Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar » *** UPDATED x3 - Pritzker talks to Crain’s - Pritzker, DPI respond *** Ken Griffin says he will go all-in against Pritzker
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*** UPDATED x3 - Pritzker talks to Crain’s - Pritzker, DPI respond *** Ken Griffin says he will go all-in against Pritzker

Wednesday, Nov 10, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller

* Crain’s

[Illinois’ wealthiest resident Ken Griffin] first voiced the possibility of moving Citadel due to rising crime at an Economic Club event last month. At the time, Pritzker responded to Griffin’s complaints, calling him a “liar” and saying that Griffin has worked to dismantle social services that prevent violence.

“He called me a liar,” Griffin said at Wednesday’s event. “It’s all about politics for him. It’s not about people.”

“I’m going to make sure that if he runs again, that I am all in to support the candidate who will beat him,” Griffin continued. “He doesn’t deserve to be the governor of our state.”

Thoughts?

…Adding… Speaking of hurt feelings

Bailey, his campaign manager, and campaign spokesman all ignored multiple emails, calls, and texts seeking comment about his plans to release his full tax returns. Bailey has previously refused to answer questions in protest to [WCIA] reporting about his brother-in-law’s Coronavirus hospitalization that he considered “liberal” and “biased.”

*** UPDATE 1 *** Pritzker campaign…

Today, JB for Governor spokesperson Natalie Edelstein released the following statement in response to Ken Griffin announcing he plans to go “all in” to financially back Governor Pritzker’s GOP opponent.

“Ken Griffin financed Bruce Rauner’s disastrous tenure as governor and now he is eager to once again elect someone who would hold our budget hostage, waste taxpayer money, ruin our credit rating, and destroy programs that keep our residents healthy and safe.

Governor Pritzker remains laser focused on putting Springfield back on the side of working families through unprecedented investments in health care and education, rebuilding our infrastructure, creating good paying jobs, and fighting climate change.”

*** UPDATE 2 *** DPI…

In an interview today, Ken Griffin said he is desperate to fund a challenger to Gov. JB Pritzker in next year’s election. In the last two gubernatorial elections, Griffin spent more than $36 million on failed former Gov. Bruce Rauner. Democratic Party of Illinois Deputy Director Jake Lewis responded to the news:

“We look forward to finding out who Ken Griffin picks to be Bruce Rauner 2.0,” said Jake Lewis, Deputy Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “While Mr. Griffin attempts to satisfy some personal vendetta and the crowded field of radical GOP candidates trip over themselves to win his attention, Illinois Democrats remain focused on delivering wins on the issues that actually matter to the people of this state.”

*** UPDATE 3 *** Greg Hinz

“I pointed out that he lied,” Pritzker said today, referring to a dispute over how and whether National Guard troops should have been called out during 2020 protests after the shooting of George Floyd. Griffin “is a guy who wants to take the state backward. I want to take it forward.” […]

“This is the guy who brought you Bruce Rauner,” Pritzker said, noting that the state’s credit rating during Rauner’s tenure was repeatedly reduced as Springfield stalemated over passage of a new state budget for more than a year.

“I don’t think the people want to do a redo and put his puppet in office,” Pritzker said. “I think we’ve made a lot of progress” with better funding of schools and more jobs created, as opposed to Rauner’s slashing of social programs.“Ken Griffin is someone who’s made a lot of bad decisions” in political matters, Pritzker concluded.

       

92 Comments
  1. - Anon - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:29 am:

    He’s the only person that can ensure there’s a competitive race (financial).


  2. - Glengarry - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:31 am:

    Then he’s gonna have to recruit someone that doesn’t make normal people vomit in their mouths.


  3. - Nefarious Veneer - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:31 am:

    Stop with the puppet act already.
    Just run Ken.
    Put your money where your mouth is.


  4. - DuPage Moderate - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:34 am:

    Good.

    But now who? The current slate can’t win and how do you remove the scourge that is Ives and Proft from the arena?


  5. - Steve Rogers - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:35 am:

    “He called me a liar”

    Snowflake much?


