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It’s about the unions, governor, not the tycoon
Thursday, Feb 19, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller * President Obama is in Chicago to designate the Pullman Historic District as a national monument. It’s Chicago’s first national park. From the pool report…
Hmm. Quite a large number of other folks made it to the stage, including GOP US Sen. Mark Kirk. Obama even helped Kirk to the stage. * So perhaps this is why the governor was rebuffed?…
Some helpful background on the Pullman strike is here.
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- doofusguy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:22 pm:
Ironic!
- CapFax Reader - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
Wow.
- OneMan - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:23 pm:
Well perhaps a GOP governor in your home state that is considered rather blue is also a bit awkward…
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
Preckwinkle’s assessment several months ago seems spot-on.
I’ll add my own assessment (one I’ve mentioned many times): Rauner is nowhere near as smart as he thinks he is.
- Deep South - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
Oooomph! Can you say “persona non grata?”
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
He was rebuffed because Chuy’s line about the Rahm/Rauner agenda has serious pull and saving Rahm is the only reason the President is here.
R&R can’t pull off a good joint photo op without the wine, anyway.
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
Ms. Bowen is so funny.
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
Ouch! Perhaps this was done to keep him from the microphone?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:25 pm:
“Governor Rauner; Loves the cameras, no matter the optics…”
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
OneMan, I’m not sure I see your point since the Republican Kirk was elected to Obama’s former US Senate seat.
- MrJM - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
Lookin’ like a punk in front of the White House press corps can’t make a fella with presidential aspirations feel too good.
– MrJM
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
Please God tell me there’s a photo of this!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:28 pm:
@FakeGovRauner - Does the President realize how many millions I made off Union pensions? #BlindToOpticIrony
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:31 pm:
BVR: And here I had a great speech praisin’ George Pullman in my pocket!! Now he knew how to handle unions!! #myhero
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
@FakeGovRauner - Does the POTUS know I have $20 million in my account? I can do things! #CelebrateUnionsWithSlidesDemonizingThem
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
“Wait … what?”
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
“Why?”
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
Rahm doesn’t want his money buddy rauner in the picture till after Tuesdays election. After that it will be all Rahm and rauner all the Rahm and rauner time unless there is a run off.
- anon - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:33 pm:
I doubt anyone could look like a punk in front of the WH press corps!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:35 pm:
@FakeGovRauner - my wife is a Democrat! #SheIsntUnionBusting
- Team Sleep - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:36 pm:
Macbeth - yeah, but Bruce Rauner is the governor. Every professional courtesy should be extended to him. I did not like Governor Quinn but that does not mean that I think he should not have been allowed to attend or have a presence at events. Mayor Emanuel invited the entire Illinois Delegation to his inauguration and offered all of them seats on stage. That included Joe Walsh. So keeping Governor Rauner off of the stage and out of a photo op is petty.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
Rauner could given a speech about how the Pullman Co had the right idea about trying to keep workers in their place…
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:39 pm:
Irony of ironies–Bob Fioretti is a past president and is a current member of the Pullman Foundation board. I think he grew up there.
And the Trib notes that he did not get a ticket to the event!
“Also in the audience were Republican U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and Democratic U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly, Bobby Rush, Mike Quigley of Chicago and north suburban GOP Rep. Bob Dold.
Also attending was Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner, which rankled critics in organized labor.”
- Wow - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:41 pm:
Rejected! I bet someone will pay the price for this.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
@Team Sleep
A billionaire basically wanting to make unions illegal is petty. This is politics. If you want to be received well at what is an union-endorsing event, then play nice with the unions.
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:42 pm:
—
So keeping Governor Rauner off of the stage and out of a photo op is petty.
—
It’s the kind of overly literal bullying Rauner understands.
If Rauner is planning a lockout in July — or planning on forcing a strike — he should at least understand his labor history. Unless he’s bullied into his own teaching moment, he’s not going to understand the context.
Petty? Sure. But petty is something Bruce understands.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:44 pm:
The last thing Rahm needs right now would be for one of Rahm’s opponents to pull out the picture of Rahm with Rauner’s wine bottle at the rauner ranch.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
Rauner wanted to be on stage? Why? Was he going to give the rebuttal in defense of the company town and federal troops as strikebreakers?
They did him a favor keeping him off stage. He would have been scorched, and looked awfully silly.
