61 Comments - Norseman - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:29 pm: “David, I wasn’t talking about you. How about $10,000.” BR - wow - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:30 pm: Could that comment show any more naked greed? So, David, what is your price to take your Oath of Fealty to Rauner then? - DuPage - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:32 pm: A couple days pay for Bruce should cover that. - OneMan - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:32 pm: “Since he’s criticized virtually every member of the legislature, he would have to donate to every member of the legislature to get back into their good graces, Democrats and Republicans alike,” Harris said Wow, he has teed that one up for Bruce fairly well… - Sir Reel - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:32 pm: Winning appears to be everything to Mr Rauner. Does he understand that if elected he will have to work with some of these folks to “shake up Springfield?” Then again maybe this barrage is the sum total of his shaking. - too obvious - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:35 pm: He’ll just bash ‘em with his sledgehammer. - Tom Joad - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:35 pm: Blago did the same thing with the Democrats in the legislature,only after he was elected. - Publius - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:36 pm: Someone ought to look at how much Rauner’s wife has already donated to legislators. I suspect they have already made a significant down payment on good relations. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:36 pm: Lets break these down; ===“Since he’s criticized virtually every member of the legislature, he would have to donate to every member of the legislature to get back into their good graces, Democrats and Republicans alike,” Harris said.=== “…(Rauner) would have to donate to every member of the legislature to get back into their good graces, Democrats and Republicans alike,” I think this is a swipe, at the manner in which “Bruce Rauner” has bought this Primary, not as a Republican, but a Raunerite, and a “Governor Rauner”, better use his money again, because those whom he now has to work with, see only a man who says HE can’t be bought, and HIS honesty and integrity us beyond reproach, no matter how Bruce Rauner actually lives opposite as he campaigned. It is, in my opinion, a way to highlight Rauner’s history of buying what he wants, the way he wants it, no matter the mess Rauner made to get it. … - Palm Tree - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:38 pm: “You offended me. Now pay me and I’ll forgive you.” Way to prove his point, Rep. Harris. Sheesh. Why does it always seem like the outspoken ones are the ones with the least brains? - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:40 pm: He is trippy, isn’t he? I’d like to believe there’s only a small portion of the populace — think Blago — who could be that breathtakingly cynical and hypocritical, denigrating you don’t know for being who you actually are. Mr pay-to-play insider dumping on everyone else as…… ….pay-to-play insiders. Trippy. To the tune of a billion. Like the man said, some of the people all of the time….. - From the 'Dale to HP - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:40 pm: “shake up Springfield” = strikes, shutdowns and gridlock It’s gonna be ugly if Rauner wins. - Stones - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:44 pm: I have no idea if Rauner is going to become Governor or not but if he does I see a whole bunch of gridlock on the horizon. - circularfiringsquad - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:48 pm: One might think even GOPie Dave Harris would say it will take a lot more than a few bucks in the campaign account to balance the hours of trashy campaign messages talking about everyone being bought and sold by union bosses blah blah. This from the Granma Killer, Stu Levine hirer, massive accounting fraud boss BTW Mitt Rauner has another firm file bankruptcy papers today Sorenson Communications appears to hire interpeters for the deaf. Good job Mitt running these businesses. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:49 pm: … ===“Probably a third, maybe more, of the Republicans in Springfield have sold out to the government union bosses,” Rauner told the Daily Herald editorial board this month.=== Lets be very clear; Bruce Rauner has “bought and sold” as much legislative influence as those Union Bosses he likes to flog, and written as many checks to Career Politicians as those he himself points to in other’s D-2s If I were a member if the General Assembly, at what point do you not see Blagohevich in this man’s manner to be a Co-Equal partner in governing? The distain for legislators and actors in the process is only as strident as being an actor in the process himself, donating to a national party, state politicos, and political committees engaged in the process to curry favor. General Assembly members, take heed; look to your left, look to your right, of the three, including you, one if you is has no honesty or integrity, ethics or morals according to “Bruce Rauner”, while living, Clouting, donating, and earning through government as Bruce Rauner. When you lack those character traits in life, personally, it is alway easier to say others are “too” instead of being a better man. That is who Bruce Rauner is, and I believe his rhetoric. 