* Tony Arnold…
* Bernie…
Nick Klitzing, executive director of the state GOP, said that while Rauner has supported the party over the last three years and is committed to “electing Republicans up and down the ticket who share his commitment to fixing Illinois through real reform, he is not involved in the day-to-day workings of any campaign.”
…Adding… Amanda Vinicky…
“Yeah, I’m asked that all the time and I do want to emphasize: I’m really not involved. People say, ‘Well, governor, you must be involved in these races.’ I’m really not involved in races,” [Gov. Rauner] said this week. “I’m encouraging everybody who … might be a public servant to get involved, I’m doing that; but I’m not involved in races per say — predicting races or advising races. I’m not involved in that,” he said this week.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 9:51 am:
Governor, the SCOTUS has determined that money is speech. Thus your donations are a very LOUD voice. Someone who is yelling their words is involved in the conversation to say the least.
- Anon - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 9:53 am:
Rauner wasn’t interviewin’ candidates, he just had a serialized ice cream social with them.
- GA Watcher - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 9:54 am:
Great quibbling by all.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 9:57 am:
In other news… No one clouted Rauner’s denied, Winnetka-living daughter too. Bruce Rauner had no involvement, none.
Rauner is just never involved in anything.
It’s Rauner’s way. Rauner’s actions rarely match to the truth of that actual.
- Henry Francis - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 9:58 am:
He is also not involved in the day to day workings of any governing. All he does is skip around the state from event to event, spreading the gospel according to Bruce. (Look at his public schedules). Nothing but campaigning. He is not going to be able to run on any accomplishments, so it will be nothing but playing the blame game.
- Skeptic - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:00 am:
Wasn’t that George Ryan’s defense? He wasn’t involved in the day-to-day operations of selling drivers licenses? (Disclaimer: In no way am saying what Rauner is doing is illegal or even shady, just comparing the two explanations.)
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:02 am:
Yes, I’m committed to it, but no, I’m not involved.
Does he think that people who pay so little attention as to not realize he is lying care enough to be lied to?
- Flynn's mom - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:04 am:
Kind of a Trumpian response.
- The Captain - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:08 am:
People keep asking and writing about this because they keep denying what our own lying eyes are telling us is glaringly obvious, that it’s his party now. They’re keeping a story alive that would otherwise be a minor footnote.
- just sayin' - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:11 am:
“the day-to-day workings of any campaign”
Weasel words. Can accommodate any meaning you want.
This is the old Bill Clinton “depends on what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is” nonsense. But it suffices to deflect the rubes.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:11 am:
Does this BigBrain standing to report his check was stolen during a home invasion or file a consumer fraud complaint again IPI.Proft/Yackin’ Yaffe et al after votes are counted
- Wensicia - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:16 am:
If Rauner’s saying he’s not personally involved, he’s more or less admitting to special interest status.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:18 am:
Interesting quote regarding his “encouragement” of public servants gettin’ involved…
“Yeah, I’m asked that all the time and I do want to emphasize: I’m really not involved. People say, ‘Well, governor, you must be involved in these races.’ I’m really not involved in races,” he said this week. “I’m encouraging everybody who … might be a public servant to get involved, I’m doing that; but I’m not involved in races per say — predicting races or advising races. I’m not involved in that,” he said this week.
http://news.wsiu.org/post/governor-spends-16-million-insists-hes-not-involved-legislative-campaigns#stream/0
And, he’s hearing voices again!
- HRC2016 - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:21 am:
That wasn’t really Rauner sitting in on the interviews or making calls to get his daughter clouted into a Chicago school, it was only a figment of people’s imagination.
- HRC2016 - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:24 am:
Could it be Rauner and the GOP are suffering from according to Webster’s dictionary..
.having or relating to a very serious mental illness that makes you act strangely or believe things that are not true : relating to or suffering from psychosis
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:25 am:
What dies he think he accomplishes by denying his involvement in politics? I find this really curious: his adamant and consistent refusal to simply say, “yes, I’m working to elect candidates to help me govern.”
People expect the Governor to be involved in politics. It would be shocking if the Governor was truly not involved in politics. What possible reason could Rauner have for lying about this? What is the upside for him?
I don’t get it.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:27 am:
Strange to lie when it’s so obvious and unnecessary.
He’s the boss; it’s his money, he calls the shots. Who doesn’t get that?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:36 am:
- 47th Ward -
Truth eluded him.
It’s about doing things, even above board things, with the fear of being found to be a charlatan.
Rauner can’t help it. It’s a personal tick.
- HRC2016 - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:36 am:
Why not just admit it? Does he really believe we are all that foolish and stupid to believe he is not involved?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:44 am:
===Rauner can’t help it. It’s a personal tick.===
That’s as good an explanation as any, so thanks. Is it because he has such a low opinion of politics that he can’t admit he’s a politician too?
