* The Tribune on the governor’s botched press conference…
A reporter followed up, asking if the governor considered the [Charlottesville] incident to be an act of terrorism.
“It is outrageous, and we’ve got to fight against it,” Rauner said at first. After more back-and-forth, the reporter noted that Rauner had not answered the question.
“You define terrorism,” Rauner shot back. “What I’ll say is, that is horrible, horrible behavior, completely beyond the pale. We in America have to fight against it in every way.” […]
Rauner went on to quibble with the notion of assigning a definition.
“That’s all a question of definition. What doesn’t matter is definitions,” Rauner said. “We know what hate is. We know what violence is. We know what racism is. And we should fight against it.”
* The exchange with Mary Ann Ahern…
“Is it an act of terrorism?” an NBC reporter asked Rauner at a bill signing on Monday morning.
“It is outrageous and we’ve got to fight it,” he said.
“It is not an act of terrorism?”
“I did not say that, Mary Ann, come on.”
“Well, is it an act of terrorism, yes or no?”
“You define terrorism,” the governor replied. Two hours later, he had changed his stance.
“Outrageous,” of course, is the exact same word he used to describe the offer of Senate President John Cullerton to meet with him to discuss SB1. Not cool.
Raw audio is here.
* I just don’t get the reticence. Remember this?…
And this?…
Gov. Bruce Rauner on Monday joined a wave of mostly Republican governors in announcing that Illinois would temporarily stop accepting Syrian refugees following the Paris terrorist attacks, sparking sharp criticism from advocates who said the move amounted to fear-mongering and raising questions about whether states can refuse to take those fleeing the war-torn country.
And this?…
Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner said Wednesday that an attack by terrorists in the state is “just a matter of time.”
Rauner made his remarks a few hours after the rampage outside Parliament in London, which killed four and injured nearly two dozen. British authorities believe that attack was an act of terrorism.
* The governor also wasn’t aware that the Illinois Senate had passed a resolution on this very issue yesterday…
Asked by a reporter to comment on the state resolution, Rauner replied: “I’m not so focused on day-to-day in Congress.”
Um, OK.
* More on that Senate resolution…
The Illinois Senate on Sunday adopted a resolution urging law enforcement officials to recognize white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups as terrorist organizations. […]
“It is vital that we stand in total opposition to the hatred, bigotry and violence displayed by the white nationalist and neo-Nazi groups in Charlottesville this past weekend,” said sponsoring Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park. “They are the heirs to the Ku Klux Klan and the Nazis. We fought two bloody wars in opposition to their ideologies. We must continue to fight those same twisted ideologies today.”
* And then later in the day, Rauner held another presser…
At an event on Monday morning, Rauner declined to say the death of a woman, killed when a car slammed into a crowd of protesters on Saturday, was terrorism.
About three hours later, speaking with reporters, he said he had since consulted with Illinois law enforcement to get a clear legal definition on the issue.
“We can say definitively that an act of violence against someone because of their religious views, political views, ethnic background, that’s an act of domestic terrorism,” Rauner said.
When pressed on why it took him three hours to revise his comments, Rauner bristled.
“I made it crystal clear how I feel about the acts in Charlottesville,” he told reporters, his voice rising. “I have said it from the [first] moment.
Go check out the video.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:08 pm:
Asked by a reporter to comment on the state resolution, Rauner replied: “I’m not so focused on day-to-day in Congress.”
It sounded from the audio that Rauner thought the resolution had been passed in DC not in Springfield until a reporter emphasized it had been the Illinois Senate.
- Gruntled University Employee - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
It’s almost like he’s afraid to address any subject that he hasn’t already vetted through the BTIA. Now one would think this discussion would have already happened, but we are talking about the BITA.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
===It sounded from the audio that Rauner thought the resolution had been passed in DC===
Yeah, but the reporter specifically said state Senate.
- Rogue Roni - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Wow. Tries so hard to distance himself from trump but has become trump.
- Anonymous - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Apparently he thinks the attack in Charlottesville was on par with the Senate holding SB1 for a few extra days?
- Winnin' - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:17 pm:
Why alienate the IPI base? Rauner already pulled a boner with the Coulter followers.
Seems as though Rauner and IPI are having a hard time governin’ based on IPI philosophy.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:17 pm:
Thanks Rich, I couldn’t hear if the reporter had stated that at first or not. Rauner obviously didn’t hear it until the second time. He’s just too “focused” on other things.
- dixiechick - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:18 pm:
Where is the BTIA? Are they letting him self-destruct?
It is becoming painful to watch - and to listen to!
- Michelle Flaherty - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:20 pm:
How could he not know about the Senate Resolution? His new legislative liaison was on the Senate floor yesterday.
