* Tribune cartoonist…
* Tribune editorial entitled “The truth about Sam McCann”…
Note to Illinois voters: If you think voting for the guy who has Conservative Party next to his name is a vote for conservative values, you’re badly mistaken. You’re being played. Let us tell you the truth about Sam McCann. […]
Why would Local 150 put so much muscle behind McCann? Rauner’s support for allowing right-to-work zones and curbing prevailing wage mandates — issues that would diminish the influence of trade and public employee unions — created a fierce adversary in union halls statewide. So the operating engineers are putting up a candidate who could strip votes from Rauner’s Republican base. Local 150 is in this for revenge.
But McCann is taking it a step further. He’s also helping Madigan by targeting conservative Republicans with misleading mailers in districts Madigan wants to win. Reps. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine, and Lindsay Parkhurst, R-Kankakee, both have been hit with McCann-sponsored campaign mailers that describe them as Republicans “in name only.”
Except that’s not true. Morrison and Parkhurst have solid records of voting against tax hikes, against big government, and with fellow conservatives on social issues.
What these dishonest mailer’s don’t mention is McCann’s own voting record in the Senate. He’s running under a conservative banner — yet he votes in lockstep with the state’s largest public employee union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. McCann has voted against every version of cost-saving pension reform except one, making his record one of the most liberal in the General Assembly. He voted against streamlining government. He voted against allowing voters to consolidate layers of government.
Is McCann a stalking horse to draw votes away from Rauner and Republican legislators? Of course he is. Nobody is gonna drop that much cash on a candidate who is polling at somewhere around 5 percent unless something else is up.
* But the mailers do not describe those legislators as “Republicans ‘in name only’” as the Tribune claims. The mailers describe the legislators as “Rauner Rinos.” Rauner is called a “fake conservative” because he signed HB40. McCann calls the legislators “fake conservatives” because, after screaming bloody murder about HB40, they have since endorsed Rauner and take contributions from him (laundered through other committees first, of course). McCann told Dan Proft he will send mailers into their districts supporting them if they rescind their Rauner endorsements.
Also, who says conservative Republican legislators have to vote against AFSCME? Plenty voted with public employee unions before Rauner came along, and they may resume doing so whenever Rauner leaves. Heck, lots of AFSCME members are conservative, pro-life Republicans and many reside in Republican-held districts, so why wouldn’t their legislators pay attention to them?
Whatever the case, this isn’t even about the public employee unions. I mean, Local 150 of the Operating Engineers Union was pushing hard for pension reform back when the public worker unions were working their tails off against it. This is, as the Tribune notes, about Rauner’s war on trade unions and the GOP legislators’ complicity with and even active support for that war. They’re just holding Rauner accountable, albeit in a very, let’s say, “unusual” way.
* Meanwhile, the second round of Conservative Party mailers has hit…
Another McCann assault on Morrison arrived in the mail Wednesday, this one accusing Morrison of “betraying” taxpayers in connection with the recent state income tax increase. Morrison actually voted against the tax hike. […]
Not only are the Republican legislative candidates being attacked from the left by their liberal Democratic opponents, they are being attacked from the right by a candidate who is urging conservative voters to vote either for liberals or not vote at all.
It’s a terrific mess, exactly the kind of thing Democratic leaders like House Speaker Michael Madigan would like to see on the GOP side.
Ives speculated that Madigan is trying to tie Republican legislators to the unpopular Rauner in the same way Rauner and Republicans have tried, with some success, to tie Madigan to Democratic legislative candidates.
“I can’t help but think that this is Madigan giving Rauner a taste of his own medicine,” Ives said.
Yep. And some folks are also chuckling that Rauner is just getting back what he dished out to Madigan’s alleged best buddy Ives during the primary.
- GOP - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:10 pm:
This could be soooo different if Bruce had just listened to a few rational Republicans about how to work with 150. The whole party has now suffered because of it. Loooong recovery ahead.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:15 pm:
== Heck, lots of AFSCME members are conservative, pro-life Republicans and many reside in Republican-held districts ==
True. The previous holder of Sam’s current Senate seat, Larry Bomke (R), supported state employees and they supported him.
- Roman - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
It seems to me that a majority of Illinois conservatives are more aligned with McCann’s social conservatism than they are with the Rauner/Tribune brand of economic conservatism.
- People Over Parties - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:20 pm:
First thing that came up when I googled Sam’s name was “Sam McCann | Democrat Pawn | therealsammccann.com”, payed for by Rauner’s camp.
- A girl - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:21 pm:
==This could be soooo different if Bruce had just listened to a few rational Republicans about how to work with 150. ==
This could be so different if Bruce had just listened to the Republican base about how to work with Republicans.
