“I feel Governor Rauner is a pretty speshul leader, and I can see him leading this state, and eventually being in Wershington DC helping our country someday…”
“Usually we have our speakers take questions, but today we’re going to do something different. There won’t be any questions, but I’ll read from a prepared statement; ‘Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls’…”
No caption, but does every picture with the Governor look like the forced perspective shots from Lord of the Rings? I can’t help but imagine the podium as a white horse.
“Here to speak on how to create a world class work force on 2/3 of the budget….what? Bruce you promised you would tell everyone your plan after the election! Yes Bruce, the election is over, you won.”
- Hawkeye in Illinois - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
After Gov. Rauner reads his talking points from a piece of paper we will have a Q and A session. However, instead of you asking him questions he would like to ask you questions on just how the heck Illinois state government works because he is stumped. Also, Gov. Rauner has asked to sign up for my spring graduate seminar on “Strategies for Dealing With Speaker Madigan.”
“And now a man who took a less traditional way to becoming governor; he bought a political party and everything in it, while telling voters nothing. Please welcome…”
“We invited Lt. Governor Sanguinetti for today’s speaker, but, with no budget, our liability insurance lapsed. So… we’ll welcome the governor, and just make do…”
“When I invited the governor to speak today, 5 long months ago, Mr. Rauner said ‘Budget or no budget, I’ll be there.’ The governor kept his promise, we have no budget, and here he is… “
“Some of you do NOT look like my students, but the governor wanted y’all here, even the ones with the ‘I love Bruce’ signs, and the ‘Fire Madigan’ t-shirts… “
Mr. Edgar: Anyone else here in Edgar Fellow group notice the U.S. flag next to the white flag of surrender? We’ve gone from “Land of Lincoln” to “Illinois - we’ve just plain given up hope.”
Former Governor Jim Edgar speaks to those gathered for the presentation of the white flag to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. “Sometimes you need to know when to fold ‘em Bruce, and waving this white flag on the House floor will let everyone know that you’ve given up on the doomed-from-the-start ‘Turn Around Agenda’”
Back twenty years ago, when Pate, Mike and I came up with that pension ramp idear, we wondered who the poor sap would be who’d have to pay the tab for our easy ride. Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce that man. Please welcome Governor Bruce Rauner…
And now, without further ado,I would like to introduce the man who is fixin to fix the state. He’ll do this by starving babies and removing any shred of dignity that the poor and oppressed have. May I introduce Mr. 1%, Mr. I got mine by taking yours, our very own BVR.
“Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls sent him an unbalanced budget by $4 billion dollars, but you guys get to hear him from him for free… Bruce Rauner…”
“You all have been given a vitamin of sorts for you to take with today’s lunch, compliments of the Governor, and afterwards you, like me, will find yourself agreeing with him on all sorts of things…”
Let’s get Edgar’s role and history straight. As Governor he abolishes an elected U of I Board of Trustees, and instead, appoints them himself.
After leaving the Governor’s office with a $152,000 state retirement payout, Edgar receives an additional $180,000 a year from the University of Illinois, mostly for presenting 20 seminars a year to students about Illinois Politics. Specifically, how he was able to get appointed by Gov. Thompson, Illinois Secretary of State.
His educational qualifications include a BS in History from Eastern Illinois University and an insurance license.
The University of Illinois was recently ranked the # 1 Party School in America, and Edgar doesn’t even drink.
“I want to acknowledge my good friend Bob Kustra. Welcome Bob. Please, Bob, don’t confuse Evelyn too much with tricky governing questions during lunch… “
FWIW, besides being the nation’s new No.1 party university, U of I is ranked by the Times Higher Education survey as the 29th best university on the planet, ahead of every Big Ten school but Michigan and Northwestern, and ahead of Ivys such as Brown and Dartmouth.
- Southern Illinois Hoopdee - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
Maybe I should have listened to the guy to my left?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:21 pm:
“Usually it’s ‘we’ giving speaking fees, but Mr. Rauner’s generous… gift … Well, let’s give a warm welcome to the Governor…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
“I feel Governor Rauner is a pretty speshul leader, and I can see him leading this state, and eventually being in Wershington DC helping our country someday…”
- Norseman - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:23 pm:
Now students, what you’ll learn from the next speaker is how NOT to govern.
