* The mansion “issue” is such a red herring…
Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford kept his plans for pension reform and the state’s income tax rate close to the vest Sunday, but he did make one vow Springfield residents should like.
Rutherford, a Republican from Chenoa, said during a stop in Springfield to announce his gubernatorial candidacy that he would live at the Executive Mansion if elected the next governor of Illinois.
Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar and George Ryan all lived outside the mansion at one time or the other. It makes no difference. You can be a good governor and not live at that mansion.
* More…
As for the state’s pension crisis, he said there were elements of the dueling reform plans passed in the House and Senate this spring that he liked, but he declined to say if he supported one over the other.
Rutherford also did not rule out extending the state’s income tax increase, which is scheduled to expire at the end of 2014.
“Let’s put (the income tax rate hike) on the table and negotiate the whole thing out,” Rutherford said. “What they did two years ago was a bad deal. I’ve learned you don’t agree to one thing until the rest of it comes along. They raised taxes and didn’t fix the problem.”
Rutherford opposes gay marriage but supports civil unions, he said.
He ought to say where he is on pensions. And that’s an interesting comment on the income tax, although I’m not really sure what it means…
“Put it on the table. When I take that oath of office in January 2015, that income tax increase is going to have to be on the table for discussion and debate,” Rutherford says. “And I will tell you what, I will not sign any income tax increase that doesn’t fix the problem of Illinois.”
And the failure to approve the gay marriage bill hurts Republicans far more than it hurts Democrats. The GOPs wanted it resolved so they could move forward and ignore the issue. It ain’t, so they can’t.
* He does, however, have a very positive theme of inclusion…
The son of pizza shop owners, Rutherford said he worked his way through college and graduated without debt. After he was elected to the Illinois House in 1993, Rutherford kept a private sector job with ServiceMaster, which operates brands like Terminix and TruGreen.
“I learned to work with people,” he said. “I worked with people of different religions, different skin colors, different customs and different cultures.”
The dual themes — hard work and an embrace of diversity — were apparent throughout the campaign event.
In introducing Rutherford, Steve Kim, who ran unsuccessfully for attorney general in 2010, said “no one” would work harder as governor.
Kim joked that a friend once asked if Rutherford was Korean because “he’s on Korean radio all the time.” As Kim spoke, Rutherford, who is single and has no children, stood behind the lectern, flanked by relatives and a multicultural array of friends.
“You go to Chinatown and you’re going to think he’s a movie star,” Kim said. “His picture is in every bank, it’s in every beauty salon, it’s in every restaurant.”
* And he has a message that some commenters here can probably relate to…
Rutherford said Sunday he has a track record of reaching out to people and communities “with different colors and ethnicities … and also with other beliefs.” He said the Republican Party and other GOP candidates need to do the same.
“My party’s not been that good at it,” he said. “You don’t have to be with someone 100 percent of the time to be a good Republican. I understand that there are people that have a different position on the social issues than some, and they are still good Republicans.”
* This can help as well…
Rutherford, a Pontiac native, said his experience in the private and public sectors make him qualified and so far, he is the only Republican who’s already won a statewide office who will run. He was elected treasurer in 2010 and served as a state representative and state senator for years. Before entering politics he was an executive with Service Master Co, based in suburban Downers Grove.
“I do have government experience, but I’m not a career politician,” he said. “I’m the only Republican that has won statewide that is looking to run for governor. I’m the guy to win.”
* His campaign splash page…
Caption?
*** UPDATE *** Video of today’s Springfield announcement via BlueRoomStream.com…
* Related…
* Rutherford announces gubernatorial bid at Pontiac event
- Shore - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 11:48 am:
the guy’s treasurer campaign page was mostly pictures of him from some job he had driving reagan around during the 1980 campaign. This is all nice but he’s been in springfield for 20 years and it’s not clear whether this inclusion thing is something he’s been committed to his entire career or the last 5 years while he’s tried to separate himself.
another campaign with 7 white guys in their 50s who’ve been around forever. yawn.
- Bill White - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 11:50 am:
=== As for the state’s pension crisis, he said there were elements of the dueling reform plans passed in the House and Senate this spring that he liked, but he declined to say if he supported one over the other. ===
I guess this means he’d sign whichever bill was passed by the General Assembly, whether Madigan’s or Cullerton’s.
- Curious - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 11:51 am:
The mansion thing is interesting - wasn’t there a quote from Sen. Dillard before session ended saying we need a “first family” in the mansion? Was that an intentional dig at Rutherford?
- Bill White - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 11:59 am:
=== “And I will tell you what, I will not sign any income tax increase that doesn’t fix the problem of Illinois.” ===
Dedicate the revenue from an income tax increase extension to the debt service on bonds that would pay down past due bills and the Illinois fiscal situation would improve significantly.
Combine that with Cullerton’s SB2404 and we’d be in pretty good shape going forward.
