* Bruce Rauner didn’t have a press conference yesterday. Instead, he talked with individual reporters at a few media outlets. It didn’t go so well at the Sun-Times…
In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, a Rauner aide cut off the questioning, citing scheduling issues when a reporter attempted to pin down Rauner on whether he personally supports same-sex marriage. It was a question Rauner ultimately would not answer, likely recognizing the necessity of the far right’s support during a Republican primary. The explosive issue ultimately ousted Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady because he supported gay marriage.
“My view is irrelevant,” Rauner said. “Why does that matter? There are many issues that folks can disagree about. It’s OK. I would like the Republican family as the big family. We can disagree. We can have some fights, that’s OK. And stay unified on the most critical issues.”
He said the issue should be left up to voters in a referendum.
As pointed out here time and time again, Illinois doesn’t have binding referenda.
* Rauner’s schedule must’ve been pretty tight, because he used the same excuse when Crain’s asked questions about allegations that he clouted his kid into a Chicago magnet school…
He conceded that his child did not gain admittance to Payton through the normal testing and review process but via an alternate path in which local principals can allow some admissions on their own.
“I advocated for my kids as I always have . . . calling in to get on the principal’s discretion list, as hundreds of other parents did,” he said, arguing that he long has crusaded to make schools better for everyone’s kids.
Did he call then-schools CEO Arne Duncan for help in getting his child on the Payton principal’s discretionary admissions list?
“I’ve explained all of the facts. That’s all I’m going to talk about,” he said. “I’ve worked with execs at Chicago Public Schools for decades.”
At that point, the candidate said he had to go
* The Tribune went over much of the same ground in its interview, but was far more kind. The paper did note this factoid near the end of its story, however…
Although Rauner is seeking to portray himself as an outsider, his personal and business interests have brought him in contact with the state’s political power structure.
Government pension funds, including the financially beleaguered ones in Illinois, are a major source of capital for GTCR, a private equity firm co-founded by Rauner that declares on its website that it has invested $10 billion in more than 200 companies over more than three decades.
Among those investments was a high-profile deal for an alarm company brokered by then-investment banker Rahm Emanuel more than a decade before he became mayor. GTCR under Rauner bought SecurityLink for $479 million from SBC and flipped it to another buyer six months later for a price of $1 billion.
Rauner has since served as an unofficial adviser to the Democratic mayor and has said he regularly speaks with Emanuel. One key area of agreement is support for charter schools and criticism of the Chicago Teachers Union.
* Rauner also told Crain’s about his Reganesque tax idea…
Mr. Rauner said details of a tax-overhaul plan are being developed by a team of financial advisers he declined to name but said the Illinois sales, property, income and estate taxes all should be on the table. For the state to be economically competitive, “The critical thing is that we have to reduce the tax burden.” That means rates would go down and revenue initially would fall below today’s level, but revenue would rise as lower taxes spurred more economic growth, he said.
We had sluggish growth even with the lower rates, so I’m not sure if that’ll work. Workers’ comp needs to be addressed first, in my opinion. But that’s not very sexy.
* Rauner talked pensions with the SJ-R…
“We need very dramatic change, and we need to go beyond what was proposed in the legislative session,” where fixes put forth include cuts to cost-of-living increases and increased contributions by employees, he said.
“What we need to say is, look, from this day going forward, for our current employees and future employees, we need a new system, a different system, one that’s really focused on (a) defined contribution plan, rather than a defined benefit,” he said. “But we can offer a range of options.”
Among those options would be a 401(k)-style plan, he said, with employers contributing to an employee’s savings. He also said there could be a blend of plans and even a defined benefit plan — one that makes specified payments to retirees. But, he said, it would be under “a very different structure and economics than what’s been done historically, and it’s going to be affordable and sustainable.”
“Right now, the system is broke, and honest, hardworking retirees are not going to get their pensions (in) 20 years,” he said. He said he would outline a “very detailed” pension plan later, and it would protect benefits that retirees and current employees have earned to date.
* And Kass asked him about the Madigan family…
Rauner targeted Madigan, the chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party, and the boss’ daughter, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
He said that “it would be terrible” for Illinois if Boss Madigan installed his daughter in the governor’s mansion.
