Question of the day
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From a Doug Truax e-mail entitled “Greetings from Florida”…
No, I am not in Florida.
But you know who is? My Republican primary opponent: Jim Oberweis.
While Oberweis is vacationing in the sun; I am criscrossing Illinois talking with voters about the importance of this election and the issues at hand.
If elected I will always put Illinois families first. You won’t have to worry about whether your Senator is busy vacationing in a different state or even VOTING in a different state (you can’t even make this up - Jim Oberweis’ wife is registered to vote in Florida NOT Illinois).
The accompanying photo…
* The Question: Caption?
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Rauner’s circulators: $2 per signature
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Somebody I know who had his resume posted on Monster.com was sent an e-mail from a recruiter that linked to this page…
Part-time Campaign Field Associate
Client: Arno Political Consulting
City: Joliet
State: IL
Category: Professional
Job Type: Part time
Description
What do Part-time Campaign Field Associates do?
As a Part-time Campaign Field Associate (Petition Circulator) you will play in integral role in a historical movement dedicated to reforming the Illinois Constitution.
On Election Day, Part-time Campaign Field Associates will travel to their assigned precinct and gather signatures from registered voters.
You will get paid $2 per signature. If you collect 100 signatures and 70 of them are valid you will be paid $200. Historically, petition signatures on election day have high validity rates, so it shouldn’t be a challenge to meet this goal.
After the first hundred signatures, you will get paid $2 per signature with a validity rate of 60% or higher.
Arno has been hired by Bruce Rauner to run his term limit constitutional amendment petition drive.
I sure wish there’d been jobs like this back when I was in college. That’s not bad money.
* More…
Is this for a good cause?
Yes!
This petition helps put an amendment to the Illinois Constitution on the November 4, 2014 ballot which will make Illinois State government more responsive to citizens.
The amendment limits those elected to the state house or state senate to 8 years total. The 8 years can be served in the Illinois house or senate alone, or any combination of the two, but no longer than 8 years total.
The amendment also decreases substantially the number of state senators from 59 to 41 while increasing slightly the number of Illinois house members from 118 to 123.
The amendment makes it harder for politicians to override a governor’s veto by raising that threshold from a 3/5 majority to a 2/3 majority in both the Illinois House and Senate. This reform will ensure the best interests of all Illinoisans are protected and curtail the power of narrow, partisan or special interests.
Help make our democracy great!
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No surge detected yet
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* As subscribers know, We Ask America has been tracking early and absentee voting in the Republican primary this season.
The following chart breaks down who has already voted early or sent in an absentee GOP ballot and compares that to all voting in the 2010 Republican primary.
A Democrat is classified as somebody who has taken a “D” primary ballot at least once since 2008. Independents are those who have not voted in a partisan primary since 2008. The State Board of Elections’ voter file is matched up with the names of people who’ve already voted…
* So, as you can see, the percentage of historic Democrats participating in the GOP primary so far appears at first blush to be a bit higher than it was in the 2010 primary.
But, that’s not really what’s going on here.
* The percentage total of independents voting early in the Republican primary is down six points so far from the final 2010 total. Republican participation on the GOP primary is up about three points and Democratic participation in the Republican primary is also up about three from the final 2010 number.
In reality, while the final vote will skew slightly more Democratic (but balanced out by a slightly higher GOP base turnout), there is no surge detected here, just a six-point drop in interest by independents.
And as my pollster Chris Wieneke says, this could all correct itself by election day, when independents might come out in higher numbers.
Also, Democratic participation in the Republican primary could change on election day itself, when unions will be pushing their members to get out and vote. We’ll see, but a major crossover has never been attempted here.
Many of us know Democrats or independents taking Republican ballots for the first time, but, so far at least, it’s not showing up in the results.
* Perhaps more interesting, however, is that more Republican ballots have been cast so far, 49,010, than Democratic ballots, 45,905. Usually, Democratic primary turnout dwarfs Republican turnout. Four years ago, 915,726 votes were cast in the Democratic gubernatorial primary while 767,485 were cast in the GOP primary.
That’s likely a function of the cash spent on the GOP side and the lack of any cash spent on the D side. The most impact will be down-ballot. Who’s turning out in competitive House primaries, for instance?