For crying out loud, George Pullman would have known better. The dude built a fortress of a tomb at Graceland Cemetery because he was scared the workers would dig him up. Took two days to plant him under all that concrete and steel.
- Demise - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:47 pm:
Oh please let someone have video!
- haverford - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
Team Sleep - that was an inauguration. This was a campaign event dressed up as an official event. I guarantee the governor will find a seat up front if there is a second coronation.
- A guy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
-Asked afterwards about not being invited onstage, Rauner just smiled and walked away.-
Best reactionary “non-quote” of the day.
No matter what the politics are party affiliation are: this was tacky by any measure.
Coming from the same guy who wants park district land for his library…if he deems his state worthy of it. Classless.
- MrJM - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
If I’d been silent when funding for children on ventilators was slashed but spoke up when a union-busting billionaire was mildly dissed at an event commemorating the trade union movement, I’d feel a little silly.
– MrJM
- truthteller - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:51 pm:
As elections have consequences, so do words and deeds.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:52 pm:
Classy move by Obama to give Kirk an arm. Kirk feels the need to join in the DC crazy chorus sometimes, apparently Obama can let it slide.
To borrow from one of the Tweeters, Obama may not love America, but I guess he like’s Kirk good enough.
- MrJM - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:54 pm:
“Tacky by any measure.” “Classless.”
Rauner’s budget plan includes substantial cuts to:
* The Department of Children and Family Services. It would also eliminate services for youth ages 18 to 21.
* Community care for senior citizens.
* Mental health services.
* Addiction treatment.
* Dental Care for adults on Medicaid.
* Support for children on ventilators.
No word on funding of fainting couches for victims suffering from the vapors.
– MrJM
- BlameBruceRauner - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:55 pm:
Sleepy it’s petty you defend BR. Obama follows IL politics very closely. He won’t Ever let this guy into a picture with him. He is exactly the type That he would like to tax the haites out of. Obama is about the middle class not Billionaires. Go to sleep sleepy.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
– Best reactionary “non-quote” of the day –
To be fair, Rauner was the only reactionary in attendance, so there wasn’t any competition.
- OneMan - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:00 pm:
Rich –
Yeah but that was a while back, also I think it would have been really bad optics to exclude Kirk or leave him on the sidelines for what I think are kind of obvious reasons.
Also Rauner on stage would draw some attention to his relationship with Rahm which would do Rahm no favors right now.
- Jon Lester - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:01 pm:
A complete insult and to say the least classless on the Democrats part. I hope he sticks it to Rahm and OB the first chance he gets.
He is better of not be pictured with either anyway.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:02 pm:
===Coming from the same guy who wants park district land for his library…if he deems his state worthy of it.===
So…If Obama wants something from Rauner, (Park District land, that Rauner doesn’t control…) Obama better make Rauner feel welcome, or…what are ya trying to slam Obama for? lol
- unbelievable - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
It always amazes me when folks are openly antagonistic and then offended when they get rebuffed. Rauner has been going on for weeks about the shameful corruptness of the unions literally blaming them for the entire budget mess. He goes around the state parroting the same nonsense and then does a state of the state and a budget address that attacks working people and poor people. He hires a bunch of people who don’t know Illinois history or how this state is run…or the limits of his constitutional power. He’s broken contracts and suspended programs across the state. He declared war on pretty much every Democratic sacred cow there is and basically said they are all insider corrupt politicians anyway. And then he’s surprised when folks don’t want to take a picture with him on a stage for a LABOR EVENT that if he really believes all the union bashing he’s been doing, he clearly didn’t even understand what kind of event he was at!!!
How tone deaf can you be?
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
-a guy- Take up your complaints with Rahm. I am sure that his people were shepherding the event. Rahm did not want Bruce too close. Those photos would have been posted all over Chicago on literature for his opponents.
- walker - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
Because he made a lot of money in clever way, Pullman thought he was smarter than his workers in every way. He was outraged and vicious when they didn’t bow to his superior vision on how they should be cared for. His hubris destroyed most of what he built. Good lesson.
Still, courtesy should have been shown Governor Rauner, without a microphone.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
===A complete insult and to say the least classless on the Democrats part.===
Did ya miss the Governor’s race and the last 30 days of the Rauner Administration?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:04 pm:
===Rahm did not want Bruce too close==
Rahm just sat on the stage at the governor’s inauguration.
