* SJ-R…
Rauner met privately with House Republicans for about an hour Tuesday afternoon. He declined comment after leaving the session.
Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield, said Rauner told the Republicans “everything is on track and moving forward.” Poe said his sense is that the House Republicans are all still behind the governor. Asked if he thinks things are on track and moving forward, Poe said, “What I read and what you listen to seems to be a little different. We’re going to have to start negotiating at some point.”
* Politico…
While behind closed doors, Gov. Rauner told the House Republican Caucus: “We are winning … Democrats are scared.” How does he figure? As low as Rauner’s favorability has fallen, he told members House Speaker Mike Madigan’s are worse, several sources with knowledge of the meeting tell POLITICO. […]
SCARED? “There’s a lot of anxiety out in the streets, more so in the Democratic districts,” a Republican insider told POLITICO. That’s largely due to the IllinoisGO PAC, funded by five well-heeled donors, including Helen Zell, the wife of billionaire Sam Zell . Some of them, including Mr. Zell, also happen to donate to and align with Rauner. The plan is to run primary opponents in a series of Democratic statehouse races - including against Madigan. There are signs that other Chicago House Democrats, including Ann Williams and Will Guzzardi are also targets.
STRATEGY - Sources familiar with the IllinoisGO strategy say a slate of candidates will be announced in the waning days of petition circulating, which runs Nov. 23-30.
Drafted to run - Democrats who are pro-charter and conservative on budget matters while left on social issues.
‘BLEED’ THEM - Running to the right of Dems in the city sounds like a recipe for failure but there’s a long game, says one Springfield insider familiar with the strategy. “Not win but bleed,” is the point here. “Bleed them and [Senate President John] Cullerton and Madigan have less money in the target general races they care about.” And there goes their two-chamber, supermajority.
Yes, the House Democrats are truly anguished. You can just feel their fear.
Right.
Also, all you’re going to accomplish by running somebody against MJM is to poke the bear and make him even more difficult to deal with in Springfield.
* And while I get the idea, it’s gonna take way more than primary opponents against Williams and Guzzardi (one of the hardest working people in show bidniss) to bleed Madigan dry…
House Speaker Michael Madigan reported another $105,800 in 18 contributions, including $50,000 from the plumbers’ union Local 130, $10,800 from energy firm Ameren and $2,500 from red light camera firm American Traffic Solutions. The Democratic Party of Illinois fund Madigan controls got another $23,000-plus, including $15,000 from a Comcast political arm.
Since Jan. 1, Madigan’s personal campaign fund has collected $573,000 from 122 contributions, while the state party fund has received nearly $1.1 million through 262 contributions, according to State Board of Elections records.
*** UPDATE *** From IllinoisGO…
Illinoisans for Gro wth and Opportunity (IllinoisGO) Executive Director Greg Goldner offered the following response to Natasha Korecki regarding her Politico report this morning:
“Since we haven’t spoken, and you haven’t spoken to any of our board members, there is no informed source as it relates to IllinoisGo’s political strategy.
Maybe so, but you can’t help but wonder if they’ll get their “political strategy” when a certain somebody gives it to them.
- slow down - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:55 am:
The complete lack of consideration for what this game (a game Rauner thinks he is winning) is doing to the state’s most vulnerable is truly disgraceful.
- Relocated - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:55 am:
So Rauner’s plan is to work with a hypothetical Republican majority 14 months from now?
- illinoised - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:55 am:
Fiddling while Rome burns.
- Jocko - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:57 am:
When Poe asked how this will be perceived by the public, Bruce replied, “We will, in fact, be greeted as liberators.”
- out of touch - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:57 am:
The perfect cocktail of narcissism and delusion is a bad recipe for this state. Please GOP members, stand up and help us all out of this mess. Please. No one is “winning”. We ALL lose.
- Century Club - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:58 am:
With that candidate profile (pro-charter, “conservative” on budget issues) it seems like they are also trying to drain the public sector unions.
And I doubt Madigan will need to spend a dime to protect Guzzardi or Williams against that type of candidate.
- Stones - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:59 am:
It shows again that the Governor is more interesting in winning than governing. Rome burns while Nero fiddles.
- Iron Duke - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:00 am:
Looks like Rauner has 20 million and the Democrats have less than 2 million right now to get their message out.
- chi - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:00 am:
The good news for Dems is that there is a saturation point for House and Senate races: at that level there isn’t much difference running against someone with $1 million in their fund and someone with $1 billion in their fund. Walking the districts is still the most important thing.
