80 Comments - Been There - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:36 am: === I believe you have to be cordial with people in spite of differences.”==== I wonder how cordial he is with Mike Madigan after all the bluster about how he will stand up to him. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:39 am: ===”…I believe those children are being abused by bad schools,” he said.=== Well, Payton Prep Clouter, Bruce Rauner… You, personally, are responsible for a child NOT to have a seat at Payton Prep, because your denied New Trier Living Daughter, needed to be Clouted, and a Condo needed to be bought. It is utterly disgusting to talk about children being “abused” when the Payton Prep Clouter contributed to one child NOT having an opportunity at a better school. You, Bruce Rauner, are not helping. You Payton Prep Clouter, are contributing to, what did you call it? ===”…I believe those children are being abused by bad schools,” he said.=== How pathetic. As for the Ronald Reagan, Tip O’Neil analogy; Let’s be very clear. Did Ronald Reagan make Tip O’Neil a millionaire? Did Ronald Reagan vacation with his family and Tip O’Neil’s family before becoming President of the United States? No. Payton Prep Clouter follows the Reagan Rule of 80%. Too bad PPC’s 80% is with Rahm Emanuel, Rich Daley, Ed Rendell, and Arne Duncan, who made sure the Denied Daughter to a seat … from a ….===”…I believe those children are being abused by bad schools,” he said.=== How Bruce Rauner sleeps, I will never know. - Empty Chair - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:46 am: If I were Quinn I would pick up the phone and call Glenn Tullman and ask for the exact same check. That’s a pretty big slap in the face. - Siriusly - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:47 am: As a bullet point message, the Reagan analogy probably tests well with some GOP voters - but not with the voters he needs to win over. I think he will ultimately fail the GOP purity test and lose the primary. - Bill White - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:49 am: === “The mayors of Chicago control the schools for 400,000 children. I believe those children are being abused by bad schools,” === Paging Diane Ravitch, paging Diane Ravitch . . . - Hit or Miss - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:51 am: “Tullman’s donation, however, flags a different potential Republican primary issue for Rauner, who already has been criticized for being too chummy with Democrats.” In my mind there is yet another potential issue with the donation other than “being too chummy with Democrats.” That other issue is the shear size of the donation. According to the Census ACS 1-year survey, the median household income for Illinois was $55,137 in 2012, the latest figure available. The Tullman donation at $250,000 is about five times as large. - CircularFiringSquad - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:53 am: We wonder is someone is running the search on Allscripts to confirm that CousinBrucey’s “outsider” costume has not been tarnished? - Bill White - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:53 am: Q: What kind of Democrats do you usually have here [in IL]? A: Oh, we got both kinds. We got Quinn Democrats *and* Emmanuel Democrats. Kinda like old two party system in Chicago, where there was the regular Democratic party and the independent Democratic party. - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:58 am: The children of Chicago are being ABUSED by the CPS? Are you flipping kidding me? If that’s the case why did he go to such long lengths to clout his daughter into that abuse? Man that’s such an irresponsible comment. - Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 9:58 am: I wonder how “cordial” Rauner will be with unions, after he trashed them. What does cordial mean to him? Will he shake our hands with one hand while stabbing us with the other? Some of the commenters here and probably elsewhere have his number and called him out, and now he’s trying to backpedal. Perhaps it was Rauner and/or his people trolling here. Good job, commenters! - Soccermom - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:01 am: Willy, this is actually a day late. But in reference to your mention of Spartacus yesterday, I wanted to make sure you saw this…. http://imgur.com/r/thatHappened/530MVdY - PublicServant - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:01 am: So, for that $250,000 contribution, would Mr. Tullman expect anything in return, or was it just his “free” speech drowning out all other free speech while he yells at the top of his 1/10 of 1% lungs via his buddy Bruce? - Johnny Q. Suburban - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:05 am: The GOPers who freak out over Rauner’s connection to Rahm just make me chuckle. I have more than a hunch if you read a list of Rahm’s decisions/positions regarding unions and public schools to those same GOpers without telling them whose ideas they were, they would fall absolutely in love with him. His positions on those issues are pretty darn in line with the GOP! But today’s GOP also is terrified of any perceived connection to Obama, so Rahm’s DOA. But, hey, I guess I shouldn’t complain. Anything that potentially makes it clear to everyone else, even if it is for the wrong reasons, that Rutherford is the best candidate is a-okay with me. - Judgment Day - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:05 am: Rauner is doing the things he absolutely has to accomplish at this point in time: 1) He’s staying on message. 