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* Gov. Rauner said the other day that he wasn’t focused at all on politics. He can’t say that now. From a press release…
Governor Bruce Rauner has announced his endorsement of Bryce Benton, Republican candidate for State Senate in the 50th District, this evening at the Sangamon County Lincoln Day Dinner.
“I am proud to announce that I support Bryce Benton for State Senate in the 50th District,” said Rauner. “Bryce Benton serves the citizens of Illinois as a State Trooper. He makes sacrifices for the people of Illinois every day. He serves others, not himself. He has the utmost integrity and can’t be controlled by the special interests.”
“I’m asking you to join me in supporting Bryce Benton for State Senate,” said Rauner. “We have to send a message to the special interests – that their days of controlling Illinois are over. Illinois needs people like Bryce Benton who will serve our state with integrity and honor. We can’t afford to elect politicians who serve themselves and the special interests.”
“It’s an incredible honor to receive the support of Governor Rauner,” said Benton. “Governor Rauner wasn’t elected to maintain the status quo. Voters all over Central Illinois sent him to Springfield to turn our state around, and now he needs more allies in the Senate. The Governor has endorsed me because he knows that I won’t bow to the demands of special interests and will fight for all of Central Illinois.”
* The endorsement video…
* That video was part of a longer video played last night at the Sangamon County Lincoln Day Dinner. The county party has endorsed McCann. Here’s an e-mail last night from a longtime reader, who sent it moments after the announcement…
At Sangamon County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner. Governor Rauner had a pre taped message. Mentioned all representatives of Sangamon County including State Senator Bill Brady. Excluded McCann.
Proceeded to rail about Special interests and Madigan. He glowed about Rosemarie Long and her great leadership. Went on for a little about her.
Then went on to say he had a special announcement. Said he was announcing he was endorsing Benton. Sam was in the room. Very uncomfortable silence with only Bryce’s table cheering.
Wow.
Weird that he sent a video and didn’t show in person, but whatevs.
* Meanwhile, here’s Sen. McCann’s new TV ad, which was recorded with a phone off a television screen because his campaign hasn’t sent it to me yet…
It’s a pretty darned good spot for a general. Not so sure about a GOP primary, but we’ll see.
* Related…
* Ingraham at Sangamon GOP Dinner: It’s a great time to be a Republican
* Bernard Schoenburg: State GOP past $250,000 in support for Rep. Avery Bourne
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:51 am
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–Weird that he sent a video and didn’t show in person, but whatevs.–
Not so weird, but revealing. The county party has endorsed McCann. He didn’t want to face the conflict.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:55 am
The silence in the hall when Rauner made that announcement was broken by booing throughout the hall. Totally inappropriate time and place to suddenly get involved in local races that he has previously claimed to not be involved in.
Comment by Behind the Scenes Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:57 am
Yeah he’ll serve others. Bruce and the superstars.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:58 am
As an attendee last night, McCann was royally unamused. Also there were more than a few tables cheering while one woman yelled “Benton’s a democrat.” Dinner message was a bombshell for sure.
Comment by Sangamon Man Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:58 am
=and can’t be controlled by the special interests.=
Right because the Governor is an “extra special interest” and is fully in control of Benton. Seems like McCann is more independent.
Comment by JS Mill Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:58 am
Sen. McCann wasn’t just in the room, he was seated at the head table.
Comment by Behind the Scenes Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 9:59 am
Are billionaires and their wealthy friends special interests, or does that label only apply to labor unions?
Comment by AC Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:00 am
== It’s a pretty darned good spot for a general. Not so sure about a GOP primary, but we’ll see. ==
The GOP primary usually IS the general election in that district. When McCann’s ad runs right after an attack ad, it comes across very well.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:03 am
There was not booing throughout the hall. Some booing some cheering. Most silent. McCann looked stunned and or furious, he didn’t clap for anything Ingraham said and didn’t laugh at any joke when the rest of the head table and audience did.
Comment by Lol @ behind the scenes Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:03 am
Has the governor been taken hostage? That video was bizarre.
Comment by Anon Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:04 am
All the more reason to vote for McCann!
Comment by Paceman Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:04 am
Couple things to keep in the front of your mind with this development;
Rauner is choosing to endorse against a sitting state Senate GOP member, focusing on Madigan and making the equivalency that if you are thoughtful at the wrong time against Rauner, let me say that again, Rauner, that’s just not good enough.
