* If you were hanging out at the blog this weekend or are trying to catch up on all the posts today, you know that Bruce Rauner’s wife Diana launched a diatribe against Terry Cosgrove and Personal PAC for supporting Gov. Quinn instead of her husband. Planned Parenthood responded and now Personal PAC’s chair has also responded…
Dear Friend of Choice and Personal PAC:
Some of you may have received an email or letter from Diana Rauner on Friday taking issue with Personal PAC’s endorsement of and efforts to re-elect Pat Quinn, the most pro-choice, pro-family and pro-woman Governor in the entire country. With so much at stake on Tuesday, I felt compelled to write to all of you one final time to set the record straight.
Personal PAC is a single issue, non-partisan political action committee, and we have endorsed and worked hard to elect countless pro-choice Republican and Democratic candidates over the past 25 years. In that time, we have learned that just like a woman can’t be a little, somewhat or mostly pregnant, a candidate can’t be a little, somewhat or mostly pro-choice. You either believe and support, in word and deed, reproductive rights for all women, or you don’t and Bruce Rauner does not, by his own admissions and his own actions.
In this campaign, Personal PAC has focused on the facts—what have the candidates said, what have they done, and how have they spent their money. We have put those facts into the public record through emails, direct mail, newspaper, television and radio. The Rauners have had every opportunity to refute those facts, but they have not done so publicly. Here are a few examples:
* Bruce Rauner personally selected a Lt. Governor running mate from the far right-wing of the Republican party who opposes legal abortion. 25% of all Lt. Governors in the U.S. become Governor. Pat Quinn is our very own example of this fact.
* Bruce Rauner has given millions of dollars to right-wing anti-abortion organizations and candidates, including Tea Party candidates, who not only work to make abortion illegal, but are now denying women access to birth control. His money has done immeasurable damage to women all over the country.
* Bruce Rauner recently met with a group of anti-abortion activists and told them “I believe life begins at conception.” So-called Human Life Amendments putting “life begins at conception” into law would outlaw all abortion and most forms of birth control.
There is more, but I think you get the picture. These are not the deeds or words of a pro-choice candidate.
We applaud Diana Rauner for her pro-choice views. But she is not on the ballot, Bruce is. History has shown that even with pro-choice spouses like Laura and Barbara Bush, both Bush presidencies did not result in any progress for reproductive rights.
I also have to address the baseless personal attacks on Terry Cosgrove, Personal PAC’s President and CEO and my friend. It is not an overstatement to say that Terry has given his life to defending reproductive rights for the women in our state. Before coming to Personal PAC, Terry was an activist and leader in many human rights issues, including helping to write and pass two of the earliest Human Rights Ordinances in the country, serving as Chair of the Urbana Human Rights Commission in the late 1970s, serving as chair of Illinois Men for the ERA, raising money for women athletes to successfully file a lawsuit against the University of Illinois for violating Title IX, and filing the first successful legal action in the country challenging discrimination in public accommodations based on sexual orientation. He continues his work year after year, despite receiving death threats and having his nose and collar bone broken by bigots. Terry’s appointment to the Illinois Human Rights Commission in 2011 was based on these unmatched credentials. For Diana Rauner to question Terry’s commitment and integrity is outrageous.
Governor Quinn knows that sound economic policies begin with sound reproductive health policies. I hope you and everyone you know will stand passionately with the women of Illinois and proudly cast your vote for Pat Quinn.
Thank you very much for your attention to this important matter. Feel free to forward this on and remind your family and friends to vote on Tuesday!!
Sincerely,
Melissa Widen, Chair
Personal PAC Board of Directors
- Anon - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 10:52 am:
Can’t stand the “with us or against us” mentality. There is definitive middle ground on issues like notification and late term procedures.
- Norseman - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 10:55 am:
Nice try, but these folks don’t win by going middle ground.
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 10:55 am:
Bruce Rauner says he has no social agenda.
But that’s not really true.
Rauner has a “I want to have it both ways” social agenda.
If Rauner is telling some people “life begins at conception” then he isn’t really sticking to his “no social agenda” talking point.
Rauner thinks very little of politicians. He thinks that it’s bribing people and pandering to ignorant voters.