  6. - Roadrager - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:35 am:

    ==“He called me a liar,” Griffin said at Wednesday’s event. “It’s all about politics for him. It’s not about people.”==

    Oh, physician, heal thyself.

    Or just move to Florida so you and your pal Bruce can talk about all the times you two were right, and everybody else was wrong.


  7. - OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:36 am:

    == “I’m going to make sure that if he runs again, that I am all in to support the candidate who will beat him,” ==

    Note he didn’t say Republican nominee but the ‘candidate who will beat him’. So if he doesn’t think the GOP nominee will beat him, no money?


  8. - skutt - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:36 am:

    Assuming the IL GOP won’t vote for a kook in the primaries.


  9. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:37 am:

    ===“I’m going to make sure that if he runs again, that I am all in to support the candidate who will beat him,” Griffin continued. “He doesn’t deserve to be the governor of our state.”===

    Narrator: Griffin will not be that candidate.

    The biggest and most hilarious part of Rauner running and winning is, in the end, Rauner was one of the “little people” to Griffin, disposable, small, and weak… because if Rauner had Griffin money, Rauner coulda ran someone else the first time… and found someone else to replace him the second time.

    Rauner then moved to Florida. Cowards leave. Griffin stayed… because Griffin will find a patsy… it just won’t be any of the ridiculous souls already announced.

    How can I say Griffin won’t back them?

    He woulda already set them up, funded them, messaged for them… Even Griffin knows… the announced folks are losers to Pritzker. Those poor souls don’t realize it, or are grifting off it as long as Griffin stays on the sideline.

    Griffin is a coward… but he’ll find his patsy soon enough.


  10. - Keyrock - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:39 am:

    I really don’t like Illinois government becoming a never-ending war between billionaires — and particularly those who don’t pay their fair share in taxes.

    The U.S. Supreme Court is responsible for this due to Citizens United. The Supreme Court’s path has created ongoing problems for our democracy.


  11. - Telly - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:40 am:

    @Nefarious Veneer

    I think you mean he should put his mouth where his money is, right?


  12. - One hand //ing - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:40 am:

    === I am all in to support the candidate who will beat him===

    Not sure if Ken noticed but his party hasn’t been especially interested in nominating those candidates. At this point that primary is going to be a shootout between Bailey and that downstater who stole Pelosi’s laptop on Jan 6.


  13. - Demoralized - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:40 am:

    ==It’s all about politics for him. It’s not about people==

    Pot meet kettle. Sheesh.

    He wants a guy in office who will protect a rich guy like him and do his bidding.


  14. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:41 am:

    Griff has always been all-in, from Rauner to today.

    I can’t believe the Supreme Court thinks he has more political speech rights than I have just because he has more money.


  15. - The Real Captain - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:42 am:

    A fool and his money are soon parted.


  16. - The other Oswego guy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:43 am:

    Tom Cross should announce his candidacy.


  17. - Pundent - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:43 am:

    You have to have a candidate capable of delivering that message. At present the candidate does not exist. Furthermore, Ken Griffin is not in charge of the ILGOP. Donald Trump is. Darren Baily, Jesse Sullivan, Gary Rabine, and Don Tracy all tell me so.


  18. - NotRich - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:43 am:

    Ken G needs to find his candidate, get him out front, and spend big in June for the primary.. THEN he can set his sights on JB


  19. - Lester Holt’s Mustache - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:43 am:

    I can’t wait to see what Darren Bailey will do with Griff’s mountain of cash. Super-slick vaccination conspiracy commercials? Multiple all-expense paid trips for Steve Bannon and the pillow guy to come in and stump for him? Bail for January 6th rioters? “Security” contracts for proud boys and three percenters? This has the potential to be very entertaining until Bailey does something wildly offensive that forced Griff to pull funding.


  20. - NotRich - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:44 am:

    “47th Ward” : I don’t remember you complaining about the Supreme Court when JB was throwing around his personal cash in 2018


  21. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:46 am:

    Maybe you weren’t listening then. And at least Pritzker has the guts to put his money where his mouth is. Griff is a coward.


