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AFSCME backs Dillard

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Illinois

* I told subscribers this morning that this would likely happen soon. Well, it happened today. From a statement by Henry Bayer, executive director for AFSCME Council 31…

“We believe that Kirk Dillard would be the best choice in the Republican primary because he has a long record of public service and a demonstrated understanding of state government. He rejects the demonization of public employees – correctional officers, caretakers for those with disabilities, and thousands of others who provide the vital public services that Illinois citizens demand.

“On the other hand, his primary opponent Bruce Rauner is a billionaire CEO with no experience and little understanding of state government. He calls himself a ‘political outsider’ but has a long record of political cronyism and questionable business deals.

“Rauner asserts that state and other public employees have no legitimate voice in state government while claiming he would run the state ‘like a business’. Illinois citizens would be ill-served by turning over its veterans’ homes and mental health facilities to someone who sought to squeeze profits out of hundreds of nursing homes that were subsequently plagued by millions of dollars in verdicts from wrongful death and patient-neglect lawsuits.

“We believe Kirk Dillard, with his long experience in the Jim Thompson and Jim Edgar administrations, as well as the state senate, is the responsible choice in the Republican race for governor.”

The IEA and IFT have already endorsed Dillard.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:03 am

Comments

If this isn’t evidence that Dillard can win the General, I don’t know what is. Even AFSCME knows IL needs more experience, not more rhetoric.

Comment by Reformed Public Servant Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:08 am
I agree with the endorsement, but I’m wondering whether it’s too little too late. It sure seems that way, but it’s no excuse to not try to win. I appreciate Dillard not demonizing unions and being willing to work with them.

Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:10 am
Awesome! Thank you. Confirms who I’m not voting for.

Comment by Joe Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:11 am
Too Little , Too Late ?

Comment by x ace Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:12 am
Too little too late..Rauner will have 3 commercials up by the weekend labeling Dillard as bought and sold by the horrible public employee unions.. I think Rauner is Blago with money, but this endorsement isn’t slowing down the Brucey Express

Comment by NotRMiller Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:12 am
Nice move, but the reality remains;

In the next 13 days, does Dillard’s Crew have the mechanism in place to be successful to get these unions organized enough to vote the memberships, maximize the raw votes that can be generated, and actually, through a GOTV, move all those voters to “Dillard Pluses” to drag Dillard over the finish line.

“Huge ASK” even calls this a huge ask.

The idea of true education of membership is all but lost, given 13 days of the turnaround. So, Dillard’s Crew must… must mobilize the maximum impact of a GOTV, and given 2010 Dillard, the hill is steeper, based on history.

Raw votes. Can ASCME get intertwined with the Dillard GOTV and then be impactful? Can both work together to maximize raw votes in 13 days? Can the Teacher Unions work in concert with ASCME and Dillard’s Crew to get raw votes untapped?

Huge beyond huge ask.

Could be Hodas and Company’s greatest achievement. I asked for a GOTV opportuinity, well, Dillard Crew, you got it. But you have 13 days to get “it” organized and impactful.

I didn’t even “go” to the “crossover” conundrum. Yikes, that is the horsefly in the tea cup HOLDING the ointment.

Best of luck, great news, but execution against the odds, let alone crossover realities… Sleepless nights begin in the Dillard Camp.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:17 am
I think this union last minute desperate attempt to influence the Republican primary plays right into Rauner’s message.

The union push could work but I doubt it will given the image it shows to the Republican undecideds of “union bosses” in a probable panic mode.

Comment by Cassidy Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:18 am
Ahem

“U.S. Rep. Rod Blagojevich brought clapping and whistling delegates to their feet several times with a rousing speech accepting AFSCME’s endorsement in the Nov. 5 race for Illinois governor. More than 500 AFSCME delegates and Council 31 staffers attended the 2002 Political Conference, which was held at the Prairie Convention Center in Springfield.” - http://web.archive.org/web/20021030103935/http://www.afscme31.org/political/index.asp

Comment by so... Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:20 am
Yes, it is too little too late. The best outcome is that it dents the Baron going into the General which benefits AFSCME enemy Pat Quinn. Pretty sad state of affairs. Sigh.