This was about the unions, including the Chicago Fed President (who was on stage) much more than Rahm.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:07 pm:
===He won’t Ever let this guy into a picture with him===
Again, I’m betting Jorge Ramirez had more to do with the omission than anyone else.
- Tim - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:11 pm:
Here’s some video, but you don’t see Rauner until after the signing, back at the rope line. Skip ahead to about 1:01:01.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/president-obama-announces-new-national-monuments
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:13 pm:
Willy- that governor race was overboard dirty on Both parts so I must disagree with that response
- Gooner - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:17 pm:
I’m starting to believe that Rauner’s intelligence was vastly over-rated. In the alternative, maybe he lacks self-awareness.
Given the reason for the event, why would he possibly think his presence would be welcomed by anybody?
There is an arrogance to Rauner that has only been apparent to us outsiders since he took office. There’s a lot of Blago in Rauner. He seem to believe he can do as he pleases without consequences.
Well, today he learned that if you give a bunch of speeches bashing unions and you sign an executive order doing the same, there will be consequences.
- Tree Stand - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:18 pm:
Petty and insulting to exclude the Governor of the state you’re visiting from an official event. This wasn’t a political trip, it was an official signing. The President’s team should consult the Office of Protocol.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
” - Anonymous -”
Elections. Have. Consequences.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:19 pm:
Rauner: “It ain’t the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I’m smart! Not like everybody says… like dumb… I’m smart and I want respect!”
- Leave a Light on George - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:21 pm:
“He hires a bunch of people who don’t know Illinois history or how this state is run…”
I think he knows he just disagrees pretty strongly about how its been run lately.
- Jorge - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
That’s just too funny. It’s best to know your crowd and place. Obviously someone didn’t. Must be the money vapors from his wallet.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:22 pm:
So the White House and Unions represented there today NED to welcome a Governor, even in protocol, to an event that is to celebrate Union history that the Governor, not included, wouldn’t mind reversing?
This is like inviting a Republican governor who is adamantly opposed to ObamaCare to an Anniversay event in his/her state for…OnamaCare!
- Anon - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:23 pm:
He should have left on the hard hat and smock from his trip to the hot dog factory and pretended to be a worker.
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:24 pm:
Bruce looks clueless in the video.
He looks like he has no idea why he’s smiling. He looks like he’s waiting until he can stop smiling.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
=== in the video.===
Link?
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:28 pm:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/president-obama-announces-new-national-monuments
Rauner at 1:01
- Macbeth - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:28 pm:
1:01:00
- Norseman - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
When you vilify folks, don’t expect them to give you a gilded invitation to their party.
- unbelievable - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:29 pm:
@Leave a light…
Nope. The nearly universal thought in the capitol is that they have a lot to learn. Its a bipartisan assessment. The vast majority of his hires are not from Illinois…they are from Wisconsin, Indiana, Florida, and if they are from here, they are former federal staffers.
They don’t know. And they are being led by someone who knows even less.
- Norseman - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:35 pm:
I guess he forgot to buy the First Class ticket.
- illinois fan - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:37 pm:
Dear Bruce, You deserve a good brush off from the POTUS and staff. Love, Teamsters Local 916.
- crazybleedingheart - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:38 pm:
My post got zapped because of the phrase “___ in the punchbowl”? C’mon.
Anyway, my point was that no matter who officially disinvited him, you can see Rahm slink off without a greeting, which is odd, since they’re vacation buddies.
- Gooner - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:40 pm:
Sheesha, have you thought about reading the posts?
In fact, Rich mentioned it and condemned it.
But they are all out to get you, right?
- Thunder Fred - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:43 pm:
unbelievable: Have you been to 2 1/2 lately??? Lots of familiar faces. If you walk into that room and don’t recognize anyone then odds are pretty good that you are the outsider.
To the post: You honor the office even if you are too petty to honor the man. Bad form.
- MrJM - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:45 pm:
“Can’t the governor cross the rope to where the big kids are playing?”
“No,” Secret Security shakes his head. “No, way man. No.” He then breaks eye contact.
http://youtu.be/DmWHmr97AOM?t=1h1m9s
– MrJM
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:47 pm:
Sheesh, I read about Trotter’s stupid remark here, and there were comments about it.
