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Daley wants fundraising ban during session months

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Illinois

On Monday, [Bill Daley] proposed a ban on fundraising for state officeholders, lawmakers and their challengers while the legislature is in session.

Daley, who was also commerce secretary in the Clinton administration, said a current law barring lawmakers from holding fundraisers in Springfield on the days that the legislature meets “is a joke,” since many legislators hold campaign events the night before the General Assembly convenes.

Daley said state elected officials and their challengers should not solicit, accept or receive contributions during the entire regular legislative session, which typically runs from January through May, as well as during veto and special sessions. He would make an exception for a 120-day period prior to primary and general elections.

There were tons of Monday night fundraisers this year. It may have been a record.

And while some lobbyists already impose their own fundraising bans during the latter part of the spring session, most don’t. So, this is a valid idea from Daley.

Your thoughts?

* Meanwhile, Eric Zorn writes an open letter to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, expressing his doubts about Bloomberg’s publicly stated reasons for endorsing Bill Daley…

You announced a while back your plan to offer significant financial backing to primary challengers of incumbent Democrats whom you consider overly friendly with the National Rifle Association.

Fair enough. It’s a free country, particularly when it comes to the political speech of extremely wealthy people like yourself.

Yet incumbent Democrat Pat Quinn, whatever else his flaws, is an outspoken proponent of gun control who frequently lashes out at the NRA. […]

I’m guessing you have your reasons for interjecting yourself into our gubernatorial contest — a personal fondness for Bill Daley or his brother Richard, a former fellow big-city mayor, perhaps; an admiration for Bill’s strong business background — but I know Daley’s comparative bona fides on gun control can’t be among them.

And as for helping him, with this video you’ve accomplished little more than handing the Quinn campaign a nice line of attack: The people of Illinois don’t need the soda-nanny mayor of New York City telling them who should be their governor.

Meh. I doubt Quinn wants to get into a hissing match with Bloomberg. Also, a better line of attack would be that Bloomberg endorsed Rod Blagojevich. Then again, Quinn was RRB’s running mate. Twice.

* Speaking of Daley…

Ex-Vice-President Al Gore is among top Democrats backing Bill Daley’s bid for Illinois governor with cash.

Daley, who has so far raised $716,100 for his campaign, snagged on June 28 a $5,300 check from Gore.

In addition to the ex-veep, other national Democratic power brokers have also sent cash to Daley, including: ex-Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin, ex-New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, attorney Vernon Jordan, ex-Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, Carter Eskew, Chief Strategist for the Gore 2000 presidential campaign, and his wife, Faith Eskew, ex-Clinton Deputy Treasury Secretary Roger Altman. They have all donated $5,300 to Daley’s campaign.

In Chicago, Daley, who has contributed $100,000 to his own campaign picked up a $5,300 check from his brother, ex-Mayor Richard Daley.

Other Chicago financial heavy-hitters supporting the ex-U.S. Commerce Secretary include: Lew and Susan Manilow, attorney Steve Pearlman, Ben Pritzker, Jason Pritzker, J.B. and M.K. Pritzker, Marian Pritzker, Matthew Pritzker, Gig Pritzker-Pucker and Michael Pucker, attorney and ex-Alderman Bill Singer, Lou and Marjorie Susman, and Allstate honcho Tom Wilson who have each donated $5,300 to Daley.

* Related…

* Bloomberg’s big bet: As they belted out “Purple Rain,” I spied William Daley, both the son and brother of legendary former longtime Chicago mayors, conversing with onetime Chase colleague Dimon. Daley just announced he’s running for Illinois governor and is doing so with the unabashed endorsement of Bloomberg.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:13 am

Comments

That’s a lot of Pritzkers. How do I get on that train?

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:17 am
Al Gore carries Tennessee, Al Gore is President.

Take care of Home first. Here endeth the Lesson.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:23 am
The image of Bill Daley belting out Purple Rain…

That’s entertainment.

Comment by OneMan Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:26 am
So, according to BillDaley, no fundraisers at all during session, but its OK to give yourself $100K and raise BIG bucks from rich contributors and fellow ex-Cabinet members.

Sorry, BillDaley. Your proposal is a joke and you have no credibility on the issue. I fail to see how this helps to “clean up the system”.

Comment by low level Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:43 am
Dillard proposed this “Daley fundraising ban” (with an exception for the local Springfield electeds) years ago and it was bottled up in committee by the Democratic leadership.

Comment by Cincinnatus Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:49 am
the soda-nanny mayor - funny stuff..

He is a Republican right?

