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* Remember this story from October 1st?…

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider, who is remaining neutral, tells POLITICO that while potential delegates for Bush, Kasich and Rubio have called the state’s GOP HQ raising their hands for those campaigns. “I can’t tell you we know right now, who to contact if someone wants to be a Trump delegate … I’m not sure the Trump campaign understands the complexity of having delegates in every congressional district.” Petitions start circulating Oct. 3 and candidates have until January to get them in.

Mitt Romney “basically sealed the nomination in Illinois last time,” Brady, then GOP chair, contends. Rick Santorum, who was leading polls at the time, didn’t make it on the ballot in more conservative Illinois districts that would have supported him, Brady says.

‘REAL CONTENDERS’ UP AND RUNNING: In some states, getting on the ballot is a breeze. “Not in Illinois — probably because somebody is making money off the petition printing contract,” Brady said. “It is a brutal process here. Anybody who’s a real contender has to have an operation up and running now.”

QUOTABLE: “He asked all the usual suspects. They all turned him down.” — Pat Brady on Trump’s attempt to drop roots in Illinois.

You would think that a bunch of guys who backed another wealthy man (Bruce Rauner) for governor would’ve been a bit less smug about a rich outsider.

* From last night…

“Ladies and gentlemen, the holder of the largest event ever at the Prairie Capitol Convention center, and the next President of the United States … Donald Trump!” an announced yelled, as Trump — in a bright red tie and neatly pressed suit came on stage. Twisted Sister’s rock anthem “We’re Not Gonna Take It” played. Trump began his seemingly off-the-cuff speech before a convention record of more than 10,000 people boasting about his highly-rated turn hosting Saturday Night Life, and getting in some digs at his competition. But he soon transitioned into more political, and international affairs.

The largest event ever.

Who’s the “real contender” now? I mean, do you think Bush or Kasich could fill that room?

Like Rauner, Trump doesn’t need the establishment.

Not saying he’s gonna win the nomination, mind you. I have my hands full with Illinois, so I don’t follow national politics closely enough to make that call.

Just sayin…

*** UPDATE *** From Trump’s Illinois director Kent Gray…

We signed up thousands of new volunteers and supporters. Our petition passers that worked the crowd prior to the event really knocked it out of the park.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 8:48 am

Comments

Did he draw an organic crowd? Or was he speaking to a convention?

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 8:52 am
Rich Trump has a couple of pictures from the event that show the size of the crowd. Compared to Rauners swearing in, its nuts:
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/663919402367262720

Comment by sleepysol Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 8:58 am
I did not go but a friend of mine did and said it seemed to be not a crowd of what he called “mainstream Republicans”. He said it seemed like a whole lot of angry people of were not really sure who to be angry with but liked what Trump was selling.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:00 am
I’m not a Trump supporter, but with exception of Bernie, no one is generating crowds like The Donald is currently. It is amazing.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:00 am
I’m guessing professional wrestling drew a the same crowd, only larger.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:02 am
Stones, smirk all you want. It was still a record crowd and that place has been open a very long time.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:06 am
Does anyone know who actually attended if there was an organized effort to get petitions signed?

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:11 am
*** probably because somebody is making money off the petition printing contract ***

While many candidates do get their forms printed by professional print shops, it is not required and there is no central, single source printing contract that must be used.

Comment by titan Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:16 am
Rich, are there any official attendance figures from that event? I don’t doubt that it was a large crowd but the largest ever?

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:16 am
“I’m guessing professional wrestling drew a the same crowd, only larger.”
“It was still a record crowd and that place has been open a very long time.”

It would be almost impossible for any other event to pack them in as tightly as the Trump rally did.

Photos of the Trump rally at the Prairie Capital Convention center: https://twitter.com/aaroncynic/status/663897752166797313

Seating chart for wrestling at the Prairie Capital Convention center: http://seatingcharts.com/Chart/Prairie%20Capital%20Convention%20Center/WWE/d27056bf-f31d-4c8e-a862-8e3deada470c

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:17 am
Anon, he drew the crowd - it was his event.

He may not know the ballot rules, but sure seems like he has enough money and enthusiasm to overcome that.