Maybe whoever’s reading to you needs to try harder.
For crying out loud, if you’re going to be a weeping victim, make an effort to find something based in fact to be a victim about.
- Dupage Donnie - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:48 pm:
Unbelievable- you are spot on its the blind leading the blind.
- Federalist - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:49 pm:
Real classy of Obama/Emanuel not to have the Governor of Illinois on state at the signing.
Not surprised!
- Lil Squeezy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:49 pm:
If the anti-union folks of the world had their way, Pullman wouldn’t happen immediately, but it would happen again. It would take some time, perhaps a long time, but it would happen. Look outside of the western world and you will see it happening everyday. We had all of the natural resources to make a successful and rich country. Yet Pullman still happened. What changed? Unions.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
This isn’t about protocol or respect in this very specific instance;
The White House, the federal government is honoring the Pullman Union experience.
Rauner is not only anti-Union, Rauner is currently on a mission to destroy principles that some may point to as direct contrary positions to what today was celebrating.
Again… For me… This is like inviting a Republican governor who is adamantly opposed to ObamaCare to an Anniversary event in his/her state for…ObamaCare!
Understand what is at play here.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:56 pm:
Wow, the Governor acts like he doesn’t even understand why the Union movement came into being, which was because workers suffered under repressed working conditions and had no recourse to have their grievances heard. Then again, maybe Rauner does understand the history and just wants to return Illinois to what he considers “the good old days”. Given his objective, which is to end the union movement in Illinois it takes a lot of gall for him to show up there. He can say that he’s not anti Union all he wants but he’s not fooling too many people.
- james - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:57 pm:
Governor Rauner: you reap what you sow.
- Gooner - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:00 pm:
Federalist, people like you need to learn that there are consequences to your actions.
Your kind needs to stop demanding that other people support you or let you into their events.
The Gov. made statements and took actions. Because he took those actions, he was not included at an event.
This isn’t third grade. You don’t get a medal just for showing up. You don’t get invited to the stage unless you’ve earned a place on that stage.
The far right needs to learn that lesson and stop depending on unearned handouts.
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:01 pm:
Does any sane person really believe the president of the United States directed anyone to keep Rauner off the stage? That any president would bother with such nonsense? They’re usually pretty busy.
Those who do believe that are the ones who said Obama would pardon Blago, pardon Rezko, fire Pat Fitz, prevent prosecution of Jesse Jr., ……
You now, people who think John Kass has a clue.
- unbelievable - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:03 pm:
Thunder Fred…actually yeah and that’s not who I’m talking about. They aren’t drafting the state of the state or the budget address or the EO’s. General counsel from Indiana. Chief Budget consultant for 30 grand a month last worked in Florida but did stints in Michigan and California as well. And at least 5 from Senator Kirk’s staff. I’m not talking agency heads. I’m talking about the inner circle helping make decisions.
So yeah. They don’t know.
We can agree to disagree on who has more bad form. But smiling in people’s faces and taking selfies, and then kicking them square in said smile doesn’t engender warm feelings. Spending your first 30 days on a Union rampage that has nothing to do with the budget crisis was bad form.
- Lil Squeezy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:05 pm:
I should correct my earlier statement because many migrant workers face similar situations in this country today. Its easy to overlook the fact that a very small minority of Americans create these Pullman like situations for workers who they believe are lucky to have anything at all. Most of those migrant workers are illegal, but they are still people.
- Joe Blow - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:15 pm:
Did he take the state plane up there,how much did that trip cost the taxpayers?
- Ethan Hawk - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:24 pm:
I think it was in bad form to deliberately exclude the Governor of Illinois from the stage no matter how one feels about him or his politics. Can you imagine Obama being shown the door if he showed up at a national or state function just because of his poor showing in the national polls? It is always about respect for the office and not about the man.
I am not sure who was responsible for the snub of Rauner at this event but it shows us far more about them than it says anything about the governor. It is too bad that it played out this way. Sounds and looks childish to the rest of the people in the state and in the nation. I would doubt that Rahm or Barack had anything to do with it. It smacks too much of high school melodrama for them to be involved.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:26 pm:
===Sounds and looks childish to the rest of the people in the state and in the nation===
Try to speak for yourself here.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:27 pm:
It would be a disgrace to the memory of the Pullman workers to allow a labor hostile plutocrat on the stage.
