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Question of the day

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Illinois

* Unsolicited Tribune columnist advice…

Pritzker’s bottomless checkbook is feeding get-out-the-vote efforts, campaign staff, candidates, mailers and foot soldiers statewide. Will the media now refer to Illinois’ Democratic Party as Pritzker’s Democratic Party, as they have Rauner’s Republican Party?

They should. It is.

So, it’s no longer Speaker Madigan’s state party? Won’t the governor’s campaign be upset about this?

* The Question: Should Illinois political reporters now refer to the state Democratic Party as JB Pritzker’s party? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.

survey services

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:30 pm

Comments

I voted no. I don’t think it’s fair to make that analogy at this point. If/when he wins, it would potentially be valid.

Comment by Imirrelephant Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:34 pm
the D party is both and paid for by JB.. nothing wrong with that..so..its his party now..If he wins in November, its his party for the next 4 years..if he loses, he fades away quickly..

Comment by Not Rich Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:35 pm
No. Unlike Rauner, J.B. is only renting the party. Sure, he’s got an option to buy. Maybe next year.

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:38 pm
It’s premature. Not yet.
Besides, it’s not an organized party. It’s the Democrats.

Comment by Keyrock Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:39 pm
No problem with them calling it his partty. Also think it would be an intelligent move politically to move the messenging towards JB and away from Madigan

Comment by anon Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:39 pm
Let’s be clear that State-level DPI has always had a distinct flavor from federal-focused Dems, and Chicago-focused Dems.

If anything, there are three Democratic Parties in Illinois.

Comment by Ok Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:43 pm
I voted no. Would be way too much of a distraction for Bruce to change his message this late in the game. In 4 years the next Republican candidate can use it.

Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:43 pm
No. Pritzker hasn’t won anything yet and thus is not wielding power yet.

Comment by Grandson of Man Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:44 pm
I’m betting McQueary doesn’t take her own advice.

To paraphrase “Brokeback Mountain,” the Tribune can’t quit Madigan.

Comment by Roman Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:45 pm
Voted no. I don’t think dems will rely on Pritzker cash for races in the same way that republicans rely on Rauner bucks.

Also, a very important difference is the republican leaders in each caucus all bowed down to Rauner. I doubt Cullerton and especially Madigan will bow down to Pritzker. Dem leaders will maintain there independence. Republican leaders couldn’t do that.

Comment by Real Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:46 pm
I voted no. JB is too smart to publicly bully his opposition the way the other guy has over the last four years. After all, he may have learned a thing or two from the Velvet Hammer over the last few decades.

Comment by OMG Rosa Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:46 pm
No.

It’s the Illinois’ Democratic Party, starring (insert starwipe between names)…

Mike Madigan, JB Pritzker

and featuring…

Jimmy Cullerton, The Property Tax Abaters, Fair n’ Share, The Tim Mapes Dance Crew, and the AFL-CIOrchestra

Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:47 pm
Voted Yes. We have become an oligarchy. Pritzker may have more class than Rauner. But Money talks.

Comment by Matt Vernau Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:48 pm
Voted no. JB is still in the takeover phase; right now more D’s owe MJM than they do JB.

After the election, I may change my vote.

Comment by RNUG Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:52 pm
Voted “Yes”

Here’s why, and I’m a lil shocked at myself as to how I got here and hadn’t before.

If you go back to JRT, then Edgar, and then GHR… the GOP tradition was that the governor controlled the state party, it was his (had JBT won, it would’ve continued to be hers, as she took the party as the nominee against Rod) and by owning the party, it was the governor’s responsibility to keep the party viable (financially) and fundraising (or paying payroll on a monthly basis) to keep funds was another role of each governor.

What Rod saw, and what Rod thought was “Madigan has the Democratic Party. I can’t take it, so I’ll build my own caucus and members loyal to me”.

Of course that lead down many rabbit holes, and Rod figuring out he wanted to be rich and more powerful… and… well… we know the rest.

Quinn? Quinn never had control of much, as gadflies once catching the bumper of the car learn (Yeah, I’m mixing metaphors, but it’s Quinn, he’s messy).

Rauner? Rauner took the GOP tradition and the Blago wish abd made Raunerism. Rauner bought a party, bought the trademark, and ran Raunerism as Rod dreamed.

So… to the question…

Pritzker gets to be the first Democratic Governor (if he wins) to control the state Democratic Party as GOP governors did for, at least 26 years.