Comment by Charlatan Heston Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:53 am
“He is Republican right?” No - he’s a self declared Independent.

Comment by pizzajohnny Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 10:58 am
One of the many reasons I missed CapFax last week was the day The Tribune did a story about Bill Daley releasing a video endorsement of Bill Daley for governor made by—Mayor Bloomberg. My very first thought was “what the heck is he thinking!?” (I mean, does Daley believe that Bloomberg’s New Yawk-ese endorsement will affect or influence Daley’s favorability in Illinois in any positive way? Does anybody think Bloomberg has a clue about what makes the politics of this diverse state tick?) I suppose Daley may think it is a signal to donors and other potential candidates that there’s already big money out behind him. But as a signal to the average voter, I’d suggest this outsider endorsement at this stage of the campaign looks a little skeevy. I’d have loved to see what the Cap Fax regulars had to say about the purpose and value if the endorsement.

Comment by Responsa Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:02 am
If Lisa Madigan stays out of the race, IMO Daley will go down with a thud to Quinn…the Gov was pretty well received in a parade on July 4th in DuPage…just sayin’…

Comment by Loop Lady Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:09 am
The dude who gave his own campaign $100K wants everyone to knock off all that fundraising does he? Do go on…

Comment by Will Caskey Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:09 am
1. this will only help rich guys/gals/establishment ppl who don’t need the help.

2. show me the evidence of other states where this way as opposed to current way in Illinois leads to better governance.

3. daley’s fundraising looks like rahm’s fundraising and a whos who of national democratic party elites. He’s not putting a lot of distance between himself and the boardroom.

Comment by shore Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:10 am
@ pizzajohnny- thanks…and gawd help the independents

@ responsa- i’m with ya, a puzzling move.

Comment by Charlatan Heston Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:12 am
I’m all-in on a session fundraising ban. That would be one less day I have to spend in Springfield many weeks.

Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:14 am
Million ways to “beat” such a ban, by perfectly legal misdirection, and diving under the radar.

(Well, maybe a dozen.)

As usual with proposed campaign funding reforms: looks good — makes it worse.

Let’s just keep it all in the open, with full disclosure of all contributors, regardless of the channel, or claimed IRS tax status.

Comment by walkinfool Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:15 am
As a lobbyist, I’d LOVE a ban on Springfield fundraisers. Nothing like getting dozens of invites and calls for money in the middle of session just before a committee deadline.

Comment by 1776 Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:28 am
===As a lobbyist, I’d LOVE a ban on Springfield fundraisers===

The public generally has a low opinion of lobsters, but 1776 is far from being alone. The good lobbyists (which is most of them) loved things like the gift ban because so many members were blatant moochers.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 11:56 am
Bill will never be Governor of Illinois. Pat will be reelected UNLESS Lisa jumps in (fingers crossed!).
It’ll either be Quinn or Madigan v. Rutherford.

Comment by Illinoisan Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 12:54 pm
Great to hear all those names from the ’90’s. Makes me feel young.

Comment by I don't want to live in Teabagistan Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 12:55 pm
This whole fundraising ban is nothing but a pandering smoke screen. When the U.S. Congress and the President stop raising money every single day including session days then it might have some credibility. Most big money comes from three dozen players and they don’t care when they give.

Comment by Eileen left Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 3:09 pm
–I mean, does Daley believe that Bloomberg’s New Yawk-ese endorsement will affect or influence Daley’s favorability in Illinois in any positive way? Does anybody think Bloomberg has a clue about what makes the politics of this diverse state tick?)—

Bloomberg is one of the leading gun-control figures in the country. Daley must think that helps in the primary.

Quinn apparently agrees, given his ongoing dog-and-pony show regarding the conceal-carry bill.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 3:45 pm
=I’d have loved to see what the Cap Fax regulars had to say about the purpose and value if the endorsement. =

I’m sure it made those who seek the same (but don’t always get) salivate–and deny that they themselves would ever seek it, or that it’s effective.

OTOH, it’d be hard to believe that it left a positive impression on the average voter.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 4:31 pm
Bill Daley though enough about the endorsement to have it announced during a holiday week, along with quite a few out of state national “names” endorsing at the same time, including a few failed hopefuls like Gore and Bowles and big money (Pritzkers), so it’s good timing for THAT type of announcement, in date and grouping.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 5:29 pm
Not the brightest idea, unless a guy–like Daley due to all of his rich guy connections and clout–can rake in Million$ in a matter of weeks, which he recently did. This is just a bunch of hot air…I mean, cmon, a DAley who would be a true “Reformer?!” Give me a break!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jul 8, 13 @ 8:35 pm