- SAP - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:02 am:
In fairness to Natasha, she also said this: =QUESTION: How do Dems and Republicans make a budget deal in this environment?
ANSWER: They don’t. ==
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:02 am:
Politics really is a blood sport,what blood type is it?blueblood?
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:06 am:
Rauner makes me want to donate to Madigan. Strange days, indeed.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:08 am:
Macro thoughts can lead to micro loses.
…
- ChicagoVinny - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:08 am:
I’ve never donated to the IL Dem party due to distaste for Madigan, but I did today.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:10 am:
–”We are winning.”–
If the game plan is to willfully inflict the most short- and long-term damage to the state in the shortest amount of time, I’d say “they’ve” already won. No other past governor compares.
That’s the talk of a reckless child or a psycho adult.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:11 am:
Rauner is the emperor without clothes.
Rauner had the opportunity to be a reformer, which he wasted. Unfortunately his German stubbornness, which was successful in the private sector in where he purchased corporations and then dismantle them for profit, doesn’t work in the public sector.
Not providing child care services for disadvantaged children and not funding educational facilities is not a popular theme.
Rauner’s stubbornness, along with being filthy rich, makes him sound like the spoiled 10 year old kid who brings the ball, bat, mitts and plates to the ball game and doesn’t get to be pitcher takes them all and goes home.
Most folks can’t fathom Rauner’s wealth, but with his proven actions, now has become one of the most disliked politicians in North America.
- Johnny O'Veritas - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:11 am:
So run on shake up Springfield then cave to the supermajority because nobody likes how you shake things up? Yes, the whole strategy to shaking things up is a long game to him as it is to maintain the status quo for the opposition. I’ve got no dog in this fight, but I’m not surprised by the strategy or tactics.
- illlinifan - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:16 am:
Poe was never so right “at some point we have to start negotiating” so much for the Tribies believing negotiation has previously taken plan
- AC - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:16 am:
==The plan is to run primary opponents in a series of Democratic statehouse races - including against Madigan==
Of course, Rauner thinks they should respond to this by 1) alienating their base by voting to decimate collective bargaining and 2) costing votes overall by supporting a tax increase.
“A surrounded army must be given a way out” - Sun Tzu, The Art of War
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:16 am:
This is all so bizarre. But one thing that I do wonder about - and I’m being serious about this - is who in the heck would release that kinda inside info to Ms. Korecki. Really?! “Here’s our game plan, lady.” Either she’s talking to people who are on the fringe of the party or the people running Illinois Go are daft. You don’t tell people that stuff 12-13 months before the election - especially during petition time. Granted, some things are obvious. It shouldn’t shock anyone that the GOP will target Kotowski’s district or that the national Dems don’t like Rodney David. But, to quote the band Ratt, to “lay it down” is nuts.
- OutHereInTheMiddle - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:17 am:
Dear ILGOP: If you are willing to stand by silently while Rauner slashes services to the neediest citizens in our state I cannot support you.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:18 am:
The view is definitely different from the ivory tower.
PS Poe can expect a call from Goldberg. The frat boys don’t like people commenting. It ruins that whole secrecy thing they love.
- Secret Square - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:21 am:
“With that candidate profile (pro-charter, “conservative” on budget issues) it seems like they are also trying to drain the public sector unions.”
A strategy that I cannot help but suspect at least some powerful Democrats wouldn’t mind succeeding (they can see how far in the hole Chicago and the state are, after all), as long as THEY don’t have to take the blame for it.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:21 am:
Remember that 2016 is a presidential election year, and natural advantages for Democrats in presidential years come into play. The IllinoisGO prong is about building Raunerite Caucuses, during peak Democratic campaign years.
If I’m a GOP GA member and I hear about these IllinoisGO numbers, how do you NOT ask yourself;
“How is this helping the ILGOP? If it’s about draining monies, which is fine, why would it really matter the Raunerite Democrats have acceptable Raunerite credentials?”
It only matters if the IllinoisGO candidates morph into Raunerite Caucus members. The mere fact that policy matters to Bruce Rauner in these candidates makes this so.
Bruce Rauner? He’s telling the House Caucus, a Caucus that Rauner himself took over from the House Leadership… to be excited… because the GOP GA are going to be a part of the Raunerite Caucuses. It’s like finding out, “Yep, I am middle management now.”.
It’s not about the ILGOP.
That’s the slight of hand. Rauner is selling it’s about the GOP GA, but really, it’s about Phase II of the Raunerite Plan, hatched from the Blagojevich Dream.
Scary, scary times.
