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* Newton N. Minow endorsed Bruce Rauner in 2014 and is now endorsing Chris Kennedy…
“Why this Democrat is voting for Rauner?” was the headline of my commentary that the Tribune published on March 19, 2014. Borrowing a quote from President John F. Kennedy that said “sometimes party loyalty asks too much,” I explained that as a Democrat I supported Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner because Illinois was in grave financial peril and that we needed to change our financial direction.
After Rauner was elected, the Tribune published another piece I wrote where I urged Gov.-elect Rauner to fire his campaign staff, stop campaigning and start governing with advisers “who are problem solvers, who are not partisans, and who know how to compromise.”
Sadly, our state’s financial situation has continued to deteriorate. Problems have not been solved, bitter and excessive partisanship is accepted political strategy in Springfield, and “compromise” is a dirty word. I do not believe it’s all Gov. Rauner’s fault. It is the fault of both the Democratic and Republican parties. At least Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno are trying to find compromise while House Speaker Michael Madigan insists it is his way or the highway. And while I continue to like and respect Gov. Rauner and his wife, Diana, I believe we need a change if we are to reach compromise and progress.
That is why I will enthusiastically vote for and support Chris Kennedy for governor of Illinois in 2018. As a friend of his mother and father for more than 60 years, I’ve known Chris since his birth. His dad, the late Robert Kennedy, and I were on the 1956 campaign staff of Illinois Gov. Adlai E. Stevenson when he ran for president. Because Bob Kennedy and I were about the same age, we were often roommates on campaign trips. And because we both had children of similar ages, we often talked about our families and our values. As the years passed, Chris grew up, married Sheila Berner, and moved to Chicago to manage the Merchandise Mart.
* Brief gubernatorial candidate and not exactly successful White House chief of staff Bill Daley demands solutions to the city’s crime problem…
Commentary: Enough! Chicago cannot keep tolerating gun violence.
* And former mayoral and presidential candidate Willie Wilson is spending about $8K for a month of cable TV ads on the city’s South Side…
Of all the items above, however, Wilson’s effort is probably the most important and genuine.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:26 pm
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@FakeBruceRauner - Newton N. Minow is a phony Democrat that supports the Status Quo. I’m not surprised by his endorsement. #Lemonade
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:31 pm
“Brief gubernatorial candidate and not exactly successful White House chief of staff Bill Daley”
Campaign chairman of Gore/Liberman 2000 is another career highlight of Bill Daley’s “not exactly successful” political resume.
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:36 pm
Well, Newt is right about Adlai Stevenson. He was the last excellent governor of unquestioned integrity that we’ve had.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Who, exactly, in the body politic is listening to Newt Minow or Bill Daley? The epitome of gravitas as a stand in for lack of actual, relevant accomplishment.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:47 pm
Does this mean Diana Rauner is the sole Democrat that Rauner will have in his corner?
I’m just curious now
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:51 pm
It’s amazing the cred Minow has gotten out of one zinger nearly 58 years ago.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:52 pm
Precinct Captain — I think Newt’s column — along with Dr. Rauner’s commercials — played a role in legitimizing Gov. Rauner as a moderate candidate. The column moved some votes along the lakefront and in the North Shore. I remember people talking about it.
Comment by Keyrock Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:52 pm
Other than ego, and the ability to mouth progressive platitudes with some degree of sincerity, why is Kennedy running for Governor of Illinois?
Comment by Horst Cabal Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 2:59 pm
I am for Kennedy. Rauner had his chance and blew it. Blew it bad ! An “R” turned “D” but NOT for, or support, Madagin.
Comment by For Kennedy ! Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:00 pm
Newton appears to have one op-ed piece in him, every two years, where he just changes the names.
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:02 pm
==Madagin.==
If you change your mind, I hope he doesn’t run as a “write in”
Comment by A guy Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:18 pm
Governor Adlai Stevenson to Rauner to Kennedy?
You’re all over the board, sir, and I think your prospect of moving any bloc of voters is minimal.
Comment by Stumpy's bunker Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:20 pm
Minow ia a minnow and has all the gravitas of a minnow. Go away Newt, you blew it with your endorsement. All ya hada do was google Rauner, but obviously, you didn’t take the time. Your mind is a vast waste land.
Comment by wondering Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:22 pm
Kennedy loyalist supports Kennedy. is that surprising?
Comment by jim Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:24 pm
I think Keyrock’s right. Comments from Minow and others helped in making Rauner more palatable to progressives and liberals fed up with the status quo. Unfortunately Minow like others have woken up and realized they were sold a bag of goods.
Comment by Pundent Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:33 pm
Shorter Newton Minow: “I … I … I … I … I”.
Get over yourself Newt.
Comment by The Captain Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 3:41 pm
As God is my witness, I thought Newton Minow passed away a year or so ago. Really.
Oops. Well, let’s not forget his” TV is a vast wasteland” opus. He sure got that fixed; “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” only lasted four seasons.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:00 pm
Minow must have been wondering around in his “vast wasteland” when he found Kennedy.
Comment by The vast wasteland Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:10 pm
Gee - A lifelong Democrat who makes a big deal how he’s been a Kennedy homer his whole life dating back to the 50’s, is endorsing a Kennedy. Big surprise - and a non-story. Holds little to no weight with anyone. I personally believe endorsements are overrated in this day of 24/7 media. Especially dinosaur ones like this one.
Comment by Mikey the Dem Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:12 pm
Translation: “I screwed up big time with my Rauner endorsement in 2014. Won’t make that mistake in 2018.”
Comment by formerpro Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:13 pm
Kennedy is capping off a solid week on the campaign trail — from Southern Illinois Dems endorse Kennedy to Newt Minow.
Comment by Downstate Dem Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:15 pm
- Downstate Dem -,
Yeah, um, slow down there, Speed Racer
Kennedy only got 10 of the 20 in the Group to commit, and Minow isn’t turning precincts for ya.
If anything it’s a week of more good than embarrassing… maybe.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:27 pm
Anytime you get good news and new endorsements, you count your political blessings. Politics 101. It’s called a good week. You can try to rain on that good-news parade all you want (and I know you will - ha ha)
Comment by Downstate Dem Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 4:41 pm
===Anytime you get good news and new endorsements, you count your political blessings. Politics 101===
… and yet it “was” an endorsement, but not really reflecting everyone, so you promote the phony? Um, ok. Good to know. Politics 101 is “business as usual”.
===You can try to rain on that good-news parade all you want===
… and yet your drive-by had nothing refuting my points.
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 6, 17 @ 9:28 am