* Daniel Biss’ campaign has been teasing a big announcement…
I’m told by someone close to the campaign that he’s planning to unveil his running mate.
* Our pal Kyle Hillman throws out some names…
I heard it was Carlos Rosa yesterday, but that’s just gossip and I can’t vouch for it.
* Sneed…
Ka-ching! Haul out the abacus: Actor Keegan-Michael Key, who starred in the Comedy Central sketch series “Key & Peele” and co-stars in the USA Network comedy series “Playing House,” is hitting the hustings to help fill the campaign coffers for Dem gubernatorial hopeful Chris Kennedy. A Second City alum and friend of Chris and the Kennedy family — having spent weekends with the family in Hyannis Port and who operated as former President Barack Obama’s hysterical alter-ego at a White House Correspondent’s Dinner — Key will headline the 5:30 to 7 p.m. Kennedy reception Sept. 8 at the Hubbard Inn.
For Kennedy’s sake, I hope he raises some big bucks at that event. In the past two weeks he’s reported just $1,000. And that little contribution was made by the wife of Bill Daley, his campaign finance chairman who was brought in to make some rain.
* JB Pritzker is on a bus tour this week. Here’s the ILGOP’s take…
J.B. Pritzker Kicks Off “Think Big” Bus Tour with Mike Madigan in the Driver’s Seat
Pritzker “thinks big” by supporting Madigan’s big 32% tax hike and other taxes on Illinois families
“If J.B. Pritzker were an honest politician, he would dub his upcoming road trip the ‘Tax Hike’ tour, but he only has snake oil to sell to Illinois families. Even before Pritzker and Madigan got their 32% tax hike enacted into law, Pritzker supported other big tax hikes on Illinois families. With tax hikes like these, it’s clear Madigan is in the driver’s seat on the Pritzker campaign bus.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
Today, Madigan ally and Democrat candidate for governor J.B. Pritzker plans to kick off his “Think Big” bus tour across Illinois. Just how exactly does Pritzker think big? By supporting Mike Madigan’s big 32% tax hike, of course.
When Pritzker isn’t “[throwing] rose petals in Madigan’s path,” he’s pushing Madigan’s tax hikes and his “pro-Chicago,” no reform agenda,
But even before Pritzker got his big, Madigan-backed, 32% tax hike enacted into law, he supported other big tax hikes.
This past April, Pritzker made it clear that he supports a substantial increase in the state income taxes and said the state income tax should be increased to at least 5 percent, perhaps higher.
Later in May, Pritzker’s campaign backed a plan to “tax all federally-taxable retirement income.”
And while J.B. Pritzker has been pushing tax hikes on Illinois families, he’s cutting deals with crooked Cook County insiders to get his own property taxes lowered, even as he opposes a property tax freeze.
With tax hikes like these, it’s clear Madigan is in the driver’s seat on the Pritzker campaign bus.
Here’s a live look at Madigan and Pritzker departing Chicago:
…Adding… Team Pritzker responded…
* Related…
* As Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls campaign in Cairo, Poshard urges them to gain a deeper understanding: Poshard said he has cautioned all of them to be mindful of the city’s complex history, and to sacrifice political expediency in exchange for a willingness to take a detailed and honest look at the specific issues facing Cairo. Poshard said the attention on the small community of less than 2,500 can be a good thing, but only if the spotlight prompts honest conversation.
* Q and A With Gubernatorial Candidate Ameya Pawar’s Running Mate: Tyrone Coleman
- Ghost - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:22 pm:
So Kennedy, running because he is a Kennedy, but no real platform, messageing or money.
Biss needs to up his game and get his name out.
- Oneman - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
Any chance of getting Poshard to run?
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:26 pm:
It’s a teeny tiny thing, but I don’t think repeating Pritzker’s slogan a bunch of times helps make ILGOP’s case.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
Guzzardi’s awesome, and Rosa sounds pretty cool, but leaving a woman off the ticket seems like an unforced error.
- AuH20 - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:31 pm:
Apologies if this has been discussed before, but it looks more and more Biss is conceding the black vote to Pritzker/Kennedy.
Off the top of my head, major endorsements so far: Schneider (N/NW suburbs), Kelly (S suburbs), and a smattering of state legislators and local officials from A. the north/northwest side and suburbs or B. central Illinois.
