* Who’s more to blame for the current Statehouse gridlock and pending overtime session? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
The Gov hasn’t figured out yet that he actually needs to ‘lead’. And by lead, we don’t mean travel around the state vilifying it’s workers and in many cases the state itself.
- NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
I voted for Governor Rauner because he seems to still be in campaign mode. He loves his talking points. He has been pushing the RTW agenda. He has infected the ILGOP with his talking points and that parrot it on the floor, in interviews and to anybody else that will listen. He has never really been serious about working with the legislature.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
Equal share.
As noted elsewhere, the Dems aren’t budging, which is their ==usual play==. And now we have a Gov who isn’t budging either, which is a new dynamic for Springfield.
For the time being, it is a stalemate. And until both sides begin acting like adults, it will remain a stalemate.
I have it at 52% Rauner, 20% Dems, trying to teach, 20% GOP GA members co-opted, and not helping in teaching, and 8% the “Superstars” allowing Sonny to make the choices a governor normally would.
I think Harmon is right: if Rauner had stuck to the budget, they would have reached a deal already to dramatically reduce spending and address the structural deficit with sustainable revenue.
But Rauner’s gallivanting around the state attacking organized labor, attempts to undermine fair share collection, and efforts to attach all sorts of poison pills that are completely unrelated to the budget have really tripped up the process.
Hiring staff and consultants with six-figure salaries also hasn’t helped convince Democrats that he is committed to “shared sacrifice,” and the Good Friday cuts were just plain inexcusable.
BVR wins in a walk…it took him six weeks to do the FY15 budget correction that relies on using other funds, failed to convince anyone his ideas make sense and embarrassed all with campaign cash.
Apparently being sealed in that bubble really prevents having common sense
- Cook County Commoner - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
I voted more blame to the Democrats because they outnumber the Governor and hold the majority in the GA. This is a comment on process, not substance. If the taciturn GA leadership, especially Michael Madigan, spent more time in front of the camera making their case to the entire state, maybe things would be different.
- Short Bus Rider - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
MJM and the dems aren’t used to having someone call their bluff. The emperor’s last little grandstand play didn’t work out so well.
I voted Rauner, but agree with OW that you just can’t blame the gov and the Dems. House Republicans haven’t done much to break the deadlock and I don’t think Rauner has been served well by his staff.
Does this mean we’ll get another “Rauner at the grill making brats” photo on his Twitter account?
Or do we get somber tribute tweet in honor of Memorial Day — and then a ‘Rauner at the grill haning’ out with my biker friends (who, BTW, are good bikers — not bad bikers)”?
Look! He’s just a normal guy! Can’t a man just be eatin’ a brat for da holiday?
It doesn’t matter what this echo chamber thinks. The vast majority of public opinion will pin the blame on the Democrats. Madigan and Cullerton are going to be feeling a world of pain. Harmon can whine to his ultra-liberal constituency about Rauner. Downstate and other at-risk Democrats are going to take it hard on the chin for their leaders’ misguided strategy.
Voted Gov. because he wasted so much time with his RTW nonsensical agenda that he is now finally starting to present actual bills this week. He should have been working with the Dems all this time, instead of still campaigning across the state.
The Gov. Seems like the guy has really mis-read the people of Illinois. Shake up Sprinfield? Yeah, they’re all shakin’ ’cause they’re laugin’ so hard. Plus, he’s trying to do too much at once. Hey, Bruce, you’ve got four years to get the job done! One thing at a time, and learn to play politics.
Rauner.
Worst start to an administration - ever.
Watching him try to govern and lead has been like watching a gorilla with a priceless Stradivarius, angry that it is too small to be an accordion and wondering why it won’t make any music when he squeezes it.
Voted Governor Rauner, because he totally backed off his campaign based proposal to “modernize the sales tax,” which was supposed to generate over $600 million in revenue to help offset part of the income tax rate cut. Once elected every potential revenue increase became contingent on his “Illinois Turnaround” proposal being accepted by the Assembly. He provoked the current battle with Madigan, Cullerton, and the Democrat leadership. What we have is not gridlock but a the execution of a designed strategy on the part of the Governor with advice from groups like the Republican Governors Association, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, the Heritage Foundation, and on and on.
Blew his chance to get working on the budget right out of the box and, as noted here frequently, went around the state selling RTW snake oil and angering. . .pretty much everybody.
