* Darren Bailey’s morning Facebook address today…
Right now, even as we speak, factions of the Republican Party are trying to handpick the ‘yes people’ that they want to put into office. There’s a lot of good people out there that have decided to run and they’re being discouraged, borderline bribed, whatever you want to call it, not to run. And this has got to be exposed and talked about as well because these days of Illinois governance where we’ve came from, where we’ve been, what we’ve been doing and why we are here has got to end.
We keep hearing the talk about a slate coming up of Republican governor, lieutenant governor and all the way down the line. Friends, this is nonsense. And you’re going to be able to see right through it. Whenever you see a liberal-minded governor candidate pop up from the Illinois Republican Party and then you see maybe someone to the right or to the left of them. That’s why I chose Stephanie Trussell to be my running mate. Because Stephanie Trussell is rock solid. She stands up, she speaks out for what she believes in and she will not waver. These people coming up from this slate, they’re going to be bought and paid for candidates and friends we cannot allow that anymore in the state of Illinois. So make sure to speak with your voice now when you see these people and make sure to speak up with your vote later. Please join our team.
Just sayin’ but Trussell most definitely wavered on Donald Trump, going from 110 percent opposition to support.
…Adding… Yep…
* Speaking of the slate, here’s Politico’s take on the SoS race…
On the Republican side, a political action committee with support from billionaire Ken Griffin is reportedly backing former U.S. attorney John Milhiser. […]
Griffin’s potential involvement has little to do with the secretary of state office. Griffin wants to defeat Gov. JB Pritzker, and if he can’t do it this year, the Citadel CEO may want to put Milhiser in a strong position to run for governor in four years.
For now, Giannoulias and Milhiser face primary contests, so fundraising is far from over. Their opponents all have uphill battles to beef up their campaign accounts.
Um, “little to do with the secretary of state office”? One could say that about other candidates, too. Anybody think Giannoulias will be content to be SoS for 20 years? Team Grif may indeed be setting up Milhiser for a future bid for even higher office, but that would require winning the race in November. And, more to the point, the people running this experiment despise Giannoulias from their time running the Mark Kirk US Senate campaign. They were obviously very intent on finding a candidate to make a stark contrast with their planned attack on Giannoulias.
- Primate - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 1:53 pm:
Rauner/Griffin… Just remember where this got us before as Republicans. I am not a Baily fan and typically do not agree with DPI (Sorry for the double negative). But both are correct. “Rauner and Griffin are most famous for waging a disastrous four-year war on good government in Illinois, decimating our social safety net and nearly plunging our state into junk status,” said Abby Witt, executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “Rauner and Griffin are now back, choosing their own slate of handpicked puppets instead of letting voters to have their say.”
- Primate - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 1:55 pm:
Rauner/Griffin… Just remember where this got us before as Republicans. I am not a Baily fan and typically do not agree with the DPI (Sorry for the double negative). Both are correct though. “Rauner and Griffin are most famous for waging a disastrous four-year war on good government in Illinois, decimating our social safety net and nearly plunging our state into junk status,” said Abby Witt, executive director of the Democratic Party of Illinois. “Rauner and Griffin are now back, choosing their own slate of handpicked puppets instead of letting voters to have their say.”
- Cool Papa Bell - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:00 pm:
Wouldn’t Milhiser look better running for AG?
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:01 pm:
= they’re being discouraged, borderline bribed, whatever you want to call it, not to run. =
If the people he is suggesting would be good choices can be influenced this easily on how to conduct their personal life, are they really a good choice for public office in the first place?
Sometimes I just can’t understand the thought process going on when comments like this are made.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:02 pm:
Meh.
Rauner bought and paid for a party, two caucuses, a Comptroller…
No one complained then.
Nope.
I did, but I digress…
- Raising Kane - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:10 pm:
Wouldn’t Milhiser look better running for AG?
It’s what Rich said….it’s all about the contrast. Squeaky clean vs shady af.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:12 pm:
-bought and paid for candidates-
Things you say after you find out no one wants to buy and pay for you.
