The Rauner report
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Illinois Review…
One of the state’s most anti-union groups, Contractors for Free Enterprise, the political action affiliate of The Associated Builders & Contractors Illinois Chapter, endorsed Bruce Rauner for Governor Friday.
“ABC is excited to endorse Bruce Rauner for Governor,” said ABC Illinois President Alicia Martin. “Bruce Rauner has demonstrated an understanding of how state government impacts the economic well-being of ABC members and the economic competiveness of our state,” Martin explained. “The election of Bruce Rauner is important to making sure that Illinois turns the corner to attracting and creating Illinois jobs.”
This is definitely a blow to Sen. Bill Brady, who is a non-union housing developer and was backed by the group in 2010. They don’t have a lot of money, though, so the importance of this endorsement is mostly symbolic.
* In other news…
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner won the first ever Lake County straw poll Saturday morning. The results were:
* Rauner - 250
* Dillard - 59
* Rutherford - 53
* Brady -12
Preliminary reports from participants are that the Rauner campaign packed the room, bought a lot of tickets, and bussed people in, including approximately 50 high school students.
The event was held at the Holiday Inn in Gurnee, with tickets $15 each. The event was open to the public, and only ticket holders were allowed to vote.
These straw polls are little more than fundraising events. And while Rauner has come under some criticism for his rent-a-vote activities, that’s what well-organized campaigns do.
The obvious goal here is to make Rauner look somehow inevitable. Winning these straw polls is just one way to do that, and it doesn’t cost all that much if you’ve got Rauner’s money.
* More Rauner connections to the Illinois Policy Institute…
Illinois Policy Institute board member Elizabeth Christie is Rauner’s campaign finance chairman. Bob Costello of the Illinois Opportunity Project – a sister organization to Illinois Policy Institute (which is housed in the same office space) is the treasurer for the PAC running Rauner’s term limits initiative.
He’s got his bases covered. Give him that.
* On the road in Bloomington…
[Rauner] can’t wait to move to Springfield to lead Illinois forward. In fact, he shrugs off Gov. Pat Quinn’s choice of Paul Vallas as his running mate because he calls the Chicago Democrat “the worst governor in America.”
“The choice is all nice but the sad fact is he’s not a leader, he’s not a manager, he’s not a doer, and he’s got the power,” Rauner said. “As long as he’s in charge we’re going down the drain as a state.”
Rauner said he is the only candidate - Democrat or Republican - who is capable of facing off with House Speaker Michael Madigan to get things done in the General Assembly.
* And in the least surprising news of the week…
State Sen. Kirk Dillard Tuesday won support of Republican township chairmen in his home of DuPage County, where the candidate for governor has pinned a lot of his primary election hopes.
Brian Krajewski, vice chairman of the county central committee called a unanimous vote “obvious” in a statement.
“Our township chairmen couldn’t be more thrilled to support Kirk Dillard and Jil Tracy,” Krajewski said. “They are by far the most qualified and prepared to lead our state.”
Dillard once chaired the county party.
* Related…
* Treasurer trying to reunite veterans with lost medals
* Rauner and Dillard lead Cuba Township GOP’s first straw poll
* Rauner woos Chicago Republicans
- OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:03 am:
It would likely fail, but it might also get him on record on a couple of things, like how he supposedly got the resident discount out in CT for some classes he took.
Rauner could easily afford the challenge (or to fund it) the question is would that count as a campaign spend? If not, he funds it, ignores it and costs Quinn time and money…
- DuPage - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:11 am:
“Money talks”, as the saying goes. I think we are all going to hear a lot of “talking” in this primary.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:12 am:
What I would like to see is if Rauner’s Crew can actually do a “fly-around”, organized, multi-stop, no stops like “McLean Republican Dinner”, where Bruce Rauner is doing the “lifting”.
No “Company/Employee” q&a, actual events, that a statewide candidate shows their strength organizationally, politically, and structurally.
Organizationally - the timetable, the moving parts getting the Principle at these multi-stops easily, and with Press Availability
Politically - who is at these stops? Supporters? Endorsers? Can the Rauner Crew show support in stand-alone political events instead of having Bruce Rauner show up at seone’s organized activity.
Structurally - is the apparatus in place to have a “fly-around” seem to be run by the apparatus, not the events looking overwelmed by those allegedly who are going to be in charge of the GOTV, and the true Ekection Day structure to find and vote Bruce Rauner supporters, when the structure can even figure out who handles what “stop” in a “fly-around”
Lake County GOP’s price was $3750.
