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* Chicago Magazine interview with Sen. Daniel Biss…
Bruce Rauner paints Mike Madigan as a villain. How do you see him?
We have two options. There’s the Rauner option, which is a constant personal war with Madigan. And there’s the Pritzker option, which is, “Hey, I’m Madigan’s guy.” Those are both the wrong path for Illinois. I’ve been independent of Madigan, and I’m proud of that. He has been there too long and he’s too powerful. But I also don’t pretend that the problem is a person; the problem is a system.
* More from the interview…
In October, you were polling at 6 percent. Have you considered dropping out?
I’m not well known across the state. But we’ve been successful raising money. Spending it to get in front of voters—that hasn’t happened yet. In the meantime, the other candidates haven’t taken off. And that creates a striking opportunity for a progressive middle-class candidate.
So you wouldn’t say that J.B. Pritzker has taken off?
I think it’s actually quite shocking. He’s just written his fifth $7 million check [to his campaign], so he’s $35 million deep, and in that poll he’s still stuck in the 30s.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:05 am
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rather be “stuck” in the 30’s, than at 6
Comment by Not Rich Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:08 am
“Madigan and the guise he controls.”
Comment by Dome Gnome Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:09 am
Hate to burst the Biss bubble but anyone else notice what he will do with his independence? or what his independence has meant to date?
Comment by Annonin' Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:09 am
Rauner talking points probably aren’t the best way to win over Democratic voters, except for Diana, and I’m pretty sure she’ll be voting for Rauner.
Comment by AC Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:11 am
=== But I also don’t pretend that the problem is a person; the problem is a system. ===
Strategically, this could be a good move. Focusing too much on “Madigan” rhetoric could prove exhausting or even detrimental, considering Madigan’s labor base in his district. If Biss is serious, he should focus more on the system itself and keep his criticism of Madigan focused on policy.
Comment by Thomas Stepp Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:12 am
Has Dan really convinced himself that he could work with a speaker he campaigned against? Or is his campaign statement more Kabuki theatre?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:14 am
seems as each day goes by, the whining gets worse. where is the plan, danny? looks as if dropping out may be for the best for all.
Comment by CICOM Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:15 am
Who funded that superPAC Biss ran, attacking Rauner?
I’m confused on this “Madigan” tact Biss seems is his “way”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:15 am
=== Has Dan really convinced himself that he could work with a speaker he campaigned against? ===
Perhaps, Biss may be running more of a message campaign at this point.
Comment by Thomas Stepp Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:16 am
If Biss really cared about the Madigan issue he would sit down with Chris Kennedy and make an agreement that who ever is lower in the polls by a certain date will drop out in order to strengthen the anti JB vote. Because yeah you would have to be living under a rock to think the Speaker would prefer anyone other than JB at this point.
Comment by Iggy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:18 am
The number of bogeymen in Bliss’ world is truly staggering.
Whatever it is, I am against it…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtMV44yoXZ0
Comment by OneMan Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:18 am
== Has Dan really convinced himself that he could work with a speaker he campaigned against? ==
Why not? They worked together on funding his PAC last year.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:23 am
One Man: Thanks for the Groucho reference — a much needed chuckle!
Comment by Flapdoodle Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:26 am
They worked together on the failed pension theft. Maybe Madigan can return the favor and dump all the fallout of that political disaster on Biss
Comment by Not a Billionaire Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:26 am
In Daniel’s favor, Biss the candidate makes Biss the senator look pretty good by comparison. But the best choice for the state is neither of the above for Dr. Whinesalot
Comment by former southerner Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:31 am
“I’ve been independent of Madigan, and I’m proud of that.”
So let’s review. You ran Madigan’s SuperPac. You. Daniel Biss. You. Ran. Madigan’s. SuperPac. So how exactly are you independent of Madigan?
Oh, and you also voted for Madigan for Speaker. You also took his help when you ran for office.
The problem with Daniel Biss is not the messaging, but the absolute, breathtaking hypocrisy. Daniel, you do know we all saw you then, right? You know your votes were recorded? You know it’s public record that you raised money from billionaires to finance Madigan’s superpac?