100%, of what he thinks he will try to do, and why he wants to do it, but Rauner is doing it for those Raunerites, not for a better Illinois, or to help Illinois. Understand that, then all the venom makes complete sense. - Rod - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:54 pm: I agree if Mr Rauner should beat lucky pat he has basically called all of us who work in the legislative process corrupt. That will be a huge problem. - AFSCME Steward - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:56 pm: “The constant harsh rhetoric means healing wounds in his own party might take more than money, said state Rep. David Harris, an Arlington Heights Republican. “Since he’s criticized virtually every member of the legislature, he would have to donate to every member of the legislature to get back into their good graces, Democrats and Republicans alike,” Harris said.” State Rep. David Harris issued this announcement today: I’m for sale, for the right price. - 47th Ward - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:57 pm: Rauner to GA: “Now that we’ve established what you are, we just have to negotiate a price.” - truth hurts sometimes - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:57 pm: Actually, Rauner called most legislators “corrupt”. Good luck working with them after that. “The Winnetka businessman, in a meeting with the Daily Herald editorial board Tuesday, said not every member of the Illinois House and Senate is “corrupt” but said it’s “mostly true.” - OneMan - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 3:59 pm: Does he really need to work with the entire legislature or just 4 of them? If he can get along with Madigan doesn’t the rest to some degree fall into place? Heck Madigan seems to have worked better with Republican governors vs Democrats anyway. Also regardless of what Harris meant, the quote is terrible and a complete set up for a commercial.. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:03 pm: Rep. Harris is being snarky to the process of the Rauner way of being one way - running as an outsider and all that means, and living as a consummate insider in his personal and professional life and all THAT means. Money, is his ticket. It is the mocking of now having to buy a “Rauner” legislature, which in of itself, is “corrupt” and part of what Rauner is running against. It’s snarky, it’s delicious, and On Point if who both Rauners are. - Walker - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:08 pm: David Harris said “healing wounds within his party might take more than money.” Harris is usually very understated, and I am confident he meant to express that they were offended by Rauner, and couldn’t easily be swayed. Not speaking for others, but Harris won’t be bought. - DuPage Moderate - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:13 pm: “I agree if Mr Rauner should beat lucky pat he has basically called all of us who work in the legislative process corrupt. That will be a huge problem.” Given the recent history in the courts and the results we’ve seen coming out of Springfield/Chicago, by appearance, it doesn’t seem too far fetched. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:13 pm: “……but Harris won’t be bought”. He CAN be rented however, just like all politicians. - Raunerbot - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:14 pm: Rauner was actually right with his comment. Just look at Mr. Dillard, the man of principle. Votes for pretty strict pension reform in the past. Runs out of money and momentum, sniffs around for union money and backing, locks himself in his law office to read a bill written by his running mate, votes against the bill saying there wasn’t enough time to read it. B.S. That is exactly why we need new blood. - Stand Up Guy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:15 pm: Rauner’s front organization, he Illinois Policy Institute, must’ve also done a pretty good job ticking off cities throughout Illinois. IPI was taken to task by the Decatur City Manager, Sfld City Council members, and the SJ-R over the weekend for its false statements about city pensions and their relationship to local tax funds. - Grandson of Man - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:20 pm: “sold out to the government union bosses” Rauner should have been worried about this years ago, before he got into the public pension business. Now we’re supposed to overlook years of pension business and pretend he’s an outsider. OOOOkay. - Wensicia - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:25 pm: I think the snark behind the comment makes it perfect, almost a “bite me”. - Frosty-The Snowman - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:30 pm: I am not sure if “Thor” Rauner is correct with his 30% figure or not but the hammer he has been swinging at the incumbent GOP down in Springfield has managed to attract everyone’s attention. And, that is what Bruce was hoping to do. My guess is that Bruce hired a polling firm to take a voter survey and find out exactly what percentage of incumbent Republicans down in Springfield are considered to be in “someone’s pocket” by Illinois GOP voters. The magic number 30 came up (or like Richard Dawson on the “Family Feud” game show series would say– “survey says: 30%!”. Rauner has run his campaign based on what polling has shown that “voters believe”. When in business, you give the customer what he wants (whether right or wrong)because the customer is always right. It doesn’t have to be correct what the voters believe because “perception trumps the truth” in every election. Barack (previously another unknown “wanna-be” that ran for high political office) used the same game plan and showed that it is an extremely effective political strategy. Bruce Rauner learned from Rahm and Barack how you throw the same lightning bolts. It works. - Barney Rauner - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:34 pm: Challenge accepted. - Norseman - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:34 pm: === Does he really need to work with the entire legislature or just 4 of them? === You could probably take that down to 2 of them. In any event, the leaders still need to placate their caucus. Good leaders listen to what their followers want. That’s how Madigan has survived this long. === Heck Madigan seems to have worked better with Republican governors vs Democrats anyway. === Seems so, but those Republicans were moderates