* From the Illinois Republican Party…
Susana Mendoza Repays Her Debts to Madigan, Endorses Madigan’s Candidate for Governor
Mendoza’s endorsement of J.B. Pritzker is the latest order she’s taken from Mike Madigan
“Mike Madigan made Susana Mendoza’s political career by backing her campaign and clearing the field of her opponents. Now, she’s repaying those debts by endorsing J.B. Pritzker, Madigan’s favorite candidate for governor. Madigan is steamrolling all opposition to Pritzker, and Susana Mendoza is playing her part as a cog in Madigan’s corrupt Chicago Machine.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
In the latest example of Mike Madigan doing whatever it takes to ensure J.B. Pritzker wins the Democratic nomination for governor, Madigan ally Susana Mendoza endorsed Pritzker’s campaign for governor.
It’s well established that J.B. Pritzker is Mike Madigan’s chosen candidate for governor. That is why Mendoza’s endorsement comes as no surprise - she’s been showering Madigan with praise and doing his bidding for years.
Mendoza thinks Madigan is a“brilliant politician, tactician, and public servant and a great man”. Mendoza even said Madigan is her “political mentor”.
Just a day after voting for Madigan’s massive 67% tax hike, Susana Mendoza seconded Madigan’s nomination for Speaker, ensuring yet another disastrous two-years of his reign over Illinois. In her speech, Mendoza said this of Madigan:
“It’s also my sincere honor to second the nomination of Michael J. Madigan for Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives. I’ve had the privilege to serve under his unparalleled leadership for 10 years now, only a quarter of the time that Illinois has benefited from his almost 40 years of stewardship. Over the last decade, I have witnessed his skills as a leader and a man who time and time again has demonstrated his passion and love for this state and has consistently put Illinois first.”
And in 2015, Madigan pushed Daniel Biss out of the race for comptroller to clear the field for Mendoza, preventing a contested primary and ensuring an easy nomination.
Over her long career in politics, Susana Mendoza has racked up a lot of debts with Mike Madigan. Now, Mendoza is repaying her debts to Madigan by endorsing his favorite candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.
- Grand Avenue - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:45 am:
How about finding someone willing to run as your Comptroller candidate?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:46 am:
Way too long to make the “Rauner Word Jumble” case of “because Madigan”
If this is what is considered blowback, it’s a pathetically wordy mish-mash that reminds me how much Rauner truly failed Illinois.
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 10:55 am:
Because Madigan is a really dumb strategy for the GOP. Not everything that happens in Illinois happens “because Madigan.” Those who are likely to believe this are voting for Rauner anyway. And those who, oh I don’t know, have a few brain cells to throw together, will realize that not everything can be explained by “because Madigan.”
- Reese's Pieces - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:02 am:
How about the GOP start realizing that anything Susana does is “BECAUSE MENDOZA!” She is a powerful, unstoppable force. To reduce her MANY accomplishments as a side-effect of anything the Speaker does is - quite frankly - misappropriating and sexist. JUST…STOP.
(You might say I’ve got a #girlcrush. Whatevs. Love me some Mendoza!)
- former southerner - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:05 am:
This must be the IL GOP version of the domino theory and the red scare of the 1950s and 60s. Madigan, in the role of Nikita Khrushchev, is casting a shadow across the region. This probably explains why other states are sending in political advisers and contributing dark money to prevent the spread of Madiganism into adjacent states.
In a related effort to reach less gray voters the IL GOP is considering linking Madigan with Pennywise the evil clown.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:07 am:
91 - consider that Madigan is the chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois, muscled Senator Biss out of the Comptroller race, bankrolled and backed Comptroller Mendoza to the hilt and is supporting JBP the phrase “BECAUSE MADIGAN” works because everything is tied together neatly by one common thread. Madigan is the real and de facto head of the Illinois Dems, and since the federal and state Democratic parties try to tie every Republican to Trump and Rauner then turnabout is fair play.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:09 am:
===…“BECAUSE MADIGAN” works because everything is tied together neatly by one common thread. Madigan is the real and de facto head of the Illinois Dems, and since the federal and state Democratic parties try to tie every Republican to Trump and Rauner then turnabout is fair play===
LOL…
… and yet, Mendoza won the proxy war.
