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* The Sun-Times’ Natasha Korecki on billionaire Ken Griffin’s $2.5 million contribution to Bruce Rauner…
A Republican operative who has had conversations with Griffin but was not authorized to talk publicly about them said, “This is do or die for the state of Illinois, that’s how he feels,” and insisted Griffin had no interest “other than the solvency of the state.”
A Citadel spokeswoman had a simple reason for Griffin’s support:
“This contribution was given in the hopes that it would help Rauner get his message out to the people of Illinois,” Citadel spokeswoman Katie Spring said. […]
Taking it all together, there’s one conclusion: $2.5 million isn’t the last check Griffin writes in this governor’s race.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 9:39 am
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Comparatively speaking, this is “penny ante” to Mr. Rauner and his circle of friends. It isn’t evil, but it really does assure Mr. Rauner that he can now say he isn’t solely using personal funds to win his race. I have a feeling that others will follow Mr. Griffin’s lead whenever called upon to do so. Is that good for Illinois? Only time will tell.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 9:43 am
“A Raunerite operative who has had conversations with Griffin but was not authorized to talk publicly about them said, ‘This is do or die for Raunerites, that’s how “We” feel,’ and insisted Griffin had no interest ‘other than making sure that the “.01% / average Joe” baloney message is out there fooling the voters.”
Better.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 9:50 am
Do what or die?
Comment by walker Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 9:52 am
Griff cracks me up.
The hedgie makes billions in Illinois just shuffling paper around, but apparently the state is a business hellhole.
Here’s a guy who claims government is in his business too much, yet when he bet on AIG, the taxpayers made him well in a hurry to the tune of $200 million. Like, immediately.
Good thing, too, because those Versailles weddings aren’t cheap.
Everyone recovered all the value in their home that they lost when the big brains like AIG and Griff drove the world financial system into the ditch? Get back all those lost pay when you were tossed out of a job?
AIG and Griff came out pretty well. Did you get your “thank you” note with your tax bill?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 9:54 am
The quotes above are not going to resonate as well on this thread, but out in the world where people are working and paying far less attention to all of the inside baseball, but know their lot in life is much tougher, there is a belief that this is the best chance to turn things around. Don’t like Rauner? fine. Make your very best case for Pat Quinn. That’s when the wheels come off.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:02 am
Do or die? What a crock. The only thing do or die here is whether this guy gets a seat at the table in Illinois government.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:05 am
–but out in the world where people are working –
Perhaps out here in the world where people are working, Griff can give us the lowdown on how to get one of those $200 million taxpayer bailouts.
And after that, you know, get government off of our backs.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:07 am
“Take a look at the ‘Plan’ Bruce Rauner rolled out. That’s when the wheels come off.”
Better.
The reason for this $2.5 million and the next $2.5 million Griffin will give, and every $2.5 million Griffin gives after those…
Bruce Rauner has no plans, no ideas,…
Bruce Rauner has…loads of props, stacks of money, and pages of rhetoric that needs to be out there fooling the voters to be lemmings, blindly following “Bruce Rauner” while Bruce Rauner tries to sell us all he is not the man that lives his life as he does, and Griffin does not mind paying part of that freight.
The $2.5 million is more about Raunerite politics anything; having one of “their own” as a “made member”. Period.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:11 am
-”Do or die”-
Means ” I , Ken, am establishing a bigger presence in Florida that doesn’t have a state income tax if Illinois stays the same politically.”
Comment by Steve Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:12 am
“The $2.5 million is more about Raunerite politics and having one of “their own” as a “made member”. Period.” - apologies
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:13 am
Well considering the comments I see here it seems many of you think it is “Do or die” for Illinois to re-elect Quinn (or perhaps more accurately not elect Rauner)
Comment by OneMan Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:17 am
If the Dem side has assets and resources of great significance coming from organized labor, where is the GOP side supposed to go to combat the war chest? Why is it crazy, heavy influence money on one side but not the other? It is.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:21 am
Katie, Katie, Katie
next time just let the phones ring and let the ReBooters handle the press for the owners. Mitt really does not want his message out because his message is ” I Really Have NO Frigging Clue About this Government Stuff”. It has some elements of the Blagoofian template “We don’t Know & We Don’t Care” but the Blagoofs were fueled by enrichment. These Magoos have all cash they need. A free time between tennis and cooking lessons.