Think write-in Oswego Willy for Governor.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:20 am
The only open question is can the teachers push all of their members to support D-Lard? Such a move might tip the balance. Of course the teachers might have to overlook D-Lard’s horrific visit to the anti Marriage Equality hate speech rally. Probably not possible. So it looks like teachers are wasting their cash.

Comment by circularfiringsquad Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:21 am
We believe that Kirk Dillard would be the best choice in the Republican primary

You know, if he was going to be their guy the day after the primary, then I would be impressed with this.

It’s sort of like me saying I would like the Cubs to win the National League Pennant, but when it comes to the World Series I am rooting for the White Sox.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:21 am
Because of this, I will join other Dems who will pull a GOP primary ballot to support Rauner.

Comment by Bogart Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:24 am
What is really helping this last minute move by Dillard is that, for weeks and weeks, Rauner’s opponents have been awaiting a single candidate to emerge from among the other Republicans in the gubernatorial primary. The Dillard forces don’t have to create new momentum, they are feeding into what is already a vast,diverse, and urgent longing to stop Rauner. Also, I believe this is not only a union but also (under the table) a Democratic effort.

Comment by Quiet Sage Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:24 am
Maybe Dillard can take the money and pay the people and vendors that he still owes from the last election. Paging Ron Gidwitz…

Comment by 4 percent Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:28 am
Golly, what a bold, bold move. Hey, it’s the last minute. What were they waiting for, a side deal from Dillard? Some type of concession?

If you don’t know who you are for this far in, it would give me cause to question the AFSCME leadership?

Comment by Sunshine Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:38 am
The AFSME hopes are conditioned on Brady and Rutherford voters being locked in with their candidate.

If it looks like unions are now going to try to influence the Republican primary outcome, you may see Brady and Rutherford voters migrating to Rauner.

It’s a very fine needle that the Union/Dillard camp are trying to thread.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:38 am
The union endorsements bring some money (but not in the ballpark of Rauner’s money). But how many votes do they bring Dillard in a Republican primary? And with a certain segment of Republican primary voters holding strong anti-public employee union views, how many votes do these endorsements cost Dillard? At the end of the day, I guess we can only know these answers by the totals on election day. But my guess is, there is a whole lot of effort going in to winning the silver medal, with no realistic chance of gold.

Comment by Downstate Weed Chewing Hick Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:58 am
@NotPMiller-

Bruce Rauner is Blago with MORE money. You forget that Blago based much of his primary strategy on a theme of taking back the governor’s mansion for disparate democratic interest groups primarily because of his fundraising prowess. Rod, too, was going to “shake up Springfield.”

OneMan-

I wouldn’t bet against AFSCME and teachers backing Dillard over Quinn in the General Election. They are not only sore over the pension vote, but there are many insiders who believe a moderate GOP governor is key to substantial solution to the structural budget deficit.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:02 am
The GOTV. That’s what counts. Are union members gonna go out in the lead up to primary day and stump for Dillard? Won’t they want to know who their leadership will endorse for the general before they do that?

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:06 am
BTW, whatever happened to the “killer ad” that was going to blow Rauner out of the water? Did I blink (or yawn) and miss it?

Comment by olddog Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:08 am
Dear AFSCME, IEA, IFT… Here is more than a hope and a wish that your members will become committed to get out the vote. Hoping and wishing will not defeat Bruce Rauner. Best Regards.

Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:08 am
-olddog
Great point. Steve Shearer’s mailing piece seems to have missed it’s mark….badly.

Comment by Downstate Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:16 am
Should angry state workers pull GOP ballots and vote for Dillard or pull Dem ballots and support the legislators that AFSCME endorsed? Hmmm….

Comment by W.S. Walcott Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:16 am
back-pay!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:16 am
IEA, IFT, and AFSCME will be ponying up to quinn big time once the primary over and rauner is the gop nominee for governor.

Comment by anon Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:20 am
Just what I want, a pack of high-dollar government union workers telling me how to vote. This will hurt the Big Jimz clone more than help him.

