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* I heard yesterday that Bruce Rauner attended a big ACLU Illinois gala Saturday night and reached out to the group to see if they had any photos. No luck, so no caption contest today.
The fundraising party was intended to celebrate decades of pro-choice advocacy by the group. Illinois Review also got wind of Rauner’s attendance and filed this report…
Nearly 500 guests attended the ACLU event, which was hosted by a number of corporations and individuals, including Rauner’s wife Diana.
“Congresswoman Schakowsky spoke with confidence that reproductive freedom will continue to be protected throughout the states,” Youhnka said, alluding to ACLU-Illinois’ success in warding off attempts to restrict abortion in Illinois. […]
“It is disgusting that Mr. Rauner would give money to, and celebrate with, an organization that brags about its support of partial birth abortion, a gruesome procedure involving the severing of the spinal cords of fully developed unborn children,” Illinois Right to Life Committee’s new executive director Emily Zender told Illinois Review. […]
Zender told IR they had originally been informed that Rauner’s running mate Evelyn Sanguinetti was going to attend the pro-life dinner. However, when the Illinois Right to Life Committee refused to provide her a complimentary ticket, the Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate backed out, citing a scheduling conflict.
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:26 am
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Illinois conservatives are such easy marks let’s face it. Rauner doesn’t respect them. He saw how easy it was to blow through them in the primary. He’s moved on to bigger fish.
Comment by too obvious Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:33 am
Social Conservatives staying home, and downstate Republicans in unions staying home. Who will drag more voters across the finish line.
P.S. Even if they do vote for Oberweis, I think they will just skip the governor’s race.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:33 am
He’s trying to prove Lincoln wrong by fooling all of the people all of the time.
Comment by Chi Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:34 am
More evidence of his commitment to his core political beliefs and values, i.e. that if Bruce Rauner wants to be governor, Bruce Rauner should get to be governor.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:36 am
Based on Rich’s item yesterday regarding the overwhelming outrage to spending state money on the Obama Library, it would seem this election will turn more on fiscal issues than social issues.
Comment by Downstate Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:38 am
I can see why he went, given his heroic stance on marriage equality.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:38 am
Roland - well played.
Comment by Paddyrollingstone Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:41 am
“Social Conservatives staying home”
Will they stay home, or will their disdain for Quinn and Democrats inspire them to vote for Rauner? If they will come out anyway to vote for Rauner, then he’s making a good gamble with his pro-choice activities, because that could attract “moderates” to vote for him. He must be counting on them to come out and vote for him.
Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:42 am
Yes social conservatives because 4 more years of Pat Quinn is a better answer for you….
Will never understand the ’staying home’ concept as it were.
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:43 am
So is Illinois Right to Life going to push a 3d party candidate who is with them or are they hoping that enough magic wishes can flip Rauner?
Comment by SAP Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:43 am
Where are the people who vilified Pat Brady for not adhering to the Republican platform on social issues?
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:46 am
–Zender told IR they had originally been informed that Rauner’s running mate Evelyn Sanguinetti was going to attend the pro-life dinner. However, when the Illinois Right to Life Committee refused to provide her a complimentary ticket, the Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate backed out, citing a scheduling conflict.–
Complimentary ticket? Looks like the Baron needs to up her allowance.
Now that he’s on the ballot, Rauner continues the hard dash to the left.
The way it’s going, Rauner will be at Lollapalooza this summer, sporting dreads and playing hackey-sack in Grant Park.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:46 am
Also never understood the conservative dislike of the ACLU (guess that is why I am a bad conservative) it seems to me that if you hold that the constitution is the core government value as it were, those groups (be they the ACLU or the NRA) who ask when limits are placed on rights (even if you agree with those limits) are important questions to ask.
Don’t always agree with either, but glad both are asking the questions.
Then again I suspect a lot of conservatives would argue I am not a good one….
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:46 am
–Where are the people who vilified Pat Brady for not adhering to the Republican platform on social issues?–
Running for Senate.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:48 am
Welp, I will say this for both Rauners;
Honesty and integrity, ethics and morals loses out to a Salesman, every time.
