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* The Sun-Times looks at Bruce Rauner’s end of December $20 million campaign cash infusion, designed to “bolster” his legislative agenda…
Thanks to $10 million of Rauner’s own money, $8 million from Citadel CEO and billionaire Ken Griffin, and $2 million from businessman Richard Uihlein, Rauner walks into the Statehouse with some serious “forget you” money.
Rauner’s team says he needs it, but some Springfield insiders are predicting that it already has hurt him politically.
“By doing this, it actually makes people more partisan, whereas before, people were willing to work with him to give him the benefit of the doubt. It sort of puts you back in the arms of Father Madigan,” said state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo. Franks said Rauner’s vows to work with Democrats were taken as sincere until the $20 million.
“It was like: ‘I really want to hear from you, I really want to hear your ideas. By the way, I’ve got $20 million, so maybe we don’t have to disagree so much.’
“It’s a staggering sum. It’s fundamentally changed politics. There’s no longer a safe seat anywhere,” Franks said.
I can see why an incumbent would think that “There’s no longer a safe seat anywhere” is a bad thing. But is it? Not to my eyes.
Yes, there are legit questions about how this mountain of cash will influence state politics, but the Democrats are gonna need a better argument than that.
* Gov. Quinn was predictably upset…
“I think on the last day of the cycle, again, [it’s] thumbing your nose at the spirit of the law, to say the least, of having three extremely wealthy people dump $20 million into the election system,” the governor said.
* But…
“It levels the playing field on resources, and that’s always been the problem with Republicans since they’ve been out of the governor’s mansion,” [Republican consultant and strategist Pat Brady] said.
That’s a very good point. Democratic outrage may be coming from the fact that they can no longer dominate the GOP on the finance side.
* Also, Greg Hinz…
In the November election, Rauner put a ton of his own money into attempting to elect GOP representatives and take away Madigan’s speakership. Rauner also recently announced that he has raised another $20 million to woo and lean on lawmakers in the months to come. Anyone who knows Springfield knows that Madigan’s priorities are becoming speaker and remaining speaker.
A few days later, Madigan arranged to pass a bill cutting in half the term of Leslie Munger, whom Rauner is appointing Illinois comptroller, replacing the late Judy Baar Topinka. She will have to face voters in a 2016 special election. “Constitutionally dubious,” Team Rauner grumbled afterward. Anything but bipartisan.
But there are more copacetic interpretations of those actions. For instance, some insiders say Rauner’s newly refattened war chest may be aimed more at keeping GOP lawmakers in line than unseating Dems. […]
Pat Brady, former Illinois Republican chairman and a big Rauner ally, notes that the bill, which shortened the term of some appointed statewide officerholders, also would apply to a vacancy in the attorney general’s office. Some think Madigan’s daughter Lisa Madigan might vacate that post in a couple of years to take on Rauner’s presumed re-election effort.
“You’d have to ask (ex-Gov.) Rod Blagojevich what a real declaration of war from Mike Madigan looks like,” Brady quips.
As much as the Democrats may be complaining, it’s the Republicans who should probably be watching their backs right now.
* Rauner fired back at Quinn…
“The special interest groups that make their money from the government are the problem in our political donation system,” Rauner told reporters at an appearnace at a bowling alley in downstate Moweaqua two days before his inauguration. “That’s what Gov. Quinn relied on in his prior election, just like Rod Blagojevich.
“I have no connections to the government…. All the folks that have given him his money get their contracts and money from the government. That’s a conflict of interest. That’s the biggest problem we got.”
* And we’ll give Quinn the last word on billionaire Ken Griffin, who supplied $8 million of that $20 mil…
“I had a chance to visit with that man once. He was in my office. Pleasant guy. But his philosophy, I completely disagree with. It’s a very Libertarian, scorched-earth approach [against] using the power of the government to help people. He would not be very sympathetic to them. So, I don’t think that’s the way to go,” Quinn said.