- Marty Funkhouser - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:22 am:
Do the Rauner people not own a calendar? 2016 is a presidential year. The fundamentals of electoral politics in this state are even worse for Republicans. The Senate Democrats may have maxed out. In the House, at best, Rauner’s money keeps the House Republicans where they are. At worst, Madigan gains a seat or two.
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:23 am:
So 100 or so people plot how to hurt another 100 or so people. In the mean time, several million other people who use/need the state’s services just get pushed away, ignored, or forgotten. Who’s already bleeding?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:24 am:
Egads, a picture entered my head of Rauner standing in front of the caucus with the voice of Charlie Sheen saying, “winning.”
- east central - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:25 am:
A couple factors in the coming elections. First, Rauner’s “turnaround” agenda has given many families a clear reason to return to the Democratic Party.
Second, the consequences of the influence of the 1%ers’ money on the political process may become a major issue in the election at both the national and state level. The notion that billionaires are buying candidates and controlling the political process may yield a backlash in Illinois.
The Illinois GOP may ultimately be very unhappy where Rauner is taking them. Perhaps this is the reason why some of the older and traditional GOP politicians are speaking up recently.
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:25 am:
A very important element to campaigning to win is starting with your win number and working backwards on how to get there.
I would be interested to see how negative ads against the opponent and name recognition in favor of the supported candidate actually influence voters when the positions of the supported candidate are completely out of step with the interest of a significant portion of the registered voters.
Their strategy seems to rely mostly a campaign that does not actually address the issues or a traditional platform and just hopes to market. I recognize that in many ways Rauner’s campaign was more of a marketing campaign than a traditional political campaign, especially now that we have seen how he governs, but can this be replicated in every legislative race?
Maybe they’ve got some data — some good old cognitive linguistics stuff — that I haven’t seen that supports their confidence. Or, maybe they’re just believers.
I just hope that the Governor isn’t doing this stuff because he’s getting bad advice and has limited information at his disposal.
- ILPundit - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:27 am:
Here’s the thing team Rauner doesn’t understand:
Speaker Madigan really doesn’t care if he has a supermajority. Not. One. Bit.
The only way they can beat Madigan is to pick up at least 12 seats in the General election.
Presidential year, Democratic map, and a GOP with no accomplishments to run on does not equal a winning strategy.
- Bill White - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:29 am:
= Sources familiar with the IllinoisGO strategy say a slate of candidates will be announced in the waning days of petition circulating, which runs Nov. 23-30. =
In six weeks we will know how many General Assembly seats will be contested.
Show us the signatures. Collecting 500 * valid * signatures can be more difficult than might first appear.
Until then, it’s all just empty chirping.
- eeriter - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:30 am:
===Also, all you’re going to accomplish by running somebody against MJM is to poke the bear and make him even more difficult to deal with in Springfield.===
But it’s so much fun to poke the bear! And if anyone deserves to get poked, it’s Madigan.
- Chicago 20 - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:31 am:
Winning.
Tiger Blood.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:34 am:
IlliniFans makes a good point. Poe really steps on the governor’s message when he says “we have to start negotiating.”
Every time the governor emerges from the bunker, he tells people that negotiations are ongoing, while Dems say that is a fantasy.
But I guess it’s possible in an alternative universe in which this kind of destruction is considered “winning.”
- Person 8 - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:35 am:
The thing Rauner’s crew is not realizing is that when voters go to the primary they will mainly register for the presidential primary they are most interested at voting in. The conservative Democrats in those districts will most likely vote in the Republican primary, thus lowering the chances of a cross over vote.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:37 am:
===But it’s so much fun to poke the bear! And if anyone deserves to get poked, it’s Madigan.===
Lemme guess, you’re also a “Fire Madigan” fan too…
Geez.
- illlinifan - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:38 am:
” who in the heck would release that kinda inside info to Ms. Korecki”…reps who are in reality not supporting what was said in that room. I have consistently heard that BVR comes in tells the GOP what he wants and then leaves without their input. The reps don’t like this, but the reality of politics is on one level you go along to get along and then behind the scenes you begin to leak the truth to the media. When it starts getting closer to a revolt you begin to put out leaders who have no skin in the game to speak the truth (Edgar and Thompson). If this does not get a change it eventually leads to full out rebellion.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:40 am:
==Yes, the whole strategy to shaking things up is a long game to him as it is to maintain the status quo for the opposition.==
What’s he trying to shake up? Beefing with Madigan *IS* the Springfield status quo.