Raunerites do not care to be Republicans. Raunerites only care about both Rauners and fooling as many people as possible to go against their better self, while laughing and mocking the Dopey Voters, fooled by the Salesman.
“Bruce Rauner” is the GOP Nominee. The real Bruce Rauner wants very little to do with Republicans, the conservative faction, and will do things in spite of Unity of Party.
Watch out - OneMan -, where do you draw the line when “anyone but Quinn” and your better self are at odds based on the character of either Rauner.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:52 am
=Will they stay home, or will their disdain for Quinn and Democrats inspire them to vote for Rauner? If they will come out anyway to vote for Rauner, then he’s making a good gamble with his pro-choice activities, because that could attract “moderates” to vote for him. He must be counting on them to come out and vote for him.=
Do you really trust the Rauner politicos after how close the primary was? They had to do a 180 on public unions. Also wouldn’t conservative outlets like the Illinois Review not broadcast about Rauner attending a pro-choice event. From my point-of-view it doesn’t seem like the Rauner team has everything figured out.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:54 am
Decades of pretending that our prenatal medical knowledge hasn’t advanced since the 1960s! Yay! It isn’t human life doctor, its just an inconvenience!
Thanks Bruce for focusing on whatever it takes to win this November!
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:55 am
=Decades of pretending that our prenatal medical knowledge hasn’t advanced since the 1960s! Yay! It isn’t human life doctor, its just an inconvenience!=
VanillaMan I couldn’t agree more, but Dems do the same thing. They want to use science to back climate change, but medical knowledge is irrelevant when it comes to pregnancy. Vice Versa with Republicans, the world is a funny place.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:59 am
So now a statewide candidate’s merely attending an ACLU meeting, trying to win moderate and Democrat votes and the election, draws the Talibanic scorn of the right-wingers? Do they want to be at the table in the Governor’s mansion, or do they want four more years of Quinn-Madigan? Sheesh.
Comment by Formerpol Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 9:59 am
The route to winning a race statewide as a GOP candidate has you tip-toeing through a few minefields. Always has. This race is going to be nearly completely about fiscal issues. PQ is cooperating more than nicely. He’s not an alternative to BR on any social issue. With that being a wash, the race is confined to a different field. I’m pretty sure the “allowance” had nothing to do with things. It was more about a “contribution” of a check (even for admission) that would have given the PQ mailsters something to publish. Being a guest eliminates that. It wouldn’t surprise anyone that Evelyn would attend a pro-life dinner. It wouldn’t be her first by a long shot.
Comment by A guy... Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:01 am
–It turns out, Mr. Roeser strongly believes that Mr. Rauner is against abortion “from the moment of conception.”
“I’d describe (Mr. Rauner) as a guy who is a morally right-to-life guy, but not on the hustings,” Mr. Roeser explained.–
Whacky Jack might want to call his office.
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140228/NEWS02/140229779/what-does-the-far-right-wing-see-in-rauner
–It wouldn’t surprise anyone that Evelyn would attend a pro-life dinner. It wouldn’t be her first by a long shot.–
She didn’t attend. She asked for a free ticket and was refused.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:06 am
OneMan’s point about “staying home” raises a good issue. There are groups of Democrats and Republicans this year who feel that their party’s candidate is the “lesser of two evils” or something similar.
For instance, will Rauner be at least slightly more conservative than Quinn on social issues? Probably. But are conservatives that vote for Rauner on that basis giving up the fight? Because now future GOP candidates don’t need to be conservative on social issues? Or are conservatives that vote for Rauner getting what they can right now, and saving a fight for another day?
Comment by Chi Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:06 am
===It wouldn’t surprise anyone that Evelyn would attend a pro-life dinner. It wouldn’t be her first by a long shot.===
It would surprise me if they didn’t take extra liability insurance and invited “Slip and Sue”
She is a Latina, and she couldn’t speak to immigration? She is useless to attending.
