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* From the Quinn campaign’s “Your Weekly Rauner Roundup”…
Posh Parking
But, at least Billionaire Bruce doesn’t have to go hunting for parking at one of his downtown luxury residences.
Today the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting that he forked out $100,000 for an “extra” parking spot at one of his umpteen cribs. That’s a bit more expensive than Mitt Romney’s $55,000 car elevator.
What’s more, the ridiculous parking space was purchased as an extra to the penthouse he purchased to claim Chicago residency and use clout to get special treatment at an exclusive public school.
$100,000 for parking? All in a half-day’s work for Billionaire Bruce.
Look, I fully understand why they’re trying to paint Rauner as a rich guy who can’t understand everyday people. And, who knows, maybe this parking spot will actually resonate. Lots of people didn’t pay that much for their house, let alone a parking spot.
But with this little gem, we’ve gone way beyond the legitimate issues with Rauner’s taxes and business practices and ventured into a pure “OMG!!! He’s soooooo rich!!!!” rant.
It’s juvenile.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:14 am
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Bread and circuses, friends. Bread and circuses.
Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:16 am
I think what you are saying is fair, Rich, but don’t you think Rauner brought it on himself when he bragged so much about his cheap watch, how he stays in budget hotels, and only flies coach? To his credit (never thought I’d say that), Mitt Romney never tried to claim that he was anything other than what he was — a very successful businessman who had a level of consumption that was about the same as other people of his income. Bruce’s problem is that he tried to claim he was Warren Buffet, when he is manifestly not.
Comment by JohnDoe Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:21 am
It’s Sneed..
Get it, forget it…
The backshot
Surprised she is running the risk of angering Sugar Rautbord…
The buckshot
What do the Burkes think
Comment by OneMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:21 am
What, is Pat Quinn jealous because he can’t afford to pay a kid from down the street $1,000 to legally mow his unkempt yard?
It sure would be nice if voters could choose none of the above to force a new election with new candidates. That’d probably do more to solve our horrible candidate problems than term limits or fair maps would.
Comment by Jeff Trigg Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:22 am
I don’t know. Out of all the “he’s so rich” stuff, a $100K parking spot might sting among the yuppies in the city. Parking is a nightmare.
It sure knocks the stuff out of an $18 watch.
I think insider/bust-out king Rauner has more legs and undermines his whole campaign.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:23 am
Actually, that’s in the ballpark for parking spaces at high end condos in the City.
Comment by Keyser Soze Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:25 am
Hey that is a little over the top…everyone knows if you shell out millions for the crib that the parking space is at least $100K and if you need a spot for the baby mama it’z extra
BTW the pay to pay with Stroger is funnier, Mitt’s HealthRev President (according to FL records) Martin Z. Craig dropped $1K on Blagoof. Someone should check IL database to see what that bought
Comment by CirularFiringSquad Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:26 am
With me it’s not a candidate’s wealth that’t the problem, per se, or that he or she spends a small fortune for parking. There are lots of very wealthy people who are fair-minded and ethical, and who could consider running for public office.
I have a problem with a candidate who accuses others of corruption and being insiders when he or she was the ultimate special interest and insider, and whose businesses gulped down millions in tax dollars while slamming the unions, salaries and benefits of thousands of government workers.
Comment by Grandson of Man Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:29 am
“umpteen cribs”… who is righting this copy? I junior high girl from Naperville?
Comment by Campaign for the Tweens Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:30 am
Its a narrative, but the real story is the “Insider Rauner” versus the “shake ‘em up outsider” Rauner.
It’s farce. Should be treated as farce. There is utter comedy and farce with a man so desperate to be ordinary, he gets watches and coats, while buying condos and parking spots. Even as a collective, it’s never going to be the sweet spot.
The persona of the “Outsider” that’s the “Insider” is the sweet spot.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:30 am
News flash: Parking downtown is expensive. Given the location, this isn’t that surprising, and I’m guessing was part of the overall condo packages.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:30 am
Gee, I wonder who Sneed is supporting for Governor?
Comment by Bogey Golfer Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:31 am
I’m with oneman—Bruce flaunted his $2 watch and other every guy accouterments in our face.
Comment by Belle Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:32 am
More “rant” please!
Comment by WhoKnew Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:32 am
If we are discussing parking then I seem to recall that, until recently, the Quinn Administration cut some waste to the tune of $100,000 annually on free parking for state employees in Chicago.
Did he seriously cut this service so he could make a big deal about Rauner’s parking situation?
Good grief.
Comment by Phenomynous Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:34 am
….and the yuppies in the City would pay it in a minute if they had the funds.
There was once a “Far Side” cartoon that depicted a person sitting on the porch in a rocking chair. the caption said something to the tune of “I want to be rich, yep, just sitting here wanting to be rich.”
