* Former Gov. Jim Edgar told reporters Gov. Bruce Rauner should focus on the budget, not the Turnaround Agenda…
“He comes from a different background than I do. But I just think it’s very important for a governor, you’ve got to have a good budget and you need it in place,” Edgar told reporters. “You can try to compromise on some issues — and I think there are certain things (Democrats in the Legislature) might give him — but some of the things he’s asking for, they’re not going to give him. They’re just not going to give him.” […]
“But I come at it from a little different background. I come at it as someone who came out of state government, and I’m still concerned about the state budget and having a good fiscal foundation,” Edgar said. “(Rauner) comes out of the business world and he’s very worried about some of these economic issues. He’s the governor. I’m not going to argue with him.” […]
“Truthfully the Democrats can walk away a lot easier than he can. They’re not the governor,” he said. “I told him, they’ve proven they walked away before. It’s not like they lay awake at night wondering if everything is working 100 percent. Particularly now that we have a Republican governor, they probably even worry less.” […]
He said he was “worried that in two or three weeks we might be in the same position that we are right now. We need a budget. There are too many things that can fall through the cracks and wheels beginning to fall off and it’s unfortunate.”
Edgar has said the same to me, but he was off the record. This public comment is significant, to say the least.
- Anonin' - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:38 am:
Actually he was tellin’ TeamBungle i beat Madigan U can too….but he did not realize how badly they execute and how busy they are savin’ CommandoMakeItUp…but he is right Maybe he could be the new chancellor…what a pension that would be
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:38 am:
This is the first time in a while I find Edgar annoying. He is not wrong imho, but I would not expect Pres Obama to criticize his successor. Let the next person govern as they see fit.
It is impossible, so many years removed from the mansion, for him to understand all the dynamics of this gridlock. Still, he feels the need to publicly interject.
- RNUG - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:39 am:
== He’s the governor. I’m not going to argue with him.” ==
Translation: I can’t twist his arm in private to do a budget deal, so all I can do is go public
As Rich says, this IS a big deal. One more small crack …
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:40 am:
“Dear Gov. Edgar,
It’s August. Your assessment is about 4 months too late.
Signed,
Timing.”
- Tournaround Agenda - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:42 am:
I wouldn’t be surprised if Edgar is expressing some of the frustrations of the ILGOP as a whole right now.
- anon. - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:43 am:
And who started the pension ramp?
- Sir Reel - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:44 am:
“He comes from a different background than I do.” What an understatement.
Rauner has no government experience. Zero. Zip.
It shows.
- Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:45 am:
I’ve been making the same point for months.
If Rauner throws state government into chaos, guess who gets to manage that mess every day?
He’s not a super-legislator; he’s the chief executive.
The sooner he understands that, the better for everyone.
- Wensicia - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:47 am:
If Edger is worried enough to express himself publicly, it’s pretty obvious he sees Rauner’s obsession with the unions for what it is…maniacal.
- Norseman - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:47 am:
This is sage advice to all of us who understand the process. To Raunerbots, they only needed Edgar for his pat on the back during the campaign. Now they place him with the list of past failed management of the state.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:48 am:
===Truthfully the Democrats can walk away a lot easier than he can. They’re not the governor,” he said. “I told him, they’ve proven they walked away before. It’s not like they lay awake at night wondering if everything is working 100 percent. Particularly now that we have a Republican governor, they probably even worry less.” ===
Governors own. They always do.
Divided government makes that ownership even “lonelier”.
- illinifan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:49 am:
I keep hearing from a few Republican legislators that Rauner is not even talking with them about his plans. He just tells them what to do (not even as an ask allowing room for negotiation). They are frustrated and think the budget won’t be settled until December. Edgar sounds like the he is giving voice to their concerns.
- How Ironic - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:49 am:
- Formerly Known As… - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:38 am:
‘This is the first time in a while I find Edgar annoying. He is not wrong imho, but I would not expect Pres Obama to criticize his successor. Let the next person govern as they see fit.’
