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* The Illinois Republican Party has a new mailer targeting Rep. Mike Smiddy. Here’s one side of it…

Notice that the quotes are from a publication called “Rock Island Today”?

What’s that, you may ask?

Well, it’s one of those newspapers sponsored by Dan Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC.

* So, Gov. Rauner’s Turnaround Illinois PAC sends Liberty Principles PAC $2.3 million. Proft, in turn, uses some of that money to start up a bunch of newspapers around the state in targeted legislative districts. Rauner’s state party recently received $5 million from Rauner and then sent $2 million of that to the House Republicans, which have targeted Smiddy. Then the state party closes the loop by using the Proft paper to provide some local flavor to a story that was first aired by a Springfield TV station.

There’s nothing illegal about this, it’s just that it’s interesting to me that the ILGOP is becoming so hermetically sealed.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:27 am

Comments

I’m sure playing Candy Crush is the least of the problems with the General Assembly.

Comment by jack28 Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:29 am
–There’s nothing illegal about this, it’s just that it’s interesting to me that the ILGOP is becoming so hermetically sealed.–

It’s all Rauner money and he’ll call the tune. Proft, the state party, the GA organizations, they’re all employees and will do what they’re told.

How does he treat his employees? Well, virtually every GA GOP member got the green light to vote for the social services band-aid — now the governor won’t sign it.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:31 am
Not saying that anyone should get a pass for doing dumb things on the floor - but consider the messenger! I’m fairly certain we will be seeing much more of this from the Proft ( Rauner ) funded “media”.

Comment by illini Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:32 am
This looks like the playbook that the Schock campaigns used to use. Where is the political guy who used to work for Schock and is this his handi-work?

Comment by Joe Cannon Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:33 am
They’re framing the message in an effective way. The GOP knows how to frame. The Dems don’t.

It’s like why call it a “tax increase?” That just fires up the GOP neurons. Why not call it an “higher education investment?”

The Ds have to wise up on this — much like the article posted here a few days ago about framing. Proper framing on the part of the Ds is what will win this war (and not just take a few battles here and there).

Comment by Formerly Known as Frenchie M Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:34 am
This must’ve been the critical debate on Manar’s bill Republicans oppose.

Given that most votes are political theater, maybe all legislators should play video games. At least they would be accomplishing something.

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:37 am
Smiddy has been doing his job which is to stop the governor’s attempt to drive down the standard of living of tradespeople, injured workers,and state employees who are trying to maintain middle class incomes.
When is Rauner goin’ to start doin’ his job?

Comment by Truthteller Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:38 am
The fake papers is another disinformation tool used for campaign purposes. Illegal, no. Immoral, YES.

Comment by Norseman Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:44 am
I don’t get why Rauner funds Proft. We get his newspaper at home and from my admittedly biased opinion it was crap. Aside from attacking the Auditor General, he merely reiterated stuff about Chris Welch that was already baked in to the district’s voter awareness. Surely there has to be a better political guy on which Rauner can spend Ken Griffin’s money.

Comment by TominChicago Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:45 am
To the game hit. It may be effective if people stop playing games on their own phones long enough to pay attention.

Comment by Norseman Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:45 am
An argument for morality in this process? That’s just rich.

Comment by A guy Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:48 am
Oh please… its not like no Republican ever played games on their cell phones during a floor debate.

Comment by Mama Monday, May 23, 16 @ 11:54 am
I assume Radogno, et al, have reminded their legislators not to even touch their phones on the floor. This is an easy “turnabout is fair play” issue.

Comment by illini97 Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:00 pm
The “newspapers” that are being published are disgraceful. I know they are legal, but they are sleazy and blur the line between news and political propaganda.

Comment by Saluki Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:09 pm
I think they need to now ban “doodling” and collect and inspect all doodle pads after each session

Comment by Ms. SHEESH Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:09 pm
Playing games during session is juvenile and silly but it wouldn’t alter my decision to vote for a person.

Comment by Belle Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:23 pm
== Now, instead of working to pass a balanced budget, Smiddy plays video games while on the job, and then refuses to apologize for it. ==

Why not! Rauner has been playing games for the past 16 months. He hasn’t apologized yet … The pot calling the kettle black - rich indeed!

Comment by BBG Watch Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:28 pm
Candy Crush is harmless. Rauner is playing Powerless People Crush.

Comment by IllinoisBoi Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:37 pm
Liberty Principles has about a quarter million dollars (and the ability to raise much more) while IllinoisGO has about $6 million. I’m very interested to see if either is involved in the fall elections and if so how so.

Comment by The Captain Monday, May 23, 16 @ 12:37 pm
I’d like to get a few copies. I have birds…

Comment by Mouthy Monday, May 23, 16 @ 1:19 pm
==ILGOP is becoming so hermetically sealed==

Typical of closely-held corporations, which it apparently is….

But Candy Crush? He should at least play something a little more adult, like Words with Friends. Or if you subscribe to the Madigan-as-Satan view, Words with Fiends.

Comment by Excessively Rabid Monday, May 23, 16 @ 1:29 pm
Now if Sandack can stop tweeting all the time while the session is going on, maybe they would have something to hang their hat on.

Comment by Big Joe Monday, May 23, 16 @ 2:01 pm
Fake newspapers
Fake radio news (INN)
What’s next?

I have never understood the contradictions of conservatism. Words like “hypocrisy” and “Pharisees” come to mind.

I don’t condone the game-playing behavior, but I think misrepresenting yourself as an impartial source of information, like these fake papers and INN, is worse.

One is an honest and in the open act, the other is done with intent to deceive.

Comment by cdog Monday, May 23, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Most think Proft continues to find work due to snapshots and Uline.

Comment by Annonin' Monday, May 23, 16 @ 4:17 pm