In an interview with POLITICO, Kennedy lampooned Rauner, calling him a “petulant child” who engages in “revenge politics” and casting him as a dictator who has bought the Republican Party and silenced dissenting voices.
“I’d say the only thing worse than a one-party state is a one-man party and that’s what Rauner has done,” Kennedy said.
When asked about Madigan’s dual role as Democratic Party chair and powerful legislator, and criticism that he wields too much control in the state, Kennedy countered that it’s the Republican Party in Illinois that has grown too fearful of Rauner and his money, to speak out. […]
“Do you think Dick Durbin reports to Mike Madigan? Do you think Rahm Emanuel reports to Mike Madigan? Do you think any congressman or senator reports to Mike Madigan? Our party is a party of enormous diversity and independent voices,” Kennedy said. “The Republican Party has none of that anymore … the Republican Party has become a one-man shop, where one or two men have dominated … Where he uses his wealth to silence them. He’s an economic bully. I think that weakens them, I don’t think that makes them stronger.”
“The governor said he was going to shake up Springfield, instead he’s tried to hold up Springfield. He was sent to heal not hurt, and he’s failed in every way,” said Kennedy, son of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy. […]
Asked about the critique, Kennedy faulted Rauner for using his wealth to silence opposition in the GOP. “I have not heard state representatives or senators offering a second way because he bullies them with his money.”
“I think it’s an insult to me, an insult to the entire Kennedy family and an insult to the voters of Illinois to make a statement like that that anybody’s going to believe,” [Kennedy] told the Chicago Tribune [about the Republican attacks].
“I think Gov. Rauner has spent his entire time blaming others and not leading. Even now, as the state Senate tries to find a compromise on the budget, Gov. Rauner remains on the sideline. We don’t know what his intentions are. And that’s not right. He’s in the big chair. He ought to lead. Otherwise, he’s one (term) and done.”
Following an event in Normal, Rauner did not address Kennedy’s candidacy when reporters asked about it.
“I am very focused, like a laser, on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system, but it’s broken and been broken for a long time. And we need to compromise with each other. We need to listen to each other. And I’m very focused on that. I’m really not paying attention to politics,” the governor said.
He’s focused like a laser, alright. On the budget? Maybe not so much. On his Madigan messaging to avoid blame for the impasse and taint his opposition? Yeppers.
“Chris Kennedy spent day one of his campaign sticking with Mike Madigan, defending him in TV interviews and even going so far as to proclaim that Madigan bears no responsibility for Illinois’ problems. Kennedy is following rule one of the Chicago machine – never speak an ill word about your political boss.” – Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Steven Yaffe
Chris Kennedy’s first day of the 2018 campaign got off to a rocky start. In multiple interviews with Chicago TV, Kennedy would not blame Madigan for any of Illinois’ problems.
Asked about his relationship with Mike Madigan by every Chicago television station, Kennedy either defended Madigan or dodged the question.
WLS reported that Kennedy doesn’t “hold Mike Madigan responsible for any of this” and Kennedy confirmed to NBC Chicago that he met with Speaker Madigan to discuss his campaign.
You can almost see the strings being pulled behind above Kennedy’s head.
Rauner isn’t focused like a razor. He’s a one-trick pony. Tying everyone to Madigan is the only thing he has other than his wallet. It’s actually pretty sad that he has absolutely nothing to show for his term in office.
===“I am very focused, like a laser, on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system, but it’s broken and been broken for a long time. And we need to compromise with each other. We need to listen to each other. And I’m very focused on that. I’m really not paying attention to politics,”===
… Two years, no budget, no nothing.
Time to recalibrate the laser?
Nope. The laser is squarely focused on Madigan.
The Rauner Crew wins…
Every. Single. Day.
That’s to their 100% credit.
The flip side is winning the day, Illinois keeps losing with Governor Rauner, but “those close to Rauner” love the losing in Illinois, if they keep winning the day.
Speaks volumes to what public service means to that Press Shop and Crew…
If he’s focused like a laser on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system, then what the hell is he doing in Normal when the pension reform bill was going down in Springfield?
