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McCann talks supporting Trump, Rauner buying GOP

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* An interview of Sam McCann conducted by WEEK-TV was posted last night as the state Senator and former Republican now has less than two weeks to get his third-party gubernatorial bid on the November ballot.

McCann was asked, among other things, if he supported President Trump. Here’s a quick transcript of that part of the interview…

I definitely do. He’s our President. He’s our commander-in-chief…We’ve reached a time and a place where if we disagree with someone we vilify that person. We fight against that person. We try to bring about that person’s demise. That’s not the way it’s supposed to be because no two people have ever agreed 100 percent of the time on 100 percent of the issues.There’s a lot of folks who want President Trump to fail just because he’s a Republican or just because he’s Trump or just because of the way he Tweets or some of the things he says. I think it’s incumbent upon us as Americans to hope that our president succeeds regardless of his politics, regardless of whether we agree with him or not. You should respect him and hope that he’s successful guiding the nation, working with Congress to make it a better country, and thereby a better world. So I don’t agree with everything he Tweets. I don’t agree with how he says every single thing, but I agree with the vast majority of what he’s doing.

And part of his explanation on how the Conservative Party is different from the Republican Party…

Bruce Rauner knew a good fire sale when he saw one. He knew that to be Governor of Illinois…he was going to have to acquire one of the two parties. He knew the Democratic Party was too strong even though he had typically voted as a Democrat. That would have been the natural direction for him. He knew that there were already too many strong leaders statewide in that party, especially Madigan, and it would cost too much. He also realized that, at the time in 2012, 2013 when he was making this decision, that the Illinois Republican Party was devoid of any statewide leadership and that he could buy the party at a fire sale, and that’s what he did.

The full interview is here.

* McCann has until June 25 to muster the 25,000 signatures he needs to appear on the ballot. When asked yesterday about the status of that effort, the Senator responded, “Things are going really well. I am confident we will file with the requisite number of signatures, and then some.”

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:02 am

Comments

Saying “I hope our president succeeds” is such a copout answer. Do you want him to succeed at separating kids from their families? Or removing healthcare from millions of people in Illinois? Or palling around with Confederate flag people? C’mon. This guy is just another politician.

Comment by Albany Park Patriot Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:05 am
That same Republican Party and the SGOP campaign apparatus carried Mr. McCann across the finishing line in 2010. Without their help he would have lost decisively.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:06 am
McCann is spot on here. Rauner did buy the GOP and a number of folks who claim they are conservative, for sure that includes John Tillman and Dan Proft. Joe Walsh pumped up Rauner. Tea Party leaders even signed on. A few pro-life leaders signed on. It wasn’t just a firesale of the Illinois GOP. It was a fire sale on the same folks who point fingers at Rauner now. Very few stood up to Rauner on the right in 2014.

Comment by downstater Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:12 am
The caucuses sold out for $20 million.

They gave no $&@#% problems.

lol.

Arguably, the Raunerites of the 99th General Assembly we’re complicit in aiding and abetting the destruction of social services and higher education… all of which was purposeful,

I enjoy the lauding of former GOP GA members who served in the 99th GA as “thoughtful” or “compassionate”… even “caring”

While it *could* be true, the $20 million that made them bought and sold to Raunerism… nope… the 99th GA and the Raunerites… they know… they helped destroy Illinois for Bruce Rauner.

(Enter the Brave 15, Enter the Perfect 10)

See… like Ms. Wheeler said… you betray Bruce Rauner to save Illinois from Bruce Rauner… odds are… you’re not a Raunerite.

Raunerite?

“I’m frustrated too but taking steps to reform Illinois is more important than a short term budget stalemate”

That $20 million was so well spent to try to destroy Illinois.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:14 am
Conservatives don’t have a voice in Rauner, that’s for sure. They were so flippantly betrayed, treated like pawns, just like social services recipients and providers, higher ed, businesses and everyone else held hostage.

What’s worse is that all this damage was caused for nothing—no stoppage of a tax increase, few or Rauner reform demands being passed, etc., on top of taxpayer-funded abortions. What are conservatives supposed to be excited about?

Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:17 am
===…in 2010.===

Let’s really cut to the quick here.

What McCann did, and handled his own business with Leader Radogno and the caucus before, and to be equally fair, during Rauner’s early tenure, completely inexcusable.

Rauner bought the caucus in the early 99th GA… demanding no $&@#% problems.

It’s critical to understand, while it’s lazy to meld, that the time before Rauner and the time of Rauner… McCann was and has been waging his own wars, some before Rauner that continued, which was inexcusable, and the newer front of taking Rauner on, as Rauner targeted McCann.

In 2010, Raunerism was a though… only Rod Blagojevich ever uttered.