I think we need to give him his just dues, he worked and made the money to afford this lifestyle, and those that just sit on the porch don’t seem to care for that.
Here is the tip of the day….” Stop wanting and start working.”
Comment by OVERSIGHT Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:34 am
Being rich doesn’t automatically exclude you from office or from having true sympathy for the common man. Changing your positions on issues, depending on the audience, and pretending you’re frugal when you are not is the mark of a hypocrite and someone that you cannot trust.
Comment by KGB Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:36 am
That everyman’s GM car he touts, cost him an extra $100Gs to park. Oh well.
Comment by walker Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:37 am
Billionaire Bruce has made this fair game with his $18 watch and Carhartt jacket. He is not what he claims to be.
Comment by anon Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:38 am
So if it had been an attached garage that cost 200g as part of the mansion that cost 10m nobody would care?? He should just use his helicopter and land on the roof.
Comment by Nieva Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:41 am
Perhaps he could name his indoor parking spot after Jane Byrne and Mike Sneed would be less critical. There are $150K condos downtown that offer $40K parking spots as an add-on. This is especially dopey. The other guy won’t pay a kid $15 to cut his grass. Snoooooooze.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:45 am
The ideal counter for this from the Rauner camp would be a weekly roundup of what goofy things Quinn and his cronies are doing with OUR money. Don’t care much what Rauner does with his own money.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:51 am
This is another one of those little items that will resonate on two levels: (1) parking is dear in Chicago so while Cook Co. will understand the story, a lot of people will be envious of it and (2) downstate, Rich tagged it when he said a lot of people didn’t pay that much for their house os it becomes a “how crazy / rich is that guy?” story.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:54 am
@A guy - 11:45 am:
Thank you for the best laugh that I have enjoyed this morning.
Comment by Under Further Review Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:58 am
Good grief who cares. Yes Quinnsters we get it: Rauner is rich. Can you guys give this campaign something slightly more edifying or even useful than that?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:00 pm
As someone else said, at least Mitt didn’t pretend to be someoneelse to get the middle class vote. No fake Carhartts, cheap watches and Harleys. I cant trust someone who petends to be someone he is not.
Comment by KGB Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:03 pm
How many dirty insider dealers does it take for rauner to pay for downtown parking? Answer: rauner “can’t remember.” Guess what this does resonate!
Comment by William j Kelly Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:05 pm
- The other guy won’t pay a kid $15 to cut his grass. -
Being a loyal union-supporting Dem, Pat Quinn would have to pay the legally required IDOL Prevailing Wage for cutting the grass. Being Pat Quinn and realizing it will cost more to cut the grass than a stay at his beloved Motel 6, he balks and lets the weeds take over.
Comment by Bluefish Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:20 pm
Not to mention no self respecting union landscaper would use a non-motorized rotary mower. Not to mention how silly it looks manually whacking weeds with fishing line.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:46 pm
Jeff Trigg calls it as it is. None of the above would be such a better option than either of these two.
As far as the parking space goes, thank you Pat Quinn for sharing the fact that Bruce Rauner is rich. We had no idea before.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 12:48 pm
Quinnsters continue to believe that they can be reelected without telling or showing voters that Governor Quinn has earned it.
Instead they are mocking what his challenger has earned.
How stupid do they think voters are?
Here - I’ll help you Quinnsters with a song!
Rich Whorl
It’s a rich whorl, and you’ve spun it far
But voters won’t buy it anyway
They won’t care if Bruce has money
If he’s a Scrooge, or the Easter Bunny.
In a death swirl, bankruptcy doesn’t seem far
With bonds and retirements to pay
Yet you claim his money won’t get him too far
On election day
Don’t you know, don’t you know
That as Governor, we want to believe in you
So far gone, on your own
You can get along if you show us we’re strong
But you keep singing that song!
That he’s a rich Earl, and he owns a big car
And that his wife lives far, far away
Voters don’t care where Bruce keeps his honey
His daughter’s school, or that he’s got money.
In a deep ditch, we know where we are
But that isn’t where we want to stay
Yet you won’t tell us what you’ve done so far
In this political fray
High and dry, out of the rain
It’s so easy to say Bruce isn’t one of us
You won’t sell, so you can’t gain
Yet you think you’ll win, with your political spin
And your redundant refrain, oh
That he’s a rich Bruce, he bought another house!
And for parking - you won’t believe what he paid!
While Illinois voters cynically grouse
And our bonds got a downgrade.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:00 pm
The next time there’s a need to raise money for a worthy cause, I’d suggest we auction VMan’s Ipod. There are some classics on there. I see a K-Tel commercial here! Cute song VM.
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:06 pm
Who wishes we just held this election already?
Comment by Levois Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:12 pm
It is an Iphone, and thank you.
