* Greg Hinz and I were both given a heads up about this interesting new development yesterday. Subscribers have my take, here’s his…
A new Democratic business group is trying to muscle its way into the Springfield budget war, and it claims to be carrying a really big club: $20 million in promised contributions from donors interested in reaching a truce with Gov. Bruce Rauner.
In an announcement this morning, Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity says that even though its founders are Democrats, the party has “lacked strong executive leadership.” As a result, it asserts, “special interests have had far too much influence in setting public policy. We’re organizing this effort to provide Democrats with the support they need to make the tough, but responsible, decisions to correct our state’s financial course, better serve our most vulnerable residents, and grow our economy.”
The new group is headed by Anthony K. Anderson, the former managing partner of Ernst & Young’s Midwest office, a member of the Exelon board of directors and, as he put it “a lifelong Democrat.” Also on the board are former Corn Products CEO Samuel C. Scott III and communications company owner Pat Pulido Sanchez. She’s married to Manuel “Manny” Sanchez, a top Democratic fund-raiser who broke with the party last year to endorse Rauner for governor.
In an interview, Anderson said the group will function as a 501 (c)4 issue advocacy organization. But it also will have an independent expenditure affiliate that can take positions for and against specific candidates. That affiliate is designed to help Democratic lawmakers who are under pressure from organized labor and other “special interests.”
“There are a bunch of Democrats who are fed up with the way things are going. We have a state that’s been run by Democrats for a long time. They put us in this mess,” Anderson said. The group wants to help those who “are not swayed by special interests. We want them to know we’ve got their backs.”
Go read the rest.
* The group’s complete press release…
Progressive Donors Launch Effort to Save Illinois
Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity Launches with Millions on Hand to Support Budget Compromise
CHICAGO—Progressive donors launched an issue advocacy organization, Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity (ILGO), Wednesday with more than $20 million in commitments from more than two dozen donors, to encourage legislative leaders and legislators to make the tough, but necessary, decisions to save Illinois from the financial crisis the state is currently facing.
ILGO’s Board of Directors includes life-long Democrats Anthony K. Anderson, Samuel C. Scott III and Pat Pulido-Sanchez. ILGO will work to support solutions to the massive budget shortfall in the current, FY2015 budget and begin to advocate for solutions to the structural budget deficits for fiscal year 2016 and beyond. As legislative leaders negotiate budget plans with the Governor, ILGO will work to defend lawmakers who support effective budget solutions.
“Illinois’ dire financial state is a result of the majority party’s failed leadership and we need to come together to protect progressive values and save our state,” said Anthony K. Anderson, chair, Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity. “We believe government has a critical role to play in society, but it is only effective at achieving our goals if it is functioning properly. Illinois has lacked strong executive leadership and special interests have had far too much influence with legislative majorities in setting public policy. We’re organizing this effort to provide them with the support they need to make the tough, but responsible, decisions to correct our state’s financial course, better serve our most vulnerable residents, and grow our economy.”
The State of Illinois is facing a financial catastrophe:
· $1.5 billion in shortfall in the current budget year
· $6 billion projected budget shortfall in fiscal year 2016
· $111 billion pension deficit
These massive fiscal challenges are a drag on our economy and have negative consequences for working families:
· Only 9.8% of employment is based in Illinois manufacturing, while neighboring states average more than 13% and Indiana is nearly 17%1
Illinois was awarded the worst credit rating and worse government and fiscal policy2
· Bottom 1/2 of states for business climate3
· Bottom 1/3 of states for small businesses4
· 6.1% unemployment rate5
· As a result of slow growth in Illinois, a Chicago child raised in a family earning in the bottom fifth of all earners only has a 6.1% chance of ever earning an income in the top fifth6
Governor Quinn and the General Assembly passed a disastrous FY15 budget that is forcing dramatic cuts in important services and undermining public trust in the ability of our government to function. The Democratic-authored and passed budget did not fund critical programs for the entire year and effectively spent a full year’s worth of revenue in the first six to nine months, knowingly creating a crisis in 2015.
