* Mark Brown…
Perhaps the most stinging anti-Rauner attack came from U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, the wounded Iraq War veteran who is seeking re-election to her northwest suburban congressional seat and was Wednesday morning’s keynote speaker.
She hit Rauner hard, later likening him to a “deserter” for investing some of his personal fortune in funds and stocks based in the Cayman Islands, a notorious tax haven.
“I think if you’re avoiding paying your fair share in your nation, that fits,” she said of Rauner when pressed on that label, considered in military circles to be the most derisive of all.
That’s disgusting and way over the line.
For crying out loud, it’s August and the campaign is already this ugly?
*** UPDATE *** Sen. Mark Kirk reacted today…
“If we use comments like ‘deserter’ and ‘traitor’ that normally those crimes have a capital punishment consequence, I’d say that rhetoric is probably too overblown for a country that wants to stick together and hang together,” Kirk said.
He was being too kind.
- Empty Chair - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 9:57 am:
Q: It’s August and the campaign is already this ugly?
A: $$$$$
- Pete - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 9:58 am:
What has Duckworth done for her district beyond not being Joe Walsh?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:03 am:
Its no wonder that voters are angry when all they hear about is negativity and hatred.
- Apocalypse Now - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:04 am:
When people like Duckworth resort to name calling like “deserter”, you know they are desperate and the polling is correct.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:08 am:
It’s a sad day when someone is called the equivalent of the worst kind of coward for not being willing to voluntarily pay the maximum amount of taxes to the government. Ms. Duckworth, your service and sacrifice is admirable, but it doesn’t give you carte blanche to say whatever you want and not be subject to rightful criticism for it.
- Cassiopeia - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:08 am:
Lots of ugly words from the Democrats means they are frustrated and desperate. It will probably get worse.
- Downstate Illinois - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:09 am:
And this is from a woman who stood up and covered for Rod Blagojevich. So much for honor and integrity of course the same could be said for the “reformer” at the top of the ticket.
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:10 am:
The deserter label probably doesn’t fit rauner because before you can be a deserter you actually have to stand for something and rauner has never actually stood for anything. The deserter label would much more accurately apply to the ‘conservative leaders’ in the Republican Party who always fought the ‘rinos’ but now praise rauner. They are the deserters.
- Peoria guy - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:11 am:
Rauner has been brutal in his comments and attacks so far, including his gutless anonymous attacks on fellow Republican Aaron Schock. He started the rolling in the mud so he has nobody to blame but himself. Both these candidates are over the civilized line almost every day
- John A Logan - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:16 am:
It may be August, but Quinn and company are getting nervous. It’s probably going to be more like Ricky Hendon and less like Dale Carnegie from here till November.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:17 am:
Totally unnecessary. What’s wrong with tax dodger?
Still, extreme negative language has been going on in American politics since Adams-Jefferson. I doubt if it’s going to change anytime soon.
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:22 am:
So if her argument is if you use a non-US entity or strategy to reduce your tax bill you are a deserter…
Then I would suggest she start attacking those corporations who use the Double Irish setup.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Irish_arrangement
Bet there are a few folks in her district who would like to know that using what appears to be her definition they are working for ‘deserters’.
Yeah no one who works at Abbott lives in her district, do they?
- John A Logan - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:24 am:
Word, Your right about Adams - Jefferson. You have probably read it, but I recommend “Founding Brothers” it’s a great look into the nasty (and sometimes deadly) politics that make today’s fighting look quite tame.
- Mighty M. Mouse - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:25 am:
She was describing what she actually thinks and how she actually feels about Bruce Rauner.
Some people genuinely believe Rauner is a horrible person. Do you want her to lie?
- Wensicia - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:28 am:
You can’t be a deserter if you’re a civilian.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:28 am:
Way out of line.
First it was “unpatriotic”, now he’s a “deserter”?
For someone who has allegedly abandoned his country and no longer cares for it, running for public office sure is a funny way of showing it.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:33 am:
Ugly, bad form.
Pretty disappointing. There are loads of phrases and words, but this was disappointing.
You’re better than that Rep. Duckworth.
- RonOglesby - Now in TX - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:41 am:
I liked Duckworth when she first came onto the scene, another vet, seemingly looking out for other vets.
But she has been pulled into the trash politics like almost all of them do. Say anything, do anything, just get elected… that word means something. And she should know better.
