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* Sun-Times…
A group that championed the same-sex marriage issue in Illinois is calling on gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner to return a new round of contributions he received from the DeVos family, known nationally for being major funders to groups opposing gay and lesbian rights. […]
This week, nine different members of the DeVos family donated to Rauner’s run for governor in Illinois for a total of $13,000. Among Rauner’s donors is Douglas Devos, president of Amway. Gay rights groups across the country have been at odds with Amway, including calling for boycotts, following Devos’ big money donation — $500,000 — to the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes same-sex marriage and has worked in Illinois and other states to defeat its legalization. Dick Devos also contributed $6,000 in two donations. […]
“What we see Rauner trying to do, unlike Bill Brady and unlike some of the other former candidates from the Republican party who were proud of their conservative beliefs — Rauner is trying to have it both ways,” said [Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois]. “When he is in Chicago, he is trying to impersonate a moderate. But when he’s speaking to what he believes to be private, closed circles to his party, he says something else.” […]
“If he wants to run as a moderate candidate, then he should distance himself from their money and their contributions,” said Cherkasov.
Forbes has a brief backgrounder on the Devos family. Mother Jones goes into more detail with a decidedly left-wing slant.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 8:40 am
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The money’s trivial in the scheme of things. This is part of an ongoing effort to cast bright light on Rauner’s flopping on gay rights issues, and to draw him out.
It probably won’t move a lot of votes which would otherwise go his way.
Comment by walker Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:00 am
Not sure I know enough about that family to say anyone should return anything.
But its funny that when you used to get $ from people of different attitudes you were a moderate. Now if you take a dime, the other political side of the donation train screams.
Most groups donating want to know that you will “stay bought”. Maybe that is some of what is wrong with politics all across the board.
Comment by RonOglesby - Now in TX Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:12 am
It’s a handy way to attack on an issue some see as an issue…
Curious if we are going to reach the point where campaigns will start asking question for every donation…
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:14 am
I think he should embrace his anti-human rights stance. It’s the only issue he’s addressed so faar.
Comment by Cheryl44 Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:20 am
I’d like to see him take a stance on something. Even if he disagrees with everything I stand for, which I assume he does j/k. At least then I wouldn’t feel like this election is straight up being bought by a rich tool. If he took positions, I could believe that people are maybe voting for his positions rather than his slick marketing.
Comment by Jimbo Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:29 am
Rauner should donate the money to the Koch Brothers.
Comment by John A Logan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:38 am
Wow Mitt is getting banged from all sides…pay to play with Stroger, no big BizWiz accomplishments, growing awareness of tax avoidance through his loophole limbo dance and zero plans. He had to prematurely rush out his “pay no attention to the negative ads” out two months early.
Meanwhile the GOPies on the payrolls have totally botched the Audit Commission Theater of the Absurd because they are still running the 2010 Brady Bunch disaster. Not a good week for Mitt
Comment by CirularFiringSquad Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:51 am
Well, unlike Bruce, Rich Devos certainly has a social agenda.
Donald Sterling has attempted to draw Devos into his problems with the NBA. The idea being, if Sterling’s partners boot him out of the league for damaging their brand, they ought to take a look at Devos as well.
On the bright side, maybe Devos could teach Bruce some old Amway pyramid tricks to raising revenues.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/magic-basketblog/os-mbb-donald-sterling-rich-devos-20140528,0,3831781.post
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:52 am
Don’t like Rauner at all, but I’d say to this group, KMA! Ron B was more tactful
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:53 am
These guys think they are going to a dinner party where they can tell the host which other guests can be invited?
What part of political diversity are they championing, that is, besides the one they represent? When did their point of view become sacrosanct? What did they think they were doing when they donated to this candidate? Buying him? Locking him into their political position? Locking out other political donors who find this candidate more attractive than the other?
Do they even understand how politics works, or how we are supposed to come together to address our common goals?
It is pretty sad when donors demand purity AFTER they donate.
Are we going to start seeing this partisan gamesmanship among all our candidates? This is the new political dirty trick?