Comment by Century Club Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:21 am
Adding: per the website the entire facility max capacity is 61,800 and the main hall accommodates 40,000

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:22 am
Trump does need to get organized. But can’t money buy qualified petitioners?

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:24 am
Seems to me there was some Bible-related motivational speaker a few years ago that drew a crowd like that. I don’t remember if it was 10,000+ but it was a huuuuuuge. (Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:24 am
I think A guy has the most interesting question. It is something that he drew a large crowd, but is he showing that he’s learning something along the way. If he had even a skeleton crew operation and was getting signatures, that would be somewhat impressive IMHO, and demonstrate that this is more than a large publicity stunt by an ego maniac.

Comment by Red Ranger Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:25 am
I’m not convinced that either Trump or Carson are actually running for president. I think it’s all about free media for branding purposes.

When they start dropping big money on media buys, that will be a different story.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:25 am
Anon,

There were people lining up at 8 AM to see him. He was the only thing on the schedule.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:25 am
===per the website the entire facility max capacity is 61,800 and the main hall accommodates 40,000===

LOLOL

You were looking at square footage, not capacity http://springfieldpc3.com/VenueInfo/Capacity/tabid/103/Default.aspx

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:26 am
If he’s willing to dump the money, he can get those petitions signed pretty quick.

Much of the time table that we’re traditionally used to comes from campaigns that would rather spend money else where than on massive operations to get signatures at the last minute. The only downside, of course, is the paid signatures might not be as of high quality as potential volunteer ones, and could potentially result in signatures that are easier to contest at the Board of Elections.

I said this in 2013 and I’ll say this now. It is incredibly foolish to underestimate someone who has the ability to pay for the best advice available and provide funding to implement the best possible plan. Especially when that person may be smart enough to know when they need to rely on expert opinions over their own intuition.

It is probably a mistake for the GOP to pretend like their entrenched and historically unsuccessful politicos are gatekeepers to the ballot and the state’s primary.

Comment by Anon Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:29 am
@Stones
From the SJ-R article, “Brian Oaks, general manager of the PCCC, said 10,200 people packed the center. Trump referenced the big crowd by saying he was more popular than Elton John, who drew 8,700 to the convention center in 1999. The largest previous crowd was drawn by Christian inspirational speaker Beth Moore, who drew 8,750 people there on a day in 2009.”
http://www.sj-r.com/article/20151109/NEWS/151109574/?Start=1

It was also live-streamed on a Fox affiliate.

Comment by #5 Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:30 am
**** LOLOL

You were looking at square footage, not capacity http://springfieldpc3.com/VenueInfo/Capacity/tabid/103/Default.aspx *****

My error, still, are there official attendance figures for Trump last night and how do they compare with other events at the facility? I’m not going to accept the Trump statement at face value.

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:33 am
I used to think Trump wasn’t really running but he’s taking too many steps in that direction. He’s running with the caveat that he doesn’t need to win. He’ll happily go back to the private sector if he starts tanking. I guess that’s part of his appeal to some Americans.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:33 am
I don’t see anything risible about the attendance number. Even setting aside those who’s politics are untethered by reality, the number of people who enjoy a free Instagram-worthy spectacle is substantial.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:35 am
TY #5

Comment by Stones Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:35 am
He drew a crowd like the circus draws a crowd. It was a spectacle, pure and simple. All the people I know how went, went just so see the show. Many of them actively loathe him. Out of 10,000 people in that arena, I’d be surprised if 10% actually voted for him.

Comment by Appalled Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:36 am
===I’d be surprised if 10% actually voted for him. ===

Keep whistling past that political graveyard. You know who else is there? Pat Quinn’s and Kirk Dillard’s campaigns.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:37 am
Stones: Go to the SJR’s web site. They have about 20 pics up. I’ve been going to events at the PCCC since it opened, from the looks of the pics, no one is “fudging the numbers”.

Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:37 am
I know a LOT of people who went to see him last night who were NOT Trump supporters and probably wouldn’t vote for him if the only other name on the ballot were Kermit the Frog. They went because they were curious, because he’s good entertainment (I guess; he’s not my idea of a good time, but to each his or her own) and just because it was something to do in Springfield on a Monday night. The tickets were free, and apparently at some point they stopped even asking for tickets and just let people in. So yes, he drew a huge crowd… but not necessarily a crowd of people who will go to the polls and vote for him.