Sad really.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:42 am:
Not over the line one bit.
Sorry, but a spade is a spade.
Moreover, billionaire investor Mark Cuban agrees.
It is okay for Cuban to call out tax dodgers, even call for boycotting their stocks, but not elected leaders?
If Quinn drove an SUV made in Japan, folks would be all over him.
But Rauner can hide millions from the IRS overseas and we are supposed to give him a pass?
No. No. No.
Moreover, the Caymans aren’t an isolated affair. Rauner falsely claimed homeowner exemptions
- William j Kelly - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:44 am:
Personally I think It would have been really out of line if she called rauner a republican.
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:44 am:
Tammy served in uniform. That makes her a hero. She was severely injured in her service. That makes her a hero who sacrificed even more greatly for her country.
She’s not a politician by choice. She was drafted. In that draft, the team’s general managers (Durbin and Emanuel) drafted for position instead of taking the best candidate available. Her incredible and emotional story made her attractive as a candidate. She’s really a very nice and bubbly lady to talk to. Very sweet even. Her personality for politics was changed when she was relaunched in a district drawn specifically for her. Once more, like Chris Cegelis, Raja was bounced when a pinch hitter was added to the line-up.
My point? This stuff isn’t natural for Tammy. She’s not mean and condescending. This brings out the worst in her because she’s not a deep political thinker at all. She’s a square peg in a round hole who should be still working for her beloved Veteran’s Administration where she acts, speaks and serves of a visible example of why their work is so important. Instead, they’ve got her on the stump using phrases like “deserter” when she knows the true meaning of that word. On duty, she’d never use it improperly. This diminishes her among her comrades at arms and civilians alike.
A great young woman who is a very poor candidate made a very poor choice of words. And now a hero, a real American hero is stuck with that faux pas. To many it’s over the line. To me, it’s simply an incredible shame.
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:50 am:
So YDD do you feel this is the correct action for all entities that engage in activities that reduce their tax liabilities by utilize foreign entities?
Does that include a personal boycott?
If so I am assuming then you are running Linux right?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:50 am:
Yes, Ron Ogelsby, the word “deserter” does have meaning.
Like in the sentence “he deserted his wife” or “thousands were deserted in the wake of the hurricane.”
It means to abandon one’s duty.
Most people agree that those who have profited so greatly from America, amassing so much wealth that their western estate is four times larger than all 580 parks in Chicago combined, well, those folks have some obligations.
Paying their fair share in taxes is one of them. And no one can sanely argue that the only reason for establishing offshore accounts in the caymans is anything but tax avoidance.
And before you start…arguing he followed the laws, in a tax code written by the ultra-wealthy and their lobbyists, is not a moral or political defense.
- RonOglesby - Now in TX - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 10:50 am:
===
She’s not a politician by choice. She was drafted.
===
You CAN’T be drafted into politics. I agree this has changed her (or at least what we see publicly of her) but everyone can make choices. Drafted means you are forced, she was not forced.
- FormerParatrooper - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:00 am:
I don’t like Rauner. And Tammy has lost my respect.
- PrairieFire - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:04 am:
Rich —
The language is harsh, but she is acting as a campaign surrogate for Gov. Quinn. This is campaigning 101. And let’s face it, worse things have been said across the midwest and the near south during political party ‘days’ at state fairs.
I remember reading what some people used to say in Kentucky during the Fancy Farm Picnic, and Rep. Duckworth calling Mr. Rauner a ‘deserter’ is pretty tame.
Election day is Nov. 3? That’s only 10 weeks or so. The campaign season is in ‘full swing’. It’s going to get a lot uglier than that.
- ChrisB - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:04 am:
And she doubled down on it? Poor form from a MoC.
A lot of things can happen in the future, but it’d sure be a shame if those comments came back to bite her come redistricting time.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:06 am:
–She’s not a politician by choice.–
That makes no sense.
- Skeptic Cal - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:08 am:
We voters deserve the mess we ask for. We complain about negative ads, but vote for those who use them. We want party divisions to be as wide as possible. We do not debate social issues, we castigate those who have a differing view as villains. We engage in name-calling even on a forum like this one.
Why should we expect better from the candidates? Hold on to your seats, we are in for a bumpy ride in this election. There will be dirt thrown everywhere and no real substance will emerge.
