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* Sen. Jason Barickman had been one of Gov. Rauner’s staunchest allies. But check out his interview with Eric Stock at WJBC…
State Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said he believes some in the GOP have lost faith in Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner after he told them and other pro-lifers he would veto a bill to fund abortions before he signed it.
“In our house, that’s a lie,” Barickman said. “You certainly don’t want to do that to the public, to (Chicago) Cardinal (Blase Cupich), a representative of the Catholic church. I think his credibility really got tarnished on this.” […]
“He had already been identified as one of the most – if not the most- vulnerable governor in our 50 states that was up for election next year, This issue, I think, makes him more vulnerable.”
I’ve been talking to rank and file Republicans this week and their anger is so real you can almost feel the heat through the phone.
* If you listen to the full interview, you’ll hear Stock asking Barickman about a possible GOP primary opponent for Rauner…
Some Republicans are floating their names. Rep. Ives is certainly one of them… And I truly believe what they’re doing is looking for someone to commit to them some large campaign contribution to make them a viable candidate.
* And how much would this sugar daddy(ies) have to pony up?…
I would guess that if someone had $5 million bucks they’d put a credible challenge to Bruce Rauner in the primary. […]
It could be someone from Texas, you know, calls ‘em up and says, ‘I’m so angry that Bruce Rauner did this, I’m going to write you a check for $5 million, 2 million, 10,’ I don’t know. And then, suddenly, you’ve got a real primary going. And as much as Bruce Rauner has unlimited money, I don’t see that unlimited money as quite as impactful in a primary when he’s a known quantity.
* Barickman said Rauner would use much of his own money to attack the other candidate…
The fundamental question will be is there a match. A match between some wealthy contributor and some candidate who could withstand the negative scrutiny… That’s a really ugly election to go through.
Rauner and Pritzker have fundamentally changed politics in this state. I’m not trying to pick on Sen. Barickman here because what he said is being said by lots of others. But Republicans have become so addicted to their BVR ATM that they are currently looking for a magical replacement rather than doing the work of raising that money on their own. Raising $5 million in this climate is not insurmountable, particularly since the caps are off.
The Democrats should keep this predicament in mind. What happens when their sweet cash machine becomes too toxic or simply goes away?
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:37 am
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Please let it be Ives, please. Can you imagine trying to get her to smile for a political piece. They would have to get one of those stuffed animals that they use for kids.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:45 am
By sweet cash machine going away, you mean what if Pritzker loses the primary right?
Which explains why team Madigan is “all in” with JB
Comment by Fax Machine Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:46 am
And to me the more important point, how did we get here? Shouldn’t there be a better way to determine who is “viable” that doesn’t involve dollar signs?
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:47 am
Sen. Barickman,
How many multiple times did you vote against your district and also to purposely hurt higher education at the behest of Bruce Rauner?
Spare ME your “welp, by golly, a fib is a fib… ” utter baloney.
Also, if you’re so concerned about Blase Cardinal Cupich, see to your own issues as your votes purposely hurt social services like Catholic Charities… but “now”… “now” you feel is enough.
Enough with the “babe in the woods”, “Rauner fibbed, I’m beside myself”
Where were YOU when Rauner held those switches that hurt so many?
Whet were YOU when higher education needed YOU.
At least, and now I give more and more credit… by the second, not minute, the second… to Rep. Breen who said he “enabled” Bruce Rauner, but no more.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:48 am
OK Jason & freecollegeives what a ticket. Or the other way around?
They should jump on the phone to Nick “The Purger” Ayers and get in touch with the casino billionaire or the Mercers for a barrel of moolah.
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:49 am
Cry me a river. Like the song goes, you knew he was a snake when you took him in.
Loved that money.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:50 am
===you mean what if Pritzker loses the primary right?===
Not necessarily. Four years from now, 8. 12 maybe. One day, it’ll happen. Nothing is permanent.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:51 am
If disgusted Republicans joined together to donate their Bruce Rauner campaign donations to a PAC for a viable alternative to the Governor, they’d be well on the way toward that $5Million goal. Who wants to put his or her money in the general vicinity of his or her mouth?
