Connecting the dots
Monday, Jun 6, 2016 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Only a month late to the game…
On Saturday, News 3 found a financial disclosure statement from the GOP in Springfield showing that on May 4 Rauner donated the $5 million through his campaign committee. As we reported Friday night, the Illinois Republican Party then transferred $2 million on May 10 to the Illinois House Republican Organization, listed at the bottom of the TV ad as the group that paid for it.
They “found” it? Um, OK. But better late than never, I suppose.
* And the story’s belated timing means they can tie a couple of things together…
Gov. Rauner and other top Republicans have been accusing Democratic lawmakers of “slow walking” budget negotiations so they wouldn’t have to take tough votes on tax increases, program cuts, and possibly planks in the governor’s “Turnaround Agenda” platform until after the November elections.
Now Democrats point to Rauner’s donation in early May as evidence that he was more interested in using a budget impasse against them than getting a deal. Whatever his motives, the top House Democratic budget negotiator says the attack ads are poisoning the relationship between both sides even more.
“And I don’t understand the finger pointing,” Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion) told News 3 in an interview Friday. “And then you’ve got TV ads in the can. How is any of that (bargaining) in good faith?”
I think the early May transfer had more to do with managing nervous rank and file Republicans. Not mentioned in the story is how SEIU Healthcare has been whacking GOP legislators for months. That made them pretty nervous. So, with the end of session coming up, Team Rauner soothed some fears with money. Lots of money. It probably also didn’t hurt to remind the rank and file at a crucial point that the governor has cash to throw around as he pleases.
Rep. Bradley hasn’t been targeted in a very long time. He’d better get used to the attention.
* Also, too, it’s been pretty clear for quite a while that Speaker Madigan wasn’t all that interested in cutting a non-budget deal. So you can’t really blame Team Rauner for getting ready.
- 360 Degree Turnaround - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 9:58 am:
If Madigan dumped a bunch of money into political account in May…he would be skewered. Why does Rauner get a pass on this? He should have been working on state budget, not political budget.
- Not It - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:00 am:
Give me a break. If the leader of the State’s Democratic Party had spent money on Democrats, would they run the same story?
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:00 am:
–Also, too, it’s been pretty clear for quite a while that Speaker Madigan wasn’t all that interested in cutting a non-budget deal.–
Huh. So, what’s the reason, again, that you can’t have a budget without a “non-budget deal?”
Kind of an important question. It would be swell if someone could answer it, after all this time.
When did a budget and honoring state contracts become “optional?” I think it was in January 2015.
What’s the good reason for that?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:02 am:
===Rep. Bradley hasn’t been targeted in a very long time. He’d better get used to the attention.===
Welcome to the new “Normal”
The only “beef” (it’s not even really a beef, it’s looking at things more from the governmental politics then the raw politics… ) I have is it was June, not August or September, and 17 more Democrats are needed in two chambers after May 31st.
That’s it. The governmental politics here, yikes. But, you have the cash, I guess trying to woo Dems at a higher number, now, isn’t a priority(?)
I am “thrilled” when I see local Press catch up to hats “going on” even if their conclusions aren’t fleshed out properly in a Block B news segment.
Congratulations!
- hockey fan - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:09 am:
NOT IT - the difference may not matter to some, but in my view it’s a huge. This is his personal money. It’s his personal agenda. Not political, not the party, not the House Republican Caucus, not the Senate GOP caucus his personal money - his personal agenda. It’s a big difference.
Why did Edgar, Ryan and Quinn compromise with legislative leaders in the past? Because their agendas were a mix of political and policy. Their end goal was to move the needle and make progress while running an good government. Rauner’s agenda is personal - and he wants to “win” he doesn’t want progress and he clearly does not care about running government.
The focus on Madigan remains curious. Nobody has yet to explain how a majority of Democrats would vote for Rauner’s personal agenda when it is very anti-union. They are the majority party - and that’s unlikely to change anytime soon.
- Georg Sande - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:10 am:
Lol. This same practice has been going on by Speaker Madigan … for decades. In fact, he has as much political money on-hand and of record as the Governor; though no one seems all that interested (yet again) in connecting those dots. #Shocked
- 360 Degree Turnaround - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:16 am:
Sande -
Speaker Madigan usually passes a budget for the state through his chamber. The difference is that he can do both. Rauner has no state budget, but was able to formulate a political budget. Serving himself and his interests before those of the state.
- John Reynolds - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:16 am:
@360:
Agreed! Its the same thing when National Republican leaders *Endorse* their nominee.
Republicans want to have their cake and eat it too. Doesnt work that way.
The former nursing home manager is doing everything in his power to sink the middle class and this state, at the same time laughing it up about *those people* at the wine and cheese parties on the deck in Winnetkastan.
- Not It - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:22 am:
Hockey Fan - I think it is safe to assume that Rauner’s personal money is the same as Republican money. He’s been giving the party tons of cash for two years now.
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:24 am:
a) Leveragin’,
b) Squeezin’,
c) Wedgin’,
d) Starvin’,
e) All of the above.
@RonSandack: I’m frustrated 2, but taking steps towards reforming IL more important than short term budget stalemate. - Ron Sandack, 9/28/15
– MrJM
- Federalist - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:26 am:
Politics as usual. Both sides engage in this type of activity when it suits them.
