$200,000 for McCann?! Has the IEA lost their minds? McCann voted AGAINST education spending last session - but now he’s their BFF, right? I get that the unions don’t like Rauner, but that’s serious money to throw at a guy who’s maybe 50-50 on their issues. That money would have been a lot better utilized in the fall when there is a true battle.
- Robert the Bruce - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:16 am:
$250k from Preckwinkle to Foxx? Quite generous. I’m surprised she doesn’t hoard it for her own future campaign.
- Robert the Bruce - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:18 am:
@Team Sleep, good question. But it’s war vs Rauner, and 50-50 is better than 0-100.
I’m impressed Labor has done so much for McCann, and I keep encouraging them to keep doing, and do more, but most critical, get Labor members living in McCann’s district to… “Vote Accordingly”… because come March 16th all that will matter are the total of votes to keep McCann, not the money that helped McCann
One million at the drop of a hat, with two weeks to go. Meanwhile, social service providers are rapidly closing as our politicians stake out the moral high ground and rally the troops.
whew. Compare this crazy Game of Billionaires in Illinois to what happened with Super Tuesday spending by presidential candidates.
There is more Dark Money than all these being spent against McCann.
Highest spent by
Cruz support — $1.6m, Georgia
Rubio support — $960k, Texas
Trump support — $378k, Texas
Trump anti-support — $436k, Arkansas
Clinton support — $1.1m, Massachusetts
Sanders support — $1.6m, Massachusetts
Robert & Willy - but McCann is on an island in a caucus of only 20 people. He’s not the make-or-break 24th vote in the Senate or 48th vote in the House. He’s just one guy. And think about the races in the fall: Bush vs. Ammo; Murphy vs. Thillens; Lewis vs. Cullerton; Simon vs. ?; etc. I could go on, but you get the point. There’s a difference between making a point and making a difference, and $200K in a race that could decide whether the Senate Dems keep their super majority status is a better investment than giving money to some guy who’s supporting them because it’s politically expedient to do so.
Heard an interesting one tis morn. My downstate son reports a wealthy independent candidate may enter the 58 th state senate race after the primary. The RAUN Man prolly thought that seat was a lock against S. Simon, but this would be a game changer for sure.
So, let me see if I have this straight. The Operating Engineers are backing McCann why exactly? McCann backed the veto override on the AFSCME arbitration bill. What does that have to do with the Operators?
Team Sleep, you’re dislike for McCann is blurring your vision about what is at stake here. You can’t ask someone to take an EXTREMELY risky vote for you and then leave that person hanging when they get politically hammered for that vote.
It’s about supporting your friends and attacking your enemies.
McCann may not survive this full on over $1.5 million onslaught, but it will demonstrate that labor made the effort.
RNUG - but this isn’t just about McCann “being on their side”. It’s what I referenced at the end of my last post: sending a message to the Governor and trying to prove a point.
I get why labor leaders are doing this. That doesn’t get past me. I’m merely questioning the “intelligence” of doing so and expending these kinds of resources and political capital.
This also isn’t the only proxy war in which IEA is involved, either, so I know they’re going to bat in other districts. But that’s still a ton of cash. Just my two cents.
Probably not legal but I’m beginning to think we need a state campaign reform law that (a) sets hard caps and, (b) if you want to break the caps, allows unlimited spending in exchange for an equal amount donated by the campaign to the State for funding social services. It wouldn’t stop dark money but it might solve some other problems.
I think we’re talking past each other. If the IEA wants to make a point to Rauner by supporting McCann, the primary is where the money needs to be spent.
And for what it is worth, these days I rarely donate to politicians … but I sent a check to Sam because I want to see him survive as a counterpoint to Rauner.
=== I’m merely questioning the “intelligence” of doing so and expending these kinds of resources and political capital. ===
Team Sleep, again your perspective. I get it. But turn this around and ask if McCann is so marginal, why would Rauner spend over $1.5 million to defeat him instead of saving it for Dems or other GOP friends. We know the answer. It’s a message. So it is with labor, it’s a message.
RNuG, thats what makes the 58th so interesting. Some independent smuck enters the race and blows up the RAUN Mans well thought out strategy. If the guy runs, I am sending $ down.