Comment by SAP Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:51 am
While we’re on the subject of Bruce Rauner’s money, how much is he going to have to give the House and Senate Republicans this month to keep them in line during veto session? He vetoed a lot of popular bills, it’s not a stretch to see a number of potential veto overrides starting later this month. Now that his word is no good and his coattails appear somewhere between ineffective and toxic the only remaining asset he has is his money. As of last filing he had about $68 million in the bank (with the potential to add plenty more) and it seems almost certain that if he has any hope of holding the two Republican caucuses on veto overrides it’s going to take a significant funding commitment. So when does that happen and how much?
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:52 am
What could the Ives motto be? “Let’s get angry again”? “I hate everybody, vote for me 2018″.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:54 am
Ives 2018: “Vote no”
Comment by PJ Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:55 am
I pressed Barickman on this issue Monday and he told me he had come out publicly against Rauner I asked where that information was and received no response. If you listen to the interview Barickman walks the fence and doesn’t really come out and say he personally strongly disagrees with Rauner. He saved himself so if his cash cow Rauner regains support somehow he is still in the good graces and if the party decides to go in a different direction he won’t be the only supporter of Rauner. It was a very calculated statement by a do nothing career politician. Barickman is trying to make a career out of politics like Dan Rutherford did before him.
Comment by RoanokeRandy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:55 am
So how does Cardinal Cupich feel about the loan Republican’s vote on Marriage Equality Legislation?
Comment by We'll See Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 11:56 am
I don’t think a Republican challenger needs big money to mount a credible campaign. Money, while always important, is less important in a primary. Activist primary voters are motivated by ideology and are much less persuadable than general election voters. A couple of million dollars, most of which should be dumped into a conservative activist GOTV effort could get the job done.
Comment by Roman Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:00 pm
Ives/McCarter 2018: “We can pretend to know what we’re doing for four years”.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:01 pm
I wonder what Sen. Radogno thinks of her former colleagues outrage over their belated and sudden discovery of Rauner’s capacity for lying and betrayal?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:06 pm
==While we’re on the subject of Bruce Rauner’s money, how much is he going to have to give the House and Senate Republicans this month to keep them in line during veto session?==
I think he would be best off saving his money until the heat dies down, even if it means he is overridden on a few bills. Losing on a few popular bills isn’t a big deal. The embarrassment of having large numbers of Republicans give his money back would be much worse.
Comment by Timmeh Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:07 pm
I’ll say it again: this is all bluster. They’ll hit that BVR ATM again. When it’s the general election, they’ll all hit that Rauner button. They haven’t blinked at Trump, they won’t blink at Rauner in the general.
Comment by The_Equalizer Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:12 pm
=== The embarrassment of having large numbers of Republicans give his money back would be much worse. ===
He likely wouldn’t be giving money directly to legislators, at least not in large amounts. If he wants to move a lot of money he has to send it to a party committee first, like the Illinois Republican Party or one or both of the caucus leadership funds, so that scenario makes it less likely you’ll see individual legislators sending money back to Rauner.
Comment by The Captain Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:13 pm
“How many multiple times did you vote against your district”
So how can a state Senator vote against his district when he crushed his primary opponent and ran unopposed in the general in 2012 ?
Comment by Texas Red Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:13 pm
Are we to believe all the lies from the Governor thata have taken place over the last 2 years are ok? This is just another one Senator. You seemed to be silent when you knew the falsehoods were running rampant. You Senator; along with all your money hungry cohorts are enablers. You took the money, but now you are outraged. This all rings very hollow from the bought and paid for GOP.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:14 pm
==If disgusted Republicans joined together to donate their Bruce Rauner campaign donations to a PAC for a viable alternative to the Governor, they’d be well on the way toward that $5Million goal.==
Such a great idea. Waiting…waiting…
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:15 pm
First, you HAVE TO get a credible candidate and it is NOT, I repeat NOT Ives, Mc Cann or Mc Carter, period! It is not 6-7% Proft or any of the other far right crazies. If that candidate exists then the money will follow. If not, ya got nothing. The question is, who is “that” candidate?