- Nick Danger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:24 pm:
I’d like to introduce the Governor I wanted to be but lacked the fortitude.
- Hawkeye in Illinois - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:26 pm:
Norseman has already nailed it.??
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:26 pm:
“Although your MAP money will probably be lost for the year, please give Governor Rauner a nice welcome…”
- Archiesmom - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:27 pm:
What can I say to these folks? They know more about governin’ than I do…
- lil' enchililada - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
Without further ado, the guy taking away your MAP grants.
Party on ILLINI!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
“And now, let me introduce the man who is personally ruining all the hard work I did for 8 years as Governor, Bruce Rauner…”
- walker - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:28 pm:
“Our next speaker will teach us how to lose weight by spinning in place.”
- zatoichi - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
Edgar: ‘We welcome….’
BR thought balloon: Own them too.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:29 pm:
“Please be kind, and speak slowly to our next guest.”
- Former Titan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
Rauner thinking: “He’s STILL got better hair than I do.”
- okgo - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
Another victim of the state budget impasse - flag stands!
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
“Governor Rauner will now explain what he is doing, because for the life of me, I haven’t a clue.”
- ash - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
Okay — 32% of you kids need to go now…
- Archiesmom - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:30 pm:
I swear to God, he told me he was an Edgar Republican!
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
“Usually we have our speakers take questions, but today we’re going to do something different. There won’t be any questions, but I’ll read from a prepared statement; ‘Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls’…”
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
It’s Casual Tuesday and we’re havin’ Cheeseburgers for lunch. Sponsored by the Illinois Harness Racing Assn.
Sorry, no beer.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:31 pm:
“…and now, the man who thinks he has earned what he buys…Governor Rauner.”
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:32 pm:
“Class, you won’t need to take notes.”
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:32 pm:
“I hope a lot of you are hungry, because Mr. Rauner here is going to feed you a whole lot of bull.”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:33 pm:
“Lunch today will be bread and water. Unless you bought a VIP ticket. Then you can come enjoy some $100,000.00 wine with me in the VIP area.”
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:34 pm:
“Our next guest took a very short bus to our school.”
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
You don’t have to come on “Visitors Day” to see these 2 Governors together.
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
“Our next guest will be winging it, then paying off his victims in court with his spare change.”
- Mittuns - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:35 pm:
Rauner: Edgar Fellows? I was told his name was Jim!?!
- Nickname#2 - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
No caption, but does every picture with the Governor look like the forced perspective shots from Lord of the Rings? I can’t help but imagine the podium as a white horse.
- Mittuns - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:36 pm:
Rauner: A nice red would go well with this crow.
- Mittuns - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
Rauner: Professor Edgar? I’m on the wait list for your Poli Sci 111 and was wondering if I could get in?
- West Side the Best Side - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
I’m retired so I can dress in plain clothes. This guy should have shown you and his office more respect and worn a tie and a real shirt.
- burbanite - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:38 pm:
“Here to speak on how to create a world class work force on 2/3 of the budget….what? Bruce you promised you would tell everyone your plan after the election! Yes Bruce, the election is over, you won.”
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
Edgar: Class, Gov. Rauner will explain why he is now prepared to sign appropriations language that he vetoed in June.
- Old Shepherd - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:39 pm:
Gov. Rauner uses his Jim Edgar ventriloquist dummy to explain his turnaround agenda.
- Jorge - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:40 pm:
“Listen to this guy. He’ll teach you how to sell snake oil better than the rest.”
- Austin Blvd - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:41 pm:
Jim: I told him ‘Illinois politics is very political.’
And you know what he told me?
He said, “Well, that was in the past. Now we’re goin’ to run it like a bidness.”
- A guy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
The gap between us represents 16 years of no one providing a check or balance to spending into oblivion.
- illini - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:42 pm:
Willy, Norseman and Vanilla - great posts. No time right now to add anything.