* Related…
* Shearer: ‘We are not pulling back’ on pro-Dillard ads: While public sector unions that had been funding Shearer’s group are now pulling back, trade unions and other money is here for now. Last week’s money will go toward buying ads through mid-week and the Teamsters will give another day or two and then make a decision on a day by day basis how much money will go his way, he said.
* Public Union Urges Crossover Vote for Dillard
* AFL-CIO mailing goes after “Billionaire insider Bruce Rauner”
* Election messages were more mixed than assorted nuts in a can of Planters.
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Remap reform group raising big bucks
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Reboot writes about major fundraising by the Yes for Independent Maps group…
Topping the list is former U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, who donated $100,000 to the cause of taking from Illinois party leaders the privilege of drawing friendly districts for their members every 10 years.
The latest report, filed Tuesday, logs $638,500 for the week of March 4-11. It brings the total raised by Yes for Independent Maps to $1.2 million since Jan. 1.
Perhaps most remarkable about the reports, in addition to the amounts, is the diversity of donors on the list. It’s a mix of well known political names from both parties and numerous business leaders of various political persuasions.
There are many other prominent people who have signed on to the effort to take politics out of the legislative map-drawing process but whose names have not shown up in donation reports. That list includes Playboy CEO Christie Hefner and former Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias. […]
Other prominent donors include real estate mogul Sam Zell, Chicago Cubs owner Tom Ricketts and J.B. Pritzker ($50,000 each); former Lt. Gov. Corrine Wood and Tom Pritzker ($25,000 each), and best-selling author Scott Turow ($1,000). Earlier reports had included a $25,000 donation from former U.S. Senate candidate Blair Hull and CEO and horse racing executive Craig Duchossois.
* The group also has a new Internet video that’s kinda fun to watch…
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Matune attempts another self defense
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Republican House candidate Keith Matune, who’s running against Rep. Ron Sandack in the primary and is backed by Dan Proft, wrote an op-ed for the Illinois Review. His lede…
Like a lot of people I did some stupid things when I was in college and I’m truly sorry for the missteps I took.
OK, let’s stop right there.
Other than maybe anti-war, civil rights or even anti-abortion protesters, how many people do you know who’ve been arrested three times?
* He continues…
During this campaign those regrettable moments have become public. Like everyone, I have matured and have spent the last 20 years becoming a husband, father of four, Illinois Teacher of the Year, IHSA Coach of the Year, and School Board Member.
Trouble is, he told his school that he hadn’t been arrested on his job app.
Oops.
And that “Illinois Teacher of the Year” award actually came from the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago, which does have a heavy-hitter board of directors.
* Matune was responding to a devastating IR column by Chris Robling…
He told Waubonsie, when applying to teach Illinois kids, he had never been arrested.
He lied on his other school applications. And on the Daily Herald candidate questionnaire. When the Daily Herald got the facts, he claimed his priors were expunged, even though — obviously — they are not. That’s another whopper.
He issued a press release in January that invoked the Illinois State Police to claim he had never been arrested. As a guy who once wore handcuffs in court, he knew that was false.
He claims gymnastics “Consensus All American” status. But he forgot to tell Purdue about his distinction. Its official website does not list him –- or any gymnast of his era — as “All American,” since Purdue did not field a Division 1 gymnastics team then.
The General Assembly, to which he thinks he should be elected, says ‘public indecency’ is a sex crime. Illinois public school teacher applicants must disclose all such findings. Perhaps most deeply troubling of all — Matune’s applications show that when he asked for exposure to our kids, he refused to tell the truth.
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* The Sun-Times goes into great detail about House Democratic mailers which attack Will Guzzardi, who’s running against Rep. Toni Berrios. For example…
This week, voters in the district received the latest in a series of ads alleging that Guzzardi favors going easy on sex offenders.
The new mailer adds an odd racial twist to this line of attack. It features a photo of a young white woman with manly hands clasping her bare shoulders. You can’t see the face of the person whose hands they are, but they’re obviously not the hands of a white person.