Comment by Yo Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:20 pm
Guys n Gals of the GOP: He bought you. Has he bought your soul too?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:22 pm
Rauner: Five million, against ME? Ha! I can hit back with ten times that much! I’ll never give up!
Comment by DuPage Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:23 pm
The more interesting issue — at least to me — is not if Rauner’s going to get a primary, but how is Rauner going to control his caucus if he wins?
Presumably, they’ll go lemming and fall into line because they don’t have a choice. But they’ve been burned several times — and aired some dirty laundry (which I find fascinating) so — what … are they gonna try the impasse all over again? Try to make it go three years this time?
Comment by Macbeth Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:23 pm
I guess not all lies are created equal.
Like it or not the Republican platform has become “but Madigan”. And nobody does that better than Bruce Rauner. Everything else hear is just noise and cover for the inevitable “we don’t agree with Rauner on everything but he’s out best chance to defeat Madigan.”
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:24 pm
Hard to primary a guy with 75 million to play with. Almost any candidate they find will have issues that can be exposed. But let me throw this question out there. Would you rather walk that slippery slope with Rauner and his millions, or someone that Proft and IPI throw down your throat.
Sorry people but that’s a easy choice and I’m holding my nose and going with Rauner if those are my choices.
Comment by Old time Republican Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:27 pm
===I’m holding my nose and going with Rauner if those are my choices.===
Yep. Rauner knows this. He is worried, but “where are they gonna go?”
Oh, and Diana Rauner knows it too.
It was a really great purchase.
===”In our house… “===
We let a stranger in our house, Mr. Barickman, and you enabled him every chance you could.
In our house… you let that stranger Mr. Barickman, compromise the state, and you helped.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:32 pm
OW,
Do you pull the lever for Brady over Quinn?
Comment by DownstateKid Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:38 pm
===Do you pull the lever for Brady over Quinn?===
Yep.
Your concern, yet again, is underwhelming.
That was also a “map” race. Like this one.
Rauner knows actual Republicans will factor in that, while Rauner will hold the stats hostage for any number of reasons, one may be for a map.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:41 pm
When will people start calling out those republicans and democrats for blindly following Rauner just to get his money? There is a word for that. Are there no ethics left in politics?
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:42 pm
The “alternative” candidate to Rauner, should one exist, is a flame throwing, far right, Proft backed candidate. I’m sure that would make a lot of people feel good but I can’t see how it’s a winning formula. Rauner knows that too.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:49 pm
===When will people start calling out those republicans and democrats for blindly following Rauner just to get his money?===
Um… what? Democrats? The Democrats aren’t taking his money - they’re being hit over the head by it. This is not a bipartisan issue.
Comment by PJ Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:50 pm
I agree with those who call out the crocodile outrage of those who took Rauner’s money. However, there seems to be real anger among many conservatives and Rauner voters. Kass just did an article trashing Rauner, for what it’s worth, with alleged names and comments of real people who are outraged. Social media also has the same thing—outraged conservatives—some saying they won’t vote for Rauner again. Some will reluctantly vote for him, but maybe some won’t.
Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:54 pm
I think it is unfair to compare Rauner and JB just because both are rich. JB isn’t trying to replace or take over the Dem party and he isn’t using his wealth to cower or intimidate fellow Dems. When JB wins the Dem party will be stronger not weaker like the Repub. party is with Rauner
Comment by Pyrman Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 12:58 pm
PJ, Ken Dunkin would like a word with you on that matter.
Comment by Fixer Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:03 pm
Pyrman - given that Rauner’s money and field operation won four House seats, successfully defended Rep. Bourne with a massive win margin, contributed to a Senate seat win and kept Leslie Munger (a dud of an official and candidate) competitive his money and stewardship most certainly did NOT make the ILGOP weaker. Rauner also helped fund 2016’s remap efforts - which were huge talking point for GOP statehouse candidates.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:07 pm
- Curl of the Burl -
Munger, as the incumbent and with ALL that “winning” in statehouse races, and outspending Mendoza…
… still lost.