==Sources familiar with the IllinoisGO strategy say a slate of candidates will be announced in the waning days of petition circulating, which runs Nov. 23-30.==
For a whole host of reasons, wouldn’t it be better to start early?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:44 am:
==Drafted to run - Democrats who are pro-charter and conservative on budget matters while left on social issues.==
But aren’t programs to improve social issues often budget matters that cost money?
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:45 am:
Nobody is explaining what the Illinois GOP has to gain by surrendering to Madigan and taking turnaround agenda items off the table, ESPECIALLY if “Governor’s own” (tax increases). They’re a superminority. Nearly all who are left are in heavily gerrymandered districts where most residents don’t have preserving the safety net at the top of their agenda. And Rauner is perfectly willing to saturate the airwaves with ads reminding everyone of how much the Democrats raised taxes in Chicago/Cook County and are looking to do it again for Illinois.
As I said before, the email I get from my Democratic reps does not reflect the vibe of the pro-Madigan commenters at all. They don’t attack Rauner much at all - they say how ready they are to compromise, how they won’t let the city take money from suburban schools, etc. etc.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:47 am:
Bill - you are correct. When walking and collecting signatures, voters always ask me if it’s tough to collect signatures. I tell them yes - and that it’s harder to find actual volunteers (and not paid “staffers”) to help. Then again, I supposed that Illinois Go’s budget will allow for an hourly wage, free food and bonuses for collecting signatures.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:48 am:
=== But it’s so much fun to poke the bear! And if anyone deserves to get poked, it’s Madigan. ===
It’s never worked out so well for those in the beef jerky commercials.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:48 am:
When your heartless you don’t have any blood to bleed
- walker - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:49 am:
Please tell me they didn’t just have what was primarily a campaign strategy meeting on state time in a state office.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:49 am:
“And I doubt Madigan will need to spend a dime to protect Guzzardi or Williams against that type of candidate.”
Guzzardi is my rep and I hope I get an opportunity to campaign for him, do some doorbell ringin’ and such, if necessary.
I’ve received two-three mailers from IllinoisGO PAC, so if it comes to a challenge to Guzzardi, my household is very willing to campaign for him.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:53 am:
From what I’m seeing on the north side, Guzzardi, Williams and Andrade, each of whom either has or will have an IL Go opponent, is working like crazy now, beating on doors and raising money.
Maybe all those years in the minority have dulled the Republicans’ senses, but when poked, bears are known to attack. Every dollar Williams and Guzzardi raise is a dollar Madigan doesn’t have to spend on their behalf. And every time a you see Jaime Andrade at a farmer’s market or a local event, or knocking on doors, is another winning day. Illinois Go challengers will be formidable, but it’s a steep climb for them to introduce themselves and make their case to Democrats that right-leaning Democrats are the solution (good luck with that). Meanwhile, these HDems are getting stronger everyday, exercising muscles some haven’t needed in a long time.
No, I don’t see any anxiety in these districts, just determination.
- Snucka - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:58 am:
I’m hearing that one of Ron Huberman’s former CPS henchmen is going to run against Williams. Strange times indeed.
- sal-says - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:58 am:
== We are winning…. ==
Yes, Governor, You & Your Repub GA’s ARE winning…the enmity of 100’s if not 1000’s or tens of thousands of Illinoians week by week by week.
Great thinking by Your Superstarts.
- Obamas Puppy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:01 am:
I guess the Kool Aid at those High School football games has a little kick to it.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:03 am:
=== Then again, I supposed that Illinois Go’s budget will allow for an hourly wage, free food and bonuses for collecting signatures. ===
401K?
- A Jack - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:04 am:
Seems like such a strategy could be easily and cheaply countered: “Candidate so and so sold his (her) soul to the billionaires that are running this state and country into the ground. These billionaires are squeezing the blood from the middle class so they can buy another case of $1000 a bottle
wine, while the rest of us cannot afford the mortgage on our
houses. Is this the candidate you want?”
- justacitizen - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:10 am:
==Lemme guess, you’re also a “Fire Madigan” fan too…==
You betcha!
Norseman, actually thought about the Jack Links jerky commercial. No pain, no gain.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:13 am:
Norseman - sure, why not?! Make it a matching 401(k). And free t-shirts. Always the free t-shirts!
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:14 am:
- justacitizen -
Why would you speak for - eeriter -?
That seems odd?