And that lack of respect for the people is why he’ll lose.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 10:57 am:
===We applaud Diana Rauner for her pro-choice views. But she is not on the ballot, Bruce is. History has shown that even with pro-choice spouses like Laura and Barbara Bush, both Bush presidencies did not result in any progress for reproductive rights.===
“But, but, but… I’m Diana Rauner!”
- Carl Nyberg - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:00 am:
There is no middle ground on abortion because anti-abortion people have stuck to their position that life begins at conception.
Abortion should be viewed through the lens of the US Constitution.
When is citizenship conferred? 14th Amendment says it’s conferred at birth.
Does government have the right to force women to carry a pregnancy to term? 13th Amendment seems to say “involuntary servitude” is forbidden.
If you want women to not get abortions, you should be free to persuade them or pay them. But you shouldn’t be allowed to use the government to make abortions difficult to obtain by creating arbitrary barriers.
You want to call a fetus “a baby” you have a First Amendment right to do this. But legally, a baby isn’t a citizen until it’s born.
- William j Kelly - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:01 am:
So when do the heads start exploding? Because if that was just a figure of speech I am going to be very disappointed!
- vibes - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:02 am:
Surprised a major media outlet ran a piece like the Korecki piece. Usually they go dark on anything substantive and focus on flyaround and GOTV. The fact that Jim Kirk ran it 1) shows there’s still some pride there, and 2) is probably the most tangible backfire we’ll see of the whole McKinney fiasco. Would have loved to hear him discuss the story w/ Ferro!
- A guy... - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:07 am:
25% of LGs become Governor…yeah, not the way this one did. The LG job in most other states is a bit more vital than this one, and…most of those LGs become Governors by running for the job. This is how PP rolls.
“For Diana Rauner to question Terry’s commitment and integrity is outrageous.” No it isn’t. I question his integrity regularly. He sends out mailers citing a questionnaire that was not filled out as if they were. I saw countless mailers that “sourced” the Personal PAC Questionnaire as the document proving positions. No disclaimer of any kind stating that a candidate didn’t fill it out and these were the “assumptions” based on that action.
I know a multitude of pro-choicers who are: against abortion after the first trimester, are against late term abortions, are against abortions for gender selection, against abortions to cultivate stem cells, are for parental notification, are for higher standards of conditions at abortion clinics.
I know plenty of pro-lifers who make exceptions for rape, incest and the life/health of the mother. Are for birth control, breast and ovary examinations in clinics.
According to Personal PAC, this is a black and white issue. According to countless polls, there are a lot of gray areas such as those listed above. Science continues to alter the debate.
This is another issue that needs a rational and intellectual discussion that leads to fewer abortions and doesn’t place any woman at risk. The nuts on either side will never be able to have this kind of discussion.
From all accounts, Diana Rauner was a helpful friend to this organization. If they continue to alienate friends with that level of help, perhaps they’ll rethink some of their tactics. That would be helpful.
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:12 am:
It is interesting that they took so long to make this an issue.
I’ve been talking about it for months. Just like on the budget, Rauner liked to give himself a label but would never provide details on his views.
I’m glad to see Personal PAC finally push this against Rauner, because Rauner himself refuses to define what he means by “pro choice.”
- DuPage Grandma - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:14 am:
Conservative pastors don’t think Bruce is right for Gov, either….Looks like he lost both sides of this issue by not being frank about this issue…
illinoisreview.typepad.com/illinoisreview/2014/11/pastors-urge-illinois-social-conservatives-not-to-vote-for-rauner-.html
“The Christian Emergency League is well aware that social conservative Christians may be singled out for blame. This we submit is a small burden in defense of principle and truth. We further submit that the damage to truly conservative and Christian principles caused by a compromised politician like Mr. Rauner is greater than what Gov. Quinn can bring. Let us hope and pray that Rauner becomes a byword in Illinois politics save his repentance.”
- Rich Miller - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:16 am:
===Conservative pastors don’t think Bruce is right===
LOL
Three guys who form a group a week ago and make a couple of hilariously awful videos ain’t exactly a groundswell.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:20 am:
- Gooner -,
All this started with a candidate’s wife sending an unsolicited Dopey letter, that makes her, Diana Rauner, personally, like she fibbed when she would say…
“Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda” - Diana Rauner
…and make Bruce Rauner look like someone nobody can trust to tell the truth…the truth his wife decided to spill.