It was the pockets Rich talked about where Raunerism won, while the suburbs still had Dem wins.
Rauner runs statewide, so there’s that too
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:10 pm
==JB isn’t trying to replace or take over the Dem party and he isn’t using his wealth to cower or intimidate fellow Dems.==
Yet. That’s the worry on the Dem side.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:16 pm
@PJ…Ken Dunkin, Corey Brooks, James Meeks.
Comment by Flynn's mom Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:18 pm
Chant RINO and burn play money in effigy…. So you don’t have to give up the real money you already spent or have on hand to spend
Comment by Ghost Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:19 pm
- PJ -
Learn about Ken Dunkin, then come back to all of us.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:20 pm
Just out of curiosity I looked at Senator Barickman’s last two years worth quarterly filings. Even though he has yet to file his 7/1-9/30 filing for this year he has received not one penny from Citizens for Rauner, Bruce and/or Diana Rauner or the Illinois Republican Party. Granted - he (somehow) dodged a primary in 2016 but we may never know if that was because Rauner’s team worked behind the scenes to put a stop to that or if no one wanted to challenge him. Either way Barickman has not “benefited” from Rauner’s largesse since Citizens for Rauner cut those big checks late in the 2015 spring session.
I can buy the logic that perhaps Rauner’s direct or indirect threats MAY have had an impact on Barickman - but given the last two years of D-2 reports there has not been a “payoff”, so to speak.
SAP - your point is a good in theory but the reality is that not many Republicans who got Rauner money in 2016 have much of it left. Tony McCombie is a great example. She “raised” close to $600,000 during the end of the 2016 campaign cycle but closed the 4th quarter with less than $38,000 in her account - and even now she has less than $45,000 total in her account. All of these candidates who took advantage of Rauner’s campaign cash promises were merely passing the dollars through and are not exactly sitting on piles of cash (at least compared to what they had during election season).
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:22 pm
Willy - my point was that Rauner’s cash kept her competitive in a presidential election cycle that saw HRC overwhelm DJT and saw an incumbent U.S. Senator get this clock cleaned. Rauner could have easily done what he has done at other points and reneged on his promise/priority to help “his” comptroller. Had he done so that race would have NEVER been close.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:24 pm
Pyrman - if you remember Rauner did not do that in 2014, either. He kept almost all of his campaign cash to himself. If he had thrown money at/to some top House campaigns and Katherine Ruocco’s campaign against James Clayborne then the 2015-2016 statehouse would have looked a bit different. He wanted until he got into office to throw his weight around. J.B. may very well do the same.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:26 pm
=== Rauner could have easily done what he has done at other points and reneged on his promise/priority to help “his” comptroller===
Example?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:28 pm
Is this the same Sen. Barickman whose own words were “grossly misinterpreted and misrepresented” on July 27th?
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:32 pm
===Just out of curiosity I looked at Senator Barickman’s last two years worth quarterly filings. Even though he has yet to file his 7/1-9/30 filing for this year he has received not one penny from Citizens for Rauner, Bruce and/or Diana Rauner or the Illinois Republican Party. Granted - he (somehow) dodged a primary in 2016 but we may never know if that was because Rauner’s team worked behind the scenes to put a stop to that or if no one wanted to challenge him. Either way Barickman has not “benefited” from Rauner’s largesse since Citizens for Rauner cut those big checks late in the 2015 spring session.===
So without any money connection, Mr. Barickman just plum believes state universities should be closed, social services should be eliminated, running up higher debt by not paying bills on time IS Mr. Barickman?
Good to know.
Mr. Barickman is just a kool-aid drinking Raunerite, allowing his switch to freely support Rauner… until the phony “He fibbed to me” was just “too much”?
He personally should tell that to Cardinal Cupich as he chides Governor Rauner.
“I wanted to hurt Catholic Charities, but Rauner now, amirite?”
