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* UPDATED x2 - Rauner campaign responds * Rate Pritzker’s latest answer to “The Madigan Question”

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The Democratic candidate for Illinois Governor favors term limits for lawmakers holding leadership positions in the General Assembly like long-time House Speaker Michael Madigan and Bloomington’s Bill Brady, who’s the Senate Minority Leader. […]

Pritzker declared himself the most independent candidate for governor in a long time.

“I’ve run a completely independent campaign,” Pritzker said.

“People don’t go to Mike Madigan because they want to win a popularity contest by having his endorsement. They go to him because he can be helpful to them by raising money. I have not raised any outside dollars,” said the billionaire businessman.

*** UPDATE 1 *** The rest of the quote…

I have my whole life been an independent Democrat and demonstrated those values and the things that I’ve done. Mike Madigan wasn’t around when I expanded the school breakfast program, at least I wasn’t working with Mike Madigan to get that done.

I wasn’t involved with Mike Madigan in any way when we built the Holocaust Museum that teaches those kids from all across the state to fight bigotry and hatred.

And I come in as an independent Democrat who has a set of beliefs and values that I’m going to carry out as governor that I hope that he will help us enact but the truth of the matter is that we’re going to go get a lot done, and I’m going to sit in the room, get a budget done with the guy, and unlike Bruce Rauner, we’re actually going to work together on the things that are good for working families, but I’m going to be truly independent.

*** UPDATE 2 *** Will Allison at the Rauner campaign has his own rating: Thumbs down…

Madigan’s power isn’t fundraising, it’s running a rigged system. The same system Pritzker needed to get through the primary despite spending $70 million. And Pritzker’s commitment to the system is why he hasn’t called out Madigan for blocking terms limits and redistricting reform.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:23 pm

Comments

Agree with JB on this. JB being rich is a good thing, not a bad thing. He is independent and has a progressive platform.

Comment by Illinois Resident Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:30 pm
It’s the best response I’ve heard far. That doesn’t mean it actually helps him.

Comment by Montrose Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:33 pm
Read this a couple times. As soon as the vertigo subsides; I’ll answer.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:39 pm
“I have my whole life been an independent Democrat and demonstrated those values and the things that I’ve done. Mike Madigan wasn’t around when I expanded the school breakfast program, at least I wasn’t working with Mike Madigan to get that done.”

Not lacking in humility or accuracy

More than 175,000 additional Illinois children will have access to crucial school breakfast programs as a bill that expands the “Breakfast After the Bell” model in Illinois was signed into law Friday. SB 2393 unanimously passed the state House and Senate this spring.

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:42 pm
Still tooooooo long.

I like it better before you included the rest of the quote.

“I’m running a completely independent campaign and I have the wealth to remain independent after I am elected. Mike Madigan has nothing that I want except his vote in the General Assembly for my agenda.”

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:42 pm
===Not lacking in humility or accuracy===

Because it’s you, I googled your 2016 excerpt and found something you ignored…

===The Rise and Shine Illinois campaign is a partnership of several anti - hunger organizations with support from the national child hunger organization Share Our Strength (Illinois No Kid Hungry) and the JB and MK Pritzker Family Foundation. Illinois No Kid Hungry is a public - private coalition working to end childhood hunger in Illinois by ensuring all children get the healthy food they need, every day. Launched in 2012 as a partnership with Share Our Strength and the Illinois Commission to End Hunger, the campaign is working to connect children with effective nutrition programs, like school breakfast and summer meals, while teaching families how to cook healthy food on a limited budget.===

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:46 pm
Seems like Mike Madigan has picked a successor for governor, who if elected, will have to raise taxes so high, he would not be elected again. In other words he takes the bullet, for Madigan’s tax and spend program.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:52 pm
–Because it’s you, I googled your 2016 excerpt and found something you ignored

You mean Lucky picks his argument then adjusts the facts to fit it? Why, I am shocked. Shocked, I tell you.

Comment by Morty Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:55 pm
Like the Pritzker response

Comment by Back to the Future Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:56 pm
==People don’t go to Mike Madigan because they want to win a popularity contest by having his endorsement. They go to him because he can be helpful to them by raising money. I have not raised any outside dollars ==

It’s absolutely true, but that is also why he was the chosen one over Kennedy, who asked for MJM’s blessing.

