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ILGOP operative defends tracker involvement

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* Bernie writes about the Illinois Republican Party’s Statehouse video tracker…

The GOP put out a video on Nov. 30 showing state Rep. SAM YINGLING, D-Grayslake, as he walked near the Statehouse. The tracker following Yingling asked if he would vote for Madigan for another term as speaker. The GOP obviously delighted in the response of Yingling, who didn’t stop or turn around, and said, “I don’t know. You should talk to him.” They put it on YouTube and issued a news release.

I’m not positive who the tracker was, but I do know that a Republican staffer, AARON DeGROOT, was at the Capitol that day, as he had a camera pointed at Madigan when the speaker addressed reporters following a meeting in Rauner’s office. I asked DeGroot if he was the tracker.

His response: “Rank-and-file Democrats have allowed boss Madigan to rule Illinois with an iron fist for decades, and I’m part of a team dedicated to holding those who refuse to stand up to Mike Madigan accountable.” […]

“Bruce Rauner has created such a toxic environment in Springfield that I question his ability to get anything done,” Yingling told me Wednesday. “He is spending all of his time continuing to campaign as opposed to governing.” […]

“You do not invest tens of millions of dollars into an otherwise-defunct organization and then take a hands-off approach,” Yingling said [of Gov. Rauner’s flat denial that he’s involved with the ILGOP actions].

Yingling badly muffed his tracker encounter, but he isn’t wrong here. It’s highly difficult to believe Rauner would turn over tens of millions of dollars and not be involved with any operations whatsoever. And if Rauner is somehow telling the truth, he needs to get up to speed with what’s being done with his money and in his name. Pronto.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:00 am

Comments

“And if Rauner is somehow telling the truth”

Based on his track record, this is highly unlikely.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:12 am
===His (Aaron DeGroot) response: “Rank-and-file Democrats have allowed boss Madigan to rule Illinois with an iron fist for decades, and I’m part of a team dedicated to holding those who refuse to stand up to Mike Madigan accountable.” […]===

What an utterly buffoon, Stepford Wife response from someone who is far more comcerned to pleasing the Rauner Word Jumble than actually caring about how these actions damage the governing.

This is an example of “doing what you’re told” then actually having the talent to be considered a political operative on girls earned merits. Sometimes you don’t realize you’re a flunky until you read the responses, the rote responses, that make your own credibility sink.

As DeGroot tries to Follow and ruins the opportunity to have himself seem thoughtful as a tactician, it’s easy to see who’s credibility Raunerites respect, and who’s credibility is out of hand expebdable.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:13 am
Back in my day it was, “talk to the press and you’re fired.”

So — I presume that response is scripted if it’s deviating from “talk to the press and your fired” or Mr. DeGroot may soon find himself working on other duties.

At the same time, maybe the Tracker shouldn’t be listing themselves as an official press secretary for the GOP on LinkedIn.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:21 am
If you want to see how creepy “tracking” can get, watch Leah Remini’s series on Scientology.

Comment by a drop in Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:23 am
Give me a break - the GOP is simply pursuing their own interest. The members of the GA when in Springfield, and especially on the capital grounds need to be ready with talking points.

Comment by Lech W Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:24 am
Bruce Rauner claiming that he has “nothing to do” with the activities of the Illinois Republican Party is the equivalent Jerry Reinsdorf claiming he has nothing to do with the White Sox trading Chris Sale.

Comment by Roman Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:25 am
Why wouldn’t DeGroot just answer the question? Was it you? Are you ashamed? ERROR. DOES NOT COMPUTE

Comment by MissingG Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:27 am
Aaron, you are better than this, a soul is a terrible thing to waste.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:28 am
A better response by Yingling would have been: “Is he running?”

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:30 am
===need to be ready with talking points===

I somehow think that Republican legislators who like to have a cocktail or three with dinner would disagree with you.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:31 am
another breathtakin’ GOPie endeavor —maybe this mutt should get the horseshoe instead of Durkie?
Meanwhile has BigBrain filed a police report to say his loot was stolen?

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:32 am
I will admit that the use of a tracker 24/7 is a bit much, but the Democrats are finally getting a taste of their own medicine. They’ve been putting Republicans in trick boxes for decades, and rank-and-file never noticed because the trick boxes weren’t tricky to them. Now they are all shocked and surprised that the other side plays dirty and they’re totally confused.

On a related note: If you complain that Rauner has too much influence over the Republican Party, how can you not complain that Madigan doesn’t have too much influence over the Democratic Party?

