* The Illinois Economic Freedom Alliance, which has already spent big bucks to help Gov. Bruce Rauner’s campaign, just filed a $2 million A-1 from the Illinois Manufacturers Association. It also filed an independent expenditure report of $1,528,455 for “advertising” opposing Sen. Sam McCann.
Stay tuned.
*** UPDATE 1 *** And here they are. The quality isn’t the best because they were sent to me via text message. They’re throwing the kitchen sink at him in this one…
* Script…
Shady Sam McCann.
McCann claimed to serve in the Marine Corps, but the Marines have no record he ever served. Calls himself conservative, but voted with Mike Madigan to raise taxes $3 billion. Got caught using his campaign account as Sam’s Slush Fund. Didn’t even pay his own bills, dodging nearly $200,000 in taxes and taken to court over bad credit card debt.
One of these is a plant. The other a Mike Madigan plant.
Phony Sam McCann is no conservative. McCann repeatedly sided with Madigan and big unions to oppose Gov. Rauner’s conservative reforms. Voted with Madigan to raise our taxes $3 billion. But Shadey Sam got caught dodging nearly $200,000 in his own taxes.
A vote for McCann is a vote to keep the Madigan machine in control. And Illinois can’t afford that.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Sam McCann…
These false and cowardly attack ads are just another example of Bruce Rauner’s desperation as his support evaporates across Illinois. We have seen this tired old move time and time again– when Rauner is in a corner, he shouts “Madigan!” He calls anyone who defies him a Madigan Plant, including Jeanne Ives, who nearly defeated Rauner in the Primary.
The fact is I never claimed to be in the Marines. After sustaining a severe injury, my contract with the Marines was canceled before I had a chance to leave for boot camp.
The fact is I have never voted to raise taxes.
The fact is that like many Illinoisans, my family and business faced hard times due the crippling of the economy by hedge fund managers like Bruce Rauner.
The fact is that I use my campaign account to assist in my official duties as Senator traveling one of Illinois’s largest districts at no cost to the taxpayer.
The fact is that I stand with blue-collar middle class working families when wealthy elites push laws to take food off their tables and money out of their pockets.
I stand by my conservative record. Rauner is a failed Governor and a liar. He has to resort to the politics of personal destruction to hide the fact he is a pro-choice RINO who spits in the face of conservative-minded Illinoisans every chance he gets.”
That’s all well and good, but if the push-back isn’t in TV ads, nobody but us will see it.
Hmmm, how can Brucie win us McCann voters over?
Oh yeah - give me that cool $2 million, and then I’ll cut an ad for Rauner while holding the check, Publisher’s giveaway-style.
“You too could win $2 million in Governor Rauner’s Clearance Giveaway. Vote for Brucie and you could just win for the next 200 years,”
Interesting. A good-news/bad-news development for Rauner.
The good news is that IMA hasn’t given up on him and shifted all their cash toward legislative candidates. The bad news is obvious: they have to spend money attacking a third party candidate instead of the Dem.
== Someone does not want Sam to crack 5%. Good luck with that. ==
If that’s the goal, this buy will be counter-productive, in my opinion. This raises McCann’s name recognition and sends the message he is being taken seriously.
$5 million spent against McCann in primary 2016. Still won.
Dropping McCann below 5% is still only 4 points that may or may not go to Bruce. He doesn’t get 100% of the McCann toss offs.
You still need to find 12-15 points in 35 days.
Plus remember Sam voters may not go to Rauner rather they may just stay home, that’s not a good outcome either as it hurts down ticket R’s.
Knew this was coming, just thought it would have been a few weeks ago.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:36 am:
==No doubt McCann voted with MJM 90+% of the time.==
Not sure what you mean because McCann is in the Senate and Madigan is in the GA. So they don’t always vote on each other’s bills. McCann has an American Conservative Union lifetime score of 65%. Madigan has a rating of 25%. The ACU treats every bill the same. They disagree with McCann voting to ban powdered alcohol. So that nullifies his voting against HB40. I think most people would not consider those bills equal.