As a former U of C professor with a reform-minded image, Biss will do well in Hyde Park, but I don’t think I’ve seen a field staffer in Woodlawn all summer.
Pritzker made Stratton his running mate, and both Pritzker and Kennedy has Bobby Rush’s endorsement. None of these options look like they’ll help Biss play for the South Side vote.
- AuH20 - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:33 pm:
**Typo above: Should say “Pritzker made Stratton his running mate, and Kennedy has Bobby Rush’s endorsement”
- TopHatMonocle - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:38 pm:
When I heard about the “big announcement” happening in Logan Square, I immediately thought he was picking Carlos Rosa for Lt Gov. Rosa is a good choice, and much better than Pawar’s pick.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:38 pm:
==Carlos Rosa? Will Guzzardi?==
So the so-called progressive guy who gave a Nissan dealership a huge tax break to move down the street or the so-called progressive guy whose well-to-do family abused NY’s rent control system? Decisions, decisions…
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 12:40 pm:
==Apologies if this has been discussed before, but it looks more and more Biss is conceding the black vote to Pritzker/Kennedy.==
Well, only if these rumors are true. If he picks someone like Litesa Wallace, it’s a completely different story.
But I suppose this is the downside of Biss knowing exactly who he is and building out methodically from there. You give your opponents a lot of time to snag some of your potential allies.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:05 pm:
Arsenal - great minds think alike. I too believe Litesa Wallace would be a great pick as Biss’s running mate.
- City Zen - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:06 pm:
Shouldn’t JB stand behind the yellow line?
- Evanston Dem - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:12 pm:
Wallace got out in front of Biss early and makes a lot of sense. However, Rosa? That’s just not a smart move on any front. Hopefully that is just a bad rumor or he might finish dead last in this race.
- Century Club - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
First, it’s possible Biss may be going for Logan Square because it’s accessible to the Chicago press and he has a big enough base there to make for an energetic rally.
But Rosa would be a pretty outstanding pick, especially given what Biss’s options are likely to be. His underdog status probably knocks out choices who would have to give up their seats, like Rep. Carol Ammons or Rep. Litsea Wallace. The Cook County Dems endorsement of Pritzker really leaves only the fringes of the Chicago / Cook contingent. Would Rosa be the first openly gay Lt. Gov candidate?
To AuH20’s point: Given Pritzker’s organizational strength and Kennedy’s name/background, I doubt Biss’s plan relies heavily on the African American vote in Chicago, but he will get votes there. Congressman Kelly is a solid endorsement and represents more African Americans than any other Congressional District in Illinois. I would guess he will aim for the progressive/ anti-Rahm African American voters in Chicago and call it a win if he gets them.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
I hear that after a long search, Scott Drury selected the only possible l.g. candidate to meet his standards for independence and integrity: a clone of himself.
“I shall call him Mini-Former-Federal-Prosecutor.”
- Sue - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:28 pm:
JB should stay on that bus. When it. Punted he sided with the teacher unions and not students. He is just a machine pol. If he wants a new job he should go work for weight watchers and leave us alone
- Sue - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:29 pm:
Counted. Sorry
- wndycty - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
I think Daniel needs to look outside of Chicago and female. My personal favorite is Litesa Wallace. Also, Black women are who the Democratic candidates need to activate, Robin Kelly endorsement aside, passing up a Black woman may be a mistake. Wallace gives him someone outside of Chicagoland and a woman of color.
Rosa would be interesting but I wonder if him being a Democratic Socialist would be a liability in a general election: https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/socialism-democratic-socialists-of-america-convention-millennials-carlos-ramirez-rosa/Content?oid=29358708
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:49 pm:
==When it. Punted he sided with the teacher unions and not students.==
How did he do that, with his precisely zero votes in the GA?
- yinn - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:53 pm:
===Counted. Sorry===
Don’t be sorry for the typo, be sorry for the cheap shot.
- I'mDone - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:55 pm:
Biss should pick Carol Ammons because that would lock down the progressives out of Champaign County, she’s a woman of color, and most importantly, she was an early and “yuge” Bernie backer in 2016 - since Pawar is trying to nail down that voting block, Carol would have the bona fides to bring them over to Biss.