Comment by Commander Norton Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:38 am
Who was the person sitting behind him in a military uniform?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:40 am
Trump packed more people in because it was a standing crowd on the main floor, no chairs. Based on the cross section of my friends who attended, i think the percentage of likely repub primary voters was low. Its a long way to march. He has to get his delegates qualified.

Comment by Langhorne Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:40 am
Just a billionaire railing against business as usual in government. And many on this blog keep saying Rauner has lost the support of the voters. Sure he has.

Comment by Lincoln Lad Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:43 am
I’ve yet to see anyone mention Ross Perot in the context of Trump.

I remember setting up voter registration tables in ‘92. A certain type of person would walk by and say “I’m voting for Perot” and they seemed to think I’d react as if they’d flipped me off.

Perot polled around 30% through much of the fall among general election voters. But he couldn’t have won a GOP primary. The difference today is that a big chunk of the upper middle class that used to be the bulwark of the Republican primary is now upper middle class democrats. And Perot helped advance the transition of many ‘bread and butter Democrats’ out of the party. Perot’s 30% might well be a majority of a Republican primary today, if Trump can get them to vote in a primary.

Comment by some doofus Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:54 am
Most of those people there were just interested in seeing the show, not interested in supporting the candidate…

Comment by Nony Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 9:57 am
He still didn’t top for entertainment the Loverboy/April Wine concert about 20 years ago….
Anyone who has been inside PCCC and sees these pictures would know how crazy-filled this Trump event was.

Comment by Vote Quimby! Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:01 am
I was there last night. Not a single seat was empty. People were packed into the top rafters. My friend said it was the biggest crowd he had ever seen. We went for a spectacle not because we support Trump. We were in the minority, a majority of people there supported Trump. Demographics were very diverse too. His campaign reminds me of the movie Idiocracy. However, to be fair, I did nod at what he said many times. He talked about punishing American companies that send jobs overseas (the crowd roared) he talked about fixing trade imbalances and employing Americans. Trumps platform is a populist nationalism based on a strong middle class, it is the polar opposite of Rauner/Koch/Bush. At a Trump rally you don’t hear about privatizing social security, you don’t hear about flat/fair taxes, you don’t hear about invading the Middle East for some religious crusade. Trump stated that the Iraq war was a mistake (crowd roared!) I hope he doesn’t become president unless the choice is between him and every other person on the GOP ticket.

Comment by Mekong Cafe Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:09 am
Don’t know why Pat Brady insists on continuing to embarrass himself.

Yesterday he and his crew got MAYBE 50 people to a free meet and greet with their guy John Kasich at the Billy Goat in Chicago. And from press reports, it was clear even some of those were College Republicans who aren’t even committed to Kasich, at least not yet.

Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:10 am
A whole lot of you guys thought the Tea Party was a passing fad. That was six years ago, and they are still around.

Then there was a bunch of you who didn’t think someone like Rauner had a chance - he did, and we’re all miserable for it.

We have a large voter base that sees government as they do their local grocery store. They want the needy to go to a window by the loading dock and accept the expired vegetables. They don’t want to see people they consider beneath them sharing aisle space with them. They don’t want to pay more for their good and services so that all citizens can be served and supported. They are looking down their noses at anyone who disagrees with them. They are demanding that our government be run like a business - a business they want to do business with.

After decades of hearing that government budget should be handled like a family budget, we have frustrated voters who aren’t willing to support and serve anyone they consider unworthy of their budget. They are demanding that their taxes no longer go to their neighbors. They are building walls and fences to separate themselves from their communities. They are moving into enclaves, senior communities and segregating themselves into liberal college towns and rural townships.

We have a problem. Until guys like Rauner and Trump flop as government leaders, and prove that consumerism isn’t a viable form of democracy - voters are going to support them in the ballot boxes. Voters are willing to experiment with this form of anti-government, anti-citizenship, pro-taxpayer, pro-business stuff.

Stop ignoring it. Stop insulting the people supporting it. Listen and co-opt them and turn them around, or we are going to be in even bigger trouble soon.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:15 am
“I’ve yet to see anyone mention Ross Perot in the context of Trump.”

