How Vallas learned from the last time he launched a major campaign

2018年5月3日星期四

How Vallas learned from the last time he launched a major campaign

Topspin

You only get one chance to make a first impression, and so when Paul Vallas formally kicked off his mayoral campaign Wednesday, he booked an ornate room at the fancy, members-only University Club of Chicago at Monroe and Michigan.

The choice of venue represented a lesson learned from the last time he unveiled a major campaign, his unsuccessful 2002 bid for the Democratic governor nomination. Back then, the former Chicago Public Schools CEO tried to do it on the cheap — and paid the price.

Vallas held his late July 2001 debut event on the sidewalk at State and Jackson, outside the building that hosts DePaul University's Loop campus. What the location boasted in outdoor visuals it lacked in crowd control, and indeed a group of protesters crashed the proceedings.

More than a dozen sign-waving residents from Little Village shouted and chanted, accusing Vallas of holding up construction of a new high school in their neighborhood and calling him a liar whose pants were on fire. The loudness threatened to drown out Vallas, who struggled to be heard.

At the time, the Tribune reported that Vallas told reporters the demonstrators represented "democracy," and countered that the construction issue involved a political turf battle over which Latino ward should get the school.

"I've been in tougher situations than this," Vallas said then. "But at some point, it gets to the point where it borders on rudeness."

On Wednesday, there weren't any distractions. Vallas talked for 20 minutes in his introductory speech and took reporters' questions for 42 minutes until there was nothing left to ask.

What's on tap

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel has no public events scheduled.

*Gov. Bruce Rauner will attend a service for fallen police officers at the Capitol, then later announce the winner of a history award. Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti will appear at an Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month event at the Thompson Center.

*The Illinois Senate is in session.

From the notebook

*Vallas aims to raise $3 million to $5 million: After declining to say earlier this week how much money he hopes to raise for his mayoral campaign, Paul Vallas gave reporters a goal during his campaign kickoff Wednesday.

"Our goal is to raise a minimum $3 million and we hope to raise $5 million," he said. "When we release our financial reports in June, I think you'll see a healthy balance."

So far, Vallas doesn't have much of a balance. In fact, he hasn't reported any contributions of at least $1,000 since he filed the paperwork creating his campaign fund on April 2.

By contrast, Mayor Emanuel already has exceeded the high end of Vallas' fundraising goal.

So far this election cycle, the mayor has raised more than $5.7 million, state campaign finance records show, including more than $1.7 million deposited in a single day.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune earlier this week, Vallas said he doesn't need as much money because he doesn't plan on spending millions on expensive TV ads.

"I don't think it's essential. I'm not convinced I need it," he said. "Suffice to say, I will be the candidate who spends the least on TV ads."

Instead, Vallas said he will rely on "human infrastructure," saying he has numerous campaign volunteers at the ready, will visit all of the city's neighborhoods and hopes Chicagoans echo his efforts on social media.

Vallas also has a ways to go in that category. On Wednesday, he tweeted news coverage of his mayoral announcement, but his handle @PaulVallas has only about 710 followers so far. (Bill Ruthhart)

*"Brewskis with Bruce": Gov. Rauner says he doesn't rest or sleep much but likes to skate and ride his motorcycle with veterans and "union guys," according to his re-election campaign's latest social strategy, a series of videos called "Brewskis with Bruce."

Sitting with seven people over beers, one of them tells Rauner in the one-minute video: "Your presence at the motorcycle shows and at the different events they have throughout the local area here is awesome."

Rauner, who rode his Harley-Davidson in a kickoff video for his re-election campaign, responds by touting his motorcycle rides with "union guys" — despite his frequent clashes with organized labor.

He also promotes how much he likes to ride with veterans, as his administration faces sharp criticism over its handling of continued Legionnaire's disease outbreaks at the state-run veterans home in Downstate Quincy, where a 2015 outbreak killed 13 people.

"I love riding with veterans. I love riding with police officers. I love riding for Toys for Tots to fundraise. I've been a motorcycle rider since I was 14. I got my first dirt bike. I saved up. I raked leaves and mowed grass and saved up. I saved up and bought a little dirt bike," Rauner says in the video.

"Since I became governor I've joined, um, I was invited to join and I was honored to do it, a group called the Canaryville Veterans Riders Association," Rauner said. He had a dust-up with the group in 2015. "They're based on the South Side of Chicago. It's a lot of union guys. It's police officers, firefighters, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and they support veterans. And I love to ride with veterans." (Rick Pearson)

*Quick spin: The Chicago Federation of Labor has a new leader. Robert G. Reiter Jr. has been chosen by CFL delegates to replace outgoing President Jorge Ramirez. Reiter was secretary-treasurer of the CFL and is a third-generation member of the politically active International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150.

What we're writing

*In kickoff for mayor, Vallas launches unsparing attack against Emanuel.

*Ex-State's Attorney Anita Alvarez threatens to sue successor for defamation over sexual harassment claims.

*Illinois Senate approves plan that would allow police to monitor big crowds with drones.

*Illinois Republicans blast Democratic income tax resolution as election-year politics.

*EPA chief Pruitt overrules staff, gives Wisconsin's Walker, Foxconn big break on smog.

What we're reading

*Democrats seek subpoena of Chicago bank over Manafort loans.

*Youth sports faces shortage of refs who "don't want to stand there and take the abuse."

*New Budweiser beer is inspired by George Washington recipe.

Follow the money

*Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar, who survived a tough re-election campaign last year, reported $124,000 in contributions.