- The Far Left of A Centrist Party - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:24 pm:
The Governor who cried “Madigan!” - probably not good to remind the Ives camp about this line of attack. Also, given the HB40 scenario, the “Not a real Conservative” tag isn’t a good mantra for First Citizen Rauner’s supporters to be tossing around either.
I’m not surprised Rauner allies decided to go this route, but I am surprised it was the Manufacturer’s Association. It’s not a good look for a struggling industry to be spending this much money to attack a third party candidate, the industry should just light their money on fire - at least they’d get to watch the fire.
McCann voted against the income tax increase and voted to sustain Rauner’s veto. The tax claims in both ads are false. If McCann can’t get them off the air, he needs a new attorney.
===One of these is a plant. The other a Mike Madigan plant.===
One of these is a plant. The other a Bruce Rauner plant polluting our homes with ethylene oxide. (Careful with words Bruce. They can be used against you too)
Pretty sure the claim that McCann voted to raise taxes is a lie. I don’t think he’s ever voted for a tax increase.
- Been there, done that - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:06 pm:
Rauner and his minions will stoop to any depths to win. Lying is the same as breathing to those folks. Unfortunately most voters don’t have the time nor the ability to search for the truth. McCann voted “NO” on SB0009 and he voted “NO” to override the former governor’s veto of SB0009. But hey, don’t let the truth (that happens to be on the record) stand in the way of your spending money on a sleazy smear campaign.
Any one who has been involved with Illinois politics knows what is going on. McCann is this year’s Roland Burris. But for Roland, Paul Vallas would still be Governor
==The fact is I never claimed to be in the Marines.==
“the courage I learned in the Marine Corps”
- Sam McCann, 2010
Sam has explained this many time and the fact of the matter is he was misquoted - what he said that day was that he learned about courage FROM the Marines - to be more specific, from a pamphlet he got at the recruiting station and went on to give the definition of courage that was in that pamphlet (I was at that event and heard him speak).
McCann has told how he wanted to serve, how he went to enlist, and how his injury on a construction site kept him from serving but he has never claimed to be a veteran.
Demuzio started this whole mess back in 2010 and the Republican elites have since used this lie twice to try to defeat McCann. Quite pathetic that they keep dragging this up instead of focusing on the accomplishments of McCann’s opponents - very telling.
==Sam has explained this many time and the fact of the matter is he was misquoted - what he said that day was that he learned about courage FROM the Marines - to be more specific, from a pamphlet he got at the recruiting station and went on to give the definition of courage that was in that pamphlet (I was at that event and heard him speak).
McCann has told how he wanted to serve, how he went to enlist, and how his injury on a construction site kept him from serving but he has never claimed to be a veteran.==
“His campaign website formerly described him as “a member of the U.S. Marine Corps,'’ and stated that he received an “honorable discharge.'’”
So his “misquoted” himself? Spare me. He clearly tried to pass himself off as a Marine, got caught lying about it, on his own website. He is, to use the parlance of today, a stolen honor fraud.
Thank you anonymous for the link. This is the exact event and article I was speaking of that started this whole mess. The event was in Carrollton and the reporter was named Carmen. Like I said, I was there and heard him speak and she misquoted what he said.
“McCann repeatedly sided with Madigan and big unions to oppose Gov. Rauner’s conservative reforms.” This statement about McCann’s relationship with big unions looks true, if he is taking money from the Intl. Union of Operating Engineers local 150 construction union.
I could never understand why Brandon Phelps was taking 150 money, which is former NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde’s previous lobbying job. Countryside is a long way from southern Illinois.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:05 am:
Hmmm, how can Brucie win us McCann voters over?
Oh yeah - give me that cool $2 million, and then I’ll cut an ad for Rauner while holding the check, Publisher’s giveaway-style.
“You too could win $2 million in Governor Rauner’s Clearance Giveaway. Vote for Brucie and you could just win for the next 200 years,”
- Al - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:06 am:
Someone does not want Sam to crack 5%. Good luck with that.
- Roman - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:06 am:
Interesting. A good-news/bad-news development for Rauner.