* Another example…
Gov. Pat Quinn professes neutrality, but a high-ranking Quinn appointee, former 1st Ward Ald. Manny Flores, appears in Toni Berrios campaign literature, urging people to “join me in voting” for her.
It would be interesting to ask Flores how he plans to vote for Toni Berrios since he moved from the Northwest Side, to the northwest suburbs, after quitting the City Council and joining the Quinn administration. Flores has been registered to vote in Park Ridge, miles from the 39th Illinois House District, since 2012.
* But they totally accept Guzzardi’s explanation about one of those attacks without question…
The attacks are based on an article that Guzzardi wrote for his college newspaper in 2006. He says the comment was taken out of context, doesn’t reflect his campaign’s stance and is an attempt by the incumbent to play off voter fears.
* Guzzardi links to the column on his own website…
In short, in this digital age of infinite proliferation of data, expungement is a fantasy. The blank slate it once offered to those convicted of minor offenses is more like the old whiteboard on my dorm room door: though you might try to wipe it clean, there will always be some traces of what used to be written there.
If there were ever an issue for which civil rights groups on campus should get up in arms, this is it. Just like denying ex-convicts voting rights or sex offender tracking and registration, this is an instance of societal double jeopardy. These offenders have made an agreement with the justice system about the recompense they owe society for their transgression; having paid it, they should be able to return to society as members in good standing. Instead, they are dogged by their conviction for the rest of their lives.
Emphasis added to show this wasn’t “taken out of context.” He wrote what he wrote.
* To be clear, Guzzardi has been running away as fast as he can from that column. And it was, after all, a college newspaper column for crying out loud. The Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge #7 has endorsed him, which pretty much blows that “soft on predators” attack out of the water.
But the sex offender stuff was clearly not taken out of context.
* However, the Sun-Times does have a valid point about the mailer adding an “odd racial twist.” Here it is…
Ugly.
Just ugly.
*** UPDATE *** From a commenter…
So Mark Kirk is somehow not trying to appeal to the worst, most racist elements of human nature when he used the exact same photo, right?
The commenter is correct. Go have a look.
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“A wolf in sheep’s clothing”
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Kirk Dillard is running a new 60-second radio ad that throws a whole lot at the wall. This was recorded off the radio via a cell phone, so it’s not the greatest audio. Listen…
* Partial script…
Male: The GOP primary for governor is coming up. Who are you voting for?
Female: Well, Rauner’s been on TV a lot.
Male: Yeah, but did you know Rauner’s pro-choice?
Female: Wait. Rauner’s pro choice?
Male: Yep. And Rauner doesn’t oppose same sex marriage.
Female: Oh, Rauner’s not who he said he is.
Male: Did you know Rauner voted Democrat in 2006?
Female: No Way!
Male: Yep. And Rauner gave millions to Democrats, like Dick Durbin and Nancy Pelosi.
Female: How can he say he’s a Republican?
Male: He even vacations with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
Female: No way Rauner’s Republican.
Male: Wait, there’s more…
It goes on for another 30 seconds and includes the Stu Levine and Peyton Prep clouting stuff.
“Rauner’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing, isn’t he?” the female asks near the end.
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A Bill Brady reality check
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Kurk Erickson…
Despite polls showing super-wealthy businessman Bruce Rauner leading the Republican race for governor with a week to go, state Sen. Bill Brady said he’s confident voters will look to him on Election Day.
Calling himself the only “reliable Republican” in the four-way race, the Bloomington businessman said Rauner and state Sen. Kirk Dillard have ties to Democrats that will turn GOP voters toward him. […]
Brady also said the $14 million raised by Rauner won’t give an automatic win to the political newcomer from Winnetka, who has ties to Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
“Money doesn’t buy elections,” Brady said. “Our voters are going to turn out.”
* OK, let’s look at a little history.
In the 2006 Republican gubernatorial primary, Bill Brady finished third with 18.4 percent.
In the 2010 primary, Brady won with 20.26 percent.
He’s currently polling at 19 percent.
Notice a pattern?
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* From a press release…
Radogno, Durkin encourage Attorney General to aggressively pursue decision on pension reform
Springfield, Ill. – Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) on pension reform:
“We have shared a letter with the Attorney General expressing interest in an aggressive pursuit of a prompt decision on the pension reform legislation.