It was what I did for lunch today.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:19 pm
What is a K-Tel?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:19 pm
I bet he bought the parking place, just so he can show residency for his car. Then he’s going to begin parking it at Payton College Prep.
Comment by How Ironic Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:24 pm
I can see the debates. He’s Rich!! He’s Corrupt!!
Hopefully either the Cards, Sox or both make playoffs so there is something anything better to watch.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:35 pm
I want to pull my hair out. And it’s only July 11th.
Comment by Team Sleep Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:52 pm
Now would be a good time for Rauner to hit back with the condition of Quinn’s lawn. (hehe)
Comment by Cheswick Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:52 pm
“Do you think that wealthy people like Mr. Trump are able to understand the problems of everyday folks?”
Sorry, Rich, but I think your question slanted the results a bit. “Like Mr. Trump” suggests more than wealth — he is a self-aggrandizing short-fingered vulgarian. I’d be interested in hearing the results if you phrased it “wealthy people like Oprah Winfrey”…
Comment by Soccermom Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:04 pm
==- A guy… - Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:45 am:==
Like Under Further Review, I got a huge laugh of your comment, so much so that my cackle turned a couple heads around at me.
To the issue, even if this is the market price for the space, it illustrates just how out of touch Rauner is to the average or median Illinoisan. He drops 100K on a parking spot, nearly double what the median household makes in a year. Even though his budget plans are a complete joke, it would be better for him to quit his phony regular guy act and focus on anything else.
Comment by Precinct Captain Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:16 pm
=== VanillaMan - Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 1:19 pm:
What is a K-Tel?====
K-Tel records presents groovin’ to the sound of the 70s, all your favorite artists performing all your favorite tunes in a six album set for only 49.99. Not available in stores. Act now and get a bonus set of tracks of VMans Illinois hits and a beautiful LP carrying case to the first 100 callers. Operators are standing by!
Now you feel me?
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:17 pm
=== Precinct Captain - Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:16 pm:
==- A guy… - Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 11:45 am:==
Like Under Further Review, I got a huge laugh of your comment, so much so that my cackle turned a couple heads around at me.====
Always happy to bring a cackle to your day PC. I guess all I get from this is wealthy people buy expensive stuff more than other folks do. I keep all my cool stuff out of town. Darn, if I can just figure out where I left it all! lol. Have a good weekend!
Comment by A guy... Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:21 pm
Thanks -A guy…
Next question:
What is an album?
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:38 pm
I had a condo way west by the Merchandise Mart. My parking place cost $ 30.000.
It is ironic that a Chicago Democratic is talking about the cost of parking. It was their leader Mayor Daley who sold the little guys street parking for billions and upped rates for many years to come.
Comment by Publius Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:45 pm
VMan: Makin’ the day more enjoyable.
Comment by walker Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:57 pm
@ VanillaMan -
An album is an uncompact disc.
Comment by Joan P. Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 2:59 pm
Thank you so much.
My kids don’t even wonder what my smart phone can do. VanillaWife wants to know why I spend so much time on it at CapitolFax.
I sure beats the old desktop!
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 3:17 pm
It may seem somewhat petty but I do think it is relevant…average middle and lower-class folks/Voters in Illinois have the right to at least be TOLD about/know the beyond-incredibly lavish lifestyle which this person and ANY Billionaire benefits from every single day…unlike a VAST majority of them who struggle to pay the Bills every month and maybe have a little leftover once in awhile to take the kids out for an Ice Cream Cone.
The reality of Rauner’s Gazillionaire’s lifesyle of the Ultra-Wealthy when you have SO much money you almost don’t know what to DO with it–and CERTAINly HOW and through WHO the candidate EARNED these Globs of money in his–as we now know quite QUESTionable Business dealings–may legitimately be a real, and IMPORTANT, issue for these folks when they go to the Polls to decide who they like best–or, rather, which of the Candidates fir Governor they DISlike the Least…!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 3:42 pm
That was meant to read, in my last line above, “…which of the Candidates for Governor…!” Whoops!
Comment by Just The Way It Is One Friday, Jul 11, 14 @ 3:44 pm
= An album is an uncompact disc. =
Flashback to Austin Powers dropping a needle on a CD… not the same…
Actually, there once was a true “uncompact” digital disc, the Laserdisc, that was about the size of a vinyl album. That much space was needed to hold a movie using the same technology as the compact disc (CD). Laserdisc never really caught on - the only places I ever saw it in use were karaoke bars around 20 years ago. The shorter wavelength DVD, which allowed movies to be stored on a CD-size disc, permanently rendered Laserdisc obsolete.
VMan, you are really making me feel old today, with your “What’s a K-Tel” and “What is an album” questions. The song “Rich Girl” probably ended up on one of those K-Tel compilation albums back in the day, it’s from the right era.
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Comment by Attorney'S Briefcase In Peoria Il Tuesday, Jul 15, 14 @ 3:58 am