“There is a force unfortunately in our country that wants to use the power of government to help people who are wealthy. I know they were not on our side in this election. I think it’s not healthy that a billionaire, he happens to be one, can basically thumb their nose at our campaign contribution limits.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:33 am
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Maybe it’s time to publicly finance campaigns in Illinois?
Comment by Babs Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:40 am
This …
===As much as the Democrats may be complaining, it’s the Republicans who should probably be watching their backs right now.===
And…
===But there are more copacetic interpretations of those actions. For instance, some insiders say Rauner’s newly refattened war chest may be aimed more at keeping GOP lawmakers in line than unseating Dems. […]===
The second a “Primary” challenge that is funded by the sitting GOP Governor against a sitting GOP Caucus member…yikes.
Autonomy. Is it, will it, be lost?
The minute the Governor usurps GOP Caucus autonomy…scary.
You think Uhiline gave money to now “support” the GOP sitting Caucus member he Primaried, himself, now?
Fat chance.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:40 am
Maybe rauner can use the money to underwrite “member initiatives”.
Comment by Langhorne Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:41 am
It seems to me that Rauner is controlling that money himself as leverage over balky GOP incumbents. Play ball, or get a primary.
His partner Uiehlein knows that play.
If it was just about going after Dems, he could have directed the cash to Durkin and Radogno.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:42 am
iirc, Mr Bloomberg did the very same thing in New York.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:46 am
Good idea Langhorne.
The other interesting question is whether the GOP Gov would use his slush fund to help a Dem who sided with him.
Comment by Norseman Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:48 am
I hope he gives all that money to dan Proft to manage, that way all rauner candidates will lose for sure.
Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:48 am
Now they’re closer to even on resources. Doesn’t that either assure “bullies on both sides” or “shark repellent” in races where one side has had the upper hand? It’s a lot more quantifiable where this money has come from. Can the other side say the same?
Comment by A guy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:49 am
===The other interesting question is whether the GOP Gov would use his slush fund to help a Dem who sided with him.===
Yep.
Or how about using that cash to tell Radogno and Durkin to “back off” those Dems?
“You go after ‘X’, not a good idea, ‘X’ is with me”
Scary times.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:51 am
Hey Bruce when you visited those tables last night and talked tot he road contractors and oh yeah your investment manager folks who invest money for pension funds where do you think that money comes from? Just stick with Government union bosses and the hypocrisy will not be as obvious.
Comment by Obamas Puppy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:53 am
Clarification, my concerns;
===- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 5, 15 @ 9:09 am
“Um, Questions…”
Will this money be used to Primary sitting GOP legislators, given Uihlein’s recent history?
Will Rauner protect Democrats that vote Rauner’s “way” if THEY face a Dem Primary challenge?
Will Rauner protect sitting Dem “Tier 1″ targets that align themselves with the “Rauner” agenda?
Have the HGOP & SGOP become irrelevant in deciding what races they can choose?
Even if this find hoes to $100 million, $200 million, don’t the Senate President and House Speaker decide which bills get floor votes in the end?
Isn’t this exactly what Blago wanted to do, have his “own” Caucuses, bypassing the leadership in the legislature?
How many Dems, which are needed to get to 30 Senate votes, and 60 House votes to pass anything, will the HGOP & SGOP feel comfortable with that the Governor will be protecting?
Is this the beginning of the “Raunerite” Party? Is this where Rauner claims the GOP label, but owns his own party for himself?
Are rank and file Republicans going to be excited at what the definition of a Republican is acceptable to Rauner as his money shows favor or displeasure in GOP Primary races?
Is it official now; Rauner owns the ILGOP State Party and both Political Caucuses?
What will be said by the HGOP & SGOP Caucuses when a House or Senate Dem is taken off the table to be a target, because Rauner and his money say it’s so?
