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Rauner gives self another $1.5 million

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Illinois

* Today’s A-1 filing is here. That comes on top of another $1.5 million Rauner’s campaign reported Friday afternoon. The gazillionaire has contributed $4.5 million to his campaign since September 22nd, and $15,576,000 to himself since becoming a candidate.

Hat tip to the DGA.

* Apparently, today’s fundraising e-mail wasn’t sufficient (/snark)…

Friend,

The Washington Post reported last week that Democrats have spent more money in Illinois than any other state!

President Obama was here last week. First Lady Michelle Obama is here today. Hillary Clinton is here this week too.

Now it’s being reported this will be the most expensive governor’s race in history… and we’ve been outspent.

We’ve been outspent in what could be the most expensive governor’s race in Illinois history. Why are Barack and Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, national Democrats and special interests pouring in tens of millions to beat us?

A few words: polls and priorities.

Polls? A series of polls show us with a small but durable lead. Their only hope to win is to outspend us (turn on your TV to see how they’re trying to make that happen).

Priorities? Pat Quinn is the poster child of machine politics. A career politician under two federal investigations who raised taxes 67% and oversees a state with billions in debt. A governor who raised taxes on everyone, but still has cut education spending by $500 million and released violent prisoners early.

When we beat him, we will beat the machine. Everyone knows that. That’s why Michelle Obama is here today. It’s why Hillary Clinton is coming.

Will you help us compete with Pat Quinn’s Obama-Clinton fundraising machine by making an online contribution of $10, $25, $100, $250 or even $1,000 right now?

The President, the First Lady and Hillary Clinton. What do they all have in common? All three are going all-in to save Pat Quinn’s campaign from defeat.

Last week, President Obama came to Chicago to raise $1.25 million for Pat Quinn. And you stepped up BIG to help us compete. But it’s not over yet.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 8:56 pm

Comments

Well, when it comes to Rauner, there is plenty more in the bank.

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:07 pm
Nearly Normal…good point. And may I add…

Unlike IL which is BROKE due to 10 years of inept leaders….but hey, let’s sink the ship further!! Right Dems?

Comment by Jus a thought Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:10 pm
===Will you help us compete with Pat Quinn’s Obama-Clinton fundraising machine by making an online contribution of $10, $25, $100, $250 or even $1,000 right now?===

Out of checks Rauner Crew?

===Today’s A-! filing is here. That comes on top of another $1.5 million Rauner’s campaign reported Friday afternoon.===

Apparently not, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:13 pm
if he really really thinks he can still win shouldn’t he add another zero at this point?

Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:26 pm
Yes, thank God for the DGA and the fine work they’re doing in Illinois…SNARK.

Comment by Tim Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:28 pm
I think at the $15 million mark my wife would have said Stop It!
/snark obviously

Comment by Casual observer Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:31 pm
if he loses he can go back to GTCR do one “business” deal and make that $15 million back in a few months.

Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:34 pm
There’s four weeks left, Rauner should dump another $7-$10 million and be done with it.

I mean, $22-$25 million, I mean after $10 million, it’s just play money to a man who made $53 million.

That is what I would suggest.

You haveta be past the “nice” part; tell the Principle - pay the freight of lose the race. You owe it to be honest. Going cheap now, makes it all for nothing. Winning is the only outcome that justifies “throwing away” a nearly $16 million dollar investment to have your character maligned.

What’s it worth…to NOT lose?

Rauner will be getting off cheap for being cheap in June through August.

Write it. The Check. Make it for $7-$10 million more and finish this.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:41 pm
i can`t help but think that bruce`s tax acountant is twisting his arm?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:50 pm
does a $10 million check at this point look like desperation? just wondering

Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:52 pm
I was kinda/sorta being snarky…

To that, - PoolGuy -, you drop it $1-$2 million every Friday, but you spend ahead, spend and “bill” on Fridays, spare no expense…

At the end of all this, there are only 2 options, win of lose, right?

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 9:58 pm
I know i agree with you. I’m trying to figure out why do $1.5 mil every few days or do 1 big $10-15 million check and be done.

at this point there’s not much difference if he wants to win. it just makes me think he’s apprehensive to write 1 big check.

I’m not sure if candidate in IL or other state ever wrote 1 check for $10 million plus all at once?

Comment by PoolGuy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 10:04 pm
That I don’t know, but the $2.5 Griffin wrote is considered one of the largest, if not the largest single individual check given to a candidate.

So there’s that…

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 10:13 pm
OW I gotta good laugh out of that.

For all the conspiracy theorists out there, that’s why the We Ask America Poll has Rauner down 4. So Rauner will make a decision to spend another $1.5 million of his money. I do love a good conspiracy, but a better conspiracy theory is Rauner using this $1.5 million to create a response ad showing a successful business venture he invested in.