Comment by Neglected stepchild Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:29 am
I predicted AFSCME would endorse a Republican a couple on months ago. Unfortunately that waited too long. Its too late. Rauner will win the primary. If some miracle happens & Dillard gets the nomination, AFSCME will stick with Dillard for the general. The only way Quinn gets the AFSCME nod is if Rauner wins the GOP nomination. All of you who think that AFSCME endorsement is an attempt to influence the GOP primary just don’t get it. AFSCME will not back Quinn unless they are forced to. Even Socialists I know are looking to the GOP to get rid of Quinn.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:31 am
So the unions are politely asking all Republicans to please vote for Dillard now so they don’t have to spend so much money in the General Election when they endorse Quinn. How thoughtful.

Comment by N'ville Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:35 am
W.S.

“Should angry state workers pull GOP ballots and vote for Dillard or pull Dem ballots and support the legislators that AFSCME endorsed? Hmmm….”

This is my dilema. I live in Andrade’s district. I would love to vote against him & the corrupt Mell machine. But I also want a chance to beat Quinn in the fall. I guess I’ll see what the poll numbers look like in a couple of weeks. To me the big fish is Quinn, but if that won’t happen, maybe beating Andrade would send Madigan a message.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:36 am
N’ville

No, AFSCME will back Dillard in the fall also. Remember, there are a lot of GOP AFSCME members. The leadership is progressive Dem or further left. The membership is much more diverse in its thinking.

“So the unions are politely asking all Republicans to please vote for Dillard now so they don’t have to spend so much money in the General Election when they endorse Quinn. How thoughtful.”

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:38 am
Same question: Where else could they go? They vacillated over whether to go anywhere at all. Now here they are. If they were going to settle for helping Quinn in the General as reluctantly as they are now helping Dillard, they’ve just relieved themselves of a lot of money that might have helped in a better cause for them. It’s not enough here and very well could hurt. Dillard is all in with anyone who gives him money. From the beginning of time there’s a vocation name that describes such an individual. It’s legal in Vegas and Holland.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:44 am
Right now union votes can’t even win with support from a supportive auto plant in Chattanooga.

I don’t see this as a closer for Dillard.

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:11 am
==So the unions are politely asking all Republicans to please vote for Dillard now so they don’t have to spend so much money in the General Election when they endorse Quinn. How thoughtful.==

If Dillard wins AFSCME will endorse him in the general, and he will beat Quinn. Remember that republicans.

Comment by Pensioner Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:32 am
==I think this union last minute desperate attempt to influence the Republican primary plays right into Rauner’s message==

To be clear, Rauner’s message is Rauner’s message and Dillard’s message never will be Rauner’s message. The field is now a chase for Anti-Rauner votes. The Raunerites have not and will not embrace, let alone vote for Dillard.

The candidates are on separate roads with separate messages for the votes of the newly evolving Republican Party; namely, the polarizing one Percenter (cut the unions, work comp and bring in the bankers)conveyed by Rauner vs. the more moderate conciliatory message of working together with both interests and not demonizing union members by Dillard.

Comment by Samurai Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:34 am
==Right now union votes can’t even win with support from a supportive auto plant in Chattanooga.==

This ain’t TN.

Comment by Pensioner Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:36 am
==I predicted AFSCME would endorse a Republican a couple on months ago. Unfortunately that waited too long. Its too late. Rauner will win the primary. If some miracle happens & Dillard gets the nomination, AFSCME will stick with Dillard for the general. The only way Quinn gets the AFSCME nod is if Rauner wins the GOP nomination. All of you who think that AFSCME endorsement is an attempt to influence the GOP primary just don’t get it. AFSCME will not back Quinn unless they are forced to. Even Socialists I know are looking to the GOP to get rid of Quinn.==

My thoughts exactly.

Comment by Pensioner Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:40 am
“Right now union votes can’t even win with support from a supportive auto plant in Chattanooga.”

How is this relevent to the Illinos GOP primary ?