“We believe some legal procedures are available to the Attorney General to expedite the case and have respectfully encouraged her to use those procedures.
“Substantial financial consequences to the State, its retirement systems and current retired employees are at the heart of the pension reform litigation. We believe if the litigation is expedited and the State prevails, the fiscal stability of both the State and its retirement systems will substantially improve.
“All interested parties will benefit from a quick, but fair, final judicial decision. We urge the Attorney General to use the available avenues to accomplish that goal as we stand alongside her in this matter.”
* So, I asked, what are those legal procedures? The reply…
The letter references the most relevant actions, namely consolidation of various suits and a Supreme Court Rule 302 motion.
The AG has worked to consolidate the latest filing late last week in Champaign County from State University Annuitants. Consolidation helps the court decide on a similar question of fact and will assist in corralling all interested parties onto one court schedule.
The Rule 302 motion is applicable after a Circuit Court ruling. If successful, it would bypass the time and litigation with an appeal proceeding at the Appellate court and be heard directly at the Supreme Court from the circuit court decision.
The AG can also work to encourage the court to not allow unreasonable delays in the court proceedings in general.
So, AG Madigan has already done one of the things and can’t do the other until we get a circuit court ruling, but there is that last option, which I’m not sure applies yet because the case hasn’t even begun.
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Poll: Rauner back on the upswing
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The latest We Ask America tracker with the previous results in parentheses…
Bill Brady 19 (12)
Kirk Dillard 26 (14.5)
Bruce Rauner 46.5 (40)
Dan Rutherford 9 (8)
Undecided - (26)
The firm did not give the 1,235 likely GOP voters an “undecided” option this time around. The poll was taken yesterday and had a margin of error of ± 2.9 percent.
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Oberweis is wintering in Florida
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Mary Ann Ahern caught up with Republican US Senate candidate Jim Oberweis in Florida…
NBC 5 has learned that Oberweis flew out of Illinois Saturday, and is at his million-dollar Bonita Beach Florida condo until the end of the week.
When reached by phone, Oberweis would not confirm his whereabouts, and when he was repeatedly asked whether he’s in Illinois, he replied, “I think you’ve figured out by now that I’m not answering that question.”
Oberweis did say he’s “really focused on November,” where he hopes to battle incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin.
He won’t be back until Friday, Ahern reports.
* Here’s the audio of the TV story…
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* There should probably be another zero on that amount to be truly effective, but Sen. Kirk Dillard’s campaign just reported $400,000 in contributions from AFSCME, the IFT and the IEA.
Jim Edgar kicked in another $50K.
I’ll have more for subscribers about this tomorrow.
*** UPDATE *** Via Fred Klonsky’s blog, AFSCME’s Henry Bayer sent this e-mail to his members today…
By channeling our dollars directly to the Dillard campaign, which can purchase crucial television time at roughly half the rate of the independent expenditure campaign, we can get that information out most effectively.
When we started the independent expenditure campaign, we had not yet endorsed a candidate. We did not know who was best positioned to defeat Rauner.
The campaign has entered a new phase.
The independent expenditure effort did a good job of slowing Bruce Rauner’s momentum.
While he is still the frontrunner, Rauner can be beaten.
That’s why it is so important that we redouble our efforts to recruit volunteers for AFSCME phone banks and encourage each of our members to cast their vote in the Republican primary for Kirk Dillard.
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Poll: Hardiman at 36 percent
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Kevin McDermott…
A new poll by Strive Strategies shows Quinn with 64 percent of the Democratic vote, to Hardiman’s 36 percent.
In a news release, the polling firm calls that a “solid lead” and presents it as good news for Quinn. It isn’t. Hardiman has no political base, no money, and has received no serious media coverage. It’s unlikely that one-third of Democratic Illinois voters even know who he is, let alone are supporting him.
Which means this is a classic “anyone-but-Quinn” protest vote — from within Quinn’s own party.
I don’t know much about this polling firm, but I’ve been planning my own poll this week. I’ll let you know what happens.
* There are no silver medals in campaigns, but the more support Hardiman gets, the weaker Quinn’s gonna look when the primary is over.