  22. - Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:46 am:

    Does this mean Bailey has found his Chicago Overseer?


  23. - former reformer - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:48 am:

    a lovers spat


  24. - Bears Sadness - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:49 am:

    Rodney gets a safe seat after it was publicly speculated he was Griffins choice. Todd Ricketts resigns as RNC fundraiser. And now this. Hard not to connect those dots.


  25. - SaulGoodman - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:50 am:

    **The U.S. Supreme Court is responsible for this due to Citizens United. The Supreme Court’s path has created ongoing problems for our democracy.**

    Citizens United actually has nothing to do with this.


  26. - Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:52 am:

    Don’t think that faith, family and farming is the magic elixir that will draw Griffin’s support.


  27. - Scott Cross for President - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:52 am:

    Thus it begins.

    If you close your eyes and really listen, you can hear Dan Proft firing up North Cook News and the other 20 propaganda newsletters provided by “reporters” on the other side of the ocean.

    Hear that ? Its Brian Timpone restarting Journatic to feed Proft “Illinois” stories actually written by freelancers in the Philippines under fake bylines.

    Once Ken’s wallet comes out, Proft, IPI and company know what to do: put out their hands for the cash and roll out the astroturd.


  28. - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:53 am:

    JB ain’t Pat Quinn.


  29. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:54 am:

    ===Todd Ricketts===

    Trump’s money guy is a tough hurdle with $100 million thrown at him… plus his brother as a governor in Nebraska… and it’s bad for Cubs business…

    “We’ll see”


  30. - Keyrock - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:55 am:

    I respectfully disagree, Saul. Citizens United lurched the Supreme Court down the path of allowing unlimited campaign donations, and preventing reasonable limits on contributions.


  31. - Gryder Religious Movement - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:57 am:

    -Griffin is a coward… but he’ll find his patsy soon enough-

    Nope. Ken is just a billionaire with more money than trust funder JB. Ken is far from a coward . He’s willing to spend money against one of his enemies. It’s amazing what billionaires will do , when they are ticked off and motivated to get revenge.


  32. - Levois J - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:58 am:

    Well I wish there was a reality show for the “audition” for the candidate that can beat Pritzker.


  33. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:59 am:

    === Ken is far from a coward===

    LOL

    Are you his PR flack, lol

    If he’s so hurt, Griffin should run.

    Griffin is a coward, JB actually ran


  34. - Minnie Pearl Jam - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 11:59 am:

    So does this mean Ken’s finally paying for the film sequel: “Madigan 2: Magic Mike XXL” ?

    “Madigan 2: The Empire Strikes Back”
    “Madigan 2: 2 Fast 2 Furious”
    “Madigan 2: I Still Know What You Did Last Summer”

    We could go on for days with this.

    And if Ken is willing to pay me Citadel bonus money, aka real Rona Money, then I will do so.


  35. - JS Mill - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:04 pm:

    JB didn’t just squeak into the governor’s office. He hammered and equally well funded competitor.

    Yes, he now has a record to run on, and our state/country is crazier than it has ever been. But if JB gets the vote out he should win versus anyone that is currently running or rumored to be considering a run.

    Agree or disagree with is policies, JB has one of the highest rates of doing what he promised of any politician that I have followed. He has two misses, one he attempted to make happen (fair tax) and one that is not going to register with many voters (fair maps) and those that want to hit him with it barely have an argument.

    JB has the funds and the conviction to go the distance. KG is a failed kingmaker and a fancy pants that wants to keep all of us little people down.


  36. - RNUG - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:06 pm:

    How about a candidate who may not need Ken Griffin’s money? Has to be one or two out there.

    I have no idea if he would be interested in being Governor, but Howard Graham Buffett comes to mind. He’s done some good in Decatur / Macon County, and has previously ran as a Republican. He appears to have integrity; he recently dropped out of the Macon County Sheriff’s race because he wasn’t sure he meets the newly enacted requirements to be sheriff.


  37. - Larry Bowa Jr. - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:06 pm:

    As an everyday person who has to work for wages rather than taking a skim off the global economy, nothing would make me feel more secure than Ken Griffin’s puppet in executive office.
    Bring back Bruce? It went so well the first time we tried it.