Democratic leaders passed a FY 2015 budget that they knew would create a financial crisis:
Pat Quinn: “The General Assembly didn’t get the job done on the budget…The General Assembly sent me an incomplete budget that does not pay down the bills but instead postpones the tough decisions.” (Governor’s Office Budget Statement, May 30, 2014)
Senate President John Cullerton: “However, the effect of budget is to delay doomsday by borrowing and increasing our backlog of bills,” Rikeesha Phelon, a spokeswoman for Senate President John Cullerton, said. “Admittedly, this budget reverses some of the progress that we have made in recent years.” (Reuters, 5/27/14)
Speaker Michael Madigan: “Speaker Michael Madigan acknowledged the budget proposal would leave unfinished business and vowed to spend the summer and fall working to get the income tax hike made permanent to provide more money to run state government.” (Chicago Tribune, 5/27/14)
State Sen. Heather Steans: “We are kicking the can down the road.” (Crain’s Chicago Business, 5/28/14)
This type of irresponsible leadership has resulted in many of the programs and initiatives progressive leaders advocate for everyday being either unfunded or underfunded, including:
· Eliminating child care for thousands of families
· Removing in-home caretakers for our seniors
· Leaving people with mental illnesses without the assistance they need
· Evicting hundreds of veterans from housing
· Imposing severe cuts to nursing home regulators
In the coming weeks and months, Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity will be actively engaging and educating the public and supporting lawmakers who take the tough but necessary decisions to address our state’s dire financial situation.
Resolute Consulting has been engaged to manage the organization and Resolute CEO Greg Goldner will be leading the effort. KO Public Affairs will also serve in a general strategy and management role. Siegel Strategies will provide paid communications strategy. Stones Phones will provide voter outreach and phone solutions and Global Strategy Group will provide polling and research.
To join Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity’s effort to change the dynamic in Springfield, visit IllinoisGO.org.
About Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity
Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity (ILGO) is as a 501(c)(4) organization that conducts education, issue advocacy and public policy analysis to identify and promote effective solutions to some of the most challenging issues confronting Illinois residents and taxpayers. Its purpose is to increase public awareness and engagement in critical public policy debates facing the state. ILGO is driven by a fundamental belief, grounded in progressive principals, that if government is to be an agent for change and equal opportunity, it must operate effectively and efficiently to maintain public trust and confidence. In Illinois, that trust and confidence has been eroded over the last 12 years.
ILGO will also establish an independent expenditure committee which will directly engage in political activity, including supporting or opposing candidates, legislation or ballot questions in the state of Illinois. The committee will defend Democratic lawmakers who have demonstrated support for the difficult, yet responsible, choices our state government needs and protect lawmakers from special interest attacks that may result. It will not engage in General Election contests.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:12 am:
This group has my full attention.
Interesting.
How they will go about their business…that will tell me more how they fall on the political spectrum, if they do…at all.
Hmm.
- black eye - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:15 am:
“Dem business types”. I wonder if they make obscene profits? Do they all pay $15/hr min. wage? Will they use their status in the 1% to hold down the already overly oppressed?
- jerry 101 - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:17 am:
yeah, “democrats”, right.
Sounds like a list of Rauner talking points. These guys are about as blue as, well, Bruce Rauner.
- northsider - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:18 am:
Hmmm. “Lifelong Democrat”? Didn’t we hear that phrase about 10,000 times in one of Rauner’s ads last fall?
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:19 am:
Oh thank goodness us taxpayers have a $20 nillion pac funded by corporate executives and run by professional political consultants to save us from those “special interests.”
- Are Ya Kiddin' Me? - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:20 am:
“In an interview, Anderson said the group will function as a 501 (c)4 issue advocacy organization. But it also will have an independent expenditure affiliate that can take positions for and against specific candidates. That affiliate is designed to help Democratic lawmakers who are under pressure from organized labor and other “special interests.”