Quinn has always had trouble with female voters, and Hardiman is winning 40 percent of Democratic women.
* Also, We Ask America is planning to release its GOP tracking results at around 8 o’clock tonight. Click here at that time and use this post to comment below.
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* From a press release…
Governor Pat Quinn today announced key campaign staff for his 2014 re-election bid. In addition to the campaign’s Chief Strategist Bill Hyers, the Governor named his Campaign Manager, Senior Advisor, Director of Operations, Deputy Press Secretary and digital and turnout powerhouse firm 270 Strategies. The latest hires join The Mellman Group and Joe Slade White & Company, the Governor’s nationally renowned pollster and political strategy and media firm who also worked on his 2010 campaign.
“I’m proud to have a dedicated and capable team who knows how to work hard and win,” Governor Quinn said. “We will run a strong grassroots campaign built for success in the 21st century.”
The Governor named former Deputy Chief of Staff of Legislative Affairs in the Governor’s Office Lou Bertuca as Campaign Manager. As the campaign’s top ambassador, Bertuca will lead day-to-day campaign operations. Carrie Glenn- a seasoned campaign operative - will serve as Senior Advisor to the campaign, providing critical field leadership, operations support and voter turnout expertise. Bertuca and Glenn will work hand in hand with Hyers, an Illinois native and one of the most highly-sought after campaign leaders in the nation.
In addition, other key staff members named today include: Deputy Director of Operations Sean Floyd, formerly of Bill de Blasio’s successful campaign for mayor of New York City as well as Deputy Press Secretary Izabela Miltko, formerly of SEIU Local 1. Governor Quinn also announced the hiring of 270 Strategies, a digital consulting and marketing firm led by former Obama National Field Director Jeremy Bird. The firm specializes in 21st century grassroots organizing and cutting-edge digital analytics.
More details below:
Bill Hyers - Chief Strategist Hyers most recently managed Bill de Blasio’s successful campaign for mayor of New York City. He also led Governor Steve Beshear’s successful gubernatorial campaign in Kentucky, Mayor Michael Nutter’s successful campaign in Philadelphia and Kirsten Gillibrand’s first race for Congress in 2006. In addition, Hyers managed President Obama’s campaign in Pennsylvania in his 2012 bid for re-election and was Midwest Regional Director for his 2008 campaign.
Lou Bertuca - Campaign Manager Bertuca has worked for Governor Quinn for eight years in a variety of capacities, starting when Quinn was serving as Lieutenant Governor in 2007 and later becoming one of the Governor’s senior advisors. Prior to joining the campaign, Bertuca served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the Governor’s Office and Deputy Chief of Staff at the Illinois Tollway Authority.
Carrie Glenn - Senior Advisor Glenn has extensive campaign experience, which includes holding director and senior field positions in four states for President Obama’s 2008 campaign. Glenn most recently oversaw the Montana Democratic Party Coordinated Campaign. She will provide critical expertise on field operations, grassroots organizing and voter turnout.
Sean Floyd - Director of Operations Floyd previously worked as the Director of Operations for Bill De Blasio’s successful mayoral bid in New York City. He also served as the Director of Operations in Pennsylvania for President Obama’s re-election campaign.
Izabela Miltko - Deputy Press Secretary Miltko served as the Media Relations Specialist for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 1, overseeing press outreach across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Missouri, Texas and Wisconsin. Her experience also includes working in Senator Dick Durbin’s press office, as well as Statehouse reporting in Springfield.
270 Digital Strategies - Founded by former National Field Director for President Obama’s re-election campaign Jeremy Bird, 270 Strategies is a next-generation consulting firm that specializes in 21st century, cutting-edge digital strategies and data driven ground game. The 270 Strategies team used grassroots organizing to build their 21st century turnout machine on the historic Obama re-election campaign as well as work on the 2008 campaign.
The Mellman Group - The Mellman Group is one of the nation’s top polling firms, providing opinion research and strategic advice to political leaders, public interest organizations, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Clients include some of the nation’ stop political leaders, numerous U.S. Senators, Governors, members of Congress, and state and local officials.
