Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » Griffin: If not me, who?
SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax      Advertise Here      About     Exclusive Subscriber Content     Updated Posts    Contact Rich Miller
CapitolFax.com
To subscribe to Capitol Fax, click here.
Griffin: If not me, who?

Tuesday, Aug 4, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller

* The Wall St. Journal interviews our very own Ken Griffin

WSJ: What is it like to see your personal life, business life and political giving become headline news?

KG: For choice, I prefer not to be a public figure. I don’t have Tom Cruise’s good looks. I don’t have a need to be on the front page of fill-in-the-blank. On my political giving, look, there’s probably not a week that goes by that I don’t realize the sacrifices that our forefathers made for this country. Yes, I’m involved in politics. Because frankly, if not me, who?

WSJ: You’ve given millions to back Republican Bruce Rauner for governor of Illinois, yet also boosted Democrat Rahm Emanuel for mayor of Chicago. Where do your politics lie?

KG: I can’t describe myself as a diehard Republication or faithful Democrat. The distinction between our two parties in the United States is pretty narrow. We need a mayor who understands how to get through a balance sheet; it was an easy call to get behind Rahm. I want Bruce to be comfortable knowing that he’s got my support however he feels it’s best to use. Anyone who knows him knows you don’t have influence with Bruce.

       

24 Comments
  1. - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:01 pm:

    Translation?

    “I give my monies to any politician I know will pick up the phone when I call, and have ‘my’ best interests at heart.”

    I think if “Ole Griff” knew the GOP GA coulda been had for $20 million, he would have given less to Bruce and bought 2 Caucuses years ago.


  2. - Ipso Facto - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:02 pm:

    That’s rich, considering he order a sit down with the Trib to opine how he & other billionaires have “insufficient influence.”

    Something about one’s own private-equity Idaho rings true.


  3. - Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:03 pm:

    *** Yes, I’m involved in politics to ensure my financial largess must be enhanced. Because frankly, if not for me protecting my wealth, who? ***

    There I fixed it for him.


  4. - MrJM - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:05 pm:

    “The distinction between our two parties in the United States is pretty narrow.”

    True if the only political issue that concerns you is “How can we make the fantastically wealthy even wealthier?”

    – MrJM


  5. - Ipso Facto - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:05 pm:

    == probably not a week that goes by that I don’t realize the sacrifices that our forefathers made for this country==

    This is coming from a guy who endorses “spoofing” and is under investigation from Chinese regulators?


  6. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:13 pm:

    Tne big takeaway is that in an era of of unbridled money in politics a dude worth $7 billion is still all-in for Rauner.

    Ofher interesting bits:

    – He thinks Rahm knows his way around a balance sheet (?!).

    – He prefers not to be a public figure, says the man being interviewed by the WSJ, who’s on TV business shows all the time, who got married at Versailles, who informed his wife that he wanted a divorce by having the press release read to her over the phone.


  7. - The Captain - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:15 pm:

    He talks about giving Rauner almost $14 million the way most people talk about giving their kids $10 at the arcade.


  8. - walker - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:17 pm:

    “If not me, who?”

    The rest of us.


  9. - Wow - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:28 pm:

    Got to keep Madigan’s millionaire tax DOA


  10. - South of Sherman - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:34 pm:

    Republication?


  11. - Ray - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:39 pm:

    He probably hops in his private jet and flies by Mt. Rushmore once a week and reflects on all the good he’s done in the world. He also pictures Zell, Rauner and his face up there, but he still struggles with who will be the 4th face. Will it be Charles or David Koch?


  12. - Been There - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:43 pm:

    === if not me, who?===

    I think the more interesting quote was the last line

    ===Anyone who knows him knows you don’t have influence with Bruce.====


  13. - Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:51 pm:

    ==I can’t describe myself as a diehard Republication or faithful Democrat.==

    “Because I’m with the 1% Party.”

    Nuff said.


  14. - Enviro - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:02 pm:

    == if not me, who?==

    How about someone who believes in democracy and justice for all?


  15. - 99% - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:26 pm:

    Anyone who knows him knows you don’t have influence with Bruce. Well that seems to me that he is a know it all ingrate , and that the word loyalty means ZERO. It’s his way or the highway


  16. - Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:32 pm:

    I’m guessing Griff has a little bit of influence with the governor when he chooses to exercise it.

    Who’s supposed to believe that nonsense?


  17. - Sue - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:36 pm:

    I think Rich has just identified a candidate for the 2018 cycle to succeed Rauner


  18. - DuPage Dave - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 6:20 pm:

    Mayor Emanuel’s understanding of a balance sheet appears to have been greatly over estimated.


  19. - Rufus - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 6:20 pm:

    This would be funny, if it weren’t so scary.

    Given the incredibly strong correlation between money raised and election winners, the super rich will be deciding all future political winners.


  20. - Jimmy0 - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 6:24 pm:

    If not me who is just a weird vague statement to make…


  21. - Michael Westen - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 6:47 pm:

    “The distinction between our two parties in the United States is pretty narrow.”

    Yeah Ted Cruz and Elizabeth Warren. Two peas in a pod.


  22. - Daniel Plainview - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:38 pm:

    Yes Ken, without your money and influence where would the country be?

    Funny how such a relatively new group of business people seem to think the world couldn’t get by without them. Anyone care to share the story of how hedge funders dramatically changed your way of life for the better?


  23. - Former Hoosier - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 8:21 pm:

    “…if not me, who?” Absolutely, the world revolves around Ken! I’m not sure what universe Ken lives in if he believes the distinctions between our two major political parties “is pretty narrow.”


  24. - The Dude Abides - Wednesday, Aug 5, 15 @ 8:47 am:

    @Sue, it sounds like you think Rauner will be a one termer, I think that you are probably right about that. His track record the first 7 months sure isn’t very good.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


* Isabel’s afternoon roundup
* Feds, Illinois partner to bring DARPA quantum-testing facility to the Chicago area
* Pritzker, Durbin talk about Trump, Vance
* Napo's campaign spending questioned
* Illinois react: Trump’s VP pick J.D. Vance
* Open thread
* Isabel’s morning briefing
* Live coverage
* Yesterday's stories

Support CapitolFax.com
Visit our advertisers...

...............

...............

...............

...............


Loading


Main Menu
Home
Illinois
YouTube
Pundit rankings
Obama
Subscriber Content
Durbin
Burris
Blagojevich Trial
Advertising
Updated Posts
Polls

Archives
July 2024
June 2024
May 2024
April 2024
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
December 2023
November 2023
October 2023
September 2023
August 2023
July 2023
June 2023
May 2023
April 2023
March 2023
February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020
May 2020
April 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
May 2015
April 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
February 2009
January 2009
December 2008
November 2008
October 2008
September 2008
August 2008
July 2008
June 2008
May 2008
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008
December 2007
November 2007
October 2007
September 2007
August 2007
July 2007
June 2007
May 2007
April 2007
March 2007
February 2007
January 2007
December 2006
November 2006
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
March 2006
February 2006
January 2006
December 2005
April 2005
March 2005
February 2005
January 2005
December 2004
November 2004
October 2004

Blog*Spot Archives
November 2005
October 2005
September 2005
August 2005
July 2005
June 2005
May 2005

Syndication

RSS Feed 2.0
Comments RSS 2.0




Hosted by MCS SUBSCRIBE to Capitol Fax Advertise Here Mobile Version Contact Rich Miller