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:12 pm:
Madigan might like the big guys money but doubtful he wants a totally independent guy in the big chair
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:14 pm:
Hope JB got a tax write-off and happy feeling from bailing out the Ounce of Prevention Fund. He obviously didn’t receive any gratitude from the Rauner family.
- In The No - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:16 pm:
JB is a good & decent guy who a lot of hustlers like Blagojevich have seen as a mark & tried to shake down. The fact that Blago & others have sought to take advantage of him makes them corrupt, not him. While I like his response to the first of what may be many crass cheap shots, I’d rather he walked away now than spend the next 2 years in the mud with the Super Stars.
- Jack Jackson - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 3:31 pm:
Dave McKinney was disciplined by Sun Times management, for an investigative piece into then-candidate Rauner’s dealings. Note that candidate Rauner was once business partner with Sun Times’ management. The Sun Times eventually endorsed Mr. Rauner, reversing a public commitment they’d made to not endorse in gubernatorial races. Interesting.
All Gov. Rauner really has going for him is his wealth and the power that purchases. A Pritzker bid would be a good thing if it allowed the public to hear more about businessman Rauner. Mr. McKinney could do op research.
- Boone's is Back - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:02 pm:
This reeks of the same tactic Rauner used on Schock
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:34 pm:
That’s nothing — check out the tape on this guy. Talk about being in the tank for Madigan, Cullerton, Quinn and Daley.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/Bruce-Rauner-video-restaurant-association-show-chicago-quinn-272309081.html
- Henry Francis - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 4:55 pm:
Nice find Word. The Gov is supportin’ - what - over 100 years of crooked insiders?
- shytown - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:24 pm:
Sorry, but what a lame-o response from the Pritzker team.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 5:26 pm:
- shytown -
Really? How so? Use your words.
Thanks.
- Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Dec 13, 16 @ 8:46 pm:
- Wordslinger - That’s nothing….
Bruce Rauner was the CEO of Choose Chicago and previous to that a member of the MPEA board.
Rauner hired Don Welsh to run Choose Chicago then spent $34 million a year and we got absolutely nothing in return.
Since Rauner joined the MPEA, McCormick Place has lost 14 trade shows, gave away all of their profit centers to private connected contractors , gave away its Cash Cow - Navy Pier for $1 a year, has a $1.4 billion deficit (without FY 2016’s losses) and is has $13 billion in debt service with a backloaded payment schedule which is about to double.
If history is any guide, the State of Illinois is in deep trouble.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Dec 14, 16 @ 5:35 am:
Time to soften up the govenor, billboards of failed govenor, tv infomercial ” we can drive a wedge” run in the republican markets. Peer pressure