Rauner is supporting Ken Dunkin. The Sangamon GOP needs to see that Ken Dunkin is more of what Rauner wants in the GA then Sam McCann. That’s real, that’s honest, and Ken Dunkin frames what it means to get support, and Sam McCann frames what it means when a legislator, a GOP legislator, doesn’t support Bruce Rauner.
If you are in a Union, and a voting voter in Sangamon County, Bruce Rauner doesn’t think your best interests make sense to Raunerite ideals and the Raunerite GOP is not a friend of Labor, be it public sector Labor or the Trades.
The video touting the Sangamon GOP Chair, while gling against the organization is a direct shot at splintering the Sangamon GOP and placing the Chair in the position of “Where do you actually stand?”. You only point her out to add confusion to the process.
As Ken Dunkin takes Dan Proft monies to insert a Democratic Raunerite win in the dialog of Raunerite reach. If McCann loses, Raunerite wins in the GOP GA will do more to lose the ILGOP than to strengthen the Republican Party in Illinois.
The Raunerite politics wrapped in Raunerite “musts” are no different than Slytherins, but the rub is quite different; Raunerites don’t wavt a pure GOP Pary, Raunerites want Republicans to stay beholden to the corporate takeover Rauner engineered.
The McCann race?
“Vote according”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:06 am
==and can’t be controlled by the special interests==
A year later and Rauner still disassociates himself with Special Interests? Surely Benton will be controlled by Rauner, the irony here is baffling.
Comment by Dale Cooper Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:07 am
A significant number of people in that room stand to loose a great deal of their insurance coverage. Many of them are finally figuring it out. SWJ has been putting “protect state workers” in her flyers. Rauner needs to spread a whole lot more money around if he wants to beat McCann.
Comment by Liberty Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:08 am
“can’t be controlled by the special interests’
But only controlled 100% by Rauner.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:10 am
Dressing like Temple Grandin is nice but funding services for people with autism is better.
Comment by LizPhairTax Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:21 am
Benton should have said I will stand up “for” the special interests. Rauner is pushing legislation 100% for corporate special interests and he will be Benton’s boss.
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:24 am
Sam McCann and the Sangamon County GOP organization, more of the special interests controlled by Mike Madigan (snark).
Comment by ToughGuy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:25 am
For the record, the Sangamon County Republican Central Committee has not endorsed McCann in this race. An official endorsement must be called for a vote.
Comment by Chairman McBroom Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:26 am
Benton obviously is not running this show. Rauner is trying to replace one of his under performing managers who had a few ideas that conflicted with the boss. Running Illinois like a business!
Comment by Sangamo Sam Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:27 am
==He has the utmost integrity and can’t be controlled by the special interests.==Piling on at this point, but Bruce Rauner is a special interest and Bruce Rauner controls Bryce Benton.
Comment by SAP Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:28 am
State workers help drive the economic engine of Sangamon County. It’s Econ 101, if state workers have less discretionary money to spend business and their employees will be impacted.
As OW said “Vote Accordingly”
Comment by Paceman Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:30 am
Stay classy Gov.
Comment by chi Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:31 am
==Running Illinois like a business==
Like using common sense and business education to try and jumpstart a dying state?
Comment by Sangamon Man Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:38 am
Morning Rich,
Bruce just wanted to ’send a message’ that the ILGOP needs more loyal servants like Ken Dunkin in the party.
Bruce wished he could have attended, but he was too busy trying to quash further Sun Times Editorials.
Best,
ck!
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:39 am
===Like using common sense and business education to try and jumpstart a dying state?===
What does that sentence even mean?
Seriously, that’s just gobbily-gook
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:41 am
A question for the legal people, is Benton in violation of the ethics act by using his position as a Trooper and being in uniform in his ads? does this fall under prohibited political activity? By wearing his uniform is he using state resources to promote his political campaign?
Comment by Paceman Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:41 am
I was there. There were few if any boos. More people than just Bryce’s table clapped. And only one woman blurted something out. Is this really a surprise to anyone?
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:43 am
Good point Paceman. Also found it interesting the Benton ad makes a reference to his mom having worked at a hospital in Taylorville which is 25 miles outside the district. Not sure what the Taylorville connection provides.
Comment by ToughGuy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:47 am
Paceman- there is tiny, tiny print on the ad visible for mere seconds to take care of the point you made. I’m not sure it was there when the original ad (before it really hit the airwaves) was on CapFax for readers to view. Might be Proft saw the potential hiccup several commenters pointed out that day.
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 10:58 am
LizPhairTax
You deserve a raise for your autism comment.