2) He’s successfully marketing himself to the big funders. And by doing so, he’s sending the other candidates a clear message. It’s all about economic policy, not social policy. 3) He’s accomplishing something that’s extremely difficult to accomplish (in either party) - Making it clear (going into a primary) that he’s willing to work (within reason) with the folks in the other party to try and accomplish/resolve various economic issues. Doesn’t mean it will happen, but he’s got a track record that shows he’s open to working across the aisle. 4) He’s making it clear (for a Republican primary) that if you are into divisive social policies, you need to look at the other primary candidates. If the issues are about economics, that’s his focus. And that focus is ’selling’ with the money players. - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:10 am: BTW, noticed Todd Ricketts gave Rauner a donation AFTER that “Double Down” book came out so I guess he thinks Rauner wasn’t the one who betrayed the Ricketts anti-Obama SuperPAC or didn’t care. Also not crazy about all the CBOE exec money going his way. You know they’ll have their hands out for even more taxpayer cash if Rauner gets in. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:11 am: Judgment Day - how has he been “working across the aisle”. He’s been willing to “buy” politicians from both parties, but that’s a lot different that working with them. (Just like buying and selling businesses, a la Romney, is a lot different than managing them, another little fib in his narrative.) - ZC - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:16 am: I don’t usually read them, but Steve Bogira’s feature in the Chicago Reader is worth a perusal, as for this “abused by bad schools” debate: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/public-schools-solution-percentage-low-income-students-test-scores/Content?oid=11526214 . Bogira’s piece makes a well-thought out case that bashing teacher unions is unlikely to result in great gains for current CPS students. (It also undermines the claim that the solution is “local control,” too, but this is a Republican thread). - Norseman - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:17 am: Willy, he sleeps really well on a mattress and pillows stuffed with his excess $$$. To the post, Raunerbo’s Dem coziness won’t be a problem if the other candidates don’t start raising the necessary money to educate the primary voters. It’s pathetic how poorly these candidates are at raising money. They have also been mostly silent. We rarely hear anything about them except for the myriad of Dillard blunders. - Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:17 am: I have an ownership in a small manufacturing company. It has languished for years, never really turning a profit. Out of frustration, I brought in an outsider to develop some fresh ideas. In short, he got things done. He showed us where we were wasting money, and where we could improve. Last year, was the most profitable in a decade. This year, we will double that. We have more employees, who are earning more. We are buying new equipment and expanding our facility. Like that small manufacturing company, I have hope that Illinois can turn things around. But that hope has to reside in leadership to do so. When I think of Quinn, Dillard, Rutherford and Brady, I just don’t get any sense of action, bravery or leadership. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:18 am: Payton Prep Clouter Bruce Rauner said the Chicago school children are being abused(?) Quote: “…I believe those children are being abused by bad schools,” he said. The “he” is Bruce Rauner. Bruce Rauner believes children …are being abused. Abused? I don’t know what the definition of “abuse” is in Winnetka, or what kind of “abuse” is seen when vacationing with Rahm Emanuel at the Montana Ranch, but to… use …the idea of … Child. Abuse. …to make a political …point … My stomach is aching, as I think of all the victims that Bruce Rauner just trivialized with his “use” of child abuse. I say that not flippantly, I say that because of Bruce Rauner, and his very personal role in deniying ONE child a seat. There is a finite number of seats, so a seat “Clouted” is a seat denied, so his daughter, who was denied herself, could be Clouted … not on merit, on a clout call … and then … to go down a road of child abuse? Who are you, Bruce Rauner? What, “real world” do you live in? You, personally, contributed to what you are making a point about. If your daughter couldn’t get into Payton Prep, would her education at New Trier, for example, been “abuse”? This whole discussion of Bruce Rauner, and schools, and reform, … and the utter hypocricy found under his own roof … Bad choice of words, or a complete lack of personal self-awareness, that borders on denial? No, not “that” denial, PPC, of a New Trier Daughter, the denial of who you are, and what you really satnd for as you think … “…I believe those children are being abused by bad schools,” he said. Is that ..an acceptable way to explain away your own denial. Does a …governor … do that? - Chi - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:19 am: “He’s accomplishing