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A day in the life
Monday, Jan 26, 2015 - Posted by Rich Miller * Gov. Bruce Rauner drove his infamous “trash can van” to Springfield Saturday. He and his staff tweeted about the “event” along the route…
Stella and Pumpkin are his dogs. Both are Labs. * Upon arrival, Rauner held a press conference outside the Executive Mansion… * Back to the pups, who posed for pics…
* Rauner then hit the town. Metro Networks…
* Later in the day, Rauner took some legislators to a movie…
Discuss.
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- Just Observing - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 9:57 am:
I wonder if Bruce splurged and bought popcorn?
- in the know - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 9:58 am:
I like it, Rauner, Madigan, Cullerton, Durkin and Radogno taking in a flick, and I’ll bet the Gov bought the popcorn! but hold the butter….
- Ducky LaMoore - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 9:59 am:
That grey suit jacket looks so good with blue jeans. I can’t wait to see his powder blue leisure suit with the frilly laced cravat.
- Wordslinger - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:02 am:
Twitter has a purpose, but providing a running inventory on the contents of one’s navel isn’t one of them.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:04 am:
Isn’t a movie like a 3rd date? Just asking.
- anon - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:09 am:
== They’re wondering if Rauner is trying to butter people up so they won’t be so disappointed about any potential cuts coming down the pike. ==
If and when Rauner takes the meat axe to the state bureaucracy, I wonder how Reps. Poe and Brauer will vote? If Rauner wants to close state facilities, how will downstater Republicans vote when the facilities are in their districts?
- Wordslinger - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:10 am:
Willie, sounds like Rauner is planning to jump straight to third date territory with those on Medicaid and state employees.
Dinner and a movie would have been nice.
- Nick Naylor - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:10 am:
“Did you forget about me, Mr. Du-plicity? I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner”….
- Give Me A Break - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:11 am:
Saw him Saturday night at the City Tourney at the PCCC. Have to give him credit, it was no quick “press pop”.
He stayed through the first game and 3/4 of he second game. Didn’t have a big group with him, couple of detail guys and looked like one staffer. They announced he was in the house, crowd gave him some polite applause.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:17 am:
- Wordslinger -, you have that right.
Then the sun comes up, then a long walk.
- anon -, That’s where the $20 million is used to “persuade” Raunerites, or those who are confused that the ILGOP GA is autonomous.
Sandack learned early; “Please Bruce, tell Mister Uhilein I did everything you asked; I became an owl, I say whatever you want, please save me.”
The autonomy of Poe and Brauer could be in complete correlation to how much of the $20 million is there to help…or hurt.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:21 am:
Trying to imagine Quinn, Madigan or Cullerton doing any of these things and being so comfortably open about them.
Can’t do it. Maybe Cullerton, but there aren’t any examples I can think of in recent memory.
Popcorn anyone?
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:22 am:
Though imagining a ==Movie night with Mike== for the mushrooms is good for a chuckle.
- Team Sleep - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:28 am:
Just asking, but did Governor Quinn ever take in a movie with any legislators?
Sometimes the point of an exercise is nothing more than the actual exercise. Some people walk just because it gets them out of the house and keeps them active. Nothing more, nothing less. Perhaps our new Governor just wants to spend more time with the people who will either uphold or torpedo his plans.
I remember Leader Radogno telling me that Governor Quinn would keep checking his watch and acting bored during his budget meetings with the Four Tops. I asked her if she was serious and she gave me the patented Radogno look of disgust. That just shows how a lack of personal touch can doom any relationship.
- phocion - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:28 am:
FKA is absolutely right. Rauner is getting off to an excellent start as Governor - optics matter. Solid appointments. Moving to the Mansion as promised. Wooing members of the General Assembly. And everybody loves dogs! Mock Rauner at your own peril. He’s got great political instincts.
- Ryan - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:29 am:
Enough with those awful clothes! Who dresses him? He looks so fake with these outfits. Does he really get dressed and think, “I look good, people will respect me in perfectly pressed jeans and cowboy boots, even though I’m from Winnetka.”
