Biss crows about straw poll result
Tuesday, Dec 12, 2017 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The forum was held over the weekend, but they released the results last night…
* From Mary Ann’s story…
Biss spokesman Thomas Elliott says “These results show that Democratic primary voters are looking for a middle-class progressive with government experience to lead our state forward, and Daniel Biss is that candidate.
“And while the Democratic establishment would like to coronate an inexperienced billionaire and ’shut down’ this competitive primary, we’re taking our case directly to the voters. We’re building a grassroots movement of people across the state who want someone they trust to represent them, not the status quo.”
Elliott added that he believes Illinois residents are responding to Biss’s message about building a state government that “works for them, not the wealthy and well-connected.”
The coronation line is probably right, but it doesn’t look like they’re trying to physically shut down Biss’ campaign. Starve it of money, yes. But if I was the Pritzker campaign, I’d want Biss (and everyone else) to stay in the race to split the coronation opposition vote with Kennedy.
I mean, heck, nobody even challenged Terry Getz’s petitions by yesterday’s deadline, even though he told me not long ago he didn’t file a single signature and then never convinced anyone to be his running mate.
…Adding… Apparently, nobody had to do anything…
* Related…
* Biss: Time to think bigger on revenue options: That’s why we need to think bigger than J.B. We can implement a financial transaction tax, which would place a fraction-of-a-penny fee on every transaction on LaSalle Street. We can close the carried interest loophole to prevent the wealthiest Illinoisans from evading taxes. I’ve worked toward both of these policies in the Senate, and will continue fighting for them as governor.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:22 am:
I generally agree with you Rich about keeping the primary “crowded”, but keeping Biss around is dangerous. He’s going to best these guys in every forum. If he hangs in there until televised debate season, you could have a Bernie Sanders type phenomenon occur with late money. Smart is appealing in this cycle.
- SSL - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:27 am:
If Biss had the cash to compete he could make this interesting. JB has some weaknesses that would be easy to exploit via television ads. Imagine a split screen with JB holding a phone on one side, and Blago holding a phone on the other. And the fun that could be had with Toiletgate.
But Biss needs a big cash infusion fast.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:30 am:
SSL, very true. Someone may do that for him. In fact, a someone on each side may assist.
- Iggy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:31 am:
=But Biss needs a big cash infusion fast.=
or maybe Chris Kennedy will wake up and realize that his relevance in this race is dwindling fast.
- ILDemVoter - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:36 am:
I actually think the opposite- Biss should want Kennedy to stay in the race– he and Pritzer dip in the same pool of voters. A stronger Kennedy campaign that eats at the Prizker AA/Latino/Old Guard vote would be great for Biss.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:36 am:
===until televised debate season, you could have a Bernie Sanders type phenomenon===
The problem with your theory is that very few people watch televised gubernatorial debates, particularly in the primary. Lots of folks watch presidential debates, which is why they’re so important. That just doesn’t happen at the state level.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:36 am:
== “These results show that Democratic primary voters are looking for a middle-class progressive with government experience to lead our state forward, and Daniel Biss is that candidate.==
I agree with the first part of that statement, but I’m just not feeling that second part. Biss would be a good contrasting candidate against Rauner.
My gut says that many voters are tired of rich “outsiders” running for office.
- cdog - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:39 am:
Biss is wrong-minded about taxes. He’s just another typical blue state politician addicted to ever-increasing revenue to fund “evidence-based” bloated government.
Does Biss really think the big boys/girls at the cboe and cme are going to stick around Illinois and Chicago if his taxing “fairy tales” comes true?
Why would a company stay here if you hit them with
a progressive income tax,
a transaction tax, and
move their capital gains to ordinary income (carried-interest)?
Dark days ahead for Illinois if the Governorship goes blue, or if Rauner the Terrible prevails. So glad there is an option with Ives; she gets it.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:40 am:
Continuing on my point, an October 15, 2014 debate between Rauner and Quinn had a total viewership of 161,000 households. Primary debates are generally much less watched. https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2014/10/15/ready-for-their-close-ups-performance-notes-from-a.html
- Last Bull Moose - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:42 am:
Biss seems to be bright but unaware of his own ignorance. For example, he does not seem to realize that people can legally avoid state taxes by changing where transactions occur. Indianapolis would welcome the CME, with no pesky transaction tax.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:42 am:
===Biss should want Kennedy to stay in the race===
That’s just not the case. Daniel knows he gets a better shot at Pritzker if Kennedy drops out. Gonna have to trust me on that one.
