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* An interesting development…
Over the course of the last month, at dates and times convenient to both Governor Quinn and Mr. Rauner, representatives of the Illinois retail community met individually with each major candidate for Governor. During those meetings, their general governing philosophies as well as many issues of importance to retailers and their customers were discussed.
As a result of those meetings, the Illinois Merchants Political Action Committee Team (IMPACT), the political arm of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA), unanimously agreed not to endorse a candidate for Governor in this year’s election. In issuing this decision, IMPACT Treasurer Rob Karr noted that retailers were caught between a desire to see Illinois stabilized and revitalized and discerning which candidate could best accomplish that mission.
Governor Quinn was recognized for his leadership in beginning the process of reforming workers’ compensation, fundamentally addressing the state’s broken pension system, championing leveling the sales tax disparity between Illinois retailers and their Internet competitors, significantly lowering the state’s payment backlog to vendors, and preserving the agreed bill process for unemployment insurance. Conversely, concerns exist that the state will not continue to control spending and retailers disagree with proposals championed by the Governor that significantly add to the cost of doing business, such as increasing the minimum wage, which will make it harder to increase employment in the retail and service sector.
Bruce Rauner’s passion and dedication to Illinois are evident and his desire to limit the growth of government and return Illinois to economic prosperity cannot be questioned and are shared by retailers. At this time, it is unclear how Mr. Rauner would accomplish these goals. Additionally, concerns exist over Mr. Rauner’s lack of support for leveling the sales tax disparity between Illinois retailers and their Internet competitors, the viability of preserving payment backlogs while proposing additional spending, the viability of the agreed bill process for unemployment insurance, and support for minimum wage increases.
Given these uncertainties and concerns with both candidate’s proposals for moving the state forward in a sustainable manner, the IMPACT agreed with the recommendation of the IRMA Board of Directors and declined to endorse in the race for governor.
Thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** If this tweet is indicative at all of the coming media coverage, then this IRMA move could be spun as a “win” for Rauner…
IL Retailer PAC fears @BruceRauner really would raise the minimum wage & won't endorse in the race. #ilgov @wlsam890 pic.twitter.com/PHDdigh57B
— Bill Cameron (@billjcameron) October 3, 2014
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:17 am
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Translation: The current guy sucks and the new guy is in dreamland. I applaud the association for stating what many voters feel.
Comment by Peoria guy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:20 am
IRTA–Illinois Retired Teachers Association–also did not endorse in the gov race.
Comment by Nearly Normal Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:24 am
Agree with Peoria guy. IRMA looked at the choice we all face between the devil we know and the devil we don’t know and threw up their hands. I among many others am doing the same.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:26 am
A wise decision based on what appears to be a honest and rational evaluation of both candidates. Is it too late to add “None of the Above” to the ballot?
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:27 am
Good for them.
Comment by yo Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:27 am
Rich, if this does not show that Quinn has the momentum, Im not sure what does. This is very interesting but coming from a group that is always well versed in the ways of politics not all that surprising. Good move.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:27 am
The current guy does his job and the new guy is a Flippitty Flip Flopper.
Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:28 am
They endorsed Brady in 2010. So not really a victory for Quinn, but kind of a loss for Rauner… especially when a business group doesn’t endorse the business man.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:30 am
===Bruce Rauner’s passion and dedication to Illinois are evident and his desire to limit the growth of government and return Illinois to economic prosperity cannot be questioned and are shared by retailers. At this time, it is unclear how Mr. Rauner would accomplish these goals.===
Attention, Rauner Crew;
Read that. Read it again. Read it a third time.
That is why you are in a dogfight with a sitting governor that is upside-down on his favorables, and why your guy Rauner is having such a difficult time “closing the deal” not only with groups like IRMA, but more importantly, with voters.
Your Guy Bruce is losing because the idea of taking on Union Bosses, Career Politicians, and shaking up Springfield is not explaining how Rauner will work with the Democratically controlled General Assembly, understanding the “We” concept beyond the “Royal We” in governing, and most of all, understanding Policy and Rhetoric, at some point intersect to the reality of Governing, and Bruce…hasn’t shown an understanding beyond the buzz words.
Governing is hard. That isn’t rhetoric, as those who have governed, and ask Staffs, and Bureaucrats, and Lobbyists. The bluster isn’t understanding how an agenda…becomes policy or law.
Maybe read it a fourth time, cause it ain’t baloney, or false. It’s right, exactly right.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:31 am
chad grimm changes his name to none of the above wins by landslide
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:33 am
Their reasoning seems logical and well thought out. I’m impressed that neither Quinn nor Rauner tried to over-promise in order to seal the deal. That must’ve taken a lot of restraint. Kudos for that.
Comment by Casual observer Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:33 am
From a group that strongly opposes increasing the minimum wage, its assessment of Quinn overall is remarkably positive.