“I firmly hope and believe that voters in Illinois would never tolerate that,” Rauner said. “And I would aggressively run against that. That would be terrible for us. I don’t want to talk about any specific person today, as a candidate or potential candidate. What I want to change — and I’m on a mission to do it — is change the culture and inside dealing and the perpetuation of that structure in Springfield. And more of that (Madigan) family, more of the existing career politicians, is status quo and that’s killing us.”
Thoughts?
…Adding… ABC7…
“I’m the kind of guy who walks parades, shakes hands and looks people in the eye,” Rutherford said. “I do understand he’s a billionaire from Chicago. And perhaps his approach in how you communicate with individuals in a campaign circuit is different than mine.”
“It doesn’t, why does that matter? I’m very successful in business. I know how to build companies,” Rauner said when asked if he were a billionaire.
- Mouthy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:32 am:
“Mr. Rauner said details of a tax-overhaul plan are being developed by a team of financial advisers he declined to name but said the Illinois sales, property, income and estate taxes all should be on the table. For the state to be economically competitive, “The critical thing is that we have to reduce the tax burden.” That means rates would go down and revenue initially would fall below today’s level, but revenue would rise as lower taxes spurred more economic growth, he said.”
Looks like the ole’ trickle down theory to me. Something you’d expect from a rich guy…
- AFSCME Steward - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:34 am:
Interesting. Call a press conference, but your schedule doesn’t allow time for the presser. Lame, lame, lame.
“In an interview with the Chicago Sun-Times, a Rauner aide cut off the questioning, citing scheduling issues when a reporter attempted to pin down Rauner on whether he personally supports same-sex marriage.”
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:37 am:
===“I advocated for my kids as I always have . . . calling in to get on the principal’s discretion list, as hundreds of other parents did,” ===
1) Did any of those “hundreds” have to move … from Wilmette?
2) Did ya call the Principal, the Principal & Arne Duncan, only just Arne Duncan?
3) “Clouting” your Daughter is “acceptable, considering you did not LIVE in Chicago, and made a point to gain “residence” in Chicago AFTER …remember …AFTER … your Daughter was DENIED enterance?
4) What is the “timeline” of “residence”, Condo ownership, DENIAL,… and acceptence?
5) Of those “hundreds” you cite that you did the same as those parents, how many were like you, and did NOT have a Chicago residence?
6) Living in Winnetka, and having New Trier as your Public High School, what do you tell all the parents, and the voters, about denying another child the cance at Payton Prep, because New Trier isn’t good enough for your Daughter to attend, and even after her DENIAL?
7) Can you be a “Man of the People” and still Clout your Daughter into Payton Prep?
8)Do you really think …===“I’ve explained all of the facts. That’s all I’m going to talk about,” he said. “I’ve worked with execs at Chicago Public Schools for decades.”=== is enough of an explanation that voters deserve? Why?
10) Finally, As you attack the Teachers Union, and there is plenty to start and continue a LONG discussion on reforms. Do you think your personal credibility is not only questionable, but but downright hypocritical, considering Payton Prep is a Chicago Public School, and Further, do you feel by Clouting your Daughter, you denied …DENIED a child that could use that assistance that Payton Prep can give to someone WORHTY, like a child who was on the “Wait List” only to be passed over by YOUR Daughter, denying the Child a chance at a better school?
- wndycty - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:38 am:
“He said that “it would be terrible” for Illinois if Boss Madigan installed his daughter in the governor’s mansion.”
If Lisa wins the Governor’s mansion she will not be “installed,” she’d be elected. I wonder if Kass chose to use the word “installed” or if that is what Rauner said. I’m no fan of Lisa or the Speaker but this language is crazy.
- In 630 - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:39 am:
I’m no expert but stories noting abrupt ends to interviews when the questions get uncomfortable aren’t what you want from a campaign launch.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:40 am:
–“My view is irrelevant,” Rauner said. “Why does that matter?”
Why don’t we leave it at that and move on?
