*** UPDATED x1 *** Biss endorses Pritzker
Monday, May 14, 2018 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
Today, JB Pritzker and Daniel Biss released the following statements on their commitment to defeating Bruce Rauner and electing Democrats up and down the ballot:
“Since the primary, JB Pritzker and I have had a series of productive discussions about the future of the State of Illinois,” said Senator Daniel Biss. “I’m thrilled with his relentless focus on a progressive income tax as the right way to fix our budget without burdening the middle class or the poor, and I’m pleased that he’s committed to fight for campaign finance reform so our political system is accountable to everyone. That’s why beyond my long-standing commitment to defeating failed governor Bruce Rauner, I am all in to elect JB Pritzker. This year I will be proudly campaigning for JB Pritzker, Juliana Stratton, and Democrats up and down the ticket.”
“This election isn’t just about beating Bruce Rauner. It’s about uniting Democrats across the state around a progressive agenda that will bring real change to Illinois,” said JB Pritzker. “Daniel Biss and I have a relationship rooted in the shared values that lead us both to fight for a progressive income tax, campaign finance reform, legalizing marijuana, and healthcare for all. I’m excited to have his support, and his help in fighting for those priorities. Democrats are united and we will win big in November so we can put Springfield back on the side of working families and move Illinois forward.”
*** UPDATE *** Rauner campaign…
Biss Spent Months Attacking Pritzker’s Corrupt Past
Today, Dan Biss endorsed JB Pritzker despite previously calling him “disqualified to serve as governor” and spending months highlighting Pritzker’s corrupt past.
Here are just a few examples of what Pritzker’s newest endorser thinks about the Democratic candidate for governor:
Chicago Maroon: “If we are concerned with the way state government has gone since 1983, if we think that the concentration of power is too great in the state of Illinois, if we think that the fabled political machine that has screwed so much stuff up over the course of these many decades, is too powerful, electing J.B. Pritzker governor is literally the worst thing we could possibly do.”
Biss Statement: “Today’s report proves that JB Pritzker is disqualified to serve as governor.”
WBBM: “If that phone call [with disgraced ex-Governor Rod Blagojevich] was your definition of public service, you’re doing it wrong.”
Chicago Tribune: “State Sen. Daniel Biss of Evanston said the conversation between Pritzker and Blagojevich represents ‘everything that’s wrong with the connection between money and power. For too long our broken system has allowed the wealthy to have unfettered access to the decision-makers in our government. That’s what breeds corruption.’”
Chicago Tribune: “‘It took J.B. Pritzker a week to get permission from Mike Madigan to even name him in talking about this sexual harassment cover-up,’ Biss said… But Pritzker did not answer a panelist’s question of whether Madigan should give up his party chairmanship, his speaker role or both. ‘He hasn’t gotten permission yet from Madigan to answer that question,’ said Biss in noting the dodge.”
State Journal-Register: “There’s a Pritzker-Madigan wing of the Democratic Party and there’s the progressive wing of the Democratic Party that I’m a part of.”
Tweet: Biss continues calling Pritzker, “Madigan’s candidate” after debate wraps up.
- Make Illinois Decent Again - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 8:52 am:
As if JB needs Biss now. Biss could have shown himself a graceful loser by endorsing right away, but instead he attempted to exert leverage that he never had in the first place
- Anon - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 8:54 am:
too little too late.
- Christopher - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 8:56 am:
But if Biss had his own supporters in the primary, perhaps this will sway them to JB. And the same would go for Kennedy and his core of voters.
- Rich Miller - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:00 am:
===perhaps this will sway them to JB===
This isn’t the presidential level. We don’t have Russian bots and other stuff inflaming primary voters.
- Anonish - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:02 am:
Good statement. Glad he did it.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:02 am:
It’s a unity move.
Thinking it’s too little, too late or claiming this won’t move voters to do something or another… look at Jeanne Ives and the conservatives.
What this does, it tamps down the discussion Democrats aren’t with JB, especially those who ran against JB.
It’s stops the negative.
Sometimes, that’s enough.
Ask Gov. Rauner if Jeanne Ives endorsing him would help… and her stopping her crusade too in the ILGOP.
- Arsenal - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:07 am:
My impression has been that Biss hasn’t been really preventing his people from moving toward JB anyway, but this is good for a press pop in the middle of the ILGOP circular firing squad.
- 44th - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:16 am:
I wonder how many condescending lectures JB had to endure to put this endorsement together.
- wordslinger - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:17 am:
–My impression has been that Biss hasn’t been really preventing his people from moving toward JB anyway,–
As if he could. If Rauner and Trump aren’t motivation enough, I doubt that Biss could move anybody one way or the other.
- Al - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:20 am:
I just hope JB does not get complacent knowing he has Biss’s mother and aunt’s votes locked up.
- Amalia - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 9:21 am:
well, with the weather lately, you’d think it’s still March…..
- Grandson of Man - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 10:11 am:
This is good. Good to see JB pick this up as he’s building unity within Democrats, apparently unlike Rauner and Republicans. It’s a good fit, as both support key issues.
- PublicServant - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 10:41 am:
Democratic Unity and a Democratic Wave…buh-bye Bruce.
- Paul - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 11:20 am:
I concur - too little too late. The strategy for the General Election is to focus on moderates!! Moderate Dems don’t want their taxes raised either and there is no avenue for a progressive tax this year so drop it. Biss wants to think he is more important than he is. He got a fraction of the vote who won’t vote for Rauner anyway, and the General election voter is what really counts.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 11:23 am:
To the Rauner campaign,
Explain Mr. Peter Breen…
===In the face of overwhelming evidence of Rauner’s inability to competently administer the Illinois government, inability to stand up to Mike Madigan effectively, and inability to keep his word and his commitments, I can no longer support him.===
LOL
- David - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 11:44 am:
Not sure who Rauner’s rebuttal is going to appeal to but ya gotta take what they give ya, I guess
- Rabid - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 12:25 pm:
Team Rauner, can’t find your bosses top ten turnaround accomplishments
- Anon0091 - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 12:30 pm:
Dan who?
- Justin - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 1:07 pm:
I voted for Daniel Biss in the primary, and I am all-in on JB Pritzker in the general this November. Let’s get Rauner out of there.
- Trapped in the ‘burbs - Monday, May 14, 18 @ 4:53 pm:
Was the conversation about what, if any, job Biss might have in the JB administration?