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Proft on Rauner
Tuesday, Oct 24, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller * Dan Proft published a video from his radio show on his Upstream Ideas website and headlined it “Rauner Funding His Campaign Because No One Else Will”…
Actually, as we’ve already discussed a tiny bit, Rauner is running the number one “small dollar” campaign by far of any statewide candidate this year…
Rauner also itemized over $400,000 in contributions of $2,000 and less this year. The governor is doing pretty well with those smallish checks, which is never easy for a rich guy because people figure he has all the dough he needs. Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC had just one contribution last quarter, $2 million from Dick Uihlein. Proft went on to complain that Rauner’s ILGOP hadn’t yet found anyone to run for comptroller or treasurer, and he’s most certainly right about that. He also said that the donor community wishes Rauner would just “go away.” Since that’s not happening, the bigtime Republican contributors want to avoid a “bloody” primary and wait to see if Rauner can, over time, “crawl his way back into the race.” That’s probably spot on. * Meanwhile, Proft said he would be focusing on House races. The governor is doing the same. You’ll recall that Rauner gave over $4 million to the ILGOP earlier this month. That money has now been distributed to the House and Senate Republicans…
It should be interesting to see how all those “outraged” rank and file House and Senate Republicans explain why it’s OK to take that “washed” Rauner money. * I found this Proft quote interesting because I had a discussion with somebody about a similar topic last night…
Except I’m not sure if there are enough votes to pass that bill out of the House. The legislation to watch could be the bump stock ban. But what about trying to put marijuana legalization on his desk?
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- Arsenal - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
Also, fundraising SUCKS, and you don’t do it if you don’t have to. Frankly, if Rauner doesn’t have to block out 3 hours of call time a day, that’s just about the only thing he’s done right for the state.
- PDJT - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:11 pm:
Marijuana legalization would alleviate some of the state’s financial troubles.
“Crisis creates leverage.” There goes his leverage.
He would have to veto that bill.
- G'Kar - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
Assault weapons, bump stocks, marijuana. Admittedly, I’m a political neophyte observer, but why would the Dems want to give these to Rauner? Would he gain more voters for signing them than he would lose? Would he gain more voters by vetoing it than he would lose? Wouldn’t it be easier to wait until, hopefully, a Dem wins in 2018?
- SaulGoodman - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:27 pm:
**Marijuana legalization would alleviate some of the state’s financial troubles.**
No, not really. There is definitely revenue there, but there isn’t a TON of revenue there. It won’t solve any of the state’s financial troubles on its own.
- Lou Rawls - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Is Dan giving Rauner his money back? He made a ton of cash off Rauner. How do we know he still isn’t taking it? This dude has no clothes.
- 33rd ward - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:38 pm:
Yes, why not out cannabis reform on his desk?
My Rep (Ann Williams) people say it’s because they don’t want to put some democrats in a potentially awkward position going into an election year.
Boy, these two parties can be really scared to do the will of the people.
- anon2 - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:55 pm:
How about putting an advisory referendumo on marijuana legalization on the statewide ballot? Would Rauner veto that?
- TiltingAtStrawmen - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
**It won’t solve any of the state’s financial troubles on its own.**
Working hard to shut down a claim that literally nobody is making.
- PDJT - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 3:03 pm:
- SaulGoodman -
Well certainly, if it won’t solve “the state’s financial troubles on its own.” then we just shouldn’t do anything. /s
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
Proft is the Margaret Mitchell of the Illinois GOP, nostalgic for a time that didn’t exist, gone with the wind.
Rauner was able to take over the Illinois GOP so easily because there was no significant funder network. He bought it on the cheap, when Gidwitz and McKenna passed for big heat.
It’s hilarious how Proft says it’s “just him (Rauner) and Ken Griffin,” like that’s a bad thing when it comes to money. The ILGOP has never had moneybags like that.
Proft’s Sugar Daddy Dick never bellied up like those guys. And it’s Uiehlein who’s actually doing the complaining here. Proft is Howdy Doody, Uiehlein is Buffalo Bob.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 3:48 pm:
Proft saying ‘I get emails back from friends of mine’ now that’s a limited amount of people to base any truth to it. But to me what’s really telling is that he focused on house races, no mention of Ives and the big prize. That tells me Ives not running and can’t raise the coin needed
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 3:59 pm:
===It should be interesting to see how all those “outraged” rank and file House and Senate Republicans explain why it’s OK to take that “washed” Rauner money.===
Yep.
The righteous indignation will then have that same member thanking Rauner for the million or two and the ads Rauner’s money bought for them.
Today?
Today, the lone voice I’ve read or heard is Rep. Breen, admitting he enabled Bruce Rauner, compromised, and then says after the enabling, comes to the realization who Rauner is and has been.
The rest?
As phony as Rauner, hemmin’ and hawin’ and just so disturb… not about starving Catholic Charities, no, but being less than truthful to Blase Cardinal Cupich and HB40 being “too far”.
Too far?
Too far was 2 1/2 years ago, Raunerites.
That’s when “too far” was.
But, to stave off Proft, who is also upset with Rauner (which is comically impossible to reconcile, being upset with Rauner then upset with those who turned on Rauner, but I digressed) will need Rauner money.
So… This is the ILGOP imploding so Diana Rauner could save face and be seen as acceptable in the Winnetka Cocktail Circuit… and obsessing about IPI messaging that in the end… has Rauner, arguably, a politically social agenda Democrat… as long as the Diana Rauner brand endures.
So… Yes… the likes of so many “angered” by HB40 will take that Rauner money… “because Proft” and no ILGOP structure to sort out where Raunerism ends and the Reagan Rule of 80% ended too.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 5:15 pm:
Beyond the ILGOPs seeming indifference to fill out a statewide ticket, are they going to take a pass on Preckwinkle and Berrios?
With all the money they have flying around, they won’t devote a chunk to recruit and support some big-shot lawyers or businessmen to actually make an effort against a couple of seriously wounded incumbents?
If the GOP won’t try to make inroads now into Cook County under these circumstances, I doubt they ever will. That’s a huge mistake.
- Lurkin' MBA - Tuesday, Oct 24, 17 @ 10:10 pm:
==No, not really. There is definitely [Marijuana tax] revenue there, but there isn’t a TON of revenue there. It won’t solve any of the state’s financial troubles on its own. ==
Annualizing Colorado’s take in taxes so far would be about $240 million. If you factor in that Illinois has more than 2 times Colorado’s population, that would suggest tax revenues north of half a billion dollars.
Not to mention $3.5 billion in direct economic activity, all generated in-state. That’s quite a jobs program, with no subsidies.
(http://www.thecannabist.co/2017/09/12/colorado-marijuana-sales-july-2017-pot-taxes/87930/)