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More on Pritzker’s “Blue Wave” program

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Illinois

* A little background is here, and much more is here for subscribers. Bernie has some info on JB Pritzker’s new “Blue Wave” initiative…

Galia Slayen, spokeswoman for Pritzker, said that this week, Pritzker will provide $1 million each to funds that help elect Senate Democrats and House Democrats; and another $1 million to the Rock Island County Democratic Party, which is chaired by Doug House. House is also president of the Illinois Democratic County Chairs’ Association. Other Democratic candidates will also get funds, including $50,000 that will go to state Sen. Kwame Raoul, D-Chicago, who is the party’s nominee for attorney general. […]

“Not only has Doug House worked on the county level as a chair, but he is someone that we have worked with in his capacity as president of the IDCCA and we are confident in his ability to build a statewide, grassroots infrastructure that invests in counties across the state so we can beat Bruce Rauner and win campaigns up and down the ticket,” Slayen said. […]

Slayen also said Blue Wave Illinois will not take money from corporations or their political action committees.

“We’re happy to have that support, and support from thousands of other people from all over the country,” said Steve Brown, spokesman for Madigan, of the Blue Wave effort. He characterized Rauner and the GOP as “a well-financed negative message machine.”

* Tribune…

Pritzker has long talked about using his campaign and personal wealth to help build up a Democratic political apparatus in the way the governor used his money to rebuild the Illinois Republican Party. For Democrats, the political system has normally been centered upon state party chairman Michael Madigan, the veteran House speaker.

On Twitter, Republican state Rep. Grant Wehrli of Naperville wasn’t impressed, posting a video of blue-colored water swirling down a toilet.

* Rauner campaign…

Pritzker Bankrolling the Madigan Machine

JB Pritzker has once again made his alliance with Mike Madigan clear by stating that he’ll be fundraising for the Speaker’s candidates. Pritzker sent out an email touting his “Blue Wave” program that he hopes will keep Madigan in the majority and the corrupt machine humming right along.

“Pritzker refuses to be seen with Mike Madigan but he has no problem bankrolling his political machine. This is just another example of the Pritzker-Madigan ticket working hand-in-hand to keep Illinois corrupt.” -Alex Browning, Rauner campaign spokesman

* The Pritzker campaign’s Galia Slayen responds…

Glad to see the Rauner team can still find the copy and paste feature on their computer. Perhaps they should be more focused on passing a budget – it seems to be difficult for them.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:07 am

Comments

==Glad to see the Rauner team can still find the copy and paste feature on their computer. Perhaps they should be more focused on passing a budget – it seems to be difficult for them.==

Just as a point of messaging, I think this is really weak. Better to hammer Quincy than to use internet snark. Also, the Governor’s Office doesn’t pass budgets, the General Assembly passes budgets.

Comment by Chris Widger Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:13 am
–Glad to see the Rauner team can still find the copy and paste feature on their computer.–

That’s pretty good.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:15 am
===On Twitter, Republican state Rep. Grant Wehrli of Naperville wasn’t impressed, posting a video of blue-colored water swirling down a toilet.===

If you were wondering about what it’s like to follow @GrantWehrli, that describes his twitter to a T. It’s like reading someone who writes for a caricature… of themself. It’s a must follow.

lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:17 am
===Glad to see the Rauner team can still find the copy and paste feature on their computer. Perhaps they should be more focused on passing a budget – it seems to be difficult for them.===

Patterson-Quality.

It’s time that Raunerite ridiculousness meets a response wall that mirrors what Rauner did to Quinn, and do it with pithy, biting, retorts.

Well done.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:20 am
He would have some national clout if he could help bring 2 to 4 house seats along too.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:24 am
>>He [JB] would have some national clout if he could help bring 2 to 4 house seats along too.

IL-6 would be one place to start.

Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:31 am
==Just as a point of messaging, I think this is really weak.==

It’s fine for what it is- a response to a response to the Blue Wave announcement. There’s no reason to give Team Rauner the last word on it, but you also don’t want to break your back drafting it, either.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:32 am
==He would have some national clout if he could help bring 2 to 4 house seats along too.==

I’m sure he knows, he’s headlining a fundraiser for Underwood tomorrow…

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 11:37 am
I take it Nancy Kohn didn’t want to sell the naming rights to Deep Blue Illinois?

From Blue Wave to Deep Blue, one word comes to mind: drowning.

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 12:25 pm
The best thing is that Rauner can’t just batter people with money. All Rauner has is money and threats. While Rauner is strugglin’ with GOP unity and hocking up that tired cut and paste Madigan tripe, Pritzker is building up his party.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 12:44 pm
Really Prtizker campaign?

The Governor is the only one who has a problem passing a balanced budget? See the record of the past 18 years and get back to us

Also why you are at it check most recent national recent polling on the generic ballot, it does not look like a “blue wave” unless you are in the kiddie pool

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/388832-reuters-poll-shows-republicans-leading-generic-ballot-for-first-time

Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 2:51 pm
==The Governor is the only one who has a problem passing a balanced budget?==

They never included the word “balanced”. That was just you, shifting the goalposts.

==Also why you are at it check most recent national recent polling on the generic ballot==

Or at least the one you want to cherry-pick, with it’s R+4 voter universe.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 3:53 pm
===The Governor is the only one who has a problem passing a balanced budget? See the record of the past 18 years and get back to us===

Rauner has yet… to sign a budget.

That’s on a governor.

Rauner wants those vetoes to mean something, then Rauber also owns not funding state agencies… like Veterans Affairs.

So, you go with that. Rauner’s history of never funding his state agencies via a signed budget… not a great look.

===Also why you are at it check most recent national recent polling on the generic ballot, it does not look like a “blue wave” unless you are in the kiddie pool===

Rauber is polling at 26% approval, losing to Pritzker, with Pritzker already under water, by double digits.

But, please worry about that national wave when Rauner can barely get 1 in 4 to approve of him.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Who do the voters want as governor Rauner, or a return to the state run by Madigan, thru JB?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 4:39 pm
===Who do the voters want as governor Rauner, or a return to the state run by Madigan, thru JB?===

… and yet, Rauner is losing to Pritzker, who is already under water in his own polling… by double digits.

Bruce Rauner failed. That’s the ballgame, and Rauner needs people to like him again

*Enter “Brewskis with Bruce”*

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 4:49 pm
===in his own polling===

Polling of Pritzker’s approval/disapproval, not polling done BY the Pritzker Crew

Apologies.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, May 22, 18 @ 4:51 pm