Still, he is a likable person, speaks well and has done a good job of sticking to his talking points. Oh, and he’s not the Bond Villain that Rauner is, both in rhetoric and appearance. JB is lovable, like Santy Claus.

Comment by Anon35 Friday, May 11, 18 @ 2:59 pm
Independent? Not seeking anyone’s help? The two most independent candidates who successfully became Governor during my lifetime were Rauner and Dan Walker.

No union workers walking precincts? No sought after endorsements? Will go it alone just like he was calling Blagojevich looking for an appointment the Feds caught on tape?

Pritzker still hasn’t learned. Calling himself Mickey Mantle doesn’t make him Mickey Mantle. Too many Democrats claiming to be independent these days. That Madigan Factor must not be polling well for him.

One vote shy of being unanimously re-elected as party Chair. One abstension shy of re-election as Speaker.

Sorry JB. He is still looming right behind you. You need to completely disavow him, like Democrats demand Rauner’s disavowal of Trump.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:07 pm
–Read this a couple times. As soon as the vertigo subsides; I’ll answer.–

It’s the same argument Rauner and his Bots made: he’s rich, so he doesn’t have to kowtow to the politicians and interests for money.

Was that not believable from Rauner? Pritzker has a lot more money than he does.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:16 pm
Rich white guy wants to lead a party that is driven by identity politics - great fit

Comment by Texas Red Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:17 pm
–The two most independent candidates who successfully became Governor during my lifetime were Rauner and Dan Walker.–

Independently disastrous?

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:21 pm
The independent part may be a stretch, but it’s okay. Can Pritzker be a force who pushes for legislation of some of his big agenda items, like marijuana legalization and a progressive income tax? Madigan said that it’s dangerous to go against the will of voters, when he said he hasn’t decided yet on marijuana legalization. That’s a positive sign. Does anyone see Madigan being a red vote on a progressive income tax?

I want to see Pritzker continue doing what he appears to be doing right now, which is building unity with Democrats and their allies. Rauner is in disarray right now with Republicans, so there’s that. But keep building support for those issues many want to see enacted.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:23 pm
=You need to completely disavow him, like Democrats demand Rauner’s disavowal of Trump.=

So are you suggesting that if elected Pritzker should refuse to work with Madigan as Rauner has done? Even Jeanne Ives recognized what a ridiculous approach that was.

Comment by Pudent Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:24 pm
It’s his best possible answer to the question. Simple enough for the volunteers to repeat in a phone bank, and turns another negative into a positive.

What took so long?

Comment by Arsenal Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:28 pm
===Rauner’s disavowal of Trump.===

Has Rauner?

If not, not a great argument.

===That Madigan Factor must not be polling well for him.===

Hmm.

Rauner has Pritzker underwater already. Rauner is unlikable, with 26% approval, Rauner needs voters to like him, especially as the incumbent.

Rauner is losing to a guy who is already under water, and losing by double digits.

Your worry for Rauner should be trying to win voters, voters choosing the lesser, thus far, aren’t choosing the incumbent Rauner.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:28 pm
You’ll know how “independent” he is in 2020 when he renegs on his pledge to veto any gerrymandered redistricting map. Any of the Madigan genuflectors up for a wager?

Comment by lake county democrat Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:31 pm
LCD- think you’ll have your clock by then?

Comment by Morty Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:35 pm
–Rich white guy wants to lead a party that is driven by identity politics–

What’s “identity politics?” You kids say that a lot these days. Must mean something.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:40 pm
Rauner is actually at 31% positive 55% negative, 14% undecided

What do you think JB and Mike Madigan are OW?

https://morningconsult.com/2018/02/01/governor-rankings-jan-2018/

Comment by Lucky Pierre Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:40 pm
Another code word like community organizer…words like these are used by people who believe in Trump’s view of the world but know just enough not to say what they really believe.

Comment by Morty Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:45 pm
===identity politics===

Any view that offers an alternative to that of white males = “identity politics.”