Aren’t they just another “Special Interest” group?
- x ace - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:20 am:
Sounds like ” We will Support Our Pawns in the Democrat Primary but We Won’t Help them in the General Election”.
A Sham
- Frenchie Mendoza - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:20 am:
The text sounds like a joke at first read.
I mean, if it’s true — it’s great. But it sounds like something Rauner would issue. It’s like stepping into Bizarro world.
And this idea of “special interests”. Does it occur to anyone *writing* that term that they probably *are* the special interests they’re seeking to uproot or disestablish or whatever they want to do? I mean, if you have to write it, then you probably *are* it.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:22 am:
Greg Goldner…. Enough said
- tobor - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:23 am:
We will buy what we cannot elect.
- Illini97 - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:23 am:
$20 million. Hmmm, where have we heard that number before?
- Say It Ain't So!! - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:24 am:
Hmmmmmm, One percenter “interested in reaching a truce with Gov. Bruce Rauner”. Soon there will be the elite and everyone else making minimum wage (which never goes up). Be lucky you have that minimum wage job, you could be unemployed.
- ZC - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:24 am:
aka “Democrats for Rahm”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:24 am:
What is it with the $20 million amount that is so attractive? Would $15 million not have been threatening enough and $25 million too over the top?
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:24 am:
Reminds me of Democrats for Education Reform. If the political parties don’t protect their brand, they can’t be upset when people refuse to simply vote for that brand.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:29 am:
So Rahm Democrats which are Republicans. Got it.
- Angry Chicagoan - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:32 am:
This is the last thing the Democratic Party or Illinois need.
If their real interest is helping the Republican Party fever to abate, fair enough. But we’re in this mess because both parties, not just Mike Madigan, spent money that we refused to tax. And now the bill is due, and taxes need to be raised to pay for it. Figure about what a four percent income tax would have looked like from Jim Edgar’s inauguration to 2010 compared to what we actually levied, add up the total, add inflation, and figure out how much it needs to be.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:32 am:
Arthur K. Anderson has give 3/4 of his political donations to Democrats. He did find W. convincing enough to toss him $2k though. These are the pols he’s spent the most on:
Barack Obama (D)
Cheryle Jackson (D)
Jesse L Jackson Jr (D)
George W Bush (R)
Jerry Lewis (R)
Arlen Specter (R)
Alan Khazei (D)
Chuck Schumer (D)
David Timothy Dreier (R)
Hillary Clinton (D)
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:33 am:
Rauner front. Democrats for Nixon.
Whatever money they actually raise will be from Rauner’s donor network. (I assume this “progressive” goo-goo group will be all about transparency in funding).
But unlike the Illinois GOP and other Rauner purchases, the Illinois Democratic Party isn’t a distressed asset ripe for a hostile takeover.
This just means the $20 million Rauner already has banked can be used exclusively to keep Republicans in line.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:33 am:
This is why I keep saying Rauner’s $20 million “F-ing Problem” fund isn’t really $20 million. There’s plenty more where that came from. And this lets him focus his fund on Republican primaries.
Although I suspect this fund will be less effective than Rauner’s.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:35 am:
Samuel C. Scott is a big Harold Ford supporter. Maybe Mr. Ford will move to Illinois to run for office here next.
- The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:38 am:
A lifetime Democrat? He sounds like a Republican to me. He’s blaming the Democrats for the fiscal mess but both parties are equally complicit for our problem. Illinois was spending more money than existing revenues could cover when Thompson, Edgar and Ryan were Governor too.
- Judgment Day (on the road) - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:43 am:
Interesting. Most immediate thing the IGO (Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity) could do is to force Bruce Rauner to ‘lose’ his anti union play.