Comment by Not It Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:36 am
The core issue is that two years in, Rauner still hasn’t made the transition from campaigner to governor. Unless his goal is to run the government without a budget - without regard for the consequences to the people of Illinois - then you have to ask what he believes he’s accomplishing in his never ending, scorched earth campaign mode.

Comment by slow down Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:37 am
===…but the Democrats are finally getting a taste of their own medicine.===

I don’t remember Dem trackers around the statehouse?

Do you?

Being an apologist by saying “taste if their own medicine”… this wasn’t the same medicine.

Ugh.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:39 am
===On a related note: If you complain that Rauner has too much influence over the Republican Party, how can you not complain that Madigan doesn’t have too much influence over the Democratic Party?===

Bruce and Diana Rauner have been funding the Raunerites at a 90% plus clip.

Has Madigan?

Please keep up with reality, not your own idea of what you want it to be.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:41 am
===I don’t remember Dem trackers around the statehouse===

Me neither.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:45 am
‘Trackers’ work is only part time. The other parts of the day consist of cleaning out septic tanks - to keep in shape.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:50 am
I get all this. But having lived through tracker experiences yingling broke rule #1 for both candidates and staff–never engage with the tracker unless it is greetings and salutations.

Comment by peets Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:54 am
I did preface my statement by saying trackers were a bit much, but the extreme ease of tracking and using things like (GASP!) social media are also new tools not available before.

My post was more about playing politics aggressively, something the Speaker has done very well for decades.

And while yes the Speaker didn’t use his personal money to control his party’s operations, the complaint by Yingling was that Rauner had too much control over his party’s operations and needs to be accountable for its actions. That exact same complaint holds to the DPI and the Speaker.

Comment by Not It Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:55 am
Why are you folks so bent out of shape on trackers at the captiol? I think it’s fair to say that the democrats never used them on GOP reps at the statehouse. But why is it so wrong that we hold legislators accountable? If you are an elected offical you should assume that any moment you can be recorded that’s the political landscape. That’s the reality of the situation.

Comment by Rad Blaster Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:57 am
Obviously this will help with negotiations?

Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:02 am
===I think it’s fair to say that the democrats never used them on GOP reps at the statehouse===

It’s not “fair to say”, it’s a fact. Geez, Louise, “fair to say”…

===But why is it so wrong that we hold legislators accountable? If you are an elected offical you should assume that any moment you can be recorded that’s the political landscape. That’s the reality of the situation.===

This isn’t “voter accountability”, this is a lowly staffer whose professional integrity is being traded for his “party” to make the statehouse a place for partisan trackers to insert themselves in the governing at the Capitol.

It’s a dangerous precedent. It’s beyond bad form, and allows trust to diminish as the 24/7/365 campaign mode Rauner is pushing is pushing back against real governing happening.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:03 am
Coming soon to Washington, DC.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:04 am
Maybe service providers and unpaid vendors should put trackers on the governor and the Republicans he controls.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:05 am
Aaron is a friend of mine but I will state that I have had disagreements with him and other ILGOP staffers (who are also friends) on this and other matters.

Comment by Team Sleep Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:21 am
Using trackers at the Capitol is terrible and invites in-kind replies which benefit no one; especially the people of the State of Illinois.

Hoping this practice is reconsidered and soon retired.

Comment by Deft Wing Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:21 am
I don’t believe the Dems have ever posted stalkers—I mean trackers– like this.
Maybe the Rauner party could bring back that Quinnochio fellow and say he’s just an elf doing reconnaissance for Santa.

Comment by northsider (the original) Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:29 am
Who would have thought that the party of Sarah Palin would be employing gotcha questions.

Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:29 am
The suggestion that Rauner doesn’t know exactly what’s going on and approving whats going on every day at the state party, an organization he bought and paid for, is laughable.

Again, what does the press do in this state exactly? The passes this governor gets is unbelievable. Another example is how Rauner’s allowed to blame the Dems for no budget, when the initial constitutional duty is on HIM.

It’s like a chapter from Animal Farm at this point.

Comment by GOPgal Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:34 am
Bruce Rauner is completely ignorant about governing. Campaigning, however; is within his comfort zone, so he chooses that instead, to the detriment of the state.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:34 am
Not the only thing they track. This blog is heavily watched.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:44 am
Yingling should have said, the primary/general elections are over - Madigan’s district voted for him to continue his work for the next 2 years. If I lived in his district I would have voted for him too. Unlike the governor, Madigan cares about all of the people of IL.