- Sir - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:14 pm:
This infighting couldn’t happen to a better party.
Republicans, eat your own.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:16 pm:
There’s a poetic… lesson here.
Rauner and Griffin ruined the ILGOP.
Now those who rally around racists, conspiracy theorists, and insurrectionist sympathizers are now upset that Rauner and Griffin see these folks as “hurtful”
I’m intrigued by Milhiser. Alexi is vulnerable, the patronage at SoS is how you rebuild, away from the Eastern Bloc Silly. They don’t want Eastern Bloc Silly, they want to win.
Politics ain’t bean bag. Bailey ain’t desirable.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:18 pm:
Poor Bailey. Who would have thought his sales pitch to Griffin that lead off with “I’m here to tell you that I’m a farmer” wouldn’t be persuasive. But ya gotta give the farmer some credit for moving on and explaining that he doesn’t want any Griff-bucks due to his principles.
- PublicServant - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:19 pm:
=== Bailey calls Grif slate “bought and paid for candidates” ===
He’s not wrong…about tis anyway Just sayin.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:24 pm:
=== Bailey calls Grif slate “bought and paid for candidates” ===
He’s just mad cause he ain’t the one getting paid.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
…but…but…I’m a farmer….I know dirt.
- fs - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
The same Bailey who conducted official duties while using a helicopter that was bought and paid for by someone else for his campaign purposes?
They’re all bought and paid for. Some expected paybacks are just more well known than others.
Pot. Kettle. Etc.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:25 pm:
Trussel is rock solid? Bailey vs. Griffin?
I’m going to need more popcorn.
- Back to the Future - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:27 pm:
For a Chicagoan who gave the people of Chicago and Illinois the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago along with an exceptional collection of art he bought, a $100 million gift to the Natural History Museum, fixed up the path along the lake and founded a exceptional investment house in Illinois (that among other things) is supposed to have been annually doing 25% of all equity trades in the US, Ken Griffin sure gets a lot of grief from folks.
Going to go with Senator Duckworth and Senator Durban’s endorsed candidate for SOS in the primary, but I think the Republican former US Attorney from central Illinois is an interesting alternative to Alexi (if he wins the primary).
- Watchful eye. - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:27 pm:
Milhiser sold his soul by allowing these guys to buy him off. Bang on Bailey all you want but his message on this resonates with a lot of Republicans
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:28 pm:
Being bought and paid for is part of a politician dna. It is who is buying and the amount that is the issue
Probably the only politician that that is not true of at least in my lifetime was Paul Simmon. You hat guy was so honest it was scary I bet every politician he worked with was scared to be in a room with him
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:29 pm:
As a total aside…
I’m as mad as Bailey. Here’s why;
I missed out, Rauner v Pritzker. So many paydays. It rained money. People were “slipping and falling”… on money.
Four years later, probably a half of a billion (with a B) in possible spending by all sides… still not getting any.
I am holding out hope - Annonin’ - can get that radio network rolling and that invite is still good…
So yeah, I’m with Bailey… ?
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:35 pm:
Bailey, you’re not Griffin’s candidate. The check is not in the mail. Time for another benefactor.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:36 pm:
-Ken Griffin sure gets a lot of grief from folks.-
Charitable and civic investment from the wealthiest person in the state is great. Thanks?
Doesn’t necessarily mean you get to run everything.
- JS Mill - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:46 pm:
@Ron Burgundy…my, my, my..whew. That is some good stuff right there. Perfectly stated.
=And this has got to be exposed and talked about as well because these days of Illinois governance where we’ve came from, where we’ve been, what we’ve been doing and why we are here has got to end.=
Can someone translate for me please. i mean, this guy is so inarticulate and constantly spewing nonsense.
And he wants to be my latex salesman?
I don’t think so.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:51 pm:
“Doesn’t necessarily mean you get to run everything.”
Just the important stuff?