Lots and lots and LOTS of words up there.
You need all those words when it’s a losing argument.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:10 am:
===since the federal and state Democratic parties try to tie every Republican to Trump and Rauner then turnabout is fair play===
Yep.
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:13 am:
There is not a single Republican with a financial background willing to go after the Comptroller position? Basically it is the GOP saying ‘we ain’t got nothin’.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:14 am:
Willy - with respect and admiration some of your replies on posts like this look like they were typed out on an entire Word document page.
Mendoza won. I know that. She was and is Madigan’s preferred candidate and official. So tying together a theory that Mendoza is “repaying a debt” is not far-fetched - especially in Illinois politics.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:16 am:
Rauner’s state party has plenty of time to write long-winded diatribes that don’t or can’t tout the good of Rauner but try to again link Mendoza, which is very fair, but wasn’t enough to defeat her, where Mendoza beat… the Rauner proxy.
The way I see this, when you don’t have to write press releases for a SoS, Treasurer, or Comptroller candidate to take on Dems like Mendoza, you can opine this long on a single release(?)
- Keyrock - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:30 am:
Because Madigan is not entirely incorrect. The Speaker did force Sen. Biss out of the comptroller race, including by squeezing folks who had agreed to endorse Biss.
(That said, this statement is terrible, and Mendoza has been very effective.)
- old time golfer - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:31 am:
With Lisa out and no other Madigan on state wide ticket Mendoza becomes the GOP target by proxy. Not saying she will lose but you can bet Rauner will double down on his attempt to take her out. Ive have said all along she is the most vulnerable state wide ticket holder excluding Rauner.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:32 am:
===…some of your replies on posts like this look like they were typed out on an entire Word document page.===
Ok.
===She was and is Madigan’s preferred candidate and official. So tying together a theory that Mendoza is “repaying a debt” is not far-fetched - especially in Illinois politics.===
… and with ALL that baggage, and ALL that perceived negative, and ALL that “because Madigan”… no Raunerite candidate is going to take her on?
All those words up there embras stage Raunerite state party.
If all that is so alarming… they can’t find a single candidate to take Mendoza on?
I need to change the actual ribbon on my dot-matrix printer, so I’ll leave it here.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:35 am:
===but you can bet Rauner will double down on his attempt to take her out===
Can’t beat somebody with nobody. And so far, they’ve got nobody.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:35 am:
“All those words up there embrass the Raunerite state party.”
Apologies
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:40 am:
==Because Madigan is a really dumb strategy for the GOP.==
It’s a fine strategy, and maybe the best one Rauner has access to since he has no accomplishments. It just doesn’t work for everything. Mendoza is quickly cutting her own political profile, and probably coming off her best week of press ever. So the, “She’s just a Madigan puppet!” message probably won’t resonate right now. Plus, it’s pretty insulting to the only statewide Latina office holder.
- Aldyth - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:42 am:
In the age of MP3 players, this is what a broken record sounds like.
- Anon0091 - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:42 am:
The IL GOP is in disarray. It’s a disaster. Nobody wants to get the taint of Bruce on them. So yea, maybe before you attack Mendoza (who has been fantastic and 1000x better than Biss would have been) you should consider finding a candidate for one of the several holes you have on the statewide ballot.
- Mr B. - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 12:03 pm:
Mendoza’s words are her words. She certainly is an ally of Madigan. Enough about her. Pritzker.