A Governor Pritzker will be in the same exact position as a Thompson or Edgar, but has the dough to wrest away control where Quinn and Rod couldn’t.

It would behoove Pritzker to do so. But, with real benevolence and understanding that the Democrats here in Illinois don’t need another “ruler” or decider, but a manager of the personalities and be the clearing house so all parts of the party feel welcome and engaged.

Today?

Right now, Pritzker is in a “shadow party” position, as if “I’m waiting for power to transfer” so in that role, yes, it’s Pritzker’s party in all but owning the keys, a name on the lease, abd the paperwork at the state board of elections.

The trick will be…

Will Pritzker understand and appreciate what it means to control a party like Thompson and Edgar did… or will the Pritzker Crew mess this up so terribly… it will be seen as “Madigan 2.0” or worse “Raunerism on the Democratic side”

My vote is “Yes”

How it will look and be… “Thompson” or “Rauner” is yet to be seen.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:52 pm
But … but … but! I thought it was Nancy Pelosi’s party.

(That said, I think Keyrock at 1:39 p.m. wins the internet today.)

Comment by olddog Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:53 pm
I voted No because I can’t recall a time when Kristen Mcquery blatantly and negatively said the Rauner Party as she and her paper have done everything they can to defend and rationalize for the Governor.
If the Trib will say they are the Rauner paper then I’ll change my vote.

Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:54 pm
Reminded once again of why Tillman put her on the list of people to interview.

And you know, isn’t the Trib edit board at saturation point. It appears they have one or two people covering government and politics and then approximately 27 screaming at you on how you’re supposed to think, feel and act about government and politics.

Odd ratio for a news company.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:55 pm
— Jimmy Cullerton —

You mean there’s another one? Isn’t two enough.

Comment by Telly Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:55 pm
“Yes,” just in order to confuse the messaging, haha.

Comment by Ray del Camino Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:58 pm
I could be way off, but I see this as a graceful way for Madigan to start to bow out, and relieve some of the pressure that Rauner has created over the past four years. The Speaker can either bow out under a friend Pritzker, or live to fight another day, and he is not getting any younger…

Comment by South Side Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:59 pm
===You mean there’s another one? Isn’t two enough.===

One more, they get their own caucus.

Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 1:59 pm
Seems a bit early. Rauner bought his party and it was obvious to see; we couldn’t have had a 2+ year impasse if the GOP hadn’t been whipped. JB’s given out a lot of money, we’ll wait and see if he’s bought the party.

Comment by Perrid Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:00 pm
Yes, Pritzker likes puppies.

Comment by DeseDemDose Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:00 pm
Nah. They may be JB’s dollars, but it will still be MM’s party. The best JB can aspire to, is what Jacob predicted he would become if allowed to turn, From the movie Dusk ’til Dawn: “A lap dog of Satan”.

Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:01 pm
I voted ‘no.’ The Democrats have demonstrated they can maintain majorities in both the House and Senate without his money and therefore are not dependent on him.

Comment by Earnest Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:01 pm
Illinois has political reporters?

Comment by GOPgal Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:04 pm
Not a political boss type - wants to get the State functional again, and then perhaps run for the US Senate after Durbin retires.

Comment by capitol view Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:05 pm
Pritzger is not in charge… He’s trying to get to be in charge….

Comment by Try-4-Truth Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:07 pm
No, ’cause there’s no indication that anyone who “defies” JB will face “punishment”. If nothing else, some of that Blue Wave money is going to folks who endorsed Biss.

Comment by Arsenal Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:08 pm
Hard to believe unions and trial lawyers are standing by while J.B. is taking over something that is rightfully theirs.

Comment by Postbot 4592 Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:11 pm
That would be rich. I voted yes, I’d love to hear it and see it.

Comment by Mongo Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:11 pm
Has Pritzker won anything but the primary yet? When/if he does, I’m down with changing the name.

Comment by thunderspirit Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:16 pm
Yes.
He bought it.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:17 pm
No. Not yet.

It was never Quinn’s party, because he was never seen as a leader, and he didn’t have the independent wealth to compete with the donations that go through Madigan.

J.B. has the money to compete with Madigan. If he wins the governor’s race, I think it’ll become his party, after a bit of a fight.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:20 pm
I voted “no”. I naively believe that the parties belong to the voters.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:21 pm
Voted “no” (Too soon to tell.) As soon as someone loses because they went against him (like so many never-Trumpers) then I’ll switch to Yes.