There’s positioning going on. And this is a very smart way (IMO) for the Democrats to force Rauner into dealing with the budget mess. It’s likely also a tacit admission that Rauner’s attacks on unions are having some effects in the marketplace.
$20 mil isn’t going to do it. They’ll have to add more. But it just got interesting.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:44 am:
Pat Pulido Sanchez is Manny Sanchez’s wife. Manny, as you know, is a huge Rauner guy. Also, Goldner is a Rauner operative now. He is no longer a Chicago Democratic operative. He is a mercenary for Rauner. Scary stuff.
- Under Influenced - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:46 am:
My “special interests” are way less threatening than your “special interests”.
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:49 am:
Judgment day: these people aren’t out to change rauner’s emphasis on union busting. They share his hatred of unions but just claim to be dems on social issues
- A guy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:50 am:
Don’t worry kids, plenty of …motivation for everyone.
- Former Merit Comp Slave - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:50 am:
Rauner is meeting with some steadily growing opposition to his royal mandates so we just need more millions in the pot. Worked at election time, didn’t it?
- Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:51 am:
These people that call themselves Democrats, on what issues do they want Democrats to give ground to Gov. Rauner?
- ZC - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:52 am:
aka “Democrats who didn’t have much to say about spending from pension funds and general financial mismanagement when Daley was Mayor and / or it kept their taxes low, but who now are finally coming around that you can’t run a state like this long-term.”
- union leader - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:54 am:
Governor Rauner will stop at nothing to rid our state of ALL UNIONS.
This is a sham group and it has his fingerprints all over it. Same people who supported him are involved in this group.
- Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:55 am:
Which of Illinois’ fiscal problems would have been avoided if the state passed budgets offered by the GOP?
The federal government & banks have rigged it so state, county and local government are strapped for cash.
Democrats happen to be the majority party in Illinois, but it’s not like Republicans have offered serious alternative budgets that would have substantially changed the outcome of being in debt to the pension funds.
- Roadiepig - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:59 am:
I guess the only surprise to me is that Rauner’s backers didn’t come up with a front group like this for last fall’s election.
“War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength”
“Illinoisans for Growth and Opportunity =Democrats”
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 9:59 am:
Is this kinda/sorta like adding “investors” to a bust out scheme?
Kinda feeling like that.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:01 am:
This does not seem kosher at all–very wealthy people who benefited immensely from living in Illinois bemoaning the state’s fiscal condition. They call organized labor special interests but fail to acknowledge the power of corporations in this state. How high did Democratic leadership jump when CME and Sears snapped their fingers?
What about corporate tax breaks, and how much did they cost taxpayers? I saw a study or article that stated these breaks were quite expensive.
This looks to me like another tactic in the divide and conquer strategy of Rauner and his allies–to pit unions against others (including Democratic constituents who receive government assistance) and to isolate them as the enemy.
- Judgment Day (on the road) - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:01 am:
“Judgment day: these people aren’t out to change rauner’s emphasis on union busting. They share his hatred of unions but just claim to be dems on social issues”
—————–
Doesn’t matter. IF this move is real, Rauner’s going to have to move. His overt anti-union 24/7 approach isn’t going to work going forward.
This step (if true) isn’t tactical, it’s structural. Think of it as a change from a 3 legged stool to a four leg chair.
Imagine what happens if this group decides to double their funding to $40 mil? Just saying.
- Bull Moose - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:02 am:
How many people comprise this “general interest” group? I’m so glad that corporations are stepping up once again to represent my interests and that of all of Illinois’ citizens.
- Anon - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Looks and sounds a lot like Stand for Children, which was another Rauner front to undermine teachers.
- ZC - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:05 am:
aka “Democrats who are cowards” (see, 501c4 status)
- Need-to-know - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:11 am:
Exactly, Roadiepig–especially the “Freedom is slavery” part. (Orwell was a prophet.) More corporatist, neo-liberal “Dems” in the Rahm mold for whom “special interests”=”unions+anyone who isn’t rich and privileged like me.” Where were these jerks when Wall Street types were raiding the country? Jerks. May they fail utterly.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:12 am:
Yep, a Rauner front group.