If Diana Rauner wasn’t trying to bully people to “see” what Diana wants seen, in a vacuum of “no agenda”, there woukdbf be this justified blowback.
Period.
Saying nothing is indeed a strategy. Diana Rauner forgot that.
Diana Rauner took it personally, and it backfired.
Bruce Rauner is telling everyone, “it’s not personal, when it’s all over, we’ll all get along…”. That’s folly too with the way Bruce rolls. Ask Jim Kirk.
Poor politics by them both, and in this case, it really backfired, but Diana Rauner put the wheels in motion.
- Beetlejuice - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:22 am:
So Rich,
How you plan on breaking the ice with Bruce Rauner once he’s projected to be Governor of Illinois around 9:45 PM Tuesday evening?
A beer, scotch, bourbon or wine?
- Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:22 am:
This all comes from Rauner’s willingness to say anything to anybody and wanting to be all things to all people.
- Ahoy! - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:27 am:
Personally I just lost a ton of respect for Personal PAC with this letter. Essentially they are promoting the same black/white mentality of the extreme right wing, they are just on opposite sides. The acknowledgment of their beliefs signifying that there is no gray or any other color or any other stance besides right and wrong makes them appear like a bunch of small minded zealots.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:27 am:
I’m glad abortion was not used as a divider in this race. I want the next governor to focus on other issues facing Illinois.
Expecting the pro-abortion folks to support any Republican was unrealistic.
And thanks Carl for your retro justifications on this matter. Its like 1972 all over again, as though we’re learned nothing over the past 45 years regarding human life before birth.
I have photos of my children at a time in their life when pro-abortionists pretend them to not be human.
Science trumps legalities here and that includes the US Constitution.
Funny how that seems to work. Legally, many minority races weren’t considered human beings either at some time or another. Then that darned science keeps exposing the convenient frauds that prevented human beings from really being seen as human beings worthy of rights.
There is no middle ground in science. If you want to end a human life, you need a compelling reason beyond convenience, the prisons are too full, it will wreck her prom date, I owned that slave and could do what I want, they are oriental and all the other legal reasons we’ve used to mistreat human beings.
Like I said, Rauner is about as pro-life as I am pro-choice, but that isn’t a factor in this election tomorrow.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:30 am:
(Sigh)
===25% of LGs become Governor…yeah, not the way this one did. The LG job in most other states is a bit more vital than this one…===
The Pro-Life Slip and Sue is more than a good reason for Personal PAC to take pause.
Slip and Sue, if she becomes Lt. Governor Slip and Sue will officially be a heartbeat away from running the 5th largest state in America, and not be a favorite of Personal PAC.
As much as Mrs. Rauner loves the campaign, she is not running. Slip and Sue is…
…BTW, the fact Quinn became governor is enough proof? That it can happen, percentage or not .
===According to Personal PAC, this is a black and white issue. According to countless polls, there are a lot of gray areas such as those listed above. Science continues to alter the debate.===
lol. Do you understand what a “One Issue PAC”…is?
It’s one issue. Period. You are dinging a one issue PAC for having …one issue? Yikes.
===From all accounts, Diana Rauner was a helpful friend to this organization. If they continue to alienate friends with that level of help, perhaps they’ll rethink some of their tactics. That would be helpful.===
Well, we know what happens when you cross Bruce Rauner, don’t we?
Bruce will bury you.
Bruce will bankrupt you.
Bruce will worry that you won’t worry how questioning Bruce will effect your family.
Is that what your saying - A Guy… -?
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:30 am:
Vanilla Man’s post shows why this issue is so important.
Many on the right agree with his extreme views. If Rauner is elected, can we risk it?
- Gooner - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:32 am:
By the way, it is funny seeing that Vanilla Man, from the far edge of the party where both evolution and climate change are rejected, talks of “science.”
Ah, life on the fringe, where “science” is what you read in a 2000 year old book.
- Cassandra - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:35 am:
Maybe Mrs. Rauner, a very nice person by most accounts, made a rookie mistake, or the campaign did. Perhaps she shouldn’t have sent out her e-mail at all. At this late date, what good is it going to do among either the decided or the undecided. Not much. But it generated this response, which will now get some attention, close to election day, on what continues to be a high-voltage issue for many voters.
Sometimes keeping your mouth shut is a strategy too. Especially when, as the Pac chairwoman accurately points out, you aren’t on the ballot.