I think we have all given Rauner ‘time to govern as they see fit’. I think it would be an understatement to say that his performance thus far has been underwhelming, lackluster, and disappointing. Edgar hasn’t criticized him so much as to say “Get working”.
“It is impossible, so many years removed from the mansion, for him to understand all the dynamics of this gridlock. Still, he feels the need to publicly interject.”
Give me a break. He understands the dynamic perfectly. The Gov is asking the Dems to gut every program, policy, and foundation to the party…for what? Some Ann Rand GOP Utopia pipe dream? He’s never (Rauner) going to get it. That’s what the gridlock is about.
- Georg Sande - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:50 am:
Yes, this IS a big deal … which will be totally forgotten over the weekend.
- The Dude Abides - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:50 am:
@Formerly Known As, I don’t see this as Edgar publicly calling out the Governor. I do see this as sound advice from a man who was known as a statesman, who showed the ability to be a conciliator and move things forward. I think he offers sound advice, there are some things the Democrats will compromise with the Governor on, prevailing wage and most of that anti Union stuff are things that the Democrats (and some Republicans) will never go along with. All we’re doing is making some of our unfortunate citizens suffer for continuing to drag this out much longer. I agree with Rich, this is a significant statement by a former GOP Governor who is respected by members of both political parties.
- Stones - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:52 am:
Wise comments from Jim Edgar. Governor Rauner would be smart to listen.
- HangingOn - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:53 am:
==Let the next person govern as they see fit.==
You let me know when he actually starts governing. I’m going to go catch up on something with less drama. Like Game of Thrones.
- Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:54 am:
I think IlliniFan is on to something.
I’m guessing Edgar is stepping up for current GOP legislators.
- Jocko - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:54 am:
Edgar is one to talk, given the position his 1994 pension ramp put us in.
That being said, I wish Jim would have “moved the ball” by mentioning Bruce’s proposed budget was off by 2 billion.
- Flynn's Mom - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:56 am:
Rauner is to politics as fish are to bicycles.
- Robert the Bruce - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:59 am:
==there are certain things (Democrats in the Legislature) might give him — but some of the things he’s asking for, they’re not going to give him.== -Edgar.
I wish Edgar would invite Madigan and Rauner to breakfast with him to talk things through.
Wishful thinking, I know.
- UIC Guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 10:59 am:
As Rich implied, what’s important here is not the idea that the Gov should focus on the budget (which I take to be obvious) but rather the fact that Edgar came out and said it in public.
Edgar, I take it, is an important and respected figure in the ILGOP, and one of the people other than Rauner who might be thought of as a leader of that party. So yes, when he comes out in public like this it is a big deal.
- The Captain - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:00 am:
It had been previously reported that Governor Edgar was giving Governor Rauner very different advice in private so this is interesting.
- Truthteller - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:01 am:
Edgar’S right.
As inadequate as his ramp was, it’s probable that in its absence the legislature would have appropriated even less money and the hole would be even deeper. When they have moved off the ramp, they have gone down,not up the ramp.
- Now What? - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:02 am:
This is all about the current state of the ILGOP, and the slippery slope that Bruce is taking it down. Still, come on Jim. You didn’t see this coming?
Man this is all happening way too early. ILGOP, only you can stop this. Good luck.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:04 am:
@How Ironic
==I think we have all given Rauner ‘time to govern as they see fit’.==
You have a standoff with neither side willing to compromise or cooperate. It is absurd to blame one but not the other, or imply one is in the right and the other wholly wrong. He has been locked in protracted negotiation with someone known for their ==refusal to budge==. That is hardly ==time to govern==.
==He understands the dynamic perfectly.==
He is not privy to everything going on in the executive offices. No one outside that bubble of the governor’s office is. Edgar is intelligent, but not omniscient.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:06 am:
Does this mean that Madigan controls Edgar too?