The guy is not ready for prime time. If he can’t handle obvious questions from the press, his primary opponents are going to rip him to shreds.
The Mr. Outsider routine is hilarious. Who convinced him that he could sell that?
- steve schnorf - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:41 am:
Let’s be honest here: we are not generally oppressed by a heavy tax burden in Illinois. On average our total burden of state and local taxes is moderate to low, even including the recent income tax increase. Because our tax system in Illinois is quite regressive, people of low and moderate incomes may in fact suffer from an oppressive burden, At the upper end of the income scale(Bruce Rauner) the burden is far from oppressive. We should be wary of people who play fast and loose with facts.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:41 am:
Fell off …
9) As you are crusading for better schools, and living in Winnetka, at what point did you think, “My Daughter needs to be in the Chicago School System,” and why Payton Prep? Because it’s the best school in the state, and trying to help CHICAGO students needing the best opportunity to advance, so “Why NOT my Daughter?”
- Downstater - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:42 am:
Rauner has no chance of getting the Republican nomination. He thinks running for Governor is like running private business. There is absolutely no comparison.
This roll-out shows he is a minor leaguer in the world of big league politics.
- Mama - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:46 am:
I can only pray the voters see thru Mr Rauner as well as Rich & Willy when it comes time to vote for a new governor. Lord help all IL teachers and state workers/ retirees if Mr Rauner wins the governorship.
- Joan P. - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:46 am:
I’m really, really tired of people who think that running a business qualifies them to run a state (or city, or country). It’s not the same thing by a long shot. For one, you actually have to SHARE power. And you can’t fire Mike Madigan when he doesn’t return your calls.
- AFSCME Steward - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:47 am:
These wealthy tax deadbeats always beat the same drum. The solution to every problem is a tax cut. Maybe if the millionaires & billionaires payed their fair share, like the rest of us do, we wouldn’t be in this boat. What needs to be reformed are all the tax dodges these guys work to skimp on what they really owe. I am still trying to figure out how a state that is broke can somehow be better off with less income. If this trickle down nonsense really works, lets eliminate all taxes. The economic growth would be out of this world. The pension mess and all of the past due bills could be paid in weeks.
Illinois needs a leader with real answers, not the same old pandering rhetoric we keep hearing. The dems want to start new expensive programs we can’t afford. The GOP proposes revenue reductions as the solution for everything. Spending needs to be looked at, but revenue reduction will not solve the states financial problems. There has to be real solutions to get us out of this mess. So far Mr Rauner is saying nothing new, just pandering to the GOP base.
“Mr. Rauner said details of a tax-overhaul plan are being developed by a team of financial advisers he declined to name but said the Illinois sales, property, income and estate taxes all should be on the table. For the state to be economically competitive, “The critical thing is that we have to reduce the tax burden.” That means rates would go down and revenue initially would fall below today’s level, but revenue would rise as lower taxes spurred more economic growth, he said.”
- RNUG Fan - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:47 am:
http://www.aft.org/newspubs/news/2013/041813assetmanagers.cfm
The Trib stumbled into the big story He is an utter hypocrite on the pension issue I guess its I am done exploiting lest just destroy it.
AFT needs to look at some of their political contributions too. If you are stupid enough to try to destroy in any way the source of the money you claim to want to mange you are too stupid to get the job or keep it
Rauner proves it with his terrible record of bad investments
I think the guy is cynically betting that no one is really paying much attention to the MSM anymore and I think he may be right
That said they all want to destroy state government do He is still my candidate because why not go for the most absurd of a really bad bunch of choices
- Frank F. - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:49 am:
Interesting reading the top columnists at each Chicago paper cover the Rauner role out. Kass implies AFSCME and Madigan are politically aligned…showing he’s absolutely clueless about Springfield. Brown, who actually bothers to visit the Capitol once in a while and do some reporting gets things right.
Kass keeps going back to his 1997 political tip sheet. Get out of your office and radio studio and do some work!
- Quinn T. Sential - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:54 am:
I’m thinking that he should consult with Oberweis’s finanvialadvisor. On second thought; maybe he did already.