Comment by Skeptic Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:32 pm
No. Not until he starts threatening to cut off members of the General Assembly who don’t vote his way or funding their opponents.

Comment by Whatever Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:36 pm
Voted no. But the jury is still out. We’ll see in 2020 if he punishes Ds who vote against him. If/when that happens, then I’ll change to yes.

Comment by Steve Rogers Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:38 pm
I voted “yes.” Now calling it the Pritzker Party is consistent with an old favorite by Thomas Ferguson: Golden Rule: The Investment Theory of Party Competition. If he loses but continues to lavish $$$, it should retain his name.

Comment by Cook County Commoner Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:42 pm
No. Whatever beat me to it. I reserve the right to change my vote if Pritzker starts funding primary opponents for legislators who don’t vote the way he tells them.

Comment by SAP Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:46 pm
No, I could never recommend to the media that they follow such a line of group think considering all the trouble group think has got us. But if they all arrive at this group think view independently I guess I can change my recommendation to yes and get us in the the land of alternate Because.

Comment by Vole Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:47 pm
Hmm, too soon to say — depends on how many @$#%^¥~€ problems there will be.

Comment by Hieronymus Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 2:58 pm
The other team thinks it’s Madigan’s party.

Comment by Keyser Soze Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 3:01 pm
It was not Rauner’s Party until he won.
It is JB’s if and only if he wins.

Comment by I Miss Bentohs Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 3:12 pm
Ask me the day after the election.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 3:24 pm
He has the potential to make it is. But until people go against their previous voting records just to appease him, it isn’t his party… Yet

Comment by Seats Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 3:47 pm
NO.

Since when does anyone listen to what Statehouse Chick has to say?

Comment by 312 Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 3:57 pm
I voted no because I just don’t see evidence that most reporters refer to it as Rauner’s GOP.

Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 4:18 pm
It’s JB’s party. His funding of it definitely shows.
I live in rep dist 42 and 2 years ago Kathleen Carrier spent $11.35 running against Jeanne Ives. This year I’ve gotten over 10 flyers, Facebook ads every day and so on. Who is bankrolling all of this? JB. Like Bruce Rauner before him - he bought it - he owns it.

Comment by train111 Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 4:37 pm
–Ask me the day after the election.–

What AA said. Without the Big Chair, it’s not much of a keeper.

Curious that Kass and Katrina often refer to “the media” as something they’re not a part of. Do they consider themselves outside the media, and just regular subjective partisan hacks?

That would be healthy progress toward self-awareness.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 4:51 pm
It won’t be JB’s party until Madigan is no longer in the picture. Let’s be honest here, Mr. Madigan didn’t work all these decades accumulating and consolidating power just to cede it to the first billionaire who has the resources to run a parallel party apparatus.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 5:06 pm
No, you haven’t bought the title until you win the election for top job.

Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 5:09 pm
Nawww . . . not as long as Madigan is chomping his lunchtime apple.

Comment by Dome Gnome Tuesday, Aug 21, 18 @ 5:55 pm
Voted No. Democrats, unlike Republicans, aren’t for sale to the highest bidder.

Comment by PublicServant Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 7:49 am
It has to be unsolicited advice. No reasonable person would ever bother to ask what Katrina and the Troncs think. By the way, doesn’t one actually have to spend some time in Springfield to call oneself the “Statehouse Chick?” Sanctimonious screeds handed down from a perch in Tronc Tower don’t count.

Voted No, and for reasons others have stated. Pritzker has won nothing yet. And even if he did, it’s not really “his” party until he freely and openly threatens legislators in his party to do what he wants lest they have a bleepin’ problem with him, right Katrina? I mean, as long as you want to do a true comparison to your boss.

Plus, Durkin and Brady need Rauner; Madigan doesn’t need Pritzker. A look at MJM’s prolific fundraising every period for years tells me that, not even counting the bucks JB tossed him this year. No other leader comes close.

However, Willy makes a good point. Most governors have been considered the heads of their parties, whether they want to be or not. The president is considered the leader of his or her respective party nationally; so it goes in the states. But in Illinois, Madigan had been so electorally successful before the first Democratic governor in 26 years took office it was absurd to start calling the Democratic Party Blago’s.

Comment by John Deere Green Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 8:06 am
JB just writes the checks Madigan tells him too. He is just the investor. Madigan is still the CEO.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, Aug 22, 18 @ 9:01 am