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* You just knew this was coming. From the Illinois Republican Party…
Pritzker Chooses Madigan Ally as Running Mate
Pritzker Doing Everything Possible to Cozy Up to Madigan“J.B. Pritzker’s decided that funneling over $1 million to Mike Madigan and his allies wasn’t enough to prove his loyalty to Madigan. Pritzker’s going even further by choosing a Madigan ally as his running mate.
Juliana Stratton owes her political career to Mike Madigan. Stratton took millions from Madigan-backed groups to win a state house seat and had Mike Madigan’s top political operative run her campaign. J.B. Pritzker is making it clear that he will allow the governor’s office to be annexed over to Speaker Madigan.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
Just last year, Pritzker gave LIFT, a Madigan-aligned front group, nearly $1 million dollars in an attempt to increase Madigan’s power and block efforts to reform Illinois. And Pritzker secretly funneled another $200,000 to Mike Madigan and his hand-picked candidates for the state house.
Now Pritzker is doubling-down on his alliance with Madigan, picking a running mate that owes her political career to Madigan.
Juliana Stratton Owes Her Political Career to Mike Madigan:
Stratton’s 2016 Primary Campaign Was Run By Marty Quinn, Madigan’s Top Political Operative. “As hard as it is for me to believe—and I still can’t get over it—one of the most powerful operatives in Illinois house speaker Michael Madigan’s mighty Democratic Machine is a mild-mannered alderman who rarely says a word during City Council debates. That’s alderman Marty Quinn-of Madigan’s home 13th Ward, on the southwest side. In the March primary, Quinn oversaw three legislative campaigns on Madigan’s behalf, including Juliana Stratton’s successful run against state rep Ken Dunkin—one of the most expensive and high—profile legislative campaigns in state history.” (Ben Joravsky, “Quiet In The City Council, Marty Quinn Is Madigan’s Behind-The-Scenes Muscle,” Chicago Reader, 4/5/16)
Stratton’s Campaign Was Funded By Madigan’s Allies. “Stratton has raised $1.2 million, about two-thirds of it from organized labor, which opposes Rauner’s push for legislation to weaken collective bargaining rights. She’s also received contributions from downtown law firms that donate heavily to political funds controlled by Madigan, who has led the resistance to Rauner’s efforts to tighten rules on civil lawsuits.” (Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger, “Rauner, Madigan Feud Flows Down,” Chicago Tribune, 3/10/16)
During The Campaign, Madigan’s Spokesman Claimed “We Have No Involvement In That Race” – 30 Minutes Later A Van Was Seen Arriving At Madigan’s 13th Ward Office To Drop Off Juliana Stratton Campaign Signs. “On Thursday afternoon, Madigan spokesman Steve Brown was asked about the Dunkin-Stratton contest and what role the speaker played in getting the Obama endorsement. ‘We have no involvement in that race,’ Brown said. A half-hour later, a delivery van pulled up to Madigan’s Southwest Side 13th Ward office and two men unloaded hundreds of blue-and-white yard signs with the message ‘President Barack Obama endorses Juliana Stratton.’” (Monique Garcia and Kim Geiger, “Rauner, Madigan Feud Flows Down,” Chicago Tribune, 3/10/16)
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:13 am
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I believe she owes her political career to Rauner and Dunkin/s
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:15 am
=”J.B. Pritzker is making it clear that he will allow the governor’s office to be annexed over to Speaker Madigan.”=
As opposed to Rauner allowing the governor’s office to be annexed over to IPI?
Comment by MSIX Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:17 am
Its the only thing that BR can run on.
Comment by JDuc Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:20 am
lol, the Governor’s top political operative gave Ken Dunkin $1.3 million. I don’t mean he spent $1.3 million to help Ken Dunkin lose by 36 points, I mean he directly gave Ken Dunkin $1.3 million. It’s been a year and a half and that’s still hilarious.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:20 am
Does anyone in the IL GOP even try anymore? They may as well just hire a high school kid and tell them just find as many ways as possible to work the name Madigan in to anything you write.
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:21 am
This sure shows me that Pritzker is controlled by Mike Madigan. If Pritzker is the Democratic choice for governor, the voters choice will be Mike Madigan, or Rauner.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:22 am
===Pritzker is the Democratic choice for governor, the voters choice will be Mike Madigan, or Rauner.===
Nah.
Rauner is at 63% disapproval. Madigan isn’t running against Rauner.
“Bruce Rauner failed” will be the messaging.