- cassandra - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:54 am:
I think four years of Rauner would be entertaining and refreshing, especially if the alternative is Pat Quinn.
Nevertheless, he needs to do better polling, something he certainly can afford. For example, he seems to believe that there is a great wave of anti-public union sentiment out there in Illinois. I question that. Of course Mitt Romney could have done more sophisticated polling, too, and he didn’t. The Republicans need to move into the 21st century, but they seem stuck in the 20th, the 19th in some cases.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:58 am:
Once upon a time, the shenanigans involving Rauner’s “clouting” of his unqualified daughter into Payton Prep, among other hypocrisies, would have set John Kass into full-on frothing-at-the-mouth mode. But his fawning over Rauner as if he was the second coming proves that once Kass is all in, he remains all in.
- too obvious - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:00 am:
Amateur night.
BTW, Mike Madigan obviously can’t be so bad because the IL GOP just installed a new chair who has thrown lots of money at Madigan and his caucus over the years, and Rauner has not said a peep.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:07 am:
What companies did you build, Bruce?
Is this private equity guy really trying to run the Mitt Romney campaign all over again?
- Whatever - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:08 am:
Knome — agreed. The Kass fawning is remarkable.
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:09 am:
–Workers’ comp needs to be addressed first, in my opinion. But that’s not very sexy–
It’s extremely sexy to businesses, most would probably agree to higher tax rates (or tax reform that produces more revenue, which might be better) for lower workers comp costs. That would also increase employment. Jobs are sexy just as long as people see the dots being connected, which would take a lot of work.
- State employee - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:12 am:
Kudos to you, Rich, for proper use of the word “clout.” Up above, Mike Royko is smiling.
- biased observer - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:14 am:
this is the roll out of Rauner trying to be the chris Christie of Illinois. it will be interesting to see how it goes. I question his ability to win, but his laser like focus on certain issues (fiscal improvement, tax reform, pension reform, public union control of Illinois govt) will be a positive in the upcoming election cycle. it will be interesting to see how the other candidates react to the increased scrutiny on these issues.
- Lancelot - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:17 am:
The school thing is a non-issue really. Does it jeopardize his winning the Chicago vote? Um, he’s not going to win the Chicago vote. Will Suburban voters care what he did for his child’s education? Probably not at all.
Even though I think it’s a non-issue, I do think a great campaign commercial would be a Disneyland-esque wealthy people cutting lines comparison to the school issue.
- cassandra - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:23 am:
Sounds like Rauner’s approach to the pensions might be to freeze them for current employees and restructure them, perhaps into defined contribution plans?, for new employees and current employees going forward. This is what many corporations have done.
Interesting that this approach has gotten very little play in recent pension negotiations even though some believe it is constitutional as long as current retirees are not affected.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:24 am:
@Lancelot =Even though I think it’s a non-issue=
I think you miss the point….how can you be a reformist outsider when you use your connections to Arne Duncan to clout your suburbanite, unqualified daughter into an elite prep school, thus denying a qualified Chicagoan a spot? It may not play in Chicago but to this educated voter, it’s pathetic.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:27 am:
===The school thing is a non-issue really.===
Yikes!
The “Outsider”, the “Man of the People”, the “Just like you” Bruce Rauner has his Daughter, from the New Trier School Distirct, and not…NOT … a Chicago resident … DENY …deny a child from Chicago a chance to go to the #1 School in the state of Illinois, especially after Rauner’s Daughter was Denied …
She. Was. Denied.
After the denial, a “call” a “Clout” call, to get his Daughter IN the school, where she doesn’t live, ETHICALLY, and where she has been already denied?
And you don’t think this is relevent or, “is a non-issue”?
You don’t need to have kids to realize Bruce Rauner is an “Insider” willing to deny kids less fortunate then his kids, and thinks NOTHING of it.
All the while ….”Man of the People”, “Milking Cows”, “Just like you”.
Pretty embarrasing thought on the Payton Prep Clouting and thinking its a “non-issue”. It goes… directly … to the core of a man, Bruce Rauner … who is entitled, who is hypoctical, and is out of touch with how “real people” live.
