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*** UPDATE *** Here’s the robocall. It takes a few seconds to start…
Mike Madigan is not taking any chances.
The House speaker is calling in the big guns to help him hold on to his leadership of the state Democratic Party.
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin — one of the most popular and powerful Democrats in the state — has recorded robo-calls in support of Madigan holding his party post as state central committeeman. And U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth is planning to soon follow suit. […]
“This is Sen. Dick Durbin. We need progressive leaders to fight against Trump’s extreme healthcare cuts. That’s why we need to support Michael Madigan and Silvana Tabares for Democratic state central commitee,” Durbin says in the call. “Madigan and Tabares will stand up to Trump and fight for all of us. A vote for Mike Madigan and Silvana Tabares is a vote to resist the Trump agenda.”
Tabares has an opponent, Madigan does not.
* I was working on getting a copy of the audio because I’d also heard about the calls (he’s doing these in other districts, too). They actually start: “This message is sponsored by Friends of Michael J. Madigan.”
Madigan is not popular with rank and file members of his own party, so putting his name up front isn’t the best idea I’ve ever heard. Give Madigan credit for not forming some “dark money” PAC to help these candidates, but I can see this backfiring with more than a few voters.
…Adding… The Madigan folks say that federal law requires the “paid for” language at the beginning of a robocall if a federally elected official is involved. Interesting.
Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan also did a recent robocall for Madigan-backed candidates, but the “paid for by Friends of Michael J. Madigan” disclaimer was at the end.
As we’ve discussed, Madigan is also doing mail in several districts. Some negative, some positive. Our Revolution Illinois, a Bernie Sanders affiliated group, is running a slate of candidates against Madigan’s people. The group doesn’t have the money on its own to support them, however.
But, man, we’re in truly weird times when Madigan has to go to these lengths to make sure he retains a firm hold on the state party.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:08 pm
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Just do everyone a favor and just go old man.
3 decades at helm and the state is bankrupt
Comment by Politically incorrect Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:21 pm
Got one for Al Riley about two days ago.
Comment by Moist von Lipwig Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:24 pm
I got one of these calls and it was bizarre with Madigan name at the top and then Durbin coming on. Always thought that Durbin was the real head of the Democratic Party in Illinois even if not a State Central Committeeman. Some of those committee people will go down.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:24 pm
This is disgusting and I’m sorry Sen. Durbin is involved. These robocalls couldn’t play more to Madigan’s public stereotype if he tried.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:35 pm
D. Durbin. I am embarrassed for you.
Comment by Blue dog dem Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:35 pm
In the 6th, Greg Hose has two challengers, but I have yet to receive a robocall on his behalf. I have, however, received a robocall from one of the challengers, Patrick Watson.
Comment by Tim Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:35 pm
I live in the 15th Congressional District and for the very first time in my memory we have a contested race for Committeewoman. And on top of it we have 5 women running.
I have talked to 4 of the 5. One, who happens to work for the state, was very defensive of MM and stated that she had absolutely no problems with him continuing in that position. Two were extremely evasive and did not appear to be open to a change in leadership. Only one acknowledging that there were definite problems for downstate Democrats with MM retaining his post.
Guess you can guess where my vote going.
Comment by illini Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:40 pm
–But, man, we’re in truly weird times when Madigan has to go to these lengths to make sure he retains a firm hold on the state party. –
Indeed.
I’m a little surprised Durbin stepped up for Madigan right now. He’s been quite critical of Madigan’s state party chairmanship in the past. As many Dem officeholders have been.
We’ll see what the Dem guv nominee has to say after the primary. He could carry a lot of water for Madigan, or he could provide cover for state committee members to show him the door.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:47 pm
I got both robocalls from Durbin and Carrigan on behalf of Cynthia Santos. Hearing Durbin say she was a progressive leader made the coke I was drinking shoot out my nose. I have a lot less respect for Durbin now.
Comment by BigLou Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:49 pm
Say what you will, MJM takes nothing for granted. I wonder if Durbin really wanted to participate, or if the “opportunity” was MJM’s required loyalty oath?