In reality, until I see Bruce Rauner go it alone with his supporters moving the narrative, not Bruce Rauner’s money buying the “relevance”
If Bruce Rauner was making all this impact, poll numbers would be leaking showing that, and saying “those who net Bruce…” doesn’t count. Your numbers are your numbers, and seeing none, and no stand-alone events, to me, point to a campaign still trying to learn … to campaign… Fake Carhartt or stuffed dog hunting notwithstanding.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:13 am:
OneMan, I read the court opinion, and it claims he didn’t pay tuition, either in-state or out-of-state. He paid some fees. Also, that Connecticut blogger has promised for six days to get me a transcript of the proceedings, but has not yet done so.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:29 am:
Well so much for that bit of entertainment… sigh..
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:36 am:
==Rauner said he is the only candidate - Democrat or Republican - who is capable of facing off with House Speaker Michael Madigan to get things done in the General Assembly.==
Does he have some super secret method nobody else knows about?
I understand this is campaign rhetoric, but it is also further evidence that he has absolutely no idea how things work.
- walkinfool - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:37 am:
So the PAC treasurer and the campaign finance chair, come from the same organization, and share an office space — but there’s no coordination between the two.
Of course not, that would be illegal.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:41 am:
–Preliminary reports from participants are that the Rauner campaign packed the room, bought a lot of tickets, and bussed people in, including approximately 50 high school students.–
It should be noted, Rauner also was first runner-up for Homecoming King at Warren Township High School.
- Isbell - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:51 am:
300,000 Republican Voters in Lake County and the other campaigns are complaining because Rauner got 250 votes and won a straw poll? I would’ve been embarrassed if my candidate had less than 1,000 votes in a straw poll from a county that large. No one won here, which may be indicative of what’s to come…
- Jaded - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 10:58 am:
Good for Rauner. He is still in 4th place in the real polls, but hey, he won a straw poll and a brownie button.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:02 am:
=== Rauner said he is the only candidate - Democrat or Republican - who is capable of facing off with House Speaker Michael Madigan to get things done in the General Assembly ===
I’d say good luck with that, but Rauner is not going to be elected.
- J. Nolan - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:06 am:
Isbell, exactly right. How many people showed up to the Lake County event? Champaign County had more people vote in their straw poll…no bussing in of people. Rutherford took over 50% out of four candidates, all of whom showed up.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:07 am:
- Norseman -,
Get the “fly-around” ready and get - Bill - the schedule.
To the Post,
“Rauner’s narrative of taking on Speaker Madigan as s Governor candidate might be foolhardy, but it just might work… this time.
Signed,
No One “
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:11 am:
- J Nolan -,
Any and all Straw Polls show little to nothing.
Remember that Dopey Poll of delegates to the Republican National Convention! Rutherford won, and Rutherford did the petitions, albeit petitions are not @FakeRutherfordDan’s strong suit, but I digress.
Straw Polls indicate nothing.
They don’t.
- Veritas - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:19 am:
Rauner is living proof of the “Hershey Principle”: The first taste is great, but the more you have - the less you can take. But - give him his due - he found the secret to dealing with Mike Madigan - all you have to do is sit down with him and work things out!! Can you imagine how much can be accomplished in Saputos??
- chad - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:39 am:
Rauner has yet to demonstrate that he can do anything other than hire paid consultants and show up to friendly events organized by others. He still has not defined himself in the minds of voters. The real action will begin when he makes a substantial ad buy and goes on the attack. My suggestion is that he just might get his nose bloodied in the process.
- Johnny Q. Suburban - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 11:55 am:
Of course the campaign geniuses at Illinois Review complain about Rauner doing exactly what you’re supposed to do at straw poll events. Obviously the vote totals don’t mean anything but I think they are indicative of campaign’s organizational ability and general competence. Given that, it’s no suprise Brady finished dead last and Rauner finished with more votes than everyone else combined.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 12:22 pm:
- Johnny Q. Suburban -,
Organizing 250 people, bused in, at the cost of $3750 gives no indication of any organization. Organization is far beyond one Straw Poll attendance vote.
“Fly-around”, with multiple stand-alone “Rauner” events, with Press Availability, a timetable followed and met, and over a say to 2 day period of time… with crowds, endorsers, and staging.
That… is the Organizational “hurdle”, not 250 people voting in a Dopey paid “Straw Poll”
- Johnny Q. Suburban - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 12:27 pm:
OW-
How is getting 250 people to show up at a specific event not a test of organization? Sure, Rauner bought their ticket but the campaign still had to get 250 bodies, a task that was evidently too difficult for any of the other candidates to accomplish. It can’t be that easy to do since Bill Brady only managed to get 12 people there.