- Gov. Clueless - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:34 pm:
==I’m starting to believe that Rauner’s intelligence was vastly over-rated. In the alternative, maybe he lacks self-awareness.==
This. Exactly. But keep in mind, the two are not mutually exclusive.
He’s not having as bad a week as Mr. Schock did, not even close, but it’s his worst one yet. Yesterday, he brought himself to the brink of irrelevancy. Today, the POTUS and everyone else on stage screamed it in his face: You’re irrelevant. And it was a self-inflicted wound easily avoided by skipping the event.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:34 pm:
- Ethan Hawk -,
Talk to the Unions. It was their day.
- Liandro - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:38 pm:
Did you moderate my comment, Rich? Lol, why?
- Wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:38 pm:
A governor is never irrelevant. That’s just silly. Every one of them has a very powerful pen.
- Leave a Light on George - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:39 pm:
unbelievable why don’t you enlighten us on how things are run. That way we and other can figure out where the improvements can be made and move forward at a much faster pace than we have the last few legislative sessions.
Ofcourse exclude any ideas that are not generated from native Illinoisans. Have ISP check everyone’s driver’s license and passport at the door.
- BigBob - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:54 pm:
My guess is that he knew he was not on the invite list and would not be allowed on stage by the Secret Service, but went anyway specifically to be turned away by those inconsiderate unions bosses. All part of his unions are corrupt and arrogant in Illinois. He can not add that snub to his anti-union talks.
- Wensicia - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:55 pm:
It’s a sad day when some feel a governor can’t be slighted, while that same governor can insult and disparage the people whose event he crashed.
- BigBob - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:55 pm:
can now add that snub. Sorry.
- The Equalizer - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:59 pm:
If Rauner keeps showing up at events to honor old unions, he’ll never get a statue at Scheel’s…
- anonlurker - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 6:02 pm:
=it was a self-inflicted wound easily avoided= Agreed. Hubris, ignorance, poor prep? Who knows. Not quite Blago on the Daily Show, but…bad move.
- Liandro - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 6:18 pm:
Still curious as to why my comment got moderated Rich. I’ve been a federal employee for over a decade. Am I not allowed to highlight that Obama’s federal government allows less bargaining rights than Walker’s WI or Rauner’s IL (which would still be true even if ALL of Rauner’s proposals were accepted)? Seems pretty relevant to your blog post.
- Liandro - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 6:22 pm:
Or was my sin the fact that I called out Wordslinger? He’s an interesting guy, but I’m pretty sure he’s not perfect. Besides, engaging commenters like Wordslinger is at least half of what makes this blog interesting.
- Black Ivy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 6:50 pm:
Governor Rauner, embrace the snub as a badge of honor. President Obama’s distracted by his mission to ensure that Mayor Emannuel avoids a run-off election and hiding out over questions about his handling of Islamic extremism. You just stay focused on fulfilling your promise to Illinois taxpayers - reduce taxes and curb spending. Haters gonna hate…
- Jack Stephens - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 6:51 pm:
@gooner 4:17:
His arrogance has been on display for a long time.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 6:53 pm:
==Sounds and looks childish to the rest of the people in the state and in the nation.==
If I just read this sentence, I would think you were referring to a rabidly anti-union governor showing up at an event to honor workers who fought for the very rights which that governor has been demeaning and promising to get rid of for over a year, most especially in the last month.
I’ll give you a few better examples than OW: It would be like Rauner showing up at an event organized to help 18-year-olds who are transitioning out of foster care OR Gov. Walker showing up at the University of Wisconsin to talk about the importance of their mission OR Gov. Brownback showing up at a Darwin Day celebration.
If you don’t value something, don’t show up at an event that honors it. It does, indeed, look childish.
- XDNR - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 7:04 pm:
Yeah and earlier today he was in Rochelle at the Hormel Plant pounding his “right to work” mantra to a union audience.
Governor Rauner added that he is all for unions in the private sector, but that public unions have a conflict of interest by helping elect lawmakers who in turn give them a better deal. “They can take their union dues, give it to the politicians, get them elected and then say, ‘hey i want pension bigger, i want my pay bigger, i want my healthcare free,’ and that drives up your taxes and makes our cost of government super high and that’s not right.”
Public unions are bad you guys are good!
