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* From the SJ-R’s coverage of yesterday’s massive Statehouse protest over Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget cuts…
The governor did make a brief appearance in the Capitol while the rally was beginning but did not actually attend. As he walked through the protesters on the first level, he said it looked like they were “having fun on a beautiful day.”
They did not take kindly to the governor’s description.
“That’s incredibly condescending and irresponsible to say,” Johnson said. “We’re here on a mission. We are family, and so, yes, we’re talking to each other, but that’s how you build power.”
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 11:58 am
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===As he walked through the protesters on the first level, he (Rauner) said it looked like they were “having fun on a beautiful day.”===
“Oh look, the little people, how cute. Have fun storming the castle!”
At times, Rauner is oblivious to the fact as Governor, what he actually says, matters.
Ugh.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Good lord is this guy out of touch…
Comment by The Drummer Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Let them eat cake…
Comment by Interested Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:04 pm
“Let them eat cake,” Rauner said. “Next year, anyway. We might be able to buy some next year with our projected economic growth and pension savin’s. The budget’s tight, you know. We should come up with some stale bagels in a few days, though. Negotiations with the legislative leaders are goin’ very well.”
Comment by A Capitol Worker Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:07 pm
Save this — we’ll be using it again:
https://crayfisher.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/9685171.jpg
Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:08 pm
Really, who cares? They should be outside the offices of those who caused this mess, not the one trying to clean it up.
Comment by William Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Nailed another interpersonal interaction!
He did it will during the campaign, but it seems everyone walks away from meeting with him now feeling condescended to and insulted.
Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:11 pm
Is Bruce auditioning for a job with “The Wizard of Id”?
https://crayfisher.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/9685171.jpg
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:16 pm
Please Willy! These protesters were SEIU Healthcare. Rauner was being kind to the professional protesters brought in from Chicago.
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:16 pm
Soccermom,
Cross-posted!
– MrJM
Comment by MrJM Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:17 pm
==Really, who cares? They should be outside the offices of those who caused this mess, not the one trying to clean it up. ==
You may recall that in December, Gov-elect Rauner told the GA and Gov Quinn not to retain the 5% income tax for even the remainder of the fiscal year. At that point, he took on the mantle of ownership.
Comment by Pot calling kettle Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:18 pm
- Western Ave. Doug -
The quote wasn’t framed in that context. The quote is standing, in the media, as a stand alone.
Not good.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:19 pm
“having fun on a beautiful day”
He is Michael Scott from The Office, I swear…
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:20 pm
These protesters, by way of their parent labor unions, are the same people that accused Rauner of killing old people in rest homes and bullying female workers. Rauner should treat these people with the contempt they deserve.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/chi-unionbacked-protesters-hit-capitol-over-rauner-budget-cuts-20150311-story.html
Comment by Western Ave. Doug Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:22 pm
Oh my, get the fainting sofa. The Governor said “it’s a beautiful day!” He said “fun.” The (manufactured) outrage! I suppose Rauner was supposed to say to the protesters that he agrees with everything they say and do and beg their forgiveness. But it’s doubtful that would even be good enough. He should just resign immediately because the election didn’t go the way the unions wanted.
Comment by phocion Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:22 pm
He obviously missed yesterday’s education on knowing your audience. This guy is in his own delusional world based in the guilded age.
Comment by Jorge Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:23 pm
@ William 12:11 pm -
Not sure what you’re referring to. Whether you blame the governor or the legislature, or both, they were in the right place. Both have their offices in the Statehouse, and the protestors were at both the Governor’s Office and the House. (”The group known as We Rise packed the Capitol both outside the governor’s office and in the House gallery. “)
Where would you prefer them to have gone?
Comment by JoanP Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:23 pm
- Western Ave. Doug -
So you’re saying Rauner’s quote, as presented, is just “fine”?
Yikes
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:24 pm
=“having fun on a beautiful day”
He is Michael Scott from The Office, I swear…=
Michael Scott or maybe Congressman Jack Kimble
Comment by Carhartt Representative Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:27 pm
These protesters, by way of their parent labor unions, are the same people that accused Rauner of killing old people in rest homes and bullying female workers. Rauner should treat these people with the contempt they deserve.
What if he tries being gubernatorial instead? Was his cuts contemptuous or judicious? Did he have fun making those cuts? Has he no empathy? Is he a governor for the entire state, or for just his political supporters? Has he written off all the people present yesterday?
