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* Press release…
Illinois Review (IR) announced on Tuesday a new ownership team that includes conservative radio show host and Newsmax columnist Mark Vargas and Chicago attorney and former US congressional candidate Scott Kaspar. The widely recognized and conservative publication on Illinois news was founded in 2005 by conservative leaders Fran Eaton and Dennis LaComb.
“After 17 years and 17,000 stories later, it was time to hand over Illinois Review to a trusted and capable new ownership team that could take the organization to the next level,” said IR co-founder Fran Eaton. “Now more than ever, we’re going to need leading conservative voices and perspectives to rebuild the Republican Party in Illinois – and I know Mark and Scott are the team that can do it.”
“I have known Fran and Dennis since 2005, and I am honored to leverage my resources and rolodex to help take IR to the next level,” said Mark Vargas. “The very first OpEd that I published many years ago was on IR – and so it brings me great joy to officially be a part of the team as co-owner.”
“For decades, IR has been a leading voice on conservative news and perspectives here in Illinois,” said Scott Kaspar. “The brand, our contributors, supporters and subscribers have made IR a total success over the last 17 years – and we can’t wait to build upon that and make IR an even bigger force not just here in Illinois, but across the country,” said Kaspar.
Vargas and Kaspar plan to roll out a new website design, a newspaper division that will bring IR to your doorstep, expand IR’s social media presence and subscriber list and compensate contributors for their work. Vargas will serve as Editor-in-Chief and Kaspar as Publisher.
* Vargas hosts a talk show on WIND 560 AM, the same station where Dan Proft has a show. Vargas’ first IR column doesn’t mention Proft by name, but it’s clearly aimed at him…
Now let’s talk about the Bailey Campaign. $42M in total to a Pro Bailey PAC and $10M directly to Bailey.
$100M this Election Cycle to support 2 men – Irvin and Bailey. While the rest of the Republican field struggled to raise any money at all.
Talk to any Republican who ran for office this General Election and they’ll tell you the same thing: we had no money to get our messages out or to defend ourselves from vicious lies and smears by the Democrats.
$50M for the governor’s race to be called at 7:06 pm – one of the fastest races to be called in modern Illinois election history. […]
It’s time for the Illinois Political Consulting Class to go. Just like a controlled burn removes old vegetation and makes room for new growth – we need this in Illinois if we are ever to be in a position to win again.
It’s time to hold these so-called “political experts” accountable.
They are not experts at winning races – they are experts at losing races. The records speak for themselves. And we are in the super minority because of it.
Think about this in terms of your doctor or a surgeon. If you or a loved one needed surgery, would you call a doctor whose patients all died? No! Of course not!
To be out there promoting a single poll that said Bailey was within “striking” distance and only 2 points behind – is Political Malpractice.
Proft’s “striking distance” quote is here.
…Adding… I’m told by someone at the Bailey campaign that Vargas tried to get hired as a consultant, but the campaign refused. Much of the conversation I had was unprintable.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:36 pm
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Comment by The Real Downstate Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:43 pm
Welp, it caught up to Dan?
See, Dan isn’t in this to win, Dan is in this so *Dan wins*
It’s like in “American Hustle”
“Keep it small, keep it small, you make money… you get too big…”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:47 pm
Don’t be too hard on Proft…he knows what he’s doing…up to a point.
Q. How can you judge the success of an “expert” political consultant without gauging the thickness of his wallet?
A. You can’t.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:48 pm
==a newspaper division that will bring IR to your doorstep===
No thanks, I already get the Chambana Sun.
Comment by Simple Simon Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:48 pm
Kaspar is the same guy representing the former Bailey employee who may sue Bailey.
Comment by Big Dipper Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:49 pm
So did they get rid of the .typepad extension? lol If so good for them. Its not 1999 anymore.
Comment by alrighty then Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:50 pm
===a newspaper division that will bring IR to your doorstep===
Never be “second” to a grift.
Like, “never sell band instruments to people in a small town that already got taken that way”
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:50 pm
WIND-AM was a great talk station when they took calls from all sides of an issue.