Dangerous times…===
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:56 am
The standard or threshold that the feds set is surprisingly, alarmingly low for mixing campaign contributions and official action. Remember that they accused Blagojevich of illegal wrongdoing for taking a campaign contribution from Ali Ata and having the check on the table while they then spoke of having Ata work for the administration. Never mind that at the time they were having this conversation Blagojevich wasn’t Governor and he didn’t have the power to hire anybody. Also never mind the fact that job Ata ended up getting several years later was at an agency that didn’t even exist at the time of the conversation. For what it’s worth I think the feds greatly overstepped here, but this is behavior that they think is illegal.
Now imagine you are a Republican state legislator and the Governor or his representative is asking you to take a tough vote. Maybe you want to know if you take that tough vote that the Governor will use his massive warchest to support you from hostile opponents or maybe you just want to know that if you do you’ve done enough to keep the Gov from funding an opponent against you. In either case how does the question not come up? Yet, if you ask the question(s) how do you keep people from going to jail?
Yes legislative leaders have used large funds to keep members in line for decades so this may seem like nothing new but that comes from funds whose express purpose is electing legislators. The difference here is very small but it has huge legal implications. This just seems like a path to indictments.
Comment by The Captain Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 10:58 am
Visions of the Russian oligarchs dance in our heads…
Comment by D.P.Gumby Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:00 am
There are many Dem districts that are so effectively Gerrymandered that Rauner’s fund won’t scare the members who represent those areas. But that kind of money can make a difference in a primary in every single GOP district in the state — so I agree Republican GA members should (at least initially,) be most concerned about this fund. Don’t get me wrong, dems in some suburban and downstate districts should be worried too….but maybe those are the Dem members most likely to align themselves ocassionally with Rauner, regardless of the campaign cash — unless it’s a vote to increase taxes for suburban Dem targets.
Comment by Ricky J. Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:01 am
I personally guarantee a well funded slate of anti rauner candidates in the 2016 republican primaries.
Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:10 am
Guy, you really miss the point.
If Rauner wanted to spend money to go after Dems, he’d give it to the GA leaders.
This money will be used to keep GOP legislators in line.
You did notice the presence of Mr. Uihlein, didn’t you?
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:10 am
As much as anything, this money was deposited to give pause to any Democrat or republican who is thinking about running for governor.
He is already running for re-election, and who would want to go through what Pat Quinn went through.
Comment by Looking Ahead Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:11 am
==I can see why an incumbent would think that “There’s no longer a safe seat anywhere” is a bad thing. But is it? Not to my eyes.==
Surely it makes all the difference why formerly safe seats cease to be safe. If it were an outbreak of rigorous reasoned thought among the voters, leading them to abandon their earlier loyalties and vote for candidates who actually faced up to the State’s problems and had good solutions to them—in that case all disinterested parties would applaud it. But if it were a slew of Rauner’s money buying negative ads—well that’s just a further worsening of already bad aspects of the current system.
Comment by UIC Guy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:14 am
=Is it official now; Rauner owns the ILGOP State Party and both Political Caucuses?= Kind of sounds like Mike Madigan, except Rauner has more money and deeper pockets. Nothing like bringing a gun to a knife fight.
Comment by Apocalypse Now Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:16 am
How does 3 people outspending numerous organizations and individuals equal “balance”? That’s nonsense. If the Republican Party can’t gain support in a system that is already titled toward the rich and powerful, that says something.
Comment by Bull Moose Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:16 am
Don’t go away angry, Pat. Just…go away.
Comment by Reader Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:17 am
This is a whole new world of Illinois politics. It makes the Blago transition seem tame already.
Fasten your seat belts, we are in for a bumpy ride.
Comment by SkeptiCal Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:22 am
When will the slush fund have paydays? weekly, monthly? That will important Cash…Checks?
Guess we will wait for those details too
Comment by circularfiringsquad Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:22 am
A “level playing field” would be if these funds were controlled by Durkin and Radogno.
This is changing the rules of the game — unless Rauner’s statements about who could get what were just for show.