Comment by CirularFiringSquad Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:21 am
==Bruce Rauner has no plans, no ideas,…==
Really? Then what is so threatening about him? The guy has plans, but the majority on this blog do not like them. Cutting hurts entrenched interests. Introducing new ideas can be scary. Saying that not everyone in Springfield has the interests of the people in mind hits a bit close to home. Speaking truth to power is seldom popular to those who have the power. This blog is an echo chamber. Real people are completely pissed off and could care less what the insiders here have to say. They’re mad at the insiders, and like it or not, Rauner has positioned himself to be their champion. I expect criticisms of this comment because that seems to be the m.o. here - bully any dissenter into silence. Don’t care if I’m not one of the “cool kids” who have it all figured it. So…Have at it.
Comment by phocion Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:31 am
–If the Dem side has assets and resources of great significance coming from organized labor, where is the GOP side supposed to go to combat the war chest?–
Never thought about it that way.
It’s a story for the ages: Rauner and his ragged crew up against the invincible forces of The Mighty Quinn.
What’s the analogy we’re going for here?
Rauner as David and Quinn as Goliath?
Maybe Rauner as the scrappy college kid hockey players versus the Red Army team?
“Do you believe in miracles….?
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:34 am
Slinger, it’s beautiful, almost serendipity, when we agree on something, Thank you! lol.
Your points all well taken friend. There are competing arguments on this race and competing points of view. Labor has made the difference in slews of races for a long time. Sometimes the right side, sometimes not. A competing pool of resources isn’t “do or die”, it just is what it is.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:40 am
===If the Dem side has assets and resources of great significance coming from organized labor, where is the GOP side supposed to go to combat the war chest?===
Let us revisit Mr. Griffin’s quote;
“I think they (ultrawealthy as asked) actually have an insufficient influence. Those who have enjoyed the benefits of our system more than ever now owe a duty to protect the system that has created the greatest nation on this planet.”
So - A Guy… -, your Comment about Labor money, and how it needs to be offset, should be offset by the “.01%ers”, which is an underdog task at the same time? It’s not resources for the GOP, it’s for Raunerites.
In that same column, Griffin talks about Rahm too.
Those poor “.01%ers”, who is going to stand up for them?
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:45 am
A Guy, what’s your over/under on how much more David/Bruce will spend than Goliath/Quinn?
My llne is at $15 million. That’s a lot of pebbles for your slingshot.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:47 am
@A Guy: Do what or die?
Does Griffin have any clear ideas that will help us climb out of the pit? Does he know something about Rauner that’s being hidden from us so far?
Just askin.
As to your funding underdog mewling, you do know your guy will have substantially more, spend substantially more than the Dem candidate. Right?
Comment by walker Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:50 am
So far we Americans and our elected reps have done little to curb hedge funds, or even tax them much, as we have done little to curb our roaring-again financial industry in general. So we deserve our Ken Griffins and Citadels.
Having said that, $2.5 million is a trifle. This election is not going to be won or lost on Griffin’s or even Rauner’s money. It’s going to be won or lost on Quinn because it’s his race to lose. How much more financial mismanagement, bureaucratic bumbling, and,er, ethical missteps can the Quinn admin get away with before he kills his enormous advantage in a one-party state. How many more tax increases and other whacks at the middle class such as, yes, pension”reform.”
It’s not all about the money.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:51 am
@A guy:
No problem with the money. Part of the game. My problem is with the do or die comment.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:54 am
“Do or die” is a meaningless hyperbolic statement intended to instill some false sense of urgency in support of the cause.
To me, it’s do or die to elect Oswego Willy as governor to prevent the inferior two party nominees from creating further havoc in Illinois.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:58 am
===Really? Then what is so threatening about him?===
No plans, no ideas about how to govern within the Constitution, calling Dems corrupt, and 1/3 of the GOP GA corrupt, and never backing it up or naming names…that is threatening the idea of really governing, let alone governing in hard times.
===The guy has plans, …===
Um, no he doesn’t. He has a website that he hasn’t updated, and for 13 months, Rauner himself has said he is working on a plan, has a plan, preparing a plan, but never shows a plan. Telling me you have a plan in some state of whatever is not a plan.
===…but the majority on this blog do not like them.===
If I knew his plans, I would know what to like it not like.
===Cutting hurts entrenched interests. Introducing new ideas can be scary. Saying that not everyone in Springfield has the interests of the people in mind hits a bit close to home.===
There is no plan. What you are referring to is political rhetoric. Once rhetoric is placed in Policy, it then becomes a plan. Until it’s a Policy, it’s not a plan.
===Speaking truth to power is seldom popular to those who have the power.===
You mean pointing out that Rauner has no plan?