  38. - Pundent - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:06 pm:

    Typically when I feel personally offended I take it upon myself to respond. But I guess if you’re Ken Griffin you outsource your anger.

    So who will be this mystery candidate running of the platform of “you lied to my boss Ken Griffin?”


  39. - OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:07 pm:

    ==I can’t wait to see what Darren Bailey will do with Griff’s mountain of cash ==

    He isn’t going to see it, even if he is the nominee.


  40. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:09 pm:

    ===So who will be this mystery candidate running of the platform of “you lied to my boss Ken Griffin?”===

    This is the point;

    The candidate being sent by Griffin isn’t their own person, they are Griffin’s employee.

    On the other hand, boy, the grifting opportunity to working for Griffin’s employee, so much money to make working on that.


  41. - DuPage - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:10 pm:

    This brings a smile to the advertizers who will rake in profits as both sides buy up all the air time they can get.


  42. - NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:13 pm:

    ==Tom Cross should announce his candidacy.==

    He opens his campaign with a golf outing.


  43. - City Zen - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:17 pm:

    Assuming he’ll set aside some cash to fight the constitutional amendment too.


  44. - SWSider - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:17 pm:

    Oh no, I hope these billionaires don’t end up in an intense personal rivalry that forces each man to squander his vast, vast, incomprehensibly large fortune and learn much about themselves and the world around them.


  45. - vern - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:18 pm:

    I agree that the state should do something about crime in Chicago. Would Griffin support a large investment in the Illinois State Police to stand up a financial crimes unit? Or is that not the kind of crime he’s talking about?

    https://www.sec.gov/news/pressrelease/2017-11.html


  46. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:20 pm:

    ===Assuming===

    People who measure money with value “put aside” cash.

    People who see value in money to push what they want will spend what they feel is needed.

    Now make that person a billionaire…

    “Put money aside”, you are thinking too small to comprehend Griffin.


  47. - Dirty Red - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:20 pm:

    OK. New theory:

    Ken Griffin is a closeted member of the progressive elite, who is totally aware of his public persona and uses it to unite centrist, liberal, and progressive Democrats against candidates cashing checks from people who attend Economic Club events. He gets the applause in the room today PLUS all of the lulz a year from now because this is his best life.

    OR This man learned nothing from the failed Rauner experiment despite being in the room as it was happening.


  48. - ;) - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:21 pm:

    If he’s all in, literally all in, then the right candidate with good charisma and a common sense basic economic message can beat JB Pritzker.


  49. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:24 pm:

    ===…with good charisma and a common sense basic economic message can..===

    Gotta name of this person?


  50. - Pundent - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:34 pm:

    =the right candidate with good charisma and a common sense basic economic message can beat JB Pritzker=

    The last employee of Ken Griffin’s to hold this job was miserable at the end. He looked like a shell of his former self. And before it was all said and done he found himself on an island and the leader of the party wouldn’t even acknowledge his presence. In fact it got so bad that as hard as he tried he couldn’t even give the job away.

    So for perspective candidates the question they’ll want to ask is, “tell me about the last person that held this job and why did they leave?” And as we all know applicants have become a lot choosier these days.


  51. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:35 pm:

    The Democrats are in denial about the nexus between their polices and rising crime in the formerly safe areas of the city and suburbs.

    The fact is Ken Griffin is self made and pays a lot more taxes than JB Pritzker


  52. - BCOSEC - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:37 pm:

    RNUG has a very interesting suggestion.

    Pro-law enforcement angle to boot.


  53. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:39 pm:

    === The fact is Ken Griffin is self made===

    Is he a “jobs creater” or like Rauner merely someone who made money for the purpose to make it?

    Being the Trump supporter that you are you must be enraged by Trump’s inherited wealth.


  54. - 10th Ward - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:45 pm:

    “Mr. Griffin, Mr.Dillard is on line 1 and Mr. Kinzinger was on line 2 but I disconnected him”


  55. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:48 pm:

    Not sure that has anything to do with the race for Governor but go ahead down your rabbit holes.