- AC - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:06 am:
Wise words, but they won’t be heard by Rauner. He’s not the first governor to wrongly believe he has something that’s bleeping golden when he doesn’t, and he probably won’t be the last. The budget doesn’t get resolved until Rauner realizes he overplayed his hand.
- A guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:08 am:
No one could assert that it’s bad advice.
- Robert the Bruce - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:09 am:
A concern is that Madigan and Cullerton will dig heels in further, becoming less willing to compromise as they hope Rauner listens to Edgar.
And Rauner ignores Edgar’s advice, and continues to talk about things they’d never agree to.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:10 am:
The significance isn’t lost on me, this is a big statement, but…
… Rauner folds on his own with pressured applied after choices are made.
Even Edgar can’t say anything to help the GOP GA. The parked $20 million and Rauner saying he owns the ILGOP isn’t going to trump Edgar’s words in Rauner’s eyes, given the “&$@#%” problem lecture given to the ILGOP.
Rauner run out too far(?)
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:16 am:
@The Dude Abides - Edgar often offers sound advice, and this is a significant statement.
I just do not find it appropriate for former executives 20+ years removed to publicly criticize their successors approach and strategy while locked in the middle of a standoff. They cannot possibly see all the elements of what is taking place.
Anyone other than former Governors should speak up publicly if they disagree with the Governor’s approach. Just as anyone other than former Speakers should speak up publicly if they disagree with the Speaker’s approach. But to publicly criticize them because they don’t agree with your private advice is a bit self-centered, imho.
- Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:21 am:
Following up more on IlliniFans observation, does Edgar give cover to some GOP legislators to take a walk on the governor’s anti-union agenda?
Specifically, on the arbitration bill override?
Edgar is telling Rauner to cut his losses and fold, publicly. I’m sure it’s being heard with interest in GOP circles statewide.
- Eugene - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:22 am:
The GA Democrats aren’t obligated to give Rauner anything major any more than the Republican Congress is obligated to give anything to President Obama just because he is President. You want to dictate legislation, win a legislative majority.
- How Ironic - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:23 am:
@ FKA,
“Anyone other than former Governors should speak up publicly if they disagree with the Governor’s approach. Just as anyone other than former Speakers should speak up publicly if they disagree with the Speaker’s approach. But to publicly criticize them because they don’t agree with your private advice is a bit self-centered, imho.”
That is patently absurd. Let’s take your approach to other areas in the world.
Airline disasters- Anyone in the Aerospace industry is forbidden to comment, surmise, or aid in investigations. Only general citizens, are allowed to comment.
Sports Announcing - No players in any fashion, from little league to the pros is allowed to comment, host a show, or otherwise lend information about teams, sports, or coaching. Sports writers in papers and blogs should preferably have a background in fashion or automobiles.
I could go on and on. You get the point. (maybe?)
- Liberty - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:26 am:
Edgar is worried about the future of the party. It is the Rauner party now and has been bought and paid for while they cringe at the Koolaid before them.
- One to the Dome - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:26 am:
Tha voice of reason and dose of reality from the Former Gov…
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:27 am:
Rauner is failing.
His supporters can’t keep pointing accusing fingers at others anymore. Six months into this administration, and Bruce Rauner owns the good and the bad we are seeing today.
Bruce Rauner got rich buying organizations and then shredding them into profitable parts. He never built anything. He is like a junk man who bought a wrecked car for scrap, then strips off and sells each part to recoup his investment.
He is Fred Sanford without a conscience.
- Oswego Willy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:28 am:
===…does Edgar give cover to some GOP legislators to take a walk on the governor’s anti-union agenda?
Specifically, on the arbitration bill override?===
Normally, it would. It would be enough.
Rauner has shown punishment (Mautino and NRI) is bigger than forgiveness, and stripping Rauber from negotiating, in the end with AFSCME might be enough for that $20 million funding it’s way in a punishment mode, not a $400K payment mode?
