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* My Crain’s Chicago Business column…
The powers of an Illinois governor aren’t unlimited, but they’re pretty darned strong.
The governor can use a veto to rewrite legislation and reduce or eliminate individual legislative appropriations. The governor can issue executive orders, although that power is somewhat limited.
The governor also has more than 2,000 jobs and untold numbers of contracts that can be handed out to friendlies, and he or she can refuse to spend money on many grants, programs and projects to put pressure on unfriendlies.
It doesn’t take a political science degree to comprehend that all those jobs, contracts and spending powers can be a real boon to the governor’s political party. Just look at what happened to the Illinois Republican Party after the Democrats took over in 2003.
After controlling the governor’s office for 22 straight years, the once-mighty Republican Party’s infrastructure collapsed when George Ryan’s single term ended. The GOP built its power in Illinois almost solely with state resources, and when those dried up, the party’s organization imploded.
Because of rich patronage and contracting opportunities in Chicago and Cook County, the Democrats aren’t solely reliant on the state to fuel their organization. So the party’s recent descent into opposition won’t be as disastrous for them as it was to the Republicans.
Even so, the Democrats have reason to worry. They won’t soon lose their legislative majorities, but a Republican governor can help make their lives much more difficult.
Go read the rest before commenting, please.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:42 am
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TO be sure, but the Republican legislators need to be concerned. It was easy for them to score points with their constituents attacking Blago and Quinn who were unpopular with their constituents. It looks as though Rauner will turn out to be even more unpopular than his predecessors.
Very, very uncomfortable for downstate R’s to be identified with him
Comment by Truthteller Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:46 am
I agree, the Gov’s millions do change the landscape..BUT…that money still needs to be transformed into a winning ground game that the Repubs haven’t perfected..hence the return of Rep’s Smiddy and Cloonen..time will tell Mr. M
Comment by Not Rich Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:48 am
How Rauner uses those powers will sway results.
Does he build the GOP, Team Rauner or both?
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:50 am
Great insight as usual.
To the Post,
Where Rauner can really help is in districts that won’t likeky “flip” but will cost huge resources, and keep the Dems busy when/where they usually wouldn’t be.
That, is huge.
The only recruiting “issue” I may see is getting reasonable candidates that may mirror the district, but may obky agree with Rauner 80% of the time.
Will 80% of the time be enough?
What about Dems, who vote for “Rauner Items”? Didn’t Rauner offer “protection” to any who may help with his agenda?
What if one of the GOP Leaders want to target that member of the Dem GA, how will that go?
That $20 million was sold, first and foremost as punishment for GOP GA members, and rewards for Dens that…”come around” to Rauner thinking.
I’m rooting big time for the GOP GA, and the Leaders. My hood is that My Party gets Beubiens and Petersens, and not just 30+ recruited Raunerites, or a bunch of “hands off” Dems.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:54 am
Rauner is making it hard for almost every Republican to defend him, and they don’t want people to think that they support his ideas.
Comment by DuPage Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:55 am
One thing that tends to get overlooked is how hard candidates have to work in order to win those Tier One seats. This is kinda anecdotal on my part, but it seems to me that the Dem candidates more often than not out-work (i.e., out-walk) their Repub opponents.
And the Dems have another built-in advantage when it comes to candidate recruitment: philosophically, Democrats believe in government, Republicans don’t. As such, their talent pool of folks interested in running for office is just naturally deeper than the GOP’s.
But Rich is right, Rauner’s money and patronage access will help the GOP find better candidates.
Comment by PTR Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:59 am
Sorry, not in 2016, especially if Hillary is on top.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 11:59 am
@anon, don’t bet on big support for Hillary in Illinois if she’s nominated. Read “Clinton vs Obamas:Blood Feud” to see how those loyal to Obama may stay home if she’s on the ballot. apparently Obama hates Hillary more than the GOP. IT’s been rumored that Valerie Jarrett leaked the damaging state department e-mail issue for Hillary to the press. You can figure out why.
Should be an interesting primary cycle..
Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 12:15 pm
===to see how those loyal to Obama may stay home===
LOL.
LOLOL.
You’re hilarious, Bob. Unintentionally, that is.
Somebody sent me an e-mail over the weekend saying you reminded him a bit of our dearly departed “Bill.” Always going against the grain and stirring the pot.
The difference was, Bill had a noticeable sense of humor.
/Hint.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 12:21 pm
The real problem is Jarrett has done zip in IL for 8+ years and will in NY with the museum so HC should do well in IL.
BVR will have to decide if he is:
a. defending GOPies who made bad votes
b. trying to elect GOPies in swing district
c. Supporing Madigan and some Ds for saving his butt
Some many choices and only 20 million from the slush fund
Comment by anonin' Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 12:31 pm
I don’t think Rauner is going to help the Dems so much as he appears willing to alienate a whole bunch of union GOP voters. Yes, Rauner has the money to run enough ads to make things difficult … but unless he is the miracle worker he claims to be, I think there will be a lot more Dem boots on the ground in 2016. Two years is a long time but right now I just don’t see where there will be much of the GOP supporting Rauner’s picks, even with all of this money.
Comment by RNUG Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 12:31 pm
“apparently Obama hates Hillary more than the GOP.”
Fundraising to retire her debts, appointing her SoS, sending staff loyalists over to her campaign…funny way to show even “apathy”, let alone “hate”.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 12:32 pm
“Two years is a long time ”
Is it even that long? POTUS and US Senate candidates will announce this summer (some already have, of course).
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 12:38 pm
“IT’s been rumored that Valerie Jarrett leaked the damaging state department e-mail issue for Hillary to the press. You can figure out why.”
Of course I can figure out why something so silly might have “been rumored” — but I can’t imagine why you don’t have sense enough to keep such outlandish rumors to yourself.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Running Grey Davis out of office, and Arnold’s subsequent election didn’t halt the California GOP’s collapse.
Demographic trends are what they are, and as long as the national GOP is the party of the aggrieved white guy, Illinois will be a problem.
Comment by HappyToaster Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 1:11 pm
It will be interesting to see where the pinstripe patronage goes. Rauner built quite a donor network.
Is he in the business of building a state GOP? I’m not so sure. His buddy Dick seemed more interested in enforcing ideological purity via funding primary challenges to incumbents.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 1:47 pm
Rich - it wa 26 years!
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 2:24 pm
I got the hint, Rich. Seeya.
Comment by Arizona Bob Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 3:45 pm
Again, with many Republicans, politics is a hobby. With the Democrats it is a business. A cut-throat business that takes no prisoners. Bloodsport. Thy name is Illinois.
Comment by The Levee Monday, Mar 16, 15 @ 4:58 pm