- Nick - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:29 am:
I thought the Republicans claim to be all about the constitution. How does Rauner’s team still not know that Illinois doesn’t have binding referendum? That is what concerns me most about this.
- biased observer - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:33 am:
can you really criticize a parent for doing everything he or she can to get them into the best possible school? happens all the time, and that is what I will do for my children and really it isn’t anyone else’s business.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:38 am:
@bo - The referendum copout on ssm is similar to christie besides the union bashing. But in personality and biography and bad media management this is the roll out of rauner as the new mitt romney.
@lancelot - even if suburban/downstate gop voters were to ignore the hypocrisy or didn’t care about chicago kids being disadvantaged, any story that brings attention to rauners ties to arne duncan and rahm is a negative in a gop primary.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:38 am:
===can you really criticize a parent for doing everything he or she can to get them into the best possible school?===
lol.
“I will buy a Condo in Chicago. Yes. Don’t worry about being denied entry, I will call Arne Duncan, you will get in.”
Further,
Are you running for governor, - biased observer -? Are you running for governor, - biased observer - as an “Outsider” trying to “clean up Illinois”? Are you running for governor, - biased observer -, claiming to be ethical?
It IS a big deal, considering WHO it is, HOW they are running, and the FACT that Bruce Rauner refuses to talk about it, speaks ….VOLUMES … how sleazy the “clouting” was, and how Hypocritical Bruce Rauner … IS.
- Knome Sane - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:40 am:
@biased observer =can you really criticize a parent for doing everything he or she can to get them into the best possible school?=
Yes.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:41 am:
@bo - when that person runs for office and is seeking public trust and power, yeah you can criticize him for using his money and influence to get special favors because that may be an indication he would use the public trust/power to benefit himself personally too.
- Jeff Park Mom - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:44 am:
I’m with Willy. To enroll a kid in school CPS requires that you live in Chicago, not just own property: http://policy.cps.k12.il.us/documents/702.1.pdf
Rauner engaged not just in clout but in fraud, and to what end - to save his child from having to attend only the 12th best high school in the state? As a CPS parent of a soon to be 7th grader, let me tell you Paytongate is HOT among Chicago parents! Refusing to talk about it isn’t going to cut it.
- foster brooks - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:47 am:
How did he build those businesses by cutting employees and benefits and outsourcing labor to 3rd world countries. Sounds anti-american to me.
- Susiejones - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:57 am:
I am so tired of rich businessmen trying to buy the Illinois elections. Rauner is not ready for this and should go back to his condo in Chicago and leave us alone!
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 10:58 am:
===Rauner is not ready for this and should go back to his condo in Chicago and leave us alone! ===
It’s a free country. And you’ll have an opportunity to make your opinion heard next March.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:09 am:
I want Rauner to run, I want them ALL to run. I want NO excuses when we have a Nominee, and all the Candidates who ran, must support the winner the best they can to get the Mansion back.
As for Rauner, not talking, not having a “fly-around”, picking and choosing how RAUNER’S CAMP thinks should go will be a death nail.
Peter Fitzgerald hid. Hid behind Ads, and his money and ran a campaign perfect for a one-on-one race for the Primary, and the type of race for a one-on-one race against Carol Mosely Braun, who everyone was “done with”.
Rauner is going to face the Harsh, Bright, White-Hot, spotlight… and we are going to see everything …Warts… and all.
Run “Payton Clouter”, run… run as the “Outsider”, the “Man of the People”… even have the 2013 model of John Kass fawn all over you…
Can’t unring a bell, no matter how many calls you make to Arne Duncan.
- Lancelot - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:10 am:
I still don’t see this issue changing the minds of people in a GOP primary. Chicago parents can be as mad as they want about this, but Chicago is not really a target vote market.
I get Oswego Willy’s and other’s points that he may have trouble claiming to be an outsider, but if you’re basing your decision on whom to support on “outsiderness,” what are you going to do? Vote for Rutherford? Vote for Dillard?
Outside of a highly informed voter, who reads the comment sections on Capfax, most people won’t give a hoot where his kid went to school.
- Lancelot - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:17 am:
Or how they got into that school.