Should be interested to see how they’re used.
Comment by walker Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:24 am
===Kind of sounds like Mike Madigan, except Rauner has more money and deeper pockets. Nothing like bringing a gun to a knife fight.===
Thought Rauner didn’t like Career Politicians, now he is emulating a man he criticized for corruption?
You miss the whole point. Embarrassing.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:24 am
You can’t get bipartisan government in a state where only one party and it’s decades-long ruler have most of the money and power.
What a bunch of whiners.
Rauner spent a ton of money in 2014 trying to get someone who wasn’t a Democrat elected. It didn’t work. Money can’t help resurrect the Prairie Whigs Rauner bought. $20 million is no good when no one is buying what you are selling with it.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:29 am
“It’s fundamentally changed politics.”
Where?
Not here.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:31 am
I thought that Rauner got a lot of his money from the government and government worker pensions?
Comment by Carhart Representative Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:34 am
…now he is emulating a man he criticized for corruption
As opposed to whom? The Speaker in charge of the General Assembly criticized a governor he brought to power, co-chaired his re-election for him, then arranged for his impeachment and removal from office.
What you accuse the incoming governor of doing, he hasn’t yet done and he is going to have to work 24/7 to top what MJM did with the single bite of an apple.
You still claiming to be a Republican with this kind of biased comment? Hey - I’m not fan, but at least I can see that Rauner has yet to prove what we have already seen proven by Mr. Speaker.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:35 am
===You still claiming to be a Republican with this kind of biased comment? ===
- VanillaMan -, you called Rauner “light blue”…lol
Pick a lane. Your ignorance to your own arguments is laughable. Dope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:38 am
So basically some democrats are complaining that the financial playing field is more even. I think those in leadership are more familiar with how this game is played and it’s a bigger issue with the press than in making a deal between the legislative leaders. In the end, to get anything done, Rauner has to have Madigan & Cullerton on board and those three probably know it.
Comment by Ahoy! Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:44 am
===Wordslinger - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:10 am:
Guy, you really miss the point.
If Rauner wanted to spend money to go after Dems, he’d give it to the GA leaders.
This money will be used to keep GOP legislators in line.
You did notice the presence of Mr. Uihlein, didn’t you?===
Yes I did Sling. Is it impossible to believe that some (maybe even quite a bit) of this money might not wind up working it’s way to Radogno and Durkin. Where do you think it does the most good being parked right now? In super minority caucus political funds??
You’re right, I just don’t get it. I’ll up my game.
Comment by A guy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:44 am
In November, Quinn got fired.
Rauner is his replacement.
Thinking anything got shaken in Springfield after Rauner spent tens of millions getting himself and some kind of GA support elected - and only getting Quinn fired and a veto-proof Democratic Majority, should make it clear that the guy is a rich figurehead with some political lessons to learn.
Painting him up the way you do highly exaggerates him as some kind of new creep. There is nothing new with Rauner except the stationary and website mast.
This is Illinois.
Let him give more of his millions away. No one is buying what he is selling with it until he proves he can understand the reality he bought.
I have been hearing all sorts of nonsense from the Prairie Whigs about today. A lot of bluster. Then there is you who has been taking all the bluster and crafting a failing Rauner administration before Day One.
I’ve got a lane. Unlike yours, my isn’t a toll road owned by Rauner.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:50 am
Doesn’t President Obama have a similar “campaign arm” to push the White House’s agenda? I just assumed that is where Rauner got this idea.
Comment by Not it Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:54 am
- circularfiringsquad - Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 11:22 am:
From one of David Everson’s novels:
“… the Democrats pay with promises and the Republicans pay in cash …”
Comment by RNUG Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:00 pm
Maybe we shouldn’t think of it as a few billionaires buying the political process, but rather an act of nobless oblige. After all, Rauner is taking no salary or benefits for being governor.
Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:04 pm
Rauner still must deal with a Democratic supermajority. However, as Sen. Harmon put it recently, he’s going to have to get GOP votes for his initiatives long before Democrats put any votes on them.
