* Should the Illinois AFL-CIO endorse a candidate for governor this week or wait a while? Click here to take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
I would say yes, do it now. We already know the Republican candidate will be Rauner (He’s been campaigning for a while LOL), so let’s move toward getting his Democratic opponent in place.
last week’s blago/pritzker fbi tapes are an example of why it would be wise for the afl-cio to wait … these young gubernatorial campaigns need time to prove themselves to the electorate
For the love of God, wait. The last thing you want to do is hitch your wagon to a horse before you know for sure whether it has a lot more horseshoes waiting to drop.
They should wait. If its a good idea now, then it will still be a good idea a few months from now. But who knows what might turn up to make it a bad idea? And its not as if Pritzker needs their donations to his campaign right away. Does Pritzker even need anybody’s donations to his campaign?
I know the candidates love endorsements(although some say it doesn’t matter), what I do know, is that conservative rank and file will vote for a candidate that protects the rights of legal gun ownership. Hence the 2 out of 5 households.
Get it over with. Locals will still bring in candidates to chat with their members but end of day everyone is going with the guy who can take care of everyone.
Look at today’s robocall scenario. Can Kennedy do that? How about Biss or Pawar? I’m sure some Dem State Reps who got targeted last month by the GOP are pretty happy with JB right about now? And some GOP State Reps are freaking out? That was a really good move by the Pritzker camp.
Endorsing J. B. Pritzker prematurely could be similar to the County Democrats endorsing Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown and having to rescind the endorsement weeks later.
The idea behind those early labor endorsements for Pritzker was to push Kennedy out. Clearly that’s not going to happen based on the swings Kennedy has been taking recently. They should wait and endorse when “normal” people are paying attention to have a larger impact.
- Hit Em With the Hein - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
I agree with OW if he’ll to fund the party win or lose, then wait. If not, then pull the trigger. 150 million is a lot of lettuce. That’s why St. Clair County endorsed early cause they didn’t want to upset him and lose his cash.
But, this is why Bruce gets reelected. The party doesn’t care if JB loses they get his money either way. Not sure the base will get fired up over him and Bruce pulls downstate again (except for St. Clair County). MJM will keep his spot, keep his money, and probably make even more bilking dems out of Rauner hate donations for another 4 years.
I once asked an ex security guy for the gaming board why it took so long for them to ok a license. His response was that it took a while for “stuff” to float to the top. He said he might go interview a neighbor of an applicant and they would say glowing things about them. Then 6 months later the applicant somehow ticks off the neighbor and that might trigger a memory from the past that is prejudicial to the applicant.
It applies to many situations and elections are one of them.
Absolutely do not endorse. The gentleman is another Rauner, another cartoon character. Illinois need someone who can manage the state not another billionaire.
Postponing makes labor look weak, and creates an unnecessary cloud around Pritzker.
No matter who the Democratic nominee is, the Rauner campaign is going to spend $100 million claiming it is Mike Madigan who is really running the show.
You win this race by spending enough money to remind people that this election is about Bruce rauner’s record of failure.
And JB shouldn’t give a penny to help elect anyone who runs him and his family down on the airwaves.
- Turn Around For What? - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 7:21 pm:
I am a Union member and believe there is no reason to wait. If you have someone you want to endorse go for it now an move on.
Unessicary cloud around JB??? He did that to himself when he wanted to play let’s make a deal with Rod! No way should they do this endorsement now….they might go for Pritzker now but I think the voters around the state are not going to agree with yet another cloud of Blago’s felony fingerprint on our future
- Lt Guv - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:32 pm:
U could see making the move this fall, but this is just too early.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:34 pm:
No, it should wait until it owns the Sun-Times, then it should endorse J.B.
- Christopher - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:35 pm:
I would say yes, do it now. We already know the Republican candidate will be Rauner (He’s been campaigning for a while LOL), so let’s move toward getting his Democratic opponent in place.
- downstate dem - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
last week’s blago/pritzker fbi tapes are an example of why it would be wise for the afl-cio to wait … these young gubernatorial campaigns need time to prove themselves to the electorate
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
If Pritzker says he will fund the Illinois Dems, win or lose in March, then wait.
If Pritzker says “I win, I fund. I lose, I walk”, then this week might be a good idea… to proceed as planned.
“Yeah, I am that cynical… “
- lake county democrat - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
They should ask the Speaker what to do.
- South of Sherman - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
For the love of God, wait. The last thing you want to do is hitch your wagon to a horse before you know for sure whether it has a lot more horseshoes waiting to drop.
