A Rauner vs. Madigan proxy war
Tuesday, Feb 9, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Rep. Ken Dunkin and his Democratic primary rival Juliana Stratton met with the Chicago Sun-Times editorial board yesterday…
During the side-by-side interview with Stratton on Monday, Dunkin referred to Democratic lawmakers as “monkeys”— before quickly correcting himself and calling them “minions”— prompting a lengthy denouncement from Stratton.
“To compare himself in the Illinois House to this horrific institution of slavery is not only offensive, but I also find it to be pathetic,” Stratton said. “For him to use that type of language I see that as race-baiting.”
Dunkin didn’t back down, claiming Madigan has demanded the Black Caucus vote the party line, while the speaker ignores caucus members’ requests for help in their districts.
“The Mike Madigan slave mentality of his plantation politics is real,” Dunkin said. “That’s an afro-centric terminology in terms of plantation politics. If you want to go there [Madigan] has been there 45 years, 32 years been the speaker. Have you gone on the West Side of Chicago, in certain parts, certain parts of the South Side?” […]
“The best people to say whether he gets credit [for his dealmaking] are the people of the 5th District,” Stratton said. “His alliance with Gov. Bruce Rauner is not going to be something that is going to be good for them.”
Go read the whole thing.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:16 am:
===Their goal is [to say] ‘He’s a Raunerite.’ All I did was go talk to the guy and say, listen you are inhuman if you can’t support these most vulnerable citizens,” Dunkin said.===
“Who’s” goal? “Who”?
The minute Dunkin refused to vote when he was needed most… Dunkin became a Raunerite, the “Democratic Raunerite” Bruce Rauner wants to infect and infiltrate Democratic Party politics so Raunerites be one their own caucuses.
Ken Dunkin ignoring his Raunerite roots at the cost of children and Social Services is Dunkin’s greatest Raunerite achievement, even more impressive than winning the Century Club Trophy… twice.
Ken Dunkin can deny he’s a Raunerite, but whence mattered most, Raunerites vote against their constituents’ best interests.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:21 am:
Ken is throwing out some inflammatory language,and looking tired. He sounds like someone who is playing from behind.
- justacitizen - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:22 am:
===Ken Dunkin can deny he’s a Raunerite, but whence mattered most, Raunerites vote against their constituents’ best interests.===
Well said, Republican friend. lol
- Captain Illini - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:23 am:
…So, was Mr. Dunkin a “minion / monkey” prior to his enlightenment last fall during the veto vote? Did he gladly work on the “plantation politics of Springfield?” No, he’s become a “paid” objector to his party and would rather become “famous” for his selfish behavior than represent the people of his district…since I would find it hard to believe they agree with his recent stances.
I will however congratulate him on his transparency as a Republican operative…well done.
- Politix - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:23 am:
The whole race seems to be focused on Dunkin’s alliance with Rauner. I hope Juliana can highlight her other distinctions. She is a well-rounded candidate.
- AC - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:25 am:
Dunkin’s use of racially insensitive language shouldn’t be allowed to exist without any sort of real challenge.
- Allen D - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:27 am:
– OW - Raunerites vote against their constituents’ best interests.–
I do not believe this is true, more should vote to help make IL fiscally responsible again… no more tax and spend philosophy, it only gets us deeper in debt.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:29 am:
- justacitizen -
I do find it ironic that “Raunerite” is far more toxic than Republican.
Dunkin cavr be called a Raunerite. Can’t. The term for Dunkin sinks him. Raunerites care little about people until the Agenda is passed.
That agenda? Not Republican ideals, Raunerite ideals. Dunkin knows it, so do you..,
- Ghost - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:36 am:
dunkin have yu been to your neighbor hoods? the ones without socila service support, food, healthcare or good schooling? Madigan didnt cut those things off, it as your new leader Rauner… and when did proft through cash or support to the community or to fbding social services? you are the one who sold out your community for personal gain.
- GA Watcher - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:36 am:
You have to wonder how much Rep Dunkin’s tactics lately are a result of his being deposed as Chair of the Black Caucus.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:37 am:
Dunkin’s comments are base, and that’s being generous. He is emboldened by cash- plain and simple. He believes that will guarantee his future at Rauner’s side. What he fails to realize is that if the investment is not profitable, Rauner will drop him in an instant. If his constituents, or any other person/group for that matter, could best Rauner’s offer (even Madigan), I’m sure he’d be their best buddy , too.
- bwana63 - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:49 am:
“Ken Dunkin can deny he’s a Raunerite, but whence mattered most, Raunerites vote against their constituents’ best interests.”