- Illinois Spork Producers - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:21 am:
Seems like this is the lomg awaited Rauner front group that will support Democrats in primary elections who vote to alter public employee retirement benefits and recruit Democrats to challenge Democratic members in a Primary elections that vote to preserve public employee retirement benefits. It will be interesting to see if this group will demand loyalty in a leadership vote for the Democratic members that they support in a Primary and/or General Election. I doubt, however, that this group will be very active in General Elections.
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:21 am:
This is a Rauner operation, plain and simple.
- hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:23 am:
@judgment day: not sure you are getting this is just a pac to try to buy off/scare statehouse dems into voting with rauner. This pac isn’t going to cause rauner to have to change his position on anything.
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:28 am:
PS., Rauner doesn’t seem to get a simple, basic fact: Fixing the pension problem is going to require amending the IL constitution. Period. Spend your money on passing an amendment on the ballot.
- olddog - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:31 am:
=== The new group is headed by Anthony K. Anderson, the former managing partner of Ernst & Young’s Midwest office, a member of the Exelon board of directors and, as he put it “a lifelong Democrat.” Also on the board are former Corn Products CEO Samuel C. Scott III and communications company owner Pat Pulido Sanchez. She’s married to Manuel “Manny” Sanchez, a top Democratic fund-raiser who broke with the party last year to endorse Rauner for governor. ===
More victims? I’m going to start crying.
- John Boch - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:31 am:
Promises don’t spend well.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:35 am:
Perspective?
Rauner bought and paid for, “lock, stock, and barrel” the entire ILGOP GA for $20 million.
Rauner is “leveraging” the IL Dems for $20 million, under a ruse.
“We let a stranger in our house.”
This isn’t democracy anymore. It’s Illinois government being parced and leveraged for $40 million…
…to reap $30+ Billion.
That is real.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:35 am:
The Rauner Democrats now have a bank account.
He’s already bought the GOP… I guess he’s not done shopping.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:36 am:
=== Fixing the pension problem is going to require amending the IL constitution===
No constitutional amendment will ever erase the unfunded liability.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:37 am:
OW– right on with the “investors in a bust-out scheme” analogy. It’s also a classic divide-and-conquer move, as this group plainly states that it will only play in Democratic primaries.
- Illinois Spork Producers - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:41 am:
The only way to counter this kind of spending is with public financing of elections.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:44 am:
OW, what is that $30 billion number? I haven’t really figured out what the “investment” is for a lot of these guys. I know they want the pension money in 401-K accounts, and that it would benefit… someone.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:49 am:
===OW, what is that $30 billion number? I haven’t really figured out what the “investment” is for a lot of these guys.===
It’s the Illinois Budget.
Revenues, what gets spent, and where…and contracts…
The Governor runs that under the co-equal branches.
For $40 million, you get access to $30+ Billion, or there will be a “(redacted) problem”
Good government IS the ruse…
Hope that cleared it up.
- Illinois Spork Producers - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:53 am:
Snucka - They are protecting the value of their real estate investments. RE values will drop if property taxes spike (see Detroit) significantly to pay decades old debt instead of new or better services. The only way to pay the state’s current retirement obligations is to take from local government’s sales tax shares, which would drive up local property taxes unless they are capped. Local government, unlike the state, can use BK to address debt.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:55 am:
- Illinois Spork Producers -
States can’t declare bankruptcy.
Illinois, Chicago, ….they both aren’t Detroit.
You are a Dope.
- Illinois Spork Producers - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:58 am:
We may see some outsourcing Bills that would impact current state employees as well.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 10:59 am:
===We may see some outsourcing Bills that would impact current state employees as well.===
“A bill is a bill…”
Won’t pass this GA.
Nope.
