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Mary Hansen…
Some Republicans say Rauner’s support helped revive the party and make it more competitive. Though Democrats have accused him of using this money to intimidate lawmakers to follow his agenda, which Rauner has denied. […]
For one thing, there’s not a power vacuum atop the Democratic Party — Speaker Madigan retains a firm grip. And Democrats have majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly. This leaves less room for a wealthy donor to come in and assert influence.
Brendan O’Sullivan, a Democratic strategist and fundraiser in Illinois, remembers one particular donation, a $9 million check from Rauner to support a few House and Senate races in October of 2016.
“It was a deflating to say the least for me to see that,” he said. “It was on a Friday night. And I thought, ‘Oh my God, I can’t believe I have to figure out how to bring in a new $9 million over the last weeks of this election.” […]
“I think there’s a sense of relief on the Democratic side that we have someone who can help us match what Gov. Rauner decides to spend,” he said.
I believe a lot of elected Illinois Democrats feel relieved that they won’t be outspent this time around.
Not everyone thinks it’s a great idea, though. Read the rest for that perspective.
[Reporter’s name was changed because of an error at the other end of the original lin, which was also changed.]
* Related…
* New Pritzker investment fund takes in $1.8 billion: Conscious of the conflicts that might seem to exist given J.B. Pritzker’s political run, Tony Pritzker said that the only Illinois investors in the second fund are family members. “J.B.’s not involved in PPC Partners and we didn’t solicit nor do we have any Illinois investors,” Tony Pritzker said. “J.B.’s very careful about this stuff.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 9:42 am
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Rauner wasn’t on the ballot two years ago. I have my doubts that he’ll go large this time for GOP GA candidates.
He’ll spend to save his own neck first — and you won’t see the word “Republican” in any of his paid media.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 9:55 am
Given the extenuating circumstances, that we have a right wing SCOTUS, live in a post-Citizens United world and have a half-billionaire pumping tens of millions of dollars in politics and buying a political party, Pritzker’s financial help is welcome and needed.
Now is not the time to self-crucify for Democrats and those who would vote for them, because “billionaires have taken over the system.” Win elections first and then fight purity battles—while in power. Read Sun Tzu.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 9:56 am
How much have Madigan and Cullerton raised not counting Pritzker’s donations? Compare that with how much Durkin and Brady have raised excluding Rauner’s cash.
Lol.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 9:58 am
“Gaines says to fix the system and ensure fair elections, redistricting changes may be just as important as campaign finance changes.”
Hmmm. Something Rauner has been pushing hard for and Illinois Democrats have been resisting hard.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:00 am
Wasn’t O’Sullivan just on the Chris Kennedy campaign?
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:02 am
The drawbacks come from how that money is used - is it going to spent for electing candidates with a diversity of views within the party, or used as a cudgel to elect those that will toe whatever line is coming from mr. moneybags? We’ve seen the latter played out with the GOP lately and it hasn’t been pretty. Madigan has had a better approach that Pritzker would do well to emulate: other than for rules and for speaker, members vote their districts.
Goo-goos like Mary Miro can decry it all they want, but dems have to play the hand that the supreme court has dealt them. Money is free speech, corporations are people and billionaires can spend whatever they want to on elections. Dems cant stop it, and part of playing that hand is finding their own billionaires to level the field.
Comment by Lester Holt’s Mustache Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:02 am
That the Democratic Party has existing power centers ought to keep it from being a one-man show in quite the same way the Republicans have been. But only for a time. Madigan’s power is already fading.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:06 am
–Something Rauner has been pushing hard…–
Uh huh, like term limits.
I’ve always thought Rauner cynically pushed those proposals to collect voter data, but that they were purposely and obviously flawed so they’d get tossed by the courts, and he could run on them again this year.
What are your thoughts on their failures? Just incompetence? Were you advising on the language of the amendments?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:08 am
I want my own billionaire. Just saying.
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:15 am
What Rauner’s done to the IL GOP is eerily similar to what happens in some private equity LBOs: there’s this flood of new cash; the new “owners” (Rauner) take the lion’s share of the benefit; the Company is saddled with “debt” (in this case, Rauner’s crazy views and poor governance, over-reliance on a single donor) which hobbles its longer-term viability. Rauner will lose, the equivalent of bankruptcy; the “Company” will have to undergo a “restructuring” - which will be left to a shrunken list of GOP office holders, and maybe Ives and Harold.
Comment by DarkHorse Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:20 am
“What are your thoughts on their failures? Just incompetence? Were you advising on the language of the amendments?”
Uh, like when you need a truck to deliver a mountain of petitions to attempt a Constitutional change appearing on the ballot because legislature wouldn’t pass it in a million years? Twice? You think that is incompetence? Or, to use the standard political line, is that proof that the system is rigged to the Nth degree against such reform?
I’ll go with Door Number 2 to answer your questions under these circumstances.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:25 am
Was not PPC Partners spun off from the private investment portion of the Pritzker group? Some of the companies in PPC include Peco Pallet which JB was personally involved with when there was a strike at the plant.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 10:41 am
–Uh, like when you need a truck to deliver a mountain of petitions to attempt a Constitutional change appearing on the ballot because legislature wouldn’t pass it in a million years? Twice? You think that is incompetence?–
Uh, that didn’t even happen once, counselor. Both proposed amendments got tossed by the courts.
The cynicism or incompetence was in the drafting of the amendments. Kind of like your posts.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:05 am
I occasionally write checks to Democrats. The nice thing for me about a Pritzker at the head of the ticket is that I don’t feel the slightest reason to contribute to that race. It probably will help some local candidates, particular as the Aldermanic season starts and a few of the contenders could really use some early cash.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:18 am
===The cynicism or incompetence was in the drafting of the amendments. Kind of like your posts.===
@Word - You funny. Period.
Comment by PublicServant Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 11:40 am
== but that they were purposely and obviously flawed ==
Both sides have indulged themselves in proposing / passing actions they knew were unconstitutional, usually in election years. Sometimes it was to prove a point / shaping public opinion, like the clearly flawed SB-1 pension bill. In other cases, like the non-binding millionaires tax and similar referenda, it was strictly about driving voter turnout. Unfortunately, I don’t know a good way to stop it.
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 12:51 pm
Given the heavy GOP dependence on Rauner cash, what will their future look like if he loses?
Comment by anon2 Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 2:29 pm
===Given the heavy GOP dependence on Rauner cash, what will their future look like if he loses?===
The Combine. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. /s
Comment by Six Degrees of Separation Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 3:08 pm
@wordslinger, I said twice. Pay attention.
Comment by Louis G. Atsaves Thursday, Jul 19, 18 @ 9:50 pm
Louis, if you’ll review, what’s in writing, I paid a lot more attention to what you wrote than you did.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 20, 18 @ 8:50 am