- Huh? - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:22 pm:
“who says conservative Republican legislators have to vote against AFSCME?”
1.4%
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:22 pm:
“Rauner’s support for allowing right-to-work zones and curbing prevailing wage mandates — issues that would diminish the influence of trade and public employee unions — created a fierce adversary in union halls statewide.”
Keep reminding the trades that Rauner’s against them. Brilliant campaign strategy. Smart…Brains.
https://youtu.be/VrJ7xLp71e0
- Generic Drone - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:28 pm:
So local 150 supports pension reform? Hmm. Wonder what Afscme thinks about that?
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
The editorial cartoon is missing an arm labeled “IUOE 150″ That’s not exactly a small detail…
- Grand Avenue - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
The “Bonus” of Sam McCann getting 5% is that the Conservative Party becomes an established party at all levels of Illinois Government for the next 4 years, meaning it will be a lot easier to put up “Conservatives” in every General Assembly race to draw votes away from Republicans in 2020 and 2022.
Also, the Conservative Party will be able to elect Committeemen for the next 4 years.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:29 pm:
Flight of the Concordes need to write a song about Bruce.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:33 pm:
==The editorial cartoon is missing an arm labeled “IUOE 150″ That’s not exactly a small detail…==
Why is there an AFSCME arm in the first place?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
Forget Urlacher. Katrina should be fronting RESTORE Hair, since she’s able to light hers on fire every other day.
Maybe a detailed, honest, rational essay on how Rauner is the “conservative” candidate is in order, based on his track record.
I kid, with the request for detailed, honest and rational from the troncs.
- James Knell - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:38 pm:
I don’t think the Tribune is being fair. Conservative, from Jeanne Ives to Jim Edgar to 25% of current Republican legislators, don’t want to run the state without a budget until they get their way. It’s a pretty obnoxious legislative strategy.
McCann was unsuccessfully primaried by the current Governor. Bruce Rauner a rich bully. I could see Sam McCann being a better governor. But I fear that’s not the point. Financially, damaging people on the other side is what Rauner and his fans want if they can’t have their way.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:38 pm:
===So local 150 supports pension reform? Hmm. Wonder what Afscme thinks about that?===
Rauner made a huge mistake not splitting up on labor. Had Rauner sided with the trades and first responders, so much of what Rauner “coulda had” was possible.
I love this.
Love.
The phony conservatives… Breen leading the way… spare me. You stand for nothing but Rauner’s cash.
I hope McCann gets that 5% and a phony conservative finds themselves giving a concession speech.
Rauner brought this plague on himself and the phonies, like Mr. Breen. It’s delicious.
- Retired Educator - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:42 pm:
Let me get this straight, anyone who supports working men and women, is a danger? This type of stupidity is the reason I left the Republican Party. I have become an independent, rather then let others tell me what my opinion should be. I vote for who I feel represents my view points. I don’t check for a D or R I check for values, and honesty. The person I feel will do the best job, has my vote.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:44 pm:
The old saying “you reap what you sow” applies to Rauner and the GOP this election. It’s ok when we play dirty but when the other side does we get upset. The GOP let a stranger into their house. This stranger had a lot of money that he would share with them as long as they did what they were told. They are about to lose the Governorship. Maybe it’s time for some self reflection instead of pointing fingers. Then again that’s the example set by their leader, who has blamed everyone but himself for the problems created under his watch.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:52 pm:
===Except that’s not true. Morrison and Parkhurst have solid records of voting against tax hikes, against big government, and with fellow conservatives on social issues.===
Never, ever forget…
“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate.”
The phony conservatives wanted to hurt social services, close state universities, ring up debt, to destroy organized labor.
After HB40, sanctuary state legislation, even the fiscal ruin… they stayed with Rauner.
Mr. Breen is as much of a conservative as Diana Rauner.
That’s real. That’s Peter Breen.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:58 pm:
If the Tribune is helping Rauner beat McCann… then the McCann experiment is working.
Perfectly.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:08 pm:
Good news Sam, the Chicago Tribune just said you were terrific.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:10 pm:
Well said Retired Educator. I agree completely.
- Pick a Name - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:16 pm:
Sammy might as well tear up the R card, he will be working soon for the JB administration.
His R days are over!
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:17 pm:
What happened to the Green Party - why no candidate? It would have been a hoot to see Rauner & friends bankroll the Greens.
- WSJ Paywall - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:18 pm:
Sam McCann driving the Trib Ed Board batty is the most rewarding aspect of his candidacy as far as I’m concerned.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:24 pm:
Maybe I’m wrong.