What he said was stupid, thoughtless, unprofessional and bad politics. It was demeaning, contemptuous and passive aggressive. Instead of bringing people together, “shared sacrifice”, (isn’t that what he said just a month ago?), he is dividing us.
Bruce Rauner is failing as governor.
Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:31 pm
“I suppose Rauner was supposed to say to the protesters that he agrees with everything they say and do and beg their forgiveness” He could at least say something like “I’m glad they feel passionate enough about the problems to take time out of their day to exercise their 1st Amendment rights…” or some such drivel, not make it sound like they’re having a picnic along the banks of the river.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:32 pm
What, no toothy smile? No thumbs up? No selfie with the crowd? Must not have been feeling good yesterday.
Comment by Omay Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:34 pm
Ugh. Another Blagoesque flip comment.
Comment by PolPal56 Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:40 pm
Where is the hot oil so I can dump it on them from my ivory tower. One way to keep the “hordes” away.
Comment by illinifan Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:44 pm
Going to take people awhile to get used to the fact this state will no longer be spending money it doesn’t have
Comment by Very Fed Up Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:47 pm
Why is this surprising? Rauner’s laughter and contempt for the lesser masses has been evident for months, long before the election.
Comment by Wensicia Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:48 pm
From pain, will come progress. If you say it enough, won’t it become truth?
Comment by WhyMe Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:49 pm
It seems that Rauner wants a showdown with someone, somewhere, and he might just get one, but it won’t be with a union in court or with state workers on a picket line. It might just be with folks like those protesters yesterday getting arrested en masse in the Capitol and hauled off to jail, only to return again and again and again and again, with arrest after arrest after arrest after arrest. And if that happens. the governor isn’t going to look good. At all.
It doesn’t take much money to get bailed out of jail, and the fines for engaging in peaceful civil disobedience are not particularly hefty. So, if the unions are smart, they might well consider bankrolling an effort like this. Huge bang for the buck.
Comment by We Shall Overcome Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:51 pm
Just as a reminder, the labor unions did not accuse Rauner of killing old people in rest homes, nor did they accuse him of bullying women.
The court filings did.
Comment by Juice Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:52 pm
I’d have been shocked if he said something that more appropriately reflected his role as governor and the audience he was speaking to. After slamming special interests while speaking to the road builders, and making smug comments about populist protesters, I’m not sure I’m ready for what’s next.
Comment by AC Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:53 pm
==- Western Ave. Doug -==
What kind of contempt does a person who wants to pull the plug on kids with ventilators deserve?
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 12:59 pm
“What he said was stupid, thoughtless, unprofessional and bad politics. It was demeaning, contemptuous and passive aggressive. Instead of bringing people together, “shared sacrifice”, (isn’t that what he said just a month ago?), he is dividing us.”
VM - you hit the nail on the head. He just comes across and such an amateur. Why not, “I am listening to these view points as well as others around our great state, This is a very trying time for us and I pledge we will do our absolute best.” Sure its pablum and insincere but so much more professional.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:02 pm
Whatever happened to the guy in the Carhartt and the cheap watch who had a bit of Clinton-esque ability to act like he cared?
I’ve never seen and elected do a 180 from candidate to office holder like this guy.
As good as he sounded on the campaign trail, he sounds that bad as Gov.
Comment by Gooner Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:04 pm
Couple of random observations:
1) I’ll bet a good chunk of those protesting voted for Rauner. Obviously, I don’t know this — but I’m guessing. I suspect many of them were the “anybody but Quinn” vote. And now they weep — and yell. The takeaway here: you’re a dope for voting for Rauner. We knew this from the get-go, but you went ahead and did it anyway.
2) Rauner loves this. He knows he’s being a jerk. He knows he’s riling up folks by being a jerk. He loves comments here about how everybody thinks he’s a king. The takeaway here: so long as he remains divisive, he’s got a chance of conquering. And making significant changes in 2016.
3) And this is a personal observation: Rauner is a repugnant dope. The takeaway here: The rich get richer — and could care less about anyone else.
Comment by Frenchie Mendoza Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:06 pm
A one word description of Rauner: Condescending.
Comment by Aldyth Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:26 pm
Condescending indeed.
When he talks about the hardworking taxpayers of Illinois, he’s talking about other people?
