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* State Sen. Mike Frerichs is busily campaigning for Illinois treasurer. And he’s having quite a bit of success on the ground…
Excited to announce that I have 63 #Democratic County Chairman standing with me as co-hosts for my 8/13 event. #twill pic.twitter.com/BODytSPBwE
— Mike Frerichs (@MikeforIllinois) July 30, 2013
* He’s obviously traveling to Cook County a lot…
1 of my favorite pics from last week. Rarely do I get to practice #Mandrin on the campaign trail. #Chinatown #twill pic.twitter.com/ebg4USdGFL
— Mike Frerichs (@MikeforIllinois) July 30, 2013
* But in a rather unusual move to generate publicity, Frerichs has lately taken up the banner of climate change…
From the #Bloomington presser where I called on #Congress to #ActOnClimate NOW. #climatechange #globalwarming #twill pic.twitter.com/dWxSa0Z0Db
— Mike Frerichs (@MikeforIllinois) July 30, 2013
* More…
Champaign State Senator Mike Frerichs says central Illinois and McLean County in particular, should be extra mindful of how climate change impacts two key business sectors, agriculture and insurance.
“A lot of people in the insurance industry or agriculture, who might traditionally be Republicans, are going to see that if we don’t do something to affect this, it’s going to have adverse effects on their livelihood and our economy.”
Frerichs says recent wild swings in weather patterns have made it hard for farmers, and insurance companies wind up paying high claim amounts. The only farmer in attendance at the news conference was U of I research engineer Eric Thorsland, a Democrat who chairs the Champaign County Zoning Board. Renner says there is now broad support among conservatives to do something about climate change and cites remarks made by United Kingdom Conservative Party Foreign Secretary William Hague. Illinois’ State Climatologist Jim Angel, who also attended, says it’s likely the last two extreme weather patterns–last year’s drought and this year’s wet spring–were both due to human causes and natural variables.
Alexi Giannoulias campaigned on abortion rights in his primary bid for treasurer, warning that his pro-life Democratic opponent might somehow hold up state checks to Planned Parenthood, etc. At least that had a tangential connection.
But, whatever. It’s early. All positive publicity is good publicity, I suppose.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:04 am
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It is just like House Dem candidates running on social security. The voters don’t think it through that far.
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:07 am
Good issue to get the attention of liberal activist types. Best I can tell, he’s outworking any candidate for any statewide office so far.
Comment by Fred Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:12 am
It’s Mandarin, not Mandrin.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:13 am
===It’s Mandarin, not Mandrin. ===
You may know how to spell it, but he can speak it. lol
Just sayin…
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:16 am
The Treasurer’s office used to offer low interest loan programs for energy efficiency projects but Rutherford eliminated them.
Just so we’re clear the state was not on the hook in the event of a default, the bank that originated the loan was, the state would just offer that bank state deposits in an amount equal to the amount sought by the borrower and use those funds to lower the interest rate to the borrower. So those projects only came to the state after a bank agreed there was a strong business case and the bank agreed to take on all of the risk in the event of a default.
The Treasurer’s office has long provided these same low interest loan programs to farmers. There are two programs, one that helps farmers with annual operating costs and another one for long term equipment purchases. Both programs work the same as the energy efficiency program outlined above.
It’s smart to campaign for the Treasurer’s office on environment and agriculture, both have (or have had) low interest loan programs and you can campaign on restoring something that was taken away by Rutherford.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:19 am
Good luck with “climate change” agenda. Coldest July in about 100 years. I’m sure climate change caused the cold too, because all events in the weather are now deemed to be caused by man. Just left wing junk science.
Comment by crypto Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:24 am
@The Captain
Thanks! This link appears to explain the program
http://www.centralillinois.org/node/373
Comment by Bill White Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:26 am
–Good luck with “climate change” agenda. Coldest July in about 100 years–
I’ll tell ComEd that when my A/C bill comes. It was in the high 80s and 90s most of the month until a few days ago. Seriously, dude, were you in a coma two weeks ago?
You know what’s not junk science? Pavlov’s Theory of Conditioning. Say “climate change” and you get an automatic response in some circles.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:55 am
And I suppose that nighttime disproves the existence of the sun, too?
Comment by downstate lib Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 11:58 am
Hottest decade in all of recorded history for planet Earth is the most recent one. Yea, left-wing junk science supported by 98% of climate scientists. Bunch of commies.
As for Mike, he’s been a leader for renewable energy and the environment in the GA, along with Don Harmon. It’s not surprising he’s taking up this issue as it does have broad implications for Illinois.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:02 pm
Jim Angel said that? Jeeze, whatever happened to the scientific method? It doesn’t allow for supposition or educated guesswork.