Comment by Jerry Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:50 pm
We don’t need more right wing garbage propaganda. We have IPI, Center Square, Proft’s papers, the record ones that cover the court, Wirepoints blog. Like how many more do we need. They have more media outlets covering issues than they have voters at this point.
Comment by plz no Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:51 pm
Not sure how big a following IR has but this might turn out to be fun. No doubt Vargas and Kaspar aren’t Proft, Ives or Pekau admirers. Kaspar has deep pockets and they might be the first step in trying to help get the Illinois GOP back to some sense of normalcy.
Comment by Old time Independent Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:55 pm
How much does one sell a website like Illinois Review for? The place seems to have very few readers and only a handful of commenters. But I will say that the newspaper thing is… interesting.
Comment by JoeMaddon Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:57 pm
**We don’t need more right wing garbage propaganda. We have IPI, Center Square, Proft’s papers, the record ones that cover the court, Wirepoints blog. Like how many more do we need.**
FWIW, IL Review was the OG Right Wing Propaganda in Illinois.
Comment by JoeMaddon Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 12:59 pm
So much money flowed through Proft’s PAC; is there any way to find out how much he skimmed off the top?
He had to be in this fight for the money; even he must have known Bailey didn’t have a chance.
Comment by Curious citizen Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:01 pm
Finally, Dan Proft’s political malpractice is being recognized. He is too caught up in ideology to recognize the practicalities of what it takes to win as a Republican in IL. Thankfully, this is being put on blast.
Comment by Rogo Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:18 pm
I agree that Cicero Dan Prof(i)t is a tired old loser shrew and I would be thrilled to see his grifting stop.
But I am not sure a new set of hustlers is what the GOP needs.
The Illinois GOP needs to find a way to make it as the representative of the center-right in a state that clearly tilts left. It will be recognizable to the national GOP but suited to our state.
I don’t doubt that this is tough. But crime and economy are workable issues for the Illinois GOP. Gay rights can properly be understood largely as a bedroom issue that government should stay out of. Abortion is tough — it is a two-life question. But there are plenty of people smarter than me who could figure out some sort of middle path.
Either be a big tent or dwindle to nothing.
Comment by DougChicago Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:19 pm
I’m all over the dump on Proft train. It’s fun and it has the added benefit of being accurate. Proft is a terrible political consultant. But other than Uhlein, nobody believes that’s what he is anyway.
All that being said, I don’t care who your consultants are, you won’t win with this extremist anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Chicago message. Ain’t gonna happen. Jim Edgar spelled it all out the other day. A new generation of consultants aren’t gonna make a dime’s worth of difference if the message is the same.
Comment by New Day Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:23 pm
“Would you call a doctor whose patients all died?”
Is he asking this rhetorical question of the AM radio audience? I doubt they’d even call a doctor. They’d get some medical advice from a stranger on facebook, tell everyone else to ‘do your research’, and call it a day.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:24 pm
===“For decades, IR has been a leading voice on conservative news and perspectives here in Illinois,” said Scott Kaspar. “The brand, our contributors, supporters and subscribers have made IR a total success over the last 17 years – and we can’t wait to build upon that and make IR an even bigger force not just here in Illinois, but across the country,” said Kaspar.===
I’m not being mean for mean’s sake, but this is puffery more than honesty to IR, including the “Rauner Years” existence
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:28 pm
I’m not a fan of Proft but that is just because of his values, especially his theocracy bent. but he works with the material he’s given. does he create their positions? nope. he’s pushing a certain agenda. some of what he produced might be more effective after the new bail law goes into effect. See the state of NY for an example. they did not do as well as expected numbers wise in the gov race or the senate race and they lost 4 seats. Proft’s actions in this round are a preview of what he does in the next. his material is very bad. they may get new players.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:52 pm
What about all of the fake newspapers circulating all over. Didn’t those help?
The problem wasn’t money. It was the message. The GOP is out of touch with Illinois voters. You lost because you truly believe that the voters are in in lock step with your positions. They’re not.
“Talk to any Republican who ran for office this General Election and they’ll tell you the same thing: we had no money to get our messages out or to defend ourselves from vicious lies and smears by the Democrats.”
Comment by AFSCME Steward Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 1:55 pm
= we had no money to get our messages out or to defend ourselves from vicious lies and smears by the Democrats =
It sounds like Vargas has no intention of changing anything going forward.
