* Commenter Southside Markie received a robocall from Newt Gingrich today asking him to vote for Gov. Rauner. It takes a few seconds to get started…
I suppose the idea here is to help shore up Rauner’s conservative base. But is anyone even answering their phones in this state right now? Is Team Rauner worried or just being careful not to miss a trick? I suppose we’ll find out tomorrow.
…Adding… Good point in comments…
Is Newt Gingrich really the best he could get?
…Adding… This. All this…
…Adding… Gingrich got 8 percent of the vote here in the 2012 Illinois presidential primary. Heavy hitter indeed.
…Adding… The fun never ends…
* Script…
Hi. This is Newt Gingrich. Calling to remind you to vote on Tuesday, March 20th in the Republican primary.
Bruce Rauner is leading a revolution against the corruption in Springfield. Mike Madigan has been in power for far too long and Bruce Rauner is the only one who can win the fight against the Madigan machine. That’s why it’s so important you vote for Bruce Rauner on Tuesday, March 20th.
* Meanwhile…
When asked to account for his own spending against Democratic candidates in the midst of his own primary, Rauner replied that “meddling ain’t the word for what the DGA is doing.”
“You haven’t heard me say, ‘hey, Biss is too liberal,’ you haven’t seen me say “vote Kennedy,” Rauner told reporters. “You hear the Democratic Governors Association coming in and supporting my opponent.”
In the course of the press conference, Rauner also accused Pritzker several times of hiding his wealth in offshore accounts to avoid property taxes — something Rauner may also be guilty of, according to the Chicago Tribune, pointing out that Rauner’s name had been posted as an investor in a pool registered in the Cayman Islands through his private equity firm GTCR.
* And…
“We have got to fight back against Madigan, and she has specifically said she wouldn’t push back on his income tax hike that they passed over my veto last summer,” Rauner said. “And she specifically has voted against property tax relief.”
Ives said Rauner is telling desperate lies: “It is Rauner and the DGA who share the same policy positions on abortion, sanctuary state, Chicago bailouts and the like.”
* And…
- Nick - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:24 pm:
Is Newt Gingrich really the best he could get?
- wordslinger - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:26 pm:
Yeah, well, when Newt was driven out of the speakership, he said Hastert should be his replacement.
- Halsted - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:39 pm:
Calls from Hastert offering to do a call were not returned.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:46 pm:
Newt has proven repeatedly he will do or say anything for a buck.
Who else would you want if you were Rauner? He can’t get anyone from Trumpland since he won’t even mention Trump’s name. He’s burned any chance with former ILGOP heavyweights (Big Jim, Edgar). Who nationally has any cred that they would be willing to spend on the worst governor in the country?
- Precinct Captain - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:46 pm:
How much is Bruce tossing Newt’s way for this?
- Retired Educator - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:52 pm:
I said early on this post, that Rauner had better focus in on the opponent he had at the time. Many on here said Ives had no chance, and he could ignore her. The old baseball metaphor applies, “Don’t worry about the next game, until you win the one you are in.” He waited to long and the door is open. I would not be at all surprised if Rauner loses Tuesday. Gingrich isn’t really respected by anyone but Fox News, and they pay him for his weak commentary.
- RNUG - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:52 pm:
Got the robocall ; let the answering machine get it. My reaction to the call to vote was: be glad I’m not bothering, because I would be voting for Ives.
- The Captain - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:55 pm:
Technically they did the exact opposite of this.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 6:57 pm:
Ives made clear.
Ives wants Rauner “Kirked”
Win or lose tomorrow, how Rauner treated and misspoke about Ives might be enough to keep conservatives away from Rauner come November, a real end game.
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 7:12 pm:
If I got a robocall with Newt Gingrich, I would be inclined to do the opposite of whatever he said. But I tend to feel that way about people with an extremely low quality of character. Makes sense he is with Bruce.
- Baloneymous - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 7:20 pm:
maybe if he got Barry Goldwater’s ghost for one more robobcall that might help. and Rauner won’t say Trump’s name or say anything supportive of the president, but he will pay a Trump lackey to do a last ditch call. weirdest election ever.
- Paul S. - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 8:08 pm:
Who is this guy? He is such a ‘has been’ and isn’t Biss doing the Revolution tagline?
- 312Libertarian - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 8:30 pm:
Best thing about Ives and HB40 is Rauner is finally appealing to me.
Hearing some credible rumors that Chad Grimm might not get on the ballot this year due to Rauner’s recent legislative accomplishments.
Good to be heard for once in this state
- Not It - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 8:58 pm:
RNUG - what is this “answering machine” you speak of?
- Lt Guv - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 9:44 pm:
answering machine = prehistoric voice mail.
- TominChicago - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 10:33 pm:
“Boosts”?????
- Rich Miller - Monday, Mar 19, 18 @ 10:44 pm:
===“Boosts”?????===
Dude, the headline is a joke.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Mar 20, 18 @ 10:45 am:
Newt? Seriously, Newt? Wouldnt any of the 8% Newt might relate to, already be committed to ives?