There have been some recent articles about billionaires poor record of spending on political campaigns. Is this just another story of picking the wrong horse?
Things must not be going well for the Rauner puppets.
- Albany Park Patriot - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
It costs a lot of money to buy and wreck a state. Small comfort knowing that he made that money that is funding this nonsense by destroying people’s lives.
As a person reaches the end of their cycle of addiction they often take larger and larger hits of the drug they are hooked on to gain a smaller and smaller high. Such is life with Bruce Rauner’s money.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:05 pm:
Team Rauner is pot committed.
They have everything riding on a candidate that not even the Chicago Tribune could hold their nose to endorse.
Rauner has put himself on the same side as Trump in opposition to the President of the United States.
Rauner has put himself in a very bad position that he cannot walk away from.
And every time raises the stakes, Democrats are just going to re-raise.
As usual OW has nailed it. Will some members of the GOP ever show some backbone and show some independence? No, they will shut up and do as they are told. It’s quite clear that Rauner does not care for the Republican party. He has a Corporate agenda that he is determined to invoke on the state even if he has to set this state back 10 years economically to do it. That’s why he ran for Governor.
I think what’s even more telling is how little money the non-Rauner parts of the Illinois Republican infrastructure are raising. The Republican candidates and caucuses seem content to just let Rauner pay for it while Madigan and Cullerton are shaking every loose penny out of labor and the trial lawyers. The idea of a Republican mushroom revolt that leads to a budget deal seems less and less likely when Rauner’s the only funding source there is.
Backbone and independence like Dunkin recently showed? Have you seen how that ends in Illinois? This is a system, developed over many years, that concentrates power in the hands of just a few people.
You follow orders, and occasionally they throw you a bone. You rock the boat, your party replaces you. That’s it.
After the election there will be a sit down at which time Don Bruce will say, “my youngest son, Ken, forced to leave this country because of this Madigan business, now I must make arrangements for his return, but I swear, on the souls of my grandchildren, if he should have an accident or hang himself in a cell then I will hold some people in this room responsible, and that I will not forgive”…
Rauner knows that Dunkin is ball game. And his negatives are getting real play. What is the value of POTUS, a local legend and first African-American president supporting your opponent? Does Rauner have that kind of money?
McCann is a key target but he is an R seat that will stay in the party. Dunkin is the thing. And baby, it’s gonna cost ya a ton.
If Illinois GO gives $218,000 to Dunkins campaign against Stratton, and $800,000 last quarter and Dunkin has raised a little over $9,000, out of $1,027,000 what percent has Rauner committed to Ken Dunkins campaign?? Sadly the answer is 99.2%
So, both sides have the cash to get their message in front of the people. That’s a good thing, no?
Anyway, Rauner’s biggest worry is Donald Trump. Bruce wants to pick up a seat or two in November, but Trump is going to cause all sorts of down-ballot trouble in November.
Bottom line, Rauner supports those he owns. Democrat or Republican. If you genuflect before me (Dunkin), my millions are behind you. If you don’t (McCann), my millions are for your opponent. Party doesn’t matter. I hope ILGOP realize this. I hope they understand what they’re sacrificing for…this governor’s obsession regarding his agenda.
Wen - agreed. But doesn’t a very similar thing happen with the Dems? What happens to the financial support of a Democrat who votes against a union or trial lawyer supported position?
They wouldn’t have to support the Republican, a new person gets slated for the primary. The point is that the money interests of both parties will punish those on their side who go rogue. It’s been that way since the onset of politics.
Willy - ten years ago, the Senate GOP worked against Senator Geo-Karis. She then turned around and helped Michael Bond after she lost her primary. But in her district, the Dems had a credible candidate and it was shaping up to be a huge Dem year. In other districts, the “opposing party” has no foothold (i.e. the 5th House District or the 50th Senate District).
I hate to say it, but it should happen more often. Caucuses provide services and staff for the officials. Openly warring with caucus leadership - and then allowing the offending party to skate by - is a pretty gutsy and at times offensive to the other members. Dunkin and McCann are basically poking their respective leadership in the eye and daring the leaders to do something (or heck - anything).
At this point, I see no reason for Madigan to keep Dunkin around or Radogno to keep McCann around, respectively. Why keep them around? To allow them to further poison the well? To further antagonize fellow caucus members. It makes no sense.
===Willy - ten years ago, the Senate GOP worked against Senator Geo-Karis. She then turned around and helped Michael Bond after she lost her primary.===
Some have said that that example still haunts Radogno, I don’t know, but going after “your own” isn’t standard operating procedure, and Proft was brought in this time to be the “bad guy”
That speaks volumes.
I get the party discipline aspect, heck, in many ways, as you know - Team Sleep -, I have no problem with Radogno’s disfavor with McCann, and it’s perfectly warranted. However, Rauner is taking out McCann for votes, “and a lot of other things”, and it’s up to Labor and Republicans to save the seat from a Raunerite, despite McCann’s own “ways of handling his business”
Crazy race. But, that’s one, one Caucus member facing Caucus opposition in the past decade. It’s the exception, not close to being the rule.