- Arthur Andersen - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:44 pm:
“Kids these days. Who knew you could make a beer bong out of a flag stand?”
- Shark Sandwich - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:47 pm:
From right to left: J. Edgar, Goober.
- Hawkeye in Illinois - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 2:59 pm:
After Gov. Rauner reads his talking points from a piece of paper we will have a Q and A session. However, instead of you asking him questions he would like to ask you questions on just how the heck Illinois state government works because he is stumped. Also, Gov. Rauner has asked to sign up for my spring graduate seminar on “Strategies for Dealing With Speaker Madigan.”
- Waldi - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:00 pm:
Edgar: “I guess my pension ramp wasn’t such a good idea”. Rauner: “No problem, we can just blame it on Madigan and the Union”.
- Wensicia - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
“Please remember our guest is grammar challenged; do not attempt corrections.”
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:02 pm:
“The title of the governor’s lecture is ‘Standing Firm Under Pressure’….. no, really, that’s what it says…..”
- Suburbanon - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:05 pm:
Edgar: Class, today we will hear a first hand account of the importance of money in politics. Or how to buy a Governor’s Office for only $30 a vote.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:07 pm:
“And now a man who took a less traditional way to becoming governor; he bought a political party and everything in it, while telling voters nothing. Please welcome…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:08 pm:
“We invited Lt. Governor Sanguinetti for today’s speaker, but, with no budget, our liability insurance lapsed. So… we’ll welcome the governor, and just make do…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:11 pm:
“When I invited the governor to speak today, 5 long months ago, Mr. Rauner said ‘Budget or no budget, I’ll be there.’ The governor kept his promise, we have no budget, and here he is… “
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:13 pm:
“Some of you do NOT look like my students, but the governor wanted y’all here, even the ones with the ‘I love Bruce’ signs, and the ‘Fire Madigan’ t-shirts… “
- Anon. - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:17 pm:
“The governor says, if you skip dessert, you still have to pay the full price for lunch. That goes for anyone leaving before his speech, too.”
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:18 pm:
“Now, it is with great pleasure I introduce the person responsible for making U of I the #1 party school in the nation…”
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:32 pm:
a good caption contest would be : how would you describe Gov Rauner’s profile? Yikes
- anonymoose - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:37 pm:
Mr. Edgar: Anyone else here in Edgar Fellow group notice the U.S. flag next to the white flag of surrender? We’ve gone from “Land of Lincoln” to “Illinois - we’ve just plain given up hope.”
- Tommydanger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:49 pm:
“Now kids, remember Sesame Street and answer the question: Which one doesn’t belong?”
- burbanite - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:52 pm:
Anon 3:32 & Tommydanger, he does look like Bert!
- Deep South - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:53 pm:
Former Governor Jim Edgar speaks to those gathered for the presentation of the white flag to Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner. “Sometimes you need to know when to fold ‘em Bruce, and waving this white flag on the House floor will let everyone know that you’ve given up on the doomed-from-the-start ‘Turn Around Agenda’”
- Ipso Facto - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 3:56 pm:
“Apparently someone in Springfield forgot to turn off the Rube Goldberg machine …
We interrupt this speech to announce a addendum to the Governor’s not yet spoken thoughts … “
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:13 pm:
Back twenty years ago, when Pate, Mike and I came up with that pension ramp idear, we wondered who the poor sap would be who’d have to pay the tab for our easy ride. Today, it’s my pleasure to introduce that man. Please welcome Governor Bruce Rauner…
- Arizona Bob - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:20 pm:
47th Ward nailed it….
- LTSW - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:27 pm:
Ties?…We don’t need no stinkin’ ties!
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:40 pm:
Welcome the new chief
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:46 pm:
Close to normal here’s are new governor
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:50 pm:
This ain’t the odd fellows
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 4:54 pm:
Ramping up the turnaround
- Anonymous - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:04 pm:
And now the doctor will cure Illinois
- illini - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:18 pm:
Willy - I can’t top your comments at the 3.07 mark - and yes, where is “slip and sue” in this whole mess?
- 13thone - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 5:19 pm:
Please give a warm welcome to our guest, county agent Mr. Hank Kimball.
