These guys are everywhere
Thursday, Oct 17, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* So, I’ve been listening to the Joe Walsh interview of Bruce Rauner while I was looking for other stories to post and heard something quite interesting. Walsh’s show is sponsored by the Illinois Policy Institute.
They have their own columnist, their own news service, their own “think tank,” tons of Statehouse lobbyists and now they’re sponsoring Joe Walsh’s radio program. “Ubiquitous” is a word that comes to mind.
…Adding… From Joe Walsh…
RIch,
clarification: the Illinois Policy Institute is not a sponsor of the Joe Walsh show.
They are only sponsoring the October Governor Candidate Townhall Series.
thanks,
Joe
* In reality, though, Walsh’s interview was by far the best, most comprehensive I’ve ever heard of Bruce Rauner. He’s actually quite good at this. I’m now a fan. No joke. Listen to the show yourself…
* More Rauner info from the Walsh interview…
* “I’m going to prosecute corruption wherever possible,” Rauner pledged. “I’m going to try and create an office of a special prosecutor purely to go after self-dealing and conflicts of interest in state government. They will be very busy in that role.”
* Former state Sen. James Meeks, a prominent African-American minister, is “helping” Rauner and “advising” him, the candidate claimed.
* Rauner said he would veto a gay marriage bill unless voters approve it during a referendum. He refused to say where he stood on the issue, saying he thought the people should decide.
* Rauner said he will address the crime problem in three ways: “Creating a boom economy in Illinois,” improving schools with charters and vouchers, and transforming the budgets at the state local levels. “We’ve got to take on the government union bosses that are bankrupting our governments and making them spend too much so we can afford to hire more police officers.”
At least he stays on message. Later, though, he said he wanted a “special deal” for police officers to spare them from pension cuts.
* The candidate pledged to reverse Rod Blagojevich’s executive order establishing “card check” union elections.
* He said he opposes legalizing marijuana, calling it a “slippery slope” to drug addiction.
* On abortion: “I do support a woman’s ability to decide early in pregnancy, but I would also support ways to make abortion safe and rare. I support parental notification, late term restricts, I would certainly advocate for adoption as a far, far better alternative.”
* On his Republican primary opponents: “I am fundamentally a different person. They are all career politicians who’ve been in Springfield for decades, every one of them. They all take government union money. They all are in the pension system. I don’t know how many of your listeners have seen what the legislators get in their pensions. It’s outrageous. It’s overly generous. It’s unfair. Nobody should be in that system, it should be a 401(k) system. None of them have been leaders. I’ve been a leader in everything I’ve ever done. I drive results. I’m financially independent, I can stand up to the corrupt interests in Springfield and I’m the only one who can get it done.”
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 10:44 am:
A special prosecutor operating out of the governor’s office? Has this guy ever read the Constitution?
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 10:46 am:
“Rauner said he would veto a gay marriage bill unless voters approve it during a referendum. He refused to say where he stood on the issue, saying he thought the people should decide.”
There’s decisive leadership for you. How long is he going to be able to keep this dodge up?
- ChicagoR - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 10:50 am:
I don’t get why he keeps insisting on a referendum on gay marriage, given that Illinois isn’t governed that way. Promising to veto that bill makes him unpalatable to many who would like to vote for a fiscal conservative/social moderate.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 10:51 am:
yep, he’ll do all of this all by himself…and he’ll wear his special cape and use all his superpowers…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 10:55 am:
@FakeBruceRauner - On my first day in office, I will ignore my Oath, and just forget about tha pesky Constitution. Always. Try and stop me! #DontThinkJustYap
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:00 am:
Not a good idea for the police get special pension treatment. That violation of the equal protection clause would provide the perfect case to get out of the State courts and into the Federal system.
- grand old partisan - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:00 am:
Very interesting interview. And kudos to Rich for pointing out the surprising truth about Walsh’s skill in this format. I’d never support him for office, and his rants are pretty tiresome, but I’d listen to his show again if/when he does more interviews like this.