I guess the question is…
Is it Caucus discipline, or Raunerite retaliation?
- Huh? - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:49 pm:
There have been some recent articles about billionaires poor record of spending on political campaigns. Is this just another story of picking the wrong horse?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:50 pm:
Rise your hand if you think Rauner is reloading again for the “good of the Republican Party of Illinois”
…
Yeah, me neither.
- wordslinger - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:50 pm:
Looks like the Chicago Fed will be running short on fifties this week.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:53 pm:
Raunerites at IllinoisGO are “All In” to protect Ken Dunkin.
How’s that sound GOP GA?
The Republican Governor holding y’all hostage is spending fists full of money… on Ken Dunkin… your ally, Ken Dunkin.
Wow
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:54 pm:
I was going to put Republican in quotation marks, but, $21.5 million to hold a party hostage, I guess you own the brand(?)
- Wensicia - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:55 pm:
“All right, Mr. President, I’ll see your endorsement and raise a couple million dollars. I’m not even all in yet, either.”
- AC - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:56 pm:
==The same day that the President announces his endorsement of Stratton IllinoisGO spends another $218K against her.==
Rauner certainly seems comfortable with the many interesting ways in which this money might be spent, such as allegedly buying votes
- Norseman - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
Things must not be going well for the Rauner puppets.
- Albany Park Patriot - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 4:59 pm:
It costs a lot of money to buy and wreck a state. Small comfort knowing that he made that money that is funding this nonsense by destroying people’s lives.
- One to the Dome - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:03 pm:
There’s gotta be a few not too happy rank and file GOP House members who are scratching their heads in silence
- Saluki - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:04 pm:
As a person reaches the end of their cycle of addiction they often take larger and larger hits of the drug they are hooked on to gain a smaller and smaller high. Such is life with Bruce Rauner’s money.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:05 pm:
Team Rauner is pot committed.
They have everything riding on a candidate that not even the Chicago Tribune could hold their nose to endorse.
Rauner has put himself on the same side as Trump in opposition to the President of the United States.
Rauner has put himself in a very bad position that he cannot walk away from.
And every time raises the stakes, Democrats are just going to re-raise.
- said so - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:09 pm:
Rauner viciously attacking an african american woman and supporting a guy who abuses women? That will definitely help.
- Soccermom - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:12 pm:
Wow, how many votes is that, at $50 a vote?
- wordslinger - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:13 pm:
–There’s gotta be a few not too happy rank and file GOP House members who are scratching their heads in silence–
They’ll stay silent, too, if they know what’s good for them.
–And every time raises the stakes, Democrats are just going to re-raise.–
To date, Dunkin has had the benefit of twice the money as Stratton.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:17 pm:
===
–There’s gotta be a few not too happy rank and file GOP House members who are scratching their heads in silence–
They’ll stay silent, too, if they know what’s good for them.
–And every time raises the stakes, Democrats are just going to re-raise.–
To date, Dunkin has had the benefit of twice the money as Stratton.===
Math is hard for some it seems(?)
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:18 pm:
President Obama’s two cents bought that district.
- The Dude Abides - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:28 pm:
As usual OW has nailed it. Will some members of the GOP ever show some backbone and show some independence? No, they will shut up and do as they are told. It’s quite clear that Rauner does not care for the Republican party. He has a Corporate agenda that he is determined to invoke on the state even if he has to set this state back 10 years economically to do it. That’s why he ran for Governor.
- The Captain - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:43 pm:
I think what’s even more telling is how little money the non-Rauner parts of the Illinois Republican infrastructure are raising. The Republican candidates and caucuses seem content to just let Rauner pay for it while Madigan and Cullerton are shaking every loose penny out of labor and the trial lawyers. The idea of a Republican mushroom revolt that leads to a budget deal seems less and less likely when Rauner’s the only funding source there is.
- here we go - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:47 pm:
So many things can be done with all the money going to buy Ken Dunkin. After this, we’ll see if it was even worth it.
- Austin Blvd - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:47 pm:
Perhaps a newspaper in Illinois will do a story on these twisted ironies. Or not.
- Huh? - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:48 pm:
The primary is in a week. What are the chances that losers find a backbone and vote for the well being of the State?
Any republican that loses has nothing to fear of retaliation from 1.4%. That could make veto overrides a possibility.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:52 pm:
Backbone and independence like Dunkin recently showed? Have you seen how that ends in Illinois? This is a system, developed over many years, that concentrates power in the hands of just a few people.
You follow orders, and occasionally they throw you a bone. You rock the boat, your party replaces you. That’s it.
- Anonymous - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:57 pm:
Huh?,
How can anyone vote for the well being of the State when the speaker has adjourned until April over the objections of Republicans?
- Gordon Willis - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 5:58 pm:
After the election there will be a sit down at which time Don Bruce will say, “my youngest son, Ken, forced to leave this country because of this Madigan business, now I must make arrangements for his return, but I swear, on the souls of my grandchildren, if he should have an accident or hang himself in a cell then I will hold some people in this room responsible, and that I will not forgive”…
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:08 pm:
Oh ” - Anonymous - ”
The GOP wanted to stay “in town” to continue to vote against their better selves, lol.