- Annyong - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:41 pm:
Hold off awhile. I don’t see any true upside to endorsing JB (or anyone) this early!
- Joe M - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
They should wait. If its a good idea now, then it will still be a good idea a few months from now. But who knows what might turn up to make it a bad idea? And its not as if Pritzker needs their donations to his campaign right away. Does Pritzker even need anybody’s donations to his campaign?
- Spliff - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
Until one of the candidates actually files petitions they should hold off.
- Responsa - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
Endorsements are so last century.
- downstate commissioner - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:47 pm:
voted wait. No reason to do it now.
- blue dog dem - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
I know the candidates love endorsements(although some say it doesn’t matter), what I do know, is that conservative rank and file will vote for a candidate that protects the rights of legal gun ownership. Hence the 2 out of 5 households.
- Ahoy! - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
wait, why would anyone endorse this early?
- ArchPundit - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
Wait–let the campaign play out and see who drops out or who can surprise.
- DuPage Bard - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
Get it over with. Locals will still bring in candidates to chat with their members but end of day everyone is going with the guy who can take care of everyone.
Look at today’s robocall scenario. Can Kennedy do that? How about Biss or Pawar? I’m sure some Dem State Reps who got targeted last month by the GOP are pretty happy with JB right about now? And some GOP State Reps are freaking out? That was a really good move by the Pritzker camp.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
Wait. Wait and vet.
- Ron Burgundy - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:12 pm:
Wait. “Tio Hardiman hasn’t had a chance to discuss with them the virtues of Tio Hardiman.” — Tio Hardiman. /s
- Ward Heeler - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:38 pm:
Wait and wait some more.
Endorsing J. B. Pritzker prematurely could be similar to the County Democrats endorsing Circuit Court Clerk Dorothy Brown and having to rescind the endorsement weeks later.
- TopHatMonocle - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
The idea behind those early labor endorsements for Pritzker was to push Kennedy out. Clearly that’s not going to happen based on the swings Kennedy has been taking recently. They should wait and endorse when “normal” people are paying attention to have a larger impact.
- Hit Em With the Hein - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:40 pm:
I agree with OW if he’ll to fund the party win or lose, then wait. If not, then pull the trigger. 150 million is a lot of lettuce. That’s why St. Clair County endorsed early cause they didn’t want to upset him and lose his cash.
But, this is why Bruce gets reelected. The party doesn’t care if JB loses they get his money either way. Not sure the base will get fired up over him and Bruce pulls downstate again (except for St. Clair County). MJM will keep his spot, keep his money, and probably make even more bilking dems out of Rauner hate donations for another 4 years.
- Dead Head - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 3:48 pm:
I said wait because AFSCME was quick to jump on the HRC bandwagon, only to alienate a great deal of members.
- Been There - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
I voted to wait.
I once asked an ex security guy for the gaming board why it took so long for them to ok a license. His response was that it took a while for “stuff” to float to the top. He said he might go interview a neighbor of an applicant and they would say glowing things about them. Then 6 months later the applicant somehow ticks off the neighbor and that might trigger a memory from the past that is prejudicial to the applicant.
It applies to many situations and elections are one of them.
- NW sider - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 4:11 pm:
I am a union member and see little reason to endorse in the primary at all- but definitely not this early.
- Professor - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 4:30 pm:
Absolutely do not endorse. The gentleman is another Rauner, another cartoon character. Illinois need someone who can manage the state not another billionaire.
- Juvenal - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 4:56 pm:
For Pete’s sake, endorse him and move forward.
Postponing makes labor look weak, and creates an unnecessary cloud around Pritzker.
No matter who the Democratic nominee is, the Rauner campaign is going to spend $100 million claiming it is Mike Madigan who is really running the show.
You win this race by spending enough money to remind people that this election is about Bruce rauner’s record of failure.
And JB shouldn’t give a penny to help elect anyone who runs him and his family down on the airwaves.
- Turn Around For What? - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 7:21 pm:
I am a Union member and believe there is no reason to wait. If you have someone you want to endorse go for it now an move on.
- prairiestatedem - Monday, Jun 5, 17 @ 9:51 pm:
Unessicary cloud around JB??? He did that to himself when he wanted to play let’s make a deal with Rod! No way should they do this endorsement now….they might go for Pritzker now but I think the voters around the state are not going to agree with yet another cloud of Blago’s felony fingerprint on our future
- James Knell - Tuesday, Jun 6, 17 @ 2:10 am:
Wait and vet… it’s a campaign… let them campaign.