- Flynn's mom - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 6:06 pm:
And now, without further ado,I would like to introduce the man who is fixin to fix the state. He’ll do this by starving babies and removing any shred of dignity that the poor and oppressed have. May I introduce Mr. 1%, Mr. I got mine by taking yours, our very own BVR.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:34 pm:
“According to my new contract, I’m suppose to say ‘Here is the best governor ever elected in Illinois, Bruce Rauner”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:36 pm:
“Governor Rauner will be auditing this fellowship, so help him along so he can catch up with the rest of you…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:38 pm:
“Speaker Madigan and the legislators he controls sent him an unbalanced budget by $4 billion dollars, but you guys get to hear him from him for free… Bruce Rauner…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:44 pm:
“Ok, settle down. I have in my right hand, today’s Top Ten List.
From the home office in Charleston Illinois…
Top Ten Rauner Blame Excuses.
The Governor has been in office since January but rarely takes and onus on the job, and these are his Top Ten excuses, so here we go…. Nummmmber 10…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:46 pm:
“You all have been given a vitamin of sorts for you to take with today’s lunch, compliments of the Governor, and afterwards you, like me, will find yourself agreeing with him on all sorts of things…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:48 pm:
“Governor Rauner and I would like to welcome all the members of the Illinois National Guard community that decided to join us here this afternoon…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:50 pm:
“I see you ‘ck’, but please don’t say that my Edgar Fellows just passed the Rauner Turnaround Resolution. Please. Thanks…”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:51 pm:
If the Governor’s Staffers would stop tweeting for about 10 minutes, we’d all like to hear your boss speak… “
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:51 pm:
“SAY THAT TO MY FACE, GOLDBERG!”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:54 pm:
“Don’t let Evelyn go off the carpeted area… “
- Louis Howe - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:55 pm:
Let’s get Edgar’s role and history straight. As Governor he abolishes an elected U of I Board of Trustees, and instead, appoints them himself.
After leaving the Governor’s office with a $152,000 state retirement payout, Edgar receives an additional $180,000 a year from the University of Illinois, mostly for presenting 20 seminars a year to students about Illinois Politics. Specifically, how he was able to get appointed by Gov. Thompson, Illinois Secretary of State.
His educational qualifications include a BS in History from Eastern Illinois University and an insurance license.
The University of Illinois was recently ranked the # 1 Party School in America, and Edgar doesn’t even drink.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:55 pm:
“Rep. Sandack, it’s a ‘paysure’ to have you here, but if k hear you hoot one more time, you won’t get a box lunch… “
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:57 pm:
“I know, I know, ‘I-N-I’, but I went to Eastern, k?”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 7:58 pm:
“And now a man, when I see him, who reminds me why I’m so happy I’m not governor with these messes, Gov. Rauner.”
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 8:01 pm:
“I want to acknowledge my good friend Bob Kustra. Welcome Bob. Please, Bob, don’t confuse Evelyn too much with tricky governing questions during lunch… “
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 8:10 pm:
“When I was governor, I’d just get a budget passed. Governor Rauner has been an innovator, getting judges to craft state spending for him… “
- Wordslinger - Tuesday, Aug 4, 15 @ 10:49 pm:
FWIW, besides being the nation’s new No.1 party university, U of I is ranked by the Times Higher Education survey as the 29th best university on the planet, ahead of every Big Ten school but Michigan and Northwestern, and ahead of Ivys such as Brown and Dartmouth.
U of C is 11, Northwestern is 21.
Such a death spiral we’re in.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 5, 15 @ 8:35 am:
Rauner thinking….Jim has the second best pension in the State of Illinois…I want to be like him and be liked some day
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 5, 15 @ 8:43 am:
Here’s someone that’s not chicken in Springfield
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 5, 15 @ 8:51 am:
“Hmm… Rauner Fellows has a nice ring to it… But I think I like ‘The Fellowship of Bruce better’ yeah, that’s it, for sure…”
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Aug 5, 15 @ 8:52 am:
Oops… Misplaced a quotation mark - should have been after Bruce