That’s hilarious. Typical ” - Anonymous - ” type tripe
- JS Mill - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:12 pm:
Rauner knows that Dunkin is ball game. And his negatives are getting real play. What is the value of POTUS, a local legend and first African-American president supporting your opponent? Does Rauner have that kind of money?
McCann is a key target but he is an R seat that will stay in the party. Dunkin is the thing. And baby, it’s gonna cost ya a ton.
- Norseman - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:15 pm:
Oswego Willy - 6:08 pm ++1
- doing the math - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 6:26 pm:
If Illinois GO gives $218,000 to Dunkins campaign against Stratton, and $800,000 last quarter and Dunkin has raised a little over $9,000, out of $1,027,000 what percent has Rauner committed to Ken Dunkins campaign?? Sadly the answer is 99.2%
- Anony - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:02 pm:
So, both sides have the cash to get their message in front of the people. That’s a good thing, no?
Anyway, Rauner’s biggest worry is Donald Trump. Bruce wants to pick up a seat or two in November, but Trump is going to cause all sorts of down-ballot trouble in November.
- Wensicia - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:10 pm:
Bottom line, Rauner supports those he owns. Democrat or Republican. If you genuflect before me (Dunkin), my millions are behind you. If you don’t (McCann), my millions are for your opponent. Party doesn’t matter. I hope ILGOP realize this. I hope they understand what they’re sacrificing for…this governor’s obsession regarding his agenda.
- Anony - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:15 pm:
Wen - agreed. But doesn’t a very similar thing happen with the Dems? What happens to the financial support of a Democrat who votes against a union or trial lawyer supported position?
- Wensicia - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:17 pm:
When has a Democratic leader ever supported a Republican?
- Anony - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:21 pm:
They wouldn’t have to support the Republican, a new person gets slated for the primary. The point is that the money interests of both parties will punish those on their side who go rogue. It’s been that way since the onset of politics.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:22 pm:
===What happens to the financial support of a Democrat who votes against a union or trial lawyer supported position?===
So all “Democrat” legislators vote 100% pro-labor and pro trial lawyers?
Wow, that’s a new one on me.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 7:25 pm:
- Anony -
Cite the last sitting Democratic legislator that was helped by the HDems or the SDems in a primary.
Be very specifuc
Thank you.
While you’re at it, cite the last GOP House or Senate member that had the Caucuses work against them in the Primary.
Again, be very specific.
Thank you.
- Team Sleep - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 8:13 pm:
Willy - ten years ago, the Senate GOP worked against Senator Geo-Karis. She then turned around and helped Michael Bond after she lost her primary. But in her district, the Dems had a credible candidate and it was shaping up to be a huge Dem year. In other districts, the “opposing party” has no foothold (i.e. the 5th House District or the 50th Senate District).
I hate to say it, but it should happen more often. Caucuses provide services and staff for the officials. Openly warring with caucus leadership - and then allowing the offending party to skate by - is a pretty gutsy and at times offensive to the other members. Dunkin and McCann are basically poking their respective leadership in the eye and daring the leaders to do something (or heck - anything).
At this point, I see no reason for Madigan to keep Dunkin around or Radogno to keep McCann around, respectively. Why keep them around? To allow them to further poison the well? To further antagonize fellow caucus members. It makes no sense.
- Georg Sande - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 8:16 pm:
Rise (sic) your hand if you think Oswego Willy is a Republican.
Yeah, me neither.
- CharlieKratos - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 8:22 pm:
OW is a Republican. Unfortunately, they’re a dying breed. Most of them have been replaced by the Yellow-Belly Raunerite.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 8:27 pm:
Oh - Georg Sande -
Still refusing to add to a discussion I see.
Republicans aren’t Raunerites. If you can’t see that, maybe expecting more than your drive-bus is too much to expect from you.
My bad.
- ArchPundit - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 9:49 pm:
FakeRauner: My hands are not small..
- Shemp - Monday, Mar 7, 16 @ 10:41 pm:
The guy certainly puts his money where his mouth is.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 8, 16 @ 8:20 am:
===Willy - ten years ago, the Senate GOP worked against Senator Geo-Karis. She then turned around and helped Michael Bond after she lost her primary.===
Some have said that that example still haunts Radogno, I don’t know, but going after “your own” isn’t standard operating procedure, and Proft was brought in this time to be the “bad guy”
That speaks volumes.
I get the party discipline aspect, heck, in many ways, as you know - Team Sleep -, I have no problem with Radogno’s disfavor with McCann, and it’s perfectly warranted. However, Rauner is taking out McCann for votes, “and a lot of other things”, and it’s up to Labor and Republicans to save the seat from a Raunerite, despite McCann’s own “ways of handling his business”
Crazy race. But, that’s one, one Caucus member facing Caucus opposition in the past decade. It’s the exception, not close to being the rule.
I guess the question is…
Is it Caucus discipline, or Raunerite retaliation?
Maybe… both?