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* AP on Democrat Day…
It marked a day of jabs at Rauner for attacks on the middle class, the minimum wage, labor rights and working families. But Thursday afternoon at the traditional, old-style state fair rally, few answered the trumpet to arms. Many dignitaries hit the gates before the speeches ended. Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza, a candidate for state comptroller, told about 50 stalwarts, “Thanks for sticking around.”
There weren’t a whole lot more than 50 to begin with. When you don’t have the governor’s office, you don’t get the crowds, especially in an off year.
You’d think, though, that organized labor would send some folks. Didn’t really happen.
And those who did show up weren’t exactly enthusiastic, in stark contrast to the Governor’s Day crowd, which was a fired up bunch.
It was tough for anybody to get fired up, though, considering the ability of some of the speakers, one of whom went on and on and on so long that I might’ve considered heckling her if I’d had any beers in me. There wasn’t much there there. The Sun-Times had to resort to writing about yet another announcement by Secretary of State Jesse White that he isn’t running again.
But, hey, it was good to see some old pals, even if I was among those who split early. But I was under doctor’s orders not to stay longer than 90 minutes. I don’t think many others had that excuse.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:39 pm
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Sounded more like a public debate an one endorsement
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:42 pm
===You’d think, though, that organized labor would send some folks. Didn’t really happen.===
This is why Rauner doesn’t fear the Labor Movement.
That’s why I’m being “generous” with a 2 in 5 shot.
Rauner counts on apathy, and he’s right.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:50 pm
Yikes
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:52 pm
Labor is working on this fine Thursday afternoon
Comment by Shanon Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:52 pm
The breakfast was packed and if you remember the year when Rod won after decades of Repub rule it was a mad house! No surprise Rich.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:54 pm
===This is why Rauner doesn’t fear the Labor Movement.===
Turn out to the the state fair may not be the best indicator of enthusiasm or support when work schedules are taken into consideration. One should ask themselves if a vacation day is really worth hanging out at the state fair listening to political speeches.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:57 pm
Labor turned out over 600 people to protest Rauner’s speech earlier this week. They were plenty fired up.At this moment people are more fired up against Rauner than for any particular Democratic politician.
Comment by Eugene Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 3:58 pm
==Labor is working on this fine Thursday afternoon==
Is that what they were doing yesterday?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:06 pm
Willy has a point the override last night was a big deal for AFAFSCME. It would have been nice to put some council 31 bodies there as a thank you and a reminder it won’t be forgotten in 16. Especially with the house to go.
Comment by Mason born Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:09 pm
==Labor turned out over 600 people to protest Rauner’s speech earlier this week. They were plenty fired up.At this moment people are more fired up against Rauner than for any particular Democratic politician.==
Oh please. They bussed in MAYBE 200. Not a green shirt to be seen either.
Comment by So.... Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:10 pm
From the Twitterverse;
@AmandaVinicky: Rep. Lang thanks Gov. Rauner. Never before, he says, has Democratic Party been more organized, energized.
(Crickets)
They have me convinced as Caucuses and Leaders on their energized, as to organized and fired up, I’ll give them they don’t have the big chair… but Labor, at least make an effort(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:12 pm
=== The Sun-Times had to resort to writing about yet another announcement by Secretary of State Jesse White that he isn’t running again. ===
Rich,
Just curious as to whether you have any reason to believe that he isn’t serious this time?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:14 pm
- Mason born -
Thanks, you are understanding my point(s).
Time will tell if Labor will get Organized… and organized enough under just one single thought;
Rauner, and legislators he supports, are opposed to collective bargaining.
There should have been a thank you today by AFSCME.
Will Labor learn?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:18 pm
Willy is on to something. My wife is fairly active in her union. Guess what? Few others are. She and several other active members try in vein to get members to show up to events and drives and their turnout stinks. That says something. It takes very little to shell out an extra couple bucks a paycheck for fundraising or pay full dues. It takes effort to show up and be active.
Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:22 pm
If the crowd at the fair was any sign of the fired up party that Leader Lang was referring too, Madigan should have just stayed home and ate his apple.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:24 pm
I think the current state workers are afraid to show up at the fair in support of the Dems. They know Rauner’s people will be watching.
Comment by Mama Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:30 pm
It is pretty ridiculous that, after shutting down Governor’s Day 3 years ago, AFSCME couldn’t come around to say “thanks” to the Senate Dems who just put a target on their backs.
OTOH, I suspect a lot of those Senate Dems weren’t there?
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:35 pm
I was at Repub event yesterday - you would think after 12 years there would have been more than 59 county chairmen at their event. doubt if Rauner noticed since he doesn’t actually know many of them but almost half of “his” county chairs blew him off yesterday.
Comment by supplysgt Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:40 pm
They should have just brought the buses back.
Comment by TronaldDump Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:41 pm
Why should I show up to cheer on my fellow Democrats who’ve led this state into a financial mess over the last 12 years?
Comment by Former Program Specialist Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:41 pm
Mama has a good point. Dems who are working in state govt stayed away for fear of big brother Rauner. I think this also shows that most rallies are just not organic. Pres obama’s rallies in 2008 were organic. Bernie sanders’ rallies are organic. People want to be there because they are fired up. Most rallies are forced and staged. How many people have been bussed in for these rallies over the years. A lawn packed with disinterested people. What a bore.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:42 pm
===Why should I show up to cheer on my fellow Democrats who’ve led this state into a financial mess over the last 12 years?===
Then as a Dem, I’m sure you gladly voted for… Rauner?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:49 pm
I usually make it to Dem. Day every few years and have been to many over the past 25 years - not this year though. I’ll save my 2 hours of driving and 200 miles round trip, and spend my time and money more productively.
I am not a state worker, or retired, and have never belonged to a union, but I don’t know if Rep. Lang is correct - I live in Southern Illinois.
This story will continue for months, if not, years.
By the way, continue to wish Rich that his recuperation continues as well as it seems to be. This site is a gem - it gives all of us a chance to vent our opinions, and every once in a while, some of us do make some valid points.
Comment by illini Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:51 pm
I know everyone loves the Secretary, but I’m looking forward to some change and modernization with that office, as well as some basic customer service. I always get treated like garbage when I go there. As an example the best parking spots at the offices in Chicago are reserved for the employees. At most customer service based enterprises the customers get the good parking spots and the employees have to hoof it. It is just an indicator of the attitude of that office.
Comment by Not it Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:53 pm
Guessin’ we will convince JW…4 more years. ..Kirk and Munger toast…TeamBungle gone before 18
Comment by Anonin' Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 4:57 pm
I think the governor’s chair is a big deal when it comes to drawing a crowd in Springfield.
When layoffs are happening, and you get a letter from the COO asking if you’d like to join the governor at the fair, it might be a good idea to respond “yes.”
Back in the day, Old Man Daley would bring an army of payrollers down no matter who was governor and march them around the fairgrounds in a snow of strength.
Comment by Wordslinger Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:06 pm
People are blaming both the Speaker and the Governor for the present state of affairs. There is no winner, only losers in this fight.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:28 pm
-But I was under doctor’s orders not to stay longer than 90 minutes. I don’t think many others had that excuse-
If I had a dollar for everytime I’ve heard the excuse, “but I have to leave because I had heart surgery last week”, I’d be rich. Oh wait a minute, I would be Rich.
Comment by Observation Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:31 pm
My question is why 600 people thought it more important to go be ridiculous and protest than to support their own party.
Comment by Strangerthings Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:40 pm
== And those who did show up weren’t exactly enthusiastic, in stark contrast to the Governor’s Day crowd, which was a fired up bunch. ==
Who, rather than actually working, worked & set up a ‘process’ for people to show up? ‘Checked off a list of attendees’? See ‘Question of the day
Tuesday, Aug 11, 2015′.
== It was tough for anybody to get fired up though, ==
Yeah, after 6 months of constant attacks by The Governot, not all that surprising. Just what he wants; folks are getting used up.
