* Illinois Public Radio has a story up about Bruce Rauner’s outreach to state legislators, particularly Democrats. They all gave him pretty high marks. For instance…
But rank-and-file Democrats, like Rep. Dan Beiser will pay a role too. Beiser, who’s from Alton, says his meeting with Rauner lasted about 15 minutes.
“It was more informal. Very little politics of where ‘do you stand on this issue’. There was none of that. It was more based on: just to get to know you, I’ve never met you, I’d like to get to know you. And it was not just one way. It was Gov. Rauner and Rep. Beiser exchanging those bits of information,” Beiser said.
They talked about their families, and backgrounds.
“The biggest thing I think that I brought out of that meeting was that he sincerely is attempting to establish lines of communications, establish relationships, regardless of your political stances.” […]
“I … really, think he’s doing a great job reaching out to all members of the General Assembly,” Rep. Beiser said. “And I think we might get back to those days where we, get back, into have some small group meetings over at the governor’s mansion and things like that. Just on a social level, but also establish relationships. And everything in politics, in my opinion, or the vast majority of success in politics, is based on establishing relationships.”
Beiser is right about that. Legislating is a business based on relationships. I had a long, off the record discussion with Rauner about this topic last summer, and he appeared to fully grasp that concept.
Give IPR some love and go read the whole thing. Heck, even Emil Jones III had nice things to say about the guy.
- Rhino Slider - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 1:58 pm:
I’m buying a lot of cherry coke and popcorn to watch what happens the next year.
- anonymous - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:00 pm:
Isn’t it interesting what a big ole’ wad of cash will do for you with the media? The butt-kissing began in the primary and will continue for four years or more depending on the election outcome. If Rauner was a real Republican and didn’t have the cashflow, I wonder how things would be different ini IPR’s reporting. It’s not really media bias is it? It’s money bias.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:01 pm:
anonymous, when you have to stretch that far to be a victim, you should probably stop commenting here.
- Millie K. - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:07 pm:
Give the guy a break…..far more than Quinn ever did…..he wouldn’t even talk to southern Illinois Republicans……remember…he said he didn’t need Southern Illinois to win the election…..ha!
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
===Give the guy a break===
Another victim. It’s a POSITIVE piece, for crying out loud.
Sheesh. You Raunerbots need a readjustment.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:09 pm:
Give the Gov-elect props for the effort. You need to do this and keep doing it to be successful. You will make friends on the other side of the aisle, however, don’t sabotage this good move by bringing the vitriol when these friends take opposing positions because of philosophy or party needs. (Big example of what not to do was given by your press guy.) These friends can still help on other things that matter.
You will get complaints from your own side of the aisle about this coziness, but let them know that it’s in their best interest to get others on board with needed changes. Lest they be asked to shoulder all of the bad votes.
- Norseman - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:12 pm:
Rich, I think they have a program that automatically sends you comments whenever you post anything about the guy. It’s called the Kneejerk the Jerk App.
- Ron Burgundy - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:13 pm:
Good for him. Beats the Rod Blagojevich “you are all evil” approach.
- Mokenavince - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:20 pm:
Rauner did not get where he is at today, without people skills. Any fool knows when both houses are from the other party you must work with them.
Rauner’s approach is the way he will get things done. Rich is right we must stay positive. He the executive and wants to see that some thing must be done to help our state. We certainly don’t need another Quinn, Ryan or Blago.
- Del Clinkton - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:22 pm:
We dont need another Thompson or Edgar either. Worse than Quinn ever was. Lets stay positive here in the State of Potter!
- DuPage - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:22 pm:
=(Rauner) sincerely attempting to establish lines of communications, establish relationships, regardless of your political stances.=
Rauner has a long, long way to go.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
Feel Like Making Laws - Bad Company, enhanced by VanillaMan
Democrats, with the elections over
I think about laws
Ducklin’, Illinois is hurtin
We’ve got flaws
If we had, those golden geese
with their golden eggs
I would never, tax you
We’d have a property tax freeze, with legs
I feel like making
I feel like making laws
I feel like making laws
I feel like making laws
Feel like making laws with you!
Now that the elections over
I can maybe tell you the truth
I will be, a lonely governor
Since your power, is veto-proof
And since we owe, the moon and stars
To our aged pensioneers
Our bonds are trending further down
Illinois is in arrears
Feel like making
Feel like making laws
Feel like making laws
Feel like making laws
Feel like making laws with you!
- Ok - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
= We dont need another Thompson or Edgar either. Worse than Quinn ever was. Lets stay positive here in the State of Potter!=
Based on what metric other than a mindless knee jerk partisan one? If you look at approval ratings Jim Edgar was, according to the people of the state of Illinois, one of the best Governor’s we have ever had. BTW, way to stay positive……
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
===approval ratings Jim Edgar was, according to the people of the state of Illinois, one of the best Governor’s we have ever had===
Yeah, but his approval rating at the Statehouse was maybe 20 percent. Higher than Rod’s and Quinn’s, but not exactly popular.
- Wordslinger - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
“So, governor, $20 million is just for starters? How do you define ‘tough’ vote?”
- Anonymoiis - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:46 pm:
== It was Gov. Rauner and Rep. Beiser exchanging those bits of information,” Beiser said.==
Does he always speak in third person?
- anonymous - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:49 pm:
@rich miler Come on, since when does a GOP candidate get every endorsement without an actual plan? Have you also forgotten that little endorsement play of the Chicago Sun-Times. I haven’t forgotten Dave McKinney have you?
- Anonymoiis - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 2:52 pm:
==when does a GOP candidate get every endorsement without an actual plan? ==
When? When that GOP’s opponent is Pat Quinn
- Been There - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
I thinks its great that Rauner is trying to open lines of communications with the members. He is going to be looking for some tough votes and Durkin and Radogno are only going to get a certain number of their members to suck it up and do that. Hopefully these members can cut some good deals for their districts to take those votes. Of course this is the old way of doing business in Springfield and I’m not sure how Bruce can say he is shaking things up by doing it this way. We will see.
- Rich Miller - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
Anonymoiis is on fire today.
- PolPal56 - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:04 pm:
Yeah, but did he ask about their fears?
- foster brooks - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
we’ll see what happens when Bruce opens up that 20 mil war chest lol
- D.P.Gumby - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:06 pm:
Since he knows no one and nothing about government, doing anything to gain knowledge seems like a step forward. His bar is fairly low, after all.
- Apocalypse Now - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
The Rauner “crew” is doing the right thing getting their guy out and about building up goodwill with the public and constituents.
- Del Clinkton - Friday, Jan 9, 15 @ 3:12 pm:
@foster:
Yup, 20 million “war chest”. Glad Bruce isnt corrupt! With his exciting “business acumen” we need him to think clearly as he governs the State of Potter.