How ironic, does this guy have a clue or am I missing something.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 7:26 pm:
==- A guy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 3:51 pm:==
So now you’re on Obama insider too? Tell us A guy, where are the bathrooms going to be at in the library? Will they have dryers where you don’t have to press any buttons?
==- OneMan - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 4:00 pm:==
It was 5 years ago.
==- Ethan Hawk - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 5:24 pm:==
This president has faced immense disrespect. The former governor of Arizona yelled at him on an airport runway.
- New Guy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 7:26 pm:
Here’s an old Union tune that Rauner should take to heart before showing up at a Pro-Union event.
I know Rich likes these folksy ones, a lot of history behind this one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbddqXib814
- loyalfan - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 8:00 pm:
Love the video of him being ignored! Thanks to whoever posted the link! Priceless!
- DuPage - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 8:13 pm:
@Jon Lester4:01pm =I hope he sticks it to Rahm and OB the first chance he gets.=
He kind of already did. His budget proposal cuts state money to Chicago by 150 Million. That leaves Rahm unable to make the pension payment. Rahm is left to battle the unions and or raise taxes, while Rauner laughs at both sides.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 8:22 pm:
- Or was my sin the fact that I called out Wordslinger? -
Would you quit whining?
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 8:48 pm:
I just want to understand the umbrage taken by some folks here..
It is ok, actually leadership, for the Governor to disrespect and disparage thousands of citizens but it is petty for a President not to allow an openly anti labor, antagonistic to labor, Governor on stage at a labor event? I am sorry, who is being petty?
I am management and, at times feel like I am banging my head against the wall with our union. I am not a fan of our current President either. But you folks need to get a clue.
- Liandro - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 8:56 pm:
—-Would you quit whining?—-
Lol, so much irony.
- rilt - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 9:19 pm:
No big deal President Ford made an appearance in Illinois,Gov.Walker came driving up in his jeep Secret Service stopped him and he said he was the Gov And they said Yeah Right!!
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 9:21 pm:
- Lol, so much irony. -
You sure you know what that word means? Please explain.
- Liandro - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 9:44 pm:
The first level of irony is that you are whining about me “whining”. So if your goal is to reduce the level of whining on the blog…you are actually increasing it. Textbook irony.
The other levels of your statement’s irony take much longer explanations, and are potentially more inflammatory. In other words, not worth hashing over with anonymous internet…friends.
If you are actually interested in a literary discussion, look me up the next time you’re going along I-88. I’ll buy the coffee.
- DuPage Dave - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 9:46 pm:
Since we’ve had our new governor, the civility level of the commenters on this blog has declined noticeably.
- Butch - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 9:51 pm:
I agree with the snub, didn’t Rauner in his address say that all of Illinois has to suffer our fiscal problems?
I think that this is a gentle reminder that the 1% has to suffer as well. So far all of his rhetoric does not include the 1% in the equation. For all of you who aspire to join that group …keep dreaming.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:02 pm:
== Since we’ve had our new governor, the civility level of the commenters on this blog has declined noticeably. ==
I suspect that will be self-correcting as the newbies either learn they better have some facts to back up their opinions or they will leave from being ignored.
Besides, I haven’t noticed very many “bite me” comments in recent days (although I’ve been tempted to throw a “dope” or two), so I’m not sure it has gotten that much worse … unless Rich is having to delete / ban more than normal.
- RNUG - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:06 pm:
Back on subject …
Maybe I missed it, but does anyone actually know if (a) Rauner was actually invited and, if so, did he or his staff RSVP or (b) he just decided to show up because he is the Gov and apparently wanted a photo op?
- Casual Observer - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:21 pm:
RNUG, who in their right mind would have the cojones to invite this Governor to the Pullman event? If someone did, Rauner didn’t get the joke.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:37 pm:
What I have noticed about Rauner since the State Fair after the Primary was that Rauner himself likes to dictate who are his “friends”, who need to be reminded “who is the boss”, and the accountability of “loyalty” is a one-way street, based on a criteria Rauner chooses.
I think that’s why Raunerbots reflect here as they do.
We saw some of this with Rod.
That movie had isolation and paranoia dictating what Rod thought was being governor.
Rauner is his own man, but like his candidacy, Rauner has no defined constituency to call his own. Bruce is everyman, while seeing few men as an equal. Rauner always wins, while touting cooperation and compromse for all.