- wordslinger - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:22 pm:
I can only conclude that Rauner and Trump are reticent to cross some of the weasel word apologists out there who just can’t call a white American Christian — even a Nazi — a terrorist.
They want those apologists votes, in the very worst way.
Last year, a Muslim of Tunisian descent drove his truck into a crowd in Nice. No one had a problem calling that a terrorist act.
What’s the difference between that and what the self-professed white American Nazi did in Charlottesville?
- DuPage Saint - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
This man should not make any public appearance before 3pm and only after being fully briefed and prepped on the days events. He cannot remotely think on his feet I do not rember any debates he was in but if he keeps going this way the next debate he is ever in will be a disaster especially if follow up questions are allowed
- Norseman - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:24 pm:
=== How could he not know about the Senate Resolution? His new legislative liaison was on the Senate floor yesterday. ===
You presume that his span of attention regarding government activities is longer than 45 seconds.
- Flynn's mom - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:27 pm:
Maybe he couldn’t understand the questions because the mic was “broken”.
- Saluki - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:28 pm:
After seeing the full exchange I have no problem at all with Rauner’s response. Defining terrorism isn’t the easiest thing in the world to do, especially on the fly. Being critical of Rauner for not jumping to call the actions terrorism is no different than the silly notion that Obama should have been using the term “radical Islam.” This is gotcha journalism at best.
- Henry Francis - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:32 pm:
=== How could he not know about the Senate Resolution? His new legislative liaison was on the Senate floor yesterday.
You presume that his span of attention regarding government activities is longer than 45 seconds.===
Well, he sure knows who won Illinois Bicentennial Craft Beer competition at the State Fair.
Priorities.
- Whatever - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:39 pm:
So much for better messagin’ #BTIA(tm)
- Almost the Weekend - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:44 pm:
If somebody blows this up and puts it up at the State Fair and Duquoin State Fair, I’ll buy you a BBQ dinner at 17th street in Murphysboro.
With that being said, they will never believe this. Propaganda and pandering for decades overpowers basic math and facts.
- Watson - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 3:52 pm:
This is only an indicator of dollars in vs dollars out. Let’s see a map with raw dollar amounts.
- Sue - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 4:02 pm:
Would feel a whole lot better if all of this time and effort was focused on resolving some problems closer to home. WhT happened in VA was awful and the mopes responsible should be held accountable. What happens on the Douth and West side of Chicago every day is equally bad but the media says very little. When 54 people are shot on July 4 I would call that domestic trrrorism
- Amalia - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 4:06 pm:
you either call it terrorism, call out Trump, or your face is next to his on every ad I would recommend creating. This weekend was absolutely shocking in many ways. A leader who does not lead, haters who don’t feel badly being seen without a hood, killing. and today the “three percenter” arrested for attempting to set off a large bomb. The Civil War was in the 1800s. Get your ethics into the present, a present that is loving and kind.
- Bad presser - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 4:13 pm:
I think this should be noted for context. Sorry I am sharing a link
http://chicago.adl.org/news/rauner-aims-to-combat-hate-crimes-anti-semitic-attacks-in-illinois/
- ste_with_a_v_en - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 4:23 pm:
Saluki-
Fully agree with you. The police he consulted said it it is terrorism, but that individual hasn’t been charged as such.
- Wensicia - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
This is improved messaging?
- Mr B. - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:19 pm:
Totally agree with Sue. This is a non issue. It isn’t a gotcha moment for Rauner. Let’s focus on State issues. And we’ve got a lot.
- Yiddishcowboy - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:37 pm:
It’s certainly reasonable for one to expect a governor, any governor, including Rauner, to have an opinion about what happens in another state, especially an event involving a tragedy resulting in death. A non-issue it is not, Rauner supporters.
- CrazyHorse - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:52 pm:
==you either call it terrorism, call out Trump, or your face is next to his==
I have no problem with calling it terrorism but let’s keep in mind that the crowd he drove through contained many individuals armed with pipes and bricks. Some media is trying to equate this to 9/11, Charleston, and Nice. I could not disagree more.
All of the people in those attacks were just going about their daily lives when they became victims. Many of the people in Charlottesville came looking for trouble and to inflict harm upon each other. Sadly, they were successful.
- baloneymous - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:55 pm:
Dan Cronin made Rauner look weak and ineffective today. think about that for a moment. was Dan caught in a gotcha, non-issue moment?
- wordslinger - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 5:56 pm:
–Many of the people in Charlottesville came looking for trouble and to inflict harm upon each other. Sadly, they were successful.–
How many people were driving that car?
- Chicago 20 - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:00 pm:
Trump and Rauner can’t acknowledge these acts of domestic terrorism.
To do so would expose the hypocrisy of their ideological messaging subtext which fuels these hate groups.