- Team Sleep - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:31 am:
Willy - that is a good point. However - and I say this as respectfully as I possibly can - what have either Rep. Brauer or Rep. Poe done in their years to keep a well-funded primary opponent at bay? And if Rep. Poe retires and some schlub is appointed, then what?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:33 am:
===did Governor Quinn ever take in a movie with any legislators?===
Doubtful. He usually kept his top staff (including liaisons) in Mansion meetings until well after 10 o’clock. I remember he released them early one night so they could fan out into town and lobby legislators about some issue. It was a big deal because nobody ever saw a Quinn liaison before 10.
- Bill White - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:37 am:
Eventually, optics needs to give way to an actual budget proposal . . .
- Anonymoiis - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:37 am:
Optics especially matter to Springfieldians when it comes to the Governor living in Springfield. Call it buttering them up, or whatever, but it’s always good strategy to make nice with people you know you’re soon going to have to make tough decisions about.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:40 am:
===FKA is absolutely right. Rauner is getting off to an excellent start as Governor - optics matter.===
Remember about the optics when governing begins. Budgeting begins. Legislative agendas begins.
So - phocion -, you are fluff over substance?
- Team Sleep -,
No worries. It’s never about who Primaries who; it IS about knowing your Leader in your Caucus has your back. The nano-second a Caucus feels they can go around the Leader and go to a Governor for their protection, that nano-second, the Caucus leaders are not relavant.
My beliefs about Prinaries have never wavered.
Run ‘em all.
However, a Caucus is only as strong as the Leader and the members feel and more importantly know, that the Leader always has their back.
Indictment or ethical and criminal issue, that rule is off the table.
But, who runs the Caucuses now, Rauner….or Radgno and Durkin.
“Co-Equal is not the same as Co-Opted”
- Anon - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:42 am:
Someone must have reminded him not to make the dogs ride on the roof.
- The Way I See It - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:43 am:
Nice looking dogs! I’m not terribly optimistic about the new governor and what the ultimate plan will be, but I am glad to see that he is making an effort to carry on politics in a way that people in the other party are not spawn of the devil. Not very DC.
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:45 am:
Although he has not met with anyone at AFSCME, he loves to work with people.
He is talking as fast as he can about everything he feels he can talk about, preventing him from listening to anyone. This is, to me, a sign that he is nervous, and still overwhelmed by his election. His answers to questions regarding policies are attempts to reinforce his storylines and to demonstrate how he sincerely believes them, hoping that no one is cruel enough to puncture them.
Our new governor does not listen to reporters.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:50 am:
Thanks, Phocion.
He has gotten off to a better start than many expected, including myself. You are right about the appointments and getting to know the people he will be working with as well.
So far, that is all we can judge him on - his start. Everything else is speculation and innuendo at this point. That budget speech coming up will be a big one. First one in a while that will be delivered on time, despite him being brand new. Also a good sign.
- Joe from Joliet - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:51 am:
…He looks so fake with these outfits…
Gee whiz. I guess the commenter would be happier if Rauner wore a black jogging suit and hid in a nondescript building somewhere.
- downstate commissioner - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:51 am:
Ryan, don’t quite understand your comment- don’t expect a rich Chicago suburbanite to dress in faded, torn jeans and manure encrusted boots, but he is wearing boots and jeans on a Sunday afternoon with two dogs…
They whole episode looks okay to me- I certainly wouldn’t go to a HS basketball game where I didn’t know anyone, but maybe he likes basketball? Political or not, it doesn’t hurt him to attend an all-city tournament in a new town where you are going to live…
The evening sounds like a “guy thing” watching a “guy movie” with a few new business associates on an otherwise dull Sunday evening. If he wasn’t the governor, no one would think anything about it…
- Regal Beagle - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:57 am:
“Beautiful Drive”?…
- Weltschmerz - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:57 am:
Something is awfully wrong here. Why isn’t the governor living in the state capital - Chicago?
- anonymous - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:02 am:
Rauner is the biggest BSer I’ve seen in awhile. This turkey is a sham. Just a sham with alot of dough.
- Anon - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:03 am:
“You mean these four-legged things are supposed to ride INSIDE the van?!?”
- Nick Naylor - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:03 am:
In the photo with the dogs sitting on their beds, there are three remote controls visible.
Note to Governor: Logitech makes an “all-in-one” remote control that will solve that problem!