Alienating the GOP base for a Raunerite base is asking for a tougher road. Rauner has no identifiable base, is is willing to alienate anyone that Brady secured four years ago, in hopes of gaining more “middle” at the expense of. “right ” not in addition to “right”
We will see how no Ground Game baked that cake.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:08 am
==They want to use science to back climate change==
Huh?
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:10 am
==”Honesty and integrity, ethics and morals lose out to a Salesman every time.”==
Well said, though a bit harsh. My sense is Rauner has been pro-choice all along, but avoided capture until now.
Hard to find the “Real Rauner” in dramatically changing messages in the Primary vs. the General. Not ready yet to say there is no “Real Rauner.”
Supporting the ACLU means supporting and fighting for the Bill of Rights. Many Conservatives at least partly agree with the ACLU.
Comment by Walker Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:10 am
Gosh, am I glad I don’t have to vote in Illinois in November.
I’ve had the opportunity to meet 5 of the 6 GOP candidates for Governor in Arizona, and it’s so refreshing to hear them voicing concerns about WHETHER to increase taxes (they oppose it) rather than HOW MUCH TO INCREASE as in Illinois.
Their debate had some very sobering concerns.
They were worried about their public pension plans only being 70 to 80% funded.
They were worried that their budget wouldn’t balance….IN 2017! Yep, they think that far ahead.
When I look at Arizona, where the jobs are coming in droves…I see what COULD BE in ILLINOIS if good people worked together to do things right for the people of Illinois, and corruption, patronage and cronyism took a back seat to prudent government.
It’s not as bad as Illinois, California, New York and New Jersey everywhere, folks.
There are still places where government serves the people instead of the people only being there to serve the government, like Illinois.
I strongly suggest the “producers” out there look for a plan B to Illinois. It’s fallin’ fast, folks!
Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:12 am
Obviously, Rauner realizes he is running for governor of Illinois, not Nebraska. That’s more than Brady could figure out.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:17 am
ACLU does NOT fight for the Bill of Rights. It “picks and chooses” defending only the most liberal applcations of those Bills.
When is the last time you heard about the ACLU fighting for individuals second ammendment rights? Almost never. When do you hear about the ACLU opposing racial preferences and discrimination when the victim is someone other than minority? Doesn’t happen very often, if at all.
When does the ACLU fight for free CONSERVATIVE speech on campuses? I haven’t heard of any.
The constitution was intended to protect the rights of individuals and states from the tyrany of the Federal government. When does the ACLU fight against the unelected “Czars” in regulatory agencies overreaching? I’ve yet to see that.
It’d be interesting to see if the ACLU discriminates against conservative lawyers in hiring and promotion. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if they did based upon thier choices of cases to pursue.
Comment by Arizona Bob Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:20 am
Many of us hold the ACLU in disdain because they do not come out in support of all 10 amendments in the Bill of Rights - the one they ignore is pretty obvious.
Have to agree with OW on this one, alienating the GOP base isn’t going to get it done, one can be pro-anything without being a flag-waver.
Comment by countyline Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:25 am
Bob, you sure are homesick. Why don’t you just dig that desert sky and rest up before the early bird at Denny’s?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:27 am
Um, - Arizona Bob -,
The “search” key; try it sometime…
http://www.aclufightsforchristians.com
Dope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:29 am
Rauner shows his hand:
Rauner is to social conservatives as Quinn is to public union employees and retirees.
They each figure they have their respective groups by the short hairs.
Thay may - or may not - be correct.
Comment by PolPal56 Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:32 am
Just a reminder to all you “hopeful ” Republicans out there: a choice between a Democrat and a fake Republican (Democrat party fundraiser) the voters will choice the Democrat. Ask John McCain and Mitt Romney how trying to appeal to “moderates and liberals” worked. Bruce Rauner and his wife working for the Republican cause: that’s funny stuff. Bruce and Diana :you really know how to motivate Illinois’ conservative voters to stay home!
Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:40 am
I sure hold an organization that fights for people’s Constitutional rights in disdain @Arizona Bob. Do you have the same disdain for, oh say, the NRA since they only fight for ONE of the Amendments?