Joe Slade White & Company –Joe Slade White & Company is a Democratic political strategy and media firm, whose clients have included Presidential candidates, U.S. Senators, Governors, members of Congress, and Mayors, including Vice-President Joe Biden and the former Governor of Michigan Jennifer Granholm. In 2012, White helped elect the only Democratic woman governor in the country, New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hassan.
So, the guy who has had serious problems dealing with the General Assembly names his former Deputy Chief of Staff of Legislative Affairs as his campaign manager?
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Rauner wants to know a lot
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* At about the six minute mark of his interview, Bruce Rauner told WBEZ he wants to have a “cooperative” relationship with state legislators. And then he said this…
“I want to get to know every legislator on a first name basis. I want to get to know them, their families, their hopes, their dreams, their fears, their weaknesses, their vulnerabilities. I want to get to know them well.”
Emphasis added for obvious reasons.
Be careful out there. He’s bringing the heat.
* Meanwhile, at about the 9:30 mark of this WTTW interview with GOP treasurer candidates Tom Cross and Bob Grogan, Mr. Grogan was asked about a comment he’d made earlier that running for office meant dealing with “a bunch of bullies”…
“Whether it’s the fake people on Facebook or on the Internet that are going out there and making up things about you and doing that sort of stuff. It’s rough and tumble… It’s not for normal people.”
Asked if he regretted running, Grogan took a very deep breath and said…
“You know, there are many a times that I do regret getting into it. I’m too stubborn and committed to turn around. Any time when you’re missing ball games with the kids and all that, obviously there’s a good deal of regret.”
He went on to say he felt he had to “stand up” and run, however.
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* I told subscribers about this development earlier this morning. Greg Hinz followed up…
In a critical development in the GOP race for governor, a union-backed group that had spent millions of dollars on TV ads blasting front-runner Bruce Rauner has decided to end its campaign, just as the race enters the crucial last week.
Michael Murray, a spokesman for the Illinois Freedom PAC, said the group has spent $3.1 million so far ripping Mr. Rauner but will spend no more, effective immediately.
Mr. Murray denied a report in Capitol Fax that unions that funded the effort concluded Mr. Rauner now is too far ahead to lose the race, and didn’t want to throw good money after bad. Rather, he insisted, “We feel we have accomplished our goal.”
“We wanted to highlight some issues with Bruce Rauner that the middle-class families of Illinois needed to be made aware of,” he said. “Now that we have achieved that goal, and all the top candidates are on the air, it’s up to their campaigns to make their final case.”
Yeah, OK. They “accomplished their goal” and now they go dark a week out? Right.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The full statement from Mike Murray…
We wanted to highlight some issues with Bruce Rauner that the middle class families of Illinois needed to be made aware of. You saw from the Tribune poll and Rauner’s reaction that we did just that. Now that we have achieved that goal, and all the top candidates are on the air, it’s up to the campaigns to make their final case.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Tribune…
Illinois Freedom raised more than $3.6 million and had begun a heavy schedule of TV advertising in early February. But a television industry official who asked not to be identified said the PAC’s spending on TV dropped noticeably on March 1 and fell even more this week. Murray said the group’s ads will run through the end of the week.
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* Pfleger does have a point, but the governor’s anti-violence program is in definite need of a thorough legislative examination…
South Side activists denounced “cul-de-sac” critics Monday and called for more cash — not less — for anti-violence programs such as Gov. Pat Quinn’s troubled Neighborhood Recovery Initiative.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger and former state Sen. Alice Palmer were among those who appeared at a news conference at The Ark of St. Sabina in the Gresham neighborhood to support the now disbanded program that was assailed in a blistering audit last month and is now facing a steady drumbeat of negative headlines. […]
“It angers me when people from Lemont and Palatine and Springfield, and suburbs all around Illinois, love to launch their attack on programs that seek to reach the most at-risk youth in our city,” Pfleger said. “It also bothers me that they never come to the South Side or to the West Side to say, ‘What can we do? How can we help? How can we stop this carnage of blood in our streets?’”
Pfleger and others shared troubling statistics — 216 school-age children killed in Chicago in 2010, 92 percent of black male teens unemployed in 2012 — and said success stories within the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative are being ignored, including “thousands of lives that were saved.”