If political candidates came with money back guarantees, then the entire Democratic party owes AFSCME millions, don’t they?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 9:58 am
Now if all the republicans who donated to rauner would ask for their money back as well.
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:02 am
Vman, better take another look at the story, you’re not making any sense.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:02 am
Just another nugget about the DeVos family, they also own the NBA’s Orlando Magic.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:03 am
VMan, you need to read the story. Your comment makes no sense.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:08 am
VMan, I don’t think they’re donors. They are an interest group that thinks accepting donations from bigots is a bad thing and may indicate you agree with them. They’re also mad about his gay marriage stance.
Comment by Jimbo Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:11 am
Uh, isn’t SSM the law in Illinois? They won and they’re still upset? Are they worried Rauner will try to repeal the law, assuming he wins in November?
Comment by dupage dan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:11 am
I feel better knowing that Pat Quinn has taken no money from controversial people an so no one can suggest he give some money back. The tear jerk appeal in politics is endless.
Comment by Steve Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:14 am
…full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.
Typical stunt that both parties always pull - gin up some manufactured outrage to try to motivate some part of your base.
Comment by phocion Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:16 am
If they can give you more trouble than the $13000 is worth, give it back. Just reach into you rpocket and make it rain on them or send it back in pennies.
Comment by Wumpus Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:17 am
VMan, the issue is pretty simple: Rauner has an anti-marriage-equality stance. He tries to hide that fact or change the subject whenever it comes up. Yet he’s taking money from major anti-gay activists, has an anti-gay running mate, said he’d veto or be open to repealing gay marriage, etc. etc. The company he keeps, man.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:17 am
One week this group puts a negative two story banner on a Boystown Bar for their signature event, the next week they demand he return $12K from someone else they don’t like. Really?
Equity Illinois is demonizing him for being someone he’s never staked himself out to be. Your agenda is moving forward. Make more friends. You hear nary a peep about this issue in the field these days leading me to believe most folks have accepted the new law and whether they like it or not, it’s there. These guys are acting like sore and bitter winners. Ungracious to say the least. You can find something or someone you don’t like on everyone’s A1’s. Give it a rest. It’s tiring.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:17 am
DeVos was also the driving force (and $$) behind Michigan’s new right-to-work statute. The unions loved that one — not.
Comment by Bobo Justus Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:26 am
It’s hilarious to see some who praised Rauner’s negative spot on Quinn bemoan the negativity of this attack.
Going negative is part of politics and has been since day one.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:34 am
Cherkasov is a professional whiner. Now that the legislation has passed, he needs to find a new complaint or grievance to keep the cash flowing in. What’s he going to demand next? That he can edit Rauner’s donor and mailing lists?
Comment by Enough already! Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:34 am
It’s all part of the game, candidates take money from opposing interests all the time? Would the IEA demand Pat Quinn give back money from any members of the Ill Chamber of Commerce?
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:43 am
When is Pat Quinn going to give that controversial big time money back to Alderman Ed Burke??
http://abc7chicago.com/archive/8276851/
Comment by Steve Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:43 am
**Equity Illinois is demonizing him for being someone he’s never staked himself out to be. **
Huh? One of the few positions that Rauner has actually taken is that he would have vetoed the marriage equality bill.
If we can’t go after Rauner for actual positions that we has taken, what can we go after him for?
Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:46 am
=== wordslinger - Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:34 am:
It’s hilarious to see some who praised Rauner’s negative spot on Quinn bemoan the negativity of this attack.
Going negative is part of politics and has been since day one.====
Not sure who you’re directing this toward Slinger. If it is I, I’m not bemoaning it at all. This group has painted Rauner as a mortal enemy, beyond any real amount of reason. Now they’re calling for him to listen to them and give back money? That’s kind of rich, dontchathink? Look at the list of people they demonize. Are they all as “hateful” as these guys portray them. Hard to sell that.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:48 am
Aaah, yes.
They are not donors.
This is about gay marriage?
That ship sailed. How did they miss that boat?
That is so 2012.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 10:49 am
NRI was so 2010. That ship sailed. We don’t need to talk about it.
Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:06 am
===Equity Illinois is demonizing him for being someone he’s never staked himself out to be.===
Rauner said he would have vetoed SSM. That is not demonizing, that is educating.
===Your agenda is moving forward. Make more friends.===
Bruce Rauner is not a friend if would have vetoed SSM, that is the point here. Fear of the agenda moving back is always a worry of a group with agendas.
===You hear nary a peep about this issue in the field these days leading me to believe most folks have accepted the new law and whether they like it or not, it’s there.===
If the field, you mean ignoring a rally and parade, and Rauner front and center to nearly a million people in a neighborhood with the same support for an issue Rauner would have vetoed.
Dismissing the LGBT community and the reach of SSM as an issue is ignorant to the political. Having “no side” but a quote against anything leads to easy defining, like a 2-story banner viewed by a target audience. Motivating that group, than ignoring or dismissing that group is not a wise plan.
Own it, or don’t. Don’t say you have no agenda, then get quoted as vetoing a group’s landmark legislation and then be surprised by push-back.
===These guys are acting like sore and bitter winners. Ungracious to say the least.===
No, they are acting like a partisan group, making hay against a fence-sitter, wanting it both ways, when words and money speak otherwise. Trying to marginalize that is fine, degrading it is ignorant to the political at play here.
===You can find something or someone you don’t like on everyone’s A1’s. Give it a rest. It’s tiring.===
Todd Stroger. Rahm Enanuel. Michael Madigan. Rich Daley…
How many GOP candidates for Governor, have those specific 4 on theirs, all four mind you, and then claim 1/3 of the GOP GA is then corrupted by Democrats and Unions? Yikes.
Good try.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:26 am
You’re a sage dude Willie. For sure Rauner should have gone to the parade. Brilliant tactician. Wow, I can’t believe his team doesn’t hang on every word you say. Oy.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:02 pm
===You’re a sage dude Willie. For sure Rauner should have gone to the parade. Brilliant tactician. Wow, I can’t believe his team doesn’t hang on every word you say.===
Aw, you’re just sayin’ that!
===Oy===
I am sure they can care less about me.
Why didn’t Bruce go? He was with “Slip and Sue” that day, so why not both of them walk in the parade?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:12 pm
==I am sure they can care less about me.==
Right, exactly right.
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:33 pm
- DuPage Rep -,
Then I don’t know why you and - A Guy.. - keep bringing it up, lol. Why make it about me ?
Bruce and “Slip and Sue” could have gone the day before, held a presser, say the veto was “baloney”…
But it’s not baloney, Bruce said it, but won’t own it, and ignored nearly a million people who understand those banners a lil bit better.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:40 pm
It’s Friday, lighten up Willy. We are both Republicans, so please forgive my “Raunerite” tendancies that allow me to support “Our Party’s” nominee.
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:42 pm
Aw, I forgive you. Just don’t blame any Dems for Blagojevich as you enjoy your Friday.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:49 pm
Thank you Willy. Maybe you and Bruce can get together over a beer next time he is in Kendall County. Keep the good will flowing.
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:54 pm
- DuPage Rep -, but he or his Crew, they don’t listen or care about me, lol.
If he is up for 9 holes… Cigars and beer after?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:57 pm
He is kinda busy these days for Golf, but maybe he can give you a ride on his Harley into the state fair on Republican Day next month. Get your gold football helmet ready!
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:00 pm
Aren’t Dartmouth helmets green and white?
To the Post,
A major fail has been the idea of saying one thing to one crowd and another to the next crowd, as listed in the release. Quinn’s Crew needs to do better with that in framing the hypocrisy.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:07 pm
I thought you were a movie buff. Easy Rider
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=easy+rider+football+helmet+pics&id=495AA1E35FD864180E19C807E79ED854CAE868FF&FORM=IQFRBA#view=detail&id=495AA1E35FD864180E19C807E79ED854CAE868FF&selectedIndex=0
Comment by DuPage Rep Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:16 pm
Your Easter Egg fell without a lead-in.
I can follow a gag, but I’m not a mind reader, lol
Pretty good Easter Egg at that!
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:19 pm