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* I see Sen. Biss is already stepping far outside his comfort zone…
State Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) took a step in his gubernatorial campaign toward building “a movement of people” Tuesday morning, holding a meet and greet with commuters at Evanston’s Main Street Metra station.
OK, that was snark, and a bit unfair. The Evanston resident was also in Normal this week…
State Sen. Daniel Biss visited Normal, announcing Monday he’s running for Illinois governor in 2018, joining a growing field of Democrats hoping to unseat Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner.
He visited the Normal Public Library, as a guest of the Illinois State University College Democrats.
“There is this sentiment downstate that Illinois is run by Chicago politics,” said Austin Cullinan, a spokesman for the ISU College Democrats. “The fact that he is willing to come here for his first campaign stop speaks volumes about what he is trying to accomplish.” […]
“What I like about Dan is that he is a strong, progressive Democrat and at the same time, he is very rationale,” Cullinan said. “He doesn’t dive into the mud-slinging. He understands that both Democrats and Republicans have built this mess in Springfield and we need someone who can rise above the partisan muck-raking to come up with viable solutions.”
No mention of that event on the group’s Twitter page, however.
* And he’s coming to Springfield today…
Meet and Greet at the Feed Store
What: Meet and greet
Where: The Feed Store
516 E Adams St
Springfield, IL 62701
When: 12:30pmTown Hall with Young Democrats
What: Meeting with U of I Springfield College Democrats
Where: Sangamon Auditorium Building (PAC C/D)
2200 Ernest Hemingway Dr
Springfield, IL 62703
When: 7:00PM
Again, way, way outside his comfort zone. /s
* Whoa. What the heck is this?…
As of Monday morning, there’s a Jew in the 2018 race to be governor of Illinois.
But not the one most people were expecting.
Instead of entrepreneur and billionaire philanthropist J.B. Pritzker, the Jew on the ballot is Democrat Daniel Biss, a state senator from north suburban Evanston, who announced his candidacy in a 25-minute-long Facebook Live video in which he promised to be a voice for the state’s progressives and non-millionaires.
The first time I read that lede, I really thought I’d stumbled upon one of those nasty “alt-right” sites and was ready to blast away. Turns out, it’s actually a pro-Jewish news site, which is a relief, I suppose. I’d rather not be stunned like that, though.
* Anyway, let’s move on…
The field of Democrats hoping to unseat Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner next year is growing.
Democrat State Senator Daniel Biss joins Bob Daiber, Chris Kennedy and others on the already crowded ticket. Rauner isn’t a fan.
“Anybody who’s been part of the system or will be loyal to the party that is controlled by one person is going to be part of the problem,” he says.
And that’ll be his basic message for the next 20 months or so.
* Related…
* Kapos: Ameya Pawar’s campaign strategy 2.0
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:48 am
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“Anybody who’s been part of the system or will be loyal to the party that is controlled by one person is going to be part of the problem,” said the one person who is in charge of the system and who controls the Illinois Republican Party.
Comment by South of Sherman Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:51 am
I don’t know how far he will get do to the up hill money battle but at least he is out there speaking his mind unlike the other Dems that claim they are running.
Comment by Rocky Rosi Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:52 am
Since Trump has fessed up to being a politician, doesn’t that make Rauner a politician, and part of the system?
Comment by Smitty Irving Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:57 am
Please don’t, Senator Biss — SB1. We need a candidate with no big negatives from the outset and that one is pretty big…
Comment by Ash Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 10:58 am
Daniel Biss: Mr. Bernie Sanders-type Outsider.
Uh huh, that’s gonna sell.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:01 am
Meaning absolutely no disrespect for anyone willing to challenge BVR - I will be even more inclined to listen and learn when they come to East St. Louis, Cairo, Carbondale or even Mt. Vernon. That’s a long way from Evanston and a different world altogether.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:04 am
Biss is making the rounds. Pawar did the same thing a couple of weeks ago. It’s smart to at least start downstate and garner some early volunteers. I’m sure all of the candidates have upstate volunteer base of some fashion or another. Getting a working group downstate could be the key as the Dems all fight for the same votes in Cook and the Collars.
Comment by DuPage Bard Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:12 am
===“Anybody who’s been part of the system or will be loyal to the party that is controlled by one person is going to be part of the problem,” he says.===
Rauner calling out his people. LOL
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:13 am
‘Strong progressive Democrat’. That sells well among southern Illinois Dems.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:44 am
“‘Strong progressive Democrat’. That sells well among southern Illinois Dems.”
Bernie Sanders won many downstate counties in the primary.
Comment by JB Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:51 am
@JB - my county did go 70% for Trump ( not a real surprise ), but Bernie beat Hillary 2 to 1. Mull on that BDD.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 11:59 am
According to one poll, Sanders is one of the most popular politicians in the nation:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2017/03/15/bernie-sanders-remains-one-of-americas-most-popular-politicians/?