- its hard out here for a pol - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:28 am:
Poor Rep. Bradley - voting to raise taxes, supporing Madigan, chairing Madigan’s Revenue Committee…voting for a $7 billion out of balance budget and then calling it “a gift” to the Governor. I mean, why won’t those meanies just leave him alone. Just wait until the mud starts flying from his campaign - his opponent will hate women with breast cancer, children with autism, and maybe, just maybe if they’re lucky they’ll find a way to say he wants sex offenders roaming the halls of our schools and traversing the slides of our city parks. Grow up John…going to be a very long, very hot summer for you.
- Former State Employee - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:29 am:
Rich, not sure you will let this run, but during my time in town, I found John Bradley to be a thoroughly mean spirited person. Unusual for a politician who mostly spend time trying to make people like them. I hate to see Brandon Phelps targeted, great guy, but maybe John Bradley needs a bit of humility
- hockey fan - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:29 am:
Yes, that’s my point.
However, we have never ever had one person writing all the checks to one party. yes Madigan writes the party checks, but he has to talk to lots of unions, lots of trial lawyers and lots of wealthy donors to get those checks.
The unions have had a huge and heavy influence on both parties (IHA and some Teamsters used to back tons of Republicans - not just Dems), Madigan has had a huge and heavy influence on his own caucus.
But there is a difference when all the money comes from one single person - and he’s the governor. It’s his money. It’s his agenda. He didn’t have a PAC committee develop his donor list or his agenda. He doesn’t have members who pay dues who he represents. he doesn’t have employees or colleagues who he is fighting for. It’s his money, it’s his agenda.
Again, maybe most people think its the same thing. I do not, I think it’s different and it’s not good.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:30 am:
Both sides engage in this practice, might be. But one side does his constitutional duty to pass a budget before concentrating on politics. Serve the state, not the self.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:32 am:
–In fact, he has as much political money on-hand and of record as the Governor; though no one seems all that interested (yet again) in connecting those dots. #Shocked–
You can’t be serious (obviously). It’s not even close.
Let me ask you something — when you make ludicrous statements to support you “point,” does it ever occur to you that your point is nonsense?
This state has never seen anything like the Rauner funder network. Good, bad or indifferent, it’s just not debatable. Griff alone could swamp anything the Dems could raise with pocket change.
- LXA 276 - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:33 am:
MEMORIES OF MUHAMMAD ALI
Many of you have heard of the visit to the Capitol in November 1975 by Muhammad Ali. He was the guest of Senator Charlie Chew.
Senator Chew and Muhammad Ali were good friends, and Senator Chew would attend all of Ali’s fights. A review of old videotape will show Senator Chew as part of the small entourage that would escort Ali to the ring before each fight. Senator Chew was at the “Thrilla in Manilla” … the “Rumble in the Jungle” … and all the others. Ali would give his close friends commemorative rings that indicated the opponent-location-and date of his victory. Senator Chew had such a collection. At times, the attendance of Senator Chew at an Ali fight would cause scheduling problems for the Senate – they needed his vote, but his priority was to be at an Ali fight.
When Ali visited the Illinois State Senate Chamber, he was introduced to the Senate President … Senator Cecil Partee, by Senator Chew.
Does anyone remember the hilarious/startling comment that Muhammad Ali made to his good friend Senator Chew during that introduction?
I was there … but, opt not to repeat it!
- Former State Employee - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:35 am:
I was able to meet Ali during that trip. Very very cool. He was standing outside with a small group, imagine that, on the steps leaving the Capitol
- Annonin' - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 10:44 am:
Surprised the station did not “found” how much Durkie and HGOPPies dropped into the station’s bank account with the Summer of hate ads. This is just slight variation og ‘15 when BigBrain wrote rental checks to most GOPies to secure their votes. Now he gives to Durkie via IL GOP. BTW how come SqueezeTheBeast is left high and dry? What an insult.
- downstater - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:06 am:
-Also, too, it’s been pretty clear for quite a while that Speaker Madigan wasn’t all that interested in cutting a non-budget deal. So you can’t really blame Team Rauner for getting ready.-
Exactly. Madigan has been doing this for decades. Now they’re getting a taste of their own medicine.
- downstater - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:07 am:
-Just wait until the mud starts flying from his campaign - his opponent will hate women with breast cancer, children with autism, and maybe, just maybe if they’re lucky they’ll find a way to say he wants sex offenders roaming the halls of our schools and traversing the slides of our city parks.-
It’s already started. http://advantagenews.com/features/commentary/beiser-ads-show-rauner-and-babcock%E2%80%99s-true-colors/
- 360 Degree Turnaround - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:23 am:
Downstater- Madigan passed budgets before going to general election. State before self. Rauner needs to do his primary job first.
- walker - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 11:57 am:
More a message to disagreeable GOP House members, than to anyone else. No surprise there.
The difference between Rauner’s and Madigan’s House campaign funding is that Rauner’s comes along with an assumption that an almost unlimited amount could be made available if necessary. Very hard to judge what Rauner et al practical upper limits might be. After all millions are still millions, and at some point you will get diminishing returns on your campaign investments. Begs the question just what Rauner, Griffin, and friends have assumed will be the real dollar impact of a successful Rauner TA program.
Or is it more about ego, image, or mythical fulfillment for them? Oh, for some serious financial projections!
- Triple fat - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 12:00 pm:
Connecting the dots to the Governor’s personal cash looks to me like someone seeking undue influence. Unethical at best!
- Bulldog58 - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 4:47 pm:
—How is any of that (bargaining) in good faith?—
Rauner not bargaining in good faith?
Shocking. Who would have believed such a thing.
Signed,
AFSCME
- Property of idoc - Monday, Jun 6, 16 @ 9:42 pm:
Let’s not forget, the 2mil money transfer came right before the 580 veto override fail.