Stop being a dope.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:42 am
–Ask John McCain and Mitt Romney how trying to appeal to “moderates and liberals” worked–
When did they do that? The had to spend their whole time pledging allegiance to “the base.” Look what that got them.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:43 am
@Steve:
Good plan. The Republican isn’t Republican enough for you so you stomp your feet and stay home. Way to win an election. You are why the Republican Party in Illinois is in such poor shape. Not 100% pure then I’m taking my ball and going home!
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:44 am
Being Pro-life doesn’t make a person a conservative any more then being Pro-choice makes a person a moderate.
I am Pro-life and do not believe in man made global warming but I am not a conservative because I lean left on most other issues.
Comment by Jacob S Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:45 am
===Raunerites do not care to be Republicans. Raunerites only care about both Rauners and fooling as many people as possible to go against their better self, while laughing and mocking the Dopey Voters, fooled by the Salesman.
“Bruce Rauner” is the GOP Nominee. The real Bruce Rauner wants very little to do with Republicans===
===Hard to find the “Real Rauner” in dramatically changing messages in the Primary vs. the General.===
This is all because Rauner is much more accurately described as being a chameleon than he is being any kind of Republican.
Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:46 am
- Demoralized -,
Bruce Rauner is a Raunerite who won the GOP Primary.
Bruce Rauner is not a Republican, and reminds us all every day.
Actually, if you are a Conservative, and you railed on Blago, how can they, honestly, reconcile being with Rauner and a Raunerite given the same personas.
Raunerites are counting on GOP Lemmings to “be quiet and get in line”. Everything since the Diana Rauner commercials have made it quite clear; we want Raunerites. Democrats and Independents, and lemming GOP voters fooled by Carhartts and watches.
I have a great deal of respect for GOP voters who won’t be “sold” by Raunerite talking points. .
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:51 am
Arizona’s Bob rants wouldn’t be annoying if they weren’t so consistently myopic. Consistently praising the ruling government in a state that is a national laughingstock for trying to criminalize being gay or brown. Keep your head in that desert sand!
Comment by reggieandtfe Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:51 am
If Rauner continues to turn off Republicans and they stay home, how will this affect other races in this state?
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:52 am
- Demoralized -
We all look foreward to Bruce and Diana implementing ObamCare on us. Diana will make an excellent adviser to Bruce on the subject. Her statist values so pure , she works with Rahm Emanuel and Pat Quinn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8vor-eahSQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMzblvIFmUY
Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:02 am
I’m afraid I must I disagree with @reggieandtfe.
Arizona Bob’s rants are annoying because — as Willy demonstrates repeatedly — they often don’t hold up to even a cursory investigation.
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:03 am
Wensicia–don’t over-count on Republicans “staying home” just because of the comments by a few vocal malcontents who repeatedly say the same things over and over on this blog.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:04 am
AZ Bob, the ACLU sued South Dakota over concealed carry, arguing FOR it. They sue to protect Constitutional rights, and they don’t pick and choose. With the few facts you think you know, I’m glad you don’t have to vote in Illinois this year too.
Comment by Jimbo Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:05 am
@OW:
Like it or not (and I don’t like it) the Republicans selected him as their nominee. Whether you think you are or not you are engaging in the same litmus testing that you have railed against in the past with your statement.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:05 am
==statist values==
You lost all credibility with that remark.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:06 am
–We all look foreward to Bruce and Diana implementing ObamCare on us.–
LOL, say what?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:12 am
- Demoralized -,
Not at all. Not in the slightest.
If both Rauners could have beaten Quinn in the Primary, versus the easy path against the “2″ and. “Fiasco Friday Man”, I am sure it could have happened.
Further,
Both Rauners ran against 1/3 of the corrupt GOP GA members.
Even in the Primary, it was about driving the career Politicans nuts, destroying Unions and Union Bosses specifically, and anything to get through to the “Finals” to be governor.
Rauner cares nothing about the GOP, unless they “fall in line”. You don’t run Ads about Democratic connections and beliefs as your out if the gate Nominee message.