Comment by Keyser Soze Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:05 pm
===It’s Mandarin, not Mandrin. ===
A staffer just copped to the misspelling.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:05 pm
===It’s Mandarin, not Mandrin. ===
A staffer just copped to the misspelling.–
Freudian slip?
http://www.absolut.com/us/products/mandrin/description
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:09 pm
It would be a lot more fun on the campaign trail if everyone could practice more Mandrin.
http://www.absolut.com/us/products/mandrin/description
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:12 pm
crypto: one cold July does not a trend make…
Ag is the biggest industry in IL, and if you think we’ll be growing ever increasing yields of soybeans and corn when the summers get hotter and hotter, think again…summers will be East Texas like here sooner than you think, and I don’t think they grow much corn in Texas…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:16 pm
What is he going to do about the Emerald Ash Borers in my community? Stick to the real issues!
Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:21 pm
New York Times just said recently climate scientists can’t explain a flatlining of temperatures last decade that don’t square with the models developed by leftists.
In other words, the data is not squaring with the theory.
In real science, that means the theory is wrong. In America where the news media is in cahoots with the left-wing politicians, we have to read this nonsense a little bit longer until the evidence completely obliterates the global warming scam.
Comment by crypto Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:23 pm
Crypto, can you tell us where you discovered that it was the coolest July in 100 years?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:28 pm
Alexi campaigned on the tax credit for electric and alternative fuel vehicles he pushed. He also had a green loan program that promoted clean energy and efficiency projects. So, there’s precedent for the issue being raised in the Treasurer race and it does relate to the office.
Comment by Will Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:30 pm
Modeling climate change by computer programs is almost imposible Crypto…too many variables…talk to a local land manager about what they’re encountering in their day to day activities…it doesn’t matter if you beleive it is happening…talk to anyone at the Scientific Surveys at UIUC and then posit your opine…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:39 pm
The difference between weather and climate is the difference between your family’s annual budget the federal government’s annual budget. They are related but not really. Drudge often confuses changes in weather for evidence against climate change. Hint: climate is weather over time (a long, long time). Year to year, even decade to decade weather patterns don’t tell you much about whether a climate is changing.
Nobody ever went broke underestimating the stupidity of the American public.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:45 pm
“Keyser Soze - Jim Angel said that? Jeeze, whatever happened to the scientific method? It doesn’t allow for supposition or educated guesswork.”
Just because you don’t agree with the results doesn’t mean that it wasn’t analyzed properly. I know and work with Jim; he takes his job seriously and would not support a view without a thorough vetting of the evidence.
Comment by Hatless Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:45 pm
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Comment by Shore Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 12:51 pm
*Modeling climate change by computer programs is almost imposible Crypto…too many variables*
Ugh, the entire global warming scare is built on computer models.
Comment by crypto Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 1:08 pm
Please allow deniers like Crypto to believe whatever they’d like to believe. In the meantime, those on the ground such as the Inuit’s facing declining hunting grounds, or the polar bear habitat or the declining permafrost or the lake currently sitting on the North Pole, etc. etc. can continue to deal with the reality of a changing climate. Geez.
Oh, and as for this little gem, ” In America where the news media is in cahoots with the left-wing politicians”
The rest of the world take climate change as fact and cannot begin to fathom how the denier culture has taken hold here. So I guess Crypto, you’ll just have to continue to read about it from planet Earth, where on the ground observable facts apparently have a notorious liberal bias.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 1:18 pm
FWIW…
Comment by dave Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 1:21 pm
Crypto, who’s behind this worldwide “left-wing” conspiracy of scientists, journalists and politicians and what are their objectives?
It’s not Dr. Evil, is it?
And where did you see that coolest July in 100 years thing, again? Even if that wasn’t something you just made up, what was it supposed to prove?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 1:22 pm
Lets try that again.
FWIW…one’s environmental record may not have a direct impact on one’s role as treasurer, but it does tell me a decent amount about a candidate. Further, a down ballot slot is really just preparing someone to run for Governor or US Senate, right? So I would much rather have someone who agrees with my on environmental issues as treasurer, as there is a decent chance that person will run, and be better positioned, for a statewide office in the future for an elected office that would have more involvement on environmental issues.
Comment by dave Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 1:23 pm
For those of us who have watched him all the way back to the days when he was running for township office, Mr. Frerichs brings a whole new level of ambition to the table. Don’t get me wrong — he’s smart, works hard, and is personable. Fare thee well, however, to anyone who dares get in the way of that that ego that is bigger than his hands. He reminds me a lot of Dick Durbin. Careful, centrist positions, absolutely everywhere working hard. When he gets freed up, his true “progressive” heart finally shine for the world to see, and the folks back home in east central IL will be amazed. Not a criticism, but Dems had better be careful about what they wish with this one.