We’re all down here in the political sewer, but Rauner thinks if he uses enough cologne, nobody will notice the stink on him?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 10:52 am:
===Is it because he has such a low opinion of politics that he can’t admit he’s a politician too?===
I’m sure that’s a big part of it, and I think Rauner is embarrassed by his actions, but will keep them up because he knows he’s in the game, and this is the business he chose right now.
===We’re all down here in the political sewer, but Rauner thinks if he uses enough cologne, nobody will notice the stink on him?===
Yeah. The “wearing of ties” versus the costumes he wears in politics, Rauner is afraid to be a politician, all the while being everything HE thinks… stinks.
Thanks for your thoughts. Appreciate it.
- Anon221 - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:00 am:
OW- I don’t think Rauner is afraid to be a politician, because he, in his mind, isn’t one and never will be one. IMHO, politics is/are only a tool to further his business/hobby/retirement (pick one or all of these). He’s contemptuous of those involved, quite possibly regardless of party, and he will use politicians up if he needs to. It will be up to the parties, both of them, but especially the ILGOP, to stand up to him and the damage he is inflicting. You cannot run a state on Rauner Bucks alone.
- Jocko - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:06 am:
For as little as $14 (haircut), I’m asked what I want.
Bruce is trying to tell me that for 16 million not only is he not asked, but says, “Go ahead and do what you will.”
- Curious - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:07 am:
OW/47th: I think there’s also an element of him wanting to ensure that if the Dems keep all their seats he can put all of the blame on the “Madigan Machine.” He wants to either claim victory or say there was no way he could win in the first place.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:08 am:
- Anon221 -
In this very, very narrow instance…
Rauner IS… Sen. Geary.
You’re on it.
- zatoichi - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:09 am:
I am not directly involved, but there is some funding available for members of our team.
- d.p.gumby - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:24 am:
Yep, sure…I’m not endorsing Trump but I’m voting for him…please explain…
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 11:51 am:
“I’m really not involved.”
File that whopper with, “”Bruce doesn’t have a social agenda.”
– MrJM
- Nick Name - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 12:01 pm:
“I don’t get it.”
It’s every bit as mystifying as his refusal to acknowledge that there’s also a presidential election this fall, and to openly support (or denounce) his party’s candidate.
I have never seen any other politician so thoroughly insulate himself like this from his own party, to say nothing of his insulation from the people he purports to govern.
- Been there, done that - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 12:12 pm:
It is hard when you are one of the “boots on the ground” to read your “Madigan is the puppet master and buys loyalty” script when your guys is doing the same thing.
Keep denying it Bruce, keep denying……
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 12:16 pm:
- Curious -
Yep.
Rauner always wafts the best of both by denying it all.
That’s the ball game.
- GA Watcher - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 12:41 pm:
The Governor’s unfavorable ratings are not much better than the Speaker’s. If he admits he’s closely involved in legislative races, he then is opening the door to the November election being a referendum on himself. He’d rather keep it to being a referendum on the Speaker.
- pundent - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 1:03 pm:
Unless we’re talking about governing, Rauner is deeply involved.
- Flynn's mom - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 1:43 pm:
@OW, How about a Dad’s Home State episode which is a compilation of clips from previous shows that highlight BVR’s penchant for lies?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 2:19 pm:
- Flynn’s mom -
“Remember when” episodes.
Flashbacks with characters highlighting moments in the show, usually fun or poignant.
HBO really frowns on that. They want fresh. The writers room is thinking a 5 minute montage for the season finale, that might be a great place to have it. Look for the episode descriptions on your Tee-Vee. Thanks as always for watching!
p.s. - HBO is a stickler.
- Flynn's mom - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 3:10 pm:
@OW….gotcha. I look forward to the 5 minute montage. Although in this case you may need to stretch it to 10 minutes.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 6:28 pm:
Now he’s sending out blast emails with a volunteer ask for GOP candidates. This guy is a real lying sack.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Sep 15, 16 @ 6:36 pm:
“Yeah, I’m asked that all the time and I do want to emphasize: I’m really not involved. People say, ‘Well, governor, you must be involved in these races.’ I’m really not involved in races,” –[Gov. Rauner] said this week. “I’m encouraging everybody who … might be a public servant to get involved, I’m doing that; but I’m not involved in races per say — predicting races or advising races. I’m not involved in that,” he said this week. –
Boss Rauner is the only funding source of the Illinois Republican Party.
Solamente. Solo. Tylko. Bare. Nur. Seulement. Tik. μόνο. רַק. 只要.केवल.
No one in the Illinois GOP does anything until the Boss Rauner check clears.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/daily-southtown/opinion/ct-sta-miller-rauner-donations-st-0914-20160913-story.html
- Truth - Friday, Sep 16, 16 @ 8:29 am:
Yeah, but he has Mike Z calling the shots on many of the campaigns. One small step removed.