- Anonymous - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:10 pm:
==How many people were driving that car?==
One. But which part of my statement are you disagreeing with? Are you saying that when groups of people choose to engage in an all out physical attack and loss of life ensues only a perpetrator who actually dealt a fatal blow bears any responsibility? I surely hope not.
- Anonymous - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:15 pm:
- Chicago 20 - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:00 pm:
Obama never acknowledged domestic terrorism
You are a partisan
This is not about Trump
They are bad no matter who these people are
- Anonymous - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:16 pm:
Violence is always wrong
Both on the extreme left and extreme right
- wordslinger - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:30 pm:
– Are you saying that when groups of people choose to engage in an all out physical attack and loss of life ensues only a perpetrator who actually dealt a fatal blow bears any responsibility?–
You see “groups of people choose(ing) to engage in an all out physical attack” in this video?
http://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2017/08/12/charlottesville-crash-protesters-video-orig-vstop-dlewis.cnn/video/playlists/charlottesville-white-nationalist-rally/
- Wensicia - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:44 pm:
==Obama never acknowledged domestic terrorism==
Are you sure about that? What about every mass shooting that killed dozens, including young schoolchildren? Every time he spoke out against the violence he was criticized by the NRA and politicians under their control.
- CrazyHorse - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:48 pm:
==You see “groups of people choose(ing) to engage in an all out physical attack” in this video?==
You really did not see any other videos of guys pounding each other with pipes and clubs? There was a guy throwing a newspaper box on another guy. Too many videos to post. As Rich says use the Google.
Also, I notice how CNN conveniently does not show the angle where several people immediately started hammering his car with pipes after he crashed. It doesn’t jibe with their peaceful protesters narrative. Again, the man was wrong and should be charged to the fullest extent of the law but if you can’t admit that all out assaults by both sides were taking place then you are either biased or being willfully ignorant.
- CrazyHorse - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 6:59 pm:
Ever the peaceful crowd fully armed with helmets bats, clubs, and pipes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHUXV6sdiBo
- wordslinger - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 7:00 pm:
Yeah, Crazy Horse, I guess they had it coming.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 7:25 pm:
Crazy Horse- There were residents of Charlottesville in the crowd he ran down that were also trying for peace on each side. Did they deserve to be run down? As for beating on his car after he crashed, are you defending that action? Run, Hide, Fight is what is taught in an active shooter situation. Trying to stop him from doing further damage is the Fight response.
- CrazyHorse - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 7:57 pm:
==Yeah, Crazy Horse, I guess they had it coming.==
Who said that? Not me. I condemned both sides and especially the guy who drove the vehicle.
==There were residents of Charlottesville in the crowd he ran down that were also trying for peace on each side. Did they deserve to be run down?==
No they didn’t. Those people have my sympathy. Unfortunately, they ended up like so many kids we see in Chicago that are caught in gang shootouts. They are the innocent ones.
==As for beating on his car after he crashed, are you defending that action? Run, Hide, Fight is what is taught in an active shooter situation. Trying to stop him from doing further damage is the Fight response.==
The problem with this argument is that there is a guy throwing something at his car BEFORE he even sped into the crowd and struck anyone. Which stage is that? More importantly, which PEACEFUL demonstration has dozens of guys wearing helmets and carrying pipes, bars, etc. Those guys were armed and ready to fight.
- Anon221 - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 8:36 pm:
How about we just stop and agree that violence, regardless of who was carrying the pipe was wrong, OK? There are lessons to be learned from what happened in Charlottesville, and we as a nation do not get anywhere if fingers are pointing instead of hands reaching out. I’m not going to debate this anymore tonight, but I would direct you to this article to learn what missteps happened that could have helped curb the violence. From the article: “One relatively obvious but important point is that once things are out of control, it’s very hard to get them back under control without serious violence.”
Could a more active control have prevented an angry man from driving into the crowd and killing a young woman who was there peacefully? We don’t know, but we can learn, we can change, we can be better in the future. One young woman thought we could be, and we should honor her memory and not let the violence of that day diminish what she believed in.
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/could-the-police-have-prevented-bloodshed-in-charlottesville/536775/
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/13/us/heather-heyer-charlottesville-victim.html
- Rabid - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 9:49 pm:
glad barny fife cleared that up for the govenors brain
- VanillaMan - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 10:52 pm:
I don’t care what Rauner said or didn’t say. Bruce can’t figure out basic governing. Asking him about an incident in Virginia makes about as much sense as asking Rauner about an incident in Nebraska.
It’s a molehill, not a mountain.
- Ma'at's Feather - Monday, Aug 14, 17 @ 11:13 pm:
Man, that governin’ is hard. A fella has to keep a dictionary around at all times.