Rauner is not a Reagan Rule Republican, Rauner also thought term limits were “good enough for Ronald Reagan…”
Ignorance of Raunerite selling points do not make those selling points Reagan Rule acceptable.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:14 am
==Both Rauners ==
That Monty Python sketch where the guy saw double just popped into my head. LOL. Sorry for that tangent.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:18 am
“It is disgusting that Mr. Rauner would give money to, and celebrate with, an organization that brags about its support of partial birth abortion, a gruesome procedure involving the severing of the spinal cords of fully developed unborn children,” Illinois Right to Life Committee’s new executive director Emily Zender told Illinois Review. […]”
Yawn. Those folks really need to update their act. It’s getting more than a little worn around the edges.
As far as them ’staying home’, have at it. All that means is they are in favor of Pat Quinn. So, if you don’t like ‘your guy’, you would rather sit it out and in effect support somebody who is substantially WORSE for your interests?
Now, there’s ’smart’ political leadership.
The “Right to Lifers” fought the legal battles and lost. So all they are doing now is fighting the last war all over again. The actual ‘battlefield’ is now in the science and technology community. They need to lose the whole 80’s and 90’s approach. The current battle field in in the science and technology area.
But that means they have to ‘lose’ the ideology. Ain’t happening.
Comment by Judgment Day (on the road) Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:23 am
-The only difference between the candidates is that one uses taxpayer money to win votes, and the other uses his wealth.-
All things being equal, I’ll take the person willing to spend his own money.
Comment by countyline Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:23 am
It looks to me that Rauner has again turned his back on the conservatives who voted for him in the primary. For the primary we learned that he wants to “shake things up” but very little on his plans on how to do so. One now needs to ask if we know where Rauner stands on almost any issue? As I see it, conservatives have a big problem in the Fall election. They cannot vote for the liberal Quinn but is Rauner, in the end, that much of a better candidate from a conservative point of view?
Comment by Hit or Miss Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:33 am
“Gosh, am I glad I don’t have to vote in Illinois in November.”
That makes two of us glad Bob.
Comment by Jorge Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:52 am
== Where are the people who vilified Pat Brady for not adhering to the Republican platform on social issues? olo==
Violating the platform matters only when they say it matters.
If Rauner wins along with Topinka and Cross, then all the statewide GOP elected officials, including Kirk, will be pro-choice. Not exactly a strong track record for IL pro-lifers.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:58 am
It would have been a good one to skip. Rauner’s handlers need to put a grip on him.
Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 12:13 pm
- wordslinger -
I’m sorry to confuse you with the facts.
http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2013-09-18/tom-kacich-rauner-voted-dem-primary-06-gave-money-dems.html
Rauner and his wife Diana have given to the Democratic National Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, Sen. Max Baucus and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, campaign disclosure records show.
But the records show that between 1990 and 2008 there were $232,875 in federal contributions, made in Bruce Rauner’s name, to groups including the DNC ($40,000), the DCCC ($25,000) and Markey ($4,600). Also during that period Bruce Rauner gave to the Illinois Republican Party ($35,000), the Republican National Committee ($78,500) and Republican committees in New York, Missouri, Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Diana Rauner, in separate listings, gave $91,400 to both parties although hers were primarily to Democrats, including Barack Obama’s 2004 Senate campaign ($2,000), the DCCC ($25,000) and the Our Common Values political action committee affiliated with Emanuel ($5,000).
Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 12:38 pm
I’m cool with facts, Steve, you just made me laugh with this.
–We all look foreward to Bruce and Diana implementing ObamCare on us.–
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 12:48 pm
If the social conservatives want to make this race about social issues I’m sure the Governor would be happy to oblige.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 1:13 pm
== If the social conservatives want to make this race about social issues I’m sure the Governor would be happy to oblige. ==
True that….
Seriously does any social conservative think that social issues are the key to this race?
Comment by OneMan Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 1:21 pm
It’s great to see Bruce move away from the crazy Republican Party base and towards the center. Before long Bruce will be pro-choice, pro-gay marriage and pro-labor. Bruce Rauner the best Republican governor Democrats ever owned!!!