This half-hour of audio by John Dickerson of CBS is the best thing I’ve found comparing and contrasting Perot and Trump: http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/whistlestop/2015/09/whistlestop_podcast_why_donald_trump_is_not_at_all_like_h_ross_perot.html

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:16 am
The Republican establishment laughed off Donald Trump at the beginning. The continued shrugging it off as the months progressed. Um, guys, it’s now November. Primaries start in 2 months. Sure, a lot can still change but you’ve all been counting on that change for months now and it ain’t happening. Time to stop laughing and time to figure something out if you don’t want this guy as your nominee.

Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:17 am
It was an uplifting event…. and yes I agree with some of what Mekong Cafe stated, (glad you attended) But I do hope he wins ticket and is Elected…

Comment by Allen D Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:23 am
Pat Brady has done two things right: a) move out of the way when the RNC, NRCC and NRSC wanted to take over the Victory Program in 2010 and b) support gay marriage before most other Republicans did.

If my memory serves me correctly, Mr. Trump is the first major party candidate to hold a large-scale event since President Obama held his two big announcement speeches in 2007 and 2008.

And - for the record - my kids and I have been to the last two WWE house shows in Springfield. Nothing wrong with a little mindless entertainment every now and then.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:30 am
Demoralized - that’s pretty good analysis. I believe the phrase to co-opt with yours is “at your own risk”. Rience Priebus either lives in a bunker or is putting his fingers in his ears.

Comment by Team Sleep Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 10:33 am
“I’m more popular than Elton John!” Sir Elton didn’t give away tickets.

Comment by Left of Central IL Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:24 am
Sadly, I think it’s possible that Trump could win the GOP nomination. I’m just not convinced he really wants the gig.

It’s a brutal job, filled with terrible life-and-death decisions. I don’t see that as his kind of thing.

What’s horrifying are those who support Trump for his deportation plan.

To even attempt that would require a militarized police state, abandoning due process of law, ruin the economy, cost hundreds of billions and still not work. It’s stupefying that so many support it.

Comment by Wordslinger Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 11:30 am
I know 4 people who went. One conservative, two independents, one democrat. They attended out of
curiosity and none supported Trump prior to going. This morning 3 of the 4 claim to be willing to vote for Trump. We are living in crazy times.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:36 pm
Trump’s future as a candidate ultimately depends on him persuading enough Republican primary voters that he can actually win in a general.

I don’t think he can, personally, at least not vs Hillary, and I still think that will ultimately kill his candidacy. A lot of Republicans mad at Obama don’t want to hand the keys to the White House over to the Democrats for another four years.

But from within the partisan bubble we all tend to overstate our favorite candidate’s potential. Lots of Democrats in 2007-08 fully persuaded themselves that Obama was going to cure partisanship in DC (either by bringing Americans together or by sending the GOP down into a long standing minority). Oops. Republican voters may be capable of similarly deluding themselves about Trump’s viability in the general.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Happy for Kent Gray. Great night for him, especially remembering how some on here mocked him being tapped as Trump’s Illinois head.

Congratulations Kent. You’ve shown the posers who the big dog truly is in the Illinois GOP today.

Comment by too obvious Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:00 pm
Trump’s comedy hour was free, and people lined up for his free show. /s

Comment by Mama Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:24 pm
If you’re looking for parallels/precedents to Trump, Jesse Ventura’s candidacy in Minnesota might be worth looking into.

Comment by olddog Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 1:54 pm
1. Since Springfield is a cultural wasteland, I am not surprised at the big turnout - not much else to do here.
2. Any one see a problem with Gray - a LLCC trustee - backing a candidate who is generally opposed to public education?

Comment by Dr X Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:12 pm
“Yes we have no bananas.” Just the state we are in.

Comment by Vole Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 2:16 pm
Kasich had an event in Chicago and “drew a lot.”

Is that like a straw poll?

Comment by walker Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 3:49 pm
==“Not in Illinois — probably because somebody is making money off the petition printing contract,” Brady said. “It is a brutal process here. Anybody who’s a real contender has to have an operation up and running now.”==

That was a crack about Illinois brutal ballot process and the number of petition signatures and pages, while some states are easy as pie. Brady knows campaign volunteers often have access to printers.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Tuesday, Nov 10, 15 @ 4:37 pm