Spot on, OW. Hopefully, enough of Dunkin’s constituents will realize this and show him the door.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:51 am:
During the side-by-side interview with Stratton on Monday, Dunkin referred to Democratic lawmakers as “monkeys”— before quickly correcting himself and calling them “minions”— prompting a lengthy denouncement from Stratton.
Gasoline…check.
Matches…check.
The last bridge to House Democrats…check.
Burn, baby, burn.
- burbanite - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:52 am:
I find Dunkin (and Maze’s) continual afro-centric references to be proof of their absolute lack of understanding of what the true plantation experience was. It diminishes the racial realities. What a shame. Any loyalty Madigan may or may not demand has nothing to do with race, it has to do with party, regardless of your ethnic background.
I have also noticed that the Black Caucus seems to be siding with Madigan. Mr. Dunkin seems to be oblivious to the fact that he has become a pariah with his own caucus.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:55 am:
After months of a stalemate…. “.Raunerites care little about people until the Agenda is passed.” It’s the Gov……who says he’ll care even after his Agenda is passed….ever think of that? I don’t trust any of it!
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:58 am:
Just for clarification- When I called Dunkin’s comments base, I mean to say the lowest of the low. It’s easy to divide people, much harder to unite people. And right now, this type of language, only serves to increase the divisions.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 10:59 am:
===who says he’ll care even after his Agenda is passed….ever think of that? I don’t trust any of it!===
Ask Ron Sandack…
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:18 am:
Perhaps Dunkin can explain why he decided to sell himself to the Rauner plantation instead? I don’t see how this guy can still call himself a Democrat.
- justacitizen - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:19 am:
===That agenda? Not Republican ideals, Raunerite ideals. Dunkin knows it, so do you..,===
I do agree that ideals between a Republican, so-called Raunerite, conservative, tea-partier, etc., have become muddled and this hurts the Republican party.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:23 am:
So does Dunkin get a job in a hedge fund company or just some make work state commission after the election?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:24 am:
Dunkin needs to resign and enter a program for sufferers of Stockholm Syndrome - but right away before his BFF governor forces it to shut down from non-payment of bills.
And Allen D - can you read? If you think Rauner is making fiscally responsible decisions, then why does Munger tell us how the Governor has DOUBLED our unpaid bill debt? You are not thinking if you are reading. Things are worse under Rauner, than they would been if Quinn was reelected, fiscally and administerially. Rauner has made thing worse for Illinois, not better.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:25 am:
Somebody help me out here. CTU is going full-out against Christian Mitchell, but not against Ken Dunkin? One of those two is actually a Rauner Democrat, and it isn’t Mitchell.
What gives? Why the different treatment?
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:26 am:
===Why the different treatment? ===
Karen Lewis lives in Mitchell’s district.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:32 am:
= no more tax and spend philosophy, it only gets us deeper in debt.=
One of the most obviously ridiculous and tired slogans. This one should be put down humanely.
Government does not have a side business that generates revenue to handle it’s side business of providing services for the citizenry of the state. Government’s main source of revenue is from taxation.
So use your words and actually make a substantive statement instead of vapid slogans. Sheesh.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:34 am:
OK. Is that all? Seems like a heck of an overreach if you ask me. IEA is A-OK with Mitchell but Karen Lewis wants a scalp for her wall?
If she can get over herself, maybe she’ll realize that Dunkin is the better target for her efforts. She should know better than to spread her troops too thinly.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:36 am:
===Karen Lewis wants a scalp for her wall? ===
No. She wants her own person in the House.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:38 am:
===She wants her own person in the House===
Judging from all of the Reps in my area who seem to have gotten the CTU “religion,” I’d say she already has a bunch of her own people in the House.
- walker - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:38 am:
Ken Dunkin was known, and laughed at by his peers, for his shameless kissing of Governor Blagojevich’s ring. This isn’t only about principles, policies, or leverage. It’s also about personality.
His recent critiques of bossman Madigan seem to be more Rauner messaging than long-held beliefs. Could be wrong of course. One could often ask “What was Dunkin thinking?”
- Keyser Soze - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 12:00 pm:
As the only member of the legislature to come of age in Cabrini Green, Dunkin has more street cred than these posts are suggesting.
- A Jack - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 12:19 pm:
Growing up poor does not justify selling out.
- Rollo Tomasi - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 3:12 pm:
I for one can not understand Dunkin’s mindset. I wonder where he will be one year from now.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 3:36 pm:
=== I wonder where he will be one year from now.===
Odds are, back in the Illinois House.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Feb 9, 16 @ 11:49 pm:
Both of their followers are paid for and owned by their sponsor.
Half dozen of one, six of the other. Rauner and Madigan are mirror images of big egos in their desire to “win” this “epic struggle” at any costs. When they say jump, both their “ites” ask “How high”