===…if McCann is so marginal, why would Rauner spend over $1.5 million to defeat him instead of saving it for Dems or other GOP friends. We know the answer. It’s a message. So it is with labor, it’s a message.===
Restaurant-quality. - Norseman - and - RNUG - are On It.
The McCann ball game is about Labor v. Rauner, it matters, and it’s taking place where the battle needs to be, an election, this time, it’s a Primary.
The Citizens United Supreme Court decision allows for unlimited independent expenditures without preconditions so the only way you could apply your condition that an equal amount had to be donated to social services would be on the unlimited coordinated fundraising. Right now unlimited coordinated fundraising is only allowed in response to either a) very large self funding by a candidate or b) very large independent expenditures by an independent expenditure committee (as allowed under Citizens United). Those are “level the playing field” situations. I realize your proposal is well intentioned but you’re not really leveling the playing field if you impose additional restraints on one participant and not the other.
RNUG - perhaps you’re right. As noted, I get that. I’m just saying that perhaps holding the $200,000 grand back for the fall would’ve been the better play. Again - just my perspective.
I was involved in the remap lawsuit brought about by the GOP Congressional delegation in 2011. That was kinda the same thing: the members (including Shimkus and Schock) sunk boatloads of cash into what essentially amounted to nothing more than a message. The amount spent - about $2 million or so - really would’ve come in handy in 2012 for Bobby Schilling or Jason Plummer.
I’m curious why all the effort to support McCann and little to no effort to defeat Jiminez. She was appointed by and is beholden to Rauner. If labor is encouraging members to hold their nose and pull an R ballot, shouldn’t it be about more than one contest? Hand out some palm cards so everyone knows who is sponsored by the Gov.
Casual observer, there’s no point. Jimenez is going to skate through. Her primary opponent is not much of a threat. I’ll vote for him only as a protest vote.
CO - there is an announced Dem candidate in the 99th, which might be why. Kent Gray is a friend of mine, but he has lost out at everything other than LLCC Trustee and he is not a union backer.
=== I understand Norseman, but if you’re going to pull an R ballot to make a message (to Rauner and for labor), why not go all in? ===
My message is to Rauner and I will be doing so. I’ll let the labor folks advise their members on what to do in the Jimenez race. I also hope they vote against Trump, but they may want Trump to decimate GOP come November.
I won’t belabor the point, but once you pull an R ballot in the primary, you’re stuck with it. Don’t just vote for McCann and walk away.
- future former Republican - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:35 pm:
Lots of people to vote against in the Republican primary. The only people I want to vote for are running for Sangamon County offices, sadly each running unopposed in the primary. I’ll vote against Kent Gray in the primary and against Sara in the general.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:15 am:
$200,000 for McCann?! Has the IEA lost their minds? McCann voted AGAINST education spending last session - but now he’s their BFF, right? I get that the unions don’t like Rauner, but that’s serious money to throw at a guy who’s maybe 50-50 on their issues. That money would have been a lot better utilized in the fall when there is a true battle.
- Robert the Bruce - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:16 am:
$250k from Preckwinkle to Foxx? Quite generous. I’m surprised she doesn’t hoard it for her own future campaign.
- Robert the Bruce - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:18 am:
@Team Sleep, good question. But it’s war vs Rauner, and 50-50 is better than 0-100.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:21 am:
–$250k from Preckwinkle to Foxx? Quite generous. I’m surprised she doesn’t hoard it for her own future campaign.–
Meh, if she chooses to have a future campaign, who’s running against her?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:21 am:
- Team Sleep -
It’s either McCann or Rauner.
That’s the ball game.
I’m impressed Labor has done so much for McCann, and I keep encouraging them to keep doing, and do more, but most critical, get Labor members living in McCann’s district to… “Vote Accordingly”… because come March 16th all that will matter are the total of votes to keep McCann, not the money that helped McCann
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:21 am:
One million at the drop of a hat, with two weeks to go. Meanwhile, social service providers are rapidly closing as our politicians stake out the moral high ground and rally the troops.
Something is backwards here.
- cdog - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:28 am:
whew. Compare this crazy Game of Billionaires in Illinois to what happened with Super Tuesday spending by presidential candidates.