Rauner needs to understand that talking points and messaging only last so long. Eventually people see behind the curtain and the Democrats (unless they do something stupid) should have enough money to get their message through, especially in a year that will likely see Republican losses.
Bottom line, Governor needs to get something done or all this focus on talking points will be for nothing.
None of the democrats he listed are in state government. Nobody has ever suggested he controls local or federal pols the way he does for Springfield pols. With his answer he has only reinforced Rauner’s message that Madigan has too much power and control in Springfield.
- So tired of political hacks - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:47 am:
I’ve heard so much negativity from Rauner about Madigan I’m starting to like the speaker. I figure if Rauner hates him so much he must be doing something right because everything Rauner is doing is bad for the citizens of Illinois but great for the billionaires.
–“I am very focused, like a laser, on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system,….I’m really not paying attention to politics,” the governor said.–
–Bruce Rauner ✔ @BruceRauner
Chris Kennedy announced his bid for Gov. Now we need your help to hold another Madigan crony accountable #twill http://bit.ly/2loJo3Y–
Cognitive dissonance is one thing; self-contradiction on the same day is another.
Just as with Blago and Trump, you wonder with Rauner at times if he’s doing a bit, or he truly doesn’t know the difference between truth and fiction — or doesn’t care, as long as it’s self-serving.
If Kennedy, Pritzker, Biss, Raoul… if any of those FOUR don’t see the absolute requirements of… monetary benchmarks and a Political Crew focused on Rauner messaging…
… please move on.
Rauner will own day after day after day… and y’all may think you’re “right” and “good will prevail”… Rauner’s Crew proves daily that good loses to message 24/7/365.
Kennedy had a very respectable first day rollout, and in the past, it would be a very respectably launching.
Kennedy is going to need thick skin but I’m sure he already knows that. I just hope he can stay on message as well and as often as the Rauner crew. Maybe they’ll cancel each other out. Or voters will get so sick of hearing the same regurgitated messaging that they’ll look at the state of the State in Nov. 2018 and decide if Rauner has done enough good to warrant reelection.
I though Kennedy’s answer on Madigan was useless. “When you’re explaining, you’re losing.” The response needs to be “Rauner needs to grow up and get a budget done. We don’t have time for his childish feud with Madigan.”
- From the 'Dale to HP - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:59 am:
But Bruce Ruaner isn’t running against Mike Madigan.
This messaging didn’t really work three months ago, the fact that they’re sticking with it shows they’ve got absolutely nothing.
Agree with Willy. There better be an update 2 to this thread with Kennedy’s rebuttal, hopefully from his fulltime spin gurus. If he doesn’t have them yet, he’s the next Spanky the Clown.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:02 am:
Rauner’s gonna do what Rauner’s gonna do. I’m glad to see Kennedy attacking him on his ownership of a political party and dictatorial governance. I look forward to more attacks. A big labor fight may be coming. There’s another place to hit Rauner, and Kennedy already indirectly alluded to this, that Rauner refuses to make sacrifices but wants state workers to make huge sacrifices.
I believe, deeply, that if any one of us here were focused like a laser on putting together a balanced budget for 2 years, we’d come up with something. I’m not saying it would be palatable or even sane, but we’d come up with something.
For 2+ years now Rauner has had the messaging almost all to himself. The Turnaround Agenda is almost exclusively described in terms driven by Rauner, the message of the day is almost exclusively driven by Rauner, pushback has been limited to Madigan (who historically is not trying to win the message of the day and isn’t trying much now either), no other Democrats have stepped up to push back (much to labor’s chagrin), etc. Yesterday was the first day in a long time that this wasn’t true and now that the campaign is kicking up and others are likely to join the fray on the Democratic side this will be a more common dynamic moving forward. If Rauner hasn’t been able to pass his agenda yet and his approval is still underwater neither is likely to improve now that he doesn’t have the bully pulpit all to himself.
Kennedy had a very good day yesterday, much better than I was expecting. I had kind of written him off as amateur hour after the DNC self inflicted wounds. Today will be a good test for his inexperience though, Rauner has been trying to steer everyone off message with his nonstop Madigan goofiness. It’s an intentional distraction. A seasoned candidate/campaign would know to ignore it and stay on message, it will be interesting to see if Kennedy can avoid taking the bait that Rauner is heavily trolling him with this morning.