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:33 pm
Willy - we all agree that Rauner has had trouble keeping certain stories and promises straight or promising different things to different groups, correct? Like what Rep. Breen just ranted about last week? Or even on this flipping post about Senator Barickman claiming that Rauner lied to him? What if Rauner did the same thing - only campaign-wise - to Leslie Munger and “decided” to not help her campaign? What if he had decided to invest more heavily in the House and Senate races?
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:43 pm
=== Leslie Munger and “decided” to not help her campaign? What if he had decided to invest more heavily in the House and Senate races===
But he didn’t. By all measures, Munger had more and spent more than Memdoza.
Munger outspent Mendoza by millions.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:45 pm
I understand that. But given Rauner’s proclivity towards saying one thing and doing another it would not have surprised me if he had.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:46 pm
Then, Munger was so angered and upset, she became Rauner’s Deputy Governor?
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:47 pm
===I understand that. But given Rauner’s proclivity towards saying one thing and doing another it would not have surprised me if he had.===
What is the relevance of this hypothetical and what are you thinking you’re explaing?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:48 pm
Willy - since you claim to be in the know so much perhaps you should ask Senator Barickman himself why he did what he did. Go ahead. I will await what you find with baited breath.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:49 pm
===…why he did what he did. Go ahead. I will await what you find with baited breath.===
I’ll be waiting with you, since I’ve been asking for over 31 months why.
I can read what Mr. Barickman said, I’m responding to that. If Mr. Barickman wants to say more, I’m sure he will.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:52 pm
“I’ve been talking to rank and file Republicans this week and their anger is so real you can almost feel the heat through the phone.”
✔1. Denial
✔2. Anger
_3. Bargaining
_4. Depression
_5. Acceptance
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 1:55 pm
Oswego Willy; Don’t feed the troll.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 2:05 pm
MrJM, I’m afraid your “Five Stages of Grief” are TOO true.
Governor Moneybags is going to be their candidate again and he’ll use his $$$-powered steamroller to flatten any primary candidate.
Only a matter of time before the ILGOP accepts they’re stuck with a stinker.
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 2:10 pm
Streator - but if Rauner wins reelection then that puts him in the driver’s seat for the remap. I noted in my prediction that he would for sure run for reelection based on the remap alone (among other things, of course, but the remap is the crown jewel). Rauner can fund a remap court challenge for as long as he pleases. Otherwise the ILGOP is stuck with another Madigan map.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 2:15 pm
RE - sorry to burst your bubble but I am not a troll. I work at the Capitol. I know Senator Barickman personally and he has been good to me the entire time he has been in office.
Comment by Curl of the Burl Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 2:16 pm
Odds are, Rauner will hold hostage the entire state, maybe for a whole GA until the “coin flip” occurs or Rauner gets enough of a “Raunerite” Map that Diana Rauner can support to and once again double cross Republicans as Raunerites in these districts pick off more Republicans.
Rauner doesn’t want a Republican map.
Rauner wants a map so the end of prevailing wage and collective bargaining is possible.
Rauner signed HB40, Rauner is more liberal them any Democratic governor in the entire country, having signed HB40.
… and Mr. Barickman enabled Rauner, and now HB40 is the Law.
But, please, think a Raunerite Map is good, lol
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 2:20 pm
===…been good to me…===
That may be true. Is true. No reason to think its not.
To his district, higher education, social services, Mr. Barickman is a Raunerite willing to help Rauner hurt Illinois with vote after vote after vote.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 2:23 pm
Barickman, lies are lies in all houses. You overlooked and enabled those Rauner and GOP lies that were told to others to support an impasse that devastated social services, higher education, state finances … Now, you take offense. Join the crowd. We’ve been offended by Rauner’s lies since election night.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 3:24 pm
–Streator - but if Rauner wins reelection then that puts him in the driver’s seat for the remap. –
Rauner’s re-election gives the GOP a fighting chance in a remap.
That, and Rauner’s money, is why all the “outraged” lawmakers, with a with hard-case exceptions, will be back.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 3:45 pm
Let’s discuss MERCHANDISE you possibly can resell. http://marmoto.weebly.com
Comment by online store credit line Thursday, Oct 5, 17 @ 10:08 pm