54 Comments - OneMan - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 10:56 am: Bruce, I have seen bombing of a candidate… This sir, is no bombing… - AFSCME Steward - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:01 am: Mr Rauner. Please explain this. I know of no public union employees that get “free healthcare”. “when they can bribe the politicians to give them free health care.” - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:03 am: Not one negative spot has run against Rauner. He’s alone on the airwaves. Cowboy up, dude. As far as conflict of interest, maybe a hands-on businessman would have known that he had a TRS decider on the payroll for $25K a month. When he was trolling for business. In person. In front of his employee. - Obama's Puppy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:10 am: Pensions have been cut, free health care is gone and the only bribing going on is you sending checks to local Republican organizations to hole their nose and support the corruption that you plan to bring to Spfld. - MrJM - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:17 am: “I’m anti-conflict of interest,” said the only candidate running from a $300,000 per year relationship with convicted political fixer Stuart Levine. – MrJM - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:20 am: “government unions” Well, Mr. Rauner was in the government pension business for a long time. Why is he all of a sudden concerned about taxes and the state’s business climate? What about all those years in which he made lots of money off of the pensions that are supposedly destroying the state? How can he be taken seriously if he was part of the so-called problem that he’s now slamming? “I’m not anti-union.” Right to work is pro-union. I apologize for the misunderstanding. - Anon - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:24 am: == when they can bribe politicians == In Raunerspeak: When unions donate to politicians, that´s a bribe. When a billionaire donates to politicians, and the governor of PA increases business to his company, that´s good government. - Walter Mitty - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:26 am: Agree with all of the above. BUT, none of it matters here if the other 3 or PACS don’t get these messages out. He is taking arrows. He is leading. When do we see some action to pressure otherwise? Time is ticking away….On a cheap watch… - Bill - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:30 am: Bombs? Mud? Arrows? Spinning? What next; rubber bands, spit wads? - Ghost - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:33 am: SO giving employees a raise means the State is corrupt? So in Rauner’s business neither he nore his employees have ever had their wages increased year to year??? He is not anti-union, he is anti- health care, pensions and wage increases? so his employees dont have pensions? I guess this fits the whole cut the minimium wage thing. Now if it was me, I would point out that the national average negotiated increase in a union contract was x, but the state of IL did y, then say that is the problem…. if i wanted to be beleived as not being anti-union and anti-worker. - Langhorne - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:33 am: Bruce, the bombing has not even begun. This is mild criticism. Skirmishes, tossing out a few facts to test vulnerabilities. For someone who is impenetrable, you sure are touchy. What a martyr complex. Bombs. Arrows. When you buy access, it is advocatin for worthy causes. When a union does it, its corruption. - AFSCME Steward - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:37 am: This “free health care” is a myth. Retirees with 20 or more years paid no premium for themselves, however they were responsible for deductibles, co-pays & dependent care. There never was any “free” health care. “free health care is gone” - Juvenal - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:40 am: “Government is supposed to exist for the good of the people, not the other way around, and certainly not for the personal enrichment of those who hold public office.” - Rod Blagojevich Dear Baron: I have heard this “shaking up the system” schtick before. It is even more ludicrous now. Stu. Rahm. Ed. Arne. You have been a pretty big hog at the trough for some time. Now you want to argue you are the dude who is gonna clean up the pig pen? Laughable. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 11:48 am: ===“They’re trying to spin me as being anti-union. I’m not anti-union,” he said. “I’m anti-conflict of interest. It’s the government unions, when they can bribe the politicians to give them free health care. Give them bigger pensions. Give them more pay … It pushes up our taxes and drives businesses out of our state.”=== The mere fact that Bruce Rauner thinks being “Bruce Rauner” negates all the hypocrisy of just that one single thought and quote, speaks volumes to the flawed …character … of the real Bruce Rauner. Bruce Rauner made sure his Daughter, every day, got ready for school at Payton Prep for 4 years. How Bruce Rauner was able during those 4 years, and on graduation day, not understand what he did to a Worth Child is answered … right there … in the quote above … and the idea Bruce Rauner thinks all he does is ok,. and all we know is baloney. Is the question now; Is Bruce Rauner delusional, a pathological liar, or both? Rauner can not live his life one way, and tell us about this Bizzaro World life with the Carhartt, the Harley, Cows and watches … and expect it to “fly”? Maybe it Bruce Rauner who is afraid of the real Bruce Rauner? I would take that bet. Big time. - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:02 pm: Funny how his concerns about legislative bribery haven’t caused him to turn down the hundred of thousands of dollars in support he’s gotten from Lester Crown and family, when Lester has actually admitted in court to bribing members of the Illinois General Assembly. - Wensicia - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:08 pm: ==I’m anti-conflict of interest.== “As in, anything that conflicts with MY interest.” - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:11 pm: === - Wensicia - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:08 pm: ==I’m anti-conflict of interest.== “As in, anything that conflicts with MY interest.”=== That … is exactly … On Point. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 12:42 pm: The Baron is promising a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage. - Lead with your chin - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:00 pm: Just wait until Bruce sees what opposition research comes up with. These “bombs and arrows” are available on google. Just wait until they’re primetime every commercial break. The reason it hasn’t been released yet? They want the baron to win the primary, or atleast bloody up the three amigos. The ego of the .01% is something to behold. - belmont cragin - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:09 pm: Is he really that thin skinned? Wow, he doesn’t know what he’s in for. That’s what happens when you have never had to report to a voting constituency. - PoolGuy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:15 pm: attack your attackers before they attack you. man he really does have too much money to play round with. or reading too much Machiavelli, Clausewitz and Sun Tzu? - Linebacker II - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:18 pm: The more the insiders spew anti Rauner negatives - the more I like Rauner. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:22 pm: The more Raunerbots dig in to to be even more Rauner-licious, the more of a Lemming the Raunerbots look. Bruce Rauner IS an insider. Yikes! Better. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:53 pm: === The more the insiders spew anti Rauner negatives - the more I like Rauner. === Linebacker II, what is your definition of “insiders?” Everyone who disagrees with you? Obviously, those folks who read this blog are interested in state government and politics. Why are you here other than to parrot the Rauner line? - Almost the Weekend - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 1:54 pm: I’m glad Rauner also fixed his expenditures so we know how much the going rate is for a Capfax commentator on a gubernatorial campaign. - Anonymiss - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:00 pm: You’ve gotta love a guy who paid to play on investment business in PA and clouted his kid into a prestigious school talking about bribery. And, Bruce, pensions are protected by the Constitution, not politicians, clearly. - Point - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:01 pm: He is Jewish. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:05 pm: Point has not point. Point … yourself out. Dope. - Soccermom - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:09 pm: Man, that GOP primary ballot is looking better and better. I know that PQ is poised to mop the floor with this guy, but I can’t bear the idea that this guy might buy his way into the Mansion. - Soccermom - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:10 pm: Oh, and in case anyone is wondering — I am NOT a Raunerbot. Just wanted to make that clear. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:11 pm: Point, the only one you have is at the top of your empty head. Take your antisemitism elsewhere. - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:13 pm: One reason the state economy is struggling is the loss of public sector jobs. Isn’t that what some people want, the shrinking of government? To pin the entire mess on unions is wrong, especially when the nursing homes crashed and people suffered and died. I read that a few lawsuit awards haven’t even been paid out because of the company’s bankruptcy. Is this what is meant by running the state like a business, not being able to own up to the carnage we created? - Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:14 pm: Soccermom…we know you aren’t. You offer well-thought opinions and contribute to the dialogue here regularly. - Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:17 pm: Grandson…Not sure I can agree with you. While government sector jobs are critical to delivering public services, they really don’t produce a net plus to the State’s GDP. If I have a choice between 1,000 new government jobs and 1,000 new manufacturing jobs, give me manufacturing every time. That said, I suppose there is an argument to be made that a job is a job regardless of in which sector it is. - Soccermom - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:18 pm: Hey, downstate Republicans. Ya wanna get your blood boiling? Take a look at Rauner’s revised expenditure list. http://www.elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/ItemizedExpend.aspx?FiledDocID=523542&ExpenditureType=Expenditures&Archived=True&OrderBy=LastorOnlyName-AtoZ&ItemizedExpendFrom=D2Quarterly.aspx And look at how much he is sprinkling south of I-80. And then look at how much he is shipping out of state. And he talks about businesses leaving Illinois? Maybe they feel they have to in order to get in on some of that Rauner spending spree… - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:31 pm: - Soccermom -, I know you aren’t a Raunerbot, and the only thing I am afraid of in the General is the “Soccermom Express” derailing the OW/Bill train! That said, - Soccermom -, thanks for helping with the Education process. Good stuff there. - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:38 pm: “a job is a job” Money is the same, no matter who spends it. The loss of government jobs over time does hurt the economy. That’s part of the problem, some of the economy is recovering while the public sector is tanking. That’s thousands of government employees who spend large parts of their paychecks in the economy, as opposed to investing it in stocks and sheltering it in tax havens. - Carl Nyberg - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 2:47 pm: Bruce Rauner has gotten rich off investing public money and in nursing homes that bill Medicare and Medicaid. Rauner has employed people who have gone to prison for corruption. Rauner gives large amounts of money to politicians, multiple contributions in the $100,000+ range. And he’s lecturing the rest of us about “conflict of interest”. Whatever, dude. Get your snout out of the trough before you speak. - Upon Further Review - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:00 pm: I would be less critical of Rauner’s candidacy if he had held any elected or appointed public office before seeking the governorship. I do not mean joining “the old boys’ network. I am really uncomfortable with a so-called expert who wants to begin his public career in a top position without working his way up. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:06 pm: URF, Farmer Bruce has been working at the top of the heap for a long time. True, he’s never been elected or appointed to anything. But he bought a lot of elected and appointed officials. Stu Levine of TRS on the payroll when he’s trolling for TRS business. More than $4.1 million in contributions to Illinois politicians. The dude is the ultimate pay-to-player. Do you ever wonder why the guy pays millions to portray himself as an “outsider?” What’s he ashamed of? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:12 pm: It costs loads more when you have to pretend to have integrity and honesty in how you want people to see you than actually HAVE honesty and intregity as you are already seen. Still, you can never purchase honesty or integrity, becuae in reality, those wishing they had it, would pay ANY price to have others think..they have it to begin with. Every single penny spent to hide Bruce Rauner and prop up the “Prop Bruce Rauner” reeks of someone begging to be seen as they are not. - zatoichi - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:14 pm: It is one thing to lead the troops from the front. It is a totally separate thing to brag that my competitors are shooting/attacking/arrowing/mudding and I can take it. Eventually something gets through. Achilles had an ego too. - Endangered Moderate Species - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:18 pm: Rauner continues to brace himself for the negative attacks that will eventually surface. IMO, this is a good strategy for him. He has the money to help define the answers before the questions are even asked. He is softening the hits before they even arrive. The bigger question is when will the PAC’s make their attack? I am leaning to the thought, the union PAC’s will stay out of the Primary and keep their powder dry to help Quinn in the General. Rutherford, Brady and Dillard are going to split the mainstream GOP votes. Those splits will not overcome the angry GOPer’s whom are buying into the Rauner message. The other three have no money and can’t emerge from the Bermuda Political Triangle. Two of the three need to get out and allow one to emerge in a one-on-one with Rauner, but human nature will not allow it to happen. - Commonsense in Illinois - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:43 pm: Willy-Slinger…it’s so much fun watching the two of you dance… - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 3:55 pm: “Willy-Slinger…it’s so much fun watching the two of you dance…” And inspirational too, such as: Who profited regardless of what happened to the nursing homes and their residents? Could it be……BRUCIE??!! DA DA DA DAAAAAAHHHH!!! - Just The Way It Is One - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 4:15 pm: If you think things are going really well, Bruce, it’s time to take off those $18 Blinders you must have on. Sheez–just more of the same pompous, inaccurate garbage. God help us all if you’re elected somehow. I’ve been more than adept at “hammering” the sitting Governor when he deserves it–even to the extent that the Master has, yes, DELETE Just the Way’s (at least I felt) valid and relevant input–but you just don’t get it, Bruce–on SO many issues of importance to every-day People here in Illinois. I could have said much worse about you and your silly, defensive is what it ACTually is, Statement, as I HAVE against the decent fellow running the Show now who you have the MILLION$ to malign daily and long so deviously to rid of–as if YOU are a better alternative somehow–pfff. Hopefully I wasn’t too harsh toward you, (even though your quote about ANYone justifiably critical of your silliniess seems to weirdly suggest you LIKE such deserved batterings and think it actually helps you (at least I don’t think my remarks are too harsh or unfair which is all that ultimately matters in the end anyway), so that the BlogMaster will see it fit to keep my Comment up this time (and even though I’D be screaming bloody murder and the Master wouldn’t be able to hear me, lucky for you if he doesn’t)…! - Just The Way It Is One - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 4:16 pm: That was meant to read above, “…DELETED….” - Arizona Bob - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 4:50 pm: Rauner is a very poor choice for Governor. The problem is that ALL the other candidates are so much worse…… I guess he’s just the leper with the most fingers…. - Henry Clay - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 4:54 pm: I wonder if Bruce plays the theme song to that old western television series “Paladin” whenever he works himself into a self-induced lather about those (PACS, Unions, Pat Quinn, Brady, Rutherford, Dillard, etc.) who are out to get him. Methinks Bruce and his ego see themselves as some sort of western gunslinger hero when Bruce gazes into the mirror. - walker - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 5:38 pm: I love the smell of napalm in the morning. - woodchuck - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 6:01 pm: If the 2Pacs are reading, how about this image for a campaign ad: big hog trough with the words “Teachers Retirement System” written on it, with a few small pigs trying to get some of the, um, “food” but in the center is this big, fat hog that is nudging the little guys out of the way while he,oops, it, tries to get as much as possible. The “brand” BR is visible and bold on the right ham hock. Or, like the scene from Willie Santiago’s room in A Few Good Men, crime scene tape around a nursing home door, then pan to a shuttered facility, then show an image of a tall man in a Carharrt with a cheap watch holding a wad of money. So many ideas… so little money with which to do it. - Third Reading - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 6:59 pm: Rauner does Hamlet proud. (Not!) With apologies to the Bard: Throw mud, or not throw mud? That is the question— Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer The bombs and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of unions, And, by opposing, end them… I’m outta here. - naperville soccer mom - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 8:05 pm: Nothing worse than a billionaire with thin skin. Maybe money can’t buy you love from everyone, Brucey. - Norseman - Wednesday, Jan 29, 14 @ 8:30 pm: SoccerMom, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The Baron loves to spend money outside the state. I never suspected that CVS was such a good supplier of office and event stuff. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.