something that’s extremely difficult to accomplish (in either party) - Making it clear (going into a primary) that he’s willing to work (within reason) with the folks in the other party to try and accomplish/resolve various economic issues. Doesn’t mean it will happen, but he’s got a track record that shows he’s open to working across the aisle.” Jim Oberweis has a track record of selling ice cream to Republicans and Democrats alike. That does not mean he has a track record of being open to working across the aisle. Rauner has a similar track record of doing (a different kind of) business with Democrats, and it similarly does not mean he is open to working across the aisle. - Knome Sane - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:22 am: Please allow me to translate “Rauner Speak”: “I believe you have to be cordial with people who are lining your pockets.” If they aren’t lining your pockets, they are bad politicians who need to be shaken out. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:24 am: - Soccermom -, I think you know, I think you are “too cool”. - Norseman -, Every minute Bruce Rauner sleeps well on that $$$ mattress, it speaks to him more than I could ever. Funny thing, - Norseman - about that $$$ Mattress, no matter how think, or soft, or full that mattress is, no amount of money can ever buy integrity. See you at the “Train Station”, and I need more petitions, so if you being those, I will get the coffee. - OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:27 am: Sorry, I guess in the scheme of things the he got money from people who gave to Democrats is going to be too much inside baseball for the average GOP primary voter. - jerry 101 - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:32 am: Glen Tullman is also the Managing Partner of 7wire Ventures, a Private Equity fund that invests in, among other things, an online pawn shop (pawngo), a company that is trailblazing efforts to get more advertising into public schools (education funding partners), and has invested in a company to put more technology into schools (digedu). He also wrote an article for Forbes saying that the problem with our schools is that we don’t have enough tech in them. He also invests in a number of healthcare related companies. When Bruce Rauner proposes putting a laptop or IPad in every kid’s hands, you’ll know that Mr. Tullman got his money’s worth. Not that tech is a bad thing, but it’s good to know who’s helping bankroll Mr. Rauner. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:34 am: Downstate - assuming you’re real (I suspect there will be “plants” here until the election), I imagine you brought in somebody who knew about making businesses work to turn around your business. Not an amateur who had opinions but no experience actually working a business. Yet Rauner wants to come in - at the top - to turn around government. Government isn’t a business. You wouldn’t have put your business in the hands of a school teacher or bus driver, no matter how skilled they were in their far-afield professions. What makes you think differently about government? - jerry 101 - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:35 am: Rauner said “I believe those children are being abused by bad schools” in reference to CPS students. I’m quite certain that my kid isn’t being abused at the CPS school he attends, nor are his classmates. So, I can only conclude that Rauner’s saying the students at Rauner College Prep are being abused? - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:35 am: The world that Rauner lives in is one where money is the only reality. It buys your child a preferred school, it buys you friends, etc. He has contempt for those who are not on his playing field, aka just about everyone else. This is who we want as a leader? Unfortunately, it seems these kind of people are increasingly becoming the voices of leadership and it feels like we’re all doomed to a life living under a bridge in a cardboard box while they manipulate for their advantage. - jerry 101 - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:39 am: Ooops, here’s another Glen Tullman Forbes article. “Why This CEO Supports the President” http://www.forbes.com/sites/glentullman/2012/09/10/why-this-ceo-supports-the-president-he-holds-the-difficult-middle-ground/ Seems like he’s another Obamacrat for Rauner. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:40 am: - Downstate - Running a business, and running a state with Co-Equal Partners, who have different agendas … Two. Different. Animals. - Norseman - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:44 am: Downstate, I’m happy your company is doing well. May it continue to do so. However, if you’re inferring that Raunerbo will act in the role of your outsider and turn around State government, your analogy falls flat. You were able to empower the outsider with the authority to implement changes. Raunerbo has two major leaders, two minor leaders and 173 other folks who have a role in the decisions that are made. - Judgment Day - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:48 am: “Jim Oberweis has a track record of selling ice cream to Republicans and Democrats alike. That does not mean he has a track record of being open to working across the aisle. Rauner has a similar track record of doing (a different kind of) business with Democrats, and