    The election will not be about Donald Trump.

    It will be a referendum on total control of Illinois by JB and the backseat the legislature has taken to solving Illinois problems.

    Democrats are furious the Republicans will have the money to get the message out


  56. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 12:57 pm:

    ===Not sure that has anything to do with the race for Governor but go ahead down your rabbit holes.===

    Your utter ignorance to your own hypocrisy and a real lack of honesty is your calling card.

    It’s important that you see your reflection to how far you have sunk to be the caricature you are. It’s embarrassing to this idea you suck up to Griffin because he’s against what others you admire are.

    You question one’s character, talk hypocrisy, you embody a lack of character, and are flush full of hypocrisy.

    ===The election will not be about Donald Trump===

    Depends on the nominee.

    Today… those running for governor embrace Trump, unapologetically… Sullivan? Sullivan is a man touting stolen valor and California businesses.

    If you have that name Griffin will field, share it.

    ===Democrats are furious…===

    Really? Where do you see this in actuality? You can cite something I’m sure.


  57. - Pundent - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:01 pm:

    =The election will not be about Donald Trump.=

    Donald Trump disagrees with you as do all of the announced candidates in Illinois. Each of them is courting and coveting “the base” which led to double digit losses for both the former President and former Governor. And spoiler alert “the message” that Democrats are afraid of is already out on Facebook which is where the Republican candidates believe this race is being won.


  58. - Demoralized - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:05 pm:

    ==The fact is Ken Griffin is self made and pays a lot more taxes than JB Pritzker==

    What does that have to do with anything? Do you think before you speak or do you just spew out whatever dumb thought happens to come to mind at the time?


  59. - Hamlets Ghost - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:09 pm:

    Is Illinois in a better place today than in December 2018?

    For me the answer is obviously Yes


  60. - Fixer - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:12 pm:

    Lucky, after the last gubernatorial race, maybe you should sit this one out with your attempts at whatever it is you’re trying here. You were all in on Rauner/IPI and voters resoundingly quashed that being sound leadership. This current slate is notably worse than them. Griffin can be “all in” on whoever he wants, but voters in this state seem to overwhelmingly support Pritzker and his policies based on polls. Facebook comment sections are an extremely small subset of the populace.


  61. - Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:23 pm:

    === Tom Cross should announce his candidacy. ===

    Did you mean the pro-choice, pro-gay rights Tom Cross or the one who Co-sponsored the Com-Ed legislation with Madigan?

    I mean, It would give Darren Bailey something to talk about besides COVID.

    Look, I am not gonna defend Ken Griffin, but he’s the richest guy in Illinois. He’s used to having his pillow fluffed, if you know what I mean. It would not have taken much for JB to make the guy feel good. But JB considers himself to be Ken’s equal. Sure, they are to us, a billionaire is a billionaire, right?

    Wrong.

    In Ken’s book, his stack of chips is bigger, and that makes JB not his equal.

    So, instead JB is about to go all in with a good hand but a short stack against a guy that has four times the money and nothing to lose: no business, no family, no friends.

    I hope JB and his wife are ready to burn through $250M.

    I think he will be fine, but he’s making life unnecessarily hard on himself.


  62. - Jibba - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:43 pm:

    ===It will be a referendum on total control of Illinois by JB and the backseat the legislature has taken===

    Only Republicans. And that’s ball game.


  63. - Crispy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 1:54 pm:

    “The fact is Ken Griffin is self made.”

    Lol, good one. Tell that to the legions of minions who worked, and work, for pennies on the dollar, to create his corporate profits. Also, tell that to all us wage-earning, taxpaying schlubs whose collective contributions help maintain the institutions and infrastructure that he leverages every day to continue to profit, while shielding his own wealth behind oligarch-friendly banking laws.


  64. - Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:00 pm:

    “Well I wish there was a reality show for the “audition” for the candidate that can beat Pritzker.”

    I’d pay big to see that show…for the guffaw.


  65. - Benjamin - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:05 pm:

    ==the right candidate with good charisma and a common sense basic economic message can beat JB Pritzker==

    Sure, you’d need both those things. Who in the ILGOP has them?

