#Winning!
Thursday, Mar 17, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I laughed out loud when I saw this…
* But the impasse continues…
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner suffered some high-profile election defeats, but his allies on Wednesday pointed to a number of smaller victories as proof he can flex his political muscle — a signal that little is likely to change in his battle with Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan for control of state government.
With both sides claiming wins in Tuesday’s primary, there’s not much incentive for Rauner to back off his pro-business, union-weakening agenda, or for Democrats aligned with labor to drop their fierce opposition to it. And so there remains no resolution in sight to the record-breaking budget stalemate that’s cut services for the poor, led to mass layoffs at public universities and sent the state’s debt soaring.
* On to the smaller victories…
Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, said the real takeaway from the results should be that Rauner is able to protect Republicans who have his back.
“To me, the most important thing is every Republican that he said he was going to help and protect, won,” Murphy said. “So if you are a Republican sitting there wondering if the governor can successfully have your back, so far his record on that is perfect.”
* Um, not every Republican…
Amid the spectacular collapse of efforts to defeat State Senator Sam McCann (R-Plainview) and to defend State Rep. Ken Dunkin (D-Chicago) by Governor Bruce Rauner and his top political allies, a third Rauner-backed legislative candidate also fell on Tuesday night.
While all the insider political chatter on Wednesday has been focused on McCann and Dunkin, the thumping loss of Republican Mike DeSutter, who sought the House seat being vacated by State Rep. Don Moffit (R-Galesburg), went largely went unnoticed.
DeSutter of Woodhull, who had been backed by Dan Proft‘s Liberty Principles PAC and which had spent $51,719 in TV ads in DeSutter’s behalf, got clobbered by Dan Swanson of Alpha, 34.6%-48.9%. A third candidate, Knox County GOP Chairman Wayne Saline, took 16.5%.
DeSutter’s allies clearly saw polling data that showed trouble on the horizon because in the race’s last 10 days $31,900 flowed into DeSutter’s campaign coffers, including $5,000 from Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC and $5,400 from wealthy conservative activist Dick Uihlein of Lake Forest. […]
Meanwhile, Swanson, a 17-year veteran of the AlWood School Board from 1992-2009 and a former Henry County Board member, raised only a piddly $15,000 for the race, according to state election board records […]
No labor money was among the entirely local contributions that largely came from family or friends.
* Final results…
Illinois House District 74
Daniel Swanson 8,417 48.9%
Michael DeSutter 5,962 34.6%
Wayne Saline 2,835 16.5%
Not even close.
But they did win every other race except McCann. More on some of those later.
* Good points…
For McCann, the pressure came from constituents in a district heavily populated with unionized state employees. But virtually every Republican in the legislature has some issue that makes him or her especially vulnerable to pressure from back home.
For example, Republicans whose districts include state universities will be in a tough spot in November if no state funding has arrived. To this point, all House and Senate Republicans have stood firm with Rauner and voted against Democrat-sponsored bills that would have brought instant relief to college campuses while compounding the state’s horrid long-term fiscal trouble.
Now that they’ve seen that even a $3 million blitz couldn’t unseat McCann for his union bill sin, will these members stay loyal to Rauner with a general election on the line? With each passing week without a budget, the situation at the universities becomes more dire and, by extension, the constituent pressure increases. […]
On a related note, Rauner may want to stop invoking all those unnamed Democrats he says would love to side with him but are too afraid of Madigan to do so. The lone Democrat who crossed over to the Rauner camp, Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago, was routed Tuesday night by Juliana Stratton, the primary challenger Madigan had backed. Even with $4.2 million in protection money from Rauner allies, the seven-term incumbent Dunkin was defeated by a margin of more than 2-to-1.
Agreed.
* Related…
* Gov. Rauner an Election Day loser, observers say: “Sam McCann won fair and square,” Proft said via email. “I congratulate him. But I wouldn’t read too much into his victory. I’m not sure to which ‘wing’ of the party McCann is referring but I can tell you that the big government, public sector union boss-supported philosophy of government McCann has pursued has no future in this party or this state. As should be obvious to all by now, even to McCann, we simply cannot afford it.”
* Illinois no closer to budget deal after key legislative elections
* Madigan Flexes Muscle in General Assembly Primaries
- Johnny Pyle Driver - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:00 am:
What a surprise, the Chicago Tribune is running with the narrative that they both won
- The Captain - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:04 am:
When it comes to mandates and the will of the electorate it’s worth noting that McCann’s winning margin was greater than Rauner’s winning margin.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:06 am:
===On a related note, Rauner may want to stop invoking all those unnamed Democrats he says would love to side with him but are too afraid of Madigan to do so. The lone Democrat who crossed over to the Rauner camp, Rep. Ken Dunkin of Chicago, was routed Tuesday night by Juliana Stratton, the primary challenger Madigan had backed. Even with $4.2 million in protection money from Rauner allies, the seven-term incumbent Dunkin was defeated by a margin of more than 2-to-1.===
That is THE ball game for me too.
