* Mark Brown interviewed Jim Sweeney of Operating Engineers Local 150…
Sweeney noted that 40 percent of building trades workers identify as Republican.
“So I’ve got to give those members, and I think all labor leaders need to be giving members, a choice in both parties,” said Sweeney, a one-time Democrat who now considers himself more of an independent.
Sweeney is trying to recruit Sen. Sam McCann, a union-friendly Republican from Plainview, to make the race. McCann has said he is considering a run, but has not committed. As far as I can tell, there is no Plan B if he doesn’t.
“[McCann] definitely wants to run,” Sweeney said Monday. “The key is having enough support, and more importantly, the money we would need to support a campaign and not put him on a suicide mission.” […]
Sweeney said he believes Rauner is beatable in a GOP primary.
“The poll numbers are still good for him, but that’s without a viable candidate,” Sweeney said, arguing that Rauner’s support is especially soft in central and southern Illinois.
But is McCann a viable statewide candidate? Bernie Schoenburg has written a bunch of stories about his personal finances, and there could be more out there.
There are those in organized labor who think that running a pro-life, pro-Trump Republican against Rauner only helps the incumbent in the general election. Your thoughts?
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
==But is McCann a viable statewide candidate?==
The dirt he has almost buried him in a district where people know and like him personally. Statewide? Not a chance in hades.
- m - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:01 pm:
I agree with “those in organized labor.”
Dems are already all in with their attempt to make everything Trump/Rauner. McCann in a primary helps draw a distinction between them. Although it could also soften the base’s support for Rauner in the general.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
If McCann wanted to hurt Rauner, he’d try a third party run instead of a primary. Run in the general as a pro-life, pro-Trump Republican and he could do some real damage to the Governor’s re-election hopes.
He’s only a nuisance in a primary. In a general, McCann could be a real threat.
- Roman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
- 47th Ward - nails it.
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:04 pm:
Sam, Sam, Sam, I’m with you for State Senator and would vote for you for gov. (because Rauner is such a huge failure - not because I feel you would make a great gov.), but running would be a huge mistake for you politically.
- Fax Machine - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
Is his Senate seat up in 2018?
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
I encouraged him to run when I saw him at the State Fair, but then I’m Chaotic Good.
- Grand Avenue - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:08 pm:
Maybe for Sam this is all leverage to make a deal to get Rauner to not fund a 2018 primary opponent against him.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:09 pm:
I think if you look at what - 47th Ward - is saying abc factor in s the negative things known or still hidden about Sam McCann, there really isn’t a viability to McCann running in the Primary besides a vanity run with hopes of hurting Rauner, or running as an Indie and trying to shave conservatives and non-Raunerites unwilling to vote for a Dem.
I’m with - Norseman - also, in the end as well.
Sen. McCann, it’s a mistake.
- Chairman McBroom - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:10 pm:
Since his business and personal finances have been a disaster, McCann needs his legislative salary and campaign fund to prop up his lifestyle. Terrible personal move if he does run (unless Local 150 or other unions promised him something in return post an almost-guaranteed loss). Plus his Senate seat is up in ‘18.
- Retired Educator - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:12 pm:
I think Sam (My Friend for many years) would make a good governor. That being said, I believe sitting this one out would be the best move. The money that would be thrown at him would make his last race look like very small indeed. Again that being said, I will help anyway I can, from organization, to knocking on doors. Good Luck.
- Grand Avenue - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
For this to make any sense, McCann needs to be 100% Trump Train because he would need to make an issue of the fact that Rauner has been anti-Trump.
Is Sen McCann comfortable tying himself at the hip to Trump?
- Bored Chairman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
How stupid does Sweeney think McCann is. If you read the article, Sweeney comes out and says they’re supporting JB Pritzker over McCann if Sam wins the primary. Why would McCann run in a primary only to have his benefactors turn on him in the general? 150 is used to the chess pieces moving around as they wish it. Ask Linda Chapa LaVia how that worked out…
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
Dont tell Trumpka, but 40% of steelworkers identify themselves as conservatives. As confirmed by an informal Blue Dog poll over the weekend.
- Cubs in '16 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
Arsenal–I don’t know how many will get your D&D reference but that’s funny.
- A State Employee Guy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
Sweeney is an “independent” because he has no moral fortitude. He doesn’t have the sand to stand up and embrace the democratic ideals that are central to organized labor. 150 republicans are a prime example of voters who vote against their own self interest.
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
If it’s the same Sam McCann I think we’re talking about…Candidacy Statewide? DOA.
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:30 pm:
The only person wackier than Sweeney is McCann … both are just totally out of their minds.
That said, a primary may actually help Rauner, so perhaps Sam can finally serve in a usual Republican capacity, as a sacrifial lamb.
- Deft Wing - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:31 pm:
… useful Republican capacity …
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
…stand up and embrace the democratic ideals that are central to organized labor.
I am highly confused by that statement. The bluest of blue states and we have seen union memberahip decline for the last 30 years. Median income levels stagnet. Are work comp rates part of those ideals? Excessive regs both in the enviroment and work safety? I kinda know were your coming from ,but collective bargaining only matters if ya have a job.
- Piece of Work - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
Would be an absolute beat down if he runs.
