106 Comments - OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:39 pm: He seems to be ticking people like this off… - OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:40 pm: Figured that might get nuked… Between the medical MJ stuff and the prison stuff he seems willing to take on things that many GOPs would fear to do. - Wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:40 pm: I like the way he’s getting out and about around the state. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:41 pm: ===Figured that might get nuked=== I thought about it, but decided that while snarky, it was legit. - ??? - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:41 pm: I like the way he reached out right away not just to the “four tops,” but the other members of the General Assembly as well. I’d like to see a little more bipartisan cooperation than what we’ve seen over the last decade-plus. - slow down - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:43 pm: I like that he appears to be prioritizing education funding (even though his numbers have never made sense). - Commander Norton - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:44 pm: Supporting local public school kids in Springfield. He hasn’t even been to our charter school yet, so I guess there’s that. - Phenomynous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:46 pm: He has a great speaking voice. If he hadn’t went into private equity then he could have made hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars as a radio DJ. “This is Rad Rauner spinnin’ classic hits and I got one from 1981, by a little band called Red Rider, here is “Lunatic Fringe”. - pundent - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:46 pm: He’s willing to be bold and do what he thinks is right whether you like it or not. Not the best way to make friends but then again look at the mess he’s got to deal with. - distracted - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:48 pm: Rather than sitting on his fortune and doing nothing, at least he’s trying to make a difference by taking on a very unforgiving job. I disagree strongly with the differences he’s trying to make, but there ya go. - down south - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:48 pm: I like the way he is reaching out to the GOP members in a way they could understand. We may now get some bipartisan votes. - QCLib - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:48 pm: He loves this state, and although there are political differences, I understand he only does what he does because he believes his policies will make Illinois a better place. I disagree with many of those policies and whether they will achieve that goal, but that’s what he believes. Mindless hate will get you nowhere, although it’s a great war tactic in order to get soldiers to fall in line and get invested in the effort. - 47th Ward - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:48 pm: He had it all and he could have enjoyed a life of leisure instead of taking on the responsibility of governing a state that is in deep financial trouble. I probably would have made the easier choice. In fact, I spend countless hours daydreaming about what I’d do if I had his wealth. Honestly? Being Illinois’ Governor never enters my mind. So I give him credit for devoting Act II of his career to public service. - LisleMike - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:49 pm: I was on a pack trip in the Rockies years ago for a week, on horseback. The day after our first camp, I could not get my horse to take the bit as we saddled up. A ranch hand helped me. He smacked the horse between the eye with an open hand. The horse’s ears twitched, his eyes closed and he took the bit. The ranch hand said “first you have to get their attention.” Maybe Gov Rauner is getting their attention. - Bluefish - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:50 pm: I second the comment about his continued support for increasing education funding even though it’s not clear what exactly he really means to do about it. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:50 pm: I like that he is loyal to his Crew. He could have bailed on the people who worked hour after hour to get him elected, but he didn’t. That’s cool. - walker - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:50 pm: He has set up a “restructure team,” in a very serious manner. It might produce some good change, or it might just put to bed the “waste, fraud, and abuse” meme as without much merit. - Bigtwich - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:51 pm: Actually, Highland Community Bank, Chicago, IL was closed by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation – Division of Banking, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was named Receiver. I expect it was in the works for a long time and the current Governor did not have anything to do with it. - 1776 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:52 pm: He’s being honest about what ails Illinois and offering real solutions rather than kicking the can down the road. - walker - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:53 pm: Does “wand news” report on magical thinking? - Mason born - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:53 pm: 1. The EO on Criminal Justice is a great start. 2. Medical Marijuana is now moving forward. 