Geez, Louise, this “you don’t know, but.. “… “Baloney” isn’t helping amything.
Rauner CAN NOT get 60 and 30 in this manner. Period. End of story.
I said it on Rauner’s Inauguration Day, it’s as true now as then:
Press Shop and Legislative Shop will define his success.
Where are the SuperStars driving those shops to Rauner Victories?
Does Rauner want to govern at all?
60 and 30.
“Simple”
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:07 am:
Expect a steady diet of bills to fund higher education from now until November. How many times will the Democrats make the Republicans vote against their districts? I’d set the over/under at 9.5.
Tip: bet the over.
- Jack Stephens - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:12 am:
Wished the franchisees for the $ pizza/sub shoppes in Macomb, Charleston, Carbondale let Bruce know they will close once the schools are closed.
Thats NOT creating jobs.
But I guess in Bruce’s Imaginary World tax revenues increase when there are less businesses.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:12 am:
Quite a contrast between Rauner’s issuing statements through his people talking tough as ever after the election and Rahm himself acknowledging the message on police reforms sent by Alvarez’s thumping.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:12 am:
Ugh, - 47th Ward -
I would go “9″… “9.5″ is On It.
Tough to stay pat on 9
- Jack Stephens - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:13 am:
No, Bruce doesnt want to govern. He thinks he is the “imaginary” CEO of Illinois. Not an elected official. No clue how to govern.
- illinois manufacturer - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:15 am:
Was Il 72 another. I as ads for the loser not the winner. Noreen Hamond not only has Macomb but prisons in Galesburg Rushville and Mr Sterling……
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:16 am:
“What a surprise, the Chicago Tribune is running with the narrative that they both won”
When Rauner loses, he can always count on the Tribune to award everyone with a trophy.
– MrJM
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:17 am:
===I’d set the over/under at 9.5===
Don’t be a wimp. Select a whole number.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:17 am:
Trying to avoid ties Mr. Miller.
- Elo Kiddies - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:18 am:
@47th — why would the Dems give the Republicans a chance to flip before the election? They’ve already got the roll calls they need for mailers. Votes for the FY 17 budget, sure, but what’s the incentive to revisit that topic so often?
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:18 am:
Turns out preserving the super-minority status quo was the goal all along.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:19 am:
===Trying to avoid ties Mr. Miller.===
Gotta make “book”…
- forwhatitsworth - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:21 am:
Rauner … “We’re winning”! I’d like to know who “we” are and exactly what we are “winning”?
- Jabrone - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:22 am:
@Elo Kiddies
Um…to actually fund state universities?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:24 am:
===…what’s the incentive to revisit that topic so often?===
Skyhook, in reverse…
The GOP GA can keep voting for the $20 million that Radogno and Durkin do NOT control, and… keep voting against their districts… hurting themselves 7, 8, 9 times…
Or… revolt, govern, lead, and marginalize a governor tearing down Illinois.
“Simple”
Rauner, however loves the “Veto, with a side order of Dunkin”
Will that hold? Yep. It will.
It’s up to the GOP GA… at a “9.5″ betting point.
- The Captain - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:24 am:
In the 72nd House Liberty Principles spent about a quarter million on Brandi McGuire and she won. Noreen Hammond is in the 93rd House and she was unopposed.
- CharlieKratos - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:24 am:
There are no “unnamed Democrats”. Want to know how I know? Rauner would have outed them by now. Just ask Cullerton.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:25 am:
===but what’s the incentive to revisit that topic so often?===
To inflict political pain on the Republicans. To peel them away from the Governor. To make them uncomfortable and to stir up their constituents back home.
Plus, what else are they going to do for the next seven months? Debate and pass substantive legislation? In an election year? Lol.
- The Captain - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:25 am:
Sorry, misspelled Norine.
- James - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:26 am:
I expect Rauner now to put all his efforts into provoking an AFSCME strike, since TA is not even close. The votes won’t be there to override a veto of the labor/arbitration bill until January (if then), and we can expect an impasse ruling much sooner from his labor board.
Are there 2 or 3 R reps out there who won Tuesday who might defy Rauner and support the labor arbitration bill? If Dunkin Drury and Franks are no votes, 3 will be needed.
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:31 am:
=== For example, Republicans whose districts include state universities will be in a tough spot in November if no state funding has arrived. ===
That’s it folks. The university communities with GOP Solons need to be holding them accountable.