Rauner just had the money to make Rod’s dream possible.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:21 am
This makes sense if you look at McCann and Trump: both cultural conservatives, both economic protectionist, both using positions to enrich themselves in vaguely corrupt ways

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:23 am
-both economic protectionist-

And exactly how do we increase salaries for auto workers, when Europe and Asia impose a tax on our vehicles that is 400% greater than what we impose on theirs? Are you really okay with that continuing?

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:28 am
===And exactly how do we increase salaries for auto workers…===

Oh… you mean those plants that build Nissans, BMWs, Mercedes… in the United States… those auto workers…

But, please, go on about foreign autos, and the American auto workers… lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:32 am
OW,
BMW USA is one of the biggest exporters of autos from the US. But, they are pummeled when trying to export to Asia. (It’s less transportation to send a US produced car to Asia than a German produced one.)
You conveniently left off the US based producers (GM, FORD, Chrysler) that play on an uneven playing field.

Seriously, what justification is there for the USA to tolerate our products being taxed at a rate that is 400% higher? No wonder ASIA doesn’t want to end the TPP.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:37 am
Here’s the issue that I have with McCann’s perspective. The GOP is saying that loyalty to the party and it’s agenda is paramount regardless of whether you agree with the leader or not. If a Republican has to accept Trump despite his many flaws why doesn’t the same hold true for Rauner? McCann’s position seems a bit hypocritical. Couldn’t it be said that he wants Rauner to fail because he’s Rauner?

S.E. Cupp had a good take on this.

www.cnn.com/2018/06/14/opinions/ronna-mcdaniel-tweet-is-the-death-of-the-gop-cupp-opinion/index.html

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:44 am
===BMW USA is one of the biggest exporters of autos from the US. But…===

Nah. No “but”… that’s the ball game.

===You conveniently left off the US based producers (GM, FORD, Chrysler) that play on an uneven playing field.===

… or build cars in Mexico? lol.

===Seriously, what justification is there for the USA to tolerate our products being taxed at a rate that is 400% higher?====

How do you think the trade war with steel tariffs are gonna go?

According to the auto manufacturers… not good.

So… BMW makes more cars here to export from here with American auto workers, but you want a trade war based on social anger?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:45 am
Doe Sam realize this isn’t a primary and he has two opponents in the race?

Comment by Some Guy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:47 am
===Does Sam realize this isn’t a primary and he has two opponents in the race?===

Sam isn’t in this to win, it’s to ensure Rauner loses.

There’s a difference.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:54 am
OW,
So you are okay with them taxing our exports at a rate that’s 400% greater than what we tax theirs? It is a horrific trade deal, and it doesn’t sound very “partner” like.

I was with a large Illinois Tier 1 Auto supplier this week. They are certainly applauding efforts to find a fair trade deal, even though it might cause some short term pain. They used terms like “patsy” and “naive” to describe previous administrations (both Republican and Democrat) negotiations on trade.

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:58 am
That quote on Rauner buying the Republican party is impressive, he lands a lot of clean blows in relatively few words. McCann comes with a luggage rack full of baggage but he’s no slouch at this.

Comment by The Captain Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 10:59 am
===400% greater than what we tax theirs?===

Can you cite this as a fact?

I googled it, and I can’t find that percentage as an actual policy, and a quote without the specific cite to that… won’t suffice.

Thanks.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:02 am
OW,
Thanks for asking. This article mentions the duty imposed on autos. We charge 2.5%. Europe charges 10%.
Do a google search for: “Reuters, March 3rd” “Trump threatens to tax European auto imports.”

Comment by Downstate Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:18 am
==Sam isn’t in this to win, it’s to ensure Rauner loses. There’s a difference.==

Rauner was never a Republican. There are two Democrats in the race for Governor.

Comment by downstater Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:24 am
=We’ve reached a time and a place where if we disagree with someone we vilify that person. We fight against that person. We try to bring about that person’s demise.=

The quote about Trump could just as easily be about Rauner. So McCann says support Trump, even if you disagree with him and what he’s trying to do. But not Rauner.

=What McCann did, and handled his own business with Leader Radogno and the caucus before, and to be equally fair, during Rauner’s early tenure, completely inexcusable.=

Everybody complains thar r’s don’t stand up to Rauner, d’s don’t stand up to Madigan. But these are the kind of people who do. The same guy that can’t get along with caucus and party leadership is the guy who stands up to the Governor.

McCann, Dunkin, Ives, Drury, Blago. These are the people that stand up to party leadership. Do we want a statehouse full of them? I think that crowd is telling.

The only time we’ve really seen the stand-up crowd veer away from that is with #metoo. Now you have Cassidy, etc. But it’s because of an issue. Will Cassidy be the new prototype for the independent crowd, or will it go back to the Drury/McCann crowd?