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:41 am
== No, AFSCME will back Dillard in the fall also. ==

I would suggest they share that now…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:52 am
OneMan

“I would suggest they share that now…”

You just don’t understand what the feeling about Quinn is at the Council 31 HQ. They truely view him as an Illinois version of Scott Walker. If Dillard wins the GOP primary, The GOP will win the Governorship, with support from the We Are One Coilition, which includes AFSCME. AFSCME only supports Quinn in Rauner wins. You can take that to the bank.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:04 pm
That should read

AFSCME only supports Quinn if Rauner wins

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:04 pm
One Man… Clearly like the Teachers they will support PQ… The only way these endorsements would help is if they do just that… But this is the chance to try and hijack the R primary…

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:05 pm
Walter Mitty

“One Man… Clearly like the Teachers they will support PQ… The only way these endorsements would help is if they do just that… But this is the chance to try and hijack the R primary…”

This is not an attempt to hijack the primary. AFSCME & the teachers will back Dillard in the fall. Now the big question: will the ILGOP once again shhot itself in the foot & nominate a candidate that can’t win, or will it finally nominate a more moderate candidate that will have broad appeal ? Rauner is all talk & little substance. There is even serious evidence that he’s not even a Republican. ILGOP, do you want to win this fall ? Do you ? I mean really want to win ? Or do you just want to stick it to people you don’t like ? I know people that would never ever consider voting GOP that will support Dillard in the fall. If Dillard wins the GOP primary, he wins in a landslide in the fall.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:23 pm
Good on AFSCME.

Every union and trade group in the state should wake up and follow suit.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:27 pm
Again… If what you say is even remotley true… The only bounce would be to say that they will back DLard I am in one of in the fall… period. To be clear, the Farmer is not my candidate. As who I want to “stick it to” it’s not the tax payers anymore…. Rauner will win the primary not just because of the money, but also guys like DLard have pandered there way from relevance. I begged… I hoped.. Reality hurts. Even me. But if you think Rauner has no chance against PQ… You are no different that the other 3 who thought the same..

Comment by Walter Mitty Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:43 pm
AFSCME Steward…

You know, I would like to believe that but…

When it comes down to it, Dillard is no where near AFSCME on most social and other issues. Funny how you reached a deal with him a year ago. Did the mistrust of Quinn start since April of last year?

If you are serious (and what to shut up those who think this is part of a plan to hijack the primary to help Quinn) then say this

We will support Dillard if he is the Republican nominee both with significant financial contributions and assistance in order to defeat Pat Quinn.

Otherwise, regardless of what you say (and your Republican membership) I don’t think people are buying it.

Heck look at your front page of the website

“Help Bring Tax Fairness To Illinois” — Who is more likely to support a increase in state tax revenues (lets not kid ourselves, that’s the goal) Quinn or Dillard?

You have an item on your website about asking Google to stop funding ALEC, heck until not too long ago Dillard was the state chairman for the
group.

Civil Unions… Think we know where he stands there

Said in a candidate questionare he could support a so-called “right to work” law depending on how it is drafted…

Really, this is the guy you will put your weight behind if he wins the primary?

Either that means your pension concerns trump a whole lot of other stuff (quite possible) or you just want to avoid the bigger fight with Rauner (understandable)

I am not seeing a middle ground.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:49 pm
One Man

I voted for Dillard in 2010. I am one of the AFSCME GOP members. I am speaking from what I know about the attitudes at the Council 31 HQ. They want Quinn out. Period. They feel betrayed by him. They will go all out to beat Rauner, but if Dillard wins the GOP primary, Quinn loses. Bet on it.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 12:56 pm
Afscme, Dave Letterman used to have a schtick on his show called “Who you Crappin’?” If they were all in for Dillard from now until November, they should come out and say so. It’s easy; we’re backing Dillard in the primary and again in the General. I get it. What if the big guy loses to (gasp) Rauner. Then they’ve got to look goofy running back to Pat Quinn after March. Bulletin: they already look goofy. If they’re gonna buy the farm and go this route…get to it.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 1:42 pm
For the unions and their members, defeating Rauner is their last clear chance of avoiding a disaster.