    In a state that’s strongly Democratic, you’d need the right candidate, but also for Pritzker to make a bunch of unforced errors. Instead, he’s governed in a largely competent manner, avoided major scandal, and stayed above water in terms of approval rating. Also, he already has all the money he could ever spend in this election. I don’t really see a way for any of the GOP candidates to break through unless something changes.


  66. - Skeptic - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:09 pm:

    “You have to have a candidate capable of delivering that message.” and a message that at least 50%+1 of the voters will agree with.


  67. - natty lite - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:10 pm:

    Agree with Thomas Paine. I think it was the guy in “Billions” who said “what’s the point of having ‘f you’ money if you don’t occasionally say ‘f you’?” Looking forward to a long process of two guys saying “f you” to each other … if KG finds a candidate. KG didn’t get to the stratosphere by backing losers. He’s not going to light $250 million on fire. $20 million, sure. But if you just need to waste millions without getting elected, Uihlein is your guy, not KG.


  68. - Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:20 pm:

    ==RNUG has a very interesting suggestion.

    Pro-law enforcement angle to boot.==

    I’ve spent a little time around Buffett, he’s not ready for primetime and I don’t think like the glare of running for an office as big as Governor.

    He’d have to answer about his ranch in Arizona that doubles as a solider of fortune play place for people who want to patrol the boarder. He tells great stories, runs a decent foundation, gets to play farmer and cop as it is. Figure that’s good enough for him.


  69. - Pundent - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:29 pm:

    It seems that any viable ILGOP candidate has to do two things; 1.) appeal to suburban moderates and, 2.) maintain the base. Any candidate can pull off one of those. But they also tend to cancel each other out.


  70. - Logan - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:43 pm:

    Griffin can say all he wants. At the end of the day, this is a Blue state, after the Rauner destruction.


  71. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 2:47 pm:

    Ken Griffin you didn’t build that company that you started in your Harvard dorm room and made you the richest man in Illinois

    The rest of us who paid for the road to your office did as well as the hard working 1,400 Citadel employees who graduated from the finest universities in America and apparently work for pennies on the dollar


  72. - Lucky Pierre - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:03 pm:

    B didn’t just squeak into the governor’s office. He hammered and equally well funded competitor.

    Democrat Pritzker has spent $171 million of his wealth to try and become governor. Rauner, following his first election, has spent close to $70 million of his own money.

    The Illinois governor’s race will be remembered as one of the ugliest ever but also as one in which the two main candidates — one a billionaire and the other a near-billionaire — raised over $255 million.

    Now JB will be running on his record instead of his predecessors

    https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/bruce-rauner-jb-pritzker-spending-campaigns-for-illinois-governor/169437/


  73. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:06 pm:

    To the two updates;

    Markers for what will be ahead… Griffin’s employee trying to make a personal vendetta a political campaign.

    C+, the both of them.

    Also.., They’re not support to be “As”…


  74. - Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:12 pm:

    The nugget at the end about Bailey’s tax returns is interesting. Large farm operations run very elaborate tax structures. Not shocked that Bailey wouldn’t want anyone to see how he accounts for profit and loss, who’s an actively engaged farmer and so on.

    It would totally blow his cover as an everyman.


  75. - BCOSEC - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:13 pm:

    A problem a “moderate” R candidate could have is that someone to the right will again get on the ballot and siphon off votes in the general like McCann and Winderweedle did.

    Rauner still got hammered, but in a close race, just a percent or two could do in a moderate R candidate.


  76. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:20 pm:

    ===and Winderweedle did===

    Seriously doubt he siphoned off a single vote.


  77. - Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:22 pm:

    Any rich son of a gun who claims to be self made needs to speak to his Mother.


  78. - Anon - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:24 pm:

    Awww poor little Kenny G got his feelings hurt . . .


  79. - srboisvert - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:40 pm:

    You kind of have to admire the conviction of a billionaire Republican who openly declares he will back an imaginary hypothetically victorious candidate just as soon as he finds one for sale.