Comment by low level Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:05 pm
**If Rauner wanted to spend money to go after Dems, he’d give it to the GA leaders.**
Not necessarily, and he could still do that.
The difference, and why it went to Rauner and not leadership, is that the caps were blown for Rauner, and they are/were not blown for the legislative leadership.
Comment by dave Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:06 pm
===Then there is you who has been taking all the bluster and crafting a failing Rauner administration before Day One.===
Me?
===“Um, Questions…”===
Sounds like I have questions - VanillaMan -
Reading comprehension is hard. Maybe you can work at comprehending better under a new Governor?
lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:08 pm
Maybe you can figure out that the toll road you are cruising on is owned by him. A lot of us can see you like littering all over it, yet refuse to exit. You aren’t driving a Smart car, are you?
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:16 pm
===Maybe you can figure out that the toll road you are cruising on is owned by him. A lot of us can see you like littering all over it, yet refuse to exit. You aren’t driving a Smart car, are you?===
Attacking me isn’t making a point.
Actually, your comment has no point.
Rauner is “lite blue”, remember?
Either own that, or own that it’s Dopey to say, then defend.
No one can refute themselves like you.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:26 pm
Does Jack Franks think he is being targeted by the Rauner fund, it sure sounds like it from the Sun Times article. Jack should just switch parties, he is ideologically closer to the Republicans anyway.
Comment by Rod Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:36 pm
The price of poker went up, that’s all that happened with this……If Rauner uses this $20m to go after D’s, the Speaker will raise as much as he needs to compete….
Comment by Are Ya' Kiddin' Me? Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:40 pm
You are right.
Criticizing you for writing sophomoric arguments is like criticizing Illinois winter weather. All we need to do is bring a shovel for your daily snow jobs.
Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:40 pm
“Criticizing you for writing arguments you refute yourselfomrvts after writing them is like criticizing A waffle for having two sides. All we need to do is make sure the Dopey side gets burned every time you refute yourself”
lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:43 pm
Oswego and Vanilla,
Stop with the slap fighting already.
Comment by Reader Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:43 pm
I am recruiting an anti rauner slate of candidates for the republican 2016 primary starting today.
Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Who the Freak are you kidding Brucie Boy? One mans “slush fund” is another mans corruption.
Comment by Del Clinkton Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:51 pm
===I am recruiting an anti rauner slate of candidates for the republican===
(Crickets)
lol, slow your roll, Speed Racer.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:53 pm
kelly you can feel free to take wilber, bwah ha ha !!
Comment by A Citizen Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 12:58 pm
Oswego, we already have candidates lining up for State house senate, comptroller and U. S. Senate. And not one gidwitz munger in the bunch!
Comment by William j Kelly Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:03 pm
Do Not Feed Trolls.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:14 pm
== Doesn’t President Obama have a similar “campaign arm” to push the White House’s agenda? I just assumed that is where Rauner got this idea. ==
Many politicians and issue groups do. This is apparently modeled after Bloomberg’s fund. It is supposedly designed to help support vulnerable legislators when they are inevitably attacked for taking votes that may benefit the state as a whole but not be as good for local interest groups with deep pockets. More background here https://capitolfax.com/2015/01/05/rauners-20-million-tip-of-the-iceberg/
Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:24 pm
I note that Pat Brady’s lobbing firm is suddenly taking in new clients by the bucketful, according to him. Some things never change in Springfield.
Comment by Percival Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Who is kidding who? Bruce Rauner is the SPECIAL INTEREST! I don’t see a bit of difference between Blagojevich paying his friends with campaign cash and what Rauner is doing now with this new slush fund.
Rauner’s best political days are clearly behind him.
Comment by Realreporter Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:32 pm
Is William Kelly’s slate himself for Senate, random Congressional seat and state rep at the same time?