It sounds like Vargas will ensure defeat in 2024, with or without Proft.
Comment by H-W Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:01 pm
===he’s pushing a certain agenda. some of what he produced might be more effective after the new bail law goes into effect. See the state of NY for an example. they did not do as well as expected numbers wise in the gov race or the senate race and they lost 4 seats. Proft’s actions in this round are a preview of what he does in the next.===
Breaking this down…
“he’s pushing a certain agenda.”
Uihlein’s agenda. Full stop
“some of what he produced might be more effective after the new bail law goes into effect.”
Maybe, maybe not. You can’t try the same scare over and over.
“See the state of NY for an example.”
There was no “pushback” done in Illinois, different parameters as Illinois Dems controlled their own messages to what voters related to most; abortion, anti-democracy, extremists.
“they did not do as well as expected numbers wise in the gov race or the senate race and they lost 4 seats.”
Tough to measure both states, as NY candidates vs IL candidates.
“Proft’s actions in this round are a preview of what he does in the next.”
Democrats hope so, lol
Be well.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:18 pm
Much better-looking website, although it’s still IR
Comment by ste_with a v_en Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:24 pm
= we had no money to get our messages out or to defend ourselves from vicious lies and smears by the Democrats =
The key word here is “we” in which he means “me.” Proft is making bank, moved to Florida, etc. I think Vargas is trying to take U-line’s money stream.
A fight between Proft and Vargas would be interesting, but will it break WIND?
(yes, I went there)
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:26 pm
Honestly… the front page of the new web design is completely unreadable. Its a hot mess.
Comment by JoeMaddon Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:29 pm
So the reason all the GOP candidates lost is that the voters didn’t know who they were. I think they did.
Comment by AFSCME Steward Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:48 pm
3,490. The number of votes Kasper received in the primary for Illinois District 6. Yeah, let’s listen to him.
Comment by Highland IL Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 2:51 pm
Please list a set of values that a “Republican” could stand for, such that they could both win a primary and a general statewide election in
Illinois? I’ll wait.
Comment by The Fellow Edgar Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 3:26 pm
Dan Proft is merely giving the people, or in this case person, what they want. He’ll gladly take Uihlein’s money knowing that the messaging won’t carry the day. Proft and Uihlein see a void in the party and aim to fill it. And responsibility for that lies squarely with the party. Because absent these two I’m not sure that they have much of anything else to offer particularly since their last major donor has left town.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 3:32 pm
“Much of the conversation I had was unprintable.”
This is why everyone needs to subscribe to “CapFax: After Dark”
– MrJM
Comment by MisterJayEm Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 3:38 pm
I have problems with what Uihlein targets. if you follow B1G football, you will also find that sentence funny.
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 3:46 pm
Great win. Let’s raise taxes , there must be a way
Comment by Tom Keane Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 6:05 pm
===Let’s raise taxes , there must be a way===
60/30, signature.
That’s the way.
Hold your breath. It’ll happen soon.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 6:36 pm
=== I’m told by someone at the Bailey campaign that Vargas tried to get hired as a consultant, but the campaign refused. Much of the conversation I had was unprintable.===
Rich, it’s the internet. It’s ALL printable.
Comment by Suburban Mom Tuesday, Nov 15, 22 @ 8:21 pm
It’s interesting how many clueless people blame the message for not being center-right enough. Um, Irvin came in 3rd place. Illinois saw hundreds of thousands flee to red states, too many voters stayed home, and Bailey still got 43%. That’s your conservative base talking. And Proft’s ads were so powerful they got national attention. Pro-tip: a Democrat Lite win is never a win.
Comment by LN Wednesday, Nov 16, 22 @ 9:25 pm
===Bailey still got 43%===
Bailey was never going to win getting 43%, there aren’t enough racist thinkers, conspiracy theorists, or insurrection apologists out there for Bailey to win.
American voters understood the assignment.
Not one election-denying Governor or Secretary of State has been elected in any swing state.
Bailey was endorsed by Trump. A kiss that is also a loser.
That’s who Bailey was here.
Keep up.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Nov 17, 22 @ 5:46 am