Comment by uptown progressive Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:34 am
Interesting. No endorsement, but many more positive remarks for Quinn than Rauner. The pro-business candidate Rauner isn’t trusted by one of the more influential business groups in Illinois.
Comment by AFSCME Steward Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:36 am
Funny how Rauner’s minimum wage double talk has now hurt him on both flanks. Maybe you can’t fool some of the people all of the time…
Comment by chi Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:37 am
A walk’s as good as a hit for Quinn in this case.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:37 am
Agree with many here. One would expect that the pro-business Republican would own this endorsement. A blow to Rauner–at least it seems that way to me.
Comment by Peoria guy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:38 am
OW What scares me the most about your statement is….you’re right. Dang, there I said it!
Comment by Sunshine Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:39 am
“Bruce Rauner’s passion and dedication to Illinois are evident and his desire to limit the growth of government and return Illinois to economic prosperity cannot be questioned and are shared by retailers”
I read this as basically saying we said something nice about Quinn we need to find something good about Rauner also. The only thing they could find to praise about Rauner his is passion. After a year plus of campaigning he has not articulated a single workable solution to any problem confronting Illinois. The IRMA, usually a strong ally of the GOP sits this one out. All of you GOP committeemen who sold your souls to the devil during the primary, are you starting to feel buyers remorse?
Comment by AFSCME Steward Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:42 am
- Sunshine -, take solace, a broken clock is right twice a day, even when it’s not trying. I’ll be wrong later, you can count on it.
And thanks…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:44 am
If the Tribune editorial board had any credibility, they would refuse to endorse before choosing Rauner.
Comment by Wensicia Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:44 am
Ouch. That’s a big vote: no confidence in either one.
Shoulda been a gimme for Rauner. To me, it is especially telling the conclusion was the result of several meetings over time. In other words, you know what’s on the test, you can study the material and come back for another try, only to fail. Harder task for quinn bec he has more history and is locked into his positions. Big F for rauner
Comment by Langhorne Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:45 am
Hilarious, should have been easy for the bidnessman to get this one.
Did he realize you can’t just answer these guys with “I’ll shake things up”?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:47 am
Really rough start of the day for Rauner.
“Stop talking to us like we are idiots.”
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:50 am
I’ll have to call Karr and get them to support the Oswego Willy stealth campaign for Governor. As have so many others have discovered, the major party candidates are not acceptable. Oswego Willy is an extremely qualified alternative who will work with everybody to address the State’s financial problems.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:50 am
Good post OW. Thanx. Business can learn from the public sector, and the public sector can take some things from business. The 2 are not mutually exclusive. Despite what Fox News markets on their “shows”.
Comment by Del Clinkton Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 9:50 am
Hard to argue with their logic…and smart. I know the Golden Horse Shoes typically go to individuals, but if there was an award for most effective and respected lobbying/professional organization, IRMA would win hands down every year.
Comment by Tony T Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:07 am
- Del Clinkton -, thanks, and your pint about business and government is very on tune to what is missing in understanding that, at times, both look beyond each other, instead of “at” each other, and learn to make things better, beyond a Pollyanna ideal.
- Norseman - your hard work and dedication has continued to keep the campaign within striking distance to pull out the win. I’m trying to work as hard as you, and that is a high bar. Much thanks!
To the Post,
Maybe another question needs to be asked; how is Rauner prepping for these meetings? Meaning, if it’s just going through the laundry list of rhetoric, instead of having the discussion, the understanding your audience(s) and bringing a realistic ideal of governing and navigating an agenda, what is the point of even going to these meeting?
It’s either a disservice to the Principle, or a hard-headed Principle blaming the audience that they “don’t get it.”
Maybe …both?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:10 am
IRMA endorsed Rod Blagojevich not once but twice so this is not shocking. They have always been much more cautious than other business groups.
Comment by 1776 Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:13 am
OW is spot on as always.. Only issue is, where the only folks that know this. Smart, concise, and well thought out. I don’t agree that a walk is a win for Quinn… Both guy’s stink is the message.
Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:14 am
Or… A group was smart enough to realize that giving money to the rich guy is not a good business move. Maybe just keeping their powder dry for races that *need* the money. The statement basically says retailers are on the same page with Rauner, but maybe they don’t feel they need to throw their money on top of his. I don’t think that by sitting this one out, retailers will, all of a sudden, decide to stay home on Election Day…
Comment by W.S. Walcott Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:16 am
What business organization who really cares about our state’s business climate would endorse a candidate whose ideas are the stuff of fairy tales and unicorns?
I haven’t been seeing any of Rauner’s property tax freeze/income tax repeal commercials lately on TV. Now that those ideas have been found to potentially harm our finances, where does Rauner go from here?
As far as Rauner’s flip flopping/pivoting, to me it’s playing from behind. Starting to move toward your opponent’s positions, after blasting them previously, seems second-rate. Who wants the knock-off version?