- House of Pain - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:20 am:
Rauner for Governor…zzzzzzzz
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:21 am:
===I still don’t see this issue changing the minds of people in a GOP primary.===
Integrity.
Calling on Obama’s, now, Education Secretary, a Democrat, Arne Duncan, a Daley appointee, so his New Trier Daughter can get into Payton Prep, after being DENIED?
Lots of Democrats helping with the “clouting” there…
When Dillard and Rutherford claim to be an “Outsider”, then I will take to that …
Bruce Rauner CLAIMS to be an outsider, but is an “Insider” denying kids a better education, and using Democrats to help his Daughter, who was denied on her merits, while living in the New Trier school district. People care. If they didn’t care Bruce Rauner would talk about it, heck even take Open Press questions, and not leave due to scheduling.
Republicans care …
===…most people won’t give a hoot where his kid went to school.===
They will. Anre Duncan. Daley Appointee. Obama Cabinet Secretary. Clout. Not from Chicago. Denied entrance.
People in a GOP Primary … will care.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 11:52 am:
So in regards to his views on ssm, bruce says: why does that matter?
So in regards to his financial status, bruce says: why does that matter?
So in regards to his cps clouting scandal, bruce’s supporters say, why does that matter?
I think we have the new bruce rauner slogan, folks.
- Lancelot - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:00 pm:
Unofficial Rauner Talking Points Memo:
Q: How much money do you have?
Response 1: Not enough to save this State from Financial Collapse.
Response 2: Whose asking, the Democrats? Is there a new plan to tax it away from me?
Response 3: I’m going to have a lot less if the Democrats keep increasing our taxes to pay for pensions.
Response 4: I have $600 million dollars. Here are my tax returns.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:05 pm:
===Response 4: I have $600 million dollars. Here are my tax returns.===
That is the Corrcet Answer.
BTW, those tax returns have an “address” area… wonder if they have that Chicago Adress on there …
Hmmm.
- votecounter - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:16 pm:
willie
you and I don’t agree often except the importance of field organization. I am stunned with Rauners amateurish announcement! I know everyone does a big presser for announcing and a fly around and Rauner wants to different; but there are reasons candidates do these things! You have to show you have an organization and people who can advance for your campaign. It’s not only for the voters to see, it’s to see if your field director has built an organization in the last 3 months that can organize a statewide fly around. Now he looks like a billionaire running on the cheap? (Nothing worse than a cheap billionaire.) Everyone knows you’re rich why pretend? Show voters that this job is important enough for you to use your fortune to win office or “For the People”.
He has to clean house and even then his chances of winning the primary are very low. You only get one chance to introduce yourself and they blew it.
- Cook County Commoner - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:31 pm:
It’s gone now, but Citzens for Rauner ran an ad on the front page of Drudge claiming “Citizen Takes on the Quinn-Madigan Machine.”
- Levois - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:39 pm:
Why suggest a binding referendum if one knows full well that there is no such animal in this state? Not that I support one, but if that’s what Rauner wants why not campaign to bring such an initiative to this state?
- Langhorne - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 12:42 pm:
In order to run as an outsider vs the insiders, your message has to connect w the average joe or joann.
You need the press to help carry that message. They will do that if the message is provocative and workable (keep it simple). Dodging issues doesnt get the job done.
Lacking that, the press will pick him apart, detail by detail
- Demoralized - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:29 pm:
==really it isn’t anyone else’s business==
It is when you make yourself a candidate for Governor. Right or wrong your entire life becomes everybody’s business.
- RNUG Fan - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:40 pm:
Votecounter -Is he that rich. Will he release his tax returns….I am sure he is rich but I would consider rich in Illinois anywhere from 5 million to the top Where is this guy……and of course how he made his money is very relevant but….not to CATs CEO who loves him Hey dems how is all that pander to the superich going for ya…..Anyway few months of this joker may be what we need to make us fond for the disaster we now have ……I miss you George and Jim
- biased observer - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:41 pm:
demoralized,
right, your life becomes everyone’s business. true that.
but that school deal won’t stick. and I can promise you that rauner doesn’t care about this sort of criticism. I wouldn’t.
average voter: “so he did everything he could to get his kid into the best educational system possible? Sounds like a terrible man.”
doubt it.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:49 pm:
- biased observer -,
I guess “clouting” rich kids won’t have an effect?
