* Interesting…
* From the story…
The chief financier of a leading pro-Roy Moore super PAC is a deep-pocketed Republican businessman who dropped eight figures on 2016 races alone and is looking to continue propping up the party’s most conservative candidates.
Illinois businessman Richard Uihlein provided $100,000 to the group, Proven Conservatives PAC, since September, according to a new filing with the Federal Election Commission, making him by far the group’s top donor. That money, which hadn’t been previously disclosed, has financed a host of ads boosting Moore’s candidacy in the face of widespread sexual assault and harassment allegations. The group has also run ads attacking Moore’s primary opponent, Sen. Luther Strange (R-AL), and his Democratic general election rival Doug Jones. […]
Uihlein is a far bigger name in GOP politics. The shipping and office supply mogul and his wife donated a combined $26.4 million to federal campaigns, party organs, super PACs, and interest groups during the 2016 election cycle, according to FEC data.
That spending has kept up this year. Uihlein is single-handedly bankrolling a pair of super PACs supporting the Wisconsin Senate campaign of businessman and Marine veteran Kevin Nicholson. That spending has led Democrats in the state to accuse Uihlein of trying to buy the Senate seat for his preferred candidate.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:56 pm:
Eww.
- Spliff - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:57 pm:
can’t wait for someone to use this in their paid media campaign next year. Candidate X supported by pro-pedophile donor!
- Perrid - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
Has he made any contributions to Moore/ the PAC since the child molestation allegations? Quote says the contributions go back to September, but not how recent they were.
- PJ - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:58 pm:
Conservative Christian values, like pedophilia and support for corporate tax cuts.
And no, this isn’t a shot at Christianity. It’s a shot at shills like this who claim that’s the whole basis for their politics but then do this.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 1:59 pm:
I’m holding my fire because I suspect the donation(s) came BEFORE the widely publicized allegations that were apparently common knowledge among the good people of Gasden, AL. No reason to believe Uihlein knew about Moore’s desire for “purity.”
Purity of essence. Essence of purity.
- People Over Parties - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:06 pm:
Has he donated to Ives?
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:10 pm:
The term ‘Conservative’ has lost all meaning. Not sure there is a term that closely describes my beliefs.
- Lt Guv - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
== Has he donated to Ives? ==
He’s not listed on any of her financial disclosures to date.
- AnonAnon - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
Still waiting for a decision in reference to the large donation he made to Rauner. Something about an entity with state contracts making political donations… Don’t remember it ever being settled.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:15 pm:
===Candidate X supported by pro-pedophile donor! ===
$2.63 million to Citizens for Rauner. The “governor” may be put on the hot seat for this one.
- DeseDemDose - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
Did Uihlein retract his christian support and money for Diddler Moore after, Republican Moore was exposed for pursuing children?
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:18 pm:
That’s very responsible of you 47. But he knows about the issue now, so shouldn’t Uhlein be asking for his money back if he actually has any objections? And shouldn’t Rauner be raising a stink? What does Rauner think of Roy Moore?
- a drop in - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:37 pm:
Maybe he donated before the sexual charges. But he certainly knew Moore was a Christian supremacist who was kicked off the bench twice for ignoring the Constitution. Not a good look.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
People keep talking about the timing, as if it matters.
Even without the problems with 14 year olds, Moore held some terrible positions. His views on Muslims, gays, and other issues would make him unacceptable to most people.
Remember, this guy was kicked off the bench twice.
There is no way to spin this based on timing.
- Dee Lay - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:42 pm:
>
$50K Donated - 9/8/2017
Washington Post Story - 11/9/2017
$50K Donated - 11/22/2017
::Cue the tense music::
Candidate XYZ took $XX from pedophile sympathizer Dick Uihlein and didn’t think we would notice or care?
Those are not Illinois values.
What was Candidate XYZ thinking?
- Dozer - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
Can Mr. Uihlein please let Judge Moore know that there are zero Illinois counties under sharia Law at present. Least he could do. TY
- Lt Guv - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
Ouch.
- Chicago 20 - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:49 pm:
Birds of a feather…….
- Rogue Roni - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
There was no way of knowing he was a garbage candidate. Except for being kicked out of Alabamas Supreme Court twice, almost being killled by own troops in Vietnam, waving a gun on stage, and continually fighting gay marriage.
- allknowingmasterofracoondom - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:51 pm:
But isn’t it just a conservative PAC, rather than a PAC specifically for Moore?
Perhaps Uihlein just donated like he donates to so many conservative PAC’s?
This is just more media hype trying to tie everyone under the sun to Moore.