Comment by MAMA Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:47 am
Isn’t tracking the same thing as bullying/harassment? I thought bullying was illegal in Illinois.

Comment by Mama Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:49 am
“At the same time, maybe the Tracker shouldn’t be listing themselves as an official press secretary for the GOP on LinkedIn. ”

Is he listed as part of the ILGOP or the National GOP group’s official press secretary?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:53 am
Rauner is emboldened by the election results, and so the Cold War that existed before has now escalated. Once you have them on the run, pour it on twice as heavy. Many want Rauner to Govern and quit campaigning, Rauner does not think he can govern until the war is won, so the war will not stop until he is either defeated at the ballot box, or he has driven Madigan from the field.

Comment by Saluki Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:55 am
I watched the video in question a few times now and can confirm that it is 100%, unequivocally NOT the voice of Mr. DeGroot asking Yingling if he’ll vote for Madigan.

So, good on you to jump to conclusions, Willy. But alas, wrong again.

Comment by Lionel Hutz Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:56 am
The tracking this is totally childish and should stop, we need more governing and less of this garbage. I’m sick of all this mess. Last I check Madigan has worked with Governors to get budgets done and Bruce is 0-2 when it comes to getting a budget done.

Comment by Austinman Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:01 am
=it’s like a chapter from Animal Farm.=

Or 1984.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:02 am
The GOP has set their preferences to cyber bulling, what an example for the children

Comment by Rabid Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:03 am
+++- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 9:45 am:

===I don’t remember Dem trackers around the statehouse===

Me neither.+++

Not one’s with audio or video cameras anyway…

Comment by A guy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:08 am
I’m not sure if Mr. DeGroot could have sounded like a bigger dope. Something tells me we’ll find out.

The trackers are a joke. This goes for both parties: Running on your opponents failings is only indicative of your lack of successes.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:14 am
I am volunteering right now to do the same thing for the the Dems. I will have no problem sticking microphone in Gov.Rauner’s, the Minority leaders or any other GOP’ers face who is kowtowing to Rauner.

Comment by ILGOV2018 Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:19 am
Honeybear-Gives a whole new meaning to, “The whole world is watching.”

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:26 am
I have interacted with Mr. DeGroot on a handful of occasions. I never really thought much of him good or bad, that is to say there does not seem to be much there there, so to speak.

This incident is somewhat revealing of his political character though. It strikes me that he is indicative of a new class of fast risers within political organizations these days. Especially ones run by CEO types with egos the size of Neptune and a disdain for independent thinking.

He undoubtedly lacks the capacity of self analysis, or he would be ashamed.

If the governor denies he knows anything about all of this, which many including myself seriously doubt, and proof surfaces that he does know or is directly involved, then what?

May or may not happen, but it is interesting to consider the costs of dishonesty (that even if caught on live tv he would deny).

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:34 am
FYI- My reference to “incident” was Mr. DeGroots pat, memorized, and regurgitated nonanswer answer that did not address the question asked.

I am not assuming he is a stalker.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:36 am
Let’s be clear…

Rauner is trading off the professionalism and integrity of DeGroot.

The fact he’s ok with it, and the Raunerite - Stepford Wife response speaks also to the fact DeGroot’s skills aren’t worthy enough that Raunerites to see as no better than to use so recklessly.

I feel bad for the kid.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:44 am
- Not one’s with audio or video cameras anyway… -

Are you under the impression you’re saying something clever or are you just compelled to post things?

Comment by Daniel Plainview Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:45 am
Seriously? Y’all are upset over a tracker? This is the biggest scandal of our day? It’s almost 2017, the public no longer accepts the Madigan-Daley playbook of hiding everything and refusing to say where you stand. If the media isn’t going to do their job and ask questions, other entities will and should step in.

Comment by John Rawl Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:50 am
===If the media isn’t going to do their job and ask questions, other entities will and should step in. ===

I think that sounds better in the original German.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:56 am
===Are you under the impression you’re saying something clever or are you just compelled to post things?===

Left-handed defense of the practice.

- John Rawl -

The loss of trust within the confines of the Capitol by a political party thinking they are clever is why, up to now, this practice has not been seen.

Governing is based on trust, not lowly staffers pretending they are important to the process by trading their integrity for unhelpful politics.

If that’s lost on you, that says more about you then your defending of the practice.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:58 am
This tracker stuff is just bullying by another name. Of course their party just nominated and sent a bully to the White House and the same can be said for Rauner so I guess we shouldn’t be surprised.

