Emanuel says he’s backing Quinn
Thursday, Oct 24, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Some regular commenters here have somewhat snarkily suggested that a Rahm Emanuel endorsement for Gov. Pat Quinn would get Bruce Rauner off the hook for his close ties to hizzoner. I dunno about that, but either way, Emanuel told Crain’s editorial board that he is fully backing Quinn and “vigorously” disagrees with his old chum on policy and philosophy…
Mr. Emanuel left no wiggle room in his endorsement of Mr. Quinn, with whom he’s quarreled over casino gambling, tax policy, pension reform and other matters.
Mr. Quinn “will win” the Democratic primary, Mr. Emanuel said, indirectly referencing the recent decision by former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley to pull out of the the contest.
“Pat Quinn is going to be the (Democratic) nominee. I’ll support him.”
The mayor and Mr. Rauner are longtime business and school-reform compadres, and Mr. Emanuel described Mr. Rauner as “a friend.”
“But we vigorously disagree on policy,” Mr. Emanuel said, particularly government philosophy.
“He thinks government is the problem,” Mr. Emanuel said. “I wouldn’t be talking about (revamping) education and other things if I didn’t think government was the solution. . . .While (Mr. Rauner) may be a friend, we disagree. I’m going to support Gov. Quinn for re-election.”
- Chicago - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 9:57 am:
That reminds me of Daley’s vintage non endorsement of Poshard when he basically said the same thing about you win the primary, you win the primary and therefore (I guess) I’ll have to be for you. George Ryan then went to actually win some Wards in the city. Different time I know. But the similarities are amusing. Safe to say Rahm will actually vote for Rauner if he is the nominee.
- John Boch - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 9:58 am:
“He thinks government is the problem,” Mr. Emanuel said.
Government is the problem so long as the people we have in government continue to remain entrenched in their positions.
Emanuel should know. His city is well on the way to becoming Detroit in the next couple of decades thanks to one-party rule and corruption for the last bunch of decades.
John
- Ravenswood Right Winger - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 9:58 am:
Actions speak louder than words. Is Rahm really going to pound the pavement for Quinn?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:01 am:
I don’t think it gets Rauner off the hook in a GOP primary regarding his relationship with Emanuel.
I thought it was strange that Emanuel specifically mentioned education. Isn’t that the area he and Rauner have worked most closely together, what with Rauner’s charter school network and looking to bust the CTU?
Seriously, is he as tight with Quinn on education as he is with Rauner? Not so you’d notice.
- Small Town Liberal - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:02 am:
So insightful, John. Can you fit that onto some Burma-Shave signs along I-55?
- Bill - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:03 am:
Give Rahm a break on this one. He’s a Dem and will support the Dem candidate.So will I publicly but I didn’t vote for Quinn last time and I won’t vote for him this time either.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:04 am:
Let’s see. Lisa decides not to run. Then Bill drops out. The milk man decides to run at the top of the ballot. Now Rahm endorses him.
Reminds me of G-d parting the Red Sea for Moses.
- Jim - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:06 am:
Add Rahm to the long list of Chicago mayors who have publicly “endorsed” Democratic candidates for Guv while privately hoping for them to lose.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:07 am:
Bill, lol.
Should Emanuel be worried? It didn’t turn out so well for the last guy you wanted everyone to give a break.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:10 am:
“a Rahm Emanuel endorsement for Gov. Pat Quinn would get Bruce Rauner off the hook for his close ties to hizzoner.”
It won’t, but I believe with this endorsement Rahm is trying to disconnect from Rauner, not so much to connect with Quinn.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:11 am:
When Pat Quinn goes to a “random” Montana Ranch with his sons, and Rahm is there with his family too, then Rahm’s , um, “endorsement” might mean something to Quinn.
See how silly all this vacationing, with whom, where, and closeness is?
Payton Prep Clouter is Rahm’s choice, until it hurts or the vacations stop.
- Mike - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:11 am:
We need a “Goodwin’s Law” for Chicago that says ‘if you say Chicago is on its way to becoming the next Detroit, you lose all credibility’
- Eastbound and down - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:15 am:
Rahm will need Q’s endorsement for Mayor, to help him with his sagging African American support.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:16 am:
–Emanuel should know. His city is well on the way to becoming Detroit in the next couple of decades thanks to one-party rule and corruption for the last bunch of decades.–
How many decades in a bunch? Like bananas? (Appropriate in this case). And it’s still a couple of decades off?