3. The man appears to have the courage of his convictions. I may not always agree with him but there is no doubting his resolve. - PublicServant - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:53 pm: He is a true believer. - Jorge - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:54 pm: At least he’s in Springfield quite a bit, so far. It’s a nice change of pace from the prior administrations. - VanillaMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:56 pm: He might be able to restore the Mansion. - Former Merit Comp Slave - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 2:59 pm: I like the concept on prison reform and reducing the population of qualified non violent offenders. Long overdue - Stones - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:01 pm: He won the seat fair & square when many, including myself, figured he would be an obscure footnote in history. He seems intent on making fundamental changes. Whether he is successful remains to be seen. - Because I said so.... - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:01 pm: He seems like a friendly guy. - Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:01 pm: He does not refer to himself as Soyboy and he carries a nice looking briefcase. - Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:01 pm: V-man took mine… He hasn’t fired everyone he could have. It looks like some of the competent people will be retained. - Mama - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:02 pm: Prioritizing education funding for public schools is a good for the children in IL. - Ducky LaMoore - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:03 pm: He’s got a firm handshake. - anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:03 pm: The governor is right in his support for: same-day voter registration, greatly reducing the size of the prison population, and shrinking the bloated local government sector. - Doug Snackwell - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:05 pm: As they say at the NFL scouting combine, I like his motor. Upbeat (even while he’s sticking a shiv in us), visible and (mostly) able to make a full-throated defense of his positions, even when they’re asinine. PQ was a nice guy who came across as weak, mumbling and ineffectual. If we could marry that motor with someone not out to gut the middle class…. - A guy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:07 pm: In the spirit of your question of the day, and out of respect to my many colleagues who find me to be too much of a homer when it comes to this Governor….I shall disqualify myself from posting a thought on this one. Seeing only one entry from OW on a QOTD is mind-boggling for me. - anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:08 pm: Rauner is performing a public service in dragging the GOP into the 21st century on social issues and in requiring GOP legislators to participate in governing, even though that means taking hard votes, including votes for hikes in the “T” word. - Joe M - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:08 pm: I like his VW van. - Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:08 pm: He is not afraid to take anyone or anything on. - No Peotone Airport - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:08 pm: Thank you, Governor, for putting the Illiana Expressway on hold (and please leave it there). Also, I agree with expanding the state’s sales tax base to include services. - Courser - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:09 pm: His wife seems like a nice lady. - anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:10 pm: It’s a safe prediction that, thanks to the Gov, the next state GOP platform will be noticeably less conservative than its predecessors. - Waldi - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:10 pm: His dogs are very cute. - 6184life - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:11 pm: The kindness he has shown towards the Murray Center. - distracted - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:13 pm: Him and his wife are clearly dedicated to civic issues. - Western Ave. Doug - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:15 pm: He is going to give Oswego Willy carpal tunnel. - Rowdy Yates - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:15 pm: He doesn’t waste time. He has skin in the game. He isn’t afraid to make a decision. He won’t be intimidated by anyone. He isn’t afraid to be a one term governor. His wife was completely honest when he ran his campaign and she publicly said that he would drive everybody nuts down in Springfield. He agreed with her candid comment on what would happen if he was elected governor. He doesn’t believe in kicking cans. - Mittuns - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:16 pm: He is tall. He likes steak. He is… ambitious. - Norseman - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:16 pm: He’s made some good appointments. - whetstone - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:17 pm: His criminal-justice appointees seem promising, and suggestive that his admin will generate useful reforms. - Nearly Normal - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:17 pm: Governor is definitely Movin’ and he sure has got a lot of people in Illinois Shakin’ in their boots! - Cassandra - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:18 pm: Donna Arduin. Sure, she’ll be heavily criticized. A mostly Democratic legislature may block her recommendations. But there is waste and fraud in Illinois state government, and if she finds it and exposes it, we citizens will know more than we did. And right now, thanks to not only government but the press and even the weakness of self-appointed organizations like BGA, we know far too little. - Jolly1 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:18 pm: I like the fact that he is shaking up Springfield!! - Anonymous 88 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:19 pm: Father of at least two photogenic dogs. Fine with having those dogs at the Governor’s Mansion. (My own dog agrees with this sentiment.) - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:21 pm: Willy - you best check out that loyalty comment for confirmation - Northsider - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:25 pm: Randall Blankenhorn as IDOT secretary was a good appointment. And If Gov. Rauner kills the Illiana, I’ll have something else nice to say about him. - Gooner - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:27 pm: I like the approach towards charter schools. We need some additional options and some new ideas when it comes to education. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:27 pm: ===Seeing only one entry from OW on a QOTD is mind-boggling for me.=== Oh geez. I like that I could have a beer with him and it would be a good time. Rich’s story put me at ease with that part. It’s a good trait. - Joan P. - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:27 pm: He has cute dogs. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:28 pm: Some of his staff picks have been inspired. Like others here, I may not always agree with him, but I dig his tenacity and drive. He obviously married well. He’s showing up to stuff where no governor has ever been. He also works a room better than just about anyone I’ve seen at the state level. The first time I ever saw him speak was at Saputo’s two years ago, immediately before the Sangamon Lincoln Day Dinner (which is tonight, so it was almost exactly two years ago). Hardly anybody showed up. I was impressed with his poise and his optimism. He’s retained both. - Scamp640 - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:29 pm: He has a nice motorcycle. - huggybunny - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:29 pm: I like that he likes Country music, the only thing we have in common. - A guy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:31 pm: OW, there you go. Some of the blurriness is going away! lol. Just to keep the spirit lively, I imagined that we were tasked with saying nice things about you. I’m up to 6 if that happens! - OneMan - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:35 pm: I have mentioned this before, but it plays to Rich’s working the room in part. The man is a master of it. Was at an event well before the primary and saw him spend 10 minutes chatting one on one with a gentleman who had what I would describe as a very serious skin condition (like something I would see in one of my wife’s medical textbooks, not something they show in a pharmaceutical commercial).. Always have to give him props for that, he didn’t have to spend that much time with any individual voter, but chose to do so with that man. - Bobbysox - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:35 pm: He’s gutsy. - D.P.Gumby - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:35 pm: As I said before, even a broken clock is right twice a day–his medical marijuana licensing and, potentially, his criminal justice initiative may have been his two. But some of his appointments may prove successful as well. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:36 pm: Also, he graciously spent some time this week with Dave Dahl’s son Clifford: https://capitolfax.com/wp-content/govandcliffordcopy.jpg - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:38 pm: ===The man is a master of it=== I saw him at an event last year. Can’t remember what it was. Anyway, people lined up to shake his hand. When the line petered out, Rauner didn’t leave. He worked the rest of the room and chatted with the folks who didn’t stand in line. That impressed me. - How Ironic - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:41 pm: He said he’d repair the gov’s mansion. - allknowingmasterofracoondom - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:42 pm: The governor does what he says he will do. There, that’s nice right Rich? - Anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:43 pm: Being honest with the public for once. We will see more of this, I hope, during the budget address. Its tough to talk about how deep of a hole we are in, and even tougher to make decisions. Last year was the pinnacle of this sad joke, where the GA refused to make the cuts or get the revenue, passing a budget that could hardly be called that. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:44 pm: I do like that he is engaged in the process. The learning curve is being seen because Rauner has been engaged in doing work. Also being engaged, if there are lessons to be learned, learning them quicker will help us all. - G'Kar - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:45 pm: If his stop at Obed and Issac is an indication, he seems to like craft beer. - Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:47 pm: He seems focused on the work and urgency of actually fixing our state’s problems– not just optics. He seems aware that the people who are most vocal about hating on him are for the most part not the people who elected him and want and expect him to change how Illinois works. - Last Bull Moose - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:51 pm: He is showing the skills of a top flight large company executive. Diverse and experienced senior staff. So far, sensible business and staff decisions at the level I see directly. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:54 pm: ===He seems aware that the people who are most vocal about hating on him…and want and expect him to change how Illinois works.