Insult?
Kennedy ought review the F* job BigBrain and his stooges have done to Schock as a good template of what is coming.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:16 am:
I believe that a bad Madigan is better than a good Rauner. I would like to see Kennedy or someone hit Rauner on that. I would like someone mention how much better the state was before Rauner (as bad as it was) than during Rauner.
Bills were getting paid. Schools and social services were getting funded. Low income individuals began getting health insurance, etc.
I know Madigan deserves his share of blame, and he should get it, but Rauner crippled the state with his willful hostage-taking. I think that contrast should be highlighted.
“How about a qualified Democrat without the billionaire, royalty baggage.”
Sadly, since the “Citizens United” decision, that type of candidate is going to be harder and harder to find…unless you can get someone like George Soros (after all, he funds EVERY liberal/Democratic politician and cause over this entire country….just ask.)
In this fantasy, Bruce is Princess Leia, fighting the oppression of Democratic Republic.
The reality is that Bruce not only runs the ship of state…but has the financial resources to impose his will on a number of members of the General Assembly.
I tried to make a donation of $10800 on his Citizens for Rauner page and make it a reoccurring monthly gift. It asked for occupation and employer and I put state worker and State of Illinois and the page closed. Guess he didn’t want it.
True, they are crystal clear on their strategy. Don’t answer the question (when asked only occasionally) Just pivot to talking points.
Kennedy has some pretty good talking points, but has to get better on his feet (stumbling over Madigan question) lest we forget how absolutely awful Rauner has been, except when he sticks to the almost mind numbing talking points that usually have nothing to do with the question.
Kennedy has to learn to do that and his crew has to keep digging into Rauner.
But, he needs the money. Show me the money, if he can’t and soon, he doesn’t belong.
The Governor’s laser does not allow him to look in the mirror and see that HE is the problem. easy to tell that he never was elected prior to being Governor. Like a school board and had to be humble and respond to residents. Money does not make leadership!
Absolutely Dorina. Vigilance should be our watch word in the digital age. Imagine 24.5million online fraud last year alone, which is frightening. We should not be caught up at all. Many thanks for visiting our site.s All the best to you always.
- anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:32 am:
Rauner isn’t focused like a razor. He’s a one-trick pony. Tying everyone to Madigan is the only thing he has other than his wallet. It’s actually pretty sad that he has absolutely nothing to show for his term in office.
- very old soil - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:34 am:
A laser focused on some unknown object in another galaxy, perhaps?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:35 am:
===“I am very focused, like a laser, on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system, but it’s broken and been broken for a long time. And we need to compromise with each other. We need to listen to each other. And I’m very focused on that. I’m really not paying attention to politics,”===
… Two years, no budget, no nothing.
Time to recalibrate the laser?
Nope. The laser is squarely focused on Madigan.
The Rauner Crew wins…
Every. Single. Day.
That’s to their 100% credit.
The flip side is winning the day, Illinois keeps losing with Governor Rauner, but “those close to Rauner” love the losing in Illinois, if they keep winning the day.
Speaks volumes to what public service means to that Press Shop and Crew…
- Juice - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:38 am:
If he’s focused like a laser on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system, then what the hell is he doing in Normal when the pension reform bill was going down in Springfield?
- Ahoy! - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:41 am:
Rauner needs to understand that talking points and messaging only last so long. Eventually people see behind the curtain and the Democrats (unless they do something stupid) should have enough money to get their message through, especially in a year that will likely see Republican losses.
Bottom line, Governor needs to get something done or all this focus on talking points will be for nothing.
- Not It - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:41 am:
None of the democrats he listed are in state government. Nobody has ever suggested he controls local or federal pols the way he does for Springfield pols. With his answer he has only reinforced Rauner’s message that Madigan has too much power and control in Springfield.
- So tired of political hacks - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:47 am:
I’ve heard so much negativity from Rauner about Madigan I’m starting to like the speaker. I figure if Rauner hates him so much he must be doing something right because everything Rauner is doing is bad for the citizens of Illinois but great for the billionaires.