Of course, that ignores the fact that white men have been the longest, more ardent adherents of identity politics that they actually wrote themselves in the Constitution. Attempts to amend that document to bring about a more equal and just society have been derided as “identity politics.”

See the 13th and 19th Amendments for more information and also a bit of hope for further progress someday in the future.

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:46 pm
=Read this a couple times. As soon as the vertigo subsides; I’ll answer.=

You sure you didn’t get the vertigo from the last three years of Rauner’s incoherent non-answer answers?

Sheesh, at least the guy answered a direct question directly.

You’d think with all of his skill and supporters like Louis Atsaves, Rauner could learn to answer at least one question.

@Louis Atsaves, are you SURE you want to use Dan Walker as evidence of independence? Or are you portending something about Rauners future?

Comment by JS Mill Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:46 pm
Lucky Pierre, your link is badly outdated. That was February. Try this one from April https://morningconsult.com/2018/04/12/americas-most-and-least-popular-governors/

26% approve, 60% disapprove.

You are in dire need of a nap. Pronto.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:49 pm
===Rauner is actually at 31% positive 55% negative, 14% undecided===

LOL…

Your counter is “It’s not as bad, but still 24 points under water”?

It’s Friday, are you starting the weekend early?

Last polling had Pritzker both under water and leading Rauner by double digits…

You’re not helping. Honest.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:51 pm
JB needed Madigan because of his political savvy and power over the party. The guy got humiliated by Schakowsky in 1998 and tucked his tail for 20 years. Madigan courted him (err, his inheritance, rather) and in return offered him the keys to the Governor’s mansion.

Comment by Anon312 Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:51 pm
Pretty weak sauce of a response from team Rauner. I expected better since their entire campaign is based off of Mike Madigan.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:53 pm
–You are in dire need of a nap. Pronto.–

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdK_N2K54BI

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:54 pm
Btw, I should have included the >s thing there. Sorry

-LCD- think you’ll have your clock by then?

Comment by Morty Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:55 pm
Oh come on.

Rauner’s running “a rigged system”. The only difference — only difference — between Rauner and Madigan is that Rauner’s rigged system is paid for from Rauner’s own wallet.

Cripes. And that’s the travesty.

Comment by Bobby T Friday, May 11, 18 @ 3:58 pm
I googled Pritzker Madigan to find some old connections but I mostly got Rauner’s and Pritzker’s attacks against each other. Did Pritzker and Madigan hang out and engage in “corruption” over the years? All I saw was that Pritzker gave big money to Madigan’s “political front groups” (a Super PAC and few other small contributions) and that the Speaker has been “breaking legs behild the scenes” to get unions to back Pritzker.

I really doubt there’s any “leg breaking” to get union support against Rauner.

There just doesn’t seem to be much “there” there for Rauner, except for a campaign tactic.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:04 pm
I look at Labor, and how Rauner has united labor and if Pritzker does better that 3 of 5 union households than Quinn did, Rauner will again lose an opportunity to get possible Democratic voters. Remembering 1 in 5 is still 20%, that is not 40% Rauner had in 2014, then add a possible blue wave of voter enthusiasm on the Dem side… Raunerism has alienated social conservatives and possibly sympathetic labor voters.

Who is the Rauner constituency?

Right now, voters are 26-60 approval/disapproval

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:10 pm
Rigged democratic primary, your concern for democrats is heartfelt

Comment by Rabid Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:12 pm
Speaking of “corruption,” how about the millions Rauner singlehandly gave the GOP while being governor, the way he exerted himself upon the party and the disastrous results? Hello Pritzker crew, take the issue and turn it around on him.

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:17 pm
While Julianna Stratton seems to have done a good job as a state rep, she would not have gotten elected without the help of Madigan money and Madigan people. So the connection is right there.

Comment by Bebe Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:26 pm
===While Julianna Stratton seems to have done a good job as a state rep, she would not have gotten elected without the help of Madigan money and Madigan people.===

If I recall, Rep. Stratton beat Ken Dunkin.

Ken Dunkin was (and is) a Raunerite.

Rep. Stratton beating Ken Dunkin kinda highlights what Rep. Stratton brings to the table versus Bruce Rauner.

So there’s that connection.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, May 11, 18 @ 4:31 pm