Republican Congressman Mark Kirk ranked 8th in the nation with his $2.3 million quarterly haul. Kirk raised just $100,000 less than Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Impressive. Giannoulias’ $900K ranked him at 28th. Kirk finished 15th in the country for his cash on hand of $4 million. Giannoulias ranked 37th.
Over in the House, Republican Bob Dold ranked 22nd in the country with his $564,000 raised last quarter. His 10th CD Democratic opponent Dan Seals was two notches below with his $556,000 total. Democratic Rep. Bill Foster ranked 21st in the nation for his $1.6 million cash on hand. Rep. Debbie Halvorson was 8 slots lower with her $1.4 million. Here’s the Illinois list…
State
District
Candidate
Party
Cash on Hand
Amount Raised in Q2
Ill.
8
Rep. Melissa Bean
Democrat
$1,200,000
$300,000
Ill.
8
Joe Walsh
Republican
$30,000
$101,000
Ill.
10
Dan Seals
Democrat
$792,000
$556,000
Ill.
10
Bob Dold
Republican
$725,000
$564,000
Ill.
11
Rep. Debbie Halvorson
Democrat
$1,400,000
$302,000
Ill.
11
Adam Kinzinger
Republican
$480,000
$325,000
Ill.
13
Scott Harper
Democrat
$198,000
$143,000
Ill.
13
Rep. Judy Biggert
Republican
$869,000
$264,000
Ill.
14
Rep. Bill Foster
Democrat
$1,600,000
$461,000
Ill.
14
Randy Hultgren
Republican
$245,000
$307,000
* Back in June, the state’s entire Republican congressional delegation held a fundraiser for three House GOP candidates, Adam Kinzinger, Bob Dold and Randy Hultgren.
House Republican Leader John Boehner was a featured guest, as were House Republican Whip Eric Cantor, NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions and Chief Deputy Whip Kevin McCarthy. Click here to watch raw video of some of the men arriving at the funder.
The money contributed at the fundraiser was supposed to be split up equally between the three candidates, with part of the bigger checks going to the NRCC. The reason for this split is that the three campaigns had formed a “Joint Federal Committee” with the NRCC called the Illinois Majority Fund.
The event was a financial disaster. It was put together in just ten days, a bunch of other Chicago fundraisers were scheduled around the same time and a mere $16,000 was raised.
Even the split got screwed up. Bob Dold didn’t get a single dime. Adam Kinzinger received $1,000. Randy Hultgren got $2,500. It cost about $1,300 to put on the event at the Chicago Club while much of the rest was split up between three consultants. The split was apparently messed up because some attendees had already maxed out to some of the candidates, I’ve been told by two people close to the disaster.
My questions about the uneven split and the botched funder were referred to the National Republican Congressional Committee. Cabell Hobbs, the NRSC/NRCC Victory Committee treasurer, is the treasurer of the Illinois Majority Fund. Here’s the NRCC’s non-response…
“I think our candidates’ stellar performances this quarter speak for themselves. Robert Dold and Adam Kinzinger were just two of the many Republican candidates outraised their Democratic opponents. Part of being a candidate is finding out what works and what doesn’t through trial and error or when it comes to raising money.” – Tom Erickson, NRCC spokesman
Apparently, bringing in just about every big gun in the world didn’t work.
* US Sen. Roland Burris actually showed up at a Chicago media event today. Mary Ann Ahern obtains our quote of the day…
Senator Burris, embattled ever since his appointment by former Gov. Blagojevich, spoke bitterly about his time in office and his inability to run for his current office again.
“You took 30 years of a great career and smashed it,” Burris said of the media. He added that if there is a special election for the seat, “I’m running.”
Burris mentioned he was upset with Congressman Mark Kirk for using Burris’ photograph in a TV ad which accuses the Democrats of being corrupt.
Burris refused to comment on the Blagojevich trial.
Yeah. He’s running. Sure. Then again, considering the flaws of the two major party candidates, he might not do too badly.
“You took 30 years of a great career and smashed it,” Burris said of the media. He added: “If there is a special election, I’m announcing my candidacy right now. I will run.”
“Why don’t you all report the truth for me?” Burris asked. “All this stuff about Burris is ‘Pay to Play,’ Burris ‘lied’ to get seated. I haven’t done anything wrong — that’s the truth.”
Would he have liked a full term in the Senate?
“I would love to spend one term in the United States Senate as I was hoping to do but your colleagues in the media made that almost impossible [with] what they put out to the public of Illinois: They took 30 years of my great career and just smashed it into ‘Burris is some type of a…’ How shall I say it? “… some type of a dishonest person.’ I’ve never been dishonest.”