- Iggy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:43 am:
=So glad there is an option with Ives; she gets it.=
you and 300 other people totally get it. LOL
- CICOM - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Has Biss ever held a job in the private sector? More tax increases and whining about others money does not seem like a message. He wishes to be with the the establishment one day via PAC’s—then, flips on them after he cannot secure their backing. Just do not know whom he wants to be..
- JohnnyPyleDriver - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:51 am:
where does this confidence in the kennedy campaign come from? Why is he continually treated as the #2 in this race despite his flaming disaster of a campaign thus far? Is this still from the ONE poll conducted 6 months ago?
- Actual Red - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 9:57 am:
CICOM–
I think he went straight from being an academic to politics. That said, have JB Pritzker and Chris Kennedy ever had a job in state politics?
I’d like to see Biss bring this up more. Sure, he’s more of a “regular guy” than Pritzker, and that plays with some people. But he’s the only one of the three who actually has experience governing. I have to think that still matters.
- SaulGoodman - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:01 am:
**I think he went straight from being an academic to politics.**
He taught at the U of C - that would be a job in the private sector.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:01 am:
==The problem with your theory is that very few people watch televised gubernatorial debates, particularly in the primary.==
Very true. But the media and social media virus spreaders show up.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:01 am:
Biss is right to crow about these results, but unless he gets some organizational endorsements, he’s gonna have a hard time turning them into pluses.
There’s still a lot of public sector unions on the board, but he’s got an obvious handicap with them.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:04 am:
==But the media and social media virus spreaders show up.==
But no guarantee that they cover/spread any given candidate’s best moments. Look at this very forum. Biss gets 46% of the straw poll, but the coverage yesterday was on the Madigan question.
- TominChicago - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:06 am:
Anyone who thinks Jeannie Ives “gets it,” just doesn’t get it.
- m - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:11 am:
=He’s going to best these guys in every forum.=
Have you seen JB speak? For a billionaire, he’s a got a pretty good regular guy shtick.
Biss is better at passion, but he has to be careful because he can fall back in to that snooty, talking down tone that sometimes dominates his floor speeches.
- cdog - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:11 am:
Imo if Biss thinks Lasalle St is going to stand by for his tax hat-trick, he doesn’t get it.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:22 am:
==Have you seen JB speak? For a billionaire, he’s a got a pretty good regular guy shtick.==
He does, but that doesn’t always win debates. See Bush, George W.
OTOH, winning debates doesn’t always win you elections. See Bush, George W.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:22 am:
==Have you seen JB speak?==
I have. I’ve also seen him debate. Biss and Editorial writers are going to have a field day with him.
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:36 am:
==Biss and Editorial writers are going to have a field day with him.==
A perpetual “gonna”, I guess.
- Bissocrisy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:38 am:
===you could have a Bernie Sanders type phenomenon====
Not.
Biss would be more of a Pat Quinn phenomenon than a Bernie one.
Bernie was closer to the real deal. Quinn and Biss spout pro-populist themes while often doing the opposite. They’re simply less severe phonies than Rauner.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:39 am:
==But Biss needs a big cash infusion fast.==
Paging SEIU.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 10:48 am:
To the Post,
Winning straw polls is an art AND a science. It means exactly what it means. It means one team had a good night. The others try for a good night another time. Tio tried to get 1%.
The reality, and the situation is this… it’s a 3 horse race. It’s up to each “horse” to run the best race they can. The race that expands the discussion to an overall that also makes a case to defeat the incumbent. How will “you” be better than Rauner?
The campaign mistake most made that has the biggest impact is the small ball “dig” or “avenue” that cripples the thinking into more small ball thoughts for far too long. Then the race is over and “we shoulda said” becomes the post-mortem. Raise the discussion.
In the end, for me and straw polls…
1) Organized campaigns do well in getting the bodies there.
2) Disciplined campaigns then get the bodies to vote as they hope.
Very interesting result, good on Biss. How can it not be?
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:03 am:
“If Biss had the cash to compete he could make this interesting.”
And if Biss hadn’t fumbled his Lt. Gov. pick, Biss might well have the cash.
