94 Comments - Levois - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:42 pm: Rauner does have the tendency to avoiding answering dicey questions, however, could Quinn beating him up over not agreeing to debate hurt Team Rauner? - Ron Burgundy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:42 pm: Refresh my memory, but I recall Gov. Quinn refused to debate his primary opponent. - A guy... - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:42 pm: Ms. Miltko, Mr. Steven Yaffe will get back to you on this. - Norseman - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:43 pm: Reagan, 1980 debate - “I am paying for this microphone, Mr. Green” Rauner, 2014 non-debate - “I am paying for this State, Mr. Quinn.” - JS Mill - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:46 pm: Quinn camp doesn’t sound desperate, they are desperate. - Western Ave. Doug - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:47 pm: An incumbent governor demanding 8 debates? Wonder what Quinn’s internals are really showing. Yikes - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:48 pm: Rauner hasn’t shown himself to be very nimble or informed in unscripted settings. My guess is he’ll agree to three and let his TV ads do most of his talking. - 47th Ward - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:50 pm: ===but I recall Gov. Quinn refused to debate his primary opponent=== Mike Schrimpf wants you to know that Bruce Rauner is no Tio Hardiman. - VanillaMan - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:51 pm: What a childish and pathetic PR release. It is full of frustration and unprofessional temper. Instead of presenting these debates as a honest opportunity to discuss the issues facing Illinoisans, the Governor’s press secretary twists this PR statement into a cartoon attack and fails to suggest the Governor even welcomes these opportunities. It isn’t even an invitation. It is a thrown gauntlet no one cares about. This was supposed to be set up as a fresh opportunity for all. This is supposed to be about voters discovering that Pat Quinn is right on the issues. Worse - this is supposed to be about US! When is the Governor going to show us that he wants us to know where he is on the problems we are having, and is eager to tell us? Who is governor? Who has a handle on how to address our future? Does this sound like a candidate in control? Amateur hour embarrassment. Bad! - Anonymous - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:51 pm: Quinn needs the debate. It’s the populist’s forum and Quinn is good with the rhetoric. - VanillaMan - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:54 pm: This is pathetically negative and covered in more flop sweat than Pat at a summer parade wearing a parka. - Jack Handy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 1:59 pm: Let’s hope all the debate questions from Quinn to Rauner don’t revolve around the number of houses or cars or _________ (fill in the blank). Every press release begins the same. Turn off. - Bourbonrich - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:01 pm: Just the thought of these two in some sort of debate is hideous. The commercials are bad enough but both voices are off putting for me. Will likely watch very little live TV until after the election and looking for a mute button on my radio. - VanillaMan - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:01 pm: A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. Harry S. Truman - lake county democrat - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:01 pm: Can anyone recall a state debate that had an impact on the governors race? Maybe it has - I’m just drawing a blank. And a gaffe in a debate can take a life of its own in tv ads. Still, if this is Quinn’s best gameplan, he’s got problems. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:01 pm: Do campaigns really see an upside in the “HE WON’T DEBATE!” press releases? They inevitably sound like they are whining and make the party making the request sound worse than the party avoiding. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:04 pm: The opening line of the press release is interesting. I wonder how many Republicans will be upset that Rauner is on vacation when he should be working in his campaign? People taking vacations when they, allegedly, should be working seems to really really really bother Republicans. Let’s see if this bother them. - Western Ave. Doug - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:04 pm: ==childish and pathetic PR release. It is full of frustration and unprofessional temper== It’s Quinn’s campaign. The same guy that called Rauner’s patiotism into question. I’m not suprised by any of this negative stuff. Quinn has shown some sharp elbows over the years, and has never been afraid to go low. This time he is in big trouble, and he knows it. Pretty early though for a debate about debates though. - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:04 pm: VMan, what are you yammering on about? Quinn has accepted the invitations to debate, so far Rauner hasn’t. That’s it. - Anonymous - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:07 pm: Harry S. Truman said the buck stops here. Pat Quinn says the bucks stop here. - Empty Chair - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:17 pm: A huge problem with the big televised debates occurring in October is that many votes will have already been cast by then. Televised debates are becoming more and more outdated and unimportant as less consumers (a) watch live TV/local news and (b) vote early, by mail or otherwise not on election day. - Arizona Bob - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:19 pm: This is s desperate grasp by Gov Quinn. It seems that three deabates would make sense…one on pension reform, one on economic growth and tax policy, and one on improving our underachieving and overpriced public education system. The 8 debates are just a desperate attempt on the part of Quinn for an unforced error by Rauner that may make a difference. I personally believe Rauner is too smart for that. Keep the debates to about an hour to avoid foot-in-mouth fatigue and he should be fine. