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* From the Morris Herald…
Pointing out how critical it will be for Republicans to win seats in the upcoming election, Rauner referred to the contentious March primary race in which state Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-Chicago, lost his seat.
He said Dunkin lost because he didn’t show up in Springfield for a potential veto override of a Madigan-backed bill designed to limit the governor’s control in negotiating with state employee unions.
“We were able to get one Democrat off of the override, so my veto stood,” Rauner said. “But the Democrat leadership got so cranky … they took him out of the primary. This is the Chicago machine power that we’re dealing with.”
Dunkin also missed another vote that day, to fund the state’s child care assistance program. In the end, nobody but Rauner stood up for him, which was telling.
* Related…
* Rauner ally Dunkin has $1.2M in campaign fund — what will he do with it?: Dunkin did not return phone messages Monday and was listed as an excused absence at the Capitol.
* In Defeat, State Rep. Ken Dunkin Kept A Million-dollar Consolation Prize: “It’s very unusual,” says Kent Redfield, a retired political science professor and a longtime observer of money in Illinois politics. “People are going to speculate as to exactly what was going on,” says Redfield. “Was there an arrangement? Is this a golden parachute?”
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:08 pm
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What about Rauners teac to Sam McCann? is that the RUnerite machine power (failing) we are seeing?
Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:10 pm
Ken Dunkin is no George Bailey…
===In the end, nobody but Rauner stood up for him, which was telling.===
That’s more than Dunkin’s legacy in the GA, it’s an indictment on Dunkin, his character, and the affirmation of what the Century Club wins (3 of them) actually mean.
Dunkin’s nothing now, the $1.2 million notwithstanding.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Will anything come of the early voting shenanigans in Dunkin’s district?
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:18 pm
“The Democrat leadership”?
Rauner has gone from a smart guy to just another right winger reciting his points.
Disappointing.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:26 pm
From the last link –
“Between dark money and regular political donations, groups aligned with Rauner’s agenda have put together more than $46 million. The donors—those that have been disclosed—are from just nine households.”
That’s scary.
After all the nonsense, Stratton will be so much better for that district.
A work horse is always better than a show horse, especially when work is involved.
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:29 pm
“Was there an arrangement?”
I think ‘an arrangement’ is a given.
Comment by Mama Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:31 pm
Attorney’s will be expensive to splain to the election board givin’ people cash for their vote is totally okee-dokey. These are not casual complaints, they are on freakin’ video, and the sound and visual quality are good.
Inquiring minds just have one question for Dunkin:
Do you prefer an upper or lower bunk?
Comment by Beaner Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:31 pm
Apparently the Rauner Machine still has a lot to learn.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Whose the Crankiest One of All … I vote for Rauner.
Comment by Great Caesar's Ghost! Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:32 pm
Did BigBrain talk about who really control Dunkin’ checkin’ account? Dunk/M* or BigBrains?
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:39 pm
One thing for sure. Nobody’s gonna ask him to return it.
Comment by Mouthy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:39 pm
“But the Democrat leadership got so cranky … they took him out of the primary. This is the Chicago machine power that we’re dealing with.”
Maybe just semantics but, they took him out in the primary. They didn’t take him out of the primary.
Comment by Bee Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:42 pm
You would think that a Dartmouth and Harvard graduate would understand words better.
His hypocrisy is maddening.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:47 pm
“But the Democrat leadership got so cranky … they took him out of the primary.”
The voters took him out during the primary, despite the $1 million plus contribution by Rauner supporters. Who’s cranky now?
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:48 pm
Elections with a 36 point margin aren’t decided by leaders, superpacs, money, campaign tricks or insiders, they’re decided by voters. Decisively so.
Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:52 pm
Except that Rauner claims that the tax paying voters lost Dunkin’s race. Always nice to see how dark money respects voters.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 3:57 pm
Golden Parachute! Kudos to Kent. I really struggled yesterday to come up with a euphemism for payoff. Well done Kent!
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:06 pm
=“We were able to get one Democrat off of the override, so my veto stood,” Rauner said.=
Considering Dunkin has a cool mil now, does this statement by The Bruce not smell a lot like…um, something not kosher?
Comment by MSIX Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:06 pm
Is it fair to say Bruce got “cranky” with Sam McCann?
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:09 pm
Excused absence on Monday for Dunkin? Not surprising since I saw him in South Beach Sunday afternoon.