=== I doubt that. Find me people that are saying “things are great, let’s keep going!” Even your compliment makes him an unwitting victim. ———————- I like that Rauner seems to learn from mistakes too. To add to my last, there have been times where you can tell a lesson was learned and corrected. Good sign for the next four years. - Anon - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:57 pm: He likes dogs. - DHSJim - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 3:59 pm: I agree with his ideas on prison reform but that’s about it - Snucka - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:01 pm: I like the “compassionate” part of his message. Criminal justice reform and medical marijuana are two reasons to be optimistic that he will follow through on that piece of his slogan. - Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:02 pm: Oh, Willy, leave it to you to critique even the compliments. - Concerned - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:03 pm: Prison reform and being in Spsringfield. That’s two nice things from a non-Rauner fan! - Just Me - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:03 pm: He is changing things up, maybe some of it won’t stick in the end, but the State could use some changin’ - A guy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:10 pm: Looks like this will surpass 100 nice things. Who’d have thunk it? - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:14 pm: - Reaponsa - I’m actually helping. Why make him a victim in this Post? ————— I appreciate he likes Springfield. He’s jumped in, without throwing it out there as a stunt. - Fan of Cap Fax - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:16 pm: Heard from others that if you meet him in the elevator or halls of the Capitol, he will stop and shake your hand and introduce himself. Kind and courteous to those at the very bottom rung of the ladder. He’s also at work way before some of the early staff even get in. I’m sure that helped him make his money. And the dogs, can’t go wrong with a good dog or two. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:25 pm: Pumpkin and Stella need the elevator fixed I love dog owners. - ZC - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:25 pm: In another time, another place he’d be my not-bad Republican governor (if I have to have one). So far he appears to be pretty much the libertarian deal : anti-union and anti-taxes, yes, but he doesn’t seem to have a social conservative agenda and he also apparently has the libertarian streak that he doesn’t like the wastefulness of our criminal conviction state. I expect to find other things I agree about with Rauner in the years to come. He’s not a DC Tea Partier. - Cable Line Beer Gardener - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:29 pm: He remembered to take the dog beds and it looked like they were moved in quickly. Labs really like their beds! - Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:31 pm: Good to see him out and about in Springfield. He certainly looks like he’s enjoying himself at the basketball games. - Jake From Elwood - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:39 pm: I like that he is meeting with each rep and senator for about 30 minutes a pop. - Ghost - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 4:50 pm: You get what you see and he doesnt waffle on his decisions. - WAND - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 5:10 pm: O - WAND - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 5:12 pm: Of course twitter frequently cuts the headline when it feeds directly from Facebook … which you know and chose to ignore. Click on it for the full headline. - Big T - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 5:18 pm: He reminds me of Ray Raynor - Emily Booth - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 5:19 pm: He’s an Aquarian. - democrat Grrrl - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 5:26 pm: I believe the Jeff Mays tweet is referring to paczki (pronounced poonch-ski), a Polish creme- or fruit-filled doughnut treat that is eaten before Lent. We are in paczki prime time right now. If that is what the press release was about, I appreciate that the Governor gave props to paczki - Bluecollargal - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 6:04 pm: He’s a true believer. - Raunerbot - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 6:04 pm: The man is genuine. - 340 East - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 6:05 pm: His condo in the city is amazing, and security around the condo has improved greatly with him winning the election. - Sir Reel - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 6:37 pm: He has a lot of money and could live the good life, but opted for public service. How many of us would take such a difficult, thankless, always-under-a-spotlight job if we had his money? Think about Blago. He tried to use the job to enrich himself and his cronies. Rauner doesn’t need a governorship to enrich himself. He could make a lot more doing his private equity gig. - Soccertease - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 6:42 pm: Good communicator. Glad he is staying at the Governors Mansion at least part of the time. - ash - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 6:50 pm: his initial approach of building relationships was promising… - Big Z - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 7:18 pm: Permission to come aboard? - Enviro - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 7:53 pm: He is making an effort to revise Illinois’ criminal justice policies to reduce incarceration rates. - Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 8:33 pm: He is a great politician. - 5-ohhhhhhhh (ret) - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 8:40 pm: He came to Jacksonville…….On purpose - Madison - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 9:20 pm: Fearless risk taker who thrives playing the game. I wouldn’t want to take him on in poker, but would do so just to see him playing in a style I don’t often encounter. A fascinating personality study. - Liandro - Wednesday, Feb 11, 15 @ 9:24 pm: He told me his position, even though he knew I wasn’t going to like the answer. He answered a direct question with a direct answer (this was before the primary). I respected that. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.