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:31 pm: Gooner, it is my understanding Rauner will be in Springfield Wednesday night/Thursday. - plutocrat03 - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:32 pm: I smell desperation and a ramp up of Rauner event disruptions by the Quinn camp. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:33 pm: And the guy who doesn’t live here plays the “desperate” card. Labeling any action by the opposing campaign as “desperate” is as predictable as a party behind demanding debates. No, Quinn’s demand was not “desperate.” It was tedious. There’s a significant difference between the two. “Desperate” would be passing out a million in cash, hypothetically of course, to a, I don’t know, maybe, hypothetically, a credit union to, I don’t know, maybe drive down turnout. That would be “desperate.” If that sort of thing was ever done. Not saying that it was or was not. But if it was, it would be show desperate concern over turnout. Demanding debates? That is done by every party behind in every election. That’s just sort of tedious. Reporters should just pass out fill in the blank “demand for debate” forms whenever a poll shows bad news. It would make things easier for everybody. So let’s try to keep in mind the very real distinction between “tedious” and “desperate.” - steve schnorf - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:36 pm: Lt Gov debates should be very interesting - Robert the Bruce - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:40 pm: Is it just me, or have debates proliferated in recent years? Seems like it used to be 3-4 debates per election. - Soccermom - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:41 pm: True that, Schnorf - Jimbo - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:46 pm: Childish tantrums… Yes, but seriously Rauner fans, you aren’t the least bit concerned that your guy, the brilliant shaker upper that he is, isn’t capable of debating the issues? It’s like you guys really don’t want to know anything about this guy. You cheer when he refuses to detail plans and you cheer when he turns down debates. I suppose you think he can’t win unless the only thing people know about him is that he’s “not Quinn”. That’s okay I guess but be honest about the fact that you believe he cant win on his own merit. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:46 pm: So Gooner, he is working, this isn’t some Obama 16 day Martha’s Vinyard vaca! And, I believe the correct term would be “depositing” money, not “paasing out cash.” LOL - Robert the Bruce - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:49 pm: ==Lt Gov debates should be very interesting== It should. “Name five issue positions your running mate has that you have always agreed with” “Cowtipping: easier than it looks, harder than it looks, or a myth?” - Jechislo - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:52 pm: Yawwwwwn. - Norseman - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:54 pm: === Lt Gov debates should be very interesting === Vallas will out point Slip and Sue so badly, the moderators will call the debate early. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 2:56 pm: Interesting that Wally concludes that, gosh darn it, Rauner MUST be working on his vacation, yet also concludes that the President of the United States would take a vacation and not work. Gee, I wonder how those two individuals are different. If you keep raising that sort of argument Wally, turn out is likely to go up rather than down. A lot of voters are not going to like that argument at all. In any case, give up trying to defend the vacation thing, Wally. Your defense sounds desperate. - Ron Burgundy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:03 pm: ==Lt Gov debates should be very interesting.== Indeed. Somebody who’s absent from Illinois vs. somebody who’s absent from reality. - Western Ave. Doug - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:05 pm: ==Vallas will out point Slip and Sue so badly, the moderators will call the debate early.== Exactly what Rauner wants you to expect. Let’s compare their styles: Vallas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFmXue_luks Sanguinetti: http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2014/03/06/illinois-lt-governor-forum She can hold her own against a know it all - walker - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:08 pm: Debates? Why should Rauner even respond to the demand? Perhaps one just to say that he didn’t run and hide — but any more won’t help him. - Norseman - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:09 pm: The problem is that compared to Slip and Sue, Vallas does know it all. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:10 pm: Not desperate at all Gooner. And I am fine with him debating Pat. Pat is not a very good speaker and he has many issues to defend. Rauner can get him on his heels and never let up. Would be interesting. So, Rauner taking a few days off in August, more than 80+ days from the election really bothers you? Obama must drive you crazy, with all the fundraisers, golf and family vacations!!! Seems to me the polls show Rauner in the lead. He has to be doing a little something right Gooner, wouldn’t you say? - steve schnorf - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:19 pm: In terms of winning the election, tactically Rauner should agree to as few debates as politically possible. Strategically, assuming he believes he is going to win, in terms of governing he needs debates or something like them (2 or 3 very good, well thought out, specific policy papers on important issues?) to further legitimize himself - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:22 pm: Wally, So now Rauner is not on a working vacation? But above you said he was. Did you receive some new information? - Soccermom - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:22 pm: Is there a slaughter rule in LTG debates? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:25 pm: Debates are debates are debates… They only count when they don’t work… Adm. Stockdale “Why am I here?” Sen. Quayle, “Jack Kennedy” To VPs, but specific to LGs; Slip and Sue will get hammered and shook, she is beyond awful on her feet and goes off the reservation on Dopey whims. Rep. Tracy can prep her, if all parties recognizes that; Evelyn “Slip and Sue” Sanguinetti is no serious match for Paul Vallas in knowledge, image, and speaking. Vallas can talk “policy wonk” with anyone, and “shout down” anyone on policy and sound pretty smart doing it too. She is not remotely on the neighborhood of the parking lot of the ball park to be governor of the 5th largest state in America, Vallas has run for the Big Chair and can talk about executive experience beyond the PTA. I can not WAIT for Slip and Sue to get to that podium. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:29 pm: Oh he is working Gooner, logging on to CapFax to see the poll results and work on debate strategy! - A guy... - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:33 pm: She’s a law professor at an outstanding law school. What in heaven’s name is making you believe Paul Vallas turned into Mike Mansfield when he was away? I like Paul. I know him to be a hot head and get very sarcastic when challenged- a moderator or panelist could set him off in a heartbeat. If Evelyn was going to be prepped by someone in Illinois (surely everyone in a debate would be), you think Jil Tracy would be the guru in charge of that? If so, you’re nuts. - Western Ave. Doug - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:37 pm: ==If Evelyn was going to be prepped by someone in Illinois (surely everyone in a debate would be), you think Jil Tracy would be the guru in charge of that? If so, you’re nuts.== I think Jeanne Ives already has the job as her debate coach. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:37 pm: Wally, Thanks for showing, contrary to my initial position, that statements like those made in the press release can be effective. I thought they were just tedious, but it got Rauner supporters to play the “Rauner works and Barack does not work” card, which is the sort of thing that may push turnout. My initial post was mistaken. Turns out that getting the Rauner team to talk about vacations is sound strategy. I’d say it is worth a million bucks, but that’s hypothetical. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:39 pm: === If Evelyn was going to be prepped by someone in Illinois (surely everyone in a debate would be), you think Jil Tracy would be the guru in charge of that?=== Let’s see… Legislator, lawyer, “Pensioneer”, ran for the office, from the female perspective, central Illinoisan, partisan to her credit, bi-partisan to her governing… Yeah, Jil Tracy is a bad choice. Yikes. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:40 pm: A guy, You must not be around too many law profs. Many of them are known for short fuses and bad behavior in front of crowd. She may be able to handle herself in a debate, but “law school prof” is far from an endorsement on that one. - Western Ave. Doug - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:41 pm: ==I can not WAIT for Slip and Sue to get to that podium.== If you are so sure about your guy Vallas over Evelyn, why don’t you offer to disclose your true identity should Evelyn hold her own against Vallas, or even win? Perhaps Rich can decide her performance? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:48 pm: - Western Ave. Doug -, Why do you care who I am? No one listens or reads what I comment. What, Slip and Sue will study “super-hard” now? Lil less focus on me, lil more focus on the Post, lol - Norseman - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:50 pm: Rich doesn’t like us to feed the trolls Doug. - Southern - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:50 pm: Why hasn’t Quinn agreed to a single debate in the southern half of the state? Who’s he afraid of? Public employees or environmentalists? - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:54 pm: Only the mindlessly partisan knock presidents for vacation or golf, and they’ve been doing it at least since Eisenhower. A president is wired wherever he is. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:55 pm: ===Rich doesn’t like us to feed the trolls Doug.=== I blame myself. Next campaign meeting we can work on messaging. My bad. - Wumpus - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:56 pm: 1. Rauner’s people should demand Quinn debate Quinnochio first. 