That’s some crystal ball you have there, Nostradamus.
Could you take another peek and tell me who you like in Game Two tonight?
- ZC - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:17 am:
One thing though, we can’t say we wish there was more civility and friendships across party lines and people outreaching, and then blast Rahm and Rauner for being from separate parties but actually maintaining a friendship.
I have no idea what these two men’s dealings look like really, but I do wish there were more Ds and Rs today whose families occasionally went vacationing together.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:19 am:
Yeah, he’s got Quinn’s back…nice place to stick a knife. Just sayin.
- Wallinger Dickus - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:20 am:
– Could you take another peek and tell me who you like in Game Two tonight? –
Or in Game 7 when I’m dead and the cubs are in the series?
- Jaded - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:26 am:
==”He thinks government is the problem….I wouldn’t be talking about revamping education and other things if I didn’t think GOVERNMENT WAS THE SOLUTION”==
Yep that pretty much sums up the liberal democratic mantra. We’re from the government, we’re smarting than you and we are going to help you whether you like it or not.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:29 am:
Nice drive by, Jaded.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:31 am:
How exciting! Chicago/Detroit? If I get to choose, how Miami?
- Bill -, make sure - Norseman -, gets you the dates of our Ticket Announcement where we can’t show our faces, kinda like PPC and who HE really is. Check your “Spam” file.
To the Post,
You can’t deny vacations, donations, Clouting a Daughter through Democrats, through a Rahm endorsement. People can pick out phonies, sometimes it takes longer, but PPC is quite obvious.
- A guy... - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:36 am:
All in all, hard to tell if this helps or hurts either guy. Or has any effect whatsoever. It’s the 3 guys not in the conversation who probably are steaming a little. Any one of those 3 would benefit from Rahm saying I’m supporting PQ because I can’t stand…BB, KD or DR.
- Jaded - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:39 am:
Hey he said it, I just repeated it.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:39 am:
Nice spin, - A guy… -,
Rahm gave the endorsement to inoculate himself and Payton Prep Clouter. Not to help/hurt the other 3 GOP candidates, or to help or even hurt Pat Quinn.
That is the only reason. Period.
- reformer - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:51 am:
Rahm’s in a position where he wins no matter who gets elected. The winner will be either a Chicago Democrat or a Chicago Republicrat who is best buds with his honor. It’s win-win.
- A guy... - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:52 am:
Thanks for the analysis (sans spin??) Willie. A Democrat Mayor is endorsing a Democrat Governor. They don’t get along too well, but hey, in the political world, you don’t cross party lines at election time. If this inoculated either guy, it sure didn’t work on you. Or probably anyone else. My thesis is that any conversation that doesn’t include everyone on the ballot probably doesn’t help the people who were omitted from the conversation. Not spin dude, just an observation. Now, when you say “period” should I stop commenting? Just asking?
- John Boch - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:56 am:
STL: So insightful, John. Can you fit that onto some Burma-Shave signs along I-55?
Tell your governor
when he runs
ban the criminals
not the guns
Is the best I can do.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 10:58 am:
Up to you how you want to react, and since you … commented… I guess you answered your own question.
Further, any discussion that has Rahm and Rauner distancing themselves is more about those two, their closeness, and trying to fool anyone who will will believe a New Trier denied daughter deserves to deny a worthy child am education.
The rest, really, is either apologizing for PPC, or denying the political reality of what was trying to be done.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:01 am:
=== His city is well on the way to becoming Detroit in the next couple of decades ===
Please, Chicago is no way near Detroit - its actually the opposite. New residential and business growth in Chicago over the past couple of decades has really drawn a plethora of young professionals to the city. The big issue Chicago faces, however, is the inequality of resources/development among different neighborhoods in City. Chicago has some of the most desirable & least desirable neighborhoods to live in the state.
- orzo - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:05 am:
There are very few enthusiastic Quinn voters. He will likely still win, particularly if the Republican turns off the swing voters by pandering to the right(e.g.Dillard at the anti-marriage equality rally).
- Bill Wick - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:12 am:
They’ll be BFF while they keep each other company in the unemployment line
- A guy... - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:13 am:
Ah, The Willy I know and respect is back. My comment was that I didn’t think it made a difference. Still don’t. I think everyone who thinks they’re pals still thinks that. I don’t think BR’s feelings are hurt. No story there. That was my point, not spin. Now, in the effort of great reconciliation….Comma
- dupage dan - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:16 am:
=== We need a “Goodwin’s Law” for Chicago ===
I say we call it Mike’s Law.