This interview highlights many of the reasons I am still generally undecided in this race, and about Rauner specifically. I think he, like many previous businessmen turned first-time candidate – is naive to think that they can “run government like a business.” And Rauner is decidedly not the “outsider” he claims to be. But there is something to be said about the futility of, as the saying goes, ‘re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.’ I think Dillard/Brady/Rutherford would each be a vast improvement over Quinn, but I think Rauner is right to question the extent to which any of them could be the “change agent” our state needs right now.
At this point, it remains to be seen whether Rauner will be more like Blair Hull or Jack Ryan (without the messy personal stuff) or, to look outside our state – someone in the mold of Rick Snyder in Michigan.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:04 am:
“Joe, great question. When my family and I were vacationing with Rahm we talked about that …”
- Just Observing - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:05 am:
=== He said he opposes legalizing marijuana, calling it a “slippery slope” to drug addiction. ===
Now he really lost my vote.
- Just Observing - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:07 am:
=== A special prosecutor operating out of the governor’s office? Has this guy ever read the Constitution? ===
@WordSlinger — He said he will TRY to create a special prosecutor. When he miserably fails, you can’t say he didn’t “try”.
- Norseman - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:10 am:
So Raunerbo will veto a gay marriage bill until the voters approve it by referendum.
Illinois voters can’t approve a gay marriage provision by referendum. They can vote on an advisory referendum. Is he saying that he’ll veto a bill, then ask for public opinion and if ok introduce a bill to create gay marriage. Not a very cost efficient action by Mr. Businessman.
- veritas - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:12 am:
Why does Bruce want to expand charter schools when there is no evidence that charter schools are effective?
- Downstate Illinois - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:12 am:
RNUG, police and firefighters get special treatment almost everywhere.
ChicagoR, coming from that rare frozen atmosphere alongside Lake Michigan, you may not realize that redefining a 5,000 year-old definition of marriage is just a bit controversial. It’s outrageous that in some states (like Mass.) courts have taken it upon themselves to create new law on their own. It should be the legislature’s role at the very least. I see no reason not to allow a referendum though and let the people decide. We do allow the people to vote on constitutional amendments, and they are quite competent enough to vote on local referendums. Gay marriage would either redefine marriage or destroy the institution of marriage, depending on your point of view. Truly, that is above my legislators’ pay grade.
Wordslinger, based on the quote above Rauner doesn’t say he’s going to create the office of special prosecutor in the governor’s office itself.
We should need such an office if the Attorney-General did their work. The trouble is Lisa just doesn’t want to go after anyone higher than a local government official in a county far, far away from her base in Chicago.
What Rauner could do as governor is clean house in state police and reassign highway patrolman to investigations. Far too often the more people learn more about state police investigations the less impressed they are about the entire organization.
- Obama's Puppy - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:17 am:
Yeah school districts pay to much for teachers, That is a great way to attract the best and the brightest. Take a look at the “special deal” Walker cut for cops, he now wants to put them in the same plan as the teachers. The playbook has been written this is not new stuff. Who is bankrupting Illinois is this blowhards buddies who pay for these campaigns to convince people who they have taken advantage of that the unions are the problem. When in truth the unions are the only way to fight these millionaire wanna bes.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:19 am:
===I see no reason not to allow a referendum though and let the people decide.===
Except for the fact that isnot how we do things in Illinois Government. Just saying.
===We should need such an office if the Attorney-General did their work. The trouble is Lisa just doesn’t want to go after anyone higher than a local government official in a county far, far away from her base in Chicago.===
Please, learn about the Office of the Attorney General. Jim Ryan, Joe Birkett when he ran, the “other guy” that ran against Lisa, the “new and improved” Steve Kim …
It just seems everyone …everyone … running for the AG spot is a bit clueless to the job discription, and if/then they become the incumbent, there is a “learning curve” to the voters as to “why” something is/isn’t done.
- ChicagoR - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:27 am:
“Gay marriage would either redefine marriage or destroy the institution of marriage, depending on your point of view.”
Or neither. From my point of view, it would just make me a citizen equal to you.