With all earned and paid media bashing Rauner’s business credentials one has to really wonder how current workers and partners at GTCR are handling this PR nightmare. There is no doubt in my mind Rauner was going into this thinking he could buy the Illinois Republican Party and crush Quinn without a fight 365 days ago. Fast forward to four weeks out and Rauner isn’t only losing the election, but also his business credibility. Is he going to be able to go back to GTCR? Rauner has alot more than the governor’s mansion riding on November 4th. He might have millions of more dollars on the line back in the private sector. If he loses he’s obviously done in politics. Besides future donations to Chris Christie for his Presidential campaign. (Why else would Christie and the RGA spend so much time and money in Illinois). All Bruce will have left is private sector experience, and the negative perception of his business experience from the past year I can’t see GTCR welcoming him back with open arms. Bottom line Rauner has alot riding on this election. I can see him dropping at least another $8 million before the polls close at 7:00 PM on Tuesday November 4th.

Comment by Almost the Weekend Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 10:20 pm
- Almost the Weekend -,

At his age, with gambling everything on perception, power, fortune, legacy…

Skimping on a few million…is it worth it? Is it worth saying “I went $20 million, but if I went to $25 million, I would’ve won”

Two outcomes; win of lose, and you are right, Rauner loses, his legacy will be…

…the man who tried to buy a political party, and a “mansion”, and got neither, and is left with less, that may never be whole.

Yikes!

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 10:29 pm
Rauner said that Ms. Kirk only knew how to spend money, but couldn’t make their business a success. I guess Bruce has forgotten his own dictum that it takes more than money to win.
When will he cut his losses on this venture?

Comment by Truthteller Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 10:49 pm
===When will he cut his losses on this venture?===

Ego and Hubris will not allow that.

Anyone running for the big chair have both traits, but the rib is, here in Illinois, we’ve never seen such wealth with both those traits.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 10:53 pm
A small but durable lead? Does Rauner think his supporters live in a vacuum?

Comment by my two cents Tuesday, Oct 7, 14 @ 11:40 pm
===I can see him dropping at least another $8 million before the polls close at 7:00 PM on Tuesday November 4th.===

I see him slipping in the polls, thrashing about furiously, yet helplessly watching the gap widen.

===…the man who tried to buy a political party, and a “mansion”, and got neither, and is left with less, that may never be whole.

Yikes!===

Exactly right. A Citizen Kane wannabe. But Quinn was as prepared for Rauner in every way as a man could possibly be. Rauner was used to bullying then overwhelming his victims, unprepared for his furious aggression. Quinn was a man with a plan, and the plan was to expose a monster of real life.

Watch the end of the IEA debate where they shake hands. Rauner is used to glad-handing people at first and then surprising them with a sucker punch later. Rauner later indicated he was surprised by Quinn’s coolness. You can see by the expression on his face that Quinn finds Rauner repulsive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8j6tiI-JfU

Comment by Mighty M. Mouse Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:02 am
Man…pushin’ $16 Mil. that a guy has the means to pull out of his own Back POCKET to win at any cost practically…just mind-boggling to me, just to be able to have and $PEND that $heer amount ALONE as it $tand$–it’s unbelievable, really…!

Comment by Just the Way It Is One Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 12:17 am
Rauner must be having a hard time raising money from donors (let alone Average Joes) if he has to keep dumping his own money.

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 2:27 am
16 million. In Illinois. The Caymans must be suffering immensely.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 4:49 am
In Rauner’s world that’s 1.5 million more reasons to vote for him or he will destroy you AND your family. Nice!

Comment by William j Kelly Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 7:16 am
At this point of the race, what good would another $20 million do? In this state, that would mean he would be on the air almost constantly. Voters would tire of that quickly. I understand that money is very important, but he has already raised more than $20 million since July 1. What would he realistically do with another $2-5 million PER WEEK over the next month?

Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 7:27 am
Simplistic answer is that he probably doesn’t want to dump all the money in at once so he can earn more interest. The Machiavellian answer is that they don’t want the Quinn campaign to estimate the maximum they’ll need to raise. Take your pick.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 7:34 am
===The Machiavellian answer is that they don’t want the Quinn campaign to estimate the maximum they’ll need to raise. ===

It’s not only Machiavellian, it’s Spot On.

The reality of that is if your Quinn, with 27 days left, anything above $10 million is super waste and diminishing returns.

Anything less than $6 million (roughly $1.5 million, which was the dump…) is not going to have an impact beyond what is budgeted.

To Rauner, small window - $6-$10 million.

To Quinn and most people - a range if $4 million, Yikes.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 7:40 am
@ just a thought- The Rauner-publicans aren’t exactly demonstrating fiscal restraint here, though, are they?

@OW- I suspect- but am by no means sure- that one big check for $10 million would generate a lot of headlines that the weekly $1.5 million doesn’t. That’s just become routine, but a check that massive, from the candidate himself, would dominate a news cycle.

Comment by Adlai Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 7:48 am
- Adlai -,

I wrote it with half-snark, mocking the idea that “if you’re gonna throw in $10 million, be done with it!”… while Ken Griffin’s $2.5 million is considered one of, if not the, the biggest single donation.

The Rauner Crew took a record check, might as well write their own(?)