Schools not staying open because of Rauner’s veto will help that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:25 am
I guess Republicans can run on the message that the first African American woman candidate for LG is just a puppet and see how far that takes ‘em, sure.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:27 am
Fun new drinking game! Take a drink every time an ILGOP press release mentions Mike Madigan, then hope that whatever hospital you wind up at hasn’t had to fire its ER staff due to lack of funds. /s
Comment by Actual Red Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:28 am
bored with all of this already. Rauner is ridiculous and damaging, Pritzker is arrogant and overblown, and Stratton may actually be more of a Toni person than a Madigan person. (that has problems too.) if this is summer fare, post labor day…even for the primaries…is going to be exhausting.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:30 am
Rauners and the IPI buffoonery is the gift that kerps on giving.
Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:33 am
JB loading up his side with the Madigan machine is the only hope Rauner has of being re-elected.
Voters hate Rauner, but he is the only check that exists in Illinois government on Madigan right now.
Many folks are terrified of handing over the entire apparatus back over to Madigan to run with unchecked power given that we have already raised taxes and there is no more road left to kick the can.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:35 am
I assume Rep. Stratton voted for the tax increase.
Since Rauner’s re-election campaign is going to be framed as “I’m the only thing between the Democrats and your wallet,” they might have mentioned that.
Comment by Century Club Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:37 am
OW plus dont you think there is a point where they have been beating on this message so long it creates a numbing effect?
Scream fire all the time and people just tune it out after a while
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:38 am
===Voters hate Rauner, but he is the only check that exists in Illinois government on Madigan right now.===
LOL
Rauner vetoed a whole state budget.
According to Ms. Wheeler, saving Illinois from total destruction is a betrayal.
If it it wasn’t for the Brave 16 and the Perfect 10, Rauner would’ve continued to hurt Illinois’ most needy, state universities, prisons, the elderly.
“Rauner vetoed that”
Thank goodness Madigan, Cullerton, and the 16/11 real Republicans think saving the state from Rauner is more important than those like Ms. Wheeler who wants Illinois destroyed.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:39 am
The message will be Mike Madigan raised your taxes and Madigan who controls Pritker, will raise them more,
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:40 am
Strength through unity. Mike Madigan needs another ally in government. Pritzker could be the fellow. First it’s 4.95% state income tax, then constitutional change for progressive income tax, then commuter tax, then city of Chicago income tax, then taxes on services, then taxes on retirement income, then car sticker taxes based on the value of your car… It what they call “the public good” in Illinois.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:41 am
===Since Rauner’s re-election campaign is going to be framed as “I’m the only thing between the Democrats and your wallet,” they might have mentioned that.===
Nah.
“Rauner vetoed that”
Meals on Wheels
Higher Ed
K-12 funding
Road construction
“Rauner vetoed lots and lots”
Rauner wants to hurt Illinois. Only a governor can veto “everything” to hurt as many people as possible.
Don’t believe me? As Ms. Wheeler.
It’s a betrayal to save Illinois from Bruce Rauner.
===plus dont you think there is a point where they have been beating on this message so long it creates a numbing effect?
Scream fire all the time and people just tune it out after a while===
I’m sure there could be some of that, but “Bruce Rauner failed” will be heard quite a bit too.
At 63% disapproval, hard to find Rauner accomplishments
“Rauner vetoed that”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:44 am
==OW plus dont you think there is a point where they have been beating on this message so long it creates a numbing effect?==
There’s a point where this happens, but I’m not sure Rauner’s there yet. You have to repeat a message a LOT just to get it to sink in in the first place.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:44 am
She could have won without help, if the IPI, Proft, and the Governor would have kept their wallets closed. Money provided to Dunkin by the above mentioned individuals and organization made it necessary. You got what you deserved by trying to play both sides of the fence. Dunkin was for sale, but the money spent was wasted. Funny how that worked out.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:44 am
Rauner is not my guy. But
Illinois has already been totally destroyed. The next governor has to be the one who fixes it
.
Comment by blue dog dem Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:48 am
I do not think a progressive income tax will be promoted by a Pritzker , or Rauner as governor. They are too interested in saving their own massive wealth, and would rather sock it too the dying middle class, in Illinois again.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:49 am
Hey Oswego, what campaigns have you worked for? I only ask because I’ve read your posts for the last 3 or so years and you make such bold proclamations. Curious where you gained the insight for politics?
Comment by Outsider Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:50 am
===Curious where you gained the insight for politics?===
I stayed at a Holiday Inn Expresss once.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:52 am
Tax increases are the thing remembered in Illinois. Support tax increases and it is what the people remember, come voting time.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:53 am
I guess they’re just incapable of embarrassment.
Comment by Ray del Camino Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:53 am
Vetoing a whole state budget, not one budgetary success in 2017-2018…
People will see that as a failure.