Comment by DuPage Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 1:50 pm
=== What if the big guy loses to (gasp) Rauner. Then they’ve got to look goofy running back to Pat Quinn after March. ===

Oh, please. Get off that issue. It’s a total red herring.

If they back Dillard in the GOP primary and he loses, they have another bite at the apple in the fall. If they back Dillard in the primary and he wins, then the endorsement is up for grabs in the fall, with Dillard the likely recipient.

That’s how it’s played in the big leagues. Your argument is silly and a distraction.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:03 pm
==If they were all in for Dillard from now until November, they should come out and say so.==

They just did. Economics comes into play here. Their pockets aren’t as deep Rauner’s.

Comment by Pensioner Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:07 pm
Any chance Dillard could run as a 3rd party? Is interesting to think about.

Comment by Pensioner Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:11 pm
The PQ administration has been warned for a year now to dump IDOC Director Godinez.This doesn’t suprise me at all. As a live long Dem, Dillard has my full support. Dillard has cooperation on both sides of the aisle!

Comment by Barney Fife Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:25 pm
===Dave Letterman used to have a schtick on his show called “Who you ….?”. Bruce Rauner would be the #1 star as he runs as one person and lives as another.===

Better.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:31 pm
Any chance Dillard could run as a 3rd party? Is interesting to think about.

Think state law now prohibits you from running as a third party candidate if you lose a primary for the same office in the same cycle.

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:35 pm
OneMan

“AFSCME Steward…

You know, I would like to believe that but…

When it comes down to it, Dillard is no where near AFSCME on most social and other issues. Funny how you reached a deal with him a year ago. Did the mistrust of Quinn start since April of last year?

If you are serious (and what to shut up those who think this is part of a plan to hijack the primary to help Quinn) then say this

We will support Dillard if he is the Republican nominee both with significant financial contributions and assistance in order to defeat Pat Quinn.

Otherwise, regardless of what you say (and your Republican membership) I don’t think people are buying it.

Heck look at your front page of the website

“Help Bring Tax Fairness To Illinois” — Who is more likely to support a increase in state tax revenues (lets not kid ourselves, that’s the goal) Quinn or Dillard?

You have an item on your website about asking Google to stop funding ALEC, heck until not too long ago Dillard was the state chairman for the
group.

Civil Unions… Think we know where he stands there

Said in a candidate questionare he could support a so-called “right to work” law depending on how it is drafted…

Really, this is the guy you will put your weight behind if he wins the primary?

Either that means your pension concerns trump a whole lot of other stuff (quite possible) or you just want to avoid the bigger fight with Rauner (understandable)

I am not seeing a middle ground.”

The policies & politics don’t matter here. Its all about opposing Quinn. Period. Nothing else to it. To AFSCME leaders Quinn is the Illinois version of Scott Walker. If Dillarde wins the primary, AFSCME will continue to support him. If Brady wins, probably will be a wait & see. If Rauner wins, the We Are One coilition goes all out for Quinn. Quinn stabbed AFSCME in the back. Its sort of like a woman scorned. Its all about vengence.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 2:59 pm
Thanks One Man, learned something today.

Comment by Pensioner Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 3:09 pm
If and when Rauner wins the nomination, AFSCME will need to realize that they are not as strong in electoral politics as they think they are. Their behavior has been ludicrous, and comparing Quinn to Scott Walker is a sign of true derangement. If they were so strong, they’d have put forth a candidate in the Democratic primary to challenge Quinn. Instead they are wasting their money and making themselves look foolish in a Republican primary. Mr. Bauer and company need to wake up, dry their tears and get ready to turn out the vote for Governor Quinn in November.

Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 3:46 pm
AFSCME should go all in for Dillard Primary and General. PQ needs to be paid back.