  80. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:49 pm:

    ===admire the conviction of===

    That’s one word. I could think of others.


  81. - BCOSEC - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:55 pm:

    Rich, Winderweedle ran on the Libertarian ticket and received over 109k votes.

    I think it’s tough to assume not a single vote.

    In any event, I was using the two as an example. There has been more than one important election since 2000 that arguably would have had a different outcome without a fringe candidate.


  82. - The other oswego - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:56 pm:

    One could debate that to win a state wide race in Illinois (general election)

    It behooves you

    1. To have run state wide before- definite plus to know Cairo and Dekalb

    2. To be a moderate - have to be in the middle for sure.

    If many martians stay in the race a moderate could win the primary


  83. - Pundent - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 3:58 pm:

    =he will back an imaginary hypothetically victorious candidate just as soon as he finds one for sale.=

    Well according to LP he has 1,400 well qualified individuals in his employ. Perhaps one of them would benefit from a stretch goal.


  84. - Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:00 pm:

    Jesse Sullivan: “Mr. Griffin, Sir, my suit is empty and ready to be filled with your cash.”


  85. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:02 pm:

    === The rest of us who paid for the road to your office did as well as the hard working 1,400 Citadel employees who graduated from the finest universities in America and apparently work for pennies on the dollar===

    No one defends a billionaire like - Lucky Pierre -, lol

    Why won’t Griffin himself run? I mean, “success story, started from ‘nothing’, employing 1400 folks, I’m sure a diverse group”

    Did you actually think it’s sounds smart talking Griffin’s employees as Griffin is actively auditioning patsies to be his employee as governor?

    That’s an odd take.


  86. - RNUG - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:03 pm:

    == Large farm operations run very elaborate tax structures. ==

    From knowing three good sized farming operations, this is definitely true. They are all “family farms”. But you will find there are 4 or more corporate entities involved in each farming operation. It’s all designed to protect assets and legally minimize taxes.


  87. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:04 pm:

    === The Illinois governor’s race will be remembered as one of the ugliest ever but also as one in which the two main candidates — one a billionaire and the other a near-billionaire — raised over $255 million.

    Now JB will be running on his record instead of his predecessors===

    Rauner got shellacked, the worse loss by a sitting Republican governor in the last 100 years of Illinois history.

    Friend, if you keep saying Pritzker and his “Democrat Agenda”, and you are saying he will have to run on his record, odds are Dems are gonna like his “Democrat Agenda”

    LOL


  88. - JS Mill - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:29 pm:

    =Now JB will be running on his record instead of his predecessors=

    Yeah, I mentioned that in my post. I also mentioned that JB, unlike 99% of electeds has done exactly what he said he was going to do. I miss with the fair tax (who was it that pumped big bucks to oppose a tax break for most Illinoisans?)and you could make an argument for fair maps.

    LP is sure sensitive when it comes to big Griff. Wonder why?


  89. - Jibba - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 4:47 pm:

    ===He hammered and equally well funded competitor.===

    You talking about Quinn? He was disliked even by many in his own party. Not really comparable to now, since Dems seem generally happy with JB. If they turn out, it is over.


  90. - A Jack - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 5:00 pm:

    I would have considered an alternative to Pritzker before Kenny got involved, but any Griffin backed candidate is a no-go for me. Griffin has proven he doesn’t have the state’s best interests in mind.


  91. - HCMcB4 - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 5:19 pm:

    “Ken Griffin is self-made”

    From wilipedia:

    “Despite a ban on running businesses from campus, Griffin convinced school administrators to allow him to install a satellite dish on the roof of the Cabot House dormitory to receive stock quotes.He also asked Terrence J. O’Connor, the manager of convertible bonds at Merrill Lynch in Boston, to open a brokerage account for him with $100,000 that Griffin had gotten from his grandmother, his dentist, and others.”

    $100K in 1986 = $252K today

    Self made? Ha.


  92. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 10, 21 @ 5:22 pm:

    ===$100K in 1986 = $252K today

    Self made?===

    $252K is a looonnnggg way from $21 billion, with a b.


Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.


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