Comment by m Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:25 am
===Seriously, what justification is there for the USA to tolerate our products being taxed at a rate that is 400% higher? No wonder ASIA doesn’t want to end the TPP.===

How does Asia fit in all this again?

You want to discuss European auto tariffs, but BMW, a German company exports more cars from the United State outward… and those are American auto workers….

What’s you’re point, I’m trying to understand, you want go discuss punishing Asia, with European cars, that American auto makers make…

Simple solutions are rarely both.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:26 am
===Rauner was never a Republican.===

This is true. But…

===There are two Democrats…===

… this is inaccurate.

Raunerism is an uber-left, coastal, limousine liberal social agenda, while dismantling social services and higher education to end prevailing wage and collective bargaining.

That’s not a Democratic candidate.

It’s warped, I’ll grant you, but it’s Raunerism.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:32 am
- The Captain - @ 10:59am

Pretty much my thoughts on Sam.

Comment by RNUG Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:37 am
If you want to increase domestic auto production, change the economics. I would put a 15% excise tax on all new autos and auto parts sold in the USA. This applies to domestic and foreign production. Use the revenue to pay 80% of domestic auto and auto parts companies health insurance. (The companies would keep their existing plans.)
This benefits domestic workers and should shift production to the USA. This should not start a trade war as many countries already fund health care through taxes.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 11:37 am
Glad Sam is running. It’s nice to have a real conservative to vote for.

Comment by Republican Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:04 pm
Sam McCann, Jeanne Ives, Dan Proft, Tony Peraica, Tom Morrison the list goes on and on on how the far right is on a path to destroy the Illinois GOP. Ives first Ad is what defines the whole far right. I rather be a Rauner person then a hater any day of the week…..

Comment by Board Watcher Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:07 pm
===I rather be a Rauner person…===

Then the idea of GOP… is lost.

Raunerism isn’t the GOP either.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:12 pm
“The caucuses sold out for $20 million.”

Trump must be smarter than Rauner because the national Republican party sold out for $0.

Comment by a drop in Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:20 pm
=Rauner was never a Republican.=

Rauner, and Trump for that matter, our testing the resilience of the party and what it means to be a Republican. It’s up to the party to decide if that’s who and what they want to be. Better choose wisely because it may take years’ to recover if you they don’t get it right.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:23 pm
=Sam McCann, Jeanne Ives, Dan Proft, Tony Peraica, Tom Morrison the list goes on and on on how the far right is on a path to destroy the Illinois GOP.=

I don’t think that these groups or Rauner is on a path to destroy the Illinois GOP. I think it’s an acknowledgment that the Illinois GOP doesn’t really exist. It’s there for the taking and each group wants to shape it in its own image.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:31 pm
== =Sam McCann, Jeanne Ives, Dan Proft, Tony Peraica, Tom Morrison the list goes on and on on how the far right is on a path to destroy the Illinois GOP.=
It’s funny to put Sam McCann on the same list with Dan Proft. Proft received millions from Rauner to destroy McCann.

Comment by downstater Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 12:40 pm
===…Illinois GOP doesn’t really exist. It’s there for the taking and each group wants to shape it in its own image.===

So much truth there, as the shell known once as the ILGOP let a stranger in its house… and then he just owned the house… caucus… then the senate caucus too…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:21 pm
A pure observation…

I dunno if McCann could’ve… or can now… generate the sweeping support, albeit from really angry “people” in some cases, that Ives was able to gin up, as Ives’ support came from some angered base folk also looking for a place to vote for hatred. Not all, but it would be dishonest not to first acknowledge that about Ives support, and the McCann premise.

McCann wound haveta come in at 18-21% on the low side to get where Ives was with her 48% in the primary.

Huge ask

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:26 pm
Rauner is a centrist and yet is characterized as some demagogue by some.

Socially liberally, fiscally conservative. That describes a bunch of people in the US.

Que OW citing a random poll.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:27 pm
===That describes a bunch of people in the US.===

That doesn’t sound like 80% of the GOP… lol

… otherwise Ives’ 48%, not a poll but voters… woulda stick with Rauner… they didn’t.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:29 pm
All this talk about true republican, yet Donald Trump beat the best field of “republican” candidates in a generation.

The word Democrat and Republican have changed and are rapidly changing. I see no reason to use old terminology to describe our current candidates.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:30 pm
OW,

The republican party nominated a thrice-married, economic protectionist with a history of voting democrat. Don’t tell me about the GOP. In your world, the GOP is still from the Reagan era. It’s not. Trump is the standard-bearer and beat the “best field in a generation”.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:32 pm
===Donald Trump beat the best field of “republican” candidates in a generation.====

… there were 16 others… even Governor Scott Walker, leaving the race after a cup of coffee made clear a cluttered field is a recipe for disaster… enter Trump.