willing to compromise. Also, the Republicans were in a position to stop a veto override. That’s not the case now. What’s going to happen is that we see a dysfunctional government similar to that caused by Blago, or we’re going to see the Baron renege on 90% of his rhetoric (I couldn’t use the phrase campaign promises because he’s not made any concrete proposals). - Sunshine - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:35 pm: Bashing politicians is a fair sport during elections. Most have done their fair share. The state is broke and holding the politicians accountable is the way its played. Plenty of time to make up and plenty of deals to be made afterward. Lots of promises to be broken and time to ask ourselves, what were we thinking? - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:36 pm: why not donate to there opponet or create one - Pete - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:38 pm: - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:36 pm: why not donate to there opponet or create one _______ Terrence Goggin. - wordslinger - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:46 pm: Wait a minute. I’ve seen this movie. “I have a list, a list, right here in my pocket, of 30% of Republicans in Springfield, maybe more, who have sold out to union bosses. A list, a list….” Sen. Bruce McCarthy, you want to shake it up and identify the 30%? You must have some names in mind when you get as specific as 30%. C’mon, daddio, reveal the 30%. You owe it to the people. The mind works mysteriously with this guy’s midlife crisis. He knows AFSCME has dropped “$10, $20 million” on Quinn and Madigan (insanely, demonstrably wrong). And he knows that “crime has skyrocketed” under Quinn (insanely, demonstrably wrong; it’s declined). Yet his mind goes hazy when it comes to his businesses: wha’ happen’, who worked for him, who he talks to, what they talked about, and just exactly what his millions in contributions to politicians were supposed to accomplish (not make money, of course). C’mon, man. The guy’s a stone-cold liar. That’s not unusual in his world, believe me. Who can’t see that? He’s a pay-to-play hustler who made a great score greasing politicians, but now he hopes to buy some respect as governor. Dude, buy a boat, maybe with a moat, or a goat, who cares? Work out your midlife crisis in Amsterdam or the South of France. But don’t pretend you care about the business of the people of Illinois. - Langhorne - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 4:53 pm: The general rule is, if you are bought, stay bought (tongue in cheek). But rauner is so disdainful, it is ok to take the money, and thumb your nose at him when he turns his back. I mean, he says, “you are corrupt for taking money from those guys, you want some of mine instead?” And he pays the money, with what expectation? Results. Loyalty when the time comes. So, does he have a litmus test, and he gives only to those who are corrupt, or those who are not corrupt? - Obamas Puppy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 5:01 pm: Just because your rich does not mean you are smart. The hypocrisy of saying accepting money means you have sold out while simultaneously making huge contributions to legislative candidates is a good indication of how this guy will contradict himself when it comes to policy. - Joan P. - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 5:03 pm: “Since he’s criticized virtually every member of the legislature, he would have to donate to every member of the legislature to get back into their good graces, Democrats and Republicans alike,” Harris said.” Well, he can certainly afford it! - railrat - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 5:04 pm: “The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for the opportunity of defeating the enemy” Sun Tzu - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 5:32 pm: ===So, does he have a litmus test, and he gives only to those who are corrupt, or those who are not corrupt?=== Yep. “Are you a good Raunerite or not?” That is the Litmus Test for the financial windfall. The “payoff” is literally voting “Rauner” - not the current Caucus they may sit; Dem or GOP… Pretty easy test, short leash, and from a mushroom to lemming, minus integrity. - Tough Guy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 5:33 pm: Nothing that a donation to the local county republican committee can’t cure. - x ace - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 5:51 pm: OW - you’re in the zone for sure , but got one suggestion. How about changing ” Raunerite” to ” Rauneroid” ? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 6:41 pm: - x ace -, ===Raunerites are those lemmings who refuse to see reality and vote against their better self. Raunerbots are those who brag about being Raunerites and use the Raunerite talking points to rationalize the argument.=== As long as its quite clear both Rauners care about Bruce Rauner and Bruce Rauner’s pals only, if you want them called anything but a Republican, use your discretion. Thanks for your kind words. OW - Wensicia - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 6:45 pm: Rauner just hit six million for personal contributions, an Illinois record! http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-rauner-sets-record-for-personal-money-in-illinois-governor-race-20140303,0,1798643.story - x ace - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 7:06 pm: Got it - I’ll call them “Rauneroids” and belt down a double Pappy Van Winkle to kill the pain . - Oswego Willy - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 7:10 pm: Have one for me, then have one more for me… and chase it with a Yuengling. Much respect. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 7:25 pm: Anyone else seen Rauner’s “Careerfellas” ad yet? I just saw it for the first time today. Rutherford, Dillard and Brady are compared to mobsters, ala “Goodfellas.” No offense to Rep. Harris or any commenters, but don’t expect any apologies from Rauner, and don’t hold your breathe for a check. After the primary, expect Rauner to applaud his opponents, call for unity, and note that it was a hard-fought campaign on all sides. Behind close doors, he will blame consultants for the harsh rhetoric and ads. Someone might even use the phrase “politics ain’t beanbag.” It has not been a gentlemanly campaign, although at times Rauner’s opponents appear to have not gotten the memo that this one is not being fought by the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. Bill Dillarford has never really taken the gloves off, while Rauner is sporting brass knuckles. - Anonymous - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 7:30 pm: I really wish he would identify which ‘government union bosses’ and why he hates them so much. I get the teacher bashing as he wants to expand his charter network and get a slice of that pie. But, the others? Can it be a simple as taxes? - G'Kar - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 8:17 pm: Wordslinger @ 4:46: Pls, don’t encourage Rauner to go to Amsterdam. My wife and I are going there Wednesday for vacation and I would hate to run into commercials about how he will “Shake up Amsterdam!” - Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 8:50 pm: “Probably a third, … have sold out to the government union bosses” Do the math. That’s 16 in the House and 7 in the Senate. Does Bruce care to name names? - Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 8:51 pm: To clarify: the “maybe more” made me round up - West Side the Best Side - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 9:07 pm: Donate or buy? Or does it make a difference in Springfield - or Washington - or Chicago - or anywhere? - Quizzical - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 9:36 pm: Since he isn’t calling anybody other than his electoral opponents (who expect it) and Mike Madigan (who doesn’t care) out by name, I don’t expect the insurgent rhetoric to burn too many bridges. It’s very common in politics to curse the bunch but be cordial with the individuals. A former state senator became president with some similar talk. And besides, mushrooms are cheap, so this type of talk alone won’t doom a Rauner governorship. However, If he’s elected and governs as he talks, then he will have big problems. - Pot calling kettle - Monday, Mar 3, 14 @ 10:36 pm: ==“Probably a third, maybe more, of the Republicans in Springfield have sold out to the government union bosses,” Rauner told the Daily Herald editorial board this month.== Those must be the folks who wouldn’t take Rauner’s money in exchange for an endorsement of his candidacy. Bruce assumes that since he couldn’t buy them someone else must have. - Crispy Critter - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 6:05 am: As far as I’m concerned, Rauner deserves NO votes from anyone since he can’t take time to show up for the debate last night. All he wants to do is hide behind ads and say “Let’s shake things up.” and is kinda like Obama with “Change”, but doesn’t say what he wants to do. Why does a man who made $53 million last year want to be governor, except to protect his interest and crap on everyone else. NO to Rauner. - A. Nonymous - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 7:45 am: If Rep. Harris is this upset with Mr. Rauner he ought to be more vocal and direct in calling out Rauner. Instead, he was biting his tongue in this Herald interview and holding back. Is he scared of Rauner? - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 8:10 am: ===If Rep. Harris is this upset with Mr. Rauner he ought to be more vocal and direct in calling out Rauner. Instead, he was biting his tongue in this Herald interview and holding back. Is he scared of Rauner?=== Really? The biting remark is so delicious, not everything has to be “in your face, controversial”. Maybe Mr.Harris’ remark went over your head(?) The remark is so Spot On, it becomes a cautionary tale of trying to seem one way and live another, so expect to be “called” on it. - A. Nonymous - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 8:31 am: @ OW - “The biting remark is so delicious, not everything has to be “in your face, controversial”.” ….Rauner is ahead by a lap or two. Make your public, newspaper-quoted “criticism” less opaque… Actually, make it a lot less inside-baseball. Dave comes off sounding like he’s got his hand out, which isn’t the case. Just come right out and say it. (Or maybe Dave has no answer to the inevitable next question - If not Rauner, then who?) - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 8:41 am: I understand, and a very appropriate critique. You are correct. What if the audience for the quote is Rauner? While it had a strong possibility to be misunderstood, to those that you point to correctly as “inside baseballers”, this salvo is to remind Rauner and his Crew that all the rhetoric in the world is not governing, and using your wallet to advance an agenda while blaming others for going about it without an unlimited checkbook is exactly why this is so biting. We are looking at this with 2 different audiences, and the risk of sounding like Rauner would like to paint this legislators, the lesson Harris is trying to teach to a “different” audience … will it have an impact? So far, no. Thanks for clarifying. - Bourbonrich - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 8:45 am: I don’t read that as Harris asking for more money. He is looking for an apology or some acknowledgement that Rauner offended people. If he had said “It will take more than an apology”, that would be the request for funds. - Anon - Tuesday, Mar 4, 14 @ 9:30 am: Since Rauner is hypercritical of the legislature, including his own party, gridlock is in the forecast under a Rauner administration. Unless he does an about-face. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.