Snicker. Former Obama Chief Staff and possible future Illinois governor has written a piece for the Washington Post, in which he openly sobs about giving a candidate money but not getting a vote he wanted.
I have had a long career in government and politics, but I don’t donate heavily to political campaigns. When I contribute, it’s because I know the candidate well or am really impressed with the person. Heidi Heitkamp was one of the latter: She struck me as strong-willed, principled and an independent thinker.
Apparently he didn't think that "independent thinker" thing through, because Heitkamp didn't vote with her party when she voted no on the gun control bill cloture.
And here's the best part:
Here in Chicago, we know how serious a problem gun violence is.
Did you get that? No, not the fact that guns are illegal in Chicago - the other thing! He doesn't live in her district! Nowhere near it. But her vote, which likely coincides the odds of her getting reelected, was a betrayal to him, because he paid for it.
Having lived in Chicago for a while, I actually understand why he feels that way. People from outside don't get it, but it's just the way business is done in Illinois. If you want something, you grease the hand of the local politician. It is really so entrenched the people there don't even consider it wrong - it's just the system.
It's the same system that put 3 of their last 4 governors in prison, too. And it looks like buying politicians apparently isn't the way they do it in North Dakota.
At least, so far.
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