Comment by RedHeadedStep-sister Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:22 pm
Here’s a great Diana Rauner flashback to inspire conservatives in Illinois . Common Core-Diana Rauner style.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-11-26/news/ct-education-plan-new-chicago-1126-20131126_1_curriculum-common-core-state-standards-public-education
Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:25 pm
-It’s great to see Bruce move away from the crazy Republican Party base and towards the center-
As opposed to the even-crazier, economically-challenged Democrat base ?
Comment by countyline Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:28 pm
The great moments of Diana Rauner mobilizing “the base”.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/07/bruce-rauner-governor-_n_5104392.html
Diana Rauner voted in Democratic primaries in 2004, 2006 and 2008, according to election records, and gave $2,300 to then-Sen. Barack Obama in 2007 after he announced his presidential bid.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:34 pm
Great idea, Steve. Attack a guy’s wife. That’ll get you far in life.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:36 pm
When the Chicago Tribune publishes your views on their editorial page, and you work closely with Mayor Emanuel and Governor Quinn you aren’t some hack ringing door bells to get out the vote. It’s kind of news.
Comment by Steve Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:41 pm
Who was the last Illinois Republican elected governor or U.S. senator who passed the right-wing litmus tests on social issues?
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 2:48 pm
===Who was the last Illinois Republican elected governor or U.S. senator who passed the right-wing litmus tests on social issues?===
The second campaign of … Never.
However, Thompson, Edgar, George… I am hard pressed to recall the blatant disregard of the Right and such a Left movement that Rauner is making an utter alienation of everything Right.
Rauner has no identifiable base of ANY kind, especially anything looking like a Republican base that can be “seen”, counted on to work for Bruce, and Ads touting Dems and Indies prefer Rauner with limited embracing by Rauner’s Crew to Reagan Rule Republicans, make moves like the pro-choice event are seen as a reminder that Rauner is not a republican of any stripe.
That is the Cake. Good luck with that, Rauner Crew.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 3:36 pm
@Steve:
Diana Rauner isn’t running for anything. But if you want to base your vote on your goofy thinking go ahead. Maybe you should look into his cousin’s point of view as well. I’m sure that will inform your intelligent vote.
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 4:46 pm
@Oswego Willy
====Who was the last Illinois Republican elected governor or U.S. senator who passed the right-wing litmus tests on social issues?===
The second campaign of … Never.=
ummm, ever hear of Peter Fitzgerald? We all saw what happened when the ‘moderates’ threw him out. Brady ran a bad campaign in ‘10 and came close. It’s not like conservatives who have made the general for Senate of Gov have done poorly in Illinois. They are probably better than Republican “par”. There are just not many that make it to the general.
Comment by stand Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:21 pm
===ummm, ever hear of Peter Fitzgerald? We all saw what happened when the ‘moderates’ threw him out. ===
Fitzgerald beat Carol Mosely Braun. That race was not dictated on ideology , it was dictated by. “Anyone by CM-B”. Please learn.
The moderates didn’t stop him as much as his piggy bank versus his chances dictated a retirement.
Fitzgerald was not going to spend more personal money against everyone, and not just Dems. Bringing things upon yourself to be a martr and folding your tent, still led to his retirement.
It was what it was.
Conservative or Moderate, it was anyone but CM-B. Period.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:32 pm
As far as I can tell, we have had 2 conservatives run in the general for gov or u.s. senate in the last 10 years in IL. One won and one came close. That’s hardly an indictment on their beliefs.
As if you think standing against a George Ryan led GOP’s wasteful spending was a bad thing for Fitzgerald to do, I have to disagree. More Fitzgerald’s and less George Ryan’s would have led to a better IL GOP and state.
Comment by stand Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:40 pm
The Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party refused to endorse Fitzgerald for re-election in ‘04.
Comment by Spirit of 2004 Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:42 pm
Stand: Who won and who came close in the last 10 years?
Comment by Spirit of 2004 Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:43 pm
Ten years, one win, versus CM-B, then didn’t even keep the seat.
Not a good record.