He certainly has honed his establishment credentials, hasn’t he? Not a lot of mention about reforms either. Just about Rauner’s failed leadership. I’ll agree with him about that.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 12:43 pm:
Let’s see if I can summarize. Dems hate the ubiquitous “because Madigan” meme and think it’s ridiculous and Repubs hate the ubiquitous “because Rauner is Trump” meme and think it’s ridicuous. Does that about cover this issue?
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
My guess - and this is just MY guess - is that the ILGOP is having trouble finding a candidate for Comptroller because 18 out of the 22 members in the Senate GOP are up for reelection or retiring after 2018.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
===… is that the ILGOP is having trouble finding a candidate for Comptroller because 18 out of the 22 members in the Senate GOP are up for reelection or retiring after 2018===
Only state Senators can run for Comptroller?
Mendoza was a city clerk.
Where in the state constitution dies it say only state Senators can run for Conptroller, I can’t find that language anywhere.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
These GOP “hits” are boring. Where’s the creativity? Geez. I don’t bother taking out the popcorn for them any more.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:05 pm:
Willy - do you just like to argue for the sake of arguing? My guess is yes. A mid-term Senator would be the ideal person to recruit. That was my point.
Mendoza was a city clerk - of the third largest city in the country.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
Suburban readers/commenters would be better to answer this than me. Are there any countywide GOP officials from one of the collar counties who is mid-term? If not a Senator or retiring Rep that makes the most sense.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:10 pm:
===…do you just like to argue for the sake of arguing? My guess is yes===
You’d be wrong, but if it helps, then you can think that.
===A mid-term Senator would be the ideal person to recruit. That was my point===
… and yet none are “available” to run with Rauner against “Madigan’s” Mendoza? Even retiring ones, I’m your scenario would qualify I guess. No takers.
That’s… interesting.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:39 pm:
Jim Oberweis, Chuck Weaver, Dale Righter and Paul Schimpf are the (lucky?) 4 who are not up next year.
Oberweis is someone who would never get any Rauner money or help. He may also have finally had an epiphany and realize he does not have to always run for higher office.
Weaver is a businessman and grandpa. I doubt he would want to run statewide.
Righter just voted for the tax increase. I cannot imagine Rauner giving him any money or help.
That leaves Paul Schimpf. Not sure if he would run statewide again - although I am a bit surprised he has not expressed (outward) interest in the AG opening.
“Availability” is one thing. “Willingness” is another.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:42 pm:
===Availability” is one thing. “Willingness” is another.===
lol, isn’t that the whole point?
Rauner can’t find anyone willing to run statewide… with he and Trump.
Not just one office, there’s 3 offices lacking ANY candidate, state Senator… or not.
- 3rd Cent. - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:44 pm:
Not running candidates is a strategy, not just futility. There is a “why bother” element, but the reason is a perception that lack of interest in other races will bring the Democratic vote down, especially in Cook County. A twisted voter suppression model. or so I’ve heard.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
Trump is not on the ballot.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
===Trump is not on the ballot.===
Statewide, neither is Mike Madigan, but here we are, lol
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 1:50 pm:
===…but the reason is a perception that lack of interest in other races will bring the Democratic vote down, especially in Cook County. A twisted voter suppression model. or so I’ve heard===
Yep. That’s my personal take, but I get a kick out of calling out the lack of candidates more and that it’s more embarrassing now, in the “today”, but will be very effective come November 2018.
- blue dog dem - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:13 pm:
Don’t kid yourselves folks, Trump will not be an anchor for GOP candidates.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:20 pm:
===Don’t kid yourselves folks, Trump will not be an anchor for GOP candidates.===
You need to label your snark.
Illinois is a blue state Clinton won by 17 points.
You think Trump is now even more popular, statewide? lol
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:26 pm:
No equivalence between Rauner is Trump tying Mendoza to Speaker Madigan
Governor Rauner has been silent about Trump during his campaign and presidency.