I know I can’t read Rauner until he makes his U-Turns…
- Arizona Bob - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:28 am:
So the Gov who is among the most culpable for the problems in the budget today because he lacked the integrity and guts to fight for what was right for Illinois, is telling the current Gov to buckle and let the crisis continue until the whole House of Cards falls apart. His expertise is certainly worth the six figures per year he gets as a “lecturer” at UIUC, along with a second (or is it fourth?)fat pension his giveaways created for him. And folks here wonder why many of us left due to the hopelessness of “leadership” in Illinois…
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:29 am:
I worked for Edgar right out of university.
The last couple of times I saw him recently, he was surrounded by people asking him for help with Bruce Rauner.
- A Jack - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:30 am:
I think if SB1229 is overridden, it will take the wind out of much of Rauner’s union busting agenda and may open the door to a budget compromise. He will be forced to bargain with the union in good faith or lose any compromise in arbitration.
- Ipso Facto - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:31 am:
Apparently, triangulation matters. First, Rahm. Then, Ryan. One would think that for a Governor so obsessed by math in his press releases would learn a little geometry.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:32 am:
So the Gov who is among the most culpable for the problems in the budget today…
You forgot the imprisoned George Ryan.
You forgot the imprisoned Rod Blagojevich.
You forgot the incompetent Pat Quinn.
You forgot the heartless venture junk man who is governor now.
Oh - and you seemed to have forgotten your meds.
Other than that, you are ridiculous.
- UIC Guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:36 am:
Does this suggest that Rauner is in danger of losing control of the ILGOP (in spite of all his money)? If so, what happens next? A realistic budget negotiated among the four legislative leaders? No doubt that’s unreasonably optimistic, but how else does this end?
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:38 am:
==So the Gov who is among the most culpable for the problems in the budget today==
I’m just clipping this for the next round of “Madigan single-handedly ruined everything in Illinois!”
==is telling the current Gov to buckle and let the crisis continue==
Pretty sure he’s telling the current Gov to actually address that crisis, not his bizarre obsession with unions.
- Arsenal - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:40 am:
==He will be forced to bargain with the union in good faith or lose any compromise in arbitration.==
I think we’re overstating how good of a deal arbitration will be for the unions. My understanding is that Rauner could well have 2 out of 3 votes on the panel.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:42 am:
AB:
I’d take Jim Edgar’s budget advice every day of the week and twice on Sunday over yours. I was around when Jim Edgar did budgets. I’ll let my experience trump your opinions.
==is telling the current Gov to buckle and let the crisis continue until the whole House of Cards falls apart==
That’s not at all what he said. In case you aren’t aware it’s August and there’s still no budget. It seems like sound advice to tell the Governor he needs to focus on that. Governor Edgar is also smart enough to realize (unlike the current Governor) that there are things in his “Turnaround Agenda” he isn’t going to get. He isn’t going to get any of his anti-union agenda passed. He just isn’t. The fact that neither the Governor nor some of his supporters realize that is absolutely amazing to me.
==And folks here wonder why many of us left due to the hopelessness of “leadership” in Illinois…==
Not a day goes by that you don’t bash Illinois. I still for the life of me don’t understand why a guy who lives in Arizona takes such an interest in what is happening in Illinois, especially when that interest is nothing more than bad mouthing the state day in and day out. Enjoy your life in Arizona. Enjoy the weather. Enjoy your hobbies. Stop being so angry about a state that you don’t even live in.
- Abe the Babe - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:43 am:
Governor Rauner,
When the last holdouts for your anti union proposals are the trib editorial board, ken griffin and Arizona Bob you may want to consider turning around your agenda.
Yours truly,
Reality
- walker - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:44 am:
Edgar isn’t one to stand far out from the crowd. My read was that he’s reflecting a more general shift among insider Republicans.
- Thoughts Matter - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:46 am:
FKA
If ‘anyone other than former Governors’ should do something.,,.then former Governors should be capable of doing it too. I’d pay more attention to ANY former Governor than someone not knowledgable about the situation.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:49 am:
@How Ironic - ==Let’s take your approach to other areas in the world.==
The approach does not apply to other areas in the world. It is a unique tradeoff, imho, that is made and generally followed by Presidents and Governors.