– MrJM
- former southerner - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:31 am:
But the state will be lucky that Biss has neither the cash nor a Lt. Gov. to save his campaign.
- RIJ - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:40 am:
Crow all you want. I, and many others, have not forgotten that you are a pension thief.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:43 am:
He has a Lt. Gov…Litesa Wallace….
- former southerner - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:57 am:
We definitely don’t need a whiny governor to follow our current “I am not in charge” governor. Biss is already the king of complaints and excuses on the campaign trail and those characteristics don’t make for good leadership.
The state has plenty of problems and it is easy to find weak characters like Biss who are happy to complain and make excuses but it requires pragmatic leadership to begin addressing these problems.
Neither Rauner nor Biss have demonstrated that trait.
- @misterjayem - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:01 pm:
“He has a Lt. Gov… Litesa Wallace.”
Of course.
And I don’t have any complaints about Dan’s running mate, but I was very troubled by the series of unforced errors that preceded her selection, e.g. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-dan-biss-ramirez-rosa-israel-met-0907-20170906-story.html
– MrJM
- So_Ill - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
Biss is one of the most boring politicians/people I have ever heard speak in my life.
- Red fish blue fish - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 12:20 pm:
==But Biss needs a big cash infusion fast.==
==Paging SEIU.==
Good luck with that. Unions won’t forget his role in the failed pension reform attempt.
I’m astounded with the results of the straw poll– I’ve seen Biss speak at a few different forums and have not been impressed.
In the words of the British troll known as Nigel Farage, Dan Biss has the charisma of a damp rag.
- A guy - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 1:07 pm:
==Biss is one of the most boring politicians/people I have ever heard speak in my life.==
How is that a deficit these days? Really.
- Nacho - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 1:08 pm:
==Dark days ahead for Illinois if the Governorship goes blue, or if Rauner the Terrible prevails. So glad there is an option with Ives; she gets it.==
Ives has about the same chance of being our next governor as I do.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
==Unions won’t forget his role in the failed pension reform attempt.==
Of all the unions in scope, SEIU was the least impacted. And I’d wager they have a bigger beef with the Hyatt clan.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
it is true that it is dangerous when you let someone smarter hang around. that said, having Biss in will confuse a segment of voters who might otherwise go for Pritzker.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
===Does Biss really think the big boys/girls at the cboe and cme are going to stick around Illinois and Chicago if his taxing “fairy tales” comes true?==
Yeah, they’ll move to low-tax, low cost-of-living New York, London or Tokyo, where the world’s largest financial exchanges are located.
Believe it or not, rich people live wherever they want to because they can afford to.
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/20/if-you-tax-the-rich-they-wont-leave-us-data-contradicts-millionaires-threats
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 2:14 pm:
Pardon, 2:14 was me.
- BissHack - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
“If Biss had the cash to compete he could make this interesting.”
The campaign had more cash on hand at the end of Q3 (Just under 3 million) than anyone except Pritzker. We had twice as much as CK even after he wrote himself a 250K check.
Daniel doesn’t need to outspend Pritzker - just raise enough money to keep field offices open and buy a few weeks of air cover. 70 million and establishment support won’t be easy to beat, but the campaign isn’t going to run out of money like Ameya did.
-Low-level hack
- City Zen - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 3:34 pm:
==Yeah, they’ll move to low-tax, low cost-of-living New York, London or Tokyo, where the world’s largest financial exchanges are located.==
But if the exchange is located in Gary, IN, they won’t have to move. Most trades execute on servers in and Aurora data center today. Hammond is physically closer. Illinois still gets income tax, but no LaSalle tax.
FTT will never happen at state level anywhere.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 3:36 pm:
–But if the exchange is located in Gary, IN, they won’t have to move.–
That’s a reasonable possibility in your world?
How many moons does it have?
- City Zen - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 4:36 pm:
==How many moons does it have?==
Like the servers in the data center, the moons are virtual.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
–Like the servers in the data center, the moons are virtual.–
And all the major financial exchanges in the world are in high-tax, high cost-of-living major cities. You know, where wealthy people choose to live for many reasons.
Curious your Gary brainstorm hasn’t caught on.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 7:39 pm:
==And all the major financial exchanges in the world are in high-tax, high cost-of-living major cities.==
And yet their servers are located where? You know, the place where the actual trades are executed.