- qcexaminer - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:01 pm:
Susie Carpentier supposedly quit her (thankless) post as chair of the Rock Island County GOP in order to work on Rutherford’s campaign.
For Rutherford’s sake, I hope she is more adept at campaign work than running the RICO GOP, where she was a total and complete disaster.
- too obvious - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:07 pm:
Even in the GOP’s weak field, I don’t see it happening. Don’t see Rutherford surviving stronger spotlight that will be on him in a gov’s race. Too much goofiness, things like Pongee, some of the facebook photos etc.
- Loop Lady - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:10 pm:
Yawn indeed…Dan is a fervent drinker of his own koolaid…please name me three of his greatest accomplishments in his 20 plus years in politics in IL (besides self promotion)…
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:23 pm:
I don’t think red herring is the right term for the Springfield mansion thing.
Its a Downstate pander absolutely but so? Everyone else gets pandered to. Why not Downstate?
As for whether rutherford is only now caring about diversity, he voted for employment protections for gays and instate tuition for illegals more than 5 years ago fwiw.
- ADillardsaidwhat - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:34 pm:
and Kirk Dillard took a different approach to contrasting with Rutherford. this one could get nasty…
http://www.wlsam.com/common/page.php?pt=Dillard%3A+%27First+family%27+needed+in+Governor%27s+Mansion&id=43103&is_corp=0
- reformer - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:36 pm:
I bet Gov. Bruce wouldn’t be living in the mansion.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:40 pm:
–“My party’s not been that good at it,” he said. “You don’t have to be with someone 100 percent of the time to be a good Republican. I understand that there are people that have a different position on the social issues than some, and they are still good Republicans.” –
I knew he was Willie, all along.
Of course, they are the absolute right sentiments when you seek to be governor of all the people.
The cool thing is, not only is it the right thing to do, but you stand a good chance of getting elected doing so, if history is a guide.
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:44 pm:
AD, thanks for the link on Dillard. Here’s what he said:
“I really believe just for our state’s image and for the way a governor thinks, you need a first family in a traditional sense back in the governor’s residence.”
Gee, I wonder what he means? I can’t make it out, but I can hear the dogs barking like crazy.
Because, you know, those folks from “non-traditional families” don’t think so good like him, and they’re bad for the state’s image.
Yeah, go with that.
- siriusly - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 12:47 pm:
He needs some campaign advisers who will tell him to stop using that picture of him pointing at us.
- qcexaminer - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:10 pm:
Out of curiosity, what GOPer would the commenters here who are trashing Rutherford consider acceptable?
- Just Me - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:11 pm:
Doesn’t matter if the mansion thing matters or not, what matters is that it probably polls well with the central Illinois primary voters.
- wishbone - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:12 pm:
“…but he declined to say if he supported one over the other.”
What a leader.
- Chicago Cynic - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:32 pm:
You gotta be kidding me - that was the best picture he could use for his home page. Umm, a blurry pointing finger is neither professional nor good politics. I like Dan a lot, but this doesn’t exactly shout “big leagues.”
- hisgirlfriday - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:43 pm:
So does Dillard think this state and this states image was better with family man blago running things than divorced and single quinn? I mean if a family is the most important thing.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:47 pm:
===I knew he was Willie, all along.===
Shhhh.
If I keep “hammering” on Pongee, the scent will wear off and people will forget you got me!
- Hacks - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 1:55 pm:
Uuugh, I hate the words “Now is the time…” this is soooooo cliche and unauthentic.
- Ghost - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 2:06 pm:
I wonder if Rutherford, or the IL gop is familar with the Log Cabin Republicans….
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 2:16 pm:
=…the scent will wear off and people will forget you got me!=
Willy must be a cat person. I believe that to keep two cats from fighting when they’re reunited after a long time, you’re supposed to rub towels against them and then switch the towels to “reintroduce” the cats to one another.
I don’t believe that works with humans…or cars, but I suppose it’s worth a shot if you’re ever in an unfortunate position where you have to try to keep a human and a car from fighting each other.
(I learn so much from this blog.)
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 2:30 pm:
I like the theme of the Rutherford Campaign that is being rolled out, and I am especially interested in the idea of the 100% not being the benchmark to be a “Good Republican”.
It was a very nice rollout.
Now, the hard stuff is going to begin. I am looking forward to Rich asking us to give Rutherford some advice, like we did for Rauner, but I will give Rutherford “one” for free today.
Don’t look desperate, don’t look rushed.
At times, the “vibe” seems as though you, personally, seem desperate, and not that the state, or the situation, or whatever you are talking about is leading to your despiration, which is brought upon, at times, when you seem rushed.
It is important to look engaging, but there is a line, that borders on the desperate. Take a 2 second pause. You can still look engaged, and not overwhelm. Slow.
As I give the same tip in golf to Tom Cross, better tempo leads to better contact, be it hitting a golf ball, or relating with voters behind a podium, or glad-handing.
You drove Ronald Reagan, did you ever see him “rush” as you do?