- Hais - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:32 am:
Who Said Quinn is the Luckiest Politician alive? I never thought anything or any body could get me to vote for Quinn again. You sure he isn’t being financed by the Quinn campaign? WOW!
- wordslinger - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:33 am:
– “I’m going to prosecute corruption wherever possible,” –
DI, when he says that, isn’t it safe to presume that the special prosecutor would be in his office?
- Truthteller - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:35 am:
A majority showing of interest through card check was not established through an executive order. I t was passed into law. The last time I looked, a governor couldn’t repeal a law. Maybe we’ll need a special prosecutor if Rauner repeals the law.
- shore - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:39 am:
It was never the passion, earnestness, energy, or charisma that were the issue with Walsh it was the ability to exert self control and to harness it in a positive way for his career that were his challenges. That and his personal finances. Somewhat reminds of Al Sharpton 20 years ago versus al sharpton the presidential candidate and al sharpton the tv host.
- reformer - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:47 am:
== I’m going to prosecute corruption ==
The way he did by hiring Stu Levine?
- Just Me - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 11:59 am:
Re marriage: yes, we should let all controversial decisions be done by referendum. Yeah, that’s the ticket!!
And history has shown that the public is always great about granting civil rights to minority groups.
- reformer - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:04 pm:
== improving schools with charters ==
What about UNO, the state’s largest charter operator? (Too bad Joe didn’t bring up that one.)
- Timmeh - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:04 pm:
===I see no reason not to allow a referendum though and let the people decide.===
Seeing how the influx of money from outside sources and political tension affects other states, I’d rather just have our elected representatives do it. After all, it is their job to pass laws.
- frustrated GOP - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:05 pm:
Ok, on Pension, so he wants a 401(k) system so investment firms can make more money managing pension funds? Just saying, retirement benefits aren’t the only reason we are in this shape. He did hire people to get state business to take a fee to invest. How did the State do with those investments versus his fee?
- Tsavo - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:07 pm:
Are not Judges getting special treatment by being exempt from pension reform? Didn’t California just exclude transit workers from pension reform?
Why would it be different for Police Officers to get a “special deal”?
- A guy... - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:19 pm:
This really is a good interview. Worth listening to. Rich, can you post all of them as they become available i.e. the next two?
- qcexaminer - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:20 pm:
This is what will resonate to those not in the CapFax Bubble:
“I can’t be intimidated or bribed, I don’t need a job…And I don’t want a political career…[Madigan] dealt with career politicians who need favors, who need money, who are worried about re-election. That ain’t me.”
Poll after poll as indicated that the majority thinks the establishment politicians don’t represent their values or interests and are completely fed-up with both parties being in the of special interests rather than doing what is best for the people.
Rauner is a newby and it might be he can’t successfully tap into this restlessness in the electorate, but if he can—whoa!
I also thought his comments nicely dovetailed with the speech Obama gave for his little victory dance yesterday:
“But all my friends in Congress understand how business is done in this town needs to change…all of us need to stop focusing on the lobbyists and bloggers and the talking heads on radio and the professional activists…”
Of course Obama is hypocrisy on steroids, but the message is the same as Rauners—time to change business as usual in DC—and Springfield.
I know many here benefit from the Springfield status quo, which is why so many froth at the mouth at the mere mention of his name. However, it might be that those who DON’T benefit might be willing listeners to his message.
Hope! Change! Rauner! lol
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 12:50 pm:
Rauner said he would veto a gay marriage bill unless voters approve it during a referendum. He refused to say where he stood on the issue, saying he thought the people should decide. HEY GOVERNOR…you get 60 days to sign or veto, so if your standard is to have a voter referendum on every controversial vote, better start getting things on the ballot today…just sayin’.
- Wallinger Dickus - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:02 pm:
Hey Downstate Illinois.
Check out the law. The state police were created to patrol highways and provide safety and security for motorists, not to bust crime.
Crime prevention and investigation/arrest is largely the responsibility of local law enforcement agencies. The Edgar Hoovers and Richard Nixons of the nation would like to assume all the law-and-order authority so we can homogenize under their umbrella.