Maybe that doesn’t mean a lot downstate, but an actual progressive campaign could drive Dem turnout in a non-presidential year.
Comment by Andy Nymous Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:05 pm
Maybe Sen Biss can promise free college and really drum up a base.
Comment by Blue dog dem Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:11 pm
Apropos of nothing, I just found this funny:
“Meet and Greet at the Feed Store
What: Meet and greet
Where: The Feed Store”
Yeah, got it. Thanks.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:11 pm
@BlueDogDem - or maybe he can determine how to reverse the under funding that has happened these past years for all of Higher Ed! Better.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:18 pm
Blue dog dem-
Don’t confuse progressive with social agenda
It’s been along time since there has been a real progressive movement in politics. A real progressive movement will fix the rural water, rural internet and opioid addiction issues in rural communities in the some. A conservative agenda is won’t help
Comment by Compromise requires two sides Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 12:23 pm
On the south and west sides, Kennedy is a known name, because he is active and seen there through his work at Top Box Foods. Kennedy’s work at higher education institutions gives him as similar recognition and credibility throughout central IL.
While I love the idea of Governor Biss, I’m wondering what credibility Biss has to start the conversation of his campaign for all neighborhoods. Most are a long ways from Evanston, as is the rest of the state. The work is hard, but easier if you have something tangible to build on. What is that foundation for Biss?
Comment by Hamilton Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:16 pm
Illini. One of the side stories yesterday, highlighted my alma matter and its enrollment increases vs administrative spending increases. Quite enlightening. To me, it tells much about higher ed spending. Closer to home, come on down to SIUC, and take a ride around campus and talk to some locals. Ditto.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:33 pm
==‘Strong progressive Democrat’. That sells well among southern Illinois Dems.==
Yeah, 2014 proved you need a moderate centrist Democrat like…Tio Hardiman?
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:47 pm
The penalty for going to the left in a Democratic Primary is almost zero.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:48 pm
ah politics and ethnicity. wonder if the Hillary argument…you shouldn’t support her just because she’s a woman….will be applied elsewhere. likely not.
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 1:49 pm
@BlueDogDem - must not have seen the “side story” you refer to. If it was not in the Southern online I missed it.
To your point, I know what Randy Dunn has had to do, out of absolute necessity, and what he has said about the future of SIUC.
I think you are missing my point if you correlate administrative spending with much needed state funding. Apples and Oranges.
And if you are not concerned about the long term viability of SIUC as an economic engine that drives your local economy and entices locals to attend rather than going out of state, you are unfortunately delusional.
And, for your info, I do live close, have friends that own businesses in the community, have friends who have been teachers and administrators at the university and am very familiar with the locals.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:25 pm
Arsenal. I agree with your primary comment. please don’t confuse my wish for a conservative Dem candidate as support for Rauner. He is so far removed from being conservative its funny. Being pro working, middle class doesn’t mean a Dem has to come out as a Bernie Sanders wanna be. It will keep folks at home for the general.
Comment by blue dog dem Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:28 pm
=== I see Sen. Biss is already stepping far outside his comfort zone===
LOL
Comment by Boone's is back Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 2:46 pm
80 percent of the primary vote is in the Chicago media market. I guess in a multiway race the other 20 percent could decide a close race, but everyone who pontificates about the importance of downstate in the primary is fooling themselves
Comment by 'Goose Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 3:53 pm
@’Goose - “but everyone who pontificates about the importance of downstate in the primary is fooling themselves.”
Thanks for yet another dismissive remark about any and all downstate voters.
Comment by illini Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 4:25 pm
‘Goose,
With respect, dominating that other 20% is how Rod beat Paul Vallas.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 4:39 pm
===With respect, dominating that other 20% is how Rod beat Paul Vallas.===
- Chicago Cynic - is On It.
It’s a statewide campaign and baking your cake to win, ceding parts of the state is a great way to lose. Making your margins in the regions is the ball game.
To the Post,
Sen. Biss has the possibility to come off the most knowledgeable (counting all officially announced candidates) due to his proximity in the Senate, and his willingness to talk “Wonkingly” about the state, and big come off as someone delving “deep” into a talking point that says very little to nothing.
Campaigns ARE hard. Campaigning takes actual being out and meeting people and talking and listening and understanding and being sympathetic, empathetic, and show leadership to make voters believe in your vision and your plan.
Biss CAN do that.
The real question is if his Crew, his message, his “branding”, his organizing can get to a level to generate enough buzz and free media to get thru Phase 1, (Primary) and not leave himself not enough room to edge towards the middle and leave himself with a possible “upset Left”
Good luck, Sen. Biss.
OW
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Mar 22, 17 @ 5:18 pm
The people I know who attended Bliss’ meet & greet in Normal left feeling really positive about him. I didn’t go (dang kids activities, same with Durbin tomorrow - who makes 6th grade track 6 days a week, man) but I got a bunch of texts the next day from friends who did.
Comment by Rayne of Terror Thursday, Mar 23, 17 @ 10:37 am