I know I don’t understand his moves and motivations through these few weeks. Maybe with an agenda and budget, I’ll understand more, but I think today isn’t my confusion on display. What was on display is Rauner’s confusion of who he, as governor, is, and finding that governing sweet spot to find a stride.
This is the result of too many telling Bruce “yes”, instead of asking Bruce “why”.
- Ghost of George Pullman - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:37 pm:
The President recognized Governor Rauner in his remarks and the Governor received polite applause:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=DmWHmr97AOM#t=2086
For those looking to cast Governor Rauner as a victim - either ignored, booed or disrespected - move along. Nothing to see here.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:49 pm:
Good question RNUG and I am curious about that myself.
As for the half dozen or so here who object to how the Governor was received today my thinking is like this. I’ve never seen a Governor speak with such vitriol and repeatedly make false statements against a significant group of citizens as Rauner has the Unions since day one. It is human nature to treat people with respect who act respectfully themselves. He shows up at this event honoring Unions and he was not treated with respect by those that he has been so disrespectful to. It’s as simple as that.
For the sake of the state I hope he turns out to be a competent leader. It’s only been one month but he isn’t off to a good start.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 10:51 pm:
- Ghost of George Pullman -,
(Sigh)
Understand what’s at play here.
Rauner went, appeared, according to reports, to have different expectations to his own significance being there, and when asked, had no comment (which is probably his only “out” awkward as it is) and that’s it.
The Post here is discussing choices made, and lessons learned from what happens when you speak one way, and show up honoring groups you demonize.
That’s “it”
- Tired - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 11:02 pm:
Like many others have said, Rauner did not belong on the stage at this labor celebration. He also had nothing to do with the designation of the Pullman Historic District as a national monument. He should have had enough sense to stay away. My great grandfather worked on the railroad. I am glad that he and others like him were not dishonored today.
- Ghost of George Pullman - Thursday, Feb 19, 15 @ 11:19 pm:
OW,
Sorry for any confusion. I agree with you. The President recognized the attendance of the Governor in the audience and the Governor was politely applauded. If the Governor’s folks want to whisper that the President disrespected the Governor by not having him on stage, having a speaking role, etc., then they are wrong. The President and the audience treated the Governor civilly. See, its in the video feed. Watch it in my earlier link. (Unless you think I doctored the video, in which case I have meeting minutes of the Trilateral Commission that I need you to initial. Snark.)
- Norseman - Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 12:47 am:
=== Since we’ve had our new governor, the civility level of the commenters on this blog has declined noticeably. ===
Obviously you weren’t a reader during Blago’s tenure.
If you’re talking about civility to the gov, you don’t deserve it when you’ve been vilifying people for over two years.
- Beans and Franks - Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 5:54 am:
Can’t buy me love.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/video/play;_ylt=A2KLqIMzIOdU3VkARgz7w8QF;_ylu=X3oDMTEwdWgxYXVoBHNlYwNzcgRzbGsDdmlkBHZ0aWQDVklEQzEEZ3BvcwMy?p=beatles+can%27t+buy+me+love&vid=08e37d4b0bd71bcab72ee500da595586&l=2%3A21&turl=http%3A%2F%2Fts1.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DVN.608044756860473096%26pid%3D15.1&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DvenzPNvge18&tit=The+Beatles+-+Can%26%2339%3Bt+buy+me+love&c=1&sigr=11bpsvmhu&sigt=113pfluis&sigi=11rhiotj3&age=1205775682&fr2=p%3As%2Cv%3Av&fr=yfp-t-707-s&tt=b
- Demise - Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 7:24 am:
Thanks for the video links Tim and Macbeth. Priceless.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 7:34 am:
- Ghost of George Pullman -,
It’s all good. I’m sure my confusion is my own.
Thank for making clear your thiughts. Much respect for the clarification. OW
- Dick Vitale - Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 8:26 am:
Oof?
- Dee Lay - Friday, Feb 20, 15 @ 9:11 am:
I want to point out one gentleman in the photo who really led the effort to save Pullman over the past 40 years. Between Rep. Quigley and Sen. Kirk is Mike Skymanski.
Mike was one of the original leaders and has been the soul of the Save Pullman movement which has turned into the Pullman National Park.
Congratulation Mike and all the folks who worked tirelessly to save the Pullman neighborhood from the wrecking ball and now saved it for generations to come.