*11:18 am - Subscribers already knew about this. The governor is attempting to ease the widespread and sharp criticism over his big raises for 35 staff members by doubling last year’s 12 unpaid furlough days to 24 for every non-union employee. Here’s the announcement via press release…
Governor Pat Quinn today directed his Budget Office to issue an administrative order to cut the state budget by reducing the salaries of his staff, state managers and policymakers. Administrative Order #1 requires the Governor’s staff and the state’s merit compensation employees – largely managers and policy staff – to take 24 unpaid days off.
Last year, Governor Quinn took 12 days without pay and required his staff and merit compensation employees to do the same. This year, Governor Quinn and his staff will take 24 unpaid days off.
Governor Quinn urged members of the Illinois General Assembly and their staffs to take 24 unpaid days off. He also called on the state’s union employees to take additional days off without pay.
“Today’s Administrative Order is the first directive under the Emergency Budget Act of Fiscal Year 2011 aimed at further cutting state spending,” said Governor Quinn. “We must take continued actions to reduce state spending and strengthen the Illinois economy.”
Today’s Administrative Order #1 is an across-the-board salary reduction that will result in a 9.2 percent salary cut for the Governor’s staff and state managers and policymakers. This plan will save the state approximately $18 million in fiscal year 2011.
“Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures, and I thank our hardworking state employees for their dedication in getting Illinois back on track,” said Governor Quinn. “Today, I am calling on all state employees – not just managers and policymakers, but the Illinois General Assembly, their staffs and union members as well – to join us in taking the necessary steps to further cut the state budget.”
Governor Quinn also called American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) – the state’s largest collective bargaining unit – back to the bargaining table to negotiate additional unpaid days off in fiscal year 2011.
…Adding… While the press release refers to the governor’s staff, state managers and policymakers, the order specifically says “All non-bargaining unit state employees.” Then again, just about everybody is in a bargaining unit these days.
The time off from work required here, and resulting reduction in compensation, is not considered a change in salary and shall not impact pension or other benefits provided to those employees.
Translation: The furloughs won’t hurt the pensions of Quinn’s staffers who just got those big pay raises.
…Adding Still More… A friend of mine tells me her sister, who makes $45K a year and is not in a union, is just about at her wit’s end right now. She simply cannot afford this new furlough order and is not allowed to join a bargaining unit. The original Quinn plan was reportedly to apply this new furlough to those making over $50K a year. No such luck for my friend’s sister.
Gov. Pat Quinn is reducing the salaries of his staff through unpaid days off, just weeks after it was revealed he’s been giving raises as high as 20 percent.
AFSCME spokesman Anders Lindall said union members have already made “tremendous sacrifice to help the state get through the tough times, including agreeing to defer $200 million in scheduled pay increases. He said the union is still willing to work with Quinn to find ways to save the state money.
“We have an obligation and we’re willing to listen to what the governor has to say, but we also know that Illinois has the nation’s smallest state work force per capita, that the demand for public services is higher than ever in this recession and that our members are working harder than ever to provide those vital services.”
Quinn is holding an afternoon news conference, where he is expected to field more questions about the pay cuts.
“Today’s fourteen hundredths of one percent reduction out of a $13 billion-budget gap shows Governor Quinn protects big government at all costs, and only responds after pressure from taxpayers and the media. After Blagojevich-style pay hikes for cronies, his bizarre canoe czar, and secret criminal releases, this is yet another slap in the face of taxpayers.”
COHEN CAMPAIGN LANUCHES STATEWIDE “LISTENING TOUR”
Cohen Plans To “Listen and Learn before Legislating”
Chicago – Scott Lee Cohen is taking his Independent Campaign for Governor of Illinois on the road. Beginning Monday, July 19, 2010; Cohen will set out to hear the voters’ concerns firsthand and what they want their governor to do about those concerns. “I firmly believe that in order to be a good and effective leader, you
have to listen, learn and then legislate the concerns and expectations of the people of this state.”
During his weeklong “Listening Tour”, that runs through Friday July 23, Cohen plans to meet with dozens of local officials and hundreds of residents in at least ten (10) Illinois counties including DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, Randolph, Will, and Kankakee.
“I will meet with mayors, village managers, small business owners, military veterans, farmers and others. I look forward to what they have to say because I value their opinions,” says Cohen.
* The Question: Besides asking whether he can spell “launches,” what question(s) would you have for Scott Lee Cohen if you attended one of these events?
* Could there be a mistrial in Rod Blagojevich’s case? At least one appellate justice thinks so. An appellate court ruled earlier this month that Judge Zagel should reexamine his decision that kept Blagojevich juror names a secret. But Judge Richard Posner has since filed an opinion blasting the ruling and defending Zagel…
In his opinion, Posner quickly came to Zagel’s defense. In the first sentence, he wrote: “An experienced trial judge made a reasonable determination that the release of jurors’ names before the end of the trial would expose the jurors to the widespread mischief that is a daily if not hourly occurrence on the Internet.”