Comment by Former Downstater Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:10 pm
The quote by MSIX is telling. There was a deal, not just a scheduling conflict with a trip for the kids. Everyone knew it, but there it is ….
Comment by The Way I See It Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:10 pm
Um, does the Governor recall the Sam McCann race? Seems to be some similarities there don’t ya think? I guess because he was the one being cranky it was ok?
Comment by Demoralized Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:16 pm
Since you dont have email Bruce, hope you see this here.
You were NOT elected for a massive expansion of the Wealthy Welfare state. In fact, you never said anything you stood for other than Pat Quinn is bad. You have no mandate. Your time here is finished.
Love,
Jack
Comment by Jack Stephens Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Rauner to the GOP Caucus…”We’re still winning - stick with me…don’t worry about the revolts in your districts…ummm trust me, it’ll be ok…I never lose”…
Geesh!
Comment by Just saying... Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:36 pm
Can you imagine what Rauner is going to be like in his last year and/or last couple months in office? GA might as well take all of that time off unless the GOP members are in full revolt by then.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:37 pm
I’m sure Rauner would be cranky if MCCann’s opponent ended up with a $1million windfall after losing. I am also sure there are a few of the GOP rank and file members a little cranky too since their allies funded a opposing party’s candidate and then he kept it.
Comment by One to the Dome Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:43 pm
–“Was there an arrangement?”–
No, I’m sure a great humanitarian like Dan Proft was thrilled to give up control of $1.3 million to Ken Dunkin because he admires his fiscal acuity.
The secretive types who gave the money to Proft — I’m sure they had nothing to do with it. They’re too shy to assert themselves like that. That’s why they’re secret.
And they talk about a corrupt Chicago machine….
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 4:44 pm
Bruce Rauner lies awake at night wondering how poor Ken Dunkin will ever make ends meet with a lousy $1.2 million…
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:06 pm
“We were able to get one Democrat off of the override, so my veto stood,” Rauner said.
Do tell, Mr. Rauner. How did that story go again?
Rauner’s filters, the ones that he uses before he inserts his foot/leg/lower torso in his mouth, are really special.
“I saw him (Dunkin) in South Beach Sunday afternoon.” Doing research for his next political career move, I am sure. /s
(I hope Dunkin sends a thank you letter to the Illinois Project for Opportunity, or was that the Illinois Growth Project Opportunity, or was that Grow Illinois …. /s…. more word salad …./s)
(Also, I appreciate, and am always a student of, Wordslinger’s logic and argumentation.
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:09 pm
How much of it has Tony Peraicia convinced Joesph Baar Topinka he’s entitled to?
Comment by LizPhairTax Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:10 pm
Century Club wins (3 of them)
Who has won the most? How far back does the ‘award’ go?
Comment by SoILiberty Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:14 pm
I don’t buy it. He spent a bunch of street cash, sent mailers, did tv ads but none of that is reported. Something is fishy.
Comment by Signal and Noise Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:19 pm
Someone riddle me this…
Rauner holds $20 million, won’t give either GOP GA caucuses autonomy to be the lead of monies in a seven-figure nature… so far.
Dunkin, who is a Democrat used to thwart overrides for Rauner is so… trusted… Dunkin still has $1.2 million parked… and Rauner is “fine” with that money still there?
Rauner trusts Dunkin with $1.2 million, but can’t trust Radogno or Durkin with seven-figures sitting in their two accounts?
That make sense?
That wash?
That seem logical?
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:27 pm
OW, was the use of the term “wash” intentional?
PS: Word, may need to break out the decoder rings; someone may have a doppelgänger or fanboy..
Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:41 pm
- AA -,
Some things I just can’t slip by, can I?
Easter Eggs…
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:42 pm
Couldn’t we clear up all of these allegations pretty quickly if Dunkin announced he was donating the $1.2 million to Chicago State University?
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 5:49 pm
How about slated candidates who are unopposed, but hold mega-fundraising events.
Comment by Anon Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 6:03 pm
Is this Rauner’s way of telling house and senate Dems “there’s more where that came from”? Will anyone bite and vote against their caucus?
Comment by Casual observer Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 6:18 pm
What I find telling is Rauner’s statement, “we were able to get one Democrat off of the override” Which seems to support that Dunkin was recruited not to show up for the vote.
Comment by burbanite Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 6:34 pm
Somebody has too much money and I’m not talking about Dunkin.
Comment by James Knell Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 6:46 pm
Maybe it will start something among GOP.