They’re enabling Rauner and that will destroy the lives of many in your communities. Mobilize a community campaign targeting these legislators. Ask your local media to highlight the economic and human damage being done to your community. Write letters to the editor discussing these tragedies. Put up signs that say something like, “EIU needs Help, Phillips missing in action.” Don’t be namby-pamby and let the Solons diffuse the blame to everyone else.
Rauner is not letting you at the table and the GOP legislators are enabling that tragedy. Get angry about it. They represent YOU. Remind them that they represent YOU. They may think that Rauner’s money will protect them, but you need to make them as uncomfortable as possible. Make them feel as if Rauner will need to fork out far more than $3 million to save them.
It’s now or never folks!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:37 am:
The status quo engineered by the governor remains until at least January.
It serves his objectives: “Squeeze the beast” and “shakeout” all you can from social service providers and higher ed. Run up so much debt that massive cuts will be necessary going forward, no matter what.
Look at just one example: Lutheran Social Services has laid off 43% of its staff — 750 real people — because of the governor’s actions. Even if the GA could roll the governor tomorrow, they won’t just ramp back up. Their services will be hampered for years to come.
That’s a 149-year-old Illinois institution for good that has been decimated in just a few months because the state won’t honor its contracts. Katrina the Tribbie, there’s your wished-for storm, metaphorically speaking, of course.
But that’s the governor’s plan, in action. In that respect, the governor certainly is winning.
The only thing that will change that is if a half dozen or more GOP House members flip.
It’s been done, and without consequences. If you’ll recall, the threat of a mutiny by some GOP House members is what caused Rauner to cave and release the local government hostages.
It’s amazing to me that GOP House members don’t realize how much power they have right now. They could dictate budget terms to both Rauner and the Dems.
I mean, what did you get into this business for? Hold down a chair, collect a check and take orders from a threatening bully?
- CharlieKratos - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:40 am:
Don’t laugh too hard, Rich. Bullies tend to lash out when they’re laughed at.
Union state workers should be feeling the brunt of Rauner’s tantrum within the next few weeks. The primary is over and he’ll want to get his purple nurpples in early so they won’t be remembered by the public as much by November.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:47 am:
===It’s amazing to me that GOP House members don’t realize how much power they have right now. They could dictate budget terms to both Rauner and the Dems.===
Yep.
Durkin and Radogno (Durkin really) should “turn a blind eye” to his targets and let them help the state… function.
The politics in this isn’t to difficult. The Primary is over. What, Rauner is now going to fund Dems in targeted districts to help… Madigan?
C’mon, use your noggins…
- Rollo Tomasi - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:49 am:
++++CharlieKratos - Thur., Mar 17, 16 @ 10:40 am:
Don’t laugh too hard, Rich. Bullies tend to lash out when they’re laughed at.++++
Does Trump come to mind?
- Keyrock - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:50 am:
To which general election is Stantis referring?
2016 or 2018?
- Gman - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:52 am:
Words of wisdom from the gunslinger. Keep up the good work!
- Thoughts Matter - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:53 am:
My state rep and my state senator have both been voting in lockstep with the Governor, and both were unopposed in the primary, and will be unopposed this fall. They seem to be uninterested in their voters, especially the ones that are state employees. Now why would they go against the Governor now that he’s proven how nasty of a campaign he’s willing to sic on them?
- Annonun' - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:55 am:
And Capt Fax is kee-wreck
which is amazin’ since Stantis is one of the least funny editorial cartoonists in the history of the profession — a trait made worse by the # of broadcast gigs he does , like Kassamoron with a sketch pad
- Mama - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:59 am:
” I’m not sure to which ‘wing’ of the party McCann is referring but I can tell you that the big government, public sector union boss-supported philosophy of government McCann has pursued has no future in this party or this state.”
It sounds like Rauner will not allow Senator McCann to have any peace. (All over one vote?) Rauner is still out to bury McCann until he is either legally taken out or elected out of office. Can Rauner run a Dem against McCann in the general?
- JS Mill - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:59 am:
Per Ballotpedia there will be 10 ILGA elections that are contested with a candidate from each major party.
If that is the case, and Proft et al are correct all 10 of those contests should swing Republican right?
What is the over/under on money spent in these contests? My guess would have be +/- $40,000,000 based on the primaries because the Governor and his peeps just told us he is a big winner.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:03 am:
Restaurant-Quality, - Norseman -, “+1″
- Wordslinger - not surprising, you’re On It
- Mama - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:04 am:
== Norseman @ 10:31 am: ==
Excellent! You should run this in all of the universities’ newspapers.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:06 am:
===Don’t laugh too hard, Rich. Bullies tend to lash out when they’re laughed at===
Yeah, but unlike most reporters, I’m armed.
Let ‘em come.