There is more Dark Money than all these being spent against McCann.
Highest spent by
Cruz support — $1.6m, Georgia
Rubio support — $960k, Texas
Trump support — $378k, Texas
Trump anti-support — $436k, Arkansas
Clinton support — $1.1m, Massachusetts
Sanders support — $1.6m, Massachusetts
http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/ted-cruz-dominates-gop-ad-spending-super-tuesday-states-n528046
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:28 am:
Robert & Willy - but McCann is on an island in a caucus of only 20 people. He’s not the make-or-break 24th vote in the Senate or 48th vote in the House. He’s just one guy. And think about the races in the fall: Bush vs. Ammo; Murphy vs. Thillens; Lewis vs. Cullerton; Simon vs. ?; etc. I could go on, but you get the point. There’s a difference between making a point and making a difference, and $200K in a race that could decide whether the Senate Dems keep their super majority status is a better investment than giving money to some guy who’s supporting them because it’s politically expedient to do so.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:38 am:
Willy +1
- Blue dog dem - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:48 am:
Heard an interesting one tis morn. My downstate son reports a wealthy independent candidate may enter the 58 th state senate race after the primary. The RAUN Man prolly thought that seat was a lock against S. Simon, but this would be a game changer for sure.
- Blue dog dem - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:49 am:
My buzz,former county commissioner Kovarick.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 9:57 am:
- Team Sleep -
You are missing the point.
Labor will not let Rauner own the GOP GA and create Raunerite Caucuses that will decimate Labor like in Wisconsin.
Having McCann there, and Dunkin gone is about sending a clear message that Rauner owning the Legislature is not acceptable.
That’s it. One more Raunerite, meh. Stopping the Raunerite Caucus building where you can, powerful.
Very powerful.
- phocion - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:00 am:
So, let me see if I have this straight. The Operating Engineers are backing McCann why exactly? McCann backed the veto override on the AFSCME arbitration bill. What does that have to do with the Operators?
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:00 am:
Team Sleep, you’re dislike for McCann is blurring your vision about what is at stake here. You can’t ask someone to take an EXTREMELY risky vote for you and then leave that person hanging when they get politically hammered for that vote.
It’s about supporting your friends and attacking your enemies.
McCann may not survive this full on over $1.5 million onslaught, but it will demonstrate that labor made the effort.
Go Sam Go.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:08 am:
===It’s about supporting your friends and attacking your enemies.===
Back at ya, - Norseman - “+1″
- RNUG - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:43 am:
== That money would have been a lot better utilized in the fall when there is a true battle. ==
- Team Sleep -, In McCann’s district, the GOP primary IS the race. In a normal year, winning the GOP primary would assure winning in the fall.
Right now, the unions need to make sure McCann, who is at least partially on their side, makes it through the primary.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:46 am:
RNUG - but this isn’t just about McCann “being on their side”. It’s what I referenced at the end of my last post: sending a message to the Governor and trying to prove a point.
I get why labor leaders are doing this. That doesn’t get past me. I’m merely questioning the “intelligence” of doing so and expending these kinds of resources and political capital.
This also isn’t the only proxy war in which IEA is involved, either, so I know they’re going to bat in other districts. But that’s still a ton of cash. Just my two cents.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:49 am:
Probably not legal but I’m beginning to think we need a state campaign reform law that (a) sets hard caps and, (b) if you want to break the caps, allows unlimited spending in exchange for an equal amount donated by the campaign to the State for funding social services. It wouldn’t stop dark money but it might solve some other problems.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:51 am:
- Team Sleep -
I think we’re talking past each other. If the IEA wants to make a point to Rauner by supporting McCann, the primary is where the money needs to be spent.