Comment by I B Strapped Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 4:06 pm
AFSCME Steward,

Funny just got off the phone with someone who feels Rauner is the second coming of Dan Walker, a bit before my time, but suffice to say he wasn’t a fan…

Actually, the ’stick it to Quinn’ argument makes the most sense. Vengeance I get…

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 4:44 pm
Rich, due respect; what you call a red herring is what people out in the state call cynical. They’re looking to threaten Quinn by backing Dillard now. Obviously they’re also trying to weaken or beat Rauner in the process. Then it’s a “jump ball” if Dillard somehow wins. If Rauner wins it’s not a jump ball. The “we’re against” money flows more than the “we’re for” money. And the dudes making these decisions are playing with house money donated by members. Sorry for the distraction. Actually not. Just trying to pose a thought worth considering. That’s my thought.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 5:01 pm
–Afscme, Dave Letterman used to have a schtick on his show called “Who you Crappin’?–

No, he never did. “Boers and Bernstein” on The Score, and they still do.

But thanks for playing. Vanna has some lovely parting gifts, including Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 5:59 pm
- wordslinger -, lol. I couldn’t remember, good on you.

How someone can say that, um, “Bit” couldn’t be applied to Bruce Rauner is utterly comical.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 6:38 pm
This could really solidify that Silver Medal Finish…! Unfortunately, it’s PROBBBBBBBably “a day late and a dollar short,” for Kirk, however, as the Old Saying goes…!

MY Question of the Day for HENRY is: If you guys were so SERIOUS about throwing your weight behind Dillard, why in the heck did you wait so long to do it?

Pretty lame, Henry, given the Stakes, and in this case/Race with such a huge lead you guys let Rauner build up by NOT publicly endorsing someone besides br, it just WON’T make a significant-enough difference so that you can always try and claim that at least it’s “better late (to endorse Kirk) than NEVer!”

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 8:48 pm
I’m still trying to recall those Republican primary poll numbers posted a month or so ago (right here) showing the anti-public employee union numbers somewhere around 80 percent. What am I missing here other than the big injection of cash. It seems if Rauner has the money to drive this message home (that Dillard is the union guy), it only boosts his poll numbers with the GOP faithful.

Comment by Dragnet Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:33 pm
A Guy

“Obviously they’re also trying to weaken or beat Rauner in the process”

Duh, isn’t that what a campaign is all about ? Rauner has initiated an all out attack on union members. Why do you think we would not try to defeat him ?

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:45 pm
A Guy

“And the dudes making these decisions are playing with house money donated by members”

Just so you know, the “dudes” you refer to are the PEOPLE Committee, made up of AFSCME members. The endorsements are democratically determined by the PEOPLE Committee, not Henry Bayer.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:49 pm
Snucka

“If and when Rauner wins the nomination, AFSCME will need to realize that they are not as strong in electoral politics as they think they are. Their behavior has been ludicrous, and comparing Quinn to Scott Walker is a sign of true derangement. If they were so strong, they’d have put forth a candidate in the Democratic primary to challenge Quinn. Instead they are wasting their money and making themselves look foolish in a Republican primary. Mr. Bauer and company need to wake up, dry their tears and get ready to turn out the vote for Governor Quinn in November”

Very wishful thinking. The union voting bloc in Illinois is close to 25% of voting population. We vote in large numbers. We also pound the pavement for candidates we support. I suggest you check recent history. Many candidates, including Quinn in 2010, won their respective elections because of union backing.

Also, the leader of AFSCME in Illinois is named Bayer.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:55 pm
One Man

”
AFSCME Steward,

Funny just got off the phone with someone who feels Rauner is the second coming of Dan Walker, a bit before my time, but suffice to say he wasn’t a fan…

Actually, the ’stick it to Quinn’ argument makes the most sense. Vengeance I get…”

I remember Dan Walker very well. Another big talker. Promised much, delivered little.

Comment by AFSCME Steward Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 9:58 pm
Walker was a mini-Blago. State govt suffered under him. IL govt suffered more under Blago and continues to be dysfunctional under the incompetent guy who served both these guys. Now we see the wealthy Blago who, if elected, will continue to destroy government services for the sake of his own ego.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 10:12 pm
My enemy’s enemy……

Comment by steve schnorf Wednesday, Mar 5, 14 @ 11:10 pm