it similarly does not mean he is open to working across the aisle.” You’re deliberately avoiding the point. Obie wants to spend time dealing with social issues. He’s into ‘frontal assaults’. Rauner isn’t into the social issues ideology. Rauner is into ‘maneuver warefare’. Different strategies. Rauner seems to understand something basic that eludes the other primary candidates, and in both parties. Economics aren’t the sole ‘ownership’ of either political party, and this includes geographically. That means you are going to have to understand the entire game. And it’s not simply ‘Chicago vrs. Everybody Else’. Is Rauner going to roll over and play dead with the public sector unions here in IL? Not likely. In fact, it looks like he’s probably going to take them on, because it sure looks like he thinks the public sector unions are damaging not only Illinois’s ‘brand’, but also the City of Chicago’s ‘brand’. Agree or disagree, that’s what his outlook seems to be. If he gets through the primary and general (a longshot, but one never knows), the public sector unions better have a plan. - Mason born - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:49 am: Fortuitously I just heard a Rauner Commercial about shaking up the status quo in Springfield. So may i point out a way to paint Rauner on this. Narrative “I’m Bruce Rauner i want to shake up Springfield by funding the Chicago Status Quo. I want to bring my friend’s Rahm Emanual ideas and governence to Springfield.” Want to double your money close with this. “This year Chicago will have Two favored sons on the ballot Quinn/Vallas yet Bruce Rauner wants to make it three.” Plays on all that regional tensions and points out Rauners eagerness to support anything if it profits him past. - Mason born - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:50 am: Sorry that should have said Chicago Mayor will have two favored sons. - b - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:51 am: To me- one person giving money to D’s and R’s is not a comment on the party “purity” of that person, as much as it is a commentary on the broken state of our democracy today. ie. spread your money around and your wish shall be granted. - Samurai - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:53 am: It was mentioned that Rauner will ultimatley lose the primary because he fails the “purity test.” Setting aside purity issues, Mr. Rauner has many other negative attributes that alone will cause him to lose. For instance, he is a phoney. Look, be who you are. - wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 10:59 am: I wonder why Rauner didn’t send his kid to Rauner College Prep? It’s supposed to be a good school. Illinois and Chicago taxpayers put a lot of money into it. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:15 am: From the “Rauner Prep Website” http://raunercollegeprep.noblenetwork.org/about/history-and-campus-overview ===Rauner College Prep opened in August 2006 with the support and generosity of Bruce and Diana Rauner, who are committed to spreading high quality educational opportunities to all students across the Chicagoland area.=== So, in 2006, “Rauner” Prep opened. If the math works, PPC could have COULD have chosen to send his denied New Trier living Daughter to his “namesake” school, right? Food for thought… - Liberty First - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:15 am: Pretty intolerant of you Rich… - Now - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:16 am: Thought all u Rauner haters predicted a rich Romney type campaign! Laurie Montana left Dillard, couldn’t raise money & Rutherford won’t have enough! Watch Rauner’s campaign really take off after the holidays. You’ll be looking at the next Governor - Conservative Republican - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:19 am: It is a canard that President Reagan and Tip O’Neill were warm and close friends. Perhaps the best and most accurate descriptio of their relationship is set forth in this on line article: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2013/10/30/reagan_oneill_and_someone_named_chris__120502.html Reagan made it a point to meet O’Neill, the Democratic Speaker of the House, privately in the first weeks of his administration. The Reagans had Speaker and Mrs. O’Neill over for a private dinner in the President’s residence at the White House. Both avuncular men, Reagan and O’Neill had a great first-meeting, ending up swapping Irish jokes. Reagan’s congressional liaison considered the dinner a great success. The political struggles began soon thereafter. However, that dinner meeting did create a basis for rapport that each man called upon throughout Reagan’s presidency. Regardless of their profound differences, and O’Neill’s constant nasty anti-Reagan rhetoric, they were able to negotiate with one another, even if not always successfully. In O’Neill’s autobiography, he indicates that Reagan, at the end of the day, had the better of their negotiating relationship. - Toure's Latte - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:26 am: Should Rauner be elected, I look forward to the education taxpayers in Illinois will get on crony capitalism. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:27 am: - Now -, By the Holidays, the Rauners and the Emanuels will have to decide which house to spend the time together … If money was the only reason our Governors won, then “Gov. Gidwitz” should be a huge asset, and “Gov. Pat Brady” should be able to fill in what “Gov. Gidwitz” left out … - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:32 am: More backstory about Tullman: His 7wireventures just happens to be a big investor in a company called digedu (run by a Matthew Tullman) that is trying to get on that education reform gravy train in CPS through digital education apps for kids and teachers. I suppose a $250,000 investment in a governor could get Illinois taxpayers buying his stuff too. - Phineas J. Whoopee - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:35 am: If Mr. Rauner’s idea of being cordial is setting someone up to earn multi-millions in his investment banking stategies, I would like him to know that I too am a Democrat. - hisgirlfriday - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:38 am: Has anyone asked Rahm for comment yet about Rauner calling him a child abuser? What about Vallas? - RNUG - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:39 am: Receiving money from both sides is nothing new; been going on forever. Former political observer & UIS Professor David Everson had a line about that in one of his six novels written in the 80’s. Without re-reading, I remember Daid wrote something like … Democrats pay with a check and Republicans pay in cash. - Just Sayin' - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:39 am: So Rauner is comparing himself to Ronald Reagan? Really? Really?????? - Mason born - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 11:50 am: To me it isn’t so much that he gave to Dems. What irks me is he comes on blasting all these “career Politicians” as his reason to be elected yet all along he has been the money source for those same politicians. Don’t b!tch about the system if your the one funding it. - too obvious - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 12:03 pm: There’s a huge difference between working with Democrats and funding Democrats in a massive way as Rauner has done. Reagan would never do something like that. How dare Rauner compare himself to the Gipper. Guy is either egomaniac, delusional, or both. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 12:05 pm: ===If he gets through the primary and general (a longshot, but one never knows), the public sector unions better have a plan.=== The plan is Democrat majorities in the Illinois House and the Illinois Senate. PPC is going to find out real quick; He is not Governor of Wisconsin, and he is not Governor of Indiana. - dollarocracy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 12:22 pm: Republicans don’t like Rauner’s relationships with supposed Democrats, but it’s the real Democrats who should be furious with these sellouts who cozy up to Rauner. When it comes to economic issues that benefit the rich and harm the middle class, there is almost no difference between Democrats and Republicans anymore. As for this….=== I believe you have to be cordial with people in spite of differences.”==== Apparently corporations are people, but unionized teachers and firefighters are not. The unions need a plan long before the general election gets here. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 12:36 pm: Anonymous 10:34 (and I’m assuming all the other previous posts): Do you have a farm of politicians or government workers somewhere from which you pick when a replacement is needed or an election is pending? Doesn’t sound very Republican to me; work on your persona a bit more. As to the post: I’m really, really trying to get my mind around who wakes up one morning and says “I’m going to give $250K to a political campaign today,” no matter how much money one has–and in heaven’s name WHY? - OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 12:51 pm: Anonymous, Well it has to do in part with the fact they have the money. Secondly, just like ‘regular’ people, rich people have issues they care about and are willing to put time and money into. So if this person for example felt that school choice (insert OW rant about Payton Prep here) was important, they may feel that it is worth investing their money to get someone elected who they think will move the issue forward. It isn’t really that different than that. - Mr. Grassroots - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:00 pm: Which one is Reagan? Rauner or Emanuel. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:02 pm: OK, OneMan. Times have obviously changed, or this is a different crowd. I’m not going to push it anymore, but I’ll bet that there are some (mostly because of recent “stories” pertaining to use of campaign funds) like me, who are going to wonder why someone would toss $250,000 at a campaign during a primary that’s already so far ahead of the game. And I’ll bet that others will, too. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:04 pm: And thank you, BTW, OneMan for explaining a “rich person” to me. I’ve never met one, of course. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:05 pm: ===wonder why someone would toss $250,000 at a campaign during a primary that’s already so far ahead of the game.=== To you, $250K may be a lot of money. To others, not so much. Also, some might look at it as an investment in the future, or as a bold statement of support. Not all that unusual. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:06 pm: Or, don’t understand–or would prefer not to understand, the behaviors of a “different crowd.” - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:16 pm: =To you, $250K may be a lot of money. = To me personally, yes. Overall, no. And as that person who believes that $250K is–and is not alot of money at the same time, I’ve already explained why I no longer feel comfortable with such large donations especially within this particular context and why. If I had the money, I’d offset Mr. Tullman’s donation by giving it to someone else–even if I did not like or agree with that person’s positions. Just to level the playing field and to make sure that no one ever asked me for a contribution that high again. But then, it looks as if the days of good gamesmanship–which used to be a virtue are over as well. - Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:21 pm: Anonymous, Norseman and OW I’m very much real. I am not a plant. Rich is aware of my background in a variety of industries and enterprises (both corporate and non-profit). My analogy would fall flat, if the outsider simply came in and operated by fiat. In fact, my business has three different owners. The owners were not in agreement on what should be done. And management disagreed with what I wanted done. Hence, no one operated by fiat. Rather, it took someone to offer a critical eye, with ideas and direction. Then (and this was critical), we had to reach a consensus on which paths we were willing to follow. All required some form of compromise. Is government and business different? Of course it is. But they both face the same challenges of: resistance to change, political infighting, and entrenched interests. Our founding fathers didn’t have overwhelming political background when they established this country. In fact, most had more of a business background. I’m not saying that Bruce Rauner is the messiah. But I’m so frustrated with the same faces telling us they’ll bring change. And nothing ever happens. As an aside, the outsider I brought in to my company, has worked his magic across a variety of firms - a manufacturer, hospitality firm and a retailer - all with great results. Is Rauner a similar type of “Mr. Fixit”? I don’t know. But he sure has more street credibility than the other candidates. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:27 pm: And, BTW, the next time someone gets imprisoned and their furs and jewels are being auctioned off and/or get brought up for ethics violations or behavior unbecoming, think about who the “puppet masters” as I believe the other Anonymous refers to them. It’s a big pond. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:43 pm: Couple things I think of with Chicago, and Rauner… * What address will those Tax Returns show? * How did Chicago Public Schools “verify” Bruce Rauner, and underage Daughter, living at the Condo, with the entire rest of the family living in Winnetka? * Politcal, Federal, or Pennsylvania Donations, did Bruce Rauner wite those checks, sign those checks? Did Mrs. Rauner only sign the Democratic Donations? * Did any of his business interests list Bruce Rauner as a resident of Chicago, or was the Chicago Public Schools the only entity that “recognized” Bruce Rauner as a Chicago Resident? * Does Bruce Rauner have more than one car, and did any car get a Chicago City Sticker? Any single car registered to the City of Chicago Address? * What are the specific dates of the Condo purchase and the “acceptance” of the Denied Daughter? Was Bruce Rauner a Chiacgo “resident” before the Clouting, or after the Clouting was done, and an address was needed to be official? * During Bruce Rauner’s Chicago Living, did the Rauner Prep Board of Directors list Bruce Rauner as a Chicago Resident, or as a Winnetka resident? …. Hmmm. Those questions just keep rattling in my head … - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 1:46 pm: - Downstate - Read what I post, exactly as I post it. ===Running a business, and running a state with Co-Equal Partners, who have different agendas … Two. Different. Animals.=== I didn’t question you, or question any of your story. Do not lump me into any Post where you think your credibility is being questioned, when I did nothing of the sort, or care about any of what you posted about your own credibility, specifically to my own Post. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:24 pm: Isn’t this about the time that Mr. Rauner’s LG in-waiting is supposed to pop in to talk about her humble beginnings? - Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:32 pm: Oswego Willy, Was trying to answer three posts with one response. Bad idea. I know you weren’t questioning my credibility. I refuse to believe that good political leadership can only come from government training. After all, Pat Quinn has been involved in State Government since he was 22 years old. So with 42 years of “political experience” he should be our greatest state political leader. Clearly he is not. I’ve simply learned, firsthand, that insiders are rarely effective agents of change. - Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:44 pm: ===insiders are rarely effective agents of change. === Actually, that’s how change is accomplished. The classic example is JFK and LBJ. Kennedy had lots of ideas, but Johnson was the one who got ‘em into law. And if you ask gay marriage supporters who was the most important person behind the change in law, it was MJM. Outsiders may have good ideas. Rarely do they have the ability to transform those ideas into bills that can be passed by both chambers and signed into law. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:45 pm: - Downstate -, No worries. I didn’t mean to seem as though I was jumping on you as well. I take all as they “are”, unless someone is then revealed as “something else” and I wouldn’t want you, or anyone to think otherwise. Now, what is Posted, I might question on the Merits of the arguement…lol With respect…all good with me. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:48 pm: ===insiders are rarely effective agents of change. === There is a very good reason “some” legislators are chosen as Sponsors of certain important/controversal/intense Bills, and some are not. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 2:49 pm: =After all, Pat Quinn has been involved in State Government since he was 22 years old. So with 42 years of “political experience” he should be our greatest state political leader.= Yeah, but then to balance that from a private sector perspective: Picture the Donald and Ivana reuniting to re-decorate the Governor’s mansion. - Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:07 pm: ===Picture the Donald and Ivana reuniting to re-decorate the Governor’s mansion LOL. I didn’t say EVERY outsider was a good agent of change. Your example gives me indigestion. To Rich’s point that LBJ and MJM were agents of change on individual bills - don’t disagree, but neither man is running for Governor. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:16 pm: =Your example gives me indigestion.= As intended, Downstate. (Sorry, hopefully first and last time. ) - LaborGuy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:24 pm: Rauner is going to have a lot more explaining to do for Republican Primary voters than most people think. Rahm Emanuel isn’t the only high profile Dem he has given generous contributions to through the years. Bruce Rauner was the third largest contributor to Rich Daley giving him over $200,000 during a twenty year span. And while we are on the topic of Rauner’s generosity, why do you think he gave the BGA over $100,000 recently? Maybe trying to keep Andy Shaw off his back for the duration? Lots of Rauner contributions will cause more than a few double-takes. More to come. - Obamas Puppy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:57 pm: Where is that ad that says he will be cordial to Speaker Madigan? - walkinfool - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 3:58 pm: Downstate: you make a good argument. I’m just not sure Rauner, or anyone with his specific background, is the person. He might bring one clear talent: the ability to sniff out phony people and ideas and avoid them. Without that he couldn’t have succeeded in the hedge fund business. It is exceptionally difficult to effect change in government, (much harder than in business organizations,) because of the complexity, opacity, and multiplicity of power relationships. It’s all about alliances, detailed process management, application of perceived informal power, and real public politics. The only people who can fire many of the decision makers are their own constituents. Most ex-CEO’s are initially shocked to find out that they cannot just tell people in government what to do, and expect they will do anything like it. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:05 pm: - walkinfool -, Weel said. One of the things MJM can not stand is a Phony, be it on a policy or a persona. See: Rod Blagojevich Bruce Rauner, with his fleece vests, and Carhartt coats … Shaking up Springfield, and saying MJM never dealt with him … MJM does not deal with ultimatums, or being dictated to too well. PPC Rauner, an Ec-CEO, having to deal with a Co-Equal partner … not of his choosing… not seeing that working too well… …let alone CMS and employees and the Constitution and Unions and …. - Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:14 pm: - walkingfool - I read your Post here, and I read your Post in the “Intersting Story …” Post, and I have to ask you … Col. Jessup … “why the Two Posts?” You seem to contradict yourself. Thoughts? With respect. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:17 pm: =Where is that ad that says he will be cordial to Speaker Madigan? = Don’t know, but some seem to be trying hard to make it sound as if this is the key to peace in the entire kingdom. - Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:20 pm: Pat Quinn has been Governor for 1,756 days. So after nearly five years at the helm, is he the leadership that this state craves? OW - I don’t disagree with your assessment on MJM. But to accept MJM’s power presupposes that we shouldn’t even waste time on this election - we should just seek his decision. Frankly, I don’t see MJM and Governor Pat playing too well together anyway. - Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 20, 13 @ 4:24 pm: =He might bring one clear talent: the ability to sniff out phony people and ideas and avoid them. = Interesting perspective. And how did that suddenly turn into a conversation about Madigan? I’m done. This is obviously going to be “Oh, look! A kitty!” until after the Primary. 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