Comment by LincolnLounger Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 2:14 pm
Crypto: not true, climate data from the last hundred years is the basis for predictions of climate change, not computer programs…the programs are built on data and trends and cannot include all variables that might affect outcomes…done talking to you now…your mind is too closed…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 2:27 pm
LincolnLounger,
Is that ambition a good or bad thing? Are you saying he’s far more lefty than he’s portrayed himself in Central IL? I would think cramming his 6′7″ body into a Prius would have been a clue at least as to his environmental interests years ago. Mind you, I know a lot of Republicans who are also enviros, so maybe that’s not a big clue.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:01 pm
Alexi campaigned on Wal-Mart as well as I recall. Specifically that his primary opponent had the temerity to buy supplies there.
Comment by so... Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:04 pm
In other news, Mike Frerichs denounces war and poverty.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:30 pm
Crypto - if you are making a judgment on climate change based on a month of weather, I’m guessing you aren’t qualified to make any scientific judgement on climate change. But thanks for playing.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:38 pm
==talk to anyone at the Scientific Surveys at UIUC and then posit your opine==
I talk with just such a person on a fairly regular basis. He’s a somewhat conservative fellow, but he expresses great frustration with idiot politicians who ignore or deny science for ideological reasons. And yes, that includes global warming denial.
Comment by TooManyJens Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:39 pm
= In other news, Mike Frerichs denounces war and poverty. =
It would be real news if he would denounce the War on Poverty…
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:39 pm
Reading back, I see I misunderstood what Loop Lady was saying. Turns out we agree.
Comment by TooManyJens Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:53 pm
=== It would be real news if he would denounce the War on Poverty ===
Or the Poverty of War.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 3:56 pm
Mike Frerichs supporting climate change after being the chief sponsor of fracking is extremely ironic. Let’s drill for oil and gas but support climate change efforts?
Comment by 1776 Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 4:39 pm
funny someone accusing me of basing one month of weather on climate change opinion. has anyone watched TV or read a newspaper. Constantly blaming wildfire or tornado or other event that has been happening for centuries on global warming.
global temps flatlined about 15 years ago and have trended down last four. If you lefties would actually follow the science instead of left wing echo chamber you’d know this.
Again, left-wing New York Times just had story saying climate scientists could not explain recent temp flattening and why they weren’t matching alarmist climate models that are relied upon by the media for the alarmism.
If the science was settled as some like to say, the results would match the models. They don’t — meaning the theory is off-base. That is how science works. It is not a PR campaign.
Comment by crypto Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 4:41 pm
In response to The Captain regarding the Illinois State Treassurer’s energy efficient low interest loan program, that program has not been eliminated but merged under the overall Business Invest program.
Mary Frances Bragiel, Dir. of Communications Illinois State Treasurer Dan Rutherford
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 4:48 pm
Crypto, the science is settled that the climate is changing and that human being’s are in no small measure responsible. Just like the science is settled that evolution is real. Does that mean that every question is settled? No.
But hard as you try, you simply can’t ignore facts on the ground such as the Inuit’s facing declining hunting grounds, or the polar bear habitat or the declining permafrost or the lake currently sitting on the North Pole, etc.
As you’ve conveniently ignored, the rest of the world take climate change as fact based on the endless evidence of real change. Just because you, FoxNews, the Heartland Foundation and the American Petroleum Institute disagree, doesn’t make it so.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 4:50 pm
==Good luck with “climate change” agenda. Coldest July in about 100 years. I’m sure climate change caused the cold too, because all events in the weather are now deemed to be caused by man. Just left wing junk science.==
==Ugh, the entire global warming scare is built on computer models.==
==Again, left-wing New York Times just had story saying climate scientists could not explain recent temp flattening and why they weren’t matching alarmist climate models that are relied upon by the media for the alarmism.==
You are an idiot. You might want to take an introductory meteorology course at your local community college, college, or university to understand how meteorologists and climatologists use computer models. After that take a look at the meteorology section in Nate Silver’s The Signal and the Noise. Also, you talk a lot with a lot of claims but I don’t see a link in sight.
==Not a criticism, but Dems had better be careful about what they wish with this one.==
Uh, he doesn’t hide his progressive credentials. He’s campaigned on tax increases.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 5:15 pm
There is broad support among conservatives! Get real. The evidence is growing every day that it’s nothing but hype. The last two years of interesting weather (drought and floods) pretty much mirrors the hot summer of ‘36 and the Ohio River flood of 1937, way, way back when climate change wasn’t an issue.
Comment by Downstate Illinois Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 5:29 pm
I stand corrected, and thank you for the helpful info.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jul 31, 13 @ 5:33 pm