As far as Rauner’s pivoting and flip flops, let us imagine an Illinois more like Wisconsin and Indiana, in which the GOP has control of all or some of the legislature, or threatens to take control.
What would Rauner campaign on then? He would be ripping the unions, pushing right to work, talking about stripping collective bargaining like his gubernatorial hero Scott Walker, standing strongly against a minimum wage increase, wanting to repeal Obamacare Medicaid, and stuff like that.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:17 am
IRMA and Rob Karr are too savvy to fall for any over-promising.
They all should be so good representing their business members.
Comment by walker Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:20 am
This should have been Rauner’s endorsement hands down.
Comment by DuPage Bard Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:35 am
I think it’s okay that Rauner will have a cash bar at his election night party — there aren’t likely to be many people there anyway….
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:42 am
Very bad for Rauner — but of a piece with the developing trend that many large Illinois business concerns simply don’t like and trust the man. His attacks on the EDGE credit, his Alice-in-Wonderland budget, none of it amounts to a hill of beans in this crazy world.
Comment by Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:45 am
Rauner’s plan to tax services I’m sure was a big problem for him with IRMA.
Comment by Jeepster Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:46 am
Scoocermom “there aren’t likely to be many people there anyway”
I’m sure there will be many business types looking for him to “invest” in their latest pump and dump scheme or whatever new and creative way that a few can profit massively from bending the law.
Comment by Jeepster Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 10:49 am
I also think that any chance to jump on Rauner is taken. PQ didn’t get the endorsement. Retired teachers sitting out endorsing. That is pretty interesting as well. The reality of all of this is. When the actual members vote, in this case will they vote for PQ? That is all that matters with endorsements or not. Does it move your members to support who leadership does or does not? I have very little doubt that many business owners will vote for Rauner. With all the “pushback” in the burbs with Manar’s plan will put teachers in a very awkward position if their Union pushes too strong for PQ. We will find out soon enough if some of these “Union Bosses” can actually deliver the votes from membership for PQ.. I think that is a tough ask for teachers to pull for Quinn. The retired teachers “get it” … Sit out quietly, it’s not in your control to endorse either.
Comment by Walter Mitty Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 11:13 am
Who cares. How many votes will this non-endorsement sway—Zero. I can see everyone at the high school games tonight buzzing about this big news. Endorsements are all about the specific interest(s) of the group. Retailers will be off the face of the earth in 10 years
Comment by 19th ward guy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 11:20 am
19th ward guy: “Retailers will be off the face of the earth in 10 years”
Maybe you should start the Illinois Drone Merchants Association?
Comment by Jeepster Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 11:29 am
Huge loss for Rauner. the business candidate doesn’t get endorsed by the state’s top biz group? What gives? They must not feel confident about how his campaign is going- that or his fantasy budget
Comment by observer Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 11:33 am
IRMA and IRTA just became two of the most credible organizations in Illinois.
I will not only pay attention to, but seek out information regarding their endorsements and future opinions on events.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 11:57 am
when the biz guys take a walk, the candidate should stop and listen and figure out where he went wrong.
and they wonder why they are neck and neck. . .
Comment by Todd Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 11:59 am
And while some here questioned my comments about a month ago asking for exactly this sort of thing, it is refreshing to see groups actually stepping up and doing this.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 12:00 pm
“Chad Grimm changes his name to none of the above wins by landslide”.
BEST comment of the week.
Comment by vulcan Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 12:28 pm
(Tips cap to - Walter Mitty -)
To the Tweet,
The reason that spin might work is the utter confusion of Rauner’s position on minimum wage;
It explains nothing, but gives an “out” and helps explain the ambiguous. If IRMA does nothing to the spin, it’s out there and gives an unintended cover(?)
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 12:38 pm
== Chad Grimm changes his name to none of the above wins by landslide ==
If there were a Golden Horseshoe for comment of the year, that would have to be in contention.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 12:39 pm
If the minimum wage were the issue, then IRMA would be for Rauner who only might raise the minimum wage (depending on which day of the week the bill reached his desk) versus Quinn who will do it.
They are more concerned about broadening of the sales tax and the unfair competition they face from internet sales.
What should have been an automatic for Rauner turns out not to be.
Comment by truthteller Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 1:19 pm
I think us attempting to read the tea leaves on this non-endorsement is a useless, thankless effort at this point. Perhaps IRMA simply senses a down to the wire election and sees no benefit (and possibly danger) in accidentally backing the losing side.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 1:28 pm
Cameron’s tweet doesn’t make any sense.
Is he suggesting that Rauner is stronger than Quinn on the minimum wage?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 1:35 pm
Don’t overanalyze it. They operate in the Capitol and they aren’t sure who is going to win, So, they picked door number 3. If Quinn wins, they didn’t endorse his opponent. Not perfect place to be, but far better than the other option. Ditto with Rauner. Not rocket science.
Comment by steve schnorf Friday, Oct 3, 14 @ 2:16 pm