You get a forum and power unlike any other for a few years. Then you sacrifice some of the basic rights to free speech nearly every other American takes for granted. You let the next person do the job without interfering, just as your predecessors let you.
Bush Sr rarely, if ever, criticized Clinton. Clinton rarely, if ever, criticized Bush even if he should have at times. Bush rarely, if ever, criticizes Obama (though his former VP Cheney occasionally does, which is equally inappropriate and also a break from practice imho). The same generally applies to Governors nationwide, with the possible exception of Blago.
Gov Edgar would not have appreciated Gov Ogilvie publicly criticizing him during his first year in office or the middle of a standoff. Just as Pres would not appreciate Pres Bush publicly criticizing him during the recent Iranian negotiations. You do not do it, particularly during someone’s first year in office.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:51 am:
===It’s not like they lay awake at night wondering if everything is working 100 percent.===
I remember when DCFS finally blew-up. Edgar had to basically drop everything and triage that mess of an agency and the Tribune spent a year writing horror story after horror story. That what Governors have to deal with, and that’s why they lie awake at night wondering if everything is going to be OK.
I bet Rauner sleeps like a baby, blissfully ignorant of how bad the chaos he’s creating could get if something goes wrong. He’s playing a dangerous game and setting himself up to own a disaster.
- Grandson of Man - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:53 am:
I think it’s sound advice. I have been reading about how our businesses could benefit with workers compensation reform. Perhaps with workers comp reform thrown in, that won’t damage workers, a budget can be done.
The union stripping has got to go. It won’t get passed, and Rauner hanging on to some version of it is a real snag in the budget process. Many others and I want reforms that are not even on the radar, so it’s not like we can all get what we want.
- VanillaMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:56 am:
We have a parade of governors to blame for our budget woes.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:57 am:
@Thoughts Matter - see my 11:49 comment, it applies.
You nailed some of the frustration with this practice of their public silence regarding criticism: Former Presidents or Governors would be best suited to analyze the actions of our current leaders. It is a unique trade these former execs tend to make.
- From the 'Dale to HP - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 11:57 am:
FKA: Yeah, how dare anyone challenge Rauner.
Has anyone in Camp Rauner thought about what happens if any House GOPer crosses the aisle? He’s done. Finished. It’s over. Rauner might as well start figuring out where he wants to live in January of 2019.
Edgar is not only giving GOP House members coverage here, he’s helping out the Governor. The longer this goes on, the worse it’s going to get for Rauner. He does not have the votes or the leverage to win this.
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:00 pm:
===You have a standoff with neither side willing to compromise or cooperate. It is absurd to blame one but not the other, or imply one is in the right and the other wholly wrong. ===
It is not absurd to blame one side of this budget standoff when one side (Rauner) purposefully created said impasse to “get leverage” in the hopes of forcing a bunch of his non-budgetary anti-union agenda down Dems throats.
Hypothetical example: You and I have to go out to dinner and we have to leave in the same car, if we don’t leave and eat together then neither of us can eat. You tell me that you wont get into the car until I give my first born up for adoption. Whose fault is it when we go hungry? Am I equally to blame for our Dinner standoff because I would not negotiate with your absurd demand that I give up my first born. You need to eat too. I am going to wait you out, no matter how hungry I get.
===He has been locked in protracted negotiation with someone known for their ==refusal to budge==.===
The notion that what the governor is negotiating or that this impasse is a negotiation is laughable. Is the above dinner scenario a negotiation? The Dems walked away from the table months ago when they saw they would not get a budget unless they bust unions. There is nothing for them to negotiate. They would rather not have a budget then pass the turnaround agenda and kill unions. That’s why all we have had for months is a PR battle to win the daily news cycle with no progress toward a resolution.