- Illinois Spork Producers - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Watch HB 298: http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=298&GAID=13&GA=99&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=84044&SessionID=88
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:05 am:
“A bill is a bill…”
Gotta find 23 Democrats in two chambers.
Good luck!
- DuPage - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:07 am:
TV and radio stations, rejoice! More political ad money is heading your way!
- Joe Blow - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:08 am:
Excelon board member - Excelon has a big bill that they want to pass - good luck with that one.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:12 am:
Al these political “war chests” on both side of the isle would go along way towards balancing the budget.
To bad the Reps and Senators can’t place the greater good of Illinois ahead of their personal desires.
Public servants? I think not.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:14 am:
===Al these political “war chests” on both side of the isle===
“Aisle”, …”- Anonymous -”
“both sides”? One side.
Please keep up.
- MrJM - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:37 am:
“A new Democratic business group is trying to muscle its way into the Springfield budget war, and it claims to be carrying a really big club: $20 million in promised contributions from donors interested in reaching a truce with Gov. Bruce Rauner.”
Adjusted for inflation, that corporate offer to Democrats comes to about thirty pieces of silver.
– MrJM
- Nothin's easy - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:48 am:
I still do not understand why everyone thinks a 401(k)-style plan will be a panacea - it will not. In fact, it most likely would significantly increase the unfunded liability. The calculations behind that liability assume payments into the system by young current and future employees far into the future. Remove them from the calculation and the unfunded liability will sky rocket.
- ChiTownSeven - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:54 am:
Resolute Consulting, also known as “Northshore Rich Guys for Rahm” — and a lot like “Stand for Children.” Just another Trojan Horse that will try to wreck unions under the cover of “helping the kids” or “saving our state.”
- xxtofer - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 11:54 am:
When did “union” become a bad word in the Democratic Party?
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:04 pm:
The governor has climbed up into a tree, stripped off his suit and is baying at the full moon. You don’t reach a truce with someone like that, you chop down the damn tree!
- Urban Girl - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:05 pm:
Not sure that this ends up having a big impact. Goldner ran a group that played in the 2011 Chicago municipal elections, For a Better Chicago, and I do not recall them banking a lot of wins.
- Need-to-know - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:16 pm:
Urban Girl, from your mouth to God’s ears.
- Carhartt Representative - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:23 pm:
=When did “union” become a bad word in the Democratic Party?=
I think that thinking went a long way towards costing Quinn the election. A lot of union members I talked to thought they had a better chance versus a frontal assault from Rauner than Quinn coming from behind with cover because he’s a Democrat. They may not have voted for Rauner, but they probably didn’t vote for Quinn either.
- John Parnell - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:30 pm:
I don’t believe they can come up with $20,000,000. Rauner has his stash in the bank, lets see the money from the other side.
- Finally Out (and now very glad to be) - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 12:42 pm:
“wants to help those who “are not swayed by special interests. We want them to know we’ve got their backs.”
Wasn’t that the speech King Rauner gave to a group of Republican legislators?
To John Parnell: Are we sure this is from “the other side?”
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:25 pm:
JP, it’s the same side.
- Buzzie - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:32 pm:
I have a bridge and some swamp land you might be interested in buying.
- Bluecollargal - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
Looks like Rauner’s plan to buy off some Democrats. He does like buyouts.
- ZC - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
Carhartt,
I support unions but David Piccioli isn’t doing the “brand” any favors today, see alternate thread.
- James - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
Agreed–Rauner front. It’s better that they expose their true selves as soon as possible.
- walker - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 2:55 pm:
Hmm.
As a Dem, pretty successful in the business world, who also supports “growth and opportunity” — well, I don’t hear my voice in their press release. Whatever.
- PTR - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Pretty slick by the Raunerites. This tells me they think their money is best spent in primaries — for both parties. It makes sense.
There are probably around 70 Dem-held seats in the GA that no ammount of money can flip to the GOP. It’s has to drive Bruce crazy that his “resources” have no influence in those districts. By creating a “Democratic” money group the plutocrats can play on both sides of the isle.