- Lt Guv - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 2:56 pm:
== This is just more media hype trying to tie everyone under the sun to Moore. ==
Organizational filing with the FEC on Aug. 25, 2017. Seems pretty specific to this race.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:00 pm:
I’m sure Uihlein is just taking the very reasonable position that any Republican, even an alleged pedophile, is better than any Democrat.
Totally reasonable, and with that way of thinking, you don’t have to worry about detritus like morals or character.
Does anybody remember when the GOP was the party of character?
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
Nice friends you’ve got there, Rauner, Walker and Proft.
Is the ILGOP going to call on them to return their Uiehlein money?
Must be a blast, tough, frittering away that old
Schlitz fortune that great grand-dad made.
Schlitz was once the biggest brewer in the world until the Uiehleins ran it into the ground, going cheap on the old family recipe.
- Chicago 20 - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
You got to wonder who would be crazy enough to financially support Moore.
You also have to wonder who would knowingly purchase Uline products which enrich Uihlein to support Moore.
Except of course for the Uline urinal cakes.
- Regular democrat - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:13 pm:
Who wouly d be crazy enough to support al franken ? Who cares who he supports its his right
- Chicago 20 - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
While we are speaking of rights……
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:19 pm:
If Conyers and Franken warrant due process, so does Moore. AND I am Not a Moore fan by any definition. I intensely dislike the person.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:32 pm:
Anon 3:19,
Conyers and Franken are dealing with House investigations into their conduct.
The disgraced former judge does not currently hold off.
He has no “due process” rights at this time.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:34 pm:
Anon 3:32, responding to Anon 3:19, was me.
Sorry about the lack of tag.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:37 pm:
Gooner: Everyone is entitled to due process, not just office holders. In the past, House investigations were a method to “hide and gloss over” misconduct on both sides of the aisle. This has to cease.
- cdog - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
With Conyers and Franken there is admission, evidence, NDAs, and money to victim(s).
With Moore not only is there no admission, there is no evidence and he is making a claim of innocence.
He has not been convicted or held liable in a court.
These are just facts.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
Gooner: Also, if Moore is unfit to serve (and I believe he is unfit to serve) then Conyers and Franken are also unfit to serve.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:43 pm:
cdog
You go with that. There is absolutely no defense of Roy Moore. None.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:45 pm:
Gooner: Also #2. “Disgraced judge”. That is an opinion IMHO. Many (not me as an agnostic) feel he is a hero for defying the USSC on the ten commandments thing.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:45 pm:
Anon 3:39,
If Rich posts about an Illinois connection to Conyers and Franken, make sure to tell us about your views on those two.
Until then, please stick to the topic, or if you want to rant, please keep my name out of it.
Cdog,
Mr. Moore has not been charged with a crime. Are you suggesting that as long as there are no criminal charges, it is morally acceptable to back Mr. Moore?
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:46 pm:
==feel he is a hero for defying the USSC on the ten commandments thing.==
You think a judge is a hero for thumbing his nose at a court order? Wow. Just wow.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:46 pm:
Anon 3:37,
Due process applies when the government is taking action.
At this point, there is not government. Hence, there is no due process issue.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
===If Conyers and Franken warrant due process, so does Moore===
It’s a campaign, not a trial. In this case, the “due process” is what voters ultimately decide.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:48 pm:
Anon 3:45,
“Disgraced judge” is an opinion?
What label would you apply to a judge removed from office for improper conduct with regard to that office?
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:49 pm:
==What label would you apply to a judge removed from office for improper conduct with regard to that office?==
Not once, but twice.
- Anonymous - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:49 pm:
Demoralized: I believe I stated that I do not like the man, that I do not think he is fit to serve, and that I did NOT think he was a hero.
Gooner: Not trying to “bring your name into anything”, just responding to your criticism of my comment.
- cdog - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:52 pm:
Here’s the thing, Demoralized. You have three choices with stuff like this–belief, disbelief, suspend belief.
I choose to suspend belief. It seems the most prudent thing to do.
(And, there would definitely not be a conviction or judgment against him based on what has been in the news.)
- Concerned Dem - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:55 pm:
Still waiting for the ILGOP to issue a breathless press release demanding Rauner and Co return their Uihlein money now that he’s been identified as Roy Moore’s biggest supporter…
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
Cdog, you don’t think there would be a conviction?
Given that the SOL has run, there cannot be.
However, people are routinely convicted on far less evidence. The testimony of one person is often determinative. In this case, you have about seven people making similar claims, and at least for the 14 year old, you have very strong evidence that he was in the location on the day in question.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 3:58 pm:
cdog
Unbelievable. Are you telling me you’d still vote for the guy given all that is out there? Words escape me.