So far… 63% disapprove.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:55 am
If only Mike Madigan could achieve all his expensive dreams for Illinois. When Mike Madigan asked taxpayers to have a smaller paycheck, this was practice for further sacrifice . The arts are important to Illinois and don’t you forget that. Even Forbes magazine notices.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamandrzejewski/2017/07/19/replace-shirley-madigan-on-the-illinois-arts-council/#3d50a0f861a4
Comment by Steve Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:55 am
Madigan is disliked more then Rauner in polls. A Pritzker controlled by Madigan, will have his ratings lowered.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:58 am
Couldn’t one also say that Rauner owes his political survival (if there is one) to Mike Madigan?
What else can he run on?
In a perverse way, this war Rauner has declared on Madigan has proven to be symbiotic for both of them. (and parasitic for the state)
Comment by Henry Francis Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 11:59 am
Pick a name or this is the last…
Madigan isn’t running statewide, Rauner is.
Ask Munger how it went connecting Madigan to Mendoza.
You can find Munger working for Rauner now, Mendiza sitting in Munger’s chair in the Comptroller’s office.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:00 pm
I continue to be amazed at the level of faith people put into polling.
Just as with our president it has become socially unacceptable to be supportive, but in the privacy of the voting booth attitudes mysteriously seem to change.
I think Rauner has alot of closet support that will pull the lever for him again despite not liking him because everyone in Illinois is quite clear about what electing JB would mean as far as their pocket books mean.
We just passed a tax increase that doesn’t even balance the budget, so how on earth are we going to pay for all of JB’s new programs without having to come back to the well again?
People who don’t like Rauner might still grit their teeth and pull the lever again because at least it gives a chance of stopping the run away spending train.
Putting JB in office is putting that train on steroids and taking away the brakes, and to many folks that is more intolerable than putting someone they don’t like back in office.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:01 pm
==“I’m the only thing between the Democrats and your wallet,”==
Then why did you force us to spend more by vetoing budgets that spent less? You raised our taxes by not learning your job. You might talk a good talk, but you never did what was needed to accomplish what you promised. A good governor focuses on us, not his enemies. Bruce, you repeatedly proved that you are a failed governor. By our standards, and by yours.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:02 pm
This stuff will mostly work with downstaters who weren’t going to vote D anyway. Might get some to the polls who weren’t going to show up otherwise, but limited effect. Might also rile up city Dems who see the attacks as personal or race-based.
To me, it is numbing and exhausting. And the stuff about unmarked vans (while possibly true) smacks of tinfoil hats and makes them look amateurish and silly.
Comment by Jibba Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:03 pm
==“Rauner vetoed that”
Meals on Wheels
Higher Ed
K-12 funding
Road construction==
OW - I wish the Democrats had been more active in messaging how much important stuff is in the budget during the standoff. I think Pritzker will be smart enough to run ads with people whose lives were affected by the standoff & veto.
But, from Rauner’s perspective, with a 63% disapproval rating, talking to all those suburban voters that just shelled out a grand more in taxes, I think he message will be “deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you need me on that wall” (a la A Few Good Men). With numbers like that, how do you win except make the alternative seem worse? What else does he have?
Comment by Century Club Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:07 pm
I continue to be amazed at the faith some here put in the polling that they think surely dooms Rauner.
It has become socially very unacceptable to be for him, but as we saw in other instances the sanctity of the private ballot is not subject to that and then people are left shocked by the outcome when people actually vote.
The level of naivety of certain posters that ignore that ultimately the race will become a pocket book issue about whether you want a train with brakes or no brakes is astounding.
People don’t like Rauner, but they like even less the full frontal assault that will necessarily have to be launched on their pocket books to pay for JB’s new spending plans.
In a binary choice like that people will pull the lever for someone they don’t like if they think it is the only way of at least having a chance of stopping the train.
A vote for JB is a vote for absolutely no brakes, and a vote for Rauner is a vote for at least the chance of using them (even if they don’t always work).
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:09 pm
Don’t under estimate the boogeyman that has Madigan has become. It is going to be a big issue in the election. And the only issue Rauner has that will resonate with voters beyond his Republican base. From my base of friends, most Dems, Madigan is not viewed favorably.
Comment by Mr B. Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:11 pm
- Anon -
“Bruce Rauner fails”
In a binary choice, I’ve seen this movie.
A failed governor, polling underwater… You get Bruce Rauner over Quinn.
As to polling?
Hillary was 15+ points ahead of a Trump.
“What I learned?”
Illinois went Hillary, by 17 points.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:11 pm
- Century Club -
I hear ya on all counts. I really do.
Ms. Wheeler’s own explanation of the upcoming 2018 election is telling that “because Madigan”, to her, seems to still not be enough to a headwind “Republicans” face.