===I see no reason to use old terminology to describe our current candidates.===

That’s what they said when the Whig Party folded, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:36 pm
OW, you already admitted you wouldn’t be voting for either candidate and you didn’t vote for Rauner in 2014.

So you tell me, who is the model republican in your opinion? I am curious because you keep rattlin-on about the pure GOP and I need to know where to find these elected officials.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:38 pm
===The republican party nominated a thrice-married, economic protectionist with a history of voting democrat.===

With the Nixon “Southern Strategy” and rubbing against Obama, and saying “both sides” in Virginia were right, the racist and those fighting racism.

I guess your embracing of Trump might reflect a little anger at the War of Northern Agression?

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:39 pm
===So you tell me, who is the model republican in your opinion?===

Use the google. I’ve said it numerous times.

Kasich.

… and he’s even a governor.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:40 pm
===…keep rattlin-on about the pure GOP…===

Nah, not pure.

We need to eradicate racist, homophobs, those who don’t understand the Reagan Democrats, without making it a racial or social divide…

You don’t read much of what I write. You’re not alone, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:42 pm
OW,

You’re always clever by half and dull by a pound. I didn’t embrace anyone, I simply stated that the parties have changed. Both parties. I want to know who is an elected official, Gov., Senator or House Rep that meets your definition of Grand Ole Party. I’ll wait, but sadly like your daily posts, I’m sure I’ll be left wanting something substantial.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:43 pm
===I want to know who is an elected official, Gov., Senator or House Rep that meets your definition of Grand Ole Party. I’ll wait===

Like I said, you don’t read, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:44 pm
John Kasich. Perfect. He got 19.7% in Illinois. Guess your 80% pure Republicans don’t even exist in our own backyard.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:46 pm
===Guess your 80% pure Republicans don’t even exist in our own backyard.===

For $20 million, Rauner bought them, got them to retire…

Trump got 38%… so there’s that too, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:51 pm
OW,

Who won the Illinois Republican party with the crowded field of four?

I’ll wait.

Comment by Ole General Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:54 pm
- Ole General -

Trump, winning the primary… 38%

Trump losing to Clinton… gets… 38% then too…

Kirk lost… Munger lost…

Moderates, Raunerites, Trump… no one carried the day statewide.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:56 pm
===Who won the Illinois Republican party with the crowded field of four?===

Seriously, can you NOT read?

Is it an issue?

I stated above, Trump, with 38%…

===With the Nixon “Southern Strategy” and running against Obama, and saying “both sides” in Virginia were right, the racist and those fighting racism.

I guess your embracing of Trump might reflect a little anger at the War of Northern Agression?===

You keep ignoring that. Why? lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:58 pm
=Socially liberally, fiscally conservative.=

Fiscal conservatives pay their bills. Rauner’s no fiscal conservative. I’ll give you socially liberally.

Comment by Pundent Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 1:59 pm
===Rauner’s no fiscal conservative. I’ll give you socially liberally.===

- Prudent -

I let it slide, hoping - Ole General - would go back to that, but you’re right, it should be noted now and always.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 2:00 pm
OK, kids. That’s quite enough.

Comment by Barton Lorimor Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 2:16 pm
=We need to eradicate racist, homophobs, those who don’t understand the Reagan Democrats, without making it a racial or social divide…=

Plenty of people have and continue to use terms like racist and homophobe to describe Reagan. You have rose colored glasses when you look at “your day.”

Parties get a lot of people from different backgrounds and views. Big tent strategy and whatnot… That’s how the party of Lincoln adopted the southern solution. Doesn’t make it right, but it isn’t new.

It may be easier to simplify it into one guy or a pair of guys taking over the party. But remember the reality is that Rockefeller and Goldwater were party leaders at the same time. Big differences between them.

You can fight the guy from your party in the top office and offer your whole party and its followers nothing but failure, or you can attempt to work with him, bring his agenda closer to yours. That’s what Radogno and Durkin did, that’s what Ryan and McConnell are doing. The way it’s always been.

=That’s what they said when the Whig Party folded, LOL=

The GOP has Congress and the presidency. Even deep blue Illinois has a GOP gov and gains in the GA in recent cycles. Not a great comparison.

Comment by m Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 2:27 pm
- m -

I read your comment.

Have a good weekend.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 2:28 pm
I’m sure that Tim Schneider will make it all better.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 3:01 pm
–That’s how the party of Lincoln adopted the southern solution–

The “southern solution?”

Are you combining the “Southern Strategy” with the “Final Solution?”

Get it together, dude.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 3:51 pm
===Are you combining the “Southern Strategy” with the “Final Solution?”===

I didn’t know where to begin…

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jun 15, 18 @ 3:57 pm