Pause. Poise. Eloquence. Breathe.
That one was for free.
Best of luck Dan Rutherford.
- Quizzical - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 2:36 pm:
Caption: There’s a tiny gap right here between enraging the lunatic base and becoming totally unappealing to general election voters.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 2:40 pm:
OK. Who’s going to be the first one to suggest to Mr. Rutherford that he hire Willy as a campaign consultant?
- Ghost - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 2:50 pm:
The best GOP canidate for GOV just became the State party Chairman
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 3:09 pm:
- Anonymous -,
I think the campaigns all know to get in contact with - Arthur Anderson - to set up all meetings.
- votecounter - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 3:09 pm:
Dan, Why do you want to be Governor?
- NW IL Democrat - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 3:19 pm:
Senate President Cullerton and his caucus and the no-backbone House Democrats who didn’t support Mike Madigan’s pension reform bill have put Illinois into play for 2014. The disgust level with the current cast of characters in the Illinois General Assembly is so deep its palpable. If the Democrats don’t turn their cars around and get back to the Statehouse soon to pass a significant bill, all bets are off for 2014. Blue no more.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 3:29 pm:
===Moderates are in charge of the caucuses in the ILGA.===
As for “Commander Galloway”, she voted against SSM, as she tried to convince everyone she was not playing the “Gender” card, claiming to be a Moderate, yet voted with 17 other GOP senators, for intolerance.
That is how that vote is going to be painted, as a Caucus made a “point”.
Commander Galloway is a Moderate if only to keep her leadership position.
It is what it is.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 3:36 pm:
=I think the campaigns all know to get in contact with - Arthur Anderson - to set up all meetings.=
Oh, good. Based on my experience, there are very few consultants in Illinois who know how to keep a human and a car from fighting.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 3:52 pm:
I can neither confrim nor deny the whereabouts of Pongee, but I will say… Kendall County is in Illinois, there are roads IN Illinois, and some might even go from Pontiac to Oswego.
I said… too much.
- Just The Way It Is One - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 5:27 pm:
He’ll be an interesting candidate and very well could win the Republican Primary. The Mansion comment was just really like, “Oh yeah, now THAT’s critical to know your position on and’ll make me vote for ya…NOT!” It just doesn’t matter, Dan. The silence on pensions IS disturbing, in this current atmosphere, VERY much so. And his “negotiations” line about permanently raising the income tax PROBably means he’s at least open to it, ‘cuz he knows it IS at least HELPing Illinois get out of debt–but sure as heck is gonna be dancin’ around THAT hot potato until at least the PRImary, if he can…
Again, very interesing, but even if he emerges from the Pack, a defeat of a Democratic Candidate in a pretty Blue State for awhile now, be it Pat Quinn OR Lisa, would be tough…even Herculean. But with the Jury always “still out” till Election Day, ya just never know…!
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 6:06 pm:
Willy, thanks for the h/t!
Just don’t tell anyone about the “chop shop” appointment.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 6:16 pm:
- AA -,
You may have to turn the ringer on the phone up real high. Otherwise you might miss that imaginary call coming. Please refrain from the term “chop shop”, please refer to that meeting location as the “recycle center”.
Thanks.
p.s. - Make sure your “good cop” offsets my …. Whatever it is I do.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 6:26 pm:
The post to - AA -, was from me.
I had to switch to an iPad, and thought I had typed my name.
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 9:19 pm:
Willy, somehow I knew that post was you even without the “handle.”
The subject equipment is scheduled for “recycling” whenever it’s available.
- Skirmisher - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 9:35 pm:
I have a problem with the attitude that the mansion issue is simply a red herring. The man is not (in theory) the governor of Chicago. He is supposed to govern the state, and the state has chosen Springield as its center of government, and provided the mansion as a symbol of the governor’s imperium. Ignoring the mansion as an official residence is a display of contempt for the office and the state. Frankly, that contempt is my biggest beef with Obama also. I could perhaps overlook some of his boneheaded policies and lack of effectiveness, but what really, really turns me off is when he steps in front of the cameras in shirt sleeves, with no coat or tie. He sends a message of disdain for the dignity of his office, just as Quinn does when he spurns the mansion, and I am sorry to disagree with you, but these are very, very big deals in a lot of peoples’ eyes.
- Jack - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 9:47 pm:
Did he really have to look at his notes 5 times in a one minute clip to tell us why he wants to be governor?
- wordslinger - Monday, Jun 3, 13 @ 10:00 pm:
A link to Tennessee’s Bicentennial Capitol Park.
http://www.bcmsp.org/
- Farm Boy - Tuesday, Jun 4, 13 @ 9:06 am:
I would like to hear from former state senator Chris Lauzen as to his thoughts on Dan Rutherford as our next Illinois governor? Lauzen served as a state senator with Dan Rutherford, Steve Rauschenberger, and Bill Brady for many years. Lauzen could provide some clear and intelligent insights into the two candidates as to who he would lean towards.