Dems need to make the case, make it personal, make it “Skyhook, in reverse”
Can they? I dunno.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:14 pm
VM, I’m with you, but I think when it comes down to election messaging, “I vetoed the tax increase” is what will cut through. People really don’t like to pay taxes and they will ignore a lot if you are on their side on that.
Comment by Century Club Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:18 pm
“I stayed at a Holiday Inn Expresss once.”
OW - you do not gain an insight for politics unless you stay at a Super 8.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:22 pm
and have an expired discount card.
Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:24 pm
===…you do not gain an insight for politics unless you stay at a Super 8.===
lol, well played…
… or a Red Roof Inn. Don’t forget Red Roof Inn.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Century CLub-
That is exactly his plan.
Tell the folks he vetoed the tax increase, and that his opponent is proposing a ton of new spending on top of a budget that already doesn’t balance and even Ray Charles can see how in a binary choice people who otherwise hate Rauner might very likely still vote for him.
Voters are smarter than they are given credit for in that they know in their gut that we have fiscal problems and putting someone in office dedicated to ramping up spending more money we don’t have is a recipe for disaster.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:28 pm
It is the only thing that BR can run on, and it may be enough to secure a second term. Not a lot of love for Madigan beyond his flunkies.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:46 pm
Trump never contested Illinois. The margins for HRC need to be viewed in that context.
Comment by Say What? Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 12:48 pm
No, she owes her career to Rauner. Rauner got hold of Dunkin and turned him. That caused the need for the Democrats to run someone against Dunkin, who hadn’t become a flunky for Rauner.
Comment by Joe M Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 1:09 pm
” . . . the voters choice will be Mike Madigan, or Rauner.”
Then my choice is Mike Madigan.
Comment by Christopher Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 1:10 pm
Wouldn’t it be a kick in the pants given all the time and money the GOP has spent on portraying Speaker Madigan as the bogeyman if the Speaker announced his retirement before the next election.
Comment by GA Watcher Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 1:12 pm
“In a primary election, Stratton overcame an incumbent whose race was financed by the other party. Specifically, he took millions from Rauner-backed groups to try to hold on to his state house seat.”
Fixed it.
Comment by Nick Name Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 1:45 pm
To - GA Watcher -
Mike Madigan isn’t going to retire. Why should he? He enjoys power. He doesn’t have to get elected statewide . Neo-monarchy is fun when you are on the collecting side of the equation.
Comment by Steve Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 2:02 pm
If Rauner were policy driven he would find a Republican who could run for Governor without Rauner’s baggage. Rauner’s style has been a frontal assault on Democratic strong points. His success is on a par with Pickets Charge.
He needs a new face and new tactics.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 2:33 pm
Stratton will do fine, but she is a Madigan girl.
She won’t change the equation at all. Me thinks there is some voter anger out there - and Pritzker is just super establishment.
Comment by Mr B. Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 3:48 pm
===Stratton will do fine, but she is a Madigan girl.
She won’t change the equation at all. Me thinks there is some voter anger out there - and Pritzker is just super establishment.===
Unless your Sneed or Shakespere… “Me thinks”…
If super establishment is pro-Union and union endorsed, with organizational supper to build a Crew to win… where is the bad?
They ALL are going to be labeled “Madigan”
Funny thing is… Rauner can’t hide from… Rauner… at 63% disapproval.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 3:57 pm
Oswego W, Sneed or Shakespeare I am not, but I borrow their style. Anyway, interesting. Yes, Rauner can’t escape his ratings. Lots of unhappy voters out there. Dem primary is where the action will be. Didn’t the anointed one, Hillary, get knocked out by the dynamic Obama? And the election that was hers to lose, well she lost. Conventional political predictions are unstable these days. And there are unhappy Illinois voters. I am one of them.
Comment by Mr B. Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 5:14 pm
===And the election that was hers to lose, well she lost.===
Hillary was polling 15 points ahead of Trump in Illinois.
Hillary won Illinois by 17 points.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 10, 17 @ 5:16 pm
Anon, JB Pritzker is a train without brakes? On steriods? As a metaphor for spending taxes? Where do you get that from, did Illinois Policy tell you that? Who is refusing to refinance, even though it would save us millions a day?
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 8:44 am
You saw it coming because everything said was true
Comment by Annoym Friday, Aug 11, 17 @ 8:45 am
Acostumbro cada mañana buscar articulos para pasar un buen rato leyendo y de esta forma me he tropezado vuetro post. La verdad me ha gustado el post y pienso volver para seguir pasando buenos ratos.
Saludos
Comment by Herencias Alicante Tuesday, Aug 29, 17 @ 2:42 am