===That is hardly ==time to govern==.===
When is it time for the Governor to govern? I would say it was time to govern months ago, imho. Illinois constitution says that IL has to have a balanced budget, but I must have missed the part where it says that the turnaround agenda must be passed as part of the budget process.
- ihpsdm - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:12 pm:
Sigh. I wish Edgar was the Governor.
- Anonymous - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:13 pm:
He’s not the only GOP governor what’s the rest got to say?
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:13 pm:
==It is not absurd to blame one side==
Of course it’s absurd. The absurdity assumes that assigning blame matters. It might make the person assigning blame feel better but it doesn’t solve any problems. I really wish people would knock off the blame crap.
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:25 pm:
Demoralized, in my dinner example you would blame both parties for going hungry? C’mon man. Get real
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:28 pm:
The players in this impasse have different levels of responsibility. The notion that we should act as if all parties are equally responsible for the current lack of a budget is laughable.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:30 pm:
==Demoralized, in my dinner example you would blame both parties for going hungry? C’mon man. Get real==
Well, if you read my comment again I didn’t blame anybody. What I did do is ridicule people assigning blame because it doesn’t accomplish anything. It doesn’t matter who is to blame for someone going hungry. It matters what you do about it. If that point is too difficult to understand I can’t help you.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:34 pm:
==The notion that we should act as if all parties are equally responsible for the current lack of a budget is laughable.==
Fine. Assign blame. Feel better? Now that you’ve made yourself feel better how about we figure out how to actually solve something. Because I’m pretty sure everyone sitting around pointing the finger at somebody else doesn’t accomplish that. I’m pretty sure we’ve been seeing the blame game play itself out over the past several months and I see a lot of things have been accomplished because of it. I mean, we have no budget. That’s certainly an accomplishment. The blame game seems to be helping that situation a lot. But, if blaming people makes you feel better go ahead. I could care less who is to blame. I care about actually doing something constructive and solving the problem. Raise your hand if you think it’s a great tactic to getting things done to sit around telling the other guy everything is his fault. Anyone? If you think that’s constructive then you are a crappy problem solver.
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:35 pm:
===It doesn’t matter who is to blame for someone going hungry. It matters what you do about it. ===
Context matters. The Budget impasse will be solved when the Democrats kill unions or Rauner backs off his demands of Tunraround agenda before a budget. There is nothing else to do. One side has to blink. In this scenario, it important to understand who is responsible for the impasse and to hold them accountable. (Also known as assessing blame) If that point is too difficult to understand I can’t help you.
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:45 pm:
==The Budget impasse will be solved when the Democrats kill unions or Rauner backs off his demands of Tunraround agenda before a budget. There is nothing else to do. One side has to blink.==
Exactly. And blaming somebody for all the problems helps accomplish that how? So, the Governor sits around blaming Madigan and Madigan blames the Governor. Look what that’s achieved. See my point? Apparently not.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:45 pm:
@From the ‘Dale to HP ==Yeah, how dare anyone challenge Rauner.==
What? People should challenge Rauner. Many people.
As for Edgar’s comments ==helping== Rauner? Edgar’s public criticism invites the opposite by ==giving GOP House members coverage== to do exactly what leads to your Rauner scenario where a ==House GOPer crosses the aisle== and ==He’s done. Finished. It’s over.==
- Demoralized - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 12:48 pm:
In fairness, I get where you are coming from. I just happen to think it isn’t helpful.
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:01 pm:
===And blaming somebody for all the problems helps accomplish that how? So, the Governor sits around blaming Madigan and Madigan blames the Governor. Look what that’s achieved.===
Blame, or accountability, is the only thing left that will solve this impasse imho. Nothing else. Whoever the public blames the most and holds most accountable for the problems of not having a budget will blink. Or that person will lose their next election. Pretty much the only thing that matters right now is who the public blames for this mess. Thus the constant campaigning and daily PR battle that Rauner is waging instead of governing.
In fairness to you, I get the blame game upsets you. They should be adults and work together. They are not. It’s August with no budget. Blame game is the only helpful thing left to do since both parties refuse to give in to the others demands. Public opinion is powerful.