- Steve - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:10 am:
No matter what you think of Bruce Rauner: he’s probably paid more in Illinois taxes than you. The notion he hasn’t paid his “fair share” of taxes is beyond laughable. Tammy Duckworth gets her paycheck from taxpayers which means : she’s a consumer of taxes not a taxpayer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqoBZLSm1WA
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:12 am:
===This is campaigning 101===
Yep. And that’s the problem with this campaign so far. It’s 101 instead of post-graduate.
- Ken_in_Aurora - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:16 am:
Stay classy, Tammy…
- OneMan - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:17 am:
Ummmm, Nope….
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asset-protection_trust
or
http://www.pensumoffshore.com/cayman-marine-asset-protection.aspx
Notice both point out specifically you are not able to avoid US taxes…
- walker - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:18 am:
Having known smart people in Rauner’s tax bracket, who have forgone foreign tax havens and investments for what they called “patriotic” reasons, yes this is a fair criticism of a candidate — though “deserter” is too harsh.
Since when did making and keeping the most money, especially when you are already beyond well-off by any standard, become the highest standards for conduct?
- Steve - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:28 am:
If it wasn’t for Bruce Rauner, where would Tammy D. and Pat Q get money for their paychecks and pensions?
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:28 am:
===wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:06 am:
–She’s not a politician by choice.–
That makes no sense.===
You’re a very smart guy. Think harder. It makes a lot of sense. Durbin and Emanuel discovered her at the most vulnerable time of her life and made an offer she couldn’t refuse. It was manna in the desert dude. I’d bet you whatever coins you’ve got jingling in your silk purse she’d have preferred to stay close to home working in the VA.
The first offer made the second one mandatory. They wanted the seat. They giveth, they taketh.
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:30 am:
====*** UPDATE *** Sen. Mark Kirk reacted today…
“If we use comments like ‘deserter’ and ‘traitor’ that normally those crimes have a capital punishment consequence, I’d say that rhetoric is probably too overblown for a country that wants to stick together and hang together,” Kirk said.
He was being too kind.
- Posted by Rich Miller===
No. Actually he’s an Officer AND a Gentleman AND….today he’s a teacher.
- RonOglesby - Now in TX - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:32 am:
A guy…
I call BS. You cannot think of Duckworth as the stalwart warrior only wanting to stay at the VA abut forced to take the leap into politics. No one is forced. and once in we still have choices. if you dont like it, dont like what it is doing to you and making you become, you leave. If you dont, you as an individual are responsible for your words and actions, not Durbin and Emanuel.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:33 am:
A Guy, you probably need to check in with the Mother Ship. Your tale of Mafia-like extortion tactics to get someone to run for Congress is way out there.
- pundent - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:36 am:
Maybe it’s just me but the notion that Rauner can be demonized here because of his wealth just doesn’t resonate. Maybe that’s due to the fact that there’s no counter punch from Quinn where he references a specific accomplishment or acheivement. In short he can’t pivot to anything positive about his tenure because there isn’t much there. I know the tactic worked well for Obama but Quinn is no Obama and Rauner is no Romney.
Furthermore, why is there an obligation on the rich to go above and beyond what the law requires? I agree that the tax code may be fundamentaly unfair but there’s no evidence to remotely suggest that it was specifically influenced by Rauner or written with him in mind. Any reasonably prudent person would look to legally limit their tax liability under the law.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:45 am:
Does this make the State of Illinois a a “deserter” as well?
Seeing as how the state has at least one of the exact same investments in the Caymans as Rauner does.
Poor form.
- walker - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:46 am:
Kirk’s statement is well placed, and well received. Sounds great and appropriate.
Interesting that we have never heard him criticize the exact same language used by his Republican colleagues in Congress.
And there he goes again, playing the tough guy. Since when have we hanged a “deserter” or “traitor” in this country?
That is one Master Politician!
- OLK 73 - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:47 am:
Don’t forget that despite her legitimate right to claim actual combat veteran status, and heroic struggle to recover, Tammy Ductworth has been a political hack for Rod Blagovich by accepting his appointment to the IL Veterans Dept. What did she do there besides warm a seat for a congressional district to be tailor made for her to win. Sad to say she is simply doing her master’s will and position herself to go after Mark Kirk.