2. Just tell Vallas that there is another job halfway across the country and he will forget all about this debate. - Tickle - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:02 pm: One question should be; Why Mr. Quinn haven’t you disbanded the Illinois Tollway like you campaigned for, for decades? Answer: Quinn Patronage Army. - A guy... - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:03 pm: === Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 3:39 pm: Let’s see… Legislator, lawyer, “Pensioneer”, ran for the office, from the female perspective, central Illinoisan, partisan to her credit, bi-partisan to her governing…Yeah, Jil Tracy is a bad choice=== Yep, she’s another Lynne Martin, only she’s not. I guess you also believe only another female can prep her. If that we’re true, Pam Altoff might do just fine, as might Karen McConnaughay or Sue Rezin or any number of other women. I hate this discussion mostly because I think Jil Tracy is probably a very decent person. Your obsession with her was only born out of your hate for Rauner, and she was convenient. No offense meant to her in my remarks. Gooner, I don’t respond to you because you say goofy things about goofy tangents and play some sort of gotcha game with yourself. I guess you’re just goofy. At least Willie hears something smart and repeats it. Even has a nugget of his own now and then. You’re just being goofy on purpose. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:10 pm: ===Yep, she’s another Lynne Martin, only she’s not. I guess you also believe only another female can prep her. If that we’re true, Pam Altoff might do just fine, as might Karen McConnaughay or Sue Rezin or any number of other women.=== Read what I comment, exactly as I comment; ===… ran for the office, from the female perspective,…=== Tracy ran, for LG, this cycle, these circumstances, and being a female is a plus, due in part that gender image is sometimes lost on those prepping. Tracy and Slip and Sue have commonality this cycle that is a plus. === Your obsession with her was only born out of your hate for Rauner, and she was convenient.=== Use the search key for my critique of “8 Precinct Rodriguez” or even “Dave Kim”. So, when you read those, was I anti-Brady or anti-Rutherford too? Nope. Slip and Sue is barely qualified to vote on Stop signs and sidewalks. That’s the issue. Jil Tracy, in experience and knowledge was better than the other three…combined. - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:11 pm: –Why hasn’t Quinn agreed to a single debate in the southern half of the state?– Agreed with whom? Has there been an invite? The debates listed above are sponsored by third parties. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:16 pm: === - Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Oct 8, 13 @ 12:38 pm The “most qualified” out of the four? Ya think? Jil Tracy is a member of the General Assembly, working on the Pension Committee, with Bill Brady no less, seen in her Caucus as a leader, represents a diverse district, requiring knowledge in Higer Education, Interstate Commerce, Agriculture… and being part of the Legislature, Jil Tracy has contact with colleagues throught Illinois that has given her the opportunity to learn about all of Illinois, just by talking to a seat mate, or someone across the aisle. She is not a former Mayor of an 8 precint town. She is not a 1st term Councilwoman, with 3,608 votes, finishing second to her credit. She is not a candidate seat-filler who sqandered a chance to build a base, and was until recently best known as a trivia answer. Of those 3, and Jil Tracy, who can BE Governor of the 5th Largest state, starting today, if need be? Jil Tracy is the best qualified, and this time, with the Guv Candidates choosing their #2s, it says even more about the #1s Jil Tracy is the most qualified, she is.=== I can point out where you said Rauner is “your guy” too if you want to spin more Dopiness… - A guy... - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:19 pm: I’m not getting a yard stick out, but doesn’t Champaign count as the southern part of the state? It seems that the questioner is trying to imply ‘outside of the Chicago area’ Maybe not. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:19 pm: You are 100% correct Word. So,when a guy running for governor takes a few days off with the election 2 1/2 months away, that is an okay thing. Thanks for helping make my point to Gooner! - ronmexico - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:31 pm: Quinn should run around the state demanding 9 debates. A debate for every house Rauner owns. - A guy... - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:35 pm: Add one more thing Willie: More people know Evelyn Sanguinetti’s name now than ever knew Jil Tracy’s. It will probably stay that way. Most LGs need to grow into the job. Despite your constant harping, I don’t remember anyone making the choice solely based on “they’re ready to take over when I die from eating bad cherries and cream at the inauguration”. They mostly went for geographical and sometimes gender balance on the ticket. I can’t believe you’re not getting tired of your own argument. Evelyn will be prepped, prepped well, as any candidate would, and I’m just thinking there might be someone out there besides Jil Tracy who could get the job done. Rauner could bring in Elizabeth Dole or Kay Bailey Hutchison if he wanted to. Really, he’s got this. Appreciate your help though. - Southern - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:37 pm: “I’m not getting a yard stick out, but doesn’t Champaign count as the southern part of the state?” No, cities like Champaign that are in the northern half of Illinois don’t count as southern simply by virtue of being south of Chicago. No matter how many Chicagoans may believe that. “Agreed with whom? Has there been an invite?” Are you suggesting Quinn hasn’t gotten a single debate invitation by a news or community organization in the entire southern half of Illinois? I seriously doubt that. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:43 pm: Ronmexico, maybe go for 12-14 debates, which is likely the current length of PQ’s grass. - Norseman - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:47 pm: I know Lynn (not Lynne) Martin. I worked with Lynn Martin. Slip and Sue is no Lynn Martin. Jil Tracy is no Lynn Martin. Prepping Sue will not make her a qualified candidate or a coherent debater. Prepping will help her remember the Rauner buzz words and nothing more. All we’ll see will be all rhetoric and no substance. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:50 pm: ===Most LGs need to grow into the job. Despite your constant harping, I don’t remember anyone making the choice solely based on “they’re ready to take over when I die from eating bad cherries and cream at the inauguration”.=== So you agree; Slip and Sue is not remotely close to being able to run the 5th largest state in America… …or you are more than ok with Slip and Sue being the governor in waiting, completely lacking any if the skills of governing Illinois? === I can’t believe you’re not getting tired of your own argument.=== Seems like you are tired if defending Slip and Sue as a legitimate #2, lol === Really, he’s got this. Appreciate your help though.=== Except for finding someone qualified, who is not a Personal Injury plaintiff, who sought work in the Quinn Administration, and believes she is a Co-Governor, who magically, can’t speak at an immigration forum, given her background, and has to share a stump with Diana Rauner, who looks more gubernatorial than Slip and Sue… …but the Rauner Crew has this. lol - Now What? - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:55 pm: Debates should be mandatory, not optional. At some point in time, a civilized democracy should give each candidate “X” amount of dollars and organize three debates. Maybe a mile time trial, maybe make 10 free throws . . . But I digress. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:55 pm: ===I know Lynn (not Lynne) Martin. I worked with Lynn Martin. Slip and Sue is no Lynn Martin. Jil Tracy is no Lynn Martin. Prepping Sue will not make her a qualified candidate or a coherent debater. Prepping will help her remember the Rauner buzz words and nothing more. All we’ll see will be all rhetoric and no substance.=== This is why I am beyond glad you are running the Day to Dsy operations. Well done. I was coming at this pragmatically; You have Tracy on board, use her fir the next month to work with Evelyn to actually grasp …governing! The shared Primary experiences could have been an asset. It wasn’t completely about the prep, but all the ancillaries of prepping like that. - A guy... - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 4:56 pm: Yep. All that. - Anonymoiis - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 5:00 pm: So it doesn’t appear Quinn has accepted any debate South of Champaign. Is the Governor intent on ignoring Southern Illinois? - wordslinger - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 5:01 pm: –Are you suggesting Quinn hasn’t gotten a single debate invitation by a news or community organization in the entire southern half of Illinois? – You tell me. What are you suggesting? - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 5:03 pm: ===Yep. All that.=== Then don’t say she’s qualified, or that PI lawsuit is misunderstood, or that she doesn’t think that she is a Co-Governor, or believes she does magic, or that Springfield has rubes who tip cows. You just said… ===Yep. All that.=== Then you “own it”, so you have to eat it. lol - Southern - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 5:55 pm: “You tell me. What are you suggesting?” I’m suggesting its ironic that Quinn accuses Rauner of being a coward while he appears to be afraid of debating in the southern half of the state where his policies have made him highly unpopular, even among Democrats. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 6:31 pm: Wally, Just as a reminder – I fed you the “I wonder what Republicans will think . . .” and you took it and ran. You gave us “Rauner is working and Barack is not” and then kept talking about Barack’s vacation. Wally, if Quinn’s team can get Rauner’s people to do what I just did — get people like you talk about Barack’s vacation — Quinn is going to drive up turnout. I chummed the waters a bit, and Raunerites could not resist. That’s why I changed from claiming the vacation statement was tedious to claiming that it was pretty smart. Rauner can write million dollar check after million dollar check, but if Quinn can spend $5 on a press release and the response is Rauner talking about Barack’s vacation, Quinn wins that one. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 6:42 pm: - Goooner -, I have no idea what you think you did, but if you wsbt to take credit for inciting national talking points, you can have it, since this place is really about not rehashing talking points… Yikes. - Goober - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 6:59 pm: Oswego , it is about framing issues. If Rauner is talking about those things , it hurts Rauner. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 7:03 pm: Have to love auto correct on the name above. But in any case those national talking points, when they come from Rauner fans, tell people what the million check was about. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 7:05 pm: “Gooner”/”Goober”… ===Wally, if Quinn’s team can get Rauner’s people to do what I just did —…=== You drew out national talking points, as you wanted. I don’t know what the point was so, if you get the point of getting those here, you can celebrate that…victory(?) - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 7:15 pm: Oswego, Read the comments. This isn’t merely national talking points. Wally pretty much said that Rauner is a hard working guy, in contrast to Barack who is lazy. Rauner, concluded Walker, must be working on his vacation, in contrast, according to Walker to Barack who does not. The people who received that $1 million check are not going to like hearing that Barack is lazy. The more people like Walker talk, the worse it will be for Rauner. So it goes a bit beyond talking points. - Oswego Willy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 7:30 pm: - Gooner - George W. Bush put all that to bed with him supporting Obama golfing, even equating that POTUS is never on vacation. The idea that Rauner, who is not governor or President but is out of town really factors into nothing, considering he is ” retired” from his firm, a private citizen not responsible for governing, and really owes the Press courtesy and respect, but it’s not demanded. - Gooner - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 7:32 pm: Really Oswego? Somebody needs to tell Walker that news. Read Walker’s comments again, Oswego. Walker is not going to be the only one who feels that way or who is going to make that sort of comment. You can write all the checks in the world, but when your supporters are making that sort of comment, those checks do not matter. - Ginhouse Tommy - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 8:31 pm: Quinn might be reaching on this. Neither candidate has been known to be a great or very charismatic in front of the camera so this could be either embarrassing or very awkward if either one goes off script. The very knowledgeable contributors to this blog will have a field day if one or both makes a big mistake. The damage could be the difference maker. Better to play it safe and skip the debates. - Wally - Monday, Aug 11, 14 @ 9:39 pm: Gooner, I would suggest you have a stiff drink. Nothing any of us say on this board on August 11 is going to drive turnout for anyone. Chill dude. - Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 5:53 am: Wally, Rather than blaming me, you may want to step back and learn about personal responsibility. You made some comments that show some interesting values, and I suspect that this is not merely an August thing for you. You and your kind are going to continue making those sorts of comments, because that is how you view the world. Your candidate is trying to reach out to certain voters, but as long as people know that Rauner has people like you, none of those efforts will matter. So son, rather than blaming me, take a good look at yourself. - VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 7:12 am: There is no objective evidence that Illinois gubernatorial debates changed the outcome of an election. Spend time campaigning. Meet voters. And when discussing debates, tell staffers to behave as though they are discussing church service. Show respect to the media. An opportunity to present a candidate in the way a debate allows, should be handled like an opportunity to display professionalism and maturity. Respect the office and respect your opponent. A debate is the time to show your candidate to be worthy. What we saw here today with this press release is a major embarrassment for Pat Quinn. It shows a level of maturity far too low for the office he holds. I’d never let these people in a Capitol building again until they figured out how badly they look with this kind of juvenile crap. - JakeCP - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 7:18 am: Rich, as you know we invited Gov. Quinn and Bruce Rauner to UIC. I am glad that Quinn has at least agreed to participate in a debate at our sister school in Champaign. - Wally - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 7:25 am: Gooner, since you don’t know me, your comments are way off base. I have to laugh, because you are all over the board. Some poster characterized your posts as “silly” and I would concur. And I am being kind. “You and your kind,” just hilarious. - Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 7:45 am: Wally, Here’s what I know about you. 1) You claim to be a Rauner supporter; 2) You assume that Rauner heads to Montana, he must be working; 3) You assume when Barack takes a vacation, he’s not working. Did I miss something relevant? - Wally - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 8:24 am: Those are your assumptions bro. I don’t care who is taking a vacation or not taking one. What most of us care about is performance and results. I don’t impact one iota what Barack and Bruce do and neither do you. If BR feels the need to reach out to certain groups, he will do it. Stop thinking you and your views are so important. They are not. - Gooner - Tuesday, Aug 12, 14 @ 9:26 am: Wally, unless there is somebody else posting under “Wally”, those were your assumptions son. It was you who posted that Rauner must be working. It was you who posted that Barack must not be working. You need to learn about personal responsibility, Wally. You made the comments. Stop blaming everybody else. And again to the broader point, I’m sure Wally is not alone. The more people like Wally talk, the better chance that Quinn has in November. - Corrine - Wednesday, Aug 13, 14 @ 6:12 am: I will immediately seize your rss feed aas I can nnot in finding your e-mail subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly allow mme realize in order that I may subscribe. Thanks. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.