- Obama's Puppy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:03 am:
Just wondering if he uses the van to drive between his 9 homes and to the Fu Page airport when he boards his leer jet? It’s like he is an actor playing a part, the gullible and disinterested eat this up but if you really believe this you should have your head examined.
- walker - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:10 am:
Good little image move. Much better than “executed Governor movement ” by state police spokesman.
Would have been better without accompanying staff and scheduled presser.
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:14 am:
I don’t get why he thinks that van is a good idea. He must have polled on it, but I don’t see how that makes him a regular guy. It just makes him a guy driving a bad vehicle.
In contrast, the watch has a point. Any old watch can tell time. The Carhartt coats are quality coats and the price is decent, so I get that.
But the van? Why drive something that is lousy, when everybody in the world knows you don’t have to?
- CircularFirin'Squad - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:18 am:
Good stuff…just like Big Jim drinkin’ out of the plunger…who is walkin’ the dogs? Maybe BVR dropped in invisible fence (BTW notice we have dropped our “G’s” just like BVR….workin’ up to using more gotta’s and aint’s too.
- Been There - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:21 am:
===It was a big deal because nobody ever saw a Quinn liaison before 10. ===
A couple of them I know use to actually like it when there were late committee meetings. They would get to cut out afterward without having to show up at the mansion.
- Anonymoiis - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:21 am:
Maybe he just likes the van? I don’t get why a person being rich automatically means the must always by and use top shelf equipment. A lot just like the basics of certain things. Durbin drove around in a beat old pickup truck for years.
- anonymous - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:25 am:
Don’t know about Rauner, but I am really liking Stella and Pumpkin!
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:27 am:
- Anonymoiis -
===A lot just like the basics of certain things.===
Is that where the $100K wine bottles come in?
Hmm.
- Anonymoiis - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:33 am:
==Is that where the $100K wine bottles come in?
==
Note that I wrote “certain things” and not “everything.” My high school car was a piece of crud, and I have the means to drives lot better these days, but if I ever found a car like it for sale if probably by it and drive around in it because I like it. I can afford expensive beer, but I prefer Bud Light or Miller Lite. Tastes vary.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:38 am:
- Anonymoiis -,
I was having fun.
I know that the van, just like your HS car, is the only vehicle the Governor has. I mean, it’s not like he might have a half a dozen vehicles or so he could’ve taken to Springfield, right?
Or do the other 6, 7 or so vehicles, and Harley aren’t prop-like like the self-nicknamed “trashcan van”…lol
- hhood - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:46 am:
the test is weather my four dogs and two cats like him.
animals know who is good and who’s bad, I will take there lead because Illinois has already gone to the dogs.
- Anonymoiis - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:47 am:
Oh I don’t doubt that he had more vehicles, but maybe he just likes driving that one more, like an old pair of jeans. It may just be all for show. Who knows. I just think it’s silly to say “He’s rich,he can’t drive that.”
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:53 am:
==Maybe he just likes the van?==
Or maybe it is more spacious than his other vehicles and the dogs seem to like it better. There are many logical reasons why he may have chosen that vehicle on that day.
Looking forward to the equal criticisms of the couture and vehicle selections by the paupers known as Speaker Madigan and Leader Cullerton this session. Such a fashionable bunch.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:54 am:
===There are many logical reasons why he may have chosen that vehicle on that day. ===
During the campaign, he promised to drive the van to the Statehouse every day.
- Ray del Camino - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 11:55 am:
That is a VW Vanagon camper van with a tent pop-top roof. It was likely very expensive when new, and probably still nice enough. It’s not like some trashy old Dodge van; call it “trash can” all you want.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
- Anonymoiis -,
Let’s just say if he wore the Carhartt, chomped a see-gar, brought live chickens, hung dead doves in the back and had a gun rack inside, that would be a bit much for effect..,
===During the campaign, he promised to drive the van to the Statehouse every day.===
Thanks, Rich. My overall point is that, “symbolism”.
Rauner is following through on the optic promises (living in the Mansion, getting to know legislators, the van back and forth to work…), but the substance is coming soon, we will see what that all entails.
Can’t we have ” a funny” with the following through on the optics?
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
Anonymoiis,
Not that I can speak to Mr. Rauner’s taste, but having driven BMWs and Mercedes, and also having driven some beaters when I was young, I will choose the BMW any day.