Oh, and the attorney general is the public’s civil lawyer. Again, you’re confusing state’s attorneys with the attorney for the state.
- Just Observing - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:04 pm:
=== redefining a 5,000 year-old definition of marriage is just a bit controversial. ===
Of course you want to conveniently disregard the long history (and still practiced) custom of polygamy and even child brides? Do you not find it problematic that government here has redefined marriage by outlawing those two facets?
- In the know - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:24 pm:
wordslinger, DI et al.
The constitution establishes the elected state’s attorneys of each county with general prosecutorial powers, not the AG. In fact, the AG has only limited grand jury authority and is not considered to have concurrent jurisdiction. ALL prosecutorial authority is vested (for violations of Illinois law) within the offices of Attorney General or State’s Attorney. Rauner may establish a special “investigator” under his office, but that investigator would have no constitutional authority to walk into court to prosecutor anybody for anything. Now if he adds that to his constitutional amendment…..
- Demoralized - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:29 pm:
==It’s outrageous that in some states (like Mass.) courts have taken it upon themselves to create new law on their own.==
It’s outrageous that a Court would uphold the Constitution? I thought that was there job. I guess in your world people’s rights need to be voted on.
==Gay marriage would either redefine marriage or destroy the institution of marriage, depending on your point of view.==
What are some of you so afraid of? I’ve offered money to anybody that can tell me how marriage will be destroyed if gay marriage is allowed. Nobody has yet and I’m fairly confident they won’t be able to. Destroy marriage? That is laughable.
==We should need such an office if the Attorney-General did their work. ==
Do some research on the role of the Attorney General and then get back to us when you have sufficiently educated yourself. Thanks.
==Far too often the more people learn more about state police investigations the less impressed they are about the entire organization. ==
If you have evidence then please, by all means, provide it. I suspect you would rather drop drive by dopey accusations like this one though.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:30 pm:
The IPI should be prohibited from using the term “non-partisan” when describing their organization. They aren’t even trying to hide what they are.
- jim - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:42 pm:
glad to hear that Joe did a serious interview. Maybe he’s found a niche. I’m pleasantly surprised given his proclivity for unserious pronouncements from time to time.
- Siriusly - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:54 pm:
Nice one J.O.
I just finished listening to the Walsh Policy Institute interview. The comments about common core standards being a “federal government takeover of our schools” and anti-high speed rail are total red meat pandering.
I thought he was supposed to be the education guy? And he is still “looking into” the common core? He doesn’t understand it yet? Trying to sound uneducated for the voters Bruce?
He hangs out with the U of C education reform professors. He should not pretend as if he does not understand what the common core standards are. Phoney baloney!
- AlphaBettor - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 1:58 pm:
Rauner would be a parody of a 1%-er if he weren’t real.
- RNUG - Thursday, Oct 17, 13 @ 10:10 pm:
Even though there were some softball questions, I’ll also add that Rauner is very good at staying on message, spouting his talking points, and coming back to his message over and over. He talks a good game.
- rj chicago - Friday, Oct 18, 13 @ 10:16 am:
Oswego -
You are correct in regards to Rauner and his vacation buddy Rahm. I would not trust this guy for all the tea in China. Hangin with Rahm….would you trust a man like this? Really?
I suspect he is yet another RINO!!!
- Bill_Baar - Friday, Oct 18, 13 @ 12:45 pm:
Walsh did a good intreview with Brady the week before and I expect similar good interviews next week with Rutherford and the following with Dillard.
I’ve been annoyed with Rauner’s waffling on SSM and thought he did best in this interview with Walsh. At least he’s committed to a plan on it now.
I think his bigger problem is going to be the Stu Levine relation. I heard Dillard on John and Amy a day or two ago and thought he was devastating with it.
- Bill_Baar - Friday, Oct 18, 13 @ 12:49 pm:
@Siriusly on Common Core and the Red Meat.
I’m hearing Liberal/Progressive friends in Liberal/Progessive communities express disgust with it. It’s not been an issue I’ve followed much but while oppostion may have started among the TP it sounds like the kind of thing that’s going to have broader appeal.