- Lake County Guy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:40 am:
Diana Rauner is sure no Michelle Obama.
- A guy... - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:52 am:
===Is that what your saying - A Guy… -?===
Sure Wilbur. Once more you’ve parsed and quoted me precisely correctly. Evelyn offered balance to the ticket. You’ve unjustly spoken about her from the start. It says everything about you.
The letter writer from the one issue PAC references Laura and Barbara Bush. As if to say they had no influences on their husband’s views or policies. Did I read that correctly? I believe that would make her wrong. Both were extremely influential. My “guess” is that the topic was thoroughly discussed in both houses often. Cosgrove relies on very wealthy friends. Probably just lost one. Willing to bet it will be a few more than one. There will be no threats. And there may be no more checks. You tell me what hurts more?
- crazybleedingheart - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:57 am:
==I know a multitude of pro-choicers who are: against abortion after the first trimester, are against late term abortions, are against abortions for gender selection, against abortions to cultivate stem cells, are for parental notification, are for higher standards of conditions at abortion clinics.==
Being “against” something is not the same thing as “OK with criminal charges for people who do it.”
Being “for” something is not the same thing as “OK withholding someone’s constitutional right dependent on it happening.”
I can guarantee that you don’t actually know “a multitude of pro-choice” people who want to criminalize women and doctors for abortions you/they find distasteful and who seek to withhold safe and legal abortion access from women and girls who need it.
Those people are neither multitudinous nor pro-choice.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 11:57 am:
@A Guy:
Yeah, PersonalPAC was correct. Both Bushes were pro-life.
Keep threatening Personal PAC. Strategy has been a tremendous success so far.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:00 pm:
=== Evelyn offered balance to the ticket. You’ve unjustly spoken about her from the start. It says everything about you.===
That I want someone qualified to run the 5th largest state in America, since that’s the job, and Slip and Sue isn’t qualified.
Even when she showed up at WTTW…
Yeah, she no-showed.
=== Both were extremely influential. My “guess” is that the topic was thoroughly discussed in both houses often.===
Wow.
You’ve moved up from a governor’s mom to, not one, but TWO First Ladies. Impressive.
How about you leave the figurin’ (leaving off me ‘g’ like Bruce) to the one issue PAC. The figure the man in the Chair, and the governor in waiting matter, not spouses.
Seems pretty logical thinking there…
===There will be no threats.===
“Only promises”?
Well that’s better.
- DuPage Grandma - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
@Rich Miller
Yikes! Sorry for that…Should have googled the group before posting….Hope they are not real now that I have..
- Amalia - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:13 pm:
Second Mrs. Rauner is annoying while she commits campaign malpractice. also, she’s a huge fiscal waste because a million dollars went from her purse to a cause she emails to profess she does not support…anti choice activities. here’s hoping we won’t have the name Rauner in the public sphere much longer. Clearly, money can’t buy you anything but hypocrisy Diana.
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:25 pm:
Being against late term abortion is saying one of the most unfeeling responses to someone’s personal tragedy that I can think of. Women don’t go waltzing in to their doctor’s office at 8 months, saying they’ve decided they don’t really want a baby after all. The doctor calls them and breaks the news to the woman and her partner that there is something seriously wrong–so wrong they have to induce a miscarriage.
I really wish people would understand that.
- A guy... - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:26 pm:
Oh, Amalia, and she was so counting on you. Ack.
- Wensicia - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:34 pm:
When the King and Queen don’t get their way, they foolishly make comments that come back to haunt them.
- Anon - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:41 pm:
As the leader of PP, Terry doesn’t have much of a record for being “balanced” or “nuanced” and that fine; it isn’t expected in his role. But in service of the Human Rights Commission? That’s exactly what is required—the ability to find the distinction, the detail, the gray. That’s why his appointment never made much sense to me. He may well have the skill but his m.o. isn’t a fit.
- Amalia - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:46 pm:
Oh, A Guy, sorry, I am busy helping folks get “… ovary examinations in clinics.” ( from your 11:07 am comment)
- Wordslinger - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 12:49 pm:
You try to play both sides on this issue and you’ll get bit.
VMan, you must be feeling paricularly blissful today. Both Big Jim and Edgar were pro-choice and won with Democratic votes.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 1:31 pm:
I’m surprised the Rauner crew took got baited into spending the last weekend spending money on both sides of the abortion issue.