It all seems up for sale…to the highest bidder…as far as I can see…Billionaire Presidents, Governors and Sheriffs…Oh, no?
Yeah.
- Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:52 pm:
My favorite part is going to be when Bailey is the nominee with the rest of the statewide R nominees being the “Grif slate.” That’ll be fun.
- Henry Francis - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 2:53 pm:
-Ken Griffin sure gets a lot of grief from folks.-
I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Griffin for all his charitable contributions to the City and the State.
But gift giving aint governing. We learned that with Rauner.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:03 pm:
Was Darren speaking extemporaneously on FB today or was he relying on notes? Either way, a terrible delivery.
My favorite part—“where we’ve came from”—. Did Bailey skip the chapter on verb tense.
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:15 pm:
Trussell: Which script you want me to follow?
Bailey: I’ll keep trying new talking points until something sticks.
Griffin: I got money and a ring.
- So of I-64 - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:15 pm:
Darren B. just needs to go back south and run McHaney’s App Ct. campaign. There’s a pair to draw to.
- Hahaha - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:42 pm:
The irrational screed of a man who knows he’s about to be blown out of the water by about $50 million buckaroos. Gotta love it.
- Lurker - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:54 pm:
I like Hannah. Succinct and accurate. She always puts a smile on my face.
- John Lee Pettimore, III - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 3:57 pm:
So now all Bailey needs is for his friend, Sam Wainwright, to wire him $25,000 from London to jump start his campaign. Sam will give Griffin a run for his money.
Oh, wrong Bailey. Can’t seem to get that holiday movie out of my system.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 4:08 pm:
All very confusing
“bought and paid for” to do what Trumpie stuff?
Team Griffie all Kirk refugees with revenge in their hearts or whatever…huh they won.
Milly is just a Trump appointee (toss is Session or Barr) so won’t get too far down the road.
AS soon as Griffie actually spends more on IL politics than artsy we can try to be serious. Meanwhile just bob around.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:20 pm:
===Meanwhile just bob around.===
If intended my way… with NFTs that are bought by EFTs, no reason to indeed to be PDQ.
:)
- Pundent - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 5:28 pm:
The problem in all of this is that neither Bailey or his ILGOP colleagues had a problem in accepting (or coveting) the cash from Illinois Republican, Inc. and it’s Chairman Ken Griffin and CEO Bruce Rauner. Of course when the cash goes elsewhere it makes things tough. But that’s the problem when you go to work for a company, sometimes they find an employee that’s more to their liking. And when it comes to Griffin and Illinois Republican, Inc. they’re very brand conscious. Sorry Darren.
- Lonesome Rhodes - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 6:59 pm:
Gosh, Griffin shoulda encouraged Milhiser to run for AG , an office that can actually change the kulture of IL government for the better - then a smooth escalator ride to the Governors office in 4. sigh - what a waste of talent.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:02 pm:
===…then a smooth escalator ride to the Governors office===
SoS is the path and “The Way”.
Patronage, statewide presence, name recognition.
Ask Jim Ryan about that path, Neil Hartigan too.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:07 pm:
===shoulda encouraged Milhiser to run for AG===
1) SoS is an open seat;
2) Name the last AG who went on to be Illinois governor? Yeah, me neither.
3) Several SoS officeholders have become governors.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:10 pm:
4) Didja notice what Milhiser did after he resigned his USA job? He didn’t go out to a bigtime law firm and rake in big bucks. He went to Lawrence Adult Education Center to help folks get their GEDs. Sounds like he’s done with lawyering for a while.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:51 pm:
==Several SoS officeholders have become governors.==
Until George Ryan ruined it.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 7:54 pm:
=== Until George Ryan ruined it.===
No.
Jesse decided to stay… and the path had grass and weeds overtake it.
That’s what happened. Nothing more. No drama.
- KOL - Wednesday, Jan 5, 22 @ 8:00 pm:
SoS office employs 4,000. AG’s is 700. There ya go