- Anonymoiis - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:50 am:
Appropriate for Kirk to respond. I vaguely remember Alexi calling Kirk a ‘traitor’ on the campaign trail in 2010. It was, rightfully, not a kind response to that from everyone, and the same scorn should be directed at Tammy now.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:52 am:
Walker beat me to it. Yes, Duckworth should have toned it down. Deserter has too many connotations that are over-the-top. As Wordslinger said, just call him the tax dodger that he is. No need to embellish.
Where was Kirk’s outrage while the Tea Party was calling the President, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid every name in the book? Now he’s moved enough to speak out against incivility in our politics?
I’m sorry, but I’m not buying his outrage. He’s a duplicitous hypocrite as far as I’m concerned.
- Walter Mitty - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:55 am:
FKA… Great point… The state does this… So now what? There is no walking this back. She should apologize and move along. YDD and anyone else, the excuses make the act look even worse. It doesn’t matter what party it is.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:58 am:
The class war continues. Whatever you do Rauner, don’t say let them eat cake. “Liberté, égalité, fraternité.”
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:59 am:
== wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 11:33 am:
A Guy, you probably need to check in with the Mother Ship. Your tale of Mafia-like extortion tactics to get someone to run for Congress is way out there.===
You’re white-flagging here maybe. Why don’t you ask her or someone very close to her how this all transpired? That will get you as close to the source as I was. She loved working for the VA and didn’t want to leave. BTW, she was good at it too. Does any of this sound like I’m beating her up Word?
Ron O…never mind. There’s no way to get you there.
- RonOglesby - Now in TX - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
A guy,
So she has no responsibility for anything that comes out of her mouth from the moment she was “drafted”. Got it.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:07 pm:
A Guy, you’re all over this explosive strongarm story. Why you and no one else?
Since you’re in the know, what were the consequences going to be for Duckworth if she refused the “mandatory” call to run for Congress against her will?
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:18 pm:
Word, while not accepting the wording of your question, but understanding it’s underlying premise, here’s your answer:
“She’s a good soldier. There was never a need to examine consequences”. She accepted the help. She answered the call of her party, just as she answered the call of her country.
Curious Word, Why are you doubting this and why are you doubting that she was an extraordinarily happy camper at the VA? There are a lot of things that aren’t easy for her. You think campaigning for herself and others every other year vs. a good job she liked and was well qualified for in an environment she loved? What’s your hangup, man?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:20 pm:
Walker-
“And there he goes again, playing the tough guy. Since when have we hanged a “deserter” or “traitor” in this country?”
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg got the chair for espionage in 1953. They were considered traitors.
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:21 pm:
===RonOglesby - Now in TX - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:03 pm:
A guy,
So she has no responsibility for anything that comes out of her mouth from the moment she was “drafted”. Got it.===
No Ron, the exact opposite. You don’t get it. And you won’t. I’m over you. Can you return the favor?
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:29 pm:
Walker,
US Army Private Edward Slovik. Executed for the crime of Desertion in World War II.
- Michael Westen - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:35 pm:
Not to change the subject, but did anyone else think it strange that Durbin held up the Kennedys and Rockefellers as people who earned their money “legally and legitimately.” I guess JFK and Nelson Rockefeller did……they inherited it. So, if I’m hearing Durbin right, if bootlegger Joseph P. Kennedy or billionaire robber baron John D. Rockefeller were running instead of Rauner, he’d be good with that?
Dope.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:46 pm:
Michael Westen you beat me to it. A lot of politicains don’t research before they talk. They either think people will take them at their word, are rewriting history, or don’t care. A little each from A,B, and C.
- Anonymoiis - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:48 pm:
==did anyone else think it strange that Durbin held up the Kennedys and Rockefellers as people who earned their money “legally and legitimately.” ==
Didn’t the Kennedy’s make a good deal of money from Bootlegging interests/connections?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 12:49 pm:
A Guy, read your own stuff. You spin a tale of “mandatory” and “offer she couldn’t refuse” and how powers–that-be would “taketh away” if she refused to run for Congress, which wasn’t her choice.
The reason I question it is I’m certain you’re making it all up.
Duckworth chose to join the armed fores, she chose to run for Congress, she chose to call Rauner a deserter. There was nothing mandatory about any of it.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 1:01 pm:
Walter Mitty:
Oh, you misunderstand me.
I am not making excuses for Duckworth.
Rauner is a deserter, and she was right, and has every right to call him out on it.
If Mark Kirk wants to argue that parking wealth in the Cayman Islands is somehow patriotic, he is welcome to it.