* More…
“There are good and bad things about every state program, but why must we always concentrate on the bad when it involves youths on the South and West Sides?” said Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham. “I am sick and tired of people who do not live in our community and have never been to our community telling us what’s good for us.” […]
“Across the state 85 percent of black teens are unemployed. Across the city it is 89 percent,” said Jack Wuest, executive director of the nonprofit Alternative Schools Network, citing a January report by his organization. “Young blacks males in the city living with families earning less than $20,000 a year are 95 percent unemployed. This is an epidemic that has to be addressed in a broader fashion.”
* But…
Alice Palmer, a community activist, worked with 80 South Shore youths in programming supported by the initiative in 2010, including some who went on to get further training.
“These young people were well-received by businesses because they brought a positive message,” she said. “We have one young lady who is in nursing school thanks to the training and motivation she received from the neighborhood program.”
* According to an internal e-mail exchange posted by the Sun-Times in its original story, Ms. Palmer apparently knew the guy who allegedly killed his cohort during an alleged home invasion…
In a 2012 email, Betts identified Alice Palmer as his organization’s point person in the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative’s Mentoring Plus Jobs program for South Shore, of which Brown and Bufford were a part.
Palmer served in the Illinois Senate, involuntarily relinquishing her seat in 1997 to Barack Obama after being knocked off the ballot because her nominating petitions were insufficient. While Betts would not do so, a Quinn administration source confirmed the woman Betts referred to is the former state senator. Messages left at multiple phone numbers tied to Palmer were not returned Thursday.
“Dr. Palmer has first-hand familiarity with the youth involved in this tragic incident,” Betts said in his Aug. 8, 2012, email response to Barbara Shaw in which he promised to develop a “more formal response strategy” to the murder.
It would be nice to see her testify about this mess.
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Mr. “.01 percent”
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Sun-Times’ profile of Bruce Rauner…
Within minutes of sitting for an interview, gubernatorial front-runner Bruce Rauner makes a bold correction about his personal fortune when asked if he is among the so-called 1 percent of the wealthiest Americans.
“Oh, I’m probably .01 percent,” said Rauner, who owns nine homes, and made $53 million last year. […]
Rauner quickly grew perturbed when asked if the comparisons are true that he’s the “Mitt Romney of Illinois.”
“I am a very different person from Mitt Romney,” Rauner said. “I drink beer. I smoke a cigar. I use a gun. I ride a Harley. My grandparents lived in a double-wide trailer. I’m a salesman. He’s an analyst.” […]
“I get a crowd going to a standing ovation. I never saw [Romney] do that,” Rauner said.
* Sen. Kirk Dillard responded…
In a campaign statement today, Dillard, a Hinsdale Republican, called Rauner “out of touch,” and said he was concerned with “how” Rauner made his money.
“There’s no way someone who admits being in the top .01 of America’s richest people can relate to working families,” Dillard said. “How can someone with nine luxury homes relate to someone struggling to make ends meet? The answer is obvious: he can’t”
* As did somebody from Romney’s former campaign…
A former top Romney 2012 campaign official scoffed at Rauner’s comments.
“I don’t know what cave Bruce was stuck in during 2012, but of the 60+ million people who voted for Mitt Romney, tens of thousands would regularly show up to stand and cheer at our rallies,” the official told TPM.
* Rauner’s campaign responded to Dillard…
“Attacking success, on top of taking hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions from some of Pat Quinn’s biggest allies, is why Kirk Dillard should be running in the Democrat primary,” said Rauner campaign spokesman Mike Schrimpf.
So far, though, there’s been no response to the Romney folks.
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Mar 11, 2014 - Posted by Rich Miller
* It’s been quite a lousy morning. I wasn’t feeling all that well, and then I finally woke up only to find that my Gmail account “has been disabled due to suspicious activity.” Trying to fix that now.
So, while I do that, how about we do this…
* The Question: Are there any local primary races that you are following? Who’s gonna win?
…Adding… Gmail is finally working. I had a real problem getting my computer to deal with the new password, but that’s fixed now as well. Hopefully, I can return to some sort of normalcy soon. What a lousy day.
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