- Ok - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Rich
You aren’t on the Rauner payroll are you?
- Keyrock - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:48 am:
Rauner is focusing a laser on the cockpit of the ship of state, trying to blind the pilots and copilots, so it will crash.
- A guy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:50 am:
Ouch is right.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:51 am:
–“I am very focused, like a laser, on getting a balanced budget with structural changes to our system,….I’m really not paying attention to politics,” the governor said.–
–Bruce Rauner ✔ @BruceRauner
Chris Kennedy announced his bid for Gov. Now we need your help to hold another Madigan crony accountable #twill http://bit.ly/2loJo3Y–
Cognitive dissonance is one thing; self-contradiction on the same day is another.
Just as with Blago and Trump, you wonder with Rauner at times if he’s doing a bit, or he truly doesn’t know the difference between truth and fiction — or doesn’t care, as long as it’s self-serving.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:51 am:
To the update,
If Kennedy, Pritzker, Biss, Raoul… if any of those FOUR don’t see the absolute requirements of… monetary benchmarks and a Political Crew focused on Rauner messaging…
… please move on.
Rauner will own day after day after day… and y’all may think you’re “right” and “good will prevail”… Rauner’s Crew proves daily that good loses to message 24/7/365.
Kennedy had a very respectable first day rollout, and in the past, it would be a very respectably launching.
This… ain’t the past.
- Langhorne - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:52 am:
So predictible.
So tiresome.
On both sides.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:53 am:
Kennedy is going to need thick skin but I’m sure he already knows that. I just hope he can stay on message as well and as often as the Rauner crew. Maybe they’ll cancel each other out. Or voters will get so sick of hearing the same regurgitated messaging that they’ll look at the state of the State in Nov. 2018 and decide if Rauner has done enough good to warrant reelection.
- Union Dues - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:56 am:
If he is focused like a laser on the budget that means he must be trying hard and is just incompetent.
- Scotty - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:58 am:
How about a qualified Democrat without the billionaire, royalty baggage.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:59 am:
I though Kennedy’s answer on Madigan was useless. “When you’re explaining, you’re losing.” The response needs to be “Rauner needs to grow up and get a budget done. We don’t have time for his childish feud with Madigan.”
- From the 'Dale to HP - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:59 am:
But Bruce Ruaner isn’t running against Mike Madigan.
This messaging didn’t really work three months ago, the fact that they’re sticking with it shows they’ve got absolutely nothing.
- PublicServant - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 9:59 am:
Agree with Willy. There better be an update 2 to this thread with Kennedy’s rebuttal, hopefully from his fulltime spin gurus. If he doesn’t have them yet, he’s the next Spanky the Clown.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:02 am:
Rauner’s gonna do what Rauner’s gonna do. I’m glad to see Kennedy attacking him on his ownership of a political party and dictatorial governance. I look forward to more attacks. A big labor fight may be coming. There’s another place to hit Rauner, and Kennedy already indirectly alluded to this, that Rauner refuses to make sacrifices but wants state workers to make huge sacrifices.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:02 am:
I believe, deeply, that if any one of us here were focused like a laser on putting together a balanced budget for 2 years, we’d come up with something. I’m not saying it would be palatable or even sane, but we’d come up with something.
- The Captain - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:03 am:
For 2+ years now Rauner has had the messaging almost all to himself. The Turnaround Agenda is almost exclusively described in terms driven by Rauner, the message of the day is almost exclusively driven by Rauner, pushback has been limited to Madigan (who historically is not trying to win the message of the day and isn’t trying much now either), no other Democrats have stepped up to push back (much to labor’s chagrin), etc. Yesterday was the first day in a long time that this wasn’t true and now that the campaign is kicking up and others are likely to join the fray on the Democratic side this will be a more common dynamic moving forward. If Rauner hasn’t been able to pass his agenda yet and his approval is still underwater neither is likely to improve now that he doesn’t have the bully pulpit all to himself.
Kennedy had a very good day yesterday, much better than I was expecting. I had kind of written him off as amateur hour after the DNC self inflicted wounds. Today will be a good test for his inexperience though, Rauner has been trying to steer everyone off message with his nonstop Madigan goofiness. It’s an intentional distraction. A seasoned candidate/campaign would know to ignore it and stay on message, it will be interesting to see if Kennedy can avoid taking the bait that Rauner is heavily trolling him with this morning.