That’s just dizzy.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 1:33 pm:
===I’m surprised the Rauner crew took got baited into spending the last weekend spending money on both sides of the abortion issue.===
I’m betting Diana went off the reservation, thinking 1) “I’m Diana Rauner, listen to me”, 2) “It won’t get leaked, if it does, what can PersonalPAC do?”
Hubris.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 1:52 pm:
Anon 12:41 -
Speaking as a Human, I would prefer to not have any moderates on the Human Rights Commission.
YDD
- Black Ivy - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:05 pm:
It must be so nice to live in the glass house owned by Terry Cosgrove. He is a single issue guy, 100% pro-choice, yet he’s never experienced being pregnant nor had to make that choice. I could never be a single-issue person; there are far too many factors impacting me and my community. #abortionisnoteverything
- Belle - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:19 pm:
This is exactly why Rauner tried to stay away from discussing all issues. The only safe-issue is “elect me because I will help Illinois.” If you’re not careful, once you get into the nitty gritty areas of politics, you start making mistakes and expressing what you really think.
- Demoralized - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:39 pm:
==Terry Cosgrove. He is a single issue guy==
Guys like him generally are. You know, because that’s what he’s paid to do. Be a single issue guy in public.
- Amalia - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:43 pm:
sure Terry has never had to experience being pregnant or making “that choice,” Black Ivy. thank goddess that there are men like him who are supportive of women’s ability to make reproductive choices.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
===Maybe Mrs. Rauner, a very nice person by most accounts, made a rookie mistake, or the campaign did.===
===Diana Rauner is sure no Michelle Obama.===
I understand the way Diana Rauner became president of the Ounce of Prevention Fund was by executing what was characterized as “a hostile takeover.”
That doesn’t sound like what I would describe as “a very nice person.”
- MIMI - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 3:46 pm:
Yeah, his LG is a very scary person, she apparently was never allowed to speak to any groups alone because Rauner was afraid that people would find out what a nut he has. Why would a pro-choice candidate want to pick someone vehemently opposed to choice like Sanguinetti? Because he is really not pro- choice, that’s why.
- Under Further Review - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 3:52 pm:
===Diana Rauner is sure no Michelle Obama.===
Nothing that a few lavishly salaried/no work/no show government patronage positions could not change.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 4:22 pm:
Look, I don’t see any point in defending Mrs. Rauner nor is there any need to criticize her.
Her words, and her actions, speak for themselves.
As for the “consequences” for PersonalPAC, I hope it is as awful for them as it was for Planned Parenthood when Komen Foundation targeted them.
Judging from the D-2’s at least, the Rauners don’t exactly have a private army.
And while they are among the wealthiest Illinoisans, there are 69,000 millionaires in the Chicago area alone, so it ain’t like PersonalPAC has maxed out on its fundraising.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 5:30 pm:
===there are 69,000 millionaires in the Chicago area alone===
Just curious, YDD. Are you referring to annual income or net worth?
- walker - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 5:50 pm:
This is Terry’s passion and job, yes. It takes almost all his time, and he’s very good at it. He also has supported and worked for many other causes like marriage equality, employment rights, and healthcare. He is not a one-issue person.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 5:57 pm:
Walker, sorry for jumping to conclusions last night.
I hope you saw I responded to your last post. It’s still up. I could be wrong but that’s how I feel.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Nov 3, 14 @ 8:56 pm:
The Bible isn’t about science.
Evolution has been proven.
Climate change is real, but not human caused.
A form of human life is created upon conception that ought to be respected and protected with as much diligence as we give capitol punishment.
- crazybleedingheart - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 5:45 am:
Gee, thanks, Diana…
http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuels-early-childhood-plan-compared-parking-meter-deal/mon-11032014-211pm
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Nov 4, 14 @ 7:11 am:
Crazy, I don’t see that Diana Rauner has anything to do with that story, but it is outrageous.
Emanuel is bonding out to fund ongoing programs, which is crazy. And he’s guaranteeing a sweet payday for the lenders by establishing performance bonuses that the ongoing programs already meet.
Seriously, Goldman Sachs and the Pritzkers cash in on Head Start, and Emanuel thinks it’s a good thing?