- RNUG - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:54 am:
And for what it is worth, these days I rarely donate to politicians … but I sent a check to Sam because I want to see him survive as a counterpoint to Rauner.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 10:54 am:
=== I’m merely questioning the “intelligence” of doing so and expending these kinds of resources and political capital. ===
Team Sleep, again your perspective. I get it. But turn this around and ask if McCann is so marginal, why would Rauner spend over $1.5 million to defeat him instead of saving it for Dems or other GOP friends. We know the answer. It’s a message. So it is with labor, it’s a message.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:00 am:
RNuG, thats what makes the 58th so interesting. Some independent smuck enters the race and blows up the RAUN Mans well thought out strategy. If the guy runs, I am sending $ down.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:01 am:
===…if McCann is so marginal, why would Rauner spend over $1.5 million to defeat him instead of saving it for Dems or other GOP friends. We know the answer. It’s a message. So it is with labor, it’s a message.===
Restaurant-quality. - Norseman - and - RNUG - are On It.
The McCann ball game is about Labor v. Rauner, it matters, and it’s taking place where the battle needs to be, an election, this time, it’s a Primary.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:04 am:
@ RNUG
The Citizens United Supreme Court decision allows for unlimited independent expenditures without preconditions so the only way you could apply your condition that an equal amount had to be donated to social services would be on the unlimited coordinated fundraising. Right now unlimited coordinated fundraising is only allowed in response to either a) very large self funding by a candidate or b) very large independent expenditures by an independent expenditure committee (as allowed under Citizens United). Those are “level the playing field” situations. I realize your proposal is well intentioned but you’re not really leveling the playing field if you impose additional restraints on one participant and not the other.
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:08 am:
RNUG - perhaps you’re right. As noted, I get that. I’m just saying that perhaps holding the $200,000 grand back for the fall would’ve been the better play. Again - just my perspective.
I was involved in the remap lawsuit brought about by the GOP Congressional delegation in 2011. That was kinda the same thing: the members (including Shimkus and Schock) sunk boatloads of cash into what essentially amounted to nothing more than a message. The amount spent - about $2 million or so - really would’ve come in handy in 2012 for Bobby Schilling or Jason Plummer.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:11 am:
===…or Jason Plummer.===
Money was never the reason Jason Plummer lost.
@FakeJasonPlummer - I lost ’cause having tantrums every 5 minutes caught up with me. #MillionDollarBaby
- Casual observer - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:11 am:
I’m curious why all the effort to support McCann and little to no effort to defeat Jiminez. She was appointed by and is beholden to Rauner. If labor is encouraging members to hold their nose and pull an R ballot, shouldn’t it be about more than one contest? Hand out some palm cards so everyone knows who is sponsored by the Gov.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:15 am:
Casual observer, there’s no point. Jimenez is going to skate through. Her primary opponent is not much of a threat. I’ll vote for him only as a protest vote.
- A guy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:16 am:
McCann is their savior. Wow, that ain’t what they used to call “smart money”.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:18 am:
===McCann is their savior. Wow, that ain’t what they used to call “smart money”.===
LOL, Oh, - A Guy -
Spending $1.5 million to defeat him, I guess Rauner thinks McCann being around hurts.
Too funny.
- Casual observer - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:27 am:
I understand Norseman, but if you’re going to pull an R ballot to make a message (to Rauner and for labor), why not go all in?
- Team Sleep - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:28 am:
CO - there is an announced Dem candidate in the 99th, which might be why. Kent Gray is a friend of mine, but he has lost out at everything other than LLCC Trustee and he is not a union backer.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:38 am:
=== I understand Norseman, but if you’re going to pull an R ballot to make a message (to Rauner and for labor), why not go all in? ===
My message is to Rauner and I will be doing so. I’ll let the labor folks advise their members on what to do in the Jimenez race. I also hope they vote against Trump, but they may want Trump to decimate GOP come November.
- Casual observer - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 11:54 am:
I won’t belabor the point, but once you pull an R ballot in the primary, you’re stuck with it. Don’t just vote for McCann and walk away.
- future former Republican - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 1:35 pm:
Lots of people to vote against in the Republican primary. The only people I want to vote for are running for Sangamon County offices, sadly each running unopposed in the primary. I’ll vote against Kent Gray in the primary and against Sara in the general.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:05 pm:
To the update,
There’s what, 75 MJM precincts?
This TV thing ain’t about winnin’ it’s about bashin’
- Bleh - Wednesday, Mar 2, 16 @ 2:46 pm:
Stratton might be a little too late for this, but she needs to assemble a ground game and quick.