Comment by Chucktownian Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 12:02 pm
I hate to be a kiss-a**, Rich, but “I think that sounds better in the original German” is too good for me not to compliment. Kudos.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 12:07 pm
John Rawl-the media is supposed to be an objective source finding out all facts from both sides and reporting.
Trackers are paid by one side or the other to specifically target one side or the other to achieve their own agenda through manipulation and created production.
See how that works?

Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 12:12 pm
The governor’s Sgt. Schultz act is a familiar one by now. The hands-on CEO knows “nothing, nothing,” whenever he’s involved in something he knows is nasty.

Who’s the governor’s Himmler in this political stalking operation, the operative he pays to run this intimidation scheme of opposition lawmakers in the statehouse?

Is it the same person who sent the armed “private detectives” to “question” Libertarians at their homes, at night?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 12:19 pm
Rauner looks so small and like such a failure next to the President-elect, and Rauner’s jealousy has reached embarrassing levels. “I’m going to eliminate THREE regulations for every new one! That other guy who I won’t name says only two!”

Rauner brought this all on himself. He never established trust. Never took care of even most basic duties, like submitting a balanced budget. Rauner has no real following or army beyond paid staff. Compare to Trump who communicates regularly and directly with huge army of supporters who are anxious to support his agenda and will make the calls/emails etc. when called upon.

I think it’s largely too late for Rauner. He’s just too blah and strikes too many as too slimy to trust with a commitment of valuable time or energy. Rauner and his money were adequate to beat Quinn but he never really made the sale.

Comment by GOPgal Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 12:40 pm
“Rauner looks so small and like such a failure next to the President-elect”

Yikes. And here I thought I was Rauner’s harshest critic.

Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 12:44 pm
Madigan’s party sent a tracker to stand outside of State Rep. Elect Dave Severin’s private business and film a commercial saying he lures children into the store and because he gave a registered sex offender a second chance he, Dave, personally is not safe for “our children”. Sorry if I have not one ounce of sympathy for the Dems having their safe space invaded. The moral equivalency of each sides tactics is disgusting.

Comment by J. Nolan Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 1:18 pm
=Who’s the governor’s Himmler in this political stalking operation, the operative he pays to run this intimidation scheme of opposition lawmakers in the statehouse?=

Whoa baby! That is hitting him in his no-no places. But, it may not be far off.

During the campaign I recall an incident or two when Rauner’s security team was a bit rough with ILDP trackers.

The recollection is fuzzy, am I remembering correctly, mis remembering, or confusing Herr Rauner with Drumpkin?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 1:19 pm
That is not the first time this has happened. If my memory serves me correctly, Rauner had someone tape a couple of Dems playing video games on their cell phones during a long boring house session.

Rauner is simply using the national political playbook to get rid of the Dems.

Comment by MAMA Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 2:42 pm
Can we please stop with the false equivalencies?

These are new tactics, and expanded timeframes, and they cannot help but further delay any progress on solutions.

Comment by walker Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 3:07 pm
+++- Daniel Plainview - Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 11:45 am:

- Not one’s with audio or video cameras anyway… -

Are you under the impression you’re saying something clever or are you just compelled to post things?+++

Read it again, process it, and take it at face value. What we’re talking about here is a higher tech goading kind of tracking. I consider that rather tasteless.

What I’m speaking to is the passive, deliberately overhearing and reporting back kind of tracking “actually in the state house”.

The former is disturbing and new. The latter has been around for as long as the statehouse itself.

Maybe you’re the one compelled to post something silly. Yes, I think you are.

Comment by A guy Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 4:46 pm
Just a wunderin……..Rauner and these Trackers sure want to get rid of Madigan. After seeing all the states surrounding Illinois tumbling and turning Red the last several years I can sure see why. Currently you have to go to Montana and Colorado west…and West Virginia and Pennsylvania east…for divided Government. All the states surrounding Illinois have the Trifecta Effect(Sole Republican Rule) Illinois won’t be Wisconsin and all our neighboring states as long as Madigan is around…budget or no budget. Too bad he’s hated so much.

Comment by Druid Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 8:26 pm
From the beginning Raunner has tried to force a Democratic elected ILGA to pass legislation for term limits, worker compensation, restructure property taxes, and limit Union bargaining. The elected Democrats have not passed legislation that their constituents won’t support.
Raunner doesn’t care that he is bankrupting the State. His belly is full everyday. The sad truth is that there will be no budget until after the Governor is voted out of office.
2 years to go Illinois.

Comment by JLR Thursday, Dec 8, 16 @ 10:39 pm