- Anon312 - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:38 pm:
McCann is weak. He’s not even half the lawmaker Ken Dunkin was, and his political career will fizzle out just the same.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
==Why would McCann run in a primary only to have his benefactors turn on him in the general?==
I mean, *if* he were the Republican nominee, he’d find a few new dance partners to replace 150.
==I don’t know how many will get your D&D reference but that’s funny.==
If it’s just the two of us, dayenu.
- DuesPayingMember - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
How’d that work out for Kirk Dillard again? What about the libertarian they ran last time? Neither of them had a chance and yet Sweeney spent all that dues money on another losing strategy.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:49 pm:
What 47 said. A GOP primary against Rauner is a pipe dream.
- Blue dog dem - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:51 pm:
Agreed. What a pity. At a time when our state needs a true conservative at the helm. This is what we are stuck with.
- Anonymice - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:54 pm:
-A State Employee Guy-
The building trades have been historically 60/40 dem/rep. So, with that in mind, why not try to influence some of those votes - votes that would never be cast for a Dem under any circumstances - away from Rauner? At the very least McCann running means Rauner has to slide towards the middle or the right before the general … hopefully forcing him to finally take some hard positions on sensitive issues… something he has been able to avoid doing. Not saying McCann has a shot or that forcing Rauner to make difficult decisions is a bulletproof idea, but its something.
To your other point, what has the Dem party done for organized Labor lately? Im not insinuating that a majority of the ideals Dems hold up as their own aren’t shared by Labor, but what really has the Dem party done for Labor lately? I’ll wait. And not actively trying to dismantle organized labor does not count.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:55 pm:
‘Conservative’ is a term in flux today. How many in the vein of Double R or Buckley? Hannity calls himself a conservative. Of a totally different stripe I’d say.
- pity party - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 4:57 pm:
= What a pity. At a time when our state needs a true conservative at the helm. This is what we are stuck with. =
What we are stuck with is a bunch of faux “conservative” leaders who had their pockets lined by Rauner to begin with. None of those people have a shred of credibility left.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:00 pm:
Rauner needs badly to be primaried, but not McCann. Dold.
- walker - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:01 pm:
Whatever. Even this little hint will call in the Rauner attack dogs from out of state. They’re overdue for fresh meat. Sam’s going to have a tough Autumn.
- Roman - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:11 pm:
The old adage “if it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger” applies here.
If Sam could beat Rauner, that would be great. But I don’t see how he can. Any conservative or Trumpian primary challenge to Rauner that fails will only help him reclaim his reputation as a moderate, which will only make him stronger in the Fall.
- DeseDemDose - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:14 pm:
Any Union members who have voted Republican in the last few elections especially after these Rauner and Trump debacles are insane.
- Paul - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:17 pm:
McCann should have a good talk with Kirk Dillard - you know the other republican that had last minute support from labor who thought they would pull him across the finish line. McCann is a great person - but he has a lot of baggage that a $70 M war chest will bring out in less than 30 seconds in a state wide race. Also, you can’t win statewide on the downstate Trump ticket - you need the collars and they aren’t loving on Trump.
- The Dude Abides - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:23 pm:
Previous posters have pretty much covered this one. Don’t do it Sam! Stay on as a Senator.
- Ron - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:48 pm:
The state needs a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. In classical terms, we need a true Liberal.
- Ron - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 5:50 pm:
Paul, only 35% of Americans nationally approve of white supremacist Trump now. It’s probably 20% in Illinois.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 6:00 pm:
Note: I’m writing this before reading the comments.
I’m a McCann supporter. But that is one huge hill to climb. As Rich and Berne have pointed out, Sam has his share of baggage.
And it will take ridiculous amounts of money to make a halfway credible run. About the only way I see Sam being able to overcome Rauner’s money advantage would be to pull a Dan Walker and, literally, walk and drive the entire State. He is a good campaigner but that is a heck of an effort. It would be a long shot, but Sam does come across well in person.
He would need to thread the needle between Rauner and whatever Democrat candidate, fiscally conservative but socially liberal. There might be a path there, especially with people fed up with both sides, but still think it would be a suicide mission.
- JackD - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 7:04 pm:
40% of building trades union members are Republicans? They’re getting exactly what they deserve!
- Waterfall - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 8:32 pm:
This is a good reflection of Sweeney’s political acumen. That’s not a compliment.
- Real - Tuesday, Aug 22, 17 @ 10:08 pm:
I can’t say for sure if McCann should or should not run. If he plans on retiring from the legislature anytime soon then go ahead and run. If he runs it will make it that much harder for Rauner to win in the general if he makes it there. McCann can definately weaken any support that Rauner has downstate. We need Rauner gone by any means necessary.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 8:46 am:
==He’s only a nuisance in a primary. In a general, McCann could be a real threat.==
Paging Mr. Pawar.
- NorthsideNoMore - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:37 am:
Nice guy, but lacks the base, has baggage and lack of $$$$$$$.. not gonna happen unless ALL the trades go all in for him.
- Generic Drone - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 9:40 am:
47th ward @4:02pm
If Mcann ran as a pro Trump Republican, he might have a chance?
You are kidding right? Trumps done. Toast. And you are askin for more. Geesh…
- Keyser Soze - Wednesday, Aug 23, 17 @ 10:50 am:
To meet Sam is to like Sam. Whether likability is enough to win a state-wide race, absent other necessities such as money, is a whole different matter.