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The Circular Firing Squad sometimes encircles itself

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Illinois

* From one of Dan Proft’s papers…

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s own local Republican organization will not endorse him for re-election.

The New Trier Township Republican Organization (NTRO) includes Rauner’s north suburban hometown of Winnetka as well as Wilmette, Glencoe and Kenilworth. It officially declined to endorse after voting during a meeting on Saturday morning, just blocks from Rauner’s home.

“It is extraordinarily rare for a regular Republican organization to fail to endorse an incumbent governor, let alone the incumbent’s local organization,” said Wilmette resident Jasmine Hauser, who attended the meeting. […]

Blair Garber, Evanston Township Republican Committeeman and a Rauner-appointee to the Illinois Lottery Control Board, spoke in support of Rauner.

He said NTRO should back Rauner because “his money” can help Republicans re-claim control of the Illinois House from Democrats and House Speaker Michael J. Madigan (D-Chicago).

That’s a little embarrassing for the governor.

Also, I confirmed yesterday that Blair Garber gave the Rauner pitch. You may recall Mr. Garber. From February 1st…

Illinois Lottery Control Board chairman Blair Garber resigned and apologized after describing East St. Louis, Illinois, as the “sh*thole of the universe” on Twitter.

Garber, an Evanston resident and representative on the Republican State Central Committee, used language reportedly invoked recently by President Donald Trump to describe the city in southwest Illinois.

I asked the Rauner campaign yesterday if Garber was authorized to speak for Rauner. “No,” was the response.

* This next one requires a detailed road map, so stay with me. As you know, Denise Rotheimer has appeared in a few TV ads on behalf of Dan Proft’s House GOP candidates. But she recently announced on Facebook that she wouldn’t be supporting Kenny Idstein, who is supported by Proft’s Liberty Principles PAC. Adam Solano, who is running against Idstein, then shared Rotheimer’s post, which links to a very positive story in another Dan Proft paper about… Idstein…

Got all that?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:04 pm

Comments

On a recent campaign trip to southern Illinois, Rauner was greeted by blocks and blocks of Ives yard signs. Signs don’t vote, but he has made a lifetime of enemies. In his own party. Gotta love them contested primaries. Me thinks the Dems have done some bridge burning too. I wonder if they have equaled out?

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:12 pm
Dudes - that’s so low.
But so true.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:17 pm
Well, next wine party’s going to be awkward.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:20 pm
–I asked the Rauner campaign yesterday if Garber was authorized to speak for Rauner. “No,” was the response.–

Um, any particular reasons his highly paid campaign and state party organizations chose not to involve themselves in this?

Did every one of them have to watch cartoons all Saturday morning?

Maybe DeGroot can deliver one of his patented screwball explanations as to how it’s all Because… Madigan.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:21 pm
So Blair Garber, who is from the powerhouse Evanston Township GOP (2016 totals Clinton - 88%, Trump 7%; Duckworth 82%, Kirk 15%) spoke on behalf of the Governor at the New Trier GOP meeting. Did anyone from New Trier speak on Ruaner’s behalf?

Comment by paddyrollingstone Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:26 pm
Temper Tantrum Dan and his blogs. It would be funny if it weren’t so painful.

Comment by anonymous Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:27 pm
==Wilmette resident Jasmine Hauser, who attended the meeting==

Conveniently omitting that Jasmine writes for Breitbart and defended Ives when her campaign retweeted a Nazi supporter
http://www.breitbart.com/2018-elections/2018/02/05/jeanne-ives-illinois-transgender-ad/

Comment by A Guy Who Used To Work In Chicago Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:38 pm
Apparently those folks up there haven’t forgotten the Rauners’ and their daughter turning their backs on New Trier. And for CPS of all things (exclamation point)

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:46 pm
When your home town won’t call you a “Favorite Son” you have a real problem. Rauner has made to many Uturns since becoming Governor. Even his neighbors know he not the one to fix the problems,

Comment by Retired Educator Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 12:52 pm
It appears that Proft is no longer supporting Ken Idstein, hence the article in Proft’s “article” and Rotheimer’s subsequent post. This doesn’t take a Mueller investigation to connect the dots.

Comment by AnonInLake Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 1:04 pm
It is something of a backhanded slap at the newly appointed New Trier committeeman (Myalls) too. She supported Rauner at the Cook County GOP endorsement session where the governor had to make a personal appeal to avoid another “no endorsement.”

Comment by Practical Politics Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 1:32 pm
The number for Ives is now “32.5”

Ives, if anything, might be gaining endorsements, but is losing momentum in public by the continued framing of Ives as exactly who she is.

Ives will be closer to 30 than to 40, and that’s still pretty embarrassing for Rauner, but Rauner will survive and advance and try not to be “Kirk-ed”, because Diana and Brube will go 9-digits(?) to stop it?

Exactly right.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:00 pm
OW. I agree. I cant believe it, but these diehard GOPers think Rauner can once again buy an election. what he fails to realize, I believe, is that the well informed conservative independents have left his camp. Permanently

.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Mar 12, 18 @ 3:32 pm
The right wing would prefer to lose w an un electable right wing candidate than win w Moderate candidate. Circular firing squad indeed. The Good news is the primary will be over soon and then winning a general can be priority for those who wish to win.

Comment by Larry Tuesday, Mar 13, 18 @ 11:07 am