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:02 am
Rauner is keeping his promises to Republicans when deciding to jump into this race. That he would raise enough money to strongly compete for the office and to rebuild the ILGOP and support State Senate and State Rep candidates. He insisted that he would not be afraid to spend a large chunk of his personal fortune.

Most of us have heard that before from wealthy candidates and not everyone took him seriously.

He has kept his word and continues to do so.

He was warned it would get ugly. He agreed and said he was in to the ultimate conclusion.

This morning I saw an assault weapon attack ad using the same voice that was used by the union PAC in the gift card hit piece. No coordination there!

Rauner should hire the $9 Millon dollar man, Scott Drury for the multiple acts of defamation. i finally read the complaint, which was an extended rant that nearly put me to sleep.

Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:07 am
Quinn has raised about $9 million on top of the $11 million he had in the bank on July 1. $20 million is plenty of money to run a winning campaign as a Democrat in Illinois, regardless of what Rauner spends.

What matters is what Rauner does with the money, and recent poll numbers suggest that his message may not be resonating with voters. Making that message louder and more ubiquitous does not seem like a winning strategy.

Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:13 am
===…should hire the $9 Millon dollar man, Scott Drury for the multiple acts of defamation.===

Man, that is funny stuff!

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:19 am
The cacophony coming from the Rauner campaign is unbearable.

Cacaphony — it is the right word, right Willy?

Suddenly, Rauner is running against Hillary Clinton and Michelle Obama?

I thought Rauner was courting the women’s vote?

Instead, with a story out there alleging he threatened a female CEO, he thinks it is a good time to attack Hillary and Michelle?

And in a week he’s gone from saying Obama is the worst President in modern history, to donating to his library, to calling him a Machine politician?

Why not release a photo of yourself hugging the President while accusing him of palling around with terrorists?

Help me Willy, because I just don’t get it.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:27 am
=== it is the right word, right Willy?===

Yikes, what did I walk into? lol

===Help me Willy, because I just don’t get it.===

The reality - YDD -, this is a clear example of the two Rauners in complete conflict; the “Bruce Rauner”, the rabid outsider, “outsider partisan” who can’t stand any Career Politician, and especially any Career Politician that has a link to Quinn…and the real Bruce Rauner, the insider, being close to the “action”, and while donating to the Library, which I feel is great, and I have even suggested a way for Illinois to front money to get back, Rauner sees the bi-partisanship through ROI in monies that could come back for a much greater reward for himself, his businesses, and sometimes his family.

This Library and stumping duality puts into focus the Rauners and what makes “Bruce Rauner” seem so phony, even more so, than who Bruce Rauner really is.

It’s a case study of his campaign and strategy.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:40 am
And this is the same guy who is trying to appeal to moderate Democratic women voters?! Hello? Where are all the women’s groups who should be exposing this phony for what he is?

Comment by low level Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:47 am
YDD, methinks (sorry, couldn’t help myself) the Raunervich campaign kiddies are in panic mode trying to reverse their boss’s tanking numbers. Their afraid that if he loses, he’ll bury them or make them radioactive.

Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:53 am
===Where are all the women’s groups who should be exposing this phony for what he is?===

Cue Hillary Clinton. Don’t bother, she’s here.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 8:53 am
===Their afraid that if he loses, he’ll bury them or make them radioactive.===

The snark writes itself, doesn’t it?

I have to believe Quinn’s Crew is sitting on the real women’s hit for maybe one more week, part of the “negative close” to wrap into Quinn’s closing argument.

I have yet to see the wrapping of a closing argument for Rauner except “I’m not Quinn” given these last 3 weeks of losing a bit of his stride with the negatives much higher than the 10% Rauner “enjoyed” in the Primary, but lost the 17 points anyway.

Rauner’s closing argument will be fascinating now…

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 9:00 am
At some point we need to ask ourselves why this guy is willing to spend so much money on job that he claims he will not take a salary from?

Is it that he plans the use that office to make his investments and business partners way more money?

Comment by wndycty Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 9:07 am
Besides his own money, Rauner has a powerful fundraising network.

It’s funded the worst campaign money can buy.

He’s been on the air for more than a year. What’s the reason you’re supposed to vote for this guy, again?

Quinn’s approval rating is in the basement, it’s a GOP year for a lot of reasons, yet Rauner is on the ropes.

The cheez-whiz kids have been stealing. After a year and millions of dollars, all they’ve accomplished is painting their guy as an angry, clueless dilettante.

Rauner still might win, but it will be in spite of his campaign, not because of it.

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 10:08 am
my dad taught me a very important life lesson at arlington park: “bettin on em dont make em win”.

rauner and crew are so convinced of their
shake-and-break message that when it doesnt resonate, they double down with more of the same.

rauner has been muddied up. i cant be bought is fine at the outset, but he is now seen as a venal money grubbing, win at all costs vulture. durable? drifting steadily down is durable?

instead of giving anyone a positive and realistic reason for supporting rauner, they are trying to drag quinn into the mud with them. term limits, property tax freeze, lower taxes and higher spending, etc are specious, hollow, and unrealistic pie in the sky.

Comment by Langhorne Wednesday, Oct 8, 14 @ 11:46 am