That is not a view shared by most Americans.
My great grandfather was a first generation German American who fought against the Germans in France in WW I. He was a Republican, like most Northern farmers, and he would have called Rauner much worse than a deserter.
- Dirty Red - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 1:15 pm:
More than ironic that it’s Kirk being critical of using language that is over the top.
https://capitolfax.com/2014/07/30/todays-quotable-17/
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 1:51 pm:
I was going to post the clip of Kirk denouncing Saxby Chambliss for questioning the courage and patriotism of Max Cleland, but Google can’t find it anywhere.
- Anonymoiis - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 1:55 pm:
==- Dirty Red - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 1:15 pm:
More than ironic that it’s Kirk being critical of using language that is over the top.
https://capitolfax.com/2014/07/30/todays-quotable-17/==
It would be ironic if the group he was referring to was a legitimate, sane political group in this Country instead of the terrorist group intent on wiping out an entire religious and ethnic group. As it is, comparing the two statements and who they were addressed towards isn’t just apples and oranges, it’s apples and rocks.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 2:34 pm:
Walter Mitty - thank you. Apologizing and then moving along would seem to be the classy thing to do at this point.
Unless, of course, she is comfortable with terms like “deserter” being thrown around by candidates. The next time she does something other politicians disagree with, will she mind being tarred as a “deserter”? Even after all she has given?
Do unto others…
- Demoralized - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 2:36 pm:
==Duckworth chose to join the armed fores==
I always cringe when somebody says that about a person who was in the military. Right or wrong it makes it sound as if you are demeaning what happened to her during her service.
- walker - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 2:55 pm:
Anonymous 1 and 2: citing two cases from over 50 years ago: I was well aware. Thank you for making my point.
- Bibe - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 2:59 pm:
Maybe if more people felt it was part of their patriotic duty to pay taxes to support this country we would have an easier time reaching compromise and solving problems.
- bored now - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 3:05 pm:
i am less and less inclined to believe that we live in a country that wants to stay together. it *feels* like we live in a country where a growing minority (on both sides) wants to impose their political views on the rest of us. mark kirk hasn’t exactly rebelled against this trend, given his votes in the senate…
- Anonymoiis - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 3:46 pm:
==- Bibe - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 2:59 pm:
Maybe if more people felt it was part of their patriotic duty to pay taxes to support this country we would have an easier time reaching compromise and solving problems.==
So do you, wanting to be so patriotic, refuse to take any exemptions or credits when you file your taxes? Since apparently you’re a an unpatriotic deserter if you’re not paying the most amount possible, even if you’re legally allowed to pay less.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 3:51 pm:
Turnabout is fair play. The GOP spent a decade questioning the patriotism of Democrats, including repeated racist slams against our president and his wife and slams against Duckworth. The “moderates” more often than not failed to do anything but encourage more of this talk. It is despicable, but the door has been open for a long time.
- MrJM - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 3:53 pm:
Mark Kirk lost a lot of his credibility regarding “too overblown rhetoric” when he started comparing people to Nazis.
https://capitolfax.com/2014/07/30/todays-quotable-17/
– MrJM
- A guy... - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 4:18 pm:
Hamas is dedicated to destroying the State of Israel and exterminating the entire race of Jews. They’re not shy about saying it. They are just like Nazis. Same goals, same lack of any measure of humanity. The truth isn’t “overblown”.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 5:04 pm:
Anon 3:46 -
Romney tried that exact same dodge.
It didn’t work then and doesn’t work now.
But yes, if I ever run for office, feel free to raise issues about the hundreds of millions I have stashed in overseas accounts.
- DuPage - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 7:42 pm:
Take the name calling with a grain of salt. People call other people names all the time.
“Sticks and stones”.
- RonOglesby - Now in TX - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 8:10 pm:
A Guy,
you are being silly, so yes I am over you. You choose to find an excuse for her. Tomorrow if she says something extremely ugly and purely political will you still say she has no control over it?
- DuPage Dave - Thursday, Aug 14, 14 @ 9:25 pm:
I call b.s. on Kirk. Duckworth never used the word “traitor” in reference to Rauner. Rauner has, in fact, deserted his responsibility to pay his fair share of taxes. A touchy analogy, but in my opinion apt. But really, Kirk- throwing “traitor” into your quote as if Duckworth actually used that term is baloney.