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* The I-Team picked up our Rauner tracker ejected from Quinn event story last night. The only new thing in the piece…

Rauner campaign officials deny any wrongdoing and say they regularly allow Quinn trackers into events, although the governor’s people say that isn’t true.

A Rauner event was also held Tuesday night in Downers Grove, and attendees were requested not to post the information to social media because it said Quinn trackers might find out and show up to disrupt the event.

I was actually saving that little tidbit for today.

* From a July 11th fundraising e-mail sent by former GOP Congresscritter Judy Biggert…

Thank you again for all you did to help my candidacy for Congress over the years. It was a great run, thanks to wonderful people like you.

Today I’m writing to invite you to meet our Republican candidate for Governor, Bruce Rauner. On Tuesday, July 22, Women For Rauner will host a free town hall meeting at 5:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Suites in Downers Grove. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.

But check out the postscript…

P.S. Rauner for Governor has asked you NOT to post this event information on your FB/Twitter or organization website. Trackers from the opposition are constantly searching for opportunities to disrupt events— so this is a point of extra caution. You are strongly encouraged to take pictures and post on the day of the event.

Heh.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:22 am

Comments

Apples and oranges

Comment by Da Bulls Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:31 am
What’s the phrase? Turnabout is fair play?

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:33 am
This is oh so precious. Bruce has Quinn in a pickle because most of the governor’s events (official ones anyway) can’t be secret. It’s just like everything else, Bruce must be allowed to play with a different set of rules. It’s only fair.

Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:35 am
DB, this isn’t Rauner not wanting Quinn trackers vs. Quinn’s security detail manhandling a Rauner tracker. It is about the Rauner campaign saying they regularly allow Quinn trackers at events when it is clear they are intent on keeping them out. More lies from the Rauner camp, it must be a day that ends in “y”.

Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:40 am
There’s a difference between making it harder for them to get to the events and kicking them out of events held in public venues.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:41 am
===Trackers from the opposition are constantly searching for opportunities to disrupt events— so this is a point of extra caution.===

Yikes. Couldn’t you just say, “No social media?”

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:42 am
What’s next, they didn’t send them an invitation to sit at the Head table?

Comment by Wumpus Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:51 am
The actions of the Quinn security have been totally misunderstood in this situation. They didn’t throw out the tracker because they thought he was from the Rauner campaign, it’s because they thought the tracker was Sheila Simon!

Comment by Reader Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:52 am
False equivalency

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 9:56 am
Anonymous get a real handle. I was waiting for you to weigh in after your rationalizing yesterday. So how about you tell us why this is okey dokey for the campaign.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:01 am
===False equivalency===

===Trackers from the opposition are constantly searching for opportunities to disrupt events— so this is a point of extra caution.===

So, if that is efts the Rauner Crew thinks trackers do, I guess Rauner’s Crew don’t mind doing that too?

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:07 am
So is there a difference between not publicizing and event to trackers/disruptors and ejecting people who you suspect are with the opposition?

Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:09 am
Are these guys really a problem, as in trying to hijack an event, or are they unwelcome because they’re with the opposition? If it’s the former, I’m going to call them Tracker Jackers.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:11 am
“So is there a difference between not publicizing and event to trackers/disruptors and ejecting people who you suspect are with the opposition?”

In the first one, the event isn’t videotaped by opposition trackers; but in the second one, opposition trackers don’t videotape the event.

Duh.

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM (@MisterJayEm) Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:15 am
It appears as though it worked and people heeded the advice.

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:16 am
Hmmm…Rauner has an event here in Springfield where they must not be worried about trackers-all the deets are in today’s SJ-R. Maybe only the high ticket events are secret.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:18 am
Paranoia runs deep.

Comment by Percival Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:25 am
When a public official hold a public event being secured by public employees paid for with public tax money - YEAH, there is a big difference when citizens are thrown out of those public events.

Why can’t these people understand that PUBLIC money is not YOUR money. It carries differing rules and responsibilities.

It gives an incumbent an edge on some things, but that is naturally balanced by this.

Quinn is fully capable of doing exactly what Rauner is doing - but not on our dime!

There is a difference!

Comment by VanillaMan Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 10:38 am
A “free town hall meeting” to be kept secret from all but my invited friends and supporters. “Shh don’t let those others know we’re having the party.”

These people need to grow up.

Good campaigns have been appropriately handling these minor distractions for decades.

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 11:10 am
Maybe the Quinn and Rauner brain-trusts can put their heads together and figure out a how to elevate this above sixth grade playground antics.

Also was the Rauner guy “ejected” from the event yesterday or just moved back? How do you eject someone from the Spaghetti Bowl? Put them on a bus out of town?

The Rauner cartoon characters were on the news last night cavorting at the event. I assume their other trackers and peeps were there, too.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 11:41 am
Some nights I go home and try to talk with my wife of what I read today about the Governor’s race and realize how stupid I sound. I hope we all survive this low point in Illinois Politics.

Comment by Makandadawg Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 12:07 pm
===and realize how stupid I sound===

LOLOL

So true.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 12:10 pm
It seems to me there is a difference between physically ejecting trackers from a public event and guarding information about public events to make it harder for trackers to find out about them and show up. I get the impression the Rauner campaign wants to hold the information close because it feels compelled to allow trackers in if they show up. But I’m not a feverish Quinn backer, so what do I know?

Comment by jim Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 1:39 pm
Rich, can you clarify, was the tracker “ejected” or moved back? My understanding was that he was moved to a different area. There’s a world of difference in my eyes. Either way, still up to the officer to decide what is or isn’t a security concern, but moving someone, even forcefully, isn’t nearly as serious as booting them entirely.

Comment by Jimbo Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 1:57 pm
All campaigns use trackers these days. The “good” campaigns expect it and as long as they are not disruptive, roll their eyes and allow it, and tell their people to be respectful in turn. “Bad” campaigns panic and flail, and are prone to hiring jerks with no sense of propriety or civility. We know who they are and watch for them.

I have to have sympathy for the fact that Quinn is a sitting governor, and as such his security concerns are different. We do not know whether his people might have heard of a threat and are bring extra cautious. I’ve been in that position with an incumbent. I’ve also worked major events with national incumbents and candidates and security can be a big concern. I may be wrong about the Quinn campaign and his security, but I think they have better things to do than worry about tossing undisruptive trackers.

Comment by Archiesmom Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 1:59 pm
Jim: Since we now know that what was reported yesterday was not “physically ejecting trackers from a public event” — then yes, there would be a difference, but you are asking a hypothetical question.

Please reread all the posts and reporting on it, including on this blog. The little piece distributed was shot before the governor arrived. The young man was told, maybe too forcefully by the cop, to stand where others waiting for the arrival were standing. He just wanted a better shot I guess, but got moved. I would assume, since it wasn’t claimed otherwise, that all the trackers remained there and taped whatever they wanted. Sorry, but you’re beating a straw man, that you’ve been misled into seeing…

Comment by walker Wednesday, Jul 23, 14 @ 2:12 pm
If I received an invitation and request from Judy Biggert rest assured I’d go out of my way to do exactly the opposite that one requested.

Comment by windycity Thursday, Jul 24, 14 @ 9:46 am