They should act like they are going to go against Rauner, then he will have to pony up to keep them in line.
That’s kind of a fun story line, ya?
Comment by cdog Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 6:51 pm
=== Who has won the trophy the most? How far back does the ‘award’ go? ===
Dunkin is the only multiple winner. I think he has actually won it at least four times. It was his responsibility to engrave the occasions on the trophy, however, so one got missed. It goes back to the 80s I think.
Comment by anon Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 7:06 pm
Why is it that McCann and Mautino are being I vestigated for campaign fund mileage $, and Dunkin has 1.2 million left over….and nobody says a word?
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 7:12 pm
Dunkin won 3 times.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 7:15 pm
==Dunkin is the only multiple winner. I think he has actually won it at least four times.==
Meh, quantity rather than quality. The all-time loser was Blago’s gross receipts tax (SB1 in the 95th GA) which never made it to an actual vote, but the House voted 107 to zero with 7 excused/present on HR 402 to tell the Senate not to bother sending it to them. Never researched it, but I suspect it’s the only shutout ever.
Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 7:48 pm
A million dollars is pretty cheap to break Madigan’s Super-majority.
Comment by Rhino Slider Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 8:22 pm
–A million dollars is pretty cheap to break Madigan’s Super-majority.–
Indeed.
Dunkin’s expenditures, Proft’s contributions and their timing are outrageous — like federales look-see outrageous.
Consider the runup to the March 15 primary, from the State Board of Elections:
From Jan. 1 to March 31, 2016, Friends of Ken Dunkin spent $112,000.
During that same time period, Proft’s Illinois Opportunity Project made three contributions to Friends of Ken Dunkin, totaling $1.3 million:
Feb. 1 — $500,000
March 4– $300,000
March 14 — $500,000
Take a good, hard look at those last two.
Dunkin wasn’t spending any money. But a smart guy like Proft drops another $800K on him?
Dunkin got creamed by Stratton, 68% to 32%. A smart guy like Proft doesn’t see that coming, days before the election?
He drops another $300K on Dunkin on March 4, then another $500K on March 14 — the day before the election — when Dunkin hasn’t spent 25% of the first $500K?
I guess Ken Dunkin is the only “vendor” Gov. Rauner is willing to pay for services already rendered.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:44 pm
=I guess Ken Dunkin is the only “vendor” Gov. Rauner is willing to pay for services already rendered.=
This is what I’m sayin’. Stinks like Rahm’s fish.
Comment by MSIX Tuesday, Apr 19, 16 @ 10:51 pm
Rauner misses the obvious point.
Dunkin didn’t lose because of how he voted, or because he didn’t vote, or because he didn’t even show up.
Dunkin lost because of his affiliation with Bruce Rauner.
Sam McCann won because of his independence from Bruce Rauner.
Lobbyists, local governments, labor leaders, and Republican legislators take note: Rauner’s plan - his hope - is to pick up legislative seats.
Regardless of how realistic you might think that is (couldn’t pick up seats in a non-presidential year with the hapless Quinn atop the ticket, now you are defending Rauner and Trump in a state that is harshly Blue), what does it mean?
1. Rauner plans to continue the budget stalemate beyond the 2016 elections.
2. His plan hinges on passing a tax hike linked to rolling back Union benefits that only 16% of voters support.
3. Should Repulicans pick up seats, that’ll be one more Republican and one fewer Democrat that will have to vote for the Rauner tax.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 8:26 am
If Dunkin decides to pay himself a salary as director of his campaign fund, the $1.2 million in principal would provide a salary of $75k/year for 30 years (actually 29.41 years) assuming a 5% yearly return.
Comment by chi Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 8:32 am
Last time I checked, no one can “make” a voter vote for or against someone. Yes, there are ads. Yes, there is a lot of money spent. But at the end of the day, the voters decide whether the representative (senator, candidate, president, whatever) represents them. If not, they don’t win.
Comment by Delimma Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 8:46 am
I understand the motivations of Dunkin’s secret admirers to use Proft’s Real Clean Laundry Service to bestow their lovely parting gifts on Ken for past considerations.
But why did IllinoisGO have to involve the State Chamber for that near million-dollar TV spot?
I know the chamber netted something like a whopping $15K for selling its name in support of one of its lowest-rated legislators.
But why didn’t IllinoisGO just put its name on the spot? Its contributors aren’t secret (nice couple down in Houston). Why did they want the pass-through?
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Apr 20, 16 @ 9:04 am