Yeah, sure, a statewide fly around requires even more organization. But the fact that the campaign was able to recruit and get 250 people to this event bodes well for his campaign and poorly for the others who couldn’t break 55.
So, yes, between this and Rutherford’s disappointing petitiongate, I would say it’s pretty clear that his campaign is the best organized at this point.
- MOON - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 12:35 pm:
Should Rauner get elected he is in for a real surprise.
Madigan would be more than willing to sit with Rauner and try to solve the problems facing Illinois.
The two might not always agree but believe me Madigan is as anxious as ever to resolve the many issues.
It will take adjustments and compromise on both parts but I think they will see eye to eye on many issues.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 12:47 pm:
- Johnny Q. Suburban -,
Keep in mind;
Rauner needs to give the impression he has support. Why? Of the 4, Bruce Rauner can’t pull off a “Fly-Around”, so if he can buy credibility at ONE event, pull out all the stops… that us what someone does who can’t organize and lacks a solid infrastructure. Bruce Rauner is trying to fool people, like always.
Further,
Lake County - Winnetka.
Proximity helps. I have no clue how Rauner would do in a Sangamon County GOP Straw Poll, but “proximity” is off the table, unlike Lake County.
Lastly, overkill for a “Straw Poll” indicates someone is worried about being taken seriously. Making a statement of overkill based on a $15 ticket to vote shows that Rauner’s Crew is lacking momentum on their own, needing a staged “win” …
… at any… Cost.
If Brady or Dillard or Rurherford tried to sell me the same things you are with this…”win”… I would. I have.
See…Rutherford’s “Delegate Straw Poll”
When Rauner’s Crew can show something of an Organization/Organizational, Stand-Alone, Fly-Around… then you have “something” more than $3750 and a Straw Poll “Organization”.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 12:51 pm:
===…but I think they will see eye to eye on many issues.===
Ok. What issues? Rauner has yet to take dudes on anything except to break unions and shut down government, so what issues will they see “eye to eye” on?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 12:52 pm:
“dudes” - “sides”
Stupid phone.
- MOON - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:12 pm:
OW
Start with pension reform
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:16 pm:
- MOON -,
What about pension reform?
- MOON - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:23 pm:
OW
I refer you to House Amendment one to Senate Bill one.
Madigan is more than willing to also reduce the current stranglehold the SEIU has on state government.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:27 pm:
- MOON -,
How about that 401k thought?
How about breaking Union contracts? You think the Speaker will put 60 votes out there fit those 2 “thoughts”?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:32 pm:
=Obviously the vote totals don’t mean anything but I think they are indicative of campaign’s organizational ability and general competence.=
And I think the complaints are indicative of people saying “enough.” Substance. Not smoke and mirrors.
Anyone–especially with money who can move people around and get them to the right place on time can do this.
Rauner and the others need to start evaluating their consultants’ contributions based on how well they’re selling them and what they plan to do for the State. Not how they can throw votes at a party game in their direction.
- MOON - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:43 pm:
OW
The 401k idea is a start.
I stated earlier that I believe Madigan would be more than willing to sit with Rauner and try to solve the problems facing Illinois.
What you fail to realize is that Rauner will have to do his share which is to provide some GOP votes to support the changes. If Rauner does his share of the heavy lifting I am sure Madigan can come up with the additional votes.
By the way, I am not saying Rauner will win the Primary or General elections.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:50 pm:
- MOON -,
Understood.
My point is that Rauner is running like he is running for Governor if Wisconsin or Indiana, and that basis allows Rauner to spout about “facing” Madigan. Rauner then kinda/sorta backtracked, but that is not who Rauner is as a CEO.
Rauner doesn’t run on anything tangible at this point to lead me to think of a Jim Edgar or Jim Thompson governor… working with MJM.
That is where my thoughts lay.
That is also why we have elections and Rauner is not going to hide. Not from… Anything!
- MOON - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 1:59 pm:
OW
In my opinion none of the GOP or Quinn offer anything tangible.None of them have stated explicitly what their plan is to rid the State of this “Pension Crisis”.
The only two who have been straight forward on this issue are Cullerton and Madigan.
Unfortunately, Cullerton’s plan does not go far enough.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 2:24 pm:
- MOON -,
That is the “reality”. Cullerton and Madigan have Bills…
But, Brady and Tracy are in the Pension Committee…so lets see if Brady and Tracy are part of a solution(?).
- A guy... - Wednesday, Nov 13, 13 @ 3:02 pm:
Willie, By January, Rauner may be the only guy able to afford the jet fuel for a fly around. I think we might be looking at a fly around, a drive around, a bus around and a hitch-hike around by then.