Comment by Niblets Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:01 am
Paceman, yes. HATCH Act.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:03 am
@Sangamon Sam, we’re thirteen months in. Would you say that Rauner is displaying common sense so far in jumpstarting Illinois or has he hastened its demise?
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:08 am
Disclaimer shows up at 00:09-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa56j7HTjRg
Hit pause and get your magnifiers out./s
And, earlier in Jan, how Rauner ignored the question-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsdgbB5n68E
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:11 am
Just watched Rauner’s video message. Uncomfortable. It seemed like an ACTUAL Rauner-bot instead of Rauner. Really good CGI maybe./s
Comment by Anon221 Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:14 am
Was Bill Cellini or Bob Kjellander at the dinner? Now there were some guys you could do business with in the Sangamon County GOP.
Comment by Bob the Slob with a Cushy State Job Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:19 am
I’m fairly certain that he said he wasn’t focused at all on politics because Bernie asked him the same question at two consecutive press conferences that had nothing to do with politics. He literally meant “right now.” It’s a tad pedantic to keep driving on that point as if he actually meant he was never going to be involved in politics ever.
Comment by Jack Kemp Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:24 am
Thanks Anon221 for the link. In my opinion I don’t think that gives him a pass to ignore the Ethics Act. The disclaimer essentially says the ISP does not endorse him, doesn’t say the Ethics Commission is okay with it.
Comment by Paceman Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:35 am
Ethics act covers using state time, property, and resources for politics. Might not cover him wearing the uniform in pictures.
Now state police might have work rules in place governing when, where, and now you wear that uniform…
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:45 am
*how you where the uniform
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:46 am
===Would you say that Rauner is displaying common sense so far in jumpstarting Illinois or has he hastened its demise?===
Layoffs at EIU, LSSI ending services, Museum closings, MAP grants lost, Chicago State outa cash, ballooning debt, unpaid Illinois vendors…for about $500 mil in return according to his own numbers.
Is he displaying common sense??? C’mon man!
Comment by Sangamo Sam Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:46 am
*wear
I type good…
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:47 am
===He literally meant “right now.” It’s a tad pedantic to keep driving on that point as if he actually meant he was never going to be involved in politics ever.===
When is “right now”?
Is now “right now”? Yesterday “right now”? When questions get real hard and the hypocrisy of his actions run counter to his words “right now”?
Quite comical.
Are you going to find out when “right now” is, how long “right now” goes, and what parameters consist for “right now”?
Or, are you saying Rauner’s own word are just that, words, and they really don’t hold weight in truth?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:51 am
And Benton gets how much from Rauner?
Comment by Hedley Lamarr Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 11:55 am
===He literally meant “right now.”===
That wasn’t true, either.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:02 pm
What’s the point of that squiggly ribbon-like animation just before Rauner comes on? Doesn’t fit Rauner or trooper Benton.
Comment by X-prof Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:17 pm
I’m reminded of Carlin and the routine he did about what constitutes now, the present: “There’s a moment coming, it’s.. it’s not here yet. It’s on the way.. It’s still in the future. Here.. here it is! Oh.. it’s gone”.
Comment by AC Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:30 pm
To be fair: Mr. Benton may have already “cleared” this with the Department as the Rules of Conduct are subject to interpretation.
Comment by Nunya Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:42 pm
Ref. Benton vs. McCann: It’s gonna be five-kinds-of-ugly for local Republicans till the primary. After the primary, for some, its gonna be six-kinds-of-ugly.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:45 pm
===Mr. Benton may have already “cleared” this===
People, enough!
That isn’t a Benton ad, it’s a Proft ad for Benton. Two very different things. Stop this, you look like fools.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:47 pm
=That isn’t a Benton ad, it’s a Proft ad for Benton. Two very different things. Stop this, you look like fools.=
My mistake. Apologies offered…
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:53 pm
Anonymous at 12:53 was me…
Comment by Nunya Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:54 pm
“Right now,” means “right now.” As in, at that exact moment. Literally. I don’t see what is so hard to understand about that. Seems like a pretty ticky tacky thing to want to focus on.
Comment by Jack Kemp Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 12:59 pm
===“Right now,” means “right now.” ===
lol
Send me your resume and I’ll forward it to Lance. I think your talents are being wasted on a blog.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:00 pm
Oh Wise Willy! You’re so brilliant in pointing out that we totally can’t definitely know for absolute certain whether “right now” meant what it means!
Comment by Jack Kemp Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:04 pm
===…in pointing out that we totally can’t definitely know for absolute certain whether “right now” meant what it means!===
- Jack Kemp -
You were the one who wanted and neede to make the point of “right now”. I just took that “idea” and, well, made it seem foolish.
