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Pawar unhappy about State Fair rally cancellation

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Illinois

Chicago city Alderman and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ameya Pawar criticized party leadership for nixing an open air rally in lieu of a private brunch with donors.

“If we continue shutting people out of the conversation about the future of our state, then we will never grow as a party and we won’t stand a chance to beat Bruce Rauner next year,” Pawar said. “We can’t just be talking to each other behind closed doors at fundraisers.

Pawar plans to host his own ‘Progressives Day Rally’ at Springfield’s Douglas Park on Thursday, August immediately after the brunch. The Pawar campaign is reaching out to invite other candidates to join him at the event, which is located three miles from the fairgrounds. Part of the itinerary includes stump speeches, hay bales and a band. […]

Madigan spokesman Steve Brown bristled at the notion that party leaders were neglecting individual voters in favor of donors, saying only conservative groups would make such a suggestion.

Brown then offered to help promote Pawar’s event, although he has not said if Speaker Madigan would attend.

“If they want to tell us where it is, we’ll put it on our website and let people know about it,” Brown replied.

The only time most Springfieldians ever see hay bales is when Chicago-area politicians use them as props. Also, I’m betting they’ll be bales of straw, not hay, but I quibble.

Also, DPI has a website?

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:04 pm

Comments

Straw bales, hay bales, straw men. All are welcome.

Comment by Mrs Robinson Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:07 pm
I’ve been to a lot of Democratic Day rallies, and let me assure you, these should never be confused with an attempt to have a “conversation about the future of our state.”

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:08 pm
This is a really good idea for Pawar.

The rally is usually a waste (it is not, in any form, a chance to talk to “regular voters”), and it was just untenable with Rauner’s house right there. But the headlines were bad, and Pawar saw his opening and took it.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:10 pm
== a band==

Well Sheila Simon needs something to do these days

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:11 pm
== “regular voters”==

I’m not sure Douglas Park is the ideal place to find those either

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:12 pm
Guess nobody told him about Douglas Park’s sordid history, either.

Further, a “put it on our website” from Brownie is one of the better subtle FUs I’ve heard in a long while.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:13 pm
==I’m not sure Douglas Park is the ideal place to find those either==

Oh, he won’t be getting anybody besides his own committed volunteers. But that’s not the point, the headline is the point.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:15 pm
==If we continue shutting people out of the conversation about the future of our state…==

I already shut you out. I went to the Wisconsin State Fair.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:16 pm
Perhaps Ameya Pawar would consider actually going to the state fair to meet actual Illinoisians and talk to them.

HA HA HA HA HA! Sometimes I crack myself up.

Comment by Snarky with intent Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:17 pm
Fair question: Did Pawar’s staff neglect to mention to him that Lincoln Park is literally across the street from the Fair?

Comment by SAP Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:19 pm
Brown, “hold on let me text Mike, I’ll let you know if he can make it” or “go pound sand”

Comment by Ha Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:19 pm
Not a bad chance for Pawar to get some coverage.

But any person who has attended at least 1 Democrats Day rolled their eyes at the notion that regular voters attend either event. And woo boy that $40 donor club is oh so exclusive.

Comment by Anonish Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:24 pm
“47th Ward” gets my vote. What a joke. Does MM ever go to this or have a meeting of the central com.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:30 pm
Some like to think that website helped propel Ds past ComandoMakeItUp and Wingee.
Thanks for askin’

Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Pawar has a point as $40 for the brunch is a lot of $$ if you don’t have job or are on disability. I’m sure Chair Madigan didn’t think of that or consult with his State Central Committeepersons before deep sixing the rally. From his perspective it was repetitive & a waste of time. But for the poor folks who provide the Dem votes it was not.

Comment by Traditionalist Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:47 pm
He missed the boat…. should have doen this at Washington park, stand in the pavillion, lincolnesque imagery

Comment by Ghost Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:58 pm
=== Further, a “put it on our website” from Brownie is one of the better subtle FUs I’ve heard in a long while. ===

Well, still more than Giannoulias got.

Comment by The Captain Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 2:59 pm
Pawar’s actually doing something about the cancellation of Democrat’s Day. AND inviting all the candidates? I’ll be there.

Comment by Lady Lefty Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 3:07 pm
“Part of the itinerary includes stump speeches, hay bales and a band.”

How can bales — hay or straw — be part of an itinerary? Will a bale give a stump speech? Will bales give a demonstration of bale bucking?

Comment by Nick Name Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 3:26 pm
Looks like Pritzker is the only candidate left who hasn’t openly criticized Madigan. Of course, the only time you want to be the anointed one is when Madigan is doing the anointing.

Comment by Anon312 Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 3:38 pm
Boo Hoo

Comment by Partispation Ribbon Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 3:40 pm
==“If they want to tell us where it is, we’ll put it on our website and let people know about it,” Brown replied.==

In fact, we’ll have the Speaker post it himself and then he’ll Tweet it…

Not the most genuine offer ever Mr. Brown.

Comment by A guy Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 4:27 pm
Not sure most of us care about the 5th place candidate not liking something. He needs to return the calls of his constituents about the city trees that need trimming.

Comment by Southwestsider Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 5:23 pm
Yeah, it isn’t like the Democrats have agriculture campaign ads with mountains and fields of wheat in them or anything.

Comment by Not It Tuesday, Aug 8, 17 @ 5:26 pm