Comment by Left Leaner Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:58 pm
“Going to take people awhile to get used to the fact this state will no longer be spending money it doesn’t have”
Can’t blame ‘em- the Governor himself balances his budget with $2 billion worth of magic beans, so he’s not even used to it, yet.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:58 pm
Rauner overheard–”Having fun on a beautiful day”
Arduin overheard–”Get a job.”
Comment by Kippax Blue Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 1:58 pm
“Are those nice folks out there to mow the lawn?”
Comment by Anon Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:00 pm
The problem is, he makes it sound like the protesters were only their on a lark, as if they don’t actually believe in what they’re saying.
Comment by Arsenal Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Anon–They can’t mow the lawn, for Pete’s sake–Rauner is still running for governor.
Comment by Kippax Blue Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:02 pm
Much ado, about a lot less than nothing.
Comment by A guy Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:14 pm
He is an honest man swimming in a sea of thieves.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:14 pm
I agree, he was at work. THEY do not work.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:18 pm
Everyone is on edge. His comment came across as crass to people who are rightfully upset. The way you take a comment is most certainly dependent upon the mood you are in when that comment is delivered. These people weren’t in a good mood.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:18 pm
At least the protest got Rauner’s attention. The past two governors would not have even known it was going on since they were NEVER at the Capitol. BTW, he may not have known at the time of the comment what exactly was going on, and so just said what popped in his head, as we are all rejoicing with the mild weather finally. So, kill me now, since I haven’t bashed Rauner.
Comment by Gone, but not forgotten Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:19 pm
===- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:18 pm
I agree, he was at work. THEY do not work.===
I ask again, is that you Lee Elia?
Dope.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:20 pm
Instead of Governor 1%, it might be more appropriate to call him Governor One Term. If he keeps acting like this, that’s what he will be.
Comment by TwoFeetThick Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:30 pm
“The changes we’ve made are MULTIFOLD! Ok, they don’t show because he haven’t passed a bill, and that’s the criteria of that dumb 15% that comes out here and protests during the day!” With apologies to Lee.
Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:31 pm
Lee Elia–too funny. Hands down #1 sports rant in my memory. But I digress.
Comment by Kippax Blue Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 2:56 pm
“Who are those asxxxxxs?” -Kathleen Turner
“Those aren’t asxxxxxs, those are azaleas.”
- Steve Martin
Name that film:
Comment by Qui Tam Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 3:45 pm
Gone, but not forgotten: I will let the bashing of your defense of Rauner be by others. But…
Your claim that previous governors were NEVER in Springfield is empty and juvenile. They had tough jobs, and you know as well as anyone that Quinn struggled to make progress with our fiscal situation including trying to change our pension funding.
What’s most interesting is that after all the coming battles coming this year, we are somewhat likely to have a budget very close to what Quinn would have produced, including more tax revenue.
Comment by walker Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 3:48 pm
= Hands down #1 sports rant in my memory. =
Sorry, but I’m still partial to “Have another donut”. No tie-in to Illinois in that one, though.
Comment by cover Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 3:54 pm
When you’ve got 6 (or is it 8, I’ve lost count), homes, how can you identify with people whose lives will be upended by government cutbacks?
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 4:33 pm
Governor Rauner lives in a very different world than most Illinoisians and certainly different from those who came to Springfield to participate in democracy.
Comment by Bluecollargal Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 5:18 pm
It was a beautiful pre-spring day so why weren’t they out on the polo field instead of protestin’ the reform in’ and the turnaroundin’
Comment by Hawkeye in Illinois Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 6:00 pm
phocion:” He should just resign immediately because the election didn’t go the way the unions wanted.”
Perhaps the good people of this state will save him the trouble. Once he’s in office for six months a recall process can begin.
Comment by Minnow Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 7:00 pm
It obviously was made as a brush off comment. Had he thought of what he was saying he would not have said it, especially when taking into account the people there.
Bruce has to realize, these comments he’s making and these negotiations are real. They have real consequences, they impact real people. This isn’t just some spreadsheet. The sooner he realizes that compassion is an actual feeling not just a cute phrase for a future DC run, the better off he’ll be.
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Mar 12, 15 @ 10:07 pm
Gov 1%,”look at the pesents having fun on a glorious day. Please prepare my throne and bring forth ye jester to amuse thy lord.”
Comment by King Friday, Mar 13, 15 @ 4:54 am