Talk about “tone deaf”, and in a GOP Primary, Rauner “Clouts” his daughter to Payton Prep with a Daley appointee, and who is NOW a member of Obama’s Cabinet?
Can’t wish away hubris…Nor can you ignore the press…
BTW, ===I can promise you that rauner doesn’t care about this sort of criticism. I wouldn’t.===
If Rauner didn’t care, Rauner would answer the question of Clouting his Daughter in Payton Prep, and further, Rauner knows answering it, people WILL care how he did it.
Otherwise, if Rauner was like you, he would answer.
Dopey way to wish it away….
- Arthur Andersen - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 2:56 pm:
Willy, and you wonder why I can’t get that meeting scheduled.
To the post, this just looks like a train wreck soon to happen. All the dough in the world can’t overcome this level of arrogance and/or ineptitude.
I think it’s a safe bet that the general electorate will be well briefed on “Paytongate” long before the Primary.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 3:04 pm:
- Arthur Andersen -,
I am trying to help… I think(?)
To the Post,
The “Payton-Gate Clouting Scandal” is going to have legs, be in Ads, and could be as bad as “Jack!” …”Nothing in the files” mantra led to unsealing, the “I am not going to talk about it”, will lead to the timeline, the Condo timetable, Tax Returns and offical residences …
Any campaign worth their “salt”, would hammer away at the “Payton Prep Clouter” Bruce Rauner.
Did that help - Arthur Anderson -? Maybe you and -wordslinger - need to have an “intervention” if this Rauner client thing is going to fly. We know Rauner doesn’t mind hypocricy.
- walkinfool - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 4:08 pm:
OK, now that Rauner’s actually said something substantive about taxes, pensions, and spending, he comes across as a shallow, doctrinaire right-winger on economics and government — which means to me he doesn’t comprehend reality.
Was hoping for better.
- In 630 - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 4:28 pm:
The Payton Prep story is him gaming the system. That offends most people’s sense of basic fairness and will be seen as a warning about his character.
To most people doing what you can for your kids is about taking on a little bigger mortgage payment so your kid will be at York instead of Addison Trail or OPRF instead of anywhere else in western Cook. It’s not calling the head of CPS, who you know, so your kid can you from one high end school instead of another.
- Rod - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 5:26 pm:
Frank F, Knome Sane were on the money this morning in relation to Kass and his big time touting of Rauner. Rich’s post brought back my reading of Kass and his obsession with the Game of Thrones and his pointless analogies to that show in repeated articles.
Really once Kass lost having Mayor Daley to attack he had to move on to the Speaker. Kass makes his living by turning our very troubled state into a fantasy world of the absurd. While I will admit that on occasion Kass and his cynicism can create a laugh, he has become just too over the top. Kass loves corruption, Kass loves inside deal making, Kass loves nepotism, it keeps him employed. Possibly he thinks Rauner could give him all of that and more if he were elected. I will take Boss Madigan eating his salad at Saputo’s any day before watching Rauner ride his Harley around the Governor’s Mansion.
- Juvenal - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 6:13 pm:
Rauner is doomed. George Ryan was the last successful candidate to say one thing one day in one part of the state and say the opposite the next.
You cannot legitimately criticize Lisa Madigan’s family ties when you clouted your own kid into Payton Prep. And the “everybody does it” argument doesn’t hold up. Maybe everybody would do it if they could, but not everybody has Arne Duncan on speed dial.
Rauner is going to fall off the map with Blair Hull, but not until all of the consultants get fed.
- votecounter - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:38 pm:
Juvenal
You mean he’s paying for this advice now!!! From who? High school poly sci 101 students? (with c-’s)
- votecounter - Thursday, Jun 6, 13 @ 9:47 pm:
Rnug
I was told by a banker friend that Rauner would be at the TOP. you posted ‘from 5 million to the top”.
Insert amount…..