27 Comments - NIU Grad - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:05 pm: I’m getting annoyed with the years of chatter about presidential ambitions every time the Governor leaves the state. Illinois’ second term governor should be a player on the national stage, ambitions or not. That’s an important part of rebuilding our national political reputation in a post-Madigan era. Right next to having a statewide Democratic Party organization that exists for more than postage discounts for State House candidates. - James - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:10 pm: Perhaps the reporting isn’t too sharp but it surely seems like Pritzker is interested in a White House run. If he was just gonna hang out in the Gov Mansion forever, (which he could do) it would seem less likely that he would be firing up Think Big America, and throwing cash around in swing states like Ohio on the abortion issue. The rumors of Pritzker having an interest in the White House are as old as the ticket he was written by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for speeding in his luxury speed boat. There isn’t this much smoke for there not to be some fire. - Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:11 pm: ===it would seem less likely that he would be firing up Think Big America=== Meh. That’s pocket change. - Amalia - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:25 pm: with the chatter growing louder about Biden, including from Axelrod, the govs are ready in case. we’ll hear more of this, probably. - Annonin' - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:35 pm: The more interesting dynamic and one with more chances of creating remembered gratitude is the pro choice funding efforts. Wish it had a better name. - Rabid - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:36 pm: Wants to show up in ken griffin’s hometown - Give Us Barabbas - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 12:46 pm: Or….. JB is a very rich guy who is passionate about his political views and can afford to throw his money at the causes he believes in. While I think he could be a good President at some point, I don’t think that’s his play right now. But clearly he wants to be in the effort to advance progressive Democratic agendas. Nobody thinks Ulieihn is running for president, just because he throws large sums into political causes. So many dominoes would have to line up just right for JB to have a shot, and that’s assuming he’s even interested. I think he’s far more interested in having the president’s ear, than his office. - wowie - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:00 pm: The Axelrod stuff was very, very interesting. I am a massive Biden supporter but it seems the calls are getting more and more public and the Biden 2024 team certainly doesn’t seem to be staffing up at any rapid pace. Something to keep an eye on, at the very least. - JS Mill - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:02 pm: @ Give Us Barabbas- great post. I say ditto to your thoughts. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:04 pm: ===Biden 2024 team certainly doesn’t seem to be staffing up at any rapid pace.=== What do you base this on? - Shytown - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:11 pm: That’s the kind of “news” you come to expect from Axios… - Grandson of Man - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:13 pm: “The donations to Charleston candidate Clay Middleton signal White House ambitions for both governors” The author also later added that Pritzker is reviving the financial transaction tax. /s - levivotedforjudy - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:14 pm: I wonder if this is just bored Beltway journalists and pundits talking out loud and creating news instead of reporting and opining on it? Word is no one wants Biden vs. Trump II. Why isn’t any of the other GOP candidates gaining traction then? Dems it seems just like to worry and they have a perfect thing to worry about - Biden’s age. It cannot be reversed. The General is a year away, for most folks that is so far away. They are more concerned about the menu on Thanksgiving. Nothing to see here. - Arsenal - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:22 pm: ==with the chatter growing louder about Biden, including from Axelrod, the govs are ready in case. we’ll hear more of this, probably.== A lot of Govs are certainly ready to serve if asked, but Biden isn’t going anywhere, and Axelrod has no insight on the subject. - The Truth - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:28 pm: I do think he’ll run for the big chair someday. Just not in 2024. - Wowie - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:44 pm: == What do you base this on?== FEC filings and the fact that the staff is still less than 40 people - with fewer than 365 days until Election Day 2024. Seems they stepped up fundraising efforts a bit though in Q3 which is good, especially after raising just $1.1 million in Q2. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:49 pm: ===FEC filings=== Biden is the incumbent president of the United States. Biden will likely run a Rose Garden strategy, frame the GOP nominee, once figured out, as a right wing zealot who wants to limit women’s rights in healthcare, allows the ease of weapons on the streets, and part of a party of insurrectionists willing to end democracy. Looking at how the abortion votes in places like Kansas… it’s going to be about turnout and engaging voters at the right time, with the right message (Pritzker’s PAC ideally perfect in this) Plus, Biden will not be at a wanting for monies. - Wowie - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:51 pm: Agreed with all your points it just feels a bit off to me as far as the energy and staffing. Of course Wowie’s gut feelings on things have been wrong, extremely rarely though of course, - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:55 pm: ===have been wrong, extremely rarely though of course=== I hope you share winning lottery members next time. - Arsenal - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:58 pm: ==especially after raising just $1.1 million in Q2.== Biden raised $72M in Q2. https://www.npr.org/2023/07/14/1187702969/biden-campaign-fundraising-dnc-fec-donors ==Of course Wowie’s gut feelings on things have been wrong, extremely rarely though of course== Of course. - Arsenal - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 1:59 pm: It’s probably also worth pointing out that Biden’s campaign is unusually integrated with the DNC and state parties, so some staffers may not appear on the paperwork you expect them to. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 2:00 pm: - Arsenal - I think - wowie - is gaslighting at this point. ===I am a massive Biden supporter but=== … not massive enough to realize the $72 million. Of course. - Arsenal - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 2:04 pm: ==not massive enough to realize the $72 million.== It was reported all over the place. There’s no Republican who’s even gotten close. So…whatever, Biden’s age ain’t going away and there’s always a chance of a rapid health deterioration that necessitates another nominee, but everything he’s doing right now indicates that it’s full steam ahead. - Pot calling kettle - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 2:18 pm: I drove through NH a few years ago…I guess I’m running for President - wowie - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 2:22 pm: I genuinely didn’t see the $72 million number. thanks for sharing. Super friendly as always. Was hoping the smiley face was big enough clue that my gut feeling comment was tongue-in-cheek. Have a great Monday gentleman. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 2:25 pm: - wowie - I humbly, and sincerely, apologize, as I have offended, and that is not right. Keep in mind that one who looks at FEC filings isn’t a usual cat, usually a well informed cat. I was over-zealous. Be well - Amalia - Monday, Nov 6, 23 @ 3:20 pm: bet Ax is having conversations at the Obama 15th. Plus I never forget that Obama went with Hillary instead of Biden in 2016. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.