Posner then began a scathing review of Easterbrook’s decision, calling it “unsound and confusing.”
He attacked the presumption of media access. “Jurors are entitled to be treated with respectful regard for their privacy and dignity, rather than as media prey.”
He said the panel ignored the consequences of Zagel having to possibly renege on a promise made to jurors and argued that there’s no need for a further hearing. “The jurors may well be upset, concerned for their privacy, fearful of the prospect of harassment and angry at having been induced by false pretenses to agree to take months out of their life to perform jury service.”
Posner even went so far as to say that Zagel might have to declare a mistrial.
Let’s hope not.
* Judge Zagel apparently didn’t want this tape played in court, but I, for one, am quite curious about what the heck was going on…
[Blagojevich attorney Aaron Goldstein] is arguing that some of the blocked calls point to Blagojevich’s state of mind when he was allegedly bartering over the Senate seat. Zagel said he was surprised the defense would want some of the calls played to the jury.
“The state of mind he is discussing is shutting down state government and blaming somebody else,” Zagel said of one conversation. “If you tell me he wasn’t serious, I believe you.”
Goldstein said it showed what Blagojevich was dealing with in Illinois in 2008.
“We don’t have an objection to the part about shutting down state government,” Assistant U.S. Atty. Reid Schar said with a smirk to the judge, who said he would make a final decision about the call after hearing Blagojevich on the stand.
Blagojevich was planning a government shutdown and then blaming somebody else for it? Madigan? But what was the premise? Fascinating.
* Blagojevich loved to ask lobbyists if they were making lots of money back when he was governor. He made a few of his friends quite rich…
John Wyma, a chief of staff during Blagojevich’s congressional career, testified this week that he made “better than $1 million” in his first year as a Springfield lobbyist.
Alonzo “Lon” Monk, a former chief of staff to the governor, testified he got $750,000 in his first year as a lobbyist after successfully running Blagojevich’s 2006 re-election campaign. Former campaign spokesman Doug Scofield, who briefly served as Blagojevich’s first deputy governor, also took on a host of lobbying clients. […]
Though his firm wasn’t as large as Wyma’s or Monk’s, Scofield still became a lobbyist for Blagojevich’s biggest campaign donor, the Service Employees International Union, and came back to work for Blagojevich’s re-election bid in 2006. One of his first clients also was the Illinois Math and Science Academy, which state records show paid Scofield Communications more than $283,000.
Jennifer Janasie, [Green Party gubernarorial nominee Rich Whitney’s] campaign manager, says Whitney has raised about $29,000 dollars since December, but points out the campaign is significantly ahead of the $16,866 Whitney reported for the same time period last time he ran for governor.
“We have a lot more people sending in donations this time,” Janasie says. “The numbers in no way suggest we can’t be competitive.”
[Green Party US Senate candidate LeAlan Jones’] campaign manager reports only about $1,500 in the bank. He blames, in part, people he says told Jones in private they’d support him, but have been unwilling to make it official.
* The FEC quarterly filing deadline always produces more spin than a ceiling fan in August. This week was no exception (and, considering the heat, the same goes for ceiling fans). From Republican congressional candidate Adam Kinzinger’s campaign…
The Kinzinger for Congress campaign announced Thursday that the campaign raised more than $325,000 in the last three months – $20,000-plus more than incumbent opponent Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson – and has more than $480,000 on hand to invest in communicating its message and reaching out to voters in every corner of the IL-11 Congressional District.
Democrat U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson has about $1 million more than Republican Adam Kinzinger in their race for Congress, the campaigns reported Thursday.
Halvorson, a first-term representative from Crete, reported having about $1.4 million in the bank, money she’ll be able to spend on television ads and other expenses in the coming months.
* From Democrat Dan Seals’ congressional campaign…
In another clear show of support from Illinois voters, Democratic Congressional Candidate Dan Seals today announced a consecutive strong fundraising quarter in the race for the open seat in Illinois’ 10th District.
In the second quarter FEC reporting period that closed on June 30, Seals received $556,156 in contributions. Seals will also report having $792,000 cash-on-hand.
What isn’t mentioned is that his opponent got his own “clear show of support” with an almost identical FEC report…
Wilmette Democrat Dan Seals and Kenilworth Republican Robert Dold are neck-and-neck in campaign fundraising in their nationally-watched race for an open north suburban congressional seat.