- Rocky Rosi - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:09 am:
Good guy but not the right person to go up against the Gov. Plus it will take over $100 mil to protect him from negative ads alone.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:12 am:
Insult?
Kennedy ought review the F* job BigBrain and his stooges have done to Schock as a good template of what is coming.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:16 am:
I believe that a bad Madigan is better than a good Rauner. I would like to see Kennedy or someone hit Rauner on that. I would like someone mention how much better the state was before Rauner (as bad as it was) than during Rauner.
Bills were getting paid. Schools and social services were getting funded. Low income individuals began getting health insurance, etc.
I know Madigan deserves his share of blame, and he should get it, but Rauner crippled the state with his willful hostage-taking. I think that contrast should be highlighted.
- Galena Guy - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:19 am:
“How about a qualified Democrat without the billionaire, royalty baggage.”
Sadly, since the “Citizens United” decision, that type of candidate is going to be harder and harder to find…unless you can get someone like George Soros (after all, he funds EVERY liberal/Democratic politician and cause over this entire country….just ask.)
- Anonymous - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:19 am:
Rauner’s re-election campaign will have all the negativity of Munger and Kirk on steroids.
- so... - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:21 am:
==But Bruce Ruaner isn’t running against Mike Madigan.
This messaging didn’t really work three months ago, the fact that they’re sticking with it shows they’ve got absolutely nothing.==
What election were you watching?
Madigan lost a net of four seats in a state Hillary Clinton won by 17 percent.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:21 am:
==Kennedy had a very good day yesterday, much better than I was expecting.==
Of course, you damn well better nail your first day, but I mostly agree, the news hits were probably pretty close to what he wanted.
(Although much to my surprise, Pritzker’s statement probably got him what he wanted, too.)
It gets harder from here, but “Because Madigan!” isn’t an insurmountable message.
- Dee Lay - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:28 am:
So if all the candidates are Madigan’s candidate, when does the cognitive dissonance start to kick in?
- Jocko - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 10:55 am:
In this fantasy, Bruce is Princess Leia, fighting the oppression of Democratic Republic.
The reality is that Bruce not only runs the ship of state…but has the financial resources to impose his will on a number of members of the General Assembly.
- Fatman - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:05 am:
I tried to make a donation of $10800 on his Citizens for Rauner page and make it a reoccurring monthly gift. It asked for occupation and employer and I put state worker and State of Illinois and the page closed. Guess he didn’t want it.
- JS Mill - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:08 am:
=The Rauner Crew wins…
Every. Single. Day.
That’s to their 100% credit.=
True, they are crystal clear on their strategy. Don’t answer the question (when asked only occasionally) Just pivot to talking points.
Kennedy has some pretty good talking points, but has to get better on his feet (stumbling over Madigan question) lest we forget how absolutely awful Rauner has been, except when he sticks to the almost mind numbing talking points that usually have nothing to do with the question.
Kennedy has to learn to do that and his crew has to keep digging into Rauner.
But, he needs the money. Show me the money, if he can’t and soon, he doesn’t belong.
- NoGifts - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 11:38 am:
Effects of a focused laser include damage to flesh and other materials, blindness and potentially fire.
- The Ghost of Janet Reno - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 1:03 pm:
Chris Kennedy isn’t taking you to the Promised Land.
- BEAR 3 - Thursday, Feb 9, 17 @ 5:37 pm:
The Governor’s laser does not allow him to look in the mirror and see that HE is the problem. easy to tell that he never was elected prior to being Governor. Like a school board and had to be humble and respond to residents. Money does not make leadership!
- Rabid - Friday, Feb 10, 17 @ 9:12 am:
Focus like a laser is a narrow and tiny thought process
- Brenna - Tuesday, Feb 28, 17 @ 5:37 am:
Absolutely Dorina. Vigilance should be our watch word in the digital age. Imagine 24.5million online fraud last year alone, which is frightening. We should not be caught up at all. Many thanks for visiting our site.s All the best to you always.