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 4:59 pm
@Tim
Friends of Michael J. Madigan has already spent about $12,700 for direct mail supporting Greg Hose in IL-6
I believe straight robo-calls can cost as little as a penny each. A budget of $12,700 would buy 1.27 million robo-calls.
Comment by Robocalls are less expensive Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:08 pm
He just doesn’t get it, does he?
Comment by Not It Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:12 pm
== I wonder if Durbin really wanted to participate, or if the “opportunity” was MJM’s required loyalty oath?==
That’s a scary proposition you just laid out. Dick Durbin is a United States Senator.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:15 pm
–Say what you will, MJM takes nothing for granted.–
He’s taken plenty for granted. Years of negative spots aimed at him, and he never responded in-kind. A couple of PR interns could have mitigated the damage. The arrogance is astounding.
Now, he’s in trouble and playing catch-up, with no public goodwill to lean on.
It’s his own fault. Just because he could run circles around GOP legislators under the dome, that didn’t make him a genius. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:16 pm
== I wonder if Durbin really wanted to participate, or if the “opportunity” was MJM’s required loyalty oath?==
That’s a scary proposition you just laid out. Dick Durbin is a United States Senator. –
Geez, listen to you two. What is it you’re implying, specifically?
Durbin wrote a letter asking Obama to commute Ryan’s sentence. Was that some kind of Outfit move, too?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:22 pm
Pardon, 5:22 was me.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:22 pm
===–Say what you will, MJM takes nothing for granted.–
He’s taken plenty for granted. Years of negative spots aimed at him, and he never responded in-kind. A couple of PR interns could have mitigated the damage. The arrogance is astounding.
Now, he’s in trouble and playing catch-up, with no public goodwill to lean on.===
This is restaurant-quality.
This is why Rauner was able to take Madigan for the ride he has and stay barely afloat…
“He’s taken plenty for granted. Years of negative spots aimed at him, and he never responded in-kind. A couple of PR interns could have mitigated the damage. The arrogance is astounding.”
Day after day, the Superstars owned Madugan and the Dems. Therex as nexer a feeling of a letting up, because for years, Madigan never touted all the legislative good his own leadership brought Illinois, including taking down Blago (in the end, and all the reasons why he ignored Blago, but I digress) and be the face when needed for Dems.
Rauner saw the empty slate of nothing and enough negative sitting out there, it was so easy to drag Madigan down. Not too bright in protecting one’s self.
“Now, he’s in trouble and playing catch-up, with no public goodwill to lean on.”
Piling upon itself, Madigan as a brand got so stale malleable that once it was forced south my Rauner…
Good stuff - Wordslinger -
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:28 pm
Pardon granted. The person here who first mentioned Loyalty Oath and Durbin in the same sentence was not me.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:29 pm
I’m a voter in the 15th Congressional District, and I can tell you that Germaine Light, one of the Our Revolution-endorsed candidates, is at a big geographical advantage: she’s a resident of Vermilion County and was a teacher for many years in the Mahomet-Seymour school district in Champaign County, whereas all four of her opponents are from the far southern part of the state. Although yard signs don’t vote, there are far more Republican yard signs (mostly for Mike Marron’s state house bid, even though Marron doesn’t have any GOP primary opposition) along the Route 1 corridor between Danville and Westville than Democratic yard signs, although I’ve seen a few Germaine Light yard signs in Danville and none for any of her opponents in the 15th District Democratic committeewoman race.
Comment by Vermilion County Progressive Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:30 pm
All of the legislative good Madigan brought the state. ????
Please fill us in on the good that is negated by decades of unbalanced budgets and slow growth in Illinois economy and population.
Including taking down Blago???
Blago took himself down, Madigan didn’t have to be Perry Mason.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:37 pm
I got one yesterday.
Comment by Ron Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 5:39 pm
-Blago took himself down, Madigan didn’t have to be Perry Mason-
LP, living in a fact-free world must be a treat.
No, MJM didn’t need to be Perry Mason. We had Pat Fitzgerald for that. Once Fitzgerald did his job, Madigan did his, and Rod was outta here seven weeks later.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:50 pm
@Vermillion - Germaine is the only one of the 5 that I have not met or talked to, but she sounds like a good candidate. I’ll take a look or call her, but of those other 4 Down South there is only one that I and many like minded democrats will vote for.