Both candidates report having nearly $800,000 in the bank to start July in what’s expected to be a costly contest by the time 10th Congressional District voters hit the polls Nov. 2. Seals and Dold are vying to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, who held the Democrat-leaning district for a decade. Kirk is now running for U.S. Senate.
Seals, who is making his third run for the seat, raised more than $550,000 from April through June, spokeswoman Aviva Gibbs said this afternoon. Dold collected about $560,000 for the same time spokeswoman Kelly Klopp said.
An NRCC press release was entitled: “Dold Outraises Seals In Obama’s Backyard.” Is the 10th CD really Obama’s back yard?
* On the other hand, Republican congressional candidate Randy Hultgren kinda/sorta admitted that his quarterly report wasn’t up to snuff…
The Hultgren for Congress campaign announced today that it raised $309,080.00 in the quarter ending June 30 and has $244,669.00 cash on hand.
“I am pleased with the strong support I continue to receive from throughout the 14th Congressional District,” said State Senator Randy Hultgren.
“I realize that we have a long way to go to match the hundreds of thousands of dollars that special interest groups have poured in to my opponent’s campaign,” said Hultgren. “Therefore, I am pleased to announce the addition of Lisa Wagner, of Lisa Wagner and Company, an expert in fundraising with a long track record of success, to my finance team.”
In the 8th CD where an underdog favorite pulled out a surprise GOP primary upset for businessman Joe Walsh, Walsh’s not been able to raise more funds than he’s spent in the second quarter, FEC filings show today.
Walsh, who raised a little over $100,000 in the second quarter, spent $114,000, leaving him with $30,292 on hand. With $88,000 in outstanding debts, the campaign committee as of this week’s reports, stands nearly $50,000 in the red, not boding well — at this point — for Walsh to run a viable campaign against Democrat incumbent Melissa Bean.
* In related news, sometimes, it’s best just to let your opponent twist in the wind.
Yesterday, Alexi Giannoulias held a press conference to slam Mark Kirk for taking corporate PAC and federal lobbyist money, but had to answer embarrassing questions about how his fundraising totals were so pathetic. As we’ve already discussed, Giannoulias raised just $900,000 raised and had $1 million cash on hand, leaving Kirk with an almost four-to-one cash advantage.
One of the stories about the Giannoulias presser included this section…
The Kirk campaign countered that Giannoulias does accept money from state lobbyists. Giannoulias, while not denying the claim, said he has barred lobbyists who solicit the Treasurer’s office from donating to his Senate campaign.
Kirk’s campaign had apparently salted the question before the presser, so it pounced via press release just minutes later…
Fact Check: Giannoulias Lobbyist Contributions
Misleading Claim: Alexi Giannoulias told reporters today he does not accept campaign contributions from state lobbyists registered to lobby the Treasurer’s Office.
Get the Facts: As of March 31, 2010, Alexi for Illinois accepted $87,626.35 from registered Illinois State lobbyists – including $28,326.35 from lobbyists registered with entities that lobby the Treasurer’s office in the same year as their contribution. (Sources: Federal Election Commission; State of Illinois Lobbying Information Search) The total as of June 30th is not yet available. Lobbyists registered with entities that lobby the Treasurer’s office who contributed to Alexi for Illinois include:
Trouble is, Giannoulias never actually said that he didn’t take state lobster cash. Video…
Female reporter: You don’t take federal money, but the Kirk folks are saying that you do take state lobbying money. Have you said ‘No’ to any kind of lobbyists who lobby for the state and especially to your treasurer’s office?
Giannoulias: And again, I understand the congressman is trying to put up smokescreens and trying to change the subject from the fact that he’s raised millions of dollars from federal lobbyists. The truth of the matter is my first day in office I ended pay-to-play in the state treasurer’s office. We don’t take money from anyone who does business with the state treasurer’s office. We don’t take money from banks. And if individuals want to donate, that’s fine. We have a complete firewall between myself and federal lobbyists.
Female reporter: What about state lobbyists? Other state lobbyists, maybe they don’t lobby your particular office, but state lobbyists. Is there a ban on those?
Giannoulias: Well, they don’t – and again, this is about the decision with regard to the U.S. Senate race, and with regards to the United States Senate. And they have no impact on that legislation.
This is basically the same policy that Barack Obama had in his presidential campaign. No federal lobster money, but he will gladly take state lobbyist donations. As I already pointed out to subscribers this week, Giannoulias is no Barack Obama. Copying Obama’s policy has cost him dearly.
Anyway, the Giannoulias campaign responded to the Kirk press release…
In a continued effort to desperately distract from Congressman Kirk’s problems with the truth, the Kirk campaign…stretched the truth. Ironic and not all together surprising, considering the source.
Like I said, sometimes it’s best just to let well enough alone.