This is not like a watch where the function can be accomplished with something simple. Nice cars are different.
It is not like he’s a gearhead. It is just an ugly only van.
So no, I’m not buying “he likes it.” This is about an attempt at optics and being a regular guy. While I buy it with the watch and the Carhartt, I don’t find it credible with the van.
It is not a big issue by any means. It is just part of the puzzle.
- Casual Observer - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:08 pm:
Harry Truman once said something like “if you want a friend in this town get a dog”. someone else (I dont know who) said “try to be the person your dog thinks you are”. It’s obvious Bruce loves his dogs and they love him back. Points for that. I think he should also get points for taking in the city tournament. And nobody likes to take in a ovine alone. I doubt he is the only one who called some friends to see “American sniper” this weekend. Separating business from personal is difficult for some leaders. I think his personal side is real, but I fear his business side will be just as real.
- Casual Observer - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:10 pm:
Ovine? That should be movie…jeesh
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:11 pm:
==During the campaign, he promised to drive the van to the Statehouse every day.==
Good memory, Rich. I forgot about that.
While very important to keep your promises, let us hope he breaks that one. For the sake of the eyes of journalists, legislators and the public everywhere in Springfield lol.
- Responsa - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
Rich–Is there a play date for Oscar, Stella and Pumpkin in our future?? And labs love lakes!
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
As I’ve said here about a dozen times, unlike some other wealthy dudes, Rauner is not about the bling. If he can’t make money off it, he’s not gonna put a lot of dough in it. No flashy cars that lose half their value in the first year. The houses, they will appreciate in the long run.
- Pot calling kettle - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:43 pm:
Well, at least we get a little glimpse of what having a Gov. Rutherford would have been like.
I wonder if he will tweet about fixing the toilet in the Gov’s mansion?
- D.P.Gumby - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
If Brucie was driving, who took the pix and was texting…the dogs? Perhaps a special prosecutor is needed to investigate since we all know the history of Illinois governors!!
- Demoralized - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 12:59 pm:
I think there’s a lot of people grasping at straws with the van criticism. When did he buy the thing? It was my understanding he’s always had “average” cars. Do we really care what he drives? Or wears? Look at Warren Buffet. The guy still lives in a tiny house.
- Cheswick - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:02 pm:
=== That is a VW Vanagon camper van with a tent pop-top roof. ===
Correct. There is one such van on the cover of Home is Where you Park It book, in case some haven’t seen the top popped:
http://store.arestlesstransplant.com/product/home-is-where-you-park-it-photo-book
Fun stuff. Hippie stuff.
- Cheswick - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:07 pm:
Sorry to be all covetous and whatnot, but when he throws those green leather napping couches to the curb, I’m calling dibs on one of them.
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:16 pm:
Demoralized, it matters only because Gov. Rauner brings it up. He wants to make it an issue.
If he was driving a BMW there, I would not care less. But if he wants to put on a show, we are going to comment on his little show.
- liandro - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:34 pm:
—Note to Governor: Logitech makes an “all-in-one” remote control that will solve that problem!—
I’ve had terrible luck with remotes. My most recent one somehow got my TV to not “recognize” the original remote, but doesn’t actually work with the TV itself. Grrr.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:39 pm:
==But if he wants to put on a show, we are going to comment on his little show.==
Isn’t that what Illinois politics has largely become these days? A show?
And if we are judging shows, isn’t this show better than the one where he sits in his Chicago area home and ignores the state mansion, wears $10K suits everywhere instead of jeans, cancels the legislator outreach and Inauguration party appearances and movie nights, ignores the city basketball tournament, and replaces all the appointees with party hacks? Is that a ==better== show? Ugh. We have seen a similar show to that, less the mansions and suits, during the past decade. It’s not a good show.
- 618662dem - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
I bet he spends more on the dogs than many children get spent on. Just sayin.
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 1:47 pm:
Formerly Known As,
I think the difference is that this Gov. seems to care about the show and about using props.
Quinn had his briefcase and was overall sort of a strange person and Blago was doing the whole evil thing, but neither of them was so into “look at this thing I own, which tells you about me.”