- 47th Ward - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:16 pm:
===What was Candidate XYZ thinking?===
Well that changes things just a bit. This one is dedicated to Richard “A pedophile is better than a Democrat” Uihlein:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2a2Nrw_6G0
Meanwhile I was thinkin’
If she’s in the mood no need to break it
I got the chance and I oughta take it
If she can dance we can make it
C’mon queenie, let’s shake it
- AlfondoGonz - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
To those who say that there is “no evidence” against Moore, I ask…
You’re aware that testimonial evidence is evidence…that comes in the form of testimony?
“The testimony of a single, credible eye witness is enough to support a criminal conviction.”
How many woman have alleged sexual misconduct by Moore? 9? That is testimonial evidence, and it is evidence.
So, please, give the “no evidence” spin a rest. It only shows your ignorance.
- cdog - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:35 pm:
Oh. ok. Where do I get my torch?
- wordslinger - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:38 pm:
–Oh. ok. Where do I get my torch? –
Cant you just use the one you set your hair on fire with?
- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:40 pm:
==This is just more media hype trying to tie everyone under the sun to Moore==
==He has not been convicted or held liable in a court.==
==Who cares who he supports its his right==
If any independent voters are reading this blog today, I would ask all of you to take a good long look at what Illinois republicans are willing to approve of in order to get a win. Think on this the next time you see a Rauner commercial telling you what a terrible person Mike Madigan or JB Pritzker or Chris Kennedy or Daniel Biss is.
- Annonin' - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:43 pm:
So if Uline pours that kinda of cash into the pig, bigot, creep IVEs and/or GovJunk should a load
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
cdog
Again, there is no defense of Roy Moore. None. It disturbs me that anyone would even attempt to defend the guy. One person says something. You might shrug your shoulders. Multiple people? Unless your a Donald Trump level conspiracy theorist the claims are kind of hard to ignore.
- Truthteller - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:46 pm:
Will Louis C.K. be the featured act at Uihlein’s Office Christmas party?
- Baggs McCoy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 4:53 pm:
Man I can’t wait to see how Uihlein’s lap dog Dan Proft spins this. Any candidate that actually wins a primary that Proft supports will have to answer for this. The big D wave just gained a little strength.
- Last Bull Moose - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 5:08 pm:
The Moore situation is difficult for me. I dislike rhe mans policies. I dislike the actions he is alleged to have done .
I also dislike political ambushes using old charges that should have been brought forth years ago. The reports would be credible if timely. But they are too musty to pass muster.
I would vote for the Democrat, but not happily.
- blue dog dem - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 5:08 pm:
alfonz. I thought the same thing about bill clinton when all those women came out claiming he was a sexual predator. Hard to believe him or his wife.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 5:12 pm:
It is never acceptable, right, just…
… to choose a pedophile over anyone, politics or policy, never acceptable.
Being a donor for Moore was and is a choice.
It should be an obvious choice not to help Roy Moore.
- Captain Obvious - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 8:09 pm:
So what? A lot of heavy hitters donated to Al Franken, John Conyers, Bill Clinton, and Teddy Kennedy, et al…oh wait, that’s ok, they are/were all fine Democrats.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 8:25 pm:
Captain Oblivious,
Ted Kennedy? That’s your argument?
It is 2017, and you are still defending people like Moore with references to Ted Kennedy?
- MyTwoCents - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 8:56 pm:
1) the whole “why didn’t these allegations come out before?” attitude completely ignores, intentionally or ignorantly, the explanation in the original story. This was something that apparently was floating under the surface in AL that was ferreted out by the national press, which doesn’t surprise me.
2) Captain Obvious, how many donations were made after allegations were made against Franken and Conyers vs. $50K from Uihlein after the Moore story broke.
- Captain Obvious - Monday, Nov 27, 17 @ 9:59 pm:
So no one will be giving money to Franken or Conyers now and anyone who does is tainted? Right. Point is donors have supported sexual harassers (and worse) for decades, many like Kennedy and Clinton long after there perversions were will known. I expect every big donation to these folks will be given just as much attention. Not.
- Chicago 20 - Tuesday, Nov 28, 17 @ 2:27 am:
- Captain Oblivious
This is about Roy Moore and the widespread sexual assault charges Roy Moore has been accused of by numerous people and Richard Uihlein who ignores this abhorrent behavior and thinks Roy Moore will make a good US Senator.
Everyone else that you want to compare to Roy Moore is a completely different discussion.
You are trying to defend the indefensible by muddying the waters with “what about”.
There is a place for people like Roy Moore, and it’s not the US Senate.