Comment by sal-says Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:45 pm
===My question is why 600 people thought it more important to go be ridiculous and protest than to support their own party.===
Ugh. “be ridiculous”.
Making the governor uncomfortable and… say ridiculous things… that was the goal.
They succeeded.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:47 pm
Yes because we all know the governor cares a lick what any of those 600 think say or do… absolutely. That is why he has caved to pressure and let the Democrats do whatever they jolly well pleased.
I suppose ridiculous was a poor choice of word.
Comment by Strangerthings Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 5:55 pm
Not surprising. As a life long IL Democrat, the state party is pathetic. Essentially a union protection racket. It’s sad.
Comment by Tone Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 6:19 pm
If you want people, you need a headliner. If you don’t have the Gov, you need Hillary or Bernie. With respect to the Labor crowd, they had to pick a day, they went with the tried and true of recent years: heckle the Gov. It works: you make the. Wes and fire up the base.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 6:29 pm
I agree with Mama. Organized labor was intentionally keeping a low profile. BVR seems vindictive and the regular guy has kids to feed.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 6:31 pm
Rich: it was good to see you there; although based on past practice, I’m not sure a golf cart ride was within what your doctor would consider “safe.”
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 6:32 pm
When you consider those under and in back of the tent in the eating area, there were a lot more than 50. The breakfast always gets a bigger turnout than the Fairgrounds event. However, neither the speakers (many went on too long) nor the crowd at Fairgrds. was too fired up.
Comment by Johnny Jutice Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 6:53 pm
My take away from dem day
1. Democrats highest statewide vote getter announces his retirement.
2. Party in fighting for the race for comptroller and U.S. Senate
3. Lou Lang tells a crowd of 50 people that thanks to governor Rauner democrats in Illinois are more fired up than ever before.
Comment by Barton's Evil Twin Brother Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 7:10 pm
There were several hundred at the breakfast which lasted until almost noon. There were probably only a couple hundred at the fairgrounds as most had already heard all the speeches at the Hilton and saw no need to hear them again. I think the activity did pick up in the beer tents though.
Comment by ToughGuy Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 7:29 pm
Rainer would have loved for organized labor to come out! That is why it didn’t happen!
Comment by Mitch1959 Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 8:28 pm
Rauner
Comment by Mitch1959 Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 8:31 pm
As usual, a little late. I’m glad to see you up and “kicking” Rich, even if it is from a golf cart seat. Listen to your doctor and as you recover, come on down to the Fit Club.
Comment by Old Sarge Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 8:57 pm
There are state layoffs going on. Many downstate Ds work for the state. They don’t want to show themselves at a fair. It’s nice the voting booth is secluded.
Comment by Nothin's easy... Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 9:16 pm
“a lifelong IL democrat” I’m sorry
Comment by TronaldDump Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 9:17 pm
“Silence is the ultimate weapon of power.” ~ Charles de Gaulle
Comment by Robin Thursday, Aug 20, 15 @ 10:11 pm
Rauner won because voters felt disillusioned over Quinn. Now, voters know they don’t like Rauner, but haven’t found any of his opponents to like.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Aug 21, 15 @ 7:24 am
there was not 600 people protesting. you need to get your facts straight, it was 100-200, unorganized, Inner City Chicago African Americans who were merely there to boo whenever they heard the word Bruce Rauner. I’m pretty sure I saw them Boo the Lincoln impersonator and his african american union soldier counterpart that accompanied him.
Those people should have showed up in support of democrat day because i had the pleasure of watching the whole event and the motif of the speeches was, Who wants a hand out?! do you want a handout?! Cheer if you love welfare! would have been perfect for them.
Comment by Goldwater Republican Friday, Aug 21, 15 @ 9:02 am
Inner City Chicago African Americans? - @Goldwater is long dead and so is his jingoistic Nationalism…Goldwater’s radical agenda was also rejected by The Citizens of America…as will the Koch/Walker/Scott/Rauner Ruling Class Agenda.
You can describe the people you are referring to in the language you use at home?…if you are an honest racist?
Comment by Anonymous Redux Friday, Aug 21, 15 @ 11:19 am