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:38 pm
What’s the beef in understanding that this is the first for an Illinois governor, and taking him at his word that he will use the money to reward those who play ball with him?
Rauner, Griff and Uiehlein, I suspect, have a game plan for that money independent of the interests of GOP leader funds or that of Rauners own bought and paid for state central committee.
Rauner rightfully with his office and obviously with his money is the leader of the state GOP and he has the ways and means though both to tune up malcontents who don’t toe the line.
He can use that money to maybe threaten a few marginal Dem seats in general elections. But he can definitely use it to threaten most GOP seats in primaries.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:44 pm
Rauner’s Pay It Forward fund.
Comment by Wensicia Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:51 pm
It just continues to reinforce what we already suspect (and know): that money is EVERYTHING in politics, and if you ain’t got it, you don’t matter.
Comment by Filmmaker Professor Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:54 pm
One could make the argument that the Business Money which should naturally favor Republicans was waylayed in Illinois for decades by the simple facts that Richard Daley and Michael Madigan have hardly been left-wing Democrats, (as fiscally irresponsible as may be), and both have been quite willing to make life difficult for any who crossed them. With the departure of Daley and one of their own in the Governor’s Office, more and more businessmen are returning themselves and their money to their proper place in the political environment.
Comment by Percival Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 1:54 pm
===Rauner rightfully with his office and obviously with his money is the leader of the state GOP and he has the ways and means though both to tune up malcontents who don’t toe the line.===
Agree.
Just like Thompson…and CFE & CFR ran the state party.
Republican governors run…ILGOP.
The rub for me begins at the loss of autonomy, never done BY Thompson, BY Edgar, BY Geo. Ryan, of the HGOP & SGOP that $20 million points to as keeping both the leadership and rank and file, at the “mercy” of a Rauner definition of a “Rauner Republican”
The $20 million is real and makes that fear real for me too.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 2:20 pm
–Maybe you can figure out the toll road you are cruising on is owned by him. A lot of us can see you like littering all over it, yet refuse to exit. You aren’t driving a Smart car are you?”–
I always thought Dennis Hopper should have gotten best supporting actor for “Apocalypse Now.”
Dude, are you at large? Operating a motor vehicle? If you’re out (or at work!), do the right thing and let it kick in or wear off, as the case may be, before you enter the public way.
It’s Monday. Pace yourself..
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 2:32 pm
Makes me wonder if Rauner paid classmates to like him when he was a kid.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 2:32 pm
@realreporter:
You nailed it. No difference between Blago or Bruce or their actions.
Comment by Del Clinkton Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 2:45 pm
William Kelly take my word nobody but nobody cares what you do. Well on second thought how about moving
Comment by Leprachaun Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 2:54 pm
When did it become legal to buy votes?
Comment by Mama Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 4:25 pm
The whole idea is stupid. Way stupid.
Go ahead, governor.
Reward or punish legislators with money attached to your name.
Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 4:40 pm
This is no different than the war chest that Madigan has amassed and used to further his objectives. I suppose the only thing that makes this remarkable is that it’s being done by a Republican in Illinois.
Comment by pundent Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 4:48 pm
- pundent -
A siting governor holding his “Party’s” caucuses hostage leaders included, to ensure discipline.
You see no difference?
One branch of government, “punishing” or “rewarding” their own party members based on their…assistance…
Good luck with that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 4:52 pm
No word yet from billionaire Tom Steyer on Pat Quinn’s comments about rich people thumbing their nose at the system.
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Jan 12, 15 @ 6:25 pm
War chests are preemptive strikes usually associated with big donors who have no qualms about any perceptions about the conflation of wealth and political power. That such wealth is largely perceived by its’ holders as being self made with little attribution to the the contributions of the commons and the commoners, the latter are justified in questioning the intent of such holders who take the reins of political power by purchasing power.
This is plutocracy folks. Which only begets more of Illinois’ rich heritage of “where’s mine?”.
Comment by vole Tuesday, Jan 13, 15 @ 6:36 am