Well, you and - eeriter -, send your emails, I have two storage units full of “Fire Madigan, 2.0″ stuff; baby bibs, coffee mugs, hats, t-shirts, coasters, floor mats, shoe laces, and chewing gum.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:16 am:
I think Rauner and the ILGOP are not factoring in ALL unions in Illinois feeling under attack. Not only attack but fierce, fight for our lives, back against the wall, do or die, our jobs are ACTUALLY on the line, attack. Those attacks are not going to let up. Unlike Kasich, Rauner is not interested in dropping the attacks to fight another day. Rauner is unhealthy and unbalanced in his obsession against unions. So the motivation to defend will be there straight through the election. In addition the Friedrichs decision will only wound the bear making it far more dangerous. Labor has never really had the money to compete with the monied class. As much as the Raunerites say we pump into races it’s nothing compared to private/corporate donations. What labor has ALWAYS had is people. Friedrichs, far from killing the unions, will only harden and distill them. Wheat from the chaf. Union sisters and brothers will be motivated like they never had before. We know what will happen if we fail. Wisconsin, etc. Labor will be working the ground as NEVER BEFORE. One on one work from here on out. The disgust with money buying elections is gaining ground. People trump money. That’s the bet. We’ll see who wins it.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:19 am:
IllinoisGO responded —
http://illinoisgo.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Statement-to-Politico-10-21.pdf
- a drop in - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:20 am:
So the standoff continues at least through the primary, right?
- Buzzie - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:20 am:
The Republican legislators supporting Rauner remind me of Harry Chapin’s song “Dance Band on the Titanic”.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:24 am:
Guessin’ the Zell money will do for Rauner about what is accomplished for the Tribbies.
Wonder what they will use against Guzzardi who ran and serves as a maverickey outsider.
Hope this does not take time away from helpin’ Jason not lose his law license.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:26 am:
===Maybe so, but you can’t help but wonder if they’ll get their “political strategy” when a certain somebody gives it to them.===
That’s the Ball Game.
They ain’t “independent”, they are the “second prong” of the Raunerite Caucus agenda.
Trying to say they exist on their own is beyond disingenuous.
- Just saying... - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:26 am:
IL Pundit: Here’s the thing team Rauner doesn’t understand:Speaker Madigan really doesn’t care if he has a supermajority. Not. One. Bit. The only way they can beat Madigan is to pick up at least 12 seats in the General election.
Presidential year, Democratic map, and a GOP with no accomplishments to run on does not equal a winning strategy.
———————————————–Spot on - PLUS…a simple majority will force the GOP GA to finally vote…and that first vote will be for a tax increase!
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:27 am:
Rauner is failing to consider that by being the common enemy, he is uniting Democrats in opposition. Although there are few moderate Republicans in my little corner of the universe, they are already expressing regret at having voted for Rauner. “I Support State Employees” signs have sprung up all over town.
Rauner is deluding himself.
- UIC Guy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:31 am:
9:11: == German stubbornness==
American racism?
- Anonin' - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:37 am:
Sorry that earlier remark went up under another name….Does the Goldner “denial” mean that aren’t field D primary candidates? That what his associates have been threatenin’. Meanwhile folks have been readin’ up on school closin’ and red light cameras to get a taste what to expect from the Rauner/Zell boys in 2016.
g
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:37 am:
Holy crap - did someone at Illinois Go read my query about who would be dump enough to leak that?! I hope so, and perhaps I should be owed a consultancy fee. I do need to redo a bathroom.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 10:43 am:
If money is blood the governor has made Illinois anemic
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:04 am:
“We are winning…”
Remember ILGOP, he was speaking in terms of the “royal” we.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:11 am:
The saddest part of the co-opting of the HGOP?
That ANY governor, speaking to them, touts the candidates he/she is running in the Democratic primaries as “helpful to “them” (that governor), is also helpful…to the HGOP.
Rauner is running Democratic Raunerites, not to expand or drain the HDems, Rauner is running Democratic Raunerites to… expand owned House members. You 47 are aware of that… Right?
How pathetic. Your the base of the Raunerite House Caucus, and Rauner just informed you of the “Letterhead” change, lol.
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:16 am:
The update is hilarious.
Does Goldner think he’s some double-ought spy of something, secret agent man?
That crew’s purpose has been obvious since Day One.
- Eugene - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:28 am:
I’ll believe the hype about the IllinoisGO Dem primary candidates when I actually see the candidates. So far I see hardly any at all, except in the Ann Williams district. The guy running against Andrade is not an IllinoisGO candidate. And seriously, a pro-charter school candidate taking on Will Guzzardi? Guzzardi’s district, especially Democratic primary voters, is pro-CTU and anti-charter - he already ran and won on those issues. Any candidate going against Guzzardi on those issues, and who is perceived as having support from Rauner, will suffer a humiliating loss.