But Goldner failed the first test. This is a poorly disguised Trojan horse. First, both groups are starting with 20 million — interesting coincidence, right? Manny Sanchez’s wife? And c’mon, “Growth” and “opportunity” are Rauner/Koch buzz words. Couldn’t come up with “Democrats for Reform” or something less obvious? You’re slipping, Greg. It’s like you painted “CONTAINS TROJAN SOLDIERS” on the side of the wooden horse.
- walker - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
Gotta say Rauner Team is smarter than they first appeared, and really do intend to try to buy both sides of the aisle, while not angering traditional Republicans.
- James - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
Lifelong Democrats maintain their core principles and support their leaders. When you fall out of power, you don’t quit, or sell out and allow yourself to be co-opted. You maintain focus and work harder.
- Minnow - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
OMG!!!! (That’s all I can type without being banned forever.)
- RNUG - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
So now we have DINO’s to go along with the RINO’s …
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 4:45 pm:
Good one RNUG. Brookfield Zoo meets Jurassic Park.
- MrJM - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 6:39 pm:
Greg Hinz offered a 4:30 P.M. UPDATE:
It’s a sham.
– MrJM
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 7:39 pm:
Mr.JM, you’re such a cynic.
The secret donors aren’t sinister; they just wish to remain anonymous so all the neighborhood kids don’t come around selling Girl Scout cookies, tulip bulbs and subscriptions to “Grit” and such.
You know, no-candidate-affiliated, goo-goo “issue advocates,” like those secret donors who funded the off-election negative spots on Schock a couple years ago, and the ones that funded the attacks on Dillard, Brady and Rutherford prior to last year’s GOP primary.
Talk about amateurs — those goo-goos forgot to attack Rauner in their spots!
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Mar 18, 15 @ 8:40 pm:
– …they are protecting their real estate investments. RE values will drop if property taxes spike (see Detroit) significantly…–
That’s about the craziest thing I’ve ever read here. I don’t know what he’s trying to say, but I do know it’s crazy.
Are there different sects within the Another Detroit cult? Demographic, political, union, pension and now property tax?
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 19, 15 @ 8:23 am:
Mark Brown has a story today on the “dark political money” that this group is raising. I can’t understand why people would want their names associated with this. If the donors firmly believe in what the group is doing, why would they want their contributions hidden? The answer to why people hide things is because they dont want others to know. IN politics and government, people hide things because what they are doing is questionable. Questionable things often turn out to be illegal things. Its a progression all on this blog have seen.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 19, 15 @ 9:07 am:
Mark Brown’s take on the press conference announcing this new Rauner dark money PAC is absolutely hilarious.
Apparently, the three beards they drafted to front this “progressive Democrats” farce didn’t have a lot of rehearsal time, because they pretty much spill the beans that they’re taking their marching orders from Rauner, “the best governor we’ve had in a long time,” according to beard Sanchez.
I’m guessing the Sanchez household is in line for some major pinstripe patronage scores over the next four years.
But the spit-take comes from Lance Trover, who claims Gov. Sgt. Schultz, of course, knows nothing.
I wonder how that conversation went:
“Hey boss, have you heard about these progressive Democrats who are claiming to raise $20 million to push your agenda?”
“Why, no, Lance, I’m just hearing about it for the first time from you this morning. I will be interested to see what they do in the future without any involvement or coordination with me or my political operatives.”
For those of you keeping score at home, this marks the third time that Rauner has lied about being behind political dark money to go after his opponents. The first time with Schock, pre-primary against Dillard, Brady and Rutherford, and now here.
Based on that track record, I’m guessing it won’t be the last time.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 19, 15 @ 11:10 am:
creepy
- Das Kapital - Friday, Mar 27, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
This is a front organization for Rauner. Behind it lies another group of 1%’ers.