- The Muse - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
I would be surprised if any state rep is Biss’ running mate. Losing your seat on something that is far less than a sure thing seems like a big ask. Iris Martinez doesn’t make that much sense when she’s up next year either, but then again, she’s been in there since 2003. Would she be willing to risk calling it a career?
- CEA - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:05 pm:
Shorter Poshard: “Come on down, guys, but remember that there are a lot of places down here to hide a body. Just saying.”
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
Rich, free my comment from moderation. Did I accidentally use an exclamation point?
- TopHatMonocle - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
Rosa is up in 2019 and wouldn’t lose his seat to run as Lt Gov. It gives him a platform for the future, win or lose. If anything, he’ll be outshining Biss. I don’t see anyone who has to give up their seat joining Biss, as things stand currently. That leaves slim pickings.
- Whatever - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
JB: Would you please stop texting while you’re driving.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:21 pm:
My, this speculation over people that most other people in the state have never heard of is—fascinating.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
Responsa, if this site is covering aspects of the campaign that you find too arcane, go to a newspaper website. Your eyes won’t be bothered.
- Multi Millinioaire - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
The very wealthy Dan Biss should select a running mate who actually is middle class. Might give a boost to his we hate rich people campaign.
- wordslnger - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:36 pm:
Responsa, you have a strange self-righteous contempt for political talk on a political blog.
What were your expectations, after all this time?
But thank goodness you’re around to represent “most other people.”
How’d you get that gig, anyway? Was there a vote or something?
- MOON - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
MULTI
You refer to Biss as “very wealthy”.
Can you clarify that statement. Based upon his disclosure statement he is far from wealthy.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 2:40 pm:
Word on the street is that Biss is looking for a long distance runner to be his LG. He needs someone who can help him as he continues to run away from his record as a legislator.
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 3:04 pm:
Moon, I assume he was referencing Biss’s family wealth.
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
So Kennedy brought Bill Daley on board in early July to help with fundraising. Daley promised to help raise the necessary $8-10 million needed for the race and took shots at his candidate and the campaign’s FR operation. Since that time they’ve raised less than $50,000 in a1s and the most recent contribution is $1,000 from Daley’s wife?
Now that’s impressive.
- Dance Band on the Titanic - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Can’t let the Aaron DeGroot quote about “snake oil” pass without noting his expertise in peddling it.
- Anon57 - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
So first, Biss is not “very wealthy.” That’s a ridiculous statement.
Second, I’ll be disappointed if it’s Rosa. I know he’s a liberal darling, but I tend to find him non-substantive and not very serious.
Third, Pawar is clearly not seriously running for governor and needs to pack it in and stop wasting everyone’s time. I’m not exactly sure what he’s running for, but it’s becoming obvious to observers that he’s not taking this race seriously and isn’t really interested in doing anything other than raising his profile.
- LeonDespres - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 4:15 pm:
The idea that anyone is conceding any particular demographic based on their selection of their running mate isn’t serious… it’s obviously an important decision but building out your base is so much more completed than that.
- SchruteFarms - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 4:28 pm:
Anon57
What makes you say Pawar is not seriously running? He may not have money or much of a chance but my bet is that he is polling neck and neck with Biss. Any shakeup in the race and either Biss or Pawar could catch, and that should worry Pritzker. Kennedy is the one running a campaign that’s not serious, and if he drops, look out JB. Biss and Pawar are huge long shots, but Biss has more money and Pawar has more star power. In the end JB wins it.
- wndycty - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 4:52 pm:
@LeonDespres I don’t disagree, but given Pritzker picking Stratton choosing Rosa makes Biss’s effort to attract Black votes more challenging. Furthermore the DSA/Sanders types do not play well with the larger Democratic base.
- here we go again... - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 5:22 pm:
Biss may solidify the “progressive” base by picking Rosa, but I don’t know if it’s the best decission. Plus as Lt Gov, would Rosa still have time to tweet about the mayor?
- Blue dog dem - Wednesday, Aug 30, 17 @ 8:56 pm:
Did Biss pick Blago or Quinn as his LG?
- Retired Educator - Thursday, Aug 31, 17 @ 6:26 am:
Mentioning Madigan 8 times in a press release,makes it seems like they don’t have anyone who can think past the name. I understand the Speaker will be the target, but try making a point instead of just reguritating the name over and over. Maybe I am asking to much of the BTIA.