The good news is that IMA hasn’t given up on him and shifted all their cash toward legislative candidates. The bad news is obvious: they have to spend money attacking a third party candidate instead of the Dem.
- Fav Human - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:07 am:
No doubt McCann voted with MJM 90+% of the time.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:11 am:
Probably ads linking McCann to Madigan. Only this time, as evidenced by the other post today, it will actually be true.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:12 am:
== Someone does not want Sam to crack 5%. Good luck with that. ==
If that’s the goal, this buy will be counter-productive, in my opinion. This raises McCann’s name recognition and sends the message he is being taken seriously.
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:14 am:
I wonder if it’s a good idea to raise McCann’s profile, if you want to keep his numbers down.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:16 am:
This helps McCann in the name ID department.
The 5%, which could be found within the Ives numbers… it’s still out there.
Rauner still signed HB40… Rauner still signed “sanctuary city” legislation Rauner won’t clarify… Rauner attacks labor, including the trades.
Meh. Dunno if this works.
- DuPage Bard - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:16 am:
$5 million spent against McCann in primary 2016. Still won.
Dropping McCann below 5% is still only 4 points that may or may not go to Bruce. He doesn’t get 100% of the McCann toss offs.
You still need to find 12-15 points in 35 days.
Plus remember Sam voters may not go to Rauner rather they may just stay home, that’s not a good outcome either as it hurts down ticket R’s.
- RNUG - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:22 am:
Nope. We’ll still vote for Sam when the other choices are Bruce and JB.
- Theq - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:26 am:
As long as Rauner continues to not pay me the rate I am supposed to make it really doesn’t matter what he says about anyone
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:26 am:
===Dropping McCann below 5% is still only 4 points===
Who says he’s at 9?
- Fav Human - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:29 am:
Why does 5% matter? It’s not like John Anderson needing to collect the Fed money…
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:34 am:
Knew this was coming, just thought it would have been a few weeks ago.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:36 am:
==No doubt McCann voted with MJM 90+% of the time.==
Not sure what you mean because McCann is in the Senate and Madigan is in the GA. So they don’t always vote on each other’s bills. McCann has an American Conservative Union lifetime score of 65%. Madigan has a rating of 25%. The ACU treats every bill the same. They disagree with McCann voting to ban powdered alcohol. So that nullifies his voting against HB40. I think most people would not consider those bills equal.
- Al - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 11:45 am:
FAv Human - the Conservative Party will have “established Party ballot access priveleges” which will haunt R’s in the next election cycle.
- One hand //ing - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:23 pm:
Kash Jackson says thanks
- The Far Left of A Centrist Party - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:24 pm:
The Governor who cried “Madigan!” - probably not good to remind the Ives camp about this line of attack. Also, given the HB40 scenario, the “Not a real Conservative” tag isn’t a good mantra for First Citizen Rauner’s supporters to be tossing around either.
- don the legend - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:30 pm:
A sucker born every minute. The IMA dropping millions to put a hit piece on a guy who stands no chance of winning.
Why don’t they spend millions touting Rauner’s accomplishments? Hahahahahaha
- wordslinger - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
So the IMA chose to go the “Because Madigan” route all independent and no coordinating?
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:41 pm:
==Too shady and sleazy for Illinois.==
Sadly, that’s so impossible I’d like to actually see that.
- The Captain - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
I’m not surprised Rauner allies decided to go this route, but I am surprised it was the Manufacturer’s Association. It’s not a good look for a struggling industry to be spending this much money to attack a third party candidate, the industry should just light their money on fire - at least they’d get to watch the fire.
- Reality Check - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
McCann voted against the income tax increase and voted to sustain Rauner’s veto. The tax claims in both ads are false. If McCann can’t get them off the air, he needs a new attorney.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:52 pm:
Where’s the DGA?
McCann is “too extreme” for Illinois.
Amirite?
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 12:55 pm:
===One of these is a plant. The other a Mike Madigan plant.===
One of these is a plant. The other a Bruce Rauner plant polluting our homes with ethylene oxide. (Careful with words Bruce. They can be used against you too)
- Arsenal - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 1:22 pm:
==So the IMA chose to go the “Because Madigan” route all independent and no coordinating?==
C’mon, you don’t really need his CM’s phone number on speed dial to know that that is the preferred message.