- CharlieKratos - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:34 am:
Wordslinger, more like Jethro’s “double-naught” spies.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Let’s not forget that Rauner “never loses”
“Why does that matter in this?”
Well, if Rauner spends $250K in a Democratic primary and loses, Rauner will say “Did you see the resources the Democrats had to spend to beat ‘X’?”
There’s one “win”
Rauner spends $300K, defeats a sitting Democratic House/Senate member(s) and Rauner touts “I’m cutting to Madigan, and we’re closer to Firing Madigan, because the IllinoisGO Democrats (Will never usurp the faux ‘independence’, lol) will not support career politician Mike Madigan for Speaker”
Again, another “win”
“Win/Win”
If I were a Democratic lawmaker, are you going to trust in your Caucus an IllinoisGO member sitting in, in your meetings? I mean, Ken Dunkin already “flipped” on the HDems, imagine 1 or 2 more “Ken Dunkins”…
In your Caucus strategy meetings..,
In your Democratic political strategy discussions…
Are you willing to seat Raunerite Democrats on “your” side of the aisle?
It’s real now; the Blagojevich Dream is in Full Bloom. Two Caucuses are now gone, how much longer until 4 Caucuses become Raunerites and non-Raunerites.
Democrats, Bruce Rauner is going at the “head” and the “body” too. Good luck.
- Ben Franklin - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:52 am:
Bruce provides a piece of conclusive evidence: “We are winning.” It’s a game? A war? To take his eyes off how well the state operates, the inability and reluctance to engage with the cards that were already on the table says much. 3 1/2 years…..
- DuPage - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:56 am:
=everything on track and moving forward.=
More like “everything about to derail at high speed over a river, plunging down into deep water, and destroying the bridge in the process.”
- Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 11:58 am:
I REALLY wish someone on team Rauner was a “great communicator”. Had the original GC, Ronald Reagan, been looking to solve Illinois problems, how would he have approached it?
He would have went directly to the people and been specific about what he wanted, WHY it specifically was important, and what needs to happen to make it so.
To my knowledge, that’s never really happened.
That lack of clarity was also evident when he was campaigning, and when I went to his support meetings to find out what he wanted to do and why he needed to do it, even his top staff couldn’t communicate that there was ANY real plan at the time. That’s why I didn’t knock on any doors, make phone calls, or donate money to him.
These “Turnaround agenda” goals are unclear as to their specific purpose and what they need to accomplish.
For example, if you want to weaken the stranglehold public unions have on Illinois, push to prohibit public union strikes. You can make an extremely strong case as to why it’s in the public interest to prohibit them and protect the children, families, and the taxpayers.
But he isn’t.
He can speak to the problems with having a Workman’s comp system that is so prone to abuse and forces businesses to pay for “disabilities” from injury even if the worker hurt his back digging a garden in his backyard. You can make that case on fairness, and explaining the way our adjacent states deal with this issue.
Maybe we don’t want to go as far as Indiana, but at least make a case for lowering liabilities and business costs.
The fairness of “right to work” legislation speaks for itself, but he needs to communicate facts and figures about how it’s a necessity to keep and grow manufacturing in Illinois, perhaps the hardest hit of all Illinois sectors.
But he isn’t.
He’s got to get realistic about dealing with the pension liabilities, not just playing longshots that the Supremes are certain to shoot down.
Illinois needs to get current in the liabilities for current workers ASAP. They can’t avoid it. It’s going to take new revenues, but they need to be clearly targeted specifically to attacking the pension liabilities and will end once those liabilities are current. He also needs to guarantee that a certain percentage of current revenues be earmarked for this purpose so we don’t have a repeat of that “lottery” education bait and switch.
He also has to show a freeze and limit of spending to bare bones in the remainder of the budget. No expanding eligibility for giveaways, no new grants or programs and capital work limited to safety, Federal matching fund, and non-deferrable maintenance. That includes freezing K-12 funding.
There also has to be a salary and benefit contribution freeze for all levels until the pension liability surtax is ended.
If he does this, the bond markets would stabilize and if he passes this plan I’m sure the bond ratings would improve.
Perhaps the biggest plus would be is that if there’s a real, workable plan to address the pension problem and a predictable tax obligation for solving it, businesses would once again consider growing businesses other than phone marketing that they could close in a few months when the disaster of pension problems are no longer deferrable.
Rauner could have created a real plan, not just a negotiation starting point, explained why every facet is necessary and what it will accomplish, and proposed a balanced budget not based on “gimmicks” that shows the level of sacrifice are necessary to get out of this mess.