Diana Rauner is still that Democrat she says… and she, as a mole, with Bruce as her instrument, single-handedly, bought then imploded the ILGOP.
That Diana Rauner is a “double aught 7”
- Roman - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:26 pm:
== Rauner made a huge mistake not splitting up on labor. ==
Yep. And it was a rather obvious play. Maybe his team was too inexperienced in Springfield to see it, maybe Rauner couldn’t control his anti-union rage enough to take half a loaf. Either way, it was one of his earliest missteps and it sent the tone for four years of political ineptitude.
- Bigtwich - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
Bruce Rauner is running for Gov of Illinois on the Republican Party ticket. Sadly, this is nothing more than an attempt to draw votes away from Conservative Party candidate Sam McCann.
- DarkHorse - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
Beg to differ.
There’s one Republican McCann helps: Erika Harold. Every McCann voter is very likely a Harold voter - and almost certainly isn’t a Raoul voter.
In my attempt to land an (unpaid) internship with FiveThirtyEight.com , my predictive model for the AG race is: Rauner % + McCann % = Harold %.
- Al - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:27 pm:
Bruce Voldemort Rauner is not a Republican. He is a rascally persistent ever lying gaslight tax-free municipal bond salesman for Citadel Fortress. Republicans like balance budgets, not taxpayer provided abortions and completely unnecessary bond sales.
Friendly note to Tribune: almost no one south of I80 reads your paper.
- GOPgal - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:32 pm:
5 bucks Rauner loses by more than %’age McCann gets. So just more fruitless whining, which is all Rauner and IL GOP have done for 4 yrs.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:50 pm:
Really fascinating
Afscme being an arm.
In a way it’s great that we are seen
As a true threat
( even when we’re not in this case, it’s 150)
But I think why we are in the cartoon
Is because
Afscme, post Janus
Post wage theft
Post contract impasse
Is a severely pissed off
Wet honey badger
Honestly, I don’t know of a single afscme
Who doesn’t want to inflict
Maximum harm into Rauner
And his lickspittles.
Yes Bruce
I want you to imagine afscme’s
Behind every retribution
From here in out.
Just as I have imagined you
Behind all of the terrors
Afscme’s have faced
We are so motivated
You don’t have to ask us twice
To go after you.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 1:51 pm:
–It would have been a hoot to see Rauner & friends bankroll the Greens.–
I’ve been told my someone who was there that the GOP state central committee was pitched the idea to put up a Bernie Bro as a Progressive Party Candidate, but BTIA(TM) couldn’t pull it off.
- Values Voters - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 2:20 pm:
Fun day for the Chicago Tribune to be re-endorsing Tom Morrison.
How many pieces have they penned blasting Democrats for “falsely” tying a Republican to a sex offender?
And then when a legislator stands right in front of them and defends his office’s official role in seeking leniency for a convicted sex offender?
Crickets so far. Will it be crickets tomorrow? Likely so.
- Obamas Puppy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 2:26 pm:
So according to conservative police force (Chicago Tribune) only true conservatives want to gut collective bargaining, steal pensions and undermine worker protections. I guess supporting the 2nd amendment and being pro-life just isn’t good enough any more.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 2:28 pm:
Sorry my bad
Let me clarify
By maximum harm
I mean political harm
Not physical harm
These days I need to be more careful about my statements.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:10 pm:
===…might as well tear up the R card, he will be working soon for the JB administration.===
(Sigh)
Anyone who worked for Rauner…
“…might as well tear up the R card, They worked for the Rauner administration.”
Rauner is not, never has been a Republican.
Republicans can work for Rauner but not JB?
Nope.
Also, I’d want a bipartisan slant on an Administration where we ALL can agree in policy to make Illinois better.
- Bobby Hicks - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:30 pm:
==His R days are over==
No! Say it isn’t so. He’s going to be so torn up.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:41 pm:
===Rauner couldn’t control his anti-union rage enough to take half a loaf. …it was one of his earliest missteps and it sent the tone for four years of political ineptitude.===
That’s where I am, and what’s more disturbing… it was all in a PowerPoint.
The destruction of an Administration… by PowerPoint
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 4:34 pm:
Ladies & Gentleman, did u know that Ives she has taken from the 150 Pac?? How does she explain that? Look at that double standard…. I can take from the 150 Pac but if Sen. McCann takes from them he is a plant.
- XDNR - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 5:12 pm:
This is what happens when you have a failure in Raunerism and the GOP Raunerites who enabled that failure, what did they expect.
- Silly Season - Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 5:33 pm:
Used to think the lawsuit about shill candidates filed against Madigan was hooey, but then comes the McCann charade.