- Supreme Allied Commander - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 1:35 pm:
Pretty sure the claim that McCann voted to raise taxes is a lie. I don’t think he’s ever voted for a tax increase.
- Been there, done that - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:06 pm:
Rauner and his minions will stoop to any depths to win. Lying is the same as breathing to those folks. Unfortunately most voters don’t have the time nor the ability to search for the truth. McCann voted “NO” on SB0009 and he voted “NO” to override the former governor’s veto of SB0009. But hey, don’t let the truth (that happens to be on the record) stand in the way of your spending money on a sleazy smear campaign.
- Fav Human - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:09 pm:
I know he’s in the Senate. I just meant Rauner would use the “Madigan” line of attack.
Marines is potentially a killer. Lying about service is bad.
If it’s true. With Rauner you never know.
Thanks for explaining 5%!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:13 pm:
==The fact is I never claimed to be in the Marines.==
“the courage I learned in the Marine Corps”
- Sam McCann, 2010
- Sue - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:31 pm:
Any one who has been involved with Illinois politics knows what is going on. McCann is this year’s Roland Burris. But for Roland, Paul Vallas would still be Governor
- Speakingup - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:52 pm:
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 2:13 pm:
==The fact is I never claimed to be in the Marines.==
“the courage I learned in the Marine Corps”
- Sam McCann, 2010
Sam has explained this many time and the fact of the matter is he was misquoted - what he said that day was that he learned about courage FROM the Marines - to be more specific, from a pamphlet he got at the recruiting station and went on to give the definition of courage that was in that pamphlet (I was at that event and heard him speak).
McCann has told how he wanted to serve, how he went to enlist, and how his injury on a construction site kept him from serving but he has never claimed to be a veteran.
Demuzio started this whole mess back in 2010 and the Republican elites have since used this lie twice to try to defeat McCann. Quite pathetic that they keep dragging this up instead of focusing on the accomplishments of McCann’s opponents - very telling.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 3:09 pm:
==Sam has explained this many time and the fact of the matter is he was misquoted - what he said that day was that he learned about courage FROM the Marines - to be more specific, from a pamphlet he got at the recruiting station and went on to give the definition of courage that was in that pamphlet (I was at that event and heard him speak).
McCann has told how he wanted to serve, how he went to enlist, and how his injury on a construction site kept him from serving but he has never claimed to be a veteran.==
https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/illinois/military-record-issue-crops-up-in-illinois-state-senate-race/article_d8d9a27e-9fec-11df-8786-0017a4a78c22.html
“His campaign website formerly described him as “a member of the U.S. Marine Corps,'’ and stated that he received an “honorable discharge.'’”
So his “misquoted” himself? Spare me. He clearly tried to pass himself off as a Marine, got caught lying about it, on his own website. He is, to use the parlance of today, a stolen honor fraud.
- JT11505 - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 3:15 pm:
Gotta be tough to be Sam - a Republican who now can’t use “Because…Madigan” as a campaign mantra. What the hell else do they have?
- RNUG - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 3:45 pm:
== What the hell else do they have? ==
Rauner lies / lied
- Speakingup - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 3:51 pm:
Thank you anonymous for the link. This is the exact event and article I was speaking of that started this whole mess. The event was in Carrollton and the reporter was named Carmen. Like I said, I was there and heard him speak and she misquoted what he said.
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Oct 2, 18 @ 9:43 pm:
“McCann repeatedly sided with Madigan and big unions to oppose Gov. Rauner’s conservative reforms.” This statement about McCann’s relationship with big unions looks true, if he is taking money from the Intl. Union of Operating Engineers local 150 construction union.
I could never understand why Brandon Phelps was taking 150 money, which is former NRA lobbyist Todd Vandermyde’s previous lobbying job. Countryside is a long way from southern Illinois.
- working stiff - Wednesday, Oct 3, 18 @ 6:35 am:
i just saw one of the morning ads and had to laugh.
i’d state something about it, but don’t want to give ideas to rauner camp.