- Mama - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:07 am:
==Thoughts Matter - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 10:53 am: My state rep and my state senator have both been voting in lockstep with the Governor, and both were unopposed in the primary, and will be unopposed this fall. They seem to be uninterested in their voters, especially the ones that are state employees. ==
We must have the same representative & senator!
- Honeybear - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:12 am:
CharlieKratos!!! Purple nurples!!! OMG it took me 15 minutes to clean the soda off of my computer screens! I haven’t heard that since 4th grade! But you are exactly right. I think it’s going to come tomorrow with the ILRB saying we are at impasse. Funny how that works.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:19 am:
===Yeah, but unlike most reporters, I’m armed.===
“The pen is mightier than the sword.”
But a .45 is much better than a stupid sword.
- Blake - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:20 am:
If Proft wants to go down the road of claiming big government has no future in the Republican Party, one should ask him why Trump won the presidential primary here & the guy who finished 2nd is backed by those pushing for theocracy & neither consistent with what people like him think.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:20 am:
===But a .45===
It’s actually a 9mm. Works, tho.
- State Engineer - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:32 am:
–But virtually every Republican in the legislature has some issue that makes him or her especially vulnerable to pressure from back home.–
As an Aside those would be the Representatives Employers. For you GOP house members you actually don’t work for the governor. You work for me Ms. Bourne and the rest of you work for your constituents. That isn’t pressure it’s orders from your Boss.
- UIC Guy - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:36 am:
It’s not so long ago that a number of commentators here put forward the view that the March primary was the great event, after which movement would be possible. Anyone still think that? (I was always skeptical, but I’d be glad for a crumb of hope.)
- Phoenix - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:41 am:
Winning meme reminds of Charlie Sheen Governor. How’s he doin’?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:56 am:
“- Honeybear - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 11:12 am:”
When do you think that a strike will happen?
- Honeybear - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
I pray every day that we won’t be forced to strike. I haven’t the slightest idea about timing. That being said once impasse is declared by the ILRB things will happen very quickly.
I suspect that is what Rauner wants. He’s got to get the heat of the Raunerites and on to his “sin eaters” AFSCME.
- Downstate GOP Faithless - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 12:13 pm:
The Raunerites claiming victory in this cycle, spearheaded by Proft, is like when Phil Emery used to talk about how great the draft was because a 6th round pick panned out at a value, even though the 1st round pick is now a Patriots backup (or whatever team you want to insert)
- walker - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 12:17 pm:
Sometimes Murphy’s rhetorical yoga makes me laugh out loud.
We won because our super-minority incumbents didn’t lose any seats to challengers from the right?
Wow! That’s a high bar!
Maybe better just to sit still quietly, once in a while.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 2:44 pm:
“but I can tell you that the big government, public sector union boss-supported philosophy of government McCann has pursued has no future in this party or this state”
Oh please. [h/t Rich] Sour grapes much? McCann just won when tons of money was spent against him. If this isn’t proof, what is?
“public sector union boss-supported”
There it is, the hate-speak, the coded words, the attempt to slur hundreds if not thousands of people who take active roles in their unions and make sacrifices for others.
How many super-rich anti-union people are willing to give more of their money to the government in taxes? That helps explain collective bargaining and why thousands of middle class workers try to do the best they can through the collective bargaining process, and through their fellow workers who represent them in contract negotiations.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 2:44 pm:
Norseman, it’s what’s going to be used day in and day out against Kay. The SIUE community and AFSCME are already organizing and working for Katie Stuart who is a math instructor at SIUE. I’ve got so many motivated people to work with that it’s actually a difficulty. Usually it’s the other way around. I can’t find people to canvas, work the phones, or engage social media. I have people contacting us out of the blue wanting to help!
- Kurt in Springfield - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 3:29 pm:
Honeybear,
Council 31 has already said they will appeal to the court if the labor board rules in favor of Rauner re: Impasse. I am sure AFSCME will immediately request a TRO to prevent Rauner from imposing his contract until the appeals process is complete.
- kenny 16 - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 4:01 pm:
That’s right, Bruce–you’re winnin now!! Keep up the good work!
- Who's winning now? - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 4:23 pm:
Dan Proft, the guy who ran for govern and lost. He couldn’t cover the $150K until Rauner came along. And the question must be asked did Rauner hitch his horse to the wrong Proft?
Proft fails to mention and refuses to talk on air about his own stint as a State employee. Was his employment as an Shackman exempt position?
Shackman exempt is another word for political hack who didn’t need to qualify for the position.
Is Proft, his side kick and the Station facing a FCC investigation?
This guy, tied to mob connected Cicero, appears to be a guy who is not tightly bolted together.
- Mama - Thursday, Mar 17, 16 @ 7:41 pm:
Winning? No one is winning this game.