The public will blame Rauner–sorry phocion–because most of them don’t know who Madigan and Cullerton even are. They know–or will know–Bruce Rauner.
I voted for Rauner. He’s acting like the Tea-Party guys in Congress who are willing to shut down the government –something that hurts everyone, to get his ideological agenda adopted — an agenda that has zilch to do with the current 2016 budget crisis and much more to do with a big feather in his cap with the union busting crowd. Make AFCSME for Rauner Reagan’s PATCO?
I’m going with the Democrats. They simply refuse to believe that the policies of the past should be modified in any way and are sticking to their principles for almost entirely partisan and political reasons. Why not extend an olive branch to the Governor and give on a few things as Rauner has? I believe there could be common ground on several of the issues, if Democrats would simply be honest with themselves and their constituencies.
Reading the blog today, there were 2 points that hit home - Madigan not contesting Sandack’s “version of history” and Durkin saying that people are voting with their feet. I think that as much as our state has going for it, people are just tired of the mess. They’re leaving because they don’t want to be part of the punchline for jokes about bad governance. Perception is reality and we look horrible.
Anon, you know a lot of people who have sold their houses, made career changes and moved their families out of state because they don’t want to be “part of the punchline for jokes about bad governance?”
Do you truly think that? Or is it just a nonsensical talking point?
- How Ironic - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:13 pm:
The Gov hasn’t figured out yet that he actually needs to ‘lead’. And by lead, we don’t mean travel around the state vilifying it’s workers and in many cases the state itself.
- NewWestSuburbanGOP'er - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:14 pm:
I voted for Governor Rauner because he seems to still be in campaign mode. He loves his talking points. He has been pushing the RTW agenda. He has infected the ILGOP with his talking points and that parrot it on the floor, in interviews and to anybody else that will listen. He has never really been serious about working with the legislature.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
Equal share.
As noted elsewhere, the Dems aren’t budging, which is their ==usual play==. And now we have a Gov who isn’t budging either, which is a new dynamic for Springfield.
For the time being, it is a stalemate. And until both sides begin acting like adults, it will remain a stalemate.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:15 pm:
Voted “Governor Rauner”,
“But…”
I have it at 52% Rauner, 20% Dems, trying to teach, 20% GOP GA members co-opted, and not helping in teaching, and 8% the “Superstars” allowing Sonny to make the choices a governor normally would.
- Wordslinger - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:17 pm:
Equal share, in that they have fundamental disagreements. That’s okay, my weekend will be just fine, lol.
- x ace - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:18 pm:
Rauner - Charles Bronson approach ain’t good
- Juvenal - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:20 pm:
Voted Rauner.
I think Harmon is right: if Rauner had stuck to the budget, they would have reached a deal already to dramatically reduce spending and address the structural deficit with sustainable revenue.
But Rauner’s gallivanting around the state attacking organized labor, attempts to undermine fair share collection, and efforts to attach all sorts of poison pills that are completely unrelated to the budget have really tripped up the process.
Hiring staff and consultants with six-figure salaries also hasn’t helped convince Democrats that he is committed to “shared sacrifice,” and the Good Friday cuts were just plain inexcusable.
- Anonin' - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:24 pm:
BVR wins in a walk…it took him six weeks to do the FY15 budget correction that relies on using other funds, failed to convince anyone his ideas make sense and embarrassed all with campaign cash.
Apparently being sealed in that bubble really prevents having common sense
- Cook County Commoner - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
I voted more blame to the Democrats because they outnumber the Governor and hold the majority in the GA. This is a comment on process, not substance. If the taciturn GA leadership, especially Michael Madigan, spent more time in front of the camera making their case to the entire state, maybe things would be different.
- Short Bus Rider - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:26 pm:
MJM and the dems aren’t used to having someone call their bluff. The emperor’s last little grandstand play didn’t work out so well.
- JS Mill - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:32 pm:
Equal. It would be one thing if the state had been well managed before Rauner was elected. Both sides need to move toward more pragmatic solutions.
- G'Kar - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:38 pm:
I voted Rauner, but agree with OW that you just can’t blame the gov and the Dems. House Republicans haven’t done much to break the deadlock and I don’t think Rauner has been served well by his staff.
- Frenchie Mendoza - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:39 pm:
Easily Rauner. Easily.
Does this mean we’ll get another “Rauner at the grill making brats” photo on his Twitter account?