===Real people are completely pissed off and could care less what the insiders here have to say.===
Which is why educating voters to Rauner should be the Number 1 priority of Quinn’s Crew.===
===They’re mad at the insiders, and like it or not, Rauner has positioned himself to be their champion.===
Bruce Rauner is an insider, “Bruce Rauner” tries to fool everyone he is not. He is not a champion, he is being like a charlatan.===
Please, don’t play the victim card.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:58 am
=== wordslinger - Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 10:47 am:
A Guy, what’s your over/under on how much more David/Bruce will spend than Goliath/Quinn?
My llne is at $15 million. That’s a lot of pebbles for your slingshot.===
I’d take the “under”, but just by a little. Mr. Griffin said “do or die”. My guess is maybe he feels that way. I’m not going to “die” if Pat Quinn wins re-election. But I do think it would be a very bad consequence for the state. I think every day he’s in office is another day of poor leadership with poor decision making. Illinois is resilient, but Pat is testing it in a big way.
Walk, I’m not enamored with “do or die”. It does overshoot the runway. I think there are very serious repercussions to continuing a Quinn Administration. They’ll become more evident after a cycle where many states have started or are well into a recovery. We just aren’t. And with Pat, I don’t believe we can. He just seems to be a momentum killer. Is it “do or die”. I don’t think so yet. The point is, we don’t need it to be to decide to get better. IMO, Rauner would start us on a path to better. Half of that equation is Quinn fatigue. That is definitely out there.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:09 am
OW - you never fail to disappoint.
Comment by phocion Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:11 am
Yes he does. Regularly.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:17 am
Where am I wrong? If I never fail to disappoint, what is your argument to counter my points?
To the Post,
If your campaign is the one that is going to be the one that will not be outspent, how can you claim “do or die” as a rallying cry when resources are not going to be lacking from jump street?
It would have been better to let the money do the talking and leave it there. Maybe Griffin is jealous that Rauner is getting the limelight?
- Norseman - you keep up your good work, the campaign may have to rent out a full 10 space parking lot to meet.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:23 am
- A Guy… -,
Did you find out from Rauner if those legislative races have corrupt GOP GA Members running? I get confused which 22 GOP GA members are corrupt.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:25 am
I wholeheartedly embrace Ken Griffin’s assessment of the upcoming gubernatorial election - this election certainly represents a “do or die” scenario for Illinois. Relaying the gravity of this race to the people is a costly endeavor. Griffin’s contribution is appreciated.
Comment by Black Ivy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:29 am
OW, didn’t need to ask. All 5 are great people. In fact, Rauner, nor the Rauner campaign are on my speed dial. We don’t have regular chats. I see him at occasional events. Along with large crowds of others. A OK on the 5 I’m helping. All good. 4 should win for sure. 1 has a great chance.
Comment by A guy... Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:37 am
Can any Republican tell me if they believe Rauner would shun any and all tax hikes if he is elected? Given the bipartisan history of every tax hike except the one in 2011, I suspect Gov. Rauner would follow in the footsteps of his GOP predecessors in the mansion and propose some revenue enhancers. Am I wrong?
Comment by Anon Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:41 am
If you read Bernie’s column from yesterday you’ll see that Rauner promised some radio yakker that he’s going to fix all the state’s tax, deficit, debt and “burdensome regulation” problems all in his first year.
No details, but he said his peeps are “running models on that right now.”
Given his previous heavy-lift policy rollout, I’m guessing the “models” involve Legos or Lincoln Logs.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:47 am
Lol Word, and I think his model makers are sniffing too much glue.
Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 11:57 am
Korecki is mighty friendly to the GOP here. Why does a “Republican operative” merit anonymity to laud Griffin’s supposed integrity and passion for the state? Where are any counterbalancing quotes from an anonymous or otherwise Democratic operative?
Comment by Chi Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 12:17 pm
–Why does a “Republican operative” merit anonymity to laud Griffin’s supposed integrity and passion for the state? –
I know, it’s hilarious.
I thought the whole bit about how “he wasn’t authorized” to shine up Griffin particularly funny.
Real Woodward and Bernstein stuff, there.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 12:21 pm
===Why does a “Republican operative” merit anonymity to laud Griffin’s supposed integrity and passion for the state?===
A Republican speaking for a Raunerite? It makes sense to me a Republican would not want to attach their name. It makes sense, but it’s comedy gold, making sense .
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 12:25 pm
Funny, Korecki’s analysis sounds an awful lot like the one I posted and Rich highlighted last week.
Could have saved her a phone call: instead of citing an anonymous GOP operative, she could have quoted my post.
YDD
PS: you wanna know why the hedge fund guys hate tax breaks? They generally can’t analyze the politics we’ll enough to predict them in a way that is profitable.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 1:33 pm
All of this is like the Bear’s four preseason games—-somewhat entertaining, but doesn’t mean much; what does matter is what happens beginning with the first regular season game (and in the governor’s race that means Labor Day).