That’s on you, not me.
It’s my fault you brought it up? You’re victim to me?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:07 pm
Lol. Oh of course, now I’m “playing the victim.” Now if you’ll just say something about 60 and 30 I’ll have a Bingo!
Comment by Jack Kemp Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:09 pm
- Jack Kemp -
It was you who decided to question “right now”, you know tgat right?
I can’t help your arguments are weak. Making it about me is t making your argument stronger.
======…in pointing out that we totally can’t definitely know for absolute certain whether “right now” meant what it means!===
- Jack Kemp-
Also… - Jack Kemp -…
===He literally meant “right now.” It’s a tad pedantic to keep driving on that point as if he actually meant he was never going to be involved in politics ever.===
You may want to sit out a few plays…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:23 pm
JK, your innocence and faith in the governor’s words are adorable.
Let me ask you: In January 2013, when those mystery negative spots against Aaron Schock started popping up, Rauner said he had nothing to do with them.
Did you believe him then? Schock did not.
In the GOP primary, when those mystery negative spots naming Brady, Dillard and Rutherford — but not Rauner — popped up, Rauner said he had nothing to do with them.
Did you believe him then? Because Brady, Dillard and Rutherford did not.
Grow up. The dude has a track record of doing one thing, and then denying it.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:35 pm
“It’s an incredible honor to receive the support of Governor Rauner,” said Benton. “Governor Rauner wasn’t elected to maintain the status quo. Voters all over Central Illinois sent him to Springfield to turn our state around, and now he needs more allies in the Senate. The Governor has endorsed me because he knows that I won’t bow to the demands of special interests and will fight for all of Central Illinois.”
I guess Bryce Benton is going to donate/give up his State Trooper pension as part of the shared sacrifice, Governor Rauner keeps talking about?
Comment by Union Leader Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:47 pm
- Union Leader -
It’s up to you, your Union, those Crews, to educate and inform your members as to who are the Raunerites, and who aren’t…
… and “vote accordingly”
Yeah, March 15… IS that important to Labor.
Good luck
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 1:58 pm
LizPhairTax-Brilliant!
Comment by Twice Baked Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 2:05 pm
I suppose if I said “I’m hungry right now,” what I must mean is that I’ll be hungry three weeks from now.
This isn’t that complicated, fellas. The press conference was about the DCEO partnership roll out. The Governor said more than once of the course of that press conference that he wanted the press to focus their questions on that first. Not other stuff. Bernie insisted on asking the same question he’d already asked once before.
“I’m not focused on politics right now.” I suppose that surely must’ve meant that the Governor is not focused on politics ever, at all, right? Rather than, oh I know! “Right now?” How naive of me to take words for what they literally mean.
This is kind of like angling “Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda,” to be about something other than gay marriage and abortion - which was precisely what that commercial was about.
But again, I guess if you’re just totally out to lunch on the substance you gotta nitpick where you can. It’s the only way to preserve The Narrative.
Comment by Jack Kemp Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 2:15 pm
- Jack Kemp -
===…in pointing out that we totally can’t definitely know for absolute certain whether “right now” meant what it means!===
After spinning yourself in keystone kops style, you roll out this gem…
===“I’m not focused on politics right now.” I suppose that surely must’ve meant that the Governor is not focused on politics ever, at all, right? Rather than, oh I know! “Right now?” How naive of me to take words for what they literally mean.===
So we either don’t know what it means, we do know what it means, you’re unsure you know what it means, you’re clear what it means, no one should question what it means.
Are. You. Serious?
===This is kind of like angling “Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda,” to be about something other than gay marriage and abortion - which was precisely what that commercial was about.===
Really? Where did Diana Rauner say, exactly it meant that?
Use the google and search that Ad and pping out it was abortion and gay marriage, only abortion and gay marriage, and nothing else.
I won’t hold my breath waiting, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 2:25 pm
- Jack Kemp -
Please, keep up with your own writing… lol
===He literally meant “right now.”===
===…in pointing out that we totally can’t definitely know for absolute certain whether “right now” meant what it means!===
You agree, you are utterly clueless to what “right now” means, and now you are back, in keystone kops fashion trying to say, “no, I mean right now” when that is patently false as Rich has already said.
When you spinn yourself in a tizzy, I’m sure rational thoughts seem like they are chemically reduced.
Sit out a few plays, take a walk, paint, botany can be fun and rewarding.
Read what you wrote, it might help.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Feb 12, 16 @ 2:40 pm