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Cross fending off “outside groups”

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Illinois

* From an e-mail to supporters of Rep. Tom Cross’ bid for state treasurer…

Outside groups allied with my opponent have launched an aggressive, negative and false attack against our campaign.

They know we’re winning and they know that I’m the only candidate committed to fighting for an honestly balanced budget and really cracking down on fraud and corruption.

In short, my opponent wants the status quo and I want change.

Now they’re spending tens of thousands of dollars in last-minute negative attack ads to try to derail our momentum.

Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen!

I’m asking you today for an emergency contribution of $10, $15, $25 or whatever you are comfortable with so that we can compete with these outside groups.

These outside groups are fighting us at every turn as we work to restore fiscal accountability and fight against waste and corruption and now they have placed significant ad buys on radio stations across Illinois in an effort to defeat us at the last moment.

* I checked with the Cross campaign and the “outside groups” include the National Organization for Marriage, which is doing radio ads blasting Cross in Downstate markets. NOM hotly opposed the gay marriage bill.

In other words, I’m not sure this has much to do with anybody “fighting us at every turn as we work to restore fiscal accountability.”

But, whatever floats your boat, I suppose.

I’m trying to find a copy of the radio spot. Anybody heard it?

* Also, there’s this from Equality Illinois…

Candidates who supported the freedom to marry in Illinois are benefitting from an unprecedented effort by the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee (EQIL PAC) that has raised and will spend $150,000 prior to Tuesday’s state primary election. […]

About $120,000 of the $150,000 total was used for direct contributions to legislative candidates in targeted races throughout Illinois. The other $30,000 is being being spent on direct mail, events and get-out-the-vote efforts, including phone banks that are making tens of thousands of phone calls on behalf of the candidates leading to the primary on Tuesday, March 18.

So far, not much is showing up on A-! reports, but the group has endorsed Cross.

* In a somewhat related story, Planned Parenthood Illinois Action has also endorsed Cross.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 3:22 pm

Comments

I’m a one issue voter and Cross is on the wrong side of that issue. Marriage equality is not that issue, but I’m not going to cry any tears for two-putt.

Comment by Norseman Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 3:28 pm
What does marriage have to do with the Treasurer’s office?

Comment by Northern Will Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 3:37 pm
Seems like a waste to spend so much cash on a race that has zero to do with social issues.

Also, NOM sounds like an organization our cats support around dinner time.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 3:41 pm
PP is doing robo calls for Cross as well so they apparently believe social issues are important in the race for Treasurer

Comment by more of the same Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 3:48 pm
FOOOOORRRRREEEE !!! boink !

Comment by railrat Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:12 pm
Too late for impact?

I better not see Cross or Artl at Fox Bend on Tuesday.

Now Wednesday…lol

To the Post,

I am a bit surprised Equality Illinois hadn’t been more, “behind the scenes” active, be it financially or more than an the Endorsement, but I am sure, while pleased for the support, it was still walking a line with Grogan in the wings.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:14 pm
Caddies Rounding Out Super Support (CROSS) Endorse Tom…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:16 pm
Actually, no snark, this might be closer than at least I think it will be. I won’t speak for others.

Cross shouldn’t be in danger, but I don’t feel either Crew has a plan dedicated to Tuesday. I will see…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:23 pm
The Women Of Progress Unity Truth and Togetherness endorse Tommy Two Putt.

Comment by Toure's Latte Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:23 pm
Cross will win comfortably on Tuesday. Down ticket races are all about name id.

Comment by Northern Will Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 4:34 pm
I think the real underlying issue was not about how Tom feels about same sex marriage or gay people in general as much as Tom Cross deliberately led Republicans to believe that he was not for this social issue and then (as he is going out the door), he changes his mind and votes for it. He misled many of his fellow Republicans down in Springfield, he deliberately misled the people in his home district who had voted for him, and he did it all to curry favor with liberals for the November general election. He felt he was a “slam-dunk” for GOP Treasurer in the GOP Primary. It was Republicans and their principals be damned as far as Tom was concerned when he decided at the last minute to run for a state wide office and do a flip-flop.
If your word to others doesn’t mean anything to you, Tom— then my vote won’t mean anything to you, either. Bob Grogan will get my vote on March 18th. I don’t like flip-floppers especially when they flip-flop on an issue for personal or political gain.

Comment by Frosty-The Snowman Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 5:20 pm
It’s a different job herding cats as leader of a caucus than it is going out on your own.

Cross has my vote, because of social issues, not like they have anything to do with being comptroller.

But if he wants to drift back to Main Street GOP values, salud. I’m with you. More, please.

The attack by the national right-wing yabbos on Planned Parenthood has been appalling, surreal, and must be opposed by any sensible Midwesterner.

We ain’t Mississippi, thank God, and that’s because of the folks who came before us. We have dues to pay, a legacy to uphold.

For crying out loud, you can be anti-abortion and still be supportive of keeping the government out of womens’ health decisions.

You can also mind your own business and light a candle at church, if it bothers you so much. Leave it to Jesus.

The concerted ALEC attack on womens’ health decisions boils my blood.

If the government tries to tell a woman in my life that she has to have a mandatory trans-vaginal probe before she gets health care, somebody’s going to be picking chiklets off the floor. Or worse.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 14, 14 @ 5:38 pm