- VanillaMan - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 2:22 pm:
“look at this thing I own, which tells you about me.”
You talking about that old Super 8 Motel card Quinn used to wave around?
- Arthur Andersen - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
618662dem observes “I bet he spends more on the dogs than many children get spent on.”
QTNA: Which is worse here; the grammar or the totally baseless assertion?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 2:37 pm:
618662dem, either take a breath or leave. Your choice.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 3:09 pm:
Goooner - fair enough, and an interesting observation about their distinguishing characteristics.
I actually regard Quinn, in many ways, as similar relating to the ==show== many politicians put on. Instead of ==look at this thing I own, which tells you about me==, he replaced meaningless objects with meaningless political stunts. Look at me ==stopping legislators paychecks==, ==taking the minimum wage challenge==, ==flashing my Super 8 Motel card instead of a watch== and more, ==which tells you about me==. Just a good old likable guy, like Rauner.
Both of them actors with props aplenty, though Governor Rauner has the benefit of the doubt for now imho. We will see if he stays in the Executive Mansion and keeps showing up at basketball tournaments.
- Nick Naylor - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
Well, I’m running down the road
tryin’ to loosen my load
I’ve got seven appointments on
my mind,
Four that wanna own me,
Two that wanna thone me,
One says he’s a friend of mine
- Nick Naylor - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 3:26 pm:
thone = throne
- Cheryl44 - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 3:38 pm:
What’s that tank get–3 MPG?
- Gooner - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 3:45 pm:
Formerly Known As,
There’s no question that Quinn liked meaningless stunts that got him attention. Again, he was a strange guy and that sort of thing was part of it.
We’ve gone from “Look at me, because I’m acting wacky and the people are going to love it” to “Look at my cool stuff, which makes me just like you and the people are going to love it.”
Again, I don’t think this is a big deal at all. It is just sort of amusing in that he took a long ride in a lousy vehicle just for political optics. I sure wouldn’t do that, but then of course “Gooner” didn’t get a single vote for Gov. so perhaps he knows what he’s doing.
- LTSW - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 3:57 pm:
i think were are going to find that Rauner is a lot more regular guy than most think. As others have said, just ’cause you have the money doesn’t mean you have to be stupid or ostentatious with it. I worked at a country club in college and the folks who already had the money treated us staff the best. It was the people on the way up who wanted to show off that were the worst.
- Ghost - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 4:03 pm:
Antecdotally i have seen a lot of social media pics of the gov and local springfield folks. Reminds me of Rich’s story about, i beleive his mother and kenedy, and how that personal connection made her a lifetime supporter.
Rauner seems to be taking that story to heart and working hard to build strong bonds. Kudos for him formputting in this much work and effort after the election and long before the next.
- DuPage Dave - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 7:08 pm:
Remember folks, Rauner has reported something like $120 million in income over the last two years, so everything you see is symbolism.
I don’t think it’s fooling anyone, but he seems to think it’s worthwhile for now.
- Macoupin Minority - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 7:17 pm:
Glad to see we have a guv who actually can and does drive. I don’t think Ryan or Blago did for years. Who is acting like royalty, them or a multi-millionaire who could ask to be treated like royalty, but isn’t. Not sure about the Speaker, but I believe that Cullerton has had a fondness for Jaguars.
- Formerly Known As... - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 7:23 pm:
==I sure wouldn’t do that==
Gooner, that makes two of us. See you on the flip side y’all.
- Holdingontomywallet - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 8:04 pm:
If he was taking a plane back and forth, most of the people on this board would criticize him. If he was not living in or using the Mansion, most people on this bolg would criticize him. If he was wearing $1,000 suits, he would be criticized. I will sit back and evaluate him after a year or so. Give the guy a chance.
- Mary Sunshine - Monday, Jan 26, 15 @ 10:17 pm:
He is still in full campaign mode…it’s actually a bit cringe-worthy…sigh.
- mythoughtis - Tuesday, Jan 27, 15 @ 7:01 am:
I like the optics. I like the fact that he is trying to spend time in Springfield, get to know the residents, and spend time with the legislators. Is it a ploy? Could be, but it might just morph into the Governor actually learning something about the capital city, the government, why things have to be done in certain ways. It might just morph into him caring about the effects of his decisions upon the capital city.