Waiting for the robocall.
Comment by illini Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 6:54 pm
This is Alice In Wonderland. Durbin calls oppresive Dems “progressive” so these machine hacks can maintain their majority of the State party machinery to reelect the Boss and bury all the real progressives. When the Dems are on the verge of enjoying a big wave, this is a recipe for disaster!
Comment by Real Progressive Dem Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 7:36 pm
Nothing prohibits Liberty Principles PAC or Vruce Rauner from jumping behind a Democratic candidate.
Madigan is being very smart.
In the era of dark money, take nothing for granted. State centers like committee is the softest target.
Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 7:39 pm
Got one for Jayne Mazotti earlier this week.
Comment by wayward Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 7:42 pm
–Nothing prohibits Liberty Principles PAC or Vruce Rauner from jumping behind a Democratic candidate.–
Those guys are pretty busy fighting each other. And they can’t put together a true state ticket, or even anyone to take on Berrios or Preckwinkle.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 7:43 pm
I am one of the candidates that Mr. Madigan has waged an misinformation campaign against. If you would like to see the ads, you can view them on my website. The people of my district have made clear what they want. And it is change.
Comment by Cecil Matthews Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 9:11 pm
I suspect Madigan’s efforts could backfire. Many of these folks had zero name recognition and no money. Now, Madigan puts out ads that put out their names as Madigan’s opponents and lie about their background. Primary voters will be likely to look theses folks up, discover the lie, get even more ticked off at Madigan, and elect these folks.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 10:14 pm
== Friends of Michael J. Madigan has already spent about $12,700 for direct mail supporting Greg Hose in IL-6 ==
Interesting. I’ve received no such mailers (though I get them from the IL-6 candidates daily).
Comment by Tim Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 10:21 pm
We have Madigan as Speaker why does he need to be at the top of the democratic party as well? Give some young person a chance. The party needs some fresh leadership. Madigan needs to step down as chairman.
Comment by Real Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 10:34 pm
This mail is tame compared to the junk Rauner is peddling.
Comment by This mail Thursday, Mar 8, 18 @ 10:44 pm
The power of politics must be addicting.
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 3:12 am
Madigan is going to continue to do what he does best. That’s win. And he’s going to leave when he decides, not when the peanut gallery squawks.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 6:22 am
Good to know ,someone who goes by PublicServant refers to voters as the peanut gallery. You must be MJM himself
Comment by Blue dog dem Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 6:52 am
Madigan should say he will resign as long as Bruce doesn’t win.
That would guarantee Rauner loses and Madigan would basically be able to pick his replacement.
Comment by Anon Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 7:13 am
Then vote and quit squawking.
Comment by PublicServant Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 7:33 am
Cecil Matthews,
Very nice web site. Good luck in your campaign. You and I have some fundamental disagreements on some issues, but I’m grateful for anyone willing to extend themselves to run for office.
The fact that MJM is emerging as the distinguishing element in the Democrat primary, he’s certain to become the sole focus of the general.
Comment by Downstate Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 8:00 am
tHE CANDIDATE ON THIS ROBOCALL HAPPENS TO BE AN EXCELLENT CHOICE..REGARDLESS OF THE ROBOCALL.
Comment by flea Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 8:01 am
LOL, suddenly everyone is a “progressive” these days.
Comment by 44th Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 8:20 am
isn’t the party support from Durbin just part of the Pritzker effort? After all, Durbin is on board with that, and they need all the baby ducks in a row for Pritzker fest.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 8:27 am
“Madigan is going to continue to do what he does best. That’s win.” - And the people of the State lose. The majority of the people on this blog have fed this monster and his minions for years.
Comment by Stand Tall Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 8:42 am
—–Madigan should say he will resign as long as Bruce doesn’t win—-
Can’t see it happening, but man this would be hilarious. Everyone would have to start from square one with their TV ads. Rauner’s head might explode, lol….he would have nothing to run on.
Comment by sonny chiss Friday, Mar 9, 18 @ 8:53 am