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:05 pm:
@Formerly Known As
I’ll take your lack or response to my post at 12pm regarding your post at 11:04am as a sign that you have seen the light and realize the argument you were making was complete malarkey. Glad I could help set you straight.
- anonymoose - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:10 pm:
I wonder if there are small ways for the Governor to negotiate, declare a win and save face on a few agenda items. For example, prevailing wage. Federal (Davis Bacon) prevailing wage is paid once you are at the job site (travel time excluded). Illinois prevailing wage includes travel time. Could we have Illinois track the Federal law on this issue? A small cost savings passed on to local government and ultimately passed on to the tax payer.
- Buzzie - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:18 pm:
Rauner, Zell, Grifin, etc have an agenda that has nothing to do with the “greater good” but only satisfying their personal power goals.
- nona - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:23 pm:
=== I keep hearing from a few Republican legislators that Rauner is not even talking with them about his plans. He just tells them what to do (not even as an ask allowing room for negotiation). ====
Yes Rauner accuses Dem legislators of being puppets. Maybe the GOP should take the board out of their own eye first.
- A guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:33 pm:
Hard to add much on this one today. Given McKinney’s article, there’s a certain amount of irony with this advice. You can say “no” too often, but you sure can say “no” not nearly enough too.
The home team is out in force today. Won’t be added jet fuel to the fire on this one.
- CharlieKratos - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 1:51 pm:
How is Rauner’s approach in his first year going to play out in the next three? He’s gone all in for “everything” this year, so what are the next three years going to look like? Will they simply be a repeat of this year? Will he learn anything this year and have a more realistic approach next year? Those here who are in the know, what are your predictions for the rest of Rauner’s term?
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:05 pm:
==Hypothetical example: You and I have to go out to dinner and we have to leave in the same car, if we don’t leave and eat together then neither of us can eat. You tell me that you wont get into the car until I give my first born up for adoption.==
In keeping with your example, you omit the fact that you have a car as well.
And the only reason I demanded to drive + your first born for a ride is because you crashed your last 2 cars + are demanding I let you drive my new car while you are under the influence.
- Formerly Known As... - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:08 pm:
But if you ever dry out, I will not only get in the car with a smile, I will give you gas money.
- Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:12 pm:
– No one could assert that it’s bad advice.–
Debating yourself again, Guy?
- A guy - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 3:10 pm:
===Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 2:12 pm:
– No one could assert that it’s bad advice.–
Debating yourself again, Guy?===
No Sling. Simply saying something nice and keeping it brief. It seems when one recognizes that something said isn’t nuts, you get accused by Sling of debating yourself. That’s kind of unusual, and beneath you, isn’t it?
- Wordslinger - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 3:24 pm:
Guy, Edgar’s advice is for the governor to stop holding the budget hostage to his non-budget agenda. I’m surprised you think that’s a good idea.
- walker - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 3:27 pm:
Have heard that the best at reasonably dealing with the GA was Governor Ryan. No one’s about to take his advice, however.
- MurMan - Friday, Aug 7, 15 @ 3:36 pm:
FKA, you missed the point of my analogy entirely.
The car is the governmental process of how a budget gets passed and appropriated. The car is not problems IL has over screwed over the past decades. The dinner is the budget itself. I was the GA. You were the governor.
Typically, when there is a budget fight (one of us not getting in the car) it’s because one party can’t agree on how much money we should spend (on dinner). Or one has different priorities the the other (say, I want Chinese food and you want Mexican) Those disagreements we could negotiate over, after all the goal of getting in the car is to get the dinner we most want and at a certain point we will both get hungry and find middle ground.
Not getting in the car because you want me to give up my first born is operating in the extreme. The governor is demanding that Dems kill unions before he gets in the car. Dems would rather starve.
Does that clear things up? Hopefully now you can see that both parties don’t share blame equally and that Rauner is accountable for this budget impasse