Comment by Buzzie Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 4:09 pm
I have no idea if the donation by Ken Griffin in the “beyond-unbelievable” amount will be repeated or not. But I DO believe that Griffin represents everything that is truly terrifying about the power which the “.01%” can wield in Politics if they want to by the mere act of throwin’ their “John Hancock” onto a check, and that–when Q’s Campaign gets the word out widespread about dudes like Griffin who cozy up to like-minded, beyond-description super-duper wealthy guys like BR in such a way–likely the majority of the Average Joes and Sues out there who will show up at the Polls in November, are gonna be turned off in a MAjor way by such beyond-excessive financial influence aiding Mr. “9 Mansion Property Owner,”–already a turn-off to the average, middle-class citizen…!
Also, if KG is throwing out there that he’s so panicky about the “solvency” of Illinois, I could only imagine what Illinois Government Programs we all take for granted, like reasonably educating our children and providing for our basic safety and health–and the definition of what rauner attempts at “solvency” would look like coming from a candidate who conTINues to be rightfully criticized as somebody with GLOB$ of Dough hanging out of his pockets, but with no REAL Plan of SUBstance of how to genuinely pull Illinois out of debt and deficits–rather than his flimsy words and big, empty PROMises he throws around at everybody who lives here like some sort of a big Hula Hoop (i.e. goin’ around and around in circles so much that ya get dizzy just listening to the same ‘ol BalOney)…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 7:51 pm
Buzzie -
I have heard that from a lot of losing campaigns in my time, along with other nuggets like “you can’t campaign on Sundays” and “you can’t phone bank during dinner time.”
Just:
We shall see…linking Rauner’s wealth and Griffin’s to corporate downsizing is key. It is not just that they have made money - Bill gates is a billionaire and America idolizes him. The key to the attack is HOW they made their money.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Monday, Jun 23, 14 @ 8:49 pm
I noticed one interesting side bar from the political contribution to Rauner from Ken Griffin. My son (a small business owner) had previously backed Obama. He has since told me that “That man (Obama) sold us a pack of false promises”. When he saw that Ken Griffin had backed Rauner, my son immediately decided to back Rauner. I asked him “why”? It turns out that among the younger crowd (ages 21-40) that is my son’s age that Ken Griffin is regarded as favorably as Warren Buffet is among my older generation (ages 55-80). Griffin (like Buffet) is considered by young people as holding to a higher standard as far as being driven by idealism rather than by the almighty dollar. Money is simply a tool to be used to achieve their idealism. I guess that I just never realized this quasi-cult following about Citadel’s Ken Griffin and the young people in Illinois because I have never really followed him. I only mention this to illustrate that Griffin’s financial donation is far more influential than just the financial aspect of it. Griffin’s political support gives many young people a clear sign of Griffin’s (their “admired person”) approval of any political candidate. I just found that unknown aspect of Ken Griffin to be very interesting to me.
Comment by Coffee Cup Tuesday, Jun 24, 14 @ 8:06 am
CC, are you that anonymous operative quoted by Korecki?
Who knew that there was a Cult of Ken Griffin among the hipsters?
No one, because you’re making up a hilarious bunch of nonsense. Warren Buffett’s Q Score is off the charts. Ken Griffin’s doesn’t exist. No one knows who he is, to his frustration.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 24, 14 @ 8:29 am
===No one knows who he (Griffin) is, to his frustration.===
Perfect.
I read that Dopey “cult of personality” Griffin in that Comment, and I was reminded, the largest single donation, that donor loves to talk about the money, while Rauner chases the fame.
Has to eat up Griffin, watching people and press asking Rauner his thoughts, and no one, no groundswell to hear that “next self-appointed” oracle.
Only Griffin believes his own, money driven, clipping.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Jun 24, 14 @ 8:38 am
CC - Thanks for the morning spit take. Did this come from your son’s Atlas Shrugged weekly discussion group or did he mistake Griffin for Ken Griffey Jr.?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Jun 24, 14 @ 8:46 am
– did he mistake Griffin for Ken Griffey Jr.?–
I know White Sox fans have fond memories of the Junior Era — all 41 games. I seem to recall he fell asleep in the dugout during a game once. Kenny Williams always got his man, if maybe 15 years late, lol.
The Sox under Reinsdorf have a history of landing some HOFs at the end of their careers. I remember in 86 seeing both Seaver and Carlton pitch for the Sox.
How trippy is that? I can’t remember if they were on the roster at the same time (Seaver was traded to Boston that year), but the Sox in that season had arguably the best right=handed and left-handed starters of all time with the club.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Jun 24, 14 @ 9:13 am