Susanna Mendoza praised Speaker Madigan and assigns zero blame to him for his decades of control of Illinois
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:30 pm:
===Governor Rauner has been silent about Trump during his campaign and presidency.===
Then why would a Trump supporter support Rauner?
Rauner did say he supported Trump. At the convention.
It’s on video. Rich had a post about it too, Rauner supporting all Republicans.
Use the google key.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
Look at a map of the last off year election OW,
Cook County is blue, the rest of the state is Red
A lot of really upset residents in deep blue cook County and a lot of nervous democrats who are trying to sell on permanent , record tax increases and no reform of government or our business environment
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
A Republican Governor not supporting the Republican ticket would be news not vice versa. Rauner still did not mention Trump by name but you think that is the same as Mendoza’s praise of Speaker Madigan?
Did any other Republican Governor express support for Hillary Clinton?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
===Look at a map of the last off year election OW,
Cook County is blue, the rest of the state is Red===
Counties. Don’t. Vote.
Munger lost… statewide too.
- Lucky Pierre -
You should tell all those Trump voters that Rauner needs to win that Rauner doesn’t support Trump.
Rauner is already at 63% disapproval, imagine what the numbers will be after finally saying he doesn’t support Trump.
Oh, and Rauner supported Trump. Rauner said so in Peoria, supporting all Republicans, lol
Are you calling Rauner a fibber?
- Mr B. - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 3:06 pm:
Of course dems are trying to tie Rauner to the toxic Trump. Don’t think it will work. Rauner can fail on his own record. But fed up voters of Illinois may not embrace Pritzker. Too much of an establishment campaign, a bought campaign, low on inspiration and fairly silent about Illinois problems outside of pointing the finger at Rauner. Bet JB still wins, but margin closer than expected.
- Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
Judy Baar won for years and Mendoza barely won in a Presidential year
Not as big a turnout for Democrats in an off year election so don’t count your chickens
I can’t believe you still try to pass yourself off as a Republican
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 3:25 pm:
===Mendoza barely won in a Presidential year===
But Mendoza did indeed win. Got outspent, ran a terrible campaign, but Dems and Labor sent a message to Rauner, a 4 point victory, not barely, but good try.
===Not as big a turnout for Democrats in an off year election so don’t count your chickens===
So you’re hoping people don’t vote as your tool to win?
“People can’t stand us, we need to suppress the vote” - Oh boy.
===I can’t believe you still try to pass yourself off as a Republican===
Raunerism can only be destroyed when Rauner loses.
Rauner isn’t a Republican. Rauner is destroying social services and state universities, purposely.
Those aren’t Republican ideals. Sorry.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 3:32 pm:
==Not as big a turnout for Democrats in an off year election so don’t count your chickens==
Turnout can be ten people on their way to a Slayer concert if ILGOP doesn’t get Mendoza an opponent.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
==I can’t believe you still try to pass yourself off as a Republican==
I have to agree. That ship has sailed. The immediate responses, contempt and LOLs OW shows for any commenter who might offer a right leaning –not right wing–but right leaning or independent downstate view of the world is now a given. The “my party” shtick has passed its expy date.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
Oh - Responsa -
Give me Kasich, McCain, give me Republicans that understand the governing and being a conservative or “right leaning” honest within that governing, you give me a shout.
Rauner is not honest or a Republican in any of his governing.
Sorry.
- OHL - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 6:22 pm:
The divisiveness and polarization that plagues our country is evident in the worst fiscal state in the nation. Both parties had plenty to do with the position we find ourselves in, so the know it alls that smugly state their opinion as if it is law should take a pill. Maybe two. When Rauner goes away, the problems aren’t going with him. And JB, Madigan and Mendoza may not be able to find the levers to pull to fix it. Those of us with the means can move. I suspect five years from now the same know it alls will be here, inhaling their own wind and still loving it.
- Rabid - Wednesday, Sep 27, 17 @ 11:20 pm:
ilgop thinks her debt is paid, maybe she just wants to help fire munger