He could’ve, but he didn’t.
As it is, people really have no idea why this budget crisis is happening, so they don’t know who’s “right” on this issue, just a lot entitlement folks crying for more money, or at least freeing up what’s been allocated for them.
Too bad the lessons of RR and his success were lost on Mr Rauner.
- nadia - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
Another in agreement with Madigan not caring about a super majority.
- Century Club - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:01 pm:
Ironically, the Dem Rep who’s most likely to need/get Magidan’s money is pro-charter school Rep. Christian Mitchell.
- Anon - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
Taking on Guzzardi would be foolish. He has huge grassroots support and the Northwest side of Chicago has been a haven for progressive candidates. Running a pro charter school, Conservative Democrat won’t work. However, Ann Williams has large portions of Lincoln Park which tend to be more open to charter schools, pension reform, etc.
- Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:22 pm:
Arizona Bob, you’re right, but that’s never been the agenda from the beginning. I can only guess Rauner wanted to run to bust the unions from the get go.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
“Another in agreement with Madigan not caring about a super majority.” Me too. In fact, I’d see it as a good thing. It’d finally shut up all those goof balls saying “The Dems should just pass a tax hike and balanced budget and be done with it.”
- Snucka - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:44 pm:
Why are the candidates hiding? What are they ashamed of? If you’re going to put your name on the ballot, show yourself!
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
Ronald Reagan…..can’t even
–For example, if you want to weaken the stranglehold public unions have on Illinois, push to prohibit public union strikes. You can make an extremely strong case as to why it’s in the public interest to prohibit them and protect the children, families, and the taxpayers.–
So let’s expend an enormous amount of energy and capital to prohibit something that’s never happened before? Numbnut, AFSCME has never been out on strike. If you REALLY CARED about protecting “children, families, and taxpayers” you’d be outraged at what RAUNER is doing to cut services to and literally destroy the lives of children, families, and taxpayers. He’s doing this currently, RIGHT NOW, as chronicled over and over again by Rich. And public workers striking is the problem? Something that’s never happened before in Illinois is the problem? How about addressing a problem that has happened before, income inequality. What would Ronald Reagan do about that? Oh, that’s right made it WORSE than the last time. Trickledown/supply side economics really worked out didn’t it? It should work here. That’s why Rauner hired the coworker of the guy (Laffer) who invented supplyside economics, Donna Arduin. Let’s try it here in Illinois. Let’s do what the Great Communicator would do, what Rauner will do, say “It’s a “Winning” strategy!”
- Formerly Known As... - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
To the update - no surprise if IllinoisGO does exactly what this story says.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 12:54 pm:
===“Since we haven’t spoken, and you haven’t spoken to any of our board members, there is no informed source as it relates to IllinoisGo’s political strategy.===
Relief. Ah, good. Just a bunch of hacks leaching off rich people’s money. I thought they were actually going to be serious competition. Bet they have trouble finding credible people to run with comments like that.
- Matt Belcher - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
Refresh my recollection–regarding the Democratic “target” districts named thus far, which of those state representatives (except the Speaker) voted in favor of raising the state income tax?
http://ilga.gov/legislation/votehistory/96/house/09600SB2505_01112011_011000T.pdf
- Original Rambler - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:11 pm:
My understanding is Andrade’s opponent is backed by CTU. ILGO puts up a pro-charter candidate. If ILGO draws votes from Andrade so the CTU candidate wins, Rauner could end up with a more hostile rep.
- Grand Avenue - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:21 pm:
It’s been so widely reported that IllinoisGO is a Rauner front group, that if they announce a “slate” of candidates, it would be a kiss of death in Chicago races (the challenger would be attacked for being a Rauner lackey, taking GOP money etc).
- Mama - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
Honeybear, you would be shocked by how many people think the guv is doing a good job. Many people do not read this blog so they have no idea of the harm he has created. The Dems & union members need to get the word out to the older population.
- Chicago Optimist - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:46 pm:
- OutHereInTheMiddle -
Dear ILGOP: If you are willing to stand by silently while Rauner slashes services to the neediest citizens in our state I cannot support you.
–
Why would you support ILGO? They’re just a Rauner front-group with the same donors that helped win him the election. They love the union-bashing, service-cutting policies… Guzzardi, Andrade, and Williams are authentic and honest democrats
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 1:49 pm:
@ Grand Avenue- in any Dem primary, really. Activist Dems (a small part of the overall electorate, but important in primaries) already hates Rauner like poison.
- Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 2:18 pm:
@Honeybear
“So let’s expend an enormous amount of energy and capital to prohibit something that’s never happened before? Numbnut, AFSCME has never been out on strike.”
What “enormous amount and capital”? It takes some politicking, but it doesn’t take millions in media or bribes to make the case for prohibiting strikes that are clearly against the public interest.
I see you’re making the idiotic comment regarding the importance of prohibiting strikes based upon the “fact” that there are few strikes.
The truth is that that threat drives most of the financial contract problems we have today.
Think of it this way, Honeybear.
Say a robber assaults you every day and takes all your money after pointing a gun at your temple. Hey, she’s never pulled the trigger, so why bother to have police arrest her or take away her gun? You might as well say “no” to her, right?
Of course you don’t. You know that if you don’t give her EXACTLY what she wants, your brain is likely to get ventilated. MAYBE she won’t shoot, but a smart person would never take the chance.
The state given power for public unions to strike is the same thing. You don’t take the risk because of the horrible consequences.
Based on your logic, there then wouldn’t be a reason NOT to prohibit public strikes. After all, they never do it, do they?
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
AB:
So what’s the impetus for anybody to negotiate with a public employee union if they have no leverage (i.e. strike) during negotiations? You’ve essentially neutered the union. Why even have it at that point?
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
According to ISBE, as of Sept. 30, IllinoisGO has raised $9 million, total, from only four contributors: Zell, Mansueto, Lefkofsky, Hulsizer, and that nice couple from Houston, the Arnolds.
Just another progressive Democratic grassroots organization, keeping it real, on the streets.
And they haven’t spent any money.
So Goldner is doing his bit pro bono?
What a great humanitarian.
- Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
Honey bear, to what income inequality are you referring? People in the private sector are pretty much paid according to their market value. Some people just have more valuable skills and talents than others, or are ore willing to sacrifice for higher wealth.
Much of the really rich income is based upon investment return for those who put money into good use. They take risk, give the value of the capital they’ve earned and saved, and get proportionate rewards.
The biggest unfairness in income equality comes from government. They set up a system where a teacher at the top of the pay scale with 20 years experience may get $120K for 176 days work, while a younger but more effective teacher with the same class and student load gets less than half that amount.
Thank the GA and teachers unions for that gross “income inequality”.
Same goes for different districts gouging taxpayers to overpay staff to teach the most teachable students, or big city districts that hire and give raises more based more on race than teaching competence.
I won’t even get into the inequality caused by “prevailing wage”, “incentives given some companies but not all to do business in Illinois.
The Feds low interest rates have caused incredible hardship on those relying on interest income to survive, but allows the corporations to make fortunes by buying back stock rather than creating job and income growth through having corps EARN profits from producing more products and revenue.
Yep, the “income inequality” issues pretty much can be placed at the feet of those you elected…
- Wordslinger - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 2:45 pm:
Five contributors, excuse me.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
I’m so sorry guys. I really apologize for feeding the troll. My bad.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
Honeybear: Yeah, he’s a one-note Johnny. Teachers make too much money and strike for no reason but greed (his words, not mine.) It gets old pretty quickly.
- D - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
Most commenters are getting ahead of themselves when they post about the money sent on the forthcoming campaigns. Everyone needs to remember that the candidate has to get on the ballot first. The House Democratic Campaign staff is far better position to keep opponents of favored incumbents off the ballot than the Rauner money PACs are to get them on the ballot. Madigan House Campaign staff will review each signature individually to get those questionable ones disallowed. More often than not, this process leaves expected opponents off the ballot.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:28 pm:
Very good point D
- ArchPundit - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 4:45 pm:
—-Speaker Madigan really doesn’t care if he has a supermajority. Not. One. Bit.
Traditionally he wasn’t that thrilled to have a supermajority–it makes the Members try and do stuff he doesn’t want to do.
But does he change his mind in the face of Rauner?
- Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 5:00 pm:
So Arizona Bob is upset at teachers making $120k (excessive perhaps but whatever) but not hedge fund managers making $120M. Guess which group has a higher effective tax rate? The teachers! You can’t make this stuff up.
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 8:32 pm:
I’m still processing Arizona Bob turning on Rauner.
- Property of IDOC - Wednesday, Oct 21, 15 @ 9:26 pm:
Word@ 9:10 am.
Sociopath
:)
- Thomas Stell - Thursday, Oct 22, 15 @ 12:17 am:
Rauner cant buy my families vote with all his ill gotten gains. Its just a damm shame that grown men in the gop can be bought that cheap. Wheres your dignity gop were you not ever men or have you always been this weak