Or do we get somber tribute tweet in honor of Memorial Day — and then a ‘Rauner at the grill haning’ out with my biker friends (who, BTW, are good bikers — not bad bikers)”?
Look! He’s just a normal guy! Can’t a man just be eatin’ a brat for da holiday?
- D.P.Gumby - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:41 pm:
Brucie…got play to win…gotta actually put proposals in bill form with actual figures, not mythical ideas. What a novel concept.
- vole - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:47 pm:
Rauner — boxed in ideologue.
- phocion - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
It doesn’t matter what this echo chamber thinks. The vast majority of public opinion will pin the blame on the Democrats. Madigan and Cullerton are going to be feeling a world of pain. Harmon can whine to his ultra-liberal constituency about Rauner. Downstate and other at-risk Democrats are going to take it hard on the chin for their leaders’ misguided strategy.
- Mongo - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:51 pm:
The new guy. This ain’t his company.
- Vote Quimby! - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:56 pm:
Voted for Rauner. Politics ain’t bidness. Maybe someday, but it ain’t now.
- Big Joe - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 12:58 pm:
Voted Gov. because he wasted so much time with his RTW nonsensical agenda that he is now finally starting to present actual bills this week. He should have been working with the Dems all this time, instead of still campaigning across the state.
- lil' enchililada - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
Rauner ain’t doin’ it da way I taught he wood.
Two thumbs down.
- relocated - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
If the gov doesnt name his price the legislature cant meet it. He only has to round up one vote.
- Deep South - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
The Gov. Seems like the guy has really mis-read the people of Illinois. Shake up Sprinfield? Yeah, they’re all shakin’ ’cause they’re laugin’ so hard. Plus, he’s trying to do too much at once. Hey, Bruce, you’ve got four years to get the job done! One thing at a time, and learn to play politics.
- VanillaMan - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
Rauner.
Worst start to an administration - ever.
Watching him try to govern and lead has been like watching a gorilla with a priceless Stradivarius, angry that it is too small to be an accordion and wondering why it won’t make any music when he squeezes it.
This guy is completely clueless, and proud of it.
- Rod - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:15 pm:
Voted Governor Rauner, because he totally backed off his campaign based proposal to “modernize the sales tax,” which was supposed to generate over $600 million in revenue to help offset part of the income tax rate cut. Once elected every potential revenue increase became contingent on his “Illinois Turnaround” proposal being accepted by the Assembly. He provoked the current battle with Madigan, Cullerton, and the Democrat leadership. What we have is not gridlock but a the execution of a designed strategy on the part of the Governor with advice from groups like the Republican Governors Association, American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, the Heritage Foundation, and on and on.
- Ray del Camino - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:21 pm:
Rauner–
Blew his chance to get working on the budget right out of the box and, as noted here frequently, went around the state selling RTW snake oil and angering. . .pretty much everybody.
The public will blame Rauner–sorry phocion–because most of them don’t know who Madigan and Cullerton even are. They know–or will know–Bruce Rauner.
- Anonymous - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:29 pm:
The Dems have total legislative control.. Rauner can make noise but only Madigan can move anything. It is simply a matter of numbers.
- kimocat - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:31 pm:
I voted for Rauner. He’s acting like the Tea-Party guys in Congress who are willing to shut down the government –something that hurts everyone, to get his ideological agenda adopted — an agenda that has zilch to do with the current 2016 budget crisis and much more to do with a big feather in his cap with the union busting crowd. Make AFCSME for Rauner Reagan’s PATCO?
- Anon - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
I’m going with the Democrats. They simply refuse to believe that the policies of the past should be modified in any way and are sticking to their principles for almost entirely partisan and political reasons. Why not extend an olive branch to the Governor and give on a few things as Rauner has? I believe there could be common ground on several of the issues, if Democrats would simply be honest with themselves and their constituencies.
Reading the blog today, there were 2 points that hit home - Madigan not contesting Sandack’s “version of history” and Durkin saying that people are voting with their feet. I think that as much as our state has going for it, people are just tired of the mess. They’re leaving because they don’t want to be part of the punchline for jokes about bad governance. Perception is reality and we look horrible.
- Wordslinger - Friday, May 22, 15 @ 1:41 pm:
Anon, you know a lot of people who have sold their houses, made career changes and moved their families out of state because they don’t want to be “part of the punchline for jokes about bad governance?”
Do you truly think that? Or is it just a nonsensical talking point?