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* Jim Dey writes about that new self described Democratic group Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity, which claims to have $20 million for Democratic legislative races…
Perhaps a better comparison would be to the Democratic Leadership Council, the organization then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton created in the late 1980s that was aimed at dragging the Democratic Party back from the political left to the more moderate center. Derided by the Rev. Jesse Jackson as “Democrats for the Leisure Class,” the DLC enjoyed vast success before folding.
“The DLC helped elect Bill Clinton to the presidency. That’s why people have to pay attention to the (ILGO),” said David Yepsen, who heads the Paul Simon Institute for Public Policy at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.
The DLC did have a lot of political success, but it was constantly out there talking policy. And it folded because the rank and file grew tired of its corporatist rhetoric. The Democrats now talk a good populist game, which helps them be almost as corporatist as the DLC was. So far, we’re not getting much of anything from the ILGO except for vagaries about undefined principles.
* Brown is kinda down on the group…
Steve Brown, a spokesman for Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan, said his boss “generally welcomes” those who want to become active in the Democratic Party. Beyond that, Brown said, he’s waiting for specifics.
“I don’t know much more than what I’ve read,” he said, describing the organization’s criticisms of Democratic leadership as “vague.” He predicted, however, that Democratic legislators are “not going to turn (their) backs” on traditional constituencies because “rich” people demand a shift in course.
“I’m not sure $20 million gets you very far any more,” said Brown, referring to the organization’s bankroll.
Um, $20 mil is still a lot of dough, Brownie. But, so far, Brown’s boss has been working with the governor. As I’ve said before, this may be more about intimidating the Senate President and his liberal caucus.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 8:40 am
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From what we can see of this new group, they are nothing at all like the DLC.
The DLC was a serious response to 1984 and the far left taking over the nominating process. The DLC brought us people like Bill Clinton who were not captive of the far left but still had basic values consistent with mainstream Democrats.
This group? From what we can see it is merely “$20 million reasons to call yourself a Democrat but vote like a Rauner.”
It is not trying to take the party back. It is seeking to fold the tent.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 8:52 am
I hope all Democrats (liberal to conservative) resist the the urge to bow to the ILGO (made up of Rauner supporters) and tell them to pound sand. Now is the time to stand up to these corporate elitists and tell them they are not going to buy votes.
I wish I could say the same about the Republicans, but it is already a sad truth, they have caved ($20 million will do that I guess). They should just change the name to the Illinois ReRaunerican Party.
Comment by Union Leader Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 8:53 am
I don’t know that IL Dems in the GA percieve themselves as in quite as much trouble as national Dems did in in the 1980s.
Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:00 am
So this isn’t a Rauner front group after all?
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:01 am
I don’t see the comparison, at all, with the three beards and dark money pushing Rauner’s agenda.
The DLC was founded by dozens of lawmakers, mostly Southern, with the immediate goal of nominating a Southern Democrat for president in 1988.
If Gephardt and Gore hadn’t ripped each other to shreds in the primaries, they might have succeeded.
In 1992, with Clinton, they did.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:06 am
Oh - Louis G. Atsaves -…
The fact you “have” to say that reminds me how shifty this really is.
Please refer to;
https://capitolfax.com/2015/03/23/confirmed/
Yeah, um, “keep shilling”…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:07 am
So let me understand this. A group of big Democratic donors want to influence policy in Illinois and the Speaker and his spokesperson ‘only know what they’ve read’???
Comment by Out Here In The Middle Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:14 am
$20 million is a nice pile of beans, but if it has to be spent defending incumbents, attacking the enemy and recruiting primary candidates then it can be spent real fast. Just like the BVR cash.
Comment by anonin' Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:20 am
Whatever happened to being honest? Why didn’t the group just say, “We plan on primaring and defeating all elected representatives who will not follow Governor Rauner’s agenda”
Comment by Union Leader Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:27 am
Rich,
Key difference. The DLC didn’t get it’s money from Republicans.
They explicitly said that they exist to push Rauner’s agenda. Who is paying for that? Definitely not the 3 Board members they put forth.
Out Here- What group of big Democratic donors? If this was really coming from Dem donors there would be nothing to hide.
Comment by Rahm's Middle Finger Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:30 am
===Um, $20 mil is still a lot of dough, Brownie.====
If you review this blog, it sure has been described as a lot of dough. Guess the value of 20 mil changes depending on who’s dough it is. lol.
===As I’ve said before, this may be more about intimidating the Senate President and his liberal caucus.===
Bingo. Always, Reliably, Predictably…the last group ever to get the memo.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:31 am
===The DLC didn’t get it’s money from Republicans. ===
LOL.
In your dreams, maybe.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:31 am
Willy, nice drive by.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:32 am
- Louis G Atsaves -, LOL…
Thought I’d refer you to the realization Rauner’s hands are all over this.
You’re welcome.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:37 am
If ILGO is like the DLC, what DEMOCRATIC candidate is ILGO trying to get elected? DLC gave us Clinton, who is ILGO backing?
Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:40 am
===…who is ILGO backing?===
Bruce. Rauner.
Crazy. But true.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:46 am
OW and that is why they are hardly the DLC
Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:48 am
- wndycty -,
After…
===A third member of the group’s board of directors, Patricia Pulido-Sanchez, who operates her own communications and marketing company, was clear about her political allegiances.
“I am a Rauner supporter. I think he’s the best governor we’ve had in a long time,” said Pulido, which wasn’t much of a surprise considering that her husband, attorney Manny Sanchez, has also been a prominent supporter of Rauner’s.===
…the Dopey fund needed to pretend to have some semblance of credibility, so they’ll pretend they’re the DLC, and try to sell it.
Plus it’s dark money, so Rauner can play “Sgt. Schultz”, unless another beaut of a quote rolls out again.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:54 am
The managment of fear and intimidation and nothing can’t be fixed or bought is defining my new governor.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 9:56 am
At least “Stand for Children” distributed their largesse with a Madigan-provided roadmap.
Comment by walker Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 10:07 am
Louis, you of all people should know a Rauner front when you see one.
Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 10:13 am
Sad OW, just Sad.
Comment by wndycty Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 10:15 am
- wndycty -
It is.
What’s sadder? That Rauner got 3 appraisals and an actuary report that said for $40 million, he could by another branch of Illinois government.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 10:18 am
So we are upposed to believe that these are public-spirited individuals who choose to remain anonymous while taking on what they call the “special interests”.
In my experience, it’s the real special interests who choose to remain anonymous while seeking to thwart the public interest.
Does anyone really believe there is a role reversal here?
Comment by Truthteller Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 10:22 am
The money must be rolling biviens was in Freeport yesterday pushing the turn around agenda, out of his district $
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 10:23 am
If they run ads but refuse to disclose their big donors, they deserve all the “they’re a front for Bruce Rauner” attacks they get.
True or not, if you traffic in anonymity, you positively invite people to question your intentions. It’s a sane safety-valve response to our emerging politics.
Comment by ZC Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 11:32 am
ILGO’s choice of political consultant may connect them to BOTH a controversial issue and pinstripe patronage.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-13/news/ct-met-resolute-emanuel-speed-cameras-20120313_1_speed-cameras-greg-goldner-red-light-cameras
Comment by Cheezeburglar Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 11:42 am
This does nothing but juice the cynicism of Illinois voters who see more opportunity for insider deals and pay to play with this big influx of dark money. Growth and opportunity for the big players.
Comment by vole Tuesday, Mar 24, 15 @ 12:20 pm