Give us all a break, please. You’re getting no traction because you’re just a hypocrite.
Comment by Anon0091 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:36 am
==I’m confused on this “Madigan” tact Biss seems is his “way”==
I’m not sure it is; every time I’ve seen Biss speak, it’s just about the last thing he wants to talk about. But people inevitably ask.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:43 am
it’s crazy how much Biss gets bashed here, but the voters I’m talking to are saying the exact same things and almost none of them have heard of Biss. Few know who JB is except that he’s the rich Chicago guy madigan picked.
Comment by JohnnyPyleDriver Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 11:54 am
Question. When Biss ran for rep didn’t he have a sort of anti-Madigan campaign and then when he won he did a token bill to reduce Madigan’s power but never really pushed it and then he took campaign donations from Madigan?
Comment by BigLou Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:01 pm
Hi my names Biss. I am running in principals. And my principals are for sale. I will support or oppose anyone if it gets me what I want. These are grass roots principals from the worlds oldest profession, and I am the candidate who embraces them.
Comment by Ghost Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:10 pm
They never let poor Daniel, join in any reindeer games.
Comment by City Zen Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:21 pm
And this is exactly what hypothetical Rauner vs. Biss general election campaign ads would look like.
Hundreds of times a day. Every day.
There may be very compelling reasons why Dan Biss should be the Democrats’ nominee despite this glaring problem, but I am unaware of them.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:30 pm
Will Biss and the other Democratic candidates agree to support the winner of the primary?
Comment by anon2 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 12:33 pm
Daniel Biss, concentrate on going after Rauner and YOUR plan on how to improve the lives of all Illinoisans. So tired of your complaining about JB and Kennedy and their billions. Everybody I have talked to have all said the same thing, give us a plan and stop complaining. Sheesh
Comment by Honeybadger Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:43 pm
Biss is the Madigan guy. He owes his political start to Madigan. When Biss lost to Beth Coulson, he ran to Madigan for help with his next campaign. He did “the program,” took his help, his staffers and his money to beat Edmond Chang (something he probably would have done anyways). Don’t be fooled by Daniel. He has been in bed with Madigan for most of his career. Rich - you should do a story on Biss’ ties to Madigan.
Comment by Anon99 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 1:52 pm
===Biss is the Madigan guy.===
(Sigh)
Biss’ connections to Madigan, even last cycle with the SuperPAC makes those connections valid in a counter.
To say Biss is “Madigan’s Guy”…
How can Pritzker AND Biss both be Madigan’s Guy with your thinking?
We had a whole Post with Comments where it was discussed that Pritzker had the establishment all but in the bag.
Biss and Pritzker… pretty big bag if both are the establishment candidates.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:07 pm
==And this is exactly what hypothetical Rauner vs. Biss general election campaign ads would look like.
Hundreds of times a day. Every day.==
Well, it’ll be pretty similar for JB and Chris, too. But JB seems ready and willing to put up his own ads hundreds of times a day.
Comment by Arsenal Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:11 pm
Ow - to be clear, biss is CURRENTLY the Madigan guy, but he has more ties to Madigan than any one else in the race. That’s what I meant. Biss isn’t the establishment candidate, but he has the most history.
Comment by Anon99 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:15 pm
“Not currently”
Comment by Anon99 Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:17 pm
===to be clear, biss is CURRENTLY the Madigan guy, but he has more ties to Madigan than any one else in the race===
The facts dispel that.
Pritzker has been the establishment candidate, many already saying how Madigan and others are in the bag for Pritzker, Rich Miller here yesterday had a whole post “Stop Whining” going chapter and verse.
You may not like it, but facts are getting in the way with your “want”.
===…but he has the most history.===
Again, “historically” in this current moment of the race… Pritzker has more establishment support now than Biss.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 2:20 pm
–In October, you were polling at 6 percent. Have you considered dropping out?–
Kennedy could make the argument that Biss is a Pritzker stalking horse.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Dec 8, 17 @ 4:40 pm