- MrJM - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:18 am:
Only kooks think that either of Chicago’s ball clubs will turn things around that quickly.
– MrJM
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:21 am:
Willy, I’m on it.
I’ve got nothing to add to the post. It’s been said so well by others.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:23 am:
–Only kooks think that either of Chicago’s ball clubs will turn things around that quickly.–
It was only in recent years that the Cards passed the Cubs in number of NL Pennants.
The Cards now have 19. The Cubs have 16.
Of course, the Cubs last pennant came shortly after V-J Day…..
- Bill - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:40 am:
OW,
Ok,I’m there. I think we have the Capfax vote nailed down. Should I talk to Rahm about some precinct help? Which primary are we running in? How about both?
- langhorne - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 11:42 am:
rahm? bruce here. i need a small favor. can you come out and endorse the quinnster pretty quick? nothing big, certainly not a joint appearance like you mean it. just something for the record.
dillard is trying to smack me around for, you know, making you a millionaire, contributing to you. and he keeps harping on the steaks and scotch we enjoyed in montana. just come out, blow quinn a kiss and it helps us both. thanks.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 12:02 pm:
- Bill -,
Work on Rahm, for the precinct work and if he can get the Campaign a deal on getting Rauner’s Ranch for the Victory Party.
We should maybe run like we are in the in Primary, but file as a Write-In for the General … you know, to “Shake things uo in Springfield”. We can duscuss this during the real, but not real, no exposure to our faces announcement tour. Imagine Rauner’s announcement on the ‘Net with no words or visual, or Sheila Simon’s announcement with … people… attending.
- A guy… - …”Question Mark/semi-colon/than a hashtag, “NoWoories”
To the Post,
I guess some really good soundbite might be Rahm tallking about Rauner, with the Filings showing the tens of thousands of Dollars to Daley and Rahm, and that sweet picture of Rahm and Rauner …Can’t explain away cash, or can ya?
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 12:13 pm:
=== But we vigorously disagree on policy ===
LOL.
“We argue about political theory and things all the time when we go on vacation together.
We also talk about charter schools, teacher unions and all sorts of other things that we agree on.
Not in theory. In practice.”
- DuPage - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 1:10 pm:
I think Rahm and Quinn have a backroom deal going. In exchange for Rahm’s support of Quinn and Quinn’s destruction of the state pension systems, Quinn will then support Rahm in destroying the Chicago pension systems.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 1:10 pm:
IMO, aside from both being Democrats, Rahm is backing Quinn in this race because Quinn is the only one that MIGHT agree to tyr to bail out the Chicago pension problems …
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 1:20 pm:
===a backroom deal going===
That ain’t a backroom deal. They’re both right out in the open.
- Juvenal - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 1:42 pm:
This is good news for Quinn, a smart move by Rahm, and not so good news for Rauner.
What does it say about Rauner that the guy who probably knows him better than anyone else thinks he aint fit for the job?
And even if Rahm does not actually lift a finger to help, the endorsement closes the ranks within the party even further.
And anything Rahm can do to remind voters he is a Democrat after the CTU debacle is good medicine for him.
- A guy... - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 3:15 pm:
Yeah, that’s the ticket.
- Just The Way It Is One - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 7:43 pm:
EXcellent point by Wensicia @10:10 am, with which I completely concur. And, in some ways, Rahm has ticked off so many people in recent months with some of his decisions/actions, that as of NOW, even though it doesn’t really hurt PQ, I can’t say I believe it really much HELPS him a whole lot either.
But it does at least also re-assure the Governor that, in time, the full weight of the Power, Influence to different segments of Voters, and Clout from a couple of Rahm’s Buddies–the Clintons (Downstaters: Former President Bill; Women: Hillary) AND the Leader of the Free World/POTUS (all SORTS of Illinoisans)–will be made available to the Guv when and wherever they stop by in Illinois to lend a hand to Pat Quinn next year if things start to get close or he even (as has certainly been the case in the past) finds himself beHIND in the Polls for his Re-Election bid…!
- Cheswick - Thursday, Oct 24, 13 @ 9:01 pm:
If Rauner drops out tomorrow, I will fall off the turnip truck.