As for going against Geo. Ryan and all that martyr stuff, it only matters if you can stand up to the voters too. Flaking off and retiring doesn’t get a “thatta boy”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:46 pm
Fitzgerald won, Brady barely lost. There’s not a long list of conservative general election candidates. The ones there have been haven’t done bad.
Btw, I don’t count Alan keyes
Comment by Stand Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:49 pm
Fitzgerald raised hardly any money in six years as a senator from the fifth largest state. You would think he would have been a money machine. He was first and foremost a dilletante.
Comment by Spirit of 2004 Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:50 pm
I thought Peter Fitzgerald was anti-establishment?
What, one non-endorsement sank the Martyr?
More moving parts than that… It is the easiest excuse, however.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:50 pm
Stand: Fitzgerald won 15.5 years ago. Hardly in the last 10 years…and if there was straight ticket voting in ‘98, Braun would have beat him .
Comment by Spirit of 2004 Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 5:52 pm
Ryan was pro-life
Comment by Jacob S Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 8:35 pm
Demonizing pro-lifers shows that you can’t debate on the merits of the issue.
Comment by Jacob S Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 8:41 pm
–Diana Rauner isn’t running for anything.–
The thing is, though, that she is. She’s the key asset in the general election strategy dash to the middle.
She is the suburban Democratic mom who loves and will vote for Rauner. That’s a powerful concept (although I think the execution of the spots has been cheesy, so far).
I always cringe when candidates put family out front in campaign strategy, but it’s a choice.
And with that choice, comes the slings and arrows, in this case, from the chronically malcontent, terminal victims of the Illinois GOP right wing who are suffering buyer’s remorse.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:15 pm
===The thing is, though, that she is. She’s the key asset in the general election strategy dash to the middle.===
Diana Rauner, arguably, is a more important asset than Evelyn Sanguinetti. Diana Rauner is the prism Rauner’s Crew wants the voters to pass judgement on their “Guy”.
You put your mug in an Ad, you get questions, you are the spouse of the candidate, and you put your mug in an Ad, the heat intensifies.
The Rauner Crew chose this strategy, Diana Rauner is fair game, if you can walk a razor thin line in making your case.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 10:28 pm
–Fitzgerald was not going to spend more personal money against everyone, and not just Dems.–
You mean, Fitzgerald’s old man wasn’t going to cash out any more Bank of Montreal stock and take the capital gains hit for a losing cause.
I didn’t agree with him on much, but I like Fitz, he was quirky and marched to his own drummer.
But he beat Loletta and and a compromised Carol. Way lucky.
The fact that he took down Loletta pretty easily should have been a wake-up call to the GOP establishment.
But beating Carol? C’mon, Alan Keyes might have won that one.
Carol ran for mayor and did not win one precinct in Chicago, not even her own.
Fitz sn’t exactly a template for GOP resurgence.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:22 pm
- wordslinger -,
Your On It. Lolita should have been a wake up call , indeed.
The old man made the money relevant, but props to the “rich kid” Peter; lost, went to the Illinois Senate, then picked his spot.
Quirky, indeed, too.
Watching Bill Holden in Stalag 17, on Movie if you got it - wordslinger -
Holden was brilliant.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:27 pm
Thanks, Willie. Love that Billy Wilder.
Holden’s one of my favorites
Kwai with Lean. Network with Chayevsky. Wild Bunch with Peckinpagh. Sunset with Wilder, again.
Ronald Reagan’s best man when he married Nancy.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:42 pm
You’re said it! Billy Wilder…great films.
Holden, the best man? That’s a new one for me. Thanks.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:48 pm
Damn, Willie, “African Queen” now after “Stalag 17.”
Don’t think I’ll make it down the river to Lake Victoria after the Hawks thriller.
One of John Huston’s best. Clint did an overlooked “White Hunter, Black Heart” based on the filming. Bad Huston accent, but as always with Clint, you find something that keeps you watching.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 13, 14 @ 11:59 pm
I didn’t want to be the one keeping you up.
African Queen; It’s on the “short list” for Huston’s greats.
How far I get, that I don’t know as well. That Kane, top shelf shot from a top shelf player…
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, May 14, 14 @ 12:10 am